New comics: May 15, 2013

BY DAVID BERCK

This week’s featured releases is a varied lot. We’ve got a new series based on a Cartoon Network hit, a new retro sci-fi series based on classic Battlestar Galactica, which will hopefully satisfy the purists who had problems with the Syfy series and some just really cool sounding new series. It seems like there isn’t much coming out from the HUGE main titles we’re used to seeing from Marvel and DC, but that’s OK. It just means more to look forward to in the near future. Including the newest of X-Men titles next week.

Boom! Studios

Regular Show #1
Eight different covers, including a subscription/pre-order variant and a boxset of each.
Boom! says: “Regular Show ... It's anything but. Cartoon Network’s powerhouse series now has its own comic book series! Hot on the heels of the smash hit adaptation, Adventure Time, KaBOOM! unveils the next all-ages comic phenomenon! Join Mordecai the Bluejay and Rigby the Raccoon, a couple of best bros in their twenties just tryin’ to chill for a bit, man. But when you’re livin’ in as crazy a world as they are, no day can be called...regular! Ask your retailer about the pre-order variant by Chris Houghton (Adventure Time, Reed Gunther) and the incentive variant by Dustin Nguyen (Batman, L'il Gotham)!”

Dark Horse

Dream Thief #1 (of 5)
Dark Horse says: “Your dreams . . . His nightmare! After stealing an Aboriginal mask from a museum, John Lincoln realizes that the spirits of the vengeful dead are possessing his body and mind while he sleeps! His old problems have been replaced by bloody hands and the disposal of bodies—and now remembering where he spent last night has never been more important!”

Very cool concept and plenty of room for interesting stories. Hopefully, this will catch on and become a multiple volume series if not an ongoing title.

BPRD: Hell on Earth #107 – Wasteland #1 (of 3)
Dark Horse says: “Johann leads a B.P.R.D. team on a rescue mission in Chicago to locate the group of agents lost in B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: The Abyss of Time. What they find is a devastated city, full of giant Ogdru Hem, and a flood of humans transformed into monsters.”

Edgar Allan Poe’s Fall of the House of Usher #1 (of 2)
Richard Corben takes on the classic Edgar Allen Poe tale about a family with a history of dark secrets.

DC Comics

Aquaman Volume 1 The Trench TP
Are you one of those people who say Aquaman is one of the lamest super heros ever? Well this is your chance to check out why that’s not so! This trade paperback collects the first six issues of the New 52 run and shows a new direction for the orange scaled King of Atlantis. Or, just maybe he’s not really the king? Geoff Johns takes on what many may see as an unenviable task of trying to make Aquaman a viable and important super hero. The best part is that Johns does not shy away from the old criticisms and caricatures, but instead embraces them and turns them on their ear. Give this a try. Trust me.

Batgirl #20
DC says: “There’s no time to catch your breath after last issue’s shocking ending as an emotionally unstable Batgirl must confront one of Batman’s most violent foes: The Ventriloquist!”

We’re still dealing with the fallout from Robin’s demise at the end of the Death of the Family arc and neither Batman nor his extended family are dealing with any of it well at all. I fully expect Gail Simone to keep the tension going.

Dynamite Entertainment

Battlestar Galactica #1 – Dark Horse hit a home run with the release of their new Star Wars main title. Dynamite is attempting the same thing with Battlestar Galactica. The variant cover is a hoot.

Dynamite says: “Memorial: Part 1! 2013 marks the 35th anniversary of the original Battlestar Galactica TV series and to celebrate Dynamite is launching a brand new series, written by cosmic supremos, Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning (Legion, Nova, Guardians of the Galaxy)! Set in classic BSG continuity, this series celebrates 35 years of epic space opera when, following a surprise Cylon attack, Adama and the crew of the Galactica are forced to deploy Dr Zee's experimental temporal weapons with unexpected results that leave Apollo and Starbuck lost in time and space in an alternate reality with no Galactica and no way of returning home!"

IDW Publishing

Doomsday 1 #1 (of 4)
IDW says: “The Earth may have dodged a bullet on 12/21/2012, but there are worse things in store for our little blue planet. Seven adventurers aboard the International Space Station watch in horror as most of the world is decimated by a monster solar flare. And their only choice is to return to the surface, and face whatever awaits them there!”

Image Comics

Hoax Hunters Volume 2 Secrets And Lies TP
Image says: “The recipient of numerous "best of" accolades in 2012, Hoax Hunters continues its critically acclaimed run! In this collection, the Hoax Hunters visit Haunchyville to bust the myth of the gnomes and their albino king while trying to prevent the Hoax Hunters Hunters from blowing their cover. Also included is the fan-favorite flip issue spoofing a certain ghost-hunting reality show and two all-new shorts! Collects Hoax Hunters 6-9”

If you haven’t been reading this and you’re reading this website, you’re so missing out on something ultimately clever and probably right up your alley. What if our friends from Fact or Faked: The Paranormal Files were actually using their reality show to cover up real paranormal activity? You’d have Hoax Hunters. This covers the second story arc, which wasn’t quite as strong as our introduction to the reality behind this reality TV series, but it’s still running strong and intriguing. Do yourself a favor and pick this series up before people start talking about this cool new movie they heard about.

Non-Humans #4 (of 4)
Image says: “Aimes has learned a startling unpleasant truth. And the cost of that knowledge will result in the death of someone close. Don't fret too much - trust me when I tell you it's a great way to close this story arc!”

If you haven’t been reading this mini-series, you’ve been missing something pretty special. Take a moment to ponder what would happen if you threw Toy Story into a Blade Runner dystopian setting complete with drug dealing teddy bears.

Marvel Comics

Kick-Ass 3 #1
Marvel says, “Kick-Ass and Hit-Girl’s blockbuster return for the last ever story arc of Mark Millar and John Romita Jr’s mega-selling series. Hit-Girl’s in jail, leaving Kick-Ass to lead the superhero team of Justice Forever. Their first mission: Bust Hit-Girl out of the clink. But superheroes have now been outlawed, leaving Kick-Ass to dodge both cops AND criminals. For the first time since donning the costume, Kick-Ass is beginning to have his doubts. Is he now in too deep to get out? The phenomenal follow-up to the Kick-Ass 2 movie coming this June. Issue #1 features six different covers by the industry’s biggest artists, all available for order. Each cover will feature a different character, and when all six covers are linked, a special message will be revealed.”

Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man #23
Marvel says, "'Spider-Man No More! Will tragedy force Miles to quit?! Bombshell is back! An all new Cloak and Dagger!!!"

So, an all new Cloak and Dagger in the Ultimate Universe? Color me interested! Also, will Miles really quit because of some tragedy? This happens from time to time for just about every major hero, but with what’s going on with Superior Spider-Man, could there be larger ramifications? I guess only time will tell.