August, 2007

newuniversal Premiere Edition   DP 7 Classic #1   While we still have no newuniversal yet (and won't for awhile) we at least have two handy, albeit pricey thingies to keep up interest in all things New. The biggest of the two is, of course, a Premier Edition Hardcover (you heard that right) edition of newuniversal, collecting issues 1-6. Mmm hard cover New Universe collections. It's like living in bizarro-world, except that it's real! The other nifty thingie you can get your hands on this month is DP 7 Classics #1, a softcover collection of the first nine issues of that series. It seems to be a direct port, though there's an odd 'extra' on the cover of the collection; if you look down by Mastodon's foot, there's a weird, wee monkey standing there. It looks to me that he's toting a gun, but it's rather small overall. Not sure what's up with that but it amused me. Regardless, I'm sure you've already picked up a copy of each of these to support the New, but if not, go for it now. Sure you SAY you could find all those DP 7s in quarter bins or for the cheap at Mile High Comics Dot Com, but... eh. The future is in the collected editions, already, so shell out some cash and get some secksay books today!

July, 2007

A.N.O.H.O.T.M.U. A to Z Update #3   Though newuniversal itself is on indefinite hold due to 'internal things' - which mostly seems to involve the artist working on X-Men and Spider-Man and what-have-you, things are slowly taking shape for all things New. Got another keen All New Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z 2007 Update this month. This being the third (of four) scheduled to be released in this here 2007. This particular issue showcased Chrome, or as she was known in her own series, Spitfire, in a two page entry - not bad, eh? It covers her entire story from start to finish; from her 'pre-series' tale in the Untold Tales of the New Universe to her being trapped in 'earth 616' in her last appearance, this thing covers all things involving Jennifer Swensen... with pictures of her three armors! Of course you can't have Spitfire without the Troubleshooters (for better or worse, though we lean on the worse), so they even gave us a picture of those guys and a play-by-play on how they got dismantled by a highly motivated terrorist nutjob. So hey, I guess you get a bit of good with the bad after all. Once again, go pick up a copy of this issue, so these guys keep putting out handbooks!

May, 2007

newuniversal #6   Well, the schedule on the newuniversal seems to have 'skewed' somewhat due to 'internal things', but issue 6 came out here a few days back; I have read the book is on 'hold' for the near future, not due to sales issues (it's doing just fine) so much as those noted 'internal things'. Not about to gossip about stuff I'm clueless about, but at least we know now that it'll be back soon. But all that aside, hey, newuniversal number six is out! This is the conclusion of the first 'story arc' though I didn't seem to note quite so much as an ending but a continued building of the story that has been growing since issue one came out late last year. And that's a good thing; I tend to get annoyed at comics that are built around the trade paperback structure above all else. I know those sell like hot cakes and are Instant Profit for the comics companies, but still. I continue to be leery of 'ruining' the story for folks by giving any spoilers about the Content Within, but egad. All I have to say is if you're a John Tensen fan this one's going to blow your mind... mmm ultra carange. Goes without saying anew, but if you're not buying these, you're missing out! 'I'm Not Sorry...'

A.N.O.H.O.T.M.U. A to Z Update #2   In other news, though it actually came out a week before the new newuniversal, another issue of the All New Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z 2007 Update was released in May as well, and featured another New Universe hero. This one was of course Jack Magniconte, the one and only All-American. He has a full page all to himself, as opposed to one of those 'half page' entries. And really, considering that he's one of the most mocked New Universe characters and a veritable footnote in the overall story despite being in a twelve issue series with his Kickers, Inc. buddies, that may've been more than he warranted - but hey, bonus. This is actually a pretty good issue overall, not even counting the Jack entry. See the eight page (count 'em) Captain America entry, for example. I still dig the efforts these guys put forth to make sense of the 'who needs continuity' crop of writers and editors in charge of the Marvel comics these days. A deep awareness of what has gone down before, plus the general support of the powers that be (save for the lead staff who don't seem to read the things) makes for amazingly good reference for folks like me who try to 'stat' up folks. Go get you one, already!

So oddly enough, the last two releases aren't all the news we (well I) have for you in the month of May. I was reading the August comic book solicitations and, in case you missed it there are not one, but two special releases for your New Universe reading pleasure coming out imminently. The first is a 'premiere hard cover' edition of newuniversal, covering issues one through six. I really dig that format. I have the first Nextwave one and it's nice to have for reading and/or lending purposes. Durable yet not so heavy as to crush someone's skull with (unless you try really hard, I suppose). But that's not all. In addition to this, the folks at Marvel are putting out another New Universe Classics collection, this time featuring the one and only D.P. 7! This 'regular' trade paperback collects the first nine (count 'em) issues of one of the New Universe's best series (I like Psi-Force better, but I'm obviously biased, as most everyone I talk to likes this one better). But this would make a good 'companion' to the Star Brand Classics you darn well should've picked up last year. These are slow in the releasing, but at least they are still coming out. So make sure you hang onto your pocket change...!

April, 2007

newuniversal #5   So there's another month finally ticked away, leaving us with (at long last) another issue of newuniversal. I picked up my three copies of the current issue and stored them away, though not before I of course read and re read the thing once or twice. As you can probably guess, I thoroughly enjoyed this issue as I have all the others, particularly because of the new cast member. At the risk of spoiling things for you, this issue allows you to bear witness to the introudction of Emmett Proudhawk to the mix. Those of you that read the old-school Psi-Force business may have an inkling of what's involved with this guy, but I have to say I do like this interpretation of the fellow a whole lot more. Of course before, he was only in one issue, so there's that. So yeah, go pick this up - I can't recommend the series enough. You can feel the whole thing building to an explosion as you read each issue, and it makes me anticipate the next installment a whole lot more - what with it being the end of the first 'arc' or however one would describe the structure of this series. I seriously think this thing is going to be sticking around for a good long time. So get in on the ground floor while you still can!

Just a couple other, minor bits I've dug up that you might want to be aware of. It seems that every issue of the All-New Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z Update is going to feature at least one New Universe character, if the trend holds out. Issue two (due out in May) featuers All-American, while issue 3 (due out in July) features Chrome. Make sure you reserve your copies today!

March, 2007

newuniversal #4   Ah, March. That time of the year when all the garbage that's been dumping on us for the last couple months finally melts away. That time of year when my boss jumps the shark and once again pushes me to finally get my 'real' home business into gear. And that time of the year when we find our copy of issue 4 of newuniversal waiting for us in our comic book store pull bin. I hate to sound like a broken record, but since I figure I am by now anyway, a) I loved this book, and b) you need to pick it up if you aren't already. Yes, I'm buying two extra copies every month, but if you're waiting for me to 're gift' them to you you've got another thing coming. No, I'm not giving them to you - you're already a comic book weirdo if you're reading this, so nyah. This issue continues the storyline from the point immediately preceeding last issue, focusing on Ken Connell for the most part, and showcasing his encounter with someone that readers of his original series may think they're familiar with. No, I won't ruin it for you - as usual I leave the spoilers for other web sites, 'cause I am a just and merciful god. I'm already itching for issue 5. And I just got this thing today!

February, 2007

newuniversal #3   Once again coming out on time, I snagged my three copies of newuniversal #3, this time on the 7th of February (I think it was on time, at least). Yes, I'm still buying three of these things, for I will someday 'gift' them on to some unsuspecting person or persons to hook them on comics - or at the very least, this comic. I say this 'cause it's still My Most Anticipated Comic Book Series Evar ™. Just like last month, I found myself jonesing for the next issue as soon as I finished this one. It was very good about further fleshing out the background of the super-history of the world, and showing how the four main characters are inextricably linked despite their immense geographical differences. In case people were wondering how all of these folks were tied together. It's hard talking about what went down without ruining things, but this particular issue hit all my 'ooh' buttons, particularly the grisly violence that breaks out. I'm really liking that because it's not gory for the sake of being so - so much as what I'd call a realistic treatment of super powers when used on 'mere' mortals. Particularly with the power levels in the story itself. And while most of this particular post is repeating my proselytizing with from January, I have to say if you're not picking this book up you're doing yourself a disservice. I'd almost go so far as to say you're on something and should quit, but that might be going a bit overboard... since I know enough doped up gamers to know better there. They're all reading this, you should too!

newuniversal #2 reprint   So yeah, I didn't see this one coming, but then I guess I don't scour the comic book news sites... all that often. But regardless, I was in the comic book store today and the Man handed me my big pile of 'pulls' and in it was a reprint of newuniversal #2 - imagine my surprise. At first I thought I was getting my copies of issue 3 early, but alas, this was not to be. But hey, issue 2 with a new cover! This particular reprint features a rendition of the newuniversal Nightmask, though as it turned out with a bit more clothes on this time. Heh. But it's a nice rendition of the character in that 'painted' style the first reprint was done in. Hey, I'm not much of an art student so I don't know what you'd call it. It could just be a lot of Photoshop, but I like the look of it anyway. My rambling aside, I went ahead and picked this thing up 'cause, you know, I'm picking up lots of newuniversal issues for eventual drive by comic-ing. I could just surprise someone with a lot of reprints, too, if they keep coming out like this. I don't know if they will though; I don't recall an actual announcement that the second issue sold out. It may've, but I just didn't see it. Hrm...

January, 2007

newuniversal #2   A rarity in the comic book industry these days, one of the books I collect has actually come out on time. I am, of course, referring to newuniversal #2, which hit the comic book stores here on the 4th. Naturally, I made a point of heading up there and grabbing my three copies of this second issue of My Most Anticipated Comic Book Series Evar ™. And again, I am loving this thing from start to finish. As the cover would have you believe, this issue introduces us to the newuniversal version of Spitfire, and it's a pretty interesting twist on her story. I'm not about to spoil it for you, but this issue is indeed building lots on the previous one - if you found yourself wanting for more after reading issue 1, you'll definitely get it this time 'round. Of course, you'll be wanting even more yet again. I find I anticipate the next issue as soon as I finish reading each issue in this series so far (mind you, there are only two issues out so far, so that may be me being a biased New U freak), since the series seems to have so much potential. As the first issue sold out completely, or so I am told, I must not be the only person that has this same, basic impression. So hop on this one - it's not too late. Supposedly a reprint of the first issue is coming out, with an all new 'variant' cover - what with the first being unavailable from distributors now. Though I'm sure you can still find some in some comic book stores; just 'cause it's sold out from Diamond or whoever doesn't mean it's sold out in every store planet-wide. So yeah, head on over to your Local Comic Book Store and pick some up today!

A.N.O.H.O.T.M.U. A to Z Update #1   newuniversal #1 reprint   In other news... newuniversal #2 wasn't the only nifty thing to come out this month. For one thing, the All-New Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z Update came out in January. This book covered not only Mark Hazzard, one of the title characters of the New Universe proper, but Quasar, that space-faring hero and Star Brand bearer that got the short end of the Annihilation stick last year. Additionally, that reprint of newuniversal #1 indeed came came out this month, a bit after the second issue itself. It's otherwise the same from top to bottom as the first release of issue 1, save for the cover. The reprint features an all new cover showcasing John Tensen in all his glory (take that as you will). But hoping to keep this one running as long as possible, I picked one up. Finally, I finally got ahold of my own copy of Star Brand Classic, which is that trade paperback collection of Star Brand issues #1 - #7. Or, in other words, the Jim Shooter / JR JR run on the series. I scanned in the cover and put it in the December 2006 news, since that's when it came out, even if that makes for a sort of 'retroactive news update'. But that lets me put the 2006 news to rest and concentrate on... the new!

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