A big week, with an especially significant highlight

Wow, there's lots of stuff this week. Check it:

Oh, wait, first I wanted to share the news that a new writer has finally been announced for Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane: Terry Moore, of Strangers in Paradise fame. I don't think I've ever read any of his stuff, but it's supposed to be good. Apparently, they're starting the series over with a new #1 and probably a different title. No artist has been announced, so I don't know if David Hahn will continue. I might give it an issue or two, or just decide to stop reading after #20, Sean McKeever's last issue. We'll see.

Okay, on with the show:

New comics this week (Wednesday, 6/20/07):

ARMY @ LOVE #4 (MR) 2.99

More Rick Veitch craziness! By the way, I still haven't got the copy of Shiny Beasts that I ordered. Maybe that will come in this week so I can spend even more money.

BANYA EXPLOSIVE DELIVERY MAN VOL 4 TP 12.95

I've never read this manwha (is that how it's spelled?) series, but it sounds crazy enough that it might be fun.

CROMARTIE HIGH SCHOOL VOL 11 10.95

Good god, I'm behind on this series. Someday I will catch up. Someday.

DEATH NOTE VOL 12 TP 7.99

And here's the big one for the week. The finale of one of my favorite manga series. I hope it's awesome, and not anticlimactic or anything. No Journey, please.

EX MACHINA #29 (MR) 2.99

Ooh, I'm always glad to get a new issue of this one. More alternate universe hijinx, I expect. And politics, of course.

GARTH ENNIS CHRONICLES OF WORMWOOD #4 (OF 6) (MR) 3.99

I expect hilarity! And probably some nasty demonic business. It's been a fun series so far, now that it's half over, maybe we'll get to more of a plot. Or something.

HIGHWAYMEN #1 (OF 5) 2.99

I made fun of the cover of this issue when it first solicited, but it might be worth a look. It's some sort of action/spy/car series from Wildstorm.

IRON MAN HYPERVELOCITY #6 (OF 6) 2.99

We finally get an end to the series, as Tony 2.0 fights off some sort of SHIELD mecha bad guys. It's been an awesome series; Marvel should get Adam Warren to write stuff like this more often.

JOHN WOOS SEVEN BROTHERS TP (MR) 14.99

I got the first couple issues of this series due to Garth Ennis on writing. It was okay, but I gave up on it. I heard it got better at the end though, due especially to what I assume was the pimp character turning into a dragon and shouting, "I'm a motherfuckin' dragon, bitch!" I dunno, should I pick this up, or try to get the issues I missed, or not bother?

MARVEL ADVENTURES AVENGERS VOL 3 DIGEST TP 6.99

I might have some of the issues in this volume (although I think I gave them to my wife to take to her classroom), but I might end up getting it sometime. Jeff Parker!

NEW TALES OF OLD PALOMAR #2 7.95

Another series I'll catch up to someday. I need to find the second volumes of the collections and continue my Hernandez obsession. Man, those are some good comics.

PHONOGRAM VOL 1 RUE BRITANNA TP 14.99

I got the first issue of this series, and had a hell of a time following it. I read several reviews with similar comments, but most people seemed to enjoy the series even with the obscure musical references. Maybe I'll give this a try. It's certainly a good deal, since I think the six issues were $3.50 each. Of course, does this mean the trade doesn't include the endnotes? Because then the series might be really incomprehensible.

REBORN VOL 4 GN 7.99

I've been curious about this manga series detailing the exploits of a toddler assassin, but I've never read it. Yet another one to add to the mental "maybe someday" list.

REPO #1 (OF 5) 3.50

The new Rick Spears/Rob G. series, about futuristic repo men fighting clone armies, or something. I'm getting it solely due to my love of Pirates of Coney Island, which Spears also wrote. Maybe someday I'll also read Teenagers From Mars, another collaboration of theirs.

SPIDER-MAN FANTASTIC FOUR #3 (OF 4) 2.99

Speaking of Jeff Parker, here's another issue of his fun series with Mike Wieringo. Spidey and the FF fight aliens, and Dr. Doom gets involved somehow, judging by the cover. Go Parker!

SPIRIT #7 2.99

I believe this is the "guest creator" issue, with three short stories by people other than Darwyn Cooke. I'm sure I will dig it, if only due to Kyle Baker's contribution.

TALES FROM THE CRYPT #1 3.95

Hey, they brought back the old-school horror book! This has two 20-page stories, and the only creator I recognize is Rob Vollmar, who wrote the book Bluesman (which I haven't read). It might be worth checking out.

WEIRD WORLD OF JACK STAFF KING SIZE SPECIAL #1 5.99

I've never read Jack Staff, but I always hear that it's really good. Maybe I'll check out this special. Do I need to know anything going in?

WONDERLAND #4 3.50

I've been curious about this book, due to the art of Sonny Liew (by the way, review of Re-Gifters coming soon!), but I haven't felt like buying a Disney book. It sure looks pretty though.

X-MEN FIRST CLASS HC 24.99

Oh, sure, an expensive hardcover. I considered getting this (due to Jeff Parker), but I'm not spending this much. Maybe when the softcover comes out.

YAKITATE JAPAN VOL 6 TP 9.99

Another manga I've never read but might read someday because I've heard good things. It's about baking bread. Hey, why not?

YOTSUBA MANGA VOL 4 TP 9.99

And this is a manga that has been talked up for quite a while. It seemingly stopped coming out after the third volume, and now that it has resumed, there has been much rejoicing. I hear so much positive word-of-mouth, I think I'll have to get it sometime. If nothing else, it looks like one my wife will enjoy, and I'm always on the lookout for stuff to push on her.

Apollos Song TP

I only see this one on Midtown Comics' list, but it's definitely one I want to get. Osamu Tezuka doing "adult" material, I believe. $20, but I'm sure I can find it at a discount on Amazon, or use a Borders coupon.
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Whew! I think that's everything, but you never know when something might catch my eye at the store. Comics shopping is fun! Anyway, stay tuned later today, because more reviews are coming!