Dirty D's F.O.C

Hello everyone. It’s New York Comic Con week. So lots of excitement and exclusives to be had, if that’s your thing.

But there are some books on FOC worth paying attention. Let’s check some out.

COVERS

Daredevil #15 (Gabriele Dellotto Variant)

Another great Dell Otto cover. This time featuring King Pin. Dirty D cover of the week!

Batman #155 (McFarlane Toys Variant)

I’m not usually a fan of these “toy” variant covers, but I do like a sweet red hood cover.

Immortal Thor #17

Four new gods walked the Earth, called by Thor’s foes to be his death - a man of fire, a man of stone, a beast of wrath and a trickster-serpent. All had reason to hate the thunder god…and working together, they had the power to end an All-Father’s reign. This is the story of the IMMORTAL THOR…and what broke him at last.

Not sure if this will be a first appearance of these “four new gods”, but this is a fantastic cover by the great Alex Ross.

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Avengers Assemble #3 (of 5) (Spoiler Variant)

When a new iteration of the NIGHTSTALKERS attacks a community of civilian vampires formed in New York City after the events of BLOOD HUNT, the AVENG.E.R.S. must align to protect those who they once sought to defeat!

No idea what this could be spoiling…but just be aware for what it’s worth.

FIRST ISSUES

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All New Venom #1 (Platt Variant)

An all-new host is taking the symbiote in a whole new direction - but who?

I won’t spoil it here, but it’s hard to get excited for another symbiote host. The design is cool, though. The Platt variant is the winner in my book.

Batgirl #1

Cassandra Cain is taking center stage in her first solo Batgirl series in nearly two decades! Cass must embark on a jaw-dropping, martial-arts filled adventure in her quest for truth and justice…and revenge?! It’s a Batgirl book like never before.

A new Batgirl series begins. There’s a Dekal variant cover for his fans.

Little Batman Month One #1 (of 4)

Taking place after the events of “Merry Little Batman,” Gotham City finds itself reeling from the Joker’s attack, and Damian Wayne (a.k.a. Little Batman) is eager to get back into the fight. See Little Batman in a new adventure from the film’s screenwriter, Morgan Evans, after catching the rerelease of the breakout movie in theaters this winter.

I have not seen Merry Little Batman but now I’m intrigued. It looks like this mini series will have some interesting homage covers, starting with this Batman 404.

Star Wars Battle Jakku Republic Under Siege #1

LUKE SKYWALKER and a new friend find themselves cornered! Can two Imperial powerhouses find common ground against the nascent New Republic?? The heroes find themselves saved in the nick of time - by a fan-favorite guest star and ally!

Not sure who the new friend or ally is, but I’m curious who the woman in the flight suit is. Could be worth keeping an eye on this book.

INDY SPOTLIGHT

Fade #1 (of 5) (Cover B - Hans)

A once-fearless high school student, Jeannie wasn’t prepared for the aimless feeling of being a college freshman, but that’s all about to change! Mirror myths take on new life in the modern age, as countless people claim to have passed into The Fade in their dreams via a viral internet sensation, but what awaits Jeannie Warner and her best friend Arno on the other side? Royal adventures, ancient prophecies, or something more dangerous…?

Interesting concept. I like the Hans variant as well.

PICK OF THE WEEK

Absolute Superman #1

Without the fortress…without the family…without a home…what’s left is the Absolute Man of Steel!

Probably won’t be a spec book (it’s been a while since there’s been good Supe spec), but Absolute Batman has kicked off this universe with positive reviews with an alternative look at Bruce Wayne. DC will look to keep it going with Superman.

Parting Thoughts

That it for this week. For those going to NYCC, have a great time!

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I got all sorts o’ crazy this week and ordered that Sweet Paprika Showgirls variant :joy:
What in the world am I doing???

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Great movie

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I ordered that too. Great cover :wink:

Also ordered Toxic Avenger #2 cover D

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“Showgirls,” is a campy classic!

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Hello CHU fans. It’s the last day of Comicon. It’s been quite an event. I was fortunate enough to attend the first two days and grab some cool exclusives. I hope many of you were able to attend as well…judging by the crowd, I’m thinking just about all of you were there…hard to imagine so many people crammed into one location…with not a lot of elbow room (although some elbows may have been thrown while lining up for a certain Spawn exclusive…?).

Anyway, there’s a NYCC 2024 thread running in the forums that’s been quite active and informative of the events. Feel free to join in with your experiences if you have any to share.

But not even NYCC can stop FOC from happening this week! So I hope you saved a little cash…you shouldn’t need too much. Some bigger books coming in the following weeks and months as revealed at NYCC, but this week is a little on the lighter side.

COVERS

GI Joe #1 (Cover F - Sozomakia Variant)

Hard to beat a good Baroness cover…Sozo has memorable one, with her as a member of the Joe’s (she’s “good girl” now…). There’s a NYCC exclusive virgin foil as well, but I prefer the trade dress….foils don’t always make better covers also. And then there’s the price being 1/20th of the exclusive….

FAC CHECK

Limited Collectors Edition #37 (Facsimile Edition Foil Variant))

Special all-villain issue featuring five thrilling tales of Batman fighting his greatest enemies, reprinted for the first time ever and in its original size as a full facsimile edition. A Batman tabloid extravaganza with pinups, puzzles, activity pages, and a back cover tabletop diorama that you can cut out and display.

Now you don’t have to destroy the original to pull out the pin-ups and complete the puzzles! Hopefully you waited 49 years for this facsimile to do so!

This is one you’ll want to order ahead. The foil particularly is $20 (retail), but many places discount 25-35% which basically pays for shipping. And throw in a few extra books to take further advantage of the shipping discount.

FIRST APPEARANCES (Sort of)

Conquest 2099 #4 (of 5)

Featuring the first appearance of GHOST-SPIDER 2099!

No. Not really. There was another Ghost Rider 2099 back in the 90s.

Venom War #5 (of 5)

The time is nigh to end the war, decimate all the forces arrayed against them, and set the stage for an all-new Venom the likes of which no one has ever seen!

Wait…didn’t we talk about this new host for Venom last week? Yea, we did! But this book comes out a whole week earlier…!

SPOILER ALERT

Transformers #14 (Cover B - Spoiler Variant)

I don’t think there spec here. I’ve seen the cover (you can see it over at Lunar Distribution). Let’s just say this could be the first appearance of a Transformer/GI Joe mashup “character”…not a new character though.

INDY SPOTLIGHTS

From the World of Minor Threats: The Brood #1 (Cover C)

Napoleon Archimedes confronts his own mortality, and he’s forced to name a successor from his three extraordinary children: Athena, Benjamin, and Spookshow. Each brilliant, cunning … and unlucky enough to be the child of the world’s greatest supervillain. Napoleon believed he was smart enough to have it all: Raise a family AND conquer the world. Then he thought: Why not combine them? Take the kids on as partners. Create a dynasty… None of it went according to plan. Who will rise above the betrayal, failure, and dysfunction to seize the family business?

Sounds like an interesting concept. I like how the C cover highlights several of the characters.

Calavera P.I. #1 (of 4)

In 1925, Juan Calavera died a hero. After a career spent outside the law defending the Chicano barrios where the police refused to operate, he earned a reputation for fearlessness . . . and a gunshot in the stomach. Now, five years later, on Dia de los Muertos, his restless spirit has been summoned from the grave to help a desperate former colleague unravel a kidnapping all too close to home. With only days to solve the case before he is called back to the underworld, can Calavera reveal the identity of the masked human trafficker known as La Fantasma before tragedy strikes again . . . and solve the mystery of his own murder in the process?

A little Ghost Rider / Dick Tracy mash-up? I’m interested!

PICK OF THE WEEK

Spider-Boy #13 (First Appearance Spoiler Variant)

It’s not really much of a spoiler variant if you reveal the cover a week before FOC…it’s like someone at marvel changed their mind because they could sell more books revealing the character…and call it a first appearance variant…but then forgot to drop “spoiler” from the title…

Anyway…with not much spec this week, this cover/book is the winner. Granted Hulkette (I like to call her Hulk-Girl) has a prior cover appearance, this looks to be her official debut. So have at it!

Parting Thoughts

I hope everyone enjoyed NY Comic Con and stayed out of trouble (if you attended). I had a blast and look forward to next year. See you all next week!

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11/3/24 FOC

Hey CHU. Last week’s FOC was a little light, so no article. This week is a little better. A few covers and #1s. Pick of the week shouldn’t surprise anyone.

 

COVERS

 

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Power Girl #15 (Dekal Variant)

Yeah. No contest this week. Dekal does it again. Cover of the week!

 

 

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Dazzler #4 (of 4) (Jenny Frison Variant)

The one thing I have against Frison is that her covers tend to start looking alike after a while…and this one does resemble SIKTC covers. But it’s still a good Dazzler cover, regardless.

 

 

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Creepshow Vol 3 #3 (of 5) (Morazzo Variant)
Yes, this cover has been homaged to death! But I wouldn’t want you completionists out there to miss one.

 

 

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Batman the Long Halloween the Last Halloween #3 (of 10) (Chiarello Variant)
Riddler doesn’t have a lot of great covers. I do like this one which taps into his psychotic side.

 

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Infinity Watch #1 (Inyhuk Lee Variant)

Could have put this in the new #1s category, but not sure another Infinity Watch series is something to get excited about. But some may consider this cover exciting.

 

First Appearances

 

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Detective Comics #1091 (Cover A - Janin)
The sinister, scalpel-fingered villain known as Asema stalks the shadows of Gotham, slaying small-time criminals with surgical accuracy. But what is the purpose of these murders, and how do they concern the Dark Knight?
New villain. Liking the Janin cover as well!

 

 

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Amazing Spider-Man #63
Spider-Man finds himself face-to-face with CYRIOS, SCION OF CYTORRAK! Cyrios represents the inevitability of time and takes Spider-Man on a heartbreaking tour through Peter Parker’s past AND future in excruciating detail. How many deaths will Spider-Man spend trying to alter his past and save his future?!
Possible 2 firsts here….maybe more. First this Cyrios character. Then what looks to be a new suit (maybe related to the Peters tour through time?). And who knows if anyone from Peter’s revealed future will be a first? So this book has some potential.

 

 

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Ultimate X-Men #10
In case anyone is still following this series or has interest, a character named Viper is being introduced, it would seem.

 

Number Ones

 

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Alien Paradiso #1 (of 5)
The Tulum of space, Paradiso is a hidden gem among the colonies with its tropical climate, white sand beaches and a remarkable population of hyper-wealthy criminals. When Colonial Marshals Dash Nanda and Lydia Reeves are sent there to bust a smuggling ring, they think they’ve hit the job-assignment jackpot. But the only ones getting lucky here are those HUNGRY enough to take what they need.
New Alien miniseries.

 

 

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Petpool Pool Party #1
Features several Deadpool pet variants. Not sure if any are new. It does promote a new foe, a descendant of Van Helsing…

 

 

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Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #1 (of 5)
A prequel book to the animated series. Interesting costume. I like cover A. I believe it’s an homage but can’t quite remember of what. There is an animation variant which homages AF15.

 

INDY SPOTLIGHTS

 

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Long Cold Winter #1 (of 4)
In the not-too-distant future, the air on Earth has become unbreathable. However, a multinational company called Air Co. has constructed generators that provide oxygen for those who can afford it. Peace Dog, a desperate ex-soldier, who has been willing to do anything to obtain breathable air is haunted by his past and hunted by bounty hunters, though, he may have found a way out of his current predicament by helping a mysterious robot child escape the dangerous and congested city. But, someone from his past has no intention of letting him leave…alive.
Sounds a bit like Total Recall and Mad Max with Bounty Hunters and robot kids thrown into the mix. Sounds different.

 

PICK OF THE WEEK

 

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Ultimate Universe One Year in #1 (Cappuccio Spoiler Variant)

Deniz Camp flips the narrative on ULTIMATES and takes us inside the Maker’s Council! The heroes of the Ultimate Universe aren’t the only ones who have been preparing for the return of the Maker, and the clock is ticking down…This unique one-shot sets the stage for the second year of the Ultimate line and includes the debut of the Ultimate versions of two major Marvel characters.
Not much of a spoiler cover if it’s revealed a Month before FOC. Well, we know one is Ultimate Wolverine. A mashup of Winter Soldier and Weapon X. We may have already seen the man behind the mask in Ultimate X-Men 6…remains to be seen. But a new Wolverine character will be a hit. This may be a cover more heavily ordered than cover A…

No one should miss out on this, but you never know.

 

Parting Thoughts.

That’s it for this week. Running a bit late and still need to pre-order my books! Happy Hunting!
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Greetings Chuniverse. Dirty D is on vacation somewhere and we thought it would be nice to give him the day off. This is Assistant Editor week. Check out our highlights:

New Series


BATMAN DARK PATTERNS #1

Set during the early years of Batman's career, Batman: Dark Patterns delves into four mysterious cases as he attempts to cement his place as Gotham City's protector while the city itself ?ghts back against him. This is the Dark Knight Detective at his most stripped-down core, a man relying on his wits, his skills, and little else as he tackles some of the most twisted mysteries Gotham City and its protector have ever encountered. Case 01: We Are Wounded A series of sickeningly gruesome murders has sent shock waves through Gotham. Are these the random works of a serial killer, or is there something more sinister at play? Batman attempts to get to the bottom of the mystery before any more victims are claimed.

TWO-FACE #1

HARVEY DENT'S GREATEST TRIAL BEGINS! After years of internal con?ict, both halves of Harvey Dent have reached an uneasy peace. Now Harvey will use his skills as an attorney to resolve the con?icts of Gotham's weirdest and most dangerous criminals, starting with Victor Zsasz. When Zsasz is accused of murdering a fellow member of Gotham's underworld contingent, who better to prove a criminal's innocence than someone who's been on both sides of the law?
One to Watch

Absolute Superman #2

First full appearance of Absolute Brainiac.

For the Cover


ACTION COMICS #1078 CVR D DAVID NAKAYAMA ARTIST SPOTLIGHT CARD STOCK VAR
Just a great Supergirl cover. Nothing more. Nothing less.

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #12 JEEHYUNG LEE VARIANT
I love a good Mary Jane cover.

One and done


DREAD THE HALLS

The perfect holiday stocking stuffer—a collection of horror tales to read curled up by the light of the Yule log “Be of Good Fear!” Long before Americans celebrated horror on Halloween, the Victorians did it gathered around a fireplace on Christmas Eve. DREAD THE HALLS honors this macabre tradition by wishing you and yours “Happy Holidays” with stories of ghosts, ghastly abominations, and vile creatures. Covers by red-hot artists MARIA THE WOLF, MARGUERITE SAUVAGE, wrapping-paper variant by JORDAN HART,** and **a holiday homage cover by LEE FERGUSON, will allow you to spread the dread this season in horrifically festive style!

EC SHIVER SUSPENSTORIES #1
More new EC, yes please! Adam Hughes horror cover? Oh hell yes.

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, TERROR COMES CALLING WITH 56 PAGES OF SHOCKING CHILLS FROM AN ALL-STAR CAST OF EC'S FINEST FIENDS! Just in time for Christmas, Oni Press and EC Comics are proud to present Shiver SuspenStories #1—the FIRST in an ALL-NEW series of extra-sized EC specials colliding tales of horror, science fiction, and powerfully potent suspense in one joyously wrapped, squarebound package that may or may not be leaking something strange under the Christmas tree . . . Featuring brand-new tales of merry dismemberment and yuletide destruction from writers Jason Aaron (Thor), Ben H. Winters (CBS' Tracker), and more, with artists Kano (Gotham Central), Peter Krause (Irredeemable), and more—plus a newly remastered and authentically restored holiday classic from the EC vaults! Get ready to hear those SLAY BELLS RING—AIN’T IT SICKENING?!

FREDDIE THE FIX #1

A twisted horror tale from GARTH ENNIS and MIKE PERKINS! Hollywood After Dark—werewolves, vampires, zombies, aliens, bogeymen, predators, and...things. They all have their kinks, and they all get in deep shit. They all call Freddie…to fix it. The horror-skewed intersection of The Boys and Ray Donovan. The debut offering from NINTH CIRCLE, the creator-owned, creator-driven, horror showcase of standalone bone-chilling tales of terror and mayhem!
Just the Facs

FLASH COMICS #1 FACSIMILE EDITION
THE FIRST APPEARANCE OF THE FASTEST MAN ALIVE!

GREEN LANTERN #59 FACSIMILE EDITION
THE FIRST APPEARANCE OF GUY GARDNER!

Notable reprints


TRANSFORMERS #1 TENTH PRINTING CVR B DANIEL WARREN JOHNSON & MIKE SPICER STARSCREAM GOLD FOIL EMBOSS VAR
10th Printing for Transformers, gold foil, as a 90’s kid I am a sucker for foil. Also an Optimus Prime version as well

Pick of the Week


TVA #1

FOR ALL TIMES, ALWAYS! The Time Variance Authority has long watched over the timeline, protecting it from dangerous variations that could cause the end of EVERYTHING. Now, as the organization begins to expand its tolerance of variants, it's enlisted some new recruits from timelines that have been wiped from existence: Captain Peggy Carter, Super-Soldier of her world; Gambit, despondent and aimless from the loss of his lady love; and this can't be right, Spider-Gwen? Has her world been destroyed?!?
Features first appearance of Doc Clock and Sir Seconds, (think Miss Minutes)

Parting Thoughts
Hope Dirty D is having a good time on his trip.

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Isn’t TVA #1 also the first in story appearance of Miss Minutes or did I miss it?

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I think first in story yes.

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Thanks. I was in places with little to no cell service so couldn’t even get out a message if I tried.

That’s what vacations are suppose to be like… disconnect from the rest of the world.

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I did that this weekend with the wife. My boys went to my father in law’s house for the 3 day weekend and the wife and I spent Saturday and Sunday together. Set the phone on Do Not Disturb and enjoyed our time together. Went to this breakfast place and they had a giant pancake the size of a pizza. It was nice to disconnect from work and other people…

Here is a picture of that pancake. I was not expecting it to be that size. I want to say 12"-14"

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Hey everyone, another assistant editor week. Dirty D has been on vacation so still giving him a break. Pretty big week for FOC that I actually knocked off some books from the list to keep it streamlined. Here is what is on tap:

ABSOLUTE BATMAN #3

NEW FRIENDS, NEW ENEMIES! Batman and Alfred have formed a tentative alliance, but the Black Mask has some new friends too...and they're coming to Gotham to wreak absolute havoc. Plus, discover the dark secret that will rock Bruce to his core and make him question everything...
Why? Already a great series, but rumor of a big first appearance

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #64

THE 8 DEATHS OF SPIDER-MAN CONTINUES! Cytorrak's most dangerous scion, CALLIX, and his deadly CRIMSON CANINES take their turn to inflict physical pain on Spider-Man. Spidey doesn't have many deaths left to spend.
Why? First appearance of Callix, another scion of Cytorrak. Plus, first cover appearance of Doom Suit.

BATMAN GARGOYLE OF GOTHAM #3

"MAY THE HOUR OF THE DEVIL BEGIN..." The harrowing journey through the dark heart of Gotham reaches a fever pitch in this penultimate installment of Rafael Grampa's visionary series! Batman's investigation leads him into the deadly lair of Doctorgeist--where his presence is not only expected...but welcomed. Their savage fight for the soul of Gotham--and the soul of Bruce Wayne himself--will send shock waves through the city from which it might never recover. And elsewhere, the fugitive Crytoon makes a twisted acquaintance that finally gives him something to smile about...
Why? First appearance and first cover of Little Joker

GI JOE #2

Cobra Commander unveils the next phase of his plan, meet THE VALKYRIES, the newest Cobra special operatives unit. And as they race to retrieve the new mysterious weapon, will Duke suffer his first failure as the leader of G.I. Joe?
Why? Introduction of the Valkyries, female Cobra troops.

HELLHUNTERS #1

GHOST RIDER '44! 1944: As U.S. Sergeant Sal Romero is parachuting into Nazi-occupied Europe, young Nazi officer Felix Bruckner becomes the host for an unspeakable evil. In the aftermath of their violent meeting, Romero is reborn as GHOST RIDER '44, who sets out not only to take revenge on Bruckner and the Nazis, but to save mankind from annihilation! Featuring an ALL-STAR CAST of Marvel's most badass heroes, don't miss the origin of the INCREDIBLE HULK's GHOST RIDER '44!
Why? People loved Ghost Rider '44 when he first appeared. This fleshes out his story and gives people more of what they love.

IN BLOOM #1

43% of the cells within a healthy human body belong to something other than the human host. Microbiomes, invasive bacteria, fungal and viral agents, and something else, something... more. When the BLOOM happened, humanity was changed forever, transformed by symbiotic fungal megasystems that infected their bodies. Some affected people grew new body parts, some found their personalities changed in radical new ways, while others reported contact with some... other intelligence not their own. In this revolutionary new world, Agent Spears finds herself investigating a series of mysterious murders, a chain of violence that leads her to a terrifying question on which the fate of every living being rests.
Why? New Boom series combining body horror and sci-fi in a very entertaining read.

KIDPOOL/SPIDER-BOY #1

HISTORIC FIRST MEETING! Your favorite foul-mouthed adolescent, KIDPOOL, is back in comic book form starring alongside the biggest debut character in recent memory, SPIDER-BOY! Will the Adolescent-Arachnid be able to keep the Murderous Middle-Grader from causing the return of the Comics Code? UNLIKELY! But Bailey is going to try! Don't miss the comic that every kid and kid-at-heart in America is going to sneakily read under their sheets with a flashlight!
Why? Comic debut of MCU version of Kidpool.

MAGIK #1

THE MYSTIC MUTANT GOES DEMON HUNTING IN HER OWN NEW, ONGOING SERIES! The X-Man Ilyanna Rasputina strikes out on her own with new allies and dark powers arrayed against her. Something ancient has awakened beneath the Alaskan ice. Unfortunately for it, that's Magik's territory now!
Why? First appearance of Demon Crow, plus people love Magik and Magik covers.

Cover Spotlight


ACTION COMICS #1080 CVR A CLAYTON HENRY
Why? Just a sweet dead Superman cover.

BATMAN SUPERMAN WORLDS FINEST #34 CVR D DAVID NAKAYAMA ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
Why? I don’t think I need to say how great Nakayama is with female characters. Throw in the simple purple lines separating the white background from her suit. Just love it.

DEADLY TALES OF THE GUNSLINGER SPAWN #2 CVR B MARK SPEARS

The journey of the Gunslinger continues, but he is not alone. While his transformation is complete, there are those who are hunting him, looking to steal his power.
Why? Mark Spears just owns this one

Aren’t the Valkyries in the new G.I. Joe series (Skybound)? G.I. Joe #2?

thanks for the edit, you are right and I linked the wrong book. Fixing it now

Sorry…just sent in my picks!

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Also, Gunslinger Spawn 1 is on FOC this week…TFAW messed it up having 2 with the same FOC.

I actually didn’t use tfaw for the doc list, so its funny that two major retailers had the date wrong