Chicago Comic-Con

As always, it’s Wednesday again and time to head to the shop for a stack of new comics. My buys the past couple of weeks have been mercifully smaller but don’t get your hopes up. The fact that no Avengers titles came out this week—which is worth mentioning because I think there’s five of them currently—just means they all hit next week. In convention news, Wizard World Chicago is this weekend and, because I’m a loving fiancé, I won’t be going. Oh, and neither will Wizard or Marvel or DC. Me, I’ll be in Washington D.C. for a wedding. Wizard and the other big names, well that’s a different story. As the beleaguered Wizard Magazine seems to slip closer to the grave, its branding has disappeared from the once great Chicago-con and along with it the big four comic companies (Marvel, DC, Image and Dark Horse), all of which have announced that they will be a major presence at the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2) in April 2010. Come hell or high water, I’ll be there. So, as one convention passes another is born. Which is not to say that the old summer con is dead. Ticket sales are way down, and from what I’ve heard there’s no shortage of ex-wrestlers. One thing is for certain, you won’t have deal with mobs of Twilight fans while waiting to meet Mark Millar.

Here’s a look at the comics I’ll be picking up this Wednesday, Aug. 5. For a complete list of this week’s new comics click here. To find a comic shop near you click here.

Agents of Atlas #9
Amazing Spider-Man #601
Black Panther #7
Buffy the Vampire Slayer #27
Captain America: Reborn #2 of 5
Doom Patrol #1
House of Mystery #16
The Invincible Iron Man #16
Justice League: Cry For Justice #2 of 6
Secret Six #12
Superman: World of New Krypton #6 of 12
War of Kings #6 of 6
War of Kings: Warriors #2 of 2
Witchfinder: In The Service of Angels #2 of 5

Thoughts on the pile: Joe Casey’s American Son storyline pulled me back into Amazing Spiderman and I gotta say, I’m glad to be buying a Spidey title again. I’m willing to give Johnathan Mayberry a chance on Black Panther mainly because Marvel has been kicking the pants off DC in the finding-new-talent department. Mayberry is a novelist, winner of multiple Brahm Stoker Awards (an annual prize for achievements in horror fiction) and is a martial arts expert who has been inducted into the international Martial Arts Hall of Fame for both mastering several disciplines and writing about them. Who better to write Black Panther? I don’t know if I’ve ever been simultaneously excited and uninterested in a comic but that’s where I’m at with Doom Patrol #1. I haven’t really cared about Doom Patrol since Grant Morrison’s run in the early 1990s. The team has gone through at least three incarnations since then, making its continuity hard to follow and its characterization schizophrenic at best. If J.M. DeMatteis can make me care about them again, great. If not, no big loss. I really enjoyed Robinson’s JLA: Cry for Justice #1 and am glad to hear it will be leading in to his run on the regular title. Had you told me Congorilla was going to be on his JLA team a year ago I would have called you insane, but that’s part of Robinson’s charm, I guess. I’m still having fun with Secret Six but, maybe it’s just me, I can’t stand Scandal Savage. Even her name is ridiculous. And even though no one else seems to be reading it, Superman: World of Krypton is still excellent.

Speculator Picks of the Week: These are comics that, for reasons discussed below, could sell out very fast. Buy them now for cover price or pay jacked-up internet prices later. You’ve been warned! The codes that follow the prices are used for ordering through your local comic shop.

Captain America: Reborn #2 of 5: 1:25 John Cassiday Variant

Captain America: Reborn

Solicitation: The race for Steve Rogers is on! On one side—BUCKY and the BLACK WIDOW and members of the AVENGERS and FANTASTIC FOUR! On the other—NORMAN OSBORN and HAMMER, THE RED SKULL and his evil hordes, with DR. DOOM waiting in the wings! And where… oh where, is the real CAPTAIN AMERICA? Ed Brubaker, Bryan Hitch and Butch Guice bring you the biggest Marvel comic of the year!

32 PGS
$3.99
JUN090439
Written by Ed Brubaker; Pencils by Bryan Hitch Inks by Jackson Guice; Cover by Brian Hitch; 1:25 Variant cover by John Cassaday Bryan Hitch.

Why it’ll go fast: This may sound eerily similar to the last Cap Reborn Variant I wrote about, but it still applies. Yes, there is a 1:70 variant for this book, but I’m picking the 1:25 cover for one reason: Price point. Retailers will be ordering huge numbers on this title for obvious reasons. Because of the high ordering, the regular cover will not be worth more than cover-price for the foreseeable future. However, the Cassiday variants, which will be more affordable and available than the 1:70 variants, could spark some interest. If for no other reason than they wont have a $50-plus price tag anytime soon, thereby pricing themselves right out of most collectors’ means. If you can find this variant for $15 less, I would pick it up.

Deadpool: Merc with a Mouth #2 of 6: Marvel Comics

Deadpool: Merc with a Mouth

Solicitation: “HEAD TRIP,” PART 2—It’s the Merc with two mouths! It’s the Dawn of the Living Deadpool! It’s… oh, you get the point. Crash-landing in the Savage Land, Deadpool finds himself face-to-face with the last thing on Earth he ever expected to see: his own Zombiefied head! To make matters worse, the nasty little critter went ahead and bit a few of the locals, so Deadpool has to put the smackdown on some zombie cavemen if he’s going to have any chance at escaping and completing his mission. Did we mention that a crack team of Hydra mercenaries are waiting in the wings?

32 PGS
$2.99
JUN090589
Written by Victor Gischler; Pencils by Bong Dazo Inks by Jose Pimentel:Cover by Arthur Suydam; 1:10 Variant Cover by Tony Moore.

Why it’ll go fast: Issue number one of Merc w/ a Mouth sold out very quickly and for one reason: Deadpool is hot. Maybe because of the recent Wolvie film (which was terrible) or maybe because the character has always had a loyal following. Regardless, crime novelist and Punisher MAX writer Victor Gishler has been given the comic book equivalent of the L.A. Lakers coaching job with this new Deadpool title. People love Deadpool whether his book is good or bad. The character sells issues. Issue #1 is starting to see higher prices on eBay and it would surprise me to see it in the top 10 in sales for last month when the numbers come out.

The Red Circle: The Hangman: DC

The Red Circle: The Hangman

Solicitation: The Civil War claimed many lives… but one of those lives still hasn’t ended! Union doctor Robert Dickering found himself on the wrong side of the battle lines, and despite his heroic treatment of a fallen enemy soldier, he also found himself on the wrong end of a noose! But a shadowy power stepped forth in the twilit moments between life and death and offered him a deal he couldn’t refuse: to forever roam the Earth, saving the lives of innocents condemned like himself, or hastening the deaths of the guilty! But in taking the seemingly righteous mission of the Hangman, has he accepted God’s work? Or has he become the vengeful fist of the Devil himself? Featuring art by Tom Derenick and Bill Sienkiewicz, the acclaimed team behind REIGN IN HELL!

32 PGS
$2.99
JUN090172
Written by J. Michael Straczynski; Pencils by Tom Derenick; Inks by Bill Sienkiewicz; Cover by Jesus Saiz.

Why it’ll go fast: When given his own sandbox to go crazy in, JMS writes some pretty great comics. Those of you who read his “Rising Stars” and the presently unfinished “The Twelve” already know and are probably excited for the Red Circle titles. Basically, DC has handed JMS the Red Circle characters and allowed him to bring them back into DC continuity. Unfortunately, outside of Thor, JMS’s other titles don’t sell as well, so I’d be surprised to see piles of these Red Circle comics in most shops. However, the buzz on these titles will start circulating as we begin to see more of the Red Circle characters popping up in other DCU books.

Nerdy Question of the Week:

Last week was the first issue of Bill Willingham and Matthew Sturgis’ JSA run and I want to know what you thought. Coming off the wake of any Geoff Johns title can be disastrous (see Teen Titans for a perfect example). Did the new creative team live up to your JSA expectations?

Thanks again for your continued input and keep the answers to the comic nerd questions coming. If you have any questions about these books or anything else in the comic book world feel free to contact me or post your question below in the “Leave a Reply” section below. Want to know what your comics are worth? Join WorthPoint and post your comics in the “Ask A Worthologist” section. Remember to post the title, issue number and cover price.

Matt Baum is a Worthologist who specializes in comic books.

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This Week in Geek is a weekly blog about new comics written by WorthPoint comic book Worthologist Matt Baum. Every Wednesday, Matt takes a look at the week’s new comics from a collector’s point-of-view and discusses which books may be hard to find in the near future and why. Make sure to click on the hot links for previews and more information on the comics, characters, story-lines and creators discussed here. Also, feel free to post your comments in the new “comments” section below.

I received an e-mail last week asking me what’s the deal with the absence of Wednesday Comics from my pull list? Especially after I talked it up so much. It’s a fair question. In short, it’s the newsprint. I can’t deal with it. My little collector brain just can’t wrap it’s self around newsprint comics. Maybe it’s just been too long since we’ve seen them. Maybe it’s because I’m terrible at refolding maps or the environmentalist inside me feels guilty. Regardless, there is no place in my collection for DC’s Wednesday Comics. That is not to say that I’m not reading Wednesday Comics and enjoying it. My Monday morning begins with coffee and Wednesday Comics. I still think the format is fresh and exciting and when reprinted in oversized hard-cover format I’ll be more than happy to add it to my collection. Until then, I’ll be reading Wednesday Comics at my comic shop every Monday morning. Feel free to drop in and say hi.

Now let’s talk new comics shall we? Below you’ll find my list of comics I’ll be picking up this Wednesday, July 29. This week is looks to be a lot more manageable than the past… 50 I guess. For a complete list of this week’s new comics click here. To find a comic shop near you click here.

Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps #3 of 3
The Complete Dracula #2 of 5
Dark Reign: Young Avengers #3 of 5
Dark X-Men: The Beginning #2 of 3
Detective Comics #855
Fantastic Four #569
Justice Society Of America #29
The Lone Ranger #17
New Avengers #55
Secret Warriors #6
Superman #690: The Setup
Thunderbolts #134

Thoughts on the pile: DC has me right where it wants me as I will be buying anything with Blackest Night written on the cover from here on out. The only Dark Reign title I’m paying for this week is Paul Cornell’s Young Avengers because the guy writes good comics. If you guys would’ve listened to me his Captain Britain and MI:13 title wouldn’t be cancelled (no, I’m not letting this one go). Detective Comics is the best read on the stands presently. If you’re not reading Greg Rucka’s Detective you’re not just missing out on excellent comic fiction, you’re probably a jerk. I’m not sure why I’m finishing Mark Millar’s Fantastic Four story when he couldn’t seem to be bothered to do it himself. The last issue was confusing at best. It’s Bill Willingham and Matt Sturges’ first issue of Justic Society of America (see below for more) and I’m in for at least $3. I still love Brett Matthews The Lone Ranger, although it’s been quite some time since we’ve seen an issue, and want to give Dyanamite Comics more money on a monthly basis. Although not a big week for new comics, it’s a good one.

Now for my Speculator Picks of the Week. These are comics that, for reasons discussed below, could sell out very fast. Buy them now for cover price or pay jacked-up internet prices later. You’ve been warned!

Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps #3 of 3: DC

Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps

Solicitation: In this three-issue miniseries, writers Geoff Johns and Peter J. Tomasi (GREEN LANTERN CORPS) reveal the secrets behind the Lanterns of BLACKEST NIGHT! Bear witness to Blue Lantern Saint Walker’s pilgrimage of hope, Star Sapphire Carol Ferris’ sacrifice for love, Green Lantern Kilowog’s courageous beginnings, Red Lantern Vice’s source of rage, Orange Lantern Blume’s bizarre creation, and the first appearance of the mysterious Indigo, leader of the Indigo Tribe!

40 PGS
$3.99
MAY090120
Written by Geoff Johns and Peter Tomasi; Art by Doug Mahnke, Chris Sprouse and Ivan Reis.

Why it’ll go fast: Blackest Night is here and it’s huge! Huge, I tells ya. Expect to see all the Blackest Night tie-ins selling out every week. The Tales of the Corps series looked like it would be filler and background stories but issue #1 quickly changed those predictions. Now retailers find themselves reordering this weekly title before it even hits the stands. Pick up all three if you’re lucky enough to find them.

Detective Comics #855: Misterioso: DC

Detective Comics #855: Misterioso

Solicitation: “Elegy” part 2 of 4 by Greg Rucka and JH Williams III! Batwoman captures her enemy, a madwoman known only as Alice who sees her life as a fairy tale and everyone around her as expendable extras—including Kate! But when the tables are turned, Batwoman finds herself in a hallucination slamming the present into a collision with the past, and the hints of a threat that will claim the lives of every man, woman and child in Gotham City.

And in the all-new co-feature starring the Question, Montoya’s quest to find a missing young girl turns deadl ; co-feature art by Cully Hamner.

40 PGS
$3.99
MAY090134
Written by Greg Rucka; Pencils by Cully Hamner and JH Williams III; Cover by Dave Stewart and Laura Martin.

Why it’ll go fast: The buzz on Rucka’s Detective is huge and for good reason, it might be one of the best reviewed comics in years. Personally, I agree with the masses and loved both stories in the first issue. J.H. Willams art could sell any comic but when added to the controversy of the first lesbian-driven super-heroine comic, this title becomes an instant sell-out every month. Let the morality and equality of super-hero alternate lifestyles debate begin! Truly a sentence made for a fiery comic discussion if I’ve ever heard one.

Justice Society Of America #29: DC

Justice Society Of America

Solicitation: A new era begins for the Justice Society of America as writers Bill Willingham (FABLES) and Matthew Sturges (BLUE BEETLE) take over the series with new artist Jesus Merino (SUPERMAN ANNUAL) just as two new recruits make their debut with the team! Strange happenings at the JSA Mansion are weird precursors to an all-out attack on all members of the team—all but one! And what is the strange connection that new members King Chimera and All-American Kid might have with the turmoil?

32 PGS
$2.99
MAY090161
Written by Bill Willingham and Matthew Sturges; Pencils by Jesus Merino.

Why it’ll go fast: Following Geoff Johns on a title has got to be similar to taking the stage after The Who, circa 1970. I haven’t been a big fan of Willingham’s superhero-work in the past but love his Vertigo stuff. Here’s to hoping his JSA is better than his Shadowpact. As a retailer it would seem to make sense to order high on this one with it being the start of a new story arc and new creative team and all. However, sales have been plummeting on the title since Johns left (JSA #26, Johns’ last issue, shipped 81,200 issues in April. JSA #28, a fill-in issue by Jerry Ordway, shipped only 52,673 in June). Even if retailers up their orders it still won’t be to the levels the title was selling just two months ago which could create a shortage if all the Johns JSA fans decide to give issue #29 a chance.

Nerdy Question of the Week:

Without inviting a firestorm of rhetoric I’m going to just go ahead and put this one out there. Now, I’m leaving it to you guys to act like big kids and keep this one civil. Though Batwoman is not the first gay character in comics, she is the first to take the headlining role in a major DC title? Does Batwoman’s sexuality affect whether or not you’ll be buying Detective Comics? Remember, keep it civil.

Thanks again for your continued input and keep the answers to the nerdy questions coming. If you have any questions about these books or anything else in the comic book world feel free to contact me or post your question below in the “Leave a Reply” section below. Want to know what your comics are worth? Join WorthPoint for free and post your comics in the “Ask a Question” section. Remember to post the title, issue number and cover price.

Matt Baum is a Worthologist who specializes in comic books.

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Our Fighting Forces #158. A week after ordering on GoAntiques, I have my comic and am quite happy. I have my comic in hand and, to my delight, it is in the described condition. I am now going into a collector's fit, wherein I need to own all the DC Kirby war comics.

About a month ago, I wrote about browsing through GoAntiques, looking at some Bronze-age Jack Kirby war comic (read Testing the GoAntiques Waters – Buying a Comic Book Part I). I had not, at the time, purchased anything from a GoAntiques vendor, but I found several Our Fighting Forces comics and was smitten. I was even more so when I discovered an issue of Our Fighting Forces #158. At the time, I wrote that I was going to knuckle under and order it, and I promised I’d let you know how the whole process with GoAntiques went. Well, I’m here to report.

A week after ordering, I have my comic and am quite happy. Payment was easy and ran a little differently than other auction/shopping sites I have experienced. I agreed to purchase the comic, at which point an e-mail is sent to the seller to make sure the item is in stock. It’s not until the seller responds saying the comic is available that the buyer is asked to pay for the item, which I did using PayPal. There were credit card options offered as well. Shipping is decided by the seller, and most shipping rates can be found in the descriptions of the items. Six days later I had my comic and, to my delight, it was in the described condition, which has now sent me into a collector’s fit, wherein I need to own all the DC Kirby war comics. It’s a condition I’ll have to live with for the time being but one I’ll be satiating with the new hardcover collection of Kirby’s The Losers.

All-in-all, I found my GoAntiques experience to be a good one, with good communication from seller and a product that was represented very well. My criticisms come not with the site, but that some of the sellers are listing items for ridiculous prices. Now, of course, their will always be the school of thought amongst retailers and collectors both that the Overstreet Guide should be used as the bible of comic pricing, not just a “guide” to pricing comics. A theory that, in my opinion, only makes sense for the seller. It would be nice if we could all get top-dollar for our comics, but the truth of the matter is there is a real-world market out there that doesn’t pay much attention to the price guides. It seems that sites like eBay have become the ultimate nullifier to the comic price guide by showing what actual people are paying for comics new and old. Just because your price guide says a comic is worth $200 doesn’t mean you will be able to find a buyer willing to pay that price.

I would argue that GoAntiques could do a better job suggesting prices for sellers, or perhaps allow sellers to list similar books along side each other to allow buyers to pick their price along with their condition. Also, a feedback or reputation score for each seller would help with buyer’s confidence. In recent months, sites like eBay have tightened restrictions on their feedback policies watering down their meaning even more and perhaps GoAntiques would run into similar problems in the future. However, I did find it a little nerve-racking clicking the buy button not knowing how the seller I was buying from grades their comics. As I said earlier, I was happy, but the experience could’ve been even scarier had I been purchasing a $100 comic with no real knowledge of the seller.

Matt Baum is a Worthologist who specializes in comic books.

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Page 15 from Marvel's Defenders #1 (1972) drawn by silver-age legend Sal Buscema and inked by Frank Giacoia.

I receive a weekly newsletter from the Heritage Auction Galleries that is usually full of amazing comics and comic memorabilia that are so far out of my price range it makes me want to cry. Not to long ago I was staring at some early original Conan pages longing for a job that would pay me the kind a salary I need to support my addiction to original comic art. This week was no exception, and included original art pages from one of my favorite artists as a young collector.

Before he bought baseballs hit by steroid fueled pro baseball players and Canadian hockey franchises, Todd McFarlane was responsible for some of the best comic book artwork of the late ’80s and early ’90s. His run on both The Incredible Hulk and Amazing Spider Man are comics that will never leave my collection. My love affair ended with McFarlane shortly after he left Marvel for Image comics, but that is another story. My point is, when I opened this week’s email from Heritage Vintage Comics and Art auctions, I nearly fell off my yoga ball (I use it for posture reasons and to work on my core while typing) when I saw original McFarlane art from The Incredible Hulk #334 selling for $26. That was until I checked it out and saw why the price was so low; no Incredible Hulk. While being an excellent example of McFarlane’s art work, if I’m going to buy a page of his Hulk it better have the Hulk on it.

Now, below that auction was a different story, and this time the Hulk was there. Heritage has page fifteen from Marvel’s Defenders #1 (1972) drawn by silver-age legend Sal Buscema and inked by Frank Giacoia. The page features the Hulk, Dr. Strange, an unconscious Namor and the lesser known villain Necrodamus, who, I think, maybe only appeared once or twice before this issue. I wasn’t around when Buscema’s Defenders was originally being published and have never found high-grade copies of the back issues, but would definitely pay top dollar for Very-Fine+ copy of issue number one. Now, for an original page from issue number one, I’d be willing to knock over a bank if the plan was sound and I could trust the crew (I’ve seen enough heist movies to now what happens when you work with amateurs). By Friday, the bid was up to $600 for the page placing still in my price range but at the extreme upper-echelon. It eventually went for $1,314.50. Stupid bills! Stupid sense of financial responsibilities!

Defenders #1

Speaking of high-grade Defenders issues, also up for auction was a CGC 9.6 copy of Defenders #1. In Near-Mint condition, Defenders #1 (1972) guides for $185, but as CGC graded comics are famous for, I predicted this one would probably sell for two-to-three times that amount. Recently a 9.2 graded issue of Defenders sold on eBay for $250. I personally don’t own any CGC graded comics, and no it’s not just because I’m poor, but I do see the draw to a comic graded by a third party especially when buying vintage comics online. Whether or not a grade from a reputable grading company should add exponential worth to a comic is another argument however. One that I won’t get into here. Anyway, this comic finally sold for $776.75, which was more than I was thinking.

For those of you looking for other CGC graded comics, Heritage also offers a new service called ComicMarket that allows you to make an offer on comics that are being sold by private sellers using Heritage Auctions as consignment seller. The selection is, of course, amazing; however some of the asking prices seem pretty high. I’m not sure how the “make an offer” system works, but would love to hear from someone who has had made an offer to a seller.

I’m currently trying to convince WorthPoint of my need of an expense account so I can try this stuff out so as to better inform my readers of how it works but I think they’re on to my clever attempt at getting them to pay for my vintage comic addiction. Maybe if you guys flood them with emails they’ll go for it and I can finally buy that Defenders #1 I’ve always wanted.

Matt Baum is a Worthologist who specializes in comic books.

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Captain Britain and MI: 13

Still overwhelmed by my Watchmen experience yesterday—a series of unfortunate events prevented me from going this weekend—I found myself squinting at my computer screen last night trying to figure out how I was only expecting to buy ten comics this Wednesday and the alphabetical list I made ends with the letter “i.” Weird right? I suppose it just gives me some more time to catch up on Jason Aaron’s Scalped from DC/Vertigo. My friend Ryan loaned me the first three collections recently and I fell in love, with the book not him. Nicely done, Ryan. Also this week, the first in the Jack Kirby war comic collections hits the stands. The Losers by Jack Kirby collects issues #151-#162 of Our Fighting Forces and features a forward by Neil Gaiman. The other DC Kirby reprints have been a great way for collectors on budget to read some of the most influential comic work in comic history in excellent hardcover reprints.

With that said, let’s take a look at the new comics coming out this Wednesday, March 11. Below you’ll find the list of new comics I’ll be purchasing. For a complete list of this week’s comics click here. To find a comic shop near you click here.

Action Comics #875
Batman: Battle For The Cowl #1 of 3
B.P.R.D.: The Black Goddess #3 of 5
Captain Britain and MI: 13 #11
DMZ #40
Green Lantern Corps #34
Guardians Of The Galaxy #11
Immortal Iron Fist #23
The Invincible Iron Man #11

Like I said earlier, a weird list, right? Not much in the way of new series this week other than the Bat-event “Battle for the Cowl” (see my picks below for more on that). Although it’s a light week, there’s some real quality on the shelves. The best comic you’re not reading is Captain Britain and MI: 13, written by Paul Cornell (writer on the Doctor Who TV series). Cap and MI:13 has brought Count Dracula back to the fore-front of villains in the Marvel U and fans love it. In all seriousness, you need to give this series a chance. Lately, its sales have dipped to dangerous levels and rumors of its cancellation are beginning to circulate. It would really be a shame to lose a comic this good just as the series is finding it’s legs.

And now, on to the Speculator Picks of the Week. These are books that, for one reason or another, may sell out quickly and become instant collectibles. If you don’t pay attention and get to your local comic shop in a timely fashion, you could be paying way too much for these comics very soon. The codes you see listed below the solicitations are for use when ordering through your local comic shop.

Batman: Battle for the Cowl #1 of 3: DC

Batman: Battle for the Cowl #1 of 3

Solicitation: “Batman: R.I.P.” and FINAL CRISIS saw the end of Batman. Now, months following the disappearance of her protector, Gotham City sits at a precipice and it may be too far gone for Nightwing, Robin, Commissioner Gordon and the rest of the city’s heroes to save the day. Amid the fires, rioting, looting and gang warfare, one question rings out from the souls of Gotham’s desperate citizens: Where is Batman?
With guest-stars galore, the destruction of a sacred Gotham City institution and an ending that will have everyone talking, this three-issue miniseries event written and drawn by Tony Daniel (The Tenth) features the battle to take on the Mantle of the Bat. Who has earned the right? Who thinks they deserve it? Robin? Nightwing? Jason Todd? Two-Face? Catwoman? Batgirl? Who will ultimately win the BATTLE FOR THE COWL?
• 40 PGS
• $3.99 US
• JAN090180
Written by: Tony Daniel. Pencils by: Tony Daniel. Inks by: Sandu Florea. Cover by: Tony Daniel.

Why it’ll go fast: Regardless of whether or not you liked RIP and Final Crisis, chances are you want to know what happens next. Once again DC is going way out on a limb and giving the job of telling this story to an unlikely candidate, an artist. Tony Daniel, who, while being an accomplished comic artist, has had very little writing experience. Who knows, maybe Daniel’s fresh perspective will make “Battle for the Cowl” a triumph. However, maybe this is where the retailers draw a line in the sand. Since RIP, numbers on both Bat-books have dropped and the announcement that the second part of the Neil Gaiman Bat-story, in the pages of Detective Comics, isn’t coming out until April certainly isn’t going to excite anyone. The chatter on the fan sites isn’t what I’d call optimistic at this point but I still think this one is going to sell. It has all the hallmarks of the 1990′s “Reign of the Supermen” storyline that followed the “death” of Superman. None of us honestly believed that Supes was dead forever but we still all went along for the ride.

Resident Evil #1: DC/Wildstorm

Resident Evil #1

Solicitation: Capcom’s international video game sensation returns in March with Resident Evil 5 and WildStorm debuts the new prequel miniseries tying into the highly anticipated release! Find out what led Chris Redfield to Africa and learn the dark burden that haunts him! An absolute must-read for fans of the franchise and a starting point for new readers!

• 32 PGS
• $3.99 US
• JAN090264
Written by: Rick Sanchez. Pencils by: Kevin Sharpe. Inks by: Jim Clark. Cover by: Brandon Badeaux .

Why it’ll go fast: Say what you will about video-game-comic-adaptations, I personally don’t read them, but they sell. Wildstorm’s Gears of War adaptation sold only about 20,000 copies in the direct market (comic shops and book stores) and about 380,000 copies elsewhere (probably video game stores?). With the hype behind it’s video game release, this Friday, the Resident Evil 5 comic could easily out sell GOW based solely on franchise history. Gears of War: 2 games. Resident Evil: 5 games and three movies. Resident Evil wins even though the movies were terrible and I’m not excited about still having to stop and shoot zombies in the new game. Advantage Gears of War, purely on gameplay.

Rorschach 1:6 scale deluxe collector figure: DC Direct

Rorschach 1:6 scale deluxe collector figure

Solicitation: This 1:6 scale deluxe collector figure of the movie’s masked vigilante features an intricate and authentically detailed fabric costume with multiple layers, including a suit, boots, a Rorschach mask and accessories. Packaged in a deluxe 4-color window box with a fifth panel, the figure also comes with a display base.
• $99

Why it’ll go fast: Again, I apologize for bringing toys into our weekly comic blog but this one is amazing. If you have read Watchmen or recently seen the movie, which you should, you undoubtedly fell in love with the character of Rorschach and thought to yourself, “man, I need to drop a hundred bucks on a figure of that guy.” Well now is your chance. At $99 each, rest assured there aren’t going to be piles of these laying around, and those of us who want them are going to buy them quickly.

The Indy Comic of the Week will return next week.

Nerdy Question of the Week:

Several fanboys and comic creators have complained about the end of the Watchmen movie being different from the original comic, while the rest of the film was a virtual word for word adaptation. With out ruining it for those who haven’t seen the film yet, did you like or dislike the changes made to the end of the Watchmen movie?

Thanks again for your continued input and keep the answers to the nerdy questions coming. If you have any questions about these books or anything else in the comic book world feel free to contact me or post your question in the Comic Book community forum. Want to know what your comics are worth? Join WorthPoint for free and post your titles in the “Ask a Question” section. Remember to post the title, issue number and cover price.

Matt Baum is a Worthologist who specializes in comic books.

WorthPoint—Discover Your Hidden Wealth

Action Comics #1. An unrestored copy of Action #1 went up for sale on Feb. 27, and experts expect it to draw bids up to $400,000.

The first appearance of Superman in the pages of Action Comics #1, which originally went on sale in June of 1938, has long been considered the birth of the Superhero comics in America. Whether or not Superman was the first superhero is a discussion in and of it’s self, but one thing that is for certain: Action Comics #1 is one of, if not the, most expensive and rare comics in existence. Currently there are 100-150 known copies of Action #1 in varied conditions, and about 80 percent of those have been restored in some way.

It’s been a while since an unrestored copy of Action #1 went up for sale, but today on Comiclink.com, collectors can place their bid on one of the highest graded, unrestored copies of the comic in recent memory.

Graded in Fine condition (6.0 out of 10) by CGC, a professional comic grading service, this copy of Action #1 had not been part of the collectible comic market previously and made it’s public debut at the Comiclink.com booth at the 2009 New York Comic-Con. The owner’s identity is being withheld, but according to Comiclink.com owner Stephen Fishler, the comic was purchased for .35 cents in 1949-1950 in a used book store. The comic was then stored in the owner’s mother’s basement until 1966. Since then the comic’s owner has been waiting for its value to increase. Which it has.

Even though Action comics #1 guides for around $130,000 in Fine condition, experts are predicting this copy to sell for $400,000, due to the low number of unrestored copies in circulation. Another CGC graded, unrestored copy of Action Comics #1 in Good condition (2.0) sold for $85,000 in March of 2007, more than twice the $42,000 it guides for, on a similar comic book auction site. More recently, in May of 2008, a restored copy of Action #1 CGC graded at Very Fine + (8.5) sold for $116,512.50 on the Heritage.com vintage comics auction site. In 2003, Stephen Geppi, CEO of Diamond Comics Distributions, offered a $1-million-dollar reward for an unrestored copy of Action Comics #1 that would grade out in Very Good condition as graded by CGC.

Bidding for the comic started on Feb. 27 at $1 at 12 noon Eastern Standard time and as of 6 p.m. was already up to $200,200 with 36 bids. The auction closes on Friday, March 13 and collectors everywhere will be watching to see how high the winning bid will be. Click here to watch the bidding.

Matt Baum is a Worthologist who specializes in comic books.

WorthPoint–Discover Your Hidden Wealth

I’ve spent hours cycling through countless eBay auctions looking at comics that the seller swears are in mint condition only to receive a comic in Very Good condition at best. If you know what I’m talking about in that last sentence, then you know the difference between Very Good and Near Mint is huge. In fact, I’ve often argued that mint-condition comics do not exist, and even near-mint copies are hard to come by.

Yet, if you search “Mint Comics” on eBay, you’ll currently find more than nine pages of results. Near mint, maybe, but 10.0 mint condition, no way. I’m not saying all these sellers are frauds, but rather they don’t seem to have the knowledge that longtime collectors or even retailers have of their own comics.

This is where GoAntiques seems to have an advantage. Are there some sellers there are asking ridiculous prices for garbage comics? Yes. However, there seems to be a large group of sellers who have professionally graded their comics and actually know what they are talking about.

Our Fighting Forces #158. After browsing like a nerdy shark looking for a back-issue to sink my teeth into, I found this one on GoAntiques. I made the purchase, and will report on what I actually bought when it shows up.

This afternoon, I spent an hour looking at some Bronze-age Jack Kirby war comics on GoAntiques that I would love to own. As of yet, I haven’t made any purchases but will let you know about my experience when I do. I don’t think I can resist these Our Fighting Forces comics much longer. When clicking on the page, I found the layout easy to read and simple enough not to get lost in the details. Most of the sellers I clicked on stated the grade/condition of the comics and that the dealer was using the Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide for their pricing.

I’m not saying that Overstreet is the end-all, be-all of comic-book pricing. Remember, just because a comic-book guide says something should sell for hundreds of dollars does not mean you’ll be able to find someone to buy it for that price. I do like sellers who state they are using Overstreet as their guide because it is well accepted and used by most professionals and collectors alike as a way to establish a condition grade and a fair price.

So I’m browsing like a nerdy shark looking for a back issue to sink my teeth into. One thing that could be improved upon is the taxonomy. Rather than just lumping everything into comics, it would be nice to see Golden, Silver, Bronze and Modern-age sections (by the way, if anyone from GoAntiques is looking for a nerd to help with comic-book taxonomy, I’m your guy). Not all of us can afford Golden-age comics or are even looking for them in some instances. Some of the sellers have included ages in their descriptions, and when I searched “Bronze-age” comics, I did find quite a few issues including the Our Fighting Forces #158 I keep coming back to. So maybe my taxonomy gripe isn’t warranted, or at least it wouldn’t be if more sellers would include the ages in their descriptions.

The next step is to buy, I guess. One thing that leaves me a little uneasy is the lack of feedback on the dealers. Maybe I’m missing something, but there doesn’t appear to be any. I’m sure this dealer is a fair-enough guy but reading someone else’s message to confirm this would put my mind at ease. Oh well, this is a learning experience, and I’m getting paid $10 dollars a word (chuckle), so here goes.

Checkout is pretty self-explanatory, paid with PayPal, but had the option of using my credit card, and now I wait. In Part Two of this story, I’ll talk about what happens next (how long the comic took to arrive, the condition, etc.). For now, I wait to hear from the seller to make sure they still have the comic in stock, which is a pretty handy function for store owners who want to have their inventory for sale in their brick-and-mortar store and on the Web. I’ll report back with my findings soon.

Matt Baum is a Worthologist who specializes in comic books.

WorthPoint—Discover Your Hidden Wealth

Before we get started let’s talk housekeeping. I’ve received a few e-mails detailing some problems with finding older “This Week” blogs, problems with posting comments and even some problems with getting in contact with me. I assure you I’ve read all your emails and forwarded them to the proper geeks and have been reassured by those same geeks that problems are in the process of being solved. There’s a lot of changes coming down the WorthPoint-pipe real soon here (no I’m not being replaced, as far as I know anyway) and they are all for the benefit of you guys. Stick around and you’ll see.

With that out of the way let’s talk comics. The yearly comic sales numbers have been released and it seems, once again, Marvel stomped DC in comic sales while DC whupped Marvel in Trade-Paper-Back sales. All in all not very surprising as Marvel’s “Secret Invasion” seems to have been a rollicking sales and critical success. The fans spoke with their wallets and bought a lot more Marvel Comics than DC. The numbers don’t lie. However, does sales success translate to collectivity? The short answer is maybe. For more on this question check out my other blog, “The Comic Speculator” where I’ll be taking a look at Marvel’s last big crossover event, “Civil War,” to try and predict where prices on the “Secret Invasion” comics will sit after the dust settles. Look for that blog later this week.

For now let’s take a look at this week’s new comics. Here’s my pile if comics for the week of Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009. As always, I welcome your criticism, praise or threats of bodily harm based on what I am or am not reading/collecting. You may have noticed a new section below where you can respond to this article, it’s the perfect place to agree with or lash out at me for all to see! (No rhyme intended) For a complete list of this week’s new comics click here. To find a comic shop near you click here.

Action Comics #873
B.P.R.D.: The Black Goddess #1 of 5
Captain Britain and MI: 13 #9
DMZ #38
Faces of Evil: Prometheus
Final Crisis #6 of 7
Final Crisis: Superman Beyond #2 of 2
Green Lantern Corps #32
Nightwing #152
Punisher: War Zone #5 of 6
X-Infernus #2 of 4

Now let’s talk speculation. As you may or may not know, the purpose of this blog is to arm the comic nerd with the information he or she needs to make an informed and quality new comic purchase every week. While they might not be worth piles of money, these issues may be pretty hard to find in the near future.

Amazing Spiderman #583, Obama Variant

Amazing Spiderman #583, Obama Variant; Marvel Comics; Written by Mark Waid; Art by Barry Kitson, Back up story Written by Zeb Wells; Art by Todd Nauck; 32 pages $3.99.

Solicitation: YOU ASKED FOR IT, YOU GOT IT! PETER PARKER ON A DATE! After the revelations of “Mind on Fire,” love is in the air for more than one member of the cast, and Pete finally gets some time out with the ladies (and who better to bring it to you than two men who both had dates as recently as 1987!?!). Amidst the romance, though, forces are gathering that will spell trouble for Peter in the months to come. And, to celebrate the upcoming inauguration of Barack Obama, Marvel is proud to present an all-new story teaming up one of the world’s most recognizable political figures with the world’s greatest super hero, as President-Elect Obama joins Spider-Man in “Spidey Meets the President!”

Why it’ll go fast: As you may recall, a few months ago Batman may or may not have died in the pages of Batman as part of the “RIP” storyline. This issue prompted me to predict a huge sellout on the basis that DC would drop a press release to media sources everywhere, hoping the news papers and networks would pick up on the story and send people everywhere to their nearest comic shop to see how Batman dies. Well it didn’t happen. Whether DC dropped the ball on this one or no one cared, we may never know. Marvel on the other hand seems to have their PR dept in marching order and already this week CNN, NPR, and USA TODAY have run stories about Spidey meeting Obama in the pages of Amazing Spidey #583. Already pre-sales for the issue on eBay are going for $30-$50 and with the announcement of a second printing of the Variant cover it would seem the entire first print-run is spoken for before hitting the stands. Retailers had to order more of the regular cover of #583 than they did of Amazing Spidey #575 to be eligible to order the Obama variant. If they surpassed their order of #575, then the sky’s the limit; order as many Obama Variant as you want, although there’s no guarantee you’ll receive them all. The distribution of the variants seems to be a mystery, and the rumor of a10,000- to 20,000-print-run will make this comic extremely hot and hard to find. I wonder how a Sarah Palin variant would sell?

Faces of Evil: Prometheus

Faces of Evil: Prometheus; DC; Written by Sterling Gates; Art by Federico Dallocchio; Cover by Mauro Cascioli; 32 pages; $2.99.

Solicitation: It’s an all-new prelude to the upcoming, all-new JUSTICE LEAGUE #1! Prometheus once defeated the Justice League single-handedly, and with his latest lethal crime spree, he’s moved to the top of the heroes’ Most Wanted list. But what grave crimes has he committed, and what will he do to prevent capture? Learn the real face of evil that is Prometheus!

Why it’ll go fast: I love the current Faces of Evil event, but sadly, am still awaiting last week’s FOE: Grundy issue due to a shipping error at Diamond Comics. I’m still trying to get a solid answer on who was affected by this shipping error and will let you know as soon as I do. That aside, FOE takes a look at the villains that will be making problems fot the DC heroes in the coming year and Prometheus is one of my favorites. Writer Sterling Gates has been doing great work on the current Supergirl run and I’m excited to see how he brings Prometheus back to the DC villains “A-list.” While the numbers for orders on the first FOE issue aren’t available yet, I’m guessing this issue will be ordered much lower than the Geoff Johns Grundy issue based on the fact that, though he’s great, Sterling Gates isn’t a huge name yet.

X-Infernus #2 of 4

X-Infernus #2 of 4; Marvel Comics; Written by C.B. Cebulski; Art by Giuseppe Camuncol; Cover by David Finch; 32 pages; $3.99.

Solicitation: Darkchilde comes calling to the X-Men’s doorstep—and she’s not leaving without her Soulsword. The next pulse-pounding issue by C.B. Cebulski (LONERS, Drain) and Giuseppe Cammuncoli (MS. MARVEL, Intimates) is here and it’s shaking up the X-Men in a big way.

Why it’ll go fast: X-Men mini-series haven’t had the best reputation for sales or quality for quite a while now, however, X-Infernus seems to be the exception to the rule. Issue one was GREAT! I love the character of Magik, Illyana Rasputin (Colossus’ little sister), and can’t wait for her to return to the Marvel U (sans goat legs). I’m not the only nerd that loved this story, fans bought issue #1 by the fistful causing an instant sell-out at the printer and a second and third printing. If you can find issue X-Infernus #1 pick it up along with issue #2. It’s good fun for fans of both the now classic New Mutants, and the more recent New X Men Academy X.

The Indy book of the Week pick will return next week. For this week, I’m introducing yet another new section to stir up some discussion. It’s called the The Nerdy Question of the Week, where I’ll pose a question to you the reader and hopefully you’ll respond. Responses can come via email or using the “comments” section at below. This weeks question comes from a discussion a friend of mine and I had this past weekend.

If you had to reduce your pile to one comic a month (just one title) what comic would it be?

Post you answers below or feel free to e-mail them to me.

Until next week, keep the questions coming. Also, check out my other blog The Comic Speculator, where I discuss new and classic yet still affordable back-issue comics. If you have any questions about these books or anything else in the comic book world feel free to contact me or post your question in the Comic Book community forum. Want to know what your comics are worth? Join WorthPoint for free and post your titles in the “Ask A Question” section. Remember to post the title, issue number and cover price.

Matt Baum is a Worthologist who specializes in comic books.

WorthPoint: Get the Most from Your Antiques and Collectibles

This Week in Geek is a weekly blog about new comics written by WorthPoint Comic book Worthologist Matt Baum. Every Wednesday Matt takes a look at the week’s new comics from a collector’s point-of-view and discusses which books may be hard to find in the near future and why. Make sure to click on the hot links for previews and more information on the comics, characters, story-lines and creators discussed here.

This Wednesday is the day many of us Bat-fans have been waiting for. Since Grant Morrison took over Batman in 2006, the title has been a wild ride that has ultimately led fans and collectors to tomorrow’s final issue of “Batman R.I.P.” Although it had been rumored for months now, an article in the BBC news this past Monday made it official; as of tomorrow, according to Morrison, Bruce Wayne will not be Batman. Now, don’t panic. The article doesn’t say Bruce will be killed, which would seem counterproductive to the fan-base of not only the comic but the wildly successful Batman film franchise. The latest franchise that is. However, if anyone would kill Bruce Wayne it would be Morrison. I can picture him throwing his head back and cackling as nerds everywhere cry out silently, in all caps, on comic-fan-site web-boards across the Internet. Trust me, he’s not afraid to blow Batman’s head off and have his corpse eaten by rabid dogs, if you’ve read Morrison’s Invisibles or Hellblazer then you also know it’s true. I was tempted to skip work to find out Wayne’s fate; yes, I’m that big of a nerd. One thing is for certain, eBay will light up with issues of Batman #681 starting at midnight tonight. I’m not predicting a shortage, but who knows; we are in a recession. Maybe retailers cut back on their orders as readers began tightening their financial belts. We could have an instant Bat-sell-out on our hands. Maybe I will skip work just to be safe.

Also shipping this week; Rafel Grampa’s Mesmo Delivery is being billed as a road adventure in the vein of Convoy meets the Twilight Zone. Brazilian native Grampa’s art is some of the freshest and kinetic work I’ve encountered in years and I’m very much looking forward to his first major comic offering. Grampa has worked with Gabriel Ba (Cassanova, The Umbrella Academy) and Fabio Moon (Cassanova) and has done design work for the Cartoon Network, Diesel and Coca-Cola. Mesmo Delivery tells the story of Rufo, an ex-boxer tasked with delivering a secret cargo that even he cannot know of. If you can’t find a copy at your local comic shop demand they order one for you. Grampa is an up and coming comic talent that will probably be drawing some of your favorite books very soon.

Are you one of those pathetic fools that ignored the hype and missed out on the Marvel “Secret Invasion” storyline only to later find yourself pale and sweaty like a desperate junkie, digging through back-issue bins searching for long sold out issues of New Avengers? If you are, don’t blame me. I’ve been screaming about how good this storyline is since day-one. Regardless, now you too can join the cool kids on the “Secret Invasion” bandwagon with the New Avengers Vol 8: Secret Invasion Book 1 Premiere Hardcover. Vol 8 contains New Avengers #38-#42 which details the beginning of the Skrull Invasion that will be remembered as one of Marvel’s best crossover events. Available at comic shops everywhere for $19.95.

And now, as I do every week, my buy list for the week of 11/25/2008. For a complete list of comics shipping this week click here. To find a comic shop near you click here.

Batman #681
Buffy the Vampire Slayer #19
Captain America #44
Daredevil #113
DMZ #36
Guardians Of The Galaxy #7
Hulk #8
Incredible Hercules #123
Justice Society of America – Kingdom Come Special: The Kingdom
Nova #19
Secret Invasion: Inhumans #4 of 4
Superman #682
Thor: Man of War
The Umbrella Academy: Dallas #1 of 6
X-Force #9

Remember to contact me with your questions, concerns, threats, and suggestions as to what I am or should be reading.

So let’s talk speculation. As you may or may not know, the whole purpose of this blog is to arm the comic nerd with the information he or she needs to make an informed and quality new comic purchase every week. While they might not be worth piles of money, they may be pretty hard to find in the near future.

Batman #681; DC; Written By Grant Morrison; Art by Tony Daniel; Cover by Alex Ross; $3.99

Why it’s hot: Don’t turn on your TV. Don’t pick up a newspaper, don’t answer your phone and for god’s sake if some nerd in your comic shop tries to ruin the end of this one smash their face in before they can make a sound. Bat’s #681 is the final chapter of “Batman R.I.P.” and it very well may be the death of Bruce Wayne. Normally I would say there’s not a snowflake’s chance in Baghdad DC would kill Batman, but that was before Marvel killed off Captain America two years ago and sold a million comics in the process. All bets are off the table. I have no idea what’s going to happen. The only thing we do know is after tomorrow Bruce Wayne will not be Batman.

Why it’ll go fast: I can think of 500,000,000 reasons why this book will sell out, the main being news coverage. The death of Batman is big news, especially after the Dark Knight grossed over $500,000,000 at the box office this past summer (get it 500 million reasons? Oh whatever. You wouldn’t know wit if it bit you on your…). Watch for USA Today and CNN to pick up on this story, they love these nerd headlines. Ill even go as far as to predict Conan O’Brien makes a joke about Batman’s death in his monologue. The point is when the media picks up on these comic stories people that don’t usually buy comics seem to come out of nowhere to do so. For a complete RIP checklist click here.

The Umbrella Academy: Dallas #1; Dark Horse; Written By Gerard Way; Art by Gabriel Ba; Covers by Gabriel Ba and Jim Lee; $2.99.

Why it’s hot: The Eisner Award winner for best limited series of 2007 returns with more of your favorite misunderstood heroes with parent issues in the long awaited second chapter of the Umbrella Academy. With every thing from news of an animated series to rumors of an upcoming film, My Chemical Romance front-man, Gerard Way’s Umbrella Academy couldn’t be hotter. (For the record I can’t stand the guys band but I have to admit, he writes great comics. Cheers Gerard).

Why it’ll go fast: The geeks are sold on this one. I, like many like me, fought the urge to read the first Umbrella Academy solely based on the fact that I couldn’t stand the band that the writer sang for. Month’s several brow beatings for being a music snob later I admit I paid way too much for issues one and two but have no regrets as I loved both the writing and Gabriel Ba’s incredible art. This is not to say that I am the King of Geeks leading all nerds to the shop to buy the new Umbrella Academy; which my finance will tell you is absolutely true. The buzz on this comic is huge so get to your shop early and hope it’s still there.

Body Bags #1; Image Comics; Written and drawn by Jason Pearson; $5.99.

Why it’s hot: Back in 1996 Pearson first introduced readers to Panda and Clownface, the father-daughter contract killer team and stars of Body Bags in a hyper-violent 4-issue mini-series from Dark Horse comics. Nine years later Pearson brought his family of killers to Image comics under the 12 Gauge imprint for a new short story. Call him slow, perfectionist, or whatever else, but Pearson and Body Bags are back again with their first full comic since 1996. Call me excited.

Why it’ll go fast: First of all, it’s been 12 years since readers have seen an issue of Body Bags and most didn’t read it in the first place. Those who did, myself included, fell in love with the iconic Clownface character and his penchant for extremely bloody murder. It was the 90s, I was a sick horror addicted youngster. Do I still care? We’ll see tomorrow. One thing is for certain; retailers are going to order a six dollar one-shot of a comic that hasn’t been seen for more than a decade with great hesitance. Don’t expect to see piles of this one laying around but if you’re looking for a violent romp with excellent art, Body Bags might just be the comic for you.

That’s it for this week true believers. Time for this nerd to get some shut eye. Have a happy Turkey Day. I’ll be preparing an apple-wood smoked bacon wrapped turkey with pear cider gravy and then reading the rest of my Jack Kirby’s Fourth World Omnibus while watching the dog show and of course, football. Until next week, keep the questions coming. Also, check out my other blog The Comic Speculator, where I discuss classic yet still affordable back-issue comics. If you have any questions about these books or anything else in the comic book world feel free to contact me or post your question in the Comic Book community forum. Want to know what your comics are worth? Join WorthPoint for free and post your titles in the “Ask A Question” section. Remember to post the title, issue number and cover price.

The Week in Geek 11/12

By Matt Baum

This Week in Geek is a weekly blog about new comics written by WorthPoint Comic book Worthologist Matt Baum. Every Wednesday Matt takes a look at the week’s new comics from a collector’s point-of-view and discusses which books may be hard to find in the near future and why. Make sure to click on the hot links for previews and more information on the comics, characters, story-lines and creators discussed here

As a child I used to listen to my father talk about how much he loved the 007 movies, especially the Sean Connery films. My dad and I had very similar taste in films when I was younger. He loved the old Godzilla films, The Godfather parts 1 and 3 and he took me to see the Road Warrior when I was 6 years old. At that age I was pretty much into anything my dad said was cool, except the old Bond films. I just didn’t get it. Maybe it’s the same genetic trait that’s kept me away from Doctor Who to this day, but I just couldn’t get into the British super-spy-thing. It all seemed so cheesy. That was until the latest adaptation of Casino Royal with Daniel Craig as James Bond. Not only did it further my man-crush for Craig but the film recreated Bond as a human and a gentleman-spy/killing machine. I can’t tell you how geeked-up I am for Quantum of Solace and a new compendium of the Illustrated James Bond that hit’s comic stands this week.

Hermes Press’ James Bond: The History of the Illustrated 007 chronicles James Bond’s many comic appearances starting with his daily comic strips in the British Daily Express in 1958. Writer and Pop Historian Alan J. Porter examines 50 years of James Bond in comics in this 240 page soft-cover book available this Wednesday at a comic shop near you. Confession time: I’ve never read any James Bond comics but fully plan on checking out this book to figure out what I need to read.

In weird news, I’m not judging, just saying this piece of news is arguably weird, Walt Becker, director of Van Wilder and Wild Hogs makes his comic book debut this week. Now, you might expect the man that brought us the aforementioned cinematic gems might give comic readers a light hearted comedy comic. Well funny comics don’t sell so well but you know what does, fantasy comics. So, in the interest of sales, or perhaps throwing off the shackles of his Hollywood comedy pigeon-holing, director Walt Becker and Boom Studious bring us Last Reign: Kings of War. Kings of War takes place in a post-apocalyptic future where a new order of Knights (in armor) have risen to bring peace in a time of… Well, post-apocalyptic turmoil I guess. Knights in armor in a post-apocalyptic future from the director of Van Wilder; only in comics folks.

Now once again, here’s the list of comics I’ll be picking up this week. As always please send me your criticism or praises on what I am or am not reading. For a complete list of this weeks comics click here. For a comic-shop near you click here.

Action Comics #871 – More New Krypton!
Batman: Cacophony #1 of 3 – See “Picks of the Week”
B.P.R.D.: The Warning #5 of 5
Captain Britain and MI:13 #7 – My anti Dr. Who stance weakens with each new issue.
Eternals Annual #1
Green Lantern Corps #30
Justice Society of America – Kingdom Come Special: Superman – See “Picks of the Week”
The Lone Ranger #15
Nightwing #150
Wolverine #69 – Old man Logan continues.

Push #1 of 6; DC/Wildstorm; Written by Adam Freeman and Marc Bernardin; Art by Bruno Redondo; Cover by Jock; $3.50

Why it’s hot: Push is a comic prequel to the film of the same name starring Dakota Fanning that premiers in 2009. The premise centers around a top secret government group called “the Division” that is rounding up people with extra mental abilities to fight as psychic soldiers in an upcoming secret war. Marc Bernardin and Adam Freeman, writers of Wildstorm’sHighwaymen and Top Cow’s Genius bring readers the first look at Push.

Why it’ll go fast: Truth be told it may not go fast at all. I didn’t even know that Push was a movie tie-in until I looked into the title. Most retailers, disappointed with the low sales of Wildstorm comics may pass this one up altogether. In fact, I’m guessing no one pays much attention to Push until the opening weekend of the film. Much like the Matrix comics that no one paid any attention to until the film turned out to be a blockbuster sci-fi classic, which now guide for more than $30.00, Push could be a big comic hit long after it’s publication. That is if the movie is a hit. If it sucks then just forget I said anything.

Batman Cacophony #1; DC; Written by Kevin Smith; Art by Walt Flanagan; Covers by Adam and Andy Kubert; $3.99.

Why it’s hot: Coming off the success of Zach and Miri Make a Porno it certainly seems that Kevin Smith is back. He’s learned his lesson after trying to go mainstream and has returned to his raunchy comedy roots, but that’s not all. Smith has returned to comics to give readers a Batman story starring Onomatopoeia, a villain he created during his run on Green Arrow in 2001. Smith and his good friend and movie extra Walt Flanagan team up for this special three-issue limited series.

Why it’ll go fast: Earlier I said that Kevin Smith is back, but closer to the truth might be, “If Kevin Smith can put out all three issues of Cacophony on schedule, then I’ll say he’s back”. In the past Smith hasn’t been known for finishing his books in a timely fashion. I would hope that all three issues of his Bat-story are in the can but, you never know. His two issue limited series (was it supposed to only be two?) Daredevil: The Target began in 2003 and was never finished and his six-issue Spider-man Black Cat began in 2002 and finished in 2006. I love Smith’s writing and am a fan of most of his films but don’t trust him when it comes to deadlines. Retailers that got stuck with piles of his Daredevil and Spider-man books due to ridiculously late issues might not trust him anymore either. I would expect to see orders on Cacophony #1 much lower than Smith’s past books but probably not hard to find until issue #2 ships. If it ships on time that is.

JSA Kingdom Come Special: Superman; DC; Written and drawn Alex Ross; Covers by Alex Ross and Dale Eaglesham; $3.99

Why it’s hot: Alex Ross. I shouldn’t have to say anything else. But I will. If you’ve been reading Johns’ Superman and JSA stories than you already know how great they are. If not then you probably hate comics or yourself and are just misplacing your frustration on some of the best superhero stories ever written. I am not exaggerating here. If you love superhero comics you need to read this one. I give you my personal money back guarantee on this one. If you don’t like the JSA Supes special box it up and mail it to me and I’ll send you a check for $3.99. Someday, maybe.

That’s all for now true believers. Until next week, keep the questions coming. Also, check out my other blog The Comic Speculator, where I discuss classic yet still affordable back-issue comics. If you have any questions about these books or anything else in the comic book world feel free to contact me or post your question in the Comic Book community forum. Want to know what your comics are worth? Join WorthPoint for free and post your titles in the “Ask A Question” section. Remember to post the title, issue number and cover price.

Week in Geek 11/05

By Matt Baum

Ok, here’s a little peek behind the “This Week in Geek” curtain. I write this blog on Tuesday’s, usually, and try to make it feel like it instantly springs from my skull on Wednesday morning. Well it doesn’t. Most Tuesdays it’s fairly easy to reference something vague that happened or will be happening that week to make the blog feel perfectly timely for that Wednesday. This however is not one of those weeks. As I write this people all across the U.S. are not only anxiously awaiting their new comics but also voting for the new president of the United States. I did so this morning, there was free coffee, it was nice. So in an effort to make my blog feel natural for the Wednesday after an election I will write the following intro as if it’s Wednesday morning and we are all waking up to a new day with a new President. All you will need to do is copy the blog, paste it into your word processing program, fill in the blanks and booyaa, “This Week in Geek” remains your source for instant and reliable comic book and election news. Here we go…

After a long night of election coverage I awoke to not only another new comics Wednesday, but the end of a long and hard fought presidential election. America voted in record numbers yesterday in what will truly be remembered as a historic election indeed. It’s been almost a two year battle but it’s finally over and now we need to all come together not as Republicans and Democrats but as Americans and welcome our new President ______ _____ to the White House. I’m not going to go into who I voted for but instead say to President _____, the time for talk is over, now let’s see you what you’ve got.

Now the real bickering and political infighting can begin. We the people can finally get back to our daily lives and not have to worry about who’s qualified or who’s a terrorist or who’s too old. Election season is over, Christmas is coming, but most importantly, today is new comic day.

This week DC is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Neil Gaiman’s Sandman with two big books hitting the stands. Absolute Sandman vol. 4, which reprints issues #55-75, marks the end of the Absolute Sandman collection. These over-sized slip-cased reprints are bound in leather and make an amazing addition to any Sandman fan’s library. Also this week DC releases Sandman: Dream Hunters #1 of 4. See my picks of the week for more on Dream Hunters.

Marvel fans are in for another huge week with almost 30 new Marvel comics on the stands. However, the sneaky marketing guys at marvel are slipping in a few “special” issues that look just like your normal monthly title but may not be written or drawn by your normal monthly creative team. For instance, this week Marvel is releasing three specials, Avengers Initiative Special #1, Ms Marvel Special Storyteller, and the Punisher War Journal Annual. I’ve never been a big fan of special issues as they usually don’t have anything to do with the current storyline, they have a higher price tag and they usually aren’t created by the team that writes the monthly comic I enjoy. Avengers Initiative Special however, is an exception as it ties up a plot point that’s been building since issue one and is written and drawn by the normal creative team. I’m guessing they wanted to finish this story before the end of the Secret Invasion storyline. On the other hand, Miss Marvel and Punisher are perfect examples of my “Special Issue” stereotype. The Miss Marvel special is written by series writer Brian Reed, who I like, but has nothing to do with the current story and may even take place in an alternate reality. The Punisher War Journal Annual is handled by a completely different creative team, costs a dollar more than the regular monthly book and seems to have a really lame premise. I’ll give it a peek but I’m not blindly buying this one.

Also this week, Aspen Comics is publishing a very special 80-page book in memory of the company’s creator, Michael Turner. A Tribute to Michael Turner celebrates the work of one of the industry’s most beloved artists who tragically died of cancer earlier this year. Click here for more on Turner. Included in the book:
• A first time compilation cover by Michael Turner and Alex Ross.
• An introduction by Michel Turner’s mother Grace Crick.
• Special tributes from the Aspen Comics staff—the company Michael Turner founded.
• Over 40 all-new original pieces of art from the industry’s top creators and artists.
• Words of remembrance and unique tributes from the industry’s top writers, editors, and friends of Turner.
• A special section featuring fan art produced in honor of Michael Turner’s life and creations.
For more on the Michael Turner Tribute book click here.

Now here’s a look at the comics I’ll be picking up for the week of 11/05/2008. For a complete list of comics shipping this week click here. To find a comic shop near you click here.

Kull#1 – Another character from Conan creator Robert E. Howard
Adventure Comics Special: Guardian – New Krypton Part 3
Final Crisis: Resist one-shot
JSA – Best DC superhero-team book on the stands every month.
Secret Six – Tons of fun from superstar writer Gail Simone.
Guerrillas #2 – The Story of genetically altered apes fighting in Viet Nam. Thank you Image Comics.
Avengers Initiative Special #1
Cable #8
Invicible Iron Man #7 – new story-arc begins.
Marvel Zombies 3 #2 – Halloween is over but Zombies are fun all year long.
X-men and Spiderman #1 – See picks of the week.

As always, feel free to contact me and tease, yell, or suggest other comics I should be reading.

Now lets look at my speculator picks for the week. Remember, these books are by no means guaranteed to be worth millions but they will probably be hard to find in the near future.

Kull #1; Dark Horse; Written by Arvid Nelson; Art by Will Conrad; Covers by Jose Villarubia, Andy Brase and Joe Kubert; $2.99

Why it’s hot: Dark Horse comics has a long history of producing top notch comic adaptations of the famous stories of Fantasy writer Robert E. Howard, best known for creating Conan the Barbarian. Kull follows the adventures of the pirate, turned gladiator turned King of Atlantis while he rules his kingdom with both sword and scepter. Howard created Kull before Conan and portrayed the character as philosopher-warrior, much different than Conan’s silent brutish nature. Kull was the thinking man’s Barbarian and was last seen in the pages of the Marvel Comics Kull the Conquerer in 1985. Conan fans rejoice, King Kull is back on the comic stands.

Why it’ll go fast: Like the Conan and Solomon Kane comics Dark Horse has done an excellent job at bringing Howard’s characters to comic format while sticking close to the source material and maintaining high art standards. Kull looks like another winner with amazing covers by fantasy artist Jose Villaruba and writing duties by Rex Mundi creator and writer Avrid Nelson. Rex Mundi doesn’t have a huge following but it’s fans are die-hards and will probably follow Nelson straight to the pages of Kull. The only problem will be finding copies of issue #1. Conan was the by far the most well known of Howard’s characters and issue #3 of the latest Conan comic checked in at 97 on the top 100 selling comics for September. Solomon Kane checked in at 147 on the top 300 and it wouldn’t surprise me to see Kull ordered somewhere in between there. I would guess the average shop will order 2-5 copies of Kull #1 based on these numbers making it tough to find if you didn’t pre-order your copy.

X-men and Spider-man #1 of 4; Marvel; Written by Christos Gage; Art and cover by Mario Alberti; $2.99

Why it’s hot: X-men and Spidey is a four issue limited series that tells four different stories about four different X/Spidey team-ups through four different time periods of the character’s lives. Issue #1 features the Blob and Kraven the Hunter attacking the newly formed X-men and a young Spidey on the streets of New York. Those of you, who like me, long for a Spidey story before the Brand New Day revamp will be thrilled.

Why it’ll go fast: Christos Gage is no longer a hot up-and-comer but is quickly becoming a fan-favorite writer and paired with Mario Alberti on art duties, this comic has a heck of a creative team. The other part of X-men/Spidey that excites me is the chance to read a Spider-man story that takes place in the mainstream Marvel U untouched by the many revamps the character has seen in the past 10 years. I would argue that even though there are some good stories coming out of Amazing Spidey, after the events of the Brand New Day storyline, it just doesn’t feel like my Spider-man comic anymore. That is not to say that another return to the Spidey-status-quo is in order. For now, those of us who don’t recognize Spider-man anymore can pick up X-men/Spidey and remember the good-old-days.

Sandman: The Dream Hunters #1;DC/Vertigo; Written by Neil Gaiman; Covers by Yuko Shimizu and Craig Russel; $2.99

Why it’s hot: I’ll let DC comics pitch this one for you:
In honor of the 20th anniversary of Neil Gaiman’s landscape-altering series THE SANDMAN, one of Gaiman’s most frequent collaborators, Eisner and Harvey Award-winner P. Craig Russell (THE SANDMAN: ENDLESS NIGHTS), inimitably adapts Gaiman’s prose story the SANDMAN: THE DREAM HUNTERS into a sequential, 4-issue comics event! Released 10 years ago, THE SANDMAN: THE DREAM HUNTERS was a prose novella accompanied by illustrations from Japanese artist Yoshitaka Amano. Winning the 1999 Bram Stoker Award and the 2000 Eisner Award, it told the tale of a humble young monk and a magical, shape-changing fox who find themselves romantically drawn together.
As their love blooms, the fox learns of a devilish plot by a group of demons to steal the monk’s life. With the aid of Morpheus, the King of All Night’s Dreamings, the fox must use all of her cunning and creative thinking to foil this evil scheme and save the man that she loves.

Why it’ll go fast: Sandman is widely considered the best comic series ever written so the news that after 20 years there’s more story to tell, or at least adapt, is good news. There’s been plenty of Sandman tie-ins since the series ended but not any that were written by Gaiman himself. Sandman was one of those comics that reached across nerd lines and spoke to everyone, namely women. Most of the female comic fans that I know had their first comic experience with Sandman and have followed Gaiman ever since. I would expect people who haven’t read comics for a long time to come looking for Dream Hunters #1. The question is, do the retailers still believe in Sandman? Some of the highest selling Vertigo comics barely break the top 100 comic selling comics each month but see much higher sales tin trade-paperback collections. I’m guessing most retailers will order light on issue #1 and plan to sell the heck out of the collected version.

That’s all for now true believers. Until next week, keep the questions coming. Also, check out my other blog The Comic Speculator, where I discuss classic yet still affordable back-issue comics. If you have any questions about these books or anything else in the comic book world feel free to contact me or post your question in the Comic Book community forum. Want to know what your comics are worth? Join Worthpoint for free and post your titles in the “Ask A Question” section. Remember to post the title, issue number and cover price.

Geek of the Week 10-29

By Matt Baum

Halloween is two days away and it’s almost time to pick a new president. We’re in the middle of the longest and possibly most apathetic World Series in recent memory and, of course, it’s new comic day yet again. Let me get the political stuff out of the way real quick. Since by next Wednesday, baring an extended legal battle, we will have a new president, I’m going to tell you now; VOTE THIS TUESDAY! I don’t care who you vote for just make sure you do it.
There, quick and painless. Now let’s talk about new comics.

Now, I know it’s a little early to bring it up, but Christmas is coming. I mention it because if you, like my fiancé, have a Superman-nut to buy for, DC direct has the perfect gift. Shipping this week to comic shops every where is the JLA Trophy Room Superman cape and belt replica and it is just too cool for words. Now here’s the catch; it costs $295.00. I know, that sounds like a lot of money to pay for a replica cape and belt but, trust me; this is the kind of gift that will leave your Superman-nerd speechless. I guess the real question here is, can you really put a price tag on love?

Also this week, Captain Action returns to comics after a 39-year hiatus. Captain Action was the first action figure to star in his own comic-book and opened the floodgates for further toy inspired comics. Created by Stan Weston, who also created G.I. Joe, Cap was a 12-inch action-figure that thrilled children of the late 60′s and early 70′s. DC published the original Cap comics but the series was canceled after five issues due to waning interest in the toy. Captain Action #1 from Moonstone comics ships with two different covers.

As always, here’s my list of comics I’m buying for the week of 10/29. For a full list of this week’s new comics click here. to find a comic shop near you click here. Feel free to contact me with criticism of what I am or should be reading.

Astonishing X-Men: Ghost Boxes #1 of 2
The Astounding Wolf-Man #9
Avengers: The Initiative #18
Captain America: Theater of War: Operation Zero
Final Crisis: Rage of The Red Lanterns
Hellboy: In The Chapel of Moloch One shot
Immortal Iron Fist #19
Incredible Hercules #122
Marvel 1985 #6 of 6
Nova #18
Savage #1 of 4
Secret Invasion: Thor #3 of 3
Secret Invasion: X-Men #3 of 4
Solomon Kane #2 of 5
Thor #11
X-Force #8

Hellboy: In the Chaplel of Moloch (One Shot); Dark Horse Comics; Written by Mike Mignola; Art and cover by Mike Mignola; $2.99.

Why it’s hot: Hellboy creator Mike Mignola returns to the art duties on Hellboy for the first time since 2002 and fans couldn’t be happier. In this one-shot, Hellboy investigates a chapel in Eastern Europe where an artist driven to madness by arcane forces has secluded himself to finish his life’s work.

Why it’ll go fast: As stated above, it’s been a long time since Mignola has drawn a Hellboy book and even though this one is just a one-shot, it’s going to sell fast. Mignola’s Hellboy spin-off, BPRD, is a steady seller but by no means a huge one. BPRD; The Warning #2 checked in a number 125 of the 300 most ordered comics for August 2008. Pair the relatively low sales of BPRD with the fact that Mignola hasn’t drawn Hellboy since 2002 and I would guess that retailers aren’t sure how to order this one. With September sales down for retailers across the board—you remember the financial melt-down on Wall Street—most comic retailers have been content to let more and more titles sell out each week rather than ordering high and hoping for back issue sales. Hellboy has a good following but he’s no Wolverine when it comes to sales so don’t be surprised if you can’t find this issue by this afternoon.

Final Crisis: Rage of the Red Lanterns One-shot; DC; Written by Geoff Johns; Art and covers by Shane Davis; $3.99.

Why it’s hot: It’s been said by many a disgruntled DC fan on many a comic message board that the best parts of Final Crisis are the tie-in issues. Like these fans, I also find myself disappointed with DC’s latest crossover event but quivering with excitement for John’s Green Lantern Final Crisis tie in. Rage of the Red Lanterns kicks off events that will lead to the hugely anticipated Green Lantern: Blackest Night storyline. John’s has been introducing readers to several new ring-slinging corps representing the whole color spectrum, an idea first created by Alan Moore years ago in the pages of Tales of the Green Lantern Corps Annual #2 and #3 back in the late 80′s. Each new color has a theme like the Green Lanterns who represent justice. In the pages of the Sinestro War we met the Yellow Lanterns who represent fear and now John’s gives us the Red Lantern’s who represent rage.

Why it’ll go fast: Though many are giving up on Final Crisis, everyone that reads Green Lantern will be picking up Rage of the Red Lanterns. I don’t expect this issue to sell out quickly; there should be plenty of Rage #1 issues at every comic shop. However, as Blackest Night approaches expect to see these issues selling for increasingly higher prices out of back issue bins. If you’ve been aching for some ring-slinging adventures this is your chance to get in on the ground floor of the biggest GL event since the return of Hal Jordan.

Savage #1; Image Shadowline; Written by Steve Niles, Dan Wickline and Jeff Frank; Art and cover by Mike Mayhew; $3.50

Why it’s hot: With a premise this good I’m not sure how any self-respecting comic fan will be able to pass this one up:
“In a world where good is supposed to defeat evil, shouldn’t there be a monster on our side? Sort of, someone at the top of the food chain? Along with monsters preying on us, shouldn’t there be a monster preying on them as well?” Frank said of the idea behind Savage, an October comic from Image’s Shadowline. “So I thought of an ambiguous monster—Bigfoot—and I made him the ultimate predator of other monsters. In Savage, the Bigfoots are protecting the world from monsters.”
—Savage co-writer Jeff Frank from an interview with Newsarama.com.

Let me first say that my love for Bigfoot is unending and without measure. With that out of the way, I can’t wait to read Savage. I mean come on; Werewolves vs Bigfoot… What else could you ask for in a comic book?

Why it’ll go fast : There is pretty large sales discrepancy between Images largest selling comics (Invincible and Walking Dead) and, well, all their other titles. Keep in mind this has nothing to do with quality. Image is currently printing some of the best and most original comics on the stands today. They just don’t sell as well as big names like Batman and Spiderman. Fans are hesitant to try new comics when money is tight and initial orders on a comic like Savage will suffer for it. Just like the fans, retailers will be equally hesitant to take a big chance on a new comic no matter how cool the premise. Average orders for Savage in Omaha are about 6 copies per store and I would expect the same number to hold across nationwide. If Savage is even half as cool as its premise I’d expect it to sell out very quickly.

Until next week, keep the questions coming. Also, check out my other blog The Comic Speculator, where I discuss classic yet still affordable back-issue comics. If you have any questions about these books or anything else in the comic book world feel free to contact me or post your question in the Comic Book community forum. Want to know what your comics are worth? Join WorthPoint for free and post your titles in the “Ask a Question” section. Remember to post the title, issue number and cover price.

This Week in Geek is a weekly blog about new comics written by WorthPoint Comic book Worthologist Matt Baum. Every Wednesday Matt takes a look at the week’s new comics from a collector’s point-of-view and discusses which books may be hard to find in the near future and why. Make sure to click on the hot links for previews and more information on the comics, characters, story-lines and creators discussed here

Lots to be excited about this week. On the Halloween front there’s some great collected editions available this Wednesday. Dark Horse gives us the Evil Dead trade-paperback collecting issues 1-4 of their recent adaptation of the cult-horror film and Marvel comics offers the Tomb of Dracula Omnibus hardcover that collects Tomb of Dracula #1-31, Werewolf By Night #15, Giant-Size Chillers #1 and Giant Size Dracula #2-4. The original Tomb of Dracula was some of Gene Colan’s finest artwork and is widely considered Marvel’s best horror comic series.

Also this week get ready for yet another G.I.-Joe relaunch, this time from IDW when series creator Larry Hamma returns, yet again, to further the fight for freedom wherever there is trouble. If you didn’t care about the last four relaunches then… Well I’m not sure why you would care about this one either. On the subject of big returns, Danny Ketch, the guy that replaced Johnny Blaze as Ghost Rider returns as, you guessed it, the Ghost Rider in the pages of Ghost Rider: Danny Ketch. See my picks of the week for more on Danny.

On the subject of everything-old-is-new-again-and-again-etc: Top Cow’s first Pilot Season series winner is nothing new. Remember the overdrawn and underwritten Marc Sylvestri series from the early 90′s Cyberforce? Well don’t get excited yet because Cyberforce is not back and neither is Sylvestri. But Cyblade is! Yup, the busty cybernetic Psylocke rip-off (90′s ninja-Psylocke that is) Cyblade is back. Click on the links and compare if you don’t believe me. The Pilot Season contest gave fans a chance to vote on which of the Pilot Season titles should become a monthly title. Well the fans have spoken and instead of picking the intelligently written Core by up and coming comics sensation Jonathan Hickman, amongst others, they picked Cyblade… Presumably because she has great big heaving… fan appeal. Cyblade #1 comes with two covers and, in true 90′s fashion, one features her in the shower. Thanks for raising the bar Top Cow fans.

For a list of all the comics coming to your friendly neighborhood comic shop this week click here:. To find a comic shop near you click here.

And now, my big steaming pile of comics for the week of 10/22. As always I encourage your feedback or questions on what I’m reading or what you think I should be reading.

Captain America #43 – Required reading for every Cap fan.
Daredevil #112
DC Universe: Halloween ’08 – Written by Brian Reed and others. Reed’s 1st DC work?
DMZ #35
Final Crisis #4 of 7 – Things better start making sense real quick here.
Final Crisis: Submit – Written by Morrison so it might shed some light on what happened in FC #3.
Ghost Rider: Danny Ketch #1 of 5 – Honestly, not sure if I care about this or not.
Hulk #7 – Art by Frank Cho and ArthurAdams.
New Avengers #46 – See picks of the week.
Secret Invasion #7 of 8
Superman: New Krypton Special – I couldn’t be more excited for this book!
Thunderbolts #125 – Still fun after Warren Ellis left.
Unknown Soldier #1 – Love the character. High hopes for this book.
X-Factor #36 – I hate to say it but Larry Stroman’s pencils are starting to wear on me.
Y: The Last Man Deluxe Edition Book 1 – An excellent chance to read one of the best written comic series of our time.

And without further ado; my speculator picks of the week.

Superman: New Krypton Special; DC; Written by Geoff Johns, James Robinson and Sterling Gates; Art by Gary Frank and Jon Sibal, Renato Guedes and Wilson Magalháes, and Pete Woods ; Cover by Gary Frank; Variant cover by Renato Guedes and Wilson Magalháes; $3.99

Why it’s hot: The New Krypton saga begins here in an issue written and drawn by the entire Superman franchise creative team. Geoff Johns was quoted as saying that New Krypton will be one of the most important stories in Superman’s history. All his life Superman has been, for the most part, the lone survivor of Krypton until now. In the wake of the Brainiac storyline, Superman has freed 100,000 Kryptonians and now has to figure out what to do with them. If you’ve been yearning for a great Superman story your wait is over.

Why it’ll go fast: Even though Johns’ Superman has been some of the best Supes stories fans have read in years, sales are still relatively low; barley breaking the top 50 with Superman #680 at 47 and Action Comics #869 at number 44 on the top 100 ordered comics for September 2008. Retailers are cutting their orders on Action and Supes content to let the books sell out while slowly the word spreads on how good the titles actually are. I’m guessing orders on the New Krypton Special will be close to those of Action and Superman making this comic a quick sell out.

Ghost Rider: Danny Ketch; Marvel; Written by Simon Spurrier; Art by Javier Saltaries; Cover by Dan Brown; $3.99.

Why it’s hot: Back in the 1990 Marvel introduced fans to a new Ghost Rider, Danny Ketch, who’s sister had been murdered by ninja gangsters sending him on a mission of vengeance as the Ghost Rider. I know, ridiculous, but it was the 90′s and ninjas were all the rage. Even Danny’s cycle had a sleek-space-age-and arguably stupid 90′s look to it but slowly readers, yes me included, grew to accept and love Danny as our Ghost Rider. Then, in 2001, he disappeared and was replaced by Johnny Blaze for no apparent reason. Until now! Finally Danny Ketch fans can read the story of where their replacement Ghost Rider has been and why he’s back now. Click here for the complete Danny Ketch saga.

Why it’ll go fast: A lot of fans of Ghost Rider were let down by the movie, including myself who stood up and booed in the theater, and haven’t been thrilled with current Ghost Rider relaunch starring Johnny Blaze. The last great Ghost Rider comics I remember reading were toward the end of the 1990′s series starring Ketch. Ghost Rider geeks hold that series in very hard regard and many of the issues sell for surprising amounts considering the over abundance of other Marvel series of the 90′s. The moral of the story is that geeks remember this stuff and when they see Danny’s name on the cover they will buy this book. Now retailers on the other hand are going to be thinking just the opposite. Ghost Rider #26 dropped to number 96 on the top 100 ordered comics for August 2008 and retailers are not going to bank high orders on the return of the 90′s Ghost Rider when the original is barely selling.

New Avengers #46 Written by Brian Michael Bendis; Art by Billy Tan; Cover by Aleksi Briclot; $2.99.

Why it’s hot: Regardless of what DC apologists might say, Secret Invasion is currently the best company crossover event running and, though it hasn’t ended yet, I might add the best crossover event in recent memory. In this issue of New Avengers the villains enter the fray. Realizing that Earth’s mightiest heroes may not be able to hold off the invading Skrull horde, the Hood and his organized group of villains attack. It’s the beginning of the end of the Secret Invasion and the cover alone is enough to make me giggle with excitement.

Why it’ll go fast: The cover on this book alone virtually guarantees a sellout. Secret Invasion is a hit and the sellouts continue every week. Not that New Avengers needed any help with sales, it’s been in the top 10 in comic sales since issue #1 and no matter how many issues retailers up their order by it continues to sell out. Readers have been waiting for quite a while to figure out the secret behind the Hood’s new found demonic power and this issue reviles just who or what is responsible for it. Oh, and who doesn’t want to see Marvel’s most powerful villains coming to the aid of the heroes?

Until next week, keep the questions coming. Also, check out my other blog The Comic Speculator, where I discuss classic yet still affordable back-issue comics. If you have any questions about these books or anything else in the comic book world feel free to contact me or post your question in the Comic Book community forum. Want to know what your comics are worth? Join Worthpoint for free and post your titles in the “Ask A Question” section. Remember to post the title, issue number and cover price.

This Week in Geek is a weekly blog about new comics written by Worthpoint Comic book Worthologist Matt Baum. Every Wednesday Matt takes a look at the week’s new comics from a collector’s point-of-view and discusses which books may be hard to find in the near future and why. Make sure to click on the hot links for previews and more information on the comics, characters, story-lines and creators discussed here

Halloween is only two weeks away and once again the zombie comics are the reason for the season. Marvel Zombies 3 #1 hit the stands last week and with it comes a horde of new Marvel Zombie incentive covers. This week sees three more Zombie variants in edition to last week’s Cable and Eternals zombie variants. Keep your eyes peeled for zombie variants of Amazing Spider-man #573, Captain Britain and MI 13 #6 and Young X-Men #7. The only new zombie variant to see much action on-line is the Sudyam variant of Marvel Zombies 3 #1 which is currently selling for $10-$15.00. Like other collectors on a small budget, I do my best not to get sucked into variant collecting but I have to admit, these latest Marvel Zombie variants are pretty cool.

For fans of classic horror and Batman and Superman (this is not a run-on sentence it’s a set-up for a joke), get ready for Batman and Superman vs Werewolves and Vampires #1. DC waited until October to release their candidate for the year’s longest comic book title but I think they’re safe bet to win it with this one. The title pretty much says it all; (this next part is funnier if you picture Bill Cosby saying it) you see, you’ve got your Batman and your Superman and then you have your Werewolves and your Vampires and they don’t like each other. So of course they have a big Batman, Superman, Werewolf and Vampire fight. Sigh… It’s comics like this that make it extremely hard for me to justify why adults shouldn’t be ashamed of their comic habits.

Also this week from Image comics comes Dear Dracula, a story suitable for all ages that details a young boy who writes to Dracula to ask if he can become a real vampire for Halloween. I’m picking this one up for my niece who, with a gentle nudge from her uncle, is quickly becoming a comic-nerd much to my younger brother’s chagrin. Dear Dracula is 48 page one-shot hard cover that sells for $7.99.

Now let’s take a peek at my very own pile of comics for the week of 10/15. Subsequently, I did pick up Marvel Zombies 3 #1 last week and was pleasantly surprised. As always your feedback will be either appreciated or promptly ignored based on whether or not I agree with you.

My Comics for the week of 10/15:

Conan the Cimmerian #4 – I love this book more every month.
Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds #2 – It’s about time.
Final Crisis: Rogues Revenge #2 – In my opinion the best parts of FC are taking place in these minis.
JSA #19
Robin #179 – New series writer Fabian Nicezia is at the top of his game here.
Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen Special #1 – James Robinson writes the return of a hero long thought dead. I’m calling my shot here, it’s the original OMAC.
Madman #11
Astonishing X-Men #27
Captain Britain and MI 13 #6 – You need to read this book!
Guardians of the Galaxy #6 – This one too!
Iron Man Director of Shield #35 – Continuing the War Machine storyline.
Mighty Avengers #19 – More Secret Invasion fun.

For a complete list of this week’s new comics click here.

And now, for those planning on putting their kids through college by selling their comics years from now, I give you my speculator picks for this week:

Amazing Spider-Man #573 Stephen Colbert Variant cover; Marvel Comics; Written by Dan Slott; Art by John Romita JR; Variant cover art by Joe Quesada; $5.00-$10.00.

Why it’s hot: Stephen Colbert has been hosting a fictional presidential bid in the Marvel Universe and will be joining Spider-Man for an 8 page story in this issue of Amazing Spidey. As of this time I’ve been having a heck of a time trying to figure out how limited the cover actually is. One thing is for certain, this variant is going to go fast.

Why it’ll go fast: Now that McCain has chilled out on calling Obama a terrorist there isn’t a whole lot to talk about on the presidential race which makes this the perfect time to start talking about Colbert’s fictional presidential race. Right? Well maybe it won’t be front page news but I’ll bet USA today features Amazing Spidey #573 in their living section tomorrow and you can bet the Colbert Report will be all over this story.

Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen Special #1; DC Coimcs; Written by James Robinson; Art by Jesus Merino; Cover by Ryan Sook and Kevin Nowlan; $3.99.

Why it’s hot: There’s been some controversy on the net about whether or not James Robinson’s return to comics has lived up to the hype. In my opinion it has but don’t take my word for it, check out his monthly Superman for yourself. It’s great stuff. In this issue Jimmy Olsen looks into the Mysterious Atlas character that recently nearly fought the man of steel to a standstill and in the process rediscovers a hero long thought dead. When ever hero long thought dead is slated to return some geek buddies and I all start betting on the identity like 1930′s boxing enthusiasts on a bare knuckled hobo brawl. I’ve personally got $2.00 on the original OMAC returning in this issue.

Why it’s hot: Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen hasn’t been hot since Don Rickles made a guest appearance in the 70′s and no I’m not making that up. Retailers are going to thumb their nose at this one after being disappointed by sales of Robinson’s Superman, #46 on the top 300 comic sales for August. Depending on who returns in this issue, the Supes Pal Jimmy book could sell out very quickly.

The Chronicles of Dr Herbert West; Zenescope; Written by Joe Brusha; Art by Ralph Tedesco; $2.99.

Why it’ll go fast: Fans of H.P. Lovecraft have no shortage of comics to choose from every week. One of Lovecraft’s most beloved characters was Herbert West, a diminutive yet brilliant scientist that figures out how to bring the dead back to life with disastrous results. Lovecraft’s short story was adapted for a 1985 cult horror film, Reanimator followed by a few unwatchable sequels. Since Reanimator Herbert West has seen a few comic appearances, most recently on the controversial Hack Slash #15 cover which has now been recalled due to image rights violations, but none have looked as slick as this latest incarnation.

Why it’ll go fast: Even though horror nerds everywhere can give you a scene for scene narration of Reanimator it is still just a cult horror film. Retailers know that other cult horror films like Army of Darkness and Evil Dead have had good success as comic franchises but not huge successes by any standards. Zenescope is still a new company, a fact that might not instill a lot of confidence when ordering as opposed to a companies like Dark Horse or IDW who handle other large selling horror titles. If you’re a horror-nerd like me you pre-ordered your copy of Herbert West #1. If not, happy hunting.

Until next week, keep the questions coming, feel free to post to the forum topics in the comic books community and tell me what you’re reading/collecting. Also, check out my other blog The Comic Speculator, where I discuss classic yet still affordable back-issue comics. If you have any questions about these books or anything else in the comic book world feel free to contact me or post your question in the Comic Book community forum. Want to know what your comics are worth? Join Worthpoint for free and post your titles in the “Ask A Question” section. Remember to post the title, issue number and cover price.

This Week in Geek is a weekly blog about new comics written by Worthpoint Comic book Worthologist Matt Baum. Every Wednesday Matt takes a look at the week’s new comics from a collector’s point-of-view and discusses which books may be hard to find in the near future and why. Make sure to click on the hot links for previews and more information on the comics, characters, story-lines and creators discussed here

October is here and football and horror movies are the order of the season. As the leaves change and the air grows slightly colder, I find myself digging out old issues of The Tomb of Dracula and various Zombie-themed DVDs. Just last night I made my fiancée watch Night of the Living Dead for the first time. I know, I was shocked she hadn’t seen it either.

Halloween is coming, so expect your new comic shelves to be fully stocked with slightly more horror books than usual. This week the most notable is probably Marvel Zombies 3 #1. Yes, if you didn’t get enough of the your favorite dead-Marvel-heroes the first two times, get ready for the third installment wherein the Marvel Zombies invade the mainstream Marvel Universe. For those of you that skipped parts one and two, Marvel Zombies was set in an alternate universe.

Horror comics aren’t the only thing coming out this week. For those undecided voters out there who want to learn more about the presidential candidates with out all the heavy reading, IDW has got just what you’ve been waiting for. Presidential Material: Obama and Presidential Material: McCain are comic one-shots that promise an unbiased biographical look at the candidates to better help nerds make their decision in November. I’m sure pundits everywhere will be watching to see which issue sells out first.

Also, if you haven’t had a chance to pick up mark Millar’s controversial soon to be a big-screen sensation Kick Ass 3rd printings of issues #1-#3 and a 2nd printing of issue #4 hit the stands this Wednesday. For a complete list of this week’s comics click here.

Now, as we’ve been doing for the past few weeks here’s the list of what I’m picking up this Wednesday. As always, I’d love your feedback. Let me know what I should or shouldn’t be reading. After all, half the fun of collecting is making fun of what your friends read.

My comics for the week of 10/07:

B.P.R.D. The Warning #4
The Goon #29
Action Comics #870 – The final part of the “Brainiac” storyline.
Detective Comics #849 – By it’s self a good read but a bad RIP tie-in.
Green Lantern #35 – Lead in to the “Black Lantern” storyline. Giggle!
Green Lantern Corps #29 – Same as above. Double Giggle!
Secret Six #2
Wonder Woman #25 – Best Wonder Woman stuff since John Byrne in the 80′s.
Invincible Iron Man #6
Secret Invasion: Inhumans #3
The Twelve #8 – Some of Weston’s best art yet.
Crossed #1 – See Picks of the Week below.
Necronomicon #2

There’s my buy pile, a little light on Marvel stuff for a change but still a good stack. Now, let’s talk speculator picks:

Action Comics #870; DC Comics; Written by Geoff Johns; Art by Gary Frank; Cover by Gary Frank; $2.99

Why it’s hot: Geoff Johns is writing some of the best Superman stories I have read in my time collecting comics. The latest “Brainiac” story line is a lead in to the “New Krypton” event that will spill over into all the Superman family books. If you are not reading Superman you are missing out and this issue has a HUGE ending. No spoilers here but I’d avoid the mainstream-elitist-media if you don’t want your Superman comic ruined this month.

Why it’ll go fast: Somehow Action Comics, even though it is arguably the best Superman stuff written in years, only checked in at #47 on last months top 300 ordered comics for August. Action may be the best superhero comic that not enough people are reading. With the surprise ending in this issue being kept as quiet as it was retailers ordered issue #870 like they do every month. Now that the news is out about what happens, #870 is vanishing from shelves. Get it while you can and shame on you for not reading Action before this!

Marvel Zombies 3 #1; Marvel Comics; Written by Fred Van Lente; Art by Kev Walker; Cover by Greg Land; Variant Cover by Gary Sudyam; $3.99.

Why it’s hot: With a cover reminiscent of the fan-boy-cult-classic-film Army of Darkness and a legion of your favorite un-dead Marvel Heroes hungering for super-powered-hero-flesh this comic has everything a horror nerd could want. That is, if you’re a Marvel Comics fan and a horror nerd. Some Zombie purists may scoff at this book but I’m picking MZ3 up and guessing it’s going to be good fun.

Why it’ll go fast: Marvel Zombies 2 #5, the final issue of the last series, checked in at number 25 on the top 300 comics in actual sales for February 2008. Both MZ1 and MZ2 sold similar numbers with the second series slipping slightly toward the end. I would guess that retailers will order a fair amount of MZ3 #1 but it still sells out quickly based on the story taking place in the regular Marvel U.

Ender’s Game; Marvel Comics; Written by Christopher Yost; Pencils & Cover by Pasqual Ferry; Sketch Variant Cover by Pasqual Ferry; $3.99.

Why it’s hot: Marvel takes another page from the Dable Brothers in picking up yet another novel with a cult following to adapt to comics. Orson Scott Card’s Ender’s Game was a hugely successful Sci-Fi novel in 1985; it’s a wonder it hasn’t been made into a movie yet. Marvel’s gambles with reaching out to novel readers has paid off in the past with titles like Stephen King’s The Dark Tower and The Stand but Orson Scott Card may be a slightly tougher sell to new fans.

Why it’ll go fast: When Marvel announces an adaptation of a Stephen King novel retailers order high, for obvious reasons. Orson Scott Card, however, may not seem like such a sure seller. Although he has experienced huge success as a novel writer Card’s biggest comic hit was Ultimate Iron Man in 2005. Three years is a long time in the comic market but not long enough for retailers to forget the piles of Ultimate Iron Man issues that still haunt their back-issue bins. I would expect orders on Ender’s Game to be mid level putting the book in the top 30 most ordered at the end of October, closer to #30, which won’t be enough. Ender’s Game has a huge cult following and most comic shops probably won’t be ready for the rush of Sci-Fi novel readers.

Until next week, keep the questions coming, feel free to post to the forum topics in the comic books community and tell me what you’re reading/collecting. Also, check out my other blog The Comic Speculator, where I discuss classic yet still affordable back-issue comics. If you have any questions about these books or anything else in the comic book world feel free to contact me or post your question in the Comic Book community forum. Want to know what your comics are worth? Join WorthPoint for free and post your titles in the “Ask A Question” section. Remember to post the title, issue number and cover price.

This Week in Geek is a weekly blog about new comics written by Worthpoint Comic book Worthologist Matt Baum. Every Wednesday Matt takes a look at the week’s new comics from a collector’s point-of-view and discusses which books may be hard to find in the near future and why. Make sure to click on the hot links for previews and more information on the comics, characters, story lines and creators discussed here

For those of you who are growing more and more concerned with the dire state of the US economy and the apocalyptic reports coming from Capitol Hill, you’ll be glad to know that this week is a very light one for new comics. While channel surfing late Monday night I found myself stopping at each 24-hour news channel to listen to the doom-and-gloom financial reports as spouted by the various talking heads and heard a quote from Kieth Oberman that made me smile. While talking to an MSNBC financial analyst Oberman shouted, “What are we supposed to do sink all our money into vintage comic books?”.

Although I don’t recommend rolling your 401k into a Fantastic Four run, Oberman does have a point. As the stock market plummets and hungry bears begin to prowl wall street so too do the prices of collectible comics.. Now is the time to invest in that X-Men #1 you’ve always wanted or that first-appearance of Swamp Thing you’ve been eying in your local comic shop; if you have the cash that is. If you’re poor, like me, then you’ve got some time before this financial crisis trickles down to your level so enjoy it while you can. For more on the current comic book bear market look for my other blog, The Comic Book Speculator later this week.

Quick market watch note; Deadpool variants of issues #1 and #2 are selling like crazy. Issue #2 hit the stands last Wednesday and already the Ed Mcguiness 1/20 variant cover is selling for $20.00 on-line. Issue #1 is selling for close to $15.00 but both look to be going up in price for the near future. In other news, DC comics announced that Legion of Superheroes will be canceled with issue #50 so look for orders on the remaining issues to be slashed drastically. Also, Sony pictures announced they have purchased the rights to Mark Millar’s War Heroes for a feature film, which I subsequently predicted in my blog two weeks ago. Score one for me!

Now let’s look at this weeks new comics. The first wave of October comics won’t actually ship until next week making the this Wednesday a fairly light new comic week. Here’s a look at my pile for this Wednesday October 1st.

Batman #680 – The RIP storyline is almost over and I’m still totally lost. Oh Grant Morrison, why can’t I quit you?
House of Mystery #6 – Quickly becoming my favorite Vertigo book.
Jonah Hex # 36
Justice League America#25
Nightwing #149
Red Mass for Mars – Highbrow Sci-Fi from Jonathan Hickman
Cable #7 – Ships with a truly disturbing Richard Corben variant cover.
Eternals #5
Punisher: War Journal #24 – Secret Invasion tie-in.
Top 10 vol 2, #1 – Alan Moore’s super-cops in a super-powered city are back, but without Alan Moore.

A light week indeed. I theorize that much like the mysterious sudden drop in crude oil prices, the comics giants are choosing not to kick America while they’re down for fear we’ll find something better to spend ever diminishing paychecks on. It’s also a very tough week for speculator picks with out any major first issue launches, unless you count DC’s Terror Titans which I could honestly care less about. Regardless of the circumstances, we must have speculator picks:

Batman #680; DC; Written by Grant Morrison; Art by Tony Daniel; Covers by Alex Ross and Tony Daniel; $2.99.
Why it’s hot: DC billed this issue as the one where something big happens and, after reading it, I guess something big happened but *Spoiler Alert* it wasn’t the death of Batman. Depending on what happens in the next issue, #681, this one could be hot. We’ll just have to wait an see.

Why it’ll go fast: Maybe… Batman RIP just keeps getting weirder and, perhaps, more disconnected. If you’ve been reading all the tie-ins to the storyline running through the other Bat-books you may be wondering what they have to do with each other. The answer is very little. While Morrison’s story has been entertaining I have to wonder if the other Bat-family writers were told anything beyond the title and basic premise of the storyline. I imagine the memo that hit Detective Comics writer Paul Dini’s desk read something like:

Attn: Bat Writers

Morrison penning the death of Batman/Bruce Wayne, sort of, maybe.
Will get back to you with details as we have them, maybe.

Sincerely;

Dan Didio, Grand Pubah of DC Comics

P.S.; Please write a tie-in story.

Now, if it all comes together in the next and final issue of Batman RIP then we’ll all be talking about Morrison’s genius and scrambling to find these back issues. That is if Batman dies, which isn’t a solid bet at this time regardless of the story-line’s title.

Vixen: Return of the Lion #1; DC; Written by G Willow Wilson; Art by Cafu; Cover by Josh Middelton; $2.99

Why it’s hot: If you’ve been reading Justice League America there is a good chance that you’ve been trying to figure out what has been going on with Vixen’s powers since issue #1 of this latest volume. Well get ready for answers. This mini-series explores the changes Vixen has seen recently and promises to answer why she has lost her connection to the animal world. Air writer G. Willow Wilson gives us a look into DC’s hottest Afro-American super heroine in this four-issue mini-series with gorgeous covers by Josh Middelton.

Why it’ll go fast: Justice League spinoffs are historically famous for two things; being too expensive and not selling. I’d expect most retailers to order low on Vixen as she’s never been an A-list hero. However, the covers and art are beautiful and retailers should never underestimate a busty black woman when it comes to selling issues. Yes, I’m interested in the story. Of course she’s hot, but I swear, I read these books for the stories and Playboy for the articles.

Supergirl #34; Written by Sterling Gates; Art by Jamal Igle and Kieth Champagne; Cover by Josh Middelton and Fernando Pasarin; $2.99.

Why it’s hot: Yet another new team is taking the creative reigns on Supergirl; nothing new there for the a book that has had seen 33 issues and 4 creative teams. So why be excited. The new team is trying something that hasn’t been done in Supergirl history; tyeing the comic into current Superman continuity. Geoff Johns (writer, Action Comics) and James Robinson (writer, Superman) are currently writing some of the best Superman comics in recent memory and have both featured Supergirl recently. My only question; why not start with a new #1?

Why it’ll go fast: Supergirl has never been a big seller, the current series has almost been canceled twice now and had so many creative shake-ups that retailers might not have even noticed the new team on this issue. If fans pick up Supergirl #34 at even half the level of Action or Superman this comic will disappear by Thursday. With another amazing Middelton cover and fantastic new creative team I’m calling Supergirl #34 the surprise sell-out of the week.

Until next week, keep the questions coming, feel free to post to the forum topics in the comic books community and tell me what you’re reading/collecting. Also, check out my other blog The Comic Speculator, where I discuss classic yet still affordable back-issue comics. If you have any questions about these books or anything else in the comic book world feel free to contact me or post your question in the Comic Book community forum. Want to know what your comics are worth? Join Worthpoint for free and post your titles in the “Ask A Question” section. Remember to post the title, issue number and cover price.

This Week in Geek is a weekly blog about new comics written by Worthpoint Comic book Worthologist Matt Baum. Every Wednesday Matt takes a look at the week’s new comics from a collector’s point-of-view and discusses which books may be hard to find in the near future and why. Make sure to click on the hot links for previews and more information on the comics, characters, story lines and creators discussed here

It’s Wednesday again and there is seven hundred billion reasons why you should check out this week’s comics. I’m just going to list a few. This week was a back-breaker for Marvel fans, as you will see by my stack of books, with almost 30 new comics on the stand. Of course you don’t need to buy them all; that’s why you’re here.

Who reads “This Week in Geek” you ask? The “This Week in Geek” reader is a discerning nerd with keen eye for comic talent and sense of financial responsibility only matched by his/her good looks. When they aren’t downloading Battlestar Galactica webisodes (man I hate that term) the TWIG reader is content relax with a blended scotch (I’m a Jameson 12-year Reserve man) and loyal dog by their side to enjoy the latest company wide crossover tie-in or zombie-horror-survival comic. Yeah, life just isn’t interesting enough for a geek of your caliber. No sir, no one’s going to tell this adult they shouldn’t be reading comics. Maybe if your approached by an alien and asked to join an interstellar commando force tomorrow, things would be different. But for now, its movies, video games, nerdy TV, and all the comics you can afford. That’s the TWIG reader.

That was supposed to read like one of those “What kind of man reads Playboy?” adds but really just ended up kind of depressing. Anyway, here’s a look at the comics I’m buying this week with my “golden parachute” incentive package after my firing from a major Wall Street investment firm that will, for now, remain nameless.

Hellboy: the Crooked Man #3 – Mignola and Corben, is there a better horror team out there?
Solomon Kane #1 – Conan creator Robert E. Howard’s Puritan demon hunter makes his comics debut.
Superman #680 – Starman writer James Robinson’s Superman run is awesome so far.
Dead Ahead #1 – Zombies have overtaken the mainland making the sea the only safe place for humanity.
Avengers: Initiative #17 – Secret Invasion tie-in.
Black Panther #41 – Secret Invasion tie-in.
Captain America #42 – The best Cap story I’ve read so far.
Daredevil #111 – Meet Lady Bullseye.
Fantastic Four #560 – It just gets weirder and weirder but you’ve gotta love it.
Hulk #6 – The identity of the Red Hulk FINALLY revealed.
Marvel 1985 #5 – More fun from Mark Millar.
New Avengers #45 – Secret Invasion tie-in.
Nova #17 – Darkhawk? Seriously?
Thunderbolts #124 – Secret Invasion tie-in.

As you can see;a new comic stack dominated by Marvel titles, although, I find myself mostly excited for the Dark Horse books I picked up. Which brings me to my:

SPECULATOR PICKS OF THE WEEK!

”Solomon Kane #1”; Dark Horse; Written by Scott Allie; Art by Mario Guevara and Dave Stewart ;Covers by John Cassaday and Joe Kubert; $2.99

Why it’s hot: If you’re a Conan fan then you too should be excited for this book. Kane is a puritanical witch hunter created by Robert E. Howard and brought to comics by Dark Horse Conan editor Scott Allie along with the amazing art talents of Mario Guevara and Dave Stewert. If you like your heroes dark, imposing and driven by maniacal religious zealotry then this is the book for you. Also, the art looks georgeous.

Why it’ll go fast: Not many Conan fans know that Howard created any other characters unless they were a fan of his fiction. I had a book of short stories about Kane pushed on me by a rabid Howard fan years ago and have loved the character since. Most retailers are going to order very low on this one based on the fact that no one knows who Solomon Kane is. If you didn’t pre-order issue #1, you can expect to be hunting for it. Solomon Kane looks like another high quality addition to the Dark Horse line that very few readers will actually have the chance to buy before this issue sells out.

Black Panther #41; Marvel Comics; Written by Jason Aaron; Art and cover by Jefte Palo; $2.99

Why it’s hot: Not to sound like a broken record here but, it’s a Secret Invasion tie-in. That said, Aaron’s Black Panther has been some of the best I’ve read since Christopher Priest left the book. This is the third part of the “See Wakanda and Die” storyline and I can’t believe I haven’t hyped it yet. Aaron is the acclaimed writer of DC/Vertigo’s Scalped and currently writing Marvel’s Ghost Rider. While I’m not crazy about his Ghost Rider, his Black Panther has been excellent.

Why it’ll go fast: The whole “See Wakanda and Die” storyline has been quietly selling out at shops and just recently has started to gain attention with fans that wrote the book off long ago. I don’t expect Black Panther to be the most expensive Secret Invasion back issue but it wouldn’t surprise me to see this storyline selling for $10-$15.00 an issue in a few months. Retailers have been happy to watch this book sell out for a change and then scratching their heads when re-orders requested from customers can’t be filled. Guess what? It’s because Black Panther is great again. Pick up issues #39-#41 if you can find them. You won’t regret it.

Samurai Legend #1; Marvel Comics/Soliel; Written by Jean-Francois Di Giorgio; Art and cover by Frédéric Genêt;
$2.99.

Why it’s hot: Samurai Legend is the latest from the Marvel/Soliel imprint and looks like another excellent addition. Like Sky Doll and Universal War One, Samurai is another European comic translated and marketed to American audiences by Marvel. If Samurai is anything like the first two Soliel series than Marvel has another instant hit on their hands. The premise: “A samurai seeks to discover the answers to his mysterious past, as one of Japan’s most important figures seeks to betray the Emperor—but just how are both connected to the 13th prophet? And what does it mean for the future of Japan?”. Sounds cool enough. I’m in.

Why it’ll go fast: There are a few things that will guarantee sales for a new comic; Wolverine or Superman on the cover, ninjas, zombies, and of course, samurai. Nerds love samurai and this comic has samurai right in the title. Also the art is gorgeous and the writing looks to be top-notch. Marvel’s Soliel imprint seemed like a bad idea to me when they first introduced Skydoll but the quality of the comics speaks for themselves. I was wrong, Marvel was right, and Samurai Legend is going to sell like hot-cakes.

Until next week, keep the questions coming, feel free to post to the forum topics in the comic books community and tell me what you’re reading/collecting. Also, check out my other blog The Comic Speculator, where I discuss classic yet still affordable back-issue comics. If you have any questions about these books or anything else in the comic book world feel free to contact me or post your question in the Comic Book community forum. Want to know what your comics are worth? Join Worthpoint for free and post your titles in the “Ask A Question” section. Remember to post the title, issue number and cover price.

This Week in Geek is a weekly blog about new comics written by Worthpoint Comic book Worthologist Matt Baum. Every Wednesday Matt takes a look at the week’s new comics from a collector’s point-of-view and discusses which books may be hard to find in the near future and why. Make sure to click on the hot links for previews and more information on the comics, characters, story lines and creators discussed here

As Wall Street crumbles, hurricane victims abound and the Presidential race moves even further away from actual issues, one thing has become painfully obvious. All this week’s news is bad news and there appears to be no good news in sight. So, if I may make a suggestion to you, my readers. Stop reading the news and read some comics instead! It’s Wednesday, give the news a break. It’ll be there tomorrow. I promise.

As you know Wednesday is new comic day and once again your local comic shop is fully stocked with new books that won’t make you embarrassed of the state of politics or the floundering economy after reading them. Besides, if you’re like me then you don’t have to worry about the stock market as all your money is tied up in old Daredevil issues. Who’s laughin’ now Merrill Lynch?

Last week I switched the format a bit and listed the comics I was buying that Wednesday and then my speculator picks. Well it seems you guys dug it, well two of you anyway. So the new format stays! Again, the idea is to discuss this stuff. You know like “Matt, do you really need to be reading Pirates vs Ninjas… Really?”. So tell me what you think. What should or shouldn’t be in my weekly comic haul?

Here’s my pile of comics for the week of 9/17:

Conan the Cimmerian #3 – Love the new series and new “anthology-style” storytelling.
Action Comics #869 – I don’t think Superman comics have ever been this good!
All Star Superman #12 – Currently the only Grant Morrison book I can follow.
Robin #178 – Easily the best part of Batman RIP.
Astounding Wolfman #8 – Robert Kirkman you did it again!
Godland #25 – Every fan of Jack Kirby’s Fantastic 4 should read this book.
War heroes #2 – Calling my shot here. This is the issue where writer Mark Millar gets controversial.
Captain Britain and M.I. 13 #5 – Fun from the writer of Doctor Who
Incredible Hercules #121 – What can I say, I love a hunky guy in a green skirt.
Mighty Avengers #18 – Secret Invasion tie-in and great every month.
Secret Invasion: Thor #2 – Matt Fraction writes Thor and I love it!
X-Factor #35 – Writer Peter David is the king of quippy comic dialog.

A rather short stack this week but not a huge new comic week all around. Now lets take a look at my predictions for this week’s sellouts:

War Heroes #2; Image Comics; Written by Mark Millar; Art by Tony Harris; $2.99.

Why it’s hot: The premise: in the near future the U.S. Armed Forces, unable to recruit new troops for their endless war in the Middle-East and Afghanistan, starts offering superpowers to new recruits. Suddenly everyone wants to defend their country from terrorist insurgents with super strength and flight powers but at what cost to their own humanity and what will be the ramifications for the rest of the world. Millar examines the war on terror from a super-hero-comic stand-point but still keeps this book poignant. Oh, and Tony Harris’ art is amazing.

Why it’ll go fast: Mark Millar is the hottest writer in comics at present and, if this series is as popular as Kick Ass, War Heroes will be optioned for a movie before issue #3 even hits the stands. #2 ships with a mature readers warning on the cover which means tis comic is going to take a turn for the controversial as is Millar’s style and when it does you can expect the news media to pick up on the story. After that, finding issues of War Heroes (issue #1 ranked at 77 on the 300 most ordered comics for July 2008 as published by Icv2.com) will be impossible to find. I expect #2 to sell out even faster than #1 as retailers tend to cut back their orders on second issues.

Action Comics #869; DC Comics; Written by Geoff Johns; Art by Gary Frank; $2.99.

Why it’s hot: As I stated above, Action Comics has never been better and the Johns/Frank creative team makes this book worth the price of admission alone. The latest Brainiac story has taken what I had always considered a badly developed Silver-Age villian and made him terrifying. I can’t recommend Action highly enough. If you ever loved Superman comics you will enjoy this book.

Why it’ll go fast: Little known to fans there are two versions of the cover of Action #869 and no, I’m not talking about an incentive variant. Last week at the same time that DC was recalling All Star Batman and Robin #10 for naughty words, they were also desperately trying to recall all the issues of Action #869 not for bad language but because it showed Clark Kent having a beer with his adopted father. I don’t see the problem either. Regardless, the issue was recalled and shipped today with the Kents enjoying a “Soda Pop” together. Just like last week a few copies of the “a beer with Pa Kent” cover (as I’m calling it) shipped out to some retailers and are now instantly spiking in value. DC hasn’t given any details as to how many of the recalled issues shipped but the number is probably lower than ASB&R #10. Keep your eyes peeled for the booze cover super-fans.

Iron Man: Director of Shield #33; Marvel Comics; Written by Christos Gage; Art by Sean Chen; $2.99.

Why it’s hot: Secret Invasion tie-in! Usually by know readers are fed up with the crossovers and tie-in issues but the Secret Invasion stuff seems to be an exception. This issue features Jim Rhodes as War Machine, dealing with the Skrull Invasion while Tony is incapacitated.

Why it’ll go fast: Iron Man’s star was eclipsed by Batman this summer due to The Dark Knight‘s rollicking success at the box office but let’s not forget how great hi movie was. We all loved it and for a brief time Iron Man’s comics were flying off the shelves. Flash forward three months and Iron Man Director of Shield has fallen from #59 on the 300 most ordered comics list in June to #67 in August. After Daniel Knauff left the book it’s popularity seemed to leave with him. Now that Gage and Chen are on the book they’re actually preparing for it’s cancellation with issue #35. But don’t fret, the War Machine storyline in the pages of Iron Man DOS leads into the new upcoming War Machine title due out in December by World War Hulk writer Greg Pak. War Machine is also rumored to play a large part in the upcoming Iron Man sequel due in theaters in summer 2010. I’d expect this book to see low initial orders but sell out in the next couple of weeks.

Until next week, keep the questions coming, feel free to post to the forum topics in the comic books community and tell me what you’re reading/collecting. Also, check out my other blog The Comic Speculator, where I discuss classic yet still affordable back-issue comics. If you have any questions about these books or anything else in the comic book world feel free to contact me or post your question in the Comic Book community forum. Want to know what your comics are worth? Join Worthpoint for free and post your titles in the “Ask A Question” section. Remember to post the title, issue number and cover price.

The Comic Speculator is a blog by Worthpoint Comic Book Worthologist Matt Baum that discusses comics as collectibles and the back issue comic market.

Before the advent of the Internet and Ebay collectors mainly used printed guides to establish the value of their collectibles. This worked fine for years but also allowed certain parties to see the values of their collectibles artificially inflated. There were also regional problems, especially with hobbies like baseball card and comic collecting. The main problems were caused by trends in the largest markets. For instance, a 1982 Cal Ripken rookie card may have been very difficult to find on the east coast where the Baltimore Oriels are a very popular team, yet on the west coast Ripken’s card may have been readily available. Fans in L.A. may have passed on Ripken’s card while hunting down a Pedro Guerrero or Steve Sax card and when looking for a Ripken had to pay East-coast-prices despite availabilty. Without a national database to track sales it was virtually impossible to decide on a true value of a card or comic based on it’s rarity and for a time, the guides reigned supreme. Then came the Internet.

Suddenly a collector in L.A. could talk to one in Baltimore instantly and trade their Guerrero for a Ripken. With the birth of Ebay collectors could look at sales on their favorite items and track what prices were actually being paid by real people for the items they collected rather than having those prices dictated to them by guides. As it would turn out some guides were proven legitimate while others were exposed for their insane price inflation. As collectors used the Internet more and more to both collect and communicate with each other, the nature of collecting began to change. Historically, for the most part, only older items were considered rare and therefore rose in price as they became older and rarer. However auction sites like Ebay were seeing an old idea reborn in the form of the instant collectible.

Instant collectability didn’t necessarily get it’s start with Ebay. One story that I remember as a child was the Bill Ripken “naughty word” card that were released with the first printings of the of Fleer 1989 MLB card set. In his photo Ripken was holding a bat that had… well, a naughty word written on its handle. Fleer attempted to recall the cards but several had already made it to circulation and instantly spiked in value. Had this same incident happened today, who knows how much Ripken’s naughty card would be selling for on Ebay?

A very similar incident took place at comic shops every where this week with their shipment of All Star Batman and Robin #10. Earlier this week Diamond Comics sent an email to comics shops saying that if they receive and copies of ASB&R #10 the issues were to be destroyed due to a printing error. Diamond was able to intercept shipments of the issues to the West Coast but a few shipped to stores in the East and Midwest. 90% of which are on Ebay right now. As it would turn out writer Frank Miller’s version of Batgirl has a pretty nasty mouth on her. Rather than replacing her naughty words with symbols (like “Oh $%#@!”) DC choose to print the cuss words and then print black lines over them. Only the black lines weren’t dark enough and guess what, the naughty words were plainly legible. So Diamond announces a recall and an instant collectible is born.

As of today there are more than 50 issues of the recalled comic on Ebay selling for an average of $40.00-$50.00. The most expensive issue sold for $150.00 yesterday. What does this mean for the future of ASB&R #10? One thing is for certain, there aren’t any more of the issues out there that will later surface. It’s rare, yes. But will collectors care years from now? The Bill Ripken card I mentioned once sold for $70-$80 but now only sells for $10-$15.

A similar incident took place in 1999 when DC recalled the entire print run of League of Extraordinary Gentlemen #5 because of a fake advertisement for a women’s hygiene product named after Marvel Comics. None of the issues made it to American stores but an estimated 100-200 were shipped to the U.K.. The 2008 Oversteet Comic Price Guide lists the comic at $30 in Near Mint condition, which is in most opinions is vastly undervalued due to the low number of copies in existence. The same guide lists the recalled issue of DC’s Elesworld’s Eighty Page Giant, recalled because of a panel showing Superman Jr dead in a microwave, at $175.00 in Near Mint even though there is an estimated 2000 copies in existence.

There are plenty of other recalled comics on the market today but few have held their once inflated value. That said, it’s been a while since collectors have seen a recalled comics due to content and not a legitimate error, the most recent being in 2001 when Marvel Comics recalled Elektra vol. 2 #3 which showed nude panels of the main character (18.00 in Near Mint).

Only the future will tell if collectors stay interested in Batgirl’s string of legible cuss words. For now ASB&R #10 joins the ranks of the instant collectibles spiking in value due to company recalls because of, as Bill Cosby calls it, “filth-flarn-filth”.

I decided to try something new this week. Rather than starting out with some quips about this week’s new comics I’ve decided to change the format a little and give you guys an actual list of what I’m spending my money on at the comic shop followed by my picks of the week. The idea being, to provide you with a look at the comic junkies stack each week. See, I don’t just buy this stuff because it may or may not be worth more than it’s cover price some day. Comic nerds like myself collect comics, of course, but we read them and discuss them as well. Half the fun of reading comics is arguing with your friends about what they should or shouldn’t be reading. Why just 10 minutes ago I was just making fun of fellow collector/friend earlier about picking up the new ”Deadpool” book. I’m just not a big fan of the writer and it seems comics like these are banking on a character, Deadpool specifically (whose like a Psychotic Spider-man with swords and a healing factor) rather than a great story idea starring that character.

As money gets tighter it can become harder and harder to rationalize spending money on comics. After all, we don’t need comics… Well some of us don’t. And spending money on comics that suck, well that’s just down right stupid. Like buying gas that doesn’t run the cherry condition 1972 Ford Ranchero you rebuilt and airbrushed that awesome Rattlesnake on it’s hood. It’s good to take a critical look at one’s hobbies now and again especially when money is tight. That’s the idea of the new format. In sharing my pile with you guys I fully expect you to call me out if you see something I don’t need to be buying. PLEASE!

Now you may notice that my buy pile doesn’t include one or even all of my speculator picks of the week. This is mainly due to the fact that I’m not a comic speculator as much as I am a collector. So here’s what I’m buying this week with commentary where needed:

B.P.R.D #3
King Size Cable #1 – this one was on the cusp until last issue. It took me a few issues to figure out where series writer Duane Swierczynski was going but I’m liking it more and more.
Final Crisis: Revelations#2 – Finding it harder and harder to care about Rene Montoya as the new Question. This might be the last one I buy.
The Goon #28
Green Lantern Corps #28 – Prelude story to the Rage of the Red Lanterns storyline.
Kick Drum Comics #1 – Love that Jim Mafhood
Lone Ranger #13 – Currently in a tie race with Jonah Hex for best Western comic currently on the stands.
Secret Invasion: Inhumans #2 – NBC Heros writer Joe Pokaski nailed the first issue. I can’t wait to read more from him.
Secret Invasion: X-Men #2
Secret Invasion #6

As you can tell not a huge week for me but enough new comics to keep me busy until next Wednesday. Big news in my Speculator picks this week so let’s get to them.

”All Star Batman and Robin”; DC Comics; Written by Frank Miller; Art by Jim Lee; $2.99

Why it’s hot: Other than the fact that it has Frank Miller and Jim Lee’s names on the cover there is no reason to buy this comic. It’s terribly written and massively over-printed. Miller’s latest Bat-Book has been laughable at best and just-plain-bad at its worst. I don’t read it nor do I get what Miller is trying to do with this comic other than maybe punish readers or prove that he’s completely lost touch with the character of Batman. I know what you’re thinking; how does anything he’s said make this book hot? See below.

Why it’ll go fast: As it would happen Miller has injected some of his detective-noir sensibilities into All Star Bats most notably by giving Batman a dirty mouth. (very creative). As it would happen, rather than using symbols to illustrate naught words (IE. “@$&# you ya @$&#-hole”) DC made the choice to cross out the naughty words with black lines. Don’t ask me why. Well it turns out, due to a printing error all the naughty words were blacked out but not well enough and were quite legible. The print run containing the naughty words were prevented from shipping for the most part but as luck would have it, a few copies made it to a few random shops. Only one copy made it to Omaha as far as I know. Diamond Comics sent out an email on Monday telling retailers to destroy any copies of All Star Bats #10 that they receive and they will be replaced with properly censored issues. If you can find this issue BUY IT! The last time I can think of a naughty issue recall was for The League of Extraordinary Gentleman vol.2 #5 that had a fake add for a womens hygiene product. Again the comic was recalled but a few made it to shops and today it sells for more than $300.00. By the way, this is the only reason to buy this comic. Like I stated above, it’s terrible.

”The Stand: Captain Tripps #1”; Marvel Comics; Written by: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa; Art by: Mike Perkins; $2.99

Why it’s hot: This new limited series spins off the success of the other Marvel/Stephen King Project, The Dark Tower and it’s many spin-off series as well. Captain Tripps is not a graphic retelling of King’s The Stand but focuses on some of the character’s from the book.

Why it’ll go fast: The success of Marvel’s Dark Tower comics showed retailers that fans of King’s novels will crossover to the comic world to read more about their favorite characters. The Dark Tower series was one of King’s cult hits, nowhere near as popular or widely read as The Stand, but was a huge seller for Marvel. I would guess that Capt Tripps will enjoy similar if not greater success at the stands.

”Green Lantern Corps #28”; DC Comics; Written by Peter Tomasi; Art by Luke Ross; $2.99

Why it’s hot: If your not reading both of the current Green Lantern books then you are missing out on the best GL stories ever told. And, your probably a jerk. Peter Tomasi’s GL Corps has been nothing short of fantastic yet most fans aren’t reading it. Issue #28 is the lead-in story to the upcoming Rage of the Red Lanterns storyline that will lead into the much anticipated Blackest Night Storyline.

Why it’ll go fast: GL Corps has been dropping is sales for the past couple of months (from #44 in June to #49 in July on the Diamond Estimated comic sales list) which is too bad because the book is great. Those looking to pick up the entire lead in to the Blackest Night storyline in the future may find this prelude issue very hard to find due to low order numbers. Don’t be a sucker and jump on the GL Corps bandwagon today. You won’t regret it.

Until next week, keep the questions coming, feel free to post to the forum topics in the comic books community and tell me what you’re reading/collecting. Also, check out my other blog The Comic Speculator, where I discuss classic yet still affordable back-issue comics. If you have any questions about these books or anything else in the comic book world feel free to contact me or post your question in the Comic Book community forum. Want to know what your comics are worth? Join Worthpoint for free and post your titles in the “Ask A Question” section.