Official Press Release

Valiant is proud to announce that legendary artist and creator Barry Kitson (Amazing Spider-Man, FF, Adventures of Superman) will be joining New York Times best-selling writer Joshua Dysart (Harbinger Wars, Unknown Soldier) for “Perfect Day” – an all-new, four-part story arc beginning this August in Harbinger #15! In the wake of Harbinger Wars, start reading here as Peter Stanchek’s next year in the Valiant Universe begins with a mind-bending trip to the outer limits of the Valiant Universe!

It’s been a brutal few months for Peter and the Renegades, culminating in the harrowing events – and losses – of the Harbinger Wars. But now, the surviving members of the team have woken up to the Best. Day. Ever. As Lou Reed sang, it’s just a perfect day, problems left all alone. But for Peter Stanchek – a kid who deserves a good day – something seems off…like all is not what it seems…

In the aftermath of Valiant’s first crossover event, a new day is dawning for the Valiant’s outsider band of teenage heroes, but is their newfound happiness the first sign of a new golden age…or the first cloud in a gathering storm? Find out this August as Joshua Dysart and Barry Kitson deliver a brand new jumping-on point for the series that Bloody Disgusting calls “the best damn team book on store shelves” in Harbinger #15 – featuring covers by Barry Kitson, Trevor Hairsine, Khari Evans, and Rian Hughes!

For more information on Harbinger and the rest of the Valiant Universe, visit Valiant on Facebook, on Twitter, and at ValiantUniverse.com.

“Perfect Day” – Part One:
HARBINGER #15
Written by JOSHUA DYSART
Art & Cover by BARRY KITSON
Pullbox Excluisve Cover by TREVOR HAIRSINE
Variant Cover by KHARI EVANS
Variant Cover by RIAN HUGHES
$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE IN AUGUST!

“Perfect Day” – Part Two:
HARBINGER #16
Written by JOSHUA DYSART
Art & Cover by BARRY KITSON
Variant Cover by ZACHARY MONTOYA
$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE IN SEPTEMBER!

Official Press Release

May 15, 2013 – Los Angeles, CA – This June, BOOM! Studios launches a bold new mash-up of Western and Sci-Fi with SIX-GUN GORILLA. Because the only thing better than a gorilla in a comic book is a gorilla with gigantic, matching six-shooters.

Inspired by an obscure public domain character, SIX-GUN GORILLA is created and written by Simon Spurrier (X-MEN: LEGACY, CROSSED: WISH YOU WERE HERE) with interior art by Jeff Stokely (FRAGGLE ROCK, THE REASON FOR DRAGONS) and featuring a cover by Eisner Award-winning artist Ramón Pérez (A TALE OF SAND, WOLVERINE & THE X-MEN), SIX – GUN GORILLA is a pulpy mash-up of Western weirdness and lo-fi science fiction unlike anything else on the stands!

Welcome to “the Blister” — a bizarre other-world colonized by humans sometime in the 22nd century, which quickly became a hotly-contested source of fertile land and natural resources long ago exhausted on Earth. In this new frontier, a rogue gunslinger and his companion wander across a wilderness in the grips of a civil war, encountering lawlessness, natives, and perversions of civilization in a world at the crossroads between the past and the future. The fact that said gunslinger is a bio-surgically modified silverback gorilla toting a pair of enormous revolvers is neither here nor there.

“The words “Six-Gun Gorilla” have squatted in my psyche – as immovable as only a revolver-packin’ primate can be – since I first heard them. How could I pass up the chance to breathe new life into such an insane, evocative title (so sinfully neglected since its inception as a 1939 pulp serial)?” explained Spurrier, “In deference to its unknown writer, our new version has mutated into a comic unlike any other: a relentless blast of deconstructive weirdness, gunsmoke, surreal frontiers and Awesome Ape Action. Six-Gun Gorilla is a head-poppin’, civil-warrin’, wilderness-crossin’ epic with sly sci-fi notes: a love-letter to the Western genre, signed with a flourish by a black-furred and blood-drenched fist.”

SIX – GUN GORILLA #1 will arrive in stores on June 12th with a cover by Ramón Pérez and carries a retail price of $3.99 under Diamond order code APR130933. And don’t forget to ask your retailer about the incentive cover by James Harren (B.P.R.D.)

About BOOM! Studios

Founded by Ross Richie in 2005, Diamond Gem Award-winning “Best Publisher” BOOM! Studios (boom-studios.com) generates a constellation of best-selling Eisner and Harvey Award-winning original and licensed comic books and graphic novels with the industry’s top talent. BOOM! Studios is the home of Mike Carey’s SUICIDE RISK, Clive Barker’s NEXT TESTAMENT and HELLRAISER, Paul Jenkins and Humberto Ramos’ FAIRY QUEST, PLANET OF THE APES, Max Bemis’ POLARITY and Mark Waid’s IRREDEEMABLE. Steven Grant’s graphic novel 2 GUNS will be released as a feature film from Universal Pictures August 2nd, starring Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg. BOOM!’s all-ages imprint KaBOOM! publishes Charles Schulz’ PEANUTS, Jim Davis’ GARFIELD, Cartoon Network’s ADVENTURE TIME and REGULAR SHOW, Mike Kunkel’s HEROBEAR AND THE KID and Roger Langridge’s Eisner Award-winning SNARKED.

Official Press Release

Both companies charge the same extra dollar for a digital code.

For instance,

Marvel sells Captain Marvel (20 pages, no digital code) for $2.99.
DC sells Green Lantern (20 pages, no digital code) for $2.99.

Marvel sells Superior Spider-Man (20 pages with digital code) for $3.99.
DC sells the Green Lantern Combo Pack (20 pages with digital code) for $3.99.

DC sells Batman (28 pages, no digital code) also for $3.99.
DC sells the Batman Combo Pack (28 pages with digital code) for $4.99.

It’s the extra 8 story pages (usually a back-up story) that are $1 more at DC, and only for the 8 monthlies out of 52 that have those:

• Justice League
• Justice League of America
• Action Comics
• Batman
• Detective Comics
• All-Star Western
• Sword of Sorcery
• Threshold

The reason Marvel’s $3.99 books are “a buck cheaper” is because they only have 20 pages, not because DC charges more for a digital copy.

DC has still “held the line at $2.99” for the 40-odd New 52 titles that remain at 20 story pages, but do not include a digital copy with most of their books.

This isn’t a case where I even have an opinion about which methodology (DC or Marvel’s) is better. We can argue that and I see both sides. But what just isn’t true, AT ALL, is that either company charges more for a full package — print book and digital code — on the date of release.

It’s exactly the same.

DREAM MERCHANT #1 (of 6)
Written by Nathan Edmondson
Cover art by Konstantin Novosadov
Published by Image Comics

A heart-broken face, shaded all in pink and mixed with the images embedded throughout his body create a feeling of anxiety. Considering he is leaving a psychiatric hospital, eliciting this feeling is very on target.

I’ve spoken often of “Z-layout” and how it is the most ideal and natural layout to lookout. However, with the central figure here, and in other covers below, another layout style is utilized: zig-zag pattern.

Following the character’s head down to his folded arms, which bring your eye back across, you natural move in a triangle motion across the page. It almost creates a circular pattern and you can follow over an over again until you take in all the tiny details planted in the figure.

Mixed with the different tones of pink, it is intoxicating to look at.

FABLES #129
Written by Bill Willingham
Cover art by Joao Ruas
Published by DC Comics

Snow White at first appears stoic, ready for what lays ahead of her.

However, look in her eyes. Look really deep. There you can see a sadness that has set in. Does she really know enough to survive? Have things really gotten this far?

These are the questions buried into her eyes with the answers laying in the clasp of her hands.

Combined with the simplified background, and her uniform of all green, she stands out as a lone figure both literally and metaphorically.

BATWOMAN #20
Written by J.H. Williams, Haden Blackman
Cover art by J.H. Williams
Published by DC Comics

Where do you look to first on this page: Batwoman’s face or the pentagram? Once the title is in place, that’s really where the eye will be dragged (for good reason.)

However, when looking at just the art you can see a zig-zag flow to the picture. The white on the lower left creates a small outer border for the red that dominates the center of the page. Batwoman’s face and black background do the same above, for her cape. This combined with the details in her cape and the skyline below bring your line of sight naturally cascading down the page.

Also sticking with the red, white and black color scheme keeps the image from feeling over worked.

X-FORCE #256
Written by Peter David
Cover art by David G. Williams
Published by Marvel Comics

This image is a little more complicated. Not in art style or anything of that natural, but just is trying to determine what it is you are seeing, first.

The red and gold on black almost look like a negative image painting. However, the purples and blues emanating from the center of the page change everything.

It gives the figure the devilish feel he needs… after all, he is a Hell Lord.

AVENGERS ENEMY WITHIN #1
Written by Kelly Sue DeConnick
Cover art by Joe Quinones
Published by Marvel Comics

Captain Marvel is officially in the spotlight. Central to the story and central to the art.

There is nothing overwhelmingly different about this cover, except for how beautifully it is executed. Quinones has captured the uncertainty is Carol Danvers’ life.

If the danger really lies in the protagonist’s head then there is nothing her fellow Avengers can do for her, and they really do have to bow out. The metaphor is not subtle, but ironically captured.

Oh, what dreams may come…Nathan Edmondson and Konstantin Novosadov have struck up a creator owned project with a huge amount of potential with the double-sized first issue of The Dream Merchant.

The Dream Merchant focuses on Winslow, a man currently institutionalized because of a recurring dream that has consumed his life for years. As a new therapist digs into his dream world, Winslow’s dream begins to merge with reality, and an adventure kicks off in earnest. Edmondson does a great job of building Winslow’s world and keeping the pace moving while creating the new world in this story. This six-issue mini-series is primed to be filled with intrigue, and the first issue has mystery to spare. The very concept of The Dream Merchant is refreshing to read, delving into the mind of Winslow and all that entails. The mysterious Dream Merchant has a certain Obi-Wan Kenobi feel to him, and I am very curious to learn more about the dynamics of both characters. Edmondson does a solid job of defining these characters quickly and focusing on the mystery that is the situation, rather than bogging readers down in background stories and useless details. The issue moves along at a fast clip, which fit the story well and kept this double-sized issue light and entertaining. Edmondson’s world (both dream and reality) are extremely intriguing and based on this first issue I am definitely wanting to read more.

Konstantin Novosadov really makes the issue soar. His art style is a fantastic compliment to the script Edmondson has written and while the style could be described as more cartoony than photo-realistic, it is a great style for a story featuring a dreamscape such as this. The characters are visually dynamic and the dream world is a fascinating landscape by his hand. I want to read more panels in this world, and I have a feeling Edmondson and Novosadov will be taking us there to spend some quality time in upcoming issues. The quality of the artwork is rock solid from start to finish and I look forward to seeing more work from Novosadov as fast as I can get my hands on it.

The Dream Merchant #1 is a very interesting and intriguing debut issue that sets up quite a world for the six issue mini-series. Edmondson and Novosadov have great chemistry in this comic which is a worthwhile pickup for anyone who has been keeping tabs on the awesome Image #1s that have been coming from the publisher in the last year.

Verdict: 8.0/10

The single issue interludes continue as this month we are treated to a bit of Josephine’s origin after seeing tales of her predecessors in the last two chapters. Set in 1943 Romania, Jo is captured while in search of answers and encounters the men and monsters who would spend the next six decades chasing after her. As her path luckily crosses with a familiar face to the book, Jo finds out a little bit more about her own place in the world, and just how dangerous her life has become.

As an origin tale, issue #14 is a kind gift to the kind of reader who always wants to know exactly what has happened before in the most straightforward way possible. That said, I’m not sure how many of those types of readers indulge in Fatale, or would enjoy its usual magnificent balance between revelation and concealment of the truth behind Josephine and those who would do her ill. Brubaker tells a much more naked story here, bereft of the book’s usual noir-ish tones to the point that I’m not sure I enjoyed it as much as last month’s spectacular profile of the woman I presume to be Jo’s immediate predecessor, the mysterious and impressive Black Bonnie Smith. Even that tale, set in the Old West, maintained the sort of genre blend I’ve come to expect from the title, with cowboys and Indians appearing tainted by an undercurrent of the macabre. But here, I seem to be missing that undercurrent in favor of a more deliberate serving of it, front and center.

This could also be a result of my exposure to the numerous comic book projects that have already blended the horrors of World War II with the fantastic — as demons and the occult have featured prominently on the graphic page as far back as the 1950s and as recently as in Hellboy. As a result, the freshness that I felt from every issue until now seems a little lost, but make no mistake — Brubaker’s dialogue and pacing suffer not at all for the familiar territory. His beautifully written introduction to the male narrator at the start of the book, seconded only by Jo’s charming dialogue with her new mystical mentor, was a significant highlight of the issue. Clearly Jo here is a much more emotionally open woman, still only recently affected by the still mysterious forces that would grant her eternal youth. As a result the contrast to her earlier (later) rendering does seem slightly jarring, but perhaps importantly so. If the narrative here seems much less clouded, and more direct than what I’ve come to expect from Fatale, it could easily be that reflection of Jo’s earlier psyche making it so.

As always, Phillips delivers a solid performance as co-creator and artist, capturing the era of this particular story with enough grit to be convincing, but not so much gruesome detail as to distract from the supernatural devastation that could be potentially unleashed. His Jo is a stunning beauty whose appearance betrays her deep intelligence and cunning as well, and it is from both creators’ hands (not to mention that of brilliantly talented colorist Elizabeth Breitweiser) that we continue to be gifted with one of comics’ newest, but most powerful, leading ladies. While this portion of Jo’s origin will undoubtedly propel the next round of modern day stories in the title, I’ll admit to looking forward to a return to a more mysterious femme in the book’s lead. It seems to suit her (and Fatale overall) much more.

Verdict: 8.5/10

1. (3)  Jupiter’s Legacy #1 (105,437)
2. (8) Walking Dead #109 (90,362)
3. (27)  Saga #12 (53,339)
4. (40)  Star Wars #4 (45,019)
5. (46)  East of West #2 (41,838)
6. (60)  Jirni #1 (35,777)
7. (65)  My Little Pony Friendship is Magic #6 (33,903)
8. (91)  My Little Pony Micro Series #3 (23,338)
9. (95)  Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9 Freefall #20 (21,901)
10. (97)  Adventure Time #15 (21,682)

Marvel and DC were down about 2% in April, and coincidentally, Image, IDW, Dynamite, and Boom were all up around 2% this month (but not Dark Horse — no extra love for Hellboy & Co.). Overall there was an 11% increase in sales of the Top 300 books this April compared to last April. The best part about following independent comics is that, unlike Marvel and DC, they don’t have to sell as much to maintain viability. I’m sure many independents would love to sell like the Big 2, but they can and will exist with less, which often assures greater continuity of quality.

Like last month, there were ten independents in the Top 100, but five in the Top 50. The Walking Dead has doubled its sales from the same time last year, and this is going to be a series to follow over the next few months.

Jupiter’s Legacy Tops 100K

Jupiter’s Legacy #1 – 105,437

The last time an independent title topped 100,000 in sales, was in July 2012 when The Walking Dead #100 absolutely crushed the charts. Prior to that, there are no instances within the past two years of an independent book doing this well. Whatever you think of Mark Millar (I think everyone loves Frank Quitely), this book was everything and more that was expected of it. Perhaps there is something to this digital later idea that Millar has? It will be very interesting to see the drop between issue one and issue two.

Aspen Cheaps Out

Jirni #1 – 35,777

Aspen surprised me by being in the Top 100 for the past couple of months. While I recognize that number one’s always have a boost in sales, I noted that the books that have appeared in the Top 100 (the other being Shrugged Vol. 2 #1), both have price points of $1.00. I think it is safe to assume that much of the sales boost received is from the great introductory price. Typically Aspen comics tend to sell in the range of 3000-5000 copies.

The Legacy of Star Wars

Star Wars Legacy #2 – 16,384
Star Wars Legacy #1 – 21,600

People love Star Wars, but the extended universe is obviously a tougher sell. Star Wars Legacy dropped around the 25% mark from issue one to issue two and both were more than doubled in sales by the primary Star Wars title, whose stories maintain a closer link to the movies. Even Star Wars: Darth Vader and Ninth Assassin managed to sell more than Legacy, though the Darth Vader story is another issue #1. The Star Wars extended universe is a daunting collection, given the volume of comics that have been published, but as much as people want Star Wars stories, it is obvious where and when they want them to take place. Given how much of Dark Horse’s sales are tied up in Star Wars, it will be interesting to follow whether or not the license will eventually transfer to Marvel or not. According to main writer Brian Wood, he is contracted through at least issue #20, so there should be continuity there for awhile.

Special thanks to Comichron for having more stats than any comic fan can imagine!

Hints (mostly from James Robinson himself):

“He’s a huge part of Earth 2, he’s going to be a huge part of the DC Universe, and everything he does from the Annual onward will have huge implications for the DC Universe”

“This isn’t some new person coming in to be Batman. This is definitely a part of Batman lore.”

“this is a character that will be around permanently. He’s not going anywhere, he’s going to have a huge impact on Earth 2 and on the whole DC Universe.”

“This is definitely a big character we’re bringing into the DC world. This isn’t a gimmick”

Batman has wrist weapons and is shown using small metal balls similar to Mr Terrific’s gear.

Place your bets!

Thomas Wayne

Odds 2 to 1

The costume has great similarities to that of the Flashpoint Thomas Wayne Batman down to the red eyes and a similar emblem. That the animated Flashpoint will coincide with this storyline is extra evidence for this one. What would shake Prime Earth’s Bruce more than suddenly discovering his father through a mirror darkly?

Terry McGinnis

Odds 4 to 1

Moving the odds up in this case. The star of the successful and beloved series Batman Beyond, Terry was a highly favoured pick for Batwing. Either a new version of Terry or even a time jumped one.

Some obscure character you’ve sort of heard of but are not really familiar with 

Odds 8 to 1

Robinson has a lot of characters on his wishlist and there may well be a JSA character or two who would fit the cowl. Red Bee, Peter Cannon and so many others are waiting their turn.

Richard Grayson

Odds 10 to 1

We’ve seen no references to a Dick Grayson on Earth 2 but the pre-Crisis Earth 2 Robin was a well-established character. That Huntress has not encountered Prime Earth’s Nightwing lends a bit of weight to this theory.

Jason Todd

Odds 12 to 1

Just outside Grayson’s odds, they have been trying to move Jason closer into the Bat-universe and perhaps a 2^nd variation would up the ante.

Paul Kirk (Manhunter)

Odds 15 to 1

A classic character with a tough heritage. The use of the robotic Manhunters in Green Lantern limits the use of the character unless he is merged with another identity.

A new character with a familiar tie

Odds 20 to 1

The impact of a new character is always less so the odds in this case are a bit further out. Robinson is not known for exageration, so I take his word that this reveal will carry some weight.

Bruce Wayne

Odds 25 to 1

The Bruce Wayne of Earth 2 died fighting the forces of Darkseid, or did he? If Bruce escaped certain death, he will be in a world that has grown darker since the times of the Wonders and who is also mourning the apparent death of his world-hopping daughter.

Jason Bard

Odds 30 to 1

Giving Bard the same odds I gave him for Batwing, mostly because I still don’t remember him but he has a bit of a following. Bard was a private investigator who worked for Batman in the One Year Later era.

Thomas Wayne Jr.

Odds 40 to 1

Either Lincoln March or an Earth 2 Wayne sibling to take up the family business.

John Blake

Odds 50 to 1

John R. Blake from The Dark Knight Rises might still pop up in the DCU in some fashion, though as time stretches since the last film it becomes less likely.

Ted Grant

Odds 60 to 1

We know Grant is present on Earth 2, but there is a chance that he will bypass the Wildcat costume in favour of a different animal-inspired suit.

Ted Kord

Odds 75 to 1

A perennial fan favourite who has been on the bench since being retconned out of even being dead in the New 52. Perhaps Ted’s life took a different path, one without a scarab. We are getting outside of the core Batman lore characters but Kord still has history here.

James Harper

Odds 80 to 1

The Jack Kirby-created Guardian has been warming the bench along with so many of the 70s-revived Golden Age characters. His street level approach would be a good fit for a new Bat.

Terry Sloane

Odds 100 to 1

Could one of Earth 2′s greatest villains be trying to redeem himself? Probably not, especially since he has the whole of the World Army at his disposal now, but there’s a chance.

Batman of Prime Earth

Odds 150 to 1

The first Prime/Earth 2 crossover is coming up in the pages of Batman/Superman in July, could our Bruce be taking a leave of absence to sort out that world?

The Dark Knight

Odds 200 to 1

A time-displaced older Bruce circa Dark Knight Returns just in time to meet up with Carrie Kelley?

Damian Wayne

Odds 500 to 1

Still dead. Still a contender.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Odds 1,000 to 1

A key character in the classic Earth 2, the late president FDR is going to take all of Robinson’s skill to reintroduce in the New 52.

Wally West

Odds 10,000 to 1

It’s not Wally. Sorry.

Batman of Earth 2 is introduced in the Earth 2 Annual #1 and his identity will be revealed in a later issue.

Keith is the co-host of the We Talk Comics podcast and couldn’t find a way to shoe-horn a Booster Gold reference into this odds sheet.

Official Press Release