This batch features the anniversary of Mike Mignola's Amazing Screw-On Head, the return of Zombo, Frank Barbiere's return to creator-owned comics, a new iteration of Archer & Armstrong, and Marvel's new Miracleman reprints (and yes I'm counting those as indy).
AMAZING SCREW ON HEAD HC ANNIVERSARY ED
(W) Mike Mignola (A/CA) Mike Mignola
Emperor Zombie is trying to take over the world once again! The Amazing Screw-On Head has been enlisted by President Lincoln to stop the evil emperor, with the help of his faithful partner Mr. Groin and his trusty canine companion Mr. Dog. Screw-On Head will have to brave ancient tombs and defeat demons from a dimension inside a turnip-just one of the strange and mischievous tales in this beloved collection.
This special hardcover edition of The Amazing Screw-On Head and Other Curious Objects celebrates the twentieth anniversary of the Eisner Award-winning collections original publication, and includes an additional forty pages of new material by Mike Mignola! Featuring colors by the great Dave Stewart.
o The forty new pages include an unpublished story called Axorr which is 19 finished line art pages (plus a page of story notes, a concept sketch, and a promo piece), plus additional colored illustrations.
"The stories that make up the Screw-On Head collection are actually my favorite things I've done" - Mike Mignola
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Why this caught my eye:
Can't really say no to all the extra new material. Side note, if you've never seen the animated version then make the time, it's a lot of fun.
JUDGE DREDD BLAZE OF GLORY TPB
(W) Al Ewing (A) VARIOUS (CA) Liam Sharp
Go on patrol and see Mega-City One - and beyond - through the eyes of Al Ewing (Immortal Hulk), one of the most original writers in comics, as Judge Dredd dispenses justice to mutants, laidback religious cults, the Sex Olympics and Santa Claus. But when polite ex-stripper Zombo appears in his dimension, has old Stoney Face finally met his match?
Collecting many of Ewing's outrageous Judge Dredd stories for the first time and featuring an all-star cast of artists, including Liam Sharp (Green Lantern, Wonder Woman), John Higgins (Dreadnoughts: Breaking Ground, Judge Dredd, Watchmen), Simon Fraser (Judge Dredd, Nikolai Dante) and Ben Willsher (Roy of the Rovers, Judge Dredd), this is an essential collection for fans of the Law. JAN221610
Why this caught my eye:
This solicit was legit one of the most exciting things I've seen in a long time. Al Ewing's insane violent comedy feels like a monstrous blending of The Tick and Judge Dredd and it is glorious. Do yourself a favor and track down the first two trades 'Zombo: Can I Eat You, Please?' and 'Zombo: You Smell of Crime and I’m the Deodorant!', you will not regret it.
ASTONISHING TIMES TP
(W) Frank Barbiere, Arris Quinones (A) Ruairi Coleman (CA) Dylan Todd
In a world where superheroes are common place, Noah Sans, a young reporter trying to live up to the legacy of his father, investigates a mystery involving missing superheroes that quickly turns into a thrilling conspiracy. A modern superhero story that celebrates the genre and redefines heroes for a new generation.
Award-winning writer Frank J. Barbiere, makes his return to creator-owned comics with Astonishing Times. Collects issues #1-#5.
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Why this caught my eye:
I'm always wary of launches that boast that they 'redefines heroes for a new generation', but it has been a while since I've read some Barbiere so I'm curious as to what he has up his sleeve.
ARCHER & ARMSTRONG FOREVER #1
(W) Steve Foxe (A) Marcio Fiorito (CA) Bernard Chang
The triumphant return of Valiant's best BFF! When Armstrong seemingly loses his immortality, Archer refuses to let his best buddy go gentle into that good night. But when you live for millennia, you rack up plenty of enemies who'll be thrilled to find out you're no longer indestructible. Archer & Armstrong's globetrotting quest for (more) immortality begins here!
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Why this caught my eye:
I always feel that it's worth giving any new A&A launch a shot as they're just a fun pair of characters.
MIRACLEMAN OMNIBUS HC DAVIS VAR
(W) Mick Anglo, Various (A) Garry Leach, Various (CA) Alan Davis
Middle-aged reporter Michael Moran always knew he was meant for something more. When an unexpected series of events leads him to reclaim his destiny, Miracleman is reborn. But Miracleman's return threatens to unravel Moran's life. Their connections to Dr. Emil Gargunza and Project Zarathustra bring with them disturbing revelations and trigger the return of a childhood friend who, beneath his sinister smile, has become something terrifying. Pushing the concept of the super hero to its logical conclusion, MIRACLEMAN is nothing short of a revelation. The series reinvented the super hero and 40 years later stands as one of the influential works in the comic book artform. This first-ever Omnibus edition collects MIRACLEMAN BOOKS ONE through THREE, complete with a massive trove of covers, original artwork and rare features.
Collecting MIRACLEMAN (1985) #1, #3 and #6-16; MARVELMAN SPECIAL #1 and material from A1 (1989) #1 and WARRIOR #1-18 and #20-21 [as presented in Miracleman (2014) #1-16] - plus ALL-NEW MIRACLEMAN ANNUAL #1.
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Why this caught my eye:
I probably should have never sold my original set. So, I was never happy to hear that Marvel got Miracleman. It always felt like it needed a home like Dark Horse to do the reprints justice. And considering it's been like 8 years since Marvel did their single issues reprints it's a bit of a wonder on why this bundle took so long. Marvel omnibus editions are nicely done, so if you overlook some of the choices with their re-coloring/re-lettering and other remastering decisions then this will most likely be a nice package.
But now I'm just left with the dread that Miracleman will be popping up in Marvel continuity soon......
That's it for this batch, we'll hit up some LGBTQ+ material on the next round!