PREVIEWS VOL. XIII #2 PREVIEWS PUBLICATIONS COLLECTING SUPPLIES CATALOG 2003 What good is all the stuff you order from Previews if it ages ungracefully or succumbs to the elements? Protect your investment with the latest in collector supplies, including bags, boxes, card holders, and more! Catalog, PC $0.75 PREVIEWS #4 (APRIL 2003) Previews is your ultimate source for all the merchandise available from your local comic book specialty retailer… approximately two months in advance! Hundreds of comics from a myriad of publishers, merchandise, and exclusive editorial content available nowhere else! This issue features items scheduled to ship from May 2003 through July 2003! Catalog, 8x11, 480+pg, PC $3.95 PREVIEWS PRIMO FLYER #4 Primo is the monthly publication featuring some of the best and most desirable items from Previews! This issue highlights items in the April 2003 catalog! Digest, 5x8, FC PI PREVIEWS CONSUMER ORDER FORM #4 Previews makes it easy for you to order every item in the catalog with this separate order form booklet! This issue ships in late March 2003 for items on sale in June 2003. Comic-sized, 62pg, PC PI PREVIEWS ADULT #4 Previews Adult features Adult-oriented art, info, and related news not found in Previews. NOTE: Due to customs and international restrictions, adult material may not be available in some international markets. Please check with your local comic book specialty retailer for availability. ADULT MATERIAL Catalog, 24pg, b&w (Note Price) $0.95 COMICS SECTION PREMIER VENDORS DARK HORSE COMICS BLACKBURNE COVENANT #1 (OF 4) FABIAN NICIEZA and STEFANO RAFFAELE On sale April 2, FC, 32pg, $2.99 A new world of modern horror opens its pages in this sweeping saga of transformation and terror. Fabian Nicieza, one of the best-selling writers of superhero comics, teams with Italian horror artist Stefano Raffaele, for a story he's been waiting to unleash since the 1980's. Someone is following popular fantasy novelist Richard Kaine. Not a demented fan, not a jilted lover. Someone interested in finding out how Richard came up with his runaway bestseller first novel. Because unbeknownst to Richard, his book was really non- fiction. How could Richard have written about an event no one should have known about, because it was meticulously eradicated from human history? Who are the Blackburne Covenant? And how could the secrets they've been concealing for hundreds of years completely change life on Earth? They're willing to kill Richard Kaine in order to keep him quiet… SHREK #1 (OF 4) MARK EVANIER, RAMON BACHS and RAUL FERNANDEZ On sale April 30, FC, 32pg, (1 of 4), $2.99 The big green ogre is back—this time in COMICS! Join Shrek, Donkey, and the gang as they embark on their latest adventure. The tale begins as Shrek, Princess Fiona, and their constant companion, Donkey, set off for a honeymoon at Fairytale Tales. But the ghost of Lord Farguaad, intent on taking his fearsome revenge, interrupts the honeymooners' bliss. Written by master sribe Mark Evanier (Groo) and illustrated by Ramon Bachs and Raul Fernandez (Star Wars). Shrek is sure to please readers of all ages SPYBOY #13.1: THE M.A.N.G.A. AFFAIR PART 1 (OF 3) PETER DAVID, POP MHAN, and NORMAN LEE; cover by POP MHAN On sale April 23, b&w, 24pg, (1 of 3), $2.99 When Japan's premiere spy is both the nation's leading comedienne and an expert secret agent, it's often tricky to sneak away to spoil the latest evil villain's global plot…but SpyGirl does her best! The beautiful Yukio, A.K.A. SpyGirl, finds an old photograph on the set of her television show that throws her into a complete frenzy. Why was she photographed with Japan's Minister of Defense? More importantly, why doesn't she remember any of it? And what does SpyBoy have to do with it? This manga-inspired tale features a brand new art style from fan-fave Pop Mhan, hallucinating secret agents, close calls, high-speed chases, and hilarious quips from Peter David, the master of quirky plots and hilarious quips. Join us on this three issue excursion into madness, ninjas, action, and laughs! BLOOD WORLD #2 (of 3) EDDIE PARK and DIGITAL CHAMELEON On sale April 9, FC, 32pg, (2 of 3), $2.99 On Blood World contestants battle mutated freaks, giant monsters, and each other to win The Blood Bath, a galaxy-wide, free-for-all killing tournament. Here victory means prestige and power. Defeat equals death. See what contestants will do to survive in a world where there is no room for loyalty, friendship, or compassion. In this world, BLOOD RULES. Dark Horse Comics brings you the second issue of Blood World hyper- violent, sci-fi epic written and illustrated by Eddie Park, Korea's comics phenomenon. FOR MATURE READERS FRAY #7 (OF 8) JOSS WHEDON, KARL MOLINE, and ANDY OWENS On sale April 23, FC, 32pg, $2.99 The wait is over! Joss Whedon, creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, completes his vision of the future, the story of the future slayer. One of the fiercest battles in the history of comics, drawn in grand style by Karl Moline and Andy Owens, begins the climax to Dark Horse's runaway hit. So what do we have left for next issue? It just gets worse for this poor, young Slayer. FRAY RELISTS JOSS WHEDON'S FRAY #1 You've never seen a world like this, and neither has she. She's Melaka Fray, a beautiful, young girl that's about to meet her destiny, whether she wants to or not. In the future, the world is a manmade, hopeless hell. When the forces of darkness come calling, Fray will be transformed from street urchin of a disposable society to its only savior. And, heaven help her if she fails. (STAR14949) FC, 32pg (1 of 8) . . . $2.99 JOSS WHEDON'S FRAY #2 After finishing a routine breaking and entering job, she's returned to her apartment to find an eight-foot-tall demon. Now she's got another job proposal put in front of her, and her life will never be the same. (STAR14950) FC, 32pg (2 of 8) . . . $2.99 JOSS WHEDON'S FRAY #3 Melaka learns some of the history of the Slayers and comes to understand a little about what it means to her. Ready or not, here she comes! She's taking on the forces of darkness like no one else can. (STAR14951) FC, 32pg (3 of 8) . . . $2.99 JOSS WHEDON'S FRAY #4 Fray fends off an attack from the creep that killed her brother. Barely escaping with her life, she becomes determined to find the monster and stop him…forever! But she's being hunted as well…by a pack of blood-crazed vampires, and by the police led by her own sister. FC, 32pg (4 of 8) . . . $2.99 JOSS WHEDON'S FRAY #5 Melaka's been keeping up the good fight. But, now that she knows the horrible truth about the vampire that's been stalking her, can she keep it up? Meanwhile, she's on the run from the thugs and the police. FC, 32pg (5 of 8) . . . $2.99 JOSS WHEDON'S FRAY #6 After a crushing turn of events, Melaka's back on her feet, taking the fight into the pits of the city. But are these street-urchin vamps behind the recent murder that set Fray over the edge? FC, 32pg (6 of 8) . . . $2.99 ************************ KISS #9 SCOTT LOBDELL and MEL RUBI On sale April 30, FC, 32pg, $2.99 KISS continues to rock in part two of Scott Lobdell's story arc, "This Man, This Monster" in which the Four Who Are One explore their dual identities. Is there a man inside the Beast King, and is the Demon headed down the same inhuman path? And is the Celestial completely above the world of men, or can the Starchild bring him back? Who are the Four Who Are One? And who are they meant to be? "This Man, This Monster" part two is in your face this April from Scott (Buffy, Highroads, X-Men) Lobdell and monthly KISS artist Mel Rubi. Don't miss it! The cover to KISS #9 is part two of an amazing mini poster when combined with part one KISS cover #8! JUDGE DREDD/ALIENS: INCUBUS #2 (OF 4) JOHN WAGNER, ANDY DIGGLE, and HENRY FLINT cover by KEV WALKER On sale April 16, FC, 32pg (2 of 4), $2.99 Judge Dredd, the gritty, gruff hero of Britain's award-winning sci-fi anthology 2000 AD, faces off against 20th Century Fox Films' Aliens in a battle that just may bring Mega-City One to its knees! With a special extermination unit called The Verminators now on Dredd's side, it's lawmen versus nature's best killing machines in a bloody battle that leads straight to the packed Eisenhower General Hospital! The unflinching Judge Dredd and his elite group of Judges struggle to fend off an infestation of the deadly, acid- drooling Aliens and to discover their origins. Dredd initially thought that the Aliens were part of an illegal pit-fighting ring, but it's possible that they are linked to Mutant Jack and his anti-Judge activists…and only time will tell if more Aliens are hidden in the city! AL CAPP'S LI'L ABNER: THE FRAZETTA SUNDAYS VOLUME 1 (1954-55) TPB FRANK FRAZETTA On sale May 28, SC, 128pg, FC, $??? Before legendary artist Frank Frazetta became an American institution for his lush paintings, he was drawing muscular hillbillies and scantily clad women for an earlier American institution: the comic strip Li'l Abner, which boasted 60 million readers daily. From 1954 till 1961 Frazetta toiled as a ghost for Al Capp, the most famous and successful cartoonist of his era. Except for a brief 1954 dailies sequence (when Frazetta drew himself as "Frankie the Biker" in a send-up of Marlon Brando's contemporary motorcycle film The Wild Ones) Frazetta's energy was focused on the Li'l Abner Sunday strips. For the first time ever these gorgeous full-color Sundays are being collected! Dark Horse is publishing four comprehensive 9" x 12" volumes. Each quarterly volume will contain an introduction and extensive annotations by Li'l Abner expert Denis Kitchen. Volume 1 features The Bald Iggle (from Capp's Shmoo and Kigmy school of creatures with social messages), Loverboynik (a thinly disguised Liberace) and Milton the Masked Martian (an early superhero parody) as well as Indian princess Minnie Mustache, Moonbeam McSwine, The Tigress, Daisy Mae Yokum and Gloria Van Wellbilt as only Frank Frazetta can draw them!! RIPLEY'S BELIEVE IT OR NOT TPB HADEN BLACKMAN, CARY NORD, and MARK LIPKA; cover by CARY NORD On sale May 21, SC, 80pg, b&w, $9.95 Join us on a journey into the bizarre and unexplained as Dark Horse Comics presents Ripley's Believe It Or Not! Collecting a series of short stories that examines the mysterious disappearance of people down through history in "Into Thin Air," the ability of some individuals to seemingly cheat death in "Grim Reaping," oddities of humanity in "Human Wonders," and strange and otherworldly visitors in "Strange Invaders"! This is one volume of strangeness that you won't want to miss out on! XENOZOIC TALES VOLUME 2 TPB MARK SCHULTZ On sale May 28, SC, 176pg, b&w, $14.95 Dark Horse Comics is proud to present the second volume of Mark Schultz's award- winning Xenozoic Tales. Schultz's vision of our Earth's future includes guano-powered Cadillacs, warring factions of humanity battling for ruined cities, reborn dinosaurs, and their intelligent, humanoid descendants. The tough-as-nails shaman, Jack Tenrec, and the beautiful scientist, Hannah Dundee, seek to uncover the origins and secrets of their violent world while dealing with their own rocky relationship. Xenozoic Tales became a major network cartoon as "Cadillacs and Dinosaurs", and the storytelling talents of Mark Schultz earned him three Harvey Awards as Best Cartoonist. Schultz recently finished writing a critically-acclaimed run on Superman and is writing the upcoming Superman/Batman vs. Aliens/Predator series. Once you let the profound creativity of Xenozoic Tales sink its teeth in you, you'll be screaming for more! Featured in this volume are the grippings tales "Primeval," "Last Link in the Chain," and "The Growing Pool." Also, for the first time ever, Xenozoic Tales #13 and #14 are collected in book form. This volume has a new cover and additional sketchbook material by Schultz. THE DEVIL'S FOOTPRINTS #2 (OF 4) SCOTT ALLIE, PAUL LEE, BRIAN HORTON, and DAVE STEWART On sale April 2, FC, 32pg, (2 of 4), $2 99 Desperate measures for desperate times: Brandon Waite digs up his dead father in hopes of finding some clue to what's killing his family. While this supernatural force threatens those he loves, Brandon finds himself the victim of a good-old witch hunt, in the fine New England tradition. And this night's just getting worse. Before it's out, he'll be covered in blood, all too aware that he can't protect his girlfriend…without resorting to even more desperate acts. Brandon's own deal with the devil is just one issue away. BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #56: SLAYER INTERRUPTED PART 1 (OF 4) SCOTT LOBDELL, FABIAN NICIEZA, and CLIFF RICHARDS; cover by PAUL LEE and BRIAN HORTON On sale April 30, FC, 32pg, (1 of 4), Lee/Horton or Photo cover, $2.99 Buffy returned from her runaway road-trip with Pike…only to discover that Dawn has read her diary, and shared what she found with their parents, who see no other choice: after she's burned down the school gym, run off to Vegas, and apparently lost her mind . . . they have her committed. Buffy #56 begins the first of a four-issue arc, "Slayer Interupted" by Scott Lobdell, Fabian Nicieza and Cliff Richards, in which we finally see what happened to Buffy in that mental institution. BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER RELISTS BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: AUTUMNAL TP by Chris Boal, Tom Fassbender, Jim Pascoe, Cliff Richards, and Joe Pimentel SC, 80pg, FC (STAR14936) . . . $9.95 BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: BAD BLOOD TP by Andi Watson, Joe Bennett, and Rick Ketcham SC, 88pg, FC (STAR11048) . . . $9.95 BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: THE BLOOD OF CARTHAGE TP by Christopher Golden, Cliff Richards, and Joe Pimentel SC, 128pg, FC (STAR13030) . . . $10.95 BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: CRASH TEST DEMONS TP by Andi Watson, Cliff Richards, and Joe Pimentel SC, 80pg, FC (STAR11415) . . . $9.95 BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: THE DUST WALTZ GN by Dan Brereton, Hector Gomez, and Sandu Florea SC, 80pg, FC (STAR08424) . . . $9.95 BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: FALSE MEMORIES TP by Tom Fassbender, Jim Pascoe, Cliff Richards, and Joe Pimentel SC, 96pg, FC (STAR15880) . . . $12.95 BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: FOOD CHAIN TP by Doug Petrie, Christopher Golden, Cliff Richards, Christian Zanier, and others SC, 168pg, FC (STAR13996). . . $17.95 BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: THE ORIGIN TP by Chris Golden, Dan Brereton, and Joe Bennett SC, 80pg, FC (STAR10112) . . . $9.95 BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: OUT OF THE WOODWORK TP by Tom Fassbender, Jim Pascoe, Cliff Richards, and Joe Pimentel SC, 112pg, FC (STAR15560) . . . $12.95 BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: OZ TP by Christopher Golden and Logan Lubera SC, 80pg, FC (STAR15561) . . . $9.95 BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: PALE REFLECTIONS TP by Andi Watson, Doug Petrie, Cliff Richards, and Joe Pimentel SC, 88pg, FC (STAR12027) . . . $9.95 BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: PAST LIVES TP by Christopher Golden, Tom Sniegoski, Christian Zanier, and Cliff Richards SC, 96pg, FC (STAR14727) . . . $12.95 BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: THE REMAINING SUNLIGHT TP by Andi Watson, Joe Bennett, and Rick Ketcham SC, 88pg, FC (STAR08974) . . . $9.95 BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: RING OF FIRE GN by Doug Petrie and Ryan Sook SC, 80pg, FC (STAR11743) . . . $9.95 BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: SPIKE AND DRU TP by James Marsters, Christopher Golden, Ryan Sook, and Eric Powell SC, 96pg, FC (STAR13673) . . . $11.95 BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: TALES OF THE SLAYERS TP by Joss Whedon, Tim Sale, Gene Colan, P. Craig Russell, and others SC, 96pg, FC (STAR15013) . . . $14.95 BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: UNINVITED GUESTS TP by Andi Watson, Dan Brereton, Hector Gomez, and Sandu Florea SC, 96pg, FC (STAR10282) . . . $10.95 ************************* GRENDEL: GOD AND THE DEVIL #3 MATT WAGNER, JAY GELDHOF, and JOHN K. SNYDER III On sale April 9, FC, 32pg, $3.50 Still reeling from the social and political shock waves left behind by the appearance of the new Grendel, corrupt Pope Innocent XLII withdraws from the public eye, pulling his own circle tighter as he tries to figure out how to turn the deadly situation to his advantage. Meanwhile, as Orion Assante tightens his grip on the Church's shady dealings, so too does COP officer Pellon Cross put the squeeze on Assante and his associates. Convinced of a connection between Assante and the maniacal Grendel, Cross digs deeper into Orion's dealings. And unknown to all around him, poor Eppy Thatcher, the man behind the Grendel mask, slides further into despair and madness, his tortured soul forever caught in a tug-of-war between God and the Devil! ALSO AVAILABLE: GRENDEL CYCLE by Matt Wagner FC, 64pg (STAR01825) . . . $5.95 GRENDEL: BLACK, WHITE, & RED TP created and written by Matt Wagner; illustrated by John Paul Leon, Tim Sale, Duncan Fegredo, Paul Chadwick, David Mack, Jason Pearson, Chris Sprouse, and more! b&w&red, 200pg (STAR11757) . . . $18.95 GRENDEL: DEVIL'S LEGACY TP by Matt Wagner And Arnold & Jacob Pander FC, 328pg . . . $29.95 GRENDEL: DEVIL TALES TP by Matt Wagner SC, 96pg, FC (STAR10067) . . . $9.95 GRENDEL: PAST PRIME GN by Matt Wagner and Greg Rucka SC, 208pg, b&w (STAR11493) . . . $14.95 GRENDEL TALES: DEVILS AND DEATHS TP by Darko Macan, Edvin Biukovic, and Matt Hollingsworth SC,144pg, FC (STAR02375) . . . $16.95 GRENDEL TALES: HOMECOMING TP by Pat McEown and Dave Cooper; cover by Matt Wagner SC, 64pg, FC (STAR11494) . . . $7.95 GRENDEL: WAR CHILD TP by Matt Wagner and Pat Mceown SC, 304pg, FC . . . $24.95 ************************** HELLBOY: WEIRD TALES #2 JASON PEARSON, JOHN CASSADAY, MARK RICKETTS, RANDY STRADLEY, and others; cover by Jason Pearson On sale April 23, FC, 32pg, $2.99 Jason Pearson makes his grand return to Dark Horse with a story about firestarter Liz Sherman. Pearson writes and draws half this issue, plus provides the cover. John Cassaday continues his classic Lobster Johnson serial, while Mark Ricketts (Nowheresville) and Eric Wight (Art Director for Buffy Animated) reduce special agent Kate Corrigan to tears and temper tantrums at the hands of her dead mother. Finally, Randy Stradley and Seung Kim, artist from the Jackie Chan animated show, place Hellboy himself in a demonic hot spring. This eclectic mix of stories about the World's Greatest Paranormal Detective and his friends and foes continues, driven by some of the most interesting mainstream and up- and-coming artists in comics. ASTRO BOY 15 OSAMU TEZUKA; translation by FREDERIK L. SCHODT On sale May 28, SC, 232pg, b&w, 4 1/2" x 7", $9.95 With the rapidly expanding explosion of manga and anime, the vast creative and spiritual influence of the late, great Osamu Tezuka is being recognized worldwide, the skill, depth, and humanity of his storytelling placing him among the giants of the comics medium. Astro Boy is the action/adventure archetype for the 21st century, an action-packed roller- coaster ride for all ages imbued with humor, warmth, and wry commentary on humanity in the technological age. Translation by Frederik L. Schodt , author of Inside the Robot Kingdom and translator of Barefoot Gen. BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL #78: FALL FROST PART 6 (OF 6) HIROAKI SAMURA; produced by STUDIO PROTEUS On sale April 9, b&w, 32pg, (6 of 6), $2.99 Yaaaargh! Cliff hanger indeed. And so we return to the cliff and let the hanging begin. Hiroaki Samura has never been one to let a tense moment pass too quickly, and this issue is a testament to the art of hanging by a thread, for a little while longer. But rest assured, there will be a break to this tension, on of our dueling swordsmen will fall victim to a cruel fate, and then we'll even rejoin sad, lost little Rin on her grueling solo adventure in the woods of Kaga. Still seeking vengeance, poor samurai girl Rin is at wit's end, and only a surprise can save her from death by exposure. Another exciting and fantastically rendered samurai comic from the heavy metal sensei, Hiroaki Samura. FOR MATURE READERS GHOST IN THE SHELL 2: MAN-MACHINE INTERFACE #5 MASAMUNE SHIROW On sale April 2, FC, 32pg (no ads), $3.50 Cyber-agent Motoko Aramaki remains hot on the trail of the shadowy terrorists making life hell for Poseidon Industrial. Motoko deploys a cyborg surrogate, Chroma, for on-the- ground operations to pick up needed information, but while waiting for an e-brain private eye to pony up the data, Chroma is jacked into a no-holds-barred virtual combat game— at least she hopes it's virtual! The synapse-frying followup to the manga/anime heavyweight champion, Ghost in the Shell, Masamune Shirow's Man-Machine Interface crushes to powder any previous notions of what is or is not a comic book with its dizzying storyline and cutting-edge, digitally enhanced visuals, unlike anything comics have ever offered. Special deluxe format with no interior advertising! FOR MATURE READERS INTRON DEPOT 3: BALLISTICS MASAMUNE SHIROW On sale May 7, SC, 128pg, FC, $44.95 Dark Horse Comics is proud to present the third volume of Masamune Shirow's best- selling art book series Intron Depot. Ballistics features a treasure trove of spectacular full- color illustrations featuring high-caliber treatments. Often a sci-fi military theme is evoked, with special emphasis on detailed weaponry, but there is also a healthy batch of fantasy themes and outer space action. In addition to his traditional drawing and painting expertise, Shirow is also one of the foremost talents in computer graphics. Not only does he create exceptionally realistic backgrounds and vehicles, but in this volume presents alternate "takes" on the main image, presenting different color combinations, daytime/nightime versions and other variations on the primary theme. MATURE READERS ALSO AVAILABLE INTRON DEPOT I TP by Masamune Shirow FC, 148pg, SC, 9 1/2" x 13" (NOTE PRICE) . . . $44.95 INTRON DEPOT 2: BLADES TP by Masamune Shirow FC, 112pg, SC, 9 1/2" x 13" (NOTE PRICE) . . . $44.95 CYBERWORLD PORTFOLIO Six 13 1/2"x 10 3/8" color prints (STAR14983) . . . $19.99 INTRON DEPOT II: BLADES CD-ROM 2 CD-Rom set, packaged w/mouse pad (STAR10488) . . . $79.95 INTRON DEPOT COASTER SET 4" square, 1/8" thick, full color coasters . . . $12.99 INTRON DEPOT LUNCH BOX FC, 8" x 7" x 3 3/4" (STAR11684) . . . $19.95 MASAMUNE SHIROW 2003 CALENDAR 19 3/4" x 8 1/4", full color calendar . . . $19.99 MASAMUNE SHIROW'S MORNING STAR STATUE 12" tall, fully-painted and packaged in an illustrated box (STAR10489) . . . $150.00 MASAMUNE SHIROW'S REQUIEM STATUE: 22" tall on base w/wings and hand-painted (STAR11825) . . . $150.00 *********************** OH MY GODDESS!: MYSTERY CHILD TPB KOSUKE FUJISHIMA; produced by STUDIO PROTEUS On sale May 7, SC, 272pg, b&w, 6" x 9", $18.95 It's not every day you get a call from the creator of the universe! But when the Almighty calls to summon Belldandy's goddess sisters, Urd and Skuld, back home to investigate a problem with the universe's time management program, it can only mean one thing: college boy Keiichi's alone with Belldandy at last! But don't get your hopes up, buddy. Who's this little boy who just appeared out of nowhere in the garden? He's certainly not human, but is he a god, a demon, or something in between. And why is he treating Belldandy like his long lost…lover? Oh My Goddess! is a frolicking fantasy like no other, a little bit naughty, a little bit nice, and a great big bit of full-on fun! SUPER MANGA BLAST! #31 MASAMUNE SHIROW, MOHIRO KITOH, MAKOTO KOBAYASHI, YUZO TAKADA, and HIROYUKI UTATANE & YO MORIMOTO; produced by STUDIO PROTEUS On sale April 30, b&w, 128pg, $5.99 We're still rolling out the best manga in America! Manga like Shadow Star which is entering its fifth fantastic volume by introducing new characters, and bringing Akira face- to-face with the evil dragon empath, Satomi Ozawa. And the mystery continues to slowly unravel and tie itself back up in Seraphic Feather where we'll learn a bit about the past while recovering from the explosive battle against the cold-as-ice Apep Heidemann. And speaking of battles, the quest to the sacred land has found Yakumo, Pai, and Jake in one heck of a spat. What's worse, now Yakumo has to face the incredibly formidable wu of the Kaiyan Wang. On the lighter side, "Hello"-chan is having a good time driving her pink Testarossa around town and partying down with manga artists, not a bad life, eh. But something has to go wrong. Count on it. Finally, we've got EVEN MORE APPLESEED HYPERNOTES to give you that Shirow fix you need for the month. We've got all of that stuff packed into 128 bursting pages. Come and get some! FOR MATURE READERS STAR WARS: A LONG TIME AGO... VOLUME 6 WOOKIE WORLD TPB BRETT BLEVINS, SAL BUSCEMA, JO DUFFY, JAN DUURSEMA, RON FRENZ, TOM MANDRAKE, DAVID MAZZUCCHELLI, BOB MCLEOD, ANN NOCENTI, TOM PALMER, RANDY STRADLEY, and others On sale May 21, SC, 360pg, FC, $29.95 Dark Horse Comics presents the latest volume of Star Wars: A Long Time Ago... featuring classic Star Wars stories not seen in over twenty years and an amazing, "All Star" line-up of creators! Originally printed by Marvel Comics, these stories have been meticulously re-colored and are sure to please both new and old Star Wars fans. Wookie World collects issues 82 to 95 of the original Marvel run, taking place after Return Of The Jedi, as our beloved Star Wars gang establishes a base of leadership for their newly freed galaxy on the planet Endor. The stories in this volume take us on solo and team adventures with our favorite galactic heroes. In "The Alderaan Factor," a stranded Princess Leia fights for her life with another native of her destroyed home world…an Imperial trooper! Lando Calrissian goes to the aid of an old flame and becomes enmeshed in a planet's struggle between democracy and aristocratic rule in "Sweetheart Contract." Han Solo and Chewbacca set out on an old-fashioned treasue hunt in "Seoul Searching" and manage to twart an Imperial plot. And much more! Introduction by Star Wars writer and editor Randy Stradley! STAR WARS: EMPIRE #8 "Darklighter" part 1 of 4 PAUL CHADWICK, DOUG WHEATLEY, and CHRIS CHUCKRY On sale April 2, FC, 32pg, $2.99 Everybody remembers the scene in A New Hope where Biggs Darklighter heroically sacrifices himself during the attack on the Death Star. Fewer people know is that before that fateful battle, Luke and Biggs were childhood friends. In fact, it was Luke's dream to follow Biggs to the Imperial Academy. But what Biggs learns from his time with the Empire pushes him to become one of the earliest heroes of the Rebellion. Eisner and Harvey award winner Paul Chadwick (Concrete) writes, Doug Wheatley (Superman: Last Son of Krypton) and colorist Chris Chuckry provide the stunning artwork. STAR WARS: JEDI—SHAAK TI JOHN OSTRANDER, JAN DUURSEMA, and DAN PARSONS; cover by JAN DUURSEMA On sale April 16, FC, 48pg, $4.99 A Double-Sized Clone Wars Special! Among the Jedi, Master Shaak Ti is known as a peacemaker; the calm voice of reason. But caught on the ground on war-torn Brentaal IV with a rapidly dwindling platoon of clone troopers, Shaak Ti is forced to go on the offensive! A Magna-gun emplacement is preventing Republic ships from landing reinforcements, and to save the mission—and the lives of Ti's own troops—the guns must be silenced. To accomplish the task, Shaak Ti will accept whatever help she can get—even that of a killer convicted of murdering Ti's former pupil! Fire up you lightsabers and get ready for the biggest Clone Wars battle to date, with guest-stars from all over the Star Wars galaxy! STAR WARS: REPUBLIC #53 "Blast Radius" HADEN BLACKMAN and BRIAN CHING; cover by BRIAN CHING On sale April 19, FC, 32pg, $2.99 An all-Jedi strike force is assembled for a secret mission to infiltrate a Skakoan Techno Union base that is supporting the Separatists. Among those selected for the mission is Obi-Wan Kenobi, who finds himself teamed with several legendary Jedi Masters. Surrounded by so many powerful individuals, Obi-Wan feels there is little he can bring to the mission. But when the base turns out to be a trap designed to kill Jedi, Obi-Wan finds himself in a leadership position, fighting for the survival of the team! Jedi powers, Jedi sacrifices, and another surprising confrontation! HARD BOILED: NIXON STATUE On sale June 16, fully painted, limited to 500 copies, $175.00 Dark Horse Comics presents Nixon, the maniacal mercenary from Hard Boiled. Translating the meticulous intricacy of Geof Darrow's art into a visual masterpiece, master sculptor Kent Melton has created a sumptuous feast for the decadent imagination—guaranteed to make the hardcore collector drool. This piece was originally released in 1997 as an oversize, unpainted polyresin kit. Only 100 were made, and they sold out at a whopping $695.00 each. This new version is approximately 11" and was recreated in a collaboration between original sculptor Kent Melton and the talented team at Gentle Giant Studios. It comes prepainted, with all the detailing of the original statue. OFFERED AGAIN COWBOY BEBOP ZIPPO® LIGHTER Zippo® Lighter w/Spectrum finish (NOTE PRICE), $34.99 Cowboy Bebop is cool, slick, and quick with a light—just like anime hero Spike Siegel. This official Cowboy Bebop Zippo® lighter by Dark Horse is made using a never-before- seen super-sharp finishing process called Spectrum. So yeah, this is a Cowboy Bebop Spectrum-Finish Zippo® Lighter, each and every one has a unique finish, and that's all you need to know. MAAKIES STICKERS MAAKIES STICKERS Life is a bucket filled with joy, or so says Uncle Gabby from Tony Millionaire's Maakies. If your happy bucket has a hole in it, try plugging it with a Maakies sticker. It couldn't hurt. On sale May 14 Maakies Sticker #1 - Drinky Crow . . . $1.99 Maakies Sticker #2 - Boat . . . $1.99 Maakies Sticker #3 - My Poor World . . . $1.99 Maakies Sticker #4 - Maakies Logo . . . $1.99 Also available as a four-pack in a polybag and printed headercard with j-hook . . .$6.99 SPYBOY RELISTS SPYBOY VOL. 1: THE DEADLY GOURMET AFFAIR TPB by Peter David, Pop Mhan, and Norman Lee SC, 80pg, FC (STAR13010) . . . $8.95 SPYBOY VOL. 2: TRIAL AND TERROR TPB by Peter David, Pop Mhan, and Norman Lee SC, 80pg, FC (STAR13489) . . . $8.95 SPYBOY VOL. 3: BET YOUR LIFE TPB by Peter David, Pop Mhan, Carlos Meglia, and Norman Lee SC, 80pg, FC . . . $9.95 SPYBOY VOL. 4: UNDERCOVER UNDERWEAR TPB by Peter David, Pop Mhan, Sunny Lee, and Norman Lee SC, 88pg, FC (STAR15161) . . . $9.95 ********************** BOMBSHELL PVC FIGURE 6" PVC figure, packaged full-color window box . . . $19.99 "Super-deformed" Bombshell is irked! No-one takes a pint-sized super spy seriously when her belly pokes out and she's oh so gosh-darn cute. But be warned, for this 6" tiny tornado of incendiary excitement isn't to be toyed with. Featuring 3 points of articulation, the Bombshell figure leaps into the 3D world from the pages of Dark Horse's sleeper hit comic, SpyBoy. Ready to smack evil upside the head, this diminutive diva is crackin' heads ol' school style, and lookin' cute doin' it! STICKERS Bombshell sticker #1 (Shy mini-bombshell), FC (STAR15310) . . . $1.99 (each) Bombshell sticker #2 (Angry mini-bombshell), FC (STAR15443) . . . $1.99 (each) TOP 30 MUST READ TITLES AKIRA BOOK 1 by Katsuhiro Otomo SC, 364pg, b&w, 6-3/4" x 9-3/4" (STAR12302) . . . $24.95 ANCIENT JOE TPB by C. Scott Morse SC, 120pg, 6"x9", b&w (STAR16228) . . . $12.95 ASTRO BOY VOLUME 1 TPB by Osamu Tezuka SC, 224pg, b&w, 7" x 4 1/2" (STAR15434) . . . $9.95 BILLI 99 TPB by Sarah Byam and Tim Sale SC, 200pg, b&w (STAR16645) . . . $14.95 BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL: BLOOD OF A THOUSAND TPB by Hiroaki Samura SC, 136pg, b&w (STAR09342) . . . $14.95 COMICS BETWEEN THE PANELS HC by Steve Duin and Mike Richardson HC, 500pg, FC w/photos (STAR08507) . . . $49.95 THE COMPLETE CONCRETE TPB by Paul Chadwick SC, 320pg, b&w, 8-1/2" x 11" (STAR01622) . . . $24.95 COMPLETELY PIP & NORTON TPB by Dave Cooper and Gavin McInnes SC, 72 pg, FC, 8" x 7-1/2" (STAR16384) . . . $9.95 FLOOD!: A NOVEL IN PICTURES TPB by Eric Drooker SC, 160pg, b&w (STAR16496) . . . $14.95 GHOST IN THE SHELL TPB by Masamune Shirow SC, 352pg, b&w (STAR01697). . . $24.95 GO GIRL! TPB by Trina Robins and Anne Timmons SC, 136pg, b&w, 6" x 9" (STAR16932) . . . $15.95 GRENDEL: WAR CHILD TPB by Matt Wagner and Pat Mceown SC, 304pg, FC (STAR00611) . . . $24.95 HARD BOILED TPB by Frank Miller and Geof Darrow SC, 128pg, FC (STAR11074) . . . $16.95 HARD LOOKS: ADAPTED STORIES TPB by Various SC, 250pg, b&w, 6" x 9" . . . $19.95 HARLEQUIN VALENTINE HC by Neil Gaiman and John Bolton FC, 40pg, HC, 7"x10" (STAR15245) . . . $10.95 HELLBOY: SEED OF DESTRUCTION TPB by Mike Mignola, John Byrne, and Mark Chiarello SC, 128pg, FC (STAR06740) . . . $17.95 KLING KLANG KLATCH GN by Ian McDonald and David Lyttleton SC, 80pg, FC, 9" x 12" (STAR01294) . . . $11.95 LAST DAY IN VIETNAM TPB by Will Eisner brown ink on antique paper, 80pg (STAR11500) . . . $10.95 THE LAND OF NOD - ROCKABYE BOOK TPB by Jay Stephens SC, 168pg, b&w, 6" x 9" (STAR09387) . . . $13.95 LONE WOLF AND CUB VOLUME 1: THE ASSASSIN'S ROAD TPB by Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima SC, 304pg, b&w, 4" x 6"(STAR11783) . . . $9.95 MURDER MYSTERIES HARDCOVER original short story created & written by Neil Gaiman adaptation created and illustrated by P. Craig Russell HC, 7" x 10", 64pg, FC (STAR15851) . . . $13.95 THE NEVERMEN TPB by Phil Amara, Guy Davis, and Dave Stewart SC, 120pg, FC/b&w (STAR13439) . . . $14.95 THE RING OF THE NIBELUNG VOLUME 1: THE RHINEGOLD & THE VALKYRIE TPB by P. Craig Russell SC, 200pg, FC (STAR16520) . . . $21.95 SCATTERBRAIN HARDCOVER COLLECTION by Mike Mignola, Craig Thompson, Kilian Plunkett, Jim Woodring, Sergio Aragonés, Evan Dorkin, Steve Parkhouse, Steve Guarnaccia, Greg Clarke, Jay Stephens, Dave Cooper, & more; cover art by Craig Thompson FC, HC, 9" x13", 128pg (STAR14925) . . . $19.95 SIN CITY TPB by Frank Miller SC, 208pg. b&w (STAR12371) . . . 17 bucks SOCK MONKEY: THE GLASS DOOR KNOB HC by Tony Millionaire HC, 40pg, FC, 8"x10" (STAR16473) . . . $14.95 THE TALE OF ONE BAD RAT TPB by Bryan Talbot SC, 136pg, FC . . . $14.95 USAGI YOJIMBO: SHADES OF DEATH TPB by Stan Sakai; introduction by William Stout SC, 200pg, (STAR06915) . . . $14.95 VIOLENT CASES TPB by Neil Gaiman & Dave Mckean FC, 48pg, SC (STAR15926) . . . $12.95 WILL EISNER'S SHOP TALK TPB interviews by Will Eisner; illustrations by Kirby, Caniff, Kurtzman, and more b&w, 250pg (STAR13515) . . . $19.95 ********************** DC COMICS The 'Cats vs. The Birds! THUNDERCATS/BATTLE OF THE PLANETS Two of the greatest animated franchises of all time collide in THUNDERCATS/BATTLE OF THE PLANETS, a 48-page Special written and illustrated by Kaare Andrews (GEN13, Spider-Man: Tangled Web) with two covers: one by DANGER GIRL's J. Scott Campbell, and another by fan-favorite painter Alex Ross! THUNDERCATS/BATTLE OF THE PLANETS is co-published with Top Cow Productions and is a sister volume to Battle of the Planets/Thundercats, solicited elsewhere in this issue of Previews. And while the stories in each book aren't connected, the covers will join together to form one large image by each artist! The sudden appearance of a mystical portal between Earth and Thundera leads to chaos, confusion and adventure in this rollicking crossover between two of the most popular entertainment properties in comics today! Full of humor, action and suspense, this crossover will satisfy everyone from the casual reader to the most demanding fans of these classic characters. The trouble begins as G-Force's Mark finds himself magically transported to Thundera, where he's forced to crash land. Lion-O, seeing Mark's ship in trouble, heads to the site of the crash, urging the rest of the Thundercats to join him. But when they arrive and inspect the portal, they're teleported to Earth! Villains Mumm-Ra and Zoltar seize the opportunity to collaborate on some interdimensional mischief, and the lives of G-Force and the Thundercats are all in danger — unless they can figure out why their planets have been linked and how they can undo the damage! THUNDERCATS/BATTLE OF THE PLANETS is a 48-page WildStorm one- shot edited by Jeff Mariotte that arrives in comic-books stores April 23 with a cover price of $4.95 U.S. Note: THUNDERCATS/BATTLE OF THE PLANETS will ship with two covers. All orders will be filled with J. Scott Campbell (50%) and Alex Ross (50%). Co- published with Top Cow Productions; see Battle of the Planets/Thundercats solicited elsewhere in this issue of Previews. A mystery in space comes to Earth… ORBITER HC Why does mankind go to space? And what's waiting once we get there? Renowned writer Warren Ellis (TRANSMETROPOLITAN, THE AUTHORITY, PLANETARY) and indie favorite Colleen Doran (A Distant Soil, THE SANDMAN) explore the answers to these questions and more in ORBITER, a 104-page VERTIGO hardcover graphic novel that's both a psychological mystery and a science-fiction story set in the early 21st century. There's a sonic crack, 50 miles out. Something trailing fire, swooping down from the upper reaches of the sky. People look up, confused. It's coming down like a dirty comet. It seems slow, but there's no time for anyone but the most alert — or most terrified — to run away. At two miles out, some of them recognize the approaching object: a space shuttle. A craft that hasn't flown in 10 years. And its landing gear is locked, gliding home to the Cape runway…the runway full of people. The space shuttle Venture has returned after disappearing 10 years ago. Cruising to Earth on autopilot in a murderous fireball, its crew missing — save for the catatonic pilot — with new instrumentation, new engines, and covered in something very much like skin. And with Martian sand in the undercarriage. Now a team of three specialists cheated out of their own dreams of spaceflight is assigned to discover the mysteries of the Venture. Where has it been? What's been done to it? And what became of the crew — and the mind of the pilot? Doran, who spent hours researching for the project, told The Pulse (www.comicon.com/pulse), "A book like this is a dream project for me since I have always loved the space program and have been collecting astronaut memorabilia my whole life. I have loved every minute of this assignment." ORBITER is a 104-page hardcover VERTIGO graphic novel edited by Heidi MacDonald and Will Dennis and is suggested for mature readers. It arrives in comic- book stores April 23 with a cover price of $24.95 U.S. Welcome to the Fun Factory! SWEATSHOP Fresh from the fertile imagination of Peter Bagge, the writer/artist responsible for the critically acclaimed, outrageously funny Hate, comes SWEATSHOP, the story of short-tempered cartoonist Mel Bowling! SWEATSHOP, which also features the art of Stephen DeStefano (BIZARRO COMICS) and Bill Wray (SAMURAI JACK SPECIAL), focuses on Bowling, an egotistical cartoonist who produces a successful, though hardly critically acclaimed, daily comic strip. The only catch is that he doesn't actually work on it. Instead, he employs a stable of assistants who help churn out his wretched comic, all the while feeling the brunt of their boss' notorious cruelty. Nonetheless, his four assistants remain eager and ambitious. Each produces his own comic on the side, each with a radically different style, and each issue of SWEATSHOP features "their" work, ranging from super-hero fare to alternative autobiographical comics. Mixing Bagge's indelible sense of humor with a refreshing sense of experimentation and indie cred, SWEATSHOP represents a unique expansion of the DC line. Don't miss the chance to get in on the ground floor of what's sure to be one of 2003's most talked-about projects! SWEATSHOP is an ongoing monthly series edited by Joey Cavalieri. The 32- page issue #1 arrives in comic-book stores April 23 with a cover price of $2.95 U.S. Quoth the Dark Knight… BATMAN: NEVERMORE What happens when the World's Greatest Detective joins forces with the inventor of the modern detective story? Writer Len Wein (SWAMP THING, Uncanny X-Men), artist Guy Davis (Deadline, SANDMAN MYSTERY THEATRE) and cover painter Bernie Wrightson (SWAMP THING, FRANKENSTEIN) come together for BATMAN: NEVERMORE, a 5-issue Elseworlds miniseries that teams Batman with classic horrorist Edgar Allan Poe. In Baltimore during the 1800s, the bodies of a number of high-ranking citizens have been found, the victims murdered in ways that defy explanation. The only element linking the murders is the sighting of a giant raven fleeing each crime scene. A young Poe, reporting for the Baltimore Sun, takes it upon himself to get to the bottom of the events, but so has the Batman! What Poe finds as he delves into the hidden lives of the city's rich and famous may leave his mind broken! His first steps bring him in touch with Professor Jonathan Crane, Roderick Usher's family and Bruce Wayne, the disaffected and aloof son of long- dead parents. When Poe comes face-to-face with Batman and realizes that nothing can be trusted at face value, he can't be too sure that the ever-resourceful Batman isn't the same raven-like figure that has been connected to the murders all along. BATMAN: NEVERMORE is a 5-issue Elseworlds miniseries edited by Matt Idelson. The 32-page issue #1 arrives in comic-book stores April 2 with a cover price of $2.50 U.S. When darkness falls… BEWARE THE CREEPER Paris, 1925: a city of dreams…and a city of nightmares. A violent rapist prowls the city streets while the corrupt authorities, controlled by a wealthy right-wing family, turn a blind eye. From the burgeoning art scene emerges an enigmatic hero — the bizarre, brash and colorful creature of the night known as The Creeper. And she's got one word for the self-serving upper-class: Beware. BEWARE THE CREEPER is a 5-issue VERTIGO miniseries by an exciting, fresh creative team that takes on a DC classic and reshapes it with a VERTIGO twist: writer Jason Hall (co-creator of Pistolwhip, Wizard's Best Indie Book of 2001 and one of Time.com's Best Comics of 2001) and artist Cliff Chiang (JOSIE MAC, BATMAN: THE GOLDEN STREETS OF GOTHAM). In the aftermath of World War I, the bohemian art scene explodes onto Paris — much to the chagrin of the rich and powerful Arbogast family. Ravishing surrealist painter Judith Benoir wants desperately to make a splash — even if it means ignoring the warnings of her jilted lover Inspector Allain and her prudish sister Madeline. Amid the cultural clash among aristocracy, religion and the avant-garde, The Creeper escalates her simple cat burglaries into spectacular art crimes, establishing her as a cultural icon. But what are the true motivations behind The Creeper's actions? And how long before her antics spiral out of control and the law closes in? Set against the intriguing historic backdrop of 1920s Paris and full of action, drama and suspense, BEWARE THE CREEPER is a smart, sexy thriller with a visual flair inspired by films such as Moulin Rouge and The City of Lost Children. BEWARE THE CREEPER is a 5-issue VERTIGO miniseries edited by Will Dennis and is suggested for mature readers. The 32-page issue #1 arrives in comic-book stores April 16 with a cover price of $2.95 U.S. PLANETARY #16 PLANETARY is back…and it's worth the wait! The acclaimed team of Warren Ellis (GLOBAL FREQUENCY, TRANSMETROPOLITAN) and John Cassaday (Captain America, DESPERADOES) are reunited in PLANETARY #16, marking the return of the bimonthly series embraced by fans and critics alike for its unique storytelling and exploration of the secret history of the 20th century. With The Four momentarily in disarray, Elijah Snow initiates the second part of his comeback plan: to hunt down and discover the truth about Anna Hark, daughter of the criminal genius of the '30s, who died in the Adirondacks with the rest of Axel Brass' associates. But as Snow soon finds out, Hark's story begins in medieval China and ends in the spires of modern America! Don't miss this spectacular new beginning for one of the most thought-provoking and engaging comic-book series published! PLANETARY is an ongoing bimonthly series edited by Scott Dunbier. The 32- page issue #16 arrives in comic-book stores April 2 with a cover price of $2.50 U.S. Evil's not what you think it is… THE LEGION #19: "Dream Crime" Part 1 The 31st century just became a much more dangerous place… Prepare yourselves for "Dream Crime," an epic 5-part tale beginning in THE LEGION #19 that marks the return of some old friends as well as one of the DCU's darkest villains. Written by Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning, the team that has redefined the Legion for a new era, with art by Chris Batista (Thunderbolts) & Mark Farmer (JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA: THE NAIL, ANIMAL MAN). "Dream Crime" also features five interlocking covers by new cover artists Tony Harris (STARMAN) and Tom Feister. In THE LEGION #19, Saturn Girl and Dreamer visit Titan, Saturn Girl's homeworld. Saturn Girl seeks the assistance of her telepathic mentors to repair damage to her mental powers caused by the strain of the last year. Meanwhile, Dreamer hopes the Titanet telepathic system will turn her own powers of prediction into a large-scale early-warning network for the United Planets. But as Saturn Girl discovers, the damage to her mind might be more extensive than she first believed…and Dreamer's first experiments with the Titanet show her terrible visions of an ancient darkness rising once more! The worst is yet to come for the Legionnaires, as they'll soon find out. Legion fans new and old can't afford to miss "Dream Crime!" THE LEGION is an ongoing series edited by Steve Wacker. The 32-page issue #19 arrives in comic-book stores April 30 with a cover price of $2.50 U.S. Speed kills! THE FLASH: "Blitz" He was the yin to Barry Allen's yang…The Flash's opposite number, bearing the same powers, but without the same heroic underpinnings. Now, Professor Zoom — the Reverse Flash — is back from the dead! It all begins in THE FLASH #197, the kick-off to the 4-part story "Blitz," by critically acclaimed writer Geoff Johns with art by Scott Kolins and Doug Hazlewood and covers by Kolins. The secrets behind Zoom's origin are revealed in THE FLASH #197, a story that puts a dark new twist on an old adversary and offers a new look at the life-threatening clash between two men who can move at the speed of light. But what is Zoom's strange goal? It's not what you think…and he'll risk anything to achieve it! It all builds up to July's monumental THE FLASH #200, guest-starring Jay Garrick and Jesse Quick, in which Wally West faces a startling — and unexpected — change! THE FLASH is an ongoing series edited by Joey Cavalieri. The 32-page issue #197 arrives in comic-book stores April 16 with a cover price of $2.25 U.S. GREEN LANTERN/ GREEN ARROW: "Black Circle, Urban Knights" Once upon a time, there were two warriors in green: one, a cautious conservative, the other, a liberal hothead. Those unlikely allies were Green Lantern and Green Arrow. Yet, in spite of their radical differences — or maybe because of them — the adventures of these hard-travelin' heroes would become the stuff of legend. But that was then... "Black Circle, Urban Knights" is a 6-part crossover running weekly through the pages of GREEN ARROW #23-25, written by Ben Raab (Uncanny X-Men), and GREEN LANTERN #162-164, written by Judd Winick (BLOOD AND WATER). Each part features art and covers by Charlie Adlard (BATMAN: SCARFACE, Astronauts in Trouble). GREEN ARROW and GREEN LANTERN are released twice each in April to maintain a weekly schedule for this explosive storyline! The Black Circle, an interplanetary crime syndicate with an illegal empire spanning half the galaxy, is about to turn Earth into its latest cosmic crackhouse. But as our heroes soon discover, this operation isn't just business…it's personal! GREEN LANTERN and GREEN ARROW are ongoing series edited by Bob Schreck. The 32-page GREEN ARROW #23 arrives in comic-book stores April 9 and GREEN ARROW #24 arrives in comic-book stores April 23, each with a cover price of $2.50 U.S. GREEN LANTERN #162 arrives in comic-book stores April 16 and GREEN LANTERN #163 arrives in comic-book stores April 30, each with a cover price of $2.25 U.S. BROOKLYN DREAMS The four-volume Paradox Fiction title BROOKLYN DREAMS returns in a single 384-page softcover, bringing the story of 17-year-old Vincent Carl Santini's momentous senior year in high school back to life. Springing from the minds of writer J.M. DeMatteis (THE SPECTRE, Amazing Spider-Man) and artist Glenn Barr (REAL WORLDS: JUSTICE LEAGUE), the 384-page BROOKLYN DREAMS is a memoir and a meditation, a tale of growing up and an exploration of mortality. It was originally published in 1995 as part of DC's Paradox Press line, as were ROAD TO PERDITION and A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE. "No project I've worked on in my twenty-plus years in the business means more to me than BROOKLYN DREAMS," says DeMatteis. "I am absolutely delighted — and that's a huge understatement — that it's finally being collected together in one volume." Mixing the wry and the heartfelt, DeMatteis' narrative is perfectly complemented by Barr's expressive renderings — ranging from the somber to the ultra-cartoonish — as an older and (presumably) wiser Santini looks back on his childhood and adolescence in his native Brooklyn and how they led to the life-changing revelations of his senior year. Like ROAD TO PERDITION, BROOKLYN DREAMS is a visionary work, engaging to a wide variety of readers and creatively ahead of its time. BROOKLYN DREAMS is a 384-page Paradox Press trade paperback and is suggested for mature readers. It arrives in comic-book stores April 16 with a cover price of $12.95 U.S. DC UNIVERSE: BATMAN DETECTIVE COMICS #781 WRITTEN BY ED BRUBAKER AND JON LEWIS; ART BY TOMMY CASTILLO, WADE VON GRAWBADGER AND STEFANO GUADIANO; COVER BY TIM SALE In stores April 2. Part 5 of "Dead Reckoning" finds Batman in a desperate race to stop the Charlatan! Gotham City's newest — and possibly most dangerous — villain plans to take out more of Arkham's enemies. Can Batman — or anyone — stop him? Plus, in the back-up feature, Jon (ROBIN) Lewis and Stefano (BATMAN: FAMILY) Gaudiano team up for a tale that's truly out of this world! The mythos of Batman meets the tale of Robin Hood, as told with the sensibilities of a Grimm's Fairy Tale. The citizenry of the woodlands fear the creature known only as the "Bat King." But is he a demonic foe or a friend in need? FC, 40 PG. $2.75 BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #166 WRITTEN BY DWAYNE MCDUFFIE; ART BY VAL SEMEIKS AND DAN GREEN; COVER BY BRIAN STELFREEZE In stores April 9. "Don't Blink" Part 3 of 4. The baby merchant Blink's been inhabiting has been murdered by a guilt-ridden psychopath. Now Blink can do nothing more than watch through the eyes of a child as the maniac threatens to go ballistic! FC, 32 PG. $2.50 BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHTS #40 WRITTEN BY SCOTT BEATTY AND ROBERT RODI; ART BY ROGER ROBINSON, JOHN PROCTOR AND JOHN FLOYD; COVER BY BRIAN BOLLAND In stores April 16. The conclusion to "Knight Moves!" Batman, the Huntress and Checkmate have been working in the same town, but from different angles, and the tension between them has come to an explosive end! After the Huntress' kidnapping, drugging and interrogation by Checkmate, Batman's no longer sure if can trust her. And now, time has run out: Checkmate is storming the Batcave! Plus, the black-and-white back-up story "Neighbor Hood," by Robert Rodi (CODENAME: KNOCKOUT), newcomer John Proctor & John Floyd that tells the tale of a small-time crook once busted by Batman who becomes convinced the Dark Knight now lives across the hall. Can he get Batman before Batman gets him? FC, 40 PG. $2.75 BATMAN #614 WRITTEN BY JEPH LOEB; ART AND COVER BY JIM LEE AND SCOTT WILLIAMS In stores April 30. Batman takes on the villain you've been waiting for: The Joker! One is the Dark Knight…the other is The Clown Prince of Crime. Batman's oldest foe finally has gone too far, and Batman makes a vow: "Tonight, The Joker dies by my hand!" For all the crimes The Joker has commited, Batman seeks retribution. Will the Dark Knight finally do what needs to be done? For more information, see the feature article. FC, 32 PG. $2.25 OFFERED AGAIN BATMAN DOUBLE FEATURE WRITTEN BY JEPH LOEB; ART AND COVER BY JIM LEE AND SCOTT WILLIAMS In stores April 2. Collecting BATMAN #608 and 609, the sold-out first two installments of "Hush!" Loeb, Lee & Williams rocketed BATMAN to the top of the sales charts with their take on the Dark Knight, and now their first two issues can be enjoyed again. Featuring a new cover by Lee & Williams! FC, 48 PG. $3.95 ******************************* BATGIRL #39 WRITTEN BY DYLAN HORROCKS; ART AND COVER BY ADRIAN SIBAR AND ANDY OWENS In stores April 23. First issue by award-winning new regular writer Dylan Horrocks (HUNTER: THE AGE OF MAGIC, Hicksville)! Also making their BATGIRL debut are Planet of the Apes artist Adrian Sibar and SUPERMAN inker Andy Owens! A mysterious metahuman called Black Wind has turned Batgirl's world upside down. Not only is he more than a match for Batgirl on the battlefield, but he also seems to have swept her off her proverbial feet. The only solution, as Babs sees it, is a cruise. But when Black Wind and another familiar metahuman show up on the same ship, Cassandra's vacation takes a turn for the worse! For more information, see the feature article. FC, 32 PG. $2.50 BATGIRL: YEAR ONE #5 WRITTEN BY SCOTT BEATTY AND CHUCK DIXON; ART AND COVER BY MARCOS MARTIN AND ALVARO LOPEZ In stores April 9. The Killer Moth has been beaten by one bat too many! But being bested by the fledgling Batgirl may have pushed the unstable wanna-be super-villain a little too far. To make things worse, Killer Moth's going to come across the path of the perfect partner in crime, or so he thinks. But the calculating Moth may be biting off more than he can chew when he throws in with the violent pyromaniac Firefly! FC, 32 PG. (5 OF 9) $2.95 BATMAN: HARVEST BREED SC WRITTEN AND PAINTED BY GEORGE PRATT; PAINTED COVER BY PRATT In stores April 16. A series of grisly, demonic murders forces Commissioner Gordon to reopen a case file of similar unsolved murders from years past, leading Batman down a path towards stopping the killer before more bodies can pile up. For more information, see the feature article. SC, 96PG, FC $17.95 BATMAN: HUSH HC WRITTEN BY JEPH LOEB; ART AND COVER BY JIM LEE AND SCOTT WILLIAMS In stores April 30. The most-talked about story of the year, collected in one volume! Reprinting BATMAN #608- 612, this hardcover features the first arc of Jeph Loeb, Jim Lee & Scott Williams' acclaimed "Hush," including guest appearances by Superman, Catwoman, Poison Ivy, Killer Croc, Huntress, and more! Plus, four brand-new pages and two pages previously seen exclusively at www.dccomics.com! For more information, see the feature article. HC, 7X10, 128PG, FC $19.95 BATMAN: NEVERMORE #1 WRITTEN BY LEN WEIN; ART BY GUY DAVIS; PAINTED COVER BY BERNIE WRIGHTSON ELSEWORLDS. In stores April 2. A 5-issue Elseworlds miniseries that brings the World's Greatest Detective together with the inventor of the modern detective story: Edgar Allan Poe! In Baltimore in the late 1800s, a number of high-ranking citizens have been murdered in ways that defy explanation. The only thing linking the murders are sightings of a giant raven fleeing each crime scene… For more information, see the feature article. FC, 32 PG. (1 OF 5) $2.50 BIRDS OF PREY #54 WRITTEN BY GILBERT HERNANDEZ; ART BY CASEY JONES; PAINTED COVER BY PHIL NOTO In stores April 23. Tom seems more smitten with Barbara by the minute, but she's only got eyes for her new security system protecting the clock tower. Meanwhile, Black Canary gets increasingly frustrated by the lack of crimes to fight in Gotham…and the fact that other crimefighters always seem to arrive at the scene seconds before she does! FC, 32 PG. $2.50 CATWOMAN #18 WRITTEN BY ED BRUBAKER; ART AND COVER BY JAVIER PULIDO In stores April 30. The 3-part "No Easy Way Down" continues! Catwoman's still keeping the people in Gotham's forgotten neighborhoods safe, but without anything in her personal life as Selina Kyle to keep her going, she becomes more dangerous to herself and the people around her. It'll take everything she has to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and her apathy could have dire consequences. FC, 32 PG. $2.50 GOTHAM CENTRAL #6 WRITTEN BY GREG RUCKA; ART AND COVER BY MICHAEL LARK In stores April 9. Greg Rucka commanders this latest arc, which focuses on the life of fan-favorite Renee Montoya! That life is about to be shattered to smithereens, revealing to colleagues and readers alike a side of Montoya we never even guessed at! It begins with Montoya being served a summons and unravels so quickly that before she knows what's happening, her deepest secret has been exposed and her personal life has become inextricably entwined with her professional life. And this is just the beginning of her fall! FC, 32 PG. $2.50 HARLEY QUINN #31 WRITTEN BY A.J. LIEBERMAN; ART BY NATHAN FOX; COVER BY MIKE HUDDLESTON AND TROY NIXEY In stores April 9. Featuring guest art by Nathan Fox (The New Yorker, Village Voice)! Harley gained powers beyond those of normal humans when she was the subject of Poison Ivy's experiments. But every gift has its price, and now Harley faces the consequences! When some of Gotham City's bottom feeders have something of Ivy's that Harley desperately needs, it becomes a race against time to get it back before Harley's health disintegrates! You've never seen Harley this desperate — or dangerous! Plus, Harley and Doc discuss love! FC, 32 PG. $2.50 NIGHTWING #80 WRITTEN BY DEVIN GRAYSON; ART BY RICK LEONARDI AND JESSE DELPERDANG; COVER BY DAVE JOHNSON In stores April 16. Deathstroke's in town and he's here on business! Can Nightwing stop the DCU's premier "terminator" from taking out his target — a target who's close to home for Dick Grayson? It's Nightwing vs. Deathstroke…and this time, it's personal! FC, 32 PG. $2.25 ROBIN #113 WRITTEN BY JON LEWIS; ART AND COVER BY PETE WOODS AND ANDREW PEPOY In stores April 16. Robin's out of Gotham and in deep trouble! Trailing arms dealers who've been flooding the streets of Gotham with illegal weaponry seemed easy, but now Robin has stumbled into a small town with some dirty secrets. Can he discover the connection among the gunrunners, biker gangs, special children and…chocolate? Back in Gotham, the Spoiler's looking for insight into her dead father's life from the last person who'll give her a straight answer: the Riddler! FC, 32 PG. $2.25 DC UNIVERSE: SUPERMAN ACTION COMICS #802 WRITTEN BY JOE KELLY; ART BY TOM DERENICK, BOB PETRECCA AND NORM RAPMUND; COVER BY DAVE BULLOCK In stores April 2. "The Harvest" begins here in the first of a 5-part ACTION storyline! Get a look at the face behind the iron mask of the mysterious General Zod, as the secrets behind his shocking origins come into focus. Meanwhile, normal people across the U.S. begin to gain strange new powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men! FC, 32 PG. $2.25 ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #615 WRITTEN BY JOE CASEY; ART BY DEREC AUCOIN AND JOHN STANISCI; COVER BY KEVIN NOWLAN In stores April 9. Superman's time in the pocket dimension Heroville — an idyllic town where everyone has superpowers — continues as he comes face to face with the Hollow Men! And introducing Kid Scout — a hero who's always prepared — whose life was traumatically affected by the Hollow Men. FC, 32 PG. $2.25 SUPERMAN #192 WRITTEN BY STEVEN T. SEAGLE; ART AND COVER BY SCOTT MCDANIEL AND ANDY OWENS In stores April 23. Building directly from events in January's SUPERMAN: THE 10-CENT ADVENTURE, Metropolis' new Supergirl makes her presence known in the City of Tomorrow as she fights the villain Radion! Plus: introducing the Viceroy — a new hero out to make Metropolis safe! FC, 32 PG. $2.25 SUPERMAN: METROPOLIS #3 WRITTEN BY CHUCK AUSTEN; ART AND COVER BY DANIJEL ZEZELJ In stores April 16. The 12-issue miniseries continues! Jimmy Olsen's investigation of the strange goings-on around Metropolis' futuristic Tech continues, as a strange creature wreaks havoc in the city…but what's so familiar about it from two past foes of Superman? Plus: more on Rebecca, Jimmy's photography rival in the city. FC, 32 PG. (3 OF 12) $2.95 SUPERMAN: RED SON #1 WRITTEN BY MARK MILLAR; ART BY DAVE JOHNSON AND ANDREW ROBINSON; COVER BY JOHNSON ELSEWORLDS. In stores April 30. An Elseworlds event by top-selling writer Mark Millar (The Ultimates) and artists Dave Johnson (100 BULLETS covers), Kilian Plunkett (SMALLVILLE) & Andrew Robinson! When Krypton explodes, the infant Kal-El is rocketed to Earth, where he lands on a Ukrainian farm during the 1950s! How will the Cold War effect the Man of Steel? Find out in this long-awaited 3-part Prestige Format miniseries. For more information, see the feature article. FC, 48PG (1 OF 3) $5.95 SUPERMAN & BATMAN: GENERATIONS III #4 WRITTEN AND ILLUSTRATED BY JOHN BYRNE; COVER BY BYRNE ELSEWORLDS. In stores April 9. The death of Wonder Woman has unexpected consequences as John Byrne's maxiseries hits the 23rd century! Other surprises abound as the Super Twins team up with one of their heroes, an army of OMACs makes its debut, and Superman remembers a centuries-old adventure critical to his future! FC, 32 PG. (4 OF 12) $2.95 DC UNIVERSE ADAM STRANGE: THE MAN OF TWO WORLDS TP WRITTEN BY RICHARD BRUNING; ART AND COVER BY ANDY KUBERT In stores April 16. Collecting the 1990 three-issue Prestige Format miniseries with a new cover by Andy Kubert! Discover the man behind the myth, as Adam Strange's childhood on Earth is explored, his relationship with his estranged family is revealed, and secrets of Rann — and of Adam's new life — are uncovered! For more information, see the feature article. SC, 7X0, 160PG, FC $19.95 AQUAMAN #5 WRITTEN BY RICK VEITCH; ART AND COVER BY YVEL GUICHET AND MARK PROPST In stores April 9. The King of the Seas quenches The Thirst! Aquaman learns the hard way that a brief moment of rage can have deadly consequences…by using his magical, watery hand as a weapon, he has inadvertently released The Thirst — a twisted parasite who feeds on the same Secret Sea that Aquaman has sworn to channel into this world! FC, 32 PG. $2.50 BIG DADDY DANGER #9 WRITTEN BY ADAM POLLINA; ART BY POLLINA AND TYSON MCADOO; COVER BY MCADOO In stores April 2. The slam-bang conclusion is here! The lords of the wrestling ring converge as Big Daddy faces his greatest challenge yet! What will be the ultimate fate of Big Daddy, wife Dana, son Danny, and brother Diablo? Which masked champion will reign supreme? You'd have to be a heel to pass this one up! FC, 32 PG. (9 OF 9) $2.95 STAR OF THE MONTH CRISIS ON MULTIPLE EARTHS TP WRITTEN BY GARDNER FOX; ART BY MIKE SEKOWSKY, BERNARD SACHS AND SID GREENE; PAINTED COVER BY ALEX ROSS In stores April 23. Reoffered to coincide with the release of the CRISIS ON MULTIPLE EARTHS POSTER, this trade paperback collects the earliest JLA/JSA crossovers, reprinting JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #21-22, 29- 30, 37-38, and 46-47. Our heroes battle the Injustice Society, the Crime Syndicate of Earth-Three, the evil Johnny Thunder, and the Anti-Matter Man! (STAR16062) SC, 7X10, 208PG, FC $14.95 *********************** DOOM PATROL #19 WRITTEN BY JOHN ARCUDI; ART AND COVER BY TAN ENG HUAT In stores April 2. The return of the blind monk, Tycho! He's got a new plan to get back the sword of the seven spirits…accompanied by an army of monkeys! FC, 32 PG. $2.50 STAR OF THE MONTH ENEMY ACE: WAR IDYLL SC WRITTEN AND PAINTED BY GEORGE PRATT; PAINTED COVER BY PRATT In stores April 30. Reoffered to coincide with BATMAN: HARVEST BREED, also by George Pratt. In a small German sanitarium, a reporter who saw combat in Vietnam interviews the once-celebrated World War I German Ace, Baron Hans von Hammer. (STAR00103) SC, 8X11, 128PG, FC $14.95 ************************** THE FLASH #197 WRITTEN BY GEOFF JOHNS; ART BY SCOTT KOLINS AND DOUG HAZLEWOOD; COVER BY KOLINS In stores April 16. "Blitz," Part 1 of 4, leading up to THE FLASH #200! Professor Zoom returns in a story that reveals the secrets behind his origin! But what's his strange goal? It's not what you'd think! For more information, see the feature article. FC, 32 PG. $2.25 THE FLASH: TERMINAL VELOCITY TP — NEW PRINTING WRITTEN BY MARK WAID; ART BY SALVADOR LARROCCA, CARLOS PACHECO, MIKE WIERINGO, OSCAR JIMENEZ, JOSÉ MARZAN, JR, AND SERGIO BORJAS; COVER BY WIERINGO AND MARZAN In stores April 2. This trade paperback collects the stories from FLASH #0 and #95-100 that made the title one of the most talked-about super-hero comics of its time! With Wally West seemingly gone, who takes over the mantle of the Flash? For more information, see the feature article. SC, 7X10, 192PG, FC $14.95 FOREVER MAELSTROM #6 WRITTEN BY HOWARD CHAYKIN AND DAVID TISCHMAN; ART BY JOHN LUCAS AND EDUARDO BARRETO; COVER BY LUCAS AND JOHN CASSADAY In stores April 23. Nothing lasts forever...least of all Forever Maelstrom! As the battle to protect the timeline from Praetor reaches its fateful conclusion, our ragtag band of heroes must fight its way through a frozen landscape to restore the 21st century they know and love...well, the one they all know, at least! If time runs out now, it really runs out! FC, 32 PG. (6 OF 6) $2.95 GREEN ARROW #23 WRITTEN BY BEN RAAB; ART AND COVER BY CHARLIE ADLARD In stores April 9. Part 1 of the 6-part weekly story "Black Circle: Urban Knights," running through the pages of GREEN ARROW and GREEN LANTERN. Green Arrow is in hot pursuit of brutal drug dealers in a fast and furious chase through the streets of Star City. Green Lantern is knocking around the Russian mob in a Soho nightclub with three models on his arms. But there's no such thing as an easy bust anymore! Join the celebrated reunion of two of DC's heroes on a quest for the truth behind an intergalactic crime and the consequences of history! For more information, see the feature article. FC, 32 PG. $2.50 GREEN LANTERN #162 WRITTEN BY JUDD WINICK; ART AND COVER BY CHARLIE ADLARD In stores April 16. "Black Circle: Urban Knights" Part 2 of 6. There's a mystery to be solved, an intergalactic crime organization to take down, and hostility brewing between Green Lantern and Green Arrow. Simple crimes become complicated, and the heroes' differences become blatant. This ain't Hal and Ollie! Connor Hawke may be the only person to stop them from killing each other, unless of course The Black Circle gets to them first… For more information, see the feature article. FC, 32 PG. $2.25 GREEN ARROW #24 WRITTEN BY BEN RAAB; ART AND COVER BY CHARLIE ADLARD In stores April 23. Black Circle: Urban Knights" Part 3 of 6. Green Arrow and Green Lantern are mystified when a lookalike of Hal Jordan's predecessor appears! What does this character have to do with Abin Sur and the original Green Lantern Corps? All they know is that this may be their only chance to get the upper hand on the intergalactic criminals known only as the Black Circle! For more information, see the feature article. FC, 32 PG. $2.50 GREEN LANTERN #163 WRITTEN BY JUDD WINICK; ART AND COVER BY CHARLIE ADLARD In stores April 30. "Black Circle: Urban Knights" Part 4 of 6. All-out action ensues as Green Lantern and Green Arrow learn how to take a beating…and the education continues as they're taught that it's better to give than to receive! Now, we finally get to catch a glimpse at the inner workings of the Black Circle! For more information, see the feature article. FC, 32 PG. $2.25 GREEN ARROW: QUIVER TP WRITTEN BY KEVIN SMITH; ART BY PHIL HESTER AND ANDE PARKS; COVER BY MATT WAGNER In stores April 2. Screenwriter and director Kevin Smith (Clerks, Dogma), successfully resurrects one of the world's classic heroes! In this softcover edition of the original hardcover, Green Arrow — a.k.a. Oliver Queen — reemerges after years of being presumed dead. But many, including Black Canary his ex-lover, Arsenal his ex- partner, Connor Hawke his son, and Batman the Dark Knight Detective, want to know how Green Arrow survived an airplane explosion and where he's been! For more information, see the feature article. SC, 7X10, 232PG, FC $17.95 HAWKMAN #14 WRITTEN BY GEOFF JOHNS; ART BY DONALD KRAMER AND PRENTIS ROLLINS; COVER BY ANDREW ROBINSON In stores April 2. Hawkgirl confronts the murderer of her parents — and the Hawks both want him dead! The question is: Who's going to do the deed? Plus, tragedy strikes the cast of St. Roch! Featuring guest-art by Donald Kramer and Prentis Rollins! FC, 32 PG. $2.50 H-E-R-O #3 WRITTEN BY WILL PFEIFER; ART BY KANO; PAINTED COVER BY JOHN VAN FLEET In stores April 16. The reinvention of the Dial H for Hero concept continues! Jerry Feldon's learning that life as a super-hero isn't all it's cracked up to be! Jerry decides to share the secret of H-E-R-O with Molly, the girl he loves. But when a gunman robs their restaurant, Jerry's powers might be the only thing that can save Molly — if he doesn't screw things up and accidentally kill her instead! FC, 32 PG. $2.50 JLA #80 WRITTEN BY JOE KELLY; ART BY DUNCAN ROULEAU & AARON SOWD; COVER BY DOUG MAHNKE & TOM NGUYEN In stores April 30. "The White Rage" Part 1 of 3! The JLA is caught in the middle of a tense standoff between a metahuman commune and the federal government. Will the Leaguers bring peace or set off a bloody conflict? Plus, Batman and Wonder Woman try to find some quiet time together, and Martian Manhunter embarks on a quest of self-discovery that may burn him in the end. FC, 32 PG. $2.25 JLA: AGE OF WONDER #1 WRITTEN BY ADISAKDI TANTIMEDH; ART AND COVER BY GALEN SHOWMAN ELSEWORLDS In stores April 9. A two-issue ELSEWORLDS miniseries examines how Superman's nineteenth century debut turns the Industrial Revolution on its ear! Using his powers to aid scientific discovery and usher in an Age of Wonder, Superman forms the forward-thinking League of Science with backing from millionaire philanthropist Bruce Wayne. But when Lex Luthor and the radical group Rage Against the Machine rise up against him, can he prevent the coming of an Age of Chaos? For more information, see the feature article. FC, 48 PG. (1 OF 2) $5.95 JLA: SCARY MONSTERS #2 WRITTEN BY CHRIS CLAREMONT; ART BY JOSH HOOD AND SEAN PARSONS; COVER BY ART ADAMS In stores April 16. The action-packed miniseries continues! With Green Lantern and Flash down for the count, how will the JLA contend with the fearsome monsters that are exploding from the Earth's surface and besieging the Spirit Lake resort? And what happens when another unlucky Leaguer gets infected with the monster "virus"? FC, 32 PG. (2 OF 6) $2.50 JSA #47 WRITTEN BY DAVID S. GOYER AND GEOFF JOHNS; ART BY LEONARD KIRK AND KEITH CHAMPAGNE; COVER BY MICHAEL BAIR In stores April 16. Part 2 of "Princes Of Darkness," leading up to JSA #50! The battle for the light continues as Mordru and Obsidian attack the JSA, trapping Sentinel, Captain Marvel and Star-Spangled Kid in the Shadowlands and tearing apart the rest of JSA! FC, 32 PG. $2.50 JSA: FAIR PLAY TP WRITTEN BY GEOFF JOHNS; ART BY RAGS MORALES, STEPHEN SADOWSKI AND VARIOUS; COVER BY MICHAEL BAIR In stores April 2. Collecting JSA #26-31 and a story from JSA SECRET FILES #2, FAIR PLAY pits the JSA against Roulette, who runs the most dangerous gambling den on Earth — a club where costumed adventurers are lured to fight for their lives as super-villains bet on the outcome. Now she's turned her sights on the JSA, and she's got more than a professional interest in seeing the team destroyed! For more information, see the feature article. SC, 7X10, 176PG, FC $14.95 STAR OF THE MONTH JSA: THE RETURN OF HAWKMAN TP WRITTEN BY DAVID S. GOYER AND GEOFF JOHNS; ART BY STEPHEN SADOWSKI, STEVE YEOWELL, RAGS MORALES, MICHAEL BAIR, AND VARIOUS; COVER BY MORALES In stores April 2. Re-offered to coincide with the JSA: FAIR PLAY TP. Hawkman's much-anticipated return to DC continuity is collected in this 256-page trade paperback reprinting JSA #16-25, that also includes the epic "Injustice be Done" saga that rocked the members of the DCU's Original Super-Team! (STAR17192) SC, 7X10, 256PG, FC $19.95 ************************** JUSTICE LEAGUE ADVENTURES #18 WRITTEN BY STAN BERKOWITZ; ART BY CHRIS JONES AND DAN DAVIS; COVER BY ROB HAYNES In stores April 2. An alien race has established a beachhead on Earth in a most unexpected place and it's up to the miniscule Justice League ally, the Atom, to stop the invading force from taking down the League's most powerful member. Written by Stan Berkowitz of the Justice League animated show. FC, 32 PG. $2.25 THE LEGION #19 WRITTEN BY DAN ABNETT AND ANDY LANNING; ART BY CHRIS BATISTA AND MARK FARMER; COVER BY TONY HARRIS AND TOM FEISTER In stores April 30. Introducing a new art team and kicking off "Dream Crime," a new 5-part storyline! Saturn Girl visits Titan, hoping to repair the damage to her mental powers, and Dreamer hopes the Titanet telepathic system will turn her powers of prediction into a large-scale early-warning network for the United Planets. But Saturn Girl learns the damage to her mind might be more extensive than she believed, and Dreamer's first experiments with the Titanet show her terrible visions of an ancient darkness rising once more. For more information, see the feature article. FC, 32 PG. $2.50 LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES ARCHIVES VOL. 12 WRITTEN BY CARY BATES, JIM SHOOTER AND PAUL LEVITZ; ART BY MIKE GRELL, RIC ESTRADA AND MIKE NASSER; COVER BY MIKE GRELL In stores April 9. Reprinting SUPERBOY AND THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #213-223 and KARATE KID #1, featuring a score of classic Legion foes, including the Fatal Five, Tyroc, the Miracle Machine, the Time Trapper and more! Revisit a classic period of Legion lore! For more information, see the feature article. HC, 7X10, 232PG, FC $49.99 THE POWER COMPANY #15 WRITTEN BY KURT BUSIEK; ART BY GARY CHALONER; COVER BY TOM GRUMMETT AND PRENTIS ROLLINS In stores April 30. Manhunter, the most popular member of the Power Company, travels to Gotham City on a deadly mission. But one thing stands in his way: an angry Dark Knight, who doesn't like armed mercenaries in his town! Featuring the stunningly moody art of Gary Chaloner (Planet of the Apes: Urchak's Folly). FC, 32 PG. $2.75 THE SPIRIT ARCHIVES VOL. 10 HC WRITTEN AND DRAWN BY WILL EISNER In stores April 23. Featuring nearly 200 pages of clasic Spirit adventures originally published from January to June 1945! The Spirit wrangles with jailbreaks, grifters, murderers, and more! Plus, a portfolio of Eisner's military- related artwork produced while he was in the Army! For more information, see the feature article. HC, 7X10, 192PG, FC $49.95 STAR OF THE MONTH SUPER FRIENDS! TP WRITTEN BY E. NELSON BRIDWELL, ALEX TOTH AND KURT SCHAFFENBERGER; ART BY RAMONA FRADON, ALEX TOTH, RIC ESTRADA, BOB SMITH, JOE ORLANDO, VINCE COLLETTA; COVER BY ALEX ROSS In stores April 2. Superman! Batman! Wonder Woman! Aquaman! The Wonder Twins! Wendy! Marvin! Wonder Dog! They are the Super Friends, and the comic-book version of the classic cartoon show is spotlighted in this trade paperback, reoffered to coincide with the release of the SUPER FRIENDS! SUPERMAN AND LEX LUTHOR DELUXE ACTION FIGURE SET and WONDER WOMAN AND CHEETAH DELUXE ACTION FIGURE SET. Featuring a painted cover by Alex Ross, reprinting SUPER FRIENDS #1, 6-9, 14, 21, 27, and LIMITED COLLECTOR'S EDITION #C-41. (STAR13408) SC, 7X10, 176PG, FC $14.95 ************************** SWEATSHOP #1 WRITTEN BY PETER BAGGE; ART BY BAGGE, STEPHEN DESTEFANO AND BILL WRAY; COVER BY BAGGE In stores April 23. From the creator of the highly acclaimed, outrageously funny Hate! SWEATSHOP tells the uproarious story of Mel Bowling — a nationally syndicated cartoonist who hasn't touched his strip in years. Instead, he uses a stable of aspiring young artists, each with a different career goal. This issue, Mel's nominated for an industry award…one that he'll stop at nothing to win! For more information, see the feature article. FC, 32 PG. $2.95 WONDER WOMAN #191 WRITTEN BY WALTER SIMONSON; ART BY JERRY ORDWAY AND P. CRAIG RUSSELL; COVER BY ADAM HUGHES In stores April 23. "The Game of the Gods" continues as Diana's search for her missing memories takes her to Paradise! Has the menace responsible for taking Diana's costume and memories gotten to Themyscira first? And how is this connected to the havoc being unleashed both on Earth and at the center of the universe itself? FC, 32 PG. $2.25 DC: BEYOND THE UNIVERSE STAR OF THE MONTH A LIFE FORCE SC WRITTEN AND ILLUSTRATED BY WILL EISNER; COVER BY EISNER In stores April 23. Reoffered to coincide with THE SPIRIT ARCHIVES Volume Ten, A LIFE FORCE tells the hard- luck story of a tenement dweller living in the same neighborhood that served as the setting for A CONTRACT WITH GOD. Eisner's everyman Jacob Shtarkah and his family and neighbors come to life in this moving urban portrait. "A LIFE FORCE is easily the best realistic graphic novel I've ever read." — Don Thompson, Comics Buyer's Guide (STAR10038) SC, 8X11, 144PG, FC $12.95 ************************** CARTOON CARTOONS #17 WRITTEN BY ROBBIE BUSCH, JIM ALEXANDER, JESSE MCCANN, BOBBI WEISS AND FRANK STROM; ART BY SCOTT ROBERTS, JEFF ALBRECHT, DAN DAY, ROBERT POPE AND SCOTT MCRAE; COVER BY SCOTT MCNEELY In stores April 23. Hiiiiii, Dexter! Everyone's favorite boy genius joins the all-star cartoon cast of the Cartoon Network anthology! Plus, romantic disaster with Johnny Bravo, and robot wars with Cow & Chicken! FC, 32 PG. $2.25 LOONEY TUNES #101 WRITTEN BY SHOLLY FISCH, SCOTT CUNNINGHAM, EARL KRESS, FRANK STROM AND BILL MATHENY; ART BY DAVID ALVAREZ, MIKE DECARLO, NEAL STERNECKY, SCOTT MCRAE, LEO BATIC, RUBEN TORREIRO, WALTER CARZON AND HORACIO OTTOLINI; COVER BY ALVAREZ AND DECARLO In stores April 2. Bugs enters a beauty pageant as Miss Alberquerque, breaking emcee Elmer Fudd's heart — and his skull! Plus, a day in the life of Marvin the Martian's furry sidekick K-9, and Daffy Duck's escapades as soft-boiled detective Mike Mallard! FC, 32 PG. $2.25 MUCHA LUCHA #1 WRITTEN BY EDDIE MORT; ART BY RICARDO GARCIA FUENTES AND MIKE DECARLO; COVERS BY LILI CHIN In stores April 23. Based on the hit Kids' WB! show with stories and covers by its creators! Honor, family, tradition…and donuts! It's the Code of Masked Wrestling, and it's a way of life for best friends Rikochet, Buena Girl and the Flea. As students at the International School of Lucha Libre, they've got to learn to wrestle with skill and wit, develop a special signature move, and still find time just to be kids! For more information, see the feature article. FC, 32 PG. (1 OF 3) $2.25 THE POWERPUFF GIRLS #37 WRITTEN BY ABBY DENSON; ART BY STEPHANIE GLADDEN, BILL ALGER, ANDREW PEPOY AND MIKE DECARLO; COVER BY PHIL MOY In stores April 16. Rock and roll with the Powerpuff Girls! Sugar, spice, and a butt-kicking back-beat save the day in two rockin' stories! FC, 32 PG. $2.25 SCOOBY-DOO #71 WRITTEN BY ROBBIE BUSCH AND RURIK TYLER; ART BY JOE STATON, DAVE HUNT, KAREN MATCHETTE AND SCOTT MCRAE; COVER BY STATON AND HUNT In stores April 9. A be-bop ghost haunting a troubled jazz club has Scooby-Doo singing the blues! Plus, why are jillions of goblins descending on a quiet little town where nothing ever happens? FC, 32 PG. $2.25 WILDSTORM 21 DOWN #8 WRITTEN BY JIMMY PALMIOTTI AND JUSTIN GRAY; ART BY JESÚS SAÍZ AND PALMIOTTI; PAINTED COVER BY JOE JUSKO In stores April 2. "Roadside Attractions," Part 1 of 5. In the first installment of this new story arc, downtown Detroit is under siege from an angry weather god, while Mickey and Preston find themselves immersed in the mystery surrounding a young girl's disappearance. Strange things start to happen as Preston's powers begin growing in unexpected ways. With time running out, Preston must determine the connection among an eclipse, the number 19, and a mysterious ring of fire in order to save the missing girl! FC, 32 PG. $2.95 STAR OF THE MONTH THE AUTHORITY: TRANSFER OF POWER TP WRITTEN BY MARK MILLAR AND TOM PEYER; ART BY FRANK QUITELY, DUSTIN NGUYEN, ARTHUR ADAMS, GARY ERSKINE, TREVOR SCOTT, RICHARD FRIEND, JASON MARTIN, DEREK FRIDOLFS, AND TIM TOWNSEND; COVER BY NGUYEN AND FRIEND In stores April 30. Reoffered to coincide with SUPERMAN: RED SON. Just when the Authority is at the height of its power, in the blink of an eye its members are shattered and defeated. Taking their place is a new team with the same powers, looking vaguely similar, but possessing none of the original team's empathy, kindness, and humanity. Collecting THE AUTHORITY #22-29. (STAR16794) SC, 7X10, 192PG, FC $17.95 ************************** GEN13 #8 WRITTEN BY CHRIS CLAREMONT; ART AND COVER BY ALÉ GARZA AND SANDRA HOPE In stores April 9. As Caitlin finds herself more and more enraptured with her mysterious new suitor, the kids grow alarmed at the emergence of a new race of beings called the Chrome, who threaten to destroy GEN13! FC, 32 PG. $2.95 GEN13: MEANWHILE… TP WRITTEN BY ADAM WARREN; ART BY YANICK PAQUETTE, ED BENES, RICK MAYS, LEE BERMEJO, AND VARIOUS; COVER BY ADAM WARREN In stores April 2. Adam Warren's groundbreaking run on Gen13 continues (after the stories collected in GEN13: SUPERHUMAN LIKE YOU) with an all-star artist, all-subplot issue, the 2-issue "Failed Universe" saga, and "Uncle Cloud," the in-depth examination of Sarah Rainmaker's family history and weather control powers. These stories are joined by an earlier Adam Warren-written Gen13 story showcasing pencils by Lee Bermejo (BATMAN/DEATHBLOW) and guest-starring Majestic. Plus, bonus art by Jim Lee, J. Scott Campbell, Terry Dodson, Whilce Portacio, Kaare Andrews, Brian Stelfreeze, and more! For more information, see the feature article. SC, 7X10, 160PG, FC $17.95 STAR OF THE MONTH GEN13: SUPER-HUMAN LIKE YOU TP WRITTEN BY ADAM WARREN; ART BY WARREN, ED BENES, CARLOS MOTA, KAARE ANDREWS, VINCE RUSSELL, DEREK FRIDOLFS, AND VARIOUS; COVER BY WARREN In stores April 2. Reoffered to coincide with GEN13: MEANWHILE… TP, SUPERHUMAN LIKE YOU collects the first six issues of writer Adam Warren's run, reprinting GEN13 #60-65 and featuring some of today's finest artists! (STAR15241) SC, 7X10, 144PG, FC $12.95 ************************** GLOBAL FREQUENCY #7 WRITTEN BY WARREN ELLIS; ART BY SIMON BISLEY; COVER BY BRIAN WOOD In stores April 23. "Detonation." Berlin, formerly an island city encased in a concrete reef, a victim of an East/West loggerhead. Today, it's a thriving metropolis — one that shortly will find itself under siege! A terrorist group plans to systematically exterminate high-ranking British, German and Russian intelligence operatives…unless Miranda Zero exterminates them first! FC, 32 PG. (7 OF 12) $2.95 OUT THERE #17 WRITTEN BY BRIAN AUGUSTYN; ART AND COVER BY HUMBERTO RAMOS AND SANDRA HOPE CLIFFHANGER PRODUCTIONS. In stores April 23. Everything the series has been leading up to begins to unfold at light speed with this all-silent issue! El Dorado City's final fate, the secret of the demise of Draedalus, the hidden dimensional key/talisman, and the final showdown between good and interdimensional evil are all unveiled in startlingly unexpected ways. And, as always, our four teen heroes find themselves stuck smack in the middle between vast cosmic forces for the fate of a multiverse. As the countdown to the ultimate battle begins, time is running out for ED City, the earth and reality itself! FC, 32 PG. $2.95 PLANETARY #16 WRITTEN BY WARREN ELLIS; ART AND COVER BY JOHN CASSADAY In stores April 30. The acclaimed team of Ellis and Cassaday is back! With The Four momentarily in disarray, Elijah Snow initiates the second part of his comeback plan; to hunt down and discover the truth about Anna Hark, daughter of the criminal genius of the '30s, who died in the Adirondacks with the rest of Axel Brass' associates. Her story begins in medieval China and ends in the spires of modern America! For more information, see the feature article. FC, 32 PG. $2.50 STAR OF THE MONTH PLANETARY: ALL OVER THE WORLD AND OTHER STORIES TP WRITTEN BY WARREN ELLIS; ART AND COVER BY JOHN CASSADAY In stores April 3o. Alan Moore provides the introduction to this handsome collection reprinting PLANETARY #1-6 and the PLANETARY PREVIEW that introduced the team. Re-offered to coincide with PLANETARY #16. (STAR10841) SC, 7X10, 160PG, FC $14.95 ************************** THE RESISTANCE #8 WRITTEN BY JIMMY PALMIOTTI AND JUSTIN GRAY; ART BY JUAN SANTACRUZ AND FRANCIS PORTELA; COVER BY CHRISTOPHER SHY In stores April 30. The new sci-fi series critics are calling "a fresh spin on classic themes" heads into its eighth issue with the conclusion to a 2-part story focusing on Version Mary. As the past comes back to haunt her, Mary tries to distance herself from the rest of the team, but the Resistance refuses to stay out of the fight! FC, 32 PG. $2.95 ROBOTECH #5 WRITTEN BY TOMMY YUNE AND JAY FAERBER; ART BY LONG VO AND STUDIO XD; COVER BY VO; VARIANT COVER BY CLAUDIO CASTELLINI In stores April 2. While recovering from injuries sustained in his crash, Roy learns the truth about the VF-1 program, and not a moment too soon! A traitor is revealed and attempts to sabotage the program…by hijacking the new Armor 1 space station! Roy must take the Veritech into space in order to salvage the entire program! Note: This issue will ship with two covers. All orders will be filled with covers by Long Vo (50%) and Claudio Castellini (50%). FC, 32 PG. (5 OF 6) $2.95 SLEEPER #4 WRITTEN BY ED BRUBAKER; ART AND PAINTED COVER BY SEAN PHILLIPS EYE OF THE STORM. In stores April 16. The game is in full swing and the rules of engagement are clear: wrong is right, black is white, deceit is truth. Tao, in the company of agents Holden Carver and Miss Misery, attend a meeting of the true power on the planet — the wizards behind the curtain. And once Tao's goals are achieved, the world will be a different place…or will it? MATURE READERS FC, 32 PG. $2.95 STORMWATCH: TEAM ACHILLES #10 WRITTEN BY MICAH IAN WRIGHT; ART BY WHILCE PORTACIO AND SAL REGLA; COVER BY PORTACIO EYE OF THE STORM. In stores April 9. Khalid Tefibi is the resident computer geek of Team Achilles, a man who prefers the intel side of field work over on-site operations. But now he finds himself at the center of an operation to capture him — and he's on the run in a strange city from a Pentagon-based supergroup. How can this computer nerd hope to survive against the world's mightiest soldiers with no backup from his StormWatch compatriots? MATURE READERS FC, 32 PG. $2.95 STAR OF THE MONTH STORMWATCH VOL. 1: FORCE OF NATURE TP WRITTEN BY WARREN ELLIS; ART BY TOM RANEY, PETE WOODS, MICHAEL RYAN, AND RANDY ELLIOTT; COVER BY RANEY AND SANDRA HOPE In stores April 23. Reoffered to coincide with the release of ORBITER, also by Warren Ellis, this trade paperback collects Ellis' debut storyline on the WildStorm team book STORMWATCH — which was the precursor to the fan- favorite series THE AUTHORITY. Reprints STORMWATCH Volume 1 #37-42. (STAR10456) SC, 7X10, 160PG, FC $14.95 ************************** THUNDERCATS: THE RETURN #3 WRITTEN BY FORD LYTLE GILMORE; ART AND COVER BY ED BENES AND JOE PIMENTEL; VARIANT COVER BY TOMMY LEE EDWARDS In stores April 16. Is Lion-O too late to save Thundera? Under Mumm-Ra's rule, New Thundera is a dark and treacherous place, where evil lurks around every corner and the Thunderians are broken — maybe forever. Lion- O continues to learn the fates of his friends — beaten and enslaved at Mumm-ra's command — and even runs up against some old enemies in this installment. But Lion-O is not one to accept this situation without a fight and, in this issue, he brings it on! Note: This issue will ship with two covers. All orders will be filled with covers by Ed Benes & Joe Pimentel (50%) and Tommy Lee Edwards (50%). FC, 32 PG. (3 OF 5) $2.95 THUNDERCATS/BATTLE OF THE PLANETS WRITTEN BY KAARE ANDREWS; ART BY ANDREWS; COVERS BY J. SCOTT CAMPBELL AND ALEX ROSS In stores April 23. A rollicking crossover between two of the most popular entertainment properties in comics today! The sudden appearance of a mystical portal between Earth and Thundera leads to chaos, confusion and adventure as Lion-O and Mark rally their troops against the combined might of the villainous Zoltar and Mumm-Ra! And look out for the Battle of the Planets/Thundercats one-shot from Top Cow solicited elsewhere in this issue of Previews! For more information, see the feature article. Co-published with Top Cow Productions. Note: This issue will ship with two covers. All orders will be filled with covers by J. Scott Campbell (50%) and Alex Ross (50%). FC, 48 PG. $4.95 WILDCATS VERSION 3.0 #9 WRITTEN BY JOE CASEY; ART BY DUSTIN NGUYEN AND RICHARD FRIEND; COVER BY NGYUEN AND RIAN HUGHES. EYE OF THE STORM. In stores April 16. With Grifter unable to kick his usual amount of butt, he's got to move before Spartan pulls him from active duty. Of course, that means there could be a new Grifter in town, hand- picked by Cole Cash himself! And you won't believe whom he picks as his temporary successor! MATURE READERS FC, 32 PG. $2.95 AMERICA'S BEST COMICS OFFERED AGAIN O/A THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN VOL. 2: BUMPER COMPENDIUM EDITION PARTS 3 & 4 WRITTEN BY ALAN MOORE; ART AND COVER BY KEVIN O'NEILL In stores April 2. Collecting the sold-out third and fourth issues of THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN VOL. 2! Alan Moore's classic tale has captivated audiences from the start, yielding a series of sold- out issues. Now, the story of this band of world-famous heroes facing an otherworldly threat from the planet Mars can be enjoyed again! THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN VOL. 2: BUMPER COMPENDIUM PARTS 1 AND 2 is still available from the DC Backlist. (STAR FC, 48 PG. $5.95 ************************ PROMETHEA #26 WRITTEN BY ALAN MOORE; ART BY J.H. WILLIAMS III AND MICK GRAY; COVER BY WILLIAMS In stores April 23. "Later." Millennium City, three years later. Draw your own conclusions… FC, 32 PG. $2.95 TOM STRONG #20 WRITTEN BY ALAN MOORE; ART BY JERRY ORDWAY AND KARL STORY; COVER BY CHRIS SPROUSE In stores April 9. Part 1 of an exciting new epic 3-part adventure! "What might have been" — just four melancholy words that conjure so many emotions. Four words that suddenly take on new meaning when Tom Strong learns what would have happened — who he would be — if things had been a fraction different. Journey back to the last days of the 19th century, to a time before Tom Strong was born, and learn what can happen in the blink of an eye…in a tale called "How Tom Stone Got Started!" For more information, see the feature article. FC, 32 PG. $2.95 HOMAGE COMICS ASTRO CITY: LOCAL HEROES #2 WRITTEN BY KURT BUSIEK; ART BY BRENT ANDERSON; PAINTED COVER BY ALEX ROSS In stores April 9. The bimonthly miniseries continues! Take a trip to Astro City in the early '60s! What happens when a young woman becomes determined to uncover a super-hero's secret identity and nothing is going to stand in her way? Introducing Atomicus, the greatest hero of the atomic age — and showcasing a surprise or two about one of Astro City's modern-day heroes. Find out why this series has been so acclaimed from its inception! FC, 32 PG. (2 OF 5) $2.95 RELOAD #2 WRITTEN BY WARREN ELLIS; ART BY PAUL GULACY AND JIMMY PALMIOTTI; COVER BY GULACY In stores April 9. Warren Ellis' 3-issue tale of deceit and intrigue in Washington, D.C. continues! Chris Royal has just been through the worst day of his life. Under his watch, the President of the United States has been assassinated; Washington, D.C. is under siege from parties unknown; and no one believes the real culprit behind all the crime is still at large. But with a little help from a friend, Royal is putting the pieces together…and he's learning this crisis goes deeper than he'd first thought! FC, 32 PG. (2 OF 3) $2.95 VERTIGO STAR OF THE MONTH SANDMAN MYSTERY THEATRE: THE TARANTULA TP WRITTEN BY MATT WAGNER; ART BY GUY DAVIS; PAINTED COVER BY WAGNER In stores April 2. Re-offered to coincide with the release of BATMAN: NEVERMORE, also with art by Guy Davis, this handsome collection reprints SANDMAN MYSTERY THEATRE #1-4, written by DOCTOR MID-NITE's Matt Wagner. (STAR01004) MATURE READERS SC, 7X10, 112PG, FC $14.95 ************************** 100 BULLETS #44 WRITTEN BY BRIAN AZZARELLO; ART BY EDUARDO RISSO; PAINTED COVER BY DAVE JOHNSON In stores April 2. "Chill in the Oven" Part 2. Life in prison ain't easy, and for Loop Hughes, just staying alive might be the hardest thing he's ever done. Forced to deal with a psychotic thug looking for some lethal payback and a vicious guard with a chip on his shoulder, things go from worse to worst for Loop when he comes face to face with an animal more savage than anything he's come across behind bars. Which begs the question: How can you watch your back with a broken neck? MATURE READERS FC, 32 PG. $2.50 AMERICAN CENTURY #24 WRITTEN BY HOWARD CHAYKIN AND DAVID TISCHMAN; ART BY JOHN SEVERIN; PAINTED COVER BY CHAYKIN In stores March 19. This Western one-shot introduces Harry Kraft's great-grandfather — an Eastern European immigrant who takes on an evil Kansas land baron to help save a little house on the prairie. Special guest-artist John Severin (DESPERADOES: QUIET OF THE GRAVE, Frontline Combat) handles the art chores, with a painted cover by Howard Chaykin. Note: This is a resolicitation. All previous orders have been cancelled. MATURE READERS FC, 32 PG. $2.75 BEWARE THE CREEPER #1 WRITTEN BY JASON HALL; ART AND COVER BY CLIFF CHIANG In stores April 16. Get ready for a unique VERTIGO twist on one of DC's strangest characters. In this new 5- issue miniseries by Jason Hall (Pistolwhip) and Cliff Chiang (BATMAN: THE GOLDEN STREETS OF GOTHAM), a bizarre, colorful creature of the night stalks the streets of 1920s Paris: The Creeper. The enigmatic hero has her sights set on the upper class, but what are the true motivations behind The Creeper's actions? For more information, see the feature article. MATURE READERS FC, 32 PG. (1 OF 5) $2.95 BLOOD AND WATER #2 WRITTEN BY JUDD WINICK; ART BY TOMM COKER; COVER BY BRIAN BOLLAND In stores April 9. Judd Winick and Tomm Coker tap the vein of horror as BLOOD AND WATER continues. Adam's best friends are vampires; they're fast, fun and they live forever. A little Kool-Aid, a little blood and Adam is ready to go. But being "made" is the least of his worries when something awakens from the dark, forgotten places of the world. While Adam is busy living it up in his sexy new skin, an ancient monster is stirring…and it smells fresh blood. MATURE READERS FC, 32 PG. (2 OF 5) $2.95 CODENAME: KNOCKOUT #23 WRITTEN BY ROBERT RODI; ART BY JOHN LUCAS AND ANDREW PEPOY; PAINTED COVER BY J.G. JONES In stores April 2. Final Issue. For decades, G.O.O.D. and E.V.I.L. have waged battle with each other across the globe. Now one of these agencies is brought to a ruinous collapse, never again to rise. Join Angela, Go-Go and their friends for this climactic end of an era — and for the shocking personal revelations that set it all in motion. MATURE READERS FC, 32 PG. FINAL ISSUE $2.75 FABLES #12 WRITTEN BY BILL WILLINGHAM; ART BY LAN MEDINA AND CRAIG HAMILTON; COVER BY JAMES JEAN In stores April 9. Part 1 of a 2-part FABLES caper. She's gorgeous, fashionable and rich…and it's up to Bigby to keep Sleeping Beauty from pricking her finger, or Fabletown will go up in thorns. As if that weren't enough, Bigby has a shadow, in the form of a sleazy reporter intent on exposing the secret society of exiled fairy tale characters. MATURE READERS FC, 32 PG. $2.50 THE FILTH #10 WRITTEN BY GRANT MORRISON; ART BY CHRIS WESTON AND GARY ERSKINE; COVER BY CARLOS SEGURA In stores April 30. Following last issue's revelations, it's time to meet Mother Dirt and learn the secret origins of the Hand organization and of life on Earth itself. What are we? Who are we? And why does it have to be this way? Amnesiac Hand officer Ned Slade recovers more horrors from his memory as the pieces of a vast, terrifying jigsaw fall into place. Learn the Hidden History of Existence in THE FILTH #10: "Man Made God." MATURE READERS FC, 32 PG. (10 OF 13) $2.95 HELLBLAZER #183 WRITTEN BY MIKE CAREY; ART BY LEE BERMEJO; PAINTED COVER BY TIM BRADSTREET In stores April 30. "Black Flowers" Part 2 of 2. Now that the door to the land of the dead has been kicked open, a horde of old souls is clawing its way back into flesh — pursued by something much more dangerous. Unfortunately, the cure that John comes up with may be worse than the disease. MATURE READERS FC, 32 PG. $2.75 HUNTER: THE AGE OF MAGIC #22 WRITTEN BY DYLAN HORROCKS; ART BY RICHARD CASE AND STEVE BIRD; COVER BY CHRIS BACHALO In stores April 9. Ever wish you could step into a picture? Wished it were a real place that you could visit and explore…dancing with the nymphs or singing with the angels? Well, here's your chance. An ambitious young artist has been exploring the relationship between art and magic, and at last his dream has become a reality. Now the art galleries of London have become gateways to a thousand alternate worlds and the whole fabric of reality is collapsing. But when art and life collide, there's bound to be trouble... MATURE READERS FC, 32 PG $2.75 LUCIFER #37 WRITTEN BY MIKE CAREY; ART BY PETER GROSS & RYAN KELLY; PAINTED COVER BY CHRISTOPHER MOELLER In stores April 23. Part 2 of the epic 5-part storyline "Naglfar." Sailing beyond heaven, the ship made of dead men's fingernails encounters unborn universes, skeletal angels and deadly tensions among its mismatched crew members. Meanwhile, Lucifer confronts his brother Michael and they embark on a very different journey. MATURE READERS FC, 32 PG. $2.50 LUCIFER: THE DIVINE COMEDY TP WRITTEN BY MIKE CAREY; ART BY PETER GROSS, RYAN KELLY AND DEAN ORMSTON; COVER BY CHRISTOPHER MOELLER In stores April 9. Reprinting LUCIFER #21-28, the 192-page THE DIVINE COMEDY finds Lucifer Morningstar continuing work on his magnum opus — a new universe outside of the strictures of our own. For more information, see the feature article. MATURE READERS SC, 7X10, 192PG, FC $17.95 STAR OF THE MONTH LUCIFER: A DALLIANCE WITH THE DAMNED TP WRITTEN BY MIKE CAREY; ART BY PETER GROSS, DEAN ORMSTON AND RYAN KELLY; PAINTED COVER BY CHRISTOPHER MOELLER In stores April 9. Reoffered to coincide with LUCIFER: THE DIVINE COMEDY TP, LUCIFER: A DALLIANCE WITH THE DAMNED finds the Lightbringer hard at work on a New Creation — outside the bounds of any authority but his own, complete with a new pair of inhabitants for a new Garden of Eden. But as he tries his hand at universe-building, back on Earth (and in Hell) schemes and betrayals continue to grow. Reprints LUCIFER #14- 20. (STAR16299) MATURE READERS SC, 7X10, 160 PG, FC $14.95 ************************* ORBITER HC WRITTEN BY WARREN ELLIS; ART AND COVER BY COLLEEN DORAN In stores April 23. Renowned writer Warren Ellis (THE AUTHORITY, PLANETARY) teams up with indie fave Collen Doran (A Distant Soil) to produce a hardcover graphic novel that explores man's relationship with the last unexplored frontier: space. When a space shuttle missing for a decade zooms back to Earth with seemingly alien modifications and a missing crew, three specialists cheated out of their dreams of spaceflight are the only ones who can unravel the mysteries behind the bizarre situation. For more information, see the feature article. MATURE READERS HC, 7X10, 104PG, FC $24.95 Y: THE LAST MAN #10 WRITTEN BY BRIAN K. VAUGHAN; ART BY PIA GUERRA AND JOSÉ MARZAN, JR.; PAINTED COVER BY J.G. JONES In stores April 23. "Cycles" reaches its explosive conclusion with a sibling's madness, a firefight with a stolen helicopter, and a mysterious Russian who bears urgent news. All this, plus a truly startling development from Earth's orbit. MATURE READERS FC, 32 PG. $2.95 PARADOX PRESS BROOKLYN DREAMS TP WRITTEN BY J.M. DEMATTEIS; ART AND COVER BY GLENN BARR In stores April 16. Long out of print, the four-volume Paradox Fiction title BROOKLYN DREAMS returns in a single 384-page softcover volume, bringing the story of 17-year-old Vincent Carl Santini's momentous senior year in high school back to life. For more information, see the feature article. MATURE READERS SC, 5X8, 384PG, B&W $12.95 OFFERED AGAIN O/A ON THE ROAD TO PERDITION BOOK ONE: OASIS WRITTEN BY MAX ALLAN COLLINS; ART AND COVER BY JOSÉ LUIS GARCÍA-LÓPEZ AND JOSEF RUBINSTEIN In stores April 2. Filling in the gaps of the ROAD TO PERDITION! This 96-page graphic mystery, the first in a series of three, tells the tales of the dangerous, exhilarating six-month journey undertaken by gangster Michael O'Sullivan and his son, Michael Jr. as they rob banks, evade capture, and seek revenge on Connor Looney. But when Michael Jr. contracts a life-threatening illness, the pair is forced to hide out in an oasis of tranquility. But as they wait out the sickness, the bounty hunters on their trail draw ever closer! For more information, see the feature article. SC, 5X8, 96PG, B&W $7.95 STAR OF THE MONTH ROAD TO PERDITION SC WRITTEN MAX ALLAN COLLINS; ART AND COVER BY RICHARD PIERS RAYNER In stores April 2. This much-demanded Graphic Mystery is reoffered to coincide with the release of ON THE ROAD TO PERDITION BOOK ONE: OASIS. Michael O'Sullivan is a hitman, but he's also an upstanding husband and father of two young boys. When his worlds collide, taking the lives of both his wife and the younger of his sons, O'Sullivan and his surviving son leave their sedate home life behind and embark on a startling father-and- son journey of revenge. Featuring a new introduction by Max Allan Collins. (STAR15955) MATURE READERS SC, 5X8, 304PG, B&W $13.95 ************************** MAD MAD MAGAZINE #429 WRITTEN AND ILLUSTRATED BY THE USUAL GANG OF IDIOTS In stores April 2. This month, a MAD first — the all-silent, all-serious issue! Gotcha — April Fool's! Expect even more witty word balloons and general buffoonery! MAGAZINE, 48PG, PC $3.50 DC DIRECT Retailers, please note: Unless otherwise specified, the following items are manufactured to order, so only limited quantities may be available for reorder. Final products may differ from images shown. These items are advance-solicited. Orders must be placed with those for April-released product, solicited in this month's issue of Previews. Some of these products may also be offered simultaneously beyond the comic-book specialty market. CLASSIC TEEN TITANS BOX SET Advance-solicited; in stores August 20. Get the entire Classic Teen Titans lineup in one boxed set, featuring for the first time ever Beast Boy & Beast Boy as a Monkey action figures! The CLASSIC TEEN TITANS BOX SET also includes re-colored versions of the sold-out Raven, Cyborg and Starfire figures! Raven is a vision in her white ensemble while Cyborg, in gold, can destroy anything with his guns-for-hands. The beautiful princess Koriand'r, also known as Starfire, features "light-up action." Touch the button on her belt and her hair and eyes magically light up! Beast Boy, Raven and Cyborg all come with multiple points of articulation and each include a base. These Action Figures are based on a 6" scale with Beast Boy as a Monkey measuring approximately 3" tall. With a new Teen Titans animated series set to debut on Cartoon Network, now is the time to get in on Titans fever with this amazing boxed set! Packaged in a 4-color gift window box. FIGURE SET PI GREEN LANTERN POSTER ART BY JIM LEE & SCOTT WILLIAMS Advance-solicited; in stores August 27. It's Kyle Rayner, the Green Lantern of the 21st century, illustrated by one of comics' hottest art teams! This full-color 24" x 36" poster features a stunning re-colored image of Kyle Rayner by Jim Lee from the cover of GREEN LANTERN #151. POSTER, 24X36, FC $7.95 JLA: LIBERTY & JUSTICE POSTER ART BY ALEX ROSS Advance-solicited; in stores August 27. In anticipation of November's JLA: LIBERTY & JUSTICE, the JLA: LIBERTY & JUSTICE POSTER features a new piece of painted art by fan-favorite Alex Ross created exclusively for DC Direct's poster collection! This is a full-color poster measuring 22"x 34" featuring members of the JLA including Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, The Flash, and Green Lantern! POSTER, 24X36, FC $7.95 JUSTICE LEAGUE ANIMATED: GREEN LANTERN WALL PLAQUE SCULPTED BY JOHN G. MATHEWS Advance-solicited; in stores August 13. The fourth in a series! DC Direct's series of sculpted wall plaques based on the super-heroic stars of the hit animated series on Cartoon Network continues! Other heroes featured in this series include Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Superman, Martian Manhunter, and Hawkgirl. This wall plaque, suitable for hanging, is fully sculpted, hand-painted, made of cold-cast porcelain and measures approximately 5" high x 7 1/2" wide x 3" deep. Packaged in a 4-color box. Liven up your walls! Collect all seven! PLAQUE $39.95 STARS OF THE MONTH GREEN ARROW ACTION FIGURE In stores April 2. Re-offered to coincide with the release of GREEN ARROW: QUIVER, the GREEN ARROW ACTION FIGURE stands approximately 6" tall and features nine points of articulation and quiver on back. Accessories include bow and three trick arrows (boxing glove arrow, handcuff arrow and drill arrow). Packaged in a new, 4-color blister pack. Retailers please note: Quantities are limited. Orders may be allocated. (STAR10682) FIGURE PI LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES PVC SET In stores April 9. Reoffered to coincide with the LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES ARCHIVES Volume Twelve, this 7- piece PVC set features classic Silver Age interpretations of Legionnaires including: Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl, Cosmic Boy, Chameleon Boy, Mon-El, Braniac Five, and Colossal Boy. Figures range from 3 7/8" to 4 1/8" in height and come packaged in a 4-color window box shaped like the Legion headquarters! Retailers please note: Quantities are limited. Orders may be allocated. (STAR09924) PVC SET (X7) $39.95 PLANETARY: THE DRUMMER ACTION FIGURE In stores April 30. Re-offered to coincide with PLANETARY #16, THE DRUMMER ACTION FIGURE stands approximately 6" tall, features multiple points of articulation and can be posed on a pegged stand emblazoned with the PLANETARY logo. Packaged in a 4-color blister pack. Retailers please note: Quantities are limited. Orders may be allocated. (STAR14268) FIGURE PI PLANETARY: ELIJAH SNOW ACTION FIGURE In stores April 30. Re-offered to coincide with PLANETARY #16, the ELIJAH SNOW ACTION FIGURE stands approximately 6.25" tall, features multiple points of articulation and can be posed on a pegged stand emblazoned with the PLANETARY logo. Packaged in a 4-color blister pack. Retailers please note: Quantities are limited. Orders may be allocated. (STAR14296) FIGURE PI PLANETARY: JAKITA WAGNER ACTION FIGURE In stores April 30. Re-offered to coincide with PLANETARY #16, the JAKITA WAGNER ACTION FIGURE stands approximately 6.25" tall, features multiple points of articulation and can be posed on a pegged stand emblazoned with the Planetary logo. Packaged in a 4-color blister pack. Retailers please note: Quantities are limited. Orders may be allocated. (STAR14267) FIGURE PI ****************************** CLASSIC SILVER AGE BATGIRL & THE JOKER DELUXE ACTION FIGURE SET Advance-solicited; in stores August 27. Due to popular demand, DC Direct brings you the Silver Age Batgirl and Joker Action Figures together in one set! The original Batgirl — Barbara Gordon — comes with the Clown Prince of Crime in this classic 1960s-style Deluxe Action Figure Set. Batgirl measures approximately 6" tall and The Joker measures approximately 6 1/2" tall. The set includes a Batarang, a 12" long climbing string "Batrope" with suction cup and a cane accessory for The Joker. It also features a Gotham City rooftop display base that connects with the base from the SILVER AGE BATMAN & ROBIN DELUXE ACTION FIGURE SET, in stores February 2003. The set is packaged in a 4-color retro-style window box. FIGURE SET PI SUPER FRIENDS! WONDER WOMAN MAQUETTE SCULPTED BY KAREN PALINKO Advance-solicited; in stores August 6. DC Direct continues the line of SUPER FRIENDS! MAQUETTES with Wonder Woman! The SUPER FRIENDS! MAQUETTES feature the heroes as they appeared on the legendary Super Friends! animated TV series that aired on network television from 1973 to 1986. The SUPER FRIENDS! WONDER WOMAN MAQUETTE is a limited-edition, hand-painted, cold-cast porcelain statue measuring approximately 8 3/4" tall x 4" wide x 4" deep and is packaged in a 4-color box. Collect all five in 2003! Own Super Friends! on DVD & Video from Warner Home Video! MAQUETTE $89.95 DC: SUPERMAN MINI-BUST SCULPTED BY TIM BRUCKNER Advance-solicited; in stores August 20. The Man of Steel heads up the new line of DC mini-busts from DC Direct! Superman is one of the most popular super heroes in the world - a symbol of heroism and bravery at its finest. This SUPERMAN MINI-BUST is a hand-painted, cold-cast porcelain bust measuring approximately 5 1/4" tall with a 2 3/4" base. Packaged in a 4-color window box. MINI-BUST $45.00 IMAGE COMICS THE AGENTS #1 (W) Kevin Gunstone (A) Ben Dunn (Cover) Ben Dunn BW 32pp $2.95 Ongoing monthly series In stores the week of April 30th. The Concept: From the ashes of nuclear devastation wrought on the cities of Washington and Moscow thirty years ago, a planet wide protectorate was formed in Britain called The Agency. As The Agency, they enforce their own brand of defensive guardianship through espionage and counteraction, although not all of the Earth is united in this New World Order as individual countries, states and rival organizations threaten to undermine and destroy all The Agency stand for. This Issue: Responsible for the destruction of the twin capital cities, the villainous Professor Daedalus has reappeared on the world stage. Suffering from a fatal tumor, Daedalus is offering his thirty years of scientific research for the benefit of mankind. In answer to Daedalus' message, Nigel Cord, former superspy and head of the Agency's spyschool, is dispatched to South America where he bids to erase the memory of his failed mission against Daedalus years earlier. ANGRY CHRIST COMIX: THE REVISED HARDCOVER EDITION by Joseph Michael Linsner BW 176pp $29.95 Hardcover HARDCOVER LIMITED EDITION Signed and Numbered Edition by creator Joseph Michael Linsner. Limited to 1000 Copies. BW 176pp $39.95 Hardcover In stores the week of April 23rd. The Concept: Before Joe Linsner gave the world his Goddess of rebirth, Dawn, there was "Cry for Dawn"; a black and white anthology featuring some of the darkest stories to ever see print in the medium of comics. "Angry Christ Comix" collects Linsner's finest work from that early 90's milestone, exploring such contemporary nightmares as AIDS, unplanned parenthood and corporate America. Out-of-print for several years, this new hardcover edition features a revised version of the infamous 22-page "tattoo" story from "Cry for Dawn #2". Lushly painted, all-Linsner artwork illustrates this 176-page collection of perfect bedtime stories for angry young souls. New cover and footnotes by JML. ARIA: THE USES OF ENCHANTMENT #2 (OF 4) (W) Brian Holquin (A) Lan Medina (cover) Jay Anacleto FC 32pp $2.95 Four-issue finite monthly series In stores the week of April 23rd. The Concept: Somewhere around the corner, just beyond the edge of perception, lies a world you never dreamed existed: A world where creatures of myth and gods long thought dead walk unnoticed among the crowded streets of Manhattan. Aria follows the adventures of Lady Kildare, a faerie princess living in Greenwich Village, and her strange circle of immortal friends. Combining sumptuous illustrations, deeply realized characters and deftly paced narrative, Aria is an unforgettable fairy tale for grown-ups. This Issue: Arriving in a mysterious magic kingdom tucked away in the Catskills, Kildare is the guest of honor at a wondrous feast. We meet a number of unique characters: Hans, a talking Hedgehog; Ember, the Burning Girl; The shadowy Hunter; the remote and icy Queen Joyous -- and a strange being claiming to be Oberon, one-time king of Faerie. But Kildare soon suspects that beneath the foundations of this enchanted land lies a dark and tragic secret. ATHENA INC.TP VOL. I: THE MANHUNTER PROJECT (W) Brian Haberlin (A) Jay Anacleto FC 240pp $19.95 Trade Paperback In stores the week of April 9th. The Concept: Athena Inc., the blackest of black ops, has come up with the perfect operative. She can't be caught. And even if she could be, there is no way to link her to any action because she doesn't even know she's an agent. Heck, she doesn't even look like their agent. She was hailed as a success…that was until…the genetic trigger that enables her to switch personas began to break down. Now she can switch forms more or less on her own. And now she's a threat to the security of Athena Inc. and must be dealt with. But who will deal with whom first? Athena Inc: THE MANHUNTER PROJECT collects issues 1-6 of the regular series. This fully self-contained storyline is a perfect starting point for new readers as the regular series continues a new story arc. The collection includes a cover gallery of all alternate covers and a special MAKING OF ATHENA article by Brian Haberlin and Jay Anacleto taking you from the genesis of the idea through every step of the of making the comic…a great bonus for those fans who want to know how it all comes together. This critically acclaimed and fan favorite series collected here for the first time is a guaranteed page-turner. BUNKER by Bruce Mutard BW 96pp $9.95 Graphic Novel In stores the week of April 16th. The Concept: Getting through high school is hard enough without being in love with the girl next door, especially when she just likes you only as a friend. Jason has this problem with Annie, but when late one night she sneaks into his room asking to sleep over in his bunk bed every night because she was afraid of a ghost in her room, he thought his luck was about to change. Alas, some mysterious shadow has fallen over Annie and their friendship starts to feel the strain. As he struggles to maintain a balance between his feelings of respect for their friendship and his yearnings for her, he realizes that there may be more to her silly ghost story than he knew and a dark and terrible secret from the past is revealed. The Bunker is a stark tale of adolescent trials and tribulations in modern suburbia where behind the front fence and picture windows lie the troubles of the human heart. CLOCKMAKER #3 (OF 12) (W) Jim Krueger (A) Matt Smith and Zach Howard FC 16pp (Folds out from standard comic size to glossy high-quality CSN/Marvel Treasury Edition size) $2.50 12 issue epic In stores the week of April 23rd. The Concept: Hidden within a hollow mountain in Switzerland is a giant clockworks. Hundreds of men that never age maintain the old behemoths operation. The clock is the cause and sustainer of the Earth's revolutions. And more, it is the gateway to Heaven itself. Which is why the Clockmaker and her family are about to go through hell. "The mouth is interesting because it's one of those places where the dry outside moves toward the slippery inside" -Jenny Holzer This Issue: Astrid discovers that her father's and brother's deaths may not have been an accident as she comes under attack from a creature spawned in the pits below the clockworks. Plus, Hans begins to wonder how such terrible deaths could happen at the gates of heaven. DEFIANCE #7 (W) Douglas Barre (A)Kano Kang and Zack Suh (Cover) Kano Kang and Zack Suh FC 32pp $2.95 Ongoing Bimonthly series In stores the week of April 9th. The Concept: The battle lines for the final war between Earth, Hell and Heaven have been drawn... but only the mortal man named Ivan can see them. He has been entrusted with the flaming angelic sword once wielded by Lucifer and all he has to do is to pass it on to Satan's daughter. Unfortunately, she's not interested in getting involved. Even more unfortunately, Satan's son Dirge is. Sometimes the only escape from destiny... is Defiance! This Issue: "The Scabbard" Part three of four—Sipher, the Devil's daughter, is the key to stopping Satan's plans for universal dominion... but when she's attacked by Dirge and his army of demons with only a retired Hellion and a dead man to protect her, well... there's no nice way to put this: she runs away. Meanwhile, both Ivan and Mayor Thibodeaux come to personal crossroads... and one of them makes the wrong decision. So wrong. So very, very, very wrong. DOMINION #4 (W) Ross Richie and Keith Giffen (P) Keith Giffen (I) Dave Elliot (Cover) Keith Giffen and Dave Elliot FC 32pp $2.95 Ongoing Monthly series In stores the week of April 16th. The Concept: What if super-heroes had no code of honor? What if they lived to protect themselves alone? What if super-powers corrupted -- absolutely? An alien virus, destroyer of millions of worlds, infects a handful of souls who begin to form a new world order – a dominion. Standing between them and the destruction of the planet is a band of ordinary people armed only with their wits, their courage, and the desperation to survive. This Issue: Fires raging across the night, cars strewn across the street like child's toys. The city a skeleton. Streaked over and landed, feet punching holes in the pavement. Eyes dancing with power, intoxicated by the sheer joy of all the chaos and mayhem. Then he noticed me. FIREBREATHER #4 (OF 4) (W) Phil Hester (A) Andy Kuhn (C) Andy Kuhn FC 32pp $2.95 Four issue finite series In stores the week of April 2nd. The Concept: Divorce is tough for any teenager, but when your mother is a typical suburban soccer mom and your dad is a 300 foot tall, city trampling, battleship devouring monster things get even tougher. This is Duncan Rosenblatt's reality. His mom wants him to get into a good college, his dad wants him to go into the family business, namely conquering the Earth and ascending to his rightful place as king of all monsters. This Issue: Duncan find himself trapped between two lives. Too humane to succeed in his father's world of conquest and battle, but too feral for the world of men, he abandons both and flees into the wilderness. His path is chosen for him when his mother is kidnapped and he must unleash his full fury to save her. Will the monster or the man triumph in the end? G.I. JOE #17 (W) Josh Blaylock (P) Brandon Badeaux (I) John Larter (Cover) Keron Grant & Cory Hamscher FC 32pp $2.95 Ongoing Monthly series In stores the week of April 16th. The Concept: G.I. JOE is the code name for America's daring and highly trained special mission force. It's purpose: to defend freedom against COBRA, a ruthless terrorist organization determined to rule the world. This Issue: During his seven year absence running from the United States government, Cobra Commander found sanctuary with others like him. Dictators, criminals, and corrupt officials. Unknown to them at the time, he was slowly converting THEIR troops to rebuild the Cobra army. Now they want payback, and what better way to do this than by teaming up, and kidnapping two people most likely to know where to find him – Flint and the Baroness! G.I. JOE FRONTLINE #7 (W) Dan Jolly (P) Drew Johnson & Tom Feister (I) Ray Snyder (Cover) Tony Harris FC 32pp $2.95 Ongoing monthly series In stores the week of April 9th. The Concept: G.I. Joe Frontline expands the action of the regular G.I. JOE series into another title, featuring a cast of rotating creative teams. Frontline allows us to see the G.I. JOE universe through the eyes of different artists, and of course, is full of action, action, action! This Issue: Still trapped inside the frozen arctic base with an unknown number of savage, bloodthirsty creatures, four of the Joes -- Duke, Snake Eyes, Scarlett, and Frostbite -- discover clues to the single human survivor lost somewhere deep within the caverns below the complex. Meanwhile, Airtight and Lifeline must deal with the question of Lifeline's possible infection by the creatures... It's explosive action and crawling paranoia as "Icebound" continues. GRRL SCOUTS: WORK SUCKS #3 (OF 4) by Jim Mahfood BW 32pp $2.95 Four-issue finite series In stores the week of April 9th. The Concept: The Grrl Scouts are back! Cute, independent, and full of attitude, Gwen, Daphne, and Rita are three girls doing what they have to do to survive in big bad Freak City. Whether they're painting graffiti, skateboarding, or just hanging out, the Grrls are the respected badasses of their neighborhood. The Grrl Scouts comic book experience mixes fresh artwork, underground hip-hop culture, witty dialogue and social satire into one unique book. See the characters that helped put hot indy artist Jim Mahfood on the map! This Issue: The reality of real jobs sets in as the Grrls settle into their new lifestyles. Rita finds happiness making money off of her art and a possible romance between her and Hectk. Daphne is shocked to learn the true trials and tribulations of working in a club. And Gwen, after being fired from yet another job, finds work at the community youth center. Could this be her true calling or will she simply be corrupting the minds of the youth of Freak City? HEIRS OF ETERNITY #1 (W) Jose L. Torres (P) Jae Tsai (I) Jim Royal (Cover) Jae Tsai FC 32pp $2.95 Ongoing monthly series In stores the week of April 30th. The Concept: Music of the spheres, or the perfect order of art and science, rule our world. But what would you do if this music became discordant? If the cacophony of the cosmos shattered the thin veil of reality and rained the jagged shards of your whole world and all your preconceived notions of Heaven, Hell, good, evil and everything in between down on you, what would you have left? Sorry, but some questions have no answer. This Issue: There are few things worth dying for…Choose wisely. Love and hate are opposite ends of a two edged sword. When five beings take up this sword, they find that perhaps it is more than any one of them can handle. Their modest lives take high-speed turns as they slowly lose control of everything they hold dear. Caught up in the entropy that is extreme emotion, their lives come crashing together. Some may make it out and others… HELLSPAWN #24 Todd McFarlane Productions (W) Steve Niles (A) Ben Templesmith FC 32pp $2.50 Ongoing monthly series In stores the week of April 23rd. The Concept: Featuring the same core character as the long-running Spawn comic book, Hellspawn mires the protagonist in a dark, foreboding world of grime and dirty secrets. While Spawn highlights a battle between the dark and the light, Hellspawn is struggling mightily to keep the blackness at bay. This book is the stripped-down ugly essence of Todd McFarlane's Hell-born creation. This Issue: There is no escaping the shroud that follows the Hellspawn. Living as a semi- human, the Hellspawn has enjoyed an almost-normal life. Now the shadow has him and it will not let go. Will the Hellspawn escape or will he live to serve the darkness and take Earth with him? INVINCIBLE #4 (W) Robert Kirkman (A) Cory Walker (C) Bill Crabtree (cover) Cory Walker & Bill Crabtree. FC 32pp $2.95 Ongoing Monthly series In stores the week of April 9th. The Concept: Mark Grayson is just like most everyone else his age. He's a senior at a normal American high School. He has a crappy part time job after school and on weekends. He likes girls quite a bit… but doesn't quite understand them. He enjoys hanging out with his friends, and sleeping late on Saturdays… at least until the good cartoons come on. The only difference between Mark and everyone else is that his father is the most powerful superhero on the planet, and as of late, he seems to be inheriting his father's powers. Which sounds okay at first, but how do you follow in your father's footsteps when you know you will never live up to his standards? This Issue: In this issue we finally find out what's going on with all those human bombs we've been hearing so much about. Unfortunately, Mark finds himself a hapless victim of a plot for revenge that was set in motion years ago, of which he has nothing to do with! Mark's life begins to take shape, as climactic events and situations cause him to rethink his regular course of action. Trust us, folks, all bets are off. After this one... everything will be different... in a good way, we promise. JACK STAFF # 2 by Paul Grist FC 32 pp $2.95 Bi-monthly ongoing series In stores the week of April 2nd. Concept: Jack Staff is Britain's Greatest Hero. At least he was. For years he fought the bad guys and all the weird stuff that followed him around. Then, twenty years ago, he disappeared, and everybody forgot about him. Now he's back, and all the old bad guys and weird stuff have started crawling back out of the woodwork too. They never went away. They just got a little bit more bad and a little bit more weird. This Issue: Twenty years ago, Jack Staff fought Hurricane, the British Army's unstoppable secret weapon, to a standstill. It was the most violent battle Castletown had ever witnessed. Twenty years on and the violence returns to the streets of Castletown as people become more prone to violent outbursts of anger - Rage Attacks - and no one is immune, not even Tom Tom the Robot Man. KARZA #3 (OF 4) (W) Jim Krueger (P) Steve Kurth (I) Ray Snyder (Cover) Steve Kurth F C 3 2 pp $ 2 . 9 5 Ongoing monthly series In stores the week of April 2nd. The Concept: Ryan Archer faces the ultimate question as he must decide whether or not to kill Karza as a child. Meanwhile, the Time Traveler reveals the childhood of Karza, as he learns hard lessons in a hard world. As young Karza grows from slave to scientist, he gains all the tools necessary to become either a great savior or the greatest monster the universe has ever known. If Ryan doesn't stop him, thousands will die, but if he kills Karza, will he be destined to take his place? This Issue Ryan Archer and the mysterious Time Traveller witness Karza's bloody rise to power only to find t