A Guide to Previews for February 2011, Part Two

The ultra-thick Comics section of Diamond’s Previews catalog clocks in at over 100 pages. Thankfully this article will show you the highlights. If you’re interested in seeing what the front section of the book has to offer from the big five publishers, please go here.

Ape Entertainment brings a sequel to last year’s smash blaxploitation parody with Black Dynamite: Slave Island. The creative team of Brian Ash and Jun Lofamia have pulled out all the stops and created an absolutely gorgeous book.

In a similarly Luke Cage-parodying style, Arcana Studio has Harry Walton, Henchman for Hire, a straight up superhero parody by the creative team of Zak Sherman, Tom Martinek, and Matt Hebb.

Aspen brings its usual high production values to a new 0 issue for Charismagic. The book seems to play off the current popularity of urban fantasy with a world suddenly come alive with the return of magic. Khary Randolph has worked in comics for years, but this may be the book to really set his career on fire.

The most graphic series in the history of comics, Crossed returns with a new six issue limited series subtitled “Psychopath”. Even the variant covers of this book aren’t exactly family friendly viewing, so this one is suggested only for the most mature of readers.

Bluewater Productions, normally known for its bio comics (this month marked by the Black Eyed Peas, Rosie O’Donnell, and Glenn Beck), brings back one of their superhero properties in Judo Girl: So You Wanna Revolution #1 (of 4). The book stars a sixties heroine frozen until the present time (basically a cross between Iron Fist and Austin Powers). This one is brought to you by the creative team of Chad Rebmann and Gregg Paulsen.

Bongo Comics, publishers of Simpsons Comics and Futurama Comics, now debuts their newest title… SpongeBob Comics #1. The new bimonthly ongoing series already looks promising with a creative team including James Kochalka, Hilary Barta, Graham Annable, Gregg Schigiel, and Jacob Chabot.

Garth Ennis and Tim Bradstreet reteam for the first time since their run on the MAX version of Punisher for the new Dynamite Entertainment series Jennifer Blood. The book revolves around a suburban wife that after she puts the kids to bed hits the town to work as a ruthless vigilante. Anyone else thinks like that sounds like a TV pilot in the making?

The Graphix imprint of Scholastic debuts an all new Bone book with Bone: Quest for the Spark volume one. Written by Tom Sniegoski and drawn by Bone creator Jeff Smith, this illustrated prose novel will continue the story with a new adventure taking place after the conclusion of the original comic.

Moonstone spins off its Air Fighters series with Airboy Presents: Air Vixens, a focus on the female fighter pilots of the regular book. Valkyrie takes the lead story while Black Angel and Bald Eagle continue their adventures from Air Fighters.

Greg Rucka and Matthew Southworth’s gorgeous detective series Stumptown finally gets a collection from Oni in a $30 hardcover edition.  A great series hampered by bad scheduling, this book should really shine in a collected format.

In addition to the continuing adventures of Atomic Robo, Red 5 Comics also brings back one of their original series this month with Abyss: Family Issues. The story of the heir to a super-villain legacy and his quest to be something better will continue for four more laugh-out-loud issues.

Relatively new publisher 215 Ink brings the graphic novel Brian & Bobbi to the marketplace. The book is about the relationship between a guy that wants to be noticed as a superhero and the daughter of a superhero who just wants to be normal.

That wraps up the Comic section of Previews. Do you want to read about the rest of the content behind the comics section? Drop me a note and let me know.