I mock the Marvel and DC solicitations for May 2008.

I'm back in the ring to take another swing. Starting with Marvel:

THE DARK TOWER: THE LONG ROAD HOME #3 (of 5)
Written by PETER DAVID & ROBIN FURTH
Pencils & Cover by JAE LEE & RICHARD ISANOVE
Variant Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
Variant Sketch Cover by JAE LEE
With Roland’s consciousness trapped within Maerlyn’s Grapefruit, his ka-tet companion, Alain, enters the mystical todash space in an attempt to rescue his friend. But as he and Roland flit in and out of alien dimensions, Cuthbert, the last member of their ka-tet, desperately tries to stave off a pack of slavering mutant wolves who have come to devour the unconscious Roland and Alain!
48 PGS./Cardstock Cover/Parental Advisory …$3.99

• I didn't even make it past "Grapefruit". I'm still getting this though.

SKY DOLL #1 (of 3)
Written by BARBARA CANEPA
Art & Cover by ALESSANDRO BARBUCCI
(Exclusive U.S. ONLY Variant also available)
The internationally acclaimed best-seller is now finally presented in English! Meet Noa, a so-called Sky Doll; a life-like female android without rights, who exists only to serve the State's needs and desires. But when Noa meets two so-called "missionaries" who aid in her escape from her tyrannical master, all hell breaks loose for our cyborg siren as she uncovers clues that she may be much more than just a robotic toy. The first release in a new partnership between Marvel and cutting-edge French publisher Soleil!
64 PGS./Mature Content …$5.99
The Soleil Comics may only be sold in English North America: United States, Canada, Mexico and their territories and possessions.

• Yeah, just what every Marvel Zombie wants. French comic books. And does Mexico have any possessions?

ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR #54
Written by MIKE CAREY
Penciled by TYLER KIRKHAM
Cover by BILLY TAN
CAPTAIN AMERICA’s Mike Perkins jumps onboard for a new story filled with supernatural surprises and all-out action! When the FF help out with the excavation of the Mole Man’s underground city, they awaken something that should have been left sleeping! Who is Agatha Harkness? What are Salem’s Seven? New Ultimate characters! A new artist! All this – plus, someone has the hots for the Human Torch!
32 PGS./Rated A …$2.99

• If Mike Perkins has jumped onboard, why is Tyler Kirkham still listed as artist? And do we really need the Ultimate Salem Seven?

ULTIMATE X-MEN #94
Written by ARON COLEITE
Penciled by MARK BROOKS
Cover by GABRIELE DELL’OTTO
New scribe Aron Coleite jumps aboard, fresh from his stint as one of the top writers on the hit NBC show Heroes! Regrouping after the devastating battle against Apocalypse, the X-Men encounter a new adversary which seems unstoppable. To fight it, the young mutants must ask themselves: how far are they willing to go and what are they willing to take to raise their game? The answer will test the bonds and shake the team to its very core.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

• "Hey Kids? Remember that Bryan Singer arc we promised you? Well, it's not ready yet. But what if we give you one of the guys who writes Heroes? Would that hold you over?"

AMERICAN DREAM #1 & 2 (of 5)
Written by TOM DEFALCO
Penciled by TODD NAUCK
Cover by RON FRENZ
As the star-spangled splendor struggles to find a balance between her personal and superhero lives, a hunt for a missing fiancée unexpectedly leads American Dream into a battle with an unstoppable new super-foe and terrifyingly new kind of terrorist.
32 PGS./Rated A …$2.99

• Sorry, Marvel. I like the MC2 world, I'm a fan of Captain America, but you're not getting my money for this one. I mean, really, two books a month? When will you learn. I'll wait until it hits the .50 bins.

AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE #13
Written by CHRISTOS GAGE
Pencils & Cover by STEVE UY
There's a contract out on The Taskmaster, and no shortage of villains willing to fulfill it. But what'll kill him first -- the bad guys, or his latest class of recruits? Welcome Annex, Prodigy, Gorilla Girl, Sunstreak and Batwing to the Initiative. But are they -- is anyone -- ready for the coming of...Butterball??
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

• Surprising no one, Dan Slott is of the book and Christos Gage is going solo. Doing 3 Spidey books a month every three months will do that to ya.

AVENGERS/INVADERS #1 (of 12)
Written by Jim Krueger and Alex Ross
Penciled by Steve Sadowski
Cover by ALEX ROSS
Variant Cover by David Finch
Legends Live Again.
The original Invaders (Captain America , Bucky , Human Torch , Toro , and the Sub-Mariner) return in a twelve issue maxi-series by the award winning team behind EARTH X, Justice and Project Superpowers .The greatest super-team of World War II finds themselves transported from the battlefields of the Second World War to a future they never imagined! Now, the Invaders find themselves confronted by two teams of Avengers who want desperately to believe these heroes are who they say they are, while Tony Stark faces his greatest challenge since the Civil War as he must deal with the “return” of Steve Rogers. Confronted by a world they barely recognize, the Invaders will have to show two teams of the Earth’s Mightiest Heroes just what kind of power, courage and sheer determination it took to defeat the forces of unrelenting evil in the Twentieth century. In fact…they may just have to do it again in the Twenty-First.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

• This, I'm getting.

CLANDESTINE #4 (of 5)
Written by ALAN DAVIS
Pencils & Cover by ALAN DAVIS
Vampires! Inhumans! Excalibur! Oh, my!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

• Come on, Mr. Solicitation Writer Guy! You're not even trying!

FANTASTIC FOUR #557
Written by MARK MILLAR
Pencils & Cover by BRYAN HITCH
“World’s Greatest” concludes! It’s the ultimate engine of peace pitted against Reed Richards’ most lethal invention, for all the marbles! And a shocking final page that’ll have you feeling every minute of the thirty-day wait until the next issue!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

• Make your own "Thirty days? Really? BWAH-HA-HA!" joke here.

KING SIZE HULK #1
Written by JEPH LOEB
Pencils by ART ADAMS & FRANK CHO & MORE
50/50 Covers by FRANK CHO & ART ADAMS
HULK vs. SHE-HULK!
HULK vs. WENDIGO!
HULK vs. ???????????
JEPH LOEB! ART ADAMS! FRANK CHO! TOO many SUPERSTARS to fit into a puny REGULAR-SIZED issue!!!
We’re comin’ upside your head with a KING-SIZE spectacular with MORE smashing, bashing, trashing, and clashing than should be allowed by law!!! Three new tales that fill in the gaps of the best-selling HULK book, and set up NEW storylines! PLUS, classic tales including THE INCREDIBLE HULK 180 (the REAL 1st appearance of Wolverine!) and AVENGERS 83 (Lady Liberators, anyone?)! More? You want MORE!?!? How about a super-secret MYSTERY ARTIST…???
96 PGS./Rated A…$4.99

• King Size? Why not Giant Size?

GIANT-SIZE INCREDIBLE HULK #1
Written by ROGER STERN
Pencils by TBD
Cover by GARY FRANK
The Hulk may be a misunderstood monster, but his former sidekick, Fred Sloan, is determined to set the record straight. He’s traveling the country, finding stories of the Hulk touching people’s lives, researching for his book, “Hulk Encounter: A Survivor’s Story." But will he find the Hulk revered as a hero, or despised as a menace? Meanwhile, the green goliath himself is on the run, getting into trouble as he goes. Join classic Hulk writer Roger Stern for this look into the impact of Hulk’s smashing! PLUS: Re-presenting the hard-to-find INCREDIBLE HULK ANNUAL #7 by Robert Stern, John Byrne and Bob Layton!
48 PGS./Rated A…$3.99

• Oh.

THE INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #1
Written by MATT FRACTION
Pencils & 50/50 Variant Cover by SALVADOR LARROCA
50/50 Variant Cover by JOE QUESADA
Variant Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
Variant Cover by BOB LAYTON
Variant Cover by BILLY TAN
Variant IRON MAN MOVIE Cover
A bold new ONGOING TITLE for the biggest hero of 2008!
IRON MAN! You know you love him! And as the summer’s most anticipated movie boot-jets its way into theaters, here’s the perfect jumping-on point for new readers and Iron Man fans alike! Tony Stark – Iron Man, billionaire industrialist and director of S.H.I.E.L.D. – faces the most overwhelming challenge of his life. Ezekiel Stane, the son of Tony’s late business rival and archenemy Obadiah, has set his sights, his genius and his considerable fortune on the task of destroying Tony Stark and Iron Man. What’s worse, he’s got Iron Man tech, and he’s every bit Iron Man’s equal and opposite…except younger, faster, smarter…and immeasurably evil. Rising star writer Matt Fraction (IMMORTAL IRON FIST) and superstar artist Salvador Larroca (UNCANNY X-MEN) join forces to repulsor-ray your comic books to a cinder!
32 PGS./Rated A …$2.99

IRON MAN: VIVA LAS VEGAS #1 (of 4)
Written by JON FAVREAU
Pencils & Cover by ADI GRANOV
A Marvel Knights series by the talents who brought you the IRON MAN movie! What’s a billionaire to do when he’s worn out from running a multi-national corporation? Well, if his name happens to be Tony Stark, it’s a situation that calls for some R & R in the casinos of sin city! Mix in a beautiful archaeologist and the fifty-foot dragon statue she discovered, and a plague of lizards descending on Las Vegas, and it’s a recipe for the sort of armored adventure that’s a perfect chaser after an evening at the movies!
32 PGS./Cardstock Cover/Rated T+ …$3.99

ALL-NEW IRON MANUAL
Written by MICHAEL HOSKIN, ANTHONY FLAMINI, RONALD BYRD,
STUART VANDAL, JACOB ROUGEMONT, CHAD ANDERSON,
DAVID WILTFONG, MARK O'ENGLISH, MIKE FICHERA & AL SJOERDSMA
Armor Gallery Penciled by CARLO PAGULAYAN
Schematics Penciled by ELIOT R. BROWN
Cover by GREG LAND
These are the chronicles of Tony Stark: the playboy, the genius inventor, the philanthropist, the director of S.H.I.E.L.D., the futurist, the hero. This Handbook is the definitive resource to the world of Iron Man, featuring Tony's closest allies (Happy and Pepper Hogan, War Machine, the Order) and deadliest foes (Justin Hammer, Mandarin, Obadiah Stane)! Includes a complete gallery of the Iron Man armors, plus all-new schematics of key armors and the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier!
64 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99

• I sense a trend. "We have two characters with movies coming out. Let's make sure 90% of our publishing output features these characters!"

MARVEL 1985 #1 (of 6)
Written by MARK MILLAR
Art by TOMMY LEE EDWARDS
Cover by OLIVIER COIPEL
Variant Cover by TOMMY LEE EDWARDS
Before SECRET INVASION…before WORLD WAR HULK…before CIVIL WAR… The most powerful super-villains in the Marvel Universe gather their might to wreak havoc on the one place they’ve never before set foot—YOUR WORLD! As mankind’s enemies cut a swath of destruction with unprecedented ferocity and ruthlessness, the fate of the planet rests in the hands of one person: Toby, a 13-year-old boy who holds the key to uniting his comic-book idols, the Marvel Heroes! Superstars Mark Millar (CIVIL WAR, FANTASTIC FOUR) and Tommy Lee Edwards (BULLET POINTS, The Question) deliver a Marvel Event the likes of which you’ve never seen!
32 PGS./CARDSTOCK COVER/Rated T+ …$3.99

• This settles it. I'm cutting my hold list down. Too many books are coming out I want, and I can't afford to get all of them.

SECRET INVASION: FANTASTIC FOUR #1 (of 3)
Written by ROBERTO AGUIRRE-SACASA
Penciled by BARRY KITSON
Cover by ALAN DAVIS
"NO ONE GETS BACK ALIVE!"
Part 1 (of 3): "Negative Energy"
The invasion has started, and no one in the MU is safe, not even the First Family of Comicdom! Aware that some of the Earth's most advanced technology and weaponry is housed in the Baxter Building, the Skrulls have neutralized the building--by transporting it and its inhabitants straight to the Negative Zone! With one member of the Fantastic Four M.I.A. and another "replaced," it's up to the remaining family members--not to mention Franklin and Val—to get back to our dimension, Skrulls or no Skrulls. But are any of our heroes who they think they are?
32 PGS./Rated A …$2.99

• It's good to see Aguirre-Sacasa back on the FF, but the whole "let's put out a separate miniseries because we just changed the creative team on the main book and we don't want them to interrupt their storyline" thing kinda bothers me. This should be in the main FF book. If only they held off 3 months.

newuniversal: shockfront #1 (of 6)
Written by WARREN ELLIS
Penciled by STEVE KURTH
Cover by BRANDON PETERSON
Initially, there were four: A Starbrand. A Nightmask. A Justice. A Cipher. They are manifestations of god-like power on Earth, chosen by the Universe. In the wake of the cosmic phenomenon that empowered them, they have been threatened, hunted, and attacked. And now, they’re about to discover that they’re not alone. Acclaimed writer WARREN ELLIS (THUNDERBOLTS) and artist STEVE KURTH (LAST OF THE MOHICANS) bring you the return of this new universe: one experiencing superhuman power for the first time.
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$2.99

• Grrr. Should I pick this up, because I picked up the first one, or let it go. Grr.

X-MEN: LEGACY #211 & 212
Written by MIKE CAREY
Penciled by SCOT EATON
Cover by DAVID FINCH
Sins of the Father, part 1 of 3. Professor X is trying to rebuild memories of his past using other people's minds. But the past is coming back to haunt him in another way, as a swathe of tragic deaths turns out to be linked by only one factor: Brian Xavier, the Professor's long-dead father. And solving the mystery means paying a visit to the Hellfire Club...
32 PGS. (each)/Rated A …$2.99 (each)

• Is Marvel trying to bankrupt Me? Two issues in a month? Come on!

X-FACTOR: THE QUICK AND THE DEAD
Written by PETER DAVID
Pencils by PABLO RAIMONDI
Cover by BOO COOK
He’s gone from the son of the one of the world’s greatest villains, to one of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and then to one of the world’s greatest villains in his own right. Now, Pietro Maximoff, Quicksilver, the man behind the Decimation of the world’s mutants finds himself depowered and trapped in a prison cell, where he must confront all the demons of his past. Be sure not to miss this momentous, unforgettable story of the world’s former fastest mutant, with an ending that will have massive ramification for the mutant universe. 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

• See, this is why Marvel sucks. This could be a fill in issue of the regular series. But noooo. The put out a special, trying to suck more money away from their fans. Does Joe Q need a mortgage payment? Is that why there are so many double issues and high profile series starting this month?

YOUNG X-MEN #2
Written by MARC GUGGENHEIM
Penciled by YANICK PAQUETTE
Cover by TERRY DODSON
Who are the New Brotherhood of Evil Mutants and what do Dani Moonstar and Magma have to do with it? Whatever their plan is, Cyclops has put together the Young X-Men to stop them. But can they survive?
32 PGS./Rated A …$2.99

• Great. Make two old "New Mutants" evil. At least it's not Yost and Kyle writing it. They'd be dead.

GENEXT #1 (of 5)
Written by CHRIS CLAREMONT
Penciled by PATRICK SCHERBERGER
Cover by DOUG GREGORY ALEXANDER
You asked for it, X-Fans, and now, you got it! Marvel.com asked you what Chris Claremont’s next project should be. You, the fans, said you wanted to know what today’s new generation of X-Men would be like if the Marvel Universe aged in real-time! Who are the children of the X-Men? And what happened to the original team, Professor X, and Magneto after over 30 years of conflict, victories, and tragedies? Now, at last, the answers arrive as beloved X-Men scribe Chris Claremont reveals an all-new generation of mutant teens!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

• About time this came out. But why now? So it could get lost in one of the busiest months ever?

WOLVERINE: THE AMAZING IMMORTAL MAN AND OTHER BLOODY TALES
Written by DAVID LAPHAM
Art by DAVID LAPHAM,
KELLY GOODINE
& JOHNNY TIMMONS
Cover by Simone Bianchi
Step right up, one and all! But be forewarned, the grisly specimens on display are not intended for the faint of heart or weak of constitution! Steel yourselves for the most astonishing, most awe-inspiring and most revolting of Mother Nature’s rare mistakes! Three -- count them, ladies and gentlemen, THREE -- stomach-turning tales to terrify and delight are packed into this freak-show menagerie, starring that most tenacious survivor of genetic adversity, that hardy bottom-feeder at the fringes of our civil society…the hirsute, unkillable half-animal…WOOOOLVERINE!
40 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

• This is totally unnecessary. Seriously. Like Lapham, but don't need to spend another $4 this month.

WOLVERINE: ORIGINS #25
Written by DANIEL WAY
Penciled by STEVE DILLON
Cover by SIMONE BIANCHI
“The Deep End,” Part 5 (of 5)
The trap has sprung. Wolverine is Deadpool’s prisoner. But Deadpool isn’t getting paid to deliver a prisoner—he’s getting paid to take Logan out, once and for all. Is that even possible? Deadpool has found a way, but just as he’s about to pull the trigger (so to speak)…the other trap springs! Be here for the completely twisted conclusion! Plus: Celebrate the 25th issue of WOLVERINE: ORIGINS with a special BONUS: the very first appearance of Deadpool, from NEW MUTANTS #98, plotted and penciled by ROB LIEFELD and scripted by FABIAN NICIEZA!
48 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

• Speaking of unnecessary, the 25th issue of this series shouldn't be celebrated, it should be mourned. Really, is Marvel facing insolvency? Is this why we get a lame Liefeld reprint to jack up the price a dollar?

X-MEN ORIGIN: COLOSSUS
Written by CHRIS YOST
Pencils & Cover by TREVOR HAIRSINE
The origin of fan-favorite X-Man Colossus is finally revealed, brought to you by Chris Yost (New X-Men, Messiah Complex) and Trevor Hairsine (X-Men: Deadly Genesis). Deep in the wastes of Siberia, young Piotr Rasputin discovers his mutant abilities -- and becomes the newest target of the ruthless KGB! Guest-starring Professor Xavier.
48 pages/ Rated T+ … $3.99

• Again, another unnecessary book. I hope that Marvel realizes that most of this stuff won't sell. Or, at least would have sold better if they spread it out more.

Now DC:

FINAL CRISIS #1
Written by Grant Morrison
Art and covers by J.G. Jones
Witness the historic start of the final chapter in the Crisis trilogy that could only spring from the mind of Grant Morrison - Final Crisis, featuring stunning art by J.G. Jones (52 Covers)! Worlds will live and heroes will die in this epic tale spanning the beginning and end of the DC Universe!
The entire Multiverse is threatened as the mysterious Libra assembles an army of the DCU's most terrifying super villains. But what is the ultimate plan, and who will live to find out?
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers by J.G. Jones that will ship in approximately 50/50 ratio. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale May 28 o 1 of 7 o 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US

• My snarkiness knows not where to begin. I'll try to restrain myself. I'll only snark about one thing. Libra? The bad guy of the piece is Libra?

THE HUNTRESS: YEAR ONE #1 & 2
Written by Ivory Madison
Art by Cliff Richards and Art Thibert
Cover by Matthew Clark
As the last survivor of a family eliminated by bloody rivalries among the mobs of Gotham, young Helena Bertinelli was sent overseas for her own safety - but began a quest for vengeance instead. Breakout writer Ivory Madison teams with Cliff Richards (WONDER WOMAN) for a continent-spanning story that reveals one woman's journey from hunted to Huntress!
And in issue #2, shipping two weeks later, Helena Bertinelli's vow never to return to Gotham is tested by her vigilante fight to reclaim her inheritance from the Sicilian underworld - and by her unexpected feelings for the son of a Gotham kingpin!
Issue # 1 on sale May 14, issue #2 on sale May 28
1 and 2 of 6 o 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• Glad DC is also trying to steal as much money from fans as possible.

RANN/THANAGAR: HOLY WAR #1
Written by Jim Starlin
Art and variant cover by Ron Lim & Rob Hunter
Cover by Starlin & Hunter
After a seemingly endless war, things are getting even worse for the planets of Rann and Thanagar. A long-forgotten religious cult has resurfaced on Thanagar, and the people of Rann still worship the deadly Lady Styx. To make matters worse, a fanatic strapped with explosives threatens to upset the delicate balance between the two planets, setting in motion events that will once again bring together DC's greatest cosmic heroes: Adam Strange, Comet, Starfire, Hawkman, Starman, Chief Justice Max, Tigorr, the Weird and many more!
Written by the legendary Jim Starlin (Death of the New Gods, Infinity War) with art by Ron Lim (Silver Surfer) and Rob Hunter (Teen Titans), Rann/Thanagar: Holy War is an interstellar adventure that can't be missed!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 10 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Jim Starlin & Rob Hunter), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Ron Lim & Hunter). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale May 7 o 1 of 8 o 40 pg, FC, $3.50 US

• At least DC's output is easier to ignore.

THE WAR THAT TIME FORGOT #1
Written by Bruce Jones
Art by Al Barrionuevo & Jimmy Palmiotti
Cover by Neal Adams
A lone USAF pilot, about to warn his superiors of the attack on Pearl Harbor, finds his craft suddenly crash-landing on a mysterious island populated with prehistoric creatures and soldiers of wars of the past, present and future - including Tomahawk, Firehair, and Hans Von Hammer, the Enemy Ace! What bizarre force has compelled these military masters of every era to inhabit the same strange territory? Can they survive without killing each other or being devoured by dinosaurs?
Don't miss this incredible miniseries by the team of writer Bruce Jones (Hulk) artists Al Barrionuevo (DETECTIVE COMICS) & Jimmy Palmiotti and legendary cover artist Neal Adams (BATMAN)!
On sale May 7 o 1 of 8 o 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• Were the sales on the WTTF Showcase really that good?

DC SPECIAL: CYBORG #1
Written by Mark Sable
Art by Ken Lashley & Jonathan Glapion
Cover by Lashley
Is Vic Stone - a.k.a. CYBORG - man, machine or monster?
What dark secrets from his past are coming back to haunt him? And just how far will he go to prevent anyone else from suffering his fate? Find out the answer to these questions and more when - for the first time ever, the greatest Teen Titan of them all shines in his own series!
On sale May 21 o 1 of 6 o 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• More proof the big two are trying to rip us off. What? They couldn't wait until the DC Special: Raven series ended? Really?

TOR #1
Written by Joe Kubert
Art and cover by Kubert
Driven into exile by his own people, a young Tor stuggles to survive alone in a periious prehistoric world. But beyond mere existence, Tor struggles for answers to the questions that have plaqued humankind for eons - why are we here? Is violence the only answer? is there more to life than suffering and survival?
His quest will take him deep inside a mysterious mountain - a dark land filled with strange peoples, evolving animals, and death at every turn. And while Tor must fight these battles alone, he will find some new friends along the way -- all the time coming a step closer to what it means to be truly human.
As relevant now as it was when Kubert first created the character, Tor continues to be defined as the lone soul looking for answers in an unforgiving world he barely understands. Beautifully written and illustrated as only Joe Kubert can!
On sale May 7 o 1 of 6 o 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• This might be another series no one really asked for, but it's Kubert, man. He deserves a vanity project every now and then.

BATMAN #677
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Tony Daniel & Sandu Florea
Cover by Alex Ross
Variant cover by Daniel
Continuing "Batman R.I.P," the epic story that will change the legend of the Dark Knight forever! As the life of Bruce Wayne takes an interesting turn with Jezebel Jet, the life of Batman falls into the ultimate downward spiral.
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Alex Ross), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Tony Daniel). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale May 28 o 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• Seriously, DC. Do not kill Batman. Seriously.

BATMAN: GOTHAM AFTER MIDNIGHT #1
Written by Steve Niles
Art and cover by Kelley Jones
"There are things that go 'bump' in the night. Be thankful that one of those things is on our side…"
When the full moon rises and casts its eerie glow over the land, the creatures of the night come out to hunt and feast and prey on the innocent citizens of Gotham City, and only one man stands in their way: The Batman.
These are the bizarre and frightening case files of the Dark Knight Detective, featuring grave-robbers, men making monsters, night terrors, and the debut of an all-new moonlight monster known only as Midnight.
In this fatal first issue by the creative team of Steve Niles (30 Days of Night, SIMON DARK) and Kelley Jones (BATMAN: RED RAIN), Batman will come face-to-face with the Master of Fear himself - but just what is the Scarecrow after? And what does it have to do with the Axeman? Could it be some elaborate scheme to trap the Bat? Be here at the beginning - and beware!
On sale May 28 o 1 of 12 o 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• Jones and Niles seem like the perfect match, don't they? Seems odd that it took so long for them to get together.

CATWOMAN #79
Written by Will Pfeifer
Art by David Lopez & Alvaro Lopez
Cover by Adam Hughes
Home sweet home! Catwoman's getting the hell off the Hell Planet, but all's not well back on Earth. Things have changed in Gotham City since she's been gone, and what was once a minor threat has turned into a price on her head! Plus, the return of a face from the past!
On sale May 21 o 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• Well, that suspense is ruined.

THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #13
Written by Mark Waid
Art by Jerry Ordway
Cover by Ordway & Bob Wiacek
Batman and Jay Garrick stand against an android samurai with a bad attitude!
On sale May 21 o 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• I guess Perez has nothing to with this book any more. Well, at least Ordway is on it.

CHECKMATE #26
Written by Bruce Jonesn
Art and cover by Manual Garcia
"Chimera," by Bruce Jones (Hulk) and Manuel Garcia (COUNTDOWN) begins! Left for dead on a Middle East minefield, one soldier's only chance to survive is as a test subject of a dangerous-but-invaluable project run by the Black King. Both the King's wildest hopes and fears will be realized when the project takes a wrong turn, creating a fighter remarkably well-suited for supernatural battles!
On sale May 21 o 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• Yeah, nothing against Jones, but if this means Rucka is gone, I'm gone.

SHADOWPACT #25
Written by Matt Sturges
Art and cover by Phil Winslade
Cover by Tom Derenick and Wayne Faucher
The clarion call to arms sounds for the last time as our heroes roar into battle against a foe that can take down the combined might of three Shadowpact teams!
On sale May 21 o 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US o FINAL ISSUE

• Final issue? Aw, crap. I liked this series.

THE LOST BOYS: REIGN OF FROGS #1
Written by Hans Rodionoff
Art by Joel Gomez & Don Ho
Cover by Jonathan Wayshak
Before Buffy…before Blade…there was one name that was whispered in fear and awe among the undead: The Frog Brothers. Edgar and Alan Frog, the no-nonsense vampire slayers from the cult film The Lost Boys, are back with a vengeance in a 4-issue miniseries that bridges the gap between their adventures in the original film and the upcoming feature THE LOST BOYS: THE TRIBE, due to be released this summer. Find out what's happened since the first film, brought to you in various shades of crimson by Hans Rodionoff (Mnemovore) and Joel Gomez (Wetworks)!
On sale May 14 o 1 of 4 o 32 pg, FC, $3.50 US o MATURE READERS

• Wow. This is...wow. Mind boggling.

CASEY BLUE: BEYOND TOMORROW #1
Written by B. Clay Moore
Art and cover by Carlo Barberi & Drew Geraci
From the creative genius of B. Clay Moore (Hawaiian Dick, JSA) and Carlo Barberi (Gen13) comes a dangerous, thrilling action-packed adventure in which a young woman rapidly comes to terms with her strange, incredible new life!
Casey Blue is an average high school senior - she studies hard with an eye toward college, enjoys extracurricular sports, and likes spending time with friends and family...until the moment she savagely murders a stranger with her bare hands, leading to revelations about her role in preventing a full-scale invasion of earth! The only problem? She has no idea she's humanity's salvation!
On sale May 21 o 1 of 6 o 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• Believe it or not, I sent a proposal to Image imprint Shadowline with this very concept. Only difference is that my girl didn't kill anyone. But every thing else--high school girl, invasion of Earth, having no idea she's humanities salvation--was the same. I guess I'm not winning that contest. And that B. Clay Moore is now my mortal enemy. And perhaps hearing from my lawyers.

CROSSING MIDNIGHT #19
Written by Mike Carey
Art by Jim Fern & Jose Villarrubia
Cover by J.H. Williams III
War. That's what the Haras' simple wish for a safely born child has led to. Now, with destruction at every turn, the last battle is between Kai, Toshi and Aratsu, but how many of their newfound allies will die before their conflict reaches its bloody conclusion?
On sale May 28 o 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US o MATURE READERS o Final issue

• Another Vertigo property bites the dust. Could Scalped be next?

HOUSE OF MYSTERY #1
Written by Matthew Sturges & Bill Willingham
Art by Luca Rossi
Cover by Sam Weber
Variant cover by Bernie Wrightson
Matthew Sturges, writer of the Eisner-nominated JACK OF FABLES, and his JACK co-writer Bill Willingham, proudly unlock the doors to the HOUSE OF MYSTERY, a new ongoing series that reinvents a classic DC Comics concept. HOUSE OF MYSTERY focuses on five characters trapped in a supernatural bar, trying to solve the mystery of how and why they're imprisoned there. Each one has a terrible past they'd like to forget, and with no books, newspapers or TV allowed in the House, they face an eternity of boredom. But stories become the new currency, and fortunately, the House attracts only the finest storytellers.
In addition to the ongoing trials and struggles of the five unfortunate souls trapped within the HOUSE OF MYSTERY, illustrated by superstar artist Luca Rossi, each issue in the first storyline also includes a short tale, as told by one of the customers, written by Willingham and illustrated by a host of fine guest artists, including two-time Eisner Award nominee Ross Campbell (WATERBABY, Wet Moon), SANDMAN fan favorite and multiple Eisner winner Jill Thompson, and classic horror artist Bernie Wrightson, whose first published work was in House of Mystery #179. This series is topped off with ethereal, jaw-dropping covers from Sam Weber (The New Yorker, The New York Times, Time Magazine)and a stunning variant cover by Wrightson on the debut issue.
"This is a book where you can have a pirate, a psychic detective, a spaceman, a French romantic poet and an NYU film student sitting at a table having a beer together. It's a writer's dream come true." - Matthew Sturges
"Let's be perfectly clear: There isn't just one mystery in the new House of Mystery. It's actually chock-full of mysteries, all of which will be thrilling and exciting as they unfold over the course of the series." - Bill Willingham
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 10 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Sam Weber), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Bernie Wrightson). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale May 7 o 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US o MATURE READERS

• Man, I have to get this one. Thank goodness I'm getting rid of Checkmate.

JLA TROPHY ROOM: Superman's Cape and Belt Prop Replica Set

The JLA Trophy Room prop replica program continues for 2008 with Superman's Cape and Belt!

These life-sized, high-quality, mixed-media replicas of two of the most important pieces of Superman's costume each feature authentic secret compartments! The lined, red fabric cape features the S-shield sewn meticulously onto the back, while a hidden pocket is sewn into the lining of the cape for Superman to quickly stash any of Clark Kent's personal effects! The accompanying faux-leather yellow belt fastens with a metal buckle that opens to reveal another secret compartment. Both pieces of this prop replica set can be displayed from the metal wall display shelf included, with the cape hanging from the bottom and the belt sitting on top.

Packaged together in an 4-color box, the cape measures approximately 56" long, 53" wide at the bottom and 20" wide at the top, the belt measures 36" long, and the display shelf measures approximately 22" long x 3.25" high x 5.25" deep. Also included are a Certificate of Authenticity and a "Guide to the Trophy Room" brochure, written by best-selling author Brad Meltzer!

Minor assembly is required.

Advance-solicited; on sale October 1, 2008
" Prop Replica * $295 US

• $300 for a cape and a belt? Wow. I'm obsessive, but even I draw the line somewhere.