Spike Spiegel
Member
(Yes, the thread's unfinished. Got to drive someone to the airport EARLY tomorrow morning. Will finish up later. --Spike)
Take a look at some of the words and pictures coming your way in August:
+Black Widow #9/The Punisher #9 by Nathan Edmondson, Phil Noto and Mitchell Gerads (Aug 6). Natasha's pursuit of a global crime syndicate has led her to cross paths with none other than Frank Castle, the Punisher! Now surrounded by enemies and trapped aboard an abandoned oil freighter rigged to explode, can Widow and Punisher escape certain death together? Find out in this two-part crossover!
+Moon Knight #6 by Warren Ellis and Declan Shalvey (Aug 6). In this final issue by Ellis, Shalvey and Bellaire, a mysterious foe from their first issue returns to make Moon Knight's life a living hell! Who is the Black Spectre, and what designs does he have on the protector of night travelers? Whatever they are, it won't be good!
+New Avengers #22 & 23 by Jonathan Hickman and Kev Walker (Aug 6, 20). Confronted by the inescapable, one of the Illuminati has done what the others could not, would not, and made the unthinkable a reality. Now, can these broken heroes remain united for the greater good, or have the actions of one torn them asunder?
+Hulk #5 by Gerry Duggan and Mark Bagley (Aug 13). Brain damaged no more, Bruce Banner's mind has been enhanced to new and dangerous levels thanks to the efforts of the Stark brothers. With this new power at his disposal, and the knowledge of Stark's involvement in the creation of the Hulk, what does it all mean for Banner's gamma-powered alter-ego? And more importantly, what does it mean for the world?
+Original Sin #7 & 8 by Jason Aaron and Mike Deodato (Aug 13, 27). Marvel's summer 2014 event reaches its senses-shattering conclusion! What is Nick Fury's endgame, and what can the heroes of Earth do to stop him? The stakes have never been higher as sins will be laid bare and cosmic judgement falls upon all involved.
+Uncanny Avengers #23 by Rick Remender and Sanford Greene (Aug 27). At long last, the threat of Kang and the Apocalypse Twins has ended and the Unity Team of Avengers has emerged victorious! Their victory comes at a heavy price, however, as some on the team have been drastically changed by their experiences. As a new threat looms on the horizon, who among them will be ready to answer the call?
+Detective Comics #34 by Brian Buccellato and Francis Manapul (Aug 6). Icarus, the dangerous new drug hitting the streets of Gotham, has exacted a heavy toll from its citizens and left a friend of Bruce Wayne in the morgue. Can Batman expose the mystery behind Icarus and its creator, or has the "World's Greatest Detective" finally met his match?
+Earth-2 #25/World's Finest #26 by Tom Taylor and Nicola Scott; Paul Levitz and Tyler Kirkham (Aug 6, 13). The fate of the Earth hangs in the balance when Green Lantern and the newly christened Superman, Val-Zod of Krypton, battle a Superman wholly corrupted by Darkseid's influence. As their titanic struggle rages on, Power Girl and Huntress finally return to their homeworld in their series' final issue, and chaos and tragedy greet them.
+Batman/Superman #13 by Greg Pak and Jae Lee (Aug 13). The Man of Steel has gone missing, and reporter Lois Lane enlists Batman's help in finding him. Only, there's something not quite right with this Dark Knight... Meanwhile, the thief known as Catwoman has stumbled upon a familiar man with powers and abilities beyond those of mortal men -- but no memory of who he is...
+Multiversity #1 by Gran Morrison and Ivan Reis (Aug 20). The most ambitious project of Grant Morrison's career begins here, as the DC Multiverse will be explored in ways like never before! When President Superman of Earth-23 learns of a threat to every reality, he'll assemble a dimension-spanning crew of heroes to tackle every conceivable threat. Yet will even they be enough to stand against a familiar foe with unimaginable power at their disposal?
+Sensation Comics featuring Wonder Woman #1 by Gail Simone, Amanda Deibert, Ethan van Sciver and Cat Staggs (Aug 20). After a half-century hiatus, Sensation Comics returns as a digital first series starring none other than Wonder Woman! In this debut issue, Oracle calls upon Diana to protect Gotham City from its costumed rogues, after the Bat- clan is captured. Then, Wonder Woman goes to school to meet her biggest fan!
+Superman: Doomed #2 by Greg Pak, Charles Soule and Ken Lashley (Aug 27). The summer's Superman crossover reaches its epic climax! The Man of Steel has succumbed to the Doomsday virus, yet the threat he poses pales in comparison to that of Brainiac, who possesses Lois Lane's body and seeks to destroy Earth as well. As these titans clash, Wonder Woman, Batman and the Justice League make a fateful decision on what's to be done with their monstrous former friend.
+Genius #1 by Adam Freeman, Marc Bernardin and Afua Richardson (Aug 6). Genghis Khan, Napoleon, Alexander... the greatest conquerors in history have been reborn, as a teenage girl from South Central Los Angeles! Destiny has made it her mission to secede three blocks of her home, and the authorities are out to stop her. Can the LAPD hope to stop this cunning strategist and her army of gangbangers from succeeding?
+Imperial #1 by Steven T. Seagle and Mark Dos Santos (Aug 6). Mark is just a few short weeks from marrying the girl of his dreams and becoming the happiest guy on Earth, when he gets the surprise of a lifetime: Imperial, the world's only superhero, has chosen HIM as his appointed successor! Now Mark must choose between wedded bliss or ultimate power, and the consequences either way will be dire. The ring, or the crown?
+Starlight #5 by Mark Millar and Goran Parlov (Aug 13). Millar's science fiction epic continues! In the jungles of Tantalus, Duke and Space-Boy seek refuge among rebels hoping to retake their capital city from the Brotean invaders. As reality sinks in about their dire situation, secrets come to light about Duke's young alien companion and the tragedies he's endured.
+The Fade Out #1 by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips (Aug 20). The award-winning team behind Criminal, Sleeper and Fatale begin their five-year exclusive at Image with a noir thriller set in 1940s Hollywood. With his latest picture stuck in endless reshoots, a shady studio mogul will do anything to get the cameras rolling, and a scriptwriter's nightmares only get worse when a rising starlet turns up dead.
+Southern Bastards #4 by Jason Aaron and Jason Latour (Aug 20). The introductory arc in this Dixie-fried crime thriller from Aaron/Latour reaches its bloody conclusion! Earl Tubb was given a chance to walk away; a chance he didn't take. Now things are about to get a whole lot worse, as he comes face-to-face with Coach Boss, the crimelord who's taken control of his old hometown.
+Wayward #1 by Jim Zub and Steve Cummings (Aug 27). When Rori Lane moves to Japan to reunite with her mother, she does so hoping for a new least on life and a fresh start. Dark and terrible things lurk in the shadows of Tokyo, however, and these ancient forces immediately set their sights on Rori upon her arrival. What do they want with her, and can Rori unlock the secrets of the power inside her before it's too late?
+Usagi Yojimbo: Senso #1 by Stan Sakai (Aug 6). Samurai period drama meets science fiction! Decades have passed, and the decisive battle against Lord Hijiki is led by none other than Miyamoto Usagi. As swords clash and blood is spilled, the chaos of the battlefield is interrupted by the arrival of a metal rocket from space -- and what rests inside is an enemy neither side is prepared to face!
+Dark Ages #1 by Dan Abnett and I.N.J. Culbard (Aug 13). Medieval Europe is locked in an endless cycle of warfare, as king battles king for land and country. What better time for a band of godless rogues to hire themselves out as a mercenary force, killing their way from one lord to the next in pursuit of riches? They bloody path may come to an end, however, when they encounter a monstrous force not of this world...
+Star Wars #20/Star Wars Legacy #18 by Brian Wood and Carlos D'Anda; Corinna Bechko, Gabriel Hardman and Brian Thies (Aug 20, 27). Before a new era of Star Wars comics can begin at Marvel, the old one must die, and this August Dark Horse says farewell to one of its most popular licensed franchises. First, Princess Leia puts it all on the line for a childhood friend, and Luke and Han and Chewie follow suit. Then, Ania Solo battles to free Jao Assam from the clutches of the Dark Side, facing a legion of Sith and their dark Empress in the process. Come on a journey to a galaxy far, far away with Dark Horse, for one last time.
+Dark Horse Presents #1 by Various Writers and Artists (Aug 20). Dark Horse's premiere anthology series returns in a new format, and for their first issue they're bringing out the big guns. Welcome back, Big Guy! Welcome back, Rusty the Boy Robot! Also this month: new stories by Peter Hogan, Brendan McCarthy, Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray, David Mack, Damon Gentry and more!
+The Strain: Night Eternal #1 by David Lapham and Mike Huddleston (Aug 20). Two years ago, the Master succeeded in unleashing an endless darkness upon the world, ushering in a brutal police state where vampires rule and humans are cattle. Fearing the extinction of humanity is near, a team of heroes led by Dr. Goodweather hopes to learn the secret to ending the Master's reign before it's too late.
+POP #1 by Curt Pires, Jason Copland and Pete Toms (Aug 27). In today's world of pop culture megastardom, it can sometimes seem like celebrities aren't people but products, carefully groomed and packaged to be sold to the masses by an entertainment conglomerate. But what if that were actually true? What if celebrities were literal products, created in laboratories by the wealthy? And what if, one day, one of those celebrity products escaped?
+Godzilla: Cataclysm #1 by Cullen Bunn and Dave Wachter (Aug 13). The kaiju apocalypse has come and gone, and mankind has been nearly wiped out in their devastating battles. Decades later, the scattered tribes of humanity remember little of what transpired, and of the horrors these beasts left in their wake. But Hiroshi remembers, and his memories may yet save the future, for the monsters have not gone far.
+Judge Anderson: Psi Division #1 by Matt Smith and Carl Critchlow (Aug 13). Judge Anderson's formative years are explored in this all-new series exposing the secrets of Mega-City One's Psi Division! When the Megapolitan Museum falls under attack in one of Anderson's dream visions, she begins an investigation into the museum's history and artifacts, cursed relics of a bygone era...
+TMNT Turtles in Time #3 by Erik Burnham and Ben Bates (Aug 13). Avast, ye terrapin mateys! Still rocketing through time, the Turtles find themselves on the high seas in the midst of a pirate showdown! Surrounded by cutthroats and with Michelangelo at the helm, can the brothers make it to their next stop in one piece? Also, why does that enemy pirate captain look so familiar? (Condolences on the film, btw.)
+Transformers Primacy #1 by Chris Metzen, Flint Dille and Livio Ramondelli (Aug 13). See the War for Cybertron like never before, in this all-new series! Before their conflict took them to Earth, Autobot and Decepticon slaughtered one another in an epic civil war that shook their planet to its very core. Now bear witness to the most horrific battle of that campaign, and see how Optimus Prime and Megatron became the stuff of legends.
+Ghostbusters #19 by Erik Burnham and Dan Schoening (Aug 20). "Mass Hysteria" continues as New York City reaches the breaking point! Tiamat's designs on humanity promise untold disaster for the Big Apple, and so far she's shrugged off everything the Ghostbusters can throw at her. With the lives of every man, woman, child, dog and cat on the line, will our heroes turn to dark and sinister forces for the answer?
+Little Nemo: Return to Slumberland #1 by Eric Shanower and Gabriel Rodriguez (Aug 27). Winsor McKay's beloved creation returns in a new all-ages series! In the Slumberland Palace, King Morpheus' daughter has chosen her next playmate: Nemo! Only problem is, Nemo wants no part of her dreamy adventures, and he'll do anything and everything to avoid getting caught up in the land of slumber!
+Steven Universe #1 by Jeremy Sorese and Coleman Engle (Boom!, Aug 6). The hit Cartoon Network series is now a monthly comic! Steven wants to win the Beach City Bike Race, but all the other participants are much older and bigger than he is. Connie thinks that with discipline and proper exercise Steven can overcome, but Garnet Amethyst and Pearl have other ideas on how they can help him achieve victory. Brace yourselves...
+Terminal Hero #1 by Peter Milligan and Piotr Kowalski (Dynamite, Aug 6). Diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, Rory Fletcher is a man living on borrowed time. A glimmer of hope presents itself, however, when a friend introduces him to a forbidden cancer therapy called "Treatment Q." The side effects, however, are highly unusual, and now Rory finds himself questioning just how far he'll go in order to live.
+Hexed #1 by Michael Alan Nelson and Dan Mora (Boom!, Aug 13). When someone needs something stolen from the dark reaches of the Netherworld they call Luci Jennifer Inacio, Das Neves, or "Lucifer" for short. But when Luci takes something for her mentor Val, she unleashes an unspeakable evil from a cursed painting, and must use every trick up her sleeve to send it back before the world suffers.
+The Delinquents #1 by James Asmus, Fred Van Lente and Kano (Valiant, Aug 20). What happens when the world's worst superhero team meets comicdom's most mismatched odd couple? Trouble, that's what! Archer & Armstrong are on the trail of the mysterious Hobo King, when they run into heroes Quantum and Woody and their paths merge. Can these four unlikely heroes save the world while minimizing collateral damage and staying sober? Probably not. This might not have been such a good idea.
+Bob's Burgers #1 by Various Writers and Artists (Dynamite, Aug 27). The hit FOX TV show is now a comic series! Created by some of the same writers, animators and producers who work on the television series, this comic will chronicle all-new, in-continuity adventures of the Belcher family as they strive the serve the best hamburgers they can to a hungry public. Mystery, musical numbers, erotica, burgers and more!
+Fairy Quest: Outcasts #1 by Paul Jenkins and Humberto Ramos (Boom!, Aug 27). The adventures of Red and Mr. Woof continue! Fablewood is a place where fairy tales come to life, but it's also ruled by a totalitarian regime that enforces conformity and tradition with brutal efficiency. Hoping to preserve their forbidden friendship, Red and Wood seek escape to a better world, but their path there will take them through the Dark Forest where peril awaits...
1ST PLACE WINNER:
Batman #33; written by Scott Snyder; pencils by Greg Capullo; colors by Danny Miki; published by DC Comics (27pts)
2ND PLACE FINISHER:
Hawkeye #19; written by Matt Fraction; pencils by David Aja; colors by Matt Hollingsworth; published by Marvel Comics (16pts)
3RD PLACE FINISHER:
Sandman Overture #3; written by Neil Gaiman; pencils by J.H. Williams III; colors by Dave Stewart; published by Vertigo/DC Comics (13pts)
Here's How It Works
In the last week of the month (or earlier, if you're confident about your choices), any GAF member can send me a private message with their personal picks for the three best single issues released that month, from any publisher. These picks should be arranged in order of rank -- first, second, and third place -- and each ranking will be worth a specific point value. A first place ranking for a comic is worth 5 points; a second place is worth 3 points; a third place, 2 points. Then before next month's COMICS! OT goes live, I'll tally the results and point values from each ballot, and post the top three overall winners in the next OP as last month's, GAF-approved, best of the best. Then, maybe at the end of the year, we'll have a showdown between the year's top finishers or something similar.
A Sample Ballot
This is an example of how a sample ballot submitted by you might look. You don't have to use this formatting but I do ask that, however you send it to me, you are CLEAR on which comics you are voting for and in what order they are ranked.
Average GAF Member said:
The Voting Rules
1. Only single issues released that month are to be considered for voting; no trade collections, and no "just caught up" considerations for issues released one/two/however many months ago. Sorry if this excludes you from the voting process, trade-only readers and mail-order folk. I didn't see any other way.
2. Each GAF member is allowed one ballot, and once that ballot has been cast you are done for the month. If an issue comes out and you think it's the best comic you've ever read or will ever read, but you already cast your vote the week before, that's too bad. In other words, there are no take-backs so VOTE THOUGHTFULLY.
3. Three comics per ballot, and no more. You could send me a list of the ten best comics that month, with full paragraph summaries on why you ranked them in what order; but in the end, I'm only going to tally points for the top three and ignore the rest. You CAN pick just one book as the best that month... but that one vote is still worth only 5 points.
4. No ties on the ballots, please. You have to pick three comics as the best that month, and you have to rank them "1st, 2nd, 3rd" so that I can assign points to each. If you're torn between two issues of two different series as the best that month, and you can't decide which one you loved more than the other, TRY.
5. To make things a bit easier on me when it comes to making the OP, I'm establishing a deadline for casting ballots of 6pm Eastern Standard Time on the last day of the month. You can cast your ballot at any time during the month that you wish; however once that deadline has passed, any ballots sent to me will be ignored.
6. Again, to make things easier I would prefer that your votes be cast via private message sent to me, rather than through an open post in the OT. In addition to keeping the voting process a secret, using the PM method means I won't have to search through thread pages for someone's vote posted as an afterthought to an unrelated discussion.
Failure to comply with any of the above rules MAY result in your ballot getting thrown out.
Other rules and stipulations may follow, but for now we'll roll with these for the first round and see how it goes. Have fun voting!
Spoilers. In the age of digital comics, they are increasingly becoming an issue in these threads, as the drive to be first to discuss the week's releases overrides common sense and good posting etiquette. So over the coming weeks and months, the members of Comic GAF will be collaborating on and will eventually be implementing a system of general rules for avoiding spoilers on new comics in the Comics OT thread. But for now, please abide by the temporary guidelines outlined below. And remember, you are being watched and judged by your peers.
1. Discussion of newly released comics that involves specific plot details shall be accompanied at all times by the appropriate use of the
tag function.
2. Direct posting of full-page images from newly released comics using the tags is strictly prohibited, and outgoing links to such should be accompanied by the appropriate spoiler warnings.
3. Direct posting of images or spoilers from comics that have yet to be released is strictly prohibited, and outgoing links to such should be accompanied by the appropriate spoiler warnings.
4. Covers, solicitation copy, and/or promotional materials shall not be considered spoilers and are allowed, unless their content involves specific plot details; in those cases, outgoing links with spoiler warnings should be used.
5. The unmarked posting of spoilers related to comics will be allowed after a period of one week (Wednesday to Wednesday) from that comic's release.[/b] ([u]NOTE:[/u] Longer? -Spike)
[b]6. Members of Comic GAF are expected at all times to exercise common sense and polite discretion as a matter of courtesy to fellow posters. I know, tough one.
7. If you are unsure of whether or not posting something would constitute a spoiler, err on the side of caution and use the [SPOILER] tags.[/b]
In short, don't be Stephanie Brown. Don't be... The Spoiler. For one thing, [b]you're[/b] not that loveable. >:|
Happy reading!
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[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/UOf2qA2.jpg
2. Direct posting of full-page images from newly released comics using the tags is strictly prohibited, and outgoing links to such should be accompanied by the appropriate spoiler warnings.
3. Direct posting of images or spoilers from comics that have yet to be released is strictly prohibited, and outgoing links to such should be accompanied by the appropriate spoiler warnings.
4. Covers, solicitation copy, and/or promotional materials shall not be considered spoilers and are allowed, unless their content involves specific plot details; in those cases, outgoing links with spoiler warnings should be used.
5. The unmarked posting of spoilers related to comics will be allowed after a period of one week (Wednesday to Wednesday) from that comic's release.[/b] ([u]NOTE:[/u] Longer? -Spike)
[b]6. Members of Comic GAF are expected at all times to exercise common sense and polite discretion as a matter of courtesy to fellow posters. I know, tough one.
7. If you are unsure of whether or not posting something would constitute a spoiler, err on the side of caution and use the [SPOILER] tags.[/b]
In short, don't be Stephanie Brown. Don't be... The Spoiler. For one thing, [b]you're[/b] not that loveable. >:|
Happy reading!
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[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/UOf2qA2.jpg
