This Wednesday Marvel Comics is releasing a pretty epic Women of Marvel special, while DC Comics’ Batman crosses over with one of the most popular video game worlds. Learn more about them and a few other select issues that will be coming out this week!

MARVEL COMICS

WOMEN OF MARVEL #1
Official Description: WHO RUN THE WORLD? YOU ALREADY KNOW. CELEBRATE THE WOMEN OF MARVEL WITH AN EXTRAVAGANZA OF EXTRAORDINARY TALENT! The future is female! Get in on the ground floor with this amazing assembly of writers and artists from all over entertainment. Comics legend Louise Simonson kicks things off with a must-read introduction! Nadia Shammas punches the glass ceiling with the Jade Giantess! Elsa Sjunneson grits her way to the front line with Captain Peggy Carter! Sophie Campbell goes feral with a bone-grinding Marrow story! Video game-and-comics writer Anne Toole makes her Marvel debut in a blaze of glory! Natasha Alterici of Heathen fame charges sword-first into the Marvel Universe! With astonishing art from new and established artists Kei Zama (Transformers, DEATH’S HEAD), Eleonora Carlini (Power Rangers, Batgirl), Skylar Patridge (Resonant, Relics of Youth), Joanna Estep (Fantastic Four, Fraggle Rock) and more, you’re sure to come away powered up and ready to slay – in high heels and boots alike.
Writers: Mariko Tamaki, Elsa Sjunneson, Sophie Campbell, Louise Simonson | Artists: Joanna Estep, Eleonora Carlini, Maria Frohlich, Naomi Franquiz | Cover: Sara Pichelli

WAY OF X #1
Official Description: THE WAY TO THE FUTURE OF X! Mutantkind has built a new Eden… but there are serpents in this garden. Some mutants struggle to fit in. Some mutants turn to violence and death. And the children whisper of the Patchwork Man, singing in their hearts…Only one mutant senses the looming shadows. Snared by questions of death, law and love, only NIGHTCRAWLER can fight for the soul of Krakoa. Only he – and the curious crew he assembles – can help mutants defeat their inner-darkness and find a new way to live. The WAY OF X.
Writer: Si Spurrier | Artist: Robert Quinn | Cover: Giuseppe Camuncoli

DC COMICS

BATMAN/FORTNITE: ZERO POINT #1
Official Description: A crack splits the sky above Gotham City…a tear in reality itself. This rift pulls the Dark Knight into a bizarre and unfamiliar world, with no memory of who he is or where he came from. Batman has been drawn into Fortnite! As our hero fights to recall his past and escape an endless loop of chaos and struggle, he’ll come face to face with the likes of Renegade Raider, Fishstick, Bandolier and more. While the World’s Greatest Detective strives to make sense of this strange new world, he’ll uncover the shocking truth about the Island, what lies beyond the Loop and how everything is connected to the mysterious Zero Point. Uncover secrets never before revealed in the game or anywhere else! Every fan of Batman, Fortnite, stunning art and edge-of-your-seat excitement won’t want to miss the Caped Crusader facing off against Fortnite champions on the Island in a desperate attempt to save not only himself, but other familiar faces from the DCU…and perhaps the Multiverse itself!
Writer: Gage | Artist: Reilly Brown

JUSTICE LEAGUE #60
Official Description: Superman, Batman, Green Arrow, Black Canary, Aquaman and Hawkgirl join forces with Black Adam to fight an all-new world conqueror! But how do they stop the unstoppable power known as Brutus? Enter new mega-power sensation Naomi, who comes face to face with the League and brings along Queen Hippolyta of the Amazons for a blockbuster battle for the ages—with a last-page cliffhanger that will leave everyone guessing what’s next! And in the backup tale, the new Justice League meets the new Justice League Dark, and the demon Etrigan calls the team to action—but Batman has other plans. This team needs a leader, but what twisted secret prevents Zatanna from stepping forward? Plus, Ragman makes a startling discovery—one that may cost his life!
Writers: Ram V, Brian Michael Bendis | Artists: Xermanico, David Marquez

DARK HORSE COMICS

COJACARU THE SKINNER #1
Official Description: Cojacaru the Skinner, the strange and enigmatic bane of Eastern European witches, has been dead many years. But from a bloodied French town in the throes of World War II, a plea for help carries across the winds of time. A desperate band of resistance soldiers and their white witch allies rest their fate in the hands of Cojacaru’s ghost. And when she answers their call, it will be heard near and far.
Writers: Mike Mignola, Christopher Golden | Artist: Peter Bergting

ORPHAN AND THE FIVE BEASTS #2
Official Description: A brave warrior, following her master’s final wish, finds the dreaded bandit leader that used to be a hero–but is now a force of destruction that threatens all life in the valley with his indestructible legs and ”Two Trees Bearing Heaven” fighting style.
Writer/Artist: James Stokoe

Welcome to our #NewComicsSpotlight for this week, where we spotlight 6 issues that are hitting stands. (as we get closer to Halloween I wanna see some more horror titles!!)

DC COMICS

 

RORSCHACH #1
Official Description: It’s been 35 years since Ozymandias dropped a giant interdimensional squid on New York City, killing thousands and destroying the public’s trust in heroes once and for all. And since that time, one figure in a fedora, mask, and trench coat has become a divisive cultural icon. So what does it mean when Rorschach reappears as an assassin trying to kill a candidate running against President Robert Redford? Who is the man behind the mask, and why is he acting this way? It’s up to one detective to uncover the true identity of this would-be killer—and it will take him into a web of conspiracies involving alien invasions, disgraced do-gooders, mystic visions, and yes, comic books.
Writer: Tom King | Artist: Jorge Fornes

DC THE DOOMED AND THE DAMNED #1
Official Description: It was a dark and stormy night when the creatures of the DC Universe began to emerge from their lairs into the cool evening air. Tales of the macabre, the murderous, and the morbid abound in this spine-chilling special about monsters and mayhem! What happens when Batman encounters a true urban legend after speaking its name three times in a mirror, or when Madame Xanadu enlists the help of Man-Bat to take down a shadowy specter? And who can stop an intergalactic demon from turning people into frog beasts? Only the unlikely team-up of Green Lantern and Etrigan! All this and seven more fang-tastic tales to trick your treats and bob your apples.
Writers: Travis G. Moore, Saladin Ahmed, Marv Wolfman, John Arcudi, Kenny Porter, Amanda Deibert, Garth Ennis, Amedeo Turturro, Brandon Thomas, Alyssa Wong | Artists: Daniel Sampere, Max Fiumara, Baldemar Rivas, PJ Holden, , Tom Mandrake, Leonardo Manco, Mike Perkins, Travis G. Moore, Riley Rossmo

MARVEL COMICS

STAR WARS: DARTH VADER #6
Official Description: THE PUNISHMENT! DARTH VADER failed to turn his son, Luke Skywalker, to the dark side of the Force. No…Luke was too weak to join his father in overthrowing EMPEROR PALPATINE. Vader sought revenge against those who hid Luke from him for all of these years…and in doing so nearly betrayed his master. It did not go unnoticed by Palpatine… time for Vader’s next lesson.
Writer: Greg Pak | Artist: Raffaele Ienco

HELLIONS #5
Official Description: X OF SWORDS PART 6. Desperation. Help from unexpected places. An advance into the unknown.
Writer: Zeb Wells | Artist: Carmen Carnero

DARK HORSE

BILL AND TED ARE DOOMED #2
Official Description: Bill and Ted are making ridiculous plans for a world tour that will somehow solve all their problems. They also hope to write the one song while on tour, energized and influenced by the people of the excellent planet Earth. Their confidence returning, they help the overburdened princesses with arranging the bookings. Things take a turn though when Wyld Stallyns is accidentally booked for a deadly-serious Scandinavian death metal festival (because of Death being in their band).
Writer: Evan Dorkin | Artist: Roger Langridge

THE TRUE LIVES OF THE FABULOUS KILLJOYS: NATIONAL ANTHEM #1
Official Description: The Fabulous Killjoys, once a group of teenage exterminators determined to save reality, have lost their way–and their memories. After a period of mental confinement, former Killjoys leader Mike Milligram gets de-programmed and hits the road to bring the gang back together for a final showdown against an evil pharmaceutical corporation, their monstrous hitman, and savage gang rivals.
Writers: Gerard Way, Shaun Simon | Artist: Leonardo Romero

What are you picking up this week? What should we spotlight in future weeks? Leave a message in the comments!

A lot of interesting news in comics lately, here are a few tidbits.

This surprised me, but is actually (maybe) a fantastic idea. Mary Jane Watson, Spiderman’s long time love and (sorta) ex-wife is joining the supporting cast of Invincible Iron Man with issue 4. Will this be a long time addition or is it more of a stunt? How will this affect Mary Jane’s role in Spiderman?

Although, with MJ being sidelined the last few years in Spiderman, this is actually a great idea for keeping her in a larger role in the Marvel universe (of course I’d totally be down for an MJ ongoing in the current Marvel Comics universe). Will she be working for Stark, friends, or a potential love interest (I could do without the latter)? The issue hits stands in December and we will discovery the direction they take with MJ. Ironically, if MJ and Tony become love interests, it was Tony’s actions that ultimately led to the end of Spiderman/MJ marriage and the rewriting of the Marvel Universe’s history (long story, see: Civil War)

December will not be nearly as friendly to DC Comic titles as five ongoing will be coming to an end by the end of the month. According to Comic Book Resources, these titles include Lobo (pictured left), Doomed, The Omega Men, Gotham By Midnight, and Justice League United.

Doomed is expected to conclude with issue #6 in November, with the rest meeting their end in December. Neither Doomed nor The Omega Men even reached 10 issues, such a short amount of time to find its footing and an audience. Years ago, these ongoings would have had a much better shot. Could these characters be retooled (or in Lobo’s case, maybe bringing him back to his pre-New 52 style and roots)? There is still a lot of potential for these characters and I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of them.

I’m not sure how I missed this announcement, but Joss Whedon will be writing a new comic series for Dark Horse Comics, The Twist. Of course Dark Horse is the home of Buffy, Angel, and Serenity comics.

Whedon described the series to EW, stating “It’s a Victorian thriller about a meek chambermaid who is fed to a dark horror — but instead of dying, she returns, with knowledge, power, and rage she can neither deny nor control.” The character will launch in a 6 issue mini series, with unlimited potential for future material. Buffy meets steampunk? I’m totally down for that.

Angel & Faith #3
Official Description: Angel has found everyone is going to the same person in London’s Magic Town for advice-and it’s decidedly not him. But she is someone Angel can take partial credit for . . . And the pixie menaces have stepped up their muscle with another lady from Angel’s past. Meanwhile, Faith is screwing up. Again. Season 10 has just begun-don’t miss a second! Will Conrad (Serenity) returns to the Whedonverse! Executive produced by Joss Whedon!

Wednesday saw the release of Angel & Faith #3 in the Buffy-verse Season 10 from Dark Horse Comics, writer Victor Gischler, and artist Will Conrad. I really can’t believe how fast it feels like this season is going I’m two issues back on both Buffy and Angel and we’re only 3 issues in apiece. I should stop writing right now and get to the store (my box is likely overflowing).

Are you caught up on the new “seasons” of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel & Faith? How do they compare to seasons 8 & 9?

After 24 issues of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, 25 issues of Angel & Faith, spinoff limited series for Willow and Spike, we are at the end of season 9! Issue 25 of Buffy is here and with it Dawn’s very existence is on the live along with the lives of Buffy, Xander and Willow who are fighting for their lives in the Deeper Well against the original vampire, the newly turned ex-slayer Simone, and the time bomb waiting to explode Severin. Who be making it to Season 10?

Buffy the Vampire Slayer #25
Official Description, “The Core, Part V”: Buffy can’t ever just be a vampire Slayer, can she? Always, the world seems to want more, and as the lives of her loved ones are threatened, Buffy shows why she is the Chosen One. Whatever is thrust upon her, she can handle it! Er… sometimes with a little help from her friends. Executive produced by Joss Whedon!

The issue is published by Dark Horse Comics and was written by Andrew Chambliss with art by Georges Jeanty. It comes out Wednesday, September 11th!

Check out these Buffy the Vampire Slayer related trade paperbacks for sale…

Okay, I’ll be honest here, I usually skip comic anthologies. Random stand alone stories just don’t interest me as much as ongoing stories do. These are usually throw away stories that you can skip and not feel like you missed a beat... But Dark Horse Presents #25 has Buffy the Vampire Slayer on the cover and I’m a sucker for Buffy tie ins. This particular stand alone story spins right out of the newest issue of Buffy (#22) and deals with one of the slayer’s newest allies, Billy, as he returns home to fight off the growing Zompire population that is wrecking havoc. What the heck, I’ll give it a shot. What other stories does the anthology have?

Dark Horse Presents #25
Official Description: After training with Buffy, Billy the vampire slayer heads back to his hometown to deal with the zompire epidemic! Delve into a time-travel story from Eisner Award–winning writer Matt Fraction! Mike Richardson adapts Andrew Vachss’ vision of violence in the big city in Undergound! Read an installment of The Chapel Chronicles by fifteen-year-old Emma T Capps!  Plus, new installments of Trekker, Blackout, Nexus, Crime Does Not Pay, Brain Boy, King’s Road, and Bloodhound!

The issue comes out from Dark Horse Comics next Wednesday, June 19th, 2013, from more writers and artists than I can count.

Everything in the past 22 issues has been leading up to this. All of Angel’s planning and his journey with Faith is coming to a head. Did the spell work? Has Giles been resurrected? The issue’s description does not lead on, but thankfully for us, the issue came out last week. I’ve really enjoyed how this series has played out and I hope that it ends as well as it has been. Big props to writer Christos Gage and artist Rebekah Isaacs. I know were only on issue two of the last arc, but I hope that we have some resolution to the “season’s” journey.

Angel & Faith #22
Giles’s resurrection has been pushed to the back burner while Angel and Faith tackle Season 9’s Big Bads—Pearl, Nash, and Whistler—who threaten to release boundless magic over the planet. Only the strong will survive!

Why are you still here? Go find out if Giles is back!