Here’s this week’s list of comics – both US and UK releases – on sale in specialist UK comic shops tomorrow, Wednesday 11th February 2015. We’ve picked out the titles published by British publishers in bold below, or titles with a British connection we’re aware of, including cover artists.
This week sees the launch of Marvel’s second Star Wars title, Darth Vader, written by Kieron Gillen, and a special anniversary issue of Witchblade from Image Comics, written by David Hine. Plus, X-Force written by Simon Spurrier reaches a gripping conclusion, as does Wild’s End from Dan Abnett and I.N.J. Culbard (If you missed this wonderful series from Boom Studios, I’m told a collection is in the works for release later in the year).
The Sculptor graphic by Scott McCloud also reaches comic shops, published by SelfMadeHero – a stunning magnum opus that’s garnered deserved praise from nay quarters. It’s a truly astonishing work, beautifully told, with incredible art. Well worth checking out.
Don’t forget that despite many British publishers lack of faith in full-blown cover to cover comic strip action and humour, there are still comics on sale in newsagents that still delight in bringing you such subversive delights, including The Beano and Commando, with great strips featuring in titles such as Judge Dredd Megazine, Doctor Who Magazine, Doctor Who Adventures, TOXIC, VIZ and many more.
The Hatchette Judge Dredd Collection has also just launched in newsagents.
Plus, the wonderful Phoenix Comic is on sale in all Waitrose supermarkets as well as available on subscription.
British Publishers
2000AD/Rebellion
2000AD Prog 1917
Orlok, the assassin gets a taste of his own medicine, as he attempts to track down a former East-Meg agent turned underworld mastermind, known as “The White Russian”, operating out of Euro-City, using Sov Blok intelligence and counter-intelligence against them. But can even Orlok withstand brutal torture practices that he would normally employ in “Orlok, Agent of East Meg-One: Eurozoned” by Arthur Wyatt and Jake Lynch?
The issue – also on sale in newsagents and digitally – also features “Judge Dredd: Dark Justice” by John Wagner & Greg Staples; “Ulysses Sweet, Maniac For Hire: Psycho Therapist” by Guy Adams and Paul Marshall; and “Savage: Grinders” by Pat Mills and Patrick Goddard.
• Read Matt Badham’s interview on “Orlok” with Arthur Wyatt
SelfMadeHero
The Sculptor Hard Cover Graphic Novel (Mature Readers)
Writer, Artist and Cover Artist: Scott McCloud
David Smith is giving his life for his art – literally. Thanks to a deal with Death, the young sculptor gets his childhood wish: to sculpt anything he can imagine with his bare hands. But now that he only has 200 days to live, deciding what to create is harder than he thought, and discovering the love of his life at the eleventh hour isn’t making it any easier. This is a story of desire taken to the edge of reason and beyond; of the frantic, clumsy dance steps of young love; and a gorgeous portrait of the world’s greatest city. It’s also about the small, warm, human moment of everyday life. Scott McCloud wrote the book on how comics work, now he vaults into great fiction with a breathtaking new work.
If you buy one graphic novel this month, it should be this stunning, huge story, beautifully told and drawn.
Titan Comics
Alien Legion Uncivil War Hard Cover
Writer: Chuck Dixon Artist: Larry Strohman, Carl Potts Cover Artist: Larry Strohman
In a galaxy savaged by strife, torn by civil war, boiling with spilt blood, Alien Legion is a cosmic military force doing its damnedest to keep the peace by being always ready for war. At the tip of the Legion’s multi-species spear is Force Nomad – the worst of the worst fashioned on the white-hot forge of battle into the best of the best. Now the squad’s grizzled veterans are on what should be a boring milk run; shepherding refugees fleeing a civil war ripping apart their system. Could be a good chance to toughen the newbies of Nomad into soldiers, until straight-up peacekeeping descends into full-scale war!
Doctor Who 11th #1 NYCC Exclusive
Writer: Al Ewing, Rob Williams Artist: Simon Fraser Cover Artist: Photo
The Eleventh Doctor’s adventures continue in this special edition of Doctor Who: The Eleventh Doctor #1 with an exclusive cover for this year’s New York Comic Con!
Doctor Who 11th #8 (Variant Covers)
Writer: Rob Williams, Al Ewing Artist: Warren Pleece Cover Artist: Boo Cook
To infinity and back to end a cosmic war! Interstellar dogfights still rage in the skies over London! When Alice is forced into a high-stakes solo challenge that could end the conflict, she’ll need to muster everything she’s learned on her travels with the Doctor in order to succeed – and even that might not be enough! Has the Doctor made a grave mistake – or is it all part of a larger plan?
US Comics
Dark Horse Comics
1 For $1 Usagi Yojimbo
Abe Sapien #20
Avatar Last Airbender Rift Library Edition Hard Cover
Blood Blockade Battlefront Trade Paperback Volume 7
Conan Red Sonja #2
Creepy Archives Hc Vol 21
Gary Baseman Chouchou Party Lights
Itty Bitty Comics The Mask #4
Prometheus Fire & Stone Omega One Shot
Resurrectionists #4
Samurai Executioner Omnibus Trade Paperback Volume 4 (Mature Readers)
X #22 Marked For Death Pt 2 (Mature Readers)
DC Comics
Arrow Season 2.5 #5
Astro City #20
Batman: Dark Night, Dark City Trade Paperback
Writer: Peter Milligan Artist: Kieron Dwyer & Various Cover Artist: Mike Mignola
In this tale from Batman #452-454 and Detective Comics #629-633, Batman is led through an urban labyrinth by the Riddler, who seems to have become a monster determined to drive Batman insane. In his quest, the Riddler is working with an occultist who has summoned a demon to stop Batman – but in the process, the Riddler himself is slowly changing into a nightmarish beast!
Batman Eternal #45
Batman The Dark Knight Trade Paperback Volume 4 Clay (N52)
Coffin Hill #15 (Mature Readers)
Coffin Hill Trade Paperback Volume 2 Dark Endeavors (Mature Readers)
Constantine #22
DC The New Frontier Deluxe Edition Hard Cover
Earth 2 Worlds End #19
Fables Complete Covers By James Jean Hard Cover New Edition (Mature Readers)
Fables The Wolf Among Us #2 (Mature Readers)
FBP Federal Bureau Of Physics #18 (Mature Readers)
Writer: Simon Oliver Artist: Alberto Ponticelli Cover Artist: Nathan Fox
With the fate of the universe hanging in the balance, an unlikely new ally reveals his cosmic plan to save humanity.
Green Lantern Corps #39
Harley Quinn Valentines Day Special #1
Hellblazer Trade Paperback Volume 10: In The Line Of Fire (Mature Readers)
Writer: Paul Jenkins Artist: Sean Phillips, Al Davison Cover Artist: Sean Phillips
In these never before collected stories from Hellblazer #97-107,Constantine comes to the aid of his downstairs neighbor, a dimwitted, epileptic giant whose home is haunted by a persistent ghost. Plus, John’s affinity with the supernatural spoils a soccer game when a demon that thrives on hooliganism shows up.
Injustice Gods Among Us Year Three #9
Justice League 3000 #14
Justice League United #9
Writer: Jeff Lemire Artist: Neil Edwards, Jay Leisten Cover Artist: Andrew Robinson
“The Infinitus Saga” continues as the team joins the Legion of Super-Heroes, a Thanagarian war fleet and a Rannian war fleet to battle the endless forces of Infinitus!
Klarion #5
Mortal Kombat X #2 (Mature Readers)
New 52 Futures End #41 (Weekly)
New Suicide Squad #7
Scooby Doo Where Are You #54
Scribblenauts Unmasked A Dc Comics Adventure Trade Paperback
Secret Origins Trade Paperback Volume 1 (N52)
Secret Six #2
Secret Six Trade Paperback Volume 1 Villains United
Smallville Season 11 Continuity #3
Superman Krypton Returns Hard Cover (N52)
Worlds Finest #31
Image Comics
Bang Tango Trade Paperback (Mature Readers)
Bitch Planet #1 – Second Printing (Mature Readers)
Black Science Skateboard Deck
Deadly Class Skateboard Deck
Elephantmen #62 (Mature Readers)
Writer: Richard Starkings Artist: Axel Medellin Cover Artist: Boo Cook
“THE RED QUEEN,” Conclusion
Sahara’s life is changed forever.
Empty #1
Five Ghosts #15
Ghosted #17 (Mature Readers)
Morning Glories #43 (Mature Readers)
Satellite Sam #11 (Mature Readers)
Shutter #9 (Mature Readers)
Southern Bastards #7 (Mature Readers)
Starlight Trade Paperback Volume 1
Writer: Mark Millar Artist: Goran Parlov Cover Artist: John Cassaday
Forty years ago, Duke McQueen was the space hero who saved the universe. But then he came back home, got married, had kids, and grew old. Now his children have left and his wife has passed away, leaving him alone with nothing except his memories… until a call comes from a distant world asking him back for his final and greatest adventure.
Tech Jacket #8
Ten Grand Trade Paperback Volume 2 (Mature Readers)
They’re Not Like Us #1 – Second Printing (Mature Readers)
Trees Trade Paperback Volume 1 (Mature Readers)
Writer: Warren Ellis (A/CA) Jason Howard
Ten years after they landed. All over the world. And they did nothing, standing on the surface of the Earth like trees, exerting their silent pressure on the world, as if there were no-one here and nothing under foot. Ten years since we learned that there is intelligent life in the universe, but that they did not recognize us as intelligent or alive. Trees, a new science fiction novel by Warren Ellis (Transmetropolitan, Red) and Jason Howard (Super Dinosaur, Astounding Wolf-Man), looks at a near-future world where life goes on in the shadows of the Trees: in China, where a young painter arrives in the “special cultural zone” of a city under a Tree; in Italy, where a young woman under the menacing protection of a fascist gang meets an old man who wants to teach her terrible skills; and in Svalbard, where a research team is discovering, by accident, that the Trees may not be dormant after all, and the awful threat they truly represent.
The Walking Dead #137 (Mature Readers)
Writer: Robert Kirkman Artist: Charlie Adlard & Various Cover Artist: Charlie Adlard, Dave Stewart
A future uncertain.
Witchblade #180 (Variant Covers)
Writer: David Hine Artist: Gabriel Rearte Cover Artist: Dale Keown
DARKNESS FALLS IN WITCHBLADE’S 19TH ANNIVERSARY!
In another life Jackie Estacado was Sara Pezzini’s lover and the father of her child. Now he has used the power of the Darkness to endanger the whole of human existence and only the Witchblade can stop him. Here at last is the untold story…the Death Of Jackie Estacado!
Marvel Comics
All New Captain America Fear Him #2
All New Ghost Rider #11
All New X-Men #36
Amazing Spider-Man #14 Sv
Avengers World Trade Paperback Volume 3 Next World
Bucky Barnes Winter Soldier #5
Captain Marvel #12
Cyclops #10
Darth Vader #1
Writer: Kieron Gillen Artist: Salvador Larroca Cover Artist: Adi Granov
The original Dark Lord of the Sith stars in his first ongoing series!
Ever since Darth Vader made his first on-screen appearance, he became the one of the most popular villains to ever haunt an audience’s dreams! Now, follow Vader straight from the ending of A New Hope (and the pages of the new Star Wars comic book) into his own series, showing the Empire’s war with the Rebel Alliance from the other side! Writer Kieron Gillen (Uncanny X-Men, Journey Into Mystery, Iron Man) and artist Salvador Larroca (Invincible Iron Man, X-Men: No More Humans) bring us a peek behind the mask of evil!
Deathlok Trde Paperback Rage Against Machine
Dexter Trade Paperback
Guardians 3000 #5
Writer: Dan Abnett Artist: Gerardo Sandoval Cover Artist: Alex Ross
To save the future, the Guardians must reach into the past, and that means striking a deal with the Old Hunger. But the Old Hunger is the most powerful entity in the Galaxy, and it’s not a good idea to wake him up… or to by-pass his invincible herald, Stormfront! Meanwhile, Vance Astro has encountered a Guardian that he forgot ever existed, and she’s none too happy about his memory blank. Time to make friends again fast… before the A-Sentience gestalt of The Stark destroys them all! Cosmic action and mind-blowing SF adventure!
Rated T+
Guardians Of Galaxy #24
Guardians Team-Up By Adams Poster
Indestructible Hulk Trade Paperback Volume 4 Humanity Bomb
Inhumans 50th Anniversary Poster
Marvel Universe Avengers Assemble Season Two #4
Marvel Masterworks Mighty Thor Hard Cover Volume 1 New Printing
Marvel Masterworks Sub Mariner Hard Cover Volume 6
Nightcrawler #11
Writer: Chris Claremont (A/CA) Todd Nauck
• The Shadow King. The Crimson Pirates. The forces of Heaven and Hell. Nightcrawler is cutting through his foes to protect those nearest and dearest to him.
• But in his struggles with his return from the afterlife, will Nightcrawler take his one-man-war too far?
Rated T+
Oz Trade Paperback Emerald City Of Oz
Rocket Raccoon Premium Hard Cover Volume 1 Chasing Tale
Spider-Woman #4
Thanos Vs Hulk #3
Thor #5
Wolverines #6
X-Force #15
Writer: Simon Spurrier Artist/Cover Artist: Rock-He Kim
THIS IS IT! In the final showdown with Fantomex, X-Force gives everything they have to defeat their power-mad teammate-turned-adversary!
Parental Advisory
X-Men #24
Other Publishers
Adventure Time Marceline Gone Adrift #2
Adventure Time Marceline Gone Adrift #2 Subscription Gorham
Ajin Graphic Novel Volume 03
Alice I/T Country Of Joker Circus & Liars Game Vol 07 (Mature Readers)
And Then Emily Was Gone Graphic Novel Volume 01 (Mature Readers)
Archie #664
Archie Comics Digest #258
Archie Comics Spectacular Food Fight Trade Paperback
Army Of Darkness Vol 4 #3
Best Of Sonic The Hedgehog Comics Ultimate Collection Trade Paperback
Bravest Warriors #29
Brides Of Helheim #4 (Mature Readers)
Caliban Trade Paperback (Mature Readers) (Avatar Press)
Writer: Garth Ennis Artist/Cover Artist: Facundo Percio
The crew of the mining ship Caliban is on a routine mission deep in the universe and confident that nothing outside the normal humdrum monotony of space travel will occur. But when they encounter an alien vessel their dreams of a simple mission turn into a nightmare unfolding along the lonely corridors of the cold steel ship. Something is stalking them and systematically eliminating the few remaining personnel one by one. How can you fight something you can’t even understand? Claustrophobic terror grips the crew now as they attempt to escape the thing that has waited patiently for them to eventually arrive in the vast lonely darkness. No one is safe in deep space. Revolutionary comics writer Garth Ennis (Preacher, Crossed) takes you to a very dark place with the type of high tension paranoid storytelling that will leave a lasting mark on you. Beautifully illustrated by Facundo Percio (Fashion Beast), Caliban is a must read for horror and sci-fi fans alike. This volume collects the Caliban #1 – 7 comic book series.
Captain Victory & Galactic Rangers #5
Cavewoman The Return #1 (Variant Covers)
Cavewoman Zombie Situation #1 (Variant Covers)
Crimson Society #4 (Mature Readers)
Critical Hit #4 (Mature Readers)
Crypt Of Horror #24
Daomu Hard Cover
Deep State #4
Disney Frozen Adaptation #1
Displacement Graphic Novel
Divinity #1 (of 4) (Variant Covers) (Valiant Entertainment)
Writer: Matt Kindt Artist: Trevor Hairsine Cover Artist: Jelena Kevic-Djurdjevic
From New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt (THE VALIANT, Mind MGMT) and blockbuster artist Trevor Hairsine (X-Men: Deadly Genesis) comes a shocking new vision of 21st century science fiction in an all-new prestige format limited series.
At the height of the Cold War, the Soviet Union – determined to win the Space Race at any cost – green lit a dangerously advanced mission. They sent a man farther into the cosmos than anyone has gone before or since. Lost in the stars, he encountered something unknown. Something that…changed him.
Long thought lost and erased from the history books, he has suddenly returned, crash-landing in the Australian Outback. The few that have been able to reach him believe him to be a deity – one who turned the scorched desert into a lush oasis. They say he can bend matter, space, and even time to his will. Earth is about to meet a new god. And he’s a communist.
How long can it be before the fi rst confrontation between mankind and DIVINITY begins?
Doc Savage Omnibus Trade Paperback Volume 1
Dragonar Academy Graphic Novel Volume 05 (Mature Readers)
Ehmm Theory Everything And Small Doses #4 (Mature Readers)
Eightball Like A Velvet Glove Cast In Iron Trade Paperback
Fathom Kiani Vol 4 #1 (Variant Covers)
Grimm Fairy Tales Realm War #7 (Mature Readers) (Variant Covers)
Grimm Fairy Tales Wonderland #32 (Mature Readers) (Variant Covers)
Godkiller Walk Among Us #2 – Second Printing (Mature Readers)
Gold Digger Holidays Special #4
Grimm Fairy Tales Arcane Acre Trade Paperback Volume 1
Harvester #1
Help Us Great Warrior #1
Hexed #7
I Am Alice Body Swap In Wonderland Graphic Novel Volume 03 (Mature Readers)
Intelligent Sentient Hc (Mature Readers)
Jim Butcher Dresden Files Down Town #1
Jughead & Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #10
Justice Inc #6 Rare Ross Virgin Art Ed
King Flash Gordon #1
King Jungle Jim #1
Lady Death (Ongoing) #24 Cheerleader Cover (Mature Readers)
Lady Death (Ongoing) #25 Goth Girl Cover (Mature Readers)
Lady Death (Ongoing) #26 (Variant Covers)
Lady Mechanika #2 & #3 Collected Ed (Mature Readers)
Legend Of The Mantamaji Graphic Novel Book 03
Legenderry Red Sonja #1
Legenderry Vampirella #1 Benitez Virgin Edition
Love And Rockets New Stories Trade Paperback Volume 7
Lumberjanes #9 (2nd Printing)
Macbeth Candlewick Edition Graphic Novel
Magnus Robot Fighter #11 Cvr A Lau Main
Munchkin #1 (2nd Printing)
Parallel Man #5
Pix One Weirdest Weekend Graphic Novel
Prince Valiant Hard Cover Volume 10 1955-1956
Princeless Pirate Princess #1
Prophecy Graphic Novel Volume 02
Quantum & Woody #5
Rachel Rising #31
Rai #7 (Variant Covers)
Rogues The Burning Heart #2 (Mature Readers)
Roman Ritual #2 (Mature Readers)
Roy Thomas Presents Briefer Frankenstein Hard Cover 1948-52 (Slipcase Edition Available)
Roy Thomas Presents Planet Comics Hard Cover Volume 6 Nov 42 – May 43 (Slipcase Edition Available)
Say I Love You Graphic Novel Volume 06
Shinobi Ninja Princess #6
Sixth Gun #46
Sonic The Hedgehog #269 Reg Cover
Sonic The Hedgehog Archives Trade Paperback Volume 24
Spongebob Comics #41
Suicide Risk Trade Paperback Volume 4
Writer: Mike Carey Artist: Elena Casagrande, Jorge Coehlo Cover Artist: Stephanie Hans
Mike Carey (Lucifer, The Unwritten) and fan-favorite artist Elena Casagrande (Doctor Who, Hulk, Hack/Slash) continue the mysterious superhero world of Suicide Risk with this critically acclaimed fourth arc, which also includes the celebrated standalone story illustrated by spotlight artist Filipe Andrade (Captain Marvel, Avengers). Requiem is in full control now, and Tracey, Danny, and Suni must find a way to survive the vengeful god parading around in Leo Winters’ body. He has his own plans and has been thwarted before, but this time Requiem won’t let something as simple as family get in his way… Collects issues #14-17.
Sweatshop Trade Paperback Peter Bagge
Tarot Witch Of The Black Rose #90 Dlx Ed
Teen Dog #6
Today Last Day Of Rest Your Life Gn
Toe Tag Riot #3 (Mature Readers)
Tsubasa Omnibus Graphic Novel Volume 03
Uber #22 (Mature Readers) (Variant Covers) (Avatar Press)
Writer: Kieron Gillen Artist/Cover Artist: Canaan White
The Allies have been beaten to the punch in nearly every angle of the escalating war. Then things get really bad as Bletchley Park itself is threatened and any hope they have of furthering their research is cast into doubt. They’ve endured losses that break nations and seen hopes dashed upon the stark rocks of reality. All of their hopes lie in the hands of Stephanie as she attempts to find one aspect of activation that will give them a foothold in the conflict. Available with Regular, Wraparound, War Crimes, and Blitzkrieg covers by Caanan White and a Propaganda Poster cover by Michael DiPascale.
Wally Wood Torrid Romance
War Stories #5 (Mature Readers) (Variant Covers) (Avatar Press)
Writer: Garth Ennis Artist/Cover Artist: Tomas Aria
As a massed Syrian armored assault smashes into the defenders of the Golan Heights, Israeli tank crews struggle against odds of nearly ten to one. No help is coming. Every enemy tank destroyed is instantly replaced. Iron, flesh and will begin to buckle under the ordeal, as Israel’s darkest hour unfolds. Garth Ennis and Tomas Aira continue their tale of the Yom Kippur War, in part two of the three part Children Of Israel. Available with Regular &Wraparound covers by Tomas Aria, and Good Girl Nose Art & Battle Damage Retailer Incentive covers by Matt Martin.
Warlord Of Mars Dejah Thoris Trade Paperback Volume 6 (Mature Readers)
Wild’s End #6 (Boom! Studios)
Writer: Dan Abnett Artist/Cover Artist: I. N. J. Culbard
Not everyone who set out to uncover the truth behind the aliens creating havoc in Lower Crowchurch has survived the journey. Those that remain now put their lives on the line in a la ditch effort to save their town in this stunning conclusion to the hit series.
Zombie Killustrated (One Shot)
Magazines
Comic Shop News #1443
Hobby Japan January 2015
Megami December 2014
Megami November 2014
Newtype December 2014
Newtype November 2014
List compiled via Diamond Previews, publishers and with the help of First Age Comics, 3 Moor Lane, Lancaster LA1 1QD. Open: Tuesday – Friday 10.00am – 4.30pm, Saturday 10.00am – 5.30pm. Find them on Facebook. First Age Comics also has a shop site on e-Bay: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/First-Age
• The downthetubes map of British Comic Shops
The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: 2000AD, British Comics, Comic Previews, Doctor Who, downthetubes Comics News, Television, US Comics
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