DSTLRY Unveils Variant Covers for New Number Twos for Gone and Somna

DSTLRY Unveils Variant Covers for New Number Twos for Gone and Somna

DSTLRY is one of the newest comic publishers and also currently one of the most interesting. With a Hall of Fame caliber lineup of creators, DSTLRY has set up an impressive slate of new titles. The first issues of both Jock’s Gone and Somna, by Becky Cloonan and Tula Lotay, published in the last couple of months were impressive debuts, and Blasfamous, Mirka Andolfo’s production, is right around the corner.

Just released are the covers for issue number two for Gone and Somna. Both are available for pre-order at your local comic shop or from the publisher. The issues will be released next month in January 2024. Retailers will have a final cut off of orders next week. Check out the covers and solicitations for Gone #2 and Somna #2 below:

Gone #2

Original Solicitation:

It’s been fifteen years since we last saw ABI—a frightened 13-year-old stowaway on a spaceship bound for distant stars… Now nearly 30, Abi is not only still roaming the galaxy, but is a self-assured—and deeply scarred—veteran of an intergalactic war! Beautifully written and drawn by JOCK — Eisner Award winning artist of SNOW ANGELS & BATMAN: ONE DARK KNIGHTGONE is in an action-packed sci-fi adventure where a young heroine has grown into a war-weary spacefarer who still dreams of one elusive goal…. getting home. Continue reading “DSTLRY Unveils Variant Covers for New Number Twos for Gone and Somna”

With Further Ado #275: Holiday Gift Giving Guide 2023 – Part 3

With Further Ado #275: Holiday Gift Giving Guide 2023 – Part 3

There are so many amazing Pop Culture treasures out there. Shall we jump right in and take a look at a few more for this year’s Holiday Gift Guide?

Dig Two Graves
by Mickey Spillane and Max Allan Collins

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Titan Books (September 19, 2023)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 208 pages
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1803364612

Whenever there’s a new book by this particular author, Mike Gold always jokes “If you only read one Max Allan Collins book this month, read this one!”

But that’s just the way I feel too. I’ve been a fan for a long time, but for me – it never gets old with this writer. The latest book, Dig Two Graves is part of the Mike Hammer series. Collins again collaborates, after a fashion, with his mentor Mickey Spillane. When Spillane died, he left instructions with his wife to reach out to Collins and figure out what do with all the half-finished manuscripts and story fragments.

I’m so glad this has come together and Titan publishes them. They are crackling good fun and I daresay I like them better than the original Spillane stories, as heretical as that may be.

In this mystery, Hammer and his long-time secretary and partner Velda Sterling leave New York and the action shifts to Arizona. It’s great fun with witty dialog, kooky characters and plenty of action. You can’t help but recall every 1950s movie you’ve ever seen to mentally conjure up the visuals for this thriller.


MCU : The Reign of Marvel Studios
by Johanna Robinson, Dave Gonzales and Gavin Edwards

Continue reading “With Further Ado #275: Holiday Gift Giving Guide 2023 – Part 3”

New Number Ones: New Comics Series and Specials Coming the Week of 12/6/2023

New Number Ones: New Comics Series and Specials Coming the Week of 12/6/2023


Welcome to the New Number Ones!

Each week we bring you the list of new series and special editions coming this week. We are highlighting what you need to put in your cart at the comic shop or digital marketplace.

We have an alphabetical list with cover art and the official solicitation text from the publishers of some of the cool new comics that are coming out this month. Check below for our PCS NOTES to find out what we just have to tell you about the new comics in question.

December has arrived and there are plenty of new comics coming out. You will notice a theme in the “One-Shots and Special Editions” section as publishers are ringing in the Holiday Season in style.

We have books on the list from: DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Image Comics, Mad Cave Studios, Archie Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Sumerian Comics, Oni Press, Dynamite Entertainment, and Boom! Studios.

One thing to remember, we continue to measure the “comic week” as Wednesday. #NCBD is Wednesday.

We will bring you reviews of these debut issues as they come out, and don’t forget to use the comments section to let us know what you think of this list.

New Series
New One-Shots and Special Editions


New Series This Week 


Bloodrik #1
Image Comics
Written by Andrew Krahnke
Art by Krahnke
Cover Art by Krahnke

MINISERIES PREMIERE

Bloodrik is angry, confused, and starving. Unable to achieve success in his usual hunting grounds, he stomps his way into unfamiliar woods in an attempt to feed his stomach and heal his ego. What he finds will lead him on a journey of madness, violence, fire, and BLOOD!

Release Date: December 6, 2023

PCS NOTES: This looks like a fun book.


Invasive #1
Oni Press
Written by Cullen Bunn
Art by Jesus Hervás
Cover Art by Hervás

Beyond excess, beyond ethics, beyond science . . . Enter a terrifying new experiment in pain from Eisner Award nominee Cullen Bunn (The Sixth Gun, Basilisk) and acclaimed illustrator Jesus Hervás (The Empty Man)! Dr. Carrie Reynolds was a veteran trauma surgeon with a godlike mastery of muscle and bone. But outside the operating room, her rigidly ordered life spiraled into chaos when her daughter Heather, a recovering plastic surgery addict, suddenly disappeared, only to mysteriously reemerge in a catatonic state, her vocal cords removed . . . the latest in a series of victims scarred by a battery of brazenly cruel medical procedures that have baffled police and left an alarming number of once-ordinary citizens maimed, mutilated, or dead on arrival. Deep beneath the streets of Carrie’s city, a new kind of underground hospital has just opened its doors . . . and, once inside, there are no rules, no oaths, and no taboos too deep to not to be broken. Together, a new class of surgeon has sworn to pierce the final threshold of accepted medical orthodoxy one incision at a time. The scalpel is their tool. The alleys are their operating theater. Murder is their medicine. And only Carrie can stop what they’re planning next

Release Date: December 6, 2023

PCS NOTES: Holy smokes! This looks terrifying. I can’t wait.


Legenderry: Red Sonja #1
Dynamite Entertainment
Written by Katana Collins
Art by Kewber Baal
Cover Art by Sean Murphy

When last we saw the Legenderry world’s Red Sonja, she was living the pirate’s life aboard her ship, The Nautilus. But times have changed! In this special 40-page one-shot adventure – created exclusively for Red Sonja’s 50th Anniversary – fan-favorite writer KATANA COLLINS weaves a tale of thievery, deception, and a mysterious painting with a decidedly handsome and unaging owner – all set against the steam-powered backdrop of the Legenderry world!

Illustrated by the incomparable KEWBER BAAL, Legenderry Red Sonja also features incredible covers by SEAN MURPHY, CORIN M. HOWELL, and a special cosplay cover by SHANNON KINGSTON!

Release Date: December 6, 2023

PCS NOTES: We always enjoy a trip to the Legenderry realm. Continue reading “New Number Ones: New Comics Series and Specials Coming the Week of 12/6/2023”

Brainiac On Banjo: Oh, Sure, It’s For The Children!

Brainiac On Banjo: Oh, Sure, It’s For The Children!

Sex and drugs and rock and roll is all my brain and body need. Sex and drugs and rock and roll are very good indeed. “Sex and drugs and rock and roll,” written by Ian Dury and Chaz Janke.

Whenever somebody advocates for the restriction of personal freedoms in the name of the children — It’s for the children! — I utter “bullshit!” These self-righteous self-appointed snobs, elitists and holy-holies advocate against what they consider moral, according to their Dickensian upbringing and just how big and how wide that pole is that they keep up their own asses.

The latest is only the latest because of the proliferation legal establishments where normal humans can drown away their money without having to understand the nuances of decentralized cryptocurrency. According to The Guardian a couple days ago under the headline ‘We’re Killing the Youth of America’: Calls Grow For Crackdown on US Gambling, according to executive director of New Jersey’s Council on Compulsive Gambling Felicia Grondin, “There’s a lot of kids that are gambling.”

No shit, Sherlock.

And kids are speeding, drinking booze, shooting guns, and watching The Three Stooges. I’ll bet even Ms. Grondin did some of that before she was twenty-one. Or eighteen, as the case may be.

Personally, I do not possess the gambling gene. I have been to casinos exactly twice, and that was because each had a great barbecue restaurant. I won exactly enough to pay for dinner each time, and I haven’t been inside of one in nearly twenty years. I don’t have a dog in this race, except a lust to silence the Brain Police. Continue reading “Brainiac On Banjo: Oh, Sure, It’s For The Children!”

With Further Ado #275: 2023 Holiday Gift Giving Guide – Part 2

With Further Ado #275: 2023 Holiday Gift Giving Guide – Part 2

Ed is back with part two of this years gift giving guide. Check out these three awesome recommendations.

Scary Stuff!

Macabras The Horror Comic Art of Jayme Cortez
by Fabio Moraes with an introduction by Paul Gravett
Publisher ‏ : Korero
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 128 pages
ISBN ‏ : ‎ 781912740215

UK Publisher Korero continues to publish fantastic books that I love reading and I must find spots for on my bookshelves.

Before I cracked open Macabras, I didn’t know much about Portuguese-born artist Jayme Cortez. He spent his career in Brazil creating comics, cartoons and comics strips for newspapers and magazines, including O Terror Negro (The Black Terror). I’m glad a I know a bit now, and want to learn more.

The book is creepy in all the right ways. It showcases Cortez’s talents across different media – his painting, his illustrations, his comic work and more. Cortez was also able to employ a few different styles in each media too. To the eyes of an American like me – all the subjects seem hauntingly familiar but skewed just enough so they are fresh and new.

A nice addition to the book provided by author Moraes is the many original reference model photos that Cortez took for his paintings. They provide a rare look into the development process. And you can’t help but think, when you see a vintage photo with a woman about to be impaled by a wooden stake or some such – “What in the world was that model thinking about back then?”

For pop culture fans, I think it’s always important to expand our horizons and see what’s going on, or went on, in other parts of the world. And embracing oneself in Brazilian Horror comics, with a master like Moraes, seems like the perfect thing to do this Yuletide Season by gifting it to yourself. Continue reading “With Further Ado #275: 2023 Holiday Gift Giving Guide – Part 2”

With Further Ado #274: The Utopian Paradise… in a Mall – Logan’s Run

With Further Ado #274: The Utopian Paradise… in a Mall – Logan’s Run

Wouldn’t it be great to live a life without worry? A life only dedicated only to pleasure?

Before you sign up there’s one non-negotiable rule… and it’s probably a dealbreaker. You would have to live your wonderful life in mall.

That wasn’t quite the ethical conundrum that MGM and the producers were shooting for back in the mid-70s when they were developing Logan’s Run. The film’s actual premise was that you could live a hedonistic life, but when you turned 30, the gig was up. In this movie, you would give up your life in a ritualistic sacrifice that “probably” led to reincarnation – they called it Renewal – but hey, you never knew for sure. There was no proof, and you had to take it on faith.
In the mid 1970s, someone at MGM had the brilliant, albeit misguided, idea that they could represent the future year of 2274 by shooting on location in the new Dallas Market Center mall.

And what a future it was. Everyone was dressed as if the hippy movement collided with ancient Roman toga makers. The world – which was really that mall – was clean, bright and vapidly optimistic. There were no parenting duties there either. Babies were born and raised in the system. In Logan’s world, the futuristic version of Tinder even comes with a delivery service. Continue reading “With Further Ado #274: The Utopian Paradise… in a Mall – Logan’s Run”

New Number Ones: New Comics Series and Specials Coming the Week of 11/22/2023

New Number Ones: New Comics Series and Specials Coming the Week of 11/22/2023


Welcome to the New Number Ones!

Each week we bring you the list of new series and special editions coming this week. We are highlighting what you need to put in your cart at the comic shop or digital marketplace.

We have an alphabetical list with cover art and the official solicitation text from the publishers of some of the cool new comics that are coming out this month. Check below for our PCS NOTES to find out what we just have to tell you about the new comics in question.

This is the forth week of a five week month, and there are a bunch of really cool new series this week as well as a great slate of ongoing comics at your LCS. Remember that this coming weekend has Small Business Saturday on the schedule. Support your Local Comic Shop.

We have books on the list from: DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Image Comics, Mad Cave Studios, Archie Comics, Dark Horse Comics, and DSTLRY Media.

One thing to remember, we continue to measure the “comic week” as Wednesday. #NCBD is Wednesday.

We will bring you reviews of these debut issues as they come out, and don’t forget to use the comments section to let us know what you think of this list.

New Series
New One-Shots and Special Editions


New Series This Week 


Batman: Off-World #1
DC Comics
Written by Jason Aaron
Art by Doug Mahnke, Jaime Mendoza, & David Baron
Cover Art by Manke & Baron

SUPERSTAR WRITER JASON AARON TEAMS UP WITH BLOCKBUSTER ARTIST DOUG MAHNKE FOR THE FIGHT OF THE DARK KNIGHT’S LIFE!

A routine night in Gotham City for a young Batman proves to be anything but routine when the crime-fighter is confronted with a sort of foe he’s never faced before—one from beyond the stars! A universe of possible alien threats leads Batman to make a daring decision—to venture alone into the far reaches of the cosmos for the very first time, where the Dark Knight will face the fight of his life! Superstar writer Jason Aaron delivers his first Batman story ever, partnered with artist Doug Mahnke for a unique, brutal tale!

Release Date: November 21, 2023

PCS NOTES: Jason Aaron’s first Batman story looks like it will be a good one.


Carnage #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Torunn Grønbekk
Art by Pere Pérez & Erick Arciniega
Cover Art by Pablo Siqueria & Rachelle Rosenberg

ABSOLUTE KASADY! Every symbiote needs a host. And for CARNAGE, there has only ever been one host who has made it feel whole, and it’s time for a reunion… DON’T MISS this shocking and unexpected start to the next chapter of CARNAGE’s story—one which lays the groundwork for the next VENOM epic!

Release Date: November 22, 2023

PCS NOTES: This has me very interested. Continue reading “New Number Ones: New Comics Series and Specials Coming the Week of 11/22/2023”

Brainiac On Banjo: A Million Pounds of Bond

Brainiac On Banjo: A Million Pounds of Bond

Diamonds are forever. Hold one up and then caress it, touch it, stroke it and undress it. I can see every part. Nothing hides in the heart to hurt me. “Diamonds Are Forever,” written by John Barry and Don Black.

Generally speaking, I’m not interested in “reality” television. It’s not really reality, and when I want reality from my ol’ cathode ray tube I’ll watch the news until I decide what I really should be doing is updating my will.

There are exceptions. A thousand years ago, I watched Ice Road Truckers because the contestants were as ludicrous as the concept of hauling many tons of stuff across frozen-over lakes that, under the weight of same, could kill the aspirants and — more important — destroy their swag. Much more recently, I’ve been enjoying the challenges of James May, of car wrecking fame, as he ridicules modern manhood by attempting even more ludicrous but somewhat more useful DIY projects. However, these shows (Man Lab is the best, Toy Stories and The Reassembler are almost as entertaining) are built, by James May, to revolve around James May, who is clever, honest, committed and wonderfully sardonic. He’s a mere 60 years old, but probably looks a bit older because he’s spent decades working next to Jeremy Clarkson. He’s also done a number of food-oriented shows and has lunched with Gordon Ramsay, consuming bull penis and rotten shark. Funny stuff. Continue reading “Brainiac On Banjo: A Million Pounds of Bond”

New Number Ones: New Comics Series and Specials Coming the Week of November 15, 2023

New Number Ones: New Comics Series and Specials Coming the Week of November 15, 2023


Welcome to the New Number Ones!

Each week we bring you the list of new series and special editions coming this week. We are highlighting what you need to put in your cart at the comic shop or digital marketplace.

We have an alphabetical list with cover art and the official solicitation text from the publishers of some of the cool new comics that are coming out this month. Check below for our PCS NOTES to find out what we just have to tell you about the new comics in question.

We have books on the list from: DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Image Comics, IDW Publishing, Dynamite Entertainment., and Boom! Studios.

One thing to remember, we continue to measure the “comic week” as Wednesday. #NCBD is Wednesday.

We will bring you reviews of these debut issues as they come out, and don’t forget to use the comments section to let us know what you think of this list.

New Series
New One-Shots and Special Editions


New Series This Week 


Alien #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Declan Shalvey
Art by Andrea Broccardo & Ruth Redmond
Cover Art by Javier Fernandez

EVERYONE WILL HEAR YOU SCREAM! In deep space spins a world infected by the universe’s greatest killers. Most people—sane people—would construct a barrier thicker than the hulls of ten Nostromos and leave it to rot. But where most people see a death trap, Weyland-Yutani sees the biggest payout in the history of civilization. And if it costs a few human lives to secure? Those come cheap here. Corporate corruption, personal betrayals and extraordinary violence—Declan Shalvey and Andrea Broccardo’s next and greatest Alien story starts here!

Release Date: November 15, 2023


The Deviant #1
Image Comics
Written by James Tynion IV
Art by Josh Hixon
Cover Art by Hixon

As snow falls over Milwaukee in 1972, a blood-stained Santa Claus commits unimaginable atrocities against young men. Fifty years later, a troubled young writer interviews this so-called “Deviant Killer,” who still maintains his innocence from behind bars. And as Christmas approaches once again, the past returns, wielding a sharpened ax. Eisner-winning writer JAMES TYNION IV (W0RLDTR33, THE DEPARTMENT OF TRUTH) and acclaimed artist JOSHUA HIXSON (The Plot, Children of the Woods) unite for a pitch-black holiday horror story.

Release Date: November 15, 2023

PCS NOTES: This looks like a nice holiday treat for horror fans from a great creative team. Continue reading “New Number Ones: New Comics Series and Specials Coming the Week of November 15, 2023”

With Further Ado #271: Holiday Gift Guide Part 1 – Voices from Krypton

With Further Ado #271: Holiday Gift Guide Part 1 – Voices from Krypton

Every year, it’s a treat to shine the spotlight on top-notch creative endeavors for the With Further Ado Holiday Gift Guide. Maybe these are suggestions that would be fantastic treasures for you to gift to your loved ones. And maybe, let’s face it, they are suggestions that you want to make to others so they will gift ‘em to you! Hey, I’m not judging.

Ed Gross is an enthusiastic fan with a polished writing talent. The books he creates are the kind that force you to bargain with yourself. You know those types of bargains: “I will just read five more pages and then turn off the light,” or “I will just read this chapter, and I can finish up that work project early in the morning.”

His latest oversized volume Voices from Krypton is exactly that type of book. It’s an oral history of Superman, as told by an impressively wide array of people who were either there at the time, or who are experts in their field.

Gross has assembled folks like Ilya Salkind, Richard Donner, and Margot Kidder to discuss the 70s Superman movies. Or actors like Tom Welling, Teri Hatcher, and Melissa Benoist analyze their Smallville, Lois & Clark and Supergirl TV shows.

Modern day super-experts like Mark Waid and Andy Mangels are also included and provide smart insights with a learned expertise. Waid, in fact, supplies a fantastic afterward and admits he even learned a thing or two from this book. Continue reading “With Further Ado #271: Holiday Gift Guide Part 1 – Voices from Krypton”