Vertigo's November and December Releases
By Martijn Form
A warm welcome to you, Vertigolovers!
So did you pick up the first issue of Air? Intriguing, right? Not a bad start, I would say. Vertigo books are not like most comic books where the first issue pretty much determines if it will be a winner or not. Vertigo focuses its books more on the writing than spectacular art, so it takes more issues for a reader to get a good feel of what a Vertigo series will be like. For example, I wasn't that wild about the first American Virgin arc, but it soon became one of my favorite series.
Talking about new series, we got you some nice preview art from Madame Xanadu #3, arriving in comic stores this Wednesday. I like what Matt Wagner is doing with the story, but I'm overwhelmed by Amy Reeder Hadley's beautiful art. Her style is a mix of manga and European comics, which is so right for this fantasy tale. Take a look for yourself:
It seems writer Matt Wagner is moving his story to China and widening the scope of his tale. I have a feeling that this saga will move from continent to continent and through different eras, making this a grand experience.
It's the last week of the month, so that means it's solicitation time. Vertigo just released their solicitation list for comic books in November and tradepaperbacks in December. So grab your pre-ordering list, a pen, and start marking those books with "MH," Must Have.
The Sandman: The Dream Hunters #1Story by Neil Gaiman
Adaptation and art by P. Craig Russell
Cover by Yuko Shimizu
Variant cover by P. Craig Russell
In honor of the 20th anniversary of Neil Gaiman's landscape-altering series The Sandman, one of Gaiman's most frequent collaborators, Eisner and Harvey Award-winner P. Craig Russell (The Sandman: Endless Nights), inimitably adapts Gaiman's prose story the Sandman: The Dream Hunters into a sequential, 4-issue comics event! Released 10 years ago, The Sandman: The Dream Hunters was a prose novella accompanied by illustrations from Japanese artist Yoshitaka Amano. Winning the 1999 Bram Stoker Award and the 2000 Eisner Award, it told the tale of a humble young monk and a magical, shape-changing fox who find themselves romantically drawn together.
As their love blooms, the fox learns of a devilish plot by a group of demons to steal the monk's life. With the aid of Morpheus, the King of All Night's Dreamings, the fox must use all of her cunning and creative thinking to foil this evil scheme and save the man that she loves.
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Yuko Shimizu), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by P. Craig Russell). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale November 5 -- 1 of 4, 32 pg, FC $2.99US -- MATURE READERS
100 Bullets #97
Brian Azzarello/Eduardo Risso
Cover by Dave Johnson
As the series finale gets ever closer and the body count rises, we see the fallout of the summit between Graves, Javier and Augustus and get a glance at the coming war that will no doubt see more major players die in the deadly game of The Trust. Will anyone be left standing at the end of it all? On sale November 12 -- 32pg, FC $2.99US -- MATURE READERS
Air #4Written by G. Willow Wilson
Art and cover by M.K. Perker
After escaping from Narimar against all odds, Blythe's boss at Clearfleet Airlines takes her to a high-stakes business summit in Mexico City. She discovers the corporation out to buy Clearfleet has a secret agenda, one that involves an old enemy and the feathered serpent she's been seeing in her dreams.
Retailers please note: Check the Previews Order Form for a special ordering incentive.
On sale November 19 -- 32 pg, FC, $2.99US
Army@Love: The Art of War #4
Written by Rick Veitch
Art and cover by Rick Veitch & Gary Erskine
Hopelessly lost in Big Finger's psycho-database, Magoon falls into the clutches of Dong, the ruthless industrial spy. Meanwhile, Loman executes a perfect double-cross (or is it a triple?) of his own. And as Stelaphane goes under the knife, Woyner and Frick finally view the video from the future - only to have its haunting message change their lives forever.
On sale November 5 -- 4 of 6 -- 32 pg, FC, $2.99US
DMZ #36Written by Brian Wood
Art by Kristian Donaldson
Cover by John Paul Leon
"The Island" Part 2 of 2. The mysteries of Staten Island are revealed to Matty Roth, who quickly realizes things are worse than he was told. And when the situation goes from bad to worse, the secluded residents naturally turn on the "visitor" who just happened to show up in the thick of it. Looks like Matty chose the wrong time to pay a visit.
On sale November 12 -- 32 pg, FC, $2.99US
Jack of Fables #28
Written by Matthew Sturges & Bill Willingham
Art by Tony Akins & José Marzan
Cover by Brian Bolland
"Jack's Big Book of War" part 1 of 5. Jack has returned to the Golden Boughs not as a prisoner, but as its Commander in Chief! It's the beginning of an all-new storyline in which lives will be lost, pigs will appear magically and other things will happen that are so unbelievable, your head would quite literally explode if you were to read about them in condensed blurb form.
On sale November 26 -- 32 pg, FC, $2.99US
Fables #78Written by Bill Willingham
Art by Mark Buckingham & Andrew Pepoy and Peter Gross
Cover by James Jean
This issue's theme: What's in the box? What's in the box that Freddy and Mouse have discovered in their lost kingdom, and what's in the box that Bigby and Fly have delivered back to Frau Totenkinder in Fabletown? What's in the box being buried up at the Farm, and finally, how is that causing everything to come loose in Fabletown and beyond? The answers aren't what you'll expect in part 2 of this 5-part story.
Also in this issue, check out the second chapter of a 5-part back-up tale by Peter Gross, which began in Fables #77.
On sale November 12 -- 32 pg, FC, $2.99US
Northlanders #12
Written by Brian Wood
Art by Ryan Kelly
Cover by Massimo Carnevale
"The Cross and The Hammer" Part 2 of 6. Aware of Magnus' presence, Ragnar sends a band of soldiers to try and figure out exactly what his enemy is up to. Magnus wastes no time in killing them, but one escapes and reports of a child accompanying Magnus, which Ragnar looks to take advantage of . . . by any means necessary!
On sale November 26 -- 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Greatest Hits #3Written by David Tischman
Art by Glenn Fabry & Gary Erskine
Cover by Glenn Fabry
Private lives and public expectations are tearing the Mates apart. Crusader reveals a hip, '70s-style island HQ in hopes of keeping the heroes together. But it's a call from space that rallies the team. Back in the present day, Nick and Ethel discover a 35-year-old secret hidden among the lunch boxes and action figures of the world's biggest collection of Mates memorabilia.
On sale November 19 -- 3 of 6 -- 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
House of Mystery #7
Written by Matthew Sturges & Bill Willingham
Art by Luca Rossi & David Petersen
Cover by Glenn Fabry
The creepy basement in the House of Mystery doesn't hold your average trinkets and cast-aside items. In fact, among the bits catalogued you'll find the diary of "Cain," one stained and bloody bed sheet, chains of assorted lengths, something slick and wet grinding over the stones, a maze and a minotaur. It's chapter 2 of "Love Stories for Dead People" and you'll never look at basements the same way again!
Plus, Bill Willingham and artist David Petersen (Mouse Guard) deliver a tale of dark delights.
On sale November 5 -- 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Madame Xanadu #6
Written by Matt Wagner
Art by Amy Reeder Hadley & Richard Friend
Cover A by Amy Reeder Hadley & Richard Friend
Cover B by Frank Quitely
Featuring fan-favorite Death from The Sandman! Madame Xanadu wagers her immortality in a game of chance against the Endless. What will be in the cards? Find out in this extraordinary chapter of Wagner's and Hadley's Vertigo smash-hit.
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers that can be ordered separately. Cover A is by Amy Reeder Hadley & Richard Friend. Cover B is by Frank Quitely. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale November 26 -- 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Unknown Soldier #2
Written by Joshua Dysart
Art by Alberto Ponticelli
Cover by Igor Kordey
The mystery surrounding the new Unknown Soldier deepens as Moses awakes with his face covered in bandages and his mind filled with military tactics and knowledge. But how does rogue CIA agent Jack Lee Howl tie in to the mission of this new Unknown Soldier?
On sale November 26 -- 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US -- MATURE READERS
Hellblazer Special: Chas – The Knowledge #5Written by Simon Oliver
Art by Goran Sudzuka
Cover by Glenn Fabry
The demon Tuma'el stands poised to take control of London's very soul. Chas Chandler must save the city, and at the same time, rediscover his own place in his beloved London. Look out next month for Hellblazer #250, a holiday special like no other!
On sale November 5 -- 5 of 5 -- 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US -- MATURE READERS
Scalped #23
Written by Jason Aaron
Art by R.M. Guera
Cover by Jock
"The Gravel in Your Guts" Part 3 of 4. Young Dino Poor Bear returns to the spotlight, while Chief Red Crow tries to pull himself out of the cycle of violence that his life has become. At the same time, Poor Bear finds himself just starting down that same dark road.
On sale November 19 * 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US * MATURE READERS
Young Liars #9
Written by David Lapham
Art and cover by David Lapham
Driven by his quest to restore Sadie's sanity, Danny tracks down the one person in the world who may be able to help -- her mother. And he's called upon to make either the most noble gesture or the biggest mistake of his life. The hideous secret behind the Brown Bag Empire is revealed, and it's too absurd to take seriously. But if the revelation is true, is it any more insane than the mentally addled killer known as Tweezers?
On sale November 12 -- 32 pg, FC, $2.99US
Wow, that's a list of winners! Every title is on my pull list already, except The Sandman: The Dream Hunters #1, of course, because that's a new title. And what a title it is! Man, I cannot wait to get my fix of some new P. Craig Russell art. I also noticed that David Petersen will be doing some art for House of Mystery. If you don't, Petersen is the creator, artist and writer of the great series Mouse Guard, and I love to see him handle another set of characters. Maybe he will draw real people here and not only mice. HA HA!
Vertigo Trades for December
Jack of Fables Vol. 4: AmericanaWritten by Matthew Sturges & Bill Willingham
Art by Tony Akins, Russ Braun and others
Cover by Brian Bolland
Jack hits the road in seach of a lost city of gold in this new collection featuring issues #17-21. Aided by his sidekicks Paul Bunyan, Humpty Dumpty, Gary the pathetic fallacy and the mysterious Hillary Page, Jack's in for the adventure of a lifetime!
Advance-solicited; on sale December 10 -- 128 pg, FC, $14.99US -- MATURE READERS
Silverfish TP
Written by David Lapham
Art and cover by David Lapham
The acclaimed urban noir graphic novel from David Lapham (Young Liars, Stray Bullets) is now available in paperback. What starts as a childish bid for her father's affections turns into nail-biting suspense when a young girl named Mia falls into a world of crime, lies and gritty realism!
Advance-solicited; on sale December 17 -- 160 pg, B&W, $17.99 US -- MATURE READERS
The Vinyl Underground Vol. 2: Pretty Dead ThingsWritten by Si Spencer
Art by Simon Gane & Cameron Stewart and Ryan Kelly
Cover by Sean Phillips
Writer Si Spencer (Torchwood) presents the paranormal byways of London in this final volume containing issues #6-12 of the horror-noir series. When ritual killings invade England, it's up to supernatural sleuths to crack the mystery!
Advance-solicited; on sale December 31 -- 168 pg, FC, $17.99 US -- MATURE READERS
Young Liars Vol. 1: Daydream Believer
Written by David Lapham
Art and cover by David Lapham
From the creator of Stray Bullets comes this rip-roaring, hardcore urban adventure comic! When young Sadie gets a bullet lodged in her brain, it sets her group of friends on an insane ride where nothing is what it seems! Featuring an introduction by rockstar and Eisner Award-winner Gerard Way!
Advance-solicited; on sale December 24 -- 144 pg, FC, $9.99US – MATURE READERS
Some great trades there, which I got either in single issue format or the hard cover version (like with Silverfish, for instance). I'm still debating whether I should move from the Jack of Fables trades to the monthlies. Maybe some of you Vertigolovers can convince me why I should do so.
Well, that's it for this week. See you next Monday.
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