Two weeks ago, there was an avalanche of notable releases. Last week, there wasn’t much to talk about.

So, what’s this week like? Eh, somewhere in the middle.

DC marks the 20th anniversary of Batman: The Killing Joke with a recolored hardcover edition, and introduces a new kid-friendly — and toy-friendly — title, Super Friends. At Marvel, Garth Ennis and Howard Chaykin reintroduce a character from the late ’60s in War Is Hell, while The Order sees its penultimate issue.

Elsewhere, NBM Publishing releases the first volume of Dungeon Monstres, by Sfar, Trondheim, Mazan and Menu, and Andi Watson brings his Princess at Midnight to Image.

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: Strangeways: Murder Moon

In the interest of full disclosure, let me first say that Strangeways writer Matt Maxwell is an online acquaintance, and that I have an unapologetic affection for werewolf folklore and the Old West.

Now that that’s out of the way … Maxwell and artist Luis Guaragna combine those two legends for a dark and moody tale of a Civil War veteran who travels to the American frontier, only to find himself under attack by the mythic creatures. What’s more, his friend is accused of being a werewolf, and the sheriff of the wonderfully named Silver Hand hides a dangerous secret.

I read the first issue of Strangeways more than two years ago, when it was destined to be released by the upstart Speakeasy Comics. But when the publisher collapsed, Maxwell shopped the book around before finally deciding to release it himself. I’m glad he did. The story is tense, atmospheric and, despite being set on the American frontier of the 19th century, incredibly claustrophobic — perfect for supernatural horror. A PDF preview can be found here.

Chris’ pick of the week: Phoenix, Vol. 12: Early Works

Don’t let the title fool you. This isn’t officially part of Osamu Tezuka’s century-spanning magnum opus. This is actually a collection of early short stories (real early — 1954-57) that hints at some of the same themes Tezuka would explore more fully in Phoenix. Despite that caveat, this is pure gold for serious Tezuka junkies like myself — a chance to see how the artist developed, both thematically and artistically. It’s not the place for newcomers, obviously (that would be Phoenix, Vol. 4), but it’s a good after-dinner mint.

Al Capp’s Complete Shmoo: The Comic Books

Chris: Now this is interesting. Apparently, the Shmoo character from Al Capp’s L’il Abner strip was so popular he spun off into his own series of comic books, all of which are collected in this lavish $50 hardcover from Dark Horse. It’s a select audience to be sure — I don’t doubt that even owners of the Kitchen Sink Abner series might think twice about this book — but I’m glad to see it out on the stands just the same.

Batman: The Killing Joke Special Edition Hardcover

Kevin: Alan Moore and Brian Bolland’s influential 1988 one-shot receives a new hardcover, completely recolored by Bolland, for its 20th anniversary. This new edition, which also features “An Innocent Guy” from Batman: Black and White, seems particularly well-timed considering that Christopher Nolan has cited this version of The Joker as inspiration for the character’s portrayal in Batman: The Dark Knight.

The Legion of Super-Heroes in the 31st Century, Vol. 1
Super Friends #1

Kevin: In a throwback to Kenner’s Super Powers action figures, Mattel launches a Super Friends line and DC rolls out a new kids’ title to support it. Or maybe it’s the other way around. In any case, this Johnny DC series will replace Justice League Unlimited, which ends in June.

And in another case of corporate synergy, DC collects the first six issues of The Legion of Super-Heroes in the 31st Century … just as the cartoon on which it’s based is officially canceled. Justice League Unlimited and Teen Titans Go! both marched on after their animated counterparts ended, so maybe there’s still a future for this title.

Princess at Midnight

Kevin: Cartoonist Andi Watson adapts and expands his all-ages fantasy that originally appeared in The Mammoth Book of Best New Manga, and turns it into a graphic novella. It’s a delightful story about a home-schooled girl who at night becomes Princess of Castle Waxing, where she leads a battle against the Horrible Horde.

Repo trade paperback

Kevin: Rick Spears and Rob G’s miniseries about futuristic repo agents gets collected.

Franklin Richards: Spring Break! #1

Kevin: If you’re in the market for child-appropriate comics, you could do far worse than Marc Sumerak and Chris Eliopoulos’ series of adventures starring Franklin Richards and his robot pal H.E.R.B.I.E.

The Immortal Iron Fist #13

Kevin: By now you probably realize I can’t allow a month to pass without singing the praises of The Immortal Iron Fist. That’s with good reason, though. I’m particularly excited this month, as focus returns to the main storyline: The tournament of the Immortal Weapons at the Heart of Heaven. Plus, Xao finally launches his attack against K’un-Lun.

The Order #9
Punisher War Journal, Vol. 2: Goin’ Out West

Chris: It’s a good week for Matt Fraction fans, as we see the next to last issue of his team book and a reasonably priced trade collection of his Frank Castle saga.

Thor #7

Kevin: I held off picking up this series, mostly because my reservations about J. Michael Straczynski outweighed my fondness for mythological characters (even when they’re clad in Spandex). You have to admit is recent superhero work has exactly inspired confidence, and the idea of plunking Asgard down in Oklahoma isn’t all that thrilling. But from most everything I’ve seen — save for the side trip to New Orleans — the relaunched Thor is actually pretty good. This issue in particular piques my interest, as well-regarded cover artist Marko Djurdjevic moves to interiors.

War Is Hell: First Flight of the Phantom Eagle #1 (of 5)

Kevin: This new MAX miniseries by Garth Ennis and Howard Chaykin tells the story of World War I aviator Karl Kaufman, who sets out to “fight and kill the Hun.” It’s an update of the character created in 1968 by Gary Friedrich and Herb Trimpe. I’m guessing the Ennis-Chaykin version will be a lot more violent than his Silver Age counterpart.

All We Ever Do Is Talk About Wood

Chris: One of those Drawn and Quarterly books that completely slip under the radar, Wood is a collection of “bitter” gag cartoons by one Tom Horacek, about whom I know nothing. The cover images shows a pair of melancholy beavers, if that helps you understand the title (and the book’s sense of humor) a bit better.

Dungeon Monstres, Vol. 1

Chris: I rarely like saying dull-witted stuff along the lines of “you can’t call yourself a (blank) fan if you don’t like (blank).” That being said, this is the sort of thing that is tailor-made for fantasy fans and would, in my mind, serve as a pretty good yardstick for measuring someone’s taste for the genre. This new collection features none other than L’Association publisher Jean-Christophe Menu and Mazan focusing on some of the supporting characters in the Dungeon world. Previews here.

Gakuen Alice, Vol. 2

Chris: Tokyopop was betting a lot on this series, about a young girl who enrolls at a magic school (shades of you-know-who), since it’s been such a huge success in Japan. It’ll be interesting to see how the succeeding volumes fare here in the U.S.

Maintenance, Vol. 2

Kevin: A second collection is out, and I still haven’t fulfilled by pledge to check out Jim Massey and Robbi Rodriguez’s science fiction-comedy.

Mineshaft #21

Chris: The latest issue in the ongoing fanzine devoted to underground comics and various things pertaining to them. This issue features a cover by Robert Crumb, Jay Lynch and Ed Piskor talking about Chester Gould, a look at the early days of Bill Griffith, art by Mary Fleener and Frank Stack, and much more.

New Tales of Old Palomar #3

Chris: Offered again through Fantagraphics is the third volume in Gilbert Hernandez’s Ignatz series. Don’t worry if you didn’t catch the first two — unlike some of the other Ignatz books, this doesn’t depend so heavily on the overarching storyline that new readers will feel lost.

Voltron Complete Omnibus hardcover

Chris: Unless this book comes complete with a blazing sword or can turn into a giant robot lion, I’m not interested.

With the Light, Vol. 2: Raising an Autistic Child

Chris: The title makes this manga series sound like some dreadful didactic “educational” comic, but actually it’s a heartwarming, insightful, really smart manga that manages to teach while involving you in the characters’ lives. It’s probably the vest book Yen Press has going right now and I really recommend it, whether you’ve got a serious interest in the subject matter or not.

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

DARK HORSE COMICS

NOV070050 AL CAPPS COMPLETE SHMOO HC THE COMIC BOOKS $49.95
NOV070056 BLOOD PLUS NOVEL VOL 01 FIRST KISS $8.95
JUL070072 CLASSIC COMIC BOOK CHARACTERS #8 GRENDEL $49.99
SEP070087 DIRTY PAIR STRIKES AGAIN NOVEL $8.95
NOV070040 FEAR AGENT #19 HATCHET JOB (PT 3 OF 5) $2.99
DEC070112 GLOOMY BEAR CAMO T/S LG (NOTE PRICE) $29.99
DEC070111 GLOOMY BEAR CAMO T/S MED (NOTE PRICE) $29.99
DEC070113 GLOOMY BEAR CAMO T/S XL (NOTE PRICE) $29.99
DEC070116 GLOOMY BEAR GREEN T/S LG (NOTE PRICE) $29.99
DEC070117 GLOOMY BEAR GREEN T/S XL (NOTE PRICE) $29.99
JAN080065 GRENDEL BEHOLD THE DEVIL #5 ( OF 8 ) $3.50
NOV070095 KOTOBUKIYA YODA VS PALPATINE SOFT VINYL MODEL KIT $175.00
NOV070043 LANKHMAR BOOK VOL 05 SWORDS OF LANKHMAR $12.95
NOV070071 LENORE PVC SET #2 $19.99
JUL070046 LEROY NEIMAN FEMLIN HC SLIPCASE (MR) $100.00
OCT070045 PREDATOR NOVEL VOL 01 TURNABOUT $6.99
JUN070063 SAVAGE SWORD COLLECTION BUST #1 CONAN $54.99

DC COMICS

JAN080245 100 BULLETS #89 (MR) $2.99
JAN080156 BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #5 $2.99
NOV070226 BATMAN THE KILLING JOKE SPECIAL ED HC $17.99
JAN080176 BIRDS OF PREY #116 $2.99
JAN080178 BRAVE AND THE BOLD #11 $2.99
JAN080168 CATWOMAN #77 $2.99
JAN080179 CHECKMATE #24 $2.99
JAN080142 COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS 6 $2.99
JAN080147 DEATH OF THE NEW GODS #7 ( OF 8 ) $3.50
JAN080233 EX MACHINA #35 (MR) $2.99
JAN080247 FABLES #71 (MR) $2.99
JAN080181 FLASH #238 $2.99
JAN088123 FREDDY VS JASON VS ASH #4 (OF 6) 2ND PTG $2.99
JAN080182 JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #19 $2.99
DEC070265 LEGION OF SUPER HEROES IN 31ST CENTURY TP VOL 01 $14.99
JAN080225 MAD CLASSICS #21 $4.99
JAN080224 MAD MAGAZINE #488 $4.99
DEC070313 MOON CHILD VOL 10 $9.99
DEC070314 MUSASHI #9 VOL 14 $9.99
DEC070249 OUTSIDERS FIVE OF A KIND TP $14.99
JAN080235 PROGRAMME #9 (OF 12) $2.99
JAN080164 ROBIN #172 $2.99
DEC070304 SANDMAN MYSTERY THEATRE TP VOL 06 HOURMAN AND PYTHON (MR) $19.99
JAN080223 SCOOBY DOO #130 $2.25
JAN080192 SHADOWPACT #23 $2.99
JAN080213 SUPER FRIENDS #1 $2.25
JAN080172 SUPERMAN BATMAN ANNUAL #2 $3.99
JAN080148 TANGENT SUPERMANS REIGN #1 (OF 12) $2.99
AUG070361 WOMEN OF THE DCU SERIES 2 STARFIRE BUST $49.99
DEC070316 YOUNG MAGICIAN VOL 11 (MR) $9.99

IMAGE COMICS

JAN082073 CIRCLE #5 $2.99
JAN082043 DARK IVORY #1 (OF 4) $2.99
OCT072012 INVINCIBLE #49 $2.99
DEC072067 LIBERTY MEADOWS 10TH ANNIVERSARY ED HC $24.99
MAR071868 MADAME MIRAGE GREG HORN LTD ED LITHOGRAPH $29.99
DEC072094 NEW WORLD ORDER #2 $3.50
DEC072061 PRINCESS AT MIDNIGHT GN $5.99
OCT072018 PVP #39 $3.50
JAN082059 REPO TP (MR) $15.99
OCT071971 SPAWN GODSLAYER #7 $1.99
JAN082087 SWORD #6 $2.99
JAN082099 WITCHBLADE #116 SEJIC CVR A $2.99
DEC078061 YOUNGBLOOD #1 2ND PTG (PP #801) $2.99

MARVEL COMICS

JAN082131 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #554 $2.99
JAN082134 AVENGERS CLASSIC #10 $2.99
JAN082139 CAPTAIN AMERICA #36 $2.99
DEC078193 CAPTAIN MARVEL #3 (OF 5) 2ND PTG VAR (PP #804) $2.99
DEC078127 CAPTAIN MARVEL #4 (OF 5) DODSON VAR SII (PP #803) $2.99
DEC072178 CAPTAIN MARVEL #4 (OF 5) SII $2.99
JAN082230 EARTH X TP TRILOGY COMPANION $29.99
JAN088033 FANTASTIC FOUR #554 2ND PTG HITCH VAR (PP #805) $2.99
NOV072196 FOOLKILLER #4 (OF 5) (MR) $3.99
JAN082145 FRANKLIN RICHARDS SPRING BREAK $2.99
JAN082147 GHOST RIDER #21 $2.99
NOV072142 IMMORTAL IRON FIST #13 $2.99
JAN082150 INCREDIBLE HERCULES #115 $2.99
JAN082154 IRON MAN #27 $2.99
JAN088032 LORDS OF AVALON SOD #1 (OF 6) 2ND PTG VAR $2.99
JAN082160 MARVEL ADVENTURES AVENGERS #22 $2.99
JAN082161 MARVEL ADVENTURES TWO-IN-ONE #9 $4.99
JAN082118 MARVEL ILLUSTRATED ILIAD #4 ( OF 8 ) $2.99
OCT072175 MIGHTY AVENGERS PREM HC VOL 01 ULTRON INITIATIVE $19.99
JAN082204 MMW CAPTAIN AMERICA HC VOL 04 $54.99
JAN082205 MMW CAPTAIN AMERICA HC VOL 04 VAR ED VOL 93 $54.99
DEC072277 MOON KNIGHT TP VOL 02 MIDNIGHT SUN $14.99
JAN082213 NEW AVENGERS PREM HC VOL 07 TRUST $24.99
JAN088047 NEW EXILES #2 2ND PTG GRUMMETT VAR (PP #805) $2.99
JAN082176 ORDER #9 $2.99
JAN082228 PUNISHER WAR JOURNAL TP VOL 02 GOIN OUT WEST $17.99
JAN082236 SECRET INVASION POSTER $7.99
JAN082222 SPIDER-MAN REIGN TP $14.99
DEC072216 THOR #7 $2.99
JAN088034 TWELVE #2 (OF 12) 2ND PTG WESTON VAR (PP #805) $2.99
DEC078168 ULTIMATES 3 #1 BLACK AND WHITE GATEFOLD VAR (PP #804) $2.99
JAN088035 UNCANNY X-MEN #495 2ND PTG CHOI VAR (PP #805) $2.99
JAN082195 WAR IS HELL FIRST FLIGHT PHANTOM EAGLE #1 (OF 5) (MR) $3.99
JAN088036 WOLVERINE #62 2ND PTG GARNEY VAR (PP #805) $2.99
JAN082191 WOLVERINE ORIGINS #23 $2.99
JAN082152 WORLD WAR HULK AFTERSMASH WARBOUND #4 (OF 5) $2.99
JAN088037 X-FACTOR #28 2ND PTG RAIMONDI VAR (PP #805) $2.99
JAN082223 X-FACTOR TP VOL 04 HEART OF ICE $17.99
JAN088038 X-FORCE #1 2ND PTG CRAIN VAR PP #805) $2.99

WIZARD ENTERTAINMENT

DEC073291 CAPT AMERICA #34 ALEX ROSS CGC 9.8 CVR PI
DEC073292 CAPT AMERICA #34 STEVE EPTING CGC 9.8 CVR PI
JAN083278 THOR #1 3RD PTG SGN TURNER SKETCH CVR PI
JAN083265 WIZARD ANIME INSIDER CODE GEASS CVR #55 $4.99
JAN083277 X-MEN MESSIAH COMPLEX #1 WWT SILVESTRI VAR SKETCH CGC 9.8 PI

OTHER PUBLISHERS

DEC073857 2000 AD #1575 $4.50
JAN083848 2000 AD #1576 $4.50
DEC073697 A G SUPER EROTIC ANTHOLOGY #77 (A) $4.99
JAN083856 AFTERBURN #2 $2.95
DEC074016 ALICE ON DEADLINES TP VOL 02 $10.99
NOV073525 ALL WE EVER DO IS TALK ABOUT WOOD GN (MR) $9.95
JAN083687 ANGEL AFTER THE FALL #5 $3.99
JAN083375 BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #159 $3.69
JAN083376 BETTY & VERONICA SPECTACULAR #82 $2.25
DEC073331 BIRTH GN $9.95
JUL073696 BLOOD ALONE VOL 4 GN $10.95
JAN083326 BOHDA TE #1 $3.50
JAN083284 BOY WHO MADE SILENCE #1 $3.99
DEC073999 CASE CLOSED GN VOL 22 $9.99
JAN083315 DANGERS DOZEN #3 $6.95
JAN083504 DARKNESS VS EVA #1 (OF 4) (MR) $3.50
JAN083593 DF 08 BIG BANG STARTER SET $20.08
DEC073818 DUNGEON MONSTRES TP VOL 01 $12.95
DEC073559 ES GN VOL 08 (MR) $10.95
JAN083695 EVERYBODYS DEAD #1 $3.99
DEC073891 FRUITS BASKET GN VOL 19 (OF 22) $9.99
DEC074001 FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST TP VOL 16 $9.99
JAN083699 FX #1 (OF 6) $3.99
DEC073560 GACHA GACHA NEXT REVOLUTION GN VOL 06 (MR) $12.95
DEC073892 GAKUEN ALICE GN VOL 02 (OF 14) $9.99
DEC073749 GENE SIMMONS ZIPPER #4 $3.99
JAN083697 GHOST WHISPERER #1 $3.99
DEC073378 GOBLIN CHRONICLES #1 (OF 3) CVR A $3.50
DEC073379 GOBLIN CHRONICLES #1 (OF 3) CVR B $3.50
JAN084008 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #25 (MR) $2.99
JAN084013 GRIMM FAIRY TALES PIPER #1 (OF 4) (MR) $2.99
NOV073497 HACK SLASH HC VOL 01 OMNIBUS $34.99
JAN083552 HACK SLASH SERIES #10 NAKAYAMA CVR B (MR) $3.50
JAN083551 HACK SLASH SERIES #10 SEELEY CVR A (MR) $3.50
DEC073554 HIGHLANDER LTD SGN ED HC VOL 01 PX CVR (RES) $29.99
DEC073553 HIGHLANDER LTD SGN ED HC VOL 01 REG CVR (RES) $29.99
OCT073409 HIGHLANDER TP VOL 02 DARK QUICKENING (MR) $14.99
DEC073882 HONOR BRIGADE #6 (OF 6) $2.95
JAN083282 HOPE FALLS #5 (OF 5) (MR) $3.50
DEC073943 JACK THE RIPPER GN $8.99
JAN083854 JUDGE DREDD MEGAZINE #269 $7.50
NOV073474 JUNGLE GIRL #5 PX ED $2.99
JAN083434 LOOKING FOR GROUP #3 $2.95
DEC073827 MAINTENANCE TP VOL 2 (MR) $9.95
DEC073640 MINESHAFT #21 (MR) $6.95
DEC073563 MY HEAVENLY HOCKEY CLUB GN VOL 04 $10.95
JAN083625 NEW TALES OF OLD PALOMAR #3 (O/A) $7.95
APR073831 NININ GA SHINOBUDEN VOL 3 GN (MR) $9.95
DEC073566 NODAME CANTABILE GN VOL 12 (MR) $10.95
JAN083821 NORTH WORLD GN VOL 01 $11.95
OCT073350 ODYSSEY PRESENTS CAMELOT #1 $3.50
DEC073944 OF SCENES & STORIES TP $24.99
NOV073479 PAINKILLER JANE TP VOL 02 THINGS EXPLODE (MR) $11.99
DEC074005 PHOENIX TP VOL 12 $14.99
DEC073567 PSYCHO BUSTERS GN VOL 02 $10.95
DEC073599 PUNKS THE SUMMER COMICS SP LTD SGN VAR (MR) $14.99
DEC073545 RED SONJA #31 $2.99
DEC073975 SHOJO BEAT APR 08 $5.99
JAN083449 SIMPSONS COMICS #140 $2.99
DEC073959 SNAKEWOMAN CURSE OF THE 68 #1 (OF 4) (MR) $2.99
JAN083283 STARSHIP TROOPERS #7 $3.50
JAN083670 STRANGEWAYS MURDER MOON GN $13.95
JAN083417 STREETS OF GLORY #1 (OF 6) AUXILIARY (MR) $3.99
DEC073570 SUZUKA GN VOL 07 (MR) $13.95
DEC073835 TALES FROM THE CRYPT #5 $3.95
JAN083788 TALES OF TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #44 $3.25
DEC073479 TIGER & CRANE #1 (OF 4) $3.99
JAN084001 VAGABOND TP VOL 27 (MR) $9.95
DEC073363 VAMPI VOL 2 UNDERWORLD TAINTED LOVE TP (O/A) (MR) $14.95
DEC073359 VAMPIRELLA QUARTERLY WINTER 2008 HALEY LTD ED $19.99
NOV073496 VOLTRON HC COMPLETE OMNIBUS $49.99
DEC073498 WARHAMMER 40K COVER GALLERY $3.99
DEC073499 WARHAMMER 40K COVER GALLERY IRONORC.COM ED $6.99
DEC073828 WASTELAND #15 (MR) $3.50
DEC074021 WITH THE LIGHT RAISING AUTISTIC CHILD GN VOL 02 $14.99
DEC074015 YAOI ANTHOLOGY OF BOYS LOVE GN VOL 02 (MR) $12.95

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