Freak Comics

The third special in the Stan Lee Meets series features “The Man” meeting none-other-than the ever-loving blue-eyed Thing. In Stan Lee Meets the Thing, the man who helped create the House of Ideas gets to meet one of his favorite creations, Ben Grimm of the Fantastic Four.

Celebrating his 65th year of working at Marvel, Stan is penning an all-new story where he writes himself into a story brought to life with the pencils of Lee Weeks. The story finds Stan making the mistake of bicycling through Yancy Street, which Ben Grimm will tell you is never a good idea.

Plus, Roy Thomas and Scott Kolins present another all-new tale featuring Lee, depicting an untold incident during Stan’s years in the service with guest appearances by some of the wildest characters of comics’ golden age!

And what would be a special about “The Man” without including one of his classic stories. Stan Lee Meets the Thing will also feature a reprint of Fantastic Four #79, which featured a major turning point in the relationship between the Thing and on-again, off-again flame Alicia Masters.

Come celebrate with Marvel and Stan with Stan Lee Meets the Thing, jam-packed with the great comic story-telling that made the medium the favorite of millions.

Stan Lee Meets the Thing (Aug062071)
Written by Stan Lee & Roy Thomas
Penciled by Lee Weeks & Scott Kollins
Cover by Lee Weeks
48 Pgs./Rated T+ …$3.99
Foc – 10/5, on-Sale -10/25/2006

Captain America’s life has been completely turned upside down with the passing of the Super Human Registration Act. After the events of last issue, which saw Sharon Carter and Cap’s relationship pushed to the breaking point because of Civil War, things continue to get worse for Steve Rogers.

Since he learned that his long-thought-dead sidekick is among the living, Captain America has desperately been trying to catch up with Bucky, or as he is now known, the Winter Soldier. But the Winter Soldier comes across another aging war hero instead – Nick Fury.

Nick Fury has been underground since the events of Secret War, but will this new war be enough to get him to resurface? Plus, what is his connection to the Winter Soldier and what reprecussions will this have on the Civil War?

Captain America’s greatest enemy, the Red Skull, has slowly been ensuring Cap’s downfall and now with the start of a Civil War, it is the perfect opportunity to see his plans to fruition. The Skull will form a deadly alliance that will make the entire Marvel Universe tremble beneath their heels; but what major player will it be?

The “Drums of War” play on in the pages of Captain America #23 as Civil War continues, featuring a spotlight on the Winter Soldier and a new devlopment with the Red Skull that no one will see coming.

Captain America #23 (Aug062040)
Written by Ed Brubaker
Penciled by Mike Perkins
Cover by Steve Epting
32 Pgs./Rated T+ …$2.99
Foc – 10/5, on-Sale – 10/25/2006

Just like the citizens of the Marvel Universe, you too can pick up your own copy of the Daily Bugle, hitting stores monthly from Marvel. In the tradition of the Civil War Daily Bugle Newspaper and the Pulse House of M Newspaper comes the Daily Bugle, a newspaper with all the latest news and updates on everything happening at Marvel.

Brimming with articles and images on all the comics hitting stands that month, the Daily Bugle brings to you the latest news on your favorite books and creators; plus, feature interviews, updated images, previews, variant covers, and tons more.

Each month, the Daily Bugle will contain an up-to-date checklist on all of Marvel’s comics and collections so you can make sure not to miss a single issue or volume.

Pick up the premiere October issue of the Daily Bugle out today for all the highlights of the month, including the cover story Ultimate Power, Civil War news, and more on the Dabel Brothers.

The Anita Blake series of novels by New York Times Best-Selling author Laurell K. Hamilton has sold over 3 million copies and amassed a dedicated group of fans. Now, the vampire hunter is staking her claim in the world of comics in Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter in Guilty Pleasures #1.

There have been 14 novels in the Anita Blake series with the most recent novel, Anita Blake: Danse Macabre, debuting at #2 on the New York Times Best-Sellers List, selling over 100,000 copies since its release in June 2006. Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter in Guilty Pleasures will be the first comic adaptation of Anita Blake, adapting the first novel of the series which has sold over 250,000 copies.

Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter in Guilty Pleasures #1 presents a world unlike our own, where vampires and were-creatures are legal citizens of the United States. Anita’s job is to act as judge, jury, and executioner when these supernatural beings cross the line, allowing her to swiflty dispense justice on the undead and superhuman.

Anita is also known as an animator, or one who can raise the dead, but this deadly hunter avoids vampires whenever possible. However, when a close friend’s bacherlorette party leads them into St. Louis’s vampire district, business begins to pick up for Anita.

When visiting the vampire strip club Guilty Pleasures, Anita’s fears are realized when a sneak attack threatens to claim her life. But is the enigmatic Jean-Claude there to help Anita or ensure her downfall?

Adapted from the Anita Blake series of novels, which has sold over 3 million copies and appeared on the New York Times Best Sellers list, Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter in Guilty Pleasures #1 is a story of horror and romance that is sure to amaze fans of Anita Blake and comics alike. To pick-up Anita Blake’s first comic appearance, call 1-888-comicbook to find the location of the comic shop nearest you.

Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter in Guilty Pleasures #1 (of 12) (Jul068379)
Written by Laurell K. Hamilton
Adapted by Stacie M. Ritchie
Pencils & Wraparound Cover by Brett Booth
32 Pgs./Rated T+ .$2.99
Foc – 9/28, on-Sale 10/18/2006

Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter in Guilty Pleasures #1 (of 12) Variant (Jul068380)
Written by Laurell K. Hamilton
Adapted by Stacie M. Ritchie
Pencils by Brett Booth
Variant Cover by Greg Horn
32 Pgs./Rated T+ .$2.99
Foc – 9/28, on-Sale 10/18/2006

The surprise smash hit Marvel Zombies continues its selling frenzy as the recently released Marvel Zombies HC has sold out. Collecting all five issues of the limited series along with the covers from all of the various printings, the Marvel Zombies HC is being rushed back to press for a second printing.

And what is another printing of Marvel Zombies without a brand new cover by Arthur Suydam? The second printing of the Marvel Zombies HC will be complete with an all-new zombie-tribute cover to Amazing Spider-Man #316 by Suydam.

Marvel Zombies was one of the biggest breakout successes of the last few years and the critics were all in agreement.

Don MacPherson of TheFourthRail.com says, “Marvel Zombies is a guilty-pleasure comic book for fans of both the super-hero and undead horror genres.”

The ComicFanatic.com calls Marvel Zombies “a perfect mesh of horror and superheroics.”

Troy Brownfield of Newsarama.com calls it, “a fun spin around the graveyard in mighty Marvel fashion.”

Thanks to the scores of real-life Marvel Zombies (you the fans!), the Marvel Zombies HC has become as big a success as the limited series that spawned it. Be sure to be on the lookout for the second printing of Marvel Zombies HC, hitting stores soon.

After Ghost Rider’s run-in with Doctor Strange, Johnny Blaze begins to reconsider his methods now that he has returned to Earth. Dr. Strange advised him to turn away from vengeance, but can he do so with Lucifer still on the loose?

He has been the Ghost Rider for longer than he cares to remember. In Ghost Rider #4, Johnny will find out how much of him is still a man and how much of him has become the Spirit of Vengeance as “Vicious Cycle” continues.

Ghost Rider #4 (Aug062046)
Written by Daniel Way
Layouts by Javier Saltares
Finishes & Cover by Mark Texeira
32 Pgs./Rated T+ …$2.99
Foc – 9/28, on Sale – 10/18/2006

The X-Men are off to Florida for a Spring Break they won’t soon forget, hoping for a nice relaxing break from the rigors of the Academy. But the X-Men won’t have time to visit theme parks or beaches on this vacation when the Lizard shows up to terrorize the Sunshine State in X-Men: First Class #2.

Richard George of IGN.com called X-Men: First Class #1 a “Must Read… X-Men: First Class is a lot of fun. It revisits the beginning of the X-Men, but does not retell stories that we already know…First Class is definitely a top-notch read.”

The X-Men head to Florida to drop in on an old colleague of the Professor’s; however, Dr. Curt Connors has been through some changes since Xavier last saw him. The innocent visit turns into an all out battle for survival in the Everglades, forcing Beast and Angel to hunt Spider-Man’s foe: The Lizard.

Jeff Parker and Roger Cruz bring you another brand new, unforgettable tale of Charles Xavier’s original X-Men in X-Men: First Class #2.

X-Men First Class #2 ( of 8 ) (Aug062086)
Written by Jeff Parker
Penciled by Roger Cruz
Cover by Marko Djurdjevic
32 Pgs./Rated a …$2.99
Foc – 9/28, on-Sale – 10/18/2006

On his Civil War “Vendetta”, Wolverine has gone toe-to-toe with the man responsible for the Stamford disaster Nitro, an Atlantean Death-Squad, Namor the Sub-Mariner, and Damage Control. In Wolverine #47, things don’t get any easier for Logan as the man with the power of a thousand exploding suns, the Sentry, stands in his way.

In the conclusion to the Civil War tie-in “Vendetta,” Wolverine finds himself on the wrong end of a Damage Control clean-up crew. But what happens next leads Logan 30 thousand feet in the air onto the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier., with the elite Super Human Restraint Unit ready and waiting to put him down.

Then, the Golden Guardian of Good, who could quite possibly be the most powerful super hero in the Marvel Universe, is brought in to make sure Logan stays down. In a fight fit for a main-event, Wolverine pits his claws against the raw power of the Sentry.

With the odds stacked against him, can Logan fulfill his Civil War Vendetta in Wolverine #47? Better yet, will Logan be able to walk away from a fight that has already pushed his healing factor to the limit?

Wolverine #47 (Aug062081)
Written by Marc Guggenheim
Penciled by Humberto Ramos
Cover by Kaare Andrews
32 Pgs./Parental Advisory …$2.99
Foc – 9/28, on-Sale – 10/18/2006

Recently I had an interesting discussion in the notes section of 9rules.com.

Michael from Helpdesk Magazine claimed that traditional comics are on a slow path to obscurity. At first I didn’t buy in to what he was saying, because I misunderstood him.
I thought his point was that comics in their traditional single issue per month form were on their way out, to eventually be replaced with graphic novels every six months or so.

Rather, his point was this:

“Traditional western comics, with the exception of daily comics like Garfield, are typically about superheros no matter how you slice it. Comic books can’t possibly hope to compete if they don’t start treating themselves as a medium rather than a genre.”

After reading that paragraph I understood his point and even agreed with him, however I’m a little torn on the issue after further consideration. I definitely agree that Marvel and DC should treat comics as a medium rather than a genre, however Marvel and DC basically are super hero genres. That’s the Universe that they’ve made. Some would argue that this was a mistake on their part, but I say otherwise. After all, like it or not, going this route has made them the dominant companies in the industry for years.

I went on to make this comment in reply to Michael:

“I could definitely see Image and Dark Horse taking over, and I think it would be a welcome change. While I really enjoy certain super hero titles, it is certainly an overdone subject and not all that creative.”

I stand by the last sentence in that paragraph, however the first part needs a little revamping. I think it would be a welcome change if comics were written as well and as diversely as comics released by Image (such as Walking Dead and Fear Agent), however I do not think they will ever dominate the industry. Marvel and DC will always find a way to keep their empire strong.

After all, while DC may have structured their universe around the super hero genre, they also have comics released under the Vertigo title which are less traditional and are creator owned.

What do you think? Will DC and Marvel ever lose their death-grip on the industry? Have they fallen behind the times?

Last week Brian K Vaughn announced that he and Adrian Alphona would be leaving Runaways, a smash hit series from Marvel Comics that he has been writing for from the beginning. Since then fans have no doubt been waiting on the edge of their seats to find out who would be his successor.

Today On Sunday Marvel announced that successor: Joss Whedon, author of the Astonishing X-Men. Joss will be picking up the series with issue #25 along with artist Michael Ryan.

Runaways is my favorite comic that Marvel has to offer. Will this switch kill the series? I know the Whedon is supposed to be this great author that everyone loves, and I don’t think he’s terrible, but he’s not my favorite by any means. Now, I’ll admit that I only read the first volume of the Astonishing X-Men, and I wasn’t completely turned off… but it was lacking somehow. It almost seemed a bit too minimal in style. One of the greatest things about Runaways is the dialogue and character development. From what i recall Joss did a good job on character development for Astonishing X-Men, but keeps the dialogue rather thin. I truly hope he treats this series right and keeps it interesting and worth reading, and I believe he will.

So far as Michael Ryan (New Excalibur) is concerned, I am not too familiar with his art. I do know that he has a traditional Western style, and I’m curious to see if he’ll be able to pull off, or even attempt, the fusion style of art that Runaways currently has. if not, a Western approach to the comic may be fun to see, but the series could also lose something in the transition.

I’m keeping positive about this change and will look forward with great interest to the coming issues of Runaways.