Fantom Comics: Featured Books Archives

August 22, 2008

Strap on your Seatbelts: We've Got Another Big Week Coming Up!

Wow, another big week coming up on Wednesday, August 27th. Marvel seems to be trying to drown DC in Secret Invasion tie-ins. No complaints here: that just means more good stuff to read for the rest of us.

NOTEWORTHY NEW RELEASES
ALL STAR SUPERMAN TP VOL 01
The first storyarc of Grant Morrison's version of Superman is finally available in softcover.

DC UNIVERSE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT #1
Meltzer bring you: the entire DC Universe. No lie. That's what DC's website says. We'll just have to see, won't we...?

FAMILY DYNAMIC #1 (OF 3)
Okay, so you're a super-powered hero on your very own super-hero team. What could possibly ruin it? How about having your family involved?! Expect a lot of "Mom, he's on my side of the Fantasticar" in this series.

GHOST RIDER ANNUAL #2 MERCY
Johnny Blaze in Mercy, Idaho. And you thought all they had in Idaho were taters.

GUERILLAS #1 (OF 9)
Proving once again that Richard Nixon was a stand-up feller, this series highlights the adventures of the martially trained chimps his administration trained and sent off to fight in the Vietnam War. Some of you may be familiar with the 1988 film Gorillas in the Mist, which tried to tell the same story, but after a series of Hollywood rewrites and editing by committee morphed into something completely different.

JLA DELUXE EDITION HC VOL 01
Relive the legendary 1990s JLA series. Written by comics mastermind Grant Morrison, with art by Howard Porter and others, this oversized hardcover collects JLA #1-9 and SECRET FILES AND ORIGINS #1.

KICK ASS #4
Issue #4 is finally here! Check out this news report of a real-life Kick Ass! (Note: it didn't work out so well).

NEWUNIVERSAL CONQUEROR
This one-shot goes into the history of the Newuniversal universe.

RUNAWAYS 3 #1
Terry Moore of Strangers in Paradise fame takes his shot at Runaways (after Vaughan and Whedon) in what Marvel's calling Runaways Series 3. Nobody writes women as well as Moore - not even Whedon...or actual women, for that matter). So look for some strong female character building in the upcoming storylines.

WOLVERINE #68
Continuing the blockbuster mini-series Old Man Logan! Follow a pacifistic Logan as he wonders through the best post-apocalyptic warzone since Mad Max.

WIZARD MAGAZINE #204
Subscribers: Don't forget to pick up your free Wizard this week!

FINAL CRISIS TIE-INS
FINAL CRISIS ROGUES REVENGE #2 (OF 3)
FINAL CRISIS SUPERMAN BEYOND #1 (OF 2)

SECRET INVASION TIE-INS
AVENGERS INITIATIVE #16
BLACK PANTHER #40
MIGHTY AVENGERS #17
NEW AVENGERS #44
NEW WARRIORS #15
NOVA #16
SECRET INVASION AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1 (OF 3)
SHE-HULK 2 #32
THUNDERBOLTS #123

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August 13, 2008

What a Gargantuan Week!!!

THIS WEEK'S NOTEWORTHY NEW RELEASES

ABSOLUTE LOEG THE BLACK DOSSIER HC
This just in: Alan Moore has promised to curse anyone who doesn't buy this book to a horrible demise, courtesy of that freaky Snake God he worships. We at Fantom are looking out for ya! We'll make sure to have copies available to save you from a terrible fate. You're welcome.

ASTONISHING X-MEN #26
Warren Ellis continues with the 2nd issue of his run on this hot Marvel title. Ellis did a great job with #25 but sources close to him note that the writer is unsatisfied with his work on the book. Said one close friend, "People don't expect Astonishing X-Men out on a strictly monthly basis, making it harder for Warren to disappoint them by delivering his books late. He gets a lot of satisfaction in disappointing fans, and Astonishing just isn't offering him those kinds of opportunities."

ATOMIC ROBO DOGS OF WAR #1 (OF 5)
Atomic Robo is back! And this time, it's war - The Dogs of War! June, 1943: Nazi super mechs threaten to halt the Allied invasion of Sicily before it even begins and only Atomic Robo can stop them. But does he stand a chance against Hitler's personal commando, Otto Skorzeny? And what connection does Helsingard have to these new weapons?

BLACK DIAMOND GET IN THE CAR & GO TP
Fifty years from now, an elevated highway spans the nation. Initially a response to international terrorism, the US government grounded commercial airline flights and built "The Black Diamond." But the Black Diamond ends up turning into a lawless, post-apocalyptic skid row, where anything goes. Still beats the Beltway.

GALAXY QUEST GLOBAL WARNING #1
Yep, this is indeed based on the Tim Allen movie. Special guest star: Wilson!

GOLLY #1
The end times have been canceled, but some pockets of Hell didn’t get the memo. Heaven chooses a dimwitted, kindhearted, foul-mouthed carnival ride repairman to wage war on any demonic forces still bent on starting something come Judgment Day. Southern fried horror for fans of Preacher and The Goon.

HALO UPRISING #3 (OF 4)
It's here! Only 6 months late. Obviously the Master Sergeant isn't running this operation.

PUNISHER KILLS MARVEL UNIVERSE
No jokes here. Please do yourself a favor and pick up Fantom Comics CEO Matt Klokel's all-time favorite super-hero storyline, reprinted for the first time in over a decade! In one of Garth Ennis' first U.S. jobs, he writes a fantastic one-shot in which the Punisher turns his anger, cunning and weapons against the entire super-powered community. They find Mr. Fantastic's body in a dumpster, for God's sake! Ah, Frank.

SECRET INVASION TIE-INS
CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI 13 #4
MI-13 makes its last stand against the Skrulls. Sir Richard Branson chips in to help his fellow limeys as Britain's newest super-hero, the questionably named Virgin Man. Comic book fans are urged to remember that Branson owns the Virgin Brand (as in Virgin Records), and is not, in fact, making fun of a significant chunk of Marvel's audience. Special guest appearances by James Bond, Austin Powers and Sir Ian McKellen.

SECRET INVASION #5 (OF 8)
Joe Quesada takes the controversial move of revealing in this month's issue that you - the reader - are a Skrull. "We really wanted to surprise the reader with the person they'd least expect," said Quesada. "I feel this will do it." When asked how readers would react once they tried changing shape and failed, proving that they are not, in fact, Skrulls as promised, Quesada merely shrugged his shoulders and said, "Who cares. They already paid for the book.... hey, you're not recording this, right?"

SECRET INVASION INHUMANS #1 (OF 4)
Follow the Inhumans as they hunt for their missing king, Black Bolt. Perhaps they should cut their losses and acknowledge the events of the last century-and-a-half and bring in a democratically elected government. Hey, maybe they should check North Korea or Zimbabwe. I hear they're quite fond of totalitarian rulers.

SECRET INVASION RUNAWAYS YOUNG AVENGERS #2 (OF 3)
The Real World meets They Live as a bunch of whiny kids fight aliens hidden among us. Who will win? Who do we want to win? You be the judge!

SECRET INVASION THOR #1 (OF 3)
Skrulls vs Nordic Gods, with small town Braxton, Oklahoma caught in the middle. If a bunch of green Romulan rip-offs can take on gods, what's the world coming to? We might as well start worshiping wrinkly chins, since the Skrulls seem powerless to fight them.

SECRET INVASION X-MEN #1 (OF 4)
My question is: which side is Mystique gonna fight on? She's practically just a blue Skrull, right?

FINAL CRISIS TIE-INS
FINAL CRISIS REVELATIONS #1 (OF 5)
Focusing on the new Spectre and the new Question. Hey, I've got a revelation about Final Crisis I'd like answered: what the hell's going on?

BATMAN RIP TIE-INS
BATMAN #679
Read more about the imminent death of Batman! Will they really kill him? Speaking on the promise of anonymity, one high-level DC executive was quoted as saying, "Sure, we're gonna kill the golden goose. Trust me, he'll be as dead as Superman."

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July 19, 2008

NOTEWORTHY NEW RELEASES FOR JULY 23rd

If any of these strike your fancy, just shoot us an email at subscriptions@fantomcomics.com with your info, including the store you shop at, and we'll pull your request aside.

AMBUSH BUG YEAR NONE #1 (OF 6)
Spider-Ham, you better watch your back! There's another crazy spoof out there. Please note that after extensive effort to contact DC regarding their misspelling of the title "Year One," it was brought to my attention that the use of the word "None" is, in fact, intentional.

MARVEL ADVENTURES SUPER HEROES #1
Featuring the original dog from Hell. No, not Poochie! Cerberus. Enjoy the hijinx that ensue as Iron Man, Spider-Man and the Hulk try to get the gatekeeper to hell to the dog show in time to win best of breed.

TWO FACE YEAR ONE #1 (OF 2)
Harvey Dent's origin story. Not sure if you want to buy this? Flip a coin.

UNCANNY X-MEN #500
The X-Men, looking for a place where their tight spandex clothing, toned bodies and freakish nature would blend in better than Westchester, NY, have decided to make San Francisco their new home! Join the X-Men in this groundbreaking crossover issue with everyone’s favorite TV San Fran family, The Tanners, of ABC's Full House. In the main storyline, Wolverine and Stephanie go in search of Uncle Jessie's missing hairbrush. Have Mercy!

WAR HEROES #1
By Mark Millar! After nuclear explosions bring the US to its knees, the government gets the bright idea to grant all of its military cadets super-powers. This book has it all! Post-apocalyptic despair, super-heroes, war stories, romance, and a humorous side-kick played by Hollywood's beloved Rob Schneider. My only question? Is Mark Millar's name pronounced "Mark Mil-aar", or simply "Mark Miller"?

X-FILES SPECIAL #0
Isn't if funny that one of the very few times the FBI isn't depicted in pop culture as being petty, arrogant, incompetent interlopers is when they're hunting down aliens and the supernatural? Perhaps the real-life FBI should take a page from the X-File's book and start hunting the supernatural case of my missing TV remote, which could only be the work of poltergeists.

SECRET INVASION TIE-INS
AVENGERS INITIATIVE #15
NEW AVENGERS #43
NEW WARRIORS #14
SHE-HULK 2 #31
SKRULLS ONE-SHOT
THUNDERBOLTS #122

BATMAN REST IN PIECE TIE-INS
ROBIN #175 RIP

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June 21, 2008

The Books to Check Out On Wednesday, June 25th

What a week! We've got some smoking hot books coming out this week, tell you what. Check 'em out:

HOT GRAPHIC NOVELS
All Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder HC Vol 1: The wait is finally over! If you haven't been keeping up with this groundbreaking interpretation of The Batman by Frank Miller, here's your chance. Love this version or hate it, it's a story that must be read.

Walking Dead Vol 8: Made to Suffer: Image has been leading us all on for weeks now. But the moment of truth has finally arrived. They are actually releasing the newest volume of the Walking Dead. In this must read volume, the zombies go into lengthy debate over which delicacy is superior: skin or brains.

HOT COMICS
Final Crisis #2: Sure, number one made no sense to the non-initiated, but that just makes the series all the sweeter to those in the know, am I right?

Mythos Captain America: Retelling the origin of Captain America. In this version Cap gets buff through the Charles Atlas program, which he orders from a Batman comic book.

Thor: Ages of Thunder Reign of Blood: By Matt Fraction. Need I sayeth more? This tome doth focus highly on ye olde Asgardian Gods.

NEW TITLES
Conan the Cimmerian #0: Conan's going back to his roots in this new series, which promises to bring you more sweaty pecs and loin cloths than ever before!

Beyond Wonderland #0: For fans of Grimm Fairy Tales. Do you like fairy tales AND scantilly clad characters? Then look no further: this series is for you.

No Hero #0: By Warren Ellis. Back in the 60s a bunch of freaky hippies from San Francisco got super powers through drug use. They tried to use their powers for good, but flash forward to today, and see how they've sold out to The Man. Who has time to fight the good fight when the beamer needs to go to the shop?

SECRET INVASION X-OVERS
Avengers Initiative #14
Mighty Avengers #15
Ms. Marvel #28
New Avengers #42
Secret Invasion Runaways Young Avengers #1

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April 5, 2008

Vertigo's Lucifer: A Hell of a Good Series

So good, reading it must be a sin
by Jeffrey Howe

After an impromptu retirement from Hell, the fallen archangel Lucifer whiles away the long hours managing his own nightclub, until Heaven shows up with a tempting job offer. Surprisingly reminiscent of the noir genre, this apparently simple contract with the Almighty begets a slew of complications, double crosses, and deaths rendering the very fabric of existence unstable.

Picking up where Milton’s Paradise Lost and Gaiman’s Sandman left off in the story of the ultimate antihero, this series further fleshes out the persona and motivations of one of literature’s most widely known, yet least understood characters.

Though no longer the raging adversary of the Old Testament or the overseer of Hell, as envisioned by Milton, Lucifer has not forsaken his ambition to be free of God’s design. Instead, he has evolved into a pragmatic, outside the box, opportunist. Rather than engage in war against the Almighty, or bow in acquiescence, the fallen angel conceives a third, frighteningly possible option, much to the chagrin of both Heaven and Hell.

The strength of the series lies in its plot and character development. While some of the minor characters maintain a one-dimensional outlook, all major players demonstrate multifaceted personalities and for the most part avoid absolute good vs. evil distinctions.

Although there is a conspicuous lack of New Testament lore, this aids rather than impedes the story, by allowing it to focus wholly on the conflict between Heaven and Lucifer. The story could be thought of as a universe where the New Testament has had little to no noticeable impact, if it even occurred at all.

Notable artwork to keep an eye out for: a one-shot story drawn by P.Craig Russell (Sandman, Coralaine), the Nirvana one-shot painted by Jon Muth (Moonshadow), the final volume in the series (Evensong), and the series’ covers done by Duncan Fegredo (Judge Dredd), Christopher Moeller (Batman: Shadow of the Bat), and Mike Kaluta (Books of Magic).

Well written by Mike Carey (Hellblazer, Crossing Midnight), Lucifer should appeal to fans of the precursor Sandman series and devotees of religious / apocalyptic fiction alike.

Jeffrey Howe has been a Fantom Comics customer since early 2006 and has read A LOT of graphic novels in any and all categories you can imagine. Jeffrey was a 2003 World Series of Hopscoth semi-finalist.

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April 3, 2008

Secret Invasion #1

The verdict is in, and Secret Invasion has been found TOTALLY AWESOME!! Marvel doesn't disappoint with the first issue of this 8-part series. It answers some question and raises more of them.

Fantom Comics sold out of #1 on the very first day, but have no fear! We will have lots more copies coming into both of our stores on Friday (that's Friday, April 4th...tomorrow!!)

Be sure to pick up a copy and check out Marvel's big event of the year. Heck, buy a couple copies in case you want to read it more than once.

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January 10, 2008

Wise Words From Warren Ellis

Upset with Doktor Sleepless # 4's decompressed story-telling and price point, one of our Union Station customers thought he would let Warren Ellis know his thoughts on the book.

Warren got the message and this was his response mere hours later:

It's a crucial chapter -- the next several chapters turn on the axis of that chapter. But if you just didn't like it, that's fine too. I don't work out a plot-to-money ratio on my books, a chapter is a chapter.

Nice to know Warren is still keeping it real. Still, you can't help but wonder if he could get books out on time if he didn't spend his days responding to every critique.

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January 4, 2008

The End League

Ever imagine what kind of story you would get if you blended up The Dark Knight Returns, Kingdom Come, and a little bit of the ole' Marvel classics? You would most likely get Dark Horse Comics, The End League. A story set in the aftermath of the apocalypse (caused by this universes Superman), the End Leagues heroes fight the forces of evil, who for the most part have taken over the world.

The characters are nothing special in the creative department. Soldier American is Captain America, Astonishman is Superman, and Arachnakid is indeed a mutated Spider-Man. But writer, Rick Remender writes these characters so well, you realize that the "characters" are used more like shells to tell one heck of a story.

On the All-Star Batman Grading Scale, I give it:
ASB%20Grading%20System-End%20League.bmp

For more on the ASB Grading Scale, check out Mike Sterlings http://www.progressiveruin.com/.

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December 12, 2007

Annihilation: Conquest

If you haven't heard, Marvel Comics has been spinning quite the tale in what was once their degenerate Cosmic Universe. Half Star Wars, a quarter Lord of the Rings, and another quarter of Star Trek, Annihilation proved to be, what I thought, a more enjoyable experience than the then, much hyped Civil War event. Spinning out from the aftermath of an event that saw the death of Thanos, the destruction of the Nova Corps, and the reshaping of a universe once thought lost to the 80's, Annihilation: Conquest has emerged and seems poised to rival its predecessor. I could go on and on about how terrific the series has been so far (Now on its 2nd issue), but instead I leave you with this: The cover to Annihilation: Conquest #5 (Thanks IGN Comics!). Enjoy!

ultron%20badassery.bmp

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October 25, 2007

Fantom Presents: Brian Wood

This month, Fantom Presents focuses on four-time Eisner award winner Brian Wood. Known most famously for his work on Vertigo's DMZ, Wood has been in the public eye on an even larger scale as a Staff Designer for Rockstar Games, creators of the Grand Theft Auto series. Wood would eventually leave Rockstar Games to publish the much acclaimed Demo, which received two Eisner nominations and set a career milestone for the author/artist.

Currently Wood is working on Northlanders, an all new Vertigo epic detailing the life and times of the Vikings during the dark ages, set for release in December.

For more on Northlanders check out http://northlanders.net/ and a terrific interview with IGN Comics at http://comics.ign.com/articles/829/829367p1.html.

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May 29, 2007

This Week: THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN!

It's true! Not only is issue #7 of Garth Ennis' The Boys (voted by customers as the 2nd most popular comic in the store) finally coming out this Thursday, but so is The Boys Vol 1 TP (collecting issues 1-6)! If you haven't yet discovered The Boys, then here's your chance. Buy this book. Seriously. Buy it. You'll thank us.

New releases also worth noting:
52 Week 1 TP (collecting the first 13 issues of 52)
Girls Vol 4 TP (collects the last 6 issues of the series)
New Avengers Illuminati #3
Silver Surfer Requiem #1

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May 14, 2007

FINALLY! All Star Batman and Ultimates 2

It's been 8 months since the last issue of Ultimates 2, and just one day short of ONE YEAR since the last All Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder! They'll finally be here on Wednesday.

ALL STAR BATMAN AND ROBIN THE BOY WONDER #5
MAR070173_hi_ALL_STAR_BATMAN_AND_ROBIN_THE_BOY_WONDER.jpg

ULTIMATES 2 #13

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April 3, 2007

Hot Books Released this Week!

It's Whedon week at Fantom Comics! Not only does Buffy #2 come out, but Wednesday brings us the first issue of Joss Whedon writing Runaways (an already spectacular book)!

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #2

RUNAWAYS #25

We also see #3 of one of my favorite series: Stephen King's Dark Tower!

DARK TOWER: GUNSLINGER BORN #3

And Civil War Initiative books out this week:

CIVIL WAR FALLEN SON: WOLVERINE

AVENGERS INTIATIVE #1

OMEGA FLIGHT #1

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March 5, 2007

Yet another powerful week of new books!

New Comics:

JAN072346_hi_STEPHEN_KINGS_DARK_TOWER_GUNSLINGER_BORN.jpg
DARK TOWER GUNSLINGER BORN #2 (OF 7)
Roland has incurred the wrath of the evil sorcerer Marten, and must flee his home in Gilead with two of his young friends. But arriving in the supposedly friendly town of Hambry may be no safer, for the dreaded agents of Marten are abroad-The Coffin Hunters! Though it's not all completely bleak as Roland meets the woman who will become the love of his young life-the beautiful Susan Delgado. Plus: Learn more about the land of the Dark Tower with exclusive bonus material! $3.99

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #6
DC's super-hit cuts loose as best-selling author Brad Meltzer and artist Ed Benes unleash an unstoppable foe on the team that will become the Justice League! $3.50

CIVIL WAR INITIATIVE
The post war Marvel Universe begins here! The war is over!! Let the healing begin!! This all-new special written by Brian Bendis debuts the all new IRON MAN, OMEGA FLIGHT, MIGHTY AVENGERS, NEW AVENGERS and with a special chapter written by Warren Ellis...THUNDERBOLTS! Each chapter is an important all-new prologue for each of these huge new series! $4.99

CAPTAIN AMERICA #25
Written by ED BRUBAKER Pencils and Cover by STEVE EPTING. $3.99

FANTASTIC FOUR #543
CIVIL WAR tie-in. The double-sized 45th Anniversary Issue of the World's Greatest Comic Magazine! The super hero Civil War is drawing to a close! But with the betrayals, backstabbing and shifting alliances, who will be the Fantastic Four when all is said and done? $3.99

MARVEL ZOMBIES ARMY OF DARKNESS #1
The Marvel Zombies come face-to-face with Dynamite Entertainment's Ash from the Army of Darkness! Ash has faced legions of the undead before, but never like this...as he lands in the heart of New York just as the Zombie outbreak begins! See how his actions help turn more heroes and villains into Zombies! $2.99

MIGHTY AVENGERS #1
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS Pencils and Cover by FRANK CHO The wait is over! The Mighty Avengers assemble! Gathered together to be the greatest Avengers team ever, but who picked them? And why? And which A-list Avengers villain returns, revamped and reloaded for the ultimate revenge? $2.99

New Trade Paperbacks:

EX MACHINA VOL 5 SMOKE SMOKE TP
In the fifth collection of the Eisner Award-winning series, collecting issues #21-25, Mayor Hundred faces difficult decisions regarding New York City's drug laws. But will a string of brazen, violent robberies and a shocking suicide affect the Mayor's policy? $12.99

EXTERMINATORS VOL 2 INSURGENCY TP
In this stunning volume collecting THE EXTERMINATORS #6-10, Henry and Stretch get an emergency call to dispose of a black widow that's been terrorizing the local S&M club. But what they encounter will change the course of their newfound mission. $12.99

MS MARVEL VOL 2 CIVIL WAR PREMIERE HC
Ms. Marvel enlists in the Civil War! Collecting MS. MARVEL #6-10 and the MS. MARVEL SPECIAL. $19.99

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February 19, 2007

Announcing a White Hot Week of New Releases

Here are just a few of the many, many great books coming out this Wednesday (and yes, New Comic Book Day IS on Wednesday).

CIVIL WAR #7 (OF 7)
It all ends here! The startling battle that will determine the future of the Marvel Universe! $2.99

BRAVE AND THE BOLD #1
The greatest team-up title of all time is back! A proud DC tradition is restored as writer Mark Waid (52, SUPERGIRL AND THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES) and legendary artists George PÃÂ©rez (THE NEW TEEN TITANS, CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS) & Bob Wiacek (ORION) put Batman and Green Lantern on the trail of what could be the greatest weapon in the DCU! The trail leads to Ventura, the gambling planet...wanna bet what'll happen if they don't get their hands on the weapon? $2.99

WONDER WOMAN #4
When the all-new Wonder Woman encounters the Cheetah, Giganta and Dr. Psycho, she discovers that Wonder Woman's Rogues Gallery has undergone a radical transformation! Even Dr. Poison, Dr. Cyber and Osira are somehow more powerful and deadlier than ever before. But who is responsible for these magical makeovers? And will this army of revitalized rogues be too much for the gods' newest champion? Find out in Part 4 of the 5-part epic "Who Is Wonder Woman?" $2.99

JUSTICE VOL 2 HC
An extraordinary hardcover volume collecting JUSTICE #5-8, written by comics legends Alex Ross (KINGDOM COME) & Jim Krueger (Earth X) with art by Doug Braithwaite & Ross! In this volume, a conspiracy of villains has found a way to use Superman's powers against him. He's beyond control and there's only one solution - which may kill him! $19.99

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TRANSFORMERS PRIME DIRECTIVE MOVIE PREQUEL #1
Before the live-action Transformers movie spectacularly explodes onto theater screens next summer, read the official beginning of the story right here! In issue one of this 4-part story, BUMBLEBEE and a cadre of AUTOBOTS experience the lethal battle of Tyger Pax! $3.99

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #538
Conclusion to "THE WAR AT HOME," an official tie-in to "Civil War." The Civil War shaking the Marvel Universe races to its climax -- with Spider-Man caught right in the middle. Where else would we expect to find him? $2.99

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February 5, 2007

Some Hot New Releases this Week

STAR OF THE WEEK!!!

DARK TOWER: GUNSLINGER BORN #1 (of 7)

"The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed." With those words, millions of readers were introduced to Stephen King's Roland - an implacable gunslinger in search of the enigmatic Dark Tower, powering his way through a dangerous land filled with ancient technology and deadly magic. Now, in a comic book personally overseen by King himself, Roland's past is revealed! Drawn by Jae Lee and Richard Isanove, adapted by Stephen King expert, Robin Furth, and scripted by Peter David, this series is the perfect introduction to this incredibly realized world!

This is a really strong week for new graphic novels. Here are just a few of the best:

AMERICAN WAY TP

Collecting the acclaimed 8-issue miniseries by screenwriter John Ridley (Three Kings) and artist Georges Jeanty! In the early '40s, the United States government launched the Civil Defense Corps, a group of "super-heroes" who could fight evildoers and communism. But that dream was far from reality by the '60s. How far will America go to protect its dream of a better tomorrow? $19.99

CIVIL WAR ROAD TO CIVIL WAR TP

Collecting AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #529-531, FANTASTIC FOUR #536-537 and the NEW AVENGERS: ILLUMINATI one-shot. $14.99

DMZ VOL 2: BODY OF A JOURNALIST TP

Collects issues #6-12. Roth's star power lands the break of a lifetime: an interview with the infamous leaders of the Free Armies. $12.99

DR BLINK SUPERHERO SHRINK VOL 1: ID, EGO & SUPEREGO
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Why is this obscure book included in Fantom's list of otherwise well-known titles? I read the floppies, and this is some good stuff. Management recommended. $14.99

And don't forget the floppies. We've got some popular titles out this week:

NEW AVENGERS #27

The New Avengers return!! And they are bringing superstar artist Leinil Yu with them!! But who are the New Avengers and what are they doing post-Civil War? Plus the return of Ronin!! It's Ronin versus Elektra for control of the Japanese underworld!

SPIDER-MAN REIGN #3

A searing vision of Spider-Man's future. The rumors are true -- he's back. Come down from the mountain like a righteous wraith of vengeance, dispensing rough justice and then swinging off into the night. Things were going well, too...that is, until Mayor Waters dispatched his contingency plan -- the newly reassembled Sinister Six -- and things got complicated. Now Peter Parker isn't just fighting for his very life, but to keep alive the spark of hope that's been squelched under Waters' boot. But first, he'll have to contend with the thing that was formerly known as Otto Octavius.

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December 7, 2006

November's List of Top Comics

Over the course of November we asked our subscribers and regulars to tell us their two favorite ongoing comic book series. Their first choice was awarded 2 points, their second choice awarded one point. Here are the Top 11:

1) FABLES 20
2) BOYS 12
3) BATMAN 7
4) 52 WEEK 6
4) JUSTICE LEAGUE 6
4) ULTIMATES 6
4) WALKING DEAD 6
4) X-FACTOR 6
4) Y THE LAST MAN 6
10) AMERICAN VIRGIN 5
10) ASTONISHING X-MEN 5

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July 1, 2006

Featured Book: THE AMERICAN WAY

I LOVE this series.

The year is 1961. The Cold War is at its peak. Super-powered individuals do exist.

The U.S. government sponsors a super-powered team to both inspire Americans and defend the United States in the event of a Soviet super-powered attack. The Civil Defense Corps (CDC) defends citizens and the American way of life time and again from super-villains and alien invasions.

But the Kennedy administration has a secret.

The Civil Defense Corps, and the villains they fight, are actors employed by the federal government. Most (though not all) of the team have superpowers, but they were gained through genetic experimentation and enhanced with technology.

This comic addresses the ethics of a government lying to its people "for their own good"; the Civil Rights movement (is the American public ready for a black super-hero?!); and other fascinating aspects of super-herodom you don't normally think about. This is definitely a thinking man's super-hero comic book.

The first 5 issues are out (and Fantom Comics has all of them).

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June 6, 2006

FEATURED BOOK: MANIFEST ETERNITY #1

Okay, if you like epic sci-fi / fantasy then this is the book for you. I've only read the first issue, which is a set-up for what looks to be a long, strong, deep storyline. This book will have a beginning, a middle, and an end. There isn't going to be any lone hero, saving the day and the girl all by himself. This book deals heavily in the gray areas, and I think we'll be surprised a lot. I'm very much looking forward to the next issue.

OFFICIAL BLURB
An Earth-based empire of science is attacked by an empire of magic - causing decades of war and casualties in the hundreds of millions. Welcome to the future that is...MANIFEST ETERNITY!

The intergalactic war between two advanced civilizations spans an entire century. From the opening shots of the first contact to the final, apocalyptic battle, this ambitious new series will show every side of the conflict. Each issue spotlights a new group: monsters who pilot zombified dragon dreadnoughts; elite fighter pilots from Earth; the shadowy figure named Tarkington. Could he have betrayed all of humanity decades before the start of the hostilities?

Written by Scott Lobdell; Art and cover by Dustin Nguyen.

This comic is available for sale at Fantom for $2.99.

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May 16, 2006

Featured Book: Civil War #1

Not a super-hero fan? Not a Marvel fan? Doesn't matter! Give this book a shot.

Young, reckless super-heroes get themselves and dozens of children killed while shooting a reality TV show. The U.S. government - fed up with super-hero related destruction - plans to institute a law regulating the super-hero community.

Super-heroes split in their support for (led by Iron Man) or opposition to (led by Captain America) the new law.

This 7-part series will touch on many aspects of the current political situation in modern politics...even featuring Marvel's own version of Guantanamo Bay.

Available now at Fantom, cover price $3.99

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March 9, 2006

Upcoming Storyline: CIVIL WAR

From The New York Times (The Battle Outside Raging, Superheroes Dive In, February 20, 2006)

The story opens with a reckless fight between the New Warriors, filming a reality television show, and a cadre of villains. The battle becomes quite literally explosive, killing some of the superheroes and many innocent bystanders. That crystallizes a government movement to register all super-powered beings as living weapons of mass destruction. The subsequent Registration Act will divide the heroes into two camps, one led by Captain America, the other by Iron Man. Along the way, Marvel will unveil its version of GuantÃÂ¡namo Bay, enemy combatants, embedded reporters and more. The question at the heart of the series is a fundamental one: 'Would you give up your civil liberties to feel safer in the world?'

Following are the comics that cover this storyarc. I apologize...I'm late in alerting you of the lead-up to the main story (Amazing Spider-Man 529 just came out), but you've still got time for the rest of The Road To Civil War books and all of the actual Civil War comics. If you'd like to subscribe to these titles, send us a quick email with your name, phone number, email address, and which books (or simply say "all") you'd like, and we'll hold them aside for you as they come out. Email us at fantomcomics@gmail.com.

THE ROAD TO CIVIL WAR
New Avengers: The Illuminati (one-shot)
Amazing Spider-Man #529-531 Mr. Parker goes to Washington
Fantastic Four #536-#537

CIVIL WAR
Civil War (7-issue miniseries)
Civil War: Front Line (10-issue miniseries)
Amazing Spider-Man #532-538 The War at Home
Civil War: Young Avengers/Runaways (miniseries)
Civil War: X-Men (4-issue miniseries)
Daily Bugle: Civil War (one-shot newspaper)
She-Hulk v2 #8
Thunderbolts #103-105
Wolverine #42-47 Vendetta
X-Factor #8-9

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March 2, 2006

Featured Book: SUPERMAN RED SON

What's that you say? Superman raised by Stalin and the Soviet State? Yes!

In this one-shot trade paperback, we see a world in which Superman's capsule landed on earth half a day earlier or later. He doesn't land in the breadbasket of America, but the breadbasket of the U.S.S.R. during the height of the Cold War.

This book has Fantom Comics' highest recommendation. There are no simple answers or black and white villains in this 160 page trade paperback.

Available now at Fantom Comics!

Have you read this book? Comment on it and let others know what you think.

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February 2, 2006

Featured Book: American Virgin (Vertigo)

YOU ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR FIRST TIMEÃ¢â¬Â¦

Adam Chamberlain is a 20-year-old youth minister, a best-selling author, and most important, the head of a rabid national virginity movement. But practicing virgin or not...Adam is about to lose it.

Just a few weeks shy of marrying the girl of his dreams Ã¢â¬â the only woman God has said he can ever know sexually Ã¢â¬â Adam's fate, future and sex life are cast in direct opposition with God's Word.

Like Y: THE LAST MAN, American Virgin follows one man's dark quest into unknown territories Ã¢â¬â geographically and emotionally. A shocking terrorist act casts Adam adrift in exotic locales not so easily managed by a slick image, a clever comeback or the Good Book. Adam is forced to confront head-on the very rifts we all feel between our carnal desires and whatever higher power we answer to.

Will Adam's first time be his last?

Issue 1 is available March 8. To reserve your copy, email fantomcomics@gmail.com with your name and contact information. Make the subject line: American Virgin.

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January 6, 2006

Featured Book: The Exterminators

It's a bug's world. We just live in it.

Imagine Six Feet Under with cockroaches and you've got Vertigo's twisted new monthly series THE EXERMINATORS, written by breakout debut writer Simon Oliver with spine-tingling visuals by Eisner-nominated artist Tony Moore (The Walking Dead), a smart, scary, darkly comic tale of roaches, rats, raccoons and the men who kill them for a living.

THE EXTERMINATORS centers on a dysfunctional group of bug killers prowling the barrios and bungalows of Los Angeles Ã¢â¬â the thinnest point on the shaky borderline between civilization and the violent chaos of nature.

Henry James, the newest exterminator, sees the job as a means to cleanse the sins of his dark past. He has a hard time getting his view across to his careerist girlfriend, sociopathic partner, and the general bunch of freaks he calls co-workers. But what the "bug brothers" of Bug-Bee-Gone Co. don't understand is that human beings may be the true pests Ã¢â¬â and bugs could be the real exterminators.

Featuring creepy-crawly covers by Philip Bond (VIMANARAMA), THE EXTERMINATORS mixes disturbing characters, killer cockroaches and sinister secrets into a unique and unsettling series that branches out from the underbelly of L.A. into the heart of an ancient mystery, a sacred scarab beetle and a weirdly ominous locked box. It's a bug's world. We just live in it.

The Exterminators #1 ($2.99) is now available for purchase. Hurry up before we sell out!

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December 13, 2005

Featured Book: Free Fall

Tim, Jason, Pam and Dave are planning a robbery of their city's most secure bank. The task is almost impossible.

Sean has lost yet another job and is desperate. With no hope left he decides to end it all. Just as he's about to jump off a bridge, Dave and Tom stop him and offer him a deal: be the diversion they need.

On a given day, at a given time, he will jump off the building opposite the bank and in exchange for his free fall his family gets a share of the bank loot.

Free Fall #1 ($3.99) is now available for purchase.

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December 4, 2005

Featured Book: Living in Infamy

WELCOME TO INFAMY, AZÃ¢â¬Â¦

Barely a blip on the map, this ignobly named oasis of strip malls and convenience stores is much more than it seems. Unbeknownst to the general populace, Infamy leads a double life as the Federal Bureau of InvestigationÃ¢â¬â¢s best-kept secret:

A Witness Protection Program for SUPER VILLAINS.

Chosen for its remote location and notorious Old West history, Infamy has, since the early 1960Ã¢â¬â¢s, quietly played host to a select crew of former super criminals and would-be world-beaters whoÃ¢â¬â¢ve turned new leaves Ã¢â¬â and StateÃ¢â¬â¢s Evidence Ã¢â¬â for that elusive second chance at life and the pursuit of happiness. Liberty, however, comes at a far greater priceÃ¢â¬Â¦

Infamy is as much an open-air prison as it is a safe harbor. Though the average person can come and go as they please, those under Witness Protection dare not risk venturing beyond the townÃ¢â¬â¢s border as their brains have been hard-wired with sub-cortical explosives. One toe over Ã¢â¬ÅTHE LINEÃ¢â¬Â Ã¢â¬â the invisible barrier surrounding the town Ã¢â¬â and BOOM! SanitationÃ¢â¬â¢s scraping whatÃ¢â¬â¢s left of your guts off the pavement in the morning.

Security. Safety. Sanctuary.

These are the rocks upon which Infamy was built, the foundation upon which it stands. Little does anyone realize that foundation is about to be demolishedÃ¢â¬Â¦ Someone is fixing to blow the lid on Infamy, bring the entire neighborhood to its knees and leave nothing but a bloody stain behind. And why?

Because one man just couldnÃ¢â¬â¢t keep it in his pantsÃ¢â¬Â¦

Living in Infamy #1 ($2.95) is now available for purchase.

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November 3, 2005

Pyongyang: A Journey In North Korea

Famously referred to as one of the 'Axis-of-Evil' countries, North Korea remains one of the most secretive and mysterious nations in the world today. In 2001 cartoonist Guy Delisle became one of the few Westerners to be allowed access to the fortress-like country. While living in the nationÃ¢â¬â¢s capital for two months on a work visa for a French film animation company Delisle observed what he was allowed to see of the culture and lives of the few North Koreans he encountered; his findings form the basis of this remarkable graphic novel.

Pyongyang is an informative, personal, and accessible look at a dangerous and enigmatic country.

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