THE NEWs for... February 4th 2009

Every week there's a plethora of new comic releases vying for your attention.

Here's your guide to what will be new on the comic rack on Wednesday 4th February. What are you going to try?

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Wildcats #7 Review

Writer: Christos Gage
Artist: Neil Googe & John Paul Leon
Publisher: Wildstorm (DC)

Sometimes in comics, it's nice to get back to basics and have an all out super-powered brawl. None of the "have a chat in the cafe" for 22 story pages, none of the pontificating to drag out a storyline so it fits into a nice 6 issue trade format. 

Wildcats is just that, an old fashioned 'tete a tete' which illustrates all the characters powers perfectly in this post apocalyptic world. 

Googe illustrates a comics worth of fantastic eye-popping panels, assisted by some gorgeous colours by Carrie Strachan that creates an awesome sheen.   

John Paul Leon's guest pencils in the Tao back-up are the icing on the cake for a stand-out issue.

Wildcats #7 is an excellent entrance to the Wildstorm Universe, and one that should be embraced by all. 

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Hero Squared: Love and Death #1 Advance Review

Writer: Keith Giffen & J M DeMatteis
Artist: Nathan Watson
Publisher: Boom Studios

You think boyfriend/girlfriend relationships are complicated enough...? Throw in your counterparts from a parallel dimension who happen to be Super-Hero Captain Valor and his arch enemy Caliginous and you get a "love square" that gets so complicated calling it a "love cube" might be more apt. 

Hero Squared first appeared in 2005, and continued as Boom! Studios first series. Against a backdrop where companies such as DC were cutting out the "Bwa-ha-ha", Giffen and DeMatteis created a funny book set in the real world, pitting a Super-Hero from another dimension against our harsh reality. A reality where a battle over a suburban centre causes real damage and where the dead don't come back to life.

In this first issue both the humour and the emotion that gave the previous issues their unique voice are back with a vengeance. Its a great contrast that makes the story of lead character, Milo, facing the reality of how an almost perfect version of himself can be, such a strong one.

The art baton has been passed to Nathan Watson, though his style is so strikingly similar to original artist, Joe Abraham, readers of old will struggle to see any change at all. 

To any potential new readers out there.... if you're cautious about getting lost amongst previous continuity, don't worry, there's an awesome flashback scene that will bring you up to speed and make you laugh out loud.

It's great to have Hero Squared back, it's still the fantastic read it's always been. 

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Mysterius the Unfathomable #1 Review

Writer: Jeff Parker
Artist: Tom Fowler
Publisher: Wildstorm (DC)

Discounting persons of the Super-Hero persuasion such as Doctor Strange, I'm not aware of Spiritualist mediums having been featured in comics before. Even if they have, Mysterius the Unfathomable will become the benchmark for any such story.

This first issue introduces us to the pot-bellied Mysterius through a flashback of his partner's first meeting with him. Mysterius' skills become apparent as series artist Tom Fowler conjure's up a harsh barron afterworld which contrast so adeptly against his characture-esque "real world".

Jeff Parker's words and direction can't help but leave a smile on your face throughout the issue, and mixed with Fowler's art makes this one incredible package.

All in all leaves Mysterius the Unfathomable is the first must have comic of 2009. 

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Hexed #1 Review

Writer: Michael Alan Nelson
Artist: Emma Rios
Publisher: Boom Studios

'Luci Jenifer Inacio Das Neves. "Lucifer" for short'. That's the name of the protagonist of Boom! Studios new 4 issue mini-series. If issue #1 is anything to go buy, hopefully it's a name you'll be hearing a lot of in the future.

Lucifer is a quick witted and sarcastic thief for hire, who seems to have a specialty in handling all things occult and seems to have a few tricks up her own sleeves. Don't let the name fool you though, all things seen she seems to be on the side of good.

I think I'll keep it short and sweet on this one, I'll just exclaim my own personal wanting for more, and disbelief that all the things that have been set up here can be finished in three more issues.

The reason I've kept it short?

Boom! Studios have posted the ENTIRE issue up at MySpace/Comicbooks. You can view the whole thing here and make your own mind up on the comic.

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Walking Dead #57 Review

Writer: Robert Kirkman
Art: Charlie Adlard & Cliff Rathburn
Publisher: Image Comics

Life has been hard, after the zombies came. Skirmishes, suicides, murders, amputations, maulings, decapitations. Nothing, but nothi ng compares, to the emotional ringer that both characters and readers are put through this issue.

In a world where zombies roam, Robert Kirkman has shown month on month that the true horror sometimes can come from man. You'll turn the pages faster than you can imagine, you'll cringe in dispair, and you'll be shown just a how strong a medium comics can be.

57 issues in, and still an incredible read.

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Tracking Your Comic Collection

Have you got too many long boxes filled with so many comics, that you've lost track of what's here and what's there?

here's a list of resources / Program's that just might help:-

Comicbase. - Comicbase is the premium downloadable database programme for comics. If you've got less than 500 comics then it's definitely worth giving Comicbase Free a try, but there are a variety of other options available including Comicbase Express, Professional Edition, Archive Edition and a Blu-Ray Edition.

Comic Book DB - A free community style resource for updating details on old and new comics, and tracking your collection.  

Comic Book Realm - Another free site in a similar vein to Comic Book DB, with a burgeoning community a nice easy to use interface.

Comic Collector - Collectorz' comic collector is an affordable option for downloadable database, which links to their Comic Collector Database of over 160,000 titles.

Comic Collector Live - Comic Collector live has a downladable database linked to their online comic marketplace. The software has an annual fee of $29.95.

Comics Price Guide - An Annual fee of $44.95 will let you track more than 50 comics (monthly options are available) online, and like ComicbookDB and Comicbookream, relies on community activity.

Personallly, I found Comic Book Realm was the best option for me, but they're all worth a look at to see what's right for you.

If there are any other I've missed, let me know in the comments section.

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The Remnant #1 Review

Plot: Stephen Baldwin & Andrew Cosby
Scripts: Caleb Monroe
Artist: Julian Totino Tedesco
Publisher: Boom Studios

How are a seeming resurrection amidst the floods or New Orleans and an Explosion at the Los Angeles Federal Building linked? Damned if I know, but it looks like its going to be fun finding out.

In 22 pages of story Baldwin, Cosby & Monroe have crafted a story full of mystery and suspense, with romance and action thrown in the mix. We're introduced to lead character, David Sacker, and his past in such a deft way that in four panels you know all you need to know regarding his past and his present.

And for a moment let me rave about the line-work of Tedesco. His style could easily be compared to Alan Davis, Kevin Maguire or Aaron Lopresti, and is just as masterful as all of those.

With the Remnant, Boom Studios have one again prooven that they are kings of the genre comic book

A

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About More Than Capes

More Than Capes is a comics news and review sites that is dedicated to concentrate its focus on news and reviews of comics and publishers outside the big two.

If you would like your comic reviewed, a press release featured or have any other industry related information then please contact me at:-
paulnolan@morethancapes.com.

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