Hello CHU Nation! This week’s FOC is a bit sparce, but I was able to pick out a few books that may be of interest to those who follow this article. So lets jump right in!
Judge These Books By Their Cover
Star Wars Obi-Wan Kenobi #6 (Hans Womens History Month Variant)
If you’re not a fan of the Bad Batch, you may not know who Omega is, or her significance to the Star Wars mythology. In a nut shell, Omega is a female clone who, like Boba Fett, was not age accelerated. There have been hints throughout the first two seasons of her being force sensitive.
Bad Batch kicked off it’s 3rd and final season this past week (3 episodes!), and [SPOILER ALERT] this was all but confirmed. We know Moff Gideon’s plans for Grogu (i.e., using his blood to create clones) were not part of Palpatine’s resurrection…so that leaves us with Omega’s blood as the leading culprit now. Palpatine’s appearance this past week is also a strong indicator that this series is going to ultimately provide us the true answer to “somehow Palpatine returned…”
So why is this cover so important? Omega has yet to appear in a comic, or on a comic book cover (she did appear with the crew on the cover of Star Wars Insider #208). So this is a first. Unfortunately it’s not a great cover. And it’s a Women’s History Month variant to the last issue of Obi-Wan Kenobi mini-series (one of the few times I wish there was a Virgin variant of a book offered), so I can’t imagine it will be a highly ordered book to begin with. All that adds up to a possible tough to find in smaller shops on day of release…which is why it’s featured here as Dirty D’s Cover of the Week.
Incredible Hulk #10 (Suayan Variant)
Frozen Charlotte made her debut in issue #9 (and I believe she’s on the cover), but we really didn’t get a great picture of who or what she is. This issue promises to delve more into her past, so I’m looking forward to that hoping she’ll be an interesting hulk villain which sticks around a bit. So not really a spec play here, but i do like the Suayan variant if I’m grabbing a read copy.
Miles Morales Spider-Man #18 (Insignia Variant)
Miles Morales Spider-Man #18 (Mr Garcin Variant)
Miles reaches 300 issues! At least that’s what Marvel says…I didn’t do the math. I’m somewhat surprised we don’t get a #300 homage variant for this milestone issue. Swing and a miss, Marvel!
Anyway, maybe something big will happen in this issue, but the soliciation isn’t leading me in that direction. There still are some cool variant covers, my favorites being the two above.
Ape-Ril Special #1 (Banana Scent Variant)
Back in December there was a Batman / Santa Claus scratch and sniff variant which wasn’t all that bad…I haven’t checked to see if it still works though. Next up is Banana! Not sure about this series though.
Batman Superman Worlds Finest #25 (William Shatner Variant)
World’s Finest covers have had a few popular guest appearance (i.e., Paul McCartney & Jerry Seinfeld). For the 25th milestone issue it will be the 92 year old William Shatner. Note: He’ll be turning 93 three days after this hits the stands. As of now he’s still doing appearances at Comic-Cons, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if this cover starts to become a bit popular for autographs this summer (albeit an expensive autograph).
If At First You Don’t Succeed….Reprint!
Beneath Trees Where Nobody Sees #2 (3rd printing)
Beneath Trees Where Nobody Sees #3 (2nd Printing)
Shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone the reprints keep coming. The only question is whether we’ll get a 4th print of issue #1.
This is an interesting facsimile. Basically a facsimile of a collection of comics featuring Ra’s Al Ghul, including his first appearance. This originally came out in 1977 and the original is not that expensive a book if you’re looking for a read copy. That’s why I’m featuring the foil variant here as something different. It retails for $20, however you can get it for significantly less if you order pre-FOC.
Potential First Appearances
Debut of “the most ruthless bounty hunter in the universe” by the name of Thanagarian. Yes, it’s a slow week for first appearances.
Indy Spotlight
In partnership with the Nacelle Company, Oni Press is proud to present a comics milestone three decades in the making as a new universe of toy and animation icons rockets into action! The road to this summer’s RoboForce #1 and Biker Mice From Mars #1 starts here with a momentous new jumping-on point that no fan can afford to miss!
Seems like Oni Press wants in on some 80’s cartoon properties to rival Image’s Energon Universe. So if you’ve got #1 issues of Roboforce, Biker Mice from Mars, Sectaurs, Power Lords and any other property owned by Nacelle Company, might be the best/only time they may get some heat.
So the ashcan (if you can call it that) came out this week. I picked it up and read it. I have to say it’s not causing me to request this title be on my pull list…I’m on the fence whether I’ll grab issue #1. It wasn’t bad…but it was only (maybe) half of the first issue and it didn’t get to anything all that dramatic to pull me into the story. It introduces the characters on the cover and some humans…but didn’t get much into where this series is going.
Still, it could be a hit, much like Stray Dogs or Beneath The Trees. Grab the ashcan if you’re thinking spec. But pick up issue #1 if you’re looking for a read as the ashcan isn’t going to give you much otherwise.
Dirty D’s Pick Of The Week
It’s a really slow week…what can I say? This book seems like some type of spin that mashes up teenage Peter Parker with Bone Chillers. You got the nerdy new kid (Gluemy Miller…really? “Gloomy”…“Glue Me”…?) with the as teachers spooky villains, and the debut of “Spooker-Man” which I’m assuming in the symbiote on the cover. I’m assuming it’s light-hearted…but maybe we’ll be in for something crazy. O.K. At least it’s…different.
Incentive Ratio Spotlight
I like these GI Joe “action figure blister pack” art variants. This week’s is Cobra Commander #3 (1:25 ratio) and features Zarana!
Drek of the Week
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Saturday Morning Adv April Special #1 (Cover A – Myer)
This book promises the “debut” of Ace Duck. It’s not. Yes, he hasn’t made many appearances in comics, but this is not a first appearance. So just be warned if people are pushing it as such.
Parting Thoughts
Yeah…slow week for sure. So slow I’m just going to slink away unnoticed…have a great week!