Coming This Week: A Shot of Matt Fraction, Two Pints of Brian Wood, And Two Hits of Paul Pope

Every week I review Diamond's “New Releases” to determine what I’ll definitely be buying sight unseen, what I’m interested in enough to do a quick scan of at the LCS to see if it can win me over, and note any other items that catch my eye. Here’s a look…

Buying:

Strange Tales #1 (Marvel): The only place you can possibly find Paul Pope, Peter Bagge, Dash Shaw, James Kochalka, Johnny Ryan, Michael Kupperman, Nick Bertozzi, and Jason all working subversively on Disney – err, Marvel properties.

DMZ TPB: Volume 7: War Powers (DC/Vertigo): It’s sometimes hard to believe that this title is already on Volume 7; it’s going to be up there with Sandman and 100 Bullets as far as modern Vertigo epics go.

Northlanders #20 (DC/Vertigo): Interesting to see what Brian Wood and Davide Gianfelice are going to pull off with original series protagonist Sven.

Wednesday Comics #9 (DC): At this point, it’s basically a $4 Paul Pope book with a couple of other minor treats thrown in, and I'm good with that.

Sweet Tooth #1 (DC/Vertigo): I have to admit that I was underwhelmed by Jeff Lemire’s original hardcover The Nobody and was not taken with the Sweet Tooth preview that ran in some other Vertigo books, but for $1 I’ll certainly give it another shot.

Invincible Iron Man #17 (Marvel): For my money, the best long form story that Marvel is currently publishing.

Considering:

Greek Street #3 (DC/Vertigo): I’m intrigued by Greek Street, but certainly not sold at this point. I’m not sure if I’ll give it one more issue to try and convert me.

Wonderful Wizard of Oz HC (Marvel): This is a beautiful looking book from Eric Shanower and Skottie Young, but I’m not sure if I can get over the $29.99 price tag.

Hotwire #4 (Radical Publishing): I’m interested to see how Steve Pugh wraps up this Warren Ellis concept, but at this point I might just wait until the collected edition, which is supposed to have loads of extra material.

Noting:

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep #3 (Boom! Studios) is still going on, and despite enjoying the text pieces at the end, the big price tag and lackluster adaptations just weren’t doing it for me. I never really warmed to the story in Dead Irons HC (Dynamite Entertainment), but some will find Jason Shawn Alexander’s art worth the price of admission alone. Young Liars #18 (DC/Vertigo) is, I believe, the final issue of the series. I tried the first issue and wasn’t sold, then it just wasn’t on my radar anymore; it’s received pretty favorable reviews and will be one of those books I add to my dollar bin list. [UPDATED]: Good God, how could I miss Justice League: Cry for Justice #3 (DC)??? It's the book that everyone loves to hate. Well, hate and mock. Err, mock and mash-up. Mash-up and then point and laugh at. Yeah, all that. It's so bad, it's good. I hope there's an Absolute Edition that eventually includes director's style notes comprised of the best of the snarky blogger commentary.