Not too crazy a week. Likely a little light on the wallet. In fact, it’s pretty much just all cover picks (or gimmicks). So let’s check out what’s coming up in ~30 days…
COVERS
Fire & Ice #2 (Dan Mora Variant)
Another Dan Mora cover makes the FOC notables this week. Interesting placement of the hands…a little suggestive, but a pretty cool cover overall.
Betty & Veronica Friends Forever Spy Girls One Shot (Lovallo Variant) 1
It’s pretty rare that Archie comics get called out during FOC, but this issue introduces Medusa Doom, the teenage daughter of Mad Dr. Doom (not to be confused with the Marvel Universe Dr. Doom, who is clearly not Mad). Will this character take off? Probably not, but in the off case she does, the B cover would likely be the more sought after, as she is front and center and it would likely be much lower ordered.
Transformers #20 (Cover B – Spoiler Variant)
The Autobots revive a group of allies who could change the tide of their war with the Decepticons, but they don’t know who or what is coming for them… This issue features key first appearances of fan favorite characters from the worlds of TRANSFORMERS and G.I. JOE.
Not sure who these “fan favorites” are that have yet to appear in comics…my guess is they mean first appearances in this run…and not “true” first appearances…but we’ll see. They may be on Cover B, given it’s a spoiler cover.
Geiger #14 (German Peralta Variant) 1
We’re all familiar with the “We Can Do It!” World War II poster intended to boost female worker morale at that time. The image has been homaged many times in comics. I don’t expect this cover to be of that much interest to the majority of the male population that reads Geiger…but that just means this cover may be under ordered…and should Glowing Woman become a big hit with the fans…well, this cover could be a nice flip down the road.
Also, German Peralta is not a name you hear often, but if you check out his work it’s pretty damn cool.
First cover of Mr. Freeze of the Absolute Universe. He’s also featured on the Bolland Cover F variant 1, but I like the fact that he’s creeping up on Batman and the snow gives it that “cold” feeling…you don’t get that from Cover F.
Joker also is solicited as appearing in this issue…(we’ll see if that actually happens this time).
Ultimate Spider-man: Incursion #1 (Kael NGU Foil Variant) 2
An adventure that will change Miles Morales- and the Ultimate Universe – forever! Before The Maker remade Earth-6160, he left Miles Morales the key to reach his new universe‚ and when Miles’ baby sister, Billie, uses it to travel to the Ultimate Universe, it’s up to Spider-Man to save her! But the Ultimate Universe is never safe for any Spider-Man! When the Spot attacks, Miles will have to team up with an all-new Peter Parker – and that’s just the start of his journey across Earth-6160.
I dropped Ultimate Spider-Man, so not following this title. But I do love this cover…Sort of an homage to Spectacular Spiderman #99. I’m not sure how it will look as a foil though…I think I’d prefer it just white on regular paper stock.
JUST THE FAX
Fantastic Four #48 (Facsimile Edition) 2
I’m a little disappointed they are not offering this book in a foil variant…although it’s not a great cover, to be honest…and foil wouldn’t do much for it.
I’m going to be extremely disappointed if issue #49 does not get the foil treatment…a much better cover.
INDY SPOTLIGHT / PICK OF THE WEEK
Exquisite Corpses #1 (Polybagged TCG Variant) 3
Every five years on Halloween, the wealthiest families in America play a game. Twelve of the deadliest people in the world are dropped into a small town with just one goal: last killer standing wins. For the citizens of Oak Valley, Maine—this year’s unlucky arena—the goal is much simpler. They must survive the night. Experience a comics event like no other, from the minds of JAMES TYNION IV & MICHAEL WALSH, as they lead a group of the most exciting voices in the industry. Over thirteen blood-soaked chapters, these creators will collaborate and compete to determine who wins and who dies—and the games begin in this triple-sized debut!
But while the comic series follows those innocent citizens, Exquisite Corpses: The Game , developed by artist Michael Walsh (The Silver Coin & Magic: The Gathering card illustrations), puts players in the shoes of their favorite killer from the series, in “a mix between competitive trading card games like Magic: The Gathering and casual party games like Ultimate Werewolf.
Cover A is for the read, and is the pick for the Indy Spotlight. However, Cover C comes polybagged with a card meant to be played in the future Exquisite Corpses trading card game. The cards that come with each issue (cover C) will be killer cards, allowing a streamlined play as the series releases before the release of the game version. Two of which are shown below.
Given this is coming from the minds of Tiny Onion, I would think these will be a hit coming out of the gate. Many people, including TCG’ers may not even know these exist until long after FOC…and it commands a $2 higher price tag…so could be low ordered in that respect.
For those reasons, Cover C is the Dirty D Pick-of-the-Week.
Drek of the Week
The first 2 issues of this book have been hot, with issue #2 being low ordered pre-FOC and initially commanding a premium in the aftermarket. However, there are two things not going for issue #3.
The first is that everyone is now aware this book is hot…so issue #3 will be much more heavily ordered.
The second is that Dark Horse has decided to do a “continuation printing” of issues #1 and #2 (cover A’s)…and Penguin Random House is opening orders back up…Basically not a reprint, but printing more copies of issues #1 and #2 first printings to meet demand.
So although the fan base may still be there and it may still be a good read, don’t expect flipping returns like we’ve seen for the first two issues…as those prices are likely to also drop like a stone. And for that reason this book is the Dirty D Drek of the Week.
Parting Thoughts
That’s it for this week. Happy hunting and reading!