Did you miss me last week? No? Not even a little?

Fine then, down to business: New Comics Day. This week sees the launch of Northlanders, Brian Wood’s Viking saga, The Ultimates 3, with Jeph Loeb and Joe Madureira at the helm, and the perplexing Countdown: Arena mashup.

We also get new volumes of Popeye, Dramacon, Wet Moon, Owly, and Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad.

Plus, there’s something called Zombies vs. Robots vs. Amazons, which I hope eventually leads to battle royal that includes aliens, dinosaurs and sasquatch.

To see what other titles Chris Mautner and I think are worth mentioning, just keep reading. As always, let us know your choices in the comments below.

Kevin’s pick of the week: Northlanders #1

The first issue of Brian Wood and Davide Gianfelice’s highly anticipated epic isn’t quite what I expected, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

It’s tough to think of “Viking drama” without envisioning marauders burning coastal villages and sacking monasteries. But in the first part of “Sven the Return,” Wood presents a cosmopolitan Viking, very much in the vein of the historical Harald Hardrada, who’s forsaken his homeland for Constantinople and the elite Varangian Guard. (Sven is so urbanized he no longer identifies with the Norse. As his men prepare for a bloody ship-to-ship battle he says, “They’re Norsemen. We’re Varangian. We’re better.”)

So, no, Wood and Gianfelice don’t present the “typical” Norse tale. Thematically, Northlanders #1 probably has more in common with an American Western than what we think of as a Viking adventure: Sven is the prodigal son, the black sheep, who only returns home after learning his father has been killed, and his uncle has claimed his property. Only here the family farm is a settlement in the Orkney Islands, and Sven’s weapon isn’t a six-shooter, but a sword. Our hero, if you can call him that, is closer to Clint Eastwood’s Man Without a Name than Kirk Douglas’ Einar. Not that I’m complaining, mind you.

While Wood’s story is a solid introduction, it’s Gianfelice and colorist Dave McCaig who really shine here. Gianfelice’s angular figures, with faces like road maps, look as worn and harsh as the landscape of Orkney. And his depiction of the melee between Sven’s Varangians and the intruding Norsemen, though brief, is frenetic and brutal, and leaves me wanting more, and longer, battle scenes. McCaig’s colors are the perfect complement to Gianfelice’s lines and Wood’s script: The stunning turquoise of the Mediterranean contrasts with the dismal grays of the North Sea, just as Sven’s scarlet Varangian tunic stands out against the muted tones of Grimness Settlement (which, when bathed in the ethereal greens and blues of the Northern Lights, becomes a haunting, almost-alien otherworld).

This first issue isn’t without its flaws — Sven is a little difficult to relate to, and his uncle comes across as a mustache-twirling villain — but it’s a good beginning. It’s certainly promising enough to keep me reading.

Chris’ pick of the week: Popeye, Vol. 2

My pick this week should really come as no surprise. What other item on this list dares to even reach the heights of hilarity, of inspired lunacy, of sheer delight that E.C. Segar’s classic comic strip does? In my review of the first volume, I said the strip ranked up there with the Marx Brothers and Mark Twain in the annals of American humor. I see no reason to alter that statement now.

The Escapists hardcover

Chris: This trade collects Brian K. Vaughn’s run on the Michael Chabon-inspired series, involving a trio of youths who attempt to resurrect the Escapist series. I never got past the first chapter of this myself, but Vaughn and Philip Bond fans will likely want to check it out.

Signal to Noise second edition hardcover

Chris: A new edition of Neil Gaiman and DaveMcKean’s graphic novel about a filmmaker forced to confront his own demise while planning out his last film in his head. This is the second in the Gaiman/McKean triology of books and unread by me, mainly because up till now it had been pretty hard to find, at least in my neck of the woods. I guess I don’t have any excuses anymore.

Batman/Superman: Saga of the Super Sons trade paperback

Chris: One of the loopier storylines that cropped up during the Silver Age (or is it Bronze? I can never tell), the Super Sons saga came about when writer Bob Haney decided Superman and Batman were too old and invented their college-age sires to help fight crime. No explanation offered about where these kids had been up till now or who their mothers might possibly be. And, no, these were not imaginary stories. At least they weren’t supposed to be. Chris Sims has more detail on the run, but trust me when I say it has to be read to be believed, if not exactly understood.

Countdown: Arena #1 (of 4)

Kevin: Why does this feel like a HeroClix tournament, or message-board debate, transformed into a comic? “Vampire Batman would so kick Victorian Batman’s ass!”

Omega: The Unknown #3 (of 10)
The Order #5

Chris: Yes, I’m still reading these. I don’t have anything new to say about them, but I’m still reading them.

The Ultimates 3 #1 (of 5)

Kevin: From what I gather, fandom is divided into two distinct camps when it comes to the third volume of The Ultimates: the “Dude! It’s Joe Mad!” contingent, and the “Oh, no! It’s Joe Mad!” contingent. When Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch ended their run on the series, Marvel was left in an awkward position. It could: a.) End a popular series; b.) Continue the series using an artist whose style is similar to Hitch’s (triggering frequent cries of “He’s not Hitch!”); or c.) Go with a popular artist whose style is the polar opposite of Hitch’s. Marvel, of course, went with “c.” Madureira and writer Jeph Loeb are still going to be compared to Hitch and Millar, but at least they won’t be viewed as imitators.

Asterix and the Vikings: The Book of the Film

Chris: According to this site, Asterix and the Vikings was a recent animated adaptation of the Asterix and the Normans book and also boasts the title of most expensive European animated film ever. Apparently Paul Giamatti and others provided an English dub version, but I don’t see any info on whether the film will be released in the US anytime soon. Anyway, here’s the book version of the movie.

BloodRayne: Red Blood Run #3 (of 3)

Kevin: It’s shameless self-promotion time again. I helped to edit this issue, which concludes this three-part miniseries and leads nicely into my upcoming one-shot. (Cough) Buy my book! (Cough)

Dramacon, Vol. 3

Kevin: Any week that sees another volume of Svetlana Chmakova’s Eisner- and Harvey- nominated series is a good one. You can read a preview on the Tokyopop website.

Owly, Vol. 4: Don’t Be Afraid

Chris: Oh, Owly, you of the big eyes, big heart and bizarrely mundane adventures, why am I so unmoved by your tales? And what do you eat, since you seem to make friends with worms, mice and other critters that would normally end up in your gullet? Doesn’t matter. Kids like you, so parents take note.

Warren Ellis’ Black Gas trade paperback:

Chris: Ellis’ zombiefest is collected into trade format.

Wet Moon, Vol. 3

Kevin: Ross Campbell returns with the third volume of his slice-of-life series, set in the Southern town of Wet Moon. I really enjoyed the first book, “Feeble Wanderings,” but I’ve somehow neglected to read the second.

Will Eisner’s City People Notebook
Will Eisner’s Invisible People
Will Eisner’s New York: The Big City
Will Eisner’s The Building

Chris: W.W. Norton dumps a ton of Eisner books onto unsuspecting comic buyers’ laps this week. Seriously, why didn’t they piecemeal this a book at a time to consider fans’ budgets a little better?

Wonton Soup

Kevin: If I remember correctly, James Stokoe’s graphic novel about a space-trucking chef originally was due out last spring. If you’re a fan Brandon Graham and Corey Lewis, this will probably be up your alley. I’d recommend that devotees of cooking manga take note, but the Futurama-esque ingredients may be a little, well, out there. A 39-page preview is available at the Oni Press website.

The Comics Journal #287
Following Cerebus #11

Chris: Man, TCJ comes out faster now than I have time to even peruse. The latest issue features interviews with Jeffrey Brown and Greg Rucka, plus some early George Herriman strips. If you’re one of those folks who hate the magazine for not including Dave Sim in their Top 100 roundup aeons ago, there’s always the latest edition of Following Cerebus.

Here’s the full list of comics shipping this week:

DARK HORSE COMICS

OCT070013 BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #9 $2.99
JUL070073 ELFQUEST BUST CUTTER $49.99
JUL070020 ESCAPISTS HC $19.95
OCT070015 LOBSTER JOHNSON IRON PROMETHEUS #4 (OF 5) $2.99
AUG070034 REX MUNDI VOL 4 CROWN & SWORD TP (MAY078268) $16.95
JUN070039 SIGNAL TO NOISE 2ND ED HC $24.95
AUG070156 XS HYBRID VOL 3 TP $10.95

DC COMICS

SEP078123 ACTION COMICS #858 2ND PTG $3.50
OCT070163 ALL NEW ATOM #18 $2.99
SEP070212 ALL NEW ATOM VOL 2 FUTURE PAST TP $14.99
SEP078121 BATMAN #670 2ND PTG $2.99
SEP070222 BATMAN SUPERMAN SAGA OF THE SUPER SONS TP $19.99
AUG070274 BRAVE AND THE BOLD VOL 1 LORDS OF LUCK HC $24.99
OCT070118 COUNTDOWN ARENA #1 (OF 4) $3.99
OCT070114 COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS 21 $2.99
SEP070254 DANGER GIRL BODY SHOTS TP $12.99
OCT070250 EXTERMINATORS #24 (MR) $2.99
SEP070240 GO GO HEAVEN VOL 4 $9.99
OCT070142 INFINITY INC #4 $2.99
MAY070268 IRON GIANT STATUE $150.00
OCT070181 JONAH HEX #26 $2.99
SEP070196 JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #15 $2.99
OCT070211 JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED #40 $2.25
OCT070174 JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #11 $2.99
OCT070216 LOONEY TUNES #157 $2.25
OCT070143 METAMORPHO YEAR ONE #5 (OF 6) $2.99
OCT070234 MIDNIGHTER #14 $2.99
OCT070241 NORTHLANDERS #1 (MR) $2.99
SEP070242 PIECES OF A SPIRAL VOL 10 $9.99
APR070288 POWER GIRL AND HUNTRESS LEGACY STATUE $195.00
SEP078138 ROBIN #168 2ND PTG (GHUL) $2.99
OCT070149 ROBIN #169 (GHUL) $2.99
SEP078122 ROBIN ANNUAL #7 2ND PTG $3.99
OCT070161 SUPERGIRL #24 $2.99
MAY070264 SUPERMAN S SHIELD NEON SIGN $395.00
OCT070260 VINYL UNDERGROUND #3 (MR) $2.99
OCT070237 WILDSTORM FINE ARTS SPOTLIGHT GEN 13 $3.50
MAY070250 WONDER WOMAN SER 1 AGENT DIANA PRINCE AF PI
MAY070249 WONDER WOMAN SER 1 CIRCE AF PI
MAY070252 WONDER WOMAN SER 1 DONNA TROY AF PI
MAY070251 WONDER WOMAN SER 1 WONDER WOMAN AF PI

IMAGE COMICS

SEP071979 BRAWL #2 (OF 3) (MR) $2.99
SEP071983 DYNAMO 5 #9 $2.99
OCT072008 FEARLESS #2 (OF 4) $2.99
SEP072037 HERO BY NIGHT VOL 1 HC $12.99
OCT071959 INFINITE HORIZON #1 (OF 6) $2.99
AUG072016 INVINCIBLE #47 $2.99
SEP072000 LAZARUS #2 (OF 3) $3.50
JUL071933 MADMAN AND THE ATOMICS VOL 1 TP $24.99
OCT071968 OVERMAN #1 (OF 5) (MR) $3.50
JUN071917 PVP #37 OTE PRICE) $3.50
AUG072034 SUBURBAN GLAMOUR #2 (OF 4) $3.50
OCT072024 SWORD #3 $2.99

MARVEL COMICS

OCT072084 ANNIHILATION CONQUEST #2 (OF 6) $2.99
SEP072183 AVENGERS INITIATIVE ANNUAL #1 SII $3.99
OCT072193 FANTASTIC FOUR VISIONARIES JOHN BYRNE TP VOL 08 $24.99
OCT072160 GIANT SIZE AVENGERS MISCHIEF PI
OCT072161 GIANT SIZE FANTASTIC FOUR COSMIC THREATS PI
OCT072159 GIANT SIZE SPIDER MAN FAMILY PI
OCT072162 GIANT SIZE SPIDER-MAN BACK IN BLACK PI
OCT072164 GIANT SIZE SPIDER-MAN CLASSICS POWER & RESPONSIBILITY PI
OCT072163 GIANT SIZE X-MEN FIRST CLASS NEW BEGINNINGS PI
OCT072096 HOUSE OF M AVENGERS #2 (OF 5) $2.99
OCT072098 HOWARD THE DUCK #3 (OF 4) $2.99
FEB072171 KABUKI #9 (MR) $2.99
FEB072173 KABUKI ALLRED VAR #9 (MR) $2.99
OCT072177 MARVEL ADVENT HULK TP VOL 01 MISUNDERSTOOD MONSTER DIGEST $6.99
OCT072110 MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN #34 $2.99
OCT072113 MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE #6 $4.99
SEP072257 MMW AMAZING SPIDER-MAN VOL 9 HC $54.99
SEP072258 MMW AMAZING SPIDER-MAN VOL 9 HC VAR ED 86 $54.99
OCT072118 MS MARVEL #22 $2.99
OCT072185 NEW EXCALIBUR TP VOL 03 BATTLE FOR ETERNITY $24.99
OCT072121 OMEGA UNKNOWN #3 (OF 10) $2.99
MAY072177 ORSON SCOTT CARDS WYRMS #6 (OF 6) $2.99
SEP072271 PUNISHER WAR JOURNAL VOL 2 GOIN OUT WEST PREM HC $24.99
OCT072125 SILVER SURFER IN THY NAME #2 (OF 4) $2.99
SEP072272 SILVER SURFER REQUIEM PREM HC $19.99
SEP072228 THE ORDER #5 $2.99
OCT072127 TWELVE #0 $2.99
SEP072175 ULTIMATE X-MEN #88 $2.99
SEP078109 ULTIMATES 3 #1 (OF 5) WHITE VAR $2.99
OCT072074 ULTIMATES 3 GATEFOLD HEROES VAR #1 (OF 5) $2.99
OCT072075 ULTIMATES 3 GATEFOLD VILLAINS VAR #1 (OF 5) $2.99
SEP078145 UNCANNY X-MEN #492 2ND PTG MC $2.99
OCT072133 UNCANNY X-MEN #493 MC $2.99
OCT072192 WHAT IF CLASSIC TP VOL 04 $24.99
OCT072131 WHAT IF X-MEN RISE & FALL OF SHI’AR EMPIRE $2.99
SEP072202 WORLD WAR HULK AFTERSMASH WWH $3.99
OCT072147 X-MEN DIE BY THE SWORD #4 (OF 5) $2.99

WIZARD ENTERTAINMENT

OCT073178 WIZARD MAGAZINE 2008 MOVIE SPECTACULAR (195B) $5.99

OTHER PUBLISHERS
SEP073769 30 DAYS OF NIGHT BEYOND BARROW #2 $3.99
OCT073779 99 #3 $2.99
AUG073522 AIR GEAR VOL 6 GN (MR) $10.95
SEP073976 ANIMA VOL 6 GN (OF 10) $9.99
AUG073970 ASTERIX AND THE VIKINGS BOOK OF THE FILM SC $14.95
SEP073977 ATELIER MARIE AND ELIE ZARLBURG ALCHEMIST VOL 2 GN (OF 5) $9.99
OCT073753 ATOMIC ROBO #3 (OF 6) $2.95
JUL073471 ATOMIK MIKE VOL 1 TP $15.99
SEP073985 BECK MONGOLIAN CHOP SQUAD VOL 10 GN (OF 19) (MR) $9.99
SEP073363 BETTY #170 $2.25
SEP073972 BIZENGHAST VOL 4 GN (OF 5) $9.99
SEP073407 BLACK SUMMER #4 (OF 7) (MR) $2.99
SEP073408 BLACK SUMMER WRAP CVR #4 (OF 7) (MR) $2.99
AUG073586 BLOODRAYNE RED BLOOD RUN CVR A #3 (OF 3) $3.99
AUG073587 BLOODRAYNE RED BLOOD RUN CVR B #3 (OF 3) $3.99
OCT073374 CALAVERA BEAUTIFUL & BLOODY NUDE CVR #1 (A) $5.95
MAY073395 CHUCKY PHOTO CVR B #4 (OF 4) (MR) $5.50
MAY073394 CHUCKY RITCHIE CVR A #4 (OF 4) (MR) $5.50
SEP073756 CLAWS COME OUT HC $19.99
SEP073587 CRAZY MARY TRINITY ONE SHOT $3.99
OCT073205 DANGERS DOZEN #1 (MR) $3.50
OCT073375 DEMI & VAMPIROONI NUDE CVR SGN ED #1 (A) $5.95
JUL073531 DF AMAZING SPIDER MAN #544 SGN $19.99
JUL073538 DF MARVEL ZOMBIES ARMY OF DARKNESS HC SGN $69.99
AUG073619 DF SPIDER-MAN BACK IN BLACK HC SGN $99.99
JUN073529 DF WOLVERINE ORIGINS SGN #16 $69.99
SEP073815 DISTANT #2 (OF 4) (MR) $2.99
SEP073454 DOMINION #3 (OF 5) (RES) $3.99
SEP073971 DRAMACON VOL 3 GN (OF 3) $9.99
SEP073725 DRUUNA X HC (O/A) (A) $14.95
SEP073988 FAERIES LANDING VOL 18 GN (OF 18) $9.99
SEP073722 FAVOLE HC VOL 01 STONE TEARS (MR) $14.95
SEP073723 FAVOLE HC VOL 02 SET ME FREE (MR) $14.95
SEP074112 FLASH GORDON STAR OVER ATLANTIS $25.00
SEP073989 FOOLS GOLD VOL 2 GN (OF 3) $9.99
AUG073655 FREE SEXXX #4 (A) $4.95
SEP073726 FROLLO HC (O/A) (A) $16.95
AUG073931 FURRLOUGH #177 $3.50
SEP073990 GENJU NO SEIZA VOL 5 GN (OF 13) (MR) $9.99
AUG073932 GENUS #86 (A) $3.50
AUG073559 GI JOE STORM SHADOW #6 $3.50
SEP073981 GIRLS BRAVO VOL 10 GN (OF 10) (MR) $9.99
SEP073991 GOOD WITCH O/T WEST VOL 5 GN (OF 6) $9.99
SEP073992 GRENADIER VOL 5 GN (OF 7) (MR) $9.99
AUG073718 HEAT GN (A) $19.95
SEP073993 HEAVEN VOL 2 GN (OF 3) (RES) $9.99
OCT073285 IRON & THE MAIDEN #0 $2.50
SEP073365 JUGHEAD AND FRIENDS DIGEST #25 $2.49
SEP073994 KAMIYADORI VOL 4 GN (OF 5) (MR) $9.99
SEP073995 LIFE VOL 7 GN (OF 14) (MR) $9.99
SEP073974 LOVE ATTACK VOL 1 GN (OF 7) $9.99
OCT073850 MAGICAL JXR TP VOL 01 $11.95
AUG073280 MEN OF MYSTERY DARING ADVENTURERS SPECIAL #1 $21.95
SEP073996 MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM ECOLE DU CIEL VOL 7 GN (OF 9) $9.99
AUG073483 MY LIFE AS A FOOT GN (MR) $15.00
AUG073513 NEW BATTLESTAR GALACTICA SEASON ZERO #4 $2.99
SEP073309 NIGHTMARES AND FAIRY TALES #21 (MR) $3.50
SEP073330 NINJA HIGH SCHOOL #155 $2.99
SEP073997 NOSATSU JUNKIE VOL 4 GN (OF 9) $9.99
SEP073998 ONE VOL 11 GN (OF 11) (RES) $9.99
AUG074028 OWLY TP VOL 04 DONT BE AFRAID $10.00
SEP073366 PALS N GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #117 $3.69
SEP073978 PEACE MAKER VOL 2 GN (OF 6) (MR) $9.99
OCT073778 PHONEY BALONEY PHONY ISLAND PHIASCO (MR) $3.50
AUG073644 POPEYE VOL 2 WELL BLOW ME DOWN HC $29.95
AUG073593 PS238 #28 $2.99
SEP074001 RAVE MASTER VOL 26 GN (OF 35) $9.99
OCT073519 REAR ENTRY #17 (A) $3.95
SEP074002 REBOUND VOL 18 GN (OF 18) $9.99
SEP073873 RESURRECTION #1 (MR) $3.50
OCT074007 ROBERT E HOWARD & TWO GUN BOB DRAWINGS BY JIM & RUTH KEEGAN $10.00
SEP074003 SAVER VOL 5 GN (OF 9) $9.99
SEP074042 SHONEN JUMP JAN 08 $4.99
SEP073979 SOMEDAYS DREAMERS SPELLBOUND VOL 4 GN (OF 5) $9.99
SEP073368 SONIC X #27 $2.25
SEP074005 STAND BY YOUTH VOL 2 GN (OF 5) (MR) $9.99
OCT073851 STREET FIGHTER III MANGA TP VOL 01 RYU FINAL (MAR078472) $12.95
OCT073410 SWORD OF RED SONJA DOOM O/T GODS #3 (MR) $3.50
SEP074006 TACTICS VOL 3 GN (OF 9) $9.99
OCT073372 TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE SIGNED ED #43 (MR) $10.00
SEP073466 TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE VOL 3 TP (O/A) (MR) $24.99
AUG073745 TRANSFORMERS PREMIERE EDITION VOL 1 HC $100.00
SEP074007 TSUKUYOMI MOON PHASE VOL 9 GN (OF 12) (MR) $9.99
SEP073461 TWO GUNS #4 (OF 4) (RES) $3.99
SEP073405 WARREN ELLIS BLACK GAS TP (MR) $19.99
SEP073982 WELCOME TO NHK VOL 5 GN (OF 7) (MR) $9.99
AUG073893 WET MOON VOL 3 GN $14.95
SEP074076 WILL EISNERS CITY PEOPLE NOTEBOOK SC $16.95
SEP074077 WILL EISNERS INVISIBLE PEOPLE SC $17.95
SEP074078 WILL EISNERS NEW YORK BIG CITY SC $17.95
SEP074075 WILL EISNERS THE BUILDING SC $16.95
SEP073878 WONTON SOUP GN (RES) (MR) $11.95
SEP074011 ZAPT VOL 3 GN (OF 3) $5.99
JUL073655 ZOMBIES VS ROBOTS VS AMAZONS #1 (OF 3) $3.99

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