I rant about the Marvel & DC July solicitations!

Another round of solicitation mockery. Up first is Marvel. But before we start, let me just say something:

 

SKRULLS

This is what happens when Greg Horn doesn't use photo reference.

DARK TOWER: END-WORLD ALMANAC
Written by ANTHONY FLAMINI & ROBIN FURTH
Cover by JAE LEE & RICHARD ISANOVE
Woe unto those who traverse beyond the cursed Borderlands into End-World! ’Tis a twisted and desolate realm where it seems as if the world passed ages ago. From the blasted landscapes of Thunderclap to the frozen heights of Empathica, End-World shows no mercy to unwary young Gunslingers. In a world where information - and a bit of luck - is the key to survival, the End-World Almanac serves as your guide to the Badlands, Le Casse Roi Russe and beyond!
32 PGS./CARDSTOCK COVER/Parental Advisory …$3.99
©2008 Stephen King. All rights reserved

• Would it have killed them to just say "this tells you all you need about the world of Dark Tower?"

ULTIMATE X-MEN #96
Written by ARON ELI COLIETE
Penciled by MARK BROOKS
Cover by GABRIELE DELL’OTTO
X-Men vs. X-Men! After their attack on Alpha Flight, Colossus and his team are wanted fugitives! Worse, they’ve become addicted to the insidious drug known as Banshee! Now it’s up to the other X-Men to take them down. Yes, it’s mutant vs. mutant! When the X-Men go to war with each other, who wins? Plus, the startling revelation of Jean Grey! Where did she go after defeating Apocalypse? Find out here!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

• Poor Banshee. Killed off in the mainstream universe, and in the Ultimate one he's not even a character. He's just a drug. 

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #564
Written by BOB GALE, Marc Guggenheim & DAN SLOTT
Penciled by Paulo Siqueira
Cover by CHRIS BACHALO
It's a good old fashioned He Said/He Said/He Said when Spidey, Vin Gonzales and SWING SHIFT Heavy OVERDRIVE find themselves in a car chase across the Big Apple! Three members of our Braintrust's best give you each side of the same story, as Gale, Guggenheim and Slott team up for “TRAFFIC JAM!”
32 PGS./Rated A …$2.99

• Why do I think that this issue result in from a conversation that went like this: "Steve, I'm running late! I can't finish writing a full issue in time! Issue #564 will have to be late!"  "Whoa! Whoa! Could you finish a third of an issue?" "Yeah, but..." "Hold on, I'll call you back. I have an idea."

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #565
Written by MARC GUGGENHEIM
Pencils & Cover by PHIL JIMENEZ
Her name is . She's Spider-Man's newest and most terrifying nemesis -- and she just discovered his secret identity. With an army of villains at her command, even with the help of Daredevil, can Spidey protect his secret identity from his new foe? Find out as Marc Guggenheim and Phil Jimenez give you the fight of Spidey’s life against the Brand New !
32 PGS./Rated A …$2.99

• Take a look at that first sentence. Her name is what, exactly? I mean, come on Marvel! I know solicitations are probably low on your things to do, but at least have someone look them over! The general public is going to see this!
• And Brand New is a goofy, goofy name for a character.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY EXTRA!!
Written by JOE KELLY, MARC GUGGENHEIM & ZEB WELLS
Art by CHRIS BACHALO & VARIOUS
Cover by GREG LAND
Even with three issues every month, we can't fit everything we want into Amazing Spider-Man. So BRAND NEW DAY: EXTRA!! takes a deeper glimpse into Spidey's new world with three stories that flesh out his family, friends and foes, stories that will affect Spidey deeply over the coming months. Spidey Braintrust members Guggenheim and Wells welcome Joe Kelly (DEADPOOL, Superman) for a one-shot marking the return of one of Peter's most unforgettable enemies: Hammerhead! It's a sign of things to come…and it's looking deadly.
48 PGS./Rated A…$3.99

• Or, in other words, Marvel doesn't think you're spending enough on this whole Brand New Day thing. Three books a month is just too little!

AVENGERS/INVADERS #3 (of 12)
Written by JIM KRUEGER & ALEX ROSS
Penciled by STEVE SADOWSKI
Cover by ALEX ROSS
Variant Cover by OLIVIER COIPEL
The King of Atlantis vs the Prince of Atlantis with an entire kingdom as the ultimate prize. Alex Ross, Jim Krueger and Steve Sadowski continue the year’s most surprising cross-time epic with a battle that promises to tear two centuries asunder. Plus, more clues to the mystery of just how the Invaders landed in 2008!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

• I thought the time travel cliche was that if a future self met up with their past self, the universe would be destroyed?

CAPTAIN AMERICA: WHITE #0
Written by JEPH LOEB
Pencils & Cover by TIM SALE
Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale, the Eisner award winning team (DAREDEVIL: YELLOW, SPIDER-MAN: BLUE, HULK: GRAY, Batman: The Long Halloween, Superman For All Seasons, Television's HEROES) return to Marvel and their prestigious "color" book series. CAPTAIN AMERICA: WHITE is their newest creation, peeling back an untold tale of Captain America and Bucky during World War II. Their unique combination of in-depth characters and high stakes action shines here with Cap's deadliest mission of all. Marvel is proud to bring you Captain America: #0 this summer as a taste of what’s to come. Featuring an all new full story about the Origin of Bucky Barnes and how he came into Cap’s life, this special edition features a cover gallery, sketchbook, script samples, and an interview with the creators. They are happy to be back at Marvel and we're thrilled to have them! Plus, the whole story seen in black-and-white.
48 PGS./Cardstock Cover/All Ages …$3.99

• BTW, I DO NOT think the title of this book is racist. And I think that anybody whose inclination is to think it is should just unclench.

FANTASTIC FOUR #559
Written by MARK MILLAR
Pencils & Cover by BRYAN HITCH
You should have remembered the old adage, Johnny: love the woman, love her family. And when the woman is the super-villain called Psionics, that raises the stakes to a whole other level. Now it’s the morning after, and Lightwave, Natalie X, Alex U-16, Doc Banner and the Burning Man expect you to live up to your responsibilities. It’s the Human Torch’s worst break-up ever -- or will it be a shotgun wedding? Plus: where in the world is Doctor Doom?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

• Speaking of horrible character names.

FANTASTIC FOUR: TRUE STORY #1 (of 4)
Written by PAUL CORNELL
Penciled by HORACIO DOMINGUEZ
Cover by NIKO HENRICHON
A threat to the minds of the whole human race sends the FF somewhere they've never been before: into the realm of fiction itself! Where Ben finds himself clobbering a demonic army to save the cast of Sense and Sensibility. No, really. And it gets weirder from there. Dante (not the one from Clerks)! Willie Lumpkin! Behold, the Fictocraft! And it's actually kind of smart and serious too. You're at least going to flip open the first page in your comic store, right?
32 PGS./Rated A …$2.99

• Do you get the feeling Mr. Solicitation Writer guy likes writing blurbs for some books more than others. I mean, it seem like he just kinda gave up on this one towards the end.

IMMORTAL IRON FIST #17
Written by Duane Swierczynski
Pencils and Cover by Travel Foreman
“The Mortal Iron Fist" part 1 of 4
Marvels’ kickingest, punchingest, kung-fu-iest book just got bigger! Following the character-redefining, critically-acclaimed, fan-favorite events of “The Seven Capital Cities of Heaven,” the all-new IMMORTAL IRON FIST creative team of Duane Swierczynski (CABLE) and Travel Foreman (ARES) takes it to the next explosive level! Think you know everything there is to know about the traditions of the Immortal Iron Fist? If you do, then why’s Danny sweating bullets over an inescapable legacy that’s haunted the Iron Fists for centuries, huh? Tell us that, if you’re so smart. What was the deeper meaning of Xao’s ominous threat? And what incredible new adventure are Danny’s fellow Immortal Weapons embarking upon?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

• How could replacing Brubaker/Fraction on the book with Duane Swierczynski make the book bigger? Is this some kind of wacky, opposite world we're talking about here?

MARVEL ADVENTURES SUPER HEROES #1
Written by PAUL TOBIN
Penciled by ALVIN LEE
Cover by ROGER CRUZ
It’s probably a bad sign when Hercules comes asking for a favor. It’s juuuuuust a little job that needs doing, but this is Hercules; isn’t he supposed to be REALLY good at doing labors himself? Before they know it, Iron Man, Spider-Man and the Hulk are stuck looking after Orthus and Cerberus, the two legendary hounds of the underworld! Luckily, the dogs learn to behave after chewing up only a few cars, a statue, and Iron Man, and finally they’re obedient enough for the Metro Dog Show! Only problem, Hercules wants the dogs back. Oh no, Herc, not before the Hulk gets his ribbon! It’s two dogs with five heads between them, and all the action you can handle.
32 PGS./All Ages …$2.99

• HULK DON'T GET RIBBON, HULK SMASH!!!!!! HULK THINK DOGGIE GAIT JUST FINE!!! FIND HULK'S DOGGIE'S CHEW TOY OR HULK'S DOGGIE WILL SMASH!!!!

MARVEL ADVENTURES HULK #13
Written by PETER DAVID
Penciled by JUAN ROMAN
CANO SANTACRUZ
Cover by SEAN GORDON MURPHY
Hulk and his traveling buddies (fun-loving teen, Rick Jones and rollicking monkey, Monkey) have returned to New York City to find something amiss… all the super heroes have been transformed into ravenous, stumbling monsters! But can even the strength of the Hulk stand up to the unstoppable… MARVEL MUMMIES?!? Fan-fave Hulk creator Peter David comes to Marvel Adventures Hulk with unlucky issue 13, bringing our most mummified issue ever!
32 PGS./All Ages …$2.99

• Two things: 1) Peter David on the Hulk is always a good thing, 2) The way Marvel does things, there will be a Marvel Mummies miniseries in the future, and then a whole bunch of Mummy Variant covers soon after.

PATSY WALKER: HELLCAT, AGENT OF THE INITIATIVE #1 (of 5)
Written by KATHRYN IMMONEN
Penciled by DAVID LAFUENTE
Cover by STUART IMMONEN
Patsy Walker, S.H.I.E.L.D. wants YOU to join the Initiative…and protect the frozen north. You heard me right, sister. The Klondike. Seward’s Folly. Alaska. So pack some long johns and prepare for trouble. GUEST-STARRING: IRON MAN!
32 PGS./Rated A …$2.99

• I am glad that Marvel Comics Presents are spawning miniseries, but if the series has Initiative in its title, wouldn't Iron Man automatically be guest-starring? Would it really be all-caps worthy?

SECRET INVASION #1 DIRECTOR’S CUT
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Penciled by LEINIL YU
Cover by STEVE MCNIVEN
Go behind the scenes of the event that will change the Marvel Universe forever! The shape-shifting alien race known as the Skrulls has secretly infiltrated every super-powered organization on Earth with one goal: full-scale invasion! Now, get closer to the action than ever before! This bonus edition reprints SECRET INVASION #1 in its entirety - plus the SECRET INVASION PROLOGUE, previously available only online, and other choice extras!
64 PGS./ Rated T+ …$4.99

• The series is only four issues old and it's getting a "Director's Cut" already? Really?

SQUADRON SUPREME 2 #1
Written by HOWARD CHAYKIN
Penciled by MARCO TURINI
Cover by GREG LAND
“POWER TO THE PEOPLE” PART 1 (OF 6)
They were gods walking the Earth… powerful but flawed, they dreamed of remaking the world in their image. After their apocalyptic battle with Redstone, and after their terrifying fight with the Ultimate Universe, that dream has become a nightmare. While mankind struggles to rebuild, new heroes appear -- and Nick Fury, left behind after the hit ULTIMATE POWER limited series, learns the shocking secrets of four astronauts who returned to Earth…changed. Join comics legend HOWARD CHAYKIN and newcomer MARCO TURINI to ask the question -- whatever happened to the Squadron Supreme?
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$2.99

• I know it's been a while since the last issue came out, but how bad is it that I can't seem to recognize anybody on this cover?

TRUE BELIEVERS #1 (of 5)
Written by CARY BATES
Pencils & Cover by PAUL GULACY
“PAYBACK IS A BITCH”
Super heroes running a female fight club? Unbelievable perhaps, but it's a tale of depravity that will send shockwaves across the globe once the sordid details appear on a podcast uploaded by the TRUE BELIEVERS! Who are these counter-culture subversives with strange powers and abilities who have proclaimed themselves 'warriors of the information age'? The True Believers not only speak truth to power, they wield it like a weapon using it to root out lies and deception, cover-ups and conspiracies wherever they find them. Whether it’s S.H.I.E.L.D. or the Illuminati, HYDRA or Weapon X, the CIA or the CSA, no target is too big and no one is off-limits -- including a wary superhuman community with plenty of its own secrets to hide!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

• Wow! Cary Bates, back writing comics! What's next? Elliot S! Maggin?

UNCANNY X-MEN #500
Written by ED BRUBAKER & MATT FRACTION
Penciled by GREG LAND & TERRY DODSON
50/50 Wraparound Cover by ALEX ROSS
50/50 Wraparound Cover by GREG LAND
Variant Cover by MICHAEL TURNER
Variant Cover by TERRY DODSON
“SFX”, PART 1!
Sentinels? What? And Magneto? And is that the Master Mold? What the hell is going on in San Francisco now that the Uncanny X-Men have relocated there? They’ve got a new Headquarters and a new status quo as the gauntlet is thrown for a new era of mutantkind. It’s all here in the double-sized anniversary issue that sets up the plotlines that will be developed over the next year in UNCANNY. And it’s all brought to you by the hot writing team of Ed Brubaker & Matt Fraction (Immortal Iron Fist) and fan favorite artists Greg Land (ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR, X-MEN: FREE COMIC BOOK DAY) and Terry Dodson (SPIDER-MAN/BLACK CAT, Wonder Woman). New creators, new home. The future begins now.
48 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

• So, am I supposed to be excited that the X-Men are in San Francisco? Uh, okay. Yay.

CABLE #5
Written by DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI
Pencils & Cover by ARIEL OLIVETTI
Variant Cover by MARC SILVESTRI
The war that started in “Messiah CompleX” continues here! Hang on to your Bjorn-straps, people: Here it is, the can’t-miss conclusion to “War Baby”! Both Cable and Bishop have crossed lines they thought they’d never cross. There’s no going back now. And in the disaster-ravaged streets of a near-future Manhattan, it all comes down to which X-Man wants to accomplish his objective more. The gloves are off…the guns are loaded…and nobody’s going to walk out of this one unscathed…
including the baby!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

• NO! NOT THE BABY! (See, this is what happens when you put the kid in from of you in your bandolier strap)

X-MEN: ODD MEN OUT ONE-SHOT
Written by ROGER STERN & MICHAEL HIGGINS
Penciled by DAVE COCKRUM
Cover by ERIC NGUYEN
Featuring two never-before-seen stories illustrated by the late, legendary Dave Cockrum. First up, relive the history of the
X-Men, as recounted by Professor X and his old friend, former FBI Agent Fred Duncan. Then, the New Mutants - Rictor, Boom Boom, Cannonball, Rusty, Skids, Sunspot and Wolvesbane - face off against the Mad Thinker.
48 PGS./Rated A …$3.99

• Not that paying tribute to Dave Cockrum isn't a good cause, especially if some money goes to his widow, but who thinks these stories have been stuck in a drawer somewhere for 20 years.

FINAL CRISIS #3
Written by Grant Morrison
Art and covers by J.G. Jones

Batman missing in action! Superman immobilized! Green Lantern on trial for his life!
A shadow is falling across Earth’s super heroes -- and now it’s Wonder Woman’s turn to face the Evil Gods!
What bizarre warning from beyond awaits Frankenstein, The Question and the agents of S.H.A.D.E. in the shadows of the Dark Side Club? What grim fate lies in store for The Human Flame? What happens when the Anti-Life Equation hits the internet? Can the Fastest Men Alive outrun The Black Racer -- Death himself? And who are the Justifiers?
The answers are all here as the unstoppable rise of evil continues in FINAL CRISIS #3 by Grant Morrison and J.G. Jones.

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 July 30 • 3 of 7 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US

• I don't know. I'm still not feeling it. 

FINAL CRISIS: REQUIEM #1
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Art by Doug Mahnke & Christian Alamy
Covers by J.G. Jones and Doug Mahnke

A very special FINAL CRISIS one-shot honoring the passing of a great hero who’s been a staple in the DC Universe for years. All that remains is one final memory that the League experiences together as they must fulfill his last wishes or die trying!

Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers (one by J.G. Jones and one by Doug Mahnke) that will ship in approximately 50/50 ratio. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.

On sale July 9 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US

• Yes, this will honor the A-list hero who will be back in six months, or the Z-list hero no one cared about until they were killed off--who also will be back in six months. 

 

FINAL CRISIS: ROGUES’ REVENGE #1
Written by Geoff Johns
Art and covers by Scott Kolins

The critically-acclaimed FLASH team of writer Geoff Johns and artist Scott Kolins reunites for a tale of villainy and twisted justice tying in to FINAL CRISIS! Captain Cold and the Rogues were accessories to the murder of Bart Allen. They’ve become what they never set out to be -- wanted! Wanted by the good guys, by former Rogue Pied Piper, and by the Secret Society of Super-Villains. But just as they try to disappear underground, good, old-fashioned revenge yanks them back. And where is the Flash during all of this? It’s a Crisis -- take a guess.

Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers by Scott Kolins that will ship in approximately 50/50 ratio. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale July 16 • 1 of 3 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US

• Thanks DC. Putting Johns and Kolins back on Flash? You're forcing me to throw my plans to cut back on my comics buying out the window.

AMBUSH BUG: YEAR NONE #1
Written by Keith Giffen & Robert Loren Fleming
Art by Giffen & Al Milgrom
Cover by J.H. Williams III
Variant cover by Giffen

The wait is over -- everyone's favorite Bug is back, courtesy of the original AMBUSH BUG team of Keith Giffen and Robert Loren Fleming! Cities will be destroyed! Cats and dogs will live in sin! Every unanswered question of the DC Universe will be answered! Live heroes will die and dead heroes will live! Okay, none of that actually happens, but join us anyway for this totally irreverent romp through the DC Universe as only Ambush Bug could give you!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 10 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by J.H. Williams), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Keith Giffen). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.

On sale July 23 • 1 of 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• See above.

BATMAN #679
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Tony Daniel & Sandu Florea
Cover by Alex Ross
Variant cover by Daniel

“Batman R.I.P.” -- Part 4! Robin and Damian team up -- yes, you read that right -- to search for the missing Batman. Meanwhile, the Club of Villains -- The Hunchback, Pierrot Lunaire, King Kraken, Charlie Caligula, Scorpiana and El Sombrero -- rampage through Gotham City! This incredible fourth chapter of “Batman R.I.P.” ends with the surprising return of a character you never thought you’d see again!

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 July 23 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• Could that character be Batman?

THE JOKER’S ASYLUM

THE JOKER’S ASYLUM: THE JOKER #1
Written by Arvid Nelson
Art by Alex Sanchez
Cover by Andy Kubert
THE JOKER’S ASYLUM: PENGUIN #1
Written by Jason Aaron
Art and cover by Jason Pearson
THE JOKER’S ASYLUM: POISON IVY #1
Written by J.T. Krul
Art and cover by Guillem March
THE JOKER’S ASYLUM: SCARECROW #1
Written by Joe Harris
Art and cover by Juan Doe
THE JOKER’S ASYLUM: TWO-FACE #1
Written by David Hine
Art and cover by Andy Clarke

A cast of top creators lends their talents to THE JOKER’S ASYLUM -- a special month-long, weekly series of one-shots starring the greatest villains in Batman’s rogues gallery.

Each issue tells a special stand-alone story that gives readers an inside look into the insane lives of the Dark Knight’sgreatest adversaries. And all the stories are narrated by the Asylum’s leading homicidal maniac -- The Joker!

THE JOKER on sale July 2 • PENGUIN on sale July 9 • POISON IVY on sale July 16 • SCARECROW on sale July 23 • TWO-FACE on sale July 30 • Each 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• Ah, The "let's release a lot of Batman books to coincide with the movie" tactic. Because, you know, people coming in shops wouldn't buy any of the 15 regular monthly Batman series.

CATWOMAN #81
Written by Will Pfeifer
Art by David Lopez & Alvaro Lopez
Cover by Adam Hughes

Catwoman’s on the run in Gotham City once more. Can she stay one step ahead of Batman while trying to turn the tables on the man who’s destroyed her life?
On sale July 30 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • FINAL ISSUE

BATGIRL #1
Written by Adam Beechen
Art by Jim Calafiore & Jonathan Glapion
Cover by Andy Clarke

Fresh from appearances in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS, the enigmatic Cassandra Cain stars in this six-issue miniseries written by Adam Beechen (COUNTDOWN, ROBIN) with pencils by Jim Calafiore (GOTHAM UNDERGROUND)!

Now that Batgirl has finally gained Batman’s trust, it’s time to conquer her inner demons and prove herself to the rest of the world. This six-issue epic will take Cassandra on an intense, personal journey involving friends, family and foes!

On sale July 16 • 32 pg, FC, 1 of 6, $2.99 US

• Catwoman ends but Batgirl begins? Sad.

TWO-FACE YEAR ONE #1
Written by Mark Sable
Art by Jesus Saiz & Jimmy Palmiotti
Cover by Mark Chiarello

In a time of corruption and greed, the only force keeping Gotham City from collapsing into utter chaos included Assistant District Attorney Harvey Dent, a cop named Jim Gordon, a vigilante known only as Batman -- and a mysterious group of untouchable crimefighters working outside the law. Be here to witness the beginning of a legacy, when a meeting between Gotham’s Finest and Gotham’s Vilest spawn the protectors who will safeguard Gotham’s future, as well as the monster who will try to burn it to the ground.

Don’t miss the start of this exciting 2-part miniseries featuring one of The Dark Knight’s most fearsome foes!

On sale July 16 • 1 of 2, 48 pg, Prestige Format, FC, $5.99 US

• Movie tie-ins are okay, but you get only 2 issues instead of the ordinary 6.

BLUE BEETLE #29
Written by Matthew Sturges
Art and cover by Rafael Albuquerque

New series writer Matthew Sturges (JACK OF FABLES, HOUSE OF MYSTERY) comes aboard to kick off “Boundaries,” with returning series artist Rafael Albuquerque! As Blue Beetle struggles to establish himself as the protector of El Paso and Cuidad Juarez, he finds himself thrown into the heart of the immigration struggle, made all the more complicated by the involvement of Intergang -- and another, more mysterious, figure. Coming at you straight outta Texas, Sturges takes our hero into new territory as Beetle works out his responsibilities as both a hero in the DC Universe and a citizen of a border town.

On sale July 30 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• I don't know if Matt Sturges is the right guy to take over BB. I mean, I like his Jack of Fables and his wrapping up of Shadowpact was okay, but using the immigration conflict as a story idea seems a bit cliched.

THE ALL-NEW ATOM #25
Written by Rick Remender
Art by Pat Olliffe & John Stanisci
Cover by Ladrönn
Out of place, out of time and out of hope, Ray Palmer and Ryan Choi face the Worm-Man from the sub-atomic prison world of Lady Chronos! Will Ryan make the ultimate sacrifice so Ray and the rest of Ivy Town can live to see another day?

On sale July 2 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • FINAL ISSUE

• Aw! This sucks. I guess Remender/Oliffe were only brought on to wrap things up.

THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #15
Written by Mark Waid
Art and cover by Scott Kolins

The siege of Nanda Parbat continues as Green Arrow and Deadman get some much-needed assistance from Nightwing and Hawkman!

On sale July 23 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• Okay, the artist on this book has made a serious downturn. Let's stop it before it goes any father.

GREEN ARROW/BLACK CANARY #10
Written by Judd Winick
Art by Mike Norton & Wayne Faucher
Cover by Cliff Chiang
Speedy and the shady Dodger are up against the League of Assassins by themselves -- until Batman joins in. And along the way, the Dark Knight lets them in on Ra's al Ghul's involvement in the assassination attempt on Connor Hawke!
On sale July 9 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• Notice what's missing from this solicitation? The words Green, Arrow, Black and Canary.

JONAH HEX #33
Written by Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray
Art and cover by Darwyn Cooke

A special issue drawn by Eisner Award-winning artist Darwyn Cooke (DC: THE NEW FRONTIER, THE SPIRIT)! Jonah Hex travels to Canada on the trail of his latest bounty. But with the Mounties hot on his heels, this isn't going to be an easy job.

On sale July 2 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• This makes me happy.

MANHUNTER #32
Written by Marc Andreyko
Art by Michael Gaydos
Cover by Liam Sharp
Drawn deeper into the politics of a missing-persons mystery, Manhunter calls on local heroes -- and even villains -- to navigate the twilight world of the U.S.-Mexican border, invoking the wrath of Director Bones and the DEO!

On sale July 2 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• Wow. Two comics with immigration themes. It's gone from cliched to redundant. But at least Manhunter's back!

THE SPIRIT #19
Written by Sergio Aragones & Mark Evanier
Art and cover by Paul Smith

Once again the Spirit finds a way to cheat death in Central City in his trademark two-fisted-yet-lighthearted fashion!
On sale July 23 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• Or, in other words. "We don't know what the hell is in this issue!"

MILLENNIUM TP
Written by Steve Englehart
Art by Joe Staton, Ian Gibson and others
Cover by Joe Staton & Mark Farmer

The 1988 8-issue miniseries MILLENNIUM is collected for the first time! The Guardians of the Universe have left our dimension behind -- and in their absence, the deadly robotic army of Manhunters threatens the survival of the DC Universe!

Advance-solicited; on sale August 6 • 192 pg, FC, $19.99 US

INVASION TP
Written by Keith Giffen & Bill Mantlo
Art by Todd McFarlane, Bart Sears, P. Craig Russell, Joe Rubinstein and others
Cover by McFarlane & Rubinstein

The massive 3-issue miniseries from 1988 is collected for the first time! In this universe-spanning saga, the deadly but emotionless Dominators have come to Earth to wipe out the threat posed by metahumans. But what is the real reason for their attack?

Advance-solicited; on sale August 27 • 256 pg, FC, $24.99 US

• Released, apparently, to tie-in to Marvel's Secret Invasion.

WILDCATS: WORLD’S END #1
Written by Christos Gage
Art by Neil Googe and Trevor Hairsine
Covers by Neil Googe

After the shattering conclusion of NUMBER OF THE BEAST, a jaw-dropping new status quo will be established in the WildStorm Universe -- and it begins now! Christos Gage (WILDSTORM: ARMAGEDDON, THE AUTHORITY: PRIME) and Neil Googe (WELCOME TO TRANQUILITY, MAJESTIC) bring a unique new vision to the classic Wildcats team, reuniting the classic team with some surprising new members. Also, a new monthly backup story begins, kicked off with the return of John Lynch by Gage and X-Men: Deadly Genesis artist Trevor Hairsine!

Retailers please note: This issue will feature two covers that will ship in approximately 50/50 ratio and join together to form a single image. Please see the Previews Order Form for more details.

On sale July 30 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• Hey, if at first you don't succeed, well, keep trying until you do.

STORMING PARADISE #1
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art and cover by Butch Guice

It’s 1945, and Europe lies in ruins, the Nazi war machine defeated. As the United States looks east to the last remaining Axis power and the final push in a long war, a miscalculation in the Manhattan Project results in annihilation of the team of scientists developing the American atomic bomb. America's only remaining option is Operation Olympus -- the invasion of Japan! But the bloody, island-hopping campaign that brings American forces to Japan’s doorstep won’t prepare the G.I.s for the horror they will face as women, children and the few surviving Japanese soldiers begin the grim preparation for repulsion.

This brutal, revisionist look at the second World War could only be handled by master storytellers Chuck Dixon (ROBIN, TEAM ZERO) and Butch Guice (ACTION COMICS, Daredevil). Every angle of this conflict will be touched upon, from the infantry storming the beaches to the Army Air Corps bombing the home islands of the Empire of the Rising Sun to the desperate struggle of the Japanese to save their culture from annihilation, as the true meaning of “war is hell” is explored in full.

On sale July 2 • 1 of 6, 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• Dig the concept, but isn't Butch Guice a Marvel exclusive?

FABLES #75
Written by Bill Willingham
Art by Mark Buckingham & Steve Leialoha
Cover by James Jean

Don’t even ask us the title, because it’s a secret! Have you ever read those new-comics blurbs that promise things like, “After this issue nothing will ever be the same again,” but you know in a few months none of those so-called big events will have mattered? Well, this isn’t one of those times. This time when we say FABLES will never be the same again after this issue, that’s a promise you can take to the bank. So, without further ado: After this issue of FABLES, nothing will ever be the same again. Oh, and someone dies.
On sale July 16 • 64 pg, FC, $4.99 US • MATURE READERS

JACK OF FABLES #25
Written by Matthew Sturges & Bill Willingham
Art by Russ Braun & Andrew Pepoy
Cover by Brian Bolland

Let's face it: You already know what's going to happen in this issue. Jack’s going to do something smarmy, some creepy guy will do something creepy, an egg will explode, and a little blue pig will pontificate on weighty matters while wearing a brassiere on his head. Just another typical chapter in the life of Jack of The Tales. In this issue, however, we learn a bit more about the lovely young librarian Robin Page, and find out why she does the things she does. It’s part one of a new story, even!

On sale July 30 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • MATURE READERS

• You can say one thing about the Fables solicitations, they sure are unique!