This Week’s Ones points out great jumping-on points for new readers. This could include new story arcs, as well as actual #1 issues from whole new series. BIG WEEK! Big big big! Not the amount of titles so much, but the potential! And talk about talent! Forget it. Huge huge huge. We have crossovers, debut series, reborn series, invasions, apocalypses, reborn worlds… Did I say this was a big week? (Oh yeah! Funny story! There was another contender for this article, but they decided to publish an unfinished solicit and not list any creators. I wanted to use the book. I like the franchise. I like the character. But if their major marketing department and editorial staff don’t care, then I didn’t think I should care either…. See? Told ya it was funny).

Up this week: Extermination #1, Before Watchmen – Minutemen #1 (of 6), Creator Owned Heroes #1, Harbinger #1, Prophecy #1 & Steamcraft #1.
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I almost feel bad saying “this” specific book is “The Big One” this week because there is also a ton diversity this week as well (Big week). Any one of these titles could launch a new reader on a great time. That being said, I went for the book where the heroes and villains have to grudgingly decide to play nice in order to ensure their very survival. I went with…

*** Extermination #1***

We Lost. They Won. In the wake of an apocalyptic alien invasion, the world’s greatest super-heroes and deadliest super-villains must form an alliance to prevent their own extermination. Two arch-enemies, Nox, a driven hero, and Red Reaper, a ruthless villain, form a volatile partnership for the greater good. The enemy of your enemy is your friend – but will they be able to ultimately put aside their bitter past to prevent global genocide? What happens when all the battle lines are redrawn and foes become unlikely allies in a desperate war for the fate of the very planet – and the outcome of a species? Written by Simon Spurrier (X-Club, Fear Itself: The Home Front, Wolverine: Dangerous Games), Extermination is a superhero survival story by an author that boldly explores the dark crevices of an entire genre.

story by Simon Spurrier
art by John Cassaday
published by Boom! Studios

Let’s face it folks, when Cassaday is on art it’s just something you have to see. Plus, I love the idea of both heroes and villains having to be forced to team up against a gigantic threat. Go all in on this one.

 

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Before Watchmen – Minutemen #1 (of 6)

‘Little did we know that poor boy would lead to the end of us all.’ Plus: Don’t miss the CRIMSON CORSAIR backup story by writer LEN WEIN and artist JOHN HIGGINS! This issue is also offered as a combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.

story by Darwyn Cooke
art by Darwyn Cooke
pulished by DC Comics

For better or for worse it’s finally here. There are some who feel offended. Like this whole project is akin to having Lady Gaga rewrite the Bible and replacing all other existing copies with it. And then there are some of us who are super pumped about getting more of possibly the best comic story ever written. Me? Cautious. Very cautious. I still remember how excited I was the weeks before Phantom Menace came out. On the truly positive side however … this is by Darwyn Cooke – the master.

 

*****

Creator Owned Heroes #1

The world ended a long time ago. How it happened exactly and what exists in the wasteland have always been a mystery. Now Chloe, Gil and a gang of rebels have escaped the last human stronghold and are blazing across Post-Apocalypse America in search of paradise.

story by Steve Niles, Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray
art by Phil Noto & Kevin Mellon
published by Image

Hey! I don’t know! It’s not like they’re giving us a lot to go on in the solicit either. All I know is that there are more creators coming down the line for this title, and those creators are going to own the heroes they create. It’s Image. It’s new and unique. It’s on my shopping list.

 

 

 

*****

Harbinger #1

The return of the Valiant Universe continues as the first superhero legend of the modern age is reborn, from New York Times bestselling author Joshua Dysart and Harvey Award-winner Khari Evans. Read Minds, Bend Steel, Break All The Rules Teenager Peter Stencheksi out of work, on the skids, and–unbeknownest to him–a psionic-powered ‘harbinger’ with the potential to reshape the course of human history. Toyo Harada is a wealthy business magnate, a respecte philanthropist, and the most powerful harbinger of all–or so he thought. As they forge an uneasy alliance, will Harada offer Peter a chance for redemption–or attempt to induct him into a secret network of conspiracy, subversion, and control? Peter is about to discover that he’s not alone in the world and, soon, the generation who has nothing will take on the man who has everything.

story by Joshua D. M. Dysart
art by Khari Evans
published by Valiant Enertainemnt

This is just the second in very different books from the newly reborn Valiant Universe. I’m going to be pushing these hard for new readers, not only because of the quality pedigree, but because it’s your chance to get into a brand-spanking-new world.

 

*****

Prophecy #1

In 2012, the Mayan doomsday prophecy is coming to pass, and the end of the world makes for strange allies. Vampirella, Red Sonja, Kulan Gath, Dracula, Eva, Herbert West The Re-Animator, Alan Quatermain, Athena, Dorian Gray, Purgatory, Pantha and many more choose sides and clash in battles that will decide the fate of the Earth and all of mankind. Will the forces of good be able to stop the end of days? Or will an army of darkness rise? A seven-issue, SELF-CONTAINED event! That’s right, fans, no spinoffs, no add-ons, just seven issues of all out, apocalyptic warfare! Be there for the first crossover spanning the Dynamite line…before it’s too late! Dynamite’s most powerful and ambitious cross-over ever begins here!

story by Ron Marz
art by Walter Geovani
published by Dynamite Entertainment

What makes this crossover “Event” so intriguing is that Dynamite heavily relies on licensed characters. These characters, as envisioned, we’re NEVER intended to interact with each other. However! Sometimes that makes for a great tale. Remember “League of Extraordinary Gentlemen”?

 

*****

Steamcraft #1

With strange eons, even death may die, unleashing ancient horrors upon our world. They rise from the abyss or descend from the stars, caring no more for our existence than we care for the random atoms about us. Yet there are those who dare to strap on their brass and leather, shoulder their plasmotic rifles and stoke up the boilers to their super-cannons, land crawlers, submersibles and airships. Steam WILL save the world!

story by David Hutchinson
art by David Hutchinson
published by Antarctic Press

Ok. I’m giving steam punk a chance here. Usually I stay away. Nothing personal. It’s just not usually my thing. This time though the solicit has me intrigued enough to stoke the engines.

 

 

 

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