Brave New Worlds

Last weekend I was unable to share with you a character that I thought was unique, interesting and relatively forgotten because Mother Nature/Old Man Winter made me stay home by clobbering the Philly Area with snow.  Now I submit for your approval TWO, count ’em TWO, Marvel Comics’ Characters To Learn More About! Read the rest of this entry »

The Spotlight centers on Marvel Comics this week, which provides a double whammy for Brave New Worlds customers with the release of Captain America #603 and the latest Spider-Man premiere hardcover – Gauntlet Book 1 Electro and Sandman, shipping February 17.

Part two of Two Americas continues in Captain America #603 by Ed Brubaker as Cap attempts to answer the old adage from Thomas Jefferson about the tree of liberty needing to be refreshed from time-to-time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.  The answer will reveal who the patriot is, and who is the tyrant.  Captain America from the 1950s also stars.

Electro as the voice of the common man.  Sandman as a misunderstood family man.  No you have not entered a Bizarro World, but rather The Gauntlet.  Yes, that is what is in store for you this week in Spider-Man Gauntlet Book 1: Electro and Sandman hardcover – the beginning of the event that redefines Peter Parker’s classic arch-nemesis, one-by-one, starting with Max Dillon and Eddie Brock.  The Spidey team of writers and artist for Book 1 include Dan Slott, Fred Van Lente, Mark Waid, Barry Kitson and Andy Kubert among others.

Gauntlet Book 1 also includes Dark Reign The List – Amazing Spider-Man and Norman Osborn begins to make his move against everyone’s favorite web head.

If you read only two books this week, might I recommend JSA All-Stars #3 and Ultimate Armor Wars #4.  Both issues were well written and illustrated and had some interesting things happening to their main characters.

I am not a big fan of the JSA (just never got into them), but Matthew Sturges has done a nice job making me come back each month.  Magog and Power Girl are the ultimate odd couple (who will probably hook up eventually) as they quarrel their way through leading this new team.  Meanwhile, Stargirl’s abduction at the hands of Johnny Sorrow just gets more riveting as Sorrow definitely has some mental issues to work out.

Over in the Marvel Ultimate Universe, Ultimate Comics Armor Wars #4 comes to and end and I felt satisfied with the conclusion of the story by Warren Ellis.  I was not a big fan of the villain reveal, but once I got past that, I felt Ellis had written an interesting tale that was worthy of noting.

That’s all I have this week, so please enjoy.

My first book is Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #7. I have been reading Ultimate Spider-Man since the original issue 1 and it has been the only comic I’ve consistently picked up for years. In this issue Peter’s new housemates Iceman and the Human Torch are called on by Aunt May to help their neighbor Rick Jones figure out what his new fangled powers are all about… and what do they have to do with the Ultimate Watcher? [Marvel Comics, By Bendis, Miyazawa and Ponsor. $3.99]

Next up we have Ultimate Armor Wars. Tony Stark is tracking down a bunch of stolen Iron Man tech in the wake of the Ultimatum Crisis which left millions on the US East Coast dead. In addition to the Iron Man tech a very special box has been taken…. and the thieves get more than they bargained for when Tony reveals what’s in it. [Marvel Comics, By Ellis, Kurth and Huet. $3.99]

Last but not least we have Batman & Robin #8. For those who haven’t been following recent events in the DC Universe – Bruce Wayne seems to be dead, and Dick Grayson has taken over as Batman. After a fight with Jason Todd Dick thinks it might be good idea to drop Bruce’s body in a Lazarus Pit. Seems like a good idea, right? Nope. [DC Comics, By Grant Morrison and Cameron Stewart. $2.99]

It was a dark time for the Marvel Universe, and we are not talking Norman Osborn’s current reign.  No, it was the early 1990’s and Thanos was doing his best Brain impersonation (narf!) – trying to take over the world in the Infinity Gauntlet mini-series.  While that mini-series was going on, its impact was being felt in Manhattan as Thanos delivered Eon’s decaying corpse to Four Freedom’s Plaza.  Of course we are talking about Quasar #27 “From Here to Maternity,” this week’s Random Retro Comic Review, blindly selected by Brian.

Quasar #27 brought some of the Infinity Gauntlet to Earth, as Quasar inadvertently opened a portal in his office in Four Freedom’s Plaza that Thanos dropped Eon through, infesting Earth.  If not stopped, Eon will cover the planet up to 12,000 feet above sea level.

Mark Gruenwald and Greg Capullo pulled out all the stops as Marvel’s heavy hitters all make an appearance – Moondragon, Jack of Hearts, Squadron Supreme, Him and Her.  Quasar is stuck inside Eon and Thanos has manifested four former Protectors of the Universe with their very own quantum bands in which to face Quasar – Ree, Stygian Strabender, Tantra and Marvel Boy.

Quasar’s defeat of the quartet helps him save Eon’s unborn child – Epoch, which this issue marks the first appearance.

The quote of the book came on page 24 as Eon drains into a hole in the planet that Jack of Hearts has created, and when he comes upon the drain, Quasar cries “Holy Spumoni!”  Yeah he went there.

It was a fun and self-contained issue.  There were a lot of things going outside the book that impacted the story, but readers could pick this issue up, read it and not be lost, like me.  The nice thing about the comics from this time period – about 20 years ago, is that editor’s notes were still littered throughout, explaining other events to keep readers caught up.

Capullo’s pencils, coupled with Keith Williams inks were detailed and probably a little under rated compared to some of what we are seeing in today’s books.

Chill! We've got your comics right here!

Brave New Worlds has survived the storm of the year (that is until it snows again next week).

More importantly, both locations (Old City and Willow Grove) are open for business on Thursday, February 11 and have new releases in stock and ready to sell.

So what are you waiting for, dig out your cars and get into the store for the latest books.

Rob earlier today to make sure you get your comics on time!

While Brave New Worlds in Willow Grove is closed due to these horrible weather conditions Rob and I have braved the elements to get you your comics today! Give us a call to make sure we are still here later in the day- 215.925.6525

Chill! We've got your comics right here!

As I write this there is snow threatening the Philadelphia Area yet again, except this time Old Man Winter is trying to mess up Wednesday! WEDNESDAY! The holy of holies in the week of a Comic Fan! Holy crap winter– chill back! Read the rest of this entry »

Wednesday February 10thSaturday February 13th, from 1-5pm in the Old City lobby we will be hosting the Xion Group who’ll be selling custom sketches & independent comics to benefit Haiti. Read the rest of this entry »