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Six Comic Book Death Traps That Would Be Right at Home in the ‘Saw’ Franchise

Joseph George — Wed, 12 May 2021 19:57:52 +0000

I’m not one to often pull the “book was better” card, but I have to admit that I get a little bit snobby when people express their love of John Kramer, the Jigsaw killer of the Saw franchise. Look, I can respect a man who straps heartless bankers to a merry-go-round and force them to beg for their lives (yes, I know who really designed that trap). And he does know his way around a self-righteous maniacal monologue.

But long-time nerds know that death traps have long been the domain of supervillains. And, apologies to the James Bond franchise, supervillains are always best in comic books. A holdover from their pulp magazine predecessors, comic book supervillains love to capture superheroes, put them in an elaborate trap, and then… well, then they give the heroes plenty of time to escape. And they don’t even have to claw out their own eyes to do it, so I guess Jigsaw wins there.

Still, there is a long history of wonderfully odd traps outlandish enough to suit the superheroes they capture. And many of them would make Jigsaw proud. Here are six of my favorites.

1. “The Riddler,” Detective Comics #140 (1948)

As the superhero with the closest ties to pulp heroes like the Shadow and the Spider, Batman has been put through more death traps than any of his comic-book peers. Nearly all of Batman’s greatest foes have put the Caped Crusader into a death trap, from the Penguin’s inescapable birdcages to the Joker’s poison chambers.

But no villain has vexed Batman and Robin like the Riddler. Today, the Riddler is often reduced to a guy who leaves silly clues for Batman to find, but in his earliest appearances, the Riddler was all about his death traps.

In this debut story from writer Bill Finger and artist Dick Sprang, puzzle master Edward Nygma decides to test his intellect by creating “puzzling crimes” for Batman. While these crimes include creating a crossword puzzle on a billboard and flooding the Gotham City Bank to swim out with bags of money, his most ghastly moment comes when he entraps a suffocating man inside a giant metal puzzle. The Riddler will put Batman and Robin in a glass maze later on, but that twisted puzzle is the most frightening.

2. “The Escape of the Fatal Five,” Adventure Comics #365 (1968)

A group of super-powered teens in the 30th century, the Legion of Super-Heroes took their inspiration from Superboy. So even though they fought bad guys from all regions of far space, the Legionnaires often did battle with villains who employed 1000-year-old methods. And that means death traps!

The Legion regularly featured a roster of 10 -16 members, with powers ranging from the mundane (super-strength, lightning bolts) to the absurd (Matter-Eating Lad can eat and digest anything). With such variety, writers had plenty of options for constructing weird death traps for the heroes.

In this story from 1968, seventeen-year-old writer Jim Shooter pits the Legionnaires against a group of villains called the Fatal Five, which includes the cyborg mastermind Tharok. Using his super-computer brain, Tharok places five Legionnaires in specially designed traps, including a box filled with lights to drain the power of Shadow Lass and a diamond entrapment for Karate Kid. The super teens manage to get free pretty easily, but that doesn’t take away from the frightening way artist Curt Swan draws Superboy constrained in a lead ball.

3. “Back From the Dead,” Tales of Suspense #89 – 91 (1967)

In this three-part tale from Stan Lee and Gil Kane, Captain America discovers that his arch-enemy the Red Skull has survived his last defeat to plague America again. Upon revealing himself, the Skull does what supervillains do best: he puts Cap in a death trap. Okay, he gives an evil monologue explaining how he survived, but then he puts Cap in a death trap!

And what a trap it is! It begins with Cap in a giant bubble, which pops just in time for a purple robot to attack. After defeating the robot, Cap must do battle with an evil clone of his teenage sidekick Bucky (still three decades away from becoming the oh-so-dreamy Winter Soldier). After finding the mental and emotional wherewithal to do away with his partner’s double, Cap must contend with one more obstacle – a classic collapsing wall with laser beams overhead.

Cap escapes with the help of his shield and catches up with Red Skull again, only to immediately fall into another death trap, this one with a robot spider!

The story isn’t Steve Rogers’s brightest moment, but Kane’s kinetic artwork keeps the story moving along briskly, straight until the Skull’s final defeat.

4. “The Closing Jaws of Death,” Mister Miracle #4 (1971)

Of course, super escape artist Mr. Miracle needed to show up on this list. One of the most popular characters from Jack Kirby’s Fourth World series, Mister Miracle is Scott Free, son of the benevolent High Father. Sent to the hellish planet Apokolypse to be raised by Darkseid, in the same peace treaty that brought Orion to New Genesis, Scott spent his youth being tortured by Granny Goodness. Honing his escape skills as a matter of survival, Scott eventually made his way to earth, where he became Mister Miracle.

Mister Miracle escapes deadly traps in every issue of his debut series. But the most impressive comes in issue #4, in which he’s attacked by Darkseid’s minion Dr. Bedlam. Scott begins the issue locked in a steel safe being dropped from the roof of a building and he escapes into the throes of a mob driven mad by the paranoid pill, who push him into an iron maiden.

As readers, we know that Mister Miracle will get free, thanks to his Mother Box and the help of his lover Big Barda. But Kirby’s awesome pencils make every panel pulse with energy.

5. “Trapped in Murder World,” Marvel Team-Up #66 (1978)

As comics hurled past the goofiness of the Silver Age to the more “relevant” stories of the Bronze Age, supervillain death traps became passé. Sure, they still showed up from time to time. But heroes were too busy dealing with the drug trade or going on sojourns through the heart of America to be bothered with enclosing walls and shooting spikes. Those sort of things became mere practice for the X-Men, in their training facility the Danger Room.

Thank Galactus for Arcade, a bored rich boy who uses his fortune to torture superheroes. Although he usually targets the X-Men and the Avengers, Arcade got his start by trying to kill Spider-Man and Captain Britain in a Marvel Team-Up story by the seminal team of Chris Claremont and John Byrne.

There’s not much plot to the story, which simply follows Spidey and Captain Britain as they try to survive Arcade’s Murder World. But there doesn’t need to be more shading in a story that begins with the heroes in a giant pinball machine and ends with them trying to escape a giant claw trap. A slight tale, especially compared to Arcade’s more sinister turn in the later Avengers Academy miniseries, but “Trapped in Murder World” introduces a great new villain while signaling back to the early days of the Silver Age.

6. “Herald of Doom,” Fantastic Four #6-9 (2019)

Alas, by the time we reach the modern age of comics, supervillains prefer straight-up murder instead of going to the trouble of constructing a death trap.

But Doom is no mere supervillain.

This four-part story from writer Dan Slott and a team of artists finds Dr. Doom capturing the world-devouring Galactus to gain power for his two favorite things. Doom’s second favorite thing is caring for his country Latveria, and he uses Galactus’s energy to be a renewable power source. But his first favorite thing is torturing the Fantastic Four, and Galactus’s energy allows for some pretty outstanding death traps.

In a room “colder than space,” the flexible Reed Richards has been stretched to the limit. One more movement and his body will shatter forever. His wife Sue, the Invisible Woman, is bombarded with sonic pulses that scramble the part of her brain that creates her forcefields. The Human Torch Johnny Storm sits suspended in a tube of breathable liquid, which immediately douses his flames.

But the worst goes to Benjamin Grimm, the Ever-Lovin’ Blue-Eyed Thing. Although the thing can certainly break the restraints around his arms, each pull increases the intensity of his teammate’s suffering. But as Doom explains to his captive, the real torture comes from the Thing’s faith that the Fantastic Four can still escape. “That’s the trap,” Doom says with haughty disregard.

As I said, Jigsaw knows how to design a deadly trap and he knows how to pen a menacing monologue. But as this story shows, nothing John Kramer (or his many, many, many acolytes) does can hold a candle to Doom.

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#SDCC Exclusive – DC Comics Bring Monster Variants In October!

Zac Thompson — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 19:01:45 +0000

You think the heroes of the DC Universe are too kid friendly? Well this October they’re taking a month off from catching criminals and punching each other to become monstrous. DC declared October to be “Monster Month.” During the course of October, a number of New DC YOU books will ship with monster-themed variant covers, as Superman, Batman, and the rest become something we here at Bloody-Disgusting routinely dream of.

They know us here at Bloody-Disgusting to love monsters, so we’re happy to exclusively show off 10 of these behemoths. We’ve got your first monster look at variants for: Aquaman #45, Black Canary #5, Batman Beyond #5, Cyborg #4, Detective Comics #45 , Green Arrow #45, Green Lantern #45, Justice League #45, Teen Titans #13, and Wonder Woman #45.

Aquaman #45 by Michael Golden

Black Canary #5 by Michael Allred w/ colors by Laura Allred

Batman Beyond #5 by Dan Panosian w/ colors by Brad Anderson

Cyborg #4 by Mikal Janin

Detective Comics #45 by Bill Sienkiewicz

Green Arrow #45 by Kelley Jones w/ colors by Dave McCaig

Green Lantern #45 by Neal Adams w/ colors by Alex Sinclair

Justice League #45 by Szymon Kudranski

Teen Titans #13 by Aaron Lopresti

Wonder Woman #45 by Claire Wendling

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DC Announces New Weekly Series, ‘Batman Eternal’!

Lonnie Nadler — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 16:23:20 +0000

DC kicks off the NYCC announcements with news that they are launching a new weekly Batman series next spring, “Batman Eternal”. The series will be headed by Scott Snyder with some help from writers James Tynion IV, John Layman, Ray Fawkes, Tim Seeley, and artist Jason Fabok. DC is hoping that the series will offer readers more incite into the large world of Gotham, as well as allow creators to explore any part of the city they like.

In other Batman news, next year’s “Detective Comics” #27 will be a 104-page anniversary issue, paying tribute to the original “Detective Comics” #27, which marked Batman debut in 1939.
Official Press Release:

Comic book fans have a lot to look forward to today with New York Comic-Con kicking off in just a few hours. And just in time for the show, DC Comics made a few announcements that’ll surely be the talk of the convention amongst fans of the Dark Knight!

Launching next spring, BATMAN ETERNAL is an all-new weekly series that comes to you from “showrunner” and BATMAN writer, Scott Snyder, along with writers James Tynion IV, John Layman, Ray Fawkes, and Tim Seeley, and artist Jason Fabok.

BATMAN ETERNAL will “set the stage for a new Gotham and new characters and a new set of stories that will take Batman into 2015,” explained Snyder. “We want this to be a place where you get to tell a story about anything you want in Gotham, so long as we’re also moving this big story forward in the background. You’ll see bombastic arcs as well but there’ll be plenty of room for Ray to explore some of the darker, more mystical aspects of Gotham that he loves or Tim to explore some of the crime we haven’t seen before.”

“We’re five guys doing our best to give you an exciting Gotham that’s changing under the feet of its characters,” Snyder continued.

But BATMAN ETERNAL is not the only Batman news revealed this morning. DC Comics also announced that next year’s DETECTIVE COMICS #27 will be a mega-sized anniversary spectacular! Spanning 104 pages, DETECTIVE COMICS #27 serves as an homage to the original DETECTIVE COMICS #27, which marked Batman’s comic debut in 1939, and features an all-star roster of Batman creators past and present!

In stores January 8, DETECTIVE COMICS #27 includes a modern-day retelling of the Dark Knight’s origin by the incredible team of writer Brad Meltzer and artist Bryan Hitch! Plus, all-new stories by Scott Snyder and Sean Murphy, Peter J. Tomasi and Guillem March, Paul Dini and Dustin Nguyen, Gregg Hurwitz and Neal Adams, new art by legendary Batman writer/artist Frank Miller, and more! This issue – which will include variant covers by Neal Adams, Jim Lee, Greg Capullo, Chris Burnham, Kelley Jones, Patrick Gleason and Mike Allred – also includes John Layman and Jason Fabok’s final storyline, “Gothtopia,” before the new creative team of Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato take over writing duties for the series in the spring.

“We want to bring him closer to his roots and be more of a street-level type of hero,” Manapul said about his and Buccellato’s plans for the Dark Knight. “His superheroics will still be present, but the investigative part of Batman will be at the forefront …We’ve always written stories about hope, and it will be very interesting to see what comes out when we walk through the sullen streets of Gotham City.”

“Stylistically, we will use the tools in our toolbox to capture what we think the Bat-universe looks and feels like,” added Buccellato. “Gotham won’t look like Central City, so you won’t be seeing all the bright reds, oranges and yellows that defined Flash’s world.”

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Francis Manapul And Brian Buccellato To Take Over ‘Detective Comics’

Lonnie Nadler — Wed, 02 Oct 2013 18:41:07 +0000

Bleeding Cool reports that John Layman will be leaving “Detective Comics”, with Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato set to take over after concluding their run on “The Flash”. John Layman is apparently readying himself to begin a new project with DC, which will be announced at NYCC.

“Detective Comics” has been struggling since the launch of the New 52, lacking any real direction. John Layman definitely did some good work, but perhaps the Manapul/Buccellato team is just what the book needs to make it a premiere Bat-title again. No news on where artist Jason Fabok will be after the new team takes over.

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DC’s April Is ‘WTF Certified’!

Lonnie Nadler — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 15:45:07 +0000

This April, DC Comics plans to add a bit more WTF to their titles. For the month of April, DC books will all have a “WTF Certified” cover scheme. This means that the New 52 titles will feature big and sweet gatefold covers, with the hidden right half revealing some surprising images.

The full concept of the scheme was revealed today with the full cover for “Detective Comics” #900, a special issue by John Layman and Jason Fabok that features an army of Manbats and the tagline “What Is The 900?” Check it below.

Along with the logo, BuzzFeed also teased a few beats that readers can expect from “WTF Certified” comics:

• Booster Gold reappears while an entire team disappears
• One team is trapped in a bottle while another is changed completely
• Some heroes change their colors and other change allegiances
• Pandora battles to the death
• A close encounter of The Dark Knight kind
• There’s a new, old Creeper and some old New Gods.
• One hero quits, and another hero dies

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COMICS TO FEAST ON: Week Of October 5th 2011

Lonnie Nadler — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 07:28:34 +0000

Welcome back to COMICS TO FEAST ON! Everyone can rest easy now that the anticipation of The New 52 has subsided. No more number 1’s, all we can do now is sit back and enjoy the ride as the DCnU carries us forth into a new era. But, enough romanticism, let’s get on to some comics!

With the ever-increasing number of books coming out between the tie-ins, the crossovers, and the new series, we’ve got to limit our list of comics for the week somehow. Rather than cramming so many previews down your throat that you barely breathe, I’m going to give you my ten most anticipated books of the week. So feast your eyes on these! Whether you’ve been into comics since you were a young’un, or you’re new to the game, I’m here to help you decide which books to read. Read on for the skinny…

House of Mystery #42 (Final Issue)

WRITTEN BY: Matthew Sturges, Bill Willingham, and Steven Seagle
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Luca Rossi, Jose Marzan Jr. and Teddy Kristansen
PUBLISHER: Vertigo
PRICE: $7.99

The Low Down: “Whatever happened to the House of Mystery? Legend tells of a magical place where beings from many worlds met to share their stories, where the price of a drink was a well-told tale. Now, many years later, three travelers happen upon the ruins of that legendary establishment, long since abandoned. But how did its story come to an end? Three very different versions of that mystery are told – but which one is the truth? Find out in “Three for the Road,” a triptych of tales penned by Matthew Sturges, Bill Willingham, with a reunion of the HOUSE OF SECRETS team of Steven T. Seagle (AMERICAN VIRGIN) and Teddy Kristansen (THE SANDMAN MIDNIGHT THEATRE).”

The Feast: House of Mystery is a zany book that really utilizes that comics medium to its fullest. No other book published by Vertigo or anyone else has nearly as much character and attitude as this series, and it’s a sad thing it has to end so soon. But as they say, if you love something give it away. House of Mystery really messes with your mind, not only surprising you around every corner, but completely spinning you around in a vortex of meta-fiction and self-reflexive humor. If you like an innovative read that doesn’t take itself too seriously, I strongly recommend you seek out the trades at the break of dawn.

Swamp Thing #2

WRITTEN BY: Scott Snyder
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Yanick Paquette
PUBLISHER: DC Comics
PRICE: $2.99

The Low Down: “Alec Holland thought he knew the history of the Swamp Thing – but he was wrong. The creature’s roots run deeper than he knows, and the Parliament of Trees intends to make him understand the responsibility he wants so desperately to avoid! With this issue, the mythology of the Swamp Thing branches out in ways you never saw coming – don’t miss it!”

The Feast: I have a shrine for Scott Snyder in my closet, wait, what? If we didn’t have enough proof already, Swamp Thing is an incredible testament to the well-known fact that Snyder is not human. Taking on a new Swamp Thing ongoing is a daunting task with some big shoes to fill. Alan Moore’s run is an infamous canon in horror comics and Snyder does not forget that. Though he takes his own creative liberties the series looks to scare and disturb in just the right spots. I can’t wait to see where this one goes.

Action Comics #2

WRITTEN BY: Grant Morrison
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Rags Morales and Rick Bryant
PUBLISHER: DC Comics
PRICE: $2.99

The Low Down: “In his weakest moment, Superman is taken down – but by whom? And if the world wasn’t ready for a man with super powers, they’re utterly unprepared for the rage of a Superman cornered! The cornerstone character of the new DCU continues his debut adventure!”

The Feast: Easily the most debated and controversial book of the New 52 (perhaps with the exception of Catwoman and her sexual promiscuity), Action Comics makes Superman young again and brings him down to the level of blue-collar workers. With the whole “GD” thing behind us now, Action Comics is one of the most promising books of last month which is really no surprise given that it’s Grant Morrison’s child.

Animal Man #2

WRITTEN BY: Jeff Lemire
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Travel Forman
PUBLISHER: DC Comics
PRICE: $2.99

The Low Down: “Maxine’s new abilities continue to terrify Ellen and Buddy Baker, and things take a turn for the worse as Buddy begins a startling transformation of his own that will lead him on a journey into the heart of The Red. Meanwhile, The Hunters Three arrive on Earth and set their sights on the Baker family. The Hunt is on as DC’s most surprising new series continues to take ANIMAL MAN in shocking new directions.”

The Feast: I hate to toot my own horn but I told ya this was going to be an incredible series. I can’t even count the amount of times I plugged Jeff Lemire’s incredible work on Sweet Tooth and Essex County, and now Animal Man is evidence that Lemire is one of the top dogs. The first issue was a great introduction to the character, it was creepy as all hell, and the cliffhanger ending was jaw-clenchingly good. If you missed the first issue, make sure you pick up the second printing and add this book to your pull list!

X-Men: Schism #5

WRITTEN BY: Jason Aaron
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Adam Kubert
PUBLISHER: Marvel
PRICE: $3.99

The Low Down: “On one side, X-Men team leader, Cyclops. On the other, X-Men mainstay, Wolverine. Between them lies the fate of mutantkind, and surrounding them, the foes who want to end them forever!”

The Feast: Finally, in the last issue we saw Wolverine reach is breaking point as he refused to take any more orders from Summers who’s stubbornness nearly put the last of the mutant children in danger. This concluding issue to the mini-series should tear that last thread that holds Wolverine and Cyclops together leading into a new dawn for the X-Men. New readers will want to pick up this series, as whatever comes next will launch from Schism’s events.

Grampa Won’t Wake Up

WRITTEN BY: Simon Max Hill
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Shannon Wheeler
PUBLISHER: Boom! Studios
PRICE: $7.99

The Low Down: “ This is not the children’s book your mother read to you! Best known for TOO MUCH COFFEE MAN and I THOUGHT YOU WOULD BE FUNNIER, Eisner Award-winning talent Shannon Wheeler brings you this Li’l Golden parody that takes a look at the lighter side of discovering a cadaver in your living room. See what ridiculous lengths will be reached in trying to wake up Grandpa…and were those fishnets really necessary? A hilarious send up from new writing talent simon max hill and Shannon Wheeler!”

The Feast: I have a certain adoration for gloomy children’s stories that make your imagination run wild. Children’s stories are often terrifying when you revisit them as an adult and Grampa Won’t Wake Up tries to make the mystery of death a little more lighthearted. Not unlike Tim Burton or Neil Gaiman’s style, children’s literature of this sort twist the average everyday into something terrifying yet relatable at the same time.

Detective Comics #2

WRITTEN BY: Tony Daniel
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Tony Daniel and Ryan Winn
PUBLISHER: DC Comics
PRICE: $2.99

The Low Down: “Batman sets his sights on the Gotham Ripper, who in turn has his sights on Batman. Meanwhile, Bruce Wayne explores a budding romance with television journalist Charlotte Rivers, who’s visiting Gotham City to cover the gruesome slayings – while also trying to uncover Bruce’s own mystery. But time is running out as both Commissioner Gordon and Batman work to uncover the true identity of this new serial killer.”

The Feast: The Bat-Books have become increasingly horrific over the years and issue #1 brought that horror to a new level. The last page was disturbing, to say the least, and one of Joker’s most greusome tricks. Though perhaps this is not the best Batman story for new readers, it’s like Christmas for horror comic fans.

O.M.A.C. #2

WRITTEN BY: Dan Didio and Keith Griffen
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Keith Griffen
PUBLISHER: DC Comics
PRICE: $2.99

The Low Down: “Brother Eye gives Kevin Kho the ground rules to their new “arrangement.” New players are introduced to the game as Sarge Steel and Checkmate begin their hunt for the One Machine Army Corp, but O.M.A.C.’s appearance may be short-lived when he faces the incredible threat of Rocker Bonn, the Amazing Man!”

The Feast: With all the attention being given to the more serious/adult driven books like Batman and Animal Man, it’s important that we try to remember that comics are above all supposed to be entertaining. The new age of comics is full of serious books but luckily we also have books like OMAC to keep our spirits high. Many people worried that with the new Universe, DC would lose sight of their roots and eliminate a lot of the sillier books out there. OMAC is a wonderful counterpart the more “scholarly” comics out there, once again giving credibility to DC’s ability to balance their titles.

The Walking Dead #89

WRITTEN BY: Robert Kirkman
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Charlie Adlard and Cliff Rathburn
PUBLISHER: Image
PRICE: $2.99

The Low Down: “He has gone too far.”

The Feast: You know a book has reached the pinnacle of success when the publisher no longer feels the need to write informative synopses. If you don’t read TWD, quite simply you will someday and regret that you didn’t do it sooner.

Severed #3

WRITTEN BY: Scott Snyder and Scott Tuft
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Attila Futaki
PUBLISHER: Image
PRICE: $2.99

The Low Down: “’IT’S A JUNGLE OUT THERE’ Things heat up as our cannibalistic salesman meets the kids and invites them over for dinner. SCOTT SNYDER (American Vampire, Batman, Swamp Thing), SCOTT TUFT and ATTILA FUTAKI (Percy Jackson) are back with 2011’s most terrifying horror series. SEVERED.”

The Feast: Snyder is a master of horror. If his work at DC wasn’t enough, now he’s bringing us another horrifying tale à la Silence of the Lambs. If you’re worried about your sanity, you may need to step away from this one because it somehow makes you fall in love with the most disturbing of images. The story is set in the early 1900s and is a reversion back to classic horror stories making for one disconcerting comic. Perhaps it may be better read in trade format to increase the fear nob to 11, but if you can, buy it while it’s hot.

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GRAPHIC CONTENT PICK OF THE WEEK: Lonmonster – ‘Detective Comics’ #881

Lonnie Nadler — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 10:21:36 +0000

Was the really any other option for this week? This is it Bat-fans, the culmination of Snyder’s hard and brilliant work over the past few months. Oh, and it’s also the final f*ckin’ issue of Detective Comics before the big reboot. Whether you’re excited for the New 52 or skeptical, it’s undeniable that this is a landmark issue in Batman history. Snyder has been building and building in this arc to reveal how heartless Commissioner Gordon’s son has become after years of living in the shadow of others. No doubt this issue will tie into the new series come September, so don’t miss this extra-size finale to Snyder’s epic Batman story. Read on for the skinny…

WRITTEN BY: Scott Snyder
ILLUSTRATED BY: Jock

“This is it – the finale so twisted, so shocking we can’t even begin to give away details here! Be there for the extra-sized conclusion of the acclaimed run by Scott Snyder, Jock and Francesco Francavilla. DETECTIVE COMICS #881 is the issue everyone will be talking about. Believe it.”

Not much hype really needs to be given to Snyder, Jock, or this book in general. Everyone knows that Detective Comics is not only one of the best Batman books, but one of the best comics period. Since Scott Snyder signed up with the team a few months back he’s been relentlessly shocking fans issue after issue.

The past few installments pretty much followed Commissioner Gordon alone, leaving the Bat out of the spotlight for once. But, for some reason, I have a sneaking suspicion that Dick will return this issue in a big way. James’ Gordon’s son is a character often forgotten in the Gotham world and Snyder has done an incredible job of revealing his sadistic intentions and murderous plots. If the care and planning given to this arc is any sign of what’s to come in the reboot, Bat-lovers will be in rapture. I can’t think of anyone who hasn’t liked Snyder’s run on Detective Comics, and if you are one of those few people, god help you.

I don’t need to tell you that Jock’s art so far in the series has been amazing; his dark colors mix with vibrant backlighting comes as a stark and lovely contrast. He’s got a unique comic book style giving character straight-line faces that really cut through the panel. The weird close ups and creepy angles add a nice sense of gloom to the book, especially when James Jr. is in the panel, that guy is a little creep.

I have a profound respect for DC for having the balls to pull off this reboot, but currently I’m in a rather sad frame of mind seeing all these books come to a close. It really is the end of an era and the start of something utterly new. Mixed emotions aside, the final issue of Detective Comics will blow your mind and go down in history as one of the best Batman stories to date. Thanks for an incredible final run, Scott Snyder, and farewell Detective Comics of old. It’s been real.

“Detective Comics” issue #881 drops Wednesday August 10th from DC Comics! (MSRP $2.99)

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COMICS TO FEAST ON: Week Of August 10th 2011

Lonnie Nadler — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 10:17:49 +0000

Welcome to the first edition of COMICS TO FEAST ON, which is a slightly altered version of the usual Pull and Hold. Rather than cramming so many previews down your throat that you barely breathe, I’m going to give you my ten most anticipated books the week. So feast your eyes on these!

With the ever-increasing number of books coming out between the tie-ins, the crossovers, and the new series, we’ve got to limit our list of comics for the week somehow. Rather than focus on every major comic hitting the shelves I’ll narrow it down to ten books that stand out from the rest. Whether you’ve been into comics since you were a young’un, or you’re new to the game, I’m here to help you decide which books to read. If we’ve left out anything important, let us know what you’re stoked for in the comments. Read on for the skinny… American Vampire: Survival of the Fittest #3 (of 5)

WRITTEN BY: Scott Snyder
ILLUSTRATED BY: Sean Murphy
PUBLISHER: Vertigo
PRICE: $2.99

The Low Down: “The search for the vampire cure takes Cash and Felicia to the catacombs beneath an ancient castle where they find a shocking secret!”

The Feast: Ultimately what it comes down to is that American Vampire is the most popular horror comic on the stands, and Snyder is the most popular new writer. This spin off from the original series has been exceptional, and only works to broaden the American Vampire world. Thankfully this was not passed of to another writer. Any self-respecting fan of horror comics should be reading this series.

Hellboy: The Fury #3 (of 3)

WRITTEN BY: Mike Mignola
ILLUSTRATED BY: Duncan Fegredo
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse
PRICE: $2.99

The Low Down: “With her tower in ruin, and her body a vessel for the Ogdru Jahad, the Queen of Blood shows no mercy to Hellboy as their final battle meets a stunning conclusion! The conclusion of the epic story that began in 2007’s Darkness Calls.”

The Feast: Mignola has been teasing at the idea of Hellboy’s demise for quite some time now, and the final issue of “The Fury”, may just be his time (if demons can die). Mignola is a master of the paranormal, and without him, who knows where Dark Horse would be. Hellboy is one of the most consistent titles out there, and this issue is the culmination of everything from the last several years for our big red friend, for better or for worse.

Graveyard of Empires #2

WRITTEN BY: Mark Sable
ILLUSTRATED BY: Paul Azaceta
PUBLISHER: Image
PRICE: $2.99

The Low Down: “The new C.O. of a remote outpost in Afghanistan has his hands full. If the terror of the Taliban and the mutiny of a Marine sniper weren’t bad enough, his squad is now under attack by the undead! GRAVEYARD OF EMPIRES doesn’t just show you the face of modern warfare – it rips it right off.”

The Feast: Everyone has been raging about the latest zombie war story 68 and unfortunately Graveyard of Empires has been cast in it’s shadow. This is a real shame considering Graveyard of Empires is a much deeper and more culturally relevant book that offers more than just zombies and war (plus an infinitely better title). Thankfully it’s only issue #2 and new readers still have a chance to jump on board. If you’re a zombie fan check it out.

Fear Itself #5 (of 7)

WRITTEN BY: Matt Fraction
ILLUSTRATED BY: Stuart Immonen
PUBLISHER: Marvel
PRICE: $3.99

The Low Down: “The blockbuster Marvel event of the year continues! Thor. Hulk. Thing. The fight to end all fights. And while it rages, the Serpent’s forces deal Captain America a blow not even he can withstand.”

The Feast: By now everyone and their mother knows about Fear Itself and the far too many tie-ins that come with it. Nonetheless this is an event for the ages and Fraction’s work is always a pleasure to read. This is likely to be the biggest, most action heavy issue yet, and you can expect some leads as to how they will solve the problem of “The Worthy”.

Hack/Slash #7

WRITTEN BY: Tim Seeley
ILLUSTRATED BY: Daniel Leister
PUBLISHER: Image
PRICE: $3.50

The Low Down: “’FAME MONSTER,’ Part Two It’s not easy being a pampered, useless celebrity. Cassie and Vlad must protect an American idol from his insane fans, a bloodthirsty killer, and horrific entities intent on enslaving humanity. Blood, skin and paparazzi rule in ‘FAME MONSTER’”

The Feast: It’s no secret that here at Graphic Content we have a love for Tim Seeley’s Hack/Slash series. This has been one of the best in the horror genre, never failing to bring loads of fun to the table. Each arc, Seeley finds a new way to wrangle up some pop culture icon and shred them to pieces in his psychotic world where horror movie monsters roam free. On top of all this, Hack/Slash is currently being made into an animated film, which we couldn’t be more excited for.

Flashpoint: Frankenstein and the Creatures of The Unknown #3 (of 3)

WRITTEN BY: Jeff Lemire
ILLUSTRATED BY: Ibraim Roberson
PUBLISHER: DC Comics
PRICE: $2.99

The Low Down: “FLASH FACT: The great monster hunter Miranda Shrieve will see our heroes dead before the night is done; unless they can defeat her and her army of robots.”

The Feast: This may be one Flashpoint book that has almost no relevance to the rest of the event, but personally I see that as a good thing. I take it that DC knew that this mini-series was not going to be a major attraction in theFlashpoint lineup. Instead, what we get is a very clever book by Lemire, a god in my mind, leading into the Frankenstein ongoing that is part of the new 52. Frankenstein is one of the only books being written by the same person that will carry it over to the new line in the fall, and I’m sure Lemire knows where he wants to take it.

Baltimore: The Curse Bells #1

WRITTEN BY: Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden
ILLUSTRATED BY: Ben Stenbeck
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse
PRICE: $2.99

The Low Down: “Monsters are overrunning Europe, and Baltimore, the only one who can put an end to these horrors, must find and kill Haigus, the vampire responsible for this chaos. Following reports that Haigus is holed up in a cloister, Baltimore finds a haven full of death and black magic, and the creature at the heart of his obsession!”

The Feast: The second Mignola book this week features co-writer Christopher Golden, the same team that brought us the first Baltimore book. For those of you who don’t know, Baltimore is a war vet of sorts who battles vampires and other dark creatures (surprise, surprise). Baltimore brings forth a whole slew of dark imagery and references to gothic literature to the table. While this is common to many horror books out there today, nobody captures it in quite the same way as these two. Plus, it’s a great introduction to what Dark Horse is all about.

Amazing Spider-Man #667

WRITTEN BY: Dan Slott
ILLUSTRATED BY: Humberto Ramos
PUBLISHER: Marvel
PRICE: $3.99

The Low Down: “THE SPIDER-MAN EVENT OF THE DECADE BEGINS! Start Webbing The News! New York City’s Infestation is complete and eight million people are plagued! As someone near to Peter Parker’s life reveals their spider-abilities, the brilliantly fearsome Jackal rises from the past and begins organizing an army of Spider-powered soldiers. Spider-Man isn’t the only hero affected as the threat goon grows bigger than any one Fantastically Friendly Neighborhood Avenger can handle. Best-selling Spidey creators Dan Slott and Humberto Ramos spin a Spider-epic that turns Peter Parker’s BIG TIME into a BIG MESS. Bad romance, death-defying violence and one man facing his FINAL fearsome destiny… this one’s got it all! Simply put, pal….YOU NEED THIS!”

The Feast: Although last issue was only a prelude, it was the first time in a while reading a Spidey book that felt right. Finally, fans are getting a Spider-Man they deserve. While it may be too early to say this is going to be a great series, I have high hopes that Slott will continue to deliver a Peter Parker that is as sassy as he is relatable. As more and more people are “infected” with the “spider plague”, Parker’s already demanding life (to put it lightly) is going to get a lot busier. How could you not be excited to watch a whole bunch of classic villains to creep their way back into Spidey’s life?

Batman and Robin #26

WRITTEN BY: David Hine
ILLUSTRATED BY: Greg Tocchini
PUBLISHER: DC Comics
PRICE: $2.99

The Low Down: “Le Jardin Noir – France’s very own Arkham Asylum – falls under siege! Someone has freed the lunatics, and unless they can be stopped, they’ll turn Paris into a surreal Hell on Earth! Batman and Robin join Nightrunner in a mind-bending battle with the strangest lineup of villains this side of Bizarro World.”

The Feast: This is it ladies and gents, the end of one of the best new Bat-books of the past few years. The series did a wonderful job of building the relationship between the new Batman and the new Robin before Bruce’s return, and it would only be right to see it out to the final issue. Based on the cover, this issue is going to be extremely experimental with all sorts of modern art thrown into the mix. Batman has always been a good character to try new things on, right? So with the last issue, why not go out with a bang?

Detective Comics #881

WRITTEN BY: Scott Snyder
ILLUSTRATED BY: Jock
PUBLISHER: DC Comics
PRICE: $2.99

The Low Down: “This is it – the finale so twisted, so shocking we can’t even begin to give away details here! Be there for the extra-sized conclusion of the acclaimed run by Scott Snyder, Jock and Francesco Francavilla. DETECTIVE COMICS #881 is the issue everyone will be talking about. Believe it.”

The Feast: I really shouldn’t need to explain why this books is part of this list. It’s the LAST issue of the original Detective Comics series, and the conclusion to Scott Snyder’s wonderful run on the series. There is no doubt that there will be all sorts of twists and turns this issue, and hopefully it will bring closure to Dick’s run as Batman.

The post COMICS TO FEAST ON: Week Of August 10th 2011 appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

OMFG Of The Day: Snyder’s ‘Detective Comics’ Draws To A Violent Close This Week!

THEoDEAD — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 07:37:09 +0000

Easily one of the most storied and consistently good monthly stories to hit shelves month in and month out for better part of the past century has been DC Comics’ “DETECTIVE COMICS”, and thanks to thge upcoming relaunch the series will finally be coming to an end this week before it is officially relaunched in September. Beyond the break you can get a very special sneak peek at the groundbreaking final issue before it hits shelves this week. Read on for the skinny…

WRITTEN BY: Scott Snyder
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Jock, Francesco Francavilla
COVER BY: Jock

“DETECTIVE COMICS” Issue #881 Drops August 10th From DC Comics! (MSRP – $2.99)

The post OMFG Of The Day: Snyder’s ‘Detective Comics’ Draws To A Violent Close This Week! appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

GRAPHIC CONTENT PULL & HOLD: July 13th, 2011

Lonnie Nadler — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 10:29:57 +0000

Welcome to the weekly previews for July 13th , 2011 here at Bloody-Disgusting.com! The truth is everyone would read all the books if they had the time and money, but in reality most of us don’t. Here you will find a little taste of some major comics being released each week, my take on them, and, as always, feels free to discuss below. Whether you have been into comics since you were a little one, or are new to the game, I’m here to help you decide which books are for you. I’ve picked out some comics I feel will stand out in the coming week and listed them under their respective publisher, with over a dozen previews of some of your favorite books such as “AMAZING SPIDER-MAN”, “GREEN LANTERN”, “HELLRAISER”, and “30 DAYS OF NIGHT”. Read on for the skinny…

Amazing Spider-Man #665

WRITTEN BY: Dan Slott
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Ryan Stegman
PRICE: $3.99

“’INFESTED’ ENDS WITH SPIDEY AT THE ‘CROSSROADS’ As Spider-Man, he’s a member of the FF and TWO different Avengers teams. As Peter Parker, he works all hours on his dream job at Horizon Labs. That doesn’t leave him with much time for anything or anyone else. This is where he pays the price. In this landmark issue, one of Peter’s greatest sins– comes back to haunt him. And the life of someone dear to him hangs in the balance. Plus: With New York’s Infestation complete, the run-up to Spider-Island is over. Prepare for hell to break loose.”

Well, well, well, finally we’ve arrived at the last issue before the much-anticipated SPIDER-ISLAND! Although this issue is not officially part of upcoming Spider-event, it’s definitely one you’ll want to read if you plan on reading Spider-Man over the next few months (and trust me, you want to). Get read boys and girls, for what should be one of the best Spidey-stories in a long time.

Captain America #1

WRITTEN BY: Ed Brubaker
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Steve McNiven
PRICE: $3.99

“Bestselling Cap writer Ed Brubaker and superstar artist Steve McNiven bring you the next huge chapter in Steve Rogers life, and it’s a perfect jumping-on point for fans of the Cap movie. A funeral for a fallen friend turns into a race against time as the original Captain America makes his explosive return!”

Why the hell does Marvel keep doing this stuff to Cap?! I’m all for a new series, and rebirths, but it seems as if Captain American has been restarted more times than a computer with Windows Vista. Thankfully they’re bringing back Brubaker for this new ongoing, so at least we can rest assured it’s going to be good. If you plan on seeing the Cap movie, and haven’t been into the comics, here’s your chance!

Fear Itself: Spider-Man #3 (of 3)

WRITTEN BY: Christopher Yost
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Mike McKone
PRICE: $2.99

“FEAR ITSELF TIE-IN! Day Three of the Fear. Spider-Man hasn’t slept in 72 hours… he’s hurt, exhausted, and he’s the only hope the people of New York City have. And just when things seem as bad as they can get… it gets worse. The blockbuster event ‘Fear Itself’ continues as Spider-Man comes face to face with a friend under the Serpent’s grip, a friend with every intention of killing Spider-Man with a very big hammer.”

Spider-Man is an extremely busy dude, I mean jeez, The Avengers, FF, Spider-Island, fighting Venom, and in the midst of Fear Itself! Can the guy catch a break or what? Considering they just killed off Spider in Ultimate comics, I think killing him again this month would be too much heartbreak for fans to handle.

FF #6

WRITTEN BY: Jonathan Hickman
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Greg Tocchini
PRICE: $2.99

“The Return of the King. Black Bolt is back and is determined to reclaim his throne.”

As I said last month, FF is hands down my favorite new ongoing from Marvel. I was never a huge fan of the Fantastic Four, I found it hard to get into, but FF is almost perfect. The first couple issues set out the story and characters brilliantly, and although it was a tad slow, it’s exactly how a new series should start. This week, it’s clobberin’ time! Prepare yourself for some hefty action this Wednesday as things pick up for the FF.

Ultimate Comics: Fallout #1 (of 6)

WRITTEN BY: Brian Michael Bendis, Jonathan Hickman and Nick Spencer
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Mark Bagley, Sara Pichelli and more
PRICE: $3.99

“Following the tragic events of DEATH OF SPIDER-MAN, prepare for the birth of the new Ultimate Comics Universe.”

Holy moly, look at that writing team! Spidey might be dead, but what does this mean for the world of Ultimate Comics? While it may not be a complete reboot of the universe, like our friends at DC, it’s going to be a big step for Marvel. Since the launch of the Ultimate line a few years back, it’s given rise some of the most beloved books in Marvel’s catalogue. The Ultimate Universe has allowed Marvel to introduce some of the most controversial storylines to longtime readers, and gain a new audience with its novelty. I can’t wait to see what Marvel has in store throughout the coming year in the Ultimate Universe.

X-Men: Schism #1 (of 5)

WRITTEN BY: Jason Aaron
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Carlos Pacheco
PRICE: $4.99

“After a mutant-triggered international incident, anti-mutant hatred hits new heights. Now, when the X-Men need one another more than ever, a split among their ranks threatens to tear the mutant team in two. Teammates will become enemies in SCHISM!”

Whether you love the recent goings-on in the X-world or not, Schism is finally here and much will change for the X-Men. Despite the minimal number of mutants left, they still can’t seem to get along and are once again separating into two new teams. Wolverine finally gets his own team, and he’ll be battling against one of his longtime friends. Hopefully this X-Event will capture the interest of new readers and set the X-Men in right direction for the coming year.

Booster Gold #46 (Flashpoint)

WRITTEN BY: Dan Jurgens
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Dan Jurgens PRICE: $2.99

“FLASH QUESTION: Will he be able to find The Flash in time?”

According to some major critics, Flashpoint seems to taken a turn for the worse and plummeted in quality since the first issue. Although a lot of critics are saying that this event is a disappointment, I think it’s a bit harsh to pre-judge so quickly when the event has barely reached it’s halfway point. Personally I can’t get enough Flashpoint. Booster Gold started with a phenomenal Flashpoint tie-in to kick off the event, and I don’t see Jurgens letting this one slide away from him. Booster Gold is one Flashpoint book you don’t want to skip

DC Comics Presents: Batman Gotham Noir #1

WRITTEN BY: Ed Brubaker
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Sean Phillips and Scott McDaniel PRICE: $7.99

“Don’t miss this Elseworlds set in a stylish Gotham City straight out of classic mystery films, starring a down-on-his luck cop called Jim Gordon and the mysterious Bat! Plus, from BATMAN #604, The Dark Knight returns to Crime Alley for an encounter with Catwoman!

Not since The Long Halloween has there been a Batman book that captures the mood and setting of a traditional hardboiled detective story. Based on the awesome throwback cover of this book, and the simple fact that Brubaker is manning the helm, this could be one of the best Batman detective stories in a while. At $7.99 and a healthy 96 pages, this is a treat for fans of Batman and noir fiction alike.

Detective Comics #879

WRITTEN BY: Scott Snyder
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Jock PRICE: $2.99

”For years, Jim Gordon has been tormented by the possibility that his son, James Jr., might be a killer. Tonight, he’ll get the answers he’s been after. But is the truth about James even darker than the Commissioner, or even Batman, could have guessed?

It’s Scott Snyder writing Batman…Enough said.

Flashpoint: Citizen Cold #2 (of 3)

WRITTEN BY: Scott Kolins
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Scott Kolins PRICE: $2.99

“FLASH QUESTION: Will Central City’s greatest hero be able to stand against the Rogues?”

Citizen Cold has always felt like a pretty weak villain to me, despite the obvious adoration other fans feel for him. While I’m not super stoked about this Flashpoint tie-in myself, it’s undeniable one of the most interesting character changes of the event. If you’ve got the extra cash to blow on some Flashpoint this week, you may want to check this out.

Flashpoint: Emperor Aquaman #2 (of 3)

WRITTEN BY: Tony Bedard
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Adrian Syaf and Vincente Cifuentes PRICE: $2.99

“FLASH QUESTION: Will his loss destroy the world?”

Boy oh boy, somebody looks angry! The whole war between Aquaman and Wonder Woman is actually quite entertaining, and something we’d never really thought would happen: a war between two superheroes threating to destroy the entire world (err, or maybe we have seen this before). Nonetheless, Flashpoint Aquaman is nothing short of a total asshole, making for a great take on the character.

Flashpoint: Frankenstein Creatures of The Unknown #2 (of 3)

WRITTEN BY: Jeff Lemire
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Ibraim Roberson
PRICE: $2.99

“FLASH QUESTION: Can our heroes find the cure to their afflictions, or will the monster hunter Miranda Shrieve kill them before they get the chance?”

Although I don’t think this tie-in has much bearing on the actual events of Flashpoint, it’s one of my favorite reads this year. It may be my love for Frankenstein, or my love for Jeff Lemire, but this book has fun exploding out of every page. Both writing and art are fantastic, and who doesn’t want to see some monsters kicking ass.

Green Lantern #67

WRITTEN BY: Geoff Johns
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Doug Mahnke and Christian Alamy
PRICE: $2.99

“”War of the Green Lanterns”. The blockbuster “War of the Green Lanterns” comes to a universe-shattering conclusion! How will Krona’s rampage ultimately affect the Green Lantern Corps? All we can say is it will change EVERYTHING!”

Concluding the War of the Green Lanterns this week, much should be revealed about the future plans for Hal Jordan and the gang. The end of last months issue revealed a ridiculous cliffhanger ending in true Johns fashion, and this week promises to maintain the excitement. Johns is almost single handedly responsible for the mythos that has become of the Green Lantern in recent years, and although the film was a flop, it will be sad to see this all end come September.  

Blackest Night (Trade Paperback)

WRITTEN BY: Geoff Johns
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Ivan Reis and Oclair Albert
PRICE: $19.99

“The prophecy of The Blackest Night descends in this trade paperback collecting the best-selling BLACKEST NIGHT #0-8. Now, Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps lead DC’s champions into battle to save the universe from an army of Black Lanterns made up of the DCU’s deceased heroes and villains!”

If you don’t know what Blackest Night is, I honestly feel bad for you. Finally available in paperback, the biggest, baddest, and best event of DC’s past few years. If you’ve somehow managed to wait for the trades, wait no longer, they have landed.

Hellraiser #3

WRITTEN BY: Clive Barker and Christopher Monfette ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Leonardo Manco PRICE: $3.99

“One of the greatest horror franchises of all time returns, now under the control of its original creator! The machinations of Pinhead’s plans become more intense, and the horror they will unleash is getting closer to Kirsty! She thought she had a new life with friends and a fiance, but the past is never buried for long! Covers by Tim Bradstreet and Nick Percival.”

This series had eluded me for a while, until last week when I was urged by a friend to pick up the first issue, and I’m very happy I did. Clive Barker finally returns to Hellraiser, and does it right. Not since the original film has the infamous Pinhead been so terrifying. Any fan of the films should not miss this series.

B.P.R.D.: Hell On Earth Monsters #1 (of 2)

WRITTEN BY: Mike Mignola and John Arcudi
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Tyler Crook PRICE: $3.50

“While the Bureau’s off fighting giant bat-eared beasts in Texas, Liz Sherman is kicking hillbilly ass in a trailer park! ‘The acronym ‘B.P.R.D.’ has become for us synonymous for a good read . . . Keep up the good work Dark Horse!’-MTV Geek”

All of the B.P.R.D. books are so enjoyable to read, I don’t see any reason not to pick this one up. Mignola has created something truly great and deserves a lot of attention for bringing us into his world of magic, mystery, demons, and the supernatural.

30 Days of Night: Night, Again #3 (of 4)

WRITTEN BY: Joe Lansdale
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Sam Kieth
PRICE: $3.99

”Refugee cannibals? Maruading vampires? Attacking, wild bears? A homicidal golem, asleep for ages yet read to rise once again, and out for blood? An unforgiving, icy tundra? Yes, all this insanity and more in this issue, all from twisted tale-spinners Joe Lansdale and Sam Kieth! Believe it… believe it all.”

Easily one of the best story arcs since the orginial series. I know, I know, it’s a big statement, but seriously, 30 Days of Night: Night, Again is terrifying, and exactly how vampire stories should be. Lansdale does a great job with the script, and Kieth’s art is second to none when it comes to horror books.

Crawl to Me #1 (of 4)

WRITTEN BY: Alan Robert
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Alan Robert
PRICE: $3.99

“Wire Hangers creator/hard-rock musician, Alan Robert, is back for blood with an all-new horror comic series, titled Crawl to Me. The story centers on Ryan, as he struggles to protect his family from what appears to be an evil entity living within their basement’s crawl space. It is only after a series of violent events occur, when Ryan realizes he must set aside all he believes to be true in order to face his shocking and inevitable reality. This intense thriller will keep you guessing every step of the way. Written and illustrated by Robert, with covers by Robert and Menton3 (Silent Hill: Past Life), plus incentive covers by U.K. artist, David Lupton.”

By this point in my life I ‘m pretty much willing to give any new horror series a chance. Truthfully I don’t know much about this series, nor do I have any idea what to expect, so I’m as much in the dark as you are on this one.

American Vampire: Survival of the Fittest #2 (of 5)

WRITTEN BY: Scott Snyder
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Sean Murphy
PRICE: $2.99

“Vampire hunters Cash McCogan and Felicia Book get shot down over the mountains of Romania and find themselves trapped between Nazi patrols – and vampires.”

This marks the second installment of the American Vampire spin-off, from the godlike creator, Scott Snyder. Snyder’s American Vampire has been praised so much, it’s hard to say anything other than, “just read it”.

The post GRAPHIC CONTENT PULL & HOLD: July 13th, 2011 appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

OMFG Of The Day: DC Releases Bat-Family Solicits For October, Announces ‘Penguin’ And ‘Huntress’ Minis!

THEoDEAD — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 04:56:48 +0000

Easily the best part of the entire DC Comics Reboot controversy has been the announcements pertaining to “BATMAN” and all of his supporting characters. The franchise seems to be taking a major leap forward while other titles will be getting a fresh start, and that notion was furthered today as the publisher announced two more monthlies in the Bat-Universe with “PENGUIN: PAIN AND PREJUDICE” and “HUNTRESS”. The titles (featured inside) will go on sale this Halloween, but beyond the break you can also check out the full solicit info and cover art for ALL the Batman related titles hitting shelves in October. Read on for the skinny…

BATMAN #2

WRITTEN BY: SCOTT SNYDER
ILLUSTRATIONS AND COVERS BY: GREG CAPULLO and JONATHAN GLAPION
VARIANT COVER BY: JIM LEE
1:200 B&W variant cover by GREG CAPULLO

“Bruce Wayne is back in the cowl, hunting a new and deadly killer in Gotham City – a killer with a vendetta against Bruce Wayne! But who is this mysterious killer in an owl skull mask? And is he the key to unlocking one of Gotham’s oldest and most terrifying secrets? Be there for their first brutal encounter!”

“BATMAN” Issue #2 Drops October 19th From DC Comics! (MSRP – $2.99)

DETECTIVE COMICS #2

WRITTEN BY: TONY S. DANIEL
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: TONY S. DANIEL and RYAN WINN
COVERS BY: TONY S. DANIEL

“Batman sets his sights on the Gotham Ripper, who in turn has his sights on Batman. Meanwhile, Bruce Wayne explores a budding romance with television journalist Charlotte Rivers, who’s visiting Gotham City to cover the gruesome slayings – while also trying to uncover Bruce’s own mystery. But time is running out as both Commissioner Gordon and Batman work to uncover the true identity of this new serial killer.”

“DETECTIVE COMICS” Issue #2 Drops October 5th From DC Comics! (MSRP – $2.99)

BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #2

WRITTEN BY: DAVID FINCH and PAUL JENKINS
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: DAVID FINCH and RICHARD FRIEND with JAY FABOK
COVERS BY: DAVID FINCH and RICHARD FRIEND

“Something sinister surges through Arkham Asylum, and Batman finds himself bombarded by his greatest foes in this second sensational issue from superstar creator David Finch!
Bigger, meaner, and more powerful than ever before, the inmates of Arkham Asylum run rampant as the entire Bat Family struggles to keep the walls from falling down, unleashing Gotham City’s worst criminals on the unsuspecting population. And you won’t believe the jaw-dropping final page! Just keep repeating, “It’s only a comic book. It’s only a comic book…”

“BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT” Issue #2 Drops October 26th From DC Comics! (MSRP – $2.99)

BATMAN AND ROBIN #2

WRITTEN BY: PETER J. TOMASI
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: PATRICK GLEASON and MICK GRAY
COVERS BY: PATRICK GLEASON

“Batman’s fears about Robin’s tendency to dish out more pain than necessary are growing! And who is the man named NoBody, visiting Gotham City to say hello to his old friend Bruce Wayne and find out where he went wrong in his battle against crime.”

“BATMAN AND ROBIN” Issue #2 Drops October 12th From DC Comics! (MSRP – $2.99)

BATGIRL #2

WRITTEN BY: GAIL SIMONE
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: ARDIAN SYAF and VICENTE CIFUENTES
COVERS BY: ADAM HUGHES

“The nightmare-inducing brute known as Mirror is destroying the lives of Gotham City citizens seemingly at random, and an explosive confrontation between Batgirl and Mirror leads Babs to question wearing the cape and cowl at all!

The riveting adventures of Batgirl continue in stunning fashion, with script by fan-favorite Gail Simone and stellar art by superstar Ardian Syaf!

“BATGIRL” Issue #2 Drops October 12th From DC Comics! (MSRP – $2.99)

BATWOMAN #2

WRITTEN BY: J.H. WILLIAMS III and W. HADEN BLACKMAN
ILLUSTRATIONS AND COVERS BY: J.H. WILLIAMS III

“Horror! A terrifying new villain stalks the innocent children of Gotham City! Intrigue! A threatening government agency is hot on Batwoman’s trail. Romance! Kate Kane’s new relationship is heating up!

Can Batwoman stop the new evil rising from the damp back alleys of Gotham’s barrios? And overcome the many challenges she faces as both Batwoman and Kate Kane? 2011’s most anticipated new series intensifies in this exciting second issue!”

“BATWOMAN” Issue #2 Drops October 12th From DC Comics! (MSRP – $2.99)

NIGHTWING #2

WRITTEN BY: KYLE HIGGINS
ILLUSTRATIONS AND COVERS BY: EDDY BARROWS and JP MAYER

“When a mysterious assassin targets Dick Grayson, Nightwing must work fast to uncover the killer’s plot before he strikes again. But as Haley’s Circus continues to perform in Gotham City, Dick finds himself torn between two lives: His old one as a circus performer and his new one as a Super Hero. And they may be more connected than he ever realized!”

“NIGHTWING” Issue #2 Drops October 19th From DC Comics! (MSRP – $2.99)

THE HUNTRESS #1

WRITTEN BY: PAUL LEVITZ
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: MARCUS TO and JOHN DELL
COVERS BY: GUILLEM MARCH

“Look out! By the end of this hot new miniseries, the Huntress will have the largest price on her head in DC Universe history.

What will the Huntress do that warrants such a death mark? And who puts it there? The jaw-dropping events will be revealed as the Huntress heads home to Italy and embarks on a mission that defines her life. Don’t miss out, because this story will tie in to upcoming events in BIRDS OF PREY!”

“HUNTRESS” Issue #1 (Of 6) Hits Stores October 5th From DC Comics! (MSRP – $2.99)

CATWOMAN #2

WRITTEN BY: JUDD WINICK
ILLUSTRATIONS AND COVERS BY: GUILLEM MARCH

“She’s a thief who lives to steal just for the thrill of breaking the law. He’s The Dark Knight, obsessively driven to battle evil with every ounce of his strength. They should keep each other at arm’s length, but…they just can’t seem to help themselves! Don’t miss this issue – things are gonna get messy!”

“CATWOMAN” Issue #2 Drops October 19th From DC Comics! (MSRP – $2.99)

RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #2

WRITTEN BY: SCOTT LOBDELL
ILLUSTRATIONS AND COVERS BY: KENNETH ROCAFORT and BLOND

“Red Hood is already globe-trotting in an effort to find the ancient assassins behind the slaughter of those who taught him some of his darkest skills… and if Roy and Kori are going to be of any help, well, they’ll just have to tag along – whether Jason wants them to or not!”

“RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS” Issue #2 Drops October 19th From DC Comics! (MSRP – $2.99)

BIRDS OF PREY #2

WRITTEN BY: DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: JESUS SAIZ

“An explosion in a secure Gotham City airport terminal hurls Black Canary and Starling headlong into a nightmare involving stolen pharmaceuticals, terrorists for hire and killers in stealth suits who can appear – and disappear – at will. When Canary calls in backup, Starling’s not so sure a vengeful samurai who talks to her dead husband in a sword is the best choice.”

“BIRDS OF PREY” Issue #2 Drops October 19th From DC Comics! (MSRP – $2.99)

BATWING #2

WRITTEN BY: JUDD WINICK
ILLUSTRATIONS AND COVERS BY: BEN OLIVER

“He is called Massacre, and he brings death. What does the soldier in service of Batman Incorporated do when he’s met his match? When he’s been brought so low and been wounded so badly? What does he do when lost Super Heroes begin turning up as victims? Batwing fights back!”

“BATWING” Issue #2 Drops October 5th From DC Comics! (MSRP – $2.99)

PENGUIN: PAIN AND PREJUDICE #1

IMAGE CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE

WRITTEN BY: GREGG HURWITZ
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: SZYMON KUDRANSKI

“In this exciting new miniseries from novelist Gregg Hurwitz (You’re Next) and rising star artist Szymon Kudranksi (Spawn), the painful and dark past of one of Batman’s most devious foes is examined. How did young Oswald Cobblepot go from being the apple of his mother’s eye to the leader of underworld gangs and adversary of The Caped Crusader? Find out in PENGUIN: PAIN AND PREJUDICE!”

“PENGUIN: PAIN AND PREJUDICE” Issue #1 (Of 5) Drops October 5th From DC Comics! (MSRP – $2.99)

The post OMFG Of The Day: DC Releases Bat-Family Solicits For October, Announces ‘Penguin’ And ‘Huntress’ Minis! appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

GRAPHIC CONTENT PULL & HOLD: June 29th, 2011

Lonnie Nadler — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 08:21:03 +0000

Welcome to the weekly previews for June 29th, 2011 here at Bloody-Disgusting.com! The truth is everyone would read all the books if they had the time and money, but in reality most of us don’t. Here you will find a little taste of some major comics being released each week, my take on them, and, as always, feels free to discuss below. Whether you have been into comics since you were a little one, or are new to the game, I’m here to help you decide which books are for you. I’ve picked out some comics I feel will stand out in the coming week and listed them under their respective publisher, with over a dozen previews of some of your favorite books such as “VENOM”, “DETECTIVE COMICS”, “THE WALKING DEAD”, and “AMERICAN VAMPIRE”. Read on for the skinny…

Amazing Spider-Man #664

WRITTEN BY: Christos Gage and Dan Slott
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Giuseppe Camuncoli
PRICE: $3.99

“’Death Won’t Stop Me’ THE WRAITH stands unmasked and all of her secrets are revealed. What will this mean for SPIDER-MAN? And how will this effect the growing gang war in Chinatown? And if ANTI-VENOM wants to get his hands on MR. NEGATIVE, he’ll have to get past HAMMERHEAD and THE SPOT first! Of all the days for Aunt May to return to the F.E.A.S.T. Center…”

It seems like every week I say, “well it’s one issue closer to Spider-Island!” Finally, this is the LAST issue before the big spider-event for the year. Although the ‘Death Won’t Stop Me’ arc has been far better than some other Spidey stories this year, there’s so much hype built up around Spider-Island I think everyone just wants it to land already.

FF #5

WRITTEN BY: Jonathan Hickman
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Steve Epting
PRICE: $2.99

“The War of Four Cities: Part Two. As the War of Four Cities heats up, the Universal Inhumans enter the fray! What role will the FF play in things to come? Prepare for epic battles, live lost and saved, and the awaited return of a beloved Marvel hero!”

FF is quickly becoming one of my favorite ongoing series. It gets better every issue and Hickman’s hitting his stride, getting more and more comfortable with the group each week. FF perfectly maintains the balance between science fiction, family ties, and superhero drama that the Fantastic Four is known for. I love when a book can still be a comic without being childish, and that’s exactly what you get with FF.

Venom #4

WRITTEN BY: Rick Remender
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Tony Moore
PRICE: $2.99

“The long awaited grudge match between Venom and Spider-Man is here! Big action! Big intrigue! All presented in the mighty Marvel fashion! Rick Remender (X-Force, Punisher) and Tony Moore (Punisher, The Walking Dead) bring you a knock down street brawl for the ages in the closing chapter of the first arc of Marvel’s hottest new series!”

I can’t commend Remender enough for his work on this series. While, it may not be the best Venom we’ve ever seen, it sure as hell is the most controversial and most interesting take on Venom in a long time. Venom is back in full force, with his tongue hanging out of his mouth as Spider-Man enters the picture. A fight for the ages should go down this issue between the to arachnids. Marvel, you’re doing it right with this one.

Creepy Comics #6

WRITTEN BY: Joe R. Lansdale, Alice Henderson, and Christopher A. Taylor
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Jason Shawn Alexander and Nathan Fox
PRICE $4.99

“Run! Hide! Call the authorities! You’ll find all your efforts futile . . . It was foolish to think you could escape Creepy #6! There will be no mercy shown as you recoil in horror at tales brought to you by Joe R. Lansdale, Nathan Fox, Christopher A. Taylor, Jason Shawn Alexander, Alice Henderson, and more! Featuring 48 bone-chilling pages Creepy #6 will make your summer scream! Continuing the rich, horror-filled history of Creepy comics! The only horror comics anthology currently on the market!”

A few weeks back I noted that Creepy Comics #6 was being released, however I made a mistake, it’s actually going to be released this Wednesday, June 29th. Sorry for any confusion!

Horror anthologies used to be all the rage in comics, way back in the day. Although they’re no longer popular in the mainstream, Dark Horse is doing all it can to bring them back with Creepy Comics. These stories are pulpy, gross, scary, and aren’t like anything else on the market today. While the stories tend to be hit or miss (as with any anthology), with a $4.99 cover price, it’s a steal for any horror buff.

The Strange Case of Mr. Hyde #3 (of 4)

WRITTEN BY: Cole Haddon
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: M.S. Corley
PRICE: $3.50

“Inspector Thomas Adye of Scotland Yard arrested the wrong man when he locked Leather Apron up for the murders of several Whitechapel prostitutes. Jack the Ripper is still on the loose and, worse, appears to be in league with powerful forces that have a vested interest in keeping him in business. Adye once again turns to the imprisoned Dr. Henry Jekyll for help. Will their unholy alliance redeem our hero from his arrogant mistakes, or push him even closer to the edge of the abyss Jekyll calls home? Featuring art by exciting newcomer M. S. Corley! Weaving together the Jack the Ripper legend with elements of the classic tale of Jekyll and Hyde.”

If you like Jack the Ripper or Stevenson’s classic horror tale as much as I do (which is a lot) then you’ll love this book. Although it doesn’t offer the same rich history or Victorian drama as From Hell, it’s a great look at the affinities between Mr. Hyde and Saucy Jack. The narrative does surprising justice to the original story, and though it’s a bit farfetched, it’s a wonderfully crafted story. Hopefully this will lead to some more original gothic tales in the future.

Batman Incorporated #7

WRITTEN BY: Grant Morrison
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Chris Burnham
PRICE: $2.99

“Man-of-Bats and his protege, Red Raven, continue to aid the Dark Knight in tracking down a shadowy, sophisticated killer. Will these two members of The Club of Heroes become the newest additions to BATMAN INCORPORATED? Or will they die before they can even be offered the chance?”

What really needs to be said about this book? Grant Morrison writing Batman is always an incredible pleasure to read, Burnham’s art is fantastic, and it’s one of the only current arcs in the DCU that seems like it will carry over (at least somewhat) when the reboot happens. The writing can get complex, so just read it slowly and there’s no reason not to read this book.

Detective Comics #878

WRITTEN BY: Scott Snyder
ILLUSTRTIONS BY: JOCK
PRICE: $2.99

“Off the coast of Gotham City, with no help for miles, the vicious smuggler and pirate Tiger Shark holds Batman captive on his ship. Can Batman escape in time, or will he become food for Tiger Shark’s deadly pets? Plus: The saga of James Jr. continues. Is he a victim of circumstance or vicious killer? You decide. Don’t miss the shocking conclusion to “Hungry City.””

I don’t really know how much more we can praise Snyder and his work on Batman here at Graphic Content. Honestly, his work is just unbelievably good every time. You think Snyder’s done all he can to impress you then BAM! He does it again. Do yourself a favor and read his stuff, it will make you happy. But I swear to god if I see one more of those stupid Subway comics in the middle of this book, I’m gonna lose it.

Flashpoint: Hal Jordan #1 (of 3)

WRITTEN BY: Adam Schlagman
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Ben Oliver
PRICE: $2.99

“FLASH FACT! He never got the ring!”

This is kind of how I felt about the Green Lantern movie; if Hal didn’t get the ring he would have ended up being a jerk, and probably dying in a fiery plane crash at a young age with nobody to love him. But, that’s apparently not what happens. Nonetheless, it will be flashtastic to see what Hal would be like if he never served the Corps and lived his life as a normal human being.

Flashpoint: Project Superman #1 (of 3)

WRITTEN BY: Scott Snyder and Lowell Francis
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Gene Ha
PRICE: $2.99

“FLASH FACT! They experimented on him in a lab for years!”

This is one Flashpoint book that everyone’s excited for. What will DC do to their most beloved superhero of all time? What would really happen if the US government found an alien superhuman on their planet? In all likelihood, not let him save the world. They’d probably keep him under close surveillance and put him through ruthless scientific experiments. Surely, this is one Flashpoint tie-in you won’t want to miss out on. I see Superman being very angry, and he’s one dude you don’t want to piss off.

Something Monstrous (Graphic Novel)

WRITTEN BY: Steve Niles and R.H. Stavis
ILLUSTRATIONS BY:Stephanie Buscema
PRICE: $17.99

“An all-new, standalone graphic novel! There’s something killing off the old folks of the usually quiet little town of Hope Falls…. something very angry with a score to settle… When Alexis Conner arrives to bail her sobering brother, Cody, out of jail, they soon discover their own father has fallen victim to its rage and Cody has become the prime suspect! Written by horror master Steve Niles (30 Days of Night) and R. H. Stavis, and illustrated by Stephanie Buscema.”

Steve Niles is virtuosic horror storyteller, there’s no doubt about that. His work is always imaginative and modern yet he manages to keep in touch with the past of horror folklore. Pumping out story after story because of such high demand, he’s quickly becoming the Stephen King of comic books (a bold claim, I know, but who else deserves this mantel?). If this novel keeps in the vein of his previous works, it should be nothing short of horrifying.

Drums #2 (of 4)

WRITTEN BY: El Torres
ILLUSTRATIONS BY:Abe Hernando and Fran Gamboa
PRICE: $2.99

“’EL MACUTO’ FBI agent Irons has no clues about the ‘Santeria Deaths’ in Santa Rosa. But the deaths didn’t stop at the ceremony, they are still going on. Irons feels that something dark is about to happen, so dark and overwhelming like the great storm that is surrounding Florida.”

It’s hard to find mainstream horror comics that offer something other than zombies or vampires nowadays. However, books like Drums are doing their best to maintain a sense of originality in the horror genre in graphic storytelling. There’s always something unsettling about religious ceremonies and séances, especially ones that lead to death, and that’s exactly what this is about. A lack of understanding can be extremely terrifying and issue one captured the fears we have of unknown cultures.

Super Dinosaur #3

WRITTEN BY: Robert Kirkman,
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Jason Howard
PRICE: $2.99

“ALL-NEW FROM ROBERT KIRKMAN & JASON HOWARD! Super Dinosaur and Derek Dynamo protect the world from the denizens of Inner Earth! Meanwhile, Max Maximus’ master plan finally begins to take shape… and it’s BIGGER than anything Super Dinosaur and Derek have faced thus far! This issue can’t be missed, just like every issue of SUPER DINOSAUR!”

Alright Kirkman, I’m giving you one last chance with this book. “All-new from Robert Kirkman”, more like piece of junk by Robert Kirkman.

The Walking Dead #86

WRITTEN BY: Robert Kirkman
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Adlard and Cliff Rathburn
PRICE: $2.99

“How do we deal with what comes next?”

How does one writer have such a vast difference between two titles in the same week? The Walking Dead has easily been the best horror/zombie story in comics since its first issue, and it keeps getting better. It’s one of those books that you just can’t seem to predict. No characters are ever safe, everyone is vulnerable, and the zombies aren’t the only threat to survival. It’s one crazy world they live in, showcasing the true trials and tribulations of an apocalypse.

American Vampire #16

WRITTEN BY: Scott Snyder
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Rafael Albuquerque
PRICE: $2.99

“The “Ghost War” rages on in the Pacific, and things don’t look good for our heroes when something terrible crawls out of the caves of Taipan. Meanwhile, the U.S. Marines strike, and Henry’s unit is caught in the middle. Plus: the truth about Skinner’s plan is revealed!”

I know a lot of people hate vampires with all the Twilight bullshit that just won’t die. But if you’d like to give vamps another shot pick up this book. Easily one of the best horror books in production today written by none other than Scott Snyder (it’s safe to say I have a schoolgirl crush on him). The characters are phenomenal, the storyline is gripping, and the vampires are scary as $#!%.

The post GRAPHIC CONTENT PULL & HOLD: June 29th, 2011 appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.