What To Look Forward To – 12/13 – Featuring Rumble #1, Wic/Div Christmas Annual #1, Monstro Mechanica #1, New Collected Editions & Much More!

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Welcome to What To Look Forward To!

Here is a quick look at some highlights on the shelves this week. A few new series coming out, as well as a healthy stack of new TPBs and HCs to check out. And so, without further ado, let’s dive in…

New This Week:

Rumble #1 – The fan-favorite returns! With a new artist on board, the series is heading in a new direction but I’m betting it’ll be as awesome as ever. If you haven’t read the previous series, this should be a fine place to jump in, but then you’ll want to go back and read it. (Check out that Mike Mignola cover, too.)

Action Comics #993 – In the last issue, Supes goes back in time to watch the destruction of his planet, but just after he leaves, one of the universe’s best, most beloved, and most corporate-sponsored time-travellers tries to stop him: Booster Gold! We’re getting closer to issue #1,000 and I’m sure it’s all uphill until then. (Read “The Oz Effect” for a better jumping-on point, then pick it up back here)

The Wicked + The Divine Christmas Annual #1 – With things getting as hectic as they have lately, it will be nice to take a little break and enjoy some holiday flashback action with the Pantheon.

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #27 – Nancy and Tippy find themselves in space, and Loki will help Squirrel Girl find them! But based on the cover art, it seems SG is in for another meet up with Galactus and Silver Surfer, too!

Giants #1 – The Valderrama Brothers bring their first American work to life at Dark Horse with this original new series! Giant monsters have forced humans underground, until two young men dare to break out.

Monstro Mechanica #1 – Leonardo da Vinci, a young apprentice and a nine-foot tall guardian wooden robot; what more could you need? I recently finished Paul Allor’s Clue series at IDW which I thought was hilarious and clever, and I’m expecting the same from this series. (Cover B shown to the right)

Good jumping-on points & other featured issues:

The Flash #36 – “A Cold Day In Hell” part one! Barry has found himself working in Iron Heights and his first case inside is the murder of one of the Rogues!

Phoenix (True Believers) – Several classic Phoenix #1’s are reprinted and out today, check your shop for these titles!

Collected Editions

Bitch Planet Triple Feature Vol. 01 TPB – Great one-and-done stories in the BP world, perfect for getting through the hiatus!

DC Universe by John Byrne HC – Classic stories from the legend, featuring Batman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Hawkman, The Atom, and much more!

Descender Deluxe Edition HC – The critically-acclaimed hit from Jeff Lemire and Dustin Nguyen, collecting issue #1-16!

JSA by Geoff Johns Vol. 01 TPB – Geoff Johns reimagines the first super-team featuring Green Lantern, Wildcat, Starman, Black Canary, Hawkgirl, and more!

Lobster Johnson Vol. 05 TPB – Though it says Vol. 05, any new arc or one-shot is a good place to jump on with LJ; most stories are self-contained like other Hellboy-verse stories.

Start Here!

This section is for readers new to comics, readers looking for new titles, as well as readers on a budget, highlighting several great “jump-on” points each week for about $20.

Rumble #1$3.99 – Like I said, this should be a good starting point for new readers (it is a #1, after all) but do yourself a favor and pick up the first volume of the original series. You’re welcome.

Monstro Mechanica #1$3.99 – There are many greats things coming from Aftershock these days, and this seems like a clever premise.

Bitch Planet Triple Feature Vol. 01$16.99 – For mature audiences, a scalding satirical look a future we don’t want for women, but doesn’t always seem too far away. If you haven’t read the rest of the series, also get that when you have a chance. IMO some of Kelly Sue’s finest work, and that’s really saying something. You’ve read Pretty Deadly too, right?

(If you are not of a mature audience and need another pick-up for the week, check out Action Comics #993 AND Giants #1, $2.99 and $3.99 respectively)

TOTAL = $24.97 (or $17.95)

Close to the cap if you’re buying the BP trade, but I hope you’ll enjoy it. If you aren’t and find yourself with a few more bucks to spare, walk around your shop and browse more; your local shop owner will appreciate it.

 

Looking for more recommendations? Find me on Twitter @4ColorPhil and Tumblr

That’s it for now, happy reading everyone! See you next week.

Phil started reading comics in 2008, and it has been his passion since. Enjoying titles ranging from Batman to Sex Criminals, Y: The Last Man to Samurai Jack, and The Wicked + The Divine to 100 Bullets, Phil will read just about anything. Have a recommendation? Looking for one? You can reach him on Twitter @4ColorPhil