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Home , AfterShock Comics, Alan Davis, Alex Saviuk, Amanda Conner, Art Thibert, Batwoman

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UNHOLY GRAIL If your awareness of the Arthurian leg- Lake is a vital part of the Arthurian leg- end begins and ends with the little bits ends, so I had to make sure she was you learned in high school, the Disney film The Sordid & The Stone equally important in this version. Of The Sword in the Stone, the TH White novels, or Lerner & Bunn said that Unholy Grail will focus on “Arthur’s rise to course, she is greatly changed from the Lady you might be fa- Loewe’s delightful Camelot, then you’re going to be in for quite power, the story of the sword in the stone, the founding (and the miliar with. Her role—especially when we look to the third issue a surprise when you open the pages of ’s new fall) of Camelot, and Arthur’s demise—they’re all crucial ele- of the series—is visceral and horrifying.” Arthurian grimdark series Unholy Grail. ments of this story. And as the title might indicate, the Grail leg- Bunn’s take on a blighted kingdom is in some ways reminis- “I’ve been describing Unholy Grail as the Arthurian legend... end will also be a part of the story. “The Grail is featured in the cent of John Boorman’s seminal Arthurian film . Was if that legend were a horror story,” Bunn said. very first issue of the series,” Bunn said. “In many ways, we’re Bunn a fan of the film, and has it influenced the development “It’s a grim, dark, and evil retelling of the starting this story at its ending. The chalice will be a re- and tone of Unholy Grail? “I loved Excalibur,” Bunn said. “In everyone knows.” curring motif in the tale. It rep- many ways, it was such a dark departure from the legends I Readers have seen dark, grim takes on the resents that which is knew, it felt like a horror story when I first saw it. I definitely Arthurian before, but Bunn is playing unattainable. And when it is drew inspiration from the movie. The sense of brooding men- up the horror element in his exploration of found, we discover that it may ace... the idea of grime beneath the shiny exterior... the other- the Arthurian legend. What inspired this be the lure of a trap.” worldliness... I hope to conjure some small part of these qualities approach? “I’ not exactly sure where it In preparation for the explo- from that movie.” came from,” Bunn said. “I can only say ration of the Grail legend, “I that I have notebooks that are decades old have read Chretien de Troyes’ where I was jotting down notes about this Perceval [the earliest tale of the story. In those notes, Arthur worshiped Grail quest]. I’ve delved into a lot some terrible, dark creature that roamed of Arthurian legends over the unseen through the forests. Of course, years, because I genuinely love that has changed a great deal in this ver- the story in all its many variations. sion—but there are elements that have I wanted to draw inspiration from survived all these years. as many of the different legends as “If readers are even passingly famil- possible. I want this story to feel iar with the story of King Arthur, I like a genuine addition to the leg- think they’ll enjoy this twisted, evil ver- ends—only a very, very dark addi- sion of the legend. All the familiar ele- tion.” ments are here—Arthur, Merlin, Merlin is a pivotal character in Guinevere, Lancelot, the Round Table, Unholy Grail, but Bunn’s take on Camelot, the Sword in the Stone, Ex- Merlin is very different from the calibur—but they are seen through a norm. How does he Merlin, and very dark and horrific lens. If readers how important is he to the Arthurian are unfamiliar with Arthur, they can tale? “The Merlin who appears in Un- still enjoy this as a horror fantasy— holy Grail is really the catalyst for all and it might even open their eyes to the horrific twists and turns the legend other Arthurian legends.” takes. This Merlin isn’t just a sorcerer While the solicitation text describes Unholy Grail as “a Love- who claims to be the son of the devil. craftean take on the Arthurian legend,” Bunn said that this was He’s a genuine demon who wants nothing more than to sow the more a description of the tone of the series than its content. seeds of chaos. He is going to use the boy king—Arthur—as the “There is no overt link to Lovecraft’s mythos, although there are vessel of that chaos.” some elements that might fit in with Cthulhu and the like. But, The Lady of the Lake legend is also a part of Unholy Grail— yes, there are tonal elements that are similar to the stories Love- but once again, it’s much different than the symbolically inspira- craft wrote.” tional tale that readers have come to know. “The Lady of the

How did Unholy Grail come to make its home at AfterShock? “I’ve been talking to the folks at AfterShock for a long while— since before their first published book came out, in fact. We just needed to find the right title for my debut under their banner. It’s been a real treat to work with these folks, and it definitely will not be my last project with them.” What’s the plan for Unholy Grail—, long-form series, , or a series of shorter miniseries? “As with any book, that depends on reader interest, I suppose,” Bunn said. “The first five issues tell a complete story, but it could be continued. I am using a -linear storytelling style with this book, focusing more on connected themes among various vi- gnettes, and there are so, so many tales and characters who could be explored further.” Unholy Grail #1, a $3.99 AfterShock Comics release by Cullen Bunn & Mirko Colak, is scheduled for July 5th release.

by Cliff Biggers

Courtesy of your friendly neighborhood comics outlet! Generations Generates a New Marvel Legacy A few weeks ago, CSN told you about the first wave of Marvel’s Generations oneshots. Now we have a complete list, including cre- ative teams, for all ten oneshots—and what an impressive list it is! This epic event brings together iconic and present-day heroes such as and Peter Parker, Amadeus Cho and Bruce Banner, and , Laura Kinney and Logan, and many more of your favorite charac- ters. “Generations unites the present-day he- (starring Captain Mar-Vell & Captain Marvel) roes of the with their fore- by Margaret Stohl & Brent Schoonover bears from the past in order to chart the course •Generations: The (starring the of the future!” SVP and Executive Editor Tom Mighty and the Unworthy Thor) by Brevoort said. “These ten adventures are the Aaron & Mahmud Asrar stepping stones to everything that is to come •Generations: The Strongest (starring Bruce for all of these characters!” Banner & Amadeus Cho, the Totally Awesome The stories of Generations begin at the Van- ) by & Matteo Buffagni ishing Point (which is a pivotal story element in •Generations: The Archers (starring Hawkeyes Secret #10 as well), offering fans a direct Clint Barton & Kate ) by Kelly Thompson bridge and prelude to Marvel Legacy, as the & Stefano Raffaele challenges and revelations of Generations will •Generations: The Iron (starring Iron Man & alter the destinies of our heroes moving for- Ironheart) by Brian Bendis & Marco Rudy ward in a dramatic fashion! •Generations: The (starring Ms Mar- The complete list includes: vel & Ms Marvel) by G. Willow Wilson & Paolo •Generations: The Best (starring & Villanelli All-New Wolverine) by Tom Taylor & Ramon •Generations: The Spiders (starring Spider- Rosanas) Men Peter Parker & Miles Morales) by Brian •Generations: The Americas (starring Steve Bendis & Ramon Perez Rogers: & Sam Wilson: Cap- •Generations: The Phoenix (starring The tain America) by & Paul Renaud Phoenix & ) by Cullen Bunn & RB •Generations: The Bravest Silva. And it all leads into the most impor- tant Marvel comic of 2017: Marvel SPIDER MAN BY , &

2 Comic Shop News have ever seen before and introduces concepts Machine #1 (by & Ricardo Federici), wraps up his run in All-Star and characters the Marvel Universe has never : The Dawnbreaker #1 (by Sam Batman #14 (with art by Rafael Albuquerque) as encountered. Fans are going to an all- Humphries & Ethan Van Sciver), Batman: is put to the ultimate test. Faced with new look at the Marvel Universe, starting at Drowned #1 (by & ), and losing either his future as Batman or the person one of the earliest moments in time and carried Batman: The Merciless #1 (by & he loves most, the Dark Knight must decide all the way into present day. Not only will this ). How can even the World’s which ultimate price he is willing to pay. be the catalyst for Marvel evolving and moving Greatest Heroes stop a horde of deadly beings Just as and discover forward, but expect it to be the spark that will that appear to be powerful, nightmare versions which villain from their past has returned, they ignite the industry as a whole.” of familiar figures? realize that it is all a trap in Batgirl #15 (by And if that isn’t reason enough to pick this Hope Larson & Chris Wildgoose). one up—well, Marvel also promises that it will TEEN 12 Helena Bertinelli, aka , thought it lead to the return a major Marvel . Who would be a good idea to get her class of stu- will it be? Well, we don’t know... but we have dents out of City for a day. Unfor - some fantastic ideas! tunately, follows the Generations begins in early August and runs wherever they go, as you’ll see in Batgirl & the through the end of September; Marvel Legacy Birds of Prey #14 (by Julie Benson, Shawna Ben- #1 is scheduled for September release. (And son, & Marcio Takara). you’ll be hearing a lot more about them in up- In Batman #30 (by Tom King & ), coming issues of CSN!) the second “War of Jokes and Riddles” inter- lude, it’s the making of a ! He’s Coming Comics— been pushed by Batman to snitch on the , DC in September and cajoled by to betray Batman— As and hunt for now, the flunky who would be Kite Man finally snaps! tant Marvel comic of 2017: Marvel Legacy by a missing ally, Batman investigates a mystery & Esad Ribic. Prepare to return to spanning centuries in Dark Nights: Metal #2 the dawn of time as Marvel introduces you to (by Scott Snyder, , & Jonathan BATMAN 31 the first from 1,000,000 BC—when Glapion). When the World’s Greatest Detective iconic torch-bearers such as , , Star discovers a foe even greater than the Justice Brand, Rider, Phoenix, Agamotto, and League could possibly imagine, will Earth’s he- Black Panther come together for the startl ing roes be ready? Then Superman is pulled into origin of the Marvel Universe. This fifty-page the mystery of the Dark Multiverse in Dark oneshot will show how everything is con- Nights: Metal #3, while the fol- nected—and it will even pave the way for Mar- lows the trail to a weapon that could keep the vel to resume “legacy numbering” on some of forces of the Dark Multiverse at bay! The Dark Multiverse’s twisted versions of The fight for ’s soul starts in its long-running titles. “Gotham Resistance,” a three-part Dark Nights: “Marvel Legacy #1 isn’t simply a history les- Batman stand ready to invade the DCU in the Dark Nights: Metal tie-in oneshots Batman: Metal tie-in that runs through #12 son,” SVP and Executive Editor Tom Brevoort (by & Mirka Andolfo), Nightwing said. “Rather, it’s the starting gun to a bevy of The Red Death #1 (by Joshua Williamson & ), Batman: The Murder #29 (by & ), and Suicide mysteries and secrets and revelations that will Squad #26 (by & Stjepan Sejic). reverberate across the Marvel Universe in the When receives a distress call from weeks and months to come! No character, no Nightwing urging him to return home, he dis- franchise will be untouched by the game- covers that Gotham City has been transformed changing events that play out across its pages. into a mosaic of monsters, , and doom! Jason and Esad pulled out all the stops to fat- Trapped inside the ’s deadly maze with pack this colossal issue with as much intrigue, nowhere to turn, Robin soon assembles an un- , surprise, mystery, shock and adventure likely team of hometown heroes including - as possible!” girl, , , , “Marvel Legacy #1 will present all fans— and Green to find the missing It’s tough to beat the two biggest puzzle- new readers and current readers—the very best Nightwing and save their city! makers in the world at their own game, and jumping-on point in the history of comics,” The agents of the mysterious Mr Oz begin to Batman’s gambits have only pulled him deeper Marvel Editor in added. move in #987 (by & into the moral quagmire where the Riddler and “What Jason and Esad have crafted is more Viktor Bogdanovic), as the Man of works to the Joker do their dirty work. All of Gotham grand and more gargantuan than anything we stop the chaos they unleash in and City hangs in the balance as “The War of Jokes across the globe. But when Mr Oz steps from & Riddles” continues in Batman #31 (by Tom the shadows, his identity rocks the Last Son of King & Mikel Janin), and Batman faces the ulti- to his core. mate conundrum: Are brainteasers better than ’s mission to break into the sealed king- belly laughs? dom hits a rough patch when ’ magical When Batman and are away, technology short circuits on a massive scale in who’s left to protect Neo-Gotham? Enter Nissa, #28 (by Dan Abnett & Stjepan Sejic)— the seldom seen 15-year-old Batgirl of the fu- especially those devices made of a certain ture, in #12 (by , BATMAN: THE RED DEATH 1 metal... Vita Ayala, & Siya Oum).

Comic Shop News 3 When her father, Colonel Jacob Kane, real- his mentor could not and persuade a cosmic and Wonder Woman’s are about to intersect in ized that Kate would never become the soldier consciousness to save reality? a terrifying way in Wonder Woman #31 (by he wanted, he chose someone else to lead his A simple recon mission to gather intel on & ), bringing secret paramilitary group, the Colony. That the new Super-Man of China goes pear-shaped them to face with a cosmic threat they man—Colony —hates nobody on Earth in New Super-Man #15 (by & never imagined! the way he hates Kate... and the feeling is mu- Brent Peebles) when ’s Suicide The Bombshells are back in an all-new se- tual! So when the two of them are stranded in Squad find themselves trapped in the siege of ries, Bombshells United #1 (by Marguerite Ben- the Sahara Desert, heavily dosed with Scare- Shanghai and must team up with the Justice nett & Marguerite Sauvage). The year is 1943, crow’s fear , with no way to survive ex- League of China to defeat Emperor Super-Man. and Wonder Woman is called to Arizona for cept to rely on each other... they might just is back in Red & the Outlaws help by two young girls named Cassie Sands- choose death instead in #7 (by Mar- #14 (by & Joe Bennett), and he’s bet- mark and ! guerite Bennett & Fernando Blanco). ter than ever! He’s stronger; he’s faster, and It’s a red-letter day for the good folk of Un- Blue unwittingly accompanies Teri now he’s a genius! As if that weren’t enough to liklistan as they start to power up their first Magnus—the of the 31st century—into deal with, things only get more complicated atomic reactor. But after pushing the wrong the future in #13 (by , when the Outlaws find themselves in , the -rare radioactive element, un- JM DeMatteis, & ). crosshairs of the one and only Batwoman, who stabilium, has been released into the atmos- With the cure for the OTAC virus within will stop at nothing to take down the infamous phere! Now it’s up to Lt Col Richard , Cyborg must join forces with his cor- ! “Dick” Atcherly and his navigator Capt Dudley rupted doppelgänger in Cyborg #16 (by John It’s the final showdown between “Mutt” Muller to save the day in Dastardly & Semper Jr & Allan Jefferson)... or dismantle him and in Supergirl #13 (by Steve Muttley #1 (by Ennis & Mauricet). and end this war once and for all. Orlando, Robson Rocha, & Daniel Henriques). Celebrate 25 years of Harley Quinn with The As the team begins to crack under Slade’s Thrust into the anti-matter universe of Harley Quinn 25th Anniversary Special #1, a harsh leadership tactics, Defiance is called into in Superman #30 (by Peter Tomasi, collection of stories by some legendary Harley action after a cruise ship gets hijacked on the Patrick Gleason, & ), Super- talent and some who’ve never drawn her be- open seas in #23 (by Christopher man’s only hope is the former greatest of the fore! How does Harley manage her insanely Priest, Diogenes Neves, & Jason Paz). Green Lanterns: ! jam-packed life on Coney Island? What haven’t Where in the world (or otherwise) is Tim that changes both Baz and Volthoom forever. In Super Sons #8 (by Peter Tomasi & Jorge we seen from her past with the Joker? And can Drake? faces a crossroads... escape The draws the line be- Jimenez), the Super Sons find themselves even Harley’s psychological acumen crack the the most devious prison ever devised, or find tween the Godkiller and the Wall blasted across the cosmos to a world twisted mind of... Robin, the Boy Wonder? himself abandoned beyond time and space for in & the Green Lantern Corps #29 called Yggardis. As and Robin en- What makes one a legend? How do legends all ! Not much of a choice, right? But (by , Rafa Sandoval, & Jordi Tarrag- deavor to stop this strange place’s superpow- carve their names into history, when countless when he finds out just who is locked in there ona). If they give an inch, the Corps gets pushed ered factions from killing each other, can a others are forgotten? Wonder Woman and with him, Tim’s world will change in ways he into the wall, and the Godkiller Robots pull horde of ultra-powerful aliens, some sentient the Barbarian are destined by the fates never imagined, in #965 (by Yuga Khan free, plunging the New into multiversal clay, and a showdown with the vil- to be legendary, but when their stories collide, James Tynion IV & ). devastation. lain Kraklow stop them from getting back to will both emerge victorious, or will the fickle ’s personal life is in shambles; his The corrupt mayor of City has Earth? gods cut their lives short? Find out in Wonder new Negative-Flash aren’t working been a thorn in Harley’s side since the day he Meet ’s newest roommate, Woman/Conan #1 (by , Aaron Lo- properly, and someone has been tampering stepped into office... and now he’s the Maxima, in Superwoman #14 (by K. Perkins, with evidence at the Central City Police Depart- line one time too many! Harley’s usual meth- Stephen Segovia, & ). When the ment in #30 (by Joshua Williamson & ods of dealing with problems like this have galaxy’s foremost forger of heroes finds herself ). The Flash is not having a good day, failed her, so it’s time for a more unconven- in need of a hero herself, she turns to Super- and it’s going to get worse when he comes face tional solution... is ready for woman and the planet Earth. But Supergirl has to face with Bloodwork, a terrifying new villain Mayor Harley Quinn? Find out in Harley unfinished business with her former mentor, with secret ties to Barry Allen. Quinn #27 (by , , bringing the Girl of Steel to Metropolis and into & John Timms). the clutches of the real Maxima! Detective Margaret Ames doesn’t want to The hunt for the team’s traitor takes an im- think her ex could murder someone, but when possible turn in Titans #15 (by Dan Abnett, Brett you used to date John , anything is Booth, & ) when Nightwing is re- possible, as she discovers in The #14 vealed as an agent of HIVE! As the Titans hunt (by Tim Seeley & Merino). for answers about their and friend, loyal- An outside threat has followed the League’s ties are tested like never before—and the Titans children back from the future in order to de- may never recover! stroy them in Justice League #28 (by Bryan The Pits’ origins reveal themselves Hitch, , & Matt Banning). His to and Ra’s al Ghul in #13 (by Rob name is Arthur Curry, and he will not stop until Williams & Ken Marion) as they are all dead! and the mystical trinity work with Batman, Su- The search for Ray Palmer continues as perman, and Wonder Woman to host a super- atomic threatens to tear apart the mi- powered exorcism on Red Hood, Artemis, and croverse in Justice League of America #14 (by Bizarro. Steve Orlando, Ivan Reis, & Joe Prado). The JLA’s Who is Wonder Woman’s brother? Taken only hope of survival lies deep within the sen- away from Themyscira in the dead of night, the tient planet Moz-Ga, where only an can mysterious Jason has been hidden somewhere travel. Can young Ryan Choi accomplish what far from the sight of gods and men... but his life WONDER WOMAN•CONAN 1

The day Oliver Queen has dreaded for years finally arrives in Green Arrow #30 (by Benjamin Percy & Otto Schmidt): Green Arrow, DC’s most stubborn, most hotheaded hero, needs help from the last person he ever wanted to ask: Hal Jordan. Simon Baz stands alone against Volthoom, the first and most powerful Lantern, in Green Lantern #31 (by , Carlo Barberi, & Matti Santorelli). It’s a battle of courage and will 4 Comic Shop News are destined by the fates lecting Batman #s 7–8, Nightwing #s 5–6, and Five #s 15–20 & Annual #1. Coming in February to be legendary, but when their stories collide, Detective #s 941–942. •Justice League of America: A Midsummer’s ’18 from DC Collectibles will both emerge victorious, or will the fickle •Deathstroke Volume 3: Twilight TP, collecting Nightmare—The Deluxe Edition HC, collecting •DC Bombshells: Statue, designed by gods cut their lives short? Find out in Wonder Deathstroke #s 12–18. the three-issue miniseries that led into Grant Ant Lucia and sculpted by Jack Mathews. Woman/Conan #1 (by Gail Simone, Aaron Lo- •Batman: Detective Comics Volume 3—League Morrison’s JLA run. •DC Designer Series Superman by presti, & Matt Ryan). of Shadows TP, collecting Detective #s 950–956. •JLA: The Nail/Another Nail Deluxe Edition Statue, sculpted by Jonathan Matthews and It’s Bane vs —the rematch—in •The Hellblazer Volume 2: The Smokeless HC, collecting the two series by based on Adams’ classic Superman-breaking- Bane: Conquest #5 (by & Graham TP, collecting The Hellblazer #s 7–12. . -chains cover for Superman #233. Nolan). •New Super-Man Volume 2: Coming to Amer- •Justice League: Their Greatest Triumphs TP, •Batman Black & White Batman by John ica TP, collecting New Super-Man #s 7–12. collecting 168 pages of the best Justice League Romita Jr Statue, sculpted by Paul Harding. •Nightwing: The Rebirth Deluxe Edition Book tales. FUTURE QUEST SHOW- One HC, collecting Nightwing #s 1–15 & Re- •Justice League of America: The Detroit Era birth #1. Omnibus HC, collecting Justice League America CASE 2 •Red Hood & the Outlaws Volume 2: Who Is #s 233–261 and much more. Artemis? TP, collecting Red Hood & the Out- •Supergirl by Volume 3 TP, collect- laws #s 7–11. ing Supergirl #s 21–31 and more. •: The Rebirth Deluxe Edition •Absolute HC, a slipcased oversized Book One HC, collecting Suicide Squad #s 1–8, hardcover collecting WildCATS #s 1–13 & 50 Rebirth #1, and Harley Quinn & the Suicide and much more. Squad April Fool’s Special #1. •The Wild Volume 1 TP, collecting The •Supergirl Volume 2: Escape from the Wild Storm #s 1–6. Zone TP, collecting Supergirl #s 7–11 and more. •Absolute Wonder Woman by •Super Sons Volume 1: When I Grow Up TP, & Volume 2 HC, collecting Wonder collecting Super Sons #s 1–5. Woman #s 19–35 & 23.2. •Wonder Woman: The Rebirth Deluxe Edition •Wonder Woman & the Justice League of Book One HC, collecting Wonder Woman #s 1– America Book Two TP, collecting Justice 14 & Rebirth #1. League International #s 65–66, Justice League •Batman: 15th Anniversary Deluxe Edi- America #s 86–91, and more. tion HC, collecting Batman #s 608–619 and more. •Batman Unwrapped: Death of the Family HC, collecting Batman (New 52) #s 13–17. •Batgirl: The Bronze Age Omnibus Volume 1 HC, collecting Batgirl tales from Detective #s Space Ghost and his venture deep 359, 363, 369, 371, 384–385, 388–389, 392–393, into the caverns of Amzot in Future Quest 396–397, 400–401, 404–424, 481–499, 501–502, #2 (by & ), 505–506, 508–510, and 512–519, as well as Bat- Coming Comics— only to discover danger lurks around every cor- man #197 and Batman Family #s 1, 3–7, & 9– ner! Metallus and his minions have set traps, 11. IDW in September hoping to destroy the future of the Space . •DC Comics Bombshells Volume 5 TP, collect- Ever wondered what your favorite furious Can the Herculoids’ Igoo save them from an ing Bombshells #s 26–29 & Annual #1. fowl would do if they had hands and feet? untimely demise? •The Demon by TP, collecting The Well, wonder no longer, thanks to Angry Birds Tom King & (making his DC Demon #s 1–16. Comics: Flight School HC (by Paul Tobin & interior art debut) weave a suspenseful tale of •The Flash by Book Three TP, col- Giorgio Cavazzano), featuring all-new comics lost at sea in Kamandi Challenge #9. lecting The Flash #s 80–94. based on the hit Angry Birds Movie. Scott Free has skipped out on his trip to the • Volume 1 HC, collecting Injustice 2 In House #2 (by Ted Adams & San- great beyond and taken a Boom Tube to New #s 1–6. tiperez), the dreams of a pinball come Genesis instead, where he and his wife, Big •The Flintstones Volume 2 TP, collecting The true as he masters people the same way he Barda, take on the invading hordes of Flintstones #s 7–12. masters the silver ball bouncing from bumper in Mister Miracle #2 (by Tom King & •Green Lantern: Volume 1 TP, col- to bumper. Mitch Gerads). Things are a little off, however, lecting Green Lantern #s 48–57, Rebels ’94 #1, In DuckTales #1, Donald and the nephews and Mister Miracle starts to doubt why he’s and New Titans #116. visit a -secret lab, chock-full of crazy inven- fighting when takes over the mantle of •Harley Quinn: A Gallery—The Deluxe VOLUME 3: BLOOD tions to make their lives easier... but might . It’s enough to make a New Cover Art Collection HC, collecting 176 pages IN THE STREETS TP make them shorter, instead! miss Granny Goodness’s orphanage! of remarkable covers by , Jim Lee, In a quiet forest, the young Elenora follows ’s commitment to the Cru- , Amanda Conner, , Terry Coming in October the teaching of her father, Merlin , in saders is put to the test in Nightwing: New Dodson, , and many others. from Vertigo/DC Elenora Mandragora: Daughter of Merlin HC Order #2 (by & Trevor McCarthy) •House of Secrets: The Bronze Age Omnibus (by Severine Gauthier & Thomas Labourot). Unex- •Lucifer Volume 3: Blood in the Streets TP, col- after he learns a shocking secret about a mem- HC, collecting House of Secrets #s 81–111 (in- pectedly though, he is killed by the horrible lecting Lucifer #s 13–19. ber of his own family. Eager to keep the scandal cluding the first tale from House of a mandrake root—though his ghost •/The Mystery Play Deluxe Edi- as quiet as possible, Grayson turns to an old of Secrets #92). will not rest. With the help of Elenora, Merlin’s tion HC, featuring two graphic friend for some answers—and what he learns •Injustice: Gods Among Us Year Five Volume 3 ghost doesn’t stay dead for long, and the forest novels in one hardcover collection. will alter his destiny forever. TP, collecting Injustice: Gods Among Us Year will never be the same. Suicide Squad: Black Files #2 features a Katana tale by Mike W. Barr & Philippe Briones and a Suicide Squad Black vs tale by Jai Nitz & . When Mystery Inc and the Challengers of the Unknown both show up at the scene of a monstrous mystery, it’s a race to see which team will save the day in Scooby-Doo Team-Up #30 (by Sholly Fisch & Dario Brizuela)—if they stay out of each other’s way long enough to do it! DC collected editions (advance solicited for October and November release) include: •Batgirl Volume 2: Son of TP, collect- ing Batgirl #s 7–11 & Annual #1. •Batman: Night of the Monster Men TP, col- Comic Shop News 5 GI Joe, the Autobots, and MASK make their Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rar- Too long, if you ask his old friends. They’re de- HC, collecting Popeye Classics #s 50–54. way to Cybertron to stop the siege and en- ity, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy—plus the termined to track him down, no matter what •Star Hawks Volume 2 HC, collecting more counter the leader in First Strike #3 whole cast of My Little Pony—are ready for all- dimension he’s buggered off to. You see, a spe- than 300 strips by & from (by Mairghread Scott, David Rodriguez, & Max new adventures, pulled right from the feature- cial agent from the US government has asked 8/11/78 to 6/10/79. Dunbar)... but all is not as it seems! Then, in length film, in the My Little Pony Movie for Wormwood’s help, and things are about to •: Old Proldiers Never Die HC, col- First Strike #4, Starscream will do anything he Adaptation. get political in ’s Wormwood, lecting the six-issue limited series. can to keep GI Joe under control—including let Corpse: Mr Wormwood Goes to •Teenage Ninja Turtles: The Ultimate Cobra get even closer to their goal! Washington #1. Collection Volume 1 TP, collecting Kevin East- Rom joins forces with the in Mi- is considered to be one of the man & ’s TMNT #s 1–7 and the cronauts: First Strike #1 (by & finest storytellers in the history of comics, and Raphael oneshot. Chris Panda). Together, these two forces must The Case of the Curious Classic is one of his ab- •Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe Vol- prevent a catastrophe on Earth even while Cy- solute best. It is also one of the very few stories ume 2: The New Strangeness TP, collecting bertron descends into chaos! Toth both wrote and drew. Now you can enjoy TMNT Universe #s 6–10. As Scarlett heads off to Cybertron to con- this tale exactly as Toth drew it in Alex Toth’s •: Lost Light Volume 1 TP, collect- front the events of First Strike, her GI Joe team The Case of the Curious Classic Artist’s Edi- ing Transformers: Lost Light #s 1–6. on Earth faces an unusual enemy—— tion Portfolio. •Transformers vs GI Joe: The Quintessential in GI Joe: First Strike #1 (by Aubrey Sitterson & IDW collected editions include: Collection TP, collecting the entire 13-issue Ilias Kyriazis). •Archie: A Celebration of America’s Favorite Transformers vs GI Joe series. With Cybertron under siege by Baron Iron- Teenager TP, featuring rare original art, classic •Weird Love: So This Is Love HC, collecting blood’s forces, Optimus Prime and Arcee de- stories, revealing information from 160 pages of offbeat romance tales from the fend their homeland in Optimus Prime: First an autobiography by John Goldwater—creator of 1950s and 1960s. Strike #1 (by John Barber & Guido Guidi). Archie and co-founder of Archie Publications— Nobody talks about how many dinosaurs and much, much more. died in WWII. But three months after Sergeant •Back to the Future: Biff to the Future TP, col- Tommy “Irish” Flynn and Captain John Noble lecting the six-issue series. wiped them out while foiling a Nazi plan, the •Darkness Visible Volume 1 TP, collecting boys are back in Stephen Mooney’s Half Past Darkness Visible #s 1–6. Danger II: Dead to Reichs #1, hot on the trail of •Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency: The some dino DNA stolen by their former ally, Salmon of Doubt Volume 2 TP, collecting Agent Elizabeth Huntington-Moss! Salmon of Doubt #s 6–10. When everyone has a number, everyone •Doc Macabre Treasury Edition, an oversized knows their place. Lower numbers are better; A ruthless biker gang ambushes a royal collection of the – tale. higher numbers are less important, and that’s envoy. The name of their leader? ! •Duck Avengers: New Adventures Book 2 TP, just the way it is. But that number could Fabian Rangel Jr & Warwick Johnson-Caldwell collecting Duck Avenger #s 3–5. change? You might try to buck the system and present an all-new take on the legendary wan- •: Past Is Prologue—Juliet TP, assert your individuality... or you might end up dering samurai in Samurai Jack: Quantum Jack collecting the four-issue limited series. with a big fat zero. Big questions are explored #1—a book that seems completely different and and unexpected answers found in ’ yet surprisingly familiar! I Am a Number HC. IDW kicks off an exciting new era in all-ages Twin Peaks–creepiness collides with George comics with Star Wars Adventures Orwell’s 1984-dystopian madness in Infinite #1 (by Cavan Scott & Derek Charm). Each issue Loop: Nothing But the Truth #1 (by Pierrick Col- in this monthly series will feature two stories inet, Else Charretier, & Daniele Di Nicuolo), as starring your favorite Star Wars characters from Teddy is sent back in time in a little town where all the films! This debut issue will reveal Rey’s people are addicted to lies. early adventures on , as well as a comical tale of clone catastrophe. In August 2002, artist Benjamin Reiss flies to Tokyo to spend a year with Kayoko, the Japan- Coming Comics— ese girl he met in France a year earlier. What he Dynamite in September finds upon landing is a vast and complex cul- The billion-times-downloaded game comes ture, steeped in tradition but full of surprises. to comics with the release of Fruit Ninja #1 (by As one year stretches into six, Benjamin be- Nate Cosby, .Scott Brown, & Ruairi Coleman). The comes immersed in the world of sento baths, Fruit Ninjas have mastered the art of Juice Jitsu taiko drums, and bento boxes, while studying (no, really), which unlocks hidden powers cartooning under several masters of manga— through the slicing of fruit (seriously), so they and it’s all chronicled in Super Tokyoland TP. can protect their neighbors from time-traveling OK Quack may look like a normal Duck burg - •Li’l Abner: The Complete Dailies & Color ! ian to Scrooge McDuck—but he’s really a space- Sundays Volume 9: 1951–1952 HC, collecting Sent to a French casino in Royale-les-Eaux, man whose shrunken ship is lost inside two more years of Al Capp’s classic strip. Bond aims to eliminate the threat of the deadly Scrooge’s Money Bin: “The Tourist at the End of •The Man from the Great North HC, the first Le Chiffre by bankrupting the ruthless the Universe” in Uncle Scrooge #30 is the first US English-language edition of Hugo Pratt’s classic SMERSH operative at the baccarat table. How - appearance of interstellar quacker OK Quack. tale. ever, when the luck of the draw favors his Wormwood has been gone for some time. •Popeye Classics Volume 11: The Giant & More enemy, 007 becomes the target of assassins and

Welcome to David Calver’s The Limbo Lounge HC, where newly dead people in Limbo await their fate at a bar while surrounded by bored interlopers from . Meet flower- headed freaks, . Root for their new friend, a spry, elderly nun, Sister Eunice, as she works remotely in Limbo continuing to rid earth of despicable dirt bags. And, by all means, avoid the knife-wielding little pageant- princess-gone-bad as she plots for anything she can get at anyone’s expense! 6 Comic Shop News enemy, 007 becomes the target of assassins and obsessive curiosity, and knowledge of forgotten of the Lost Valley? Why do the heroes torturers in a high-stakes game of cat and lore figure out who—or what—spelled doom you know and love—Turok, Magnus, mouse in : Casino Royale HC (by for Schick? And as they delve deeper into his and Doctor Spektor—seem like com- Van Jensen & Dennis Calero), an original graphic past, is it possible that things are not as they pletely different people? And perhaps novel adaptation of Ian Fleming’s premiere seem and that all his crazy, wild movies... were most important, how will the world be James Bond adventure. telling the truth? saved, and at what cost? When a young John Wick emerges from Magnus is closing in on her prey, the killer Turok’s raid on Terminal Prison has prison and embarks upon his first, epic AI Frederick—but her trip to the outskirts of gone according to plan, but now he vendetta, he comes up against a strange, pow- the AI world turns up a disturbing discovery must face the prison’s fiercest guard— erful community of assassins and must learn that brings back dark memories of her own in Karkaro, a terrifying war-dinosaur how to master the Book of Rules that guides Magnus #4 (by Kyle Higgins & Jorge Fornes, with bred only for battle—in Turok #2 (by their lethal business. What are the Three Bills? a Doc Spektor backup by Aubrey Sitterson & & Alvaro Sarraseca, with a Who is Calamity? And who was John Wick be- Dylan Burnett). Doc Spektor backup by Aubrey Sitter- fore he became the ? Here for the first son & Dylan Burnett). time, read the thrilling of John Since its inception 30 years ago, the Wick in John Wick #1 by Greg Pak & Giovanni Street Fighter series from Valletta. Capcom has thrived based on a lethal What is the secret “eh-rigin” of these con- combination of innovation, style, and venience store clerks destined to face the mon- technique, becoming one of the most sters of Manitoba? How did fate bring two enduring and influential franchises in Colleens together to survive all the craziness video game history. Undisputed Street that Winnipeg could throw at them? And can Fighter HC features in-depth inter- they harness Moksha, the ultimate goal of yoga, views and exclusive, behind-the-scenes to destroy everything that threatens the things looks into the making of the Street they love, eh? Find out in ’s Yoga Fighter games and the iconic art, de- Hosers #1 (by Kevin Smith, Jeff Quigley, & Liam sign, and imagery from across the Quigley). Street Fighter universe. Lord Gargos has been defeated! Based on the work of comics sensa- But the battle to save humankind from his As- tion Michael Turner and sculpted by the tral invasion has taken a terrible toll on the ever-talented Jason Smith, - Earth. Our world lies in ruin, and a sinister new painted Women of Dynamite: Purga- cas and Phicen Ltd to produce the power called the Coven has risen from the tori Limited “Diamond Eye Artist Proof” Executive Replicas Asian Version 1:6 Scale Ac- ashes, vying with the megacorporation Ultrat- Edition Statue depicts the Chaos! Comics tion Figure. Measuring in at 12 inches tall, with ech to rule the shattered nations. The heroes heroine with a in her eye. all the sexy detail of Vampirella herself, this fig- Kim Wu and Jago—their Astral powers weak- Dynamite joins forces with Executive Repli- ure garnishes attention from longtime fans and ened by their devastating war against Gargos— new followers. must band together with the scattered Dynamite collected editions include: remnants of the Night Guard to a path- •The Best of Vampirella Master Series Om- way into the Astral Plane in Killer Instinct #1 nibus TP, collecting tales by Grant Morrison, (by Ian Edginton & Cam Adams). Here, in the The circumstances that led Mary’s mysteri- , , , and oth- birthplace of The Shadow Lord and The ous burn patient to her hospital are becoming ers. Guardians, festers the secret malevolence that clearer—but is this horribly hurt man really •Brandon Sanderson’s White Sand Volume 1 threatens to destroy them all... and enslave the The Shadow? And what is his connection with TP, a softcover edition of the by world forever. the millionaire Worthy Delaney, an advisor to Brandon Anderson, Rik Hoskin, & Julius Gopez. Way back in the swinging ’70s, movie pro- the newly elected President Wyatt? Find out in •Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files Omnibus Volume ducer Sol Schick was the guy behind such The Shadow #2 (by Si Spurrier, Dan Watters, & 2 TP, collecting Ghoul Goblin, War Cry, and cheesy classics as Quarry: Bigfoot!, Noah’s Ark: Daniel HDR). Down Town. Found at Last!, and Heavenly Visitors from the When dangerous mercenaries sent by Cad- •John Carter: The End TP, collecting the five- Hell Above. But when he’s murdered —at a well Industries accuse her village of murdering issue miniseries. film festival! with a piece of Noah’s Ark! —the one of their men, Sheena is forced to make a •Pathfinder Volume 1: Dark Waters Rising TP, Librarians are drawn into the mystery in The deal in Sheena #1 (by , collecting the first six issues of the Pathfinder Librarians #1 (by & Rodney Bu- Christina Trujillo, & ). To save her home, comic series; an exclusive 10-page bonus story, chemi). Can their combination of special skills, Sheena now has 24 hours to find the missing “The Last Mosswood Goblin”; and over 30 man alive; if she fails, the mercenaries will at- pages of encounters, characters, and world de- tack—and they take no . But Sheena is tail for the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game. not the only one hunting for the missing man... •Warlord of Mars: Dejah Thoris Omnibus Vol- All questions will be answered, all the mys- ume 1 TP, collecting the first 20 issues of her on- teries revealed, in The Sovereigns #5 (by Ray going comic book series. Fawkes & Johnny Desjardins, with a Doc Spektor backup by Aubrey Sitterson & Dylan Burnett)! What has obliterated humanity? What the hell happened to the moon? What is the true nature .com/csnsider

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