Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Diamond Select Ship Date Update!


These dates represent our best estimated in-store dates and may change as production warrants.

We’ll be updating these dates through our blog in an effort to bring customers the most up-to-date information possible. See the full list after the jump.

MAY 2009
05/27/09
Schoolgirl Dawn PVC Statue
Marvel Minimates Series 25 Asst
Marvel Minimates Series 26 Asst
Marvel Select Movie Wolverine
Marvel Select Wolverine Action Figure
Star Trek Borg Series 1 Action Figure Set
Star Trek Borg Series 1 PX Seven of Nine Figure
Star Trek TOS Tricorder Replica
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan Phaser Replica
Terminator 2 Minimates Series 1 Asst
Terminator 2 Minimates Singles Display

JUNE 2009
06/03/09
Star Trek TNG Enterprise D Ship
Star Wars Ultimate Quarter Scale Mace Windu

06/17/09
Terminator 2 Ultimate Quarter Scale T-800

06/24/09
Back to the Future Marty Cap Replica
BSG Starbuck & Leoben Action Figure Two-Pack
Marvel Select Marvel Girl
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home Kirk & Spock Two-Pack
Star Wars Ultimate Quarter Scale Anakin Skywalker

JULY 2009
07/01/09
Ghostbusters Minimates Series 1 Box Set
Ghostbusters Stay Puft Marshmallow Man Bank

07/08/09
Star Wars Ultimate Quarter Scale Emperor Palpatine Figure

07/15/09
Star Wars Ultimate Quarter Scale Jedi Luke Skywalker Figure

07/22/09
Back to the Future Time Machine
Marvel Minimates Series 27 Set
Marvel Minimates Series 28 Set
Marvel Select Sabretooth

07/29/09
Star Trek DS9 Sisko in Command Chair
Star Wars Darth Vader Unmasked Bust Bank
Stargate SG-1 Series 5 PX Ba’al Figure
Stargate SG-1 Series 5 Set
The Spirit Comic Minimates Box Set
Marvel Minimates Wolverine Through the Ages Box Set

AUGUST 2009
08/05/09
Marvel Select Kree Mar-Vell

08/12/09
BSG Series 4 PX Admiral Cain Action Figure
BSG Series 4 Action Figure Asst (Adama, Roslin, Apollo)
Godfather Minimates Box Set

08/26/09
Star Trek TOS Series 5 Action Figure Set
Star Wars Jedi Council Yoda Bank



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IDW Brings Fans More MEGATRON


Extends fan-favorite TRANSFORMERS series by four issues

Next issue of All Hail MEGATRON releasing in July

Continuing its fan-favorite TRANSFORMERS saga, IDW is pleased to offer fans four more issues of Transformers: All Hail Megatron. Starting in July, IDW will publish, under license from Hasbro, Inc., four monthly issues, each featuring two short stories that detail the aftermath of the 12-issue All Hail Megatron series. These must-read books tie up important details from the main series, and pave the way for IDW’s next big TRANSFORMERS storyline. For more information about IDW’s TRANSFORMERS comics, visit IDWPublishing.com.

"The All Hail Megatron series is hugely popular with fans, and for good reason, it’s striking off in a bold new direction while showing reverence to the classic TRANSFORMERS series," said Andy Schmidt, IDW 's TRANSFORMERS editor. "We decided to do the extension because we didn’t want to leave fans hanging, and because we wanted to segue into our upcoming TRANSFORMERS series."

When Transformers: All Hail Megatron #13 debuts in July, fans can join IRONHIDE and OPTIMUS PRIME as they deal with the fallout of All Hail Megatron, and watch as the Decepticons begin to probe the mysteries of the AUTOBOT Matrix. All Hail Megatron #14 offers a glimpse into the motivations of the traitorous SUNSTREAKER, while GALVATRON undergoes a major transformation, setting up important events to come.

The short stories in Transformers: All Hail Megatron #13-16 feature a dynamic team of writers and artists, including Simon Furman, Shane McCarthy, Mike Costa, Andy Schmidt, Denton Tipton, Nick Roche, Zander Cannon, Guido Guidi, Chee, Emiliano Santalucia, Andrew Griffith, Casey Coller, and fan-favorite artist Don Figueroa. Plus, each issue will boast striking variant edition covers by eye-catching cover artist of the series, Trevor Hutchison.


Transformers: All Hail Megatron #13 launches in July 2009.

Transformers: All Hail Megatron #14 launches in August 2009.

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SPAWN'S ENDGAME REACHES ITS STARTLING CLIMAX WITH A MASSIVE SELL OUT IN TIME FOR THE LONG AWAITED COLLECTION!


SPAWN'S ENDGAME REACHES ITS STARTLING CLIMAX WITH A MASSIVE SELL OUT IN TIME FOR THE LONG AWAITED COLLECTION!

SPAWN 'Endgame' storyline reaches the halfway point with a complete distributor-level sell out!

SPAWN, the long-running superhero saga recently relaunched by series creator Todd McFarlane and fellow Image Founder Whilce Portacio, kicks off the second half of its series altering storyline 'Endgame' with a distribution-level sell out making way for the upcoming collection.

"Our goal is to slowly build up momentum and the sellout of issue #191 is another indication that we're accomplishing that goal," McFarlane said. "With a majority of our single issues out of print, the release of the first Endgame collection couldn't be more timely."

SPAWN's current storyarc, 'Endgame', has seen the original Hellspawn, Al Simmons, end his life as the amnesiac Patient 47 awakens with Al's powers. Soon after, new horrors and allies have come into play with familiar faces, including Al's widow, Wanda and his worst enemy, The Violator. The next several issues promise to conclude Patient 47's transformation into SPAWN as the truth about his identity is finally revealed. Readers eager to read the entire first half of 'Endgame' can do so in the June-shipping tradepaperback. All fans are advised to check in with their local comic book store to see if copies of SPAWN #191 are still available.

SPAWN #192 (MAR092463), a 32-page full color comic book for $2.95, will be in-stores June 3rd, 2009. SPAWN, VOL. 1: ENDGAME PART 1 (APR090346), a 160-page full color tradepaperback for $14.99, will be in-stores June 24th, 2009.

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Trade Paperbacks That Are Truly Needed


In the world of today's monthly comic books, there are more and more delays. Anywhere from 1 week to a couple of years. So many comic fans are just simply waiting for the Trade Paperback (TPB) to come out.

Basically what a TPB is a collection of either reprinted specific storylines or stories about a character, published in either a hardcover or soft cover format. This format also allows the comic publishers to get into more mainstream book stores like Barnes & Nobel or Borders.

My issue is, it seems just like every crappy stories are put into a TPB, and meanwhile a lot of great stories are just overlooked. Now with most of the publishing being digital, it's much easier to go from printing a single issue to printing a TPB. But still, the publishers really need to re-evaluate what gets made into a TPB.

In that vain, I've compiled a list of some stories that I think deserve the TPB treatment:


All-Star Squadron - # 1 – 67 (1981) – A great series by Golden Age master Roy Thomas. It created a new WWII super-team, made up of mostly lesser known Golden Age heroes like Johnny Quick, Liberty Belle, & Commander Steel.

All-Star Squadron - Infinity Inc. – All-Star Squadron # 21 - 26 & Annual # 2 (1983) – This storyline 1st introduced Infinity Inc into the DCU.

Arsenal – Arsenal Special # 1 (1996), Batman Plus # 1 (1997), Arsenal # 1 – 4 (1998) – Before Roy Harper became Red Arrow, he was Arsenal. The 2 one-shots and the mini series really get into Roy's head. From getting out of Green Arrow's shadow, to being a father, and especially his past drug usage.

Batman vs. the Wrath - Batman Special # 1 (1984) and Batman Confidential # 13 – 16 (2008) – Here's a truly underrated villain. Before Grant Morrison's Prometheus, Mike Barr & Michael Golden created the Wrath. He was truly Batman's opposite number, but unfortunately died in his only appearance. But then, in Batman Confidential, Tony Benard & Rags Morales had the Wrath return. But like a lot of great DC characters, the Wrath got put in limbo again.

Batman / Hellboy / Starman - # 1 & 2 (1997) - James Robinson & Mike Mignola team up for this unusual & just plain incredible cross-over.

Blue Beetle - # 1- 24 - (1986) – Ted Kord just can't get a break. Before be became a joke in JLI and killed, Len Wein & Paris Cullins came out with this awesome solo series. This should be a must publish by DC.

Captain America: No More - Captain America # 327 - 350 (1987 - 1989) – I don't get why this storyline by Mark Gruenwald ever got the TPB treatment. It has Cap getting fired by the government for the 1st time, and introduces John "USAgent" Walker. Just one of Gruenwald's best.

Captain Atom - # 1 - 57 (1987) – With Captain Atom about to be a back-up feature in Action Comics, now's a great time to put his solo series in TPB.

The Defenders # 1- 12 (2001) & The Order # 1 – 6 (2002) – The return of the original non-team. Written by Kurt Busiek & Erik Larsen, the Defenders series reintroduces them to the Marvel Universe. Through the series, Doc Strange, Namor, Silver Surfer, & Hulk end up being corrupted & take over the world. This leads into the series the Order.

Green Arrow: Where Angels Fear To Tread (1995) – Green Arrow # 0, 91 – 100 – This storyline introduces Connor Hawke & has the death of Oliver Queen.

Green Arrow: Brotherhood of the Fist - Green Arrow # 134 - 135, Detective Comics # 723, Robin # 55, & Nightwing # 23 (1989) - Connor Hawke teams up with Batman, Nightwing, and Robin to face the mysterious Silver Monkey. Connor is established as top martial artist. This is one of Chuck Dixon's best. He really shows his love for all these characters.

Last Days of the Justice Society Special # 1 (1987) & Justice Society of America - # 1 - 10 (1992) – This shows the demise & the rebirth of the original member of the Justice Society. Last Days is very grim, but it's still an important part of when the JSA returned in 1992.

Quasar & the Squadron Supreme – Quasar # 13 - 17 (1990) – When the Squadron Supreme TPB, Death of a Universe, came out, I was shocked that these important parts of the Squadron's saga storyline were left out. They need to be put into a TPB.

Superpatriot # 1 – 4 (1993) – A great mini from Image that never got produced into TPB. I find this funny, because the second Superpatriot mini was. Dave Johnson's art is just plain incredible.

Now this list is far from definitive, but I believe it's a good start.

I know I'll have some more in the future.
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New In Stores - 05/13/09


This week we have the release of the highly-anticipated ultimate Decepticon Galvatron!

Reconstructed by the all-powerful Unicron, the Decepticon formerly known as Megatron makes his triumphant return with this six-inch Galvatron bust! No longer pulling his punches, Galvatron's power is only matched by his depravity - a truly terrifying combination. Sculpted by Art Asylum and limited to 1,000 pieces, each bust features a hand-numbered base with matching box and Certificate of Authenticity.

Get ready for Transformers 2 by checking out the wide range of Transformers busts
already in stock!

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Which Terminator Do You Trust?





Is it the adventurous Biker T-800?

Or the Strong Willed, but fatherly Kyle Reese!

Whichever you choose to risk you life with, they’re both in the new Terminator Previews Exclusive two-pack!

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The Struggle for Universal Dominance Continues in War of Kings #4!


The no holds barred cosmic event of the century continues with War of Kings #4! Fan favorite writing duo Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning (better known as DnA), along with artist Paul Pelletier, deliver an epic war of galactic proportions as Marvel’s mightiest cosmic forces threaten to destroy each other!

The mighty emperor Vulcan prepares for a massive strike that can change the course of the war—but at what cost? Meanwhile, Crystal tries desperately to keep Black Bolt and the other Inhumans together! Plus, don’t miss a special variant cover by superstar artist Jae Lee!

Critics and fans can’t stop raving about this red-hot massive event:

“Continues to be a landmark example of how to do an event storyline right…War of Kings has deftly placed Marvel's cosmic lineup back on top of the pack.” – Jesse Schedeen, IGN.com

"War of Kings mixes epic drama with engaging character moments… Abnett and Lanning can juggle it all with style.” – Timothy Callahan, ComicBookResources.com

"War of Kings is an epic tale that will be referenced for years to come.” – David Hodum, Comicsbulletin.com

Marvel urges retailers to check their orders on all War of Kings issues, as the series continues to generate critical acclaim. Can Vulcan carry out his deadly plan? What role will the Starjammers begin to play in this war? Don’t miss the full blown cosmic action in War of Kings #4! And stay up to date with the official War of Kings event page at
www.marvel.com/warofkings

WAR OF KINGS #4 (of 6) (APR090521)
WAR OF KINGS #4 (of 6) LEE VARIANT (APR090522)
Written by DAN ABNETT & ANDY LANNING
Penciled by PAUL PELLETIER
Cover by BRANDON PETERSON
Variant Cover by JAE LEE
Rated T+ …$3.99
FOC – 5/14, On Sale – 6/3/09




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