Brave New Worlds

Both Brave New Worlds locations just received a major shipment of Ugly Dolls of all shapes, sizes and colors! Tell your friends! Tell your family! Tell a total stranger! There are all sorts of Uglies (including the newest additions to the Ugly Doll family Picksey & Pointy Max) for all sorts of prices ($6, $10, $20, $50) and we’ve even got the blind box vinyl toy ($8.99) versions back as well! Awesome!

Welcome back to the second installment of Random Retro Comic Review.  Just like the title states, this is a totally random review of a comic back issue and this week’s gem comes to us from DC Comics.  Once again I blindly placed my hand into the Brave New Worlds back issue comic vault and pulled out much to my pleasure, Tales of the Teen Titans #45 from April 1984 by Marv Wolfman and George Perez.

For the second week in a row, I was able to enjoy a back issue that I had never read before.  I don’t know what it is about the early 80’s era of comics, but I really have enjoyed the storytelling these past two weeks (could be nostalgia since this is when I first started reading the funny books as my Dad calls them).

This week’s cover once again sells the issue (they really knew how to get a reader hooked with that cover back then, sorry, waxing nostalgic once again) as Aqualad holds an unconscious Aquagirl entering Titans Tower.  And the cover is complete with word balloons, which we never see anymore, as Aqualad screams “Please you’ve got to help us … before it’s too late!”

The first of a three-part H.I.V.E. story simply titled “H.I.V.E.” this issue is mostly a set up as there is not much going on.  The Teen Titans (which I found awesome to read an actual good Titans story again even though there was not a lot of action) are still reeling from the death of Tara at the hands of the Terminator.  The cover opens the issue and then we immediately jump into a grieving Beast Boy (or Changeling as he was called back in the day).

It was a really dark portrayal of a character who is generally so lighthearted as Changeling disrupts a weapons deal all on his own with some vicious attacks.  If not for Cyborg hanging in the background, Wolfman and Perez convince the reader that Gar may have actually killed one of the men.

This issue really deals with a lot of emotional issues – Donna and Terry’s impending marriage, complete with a bachelor party and hot girl coming out of a cake.  Perez is really an excellent artist and his work on the Titans over the years is his signature book.  Raven’s continuing feeling of loneliness just as Wally comes back, still upset over his breakup with Raven, but refusing to help the team out in the end when they set off to confront H.I.V.E.  Turns out, Wally has some issues whenever he taps into the speed force.

Once again I really found myself enjoying this issue.  There were some real nice moments, including a couple of pages when Donna went back to Paradise Island to ask Hippolyta’s permission to wed Terry.  Another fun scene was Cyborg’s grandparents arriving at his apartment in Hell’s Kitchen but not finding anyone at home.  So what do they do, but pick the lock of course.

As I previously mentioned, I can not say enough great things about Perez’s detailed layouts.  Plus any time you get to see Aqualad and Aqaugirl in an issue has to be a plus.

Tales of the Teen Titans was actually called The New New Teen Titans up until issue #40 before switching to Tales.  Overstreet prices the book at $3.50 for a 9.0 copy and the version we had in the store is probably an 8.0 and can be had for just $1.00 as part of Brave New Worlds current back issue sale.

Issue Skinny

Tales of the Teen Titans #45 “H.I.V.E.”

Marv Wolfman, George Perez (w), George Perez (p), Mike DeCarlo (f)

Released: April 12, 1984

Collected: None

Until next time …

The Chill is the latest offering from the Vertigo Crime series and I have to say it was a great concept that was executed very well.  Jason Starr provides the words while Mick Bertilorenzi’s art provides the perfect compliment to a story that begins in the 1960s in Ireland.

But the tale does not remain there, after setting the table quickly it fast forwards to present day New York (because that is where everything happens).  Before we know it, we are immersed in a series of suspected serial killings that has one character refer to  the Big Apple’s infamous other slayfest, Summer of Sam.

A lot of these books can become really gory, but that is not the case for The Chill.  Clocking in at 188 pages, I have to admit about three-fourths of the way through the read the book started to drag, but the ending totally makes up for it.

Anyway, I highly recommend The Chill for fans of the crime genre (Sleeper, Criminal) and of something completely different.  You should not walk away disappointed.  If The Chill gets it done for you, try Bryan Azzarello’s Filthy Rich (Vertigo Crime) which came out a few months back.  It is a little more noirish than The Chill, but an excellent read just the same.

In additon, Oni Press has also throw it’s hat in the ring with it’s own Crime Noir title, You Have Killed Me by Jamie Rich and Joelle Jones.  This one was done really well and looks like it came off the big screen thanks to Jones art.

And what would you know, Brave New Worlds has all three of these titles in stock today.

We are welcoming a monthly Munchkin game back to Brave New Worlds Willow Grove beginning March 13. So break out your cards, wake your friends and get ready to Kill the Monsters, Steal the Treasure and Stab Your Buddy.

Our monthly game is perfect for everyone, fans of the game, beginners (we will teach you, and try not to steal all of your stuff).

So now is the time to jump back on the bandwagon. Join us and we travel to the dungeon, kill everything we meet, backstab our friends (because what are friends for) and steal their stuff. Don’t forget to grab the treasure and run.

Hulk #19 this week had it all – the Fantastic Four, M.O.D.O.K., Klaw and oh yeah, Red Hulk. Plus add-in Ed McGuiness on pencils and you have an instant classic (seriously).

It has been awhile since the entire Fantastic Four has been in a story together and I was ready for an all-new adventure with Marvel’s first family. Lucky for me Hulk #19 fit the bill and felt more like an issue of Fantastic Four than the Hulk. But, there is a reason for this if you have been following the Fall of the Hulks story line by Jeph Loeb.

This week saw the inevitable return of the Frightful Four, all souped up and ready to take on Reed and the gang once again. Without giving too much away, wackiness ensues (of course) and it is up to the Red Hulk (that’s right) to save the day.

I have to say, I am really glad I gave this once-maligned title a try. The Fall of the Hulks arc has been enjoyable and this issue definitely moves that story forward. Also, if interested, you should try out the Incredible Hulk as well as some of the Fall of the Hulks tie-ins as this story is finally moving towards a resolution.

And I still say all the Red Hulks are really Betty.

That’s right, the staff at Brave New Worlds Willow Grove knows a good idea when we hear one. Granted, it has taken us awhile, but with a little encouragement from our Old City comrades and excitement from our customers, we will be holding our first-ever book discussion on Saturday, January 30 at 7 p.m.

Our first book to review will be Vertigo’s critically-acclaimed Unwritten by Mike Carey and Peter Gross. The former Lucifer-duo has joined forces once again to bring us a tale about a character in a fantasy book based on a real person, whose own life begins to mirror that of the written word.

This description can not truly do Carey’s work justice. But if you wanted a reason to pick up this book or wanted to talk to someone about it, stop by Brave New Worlds Willow Grove on Saturday, January 30 at 7 p.m. We will have some food and drink, and make sure you bring your copy of Unwritten along as well (we also have plenty in stock if you have yet to purchase).

These packs contain 15 foil Magic cards drawn from a combined pool of the Shards of Alara, Conflux, and Alara Reborn sets. Each booster includes 1 rare, 3 uncommons, and 11 commons. They can be yours for only $11.99 each.  Would you like to play in an all-foil booster draft event in Willow Grove?  If so, e-mail Eric so that we can organize one!

Brave New Worlds Willow Grove is one of a select few retailers hosting this very special Warhammer 40k event – Evolution … Adapt or Die!  For five-straight weeks in January, Brave New Worlds Willow Grove will be hosting the Planet Posul battles that will be part of the sets new lore.

So stop by Brave New Worlds Willow Grove every Saturday now through February 6.  New players are encouraged to come to learn how to play, we will supply you with an army to use.  For the more warhammer 40k savvy among us, bring an army with at least three colors, and prepare to have fun.

For more information, Contact Dave.

The Tyranids are an alien menace from the cold depths of the void that hunger endlessly for the taste of warm flesh.  They infest the stars in numbers that are in the untold billions, a raw force of destruction that has been likened to a locust swarm.  They move in Hive fleets that remorselessly drift through space consuming everything in their wake.  These fleets have been named by the Imperium as they are encountered (Behemoth, Kraken and Leviathan being the most infamous).

At this time Hive Fleet Leviathan is moving through the southern reaches of the galactic core, as it moves along it gathers more genetic material for the continued evolution of the Tyranid species.  During this time of strife opportunistic and warlike races will utilize the panic sowed by leviathans advance to further their own schemes.

The Imperium, beset on all sides must look to unlikely allies to help save its self from being consumed by the hunger that is the Tyranid.

In the first weeks of 2010 the battle for the Galatic Southern Pole will be fought in the Mid Atlantic area of the United States with several stores (both GW Retail Stores and Independents) representing individual planets.

Updates will be posted weekly as battle reports from the individual planets come arrive describing the advance or repulsion of the Tyranic tide.

REMAINING WEEKS:

Weeks 3-4 (January 23 and 30) Standard Mission Scenarios are used

a. All stratagems can carry over from the planet strike games

Week 5 (February 6^th) is the final event and will be an Apocalypse Game

a. Based on results advantages and disadvantages will be assigned (stratagems)

b. Apocalypse formations and super heavies can be used

Tyranid players will be able to use the new codex as soon as it is released (including the store copies). This is to symbolize the evolution of the hive as it moves through space.

Stop by Brave New Worlds Willow Grove every Sunday at 1 p.m. and take part in the latest HeroClix Event – the Hammer of Thor.  Prizes awarded each week to top-two finishers as well as a fellowship award (voted on by the day’s participants).

Brave New Worlds Willow Grove HeroClix Events run with Highlander Rules (meaning No Repeat Figures, except generics).

We have only a limited amount of spots each week, if you are interested in playing, please contact Rich

NEXT DATE;

Sunday, February 21: Week 12; 400 Points; Constructed/Floor, 50-Percent Thor/50-Legal

Sunday, February 28: Week 13; 600 Points; Team Must Contain one of the following keywords – Asgardian, Amazon, Apokolips, Diety, New Gods, Ruler

PLEASE NOTE – NO EVENTS SUNDAY, JANUARY 31 & FEBRUARY 7

For more information, Contact Matt

433 West Moreland Road Willow Grove, PA
Hours – Sunday 11-6, Monday-Friday 11-9, Saturday 11-7
215.657.8838