9/28/2009

MONDAY TELEMETRY For September 28th, 2009

Welcome to another installment of Monday Telemetry, a weekly blog from The Launchpad that covers some of the more interesting releases or events that are coming to the store in the coming week.


ALIENS #3
Untold trillions of miles from Earth, the planet Chione holds limitless treasures, ancient mysteries . . . and horrors beyond imagination. In the presence of the greatest archaeological discovery in human history, biologist David Sereda's journey of discovery becomes a desperate rescue mission as he plunges alone into a vast, maze-like necropolis to save the life of a woman trapped amidst an infestation of deadly xenomorphs. But when Sereda comes face to face with the madmen who murdered his crew-and buried him alive-he begins to doubt his quest as he realizes that for any hope of success in the midst of monsters, Sereda may need to make a deal with devils.



DIE HARD YEAR ONE #1
America's greatest action hero is translated into the sequential art form for the first time! Every great action hero got started somewhere. Batman Began. Bond had his Casino Royale. And for John McClane, more than a decade before the first Die Hard movie, he's just another rookie cop, an East Coast guy working on earning his badge in New York City during 1976's Bicentennial celebration... and the Summer of Sam. Too bad for John McClane, nothing's ever that easy. Join legendary industry creator Howard Chaykin on a thrill ride that's rung up over $1 billion in box office worldwide and become the gold standard for classic action! Yippee Ki Yay! Covers by Dave Johnson, Jock, and John Paul Leon.




GREEN LANTERN #46
BLACKEST NIGHT continues! For months, Mongul has wrested control of the Sinestro Corps. Now Sinestro wants a word with him. And Hal wants a word with Sinestro. But in the midst of BLACKEST NIGHT, they'll all become the hunted as the fallen Sinestro Corps members rise. What will happen? Here's a hint: Sinestro gets some serious payback.




SHANG CHI MASTER OF KUNG FU ONE-SHOT
It's DEADPOOL versus SHANG-CHI, the peerless Master of Kung-Fu, in a KUNG-FU MOTORCYCLE RACE! You won't believe your eyes when you read this all-new, all-action, all-black-and-white one shot in the spirit of the Mighty Marvel Magazines of yore, but ALL-NOW in style! The kung-fu fighting never lets up for a moment over these four stories by some of Marvel's hottest
writers, including a prose tale by DARK TOWER's Robin Furth! If you like your comics bold-this is for you!


THOR #603
The people of Asgard are fractured, as Loki's scheming plans start to bear poisonous fruit. In Latveria, Balder and his loyal followers have a home at the tender mercies of Victor Von Doom. Out in the wide open world, Thor and his followers in exile roam without a country. As Loki puts the final calculated moves in play...will the spirit of Asgard itself be destroyed? Don't miss the critically acclaimed, fan-favorite, multiple-Eisner-nominated THOR!

New Comics In Store 09-30-09

This week's new comics, after the cut.

9/21/2009

MONDAY TELEMETRY For September 21st, 2009

Welcome to another installment of Monday Telemetry, a weekly blog from The Launchpad that covers some of the more interesting releases or events that are coming to the store in the coming week.



FANTASTIC FOUR #571
Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN
Penciled by DALE EAGLESHAM
Cover by ALAN DAVIS
Reed continues his quest to right all wrongs while Ben and Johnny prepare for a trip to Nu-Earth. Val figures out what her dad is up to and Sue wants to know  "is that an ultimate nullifier in your pocket?"
All that and a world-eater before breakfast! Part two of SOLVE EVERYTHING.



MARVEL ZOMBIES RETURN #4
Written by SETH GRAHAME-SMITH
Penciled by RICHARD ELSON
Cover by ARTHUR SUYDAM
Hulk smash people eaters! To get his pre-World War Hulk revenge on Black Bolt, the green goliath has arrived on the moon...but so have the undead! That's right, it's Hulk vs. zombies...on the moon! Featuring the Marvel Comics debut of Pride And Prejudice And Zombies novelist SethGrahame-Smith!


  
SPIDER-WOMAN #1
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Pencils & 50/50 Cover by
ALEX MALEEV
50/50 Cover by ALEX ROSS
THE WAIT IS OVER! The explosive Eisner award-winning team of Bendis and Maleev reunite for their first ongoing series since Daredevil! Ripped from the pages of New Avengers and Secret Invasion, watch as the gorgeous and mysterious Jessica Drew reenters a society she did not make...as an AGENT OF S.W.O.R.D. This brand new series is a perfect companion to the dazzling Spider-Woman motion comic.  Containing new story and artwork not available in any other format. This is the start of a major chapter in one of the most high profile characters in all of Marvel Comics.




WEB #1
Written by Angela Robinson; co-feature written by John Rozum
Art by Roger Robinson & Hilary Barta;co-feature art by Tom Derenick & Bill Sienkiewicz
Cover by Stanley "Artgerm" Lau
    Spinning out of August's "Red Circle" event from superstar writer J. Michael Straczynski comes the new ongoing adventures of the selfish rich-boy hero the Web, and the mysterious-undying Hangman. Writer/director Angela Robinson (D.E.B.S.) and artist Roger Robinson (BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHTS) spin the tales of The Web, a man who has only recently come to understand the burden of true heroism. He's fighting crime on his own terms, and for his first mission he's hunting down the men responsible for killing his brother!
    Plus, the Hangman stars in his own co-feature with a touch of urban noir from writer John Rozum (DETECTIVE COMICS) and artists Tom Derenick and Bill Sienkiewicz, the team behind REIGN IN HELL! The Hangman haunts the streets of San Francisco and touches lives as he works to discover whether his powers are a blessing or a curse.




IT'S HERE! IT'S HERE!

WOLVERINE GIANT-SIZE OLD MAN LOGAN #1
Written by MARK MILLAR
Pencils & Cover by STEVE MCNIVEN
This is it! The moment you've been waiting for! Prepare yourselves for the most brutal battle in the history of comics as Wolverine returns- and unleashes a tidal wave of bloody revenge! It's Wolverine versus the Hulk Gang to the death! Don't miss the flesh-rending final chapter to the greatest Wolverine story ever told by the peerless Mark Millar and Steve McNiven! Plus-you won't be able to tear yourself away from the gallery of covers, background material, behind-the-scenes extras, and all-new pinups that fill out this GIANT-SIZE SPECTACULAR!



9/19/2009

2010 Comic Book Movies


So, just talking with one of the Launchpad regulars about movies worth seeing and what based-on-a-comic movies are definitely coming out in 2010. Here's what a quick trip to imdb yielded (let me know if I missed any):

The Losers
Kick-Ass
Iron Man 2
Jonah Hex
Green Hornet
Scott Pilgrim

There a lot more that are rumored but I doubt any of them will make it in time for a 2010 release. So what do you think, is the comics-to-film machine still firing along or are we having a bit of a slump between '08 and 2011 (When we'll see Thor, Cap, and Green Lantern)?

9/18/2009

Green Lantern characters to be cast

Spoilers I'm sure....

Cinematical has a breakdown of the characters to be cast in the upcoming GL flick.

Some new gaming stuff

Got a restock on the Pathfinder RPG, issue #2 of Level Up, Dungeon Masters Guide 2, Star Wars RPG Galaxy at War, and a restock on MtG boosters.

9/14/2009

MONDAY TELEMETRY For September 14th, 2009

Welcome to another installment of Monday Telemetry, a weekly blog from The Launchpad that covers some of the more interesting releases or events that are coming to the store in the coming week.

BATMAN AND ROBIN #4
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Philip Tan & Jonathan Glapion
Cover by Frank Quitely
Meet the Red Hood and his sidekick Scarlet, Gotham City's vicious new "protectors," in the start of a new arc! This dangerous duo is out to destroy the very reputation and legacy of the Batman by replacing it altogether. Writer Grant Morrison (FINAL CRISIS) teams with hot new artist Philip Tan (GREEN LANTERN) to bring you what's sure to be the new Batman and Robin's biggest challenge yet!

BEASTS OF BURDEN #1
Evan Dorkin (W) and Jill Thompson (P)
When supernatural occurrences sweep the community of Burden Hill, it's up to a heroic gang of cats and dogs to keep residents safe from harm. A bizarre disturbance leads these four-legged neighbors on a wild-goose chase into the depths of the nearby forest, where loyalties are tested and lives come to an abrupt end. Award-winning comics creators Evan Dorkin (Milk & Cheese) and Jill Thompson (Scary Godmother) first introduced these heroic characters in the anthologies The Dark Horse Book of Hauntings, Witchcraft, the Dead, and Monsters, for which they won coveted Eisner Awards for Best Short Story and Best Painter.
Adventure, mystery, horror and humor thrive on every page of Beasts of Burden-a comic-book series that will capture readers' hearts and haunt their dreams.
The Eisner Award-winning story gets its own series!

BLACKEST NIGHT #3
Written by Geoff Johns
Art and cover by Ivan Reis & Oclair Albert
As the dead attack in full force, Green Lantern is faced with an impossible decision and the scattered remains of the Justice League suffer a terrible loss. Who can stop the Black Lanterns? Why are they rising? And how can the Spectre help?

CAPTAIN AMERICA REBORN #3
Dr. Doom and the Red Skull together again! And what is the fate of the original Captain America, Steve Rogers -- and how can he help save himself from the accidental trap he's found himself in? All this and more -- as the Avengers and the FF battle insane odds to save Marvel's Fallen Son! By the astonishing team of Brubaker, Hitch, and Guice!

ULTIMATE COMICS ARMOR WARS #1
Written by WARREN ELLIS
Penciled by STEVE KURTH
Cover by BRANDON PETERSON
Exploding from the ruins of ULTIMATUM, Tony Stark races against time to save his crippled corporation and stop the theft of his armored arsenal! Superstar writer WARREN ELLIS (ULTIMATE HUMAN) teams up with rising talent STEVE KURTH (IRON MAN) to bring you a globe-spanning, high-octane thriller with a blast from Tony's past that you've gotta see to believe!

VENGEANCE OF THE MOON KNIGHT #1
Written by GREGG HURWITZ
Penciled by JEROME OPENA
50/50 Cover by LEINIL FRANCIS YU
50/50 Cover by ALEX ROSS
"SHOCK AND AWE," PART 1-Moon Knight is back in the Big Apple and looking to pick a fight with the man who chased him out of town in the first place: Norman Osborn. Freed of his demons and armed with an arsenal of incredible new weapons, Moon Knight is finally the hero he always aspired to be - taking out criminals with massive flair and throwing down the gauntlet to his old nemesis. Is Osborn ready for Round Two?

New Comics In Store 09-16-09

28 DAYS LATER #2
ACTION COMICS #881
AGENTS OF ATLAS #11
AIR #13 (MR)
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #605
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN PRESENTS ANTI VENOM #1 (OF 3)
AOD ASH SAVES OBAMA #2 (OF 4)
ARCHIE #601
BATGIRL #2
BATMAN #689
BATMAN AND ROBIN #4
BATMAN CACOPHONY HC
BATMAN STREETS OF GOTHAM #4
BEASTS OF BURDEN #1 (OF 4)
BLACKEST NIGHT #3 (OF 8)
BRAVE AND THE BOLD #27
CAPTAIN AMERICA REBORN #3 (OF 5)
CAPTAIN AMERICA TP MAN WITH NO FACE
DARK AVENGERS #9
DARK REIGN LIST DAREDEVIL ONE SHOT
DARK WOLVERINE #78
DEADPOOL MERC WITH A MOUTH #3
DOMINIC FORTUNE #2 (OF 4) (MR)
DOOM PATROL #2
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT IRIS #3 BENITEZ CVR
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT IRIS #3 FRANCISCO CVR
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT IRIS #3 TO CVR
FABLES #88 (MR)
GI JOE ORIGINS #7
HEAVY METAL NOV 2009 (MR) (C: 0-1-2)
HULK SKAAR SON OF HULK TP
INDIANA JONES ADVENTURES TP VOL 02 (C: 0-1-2)
INDIANA JONES INDY ARTFX STATUE (C: 1-1-3)
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #18
JSA VS KOBRA #4 (OF 6)
LOCKE & KEY HEAD GAMES HC VOL 01
MARVEL ADVENTURES SUPER HEROES #8
MARVEL MINIMATES WOLVERINE THROUGH THE AGES BOX SET
MARVEL ZOMBIES RETURN #3
MIGHTY AVENGERS #29
MODELS INC #1 (OF 4) (RES)
MODOK REIGN DELAY
NEIL GAIMAN ODD AND FROST GIANTS HC ED (C: 0-1-2)
NOMAD GIRL WITHOUT A WORLD #1 (OF 4)
NON SPORT UPDATE VOL 20 #5 (C: 0-1-1)
OUTSIDERS #22
PREDATOR #1 (OF 4)
PREDATOR #2 (OF 4)
PUNISHER #9
PUNISHER NOIR #2 (OF 4) CALERO VAR
PUNISHER NOIR #2 (OF 4)
REBELS #8
SCOOBY DOO #148
SECRET WAR TP NEW PTG
SHOOTIN THE SH*T WITH KEVIN SMITH SC (MR) (C: 0-1-2)
SHOWCASE PRESENTS WARLORD TP VOL 01
SIMPSONS COMICS #158
SPIDER-MAN NOIR GN TP
ST TOS AMOK TIME 2PK SPOCK & KIRK AF SET
STAR WARS CLONE WARS #9 (C: 1-0-0)
STAR WARS KNIGHTS OLD REPUBLIC #45 DESTROYER PT 1 (OF 2) (C:
STARCRAFT #4
THOR ANNUAL #1
TINY TITANS #20
ULTIMATE COMICS ARMOR WARS #1 (OF 4)
UNCANNY X-MEN FIRST CLASS #3 (OF 8)
VENGEANCE OF MOON KNIGHT #1
WALKING DEAD #65 (MR)
WAR MACHINE #9
WEDNESDAY COMICS #7 (OF 12)
WEDNESDAY COMICS #8 (OF 12)
WEDNESDAY COMICS #9 (OF 12)
WEDNESDAY COMICS #11 (OF 12)
WORLD OF WARCRAFT #23
X-FACTOR #48
X-MEN LEGACY ANNUAL #1

9/10/2009

Yakuza Movie Poster

Your Yakuza movie poster for the day... Before bishie anime and Gackt there was Japanese media where honor was found at the end of a well honed blade.

9/07/2009

MONDAY TELEMETRY For September 7th, 2009

Welcome to another installment of Monday Telemetry, a weekly blog from The Launchpad that covers some of the more interesting releases or events that are coming to the store in the coming week.

Have a happy and safe Labor Day.

New comics will be in store Thursday due to the holiday.

ADVENTURE COMICS #2
Written by Geoff Johns; co-feature written by Geoff Johns and Michael Shoemaker
Art by Francis Manapul, co-feature art by Clayton Henry
Covers by Francis Manapul
Superboy is back and living out his teenage years in Smallville. But all is not as it seems in Superman's hometown. And while Conner reunites with his former girlfriend, Wonder Girl, to see if they have a future together, Lex Luthor and Brainiac form a partnership that will cause havoc throughout the DC Universe. But what do their plans have to do with Conner and the other students at Smallville High?
Plus, in the Legion of Super-Heroes co-feature, which takes place all the way in the 31st century, Lightning Lad travels to the prison planet of Takron-Galtos to confront his brother, Lighting Lord. There, Lightning Lord informs Lighting Lad of a shocking family secret that sets the pieces in motion for a war that will decide the future of the universe. Yeah, the universe. No big.




DARK REIGN THE LIST AVENGERS ONE-SHOT
"THE LIST" ONE-SHOTS BEGIN!
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Pencils & Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
In this first in a series of spectacular one-shots, the finest writers working at Marvel are teamed up with the most sensational artists to unveil the darkest chapters in the Dark Reign! Norman Osborn, fresh from the shocking finale of Utopia, sets his sights on the rest of the Marvel Universe. He sits down and makes a list. A list of things that are wrong with the world. Things that he needs to take care of. And the list includes almost every major player in the Marvel Universe.
These specials are exciting game changers for all of Marvel Comics and represent the finest talents.
This first chapter has a startling confrontation between members of the New Avengers and Dark Avengers. Clint Barton fans... you are not going to want to miss this one! Plus, a preview of the upcoming Dark Reign: The List titles!

KICK-ASS #7
CAN IT BE TRUE, IT'S FINALLY HERE!
Written by MARK MILLAR
Penciled by JOHN ROMITA JR.
Cover by JOHN ROMITA JR.
Dave Lizewski has had better days. When he first pulled on the Super Hero suit, it was the thrill of a lifetime. Since then, he's been banged-up, beaten, broken, bludgeoned, and all sorts of other b-words. He's met a 9-year-old assassin and been on a super hero team-up. He's watched people die and seen himself become an internet celebrity. But all that means nothing-compared to tonight. MARK MILLAR and JOHN ROMITA JR.'s foul-mouthed super hero saga continues!



THE SHIELD #1
Written by Eric Trautmann; co-feature written by Brandon Jerwa
Art by Marco Rudy & Mick Gray; co-feature art by Greg Scott
Cover by Francis Manapul
Spinning out of August's "Red Circle" event from superstar writer J. Michael Straczynski comes the new ongoing adventures of the patriotic Shield and the mysterious man on the run, Inferno! Eric Trautmann (CHECKMATE) and Marco Rudy (FINAL CRISIS) take Lt. Joe Higgins, a.k.a. The Shield, into the hotspots civilians dare not go. His first mission takes The Shield to the razed country of Bialya, destroyed by the rage of Black Adam in 52. Something lurks in the mountains beyond militia activity, and The Shield must investigate!
Plus, Inferno stars in a fast-paced co-feature from writer Brandon Jerwa (G.I. Joe) and artist Greg Scott (GOTHAM CENTRAL)! Who is Inferno, and why is he being pursued by the Dark Men? He'd better find out fast because Green Arrow and Black Canary have questions of their own for the new hero!

ULTIMATE COMICS AVENGERS #2
EXPECT THIS TO CONTINUE TO BE GREAT WITH MARK MILLAR BACK BEHIND THE WHEEL!
ENTER THE RED SKULL! Reeling over his near-fatal encounter with the Skull, Captain America takes matters into his own hands in pursuit of his terrifying new adversary and his terrorist employers! Meanwhile, Nick Fury reveals the horrifying truth behind the Red Skull and kick-starts Project Avengers in earnest with the arrival of Gregory Stark, Tony's older, richer and smarter brother! Join MARK MILLAR (ULTIMATES) and CARLOS PACHECO (X-MEN) for the next pulse-pounding issue of the biggest, baddest book of the summer!

9/06/2009

Yakuza Movie Poster


Here's your vintage Toei Studios Yakuza movie poster for the day... You're welcome.

New Comics In Store 09-10-09

Reminder: New books will be in Thursday due to the holiday.

ADVENTURE COMICS #2
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #604
BLACKEST NIGHT BATMAN #1 (OF 3) 2ND PTG
BLACKEST NIGHT BATMAN #2 (OF 3)
BOOSTER GOLD #24
CAPTAIN AMERICA REBORN #1 (OF 5) QUESADA VAR
COMICARE SHORT COMIC BOX (SOLD IN 10) (NET)
DARK AVENGERS/UNCANNY X-MEN EXODUS DAX
DARK REIGN LIST AVENGERS ONE SHOT
DARK REIGN YOUNG AVENGERS #4 (OF 5) DKR
DC COMICS GT DIGITALLY DRAWING COMICS SC (RES) (C: 0-1-2)
DOCTOR WHO ONGOING #3
DOOM PATROL #2
ELEPHANTMEN #21 (RES)
EMILY THE STRANGE TP VOL 02 (C: 0-1-2)
ENDERS GAME COMMAND SCHOOL #1 (OF 5)
FLASH REBIRTH #4 (OF 6)
FREDDY JASON ASH NIGHTMARE WARRIORS #3 (OF 6) (MR)
GHOST RIDERS HEAVENS ON FIRE #2 (OF 6)
GODZILLA SNAPSHOT T/S LG (C: 1-1-2)
GODZILLA SNAPSHOT T/S XL (C: 1-1-2)
GREEN LANTERN #41
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #40 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
GUARDIANS OF GALAXY TP VOL 02 WAR OF KINGS BOOK 01
HOUSE OF MYSTERY #17 (MR)
HULK #11 WOLVERINE MCGUINNESS VAR
HULK TEAM-UP ONE SHOT
INCREDIBLE HERCULES #134
INU YASHA TP VOL 40 (C: 1-0-1)
JUDGE DREDD MEGAZINE #288 (C: 0-1-2)
JUSTICE LEAGUE CRY FOR JUSTICE #3 (OF 7)
KICK ASS #7 (MR)
LOVE & ROCKETS NEW STORIES TP VOL 02 (MR)
MARVEL ADVENTURES SUPER HEROES #15
MARVEL SUPER HERO SQUAD #1 (OF 4)
MARVEL ZOMBIES 4 #4 (OF 4)
MARVEL ZOMBIES RETURN #2
MARVELS PROJECT #2 (OF 8)
MARVELS PROJECT #2 (OF 8) EPTING VAR
MODELS INC #1 (OF 4) (RES)
NOMAD GIRL WITHOUT A WORLD #1 (OF 4)
PUNISHER FRANK CASTLE MAX #74 (MR)
RED ROBIN #4
RED TORNADO #1 (OF 6)
SECRET SIX #13
SHIELD #1
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #204
SOULFIRE VOLUME TWO #0
SPIDER-MAN LOVE WHITE T/S LG (C: 0-1-2)
SPIDER-MAN LOVE WHITE T/S MED (C: 0-1-2)
STAR TREK NERO #2
SUPERMAN #691
SUPERMAN WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON #7 (OF 12)
THOR TALES OF ASGARD BY LEE & KIRBY #5 (OF 6)
THUNDERBOLTS #135 DKR
TITANS #17
TITANS LOCKDOWN TP
TOYFARE #147 DC DIRECT BATMAN CVR (C: 0-1-2)
ULTIMATE COMICS AVENGERS #2
UNWRITTEN #5 (MR)
WAR OF KINGS WHO WILL RULE ONE-SHOT
WARLORD #6
WEDNESDAY COMICS #10 (OF 12)
WITCHBLADE #130 SEJIC CVR A
X-MEN FOREVER #7

9/05/2009

New Gaming Stuff in Stock

We got a small gaming order yesterday:

Beyond some card sleeves and box restocks we got the new version of Space Hulk, Axis & Allies 1942, Yu-Gi-Oh Ancient Prophecy boosters, the Planechase Game Packs for MtG, and the Mecha & Manga supplement for Mutants & Masterminds.

I'm glad to see movies like this can still get made


It's been flying nap o' the earth, under my radar, but I just heard about The Expendables.

In The Expendables a group of mercenaries go after a dictator - the kind of plot we just don't see these days. The mercs: Sly Stallone, Jason Statham, and Jet Li. Other actors (I'm not sure if they're good guys or bad) include Eric Roberts, Mickey Rourke, Randy Couture, Bruce Willis, Gary Daniels (ever see Jackie Chan's City Hunter?), Dolph Lundgren, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. There's a character in it named Hale Caesar.

Wow. This is going to be epic. From what I hear they may be banning male children from attending this film since it may cause spontaneous puberty. This is the anti-Twilight. We need this.

9/02/2009

And So It Begins...

Ominous title but what does it mean? Nothin' really.

So, sorry about the lack of a Monday Telemetry this week. I'd like to blame it on the release of Batman: Arkham Asylum but the truth of the matter is I was just too busy to get it done. We're working hard making some cosmetic changes at the shop, preparing for a slight rearrangement which should be complete by the end of September (shop will look better than ever!). Stay tuned for that.

Shipping advisory for next week: Due to Labor Day new comics won't be in store until Thursday.

Good stuff this week: Another ish of Deadpool this month, Incognito #6, JL Cry For Justice #3, Magog #1, Red Tornado #1, Starr the Slayer #1 (C'mon it's Corben!), and the second issue of the superlative Ultimate Comics Spider-Man (give this one a try, it's awesome!).

Other fun stuff includes SF20: The Art of Streetfighter, the massive Art of Top Cow, and Radical's very affordable Lords of Misrule hardcover.