Sorry it is late this week, I was really busy with work. However, sneak on in and see what is going on in the world of comics....

ROCK’S MUST READ PICKS OF THE WEEK

1) ACTION COMICS #838

Part 4 of the 8-part "Up, Up and Away" reveals secrets from the past as well as the present! Neutron and Radion strike, Luthor's scheme is unveiled, and a mystery from space rears its ugly head!

2) BATMAN #652

Part 4 of "Face the Face," an amazing 8-part story written by James Robinson (JSA: THE GOLDEN AGE, HAWKMAN, STARMAN) crossing over with DETECTIVE COMICS! The hunt for Harvey Dent is on — but how do you catch a man who now knows more about Gotham than Batman? Meanwhile, Bruce Wayne must make a serious decision about the future of Tim Drake.

3) BLUE BEETLE #2

The exciting new series written by Keith Giffen and John Rogers with art by Cully Hamner continues! The new Beetle had enough to deal with in the increasingly strange and dangerous days following the Scarab's appearance. Now he's made his way home from the Infinite Crisis to discover a totally changed world!

4) CHECKMATE #1

Checkmate holds the line. Cross it — and they'll take you off the board. Permanently.

In this thrilling new ongoing series, the team behind the blockbuster OMAC PROJECT — writer Greg Rucka and artist Jesus Saiz — returns with a different spy agency for a different world. Infinite Crisis has changed the DCU, and Checkmate has shaped its hard-learned lessons into a new game plan.

In Checkmate, it's all about the balance of power. Between Black and White; between human and metahuman; and between the familiar faces who have become its new Kings and Queens. It's also about the propaganda wars, black ops combat, and political manuevering that fuel Checkmate's critical missions — missions that take a grueling toll on the agents' day-to-day lives.

First, however, they must prove their right to exist — to the U.N. And they only have hours to do it in this breathtaking first issue!

5) CRISIS AFTERMATH: THE BATTLE FOR BLÜDHAVEN #2 (OF 6)Part 2 of this 6 part series! The after-effects of INFINITE CRISIS begin to impact the DCU starting in CRISIS AFTERMATH: THE BATTLE FOR BLÜDHAVEN, a 6-issue miniseries written by Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray (HAWKMAN) with art by Dan Jurgens (SUPERMAN ) and Palmiotti and covers by Daniel Acuña (JLA CLASSIFIED)!



6) ION #1 (OF 12)

Following the events of INFINITE CRISIS and the RANN/THANAGAR WAR SPECIAL, writer Ron Marz (GREEN LANTERN) returns to the character he created, giving Kyle Rayner an entirely new lease on life in a new ongoing series with art by rising star Greg Tocchini (1602: New World, Thor: Son of Asgard)! A distraught Kyle Rayner has emerged one year later, transformed with abilities that may surpass those of any Green Lantern ever. So beware his power...because his might may not be on the side of right.

7) SUPERGIRL #6

It's one year later…and Kara and Power Girl have become the dynamic duo of the bottle city of Kandor as the new Flamebird and Nightwing! Don't miss the debut of new series writer Greg Rucka (WONDER WOMAN, THE OMAC PROJECT) and artist Ian Churchill!

8) AMAZING FANTASY # 20

The Story: It’s the final chapter of UNNATURAL SELECTION and Varina Goddard has taken the mantle of A.I.M.’s Scientist Supreme, with a diabolical plan bring the organization back to its full blown glory as a techno-terrorist cult. With an alien berserker machine on her side, can G.E.I.S.T. agent, Ray Hidalgo survive in time to stop world destruction? And what is the cosmic secret behind Death’s Head’s mysterious power source? PLUS, an extra 8-page bonus new adventure starring Steamrider, previewing June’s Western Month theme.

9) AMAZING SPIDER-MAN # 531

The Story: “MR. PARKER GOES TO WASHINGTON”
Peter Parker’s trip to Washington with his boss Tony Stark has been a real doozy. As if suffering politicians who want to impose all sort of new rules on guys like him isn’t enough, he’s also got to deal with the monstrous might of the Titanium Man! Good thing for Spidey, his new costume’s got some very special features…Get ready, True Believer. The clouds are quickly building on the horizon for a storm that will shake the entire Marvel Universe next month! Part 3 (of 3).

10) ANNIHILATION: RONAN # 1

The shockwaves from the ANNIHILATION: PROLOGUE propels Ronan into his own limited series! No longer recognized as “Accuser,” Ronan himself has been accused, tried and stripped of his rank. Now Ronan is out to clear his name!

Guest starring a host of Marvel’s biggest and baddest cosmic characters!

11) INCREDIBLE HULK # 94

The Story: Stranded on an alien planet and thrown into the Imperial Arena to fight as a gladiator, the Hulk seizes the opportunity to smash with abandon. But inspired by the Hulk's defiance of the corrupt Red King, a group of rebels try to break him out of captivity. Will the Hulk join the rebels' cause? Or will he lead his fellow gladiators to claim the glory offered by the arena?

12) NEW AVENGERS ANNUAL # 1

The Story: AVENGERS TOWER becomes the ultimate battleground as the New Avengers are targeted by one of their most fiercest new enemies yet. The all new ADAPTOID has come to take them down... and wait till you see who it is.

Plus- An avenger gets married!!! All this and the reuniting of House of M mega-team of Brian Bendis and Olivier Copiel.

13) RUNAWAYS # 15

The Story: "Parental Guidance" continues! While new Runaway Victor Mancha struggles with the commands implanted by his late "father," the android killing machine Ultron, the all-new Pride sets their deadly plan into motion.

14) SENTRY # 8

The Story: The Sentry faces his nemesis, the Void, in a final showdown inside the Void’s secret subterranean lair. The Sentry learns what is possibly the most frightening secret in the history of the Marvel Universe in this battle, which will decide his fate once and for all.

15) WHAT IF?: MIRROR MIRROR

The Story: What if...Captain America fought in the Civil War? What if...the Fantastic Four were Cosmonauts? What if...Daredevil lived in feudal Japan? What if...Namor grew up on land? What if…Thor was a herald of Galactus? What if…Wolverine was Public Enemy No. 1 in mob-ridden 1920s Chicago? Hacking into the internet of an adjacent reality, teenager Hector Espejo discovers these and other startling stories -- and learns that eavesdropping on a sinister parallel universe can be highly addictive! Collects WHAT IF: CAPTAIN AMERICA, WHAT IF: DAREDEVIL, WHAT IF: FANTASTIC FOUR, WHAT IF: SUBMARINER, WHAT IF: THOR & WHAT IF: WOLVERINE

16) WOLVERINE # 41

The Story: “THE PACKAGE”
Special extra-sized issue! Deep in the heart of war-torn Africa, Logan must escape from an army of savage killers -- with a baby strapped to his chest! The infant daughter of an overthrown monarch is the only hope for a country’s future, and the conquering warlord is determined to see her dead. Can Wolverine get her to the border alive? Or will his greatest failure doom an entire nation? Written by guest-writer Stuart Moore (LEGION OF SUPERHEROES) with art by C.P. Smith.

Shipping This Week: April 26, 2006

The following products are expected to ship to comic book specialty stores this week. Note that this list is tentative and subject to change. Please check with your retailer for availability.

PREVIEWS PUBLICATIONS

MARVEL PREVIEWS #33 MAY 2006 PI
PREVIEWS ADULT VOL XVI #5 PI
PREVIEWS VOL XVI #5 PI
PREVIEWS VOL XVI CONSUMER ORDER FORM #5 PI

PREMIER PUBLISHERS

DARK HORSE

BETTIE PAGE PLAYING CARDS (JUL040062) $4.99
COOP KEEP EM HONEST PLAYING CARDS COUNTER DISPLAY $49.99
GUY DAVIS THUGSHOTS JARCUDI THE SHIV SHOT GLASS $5.99
GUY DAVIS THUGSHOTS JIMMY THE PIPE SHOT GLASS $5.99
GUY DAVIS THUGSHOTS LUCKLESS LOUIE SHOT GLASS $5.99
GUY DAVIS THUGSHOTS NO NOSE DEMPSEY SHOT GLASS $5.99
H G WELLS THE WAR OF THE WORLDS HC $14.95
JOURNAL GRACE SLICKS WHITE RABBIT $9.99
MICHAEL CHABON PRESENTS ADV O/T ESCAPIST VOL 3 TP $14.95
STAR WARS CLONE WARS ADVENTURES VOL 5 TP $6.95
STAR WARS KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC #4 $2.99
STAR WARS TAG & BINK EPISODE 1 REVENGE OF THE CLONE MENACE ( $2.99
STATIONERY SET OLIVIA BETTIE PAGE BY DAY (O/A) $4.99
STATIONERY SET OLIVIA BETTIE PAGE BY NIGHT (O/A) $4.99
USAGI YOJIMBO #93 $2.99

DC COMICS

100 BULLETS VOL 9 STRYCHNINE LIVES TP (MR) $14.99
AMERICAN WAY #3 (OF 8) $2.99
BATMAN #652 $2.50
BATMAN LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #204 $2.50
BATMAN YEAR ONE HUNDRED SECOND PTG #1 (OF 4) $5.99
BATMAN YEAR ONE HUNDRED SECOND PTG #2 (OF 4) $5.99
BLUE BEETLE #2 $2.99
CARTOON NETWORK BLOCK PARTY #20 $2.25
CATWOMAN #54 $2.50
CHECKMATE #1 $2.99
CRISIS AFTERMATH THE BATTLE FOR BLUDHAVEN #2 (OF 6) $2.99
FLASH ARCHIVES VOL 4 HC $49.99
GREEN LANTERN SECOND PTG #10 $2.99
HAWKGIRL #51 $2.50
ION #1 (OF 12) $2.99
KAMIKAZE KAITO JEANNE VOL 3 $9.99
LUCIFER #73 (MR) $2.75
SEVEN SOLDIERS FRANKENSTEIN #4 (OF 4) $2.99
SKYE RUNNER #1 $2.99
SKYE RUNNER VARIANT COVER #1 (OF 6) $2.99
SOLO #10 $4.99
SUPERGIRL AND THE LEGION OF SUPER HEROES #17 $2.99
TEEN TITANS GO #30 $2.25
TENRYU THE DRAGON CYCLE VOL 5 $9.99
VILLAINS UNITED INFINITE CRISIS SPECIAL $4.99
WARLORD #3 $2.99

IMAGE

DOLL & CREATURE #2 (OF 4) $2.99
FRANK CHO WOMEN SELECTED DRAWINGS & ILLUSTRATIONS HC (MR) $24.99
GODLAND #10 $2.99
INVINCIBLE #31 $2.99
KILROY IS HERE TP $24.99
SAVAGE DRAGON #125 (RES) $4.99
SPAWN #155 $2.95

MARVEL

ALL NEW OFF HANDBOOK MARVEL UNIVERSE A TO Z #4 $3.99
AMAZING FANTASY #20 $2.99
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #531 $2.99
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 3RD PTG #529 (PP #710) $2.50
ANNIHILATION RONAN #1 (OF 4) $2.99
ASTONISHING X-MEN #14 $2.99
ASTONISHING X-MEN VOL 1 HC VAR $29.99
BLACK PANTHER #15 $2.99
DAUGHTERS OF THE DRAGON #4 (OF 6) $2.99
DECIMATION X-MEN THE DAY AFTER TP $15.99
DEFENDERS INDEFENSIBLE PREMIERE HC $19.99
ESSENTIAL X-MEN VOL 4 TP NEW PRINTING $16.99
FANTASTIC FOUR #537 $2.99
FOUR #29 $2.99
INCREDIBLE HULK #94 $2.99
IRON MAN THE INEVITABLE #5 (OF 6) $2.99
MARVEL MASTERWORKS X-MEN VOL 6 HC VAR ED 61 $54.99
MARVEL MASTERWORKS X-MEN VOL 6 NEW ED HC $49.99
MARVEL MILESTONES BEAST & KITTY PRYDE $3.99
NEW AVENGERS ANNUAL #1 $3.99
NEW X-MEN CHILDHOODS END VOL 1 TP $10.99
RUNAWAYS #15 $2.99
SENTRY #8 (OF 8) $2.99
SPIDER-MAN LOVES MARY JANE #5 $2.99
STORM #3 (OF 6) $2.99
THING #6 $2.99
ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR #29 $2.99
WHAT IF MIRROR MIRROR TP $16.99
WOLVERINE #41 $3.99
X-FACTOR #6 $2.99

WIZARD

SOULFIRE DYING OF THE LIGHT #3 WWTX TURNER SGN VAR SKETCH (N PI
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #79 WWCH SKETCH CVR CGC 9.8 PI
WIZARD COMICS MAGAZINE MARVEL CIVIL WAR CVR #176 $5.99
WIZARD COMICS MAGAZINE X3 MOVIE PHOTO CVR #176 $5.99

COMICS

10TH MUSE VOL 2 #9 $2.99
2000 AD #1482 $4.10
2000 AD #1483 $4.10
ANGEL SCRIPTBOOK #2 $3.99
ANIMA VOL 1 GN $9.99
ARMY OF DARKNESS #6 (RES) $2.99
BART SIMPSON COMICS #29 $2.99
BEST OF THE WEST ROUNDUP SP #2 $24.95
BETTY & VERONICA #217 $2.25
BETTY & VERONICA DIGEST #165 $2.49
BLACK HARVEST #5 (OF 6) $3.25
BOY PRINCESS VOL 2 GN (OF 9) $9.99
BOYS OF SUMMER VOL 1 GN (OF 3) (MR) $9.99
CHRONO MECHANICS PREVIOUS METAL COLL PLATINUM #1 $3.50
CLIFTON VOL 2 LAUGHING THIEF TP $9.99
CLIFTON VOL 3 SEVEN DAYS TO DIE TP $9.99
CLIVE BARKERS GREAT AND SECRET SHOW #2 (OF 12) $3.99
COLLECTED JACK KIRBY COLLECTOR VOL 5 TP $24.95
DARK EDGE VOL 6 TP $9.95
DAZZLE VOL 2 GN (OF 7) $9.99
DEATH JAM VOL 1 GN (OF 3) (MR) $9.99
DF MOON KNIGHT #1 MOENCH SGN $19.99
ED THE HAPPY CLOWN #7 (OF 9) (MR) $2.95
ESCAPE OF THE LIVING DEAD CAPTIVE CVR #3 (OF 5) (MR) $5.99
ESCAPE OF THE LIVING DEAD DIE CUT CVR #1 (OF 5) (MR) $9.99
ESCAPE OF THE LIVING DEAD GHOSTLY CVR #2 (OF 5) (MR) $5.99
FLARE #33 $3.25
FLUFFY #4 (OF 4) $15.99
FRIDAY THE 13TH BLOODBATH UNSTOPPABLE CVR #1 (OF 3) (MR) $5.99
FRIDAY THE 13TH JASON VS JASON X RED CON CVR #1 (OF 2) (MR) $4.99
GET BACKERS VOL 14 GN (OF 26) (MR) $9.99
HOUSEWIVES AT PLAY #15 (A) $4.95
HOW TO SELF PUBLISH COMICS #3 (OF 4) $4.95
IL GATTO SUL G GN (MR) $12.95
JAMES BOND GOLDEN GHOST TP $17.95
JASON X SP EXTREME FORCE CVR #1 (MR) $5.99
JUDGE DREDD COMPLETE CASE FILES VOL 3 TP $24.99
JUDGE DREDD MEGAZINE #244 $7.50
JUGHEADS DOUBLE DIGEST #121 $3.69
JAN063401 KIKIS DELIVERY SERVICE FILM COMICS VOL 1 TP $9.99
KING OF HELL VOL 13 GN (OF 13) $9.99
KISS COMIX #169 (A) $7.99
KODT BUNDLE OF TROUBLE VOL 10 (O/A) $11.99
KODT BUNDLE OF TROUBLE VOL 8 (O/A) $11.99
LADY DEATH 2005 BIKINI SP DRAGONSLAYER CVR $5.99
LADY DEATH LOST SOULS PRISM FOIL CVR #1 (OF 2) $12.99
LADY DEATH LOST SOULS WRAPAROUND CVR #0 (OF 3) $5.99
LADY DEATH WICKED DIRECT ATTACK CVR #1 $5.99
LET DAI VOL 2 GN (OF 15) $9.99
LUCIFERS GARDEN OF VERSES VOL 3 THE STUDENT SC $8.95
LULLABY #3 $2.99
MADE IN HEAVEN JURI GN (MR) $9.99
MENKUI VOL 1 GN (OF 3) (MR) $9.99
MINERVA VOL 1 (O/A) (A) $9.95
MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM SEED NOVEL VOL 3 (OF 5) $7.99
MOMS CANCER HC $12.95
NIGHTMARE ON ELM ST PARANOID SHOCK CVR #1 (OF 3) (MR) $5.99
NOT SO BAD VOL 1 GN (OF 2) $9.99
ODYSSEY ABSOLUTE POWER ONE SHOT $4.99
ORION THE HUNTER #1 (OF 4) $3.50
PARIS #4 (OF 4) $2.95
PATRIOT GN (A) $19.95
POISON ELVES LOST TALES #3 $2.95
POISON ELVES VENTURES #4 JACE (RES) (MR) $3.50
POLLY & THE PIRATES #5 (OF 6) $2.99
RED SONJA FIERY RED FOIL HIGH END ED #9 PI
RED SONJA VS THULSA DOOM #3 (OF 4) $3.50
ROZEN MAIDEN VOL 1 GN (OF 4) $9.99
SABRINA VOL 2 #75 $2.25
SAMURAI CHAMPLOO FILM MANGA VOL 1 GN $10.99
SAMURAI DEEPER KYO VOL 18 GN (OF 31) (MR) $9.99
SCRAPPED PRINCESS VOL 3 GN (OF 3) $9.99
SHANDAS BEDTIME TAIL #1 (A) $3.50
SHRUGGED BEGINNINGS $1.99
SIXGUN SAMURAI #5 $2.99
TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE DLX ED #37 (MR) $19.99
TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE PHOTO CVR SGN #37 (MR) 1 $15.00
TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE SGN ED #32 (MR) (O/A) $10.00
THRESHOLD SCHOOL DAYS CVR #54 (MR) $5.99
TRON #1 $3.50
TWINBLADES KILLING WORDS #2 $3.50
UNCLE SCROOGE #353 $6.95
VICTORIAS SECRET SERVICE #1 GRAHAM CRACKER VARIANT ED $6.99
WALT DISNEYS COMICS & STORIES #668 $6.95
WARREN ELLIS BLACK GAS BLOOD RED CON CVR #1 (NOTE PRICE) $4.99
WHAT WERE THEY THINKING SOME PEOPLE NEVER LEARN ONE SHOT $3.99
WINGS GN $14.95
YAKARI VOL 2 WHITE BUFFALO TP $9.99
YAKARI VOL 3 BEAVERS TP $9.99
ZOOM SUIT #1 PI

My reads for the week.

DC COMICS:

BATMAN #652 $2.50
VILLAINS UNITED INFINITE CRISIS SPECIAL $4.99

MARVEL:

ALL NEW OFF HANDBOOK MARVEL UNIVERSE A TO Z #4 $3.99
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #531 $2.99
ASTONISHING X-MEN #14 $2.99
FANTASTIC FOUR #537 $2.99
NEW AVENGERS ANNUAL #1 $3.99
SENTRY #8 (OF 8) $2.99
ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR #29 $2.99
WOLVERINE #41 $3.99


I want to read Ion, but am not sure my budget could take it.

Slow week for me.

DC COMICS:

VILLAINS UNITED INFINITE CRISIS SPECIAL $4.99

MARVEL:

ALL NEW OFF HANDBOOK MARVEL UNIVERSE A TO Z #4 $3.99

ASTONISHING X-MEN #14 $2.99

WOLVERINE #41 $3.99

My pulls this week!

DC:
CRISIS AFTERMATH THE BATTLE FOR BLUDHAVEN #2 (OF 6) $2.99
VILLAINS UNITED INFINITE CRISIS SPECIAL $4.99

Marvel:
NEW AVENGERS ANNUAL #1 $3.99
ANNIHILATION RONAN #1 (OF 4) $2.99

Looking on the list, I saw Green Lantern and got excited before realzing it was just a second printing of 10.

I know the New Mutants TPB came out because it is on the shelf of the comic store I got to. I haven't been in yet for this weeks shipment so I dont' know if the Decimation came out. You might have to tell your store to order them for you because some stores don't order every TPB that comes out.

My pulls from this list:

New Avengers Annual #1
Ultimate Fantastic Four #29

My books were:

ASM 531
Annihilation: Ronan #1
Batman 652
Villians United Special
Fantastic Four 537
Ion 1 of 12


Disappointed I spent money on Fantastic Four 537 and Ronan #1. (NOT ANNIHILATION- the other 3 titles have been well done!!!!!!)

FF537- all that for us to learn Doom can't handle Mjolnir???? Whoop de do. What in the hell was the point to that? Stracinzski continues to unimpress me.

Ronan- It just felt padded and plodding. Not really a great beginning to this part of Annihilation.

Happy I spent money on Batman and the VU Special. Batman continues to be a great read and (spoilers ahoy) Ventriloqust and Scarface are dead and Orca appears to be next!!!!!! And that VU special was a villian's who's who. Good stuff.

Ion and ASM were just ok.

I picked up ION and the new Checkmate series. I was dissapointed with both. I don't know what happened with Alan Scott but he didn't add anything to the story. The ION story was all foreshadowing and little action. I will give it another issue or two but not a great start for either series.

Kind of a heavy week for me, but that's only because I usually get 2 or 3 books a week.

Annihilation: Ronan
New Avengers Annual
Ion
Crisis Aftermath
Villains United
Sentry

NEW AVENGERS ANNUAL #1
ANNIHILATION: RONAN #1(OF 4)
INCREDIBLE HULK #94

and, I also have to still buy the last two weeks including New Avengers 18 and Annihilation Nova 1

I think tommorrow I will have to get:

Annihilation: Ronan #1
Sentry #8
New Avengers Annual #1
Amazing Spiderman #531
Incredible Hulk #94

Next Month... CIVIL WAR! Can't wait!

is there a reason I don't have Villians United or Action? I knew Batman alone looked sparse. Now I've gotta call the guy from work.

Jordan