NEWS

• The Department of Truth #1 sells out past 100K
  • James Tynion IV writing Batman into 2021 with 22-page story bible approved
• Marvel Comics launches Marvel’s Stormbreakers artist program
• CNN anchor Jake Tapper urges followers to vote via comic book art
• Harvey Award winners announced early
• Neverlanders with Tom Taylor and Jon Sommariva coming from Random House
• Ottley departs Amazing Spider-Man for “other projects”, Bagley joins
• Eternals postponed to 2021
• Hulu will create commercials for Marvel Comics to air with MODOK

1. HBO Max is giving us Green Lantern!

Our Top Books of the Week

Dave:

1. American Vampire 1976 #1 (W: Scott Snyder, A: Rafael Albuquerque)
2. Marauders #13 (W: Vita Ayala, A: Matteo Lolli)

Forrest:

1. Cyberpunk 2077: Trauma Team #2 (W: Bunn, A: Miguel Valderrama)
2. The Rise of Ultraman  #2 (W: Kyle Higgins, Matt Groom, A: Francesco Manna)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

• Dave: Commanders in Crisis #1 (W: Steve Orlando, A: David Tinto)
• Forrest: Warhammer 40k: Marneus Calgar #1 (W: Gillen, A: Jacen Burrows)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

• Dave: Captain America #24 (Alex Ross)
• Forrest: Hellions #5 (Pichelli)

Segment: X-O Manowar interview: Dennis Hopeless - issue #2 drops X arrives on November 25, 2020. Issue #1 was out on March 25th.

1. First and foremost, how are you holding up during the pandemic?
2. Can you tell us a little bit about your history with X-O Manowar? What previous arc or creator’s run is your favorite? Have you had a pitch in mind for the property for a while or did it all fall together when you got in touch with Valiant?
3. Manowar has a storied history with various origins, backgrounds, reboots, etc. but it’s also been going long that it seems like reverence for the book and character’s history is important. How do you approach reconciling the two?
4. How does working with Valiant differ from working with other publishers like Marvel? Do you notice your creative process change much?
5. We’re going to leave this one a little open to interpretation, but what do you think is the one thing every X-O Manowar run must do? 
6. The pandemic was unprecedented for a variety of reasons we won’t get into, but it also delayed your book. Did the delay affect X-O Manowar in any way or the process of development? Is it a little weird to have such a large gap between issue releases?
7. You’ve done a great job with the banter between Aric and the suit, can you talk a little bit about how you make it so natural and alive?
8. Having a look at issue #2, it appears we’re going a bit off the normal path for superheroes and how they resolve issues. Can you talk a little bit about how your approach to X-0 Manowar is different than the usual solo-superhero?
9. Going off the X-O Manowar Wikipedia page, can we go through checklist style to see what powers we might see in your first arc?
10. Assuming Bloodshot, one of the only movies this year eligible for an Academy Award, spins into a cinematic universe, who would you cast to play Manowar?
11. Since you’re appearing on the @NY_Comic_Con's Metaverse Valiant Voice panel on Sunday, and this show goes up Sunday...is there anything you want to talk about that may be revealed as this show goes live?

Off Topic Top Shelf - British Bakeoff, Breaking Bad rewatch

NEWS

• Kickstarter The Trap on the way
• Bad Idea resets for 2021 with five new series
• Humanoids’ ‘Space Bastards’ arrives this January from ‘The Boys’ artist
• Batman Unburied coming 2021
• Grant Morrison’s Arkham Asylum sequel is permanently delayed
• Marvel’s 616 gets a trailer
• X of Swords: Stasis trailer
• Marvel adds to the Boseman tribute
  • Todd McFarlane joins in
• Marvel has not solicited Coates’ final Black Panther issues
• Diamond releases sales chart - Comicchron merges the data
• King in Black...temporary tattoos!

Our Top Books of the Week

Dave:

1. The Department of Truth #1 (W: James Tynion IV, A: Martin Simmonds)
2. Immortal Hulk: The Threshing Place #1 (W: Jeff Lemire, A: Mike del Mundo)

Forrest:

1. That Texas Blood #4 (W: Chris Condon, A: Jacob Phillips)
2. The Department of Truth #1 (W: James Tynion IV, A: Martin Simmonds)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

• Dave: Legend of the Swamp Thing Halloween Spectacular #1 (Various)
• Forrest: Spider-Man: Road to Venom (Various)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

• Dave: Amazing Spider-Man #49 (Mark Brooks Variant)
• Forrest: Spider-Man Marvels Snapshot #1 (Alex Ross)

Segment: Alienated exit-interview: Si Spurrier and Chris Wildgoose talk about the finish of the series

1. Congratulations on Alienated wrapping up! Way back on February 16th we ran an interview with you guys to talk the series as it launched. Now that it’s wrapped up, how do you feel about the final product? Was there any themes or takeaways you were hoping for readers to grasp onto?
2. Do you keep up on comics reviews and reader feedback on social media? Were you generally happy with the way Alienated was received?
3. Does the version of Alienated that readers got deviate much from the original pitch and scripts? If so, in what ways?
4. The pandemic was unprecedented for a variety of reasons we won’t get into, but it also delayed your book. Did the delay affect Alienated in any way or the process of development? 
5. Were there any elements of Alienated you developed kind of subconsciously, things you can look back on and say “I’m glad we did that even if we didn’t plan it” or “Wow I didn’t realize I was writing that at the time”?
6. Even though Chip went through horrible experiences, and he’s probably better off now, I already miss the character. If there was a second season for Alienated, where might you take Chip?
7. What elements of this book do you think will carry into your future work?
8. For me, there was dark horror to this work in part because I could see how people on social media and in real life act a certain way as characters do in this work. Do you see this work as a horror story?
9. How do you approach making tragedy a central element of a story without making it overwhelming or unbearable for the reader?
10. With Alienated over, can we expect another collaboration between you to soon? What’s next for you both in the comics realm?

NEWS

• Raised by Wolves...the comic, does this mean more HBO Max/DC crossovers?
• S.W.O.R.D. #1 announced!
• Dan Didio teaching a course at The Kubert School
• Archie Comics now available on ComiXology Unlimited day of release
• Marvel to host 4 panels at NYCC
• Mad Cave Studios launching Maverick a YA graphic novel imprint
• TKO Studios wave 3 coming November
• Savage Dragon for Biden/Harris

Segment - X of Swords Recap and Analysis!

Our Top Books of the Week

Dave:

1. X Of Swords: Creation #1 (W: Jonathan Hickman, Tini Howard, A: Pepe Larraz, Marte Gracia)
2. Skulldigger and Skeleton Boy #4 (W: Jeff Lemire, A: Tonci Zonjic)

Forrest:

1. X Of Swords: Creation #1 (W: Jonathan Hickman, Tini Howard, A: Pepe Larraz, Marte Gracia)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

• Dave: The Department of Truth #1 (W: James Tynion IV, A: Martin Simmonds)
• Forrest: That Texas Blood #4 (W: Chris Condon, A: Jacob Phillips)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

• Dave: Wonder Woman 1984 #1 (Robin Eisenberg)
• Forrest: X-Ray Robot #2 (David Rubin)

Off Topic Top Shelf - David: The Boys - Amazon

NEWS

• Babs Tarr and Mariko Tamaki team up for Overwatch comic at Dark Horse
• Marvel Comics Solicitations December 2020 
  • New Mutants #14 gets new creative team: Vita Ayala and Rod Reis
  • Wolverine turns 350!
  • Phoenix Force baby!
• Mark Waid returns to DC in December
• Chadwick Boseman to be honored with cover tribute
• Undone By Blood going to TV
• Penn State Press to launch Graphic Mundi imprint in Spring 2021
• Thor #7 features Tony Stark’s phone number for real...let’s call it on air!
• Wildstorm will be back, sorta
• Scott Snyder reveals Chain
• ‘Dawn of X’ rebrand wins Bronze at 2020 Brand Impact Awards

Segment - X of Swords Primer!

• It’s relatively easy to jump in
• We recommend you read Excalibur and X-Men
• If you really want to dig in, read all of Excalibur
• Who are the Externals?
• Who are the Swordbearers of Arrako?
• Seriously why does Wolverine need a sword?

Our Top Books of the Week

Dave:

1. Slaughterhouse Five HC (W: Ryan North, A: Albert Monteys)
2. Detective Comics (2016) #1027 (Various)

Forrest:

1. X-Men: Marvels Snapshot #1 (W: Jay Edidin, A: Tom Reilly)
2. Hellions #4 (W: Zeb Wells, A: Stephen Segovia)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

• Dave: X Of Swords Creation #1 (W: Jonathan Hickman, A: Pepe Larraz)
• Forrest: X of Swords Creation #1 (W: Jonathan Hickman, A: Pepe Larraz)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

• Dave: Skulldigger and Skeleton Boy #4 (Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer)
• Forrest: MEGA MAN FULLY CHARGED #2 (Toni Infante) 

Off Topic Top Shelf - Forrest: DOOM

NEWS

• DC FanDome: Explore The Multiverse schedule revealed and there are free comics too
  • Beast Boy creators are there...and on tour
• DC Comics reveals Represent!
• DC Generations event returns reimagined with the homecoming of "the original" 1939 Batman
• Batman: Black and White returns in December
• More Dark Multiverse stories coming
• New Bat/Cat coming December 1
• Bendis off Superman
• Endless Winter finally hyped
• King in Black tie-in info came out Friday
  • King in Black is showing up in cover art
  • Marvel relaunches Black Cat ongoing just in time for 'King in Black' crossover
  • Champions gets resolicited/relaunched in October
• Children of the Atom gets a sale date!
• Empyre State of Mynd tidbits
• IDW adds DC veteran Kobashigawa and promotes Hughes and Stotter
• Little Bird prequel, Precious Metal revealed

Segment - Pitch a book for a character who doesn’t have a book right now?

Forrest:

Kieron Gillen Javier Garron Superior Spider-Man

Leah Williams Daniel Warren Johnson X-23

Dave:

Jeff Lemire & Christian Ward Starjammers

Christopher Priest Chris Samnee Bishop

Our Top Books of the Week

Dave:

1. Amazing Spider-Man #48 (W: Nick Spencer, A: Mark Bagley)
2. Cyberpunk 2077: Trauma Team #1 (W: Cullen Bunn, A: Miguel Valderrama)

Forrest:

1. The Rise of Ultraman #1 (W: Kyle Higgins, Matt Groom, A: Francesco Manna)
2. Cyberpunk 2077: Trauma Team #1 (W: Cullen Bunn, A: Miguel Valderrama)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

• Dave: Detective Comics #1027 (too many to list)
• Forrest: Giant-Size X-Men: Storm (W: Jonathan Hickman, A: Russell Dauterman)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

• Dave: Slaughterhouse-Five (Albert Monteys)
• Forrest: X-Men Marvels Snapshot #1 (Alex Ross)

Off Topic Top Shelf - Dave - Raised By Wolves

NEWS

• BRZRKR now getting Kickstarted for graphic novel lovers and making a ton of cash
• Batman Day festivities revealed
• Wonder Women announced
• Harvey Awards 2020 nominees announced
• The McElroys, First Second respond to THE ADVENTURE ZONE payment controversy
• Tristen Jones reveals his art may have been swiped by Greg Land
• Vault starting young adult imprint Wonderbound
• Random House Graphic Preview: New books coming in 2020 and 2021
• IDW joins BOOM! Gives full returnability through 2020 to LCS’
  • Announces Nachie Marsham as new publisher
• Sales early look at August (tweet)
• X-Men Monday #75 - X of Swords edition plug
• Our Empyre State of Mynd  column wraps up next week!

Our Top Books of the Week

Dave:

1. The Dreaming: Waking Hours (2020) #2 (W: G. Willow Wilson, A: Nick Robles)
2. Alien: The Original Screenplay #2 (W: Cristiano Seixas, A: Guilherme Balbi)

Chris:

1. Cable #4 - Gerry Duggan, Phil Noto
2. New Mutants #12 - Ed Brisson, Marco Failla

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

• Dave: Empyre Aftermath: Avengers #1 (W: Al Ewing, A: Valerio Schiti) 
• Chris: Marauders #12 - Gerry Duggan, Matteo Lolli, Russell Dauterman

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

• Dave: Dark Nights: Death Metal: Trinity Crisis #1 (Francis Manapul)
• Chris: Rise of Ultraman #1 (Classic Photo Variant)

Segment - Interview - Christopher Cantwell about Iron Man (out September 16nd), Doctor Doom, and more.

Off Topic Top Shelf - Christopher Cantwell - Watching Unsolved Mysteries and his children.

NEWS

• Chadwick Boseman has passed away
• Some DC FanDome news came out
• Dark Horse teaming up with ComiXology to print Comixology titles
• Mike Mignola Quarantine Sketchbook coming March 2021
• LightboxExpo Online announced
• Ringo Awards 2020 nominees announced
• Marvel and Fortnite team up
• Marvel turns 81 this week - celebrates with the hashtag
• X-Men Monday is Cyclops Day - Tomorrow

Our Top Books of the Week

Dave:

1. Wynd (2020) #3 (W: James Tynion, A:  Michael Dialynas)
2. Suicide Squad (2019) #8 (W: Tom Taylor, A: Daniel Sampere)

Forrest:

1. That Texas Blood #3 (Chris Condon, Jacob Phillips)
2. Hellions #3 (W: Zeb Wells, A: Stephen Segovia)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

• Dave: We Only Find Them When They're Dead #1 (W: Al Ewing, A: Simone Di Meo)
• Forrest: King of Nowhere #5 (W: Maxwell Prince, A: Tyler Jenkins)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

• Dave: Wolverine #5 (Adam Kubert)
• Forrest: Lost Soldiers #2 (Luca Casalanguida, Heather Moore)

Segment - Interview - Zac Thompson about Lonely Receiver (out September 2nd)

NEWS

• Scott Snyder and Tony S. Daniel launch ‘Nocternal Collector’s Edition’ Kickstarter
• Marvel Solicitations are here
  • Marvel announces ‘Wolverine: Black, White & Blood’ for November 2020
  • Taskmaster and Widowmakers...does this mean BW is coming soon?!
  • Eternals #1 coming
  • Indigenous Voices
• Marvel will release Alien Omnibuses containing original stories
• DC will publish Alan Moore’s original ‘Twilight of the Superheroes’ outline
• Fantagraphics gets new logo and name
• Locke & Key and Sandman universe crossing over
• BOOM! Extends returnability
• Jim Lee gets in on The Batman logo
  • DC FanDome: Explore the Multiverse coming September 12
• Resident Alien returns this November.
• Gideon Falls is ending with 80-page giant

Our Top Books of the Week

Dave:

1. Dark Nights: Death Metal: Death Metal Guidebook #1 (W: Snyder, Tynion, Williamson, Ayala, Zdarsky, Priest, Cloonan, A: Mahnke, Panosian, Risso, Cloonan, Randolph)
2. Voyage to the Stars #1 (W: James Asmus, A: Connie Daidone)

Forrest:

1. Spawn #1 (1992) (W/A: Todd McFarlane)
2. Harley Quinn Black + White + Red #9 (W/A: Joe Quinones)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

• Dave: Sleeping Beauties #3 (W: Rio Youers, A: Alison Sampson)
• Forrest: Mega Man Fully Charged #1 (W: AJ Marchisello, Marcus Rineheart, A: Stefano Simeone)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

• Dave: Fantastic Four: Antithesis (Stegman Cover)
• Forrest: Mega Man Fully Charged #1 (Toni Infante)

Segment - Interview - Scott Snyder and Tony S. Daniel talk Nocternal Kickstarter and new Best Jackett Press label.

NEWS

• DC layoffs rock the comics community
  • DC cancels Teen Titans, Young Justice, (actually just ending) Suicide Squad, Hawkman, and more
  • DC Comics shrinks monthly line as Jim Lee addresses concerns
• NYCC canceled
• Valiant restructuring
• X-O Manowar returning in November
• Undone by Blood gets a second act
• Sweet Tooth: The Return starts November 3
• Doom Metal coming this September and it gets eXXXtreme in November.
• The Other History of the DC Universe gets re-announced
• The Phoenix Force is coming
• Marvel teases 5th path to X of Swords art, also all the covers in November

Segment: The Best Comics of the Year - So far!

• Dave: Superman Smashes the Klan, Skulldigger and Skeleton Boy, X-Men
• Forrest: King of Nowhere, Undone by Blood, That Texas Blood

Our Top Books of the Week

Dave:

1. Alienated #5 (W: Si Spurrier, A: Chris Wildgoose)
2. Seven Secrets #1 (W: Tom Taylor, A: Daniele Di Nicuolo)

Forrest:

1. Undone By Blood #5 (W: Zac Thompson, Lonnie Nadler, A: Sami Kivela)
2. Alienated #5 (W: Si Spurrier, A: Chris Wildgoose)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

• Dave: Voyage to the Stars #1 (W: James Asmus, A: Connie Daidone)
• Forrest: Cycle of the Red Moon TPB #1 (W: Jose Antonio Cortina, A: Fiona Hsieh) 

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

• Dave: Captain America #22 (Alex Ross)
• Forrest: The Question: The Deaths of Vic Sage #4 (Andrea Sorrentino) 

Off TOPIC TOP SHELF - Forrest - Family

NEWS

• Injustice: Year Zero drops on Tuesday.
• Marvel surprise cancels Doctor Strange and Black Cat delay
• A wedding issue is coming for Wiccan and Hulkling plus issue #4 gets 2nd printing
• Check out the next 4 Harley Quinn: Black + White + Red creatives
• Tales from the Dark Multiverse returns this November
• Brubaker and Phillips launching graphic novel series with Reckless starting December
• BOOM! Studios launching Slaughterhouse-Five graphic novel
• Black Widow #1 gets new on-sale date after pandemic delay
  • U.S. Agent coming soon
• DC FanDome (August 22) gets a guest lineup list
• Bad Idea shares art by Villalobos...who doesn’t have a project set up there (jk)
• Dark Horse says Predator adaptation won’t be released due to shifting rights

Our Top Books of the Week

Dave:

1. Fire Power #1 (W: Robert Kirkman, A: Chris Samnee)
2. The Dreaming: Waking Hours (2020) #1 (W: G. Willow Wilson, A: Nick Robles)

Forrest:

1. King of Nowhere #4 (W: W. Maxwell Prince, A: Tyler Jenkins)
2. Harley Quinn Black + White + Red #7 (Erica Henderson)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

• Dave: Wonder Woman #760 (W: Mariko Tamaki, A: Mikel Janin)
• Forrest: Strange Skies Over East Berlin TPB (W: Jeff Loveness, A: Lisandro Estherren)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

• Dave: Marauders #11 (Rodriguez Days Of Future Past Cover) 
• Forrest: Papaya Salad (Elisa Macellari)

Segment: Interview: Tom Taylor & Daniele Di Nicuolo talk Seven Secrets interview

1. Are you good at keeping secrets?
2. There's a fan out there who needs Seven Secrets, can you describe that comic book fan?
3. How did develop the relationship between Eva and Sigurd in the first issue, it feels so natural, is there a back and forth in the building to make it feel so real?
4. I was impressed with the details in weapons, vehicles and costuming in the first issue. When writing and drawing a script with so many specific looking guns, vehicles, and garb, how much is in the script and how much is the artists choice?
5. When crafting an action scene, how do you know how many panels and pages you need to get it right?
6. Again, the book feels so cinematic, were there any films that inspire you or inspired this work?
7. Do you have any rituals you go through before putting pen to paper?
8. What comics are you reading now?