12/31/2009
Happy New Years, everybody!
Be safe, have fun, been a great year for The Launchpad and next year will only be better. Take care everyone. We're closing up early today, getting out of here at 6, been a slow day, quiet end to a busy month here at the shop...
12/28/2009
MONDAY TELEMETRY For December 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 this week.
ITEM! No comics shipping this week save for one: Blackest Night #6!
ITEM! We'll also be having a one-day sale on the 12/30, Most Wanted Wednesday. Select Crime, Noir, and Suspense titles will be on sale for 30% off.
ITEM! No comics shipping this week save for one: Blackest Night #6!
ITEM! We'll also be having a one-day sale on the 12/30, Most Wanted Wednesday. Select Crime, Noir, and Suspense titles will be on sale for 30% off.
BLACKEST NIGHT #6
The secrets of Nekron are revealed as darkness consumes the DC Universe. Everything else: TOP SECRET.
12/26/2009
Catching up, part the second...
Powers #2: A series I hadn't read previously. Think I'll be following this book from now on. Brutal, brutal first couple of pages.
The Stand Soul Survivors #3: Very good book. This adaptation is continuing at a ideal pace for me. Wonder how many volumes it'll be when it's done?
Wolverine Weapon X #8: Pretty dark stuff. I've been enjoying this arc so far. Makes me wonder though why they don't have a Wolverine Max series and just go for it. Nothing in this issue is kid-appropriate anyway.
Wolverine Origins #43: Just jumping in to this arc (thank you Marvel for the recaps in the beginning of the ish) and I love the idea of Wolverine going to practice his sword technique with the Silver Samurai and would have like to see more of that actually. Good issue, tightly plotted with some good twists and turns.
That's it for now.... (Mike)
The Stand Soul Survivors #3: Very good book. This adaptation is continuing at a ideal pace for me. Wonder how many volumes it'll be when it's done?
Wolverine Weapon X #8: Pretty dark stuff. I've been enjoying this arc so far. Makes me wonder though why they don't have a Wolverine Max series and just go for it. Nothing in this issue is kid-appropriate anyway.
Wolverine Origins #43: Just jumping in to this arc (thank you Marvel for the recaps in the beginning of the ish) and I love the idea of Wolverine going to practice his sword technique with the Silver Samurai and would have like to see more of that actually. Good issue, tightly plotted with some good twists and turns.
That's it for now.... (Mike)
Catching up...
Hope everyone had a Happy Holiday. Personally, I'm a bit wiped out from a busy couple of days. But now it's time to catch up on some comic reading (Mike):
Crossed #8: Got pretty worried when I mistakenly thought this was the final issue (it's got one more to go). This series seems to alternate between "talky" issues and issues filled with crossed-committed atrocities. This was a talky one which addresses some of the awful stuff that went down in issue #7 and sets up the next issue which looks like it will tie up the remaining plot threads. Still holding out judgment on this one, it's been a harrowing ride but I'm still hoping for a satisfying conclusion.
Detective Comics #860: Batwoman's origin continues. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite comic characters and Rucka seems to have found more traction with this series as his run continues. Bit sad to hear JH Williams will be leaving this series (but there's hints he may return for another run in future). But I'm familiar with Jock from his work on Judge Dredd and I'm looking forward to his take on the character. The Question Second Feature is fun but just doesn't grab me.
Fantastic Four #574: Still a solid book. The art in this issue and last looks a bit rushed. Something of a filler-issue/jumping-on-point. The new storyline, focusing on the children, looks very promising.
Halo Blood Line #1: Haven't read any of the other Halo comics. This is a decent start, but I'm hoping the members of Spartan Team Black aren't as clichéd as they seem at first glance. The plot continues along the familiar Halo lines, a strange signal lures both Spartan Team Black and the Covenant to a mysterious alien world.
Fall Of Hulks Gamma One-Shot: I was ambivalent about FOH before, but Parker's Alpha One-Shot got me off the fence. Gamma, written by Jeph Loeb, is pretty good too, continuing to deepen the mystery and set up the impending showdown. The writing in this issue is a stark contrast to Loeb's work on Hulk.While the Hulk series is fun, it's just been dragging its feet in the exposition department. Looks like they're throwing things into a higher gear for the FOH crossover.
Hellboy Bride of Hell One-Shot: Well, it's Corben doing the art, so I'm sold already. Solid, solid comic. I needed a little Halloween injected into my Christmas.
Getting busy... Try to continue my reading frenzy later.
Crossed #8: Got pretty worried when I mistakenly thought this was the final issue (it's got one more to go). This series seems to alternate between "talky" issues and issues filled with crossed-committed atrocities. This was a talky one which addresses some of the awful stuff that went down in issue #7 and sets up the next issue which looks like it will tie up the remaining plot threads. Still holding out judgment on this one, it's been a harrowing ride but I'm still hoping for a satisfying conclusion.
Detective Comics #860: Batwoman's origin continues. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite comic characters and Rucka seems to have found more traction with this series as his run continues. Bit sad to hear JH Williams will be leaving this series (but there's hints he may return for another run in future). But I'm familiar with Jock from his work on Judge Dredd and I'm looking forward to his take on the character. The Question Second Feature is fun but just doesn't grab me.
Fantastic Four #574: Still a solid book. The art in this issue and last looks a bit rushed. Something of a filler-issue/jumping-on-point. The new storyline, focusing on the children, looks very promising.
Halo Blood Line #1: Haven't read any of the other Halo comics. This is a decent start, but I'm hoping the members of Spartan Team Black aren't as clichéd as they seem at first glance. The plot continues along the familiar Halo lines, a strange signal lures both Spartan Team Black and the Covenant to a mysterious alien world.
Fall Of Hulks Gamma One-Shot: I was ambivalent about FOH before, but Parker's Alpha One-Shot got me off the fence. Gamma, written by Jeph Loeb, is pretty good too, continuing to deepen the mystery and set up the impending showdown. The writing in this issue is a stark contrast to Loeb's work on Hulk.While the Hulk series is fun, it's just been dragging its feet in the exposition department. Looks like they're throwing things into a higher gear for the FOH crossover.
Hellboy Bride of Hell One-Shot: Well, it's Corben doing the art, so I'm sold already. Solid, solid comic. I needed a little Halloween injected into my Christmas.
Getting busy... Try to continue my reading frenzy later.
12/22/2009
12/21/2009
MONDAY TELEMETRY For December 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 this week.
ITEM! Thanks go out to everyone who stopped by for our Christmas Party, it was a fantastic turnout. Hopefully we'll see more of you next year! (or at a gathering that might be sooner than Christmas ... stay tuned)
ITEM! Our TPB sale ends on the 24th. If there's anything you've been eyeballing now might be the time. The sale also applies to special orders as long as you place the order by the 24th.
ITEM! A reminder, there will be no new comics shipped next Wednesday (12/30). Because of this Marvel is treating this week like a double ship week, there's a lot of stuff coming out. If you want more titles than you can afford right now, just remember there will only be one new comic on sale next week (Blackest Night #6). And we'll be happy to hold stuff for you until after the holidays, just let us know. For that matter if you can't make it in at all, just call us or drop us an email and we'll set you books aside for you.
ITEM! We'll also be having a one-day sale on the 12/30, Most Wanted Wednesday. Select Crime, Noir, and Suspense titles will be on sale for 30% off.
CAPTAIN AMERICA WHO WILL WIELD THE SHIELD ONE-SHOT
SPOILER WARNING! This book is set after the events of Captain America Reborn #6.
Steve Rogers has returned, but Bucky Barnes is the current Captain America, and has come into his own in the role. Will there be two Captain Americas? Will Bucky go back to being the Winter Soldier? What will happen? Decisions, decisions, decisions....
FALL OF THE HULKS GAMMA ONE SHOT
It's almost here! JEPH LOEB and original WORLD WAR HULK artist JOHN ROMITA JR. bring you the set-up to the event of 2010. With the Hulk family growing exponentially over the past year, it was only a matter of time before things came to a smashing head. But what could set all of these characters into a rage that has them turning on each other, and on the world? Whose death starts this? Just what role do Skaar, A-Bomb, the She-Hulks and the Marvel Universe play in this story? One thing's for sure-things are about to get incredible!
LAST DAYS OF AMERICAN CRIME #1 (OF 3)
From Rick Remender, the critically acclaimed writer of Punisher. In the not-too-distant future, as a final response to terrorism and crime, the U.S. government plans in secret to broadcast a signal making it impossible for anyone to knowingly commit unlawful acts. To keep this from the public, the government creates a distraction, installing a new currency system using digital charge cards.
Enter Graham Brick, a career criminal never quite able to hit the big score. In a grand scheme, Graham intends to steal one of the charging stations, skip the country and live off unlimited funds for the rest of his life. But the media has leaked news of the anti-crime signal one week before it was to go live... and now Graham and his team have just a few days to turn the crime of the century into the last crime in American history.
SUPERMAN #695
Part 2 of Man of Valor! Metropolis gets a chance to see the new Mon-El in action. But now the stakes are raised even higher and the action escalates as Mon finally goes mano-a-mano against the Parasite! This is a battle that's been brewing since Mon's emergence on Earth and now it explodes into the streets and skies of the city.
Plus, with Mon-El's secret identity publicly known, how will the Science Police react to him now that they know he's been living among them all this time? All this plus the return of Natasha Irons and the fate of Steel!
ITEM! Thanks go out to everyone who stopped by for our Christmas Party, it was a fantastic turnout. Hopefully we'll see more of you next year! (or at a gathering that might be sooner than Christmas ... stay tuned)
ITEM! Our TPB sale ends on the 24th. If there's anything you've been eyeballing now might be the time. The sale also applies to special orders as long as you place the order by the 24th.
ITEM! A reminder, there will be no new comics shipped next Wednesday (12/30). Because of this Marvel is treating this week like a double ship week, there's a lot of stuff coming out. If you want more titles than you can afford right now, just remember there will only be one new comic on sale next week (Blackest Night #6). And we'll be happy to hold stuff for you until after the holidays, just let us know. For that matter if you can't make it in at all, just call us or drop us an email and we'll set you books aside for you.
ITEM! We'll also be having a one-day sale on the 12/30, Most Wanted Wednesday. Select Crime, Noir, and Suspense titles will be on sale for 30% off.
SPOILER WARNING! This book is set after the events of Captain America Reborn #6.
Steve Rogers has returned, but Bucky Barnes is the current Captain America, and has come into his own in the role. Will there be two Captain Americas? Will Bucky go back to being the Winter Soldier? What will happen? Decisions, decisions, decisions....
It's almost here! JEPH LOEB and original WORLD WAR HULK artist JOHN ROMITA JR. bring you the set-up to the event of 2010. With the Hulk family growing exponentially over the past year, it was only a matter of time before things came to a smashing head. But what could set all of these characters into a rage that has them turning on each other, and on the world? Whose death starts this? Just what role do Skaar, A-Bomb, the She-Hulks and the Marvel Universe play in this story? One thing's for sure-things are about to get incredible!
From Rick Remender, the critically acclaimed writer of Punisher. In the not-too-distant future, as a final response to terrorism and crime, the U.S. government plans in secret to broadcast a signal making it impossible for anyone to knowingly commit unlawful acts. To keep this from the public, the government creates a distraction, installing a new currency system using digital charge cards.
Enter Graham Brick, a career criminal never quite able to hit the big score. In a grand scheme, Graham intends to steal one of the charging stations, skip the country and live off unlimited funds for the rest of his life. But the media has leaked news of the anti-crime signal one week before it was to go live... and now Graham and his team have just a few days to turn the crime of the century into the last crime in American history.
Part 2 of Man of Valor! Metropolis gets a chance to see the new Mon-El in action. But now the stakes are raised even higher and the action escalates as Mon finally goes mano-a-mano against the Parasite! This is a battle that's been brewing since Mon's emergence on Earth and now it explodes into the streets and skies of the city.
Plus, with Mon-El's secret identity publicly known, how will the Science Police react to him now that they know he's been living among them all this time? All this plus the return of Natasha Irons and the fate of Steel!
12/20/2009
12/19/2009
Wow.
From DC's March Solicitations... we have: (Spoilers if you haven't seen Cry For Justice #5).
JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE RISE OF ARSENAL #1
In JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRY FOR JUSTICE, Roy Harper lost everything at the hands of Prometheus, barely surviving the brutal severing of his arm. But when he finally awakens from his coma, Roy will find that his dangerous journey into despair is just beginning.
This is an extreme cover, especially for DC... see it after the jump.
JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE RISE OF ARSENAL #1
In JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRY FOR JUSTICE, Roy Harper lost everything at the hands of Prometheus, barely surviving the brutal severing of his arm. But when he finally awakens from his coma, Roy will find that his dangerous journey into despair is just beginning.
This is an extreme cover, especially for DC... see it after the jump.
12/18/2009
Damn Nation coming to the screen
Damn Nation (published by Dark Horse) is slated to be written by Ashley Edward Miller and Zack Stentz who wrote the Thor film.
Set in a U.S. evacuated after an attack from "inhuman nocturnal predators," the comic tells the tale of the survivors after the government has been forced to relocate to London while scientists search for a solution.From Heat Vision.
Singer to direct X-Men: First Class
According to the Heat Vision blog at The Hollywood Reporter Brian Singer has signed on to direct the upcoming X-Men: First Class film.
The story is still in the early stages of development but will deal with the first meeting of Charles Xavier and Magneto and involve the creation of the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning, the school masquerading as the headquarters of the X-Men.
12/17/2009
The Siege Package Deal
Norman Osborn May Pay The Ultimate Price,
But You Don't Have To!
But You Don't Have To!
SIEGE is upon us! This is the start of another universe-spanning Marvel crossover. While Marvel has been crafting some of their greatest stories over these past few years, it has often been difficult for readers to afford every single tie-in issue.
This will, by all reports, be the last big crossover from Marvel for at least the next year so The Launchpad is making it easier to take part in SIEGE with a special package deal each month of the series' release.
For example, the Package Deal for January includes the following SIEGE titles:
SIEGE #1
AVENGERS THE INITIATIVE #32
DARK AVENGERS #13
DARK WOLVERINE #82
NEW AVENGERS #61
To buy all of these titles at cover price would cost $17.95. But we're offering the above titles for a package price of $13.95. Pay the package price when Siege #1 comes out on January 6th, and we'll set aside for you each of the other comics in the package as they arrive.
Each month we'll have a similar SIEGE deal and we'll be announcing those details in future.
12/16/2009
Cover Homages
There have been a ton of cover homages lately. Especially from Marvel with various title apeing movie posters from titles like Deadpool Merc with a Mouth, Marvel Zombies, and currently Necrosha. DC also has some covers now and again that reference classic covers of yore. Thought you might like to see some of the sources a coupla recent covers are making a nod to. (Mike)
12/13/2009
MONDAY TELEMETRY For December 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 this week.
ITEM! The 3rd Annual Christmas Party at The Launchpad on Saturday 19th @ 7pm.
CAPTAIN AMERICA REBORN #5
This is actually not the finale, Marvel has extended this series to six issues, so this is, in fact, the penultimate issue.
Steve Rogers is back...or is he? This is the action-packed finale of the best-selling series as the Avengers try to rescue their best and brightest from the Red Skull's darkest designs. Find out the fates of Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes and what their futures hold in store!
DAYTRIPPER #1
Preview
They were two of Entertainment Weekly's Top 100 stars to watch. They've won multiple Eisners and have worked with the top names of comics and pop culture from Joss Whedon (Sugar Shock) and Mike Mignola (BPRD: 1947) to Gerard Way (Umbrella Academy) and Matt Fraction (Casanova).
Now, Brazilian wonder twins Fábio Moon and Gabriel Bá are back writing and drawing in a hauntingly lyrical series set in their native Brazil. With DAYTRIPPER, they follow in the tradition of Craig Thompson, Paul Pope and David Mazzucchelli - cartoonists at the top of their game making comics about the quiet moments that ask big questions. Brás de Oliva Domingos is an obituary writer with a famous father, a career he hates, and tons of questions. How does a person become a successful writer? How does a man get out of his father's shadow? But those concerns will dwarf the surprise he'll find in the first issue - a twist both he and readers will never see coming, which will grow into a mystery about the meaning of life itself.
MARVELOUS LAND OF OZ #2
The further adventures of Oz continue! ERIC SHANOWER (Age of Bronze) and SKOTTIE YOUNG (X-MEN) further adapt the amazing adventures of Tip, Scarecrow, and Jack Pumpkinhead as they face the frantic and fantastic aspects of the Land of Oz.
POWER GIRL #7
A blast from the past! The alien Vartox has come to Earth to claim a wife-and her name is Power Girl! PG may have wanted a boyfriend, but not quite like this! The fan-favorite team of Palmiotti, Gray and Conner craft another winner!
ITEM! The 3rd Annual Christmas Party at The Launchpad on Saturday 19th @ 7pm.
This is actually not the finale, Marvel has extended this series to six issues, so this is, in fact, the penultimate issue.
Steve Rogers is back...or is he? This is the action-packed finale of the best-selling series as the Avengers try to rescue their best and brightest from the Red Skull's darkest designs. Find out the fates of Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes and what their futures hold in store!
DAYTRIPPER #1
Preview
They were two of Entertainment Weekly's Top 100 stars to watch. They've won multiple Eisners and have worked with the top names of comics and pop culture from Joss Whedon (Sugar Shock) and Mike Mignola (BPRD: 1947) to Gerard Way (Umbrella Academy) and Matt Fraction (Casanova).
Now, Brazilian wonder twins Fábio Moon and Gabriel Bá are back writing and drawing in a hauntingly lyrical series set in their native Brazil. With DAYTRIPPER, they follow in the tradition of Craig Thompson, Paul Pope and David Mazzucchelli - cartoonists at the top of their game making comics about the quiet moments that ask big questions. Brás de Oliva Domingos is an obituary writer with a famous father, a career he hates, and tons of questions. How does a person become a successful writer? How does a man get out of his father's shadow? But those concerns will dwarf the surprise he'll find in the first issue - a twist both he and readers will never see coming, which will grow into a mystery about the meaning of life itself.
MARVELOUS LAND OF OZ #2
The further adventures of Oz continue! ERIC SHANOWER (Age of Bronze) and SKOTTIE YOUNG (X-MEN) further adapt the amazing adventures of Tip, Scarecrow, and Jack Pumpkinhead as they face the frantic and fantastic aspects of the Land of Oz.
A blast from the past! The alien Vartox has come to Earth to claim a wife-and her name is Power Girl! PG may have wanted a boyfriend, but not quite like this! The fan-favorite team of Palmiotti, Gray and Conner craft another winner!
12/12/2009
12/10/2009
The Return of Bruce Wayne.
From USA Today:
In 2010, DC Comics will launch a new series created and written by legendary comic book scribe Grant Morrison. Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne finds the original Batman trying to reclaim his memory, his identity and his proper place in time and space.
12/09/2009
So a Cyborg, a Ninja, and Tasha Yar walk into a bar...
12/07/2009
MONDAY TELEMETRY For December 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 this week.
ITEM! Our buy one get one at half price sale on TPBs continues until 12/24.
ITEM! Don't forget, our Christmas Party at the shop will be held on 12/19 @ 7pm.
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #21
Tony's closest friends and lovers have gathered to try and help the man rebuild his shattered consciousness, body, life and legacy...but when Tony gets the call, does he WANT to come back? CAN he...even with Dr. Strange, Master of the Mystic Arts, bridging the gap between the two worlds? And you didn't think the bad guys were going to just sit back and let Tony rest and recuperate, did you?
MODERN WARFARE 2 - GHOST #2
Sgt. Riley - codenamed "Ghost" - has found himself in many a sticky situation while serving in the S.A.S. But never has a mission fallen apart so fast. On his first Joint Task Force mission, a combination of betrayal and bad luck has landed him in the hands of a blood-thirsty Mexican drug czar. Could things possibly get worse? Absolutely, yes.
NATION X #1
A mutant nation has been created on UTOPIA, off the coast of California. But what does that mean to the X-Men? Don't miss the series that delves into the lives and minds of your favorite X-Characters. This issue stars Colossus, Wolverine, Nightcrawler and others!
SHIELD #4
A new mission begins, taking The Shield on a Nazi hunt in the jungles of South America. But there are already complications and an international incident brewing when he encounters the Great Ten!
Plus, Inferno has finally been cornered by the FBI. Has he run out of room to escape - or will he leap to the top of the Most Wanted list?
ITEM! Our buy one get one at half price sale on TPBs continues until 12/24.
ITEM! Don't forget, our Christmas Party at the shop will be held on 12/19 @ 7pm.
Tony's closest friends and lovers have gathered to try and help the man rebuild his shattered consciousness, body, life and legacy...but when Tony gets the call, does he WANT to come back? CAN he...even with Dr. Strange, Master of the Mystic Arts, bridging the gap between the two worlds? And you didn't think the bad guys were going to just sit back and let Tony rest and recuperate, did you?
Sgt. Riley - codenamed "Ghost" - has found himself in many a sticky situation while serving in the S.A.S. But never has a mission fallen apart so fast. On his first Joint Task Force mission, a combination of betrayal and bad luck has landed him in the hands of a blood-thirsty Mexican drug czar. Could things possibly get worse? Absolutely, yes.
A mutant nation has been created on UTOPIA, off the coast of California. But what does that mean to the X-Men? Don't miss the series that delves into the lives and minds of your favorite X-Characters. This issue stars Colossus, Wolverine, Nightcrawler and others!
A new mission begins, taking The Shield on a Nazi hunt in the jungles of South America. But there are already complications and an international incident brewing when he encounters the Great Ten!
Plus, Inferno has finally been cornered by the FBI. Has he run out of room to escape - or will he leap to the top of the Most Wanted list?
12/05/2009
12/03/2009
12/02/2009
New Comics on Thursday
Well, I was surprised to discover comics have been delayed til Thursday. Guess we missed the shipping advisory. Wanted to let everyone know new comics are coming in 12/3, not 12/2, due to the holiday.
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