Things can get pretty hectic around Splash Page HQ sometimes, but one of the constant reminders of just how great a job I have is the arrival of new books, movies and other comics-related swag each day. Whether it's comics I've heard of but never got around to reading, movies or television series I need to catch up on, or any number of cool, strange or otherwise funky toys to populate my already-crowded desk, every day brings a new package, it seems.
That's why I've decided to pick a few of the items I received in the mail each week and post a photo of them here on Splash Page, with a few thoughts about each one. Maybe you're already familiar with one of them and can offer some thoughts of your own, or maybe I'll be the first to tell you about something cool that flew under your radar. Either way, I'm just looking forward to reading what you have to say about them -- so don't hesitate to chime in with a comment or two.
So, let's begin, shall we?
Clockwise, from top-left corner:
1. "Sleeper: Season One" (Wildstorm) -- I was fortunate to get wise to Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips' brilliant blend of superhero stories and crime noir early on, and read the entire series in single issues as they were published. This new collection of the first 12 issues is one of those items I'm ridiculously happy about adding to my bookshelf. It's equal parts intense spy thriller and super-powered action story. What's more, it introduces characters who will go on to play major roles in the rest of the Wildstorm universe -- but no matter where they turned up, they never seem as "real" as they did in this series.
This is one of those series I look forward to reading through again, because I remember how much I enjoyed it when it was first hitting shelves, and it's easy to see why its creators have done so well for themselves in the time since it was first published. Oh, and there's that "Sleeper" adaptation in the making starring Tom Cruise, too.
"Sleeper: Season One" hits shelves June 17.
2. "Superman: Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow - The Deluxe Edition" (DC) -- Confession: I've never actually read this classic take on Superman by Alan Moore and Curt Swan. I meant to do so when "Watchmen" was still gaining steam on the movie side, but never got around to it. I've heard it's one of the greatest Superman stories ever written, so Imean to correct that grave mistake now that I have a copy in hand.
"Superman: Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow - The Deluxe Edition" hits shelves July 14.
3. "The Nobody" (Vertigo) -- Writer/artist Jeff Lemire already has a lot of comics cred thanks to some wonderful work on the "Essex County" trilogy for Top Shelf, but I really enjoyed this take on H.G. Wells' classic "Invisible Man" story. Basically, Lemire uses the set pieces of "Invisible Man" to examine the nature of paranoia and relationships in a small town, but tells an entirely new, unique story in the end. I'm a big fan of this one.
"The Nobody" hits shelves July 7.
4. "The Amazing Joy Buzzards" Vol. 1 (Image) -- After "Amazing Joy Buzzards" writer Mark Andrew Smith told me he was sending out a copy of the first volume of the series he created with artist Dan Hipp, the package arrived with some little sketches from Hipp adorning the envelope. This made my day, so I had to include the envelope in this photo. The series chronicles the adventures of a rock-and-roll band who also happen to be the best defense against supernatural evil in all its forms. Oh, and they can summon a mythical, super-powered Mexican wrestler in times of great need. It is... glorious.
5. Hellboy II "B.P.R.D. Buddies" (Mezco Toyz) -- The crew at Mezco is all kinds of awesome. After sending me a "Cyrus" action figure a while back from their line of figures based on "The Warriors," I received this set of "B.P.R.D. Buddies" earlier this week. They're basically kid-friendly toys based on characters from "Hellboy II," and this particular package contains Prince Nuada and one of my favorite characters from the film, the giant cave troll called Wink. They're so cute, it's almost easy to forget that they're based on characters who tried to subjugate all of humanity under their magical rule... almost.
Okay, that's it for now! Be sure to let me know what you think about this week's haul in the comment section below. I'll be checking in to see what you have to say!
