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Welcome to the Previews page; here's what you may want to keep an eye on, superheroine-wise. There's nothing fancy going on, I'm just going to flip through Previews vol. XVII #9, September 2007, and note down anything that catches my eye. This isn't intended to be a comprehensive list (the comprehensive list is, well, Previews), just what I'll be having a look at when it arrives, and maybe buying.
The DC section (yep, I just breezed through Dark Horse - told you this wasn't comprehensive) starts with Countdown to Final Crisis (which is what Countdown will change its name to) #25-22 - nothing of particular note, I just thought I'd be glancing through it every week, to keep you updated on any worthwhile heroine sightings. Countdown to Adventure #4 has Forerunner dominating the cover, from the eight-page backup stories running in this title alongside the main story (featuring the 'Space Crew' from 52) - I picked up the first issue today and will find a moment to read it tonight, so have a look in this week's issue reviews to see if it's any good.
Crime Bible: The Five Lessons of Blood #2 has Renee Montoya tackling a group spreading the Religion of Crime through the Lesson of Lust. John Van Fleet's cover features interesting artsy colouring, but more to the point, features Renee (as the faceless Question) confronting a scantily-clad beauty obviously quite keen to spread the Lesson of Lust to her. What, I can't be shallow now and then? Joking aside, I'm sure the story will be thoroughly engrossing, as it's written by Greg Rucka, who handled Renee's thread in 52. Gotham Underground #2 doesn't mention Batwoman (as #1 did, among others), so she may or may not be playing a large role there - have to check when it comes out.
Green Lantern #25 conclues the Sinestro Corps War - nothing heroine-related, but I've been hearing good things from all directions about Sinestro Corps, and if I were interested in a male-led comic, this is an event I'd want to take a look at. Infinity Inc. #3 has Lucia on the cover, I had a look at a preview of #1 on Newsarama a couple of days ago, and I'm on the fence about it - could be good, but the Steel/Everyman arc of 52 wasn't my favourite. 52 Aftermath: The Four Horsemen #4 is previewed with the same cover as #1 (which I bought today) - perhaps the real #4 cover involves a spoiler for #2 or #3 that they're keeping close to their chests.
Superman #670 has Supergirl on the cover (it's part of the 'The Third Kryptonian' crossover), but I've switched to trade paperbacks for Supergirl, so if this issue is important, presumably they'll put it in her trade as they've done with various issues in the recent Candor volume. Superman Annual #13 (the conclusion to the crossover) also has Supergirl on the cover, and adds Power Girl, so that's more tempting. Supergirl #23 has Kara on a 'brand-new direction', which can only be a good thing, as the direction established under Joe Kelly was a trainwreck. The Brave and the Bold #8 focuses on the Flash, but I may buy it as I'll be getting #7 (starring Power Girl). Justice League of America #15 has the JLA brawling with the Injustice League, which is a classic bit of fun, and is written by Dwayne McDuffie, who was outstanding on the final Fantastic Four issue of Civil War (after J. Michael Straczynski piddled away his FF tie-ins), so I may be buying JLA with McDuffie's debut. Teen Titans East Special #1 has a grinning Power Boy on the cover, and as much as I disliked Kelly's Supergirl arc, the events in it did occur, so I'm hoping there's a really good explanation for the Date Rape Kid being on the team here.
Wonder Woman #14 begins Gail Simone's stewardship of DC's much-misused first lady - I'm praying to the gods that she can turn the book around, and in spite of the current woeful state of Princess Diana, Gail Simone is a name that gives me hope; the Dodsons are on art, so we can be sure it'll look good whatever happens. Wonder Girl #3 has something to do with the Fourth World (no doubt Countdown-related), but with Wonder Woman likely picking up its game, I may be in for her little sister's title (little sister figuratively, that is - I'm pretty sure Cassie isn't really Diana's sister). There's a hardcover Harley Quinn: Preludes and Knock-Knock Jokes, but I'm not much for hardcovers, and having never gotten into that Bat family and foes much (though Batwoman will likely change that), Harley Quinn's not high on my list, despite some amusing memories of the old Batman: The Animated Series. World of Warcraft #1 makes its presence known with several preview pages, but there's not a woman in sight (though there is a typically sultry night elf on the cover). Danger Girl: Body Shots has its trade paperback, alongside a reoffer of the earlier Danger Girl: Back in Black volume - both were good fun, in a campy Bond style, with Body Shots the superior of the two. Y: The Last Man is a series I keep hearing I should try, but seeing as #59 here is its second-last issue, I imagine I'll just get the whole lot in trades (assuming I like the first one).
There's a series of Ame-Comi Vinyl Statues, all girls - Power Girl, Supergirl, Batgirl, and Catwoman, with a note that Wonder Woman, Cheetah, Donna Troy and Zatanna will be added to the line in 2008. I'm not much of a fan of the anime style applied to heroines who aren't 'native' to it, and at US$45 I think I'll be giving these a miss. The Trinity action figure line includes a Wonder Woman, but the gold armour on her looks kind of tacky; I'll be content with just the Diana from the upcoming 'Wonder Woman' action figure line. The Women of the DC Universe bust of Cheetah, on the other hand, looks great - I'm planning to get a Zatanna bust, maybe Power Girl and a couple of others, so if a collection starts building up, Cheetah will be tempting to add to it; the sketch that's the basis for the bust makes her look scary, while the bust itself is more, well, vampy-seductive, but I'm not going to say no to her on that basis. Ursa is included in the Superman Last Son line, I'll skip her but she's there if you're a fan. There's a Classic Batgirl 13" figure, but the style of her doesn't really click with me - I prefer Batwoman, naturally.
On to Image (damn, this is going to take a while - it's my first time going through Previews, heh). Bomb Queen IV: Suicide Bomber #3 is a must-have (She-Spawn! I have her action figure), see this week's reviews for more on why I love BQ. The Sword #2 is something I may look at (starting with #1, obviously), a modern fantasy comic.
McFarlane Toys has a McFarlane's Twisted X-Mas action figure line coming out, with a, well let's be honest, kind of slutty Mrs Claus - I'd have preferred something a bit more powerful and evil, but it's funny in a weird kind of way, so I may get it if there's nothing much else I need to buy when it arrives.
Top Cow's pilot season event includes Aphrodite IX: Pilot Season #1 - she's among the rumoured future Legendary Comic Book Hero action figures, so I may take a look at the comic. Madame Mirage #5 is solicited - I'm still waiting for #2 to show up, but #1 was a great read with lovely art - I hope this book gets onto a reliable schedule, because it's worth a read.
And into the Marvel section, which I imagine is going to cost me a fair bit of cash. X-men: Messiah Complex is the front page of the Marvel section, but I've never been into the mutant side of Marvel much, so I think I'll sit out this event. There's also a statue of Psylocke in a swimsuit, but it's bloody expensive (by my standards - US$150), so no thanks. There's a cute Ms. Marvel Minimate - I've been getting into Minimates lately, so I may get her. Jean Grey gets a bust, but again, not into X-Men.
I keep thinking I should try Spider-Girl, but I always find something else that looks more tempting, so Amazing Spider-Girl #14 is probably a miss. Annihilation: Conquest #1, on the other hand, looks freakin' awesome, with Quasar kicking Phalanx ass like nobody's business. Avengers: The Initiative Annual #1 is a must-have, and I'll be particularly looking forward to the story on Armory. House of M: Avengers #1 is one I'll be keeping an eye on, with Misty Knight and Tigra involved in it - House of M was before my time, so I may not feel the connection to its world though. Tony Stark has a whole lot of beautiful women with guns hanging around him in Iron Man: Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. Annual #1, plus Madame Hydra is the villain of the piece, so that's one I may pick up. World War Hulk: Aftersmash is probably a buy, if World War Hulk continues to entertain as it has so far.
Marvel Comics Presents #3 has Magneto on the cover, and Hellcat's story continuing within. Ms. Marvel #21 features a very threatening cover of Cru, who I thought was great in #1-3 (though I seemed to be in a minority at the time). Mighty Avengers #7 starts off the Symbiote invasion, and ties into the Skrully events in New Avengers - this is the first of the issues with Mark Bagley on art, while Frank Cho takes time to get his next arc of issues ready, though the cover is still his. Bagley's art looks quite good from pages that have been released online, but I'll be happy when Cho comes back. Shanna the She-Devil: Survival of the Fittest #4 concludes this second miniseries featuring the leopardskin-bikini-clad jungle warrioress tackling all manner of beasties - I'm buying that, though Khari Evans' art is distinctly different than Frank Cho, who did the first mini. She-Hulk #23 is the second issue of Peter David's tenure, and I'm very hopeful that it'll live up to the high standard set by Dan Slott (the Mike Deodato cover is gorgeous). The Order #5 is a must-have, based on its very strong first two issues - the cover features a dangerous looking fivesome of villainesses. Thunderbolts: Breaking Point spotlights Moonstone and Songbird, and while I really liked Songbird in the pre-Ellis Thunderbolts, the direction of the book nowadays is just something I can't get into.
Avengers: The Initiative gets a hardcover for its first collection (issues #1-6) - I'll wait for the TPB if I feel like getting the issues in a conveniently-transportable volume, but if you like hardcovers, this looks like a good one. Omega Flight's TPB is coming out, I skipped the issues but may get the trade out of interest in Arachne and Talisman (who showed up in She-Hulk #16). The Civil War Script Book is something I may get - I've been putting off buying Civil War in TPB form (and it keeps selling out anyway), and this would be a nice alternative. Annihilation Book 3 is also coming, and enjoying Annihilation: Conquest as I am, I'm considering picking up all three volumes of its predecessor.
And we're into the back of the book. Virgin Comics is starting up a Dan Dare title - no heroines in sight, but I have fond memories of reading old Eagle issues, so it's nice to see Dan back in action against the Mekon. Archaia Studios Press (who put out the excellent Artesia) has Misericordia #1, which looks like it may be a very interesting sci-fi tale, though I can't tell without seeing more whether the unique-looking art will be a benefit or a turn-off. The Fathom: Kiani Statue is way expensive, and I haven't read the story, but she does look good, so that's one for well-off fans.
Tarot: Witch of the Black Rose #47 is solicited, the final issue of the Witch Key storyline, and it looks gorgeous as always with a lovely Tarot (who else?) cover - with everyone's boobs covered up so as not to scandalise the poor impressionable Previews readers.
Xena: Contest of Pantheons is collected in TPB format, but take my advice, skip it - I love Xena dearly, but the comic just wasn't good, writing or art. Full Cirkle II #1 has an intriguing cover (i.e. scantily-clad fantasy heroine), so I'll be looking that up. The Adventures of Chrissie Claus volume 1 TPB looks like it might be worth a giggle. Nothing heroine-related (that I know of), but Atomic Robo #2 comes from the creator of 8-Bit Theater, so it's more or less guaranteed to be awesome. The Super Real vs The Movie Industry looks like it might be worth a glance, with eye candy and satire and all things enjoyable. Devi #16 is solicited - Devi's a title I followed through its first story arc, and quite enjoyed, but the quality of the art just kept slipping from issue to issue until I gave it up - I'm always keeping an eye on it to see if the art improves, because there's some fascinating designs in it that deserve to be well-portrayed. Grimm Fairy Tales #21 and Grimm Fairy Tales: Return to Wonderland #6 both look like they could be fun, if you like your fairy tales sexily and nastily reimagined (I do).
On to toys, and the Transformers Movie Deluxe figures are good work, some of which are already doing the rounds - I've got Arcee (of course), and intend to get Bumblebee and Jazz, with the eventual aim of getting all five of the movie Autobots (plus Arcee). Marvel has Marvel Legends 12" Jean Grey and Sue Storm (the Invisible Woman) in the Marvel Legends: Fantastic Four line - not really interested in paying that much for a big Jean Grey, but I can always find space for another Sue Storm. Street Fighter Revolutions relaunches SOTA's excellent Street Fighter range, with a bizarre-looking girl called R Mika in this wave. The 300 action figures are reoffered, I have Queen Gorgo and she's a terrific figure. The Star Trek: The Next Generation figures continue, with Dr. Crusher from Star Trek: Nemesis (crapy movie, and the hairstyle of the figure is unappealing compared to the Season Seven Dr. Crusher available now), Alyssa Ogawa (who it looks like they based solely on one photo, with the result that the figure has a bizarre grin plastered all over its face), and Ro Laren, who looks great and is a must-have for me.
There's a Dawn Motion Globe (which seems to mean a snow globe with red glitter instead of snow), that's US$150, way out of my range, but looks great. At US$179 is a Lady Death Statue, and more affordable is a US$45 X-Men Danger bust. Spider-Woman is getting some attention, with a statue and a 1-1 scale bust, and there's a US$58 Hellcat bust that looks quite striking. If you liked Serenity, there's a River Triumphant Statue (she's just killed a bunch of guys or something). There's a range of X-Men 3 movie busts including Phoenix, Storm, and Rogue. The Final Fantasy VII action figures have quite good figures of Tifa and Aerith - I haven't played the game but I liked the Advent Children movie, so I'm leaning towards Tifa. And there's a PVC figure called Sif Ex Ikki Yousen: Sonsaku Hakufu, which I know nothing about (and don't intend to buy), but it's a rather hilarious statue, posed in a way such that it might as well have "Look at my panties!" inscribed on the base. And lastly, there's a US$22 replica of Jareth's necklace from Labyrinth, and seeing as I love Labyrinth, I might just get that.
And that's a wrap! Phew, I never realised how much this li'l industry puts out in a month. If anything here has piqued your interest, check your own copy of Previews to find out more, or if you don't buy Previews, ask your local comic shop, I'm sure they'll be happy to dig up some info (they should be, it's what they're selling after all). And if I've missed something heroine-relevant, as I undoubtedly have, feel free to leave a comment to let me know.
