Weekly GN

GN Release - 29th December 2005

Every week I review the newest graphic novel releases as detailed on the Diamond Comics website. Last one of the year. I’m in Greece at the moment however I’ll be picking some of these up in a heartbeat when I get back to the UK.

What I will mention is the fact that there are 89 graphic novels and trade paperbacks being released this week. That’s bloody ridiculous amount of books in a single week. I’m thinking a lot of these are manga since they’re number X (of Y). I’m going to be honest and say I have seriously no idea what 3/4 of these books are. If I can find the information readily online then I’ll talk about them, otherwise we’ll try and separate the wheat from the chaff. Anyway without any further delay, lets begin.

ADV OF LESBIAN COLLEGE SCHOOL GIRL VOL 1 GN NEW PTG (A) $9.95

BLACKSAD VOL 3 TP (RES) (MR) $12.95
This is a fantastic graphic novel series from the heart of Spain. The creators pour a great deal of themselves into these books and you can see that it’s a true labour of love. These are presented in softcover European graphic albums. Set in the 1940s, the story is told where all of the characters are anthropomorphic animals. It’s fully painted and an absolute gem if you’ve not had a chance to buy it go get the other 2 volumes and check out the art of book as well. I’ll be reviewing the first two albums in the near future.

BLADE OF HEAVEN VOL 6 GN (OF 15) $9.99
BTX VOL 10 GN (OF 16) $9.99
CAPTAIN AMERICA & THE FALCON SECRET EMPIRE TP $19.99
CHARLEYS WAR VOL 2 AUG OCT 1916 HC $19.95
CHICKEN LITTLE CINEMANGA GN $7.99
COMIC PARTY VOL 5 GN (TKP) $9.99
CONAN AND THE JEWELS OF GWAHLUR HC $13.95
CRAZY LOVE STORY VOL 5 GN (OF 5) $9.99
CROSS VOL 5 GN (OF 5) $9.99
CYNICAL ORANGE VOL 1 GN $10.95

DAWN VOL 1 LUCIFERS HALO NEW ED TP $17.99
I remember reading this when it came out in comic book format nearly 10 years ago. That’s how long it’s taken for this new version to come out. I’ve always love linsnier’s artwork, however it’s this story here that elevated him to stardom. It’s a damn good yarn and I rate it much more than the follow-up mini-series to be honest. I’m not sure if this is coming out as a HC as well, and his site is pretty rubbish for that kind of information (www.linsner.com).

DAWN VOL 1 LUCIFERS HALO SUPPLEMENTAL BOOK TP $12.99
This also looks like an interesting addition to my bookshelf, although again if it get collected in a hardcover I might actually wait a little while before I jump and buy both of these books. Any links would be helpful, because my search has turned up nothing.

DAZZLE VOL 1 GN (OF 7) $9.99
DEARS VOL 5 GN (OF 7) $9.99
DIMONA VOL 2 GN (OF 3) (MR) $11.95
DOCTOR WHO ENDGAME TP $24.95
DRAGON HEAD VOL 1 GN (OF 10) $9.99
ELFQUEST THE GRAND QUEST VOL 12 TP $9.99

FABLES VOL 6 HOMELANDS TP (MR) $14.99
This is effectively my second most favourite Vertigo book after 100 Bullets. I’ve bought this series like 4 times and passed it onto my friends that are girls, and EVERY SINGLE one of them has enjoyed it emmensely. I’m not sure if this is the one where the Adversary is brought out, but whatever it is, it’s going to be Christmas all over again for me when I get my hands on it next week.

FRED PERRYS LEGACY FIRST INHERITANCE COLOR MANGA VOL 1 TP $12.99
GALAXY ANGEL PARTY VOL 2 GN $9.99
HANDS OFF VOL 5 GN ( OF 8 ) $9.99
HARLEQUIN PINK A GIRL IN A MILLION TP $9.95
HARLEQUIN VIOLET RESPONSE TP (MR) $9.95
HINADORI GIRL VOL 2 TP $9.95
HONEY MUSTARD VOL 3 GN (OF 4) $9.99
HYPER POLICE VOL 5 GN (OF 9) (MR) $9.99
IDIOTZ VOL 1 GN (OF 3) $9.99
INCUBUS PKT MANGA VOL 1 GN (A) $14.95
JUROR 13 GN $9.99

KEITH GIFFENS TRENCHER TP SGN $39.99
I’m sure this has come out as a normal trade, however since I wasn’t doing this back then, I’ll mention it now as it’s definitely something I’ve been meaning to pick up at some point. The art is pretty detailed in a Tank Girl sort of way, and I’ve heard it’s got some similarities with Lobo, so if I see this on the shelf I’ll definitely give it a look through.

KINGDOM HEARTS VOL 2 GN (OF 4) $5.99
LADY DEATH LEATHER & LACE 2005 JEWEL ED $39.99

LADY SNOWBLOOD VOL 2 THE DEEP SEATED GRUDGE TP (MR) 14.95
Didn’t pick up the first of this series a few months back and I really should have. It’s in the tradition of such brilliant books like Lone Wolf and Cub and Samurai Executioner, as it was written by the same man, Kazuo Koike. That should really say it all.

LEX LUTHOR MAN OF STEEL TP $12.99
From the same creative team that gave us Batman/Deathblow, one Brian Azzarello and Lee Berjemo. This mini-series could try to be crap, but it would fail, since those two gents are attached to the project. I’ve got a lot of respect for both of these creators that I’ll go and buy a Lex Luthor mini-series. That’s how much I trust their talent.

LIGHTS OUT VOL 2 GN (OF 9) $9.99
LITTLE NEMO IN SLUMBERLAND HC 1905-1910 $120.00
LITTLE TOKYO ROSE VOL 1 GN (O/A) (A) $5.00
LITTLE TOKYO ROSE VOL 2 GN (A) $5.00
LONE & LEVEL SANDS HC $17.95
MAHOROMATIC AUTOMATIC MAIDEN VOL 8 GN (OF 8 ) (MR) $9.99
MARVEL COMICS PRESENTS WOLVERINE VOL 2 TP $12.99
MARVEL MASTERWORKS GOLDEN AGE ALL WINNERS VOL 1 HC VAR ED $54.99
MARVEL MASTERWORKS GOLDEN AGE ALL WINNERS VOL 1 NEW ED HC $49.99
MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM ECOLE DU CIEL VOL 2 GN (OF 5) $9.99
MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM SEED NOVEL VOL 2 (OF 5) $7.99
NEGIMA VOL 8 GN (MR) $10.95
OF THE CURSED SWORD VOL 14 GN (OF 19) $9.99

ONE THOUSAND AND ONE NIGHTS VOL 1 GN $10.95
Wonder if this has anything to do with the Arabian Nights. Yes apparently it does. It’s published by Ice Kunion. You can grab a preview from here. Shame about the truly aweful logo and book design. When will these comic book publishers get a professional graphic designer?

PARTS UNKNOWN VOL 1 TP (NEW PRTG) (RES) $12.95
PEACH GIRL VOL 7 GN NEW PTG (OF 8 ) $9.99
PHD PHANTASY DEGREE VOL 5 GN (OF 8 ) $9.99
RANN THANAGAR WAR TP $12.99
RAY MANGA VOL 3 TP (MR) $9.99
REMOTE VOL 8 GN (OF 10) (MR) $9.99
RG VEDA VOL 4 GN (OF 10) $9.99
ROADSONG VOL 1 GN (OF 3) $9.99
SCRAPPED PRINCESS VOL 2 GN (OF 3) $9.99
SEA PRINCESS AZURI VOL 1 GN (OF 2) $4.99
SENGOKU NIGHTS VOL 1 GN (OF 2) $9.99

SENTRY TP NEW PTG $24.99
I’m not sure if this is the original Sentry mini-series from Marvel, however it just wasn’t that strong a story IMHO. Then again I was probably trying to measure it up to the two creator’s previous endevour, the truly brilliant Inhumans maxi-series. Still if you’re into Jae Lee’s art then this is a must have.

SHADOW STAR VOL 7 VICTIMS EYES ASSAILANTS HANDS TP 15.95
Wow, we’re already on volume 7? I’m still stuck on volume 1. Even though I enjoyed this little manga series from Dark Horse, I honestly couldn’t get myself to buy the rest of them, mainly because other books I guess deserve my time and money more.

SHAUN OF THE DEAD TP $17.99
SMUGGLER GN $9.99
SPAWN COLLECTION VOL 1 HC $39.95
SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS CINEMANGA VOL 6 GN (NOV042948) $7.99
STAR TREK COMICS CLASSICS VOL 2 DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR TP $19.95
STAR WARS GENERAL GRIEVOUS TP $12.95
STELLVIA VOL 2 TP $9.95
STRANGE GIRL VOL 1 GIRL AFRAID TP $12.99
TED MCKEEVERS EDDY CURRENT VOL 1 TP (RES) $11.99
TED MCKEEVERS EDDY CURRENT VOL 2 TP (RES) $11.99
TED MCKEEVERS EDDY CURRENT VOL 3 TP (RES) $11.99
TEZUKAS BUDDHA VOL 7 PRINCE AJATASATTU HC (PP #689) $24.95
TIMES OF BOTCHAN VOL 2 GN (OF 10) $19.99

TOP COWS BEST OF MICHAEL TURNER TP $24.99
Would you believe I probably have every single issue in this trade paperback as a single comic book. I used to be a massive Michael Turner fan, back when Top Cow was creative and cared about what they were pumping out. If you’re into some detailed work but overtly titified with little story substance, then check out this book…honestly that’s the best recommendation I can make for a trade that is something like 5 years to late.

TORI KORO VOL 2 TP (RES) $9.95
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN VOL 14 WARRIORS TP $17.99
ULTRA CUTE VOL 1 GN (OF 9) $9.99
VISITOR VOL 3 GN (OF 5) $9.99
WARHAMMER KAL JERICO UNDERHIVE BOUNTY HUNTER TP $9.99
WARHAMMER LIFE OF SIGMAR HC $19.99
WE ALL DIE ALONE HC $28.95
WILD ROCK GN (MR) $9.99
WILL EISNERS CONTRACT WITH GOD TRILOGY HC $29.95
WIZARD SPIDER-MAN MASTERPIECE ED SGN HC PI
YONEN BUZZ VOL 1 GN (OF 3) $9.99

© 2005 Splash Panel.