One of our Absolute favorites in October! Recommended Reading for… May (?)

Well, DC is teasing us by offering an October release super-early.  Man-oh-MAN, we can’t wait to see the wonderful artwork for this all embiggened in this deluxe treatment.  What is this book, one of our favorite superhero stories in the last… EVER?!  Read on….
———- DC COMICS ———-

ABSOLUTE ALL-STAR SUPERMAN HC
On sale OCTOBER 20 • 320 pg, 8.24” x 12.5”, FC, $99.99 US
Written by GRANT MORRISON • Art and cover by FRANK QUITELY
The Eisner Award-winning 12-issue series from Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely is now available in Absolute format! The Man of Steel battles Bizarro, Zibarro and more before facing the final revenge of Lex Luthor. Also includes a bonus sketchbook section and more!

BATMAN: THE RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE #1-2
Issue #1 on sale MAY 12 • Issue #2 on sale MAY 26 • 48 pg (#1), 40 pg (#2) FC, $3.99 US
Written by GRANT MORRISON • Issue #1 art by CHRIS SPROUSE; Issue #2 art by FRAZER IRVING
Covers by ANDY KUBERT • Issue #1 1:25 variant cover by CHRIS SPROUSE
Issue #1 1:200 Sketch variant cover by ANDY KUBERT • Issue #2 1:25 variant cover by FRAZER IRVING
The most anticipated series of 2010 is here! Superstar writer Grant Morrison tackles his most ambitious project to date with THE RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE, a special six-part series that chronicles the return of the original man behind Batman’s cape and cowl! Each issue spans a different era of time and features the dynamic artwork of one of today’s artistic juggernauts, starting with Chris Sprouse (TOM STRONG) on the extra-sized issue #1 and Frazer Irving (SEVEN SOLDIERS: KLARION) on the 40-page issue #2!

DC UNIVERSE LEGACIES #1
On sale MAY 19 • 1 of 10 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US
Written by LEN WEIN • Art by ANDY KUBERT, JOE KUBERT & J.G. JONES • Cover by ANDY KUBERT & JOE KUBERT •1:25 variant cover by J.G. JONES
It starts here! DC Comics proudly presents a ten-part history of the DC Universe spanning five generations of heroes from the dawn of the Mystery Men to present day. In this first exciting issue, the Second World War rages on, giving birth to a new breed of hero. Caped and masked urban myths become legends as they emerge from the shadows to earn their place in history. Meanwhile, explore the bizarre new heroes Dr. Fate and The Spectre and learn whether their powers are real…or imagined.
Join renowned writer Len Wein (SWAMP THING, Incredible Hulk), legendary artist Joe Kubert (SGT. ROCK), his son, the fan-favorite Andy Kubert (BATMAN, X-Men) and J.G. Jones (FINAL CRISIS, 52) as they unearth the DCU’s epic history in this event you won’t want to miss!

SUPERMAN: WAR OF THE SUPERMEN #1
On sale MAY 5 • 1 of 4 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Written by JAMES ROBINSON & STERLING GATES • Art by AARON LOPRESTI & MATT RYAN
Cover by EDDY BARROWS • 1:25 variant cover by AARON LOPRESTI
The Battle for New Krypton! This is it! The storyline the SUPERMAN books have been building to since 2008 has arrived! Superman has never faced such a difficult challenge – how can he stop the two worlds he loves from destroying each other? General Zod has been waiting for another shot at Earth for years, and with 100,000 supermen on his side, it looks like it’s his war to win! But on Earth, General Lane has an ace up his sleeve that will level the playing field quite nicely!

THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #1
On sale MAY 19 • 48 pg, FC, $3.99 US
Written by PAUL LEVITZ • Art and cover by YILDIRAY CINAR & WAYNE FAUCHER
1:10 Variant cover by JIM LEE
Fan-favorite LEGION writer Paul Levitz returns to the 31st century super team he made supreme with an all-new intergalactic era! This exciting series picks up on threads from Geoff Johns’s “Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes” storyline and creates its own all-new ones, including a Green Lantern Corps tie-in and the destruction of a major planet! Rocket on board here as Levitz and rising star artist Yildiray Cinar (TEEN TITANS) revitalize one of DC’s most beloved franchises starting with an oversized first issue with a variant cover by superstar artist Jim Lee!

ZATANNA #1
On sale MAY 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Written by PAUL DINI • Art by STEPHANE ROUX & KARL STORY • Cover by STEPHANE ROUX
1:10 Variant Cover by BRIAN BOLLAND
At last – the Mistress of Magic in her own ongoing series! Zatanna Zatara has long made her home in San Francisco, but right under her nose a sinister threat has developed – a crime boss who dominates the criminal underworld with the dark powers of the magical underworld! The terrifying Brother Night is making his play for San Fran, and the police force – including hunky detective Dale Colton – turn to Zee for help. But Brother Night is a whole new kind of criminal and if Zatanna thinks she can backwards-talk him down, then she’s in over her top-hatted head! Superstar writer Paul Dini (BATMAN: MAD LOVE) is paired with the gorgeous art of Stephane Roux (BIRDS OF PREY), making his anticipated DC debut on interior art! There’s only one thing to say – T’NOD SSIM TI!

BATMAN: R.I.P. TP
On sale JUNE 16 • 224 pg, FC, $14.99 US
Written by GRANT MORRISON • Art by TONY DANIEL & SANDU FLOREA
Cover by ALEX ROSS
The death of The Dark Knight is now in trade paperback, featuring BATMAN #676-683! With Bruce Wayne out of the picture, The Club of Villains begins a crime spree through the streets of Gotham City, while Batman’s allies attempt to keep order.

FINAL CRISIS TP
On sale JUNE 2 • 352 pg, FC, $24.99 US
Written by GRANT MORRISON • Art by J.G. JONES, CARLOS PACHECO,
JESUS MERINO & OTHERS • Cover by J.G. JONES
The mind-blowing event miniseries is now in trade paperback! What happens when evil wins? Superman, Batman, the Justice League and every other super being in the DC Universe must face this reality when Darkseid and his otherworldly legion of followers actually win the war between light and dark.

BLACKEST NIGHT HC
On sale JULY 7 • 304 pg, FC, $29.99 US
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art by IVAN REIS & OCLAIR ALBERT
Cover by IVAN REIS & RUDOLFO MIGLIARI
As the war between the different Corps rages on, the prophecy of the Blackest Night descends in this hardcover collecting the best–selling BLACKEST NIGHT #0-8. Now, Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps lead DC’s champions into battle to save the universe from an
army of Black Lanterns made up of the DCU’s deceased heroes and villains!

I, ZOMBIE #1
On sale MAY 5 • 32 pg, FC, $1 US • MATURE READERS
Written by CHRIS ROBERSON •Art and cover by MICHAEL ALLRED • 1:10 Variant cover by DARWYN COOKE
Gwen Dylan is a gravedigger in an eco-friendly cemetery…and a zombie detective. Once a month, she has to eat a human brain – both to keep from going all “Night of the Living Dead,” and to keep her own memories intact. As a result, Gwen’s mind is crowded with the dead person’s thoughts. And lately, she feels compelled to fulfill their final requests. Torn between a mysterious mummy and a dashing young monster-hunter, Gwen is set for adventures beyond imagination! A were-terrier, a swinging ’60s ghost and a pack of paintball blasting vampires complete the cast of I, ZOMBIE.
Written by World Fantasy Award finalist Chris Roberson (CINDERELLA: FROM FABLETOWN WITH LOVE) with art by Eisner Award-winning superstar artist Michael Allred (X-Statix, Madman), I, ZOMBIE is a monster of a tale with razor-sharp prose and powerful pop artistry.
Don’t miss this special debut issue launching Vertigo’s next monster hit, priced at just $1.00!

———- MARVEL COMICS ———-

ASTONISHING SPIDER-MAN/WOLVERINE #1
Written by JASON AARON
Pencils & Cover by ADAM KUBERT
Foilogram Variant Cover by ADAM KUBERT
THE HEROIC AGE IS HERE!
Spider-Man and Wolverine! Everyone’s favorite wise-cracking web-spinner and ferocious furball come together in their first major series ever! The super-star creative team of Jason Aaron (WOLVERINE: WEAPON X, PUNISHERMAX) and Adam Kubert (ULT. FANTASTIC FOUR, X-MEN) send Spidey and Wolvie to the edges of the Marvel Universe as they face such awful beings as The Czar, Big Murder and Doom the Living Planet! But who is the major Marvel villain pulling the strings? And can Spidey & Wolvie refrain from killing one another long enough to find out?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

ASTONISHING X-MEN: XENOGENESIS #1 (of 5)
Written by WARREN ELLIS
Art & Cover by KAARE ANDREWS
Foilogram Variant Cover by KAARE ANDREWS
THE HEROIC AGE IS HERE!
The superstar team of Warren Ellis and Kaare Andrews (SPIDER-MAN: REIGN) take X-Men into the Heroic Age!
Something’s happening in the tiny East African city of Mbangwi. Something that requires immediate investigation.  A newborn sprouts metal electrodes and explodes, taking out an entire hospital.  Is this the first wave of mutant rebirth that the X-Men have been praying for…or something very, very different?  Something sinister?
40 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

GALACTA: DAUGHTER OF GALACTU S #1
Written by ADAM WARREN
Art by HECTOR SEVILLA LUJAN
Cover by ADAM WARREN
Galactus is the terror of the universe, devouring planets and
destroying civilizations as he goes—and a father to a growing
daughter! Meet GALI, daughter of the infamous planet-eater
GALACTUS and the WINNER of last year’s MARVEL ASSISTANT-
SIZED SPECTACULAR poll! Unlike her father, Gali has
formed an affection for the planet Earth, and does her best to
subsist only on invasive alien life-forms…but when her cosmic
hunger begins growing out of control, can she hold herself
back from a deadly binge? Featuring WOLVERINE, THOR,
and the FANTASTIC FOUR, this collects the original Galacta
short plus three Marvel Digital Comic Exclusive Galacta
stories from writer Adam Warren (Empowered, Gen 13) and
with stunning digital paints by artist Hector Sevilla Lujan!
48 PGS./One-Shot/Rated T+ …$3.99

AVENGERS #1
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Pencils & Cover by JOHN ROMITA JR.
Variant by JOHN ROMITA JR.
Variant by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
Heroic Age Variant by GREG LAND
THE HEROIC AGE IS HERE!
There came a day! A day unlike any other…where two of Marvel’s top creators teamed up for the very first time to create a bombastic new monthly Marvel comic that not only ushers in the Heroic Age of Marvel Comics but unleashes onto the world the most blockbuster Avengers team ever! Who will answer the call?  And will they assemble just in time…because Kang the Conqueror is here from the future. And wait till you find out why…! Bonus back up feature:  the oral history of the Avengers, part one. A brand new illustrated look at the Avengers in a way you have never seen before by series writer Brian Michael Bendis.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

ORIGINS OF MARVEL COMICS #1
Written by FRED VAN LENTE,
JEFF PARKER & JIM MCCANN
Art by JOHN ROMITA JR., LEINIL FRANCIS YU & ALAN DAVIS
Cover by CHRIS STEVENS
THE HEROIC AGE IS HERE!
An all-star lineup of creators brings you the origins of Marvel’s greatest heroes! Short, accessible origin stories, all drawn by a roster of the hottest artists, including John Romita Jr., Leinil Francis Yu, Alan Davis and MORE! From the Avengers to the X-Men! From Iron Man, Thor, the Fantastic Four and Spider-Man to Hulk, Deadpool, Black Widow and the Punisher! They’re all here!
32 PGS./Rated A …$3.99

[We can't show you a picture of the Secret Avengers here -- they're SECRET!  ...I mean, we COULD show you, but then we'd have to kill you....]

SECRET AVENGERS #1
Written by ED BRUBAKER
Penciled by MIKE DEODATO
Wraparound & Variant Cover by
MARKO DJURDJEVIC
Variant Cover by MIKE DEODATO
Heroic Age Variant by TBA
THE HEROIC AGE IS HERE!
Who are the Secret Avengers?  Are they a covert team of heroes working the darkest corners of the globe to stop disaster? Are they part-spy, part-superhero? Are they XXXXXXX’s newest idea to save the world…or all they all of the above?  A new era begins as Marvel’s hottest team takes a 21st century twist!
32 PGS./Rated A …$3.99

———- OTHER PUBLISHERS ———-

BRODY’S GHOST BOOK 1
Mark Crilley (W/A)
On sale July 7
b&w, 96 pages $6.99
TPB, 5 1/4″ x 7 1/2″
Brody hoped it was just a hallucination. But no, the teenaged ghostly girl who’d come face to face with him in the middle of a busy city street was all too real. And now she was back, telling him she needed his help in hunting down a dangerous killer, and that he must undergo training from the spirit of a centuries-old samurai to unlock his hidden supernatural powers. Thirteen-time Eisner nominee Mark Crilley (Akiko) joins Dark Horse to launch his most original and action-packed saga to date in Brody’s Ghost, the first in a six-volume limited series.

MOUSE GUARD: LEGENDS OF THE GUARD #1
(W/A) Jeremy Bastian, Alex Sheikman, Ted Naifeh, David Petersen
Inside the June Alley Inn, located in the western mouse city of Barkstone, mice gather to tell tales, each trying to outdo the other. A competition, of sorts, begins. The rules: Every story must contain one truth, one lie, and have never been told in that tavern before. Legends of the Guard is a new Mouse Guard anthology series with artists and storytellers handpicked by creator David Petersen.
8×8, 24pgs, FC (1 of 4) SRP: $3.50

THE OVERSTREET COMIC BOOK PRICE GUIDE VOLUME 40
(E) Robert M. Overstreet
Celebrate the landmark 40th edition of the comic collector’s Bible! Since 1970, the Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide has been the definitive guide for comic collectors and dealers alike. New collectors and seasoned enthusiasts will find all new insights, features, and data, along with the most comprehensive listing of comics all new entries in the Overstreet Hall of Fame. Acclaimed artist Mark Chiarello (Batman/Houdini: The Devil’s Workshop) supplies the Batman cover, while Eisner Award-winning artist Darwyn Cooke (DC: The New Frontier) supplies the Captain America cover. (C: 0-0-2)
BATMAN HC—HC, PC SRP: $35.00
BATMAN SC—SC, 1100pgs, PC SRP: $29.95
CAPTAIN AMERICA HC—HC, PC SRP: $35.00
CAPTAIN AMERICA SC—SC, 1120pgs, PC SRP: $29.95

MOVING PICTURES GN
(W) Kathryn Immonen (A) Stuart Immonen
During World War II the Nazis pillaged much of Europe’s great art collections. Museum curator Ila Gardner and SS officer Rolf Hauptmann are forced by circumstances to play out an awkward and dangerous relationship in a public power struggle. Moving Pictures unfolds along two timelines which collide with the revelation of a terrible secret, an enigmatic decision that not many would make, and the realization that sometimes the only choice left is the refusal to choose.
SC, 5.75×8.2, 144pgs, B&W SRP: $14.95