It’s still Tuesday, right? Then welcome to a special late edition of “Can’t Wait for Wednesday,” brought to you by an unexpected Wordpress update!

So, what does this New Comics Day hold for you? How about the long-awaited Hellboy: The Companion which, with Hellboy, Vol. 8: Darkness Calls, hits at the right time to take advantage of any movie interest. Not to be outdone, Marvel continues its Incredible Hulk rollout with a John Byrne Visionaries and a hefty omnibus.

Also Dash Shaw’s much-anticipated Bottomless Belly Button debuts while Brian Azzarello and Marcelo Frusin’s Vertigo Western Loveless bows out.

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: Incredible Hercules #117

When I was a kid, I bought a bunch of tattered and definitely not near-mint comics at a local flea market, and was introduced to an assortment of mid-’70s Mighty Thor, a couple of which featured the God of Thunder interacting with the Greek and Egyptian pantheons — or at least their Marvel Universe counterparts. I loved classic mythology, so the idea of these unrelated gods existing in the same world fascinated me.

It still does, to some extent, which brings me (at last!) to Incredible Hercules #117. Fearing that a successful Skrull invasion could see the Earth deities supplanted by those of the aliens, Athena asks the many pantheons to assemble their force to kill Kly’bn (Eternal Skrull) and Sl’gur’t (The Infinite Names). Even better, the Hercules-led God Squad includes the champion of the Gods of the North: Snowbird, from one of my childhood-favorite series, John Byrne’s Alpha Flight.

It’s nostalgia overload! If this is half as entertaining as it sounds, Incredible Hercules could become my new-favorite superhero series.

Chris’ pick of the week: Explainers hardcover

Jules Feiffer didn’t have too many overt imitators, but all the same one underestimates his influence at their own risk. At a time when no one thought of creating a comic strip that dealt exclusively with adult concerns and fears, Feiffer dared to express and ridicule the anxiety of the button-down era with considerable aplomb. This new, handsome volume, the first of a projected four, collects the first ten years of Feiffer’s strips for The Village Voice. I’d say how surprisingly well it is that these strips hold up considering their age, but really, is it truly that surprising?

Hellboy: The Companion

Kevin: After much delay, Dark Horse wheels out this 200-page illustrated guide to the Hellboy universe, complete with a timeline and a handful of new drawings by Mike Mignola. It’s arrival now is well-timed, considering that Hellboy II: The Golden Army opens in theaters on July 11.

Hellboy, Vol. 8: Darkness Calls

Kevin: This collaboration between Mike Mignola and Duncan Fegredo is among my favorite recent Hellboy series. This trade paperback collects the six-issue miniseries, and adds two new epilogues — one drawn by Mignola, the other by Fegredo.

Indiana Jones the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull trade paperback

Chris: Spoilers!

Casey Blue: Beyond Tomorrow #1 (of 6)

Kevin: I like a fair amount of B. Clay Moore’s work — Hawaiian Dick, for example — but I’ve become pessimistic about Wildstorm. Ex Machina (perhaps) aside, the imprint hasn’t been particularly kind to books that aren’t based on TV shows, movies and video games. Heck, some of those haven’t even fared well. (I’m looking at you, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th and Texas Chainsaw Massacre.) Hopefully, Casey Blue — about a high-school student who may be the key to saving Earth from an alien invasion — will have better luck.

Checkmate #26

Kevin: Bruce Jones and Manuel Garcia take over following Greg Rucka (with Eric Trautmann) and Joe Bennett’s well-liked, but low-selling, 25-issue run. I have to wonder how much longer this series will go on.

DC Special: Cyborg #1 (of 6)

Kevin: This, and the previous Raven mini, remind me of the Teen Titans Spotlight series from the mid- to late ’80s, the tail end of the franchise’s heyday. Between the solo showcases, the new Judd Winick-penned Titans, and the regular title, it seems as if DC is trying to return the brand to its former glory. I’m not sure this is the way to do it, though.

Loveless #24

Kevin: The often dark and always unflinching Western by Brian Azzarello, Marcelo Frusin and, later, Danijel Zezelj rides into the sunset. Wow, I’m gloomy this week, aren’t I?

Swan, Vol. 13

Chris: Ariyoshi Kyoko’s shojo series is conventional in terms of character development and soap opera. Damn though if it doesn’t kick the ass of just about every other comic on the stands today in terms of layout and composition. Jaw-dropping I tell you.

Godland #23

Chris: The fate of Neela Archer is revealed. I think.

Hulk: World War Hulk — Incredible Herc

Kevin: One of the more awkwardly named, and punctuated, trade paperbacks collects Incredible Hulk #106-111, just before the title switched over to Incredible Hercules. So, I’m not sure why it’s called “Incredible Herc.”

Hulk Visionaries: John Byrne, Vol. 1

Kevin: Speaking of John Byrne and Alpha Flight, I remember well, if not necessarily fondly, when in 1985 he swapped titles with Bill Mantlo, who was then writing The Incredible Hulk. Bruce Banner, separated from the Hulk and sporting the unfortunate proto-Johnny Storm haircut from Byrne’s second FF run, now headed the high-tech Hulkbusters against a bestial Green Goliath. And Doc Samson, sporting Sue Richards’ unfortunate haircut and wearing a Michael Jackson-esque red outfit, was doing … something. I don’t know, my memory’s a little foggy after two decades. But I do recall being very excited. It didn’t last long, though, as a disagreement between Byrne and editor-in-chief Jim Shooter led to Byrne leaving the title after just six issues. This “Vol. 1″ collects those six issues — The Incredible Hulk #314-319 — plus Annual #14 (script by Byrne, art by Sal Buscema), and Marvel Fanfare #29.

The Incredible Hulk Omnibus, Vol. 1, hardcover

Kevin: Don’t quote me, but I think there’s an Incredible Hulk movie coming out. With a $100 price tag, this hardcover isn’t likely to appeal to the casual Hulk fan, but it could be a nice gift for the devotee. It collects classic stories The Incredible Hulk #1-6, Tales to Astonish #59-101, and The Incredible Hulk #102.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Vol. 1, premiere hardcover

Kevin: Considering that part of the appeal of the post-”One More Day” Amazing Spider-Man is its thrice-monthly release, I wonder how much of an audience there is for the hardcover collection. (That is part of the appeal, isn’t it? I mean, why else do it?) Maybe it’s for readers who held out to hear whether “Brand New Day” would be any good. But does the sit-and-wait crowd go for the $25 hardcover?

The Bottomless Belly Button

Chris: A 700-plus page drama about a dysfunctional family reunion. Plus, a boy who seems to have a frog’s head. Courtesy of Fantagraphics and Dash Shaw. Lots of shifts in tone and style. Could be considered “experimental.” Could also be the book that pushes Shaw into the ranks of “A-list” creators. Probably will be.

Comic Arf

Chris: The highlight of this latest Craig Yoe anthology is easily the collection of deliberately unfinished Milt Gross gag strips with the final panels drawn by a veritable who’s who of cartooning, including R. Crumb, Mort Walker, Jules Feiffer, Peter Bagge, Ivan Brunetti, Art Spiegelman and on and on. How does Yoe know all these people? Also: tributes to Walt Kelly, Gardner Rea, Bob Powell and more. Great stuff, all of it.

Hank Ketcham’s Complete Dennis the Menace, 1951-1952 softcover

Chris: A paperback edition of the first volume of Fantagraphics’ Dennis collection. $20 (after taxes) is a pretty good deal for this sort of package.

Haridama: Magic Cram School, Vol. 1

Kevin: I have this one-shot, by Atsushi Suzumi (Venus vs. Virus) sitting on my desk, but I haven’t had a chance to do more than flip through it. I can say, though, that the art looks great, and the story seems action-packed. Beyond that, I have to rely on Del Rey’s description: “Kokuyo and Harika are a little unusual - and not just because they’re sorcery students. They’re Obsidians, wizards who must use enchanted swords to help them cast spells. Their fellow students think Obsidians are inferior to ‘normal’ wizards. But Kokuyo and Harika have something that their cohorts don’t: the power of friendship!”

McSweeney’s, Vol. 27, hardcover

Chris: This would at first gland fall under the “not comics” heading, except for the fact that one third of this three volume set is a never-before-seen, 72-page sketchbook by Art Spiegelman. Also, for all you prose fans, there’s a new story by Stephen King.

Mushishi, Vol. 4

Kevin: I’ve recommended Yuki Urushibara’s moody supernatural drama before, and I’ll continue to do so until everyone is reading it.

Skim

Kevin: I’ve not read this debut graphic novel, by cousins Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki, but I’ve seen a lot of good things about it. Skim is a coming-of-age story about Kimberly Keiko Cameron, a goth in an all-girls school who starts a secret romance with her English teacher, Ms. Archer, while coping with the suicide of a classmate’s boyfriend. You can read a preview here.

Rebel Visions: The Underground Comix Revolution, 1963-1975

Chris: A softcover version of Patrick Rosenkranz’s seminal history of the underground comics movement of the 1960s and early ’70s. Now with lots more illustrations and photographs. If you’re interested at all in this period, it’s a pretty comprehensive book. Fantagraphics has an impressive preview section on their site with sample pages, Rosenkranz’s introduction and even some video and audio clips here.

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

DARK HORSE COMICS

MAR080080 DOMO 8 INCH FLOCKED VINYL FIGURE CLASSIC BROWN $39.99
MAR080081 DOMO 8 INCH FLOCKED VINYL FIGURE FABULOUS FUCHSIA $39.99
MAR080083 DOMO 8 INCH FLOCKED VINYL FIGURE POLAR WHITE $39.99
MAR080082 DOMO 8 INCH FLOCKED VINYL FIGURE ROYAL BLUE $39.99
FEB080097 END LEAGUE #3 $2.99
MAR080030 GRENDEL BEHOLD THE DEVIL #7 ( OF 8 ) $3.50
DEC070065 GRENDEL DEVIL CHILD HC $14.95
OCT070037 GRENDEL HC DEVIL QUEST $14.95
JAN080088 HELLBOY COMPANION TP (RES) $14.95
JAN080090 HELLBOY TP VOL 08 DARKNESS CALLS $19.95
MAR080024 INDIANA JONES & KINGDOM O/T CRYSTAL SKULL #1 FLEMING CVR $5.99
MAR080025 INDIANA JONES & KINGDOM O/T CRYSTAL SKULL #1 STRUZAN CVR $5.99
JAN080049 INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM O/T CRYSTAL SKULL TP $12.95
JAN080104 KOTOBUKIYA BOBA FETT VERSION 2 VINYL MODEL KIT $125.00
MAR080069 PIGEONS FROM HELL #2 (OF 4) $2.99
MAR080074 STAR WARS LEGACY #24 $2.99

DC COMICS

MAR080139 BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #7 $2.99
FEB080249 BATMAN VS TWO FACE TP $19.99
MAR080163 BIRDS OF PREY #118 $2.99
OCT070276 BIZARRO 13 INCH COLLECTOR FIGURE $69.99
MAR080164 BRAVE AND THE BOLD #13 $2.99
MAR080208 CASEY BLUE BEYOND TOMORROW #1 (OF 6) $2.99
MAR080152 CATWOMAN #79 $2.99
MAR080165 CHECKMATE #26 $2.99
FEB080182 COUNTDOWN TO MYSTERY #8 ( OF 8 ) $3.99
MAR080135 DC SPECIAL CYBORG #1 (OF 5) $2.99
MAR080137 DC WILDSTORM DREAMWAR #2 (OF 6) $2.99
FEB080312 DOKKOIDA VOL 02 $9.99
MAR080170 FLASH #240 $2.99
MAR080232 HELLBLAZER #244 (MR) $2.99
MAR080172 JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #21 $2.99
FEB080227 JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #15 $2.99
FEB080301 LOVELESS #24 (MR) $2.99
MAR080214 PROGRAMME #11 (OF 12) $2.99
MAR080151 ROBIN #174 $2.99
MAR080235 SCALPED #17 (MR) $2.99
MAR080206 SCOOBY DOO #132 $2.25
FEB080257 SHOWCASE PRESENTS GREEN LANTERN TP VOL 03 $16.99
MAR080180 SPIRIT #17 $2.99
MAR080196 SUPER FRIENDS #3 $2.25
MAR080159 SUPERMAN BATMAN #48 $2.99
JAN080204 SUPERMAN ESCAPE FROM BIZARRO WORLD HC $24.99
FEB080310 SWAN VOL 13 $9.99
MAR080126 TANGENT SUPERMANS REIGN #3 (OF 12) $2.99
FEB080308 TWO FLOWERS FOR THE DRAGON VOL 01 $9.99
FEB080311 VENUS IN LOVE VOL 03 $9.99
MAR080219 WORLD OF WARCRAFT #7 $2.99

IMAGE COMICS

MAR082063 BOMB QUEEN V #1 (OF 6) (MR) $3.50
MAR082091 DARK IVORY #2 (OF 4) $2.99
FEB082151 DYNAMO 5 #13 $3.50
FEB082153 GODLAND #23 $2.99
FEB082154 GUTWRENCHER #3 (OF 3) $3.50
DEC072090 HAWAIIAN DICK #4 $2.99
FEB082124 INVINCIBLE UNIVERSE PRIMER #1 $5.99
NOV072078 MADAME MIRAGE #6 $2.99
MAR082104 PERHAPANAUTS #2 $3.50
MAR082121 PILOT SEASON TWILIGHT GUARDIAN $3.99
NOV072056 SPAWN #178 $2.95
OCT071973 TIM SALE BLACK & WHITE HC $39.99
FEB082110 WALKING DEAD SPECIAL ED #1 (MR) $3.99

MARVEL COMICS

MAR082159 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #560 $2.99
MAR082163 AMERICAN DREAM #2 (OF 5) $2.99
MAR082166 AVENGERS CLASSIC #12 $3.99
MAR082164 AVENGERS INITIATIVE #13 $2.99
FEB088168 AVENGERS INITIATIVE #13 SKRULLY VAR (PP #814) $2.99
FEB082217 BLACK PANTHER #36 $2.99
MAR082173 CAPTAIN AMERICA #38 $2.99
FEB088173 CAPTAIN MARVEL MS MARVEL SI INFILTRATION $4.99
MAR082175 FANTASTIC FOUR #557 $2.99
MAR082179 GHOST RIDER #23 $2.99
MAR082273 HULK VISIONARIES JOHN BYRNE TP VOL 01 $24.99
MAR082266 HULK WWH TP INCREDIBLE HERC $14.99
MAR082211 INCREDIBLE HERCULES #117 SI $2.99
DEC072239 INCREDIBLE HULK OMNIBUS HC ROSS VAR VOL 01 $99.99
DEC072238 INCREDIBLE HULK OMNIBUS HC VOL 01 $99.99
MAR082189 IRON MAN DIRECTOR OF SHIELD #29 $2.99
MAR082197 MARVEL ADVENTURES AVENGERS #24 $2.99
MAR082263 MARVEL ADVENTURES FANTASTIC FOUR TP VOL 08 DIGEST $7.99
MAR082199 MARVEL ADVENTURES TWO-IN-ONE #11 $4.99
MAR082148 MARVEL ILLUSTRATED ILIAD #6 ( OF 8 ) $2.99
MAR082207 MIGHTY AVENGERS #14 SI $2.99
MAR082252 MMW MIGHTY THOR HC VOL 07 $54.99
MAR082253 MMW MIGHTY THOR HC VOL 07 VAR ED VOL 96 $54.99
MAR082256 SPIDER-MAN PREM HC VOL 01 BRAND NEW DAY $24.99
MAR082152 ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR #54 $2.99
MAR082155 ULTIMATE X-MEN #94 $2.99
MAR082249 WAR IS HELL FIRST FLIGHT PHANTOM EAGLE MAX #3 (OF 5) (MR) $3.99
MAR082240 WOLVERINE ORIGINS #25 $3.99
FEB088172 WOLVERINE ORIGINS #25 SKRULLY VAR (PP #814) $3.99
MAR082227 X-FACTOR #31 DWS $2.99
MAR082245 X-MEN DIVIDED WE STAND #2 (OF 2) $3.99

WIZARD ENTERTAINMENT

MAR083362 SECRET INVASION #1 CGC 9.8 PI
MAR083352 WIZARD ANIME INSIDER #57 DEATH NOTE CVR $4.99

OTHER PUBLISHERS

MAR084106 1001 ARABIAN NIGHTS ADVENTURES OF SINBAD #1 (MR) $2.99
FEB084155 11TH CAT GN VOL 05 (RES) $10.99
FEB083984 2000 AD #1584 $4.50
FEB083795 A G SUPER EROTIC ANTHOLOGY #81 (A) $4.99
MAR083935 AFTERBURN #3 $2.95
MAR083777 ANGEL AFTER THE FALL DIRECTORS CUT #1 $5.99
APR083592 ANNA MERCURY #1 (OF 5) AUXILIARY ED (MR) $3.99
APR083587 ANNA MERCURY PREPARE FOR LAUNCH SIGNED ED (MR) $4.99
MAR083441 ARCHIE DIGEST #244 $2.49
MAR083444 BETTY & VERONICA SPECTACULAR #83 $2.25
MAR083712 BOTTOMLESS BELLY BUTTON SC $29.99
MAR083363 BOY WHO MADE SILENCE #3 $3.50
MAR083364 BREATHE HC $19.95
FEB083630 BROTHERS IN ARMS #1 $3.99
MAR083434 BURN #1 (OF 6) $0.99
FEB084143 CASE CLOSED GN VOL 23 $9.99
FEB083744 COMIC ARF SC $19.99
MAR083811 CSI DEMON HOUSE TP NEW PTG $11.99
MAR083812 CSI DOMINOS TP NEW PTG $11.99
FEB083942 DAMNED PRODIGAL SONS #2 (OF 3) $3.50
JAN083941 DARING STUDENTS ASSOCIATION GN VOL 01 $11.95
MAR083685 DARK EDGE VOL 1-6 SET (OCT078591) $44.95
MAR083366 DARK MISTS COLL ED TP (O/A) (MR) $14.95
MAR083765 DEAD SHE SAID #1 $3.99
MAR083463 DOKTOR SLEEPLESS MANUAL #1 (MR) $3.99
MAR083464 DOKTOR SLEEPLESS MANUAL #1 WRAP CVR (MR) $3.99
JAN083549 DRAFTED TP VOL 01 $18.99
JAN083426 DRAGON CROSS #5 (MR) $3.25
APR083527 EIKEN VOL 10 (MR) $10.99
MAR083716 EXPLAINERS HC (RES) $28.99
FEB083584 FALL OF CTHULHU #12 CVR A $3.99
FEB083585 FALL OF CTHULHU #12 CVR B $3.99
MAR083806 FINDING PEACE TP $14.99
APR083529 FUJOSHI RUMI GN VOL 02 (O/A) (MR) $11.99
FEB083913 GABRIEL #1 $3.99
DEC073341 GARGOYLES BAD GUYS #3 $3.50
JAN083553 GOLDEN AGE SHEENA BEST OF QUEEN O/T JUNGLE TP VOL 01 $18.99
FEB083941 GOOD & EVIL #2 ABRAHAM $2.99
APR083601 GRAVEL #0 AUXILIARY ED (MR) $1.99
JAN084010 GRIMM FAIRY TALES TP VOL 03 (MR) $15.99
FEB088160 HALLOWEEN NIGHTDANCE #1 2ND PTG (PP #813) $3.50
FEB088161 HALLOWEEN NIGHTDANCE #2 2ND PTG (PP #813) $3.50
FEB083747 HANK KETCHAMS COMPLETE DENNIS THE MENACE 1951-1952 SC $18.99
MAR083617 HARIDAMA MAGIC CRAM SCHOOL GN VOL 01 $10.95
FEB084156 HEAVENLY EXECUTIONER CHIWOO GN VOL 04 (RES) $10.99
MAR083770 IGOR MOVIE PREQUEL #1 $3.99
FEB083620 IRS TP VOL 01 TAXING TRAILS $19.95
MAR083613 JIM BUTCHERS DRESDEN FILES #2 (OF 4) WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE $3.99
FEB083986 JUDGE DREDD MEGAZINE #271 $7.50
FEB084146 KEKKAISHI GN VOL 13 $9.99
MAR083855 KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE #139 $4.99
MAR083620 MAMOTTE LOLLIPOP GN VOL 06 $10.95
FEB088093 MCSWEENEYS HC VOL 27 (PP #811) $24.00
APR084011 MOSTLY TRUE THE STORY OF BOZO TEXINO $6.95
MAR083623 MUSHISHI GN VOL 04 (MR) $12.95
APR084165 NEAL ADAMS MONSTERS SC (O/A) $12.95
FEB083444 NINJA HIGH SCHOOL #160 $2.99
JAN083428 OMEGA ONE #3 (MR) $3.25
MAR083949 PENDRAGON GN MERCHANT OF DEATH $9.99
MAR083809 PRISONER OF THE STARS TP $14.99
MAR084035 PROJECT KALKI #1 (OF 4) (MR) $2.99
MAR083625 PSYCHO BUSTERS GN VOL 03 $10.95
JAN083617 REBEL VISIONS UNDERGROUND COMIX REVOLUTION SC (RES) $34.99
JAN083973 RUROUNI KENSHIN VIZBIG ED GN VOL 02 (OF 9) $17.99
OCT073443 SHEENA QUEEN OF THE JUNGLE TP VOL 01 $18.99
FEB084115 SHOJO BEAT JUNE 08 $5.99
MAR083628 SHUGO CHARA GN VOL 04 $10.95
MAR083532 SIMPSONS COMICS #142 $2.99
MAR083753 SKIM GN $18.95
MAR083950 SOZINS COMET GN THE LAST BATTLE (AVATAR) $5.99
FEB084085 STAR PROJECT CHIRO GN VOL 03 $11.95
MAR083767 STAR TREK ASSIGNMENT EARTH #1 $3.99
MAR083365 STARSHIP TROOPERS TP VOL 03 DAMAGED JUSTICE $14.95
FEB084159 SUNDOME GN VOL 02 (MR) $12.99
MAR083769 TANK GIRL VISIONS OF BOOGA #1 $3.99
JAN083430 TEMPEST #5 (MR) $3.25
MAR083376 TERRY MOORES ECHO #3 $3.50
JAN083432 TOTEM #5 (MR) $3.25
MAR083629 YOZAKURA QUARTET GN VOL 02 $10.95
MAR083772 ZOMBIES HUNTERS #1 $3.99

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 20th, 2008 at 7:19 pm and is filed under Books, Can't Wait for Wednesday, Comic Books, Comic Strips, Graphic Novels, Manga, Retailers. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.