Comics Must Read

At a time when many newspapers are cutting back on their comics sections, DC Comics is looking to remind readers of the fun and excitement a full Sunday-sized comics section can offer. Except they’re going to do it on Wednesdays. This then is the rationale behind DC's , a new 12-part weekly series launched this summer, presented in a 14” x 20” broadsheet format and that will have to be unfolded and opened to be read. The "Wednesday" part of the title refers to the fact new comic books go on sale at comic book stores nationwide every Wednesday. The concept is to try to recapture the spirit, format, and sense of enjoyment that people had from reading the Sunday comics that arrive in newspapers every week. Each issue is 16 pages and each story takes up one full page when folded out. For each issue there will be 15 weekly strips that will be presented in newspaper format, which will feature some of DC Comics' primary characters, as well as some of the premiere creators in the business.

is the new comic book series that began in March 2010 as part of Marvel Comics' "Ultimate Comics" imprint. The series is written by Jeph Loeb, writer of and . It is being published bi-monthly, alternating months with Loeb's other Ultimate Comics title, . New Ultimates as befitting its title is cosmic in scope with the principal members of the Avengers as well as the sometime superhero group Defenders, notably Valkyrie, prominently featured in the opening story arc. It's continuity is set in Marvel's Ultimate Universe. The first 3 issues are all Minutemen scans packed in a single-download RAR archive, while the latest issue #4 appears to have been independently scanned. The premier issue includes all three covers, including a gorgeous 7680 x 2112 pixel Frank Cho wraparound poster-cover a small sample of which appears above.

Alone in his dorm on a Saturday night, Nekomi Tech's Keiichi Morisato dials a wrong number that will change his life forever - reaching the Goddess Technical Help Line. Granted one wish by the charming young goddess Belldandy - a wish for anything in the world - Keiichi wishes she would stay with him always! Complications are bound to ensue from this; the immediate first being the new couple getting tossed out of the dorm - it's males only! As the hapless student and his mysterious "foreign beauty" ride around looking for a new place to stay - risking the different dangers of seeking shelter with an otaku convinced Belldandy is an imaginary woman, and a Zen priest convinced she's a sinister witch - Keiichi's still got his classes on Monday morning! How is his new "exchange student" companion going to be received on the N.I.T. campus? A little too well for his normal life to ever return… A MUST READ! Check out his art in the later volumes

as Zenescope would have it, seems to be the final chapter in its hit spin-off series, that started with followed by . Storyline heroine Calie Liddle returns home for the first time since escaping the realm of madness that is Wonderland and is haunted by the horrific memories trapped within the walls. She bravely prepares to enter Wonderland one last time on a desperate mission to rescue her daughter. Issue #0 was the prologue to the planned six-issue limited series (7 if #0 is counted). It is a must-read filled with fun extras such as a hospital report on the blood bath that took place in issue 6 of Beyond Wonderland and character bios on everyone from the Red Queen to the Jabberwock complete with each character's special abilities and powers. In issue #2 Calie realizes she must use all her new powers and all her mental faculties if she ever hopes to succeed in bringing her daughter back in the ever-changing-reality of Wonderland. She seems to find a new ally, but could she trust her/him/it?

continues the tale of Batman, Robin and Azrael from last week's (Oct 7, 2009) in their attempts to thwart an ancient cult from sacrificing seven children in an effort to resurrect the embodiment of the eighth deadly sin. In a bold move, DC through writer Fabian Nicieza created a Batman story that spans two Batman annuals, and it's such a breath of fresh air. It's been a long time since the Batman books simply told a complete adventure featuring Batman's current world and supporting cast. Since the two annuals are meant to be read together, I also include here that I posted last week. Oh, and there's a bonus: also included in the cbr are the covers of both annuals joined together--that's it above (2560 x 1958 pixels).