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. A very nice broad selection here. We have stories from all over the spectrum. The Big One this week was chosen so because it is written by proven commodities whose previous work I have enjoyed immensely. They are simply the surest bet on the table of many places to put your chips. That all being said, .

Up this week: The Hypernaturals #1, Before Watchmen: Nite Owl #1 , Captain America and Iron Man #633, Dark Revelation #1 (of 3), Fatima: The Blood Spinners #1, Hit-Girl #1, Idolized #1, Magic the Gathering: Spell Thief #1 & Soulfire: Hope #1.

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*** The Hypernaturals #1***

This July…A UNIVERSE TREMBLES. It is the far future; the human race has finally colonized the galaxy, preserving an era of prosperity that’s only possible because of The Hypernaturals. They’re a celebrated, galaxy-wide superhero task force that keeps the peace. That is, until they all mysteriously vanish. Now, as the galaxy teeters on the brink of chaos, it’s up to a group of retired and long forgotten Hypernaturals — and their novice recruits — to save the galaxy from complete destruction. Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, the superstar writing duo behind ANNIHILATION and THE LEGION, launch an all-new original series that takes cosmic super-heroes to a new frontier. Experience the special preview issue of THE HYPERNATURALS this May and pick up the #1 issue this July!

story by Dan Abnett & Andy Lannning
art by Brad Walker
published by Boom! Studios

If you’re a Star Wars fan I would definitely give this a try. It sounds a little Jedi Knight-ish, but in a galaxy not so far away, and during not such a long time ago. As a matter of fact, it’s the future. This is a great writing team that does space opera exceptionally well. You should do yourself a favor and give it a look. It has the potential for greatness.

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Before Watchmen: Nite Owl #1

‘The hero known to the public only as Nite Owl announced his retirement today.’ 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 J. Michael Straczynski
art by Andy Kubert
publsihed by DC Comics

Here’s our next book in the controversial series. This time it’s the Batman “Archetype” we are getting the background on. Considering the millions of copies that Watchmen sells every year, we can only hope that these books at least get some small percentage of that readership back into comics.

Captain America and Iron Man #633

Captain America and Iron Man head to Madripoor for a technology expo! What could possibly go wrong? Everything! That’s what! o Especially when Batroc’s Brigade shows up and a technological nightmare threatens to brings the world to its knees!

story by Cullen Bunn
art by Alessandro Vitti
published by Marvel Comics

Don’t let the high issue number scare you. This series is basically a “Team Up” book featuring Captain America. Previous to this we had a “Captain America And Hawkeye” book that was a ton of fun. Dive right in. The water’s fine.

 

 

Dark Revelation #1 (of 3)

When fallen angels and hoards of demons emerge from centuries of hiding to re-claim the Earth, bodies start piling up. But the only evidence left behind leads to Candy Clark, a girl with a troubling past. Is she just another eighteen-year old rebel or the key to mankind’s destruction? Find out Candy’s secret in part one of this epic three-part series.

story by Justin Olson
art by Koi Turnbull
published by Anarchy Studios

This is a brand new franchise for everyone so I can’t tell you how the narrative is going to go. What I can tell you is that I’m a Buffy fan, and you should be able to see some of the parallels I can. I’ll give it a “look see”.

 

 

Fatima: The Blood Spinners #1

Comics luminary Gilbert Hernandez envisions his strangest, most thrilling future yet! Aj drug called “spin” offers the wildest trip imaginable, followed by its users’ inevitable, rapid deterioration into undead flesh eaters. Despite the side effect, the drug is so popular that the human population is dying out! With no cure to be found, the beautiful, lovesick Fatima may be the only thing standing between the survivors and the apocalypse. Get ready for four issues of zombies, drug lords, and gorgeous women!

story by Gilbert Hernandez
art by Gilbert Hernandez
published by Dark Horse Comics

Wow! Gilbert put EVERYTHING in here! What I’m trying to figure out is if there was a drug that was so good out there, but the after effect was turning into a zombie, would society do it? Sound ridiculous? Hey! I was living in Brooklyn during the crack epidemic and that wasn’t far from this.

Hit-Girl #1

Hit-Girl spins off into her own blood-soaked series by the sales-busting creative team of Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. This story takes place between Kick-Ass Volumes 1 and 2 as Mindy McCready tries to settle into life as a regular school-girl, but wants nothing more than to be dispensing hot justice to the scum of New York City. Her mother and step-father think she’s doing her homework, but in reality she’s taken Kick-Ass on as her sidekick and is training him up to punch, shoot and stab … just like Daddy would have wanted.

story by Mark Millar
art by John Romita Jr.
published by Marvel Comics

She’s back! That adorable little urchin that made us both feel a little uncomfortable, and giggle uncontrollably at the same time, when she uttered the “C” word and started killing mobsters by the gross. She was the standout character of the Kick Ass series and now she’s got her own title!

 

Idolized #1

Aspen Comics proudly presents their first ever super-hero series, IDOLIZED! Welcome to the mind-bending new comic book series about a TV show where super-powered teens and 20-somethings are competing for the ultimate dream-prize: a guaranteed spot in that world’s top super-group, The Powered Protectors. The chance of winning offers fame, fortune, massive endorsement deals and, of course, a chance to actually save the world. Kids who dream of being worshipped as the next great, iconic hero would be falling all over themselves to get on – and hopefully even win – the show. Against this backdrop, IDOLIZED is the story of a girl with fledgling superpowers and a dark past, who seeks revenge, and ultimately finds redemption, over the course of competing in this televised superhero competition show. It’s True Grit meets American Idol…with capes! Written and created by David Schwartz and featuring stunning artwork by Micah Gunnell and colorist David Curiel, this debut zero issue of IDOLIZED features a brand-new 12-page story that sets the stage for the upcoming premiere of IDOLIZED #1 coming this August! Accompanied by an additional sketchbook section and never before seen designs and art, make sure to be a part of IDOLIZED!!

story by David Schwartz
art by Micah Gunnell
publsihed by Turner MLT

This book has a couple of things going for it, and a couple going against it. Number one, the cover looks like something you’d find gracing a PS One dance video game. Number two, they just threw a “True Grit” reference in there! True Grit! I’m going to give this a definite curiosity buy and see where it takes me….. TRUE GRIT?!?!?

Magic the Gathering: Spell Thief #1

Planeswalker Dack Fayden has followed Sifa Grent into a mysterious plane, where a Titan’s castle looms invitingly in the distance. Entering the castle in search of Sifa, Dack is soon imprisoned by the Titan and added to his vast collection. Dack must find a way out before the trail to Sifa runs cold and he remains the Titan’s prisoner forever! Special playable Magic: The Gathering card polybagged in each issue!

story by Matt Forbeck
art by Martin Coccolo & Christopher Moeller
published by IDW Publishing

I’ve played the card game but never followed any of the fiction. This series looks like it is going to give us an opportunity to dip our toes in. This should strike a chord with you D&D folks as well.

 

Soulfire: Hope #1

The epic SEARCH FOR THE LIGHT crossover event starts here! Aspen’s first ever Soulfire summer event, ‘Search for the Light’ takes off right HERE in the pages of this exciting first issue, SOULFIRE: HOPE! With Malikai–the Bringer of Light-missing, the Five Masters, including Grace, embark on a quest to find him and save magic from the chaos that is engulfing the world! Meanwhile, in the magical kingdom of the Everlands, Faye attempts to find a suitable replacement for the slain King Arlin, and join her in ruling over the royal city of Anantia. However, the valiant suitors to the throne present not only unexpected surprises from her past-but also a potentially dangerous heir to the fallen king, one who has his own vision for what the future of magic should be! Don’t miss out on the first issue of the thrilling ‘Search for the Light’ crossover event that will change the face of the SOULFIRE Universe forever!

story by J.T. Krul
art by Jose Varese
published by Aspen MLT

I have never gotten into Soulfire but with this event I am going to see what it’s all about. This is the first chapter of their big summer blockbuster event, and seeing that they should all be putting their best foot forward, I think I have the best shot of liking this. This is a well established franchise and I’ve been looking for that one story to get me hooked if possible.

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