brian woodTHE MASSIVE.  Dark Horse is previewing the new book by Brian Wood and Kristian Donaldson, the team behind the well-reviewed (but not read by me) IDW miniseries titled, “Supermarket.”  I have to say, I’m not as big a Brian Wood fan as most others seem to be.  DMZ is his “masterpiece,” but in my view it is pretty uneven–I’m still working my way through it.  Massive does look cool, though.  At least the preview image does.  Check it out at the right.

D.C.’S 2012 ABSOLUTE EDITION LINEUP.  An “absolute” edition is a special, oversized collection, but it’s not necessarily as thick as Marvel’s insane ominbi (like the wonderful Walt Simonson and John Byrne ones released last year).  D.C.’s Absolutes are also wider and taller—like Marvel used to do its hardcover editions (but doesn’t anymore), so you get a bigger, brighter experience.  In 2012, we can expect Absolute Green Lanter: Sinestro Corps War and Absolute Batman and Robin: Batman Reborn (the Grant Morrison masterpiece featuring art by Frank Quietly, Philip Tan, David Finch, Cameron Stewart, Andy Clarke and Frazier Irving).  The price?  $100.00.  Seriously.  But Amazon usually comes in much lower.  You can score Absolute Batman: Hush, which just came out for Christmas this year, as well as Absolutes of Frank Miller’s Dark Knight, V for Vendetta, and Alex Ross’ Justice for about $74.  And Absolute All Star Superman is a relatively cheap $68—well worth the price.

DOCTOR STRANGE SEASON ONE.  Not to be confused with Marvel’s “point one” books, Season One is a collection of hardcover updates to familiar (and not-as-familiar) superhero origin stories.  So far, they’ve announced Hulk and Ant Man, and they’ve now announced Greg Pak and Emma Rios as the talent for a Doc Strange Season One.  Hmmm.  They seem to be focusing on real or potential Marvel Studios film characters.  How curious.

MINIMATES GO RETRO.  Marvel Minimates—those little characters with the changeable limbs and hair—are up to their 44th series release.  Can you believe that?  And this time, it’s the 1990s.  That means, Thor’s got a beard.  Hulk’s got a back wifebeater tee.  And Iron Man looks like the child of Vision and Scarlet Witch.  The other features: The Scott Lang Ant-Man, a Giant-Man figure, and a Kree Sentry.

BLADE ANIME.  Anyone else impressed with the X-Men Anime series on G4?  Or am I the only one watching?  If not, there’s a Blade one coming soon—January 13th, in fact.  12 episodes that will tell a tale of Blade stalking neckbiters across parts of Asia, written by Kenta Fukasaku (“Battle Royale”) and directed by Mitsuyuki Masuhara (“Chi’s Sweet Home,” “Kobato”). Check out the promo a the bottom of this post.

ZOMBIE VICTORIANS FEATURED IN DEADWARDIANS.  Dan Abnett’s new Vertigo 8-issue miniseries will capitalize on the zombie craze, with a post-Victorian zombies vs. vampires story.  I’m not a Danny A. fan (not a hater, either, though), but it’s nice to see Vertigo is still alive, well, and launching new series.  I wasn’t sure what was going to happen after they closed of their crime line and merged their major characters into the new 52 DCU.

MARVEL CIVIL WAR NOVELS.  Ever read a comic and say, “Man, I wish that hadn’t had so many pictures!”?  Me neither.  Marvel says they’ll be publishing a series of novels, beginning with a novel adaptations of Civil War.  Hurrumpf.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: ENDS OF THE EARTH.  That’s the title of the first post-Spider-Island major Spidey arc, and it features the Sinister Six!  The real Six, too, not the lame-ass Venom edition.  Can you name ‘em?  In case you can’t, they’re: Chameleon, Sandman, Rhino, Mysterio, Electro, and, of course, Doc Oc.  They’re all new versions—cooler versions.  The first issue (kind of a prelude) to the arc is #676, which is an “all villain” issue… The wall crawler doesn’t even appear in the issue!  Dan Slott is kicking ass with this title (he hasn’t been this great since his groundbreaking She Hulk title), and if you’re not reading it, you should be.  Way more fun (and much less dark) than any other superbook on the market.  Except maybe Daredevil, which also running on all cylinders.  Fortunately, those two titles will be crossing over for a 2-issue team up soon so there you go, twice the fun!  The cross over starts next issue, and then there’s a done-in-one starring Morbius The Living Vampire, another short time-travel story, and then it’s on to the Ends of the Earth, which will pretty much be the next 24 issues from what I understand (the title is a twice-monthly publication).  So this is a perfect time to jump in, get acquainted via some shorter arcs, and then enjoy a big, long-form story.