Writing for the Forbidden Planet blog, or the Weekly Planet in shop newsletter is unlike writing for other media. For starters, unlike my blog, webcomics or reporting for other websites, you guys and gals actually READ this thing. Another difference, we at the Forbidden Planet want you to read some of these comics. It may shock you to know that we have an invested interest in you shopping in our stores.
YES, I may get to to pot shot big target books like Age of Ultron (too bad it sucked, as it’s going to serve as the basis for the next Avengers Movie) or Superman (why no undies?), but my “job” as it were is to recommend titles. So we can generate sales. So we can pay the bills. So we can secretly fund the church of Scientology.
Kidding. All that being said, I have been warned before by my editors that my continued existence here with the Planet is dependent on me giving a more upbeat diagnosis of the comics industry, and trying to turn my tastes to a more contemporary timeline. All that being said?
SOD THAT
DON’T buy Itty Bitty Hellboy #1 when it publishes on August 28th. BUY THE HELLBOY JUNIOR TP, instead!
Itty Bitty Hellboy looks fun enough, but have you seen the Hellboy Junior Trade? IT IS AMAZING! Hellboy Junior was one of the most f’ed up comics ever published by a major company, and when your character is turned into a movie franchise, that counts you a major. THE TOP NAMES in cartooning turn in pages of the most vile cartooning filth outside of an adults only book. Hilarious, raw and crazy stuff from talents such as Bill “Ren & Stimpy” Wray, Dave “Weasel” Cooper and Pat “GreatestLiving Cartoonist who isn’t Sergio Aragones” McEown, not to mention Glenn Barr, Hilary Barta and loads more.
Hellboy Junior is stupid funny on a level that shouldn’t be allowed. EVEN if you aren’t a Hellboy fan, the comic is a no holds barred display of the finest cartoonists ever assembled under one cover tearing the proverbial mickey out of comic’s history.
We probably have a few copies of Hellboy Junior kicking around (maybe in the warehouse?) but hopefully we can get some ordered for you by the time Itty Bitty Hellboy arrives on our shelves in a few weeks. You win, the store wins, and I get to hold onto what little artistic integrity I still hold as a reviewer.
MORE GOODIES
THIS week, do consider picking up Dark Horse’s B.P.R.D.’s Vampire #5 by the fantastic brother team of Gabriel Bá and Frábio Moon? Marvel has Uncanny X-Men #9 as well as FF #10, Daredevil #29 and Captain Marvel #14. DC will have a smattering of impressive annuals, including the Superman Annual #2, Batman Annual #2, Detective Comics Annual #2, Flash Annual #2 and the Animal Man Annual #2.
It’s startling that these characters have only been around for two years, but they’ve already amassed such cultural relevance.
Image has a new issue of that understated title, Sex #5. We should also see a fine assortment of lovely licensed comics from IDW, and if we’re VERY lucky, that new Sam Keith Art Collection, as well. Bully!
DOING MY JOB
I want you all to enjoy the finest comics the world has to offer, and I am telling you right now that the Forbidden Planet has them. Please continue to use your discretion as to your favorites, but also avail yourself to my years of expertise. The collaboration between me the writer and you the reader is the spark of discovering new material, and one person’s old material is another’s NEW.
Please read any of this week’s amazing new titles, though I DARE you to check out the insanity of Hellboy Junior.
