All right, so typically this is the part where I’d tell you about all the nifty books coming out tomorrow at a local comic shop near you. The problem is, I’m not exactly sure what books are going to be coming out at a local comic shop near you. If you live in Cincinnati, Austin, Boston, Atlanta, Hershey or anywhere else not on the freakin’ West Coast, you’re golden … you can check out the Diamond shipping lists and do the comic book happy dance. Those of us out west? We’re apparently screwed.

Oh well. Chances are our weather is better than yours … heck, chances are our weather is always better than yours. Except maybe Florida. They have it all.

So, in lieu of my usual bit, I thought I’d share the exchange this week between Lisa Fortuner and Tom Bondurant about Lisa’s pick of the week. I emailed the group this week asking for submissions, and here’s how things went:

JK: Please send me your pick of the week!

Lisa: You have to even ask on a week with All-Star Superman coming out?

Tom: Well, Manhunter #27 is also shipping …

Lisa: It’s good, but its like a block of jello placed next to chocolate mousse when coming out the same day as All-Star Superman #6.

Tom: But … there’s always room for Jell-O!

They’ll be here all week, folks. Try the veal.

Now that we know where Lisa’s tastes are, let’s here from the rest of the group …

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It’s the last week of 2006, making this the last Can’t Wait for Wednesday for the year. It’s also the one-year anniversary of this feature, which started back during our Great Curve days. Remember that time when Monday was a holiday, and we had to change the name to Can’t Wait for Thursday? Ah, memories.

This week is a pretty heavy one for comics; even though there aren’t a lot of new or “event” comics dropping this week, there are a lot of solid reads coming your way on Thursday. Marvel manages to sneak in a couple of Civil War tie-ins with Black Panther and the Winter Soldier one-shot. The latter is written by Ed Brubaker, so it should be worth checking out if you’re a fan of Cap. We’ve also got new issues of Astonishing X-Men, Daredevil, Iron Fist and Nextwave coming from the House of Ideas.

DC, meanwhile, offers up another issue of Boys, the second Crossing Midnight (which I enjoyed a lot more than I thought I would), Justice League and what’s becoming one of my favorite titles, Jack of Fables. Speaking of favorites, there are also new issues of Usagi Yojimbo and Gumby due on Thursday, as well as the long-delayed second issue of Wolfskin from Avatar. Keep an eye out for a new Love & Rockets, the second Public Enemy comic and the Cyberforce/X-Men crossover, if that’s what you’re into.

Now let’s see what my cohorts are into this week …

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‘Twas the week before Christmas and all through the blog,
Everything was working like a well-oiled cog,
Then JK received an email from Chris that would say
He needed a replacement for Can’t Wait for Wednesday!

On Fables, on Criminal, on Wasteland, on Bomb Queen … we’re smack dab in the middle of the holidays, and what do the comic companies give us this week? Lots and lots of great new comics. Dark Horse gives us another issue of the Tim Truman-written Conan, along with a new Criminal Macabre mini. DC wraps up Secret Six and A Man Called Kev, while Marvel drops a few more Civil War titles into our midst (and She-Hulk!) We’ve also got a new Pirates of Coney Island, Seven Brothers, Ursa Minors, a new Mome, Maintenance (my pick from last week) and a ton of other stuff … can you tell it’s the week before Christmas and one of the last opportunities for publishers to get their stuff out before the calendar flips?

And if you are still looking for gifts, a lot of trades and hardcovers are coming out Wednesday, like the Busiek-written Aquaman, more Fables, Black Coat, Deadworld, Daredevil:Father, Thor:Blood Oath, the Miller/Claremont Wolverine and many more.

Now let’s see what Santa’s elves will be reading behind the bleachers when they should be finishing up the toys …

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Everything old is new again, as this week brings us not only the return of Sandman Mystery Theater, but also a brand new Spirit comic. Heck, even Wonder Man’s getting a second chance at solo greatness. It’s all the same … only the names will change …

So let’s hear what the Blog@ folks are rockin’ out to this week …

Lisa Fortuner’s Pick of the Week

Spirit #1 Hard to imagine that anyone alive could possibly get it right, but this is Darwyn Cooke. It’s worth a look.

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Chris Hunter’s going to be MIA for the next couple of weeks, so consider me the Kyle Rayner to his Hal Jordan … although I originally did Can’t Wait for Wednesdays, so maybe I’m Hal Jordan, he’s Kyle Rayner, and I’m coming back to the fold while he goes off and plays Ion. At any rate, it’s Can’t Wait for Wednesday, our weekly look at what to watch for in comic shops. Rebirthed, if you will.

And what a week it is to fill in, as we’ve got all kinds of good stuff hitting stores on Wednesday. From the House of Ideas comes Warren Ellis’s take on the New Universe, newuniversal; with Ellis at the helm, this go round is worth checking out. We’ve also got the first issues of Spider-Man:Reign and the Ultimate Vision mini-series, the third issues of the excellent Dr. Strange mini and Kirkman’s take on Ant Man, and the yearly Marvel Holiday Special.

And that’s just on the Marvel side. Meanwhile, DC brings us the latest rendition of the Justice Society, the triumphant return of Manhunter (*cough, cough* buythisbook *cough, cough*), Batman Confidential and what could be a sleeper sensation, Gail Simone’s Tranquility. Image brings us Meltdown #1, the second Nightly News and a new Walking Dead. There’s also a new Mouse Guard, a Sachs & Violens trade and New Tales Of Old Palomar Vol. 1.

Now let’s say hello to a few of my little friends …

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Look, I know tht there are a lot of you really looking forward to Onslaught: Reborn #1 this week, but hold on to your pants. There are actually some good books coming out this week that you may want to know about!

Mike Carey’s Crossing Midnight #1 debuts this week. Loeb and Cooke’s Batman/The Spirit hits shelves this week and I’m rather sure it will be a better read than what Loeb is doing on Onslaught: Reborn #1, so you may want to check it out. Who’s getting Guy Gardner: Collateral Damage #1?

Was I the only one to overlook the new Art of Brian Bolland hardcover from Image this week? Now I’m seriously wishing that I had a second job… Spawn has reached #162 and, truth be told, I’m surprised people still buy that book.

Marvel will be making many fans happy with the release of The Immortal Iron Fist #1 by fan faves Ed Brubaker and Matt Fraction. Heck, I might just check it out. But let me tell you what will not be on my pick list this week: ONSLAUGHT: REBORN #1!! Nextwave: Agents of H.A.T.E. is still going strong, but even though it will come back, I’m going to hate to see it go. It just won’t be the same. Sigh.

Gang, tell us what’s on the list!

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There is no other way to open this post than to simply say … HAPPY THANKSGIVING! It’s another great week of comics with my second most favorite holiday to boot! I hope that this week, of all weeks in the year, rewards you with some comics that you simply can’t wait to read. Let’s see what the Blog@ gang are looking forward to this week!

Lisa Fortuner’s Pick Of The Week

I am willing to stop at the comics store on the way to the airport and possibly miss my flight and my Thanksgiving Dinner to get Wonder Woman #3.

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Ever had one of those weeks where things just don’t seem to fall into place like they should? That would be me this week. But I have to tell you, Wednesday seems like it will be the day that changes all of that for me. This week, I’ll be picking up (if they all ship…ahem!) Invincible #36, The Walking Dead #32, Astonishing X-Men #18, Civil War #5, Iron Man #13, New Avengers #25, Squadron Supreme #7, and Leading Man #4. Can ya tell I’m a Marvel guy? Not a single DC book in the mix for me. Just nothing that I want to get from them, especially with offerings like Texas Chainsaw Massacre #1. Uh, I’ll pass. Though the Absolute DC: The New Frontier does is tempting, I must admit…

Enough about all of that! On to the important people and their important opinions!

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Sorry we’re running a little late this week with CWFW. Wife, kids, school, yadda, yadda, yadda… But it’s an interesting week, nonetheless.

Grant Morrison’s Batman finishes up the “Batman and Son” storyline this week. Dark Horse gives us more Star Wars with Star Wars: Dark Times #1, focusing on a grim and gritty future for the fan-favorite universe. There seems to be a good amount of anticipation for Marvel’s Doctor Strange: The Oath series by Brian K. Vaughan and Joe Casey is at it again with The Avengers with his sequel, Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes II #1. Also from Marvel, Bullet Points #1 by J. Michael Straczynski and Tommy Lee Edward hits shelves and another series I’ve been looking forward (almost overlooked, actually) is Wisdom #1 by Paul Cornell (whom I’ve never read before, but am told is a very good writer) and Trevor Hairsine.

But enough about all of that! Let’s see if any of it even caught the attention of the Blog@Newsarama gang…

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Why am I always the odd man out? Last week I wasn’t in the love party for Seven Soldiers #1 and this week I’m not again. Why, God, why?! Anyway…

Folks liked having the guest contributor, so look for more CWFW’s with pros telling you what they are looking forward to buying for that week. Got my sights set on one up-and-comig creator in particular…

Looks like DC has a potential hit on their hands with Superman Confidential #1 and Marvel is finally bringing back fan-favorite creator Alan Davis this week with Fantastic Four: The End #1. Image brings us two number one’s this week: Freshman Vol. 2 and Nightly News. And I think that Dark Horse has been doing a great job with Star Wars: Legacy which continues this week with #5.

You know something else that I think is great? Getting a year older. Ah, the joys of wisdom gained, of things learned, of hair falling out… Wait, nix that last one, but do wish Blog@Newsarama’s very Tom Bondurant a very Happy Birthday today, will ya? Maybe he’ll even stop by to tell us how old he really is, but I wouldn’t bet the farm on it. Speaking of the birthday boy, let’s see what he’s got to say about this week’s comics…

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This week will be a little different. We have a special guest contributor and a real strong push for a long awaited #1. Formalities aside, let’s dive in.

James Patrick’s Pick Of The Week

NEXTWAVE #9.

When Chris asked me to participate and told me to pick the book I’m most looking forward to this week, I thought it would be an indy book. Not only am I partly an indy creator, not only do I look for ward to more indy books than other books, but they also deserve and need the attention. So of course I looked over the list and realized the book I’m most looking forward to is from Marvel. Not wanting to undermine the validity of Can’t Wait For Wednesday, my pick is Nextwave #9. Thankfully it doesn’t read like most other Marvel books and it’s a book that deserves more attention – or sales anyway – though it’s probably too late to be saved.

Yes, it was announced this week Nextwave will only be 12 issues, maybe followed by minis, and it’s a damn shame because I like my monthly dose of this book. It’s like an acid trip in comic’s reading in that it takes you out of the day-to-day reality of mainstream monthlies. You just never know what’s going to happen in Nextwave, and, having caught the preview of Nextwave #9 and having seen how they seemingly get their next foe from (SPOILERS) Captain America’s pee, I won’t be disappointed with this issue. I miss the book already.

Oh, and to keep some of my cred, I’m looking forward to snagging Hawaiian Dick V2 and catching up with second printings of Phonogram 1 and 2. Image, so not hardcore indy, but still.

James Patrick has the critically acclaimed Death Comes To Dillinger trade in November Previews (NOV06 3844) this week and a story in Angel: Masks from IDW next week. James has written the critically acclaimed Crackurz and Lionxor, as well as contributed to the indy smash Hero Happy Hour. He’s written strips for Kevin Smith’s Movie Poop Shoot and was head writer on the television show Independent Axis.

Thanks, James! I can’t wait to see more Death Comes To Dillinger!

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It’s a big week for both of the big companies, Marvel and DC. DC opens with The Authority #1 and WildCATS #1 and also with what appears to be the fan-favorite, Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall. Marvel slightly follows up with Amazing Spider-Girl #1 and Hellstorm: Son of Satan #1, the primary emphasis being on Amazing Spider-Girl #1, what with the relaunch due to such a strong and loyal fanbase (more loyal than strong, I’d say).

Image is still pimping Casanova (which isn’t all that bad, really) and debuting Impaler #1 as well as Tabula Rasa #1(which I can’t seem to find any info about, so I’m assuming it’s an ongoing…?)

And last but not least, Dynamite attempts the big time with Highlander #1 and Virgin Comics brings us John Woo’s Seven Brothers #1. I hope that no one forgot that AIT-PlanetLar decided to change the title of their Seven Sons to accomodate Mr. Woo. Probably under duress, but I digress, and truth be told, I’m more interested in Mr. Young’s offering…

And if I’m not mistaken, there’s a little parody one-shot hitting the shelves this week called Civil Wardrobe.

Enough about alla dat hoopla! Let’s see what the most important people in the world had to say about this week’s issues!

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DC is still plugging away at bringing fans their weekly dose of 52, an experiment that seems to be rather successful for the company. DC is also rewarding Sandman fans with the Absolute Sandman Vol. 1 Hardcover for the astonishingly low price of $99.00 (That’s right, not $99.99, but $99.00).

Image is still bringing the edge with Bomb Queen Vol. 2 #1 and the mystery with Emissary #5. If you’re a Rick Spears fan, his new Image series The Pirates of Coney Island #1 hits shelves as well.

For those of you waiting for more work from Greg Land and you can’t get enough of Marvel’s Ultimate Universe, then Ultimate Power #1 should suffice. Let’s see if the Blog@ Gang will be sampling any of those goods…

Tom Bondurant’s Pick Of The Week

Well, the fall horse-racing meet is underway in my old hometown, so if I were there, I’d hope for a longshot to come in, and spend the money on Absolute Sandman Vol. 1. Otherwise, I’m eager to see Firestorm #30, mostly because it looks like I figured out the Mystery VIllain’s identity a couple of months ago and this issue might just be the confirmation. (Besides, Firestorm has turned into a reliable bit of superhero comfort food that, unfortunately, appears to need all the help it can get.)

Lisa Fortuner’s Pick Of The Week

Just Green Lantern Corps #5, and 52 for me. A very light week.

Hey, what’s on your pull list? Take a look at the Diamond shipping list and stop back here to let us know what you’ll be getting. I’ll try to be more controversial next week.

This week sees everyone’s favorite “Is she or isn’t she canceled?” series come back to life … nope, not Manhunter; I’m talking about Spider-Girl, who gets a reboot, a #0 issue and an adjective all in the same week. Marvel Team-Up, meanwhile, ends for at least the third time (fourth if you count the Ultimate series); Vertigo takes us to the Other Side (with apologies to Aerosmith) with a look at both sides of the Vietnam War; and Marjane Satrapi’s latest, Chicken with Plums, is served up by Pantheon.

My mamma told me there’d be days like this … and man she wasn’t foolin’. Let’s see what the rest of our gang has to say about this week’s comics …

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Dark Horse brings us a menagerie this week that includes a sock monkey and a chickenhare, Tom Beland brings romance to Image and Marvel gets its MAX undead groove on with Zombie. Yep, ladies and gents, that means it is once again time for Can’t Wait for Wednesday! While fans are still shaking their heads over last week’s Civil War (Clor — It’s What’s for Breakfast! Clor — The Other White Meat!), let’s hear from the Blog@ gang on this coming Wednesday’s comics …

Chris Hunter’s Pick of the Week

Without a doubt, it’s The Ultimates #12. Millar and Hitch have done it again (both in terms of a great story and taking forever to complete it) and I’m anxiously awaiting the conclusion of this volume to see what’s being set up for Loeb and MAD in Vol. 3.

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This week the Goon goes noir, Wetworks are back in business and the Mindless Ones get funky … that’s right, it’s time once again for Can’t Wait for Wednesday!

This week Dark Horse brings us Kurt Busiek’s last issue of Conan, featuring another look at young Conan. Over at Image, Walking Dead comes with a bonus bit of Rock Bottom, while DC offers up the first (?) solo title for Krypto. Or maybe not … I’m sure someone will correct me if I’m wrong.

It’s Marvel, though, that seems to be kicking it up a notch this week, as they bring us not only a brand new Blade series and the next issue of Joss Whedon’s Astonishing X-Men, but also the book we never thought we’d see … Civil War #4! OK, maybe it isn’t quite Spider-Man/Black Cat, Daredevil:Father or even the last issue of Camelot 3000 … but hey, at least it’s out now.

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This is a pretty big week for comics, especially graphic novels, as First Second’s second wave of books hits and DC releases several trades and OGNs that are worth looking at. My B@N compatriots have done an excellent job of summing up the highlights, so I’m going to cut to the chase and let them tell you all about it …

Tom Bondurant’s Picks of the Week

This week sees a couple of good paperbacks from the late ’80s/early ’90s. Doom Patrol Vol. 4 presents more giddy surrealism from the Grant Morrison days, including Flex Mentallo’s background, a creepy story about the architecture of the Pentagon, and The Beard Hunter, a Punisher parody. The Gotham By Gaslight paperback reprints the excellent title story, by Brian Augustyn and Mike Mignola, in which a Victorian Batman takes on Jack the Ripper; plus its sequel, “Master of the Future,” with art by Ed Barreto. The sequel is more science-fictiony and a lot less moody than the original, but both are pretty fun.

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We’re running a little late this week due to the Labor Day holiday this past Monday here in the States … that means that while the rest of the world will get their books when they’re supposed to, we won’t get them until tomorrow.

Never let it be said that Marvel isn’t willing to milk a successful idea, as this week brings another 1602 spin-off mini-series and a sequel to Phoenix:Endsong. DC brings back Mystery in Space this week, featuring a new Captain Comet and the return of The Weird. From Image comes Michael Avon Oeming & Ivan Brandon’s Cross Bronx and a fifth printing of Fell #1 … so if you still haven’t picked it up, you have no one to blame but yourself. The Lone Ranger returns to comics this week, while Surrogates gets a trade collection.

Now let’s here from the Blog@ crew on what they’re getting …

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Usually in Can’t Wait for Wednesday I focus on all the first issues that are coming out in a given week, but today I want to talk a bit about second issues, as several #2′s to some promising series drop this week.

If it seems like it’s a little too soon to already have another helping of the twisted Garth Ennis/Darick Robertson series The Boys, that’s probably because the second issue is coming out a mere two weeks after the first. It’s definitely not a series for everybody, and I think that releasing two issues of it in a given month could lead to rampant chaos on a global scale — dogs & cats living together, that kind of stuff — but I’ll be damned if I’m going to miss seeing what happens next. It’s kind of like Nip/Tuck … I don’t know what it says about me that I really, really like it.

Also out this week is the second Uncle Sam & the Freedom Fighters, which I never intended to like, but somehow the first issue won me over. Other deuces dropping this week include the Ultimate X-Men annual, Jack Kirby’s Galactic Bounty Hunters, Young Avengers & Runaways, and Ursa Minors.

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Last week we learned that we’ll have to wait a little longer for the next issue of Civil War, but this week the wait is over for anyone wanting to know who exactly made the cut in DC’s post-Infinite Crisis Justice League of America title. We already know Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and Red Tornado are in the book, plus one of the Hawks, plus a former Teen Titan, plus … hell, let’s stop pretending that the cover hasn’t already possibly been leaked. If you’re interested in being spoiled, Ragnell has it up on her blog.

Also out this week are several other big releases — Wonder Woman, Batman, Astonishing X-Men, Eternals — and a lot of really cool trades. If you missed out on the singles of Middleman, Boneyard or Dan Slott’s short-lived Thing series, check out the collections this week.

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