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!
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
I present to you the real Dirty D’s FOC post…
Hey CHU, I’m back from a one week hiatus as I took a little vacation. Feels like I’ve been away for a longer…
Thanksgiving/Black Friday is just around the corner…then it’s DECEMBER…which means a lot of wallets are likely tightening up. It does seem like a bit of a lull lately with some titles…this week’s FOC is a bit light anyway. So that may be good for those of us watching our expenditures these next few months.
COVERS
Ram V and Evan Cagle bring the Fourth World to a whole new generation in this epic of cosmic proportions. An old god has died…the New Gods are born!New series of New Gods. What stood out to me is that there’s this Acetate variant…can’t really tell from the preview how this will look, but haven’t seen one of these in a while.
A lot of Mark Spears fans on CHU. Here’s his latest cover for Action Comics.
Timeslide #1 (Spoiler Variant)
An X-Man from the future arrives in the present with a dire warning: One of mutantkind’s most hyper-advanced foes is eating his way through time, trying to stop the X-Gene from ever evolving in the first place. Only two X-Men can stop this chronal predator from achieving his goal-if they can tolerate working together long enough. Join BISHOP and CABLE on a trip through futures past, present and beyond. Your first look at the most unforgettable stories of 2025 begins here!Not sure what could be spoiled here (maybe the x-man from the future revealed?), but could be a new character. Worth keeping an eye on.
NUMBER ONES
Not sure anyone asked for this, but we’re going to get it. Team up series for these two…expect more “kids” to join as the series moves along…
The terror of the Darkseid shockwave has cascaded across the DC Universe…tearing open the very fabric of time and space itself! Only one band of super-scientists have the right stuff to challenge the fate of a universe…enter: THE CHALLENGERS OF THE UKNOWN. Ace Morgan, June Robbins, Prof Haley, Red Ryan, and Rocky Davis must team with Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and the rest of the Justice League to seal the rifts that threaten the galaxy. But a mysterious foe from the Challengers’ past lurks in the shadows, and its connection to the godshock will put the DCU on borrowed time!The Challengers are back! In a 6 issue limited series.
This series will tell the true origin of Gunslinger Spawn.
From the character’s first appearance in Spawn #174 to his adventures in the present day, all will be laid bare to the reader. The series, set in the past before the Gunslinger is pulled to the future, unravels his place in the Spawn Universe. It is a brutal tale of Old-West violence and mayhem by two of the comic industry’s finest.
REPRINTS
New printing of the facsimile edition. But this time there’s a foil variant. Issue #2 is next month as well, and oddly enough a few dollars cheaper…?
The Crisis foil facsimiles continue.
INDY SPOTLIGHT
This series of five, one-shot comic books-all featuring original protagonists from marginalized backgrounds set in a popular genres and inspired by pop culture icons-highlights how each character’s unique background allows the stories to go into new directions.Not much caught my eye on the Indy circuit, but this book seemed to stand out.
PICK OF THE WEEK
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…This book was originally supposed to come out early this year…but got delayed indefinitely (issue 2 was released in December 2023!)…but now it’s finally back on FOC. This issue debuts a new character…”Little Joker”…
Book Three introduces readers to a new acquaintance for Crytoon, one that’s the most chilling yet. He will come to be known as ‘Little Joker.’” “Crytoon is a character that has very little to laugh about,” says Grampá. “In ‘Little Joker,’ he finally finds a twisted balance of evil in its purest form, and in the laughter of this sinister child.”It’s also possible that all the delays could cause this book to be passed over at FOC…so if Little Joker hits it big, supply may not meet demand…and for that reason this book is the Dirty D Pick-Of-The-Week!
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I forgot about, “Gargoyle of Gotham,” and I enjoyed it! I just forgot because it has been so long.
I read Gargoyle of Gotham 1 and was so completely underwhelmed with the book that I never even bothered to read issue 2. Both were dollar bin pickups.
From a spec perspective, do Black Label books ever really warm up? I usually think of these purely as good reads (again, minus this particular series IMO).
Being black label doesn’t disqualify it from being speculatory. The only thing against it is it’s not in continuity…but we know with multiverses and TV/Movies dipping into various concepts for characters that doesn’t really matter anymore.
I think the Batman White Knight series is technically “black label”. Then there’s Batman Damned. Nice house on the lake had short term, and possible future potential.
Just some examples. But even so two of them are notably Batman related…so that boosts the potential as well for this week’s as pick, given it’s potential to link to Batman’s rogues gallery.
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All good points!
As I’m reading this thread, I realize how sad it is that well written stories, that hobbyists want to read, have very little spec. But the Digitally produced/AI produced hot babe cover or 1st appearance of the Green Panther and the Red Panther (or any other dumbass new characters) are all about spec.
I’m not saying I dont understand it. I do understand it. 1st appearances are what we have understood often goes up in value. Cheescake certainly sells.
But in the end, 10/15 years from now, it’s the story that meant something to me that I want to go back to. (i.e. Watchmen, Dark knight, etc., Long Halloween, Year One, etc…).
Just an observation how cheescake covers and 1st appearances are so far above and beyond considered over great stories for spec.
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You could probably attribute much of that to the trade paper back being mass produced after each 5-6 issue story arc completed. It used to be (pre 2000) only the best most in demand stories got the trade (Death in the Family, Death of Superman, etc)…now every arc is followed with a trade, it seems. So where is the incentive to pay a premium for an entire arc if it’s one truly just wants to read the story?
There are certain arcs that resonate with me where I’ll have a key book (or two) in the run, but I buy the trade for the whole story. Infinity Gauntlet, Batman Under the Hood, Captain America Winter Soldier come to mind.
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i would spec buy 100 copies of red panther
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love the hellhunter 1 windowshade variant. the nazi tank driver looking out the port hole at ghost rider 44
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That is a cool perspective.
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Id be into the Pink Panther, but hes already taken 
The jingle is stuck in my head now…
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“Dead ant, Dead ant, dead ant dead ant dead ant dead ant dead annnnnttttt”
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Hello my fellow CHU-zers! It’s that time again for Dirty D to go over some books that are at their final cutoff this week.
Today while thinking about this article, I came to the realization that there may be some that pass through here not familiar with this article, and wonder why some books are highlighted, and others are not. Well, my ultimate goal is just general awareness of open order books that shops may not have an abundance of come day of release. That could be variant covers (as some shops don’t order much beyond cover A), first issues that could go under the radar and potential first appearances that could become scarce if FOMO hits early.
I rarely call attention to incentive ratios as I’d don’t really care for books over cover price. But every so often I might point one out because it’s just something unusual.
Within that, I’ll typically kick things off with a cover of the week, then close things out with a pick of the week, which usually is the book I think has the most spec potential or just looks to be a great read for that week.
And since I’m usually scrambling to get this thing out before FOC is over (which can vary by shop, but Monday is the final day typically), I try to keep things simple and hit the high points. There are so many books each week, so everyone is welcome to comment if they feel I missed one, made a miscalculation, or just don’t agree. It’s all good!
So with all that out of the way, let’s dive in to this weeks books.
COVERS
I know it’s Turkey week, but we’re looking 5 weeks ahead. And that means this FOC is all about the Big guy in the red suit. So this week’s cover of choice goes to Santa…looking all bad-ass, Dark Knight style. Stay off his naughty list.
In shops December 25th (I kid you not…that’s what it says! Will your LCS be open?).
Warning: Will not improve vertical leap ability or basketball dunking. Leaping over tall buildings is Superman’s domain. Do not attempt.
In Shops 12/25/24.
NEW NUMBER ONES
I normally wouldn’t single out a new DC series of a character that has had series before. But this one is going to be written by Al Ewing. So it’s with mentioning here. Lots of covers to choose from. In shops 12/25/24.
They’ve all appeared in other books and covers already. Well, except one. But with this book it becomes official. The New Champions are here. In shops 1/8/25. (Also features a new Wakanadan Champion not seen before)
REPRINTS
I’ve stayed away from Absolute Batman #1 reprints, as we all knew it would go at least 4 printings deep. Will it end here? In shops 12/25/24.
And I wouldn’t point out later printings of the subsequent issues, but this cover to issue #2 is pretty cool. And you should also check out the 1:25 copy (below) as it features the Dump Truck Batmobile! Crazy. In shops 12/25/24.
Here at CHU Mark Spears covers have been discussed quite a bit. This weeks FOC features the third printing of issue #1 of his Monsters book from Keenspot. We know this will be popular…but one has to ask…who is this guy calling? (And where did he find a working phone booth?).
In shops 1/1/25.
FIRST APPEARANCES?
ENTER: STEVE TREVOR! A Harbinger is but a messenger. It is The Tetracide that you must fear, for The Tetracide leaves nothing behind. Diana’s true enemy has been revealed–and it will take everything she has to save Gateway City from oblivion!I haven’t read the book…is Steve Trevor the Harbinger? Either way, seems like a milestone issue for AWW’s first major villain. In shops 12/25/25.
The streets of Gotham run red with blood–blood that the mysterious villain known only as Asema has taken quite an interest in. Who is this scalpel-fingered creature collecting the plasma of young men, and what is Asema’s connection to Bruce Wayne?I suspect this is who is on the cover, jumping the Duo, and likely a first full (may cameo at the end of 1091). Bat rogues gallery (particularly females) are ones to keep an eye on. In shops 12/25/24.
WEAPON X changed WOLVERINE’s life forever when they bonded his claws and skeleton to the unbreakable metal adamantium. THIS IS WORSE. Who or what is the ADAMANTINE?This may just be a reveal or a “mutation” of a character already introduced. In shops 1/8/25.
INDY SPOTLIGHT
JG Jones, teams up with co-writer Phil Bram to spins an unforgettable yarn of desperation, murder, and resilience in this beautifully hand-painted story of Americana in the primal grip of brutality. In the darkest days of the Great Depression, death stalks the Dust Bowl. As towering dust storms blast the parched Oklahoma panhandle, farmers try to flee the failing town of New Hope, but no one gets far. Battling his own demons, Sheriff Meadows teams up with Sarah, a traveling photojournalist, in a desperate fight to stop a serial killer on the loose-the Death that rides the Dusters.Not much grabbing my attention in the Indy world this week…but I do like JG and hand painted art in comics. So that helps makes this book stand out from the rest. Comes out 12/25/24.
PICK OF THE WEEK
THE ULTIMATE GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY! America Chavez takes center stage in this issue as a group of galactic travelers from a far-flung, Maker-free future arrive in search of her!Yeah, not much going on this week. So this book gets the PotW win by default. New characters plus cover appearance on Cover A (and one is a dog, how cute is that!). It’s checking the boxes, if anything.
Parting Thoughts
I went to a local comic show in Bristol, CT today (down the road from ESPN), so been a busy day. I’ll be putting together a quick summary over the next week, so look for that (likely in the forums). Otherwise, have a great week and eat lots of turkeyf! 
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@anyhony, not sure I’m getting an FOC article out today…having Thanksgiving 2 with some friends, drinking the red wine wallowing in another Jets pathetic season…and My fantasy team is looking like it’s setting up for a collapse of the ages…this evening is not going to end well.
That is all.
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