Brave New Worlds

Scott Pilgrim Release Party This Monday in Old City! Be there! Come in costume! Act out your favorite scenes with friends in classic thespian stylings! Tell tales of the Evil Exes that you have had to defeat in your own past! Party hardy with fellow fans until 12am when you can pick up the FINAL CHAPTER to the Scott Pilgrim Epic!

On Monday night we will all be as cool as Rob was the other day!

BE THERE!!!

Amazing Spider-Man #637 Joe Kelly (w), Michael lark, Marco Checchetto, Stefano Gaudiano, Matt Southworth (a)

The End Grim Hunt concludes with this issue and it has probably been the best story arc of the Brand New Day era from start to finish. There have been other decent ones, but bringing back a long-dead foe seems to have done the trick.

Triple J J. Jonah Jameson is on tops of things in the issue, which should put everyone’s minds at ease. Of course due to the wackiness created by Kraven’s resurrection the animal and insect world has gone crazy, including of course, spiders. Who do you think is going to get blamed for all of this?

Daddy Not Happy Kraven was not all that impressed that his wife brought him back from the dead, but now that he’s here and the initial shock of returning is gone, he seems to want to make the best of it. That can’t be good for Peter.

Changes Although they always promise things are going to change, there are some actual changes in this issue, maybe they turn out more cosmetic than anything.

Glimpse Into the Looking Glass Parker is pushed to edge in this issue (Kraven always brings the best out of him) and it takes a vision of the future to show what would happen not just to him, but to the world if he stays in his present course. Pretty cool stuff.

Next Up How do you top this story, well by telling the tale of One Moment In Time where Marvel promises answers to the controversial One More Day.

Daytripper #8 Fabio Moon (w), Gabriel Ba (a)

Same Song and Dance Despite the fact the lead character is dead at the conclusion of every issue, Moon and Ba find a different way to tell the tale that draws you in. This week’s edition is no different.

Breaks My Heart This issue more than the others really hit me hard. Not sure why, most likely due to the point of view of the issue, told from others perspective instead of Bras.

Expectations I am not really sure what I am looking for at the end of this series, which concludes with issue 10 in two months, but I have a funny feeling nothing is going to change. I would love to know what the brothers were thinking when doing this.

Superman #701 J. Michael Straczynski (w), Eddy Barrows, J.P. Mayer (a)

The Walkabout to End All Walkabouts That’s right, Superman is going to walk the country for the next year. And he starts right here in Philly. So this has to be good.

Subtle Touches As always, Straczynski has a deliberate story-telling approach with his pacing and dialogue. This issue reminded me a lot of his Thor stuff in that way.

Can He Keep It Going The first issue of this arc was good, and I know its naive to think all the issues will run the same way, but it just makes me wonder if even Straczynski can keep the interest up for an entire year on this walkabout talking about social issues.

And Another Thing Does the book lose some of its luster when dealing with truly real world issues that comic characters can not impact? Just something to think about it.

Quote of the Issue Some typical Philly dude complains to Superman (of course) that maybe he should be using his time to actually be a hero, which Supes replies with a Thoreau quote about being in a box. Awesome stuff.

Avengers Academy #2 Christos Gage (w), Mike McKone (a)

Get To Know the Newest Avengers I liked this issue’s approach, from the point-of-view of one of the new characters. We get to know what they are thinking and where do they go from the revelation that the Avengers are actually worried these are the future super villains.

Finesse Interesting choice for the first solo subject, and a little scary to see how this character thinks. A lot of fun watching her try to manipulate her fellow students as well as Pym and Quicksilver. Who do you think she got to?

Missing the Dark Avengers? Well don’t, because if its possible, I think Avengers Academy might be better. It’s more subtle in its story telling and reminds me a lot of season 5 of Angel, especially the scenes where Angel and Spike would discuss the good ol’ days.

Indy of the Week “I named the dog Indiana.” There were actually a couple of really good independent titles out this week, but the one I really enjoyed was Image Comics Sweets #1. Kody Chamberlain writes and draws this “New Orleans Crime Story” with gritty realism. If you like a good mystery or noir thriller, this one should be on your pick up list this week.

Guilty Pleasures The other two indie titles that I really enjoyed this week were Mystery Society #2 and Frenemy of the State #2. Both issues did an excellent job expanding on their first issues, and left me wanting more. Getting to Know You The first issue of Mystery Society jumped right into the action, issue two puts the pieces together while getting to know the team. Meanwhile Quincy Jones’ daughter Rashida Jones shows us just how easy it is to become a CIA operative in Frenemy of the State.

Oh Maxwell, My Maxwell Turns out Max Lord had a plan (doesn’t he always?) which consisted of reuniting the old JLI. Scratch that one off the list. Judd Winick does a really nice job of updating Booster Gold’s back story and tying it into what has probably been the best book to come out of Brightest Day – Justice League Generation Lost.

This is the End Of Second Coming that is. Second Coming #2 is the final chapter in what has been a fun ride from start to finish. The battle is over, and has been won. Now we get to see the aftermath. The issue was broken into four parts, with a different creative on each. Usually that means disjointed story telling. Not this time. And wait until the last two pages, talk about revelations.

Astonishing X-Men: Gifted TP

Collects Astonishing X-Men #1-6

Writer Joss Whedon

Artist John Cassaday

What’s It About Cyclops and Emma Frost decide to get the gang back together. But someone else decided to create a “mutant cure” – WTF! So things obviously get a little interesting right off the bat.

Inspiration Some of the plot for X-Men 3: The Last Stand was ripped right out of the pages of this book.

Bargain Book That’s right, Whedon’s Astonishing X-Men volume 1 is a $10.00 bargain book for a limited time at Brave New Worlds. If you do not have this in your collection yet, what are you waiting for?

Flashbacks Love the way Whedon and Cassaday use flashbacks for Kitty’s return to the mansion. Also love how they pull images from previous issues, like vintage Paul Smith from the 1980s. Not sure, but I think this was the moment I fell in love with this series.

Mind Games Just because Emma Frost is an X-Man now, doesn’t mean she will be playing nice. During the first issue introductions of the new team to the Xavier’s School for Gifted you-know-whats, Emma decides to simulate a Sentinel attack to show everyone what they are up against, fun!

Score to Settle Logan is still smarting over Jean Grey’s second death in New X-Men. Scott not so much since he started shacking up with Emma Frost. Guess who has issues over this? Even better, guess who gets to read about those issues?

It’s All About the Tights Grant Morrison and the movies introduced the leather-clad X-Men. Whedon brought back the tights, or as Beast said “Am I the only one dying to see the outfits.”

Classic Whedon Characters Whedon has a way with writing characters and he brings those qualities with his interpretation of the X-Men. Funny thing is, it feels natural for the characters to make these comments, making them even more – human – than before. Spock would be proud.

Sublime Pictures Cassaday’s pictures are awesome. Never bombastic, but perfect for each panel, expression, scene. Don’t believe me, look at it yourself and decide.

Guest Stars How about some Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D.

Loved It, Loved It, LOVED IT! This is the book that made me believe in the X-Men again. It was a tough go for awhile, especially for one raised on the glory days of the book under Claremont and Byrne to start. Whedon and Cassady recaptured that magic. My only disappointments were how long it took to get issues out (at least it ended before Planetary) and that it lasted only 25 issues.

For Asgard! Superstar artist Simone Bianchi is scheduled to take his talents to everyone’s favorite Asgardian in the six-issue mini-series Thor: For Asgard this September with writer Robert Rodi.

The One We all know how much of a chip Namor has own his shoulder on a regular day, so there will be no living with him in August when he stars in his new ongoing seriesNamor: The First Mutant by Stuart Moore and Ariel Olivetti. Jae Lee will be doing the covers.

She’s Back Well this is a long-awaited return to the world of DC, it might not be the return fans were expecting as Death comes back – in Action Comics. Seems Lex’s obsession is drawing a lot of attention from all sorts of characters, eh.

New Generation While everyone’s favorite mutants are battling Dracula’s sibling in their new title (X-Men #1 on sale now at Brave New Worlds), they will be pulling double duty not that Second Coming concludes this week with The Five Lights storyline beginning next month in Uncanny X-Men #526 by Matt Fraction.

Forever and Ever and … First there was X-Men Forever, followed by X-Factor Forever, so of course we are going to get New Mutants Forever in August by Chris Claremont and Alex Rios. Claremont starts right when Magneto decides to join the Hellfire Club so they of course join with the Black Queen. Good times should be had by all.

A Long Time Ago … Dark Horse Comics is prepping another new Star Wars series to debut in October that takes place before the fall of the Sith – Star Wars Knight Errant. Knight Errant follows Kerra Holt, a lone Jedi operating behind enemy lines (how exciting!). There will also be a Del Rey novel tie-in.

These aren’t the droids you are looking for. Oh you meant comics, why didn’t you say so. We got comics, plus some awesome new ones shipping this Wednesday, July 14. Jump for this week’s spotlighted titles.

Amazing Spider-Man #637

J.M. DeMatteis, Joe Kelly (w); Max Fiumara, Michael Lark, Stefan Gaudiano, Marcos Martin (a)

This is it, the “Last Stand of the Kravens.” Someone dies, and its probably not who you think it is.

Astonishing Spider-Man Wolverine #2

Jason Aaron (w), Adam Kubert, Mark Morales (a)

WTF? Wolverine has a gun? What’s next, Dr. Doom and Reed Richards singing karaoke together? You will never guess what happens next.

Avengers Academy #2

Christos Gage (w), Mike McKone (p)

Get to know the Academy’s professional staff. Can you really call Speedball professional? And what about Quicksilver and Hank Pym while we are at it.

Batman #701

Grant Morrison (w), Tony Daniel (a)

Morrison’s mea culpa for the confusing end to Bruce Wayne in these very pages. Part one of two.

Daredevil #508

Andy Diggle, Andy Johnston (w), Roberto De La Torre, Roberto Pascual (a)

Shadowland continues. I wonder what really happen between Murdoch and Bullseye at the end of Shadowland #1?

Richard Starks Parker Man With Getaway Face

Darwyn Cooke (w&a)

If you are like us, you can not wait for the next chapter in Cooke’s Parker adaptation, which is due this fall – The Outfit.  This $2 preview should hold you over, or leave you wanting even more.

Superman #701

J. Michael Straczynski (w), Eddy Barrows, J.P. Mayer (a)

Superman’s walk about starts here. Enjoy the trip.

Uncanny X-Men Heroic Age #1

Matt Fraction (w), Whilce Portacio, Jamie McKelvie, Steven Sanders (a)

Another week, another X-Men #1 book. Collectible Alert! This one shows the X-teams place in the new Marvel order, better known as the Heroic Age.

X-Force Sex and Violence #1 (of 3)

Craig Kyle, Christopher Yost (w), Gabriele Dellotto (a)

Did you know that Wolverine and Domino have special relationship? Well find out exactly what that is, starting now. Look at that cover and think what it could be – bingo buddies?

X-Men Hellbound #3

Christopher Yost (w), Harvey Tolibao, Tom Raney, Sandu Florea (a)

If we had a nickel for everytime someone said nothing will ever be the same. Well you get the picture with the conclusion of this Second Coming tie-in.

X-Men Second Coming #2

Mike Carey, Matt Fraction, Zeb Wells, Chris Yost (w); Terry Dodson, Greg Land, Esad Ribic, Ibraim Roberson (a)

Isn’t he dead? Second Coming is over, let’s see how they pick up the pieces.

Absolute Planetary HC Book 2

Book 2 absolute style.

Blackest Night Black Lantern Corps HC Volume 1

Collects Blackest Night Superman, Batman, Titans mini-series.

Blackest Night Black Lantern Corps HC Volume 2

Collects Flash, JSA, Wonder Wonder Woman mini-series.

Siege Premiere HC

Brian Michael Bendis (w), Oliver Copiel (a)

If you did not read Siege, read it now, it’s awesome! Collects Siege #1-4, Siege: The Cabal and Free Comic Book Day 2009 Avengers.

Spider-Man Gauntlet TP Volume 1 Electro & Sandman

Collects Amazing Spider-Man #612-616, Dark Reign The List Amazing Spider-Man and material from Web of Spider-Man #2.

Comics are back to their regularly scheduled day this week! Let’s check out what’s on tap right now! Hit the jump…

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About 5 years ago a small comic from a relative unknown creator came out of nowhere and was published by Oni Press. A comic that would one day sweep the comics world (& soon to be movie-going world) by storm. That comic’s final installment will be hitting our shelves real soon so we are throwing a party!

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Scarlet #1 Brian Michael Bendis (w), Alex Maleev (a)

Not Your Father’s Funny Book Wow is all I can say. Bendis has gone and done it again. Hands down, my pick of the week in a week where there was a lot of good stuff Yo. Bendis knocks down the fourth wall with this one, shaking up the narrative and making readers take notice.

Just Another Hot Girl With Guns And what is your point? Actually, this is a hot girl with guns with a mission and attitude, a deadly combination even in the funny books.

Gritty Story Telling Maleev’s art is a perfect compliment for this book. It’s down and dirty, and real. Some great points-of-view as we get to know its lead character.

Quote of the Book This was another episode of f@$%ing pothead bicycle thief theatre. Welcome to Portland, Oregon, by the way. The actual passage was not censored mind you.

X-Force #28 Craig Kyle, Christopher Yost (w), Mike Choi (a)

Chapter 13 Oh, man. I so did not see that coming. I probably should have, but I did not. The solicits promise another sacrifice and this issue did not disappoint.

Revelations A lot of people are going to say they saw this coming. I have been fighting it since the beginning and still am going to fight it until final confirmation, which looked to happen in this issue. Interesting …

Threat Neutralized? Well there is just one chapter left to tell. Can this truly be the end of the story this week? Maybe I should just stop asking questions and strap in for the final ride. Second Coming has been a non-stop adrenaline ride since the beginning and shows no signs of slowing down in this penultimate issue.

Namesake It does appear that Hope is the Second Coming. Can not wait until next issue, and in the end, isn’t that how you want to tell a story, leave them wanting more?

Amazing Spider-Man #236 Joe Kelly, Zeb Wells (w), Marco Checchetto, Michael Lark, Stefano Gaudiano (a)

He’s Back Yes, Kraven the Hunter makes his glorious return this issue, and was so worth the delay. The Spider’s dead (WTF?!?) and all is well in the world of Kravinoff, or is it?

Cats and Dogs Living Together Well not yet, but maybe soon as Sasha Kravinoff has committed an a front to nature by bring Sergei back. See, just because the bad guys win, it does not mean they win.

Reveal of the Issue Well you know, the Spider is dead, or is he?

Great Line Ana explains she did what she was taught when she stabbed Sergei. He told her to never apologize … good girl. Awesome stuff. Just wait until you see why this transpired.

Keep Reading Don’t forget to check out the back up story by DeMatteis, Rios and Fiumara, which takes on even more weight after the main issue.

Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four #1 Christos Gage (w), Mario Alberti (a)

Jockularity Every week there needs to be at least one comic that brings the fun out, this week it was this issue. If you read Gage and Alberti’s previous Spidey mini-series (with the X-Men, collected and on sale now at Brave New Worlds) then you have a slight idea of what is in store.

Thunderbolts and Doom That’s right, this issue has General Thunderbolt Ross and Victor Von Doom, on American soil soliciting the FF’s help. Of course you can only guess how this goes.

But Wait, There’s More If Ross, Doom the FF and Spidey were not enough, how about throwing some Sub-Mariner action in as well.

Still Need Convincing How about time travel that probably links the four issues together like the Sinister plot weaved through Spider and the X-Men.

A Different Look Alberti, who has pencilled a couple of Amazing issues as well, has a real interesting, detailed style that I just love seeing in this book. He really knows how to draw Spidey at all his glorious angles and his full splash battle pages are breathtaking.

X-Men #1 Victor Gischler (w), Paco Medina, Juan Vlasco (a)

So It Begins After last week’s tease with the Death of Dracula (first prints still available at Brave New Worlds), the Curse of the Mutants begins here. It’s another slow build, which is actually refreshing after the speed at which X-Men stories have been told over the past few years.

New Voice Gischler’s narrative makes me think he has been writing the X-Men for years, even though this is his first issue with Marvel’s first team of mutants.

A Mystery If you read the solicits, seen the ads or read the Death of Dracula, you saw this issue coming, but not really and that is one of the great things about this issue.

It may look all shiny outside, but inside it is black, as in Blackest Night this week at Brave New Worlds as Blackest Night, Blackest Night Green Lantern and Blackest Night Green Lantern Corps HC ship on July 8.

Geoff Johns epic masterpiece is finally collected this week and Brave New Worlds is your source for the first three editions – Blackest Night Hardcover, Blackest Night Green Lantern HC and Blackest Night Green Lantern Corps HC.

Blackest Night HC

Collects Blackest Night #0-8.

Blackest Night Green Lantern HC

Collects Green Lantern #43-52.

Blackest Night Green Lantern Corps HC

Collects Green Lantern Corps #39-47.

Welcome to the Evil League of Evil, aka as the Brave New Worlds spotlight for the comics shipping on July 8 – don’t forget comics are delayed until Thursday due to the Fourth of July holiday. Hit the jump for all the details.

Amazing Spider-Man #636

Mike Fyles (p)

Grim Hunt continues. Aw Yeah!

Avengers Children’s Crusade #1

Allan Heinberg (w), Jimmy Cheung, Mark Morales (a)

Young Avengers are back in a new bi-monthly series that searches for the Scarlet Witch. We checked here, nope, nothing. Or did she make us forget she was hear?

Batman and Robin #13

Grant Morrison (w), Frazer Irving (a)

Irving joins Morrison in the long-awaited next issue that kicks off a three-part story. Thomas Wayne is back. Guess who is going to have Daddy issue’s now.

Batman Odyssey #1

Neal Adams (w,a)

Do you really need to know anything more than Neal Adams and Batman? Well, this is the start of a six-issue mini-series. How’s that?

Brightest Day The Atom Special

Jeff Lemire (w), Mahmud Asrar, Walden Wong (a)

Now that he’s back, let’s get up-to-date on Ray Palmer.

Fantastic Four Annual #32

Joe Ahearne (w), Bryan Hitch, Andrew Currie (a)

Hitch makes his return to Marvel’s first family. Johnny Storm finds out he is going to be a father. Its about time, I mean look at all the girls he’s been with over the years. Really he  is due to have a few more little torches wandering around.

Hellboy The Storm #1

Mike Mignola (w), Duncan Fegredo (a)

The final arc of the Mignola-Fegredo saga in a three-issue mini-series.

Scarlet #1

Brian Michael Bendis (w), Alex Maleev (a)

Bendis and Maleev have re-teamed for their first creator-owned collaboration for Marvel in a bi-monthly title. Scarlet is held down by the man (the man being the government), and she fights back to spark a new American Revolution. Happy belated-Fourth of the July Yo!

Shadowland #1

Andy Diggle (w), Billy Tan (a)

Daredevil finally gets his own event book drawn by our friend Billy Tan! What else do you need in the summer, except maybe a cold beer to enjoy it with. That and some Hand ninjas – never know when they might come in handy.

Star Wars Old Republic #1

Rob Chestney (w), Alex Sanchex (a)

Dark Horse launches a new monthly Star Wars title as Old Republic debuts with a three-issue arc – Threat of Peace.

Steve Rogers Super Soldier #1

Ed Brubaker (w), Dale Eaglesham (a)

Four-issue mini-series explores Rogers new place in the Marvel Universe now that he no longer wields the shield.

X-Force #28

Craig Kyle, Christopher Yost (w), Mike Choi (p)

Chapter 13 of Second Coming. The final battle begins and another X-Dude sacrifices themselves. Look at them stealing Nightcrawler’s thunder.

X-Men #1

Victor Gischler (w), Paco Medina (a)

The Curse of the Mutants begins here. Well technically it began last week in Gischler’s the Death of Dracula which is sold out but Brave New Worlds still has plenty if issues in stock – ‘natch!

Absolute Planetary Book 1

Warren Ellis (w), John Cassaday (a)

Absolute Excellence is what this series is as Book 1 gets a new absolute printing. Collecting issues #1-12.

BPRD TP Volume 13 1947

Mike Mignola, Joshua Dysart (w), Gabriel Ba, Fabio Moon (a)

Collects five-issue mini-series plus short story from My Space Dark Horse Presents.

Deadpool Team-Up HC Volume 1 Good Buddies

Collects Deadpool Team-Up #899-894 and Marvel Spotlight: Deadpool.

House of Mystery TP Volume 4 The Beauty of Decay

Collecting House of Mystery #16-20 and House of Mystery Halloween Special 2009.

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man TP Volume 1 World According to Peter Parker

Brian Michael Bendis (w), David LaFuente (a)