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Home , Dollmaker (character), Rocket Red, Roger Langridge, The Hero Initiative

to the first in a new series of Ace ’ magazine Welcome ‘Illuminations’, relaunched for the digital era. The magazine serves as a taster for brand new titles solicited this month, along with some valuable input from the team here at Ace Comics. So without further ado, we kick off with the new offerings from Dark Horse, available in April...

STAR WARS: ALABASTER: BLOOD TIES - WOLVES #1 BOBA FETT IS Kiernan / Lieber DEAD #1 International Horror NEW Taylor / Scalf Guild Award winning The news spreads author Caitlín R. from one end of the Kiernan brings one galaxy to the other of her most enduring like wildfire: Boba and popular TITLES Fett, the galaxy’s creations to comics! most feared bounty hunter, is dead. For nearly as long as she can But when members of the team that remember, Dancy Flammarion has killed Fett are themselves picked off fought monsters, cutting a bloody one by one, Connor Freeman--the swath through the demons and dark SHIPPING son of one of Jango Fett’s clones-- things of the world, aimed like a gets pulled into the action in a most weapon by forces beyond her control IN APRIL unexpected way! or questioning. MASS EFFECT: RESIDENT ALIEN RESET #1 HOMEWORLDS #0 Bagge #1 Hogan / Parkhouse If you could relive Walters / Francisco / Surviving a crash major events in your Atiyeh landing that ruins life, would you take Mass Effect 3 his spaceship, a stab at making lead writer Mac a stranded alien things better - and Walters kicks off hopes to quietly would your best a new series of live out his life in attempts only make single-issue stories the sleepy town of things worse? Or featuring heroes and adventures Patience, USA, masquerading as would you use your second chance essential to the story of BioWare’s a semi-retired doctor. He has some to put your most twisted, perverted latest ! alien powers of empathy and the fantasies in motion? These are Each issue will star one of the ability to mask his odd appearance questions washed up actor and main characters of Mass Effect 3 from most people - but how long comedian Guy Krause asks himself in a story written by the BioWare can he last undercover? After three after he signs up to be the main writer who wrote that character in long years of living below the radar, research subject for a virtual reality the game—beginning with a Mac something in Patience is about to experiment. Walters-penned tale of brash young pull him out of hiding and into an gun James Vega! uncomfortable spotlight! NEW TITLES SHIPPING IN APRIL : ARKHAM Vol. 1: THE GAME (SC) UNHINGED Winick / March Fridolfs / Miller Collecting the firstsix issues of series, meet Selina Kyle, also known as This new series Catwoman. She’s addicted to the night. Addicted to shiny objects. Addicted to Batman. explores the world Most of all, Catwoman is addicted to danger. She can’t help herself, and the truth is - behind the hit video she doesn’t want to. She’s good at being bad, and very bad at being good. But this time, game ‘Batman: Selina steals from the wrong man, and now he’s got her. He wants his stuff back, he Arkham City’ in wants answers and he wants blood. stories focusing on both heroes and villains and their roles. A prequel to the game, this first issue explores the Catwoman/Two- Vol. 1: GREEN Face rivalry and how it leads them THE HUNT (SC) Vol. 1: THE MIDAS into the clutches of . Lemire / Foreman / TOUCH (SC) Huet / Leon Krul / Giffen / Jurgens / BATMAN: In these tales from Perez / Mccarthy issues #1-6 of the In the first six Vol. 1: FACES OF new series, Buddy issues of the New DEATH (HC) Baker has gone 52 event, Oliver Daniel / Winn / Florea from “super” man to Queen is armed family man - but is with cutting-edge In the first seven he strong enough to hold his family weaponry and illegally gained intel hard-hitting issues together when Maxine, his young (courtesy of his team at QCore)! As of Detective Comics, daughter, starts to manifest her own , he’s shooting first and Batman sets his dangerous powers? As these new asking questions later as he travels sights on the abilities continue to terrify Buddy and the world to bring outlaws to ... Ripper, who in turn has his his wife Ellen, things take a turn for the and breaking every law there is in sights on Batman. But time is running worse as Buddy and Maxine begin a the process. out as Commissioner Gordon and journey into the heart of The Red. Batman work to uncover the secret of the dread Dollmaker! STORMWATCH Vol. 1: THE DARK SIDE (SC) Vol. 1: INTERNATIONAL HYDROLOGY (HC) Vol. 1: THE SIGNAL Cornell / Sepulveda / MASTERS (SC) Barrionuevo Williams III / Blackman / Reeder Jurgens / Lopresti / Stormwatch returns Ryan / Castiello in this collection of Batwoman’s new the first six issues series begins with Collecting the first six issues of the new of the team’s new this title collecting series! issues #0-5! series, the United Nations brings Jack Hawksmoor, Midnighter, Apollo, Who or what is together Batman, , The Engineer and Martian stealing children , August comprise a dangerous super human from the barrio, and for what vile General in Iron, , , and police force whose existence is kept purpose? Will Kate train her cousin, Rocket Red to form a new group secret from the world. This covert Bette Kane, as her sidekick? How called Justice League International! team of sci-fi super heroes must battle will she handle unsettling revelations But can they discover the mystery the Earth’s moon itself and find a way about her father, Colonel Jacob Kane? behind the giant alien Signalmen to hide its monstrous metamorphosis And why is a certain government who are appearing all over the globe from the rest of the Earth! agency taking an interest in her? without killing each other first? NEW TITLES SHIPPING IN APRIL ‘68: SCARS #1 AMERICA’S GOT DEJAH THORIS THE Kidwell / Jones / Fotos POWERS #1 AND THE APES OF SHADOW #1 MARS #1 Saigon is in flames. Ross / Hitch By Garth Ennis Private Kuen Welcome to Rahner / Antonio Who knows what Yam is alone and AMERICA’S GOT On the way to an evil lurks in the screaming. A POWERS! It’s the archaeological dig hearts of men? The handful of human biggest TV show at an ancient battle Shadow knows! survivors maintains on Earth, where the site at the ‘face’ of The Shadow a weakening hold chance to win fame, Mars, Dejah Thoris returns to comic on the only gateway fortune and get laid and her party are stores written to the skies and escape from are dangled in front of a generation stranded. They take shelter in a dead, by the man born to write Vietnam...and the muddy waters of of super-powered teens. All they ancient city - infested with killer white him - Garth Ennis. The the Mekong Delta churn like a hellish have to do is WIN. Who is the fastest, apes. Hungry ones. artist joining Garth will be river Styx as the bloated dead rise the strongest or the greatest? Who The most harrowing horror story in Aaron Campbell. from the depths. survives? Young Tommy Watt’s the annals of Barsoom! Featuring covers by Few will survive the nightmares of dreams of being the greatest hero of them all might just be shattered fan favourite artists 1968...and those who do...will bear Alex Ross, Howard its mark. when the greatest show on the planet begins to reveal its dark heart. Chaykin, Jae Lee and John Cassaday. DANGER CLUB #1 SECRET #1 In the The Shadow first issue Walker / Jones Hickman / Bodenheim hits stores of the ongoing Faced with the “Teeth, with which in April series, it’s deadliest peril the to eat” 2012! 1938 and universe had ever A man gets shot in The Shadow known, the world’s London, a law firm returns in a tale of greatest heroes left blazing action and VOLTRON: gets broken into MERCILESS: THE YEAR ONE #1 the Earth to battle in Washington, an RISE OF MING #1 deadly intrigue, as a nightmarish evil... a night of carnage on Thomas / Cermak accountant gives Beatty / Adrian and they never away the password the New York waterfront Before they were came back. Now only their teenage to his computer, and something put to Visit scenic Mongo plunges the mysterious known as the sidekicks remain. Will the Danger sleep 20 years ago awakens. What is before Ming’s rise into a conspiracy legendary Voltron Club unite against this unknown the unsavoury relationship all these to power! In this involving the fate of the world itself. As Force, they were cosmic menace, or will their struggle things share, and how could it bring prequel to the storm clouds gather across the globe, Space Explorer for dominance down two of the largest governments critically acclaimed American Military Intelligence meets Squadron #686 of destroy them? in the history of the world? and best-selling with a certain Lamont Cranston, the Galaxy Alliance ‘ Gordon: determined to beat a host of spies The critically SECRET, a brand new, ongoing, - four young men, led by Commander acclaimed creative Zeitgeist’, Prince Ming begins his and assassins to the greatest prize of Sven, and tasked with keeping the monthly comic from the creators of rise to dominion over the entirety all... but what that might be, only the team of LANDRY A RED MASS FOR MARS, is an Earth safe and the skies clear in a Q. WALKER and of Mongo! But who (or what) was Shadow knows. universe growing more and more espionage thriller that takes a deep Ming before he was ‘Merciless’? ERIC JONES look into the shadow world existing “The Shadow is probably the last dangerous every day. So it was no (: Cosmic between the government and private Find out here as the origin of one established character I like that I surprise that Central Command Adventures In security firms. of science fiction’s pre-eminent haven’t gotten around to writing yet, came to them first with an impossible the 8th Grade, villains is presented in all it’s certainly on this side of the Atlantic,” rescue mission and an enemy even Batman: Brave diabolical details. says writer Garth Ennis. “It makes they didn’t truly understand. One and the Bold) a kind of bloody, bullet- that threatens the fragile coalition of reunite to tell the riddled sense: I always planets they’ve risked their lives to apocalyptic tale of had a feeling our paths maintain. Unbreakable bonds and these titanic teens. would cross sooner or intense rivalries are formed in the later.” first chapter of ‘Fearless Leader’. NEW TITLES SHIPPING IN APRIL AVENGERS 1: THE AMAZING THE SECRET COMING OF THE SPIDER-​MAN: SERVICE #1 AVENGERS! #1 HOOKY #1 Millar / Gibbons Lee / Kirby Putney / Wrightson From the writer of Relive the story that Spider-man vs. Kick-Ass and the started it all - the horrific artist of Watchmen digitally remastered Tordenkakerlakk comes a collaboration and recoloured in in the dimension decades in the modern style. of Cloudsea! Can making. Loki hatches a plot Spidey and the Says Mark Millar: against his hated stepbrother Thor, spirited Spindrifter overcome a “Secret Service is the ramifications drawing Earth’s mightiest heroes into foe that becomes more powerful - of [how] America is struggling on the fray. and more terrifying - each time it’s the world stage, funding is being defeated? A macabre masterpiece seriously undercut to balance the AVX: VS #1 (OF 6) illustrated in disturbing detail by books and some people are trying horror master Bernie Wrightson! their best to take advantage of The Aaron / Immonen / Kubert / Immonen ULTIMATE Fragile Global Situation.” The premier tie-in to SPIDER-​MAN ADVENTURES #1 THE MIGHTY ‘Avengers vs X-Men’! THOR #12.1 Man of Action / Slott / All-out action featuring Fraction / Larraz cover to cover Templeton / Plati battles, each issue 2012’s most The god of thunder, expanding on fights anticipated TV back on Earth and from the main AvX show is now the ready to make up for book in ways you can’t imagine! you lost time! can’t miss out on! His father in exile, AVENGERS vs. X-​ By day, he’s Peter Parker, mild- his mother on the MEN #1 (OF 12) mannered high school student. But throne - Thor’s world Bendis / Romita Jr by night, he’s the ultimate in super is upside down. But if Thor is here heroics - Spider-man! And he’s then… what is Dr. Donald Blake doing It’s no longer here, too? coming - it’s here! just the beginning of a super-hero universe… The stunning tale of the man inside Does the return of of the god - and the god inside of the the Phoenix to Earth DAREDEVIL #10.1 man - in the merry Marvel manner! signal the rebirth of Waid / Pham the mutant species? That’s what the If you haven’t X-Men believe. Unfortunately, the climbed on board the Avengers are convinced that its’ Daredevil express coming will mean the end of all yet, this is a perfect life on Earth. jumping on point for the best reviewed The stage is set for the ultimate series of the year! Marvel showdown in this oversized first issue! Pitting the man without fear against a cabal of villainous secret societies sworn to bringing Hornhead to his knees and setting the stage for this month’s Daredevil / Spider-man / Punisher crossover ‘the Omega Effect’!‌ DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: We’re often asked to recommend something FORGOTTEN fresh for our customers to read at ACE Comics, REALMS #1 Greenwood / Ferguson / so we’ve decided to throw a few ideas in here... NEW Buscema STAFF PICKS GHOSTBUSTERS (IDW) THE SHADOW (DYNAMITE) Forgotten Realms creator Ed As an absolute Ghosthead, One of my all time favourite pulp characters Greenwood opens it’s a real treat to have some that for some reason never quite made it to a the adventures of an new Ghostbusters material continuing comic series, despite previous series TITLES unlikely new band of heroes who get to get stuck in to. The shaving the likes of Mike Kaluta and Howard into a bit more trouble than usual in appointment of fan- Chaykin on art. the fabled port city of Waterdeep, but favourite Dan Schoening This is relaunched by Dynamite with Garth Ennis soon discover some of the seedier has really brought this on scripts, a better choice I couldn’t think of. corners of the wider Realms - the title to life. I found the previous He always brings dark and gritty violence to his SHIPPING hard way! This new series kicks off limited series lacking when comics and The Shadow demands just that. Aaron a deadly tale with a kidnapping that the characters were depicted Campbell is on art and as long as he hit’s the is more - and less - than it seems… realistically, but with generic right ‘mood’ this series should be a winner. - Biff faces (I want Bill Murray, not Bill #1 (OF 4) Smith), but Schoening has just the IN APRIL right element of caricature to make (DC) Landridge / Ozella DC New 52 Superman focuses on the present day INFESTATION 2: them identifiable, without straying into animated Popeye the Sailor Ghostbusters territory. Add in some snappy version of the reinvented Man of , as featured 30 DAYS OF NIGHT in Grant Morrison’s new take on . ONE-SHOT Man sails again! dialogue and we have a winner! - Marc E.C Segar’s classic Superman is still an unknown quantity in , Swierczynski / Sayger creation is back, SECRET ( ) but as long he keeps thwarting the elemental alien December 1952. An with his first original forces that threaten the city on a regular basis, Air Force pilot and comic in over 30 Jonathan Hickman does it again, a comic to the citizens are happy for him to do what he does civilian photographer years! Written by stretch the imagination and not involving best. Until - that is - something strange happens embark on a top- the - costumes. This is an espionage comic set in to him during the epic climax to issue 4 secret mission to winning Roger Landridge (The the shadow world existing between government which leaves us investigate a possible Muppets), with pitch-perfect art from and private security firms. Gritty art from Ryan to ponder the Russian installation near the North rising star Bruce Ozella, it’s a new Bodenheim caps off the opening issue which eternal Pole. They discover they’ve been take on the classic character that’s involves dark secrets hidden by both the UK and : Menace beaten to the punch by another true to its roots! With a rare incentive American governments. - Biff or Messiah? team, and they’re not Russian. But cover from legendary Pulitzer Prize- Issue 5 starts they do have a fondness for red... winning Jules Feiffer! SUPREME #63 (IMAGE COMICS) to tie the story Initially an awful series by Rob Liefeld. Supreme is into the events of HERO COMICS 2012 the Superman of the Image universe and Liefeld Action Comics as showed why he should never write for DC comics. well, leading to a Fraction / Ryall / Eastman / The series was transformed when Alan Moore very satisfying Wood / Kuhn / Campbell / circularity. Jusko / and more... took over the writing with issue 41 who showed once again that he is the master of how to write Thoroughly A comic to benefit the Hero . It is not clear how long this entertaining and Initiative, featuring all-new will continue but it is a definite must read. Art is by well worth a read! stories by some of the best Erik Larsen, so a well drawn comic too. - Biff creators in comics! - Ed Fantastic features ROGER LANGRIDGE’S SNARKED VOL.1 ( #1-6) include: An original Teenage AND SERIES #7 Mutant Ninja Turtles short This is action adventure comedy by a man at story, a Zombies vs. Robots the top of his game. Beautifully drawn, lovely extravaganza, a new Rex clear smooth lines bringing to life the Walrus and Mantooth Kung-Fu Gorilla story, Carpenter as they outwit villainous royal advisors plus more! And this book will and then set to sea to rescue the Red King. A also present single page stories by wonderful truly all ages comic that works on every comics creators who have personally level. I cannot recommend more highly. - Biff benefitted from the Hero Initiative! IDENTITY CRISIS (DC, 2004) Brad Meltzer, a ‘New York Times’ bestselling Brad Meltzer / Rags Morales / Mike Bair author known for thrillers, carves a rich and gripping tale high on emotion, genuine peril and This controversial title originally appeared as a moral dilemmas. seven issue miniseries and was both hailed and reviled at the time of it’s Rags Morales supports the story with some beautiful HISTORY BOOKS artwork, eerily capturing the terror of some scenes. publication. With the huge volume of titles released The title also marks the beginning of his continued Featuring mature content working relationship with Mike Bair. each week, it can be quite easy to overlook and a few shocks, the story is a murder/mystery While the controversy raged over the treatment the rich history of comic books available in revolving around a dark of some characters and whether or not certain secret kept by a number of elements should have been introduced to Justice the form of back issues and graphic novels, Justice League members. League lore, the title stands up well on it’s own and was selected by the Young Adult Library Services so we’re going to take this opportunity to There is real weight in the Association (YALSA) for it’s 2007 recommended content and ramifications list of Great Graphic Novels for Teens. showcase some gems in Illuminations, that of the heroes choices and you previously might have missed. how they have affected We think it’s great and well worth a read if you non-central DC characters. are a fan of epic thrillers and mysteries.

Marc ‘Mellifluous’ Williams. He is the new old boy. He left 5 years ago to pursue a Welcome to ACE COMICS!! career in IT and design and has returned to jazz up the Ace web site and bring us I recently received an e-mail which reminded me of how my early love of comics felt. firmly into the forefront of the internet and technology. This is from one of our youngest Acers... Guy ‘The Guru’ Barnes. Our packing office and mail order manager. Jazz, Will Eisner “Thank you for my The Stone Keeper book I read it all in one day. I liked the book so and comic expert plus the man who puts customers first. much I have to ask you to tell me how many books in one series and how much it is. Colin ‘Cosplay’ Ellesley. Our E-bay manager and self styled Cosplay king. Check out Even though I loved The Stone Keeper I also read Bone and I also have to ask you his web site: www.comicbookcosplay.tumblr.com. how many in a series and how much it is. If so I will have to come down to your shop Victoria ‘Queen Vic’ Ellesley. Our Mail order office manager. She is the voice at the and buy as many as possible. end of the phone, but never the tether. Even the Flash could not put on customer Thank you once again. Loads of love and wishes, Amber (aged 10)” orders quicker than her. The Stone Keeper is book one in the Amulet series and, as attested above, is Ed ‘The Shred’ Mehen. Our Economic comic second in command. New to comics 3 a fabulous all ages . This coupled with my reading of the years ago, now a convert and currently working through Habibi, the latest work Universe book that came out in December 2011 has invigorated me beyond words. from Craig Thompson. The beauty of the comic medium is that it is a shared experience. One you can share Evil Stu. No surname just plain Evil. He is the horrormeister and indie DJ master. Evil with people across the world, across a bar and across the internet to name but a mans the Colchester store and packs 90% of all E-bay orders! few ways to communicate with fellow enthusiasts. Joe ‘Gamesmaster’ Hill. Our Colchester gaming club manager. This is the man to sort Everyone that works at Ace Comics has a genuine love and interest in various out the finer points of Yu-Gi-Oh, Pokemon, Magic The Gathering and more. He is also aspects of the medium and I think it is about time I introduced the merry Ace crew a bona fide Yu-Gi-Oh national judge. line up for 2012. Briony ‘The Elf.’ For some reason when not packing she sits crossed legged on the Martin ‘Biff’ Averre. That’s me, the boss, comic aficionado of 40 plus years but still packing counter and reads! She came for her two week work experience and never only 18 in mind and soul. found the exit door! Tina ‘Queen Of Décor’ Averre. Our accounts manager, payer of bills and wages, so Matt ‘Stone face’ Stone. Colin’s able E-bay assistant. He fled the chaos of everyone is nice to her. Waterstones to work for a proper bookshop. Kerrie ‘New Boots’ Williams. Our toy buyer and Colchester store manager. She is our Well that’s the Colchester crew introduced. Next week I will reveal the names and go to gal when things need doing fast and efficiently. characters who bring Southend, Richmond and Glasgow to life. Glenn ‘The Sportsman’ Richardson. Our Amazon manager and the Colchester gaming Motto for the month , the year even, is PASS IT ON. If you have a favourite title then give club overseer. Don’t play him at Magic The Gathering if you don’t like losing. a copy to a non believer and just ask them to pass it on once read. Comics are FUN. HAVE YOUR SAY...

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Illuminations always used to feature a letters page and this is a tradition that we’re keen to continue. It’s always great to hear from enthusiastic, fellow comic book lovers everywhere and we wholeheartedly encourage healthy discussion of the titles and their topics. So if you have something to say about DC’s ‘New 52’, Marvel’s upcoming ‘Point One’ or even just what the deal is with J. Scott Campbell and ladies hips(?), mail us at [email protected], marking your email ‘Illuminations’ and you could find yourself immortalised in cyber-print.