I mean, honestly, I can’t remember the last time I’d been this excited about Batman books, at least up until Morrison’s run started. And, while as much as I dug it, I was still a little lost during RIP, it was something fresh, and felt like it was really building towards something cool. And, RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE seems to be that. But, the thing that’s got me really excited is the direction we’re going to see things going when Bruce Wayne does eventually return. I mean, there’s been a little bit of news dropped about it at San Diego, but all I can do is guess based upon the things Morrison has said in interviews… and from what I can gather, it’s gonna be great.

Anyways, RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE #4 continues the uber-rad retro sci fi time-travel awesomeness that’s been keeping us hooked month after month. The end of issue #3 showed a very promising hint for this one, with Jonah Hex taking up a bounty on the Caped Crusader. And, now, I can’t wait to see what goes down as we get to see The Dark Knight riding through the Old West era of the DCU.

For those of you who’re not already reading RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE, this series is a perfect spot to come into the world of Batman in the DCU right now. The plot? Basically, for a few years, Grant Morrison has been pretty much re-building the world of Batman and his mythos as we know it. Much like Neal Adams and Dennis O’Neal took the Caped Crusader from the campy Adam West stories into a much darker direction, Morrison has injected a fresh, mystery and weird science feel into the world of Batman, playing up how the Dark Knight IS  the World’s Greatest Detective. The penultimate moment of Morrison’s reinvention of the Batman mythos is RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE.

See, during the events of BATMAN RIP, and FINAL CRISIS, something happened that gave EVERYBODY, including most of the DCU, the impression that Bruce Wayne was toast. Gone. Ka-put. But, as Morrison has told the tale so well in his incredible BATMAN AND ROBIN series, hints and clues have led us AND the characters closest to Wayne to believe that he’s not dead, but is in fact, missing in time. And, that leads us to the RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE, where each issue of this 6-issue limited series is dropping the Dark Knight into a different period of time, giving us a Bat-Pirate, a Bat-Cowboy, and more. And, then there’s this little subplot of how if Wayne does manage to return, well, some bad mojo is gonna go down.

Sound awesome? It totally is. Now, a lot of you are probably already hooked on the series, like us, and want to go back further to get some more meat on Morrion’s run. And, while Morrison technically began his run with the Resurrection of Ra’s Al Ghul, here’s the rundown of trade paperbacks we recommend checking out to follow the last couple years of Batman stories:

Start with: BATMAN AND SON TPB – The first official arc in Morrison’s run, this is where the character of Damian is first introduced, as well as many storyline concepts that’re still being explored in Morrison’s run.

BATMAN: THE BLACK GLOVE TPB - The second part of the “Batman Gets Killed” trilogy, BLACK GLOVE, of course, delves deep into the mysterious BLACK GLOVE, who has proven to be much more of a major player in things than we had originally guessed. It also gives us a very interesting glimpse at a future where Damian has taken on his father’s role as Batman.

BATMAN: RIP TPB – This is it. The complete physical, emotional, spiritual, and psychological deconstruction of The Dark Knight. Mysterious new foes, and familiar classics alike return to strip Wayne of everything that makes him who he is. This one finishes out Morrison’s “Batman Gets Killed” trilogy, and leads pretty flawlessly into where things are now.

Additionally, you might want to check out:

BATMAN: BATTLE FOR THE COWL HC - This collects the mini-series that follows immediately after RIP, and shows us how Dick Grayson (Nightwing) ends up taking on the mantle of the Bat.

BATMAN AND ROBIN HC – AWESOME series. Probably the best Batman book I’ve read in a long time (not counting RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE). This collects the first six issues of Grant Morrisson’s BATMAN AND ROBIN, where Grayson and Damian are.. well, Batman and Robin. And, it’s the perfect build-up to all the cool stuff going on now in the series. We also have this entire run in the single issues (1-13), if you’d prefer to grab the singles.

Now, if you’d rather just jump straight into Morrison’s mad and amazing Batman world.. then, we recommend snagging BATMAN: RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE #1-3, and getting caught up to this week’s issue #4. We’ve got all issues in stock at Third Eye, and folks, we really can’t recommend this one enough. It is simply kick-ass. For a quick prelude to the series, grab BATMAN AND ROBIN #10-#12, also in stock now, which serves as an official prologue to the storyline.

Click here to read more about BATMAN: RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE at the official Wikipedia for it.

THIRD EYE MUST BUY: SECRET AVENGERS #3 – ED BRUBAKER and MIKE DEODATO continue to deliver one of the most kick-ass, and innovative team superhero books on the stands! Espionage, weird science, visceral pulp violence and many nods to classic Marvel lore make this one a must-read! NOT READING SECRET AVENGERS? We’ve still got copies of issues 1 and 2 in stock to catch you up!

I gotta tell you guys, SECRET AVENGERS has been one of my favorite books. There’s just something that’s so fresh, and so unique about what Ed Brubaker and Mike Deodato are doing with this one that makes each and every issue one of the best things I’ve read.

As part of the launch of new AVENGERS books with Marvel’s new Heroic Age, SECRET AVENGERS serves as kind of the “down and dirty” Avengers team. The covert ops team that does all the dirty work, and cleans up the messes that the public should not know about. Brubaker brings a great sense of modern day storytelling meets Jim Steranko and Steve Ditko craziness that has been keeping us hooked hardcore.

Part of SECRET AVENGERS big appeal is the unique roster of the team. Steve Rogers is heading the team up under the guise of his new position as the director of world security, essentially, the new leader of SHIELD. He’s handpicked individuals who can have unique skillsets so that this team can tackle any job. So, that’s where Nova comes in as the space guy, Moon Knight as the hardened killer set out for redemption but willing to do what needs to be done, Black Widow as the espionage expert, Valkyrie for her magic badassery, the Beast for his science know-how, War Machine for the heavy firepower, and I’m still not quite sure where the Irredeemable Ant-Man fits, but I guess every team needs a jerk, right?

Anyways, the current storyline kicked off with a bang as we’ve already seen some major stuff go down in the first two issues. First, it looks like Nick Fury’s up to no good. Secondly, Nova’s been possessed by one of the three Serpent Crowns (a sentient, organic “crown”), and now, with the Secret Avengers, on Mars. Yes, MARS, people, how awesome is that? But, with the Avengers on Mars, they’ve discovered that Nova’s using the serpent crown to have people dig beneath Mars’s surface for … something, that we’re not quite sure of yet.

This series kicks a ton of ass, and it’s awesome that Brubaker has done something that we haven’t seen done in a long time: he’s taken the Avengers out of New York, and into the wilds of space. Plus, the mystery aspect has got us guessing, and we’re totally in love with the return of classic Marvel institutions like the Roxxon Corp.

Add all this to the fact that Mike Deodato is dishing out some really great artwork, brings a very cool, eerie sci-fi vibe that compliments Brubaker’s writing. The whole atmosphere of Mars reminds me a lot of the first ALIEN movie, a cold, dark place, where you have no clue what’s lurking in the midst.

Anyways, if you can’t already tell, I’m pumped for issue #3. It hits this Wednesday. If you haven’t yet checked out the first two issues, we’ve got limited quantities of both issues #1 and #2 in stock to get you caught up.

Click here for a preview of SECRET AVENGERS #3 *THIRD EYE MUST BUY*

THIRD EYE MUST BUY: AMERICAN VAMPIRE #5 – If you’re not reading this series, you need to pick up issue #1 and find out why we’re calling this one the “WALKING DEAD” of VAMPIRES. One of the best new books we’ve seen!

American Vampire has quickly become one of my favorite reads. I think that between this and SWEET TOOTH, we’ve got two really strong contestants for the “Next Best Vertigo Book.” You know what I’m talking about. The crown right now is worn by Jason Aaron’s incredible SCALPED, but there’s always that one series that’s going on in the background, building upon itself, and working towards being the next killer Vertigo book that everyone is hooked on. First it was Sandman, then Preacher, then Transmetropolitan, then Y The Last Man, then Fables (which is still rocking hard, make no mistake), and now SCALPED. But, as both AMERICAN VAMPIRE and SWEET TOOTH develop their stories, these two are really gonna be going neck and neck to fill that spot.

Anyways, I’m rambling. American Vampire’s good. Like, REALLY good. Like, classic in the making good. Now, when this first started off, I think a lot of people, myself included, were intrigued primarily by the fact that this was the “first” REAL comic writing of STEPHEN KING. But, after five issues, I gotta be honest, while King’s part is fantastic, it’s Scott Snyder’s story that has me really intrigued and hooked. See, American Vampire bounces between the past, telling the story of the first vampire to exist in America, old West outlaw Skinner Sweet, and then the “present” which is the 1920s Hollywood Babylon, as we follow the story of Pearl, a young actress who’s ripped to shreds by vampires, and then brought back to her senses… and into her new life as a bloodsucker by outlaw Skinner Sweet.

The series is very cool, very good plotting, and some great character development that makes the characters practically jump off of the page. The concept itself is pretty awesome too… basically, the vampire infection affects people from different regions differently, and as we’re shown from Skinner, he and Pearl do not have the same kinds of defects that the European vampires do. In other words, they can handle the sun better, amongst other things.

All in all, I highly recommend this one, guys. There’s already been some very cool plot twists, and I REALLY don’t want to spoil anything going on in the current arc, so just trust me.. pick up issue #1, and we think you’ll be impressed. All I can say is that Skinner Sweet is becoming one of the most interesting freaking characters in comics right now.

Wanna get caught up? We’ve got issues #1-4  all in stock now, so snag ‘em this Wednesday and find out why this series is so much fun.

Click here to read more about AMERICAN VAMPIRE #5


THIRD EYE MUST BUY: GREEN LANTERN DOUBLE-DOSE: GREEN LANTERN #56 – Hector Hammond vs. Larfleeze? YES! GREEN LANTERN CORPS #50 – CYBORG-SUPERMAN RETURNS!

Dude, I gotta tell ya… Green Lantern is even better in the post-BLACKEST NIGHT DCU. Geoff Johns is telling some really cool stories that are fleshing out all the little cool tidbits he’d only hinted at before, and with the book giving us some focus on the “New Guardians”, like Atrocitus, Larfleeze, St. Walker, ect ect… it’s not just mainted it’s must-read status, but it’s even gone higher up in our stack of books we look forward to.

Anyways, in the BRIGHTEST DAY realm of GREEN LANTERN (which began with issue #53), we’ve been seeing some really rad stuff going on. It looks like issue #56 is giving some of the spotlight to one of our personal favorites: Larfleeze, the Orange Lantern, aka He Who Says MINE! See, Hector Hammond, the old school GL baddie with the giant noggin’ has become fascinated with the mystery of the White Lantern, and now he’s set his sights on one being: Larfleeze! PLUS, we get to see just what happened to the Parallax entity during BLACKEST NIGHT.

Folks, if there’s one DC book you gotta be reading, it’s Geoff Johns’s run on GL. The book is fantastic, and with Doug Mahnke still handling the art, looks sharp as hell. If you fell off after BLACKEST NIGHT, or are a new reader digging BRIGHTEST DAY and want a fresh jumping in spot, we recommend scooping up issues #53-#55 and getting caught up. This series is still one of the best books on the stands.

GREEN LANTERN CORPS #50

Now, take everything I said about Green Lantern, and just repeat it for Green Lantern Corps, ’cause this book has been getting pretty freakin’ rad itself. In the aftermath of BLACKEST NIGHT, the position of the GREEN LANTERN CORPS and their purpose in the grand scheme of things has gotten VERY interesting. And, this issue especially is one I’m looking forward to, why you might ask?

‘Cause it’s the return of CYBORG SUPERMAN! Yes, this character was made extremely cool during the events of the SINESTRO CORPS WAR (highly recommended, available in trade paperback here at Third Eye). And, now, that he’s back, we’re extremely curious to see what has spurred his return, and what he’s after. Not to mention, we’re going to see more on Ganthet’s secret deal with Atrocitus, and why it may just spell out the end of the GREEN LANTERN CORPS.

Just like GREEN LANTERN, this one has also continued to get better, and better each and every month. Looking to jump on? We’d recommend picking up with issue #47, which is the first issue carrying the BRIGHTEST DAY banner.

THIRD EYE CERTIFIED COOL: TIMEBOMB #1 – JONAH HEX writers JIMMY PALMIOTTI and JUSTIN GRAY (the guy who make the Hex comic so kick-ass!) deliver the latest and greatest from RADICAL PUBLISHING – WORLD WAR II SCI-FI AWESOMENESS!

Okay, I’m pumped for this one. First off, it’s the cult favorite writing team of the killer JONAH HEX ongoing series (as well as JONAH HEX NO WAY BACK graphic novel from last June), Palmiotti and Gray. And, trust me, these guys are both fantastic at writing true blue grindhouse awesomeness in comic book form. Now, pair them up with one of my long-time favorite artists, Paul Gulacy, and that’s a recipe for a killer comic. Add in Radical’s fantastic production values, and track record for good reads, and you’ve got yourself a winner.

Time Bomb begins beneath the streets of modern day Berlin, where archeologists accidentally activate the Omega Bomb, Hitler’s ultimate doomsday weapon designed to wipe out the human race. Now, equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and equipment, a group of specialists must travel one day back through time to stop the bomb from ever going off. However, these folks quickly discover that rather than going back as intended, they’ve been sent back into the heart of Germany, in the midst of World War II. Now, it’s up to them to save the human race on a ticking clock before the bomb is even set.

This one, judging from the previews I’ve seen captures that perfect blend of grindhouse violence, break-neck action, and tongue-in-cheek humor that Palmiotti and Gray are so good at pulling off. Time Bomb is a three-issue limited series, and it kicks off this Wednesday. Give it a go. We think you’ll dig it!

THIRD EYE MUST BUY: X-MEN SECOND COMING AFTERMATH: UNCANNY X-MEN #526 *THE FIVE LIGHTS CHAPTER ONE* – Picking up immediately after the conclusion of SECOND COMING… are the mutants back?

So SECOND COMING ended with a BANG, and we were completely blown away with how well that whole storyline played out. What a great job of getting us pumped about the X-MEN again, I gotta say. And now, in the aftermath of SECOND COMING, well, it looks like Hope is using the Phoenix force to reignite the spark in humanity that kicks off the birth of many mutants, as well as the manifestation of the mutant gene that may have laid latent in many characters.

Now, kicking off in UNCANNY X-MEN, we’re getting to see a very cool direction for the X-Men begin as Cyclops, Emma Frost, and, others attempt to find out just what the hell is going on with all these new mutants.

I don’t want to drop any spoilers, ’cause after reading the advance on this one, it is a pretty cool issue, and there’s some neat little twists here. All I can say is that Matt Fraction and While Portacio are on point here, and I’m excited to see where things’ll be going with UNCANNY in the wake of SECOND COMING. If you’re looking for the follow-up to SECOND COMING, then this is most definitely the book to read.

Click here for a preview of UNCANNY X-MEN #526 *FIVE LIGHTS CHAPTER ONE*

THIRD EYE MUST BUY: WONDER WOMAN #601 KICKS OFF J.MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI’S RUN ON WONDER WOMAN! EVEN IF YOU’VE NEVER BEEN A BIG WW FAN… READ THIS COMIC! IT’S GONNA KICK ASS!

Dude, I am so pumped to see Straczynski handling not just one big high-profile DC book (Superman), but TWO, with him starting his run on WONDER WOMAN this Wednesday. Now, I know it’s no secret that Wonder Woman has had a hard time of really catching a break. For a character with as much potential as her (I mean, she’s the friggin’ embodiment of Warrior Princess, here, folks), there’s been a lot of missteps with her series. And, while there’s been some real shining moments of awesomeness, they’ve been admittedly few and far between.

But, that’s all the past now, ’cause after reading Wonder Woman #600, and Straczynski’s prologue to his highly anticipated run on Wonder Woman, I’m convinced.. this book is gonna rock HARD.

This new Wonder Woman arc is a perfect jumping on point if you’ve never read Wonder Woman, or if it’s been a long time since then. The storyline that’ll be dominant in Straczynski’s run shows us a young Diana Prince in a new, unfamiliar (yet with touches of familiarity) costume, seeking an oracle and referencing a dead mother recently brought back. So far, we’ve been given a lot of mystery, but here’s what we do know from reading the interviews with JMS about his upcoming run. This is a “new” version of WONDER WOMAN, who’s come to be as a result of someone screwing with the timeline, who’s out to figure out what is going on with things, and investigate the ruins of a recently destroyed Paradise Island.

Admittedly, DC has played their cards close to the vest on this one, not giving us a lot of info on what the overall arc is going to be about, other than re-inventing WONDER WOMAN for the 21st century, but we’re eager to read this one and find out.

And, whether you love or hate the new costume, you gotta admit: it definitely makes sense in terms of something that’s combat ready.

THIRD EYE CERTIFIED COOL: PILOT SEASON STELLAR – ROBERT KIRKMAN (WALKING DEAD, INVINCIBLE, HAUNT) BRINGS US ANOTHER KILLER PILOT SEASON ONE-SHOT!

Robert Kirkman’s PILOT SEASON one-shots have been really freakin’ good this year. Not familiar with the PILOT SEASON concept? Basically, Kirkman drops a killer one-shot story introducing a new character. And, then once all of the PILOT SEASON one-shots have been released, we’ll be able to vote as fans to see which one we want to see stick around.

ANYWAYS, if you missed the one before this, STEALTH, we recommend snagging a copy. A really kick-ass one-shot about a guy who finds out his dad (who’s been developing Alzheimer’s) is a superhero.. and has to prevent him from going out, and flying into oncoming traffic.

The story of Stellar is that she’s one of five genetically-enhanced super-humans created by the government. For Stellar, the process used on her has made her toxic to other humans driving four volunteers insane. Banished from Earth, Stellar roams the cosmos trying to use her powers for good, haunted by the fact that she can never return home — and all too aware that her fellow super-humans are out there, eager to strike at any moment. As with most of Kirkman’s stuff, we know that he’s going to apply a kick-ass twist on this concept, and of course, deliver big-time on the characterization and storyline, like he does with pretty much everything. Definitely recommend checking this one out this Wednesday.

THE RISING #0 – RADICAL COMICS DELIVERS A FUTURE CYBERPUNK SPARTACUS TALE FOR JUST $1.00!
WRITTEN BY THE CREATOR OF HBO’S BAND OF BROTHERS SERIES and PIXAR ILLUSTRATOR J.P TARGETE
ESCAPE FROM NY meets SPARTACUS

Radical puts out some seriously kick-ass comics, and one of the things that ALWAYS stands out to me with their books is the incredible artwork. And, this time, they’ve REALLY delivered, bringing aboard one of the guys from PIXAR… that’s a pretty big deal. Add in the fact that this new series is gonna be penned by the creator of HBO’S BAND OF BROTHERS series, and it looks like we’re in store for some good reading.

THE RISING is described as a futuristic cyberpunk kinda Spartacus tale. Here’s the skinny on this one: It’s not resistance, it’s a revolution. After years of war, economic chaos, and mankind, itself, teetering on the verge of thermonuclear extinction, an alien force decides we’re ripe for an invasion. When a deadly virus is released, this militaristic empire massacres the world’s defense forces and most of the human population. The survivors are forced into slavery, and are helpless as they watch this new enemy plunder the remaining natural resources of Earth. But, then Jarret Jakes, chosen to fight and die as a gladiator, escapes from New York City to lead a ragged band of guerrilla warriors in hopes of inspiring our now downtrodden world to rise up against their alien oppressors.

So, lots of violence, crazy aliens, and awesome artwork.

What’s not to love? AND, it’s only $1 for this first issue!

GREEN ARROW #2 *BRIGHTEST DAY* – FOLLOWING UP ON THE SMASH HIT FIRST ISSUE, THE GREEN ARROW IS OFFICIALLY AWESOME AGAIN! READ THIS BOOK!
Miss issue #1? We still have copies of #1 in stock to get you caught up!

The new GREEN ARROW series is KICK ASS. They have seriously brought the Emerald Archer back to his former glory, and this is probably the best I’ve seen GREEN ARROW since KEVIN SMITH’S run began with QUIVER, and of course, my favorite GA story: LONGBOW HUNTERS.

DC has taken Ollie back to his grittier, no-nonsense roots, and pushed him further than he’s ever been pushed before. I mean, c’mon, he put a friggin’ arrow smack dab in the middle of Prometheus’s skull? How awesome is that? And now, he’s living in a massive forest that’s been given life in Star City as a result of the White Rings.

Green Arrow’s taken up residence, and he’s determined to end the rampant corruption surrounding the forest. But first, he’s gotta clean up his own backyard, and deal with the forces running his former company, Queen Industries, into the ground.

And, in this issue, Hal Jordan makes a special guest-appearance, and if you know the history of GA and GL, then these two are one hell of a team.

The new Green Arrow book rocks, and we highly recommend giving it a look if you’re a DC fan.

We’ve still got limited quantities of the first prints of issue #1 in stock, with second prints on the way this Wednesday, so catch up with issue #1 and hop onto issue #2. You’ll really dig it, we guarantee!

WARREN ELLIS’S HOTWIRE RETURNS IN HOTWIRE: DEEP CUT #1 – THIS FUTURE SCI-FI NOIR MEETS GHOSTBUSTERS is KILLER!
Miss the first series? Check out the trade paperback now back in stock this week at Third Eye!

Everyone’s favorite Detective Exorcist, Alice Hotwire, is back this Wednesday in a new limited series from RADICAL, HOTWIRE: DEEP CUT. Warren Ellis really made this one a must-read last year, and coupled with Steve Pugh’s incredible artwork, we can definitely say that HOTWIRE was a sequel-worthy series.

This new series, kicking off after the events of HOTWIRE: REQUIEM FOR THE DEAD (available this week at Third Eye in trade paperback), we see that the city’s only supernatural investigator is taking some much needed R&R. But, when a BLUE LIGHT from her colored past appears in front of her door, it kicks off a series of events that lead Hotwire across the city attempting to stop the results of a secret government project from turning the city into another living nightmare.

If you’re unfamiliar with the HOTWIRE series, it’s basically the tales of a sci-fi future, with a heavy cyberpunky feel, where ghosts and hauntings and all that jazz have been accepted as scientific fact. And, Detective Alice Hotwire, is the only one who can save the world from “ectoplasmic catastrophe” that’s caused by a security failure at a Maximum Security Necropolis. Basically, all the harmless blue light ghosts become evil, and Alice, who’s not appreciated by her fellow officers at all, must handle this one all by herself.

The series is really good stuff, kind of a cyberpunky Ghostbusters, and if you missed it the first time around, we recommend grabbing the HOTWIRE: REQUIEM FOR THE DEAD trade paperback and getting caught up for this new series.

THIRD EYE MUST BUY: GEOFF JOHNS’S FLASH #4 CONTINUES ONE OF THE BEST NEW DCU BOOKS WE’RE READING!
Superhero CSI Awesomeness!

Dude, if you’re a DC fan, and not reading GEOFF JOHNS’S new ongoing FLASH series, you seriously need to remedy that. It’s one of the best DC books coming out, heck, it’s one of the best SUPERHERO books coming out. This series is just plain awesome. The artwork, the writing, everything about it screams must-read.

Johns manages to tell one hell of a good story with this new FLASH series, and issue #1 is the perfect jumping on point for anyone who’s new to comics, new to the Flash, or heck, is just plain looking to hop onto a new book without a lot of baggage. I mean, he’s able to effortlessly introduce the Barry Allen Flash to readers who are not familiar with him in a few pages, while at the same time setting up a kick-ass story.

And, now, the current arc continues as the original Captain Boomerang, one of the many resurrected in the aftermath of BLACKEST NIGHT, returns. And, he returns to…. save Barry Allen’s life? Well, see, Barry Allen’s being hunted down by the Renegades, a group of 25th century Flash Rogues (think future versions of Heatwave, Captain Cold, Mirror Master, ect)… but they’re the law, and they’re out to bring Barry in for a murder he did not commit.

Folks, this book is too good to be missing out on. If you’re not reading the new FLASH series, snag up issues 1-3 this Wednesday, and give it a go. It’s a quick (but in a good way), fun read, that delivers one of the best superhero books on the stands.

THIRD EYE MUST BUY: WALKING DEAD writer ROBERT KIRKMAN and COMICS LEGEND TODD MCFARLANE CONTINUE TO DELIVER THE GOODS WITH HAUNT #8 THIS WEEK!

8 issues in, and HAUNT is still getting me excited. Robert Kirkman, the incredible talent behind series like THE WALKING DEAD & INVINCIBLE, is doing a fantastic freaking job of building a brand new series.. and guess who he’s doing it with? Todd McFarlane. The legendary creator of SPAWN. Kirkman’s killer writing balanced out with McFarlane’s artwork, and you’ve got yourself one heck of a book.

What is HAUNT? Haunt is the story of Daniel Kilgore, a Catholic priest, who is haunted by the ghost of his estranged brother Kurt, a murdered secret agent. Basically, Daniel’s a bastard, and Kurt’s not so bad of a guy. Kurt gets killed overseas refusing to do some dirty work, and comes back just in time to “haunt” his brother’s body, possessing him and turning him into the entity known as HAUNT, before he gets wiped out for being a loose end. From there, we get thrown into great storyline that’s still getting more and more compelling where we see conspiracies forming at every corner, and where the two brothers learn more about their situation.

Haunt is a violent book. No doubt about that, it’s bloody as hell, and that’s part of the fun. It kind of strikes that chord with you. You know, the inner 13-year old that goes WICKED when you see someone gettin’ their head cut off. But, Robert Kirkman, who’s known for his writing chops, is the guy writing this one, so it’s also got a damn good storyline that keeps you coming back, along with the solid character development and pacing of the storyline.

One of the best things about HAUNT, for me, is the “cool” factor of a new vigilante/superhero character. Like, usually when people do a new superhero-type character.. it sucks. It’s true. You know, normally, it just doesn’t stick, but with HAUNT, which obviously does borrow heavily from McFarlane’s stuff with Venom in Spider-man and with Spawn, Kirkman does a damn good job of making this character interesting and compelling. Just little things, like how Haunt uses his powers (they’re ectoplasm based) is interesting.

The dynamic of having two guys in one body also makes for an interesting read, and helps add some moments of humor to the book at times.

If you’re not reading HAUNT, we definitely recommend it. The first trade paperback collecting issues #1-5 is only $9.99, and we’ve got issues #6, and 7 in stock to get you caught up to where the series is now.

And, then this week, with issue #8, it looks like the events of the series thus far have taken a greater toll on him than even Daniel himself realizes.

Cannot wait to read this one this week, folks!

STAFF PICKS

Steve -AVENGERS #3- Killer read. John Romita JR draws the best fight scenes around.

Trish – WALKING DEAD #75 = Are you surprised? This issue especially BLEW MY MIND!!!

Torma -NEW AVENGERS #2 = Really good read, and loving all the killer Doctor Voodoo stuff!

Matt – ALAN MOORE’S NEONOMICON #1= Pure Alan Moore awesome. Moore+Cthulhu? Total win.

Honestly, I was one of many that didn’t really dig the new direction that ONE MORE DAY brought one. And, while I really did enjoy ONE MORE DAY, Brand New Day just didn’t do it for me. Now, that’s changed for me over the course of the last year, or so. While there’d been some brief moments of awesomeness like the NEW WAYS TO DIE, and AMERICAN SON, it wasn’t really until we got to the GAUNTLET that I got interested in Spider-man again. And, even then, the Gauntlet was kind of up and down until we got to GRIM HUNT. Grim Hunt kicked my ass, the storyline that ended just this past week, with AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #637, I was blown away by how much I enjoyed it. GRIM HUNT, still in stock here at Third Eye, ran through Amazing Spider-man #634-#637, and was basically the saga of KRAVEN THE HUNTER’S return, as his family systematically kills off any and all Spider-related characters to use their blood to resurrect the classic Spidey Rogue.  You can read more about GRIM HUNT by clickinghere.

Now, kicking off this week, comes the Spider-man storyline that myself, and many, many others have been waiting for: One Moment in Time. This is the direct sequel to ONE MORE DAY, and is basically the end point to what ONE MORE DAY started. In other words, Quesada and Marvel are making right some of the mistakes they made with ONE MORE DAY. After a strong start with the events of the GAUNTLET, and GRIM HUNT, ONE MOMENT IN TIME serves as the ground zero re-focusing of the Spider-man title, and basically the perfect spot for many of you who haven’t read the book in a while to jump back on.

What is O.M.I.T? One Moment in Time is a four part storyline being written by Marvel EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Joe Quesada which is supposed to answer many of the questions that ONE MORE DAY left readers scratching their heads over. It’s also supposed to be a re-focusing of the book, and be the start of a fully revitalized AMAZING SPIDER-MAN title. And, after the kick-ass GRIM HUNT storyline, I really think they’re on the right track.

But, before we can really talk about what OMIT is, we should get into WHAT happened in ONE MORE DAY, and why it’s being followed up with this huge storyline.

One More Day was a story-arc that took place shortly after CIVIL WAR, where Spider-man’s identity had become public knowledge, and the Kingpin, deciding to strike at one of his two biggest enemies: Daredevil and Spider-man, chooses Spider-man, and has a sniper shoot Aunt May. Parker loses it, and finds himself drawn into an agonizing downward spiral, until he’s met by Mephisto, and literally makes a deal with the Devil to save AUNT MAY’s life. The deal was to sacrifice what Mephisto considered one of the world’s most purest loves: the love between Peter Parker and Mary Jane, and by doing so, reality shifted, so that Mary Jane and Peter Parker never wed, and by that same token, the world forgot their marriage, and everything that was part of it (including Parker’s unmasking alongside Iron Man during CIVIL WAR) was forgotten.

Now, as you could probably guess: a lot of fans, including myself, hated the outcome of this. However, the storyline WAS good, it’s just the end result is a bitter pill to swallow. I’m not even a hardcore continuity guy, but, I digress.

Anyways, after three years of storylines that have existed in this changed history, we are seeing the “secret history” revealed in ONE MOMENT IN TIME. Basically, this one is going to take us back in the past, and show us what happened that caused Spider-man and MJ not to get married, as they had originally did in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL #21. And, from what we’ve heard, this is only 25% of the storyline.. there is supposed to be A LOT more happening to this one than Marvel lets on. Marvel is being tight-lipped on this one, and did not send out advance preview copies like they normally do for us to read before the book comes out. That only means one thing: expect something big to come of this issue.

Now personally, I feel that ONE MOMENT IN TIME is going to deal with the secrets behind why PETER PARKER and MJ didn’t get married, but it’s also going to deal with the whole ONE MORE DAY saga in general, and may even be the storyline that comes full circle with Peter Parker going back on his deal with Mephisto to alter the course of things again.

Click here to read a preview of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #638 *ONE MOMENT IN TIME CHAPTER ONE*

THIRD EYE MUST BUY WALKING DEAD VOLUME 12 LIFE AMONG THEM TRADE PAPERBACK ARRIVES THIS WEDNESDAY TO GIVE YOU YOUR NEXT FIX OF WALKING DEAD AWESOMENESS!
Want to Hop Onto the Monthly Series? Pick up with issues #73, #74 and #75 this Wednesday!
Not reading WALKING DEAD Yet? Pick Up Volume 1 This Wednesday For Only $9.99 and Find Out Why This is So Good!

YES! A new WALKING DEAD trade paperback. And, even though we follow this series here in the singles at THIRD EYE… we still go back and find ourselves re-reading the last arc in trade, ’cause the series is just so freakin’ good.

After many months of waiting, you guys can get your next delicious fix of what is one of THE best comic book series on the market. And, by far, one of, if not the best tales of survival horror you’ll ever read.

We’ll have plenty of copies in stock, but this one always surprises us with how quickly it goes, so if you need a copy of WALKING DEAD VOL. 12 held for you this week, please e-mail me, and let me know so we can make sure you’ve got one set aside for you.

This one collects issues #67-72, and picks up where Vol. 11 left, with Rick and the Crew heading to Washington, D.C. For those of you who’ve been waiting for a great opportunity to jump onto the singles, if you snag up WALKING DEAD VOL. 12 this Wednesday, you can get caught up with issues #73, #74, and the newest one, #75, as we’re well-stocked on each.

Not reading WALKING DEAD? Folks, you gotta try it. This has remained one of our TOP 5 favorite comics here for nearly 5 years. It’s that good. And, it’s showing no signs of slowing down either. What’s it about? Well, simply put: it’s a survival horror story. What happens when the zombie movie ends, and the world is a wasteland. But, what makes the series so great is how the writer, ROBERT KIRKMAN, develops his characters strongly, and builds up the story and plot to the point that when a character dies, it punches you in the gut.

We cannot recommend WALKING DEAD enough, folks. Trust us on this one. If you do buy it, and don’t like it… we’ll give you your money back, that’s how much we believe EVERYONE should be reading WALKING DEAD.

THIRD EYE MUST BUY: TRUE BLOOD #1 – TRUE BLOOD GETS IT’S OWN ONGOING COMIC BOOK SERIES WRITTEN BY HBO SERIES CREATOR, ALAN BALL! ALL NEW STORIES SET IN THE WORLD OF TRUE BLOOD!

You know, 5 years ago, I would’ve told you that licensed properties don’t normally work as comics. Of course, that was 5 years ago, and since then we’ve seen a TON of great comics come out that are not just good extensions of the licensed property they’re tied into, but plain good comics. Of course, the big one that sticks out is BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER SEASON 8, SERENITY, and the DARK TOWER series, but, there’s been scores of others, like FREDDY VS JASON VS ASH, and 28 DAYS LATER.

Now, HBO is finally getting in on the act, as the world of their hit TV show, TRUE BLOOD, is being brought to the world of comics. And, how do we know this is gonna rule? Well, the fact that the actual series writer, ALAN BALL, is helming this one gives us a WHOLE LOTTA faith in it.

Anyways, this new ongoing series is set to explore the world of TRUE BLOOD, and is set in the actual continuity of the TV show. This means that these are actual expanded univeres-style stories that weave in and out of the events of the TV show. This is not just an adaptation of the show. It’s new stories, and it’s gonna be awesome.

Click here for a preview of TRUE BLOOD #1

THIRD EYE MUST BUY: AVENGERS #3 – APOCALYPSE HAS RETURNED FROM THE FUTURE, AND WITH HIM, HIS FOUR HORSEMEN: WOLVERINE as DEATH, HULK as WAR, SPIDER-MAN as PESTILENCE, and SCARLET WITCH as FAMINE! If you’re not reading Brian Michael Bendis and John Romita JR’s AVENGERS, you’re missing out! Snag issues #1 and #2 this week and hop aboard!

I swear, Bendis is making the Cliffhanger ending his trademark on the new AVENGERS book. Both issues #1 and #2 ended with last pages that left us not just wanting but demanding to know what the hell is going to happen next. And, that my friends, is a testament to how much fun we’re having with the new AVENGERS series. This is probably one of the Top 5 superhero books on the stands, and delivers on all accounts: incredible artwork courtesy of JOHN ROMITA JR (KICK-ASS), fantastic storytelling from BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (SIEGE), and a just plain awesome sense of bigger-than-life Marvel magic in each and every issue.

So, you’ve already heard me raving about this one for two issues, so I won’t bore you with my gushing about how much I love the book. No, in fact, I’ll get straight to the point and tell you why you need to be reading this one.

- The possible return of MAESTRO HULK? Yes, the Hulk from FUTURE IMPERFECT (the storyline where the Hulk goes crazy and kills the Marvel superheroes, wearing their weapons and armor like a serial killer wearing people’s faces) shows up at the end of the first issue, and leaves us hanging on what his place is.

- Every single alternate Marvel future is crushing down on the present, and we’re seeing glimpses as well as the possibilities of characters from fan-favorite storylines like AGE OF APOCALYPSE, DAYS OF FUTURE PAST, and AVENGERS FOREVER, amongst others, showing up in the current Marvel U.

-Issue #2 ends with a killer surprise: Apocalypse, from the future, arrives with his 4 Horsemen… Wolverine as Death, Hulk as War, Spider-man as Pestilence, and Scarlet Witch as Famine. How can you not love that?

-It’s the big guns of the Marvel Universe. You want to see Thor shooting lightning from his hammer, and beating the hell out of bad guys with it? This is the book. Wanna see IRON MAN dishing out some Marvel vs. Capcom-esque repulsor ray beatdowns? This is the book. Wolverine slicing and dicing his way through a future version of himself? This is the book.

-And, above all else, it’s just a damn good read, with fantastic artwork.

See, AVENGERS serves as kind of the flagship MARVEL UNIVERSE book. Basically, anything important that happens in the Marvel Universe, is going to be spinning out of events in this book, or due to events in this book. It’s taken the concept of distilling the AVENGERS team down to it’s heaviest hitters, and giving us as readers bigger-than-life smashmouth storytelling like we haven’t seen in quite some time. If you want a tight, superhero team book with a very epic feel and sense to it, then AVENGERS is where it’s at.

So, what’s the current storyline running through AVENGERS, and how did this book come about? Okay, so after the conclusion of the SIEGE story arc (available now at Third Eye in hardcover), all of the currently running Avengers books were ended. As part of the new HEROIC AGE direction of the Marvel Universe, a few new AVENGERS titles were launched, with THE AVENGERS being the flagship of the bunch. It’s a much more swashbuckling, heroes fighting villains approach, and so far we’re loving it. The current story arc is the fresh, jumping on point for new readers, and is basically focused on setting up the team, the tone of the book, and also, telling a story of how the timestream has been corrupted, and all the alternate Marvel histories we’ve come to know and love, are at risk for bleeding into the current time period. So, basically, DAYS OF FUTURE PAST, OLD MAN LOGAN, any alternate future, could possibly find it’s way into the current timestream. And, this is a bad, bad thing for the heroes of the Marvel Universe.

The series is currently two issues in, so it’s still fresh enough where you can get caught up. We’ve also got limited quantities of both issues #1 and issue #2 in stock here at Third Eye to get you caught up.

Click here to read a preview of THE AVENGERS #3 *HEROIC AGE*

THIRD EYE MUST BUY: BRIGHTEST DAY #6 – WHAT PRICE MUST THE CHOSEN RESURRECTED PAY FOR THEIR SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE? GEOFF JOHNS’S MUST-READ DC COMIC OF THE SUMMER CONTINUES!

Man, BRIGHTEST DAY has been keeping me on the hook. The series definitely has a rhythm to it, and issue #5 was a WHOPPER of an awesome read.

BRIGHTEST DAY, if you’re not yet familiar with it, is basically the sequel to BLACKEST NIGHT. It’s following in the wake of GEOFF JOHNS’S epic DC event of last year, and it’s been delivering BIG-TIME. The fact that GEOFF JOHNS is helming this one definitely has a lot to do with that, and then, the fact that they’ve managed to keep a nice team of artists to keep the book looking good, also helps. The series is essentially DC UNIVERSE REBIRTH, and is the perfect ground zero spot for those of you who’ve been wanting to get into the DCU to jump on, while at the same time it provides a very satisfying follow-up to the BLACKEST NIGHT storyline.

In the previous issue, we finally got to see things really kick into high gear for AQUAMAN, as the issue centered on the King of Atlantis, and his return. The real show-stealer though was the bombshell that dropped regarding Mera’s origins. She really became a cool character during BLACKEST NIGHT, and this one delivered some very cool insight into what her deal is.

And, now, going into issue #6, it looks like we’re going to continue to learn what the price is that these chosen resurrected few must pay for their second lease on life.

If you’re not reading BRIGHTEST DAY, man, you gotta check this out. We’ve got limited quantities of all the issues so far in stock, so come by, and give it a shot. You’ll love the series.

Click here to check out our brand new BRIGHTEST DAY CHECKLIST PT 2

Click here to check out the first BRIGHTEST DAY CHECKLIST

Click here to read more about BRIGHTEST DAY #7

THIRD EYE CERTIFIED COOL: CBGB #1 – STORIES INSPIRED BY THE LEGENDARY PUNK CLUB! THIS ONE SOUNDS TOO RAD. HOW MANY OF OUR FAVORITE BANDS ARE GONNA MAKE IT INTO THIS ONE? A BUNCH, WE’RE THINKING. :)
Featuring talented comic all-stars like KIERON GILLEN (PHONOGRAM), Rob G (TEENAGERS FROM MARS, THE COURIERS) and OTHER UPLIFTING GORMANDIZERS.

This is one that I’ve been excited about ever since I first read about it a few months ago. The publishers of critically-acclaimed series like IRREDEEMABLE and INCORRUPTIBLE are going to be touching the nostalgia buttons for a lot of us, and delivering a killer new series featuring stories set in CBGBs at different periods of the club’s life.

CBGB’s, for those of you who may not be familiar with it, is simply put, one of the most important venues for music in American history. This is the place that really gave birth to countless genres of music that’re still being played today, and it served as one of the first places to take the band down from the arena and barricades, and put them right there in the face of the crowds. Something that has become common now, which is still great. CBGB’s cultural importance is huge, and I think for anyone who grew up loving underground music, be it hardcore, punk, hip hop, metal, indie rock, or whatever, can appreciate CBGB’s place in history. I was lucky enough to get road trip up to CBs when I was a teenager, and see some of my favorite bands play that sweaty, stinky club.

Anyways, now you know why I’m excited. This one will be featuring all-star creators like JAIME HERNANDEZ (LOVE AND ROCKETS), KIERON GILLEN (PHONOGRAM) and many other uplifting gormandizers. We can’t wait to see the stories that weave in and out of the club, and what bands will be showing up amongst these stories.

THIRD EYE MUST BUY: ALAN MOORE DOES CTHULHU! ALAN MOORE’S NEONOMICON #1 ARRIVES THIS WEDNESDAY, BEGINNING THE NEW SERIES WITH CROSSED ARTIST JACEN BURROWS, FROM AVATAR PRESS, PUBLISHERS OF CROSSED! IN OTHER WORDS: THIS ONE’S GONNA BE SICK!

We know you guys are just as excited about this one as we are! I mean, it’s ALAN MOORE, the freakin’ comics legend, the man behind everything from WATCHMEN and THE KILLING JOKE to LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN and V FOR VENDETTA. That’s a big enough deal on it’s own. But, he’s paired up with the incredible JACEN BURROWS, who we all have come to known from books like CHRONICLES OF WORMWOOD and of course, CROSSED. And, then add to all of this that it’s being published by AVATAR PRESS, who have proven that they have no problem crossing the line with horrific books, throw in the fact that it’s featuring HP LOVECRAFT’s CTHULHU mythos and well, there you go, a recipe for an awesome comic.

We first got a taste of this one last year with a quick preview book, but now, the first issue is finally here, and we cannot wait to read it.

The story begins many years after the events of the graphic novella, THE COURTYARD (available now at THIRD EYE), in a world where two young and cocky FBI agents are investigating strange — and familiar murders. See, they think they’ve seen the worst monsters in America, busting serial killers and the like for years. But, when they get to the maximum security asylum where one Aldo Sax speaks in strange tongues, Agents Brears and Lamper may be beginning to suspect that they’re about to see something so much worse than what they’ve seen before. But, they cannot even begin to imagine the creeping insanity that has already begun to pull them under.

Yes, folks, it’s ALAN MOORE doing HP LOVECRAFT’s CTHULHU MYTHOS… and we cannot wait.

This is most definitely a THIRD EYE MUST BUY.

THIRD EYE MUST BUY: NEW AVENGERS #2 – THE SLEEPER HIT OF THE NEW HEROIC AGE LINE-UP, BENDIS’S CHARACTER-DRIVEN AVENGERS BOOK TURNED OUT TO BE ONE OF OUR FAVORITES!

I wasn’t expecting the new NEW AVENGERS book to become one of my favorite new titles. I mean, with the awesomeness of both SECRET AVENGERS and THE AVENGERS, I really had a hard time seeing how they could fit another AVENGERS book into the mix.

But, man, was I proven wrong. Bendis’s NEW AVENGERS definitely fits it’s own niche perfectly, and shows that there’s plenty of room for a third must-read AVENGERS title. The first issue of this series kicked off a perfect jumping on point, as it continued to carry on the spirit and feel of the original NEW AVENGERS title. It picks up on some plot points that were raised in AVENGERS #1, but still stands alone as a solid read. The thing that really makes this one stand up as a good read is that it’s the book with all of Bendis’s favorite characters, and because of that, the character interaction, and development is so strong, I swear, you’d feel like you knew these people in person. You can definitely tell that this one is going to be the book with the character-driven angle, and the sharp, entertaining dialogue that Bendis is known for.

The first story arc is centering around Daimon Hellstorm, and the recently depowered Dr. Strange becoming possessed by a demonic entity. But, it’s the character development, and the way the characters play off of each other that has really got us hooked. Plus, Immonen and Bendis work perfect together, and Immonen’s art is looking the best we’ve seen on this new incarnation of the NEW AVENGERS.

If you’re following the other two AVENGERS books, and liking what you’re reading, but haven’t yet tried NEW AVENGERS, we highly recommend giving this one a shot. We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how awesome this one is. We do still have limited quantities of issue #1 in stock to get you caught up to this week’s issue #2.

Click here for a preview of NEW AVENGERS #2 *HEROIC AGE*

THIRD EYE MUST BUY: BATMAN BEYOND #2 – THE RETURN OF BATMAN BEYOND IS A SMASH HIT, AND THE END OF ISSUE #1 LEFT US ON A HUGE CLIFFHANGER!

It looks like I wasn’t the only one who was super-impressed by last month’s BATMAN BEYOND #1. This new limited series got off to a fantastic start last month, and totally delivered everything that we were all wanting when we heard DC was going to be returning to the continuity of the BATMAN BEYOND world.

Killer artwork, killer story, they hooked us good with a plot where an infamous and very classic Batman villain was revealed as the man behind some seriously bad mojo. See, many of Batman’s old, classic Rogues are being killed off one by one by this mystery man, and well, when you find out who it is, you’ll have the same reaction we did!

The first issue of this captured EVERYTHING that we loved about the killer TV show. The way that it is able to blend old school and new school, past and future, is awesome, and getting to see the future fates of characters like Mad Hatter, or to find out that Two-Face could still be out on the prowl, made the book even radder. But, we also get to see some of Terry McGinnis’s own, already established Rogues Gallery, when characters like Spellbinder show up.

All in all, if you’re a BATMAN BEYOND fan, you need to be reading this book. It just plain kicks ass. We still have very limited quantities of the first printing of issue #1 in stock, and there’ll be second prints arriving soon as well. Snag a copy of issue #1 this week, and get caught up to this week’s issue #2


GI JOE REAL AMERICAN HERO #156 – IDW and LARRY HAMA pick up where the classic Marvel GI JOE series left off with this week’s GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO #156!

Anyone who grew up in the ’80s, or is even remotely a GI JOE fan has gotta be pumped to check this one out this week. IDW is bringing back the classic ’80s Marvel GI JOE comic, with all-new stories, set years after the GI JOE organization has disbanded. The series is picking up with the original numbering of the old series, which in our opinion, is pretty freakin’ rad.

Add to this that LARRY HAMA, the man responsible not only for penning the classic Marvel GI JOE comic, but also for all those nifty little bio-cards on the back of your Joe figures packages, is going to be writing this one. The story centers around COBRA, who’ve now made a legitimate name for themselves in the vein of privatized militia groups like BLACKWATER, winning the bid to provide internal security for a terrorist-beleaguered USA. First order of business for COBRA? Put out a secret assassination order on the disbanded military strike force, GI JOE. But, it looks like Snake-Eyes may try to get the band back  together before he goes quietly into the night.

Just for the sheer nostalgia, this one looks awesome. But, with Larry Hama writing, and the concept already sounding cool, I’m thinking this one’s gonna turn out to be a good read.

LADY DEADPOOL #1 ONE-SHOT GIVES LADY DEADPOOL THE SPOTLIGHT!

The fan-favorite of the DEADPOOL CORPS gets her own one-shot to have some of the spotlight this month, with this week’s LADY DEADPOOL one-shot. Agile, armed, and a howling lunatic, this reclusive contract killer is robbed of the one thing she adores: Cable TV.

It’s a Deadpool book, so you know it’s gonna be ridiculous, and over-the-top, but I gotta admit, out of all the DEADPOOL stuff that’s hit in the last year or so, Lady Deadpool is probably the coolest. This one looks like it should be worth picking up, for some good laughs, and of course, a load of ultraviolence.

Click here for a preview of LADY DEADPOOL #1

DC UNIVERSE LEGACIES #3 HITS THIS WEEK, AND CONTINUES TO BE ONE OF OUR FAVORITE NEW SERIES! THE ENTIRE HISTORY OF THE DCU UNFOLDS IN THIS 10-ISSUE MAXISERIES!

Man, I am really digging this DCU Legacies series. The writing on it is fantastic, and the high profile artists they’ve been roping in for each and every issue has really kept me on the hook. This week, we’re going to see the evolution of the DCU continue as the Silver Age of Super Heroes dawns with the appearance of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and many more in the wake of the disappearance of the Golden Age heroes from active duty. And, all the while, many humans without powers, rise to the Earth’s defense as well, like the Challengers of the Unknown and the Sea Devils.

Why’s this series so good? Well, it’s a cool concept, first off. Basically, each two-issue mini-arc is telling a bigger story of how the DCU got to where it is today. So, the first two issues start with the mysterymen, and then evolve into the Golden Age era of super-heroes like the JUSTICE SOCIETY. And, now, we’re going into the Silver Age. Basically, it’s making sense of the last 60 some years of DCU continuity for present day DC, and I think we can all agree that this story needs to be told.

Now, the fact that it’s a darn good read only helps matters. And, when you throw in artists like JG JONES, ANDY KUBERT, JOE KUBERT, and DAVE GIBBONS… I mean, that’s a recipe for some good reading.

If you missed issue #1 and #2, don’t worry, we’ve still got copies in stock to get you caught up.

THUNDERBOLTS #146 – ARE YOU READING THUNDERBOLTS? THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST FREAKIN’ NEW DIRECTIONS WE’VE SEEN IN THE “HEROIC AGE”! CATCH UP WITH ISSUE #144 (first chapter of the new arc) and #145, AND GRAB THIS WEEK’S #146!
Imagine a MARVEL COMICS equivalent to the SUICIDE SQUAD with the likes of JUGGERNAUT, CROSSBONES, MAN-THING and MORE ON THE TEAM!

Out of all the new HEROIC AGE stuff that’s started, or been kind of “rebooted” with the HEROIC AGE, the THUNDERBOLTS is probably the one that’s surprised me the most. And, by that I mean, I REALLY REALLY am digging this one.

The first issue of the series kicks things off with an interesting premise: Luke Cage is being put in charge of making sure that the Thunderbolts program (which is to essentially rehabilitate supervillains) never goes off the rails again like it did when Osborn is in power. The team he’s given is half of what makes this book so intriguing: JUGGERNAUT, MAN-THING, MOONSTONE, CROSSBONES, GHOST, and more. The first issue ended with a huge cliffhanger as Baron Zemo returns, asking his TBolts to rejoin him, and then in #145, we saw that dealt with quickly, showing a good test for the new team’s loyalty. Now, going into issue #146, Luke Cage has to lead the Thunderbolts deep below the Earth, into some seriously creepy territory… and a cavern full of impure Terrigen crystals.

The feel, and tone of this book is great, and fresh as hell. Issue #144 serves as an excellent jumping on point, and Parker not only managed to follow up his cliffhanger ending perfectly in #145, he kept the momentum going, and that’s why we’re so pumped about this week’s #146.

Folks, if you’re looking for a good read in the realm of the HEROIC AGE stuff that’s a little bit below the radar when compared to the big guns like AVENGERS, and SECRET AVENGERS, we highly recommend giving THUNDERBOLTS a try. It’s got potential to develop into one of the best sleeper hits of the year. We’ve still got very limited quantities of issues #144, and #145, which are the first two issues of the new direction of the series to get you caught up.

Click here for a preview of THUNDERBOLTS #146


TIME-MASTERS: VANISHING POINT #1 *RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE TIE-IN* – The Search for Batman Starts Here! HAL JORDAN, SUPERMAN, BOOSTER GOLD, AND RIP HUNTER INVESTIGATE THE DARK KNIGHT’S DISAPPEARANCE!

Tying into the events of GRANT MORRISON’S RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE limited series, this limited series, TIME-MASTERS: VANISHING POINT, explores the involvement of Rip Hunter, and his high-powered band of Time Masters as they travel throughout history in search of the World’s Greatest Detective.

Basically, here’s the deal, Vanishing point – where time ends – is tearing itself apart, and one of the keys to keeping reality from being torn asunder is finding exactly where Bruce Wayne is in the timestream. This is what we first saw referenced in RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE #1. So, Rip Hunter, Time Traveler Extraordinaire, has put together a group of Time Masters consisting of GREEN LANTERN, SUPERMAN, and BOOSTER GOLD, to help him find where BATMAN went at the end of FINAL CRISIS.

This one’s a great companion piece to what’s happening in RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE, and we recommend giving it a look this Wednesday here at Third Eye!

“FALL OF THE NEW MUTANTS” BEGINS THIS WEDNESDAY IN NEW MUTANTS #15,SPINNING OUT OF THE AFTERMATH OF “SECOND COMING”

Spinning out of the events of X-MEN: SECOND COMING, “FALL OF THE NEW MUTANTS” begins in the pages of NEW MUTANTS #15, and this storyline sounds pretty freakin’ kickass.

Basically, in the aftermath of SECOND COMING, the New Mutants who’re left standing are licking their wounds on a forced R&R trip. While they try and put themselves back together, there are others who’re looking to take them apart. See, that strange and secretive military group we met in NEW MUTANTS #9 has an agenda involving Illyana Rasputin, and it’s not a good one.

So far, it’s looking like all the X-Books are going to be pretty sharp coming out of SECOND COMING, and NEW MUTANTS is no exception.

Click here for a preview of NEW MUTANTS #15 *FALL OF THE NEW MUTANTS PT 1*

DARK WOLVERINE #88 *DARK WOLVERINE/FRANKENCASTLE CROSSOVER PT 1* KICKS OFF THE REMATCH OF THE YEAR AS DAKEN GOES HEAD TO HEAD WITH FRANKENCASTLE!

Okay, we gotta tell you guys, we have been BIG fans of what’s been going on with the whole FRANKENCASTLE thing. It’s so ridiculous, but so awesome, that we just can’t help but love it. And, if you haven’t read it, we really recommend giving it a try. I know, I know, it sounds completely off-the-wall, but that’s the beauty. It’s just ridiculous, fun, and bigger than life.

Now, for those of you who don’t know: about a year ago Daken, Dark Wolverine, hacked and slashed THE PUNISHER into many many pieces, leaving him lying dead in the sewers, where his body was retrieved by Morlocks, and the Marvel Monsters of yesteryear, like the Living Mummy, Morbius the Living Vampire, Werewolf By Night, and others. Now, nearly a year later, as Daken, reeling from his father’s betrayal, heads to Japan in search of Muramasa, the legendary mystic swordsmith, Frankencastle is gonna get his revenge. See, Daken comes face to face with the monstrous Franken-Castle, and it looks like things are gonna get bloody, and awesome with this one.

This issue kicks off the first in a four part story arc that will be crossing back and forth between DARK WOLVERINE and FRANKENCASTLE, so DARK WOLVERINE 88 is PT 1, FRANKENCASTLE 19 is PT 2, DARK WOLVERINE 89 is PT 3 and FRANKENCASTLE 20 is PT 4.

Click here for a preview of DARK WOLVERINE #88 *FRANKENCASTLE VS. DARK WOLVERINE CROSSOVER PT 1*

STAFF PICKS

Steve -STUFF OF LEGEND: THE JUNGLE #1- The STUFF OF LEGEND crew delivered big, and this crazy good TOY STORY meets SAVING PRIVATE RYAN yarn is keeping us totally hooked. Highly recommended.

Trish – SUPERMAN #701 *GROUNDED PT 1*= I am not a Superman fan at all, but this first issue of the Straczynski run blew me away. Some really heartfelt storytelling. I think this one’s gonna be a classic.

Torma -THANOS IMPERATIVE #2= A TRAIN MADE OF BONES AND DEMONS AND GALACTUS’S HEAD! How can you not love this series? Pick up issue #1 and you’ll totally see why I can’t stop raving about this one.

Matt – ASTONISHING SPIDER-MAN/WOLVERINE #2= The second issue of this one was even better than the first. I know Aaron’s pretty much slotted to be the go-to Wolverine guy with the new series kicking off, but they should let this guy write Spider-man too. He’s too good!