For a few years now we have been missing a comic that made people want to visit the shop, keen to pick up the next issue. The last series to achieve this kind of ‘buzz’ was the Mighty Thor in 2015. Readers excited by the appearance of a female Thor came in each month genuinely eager to see how the story unfolded and to find out who this new Thor was.

Aware that DC were putting one of their top teams on new series Doomsday Clock, and personally expecting a great story, I ordered heavily, only to discover I hadn’t ordered anywhere enough and sold out within days! The lucky readers that got the first print copies were straight in to pick up issue #2 and my stack of issue #2 and #1 second printings have been flying off the shelf.

The story is beautifully paced and drawn exquisitely by Gary Frank. The book has the same panel layout designed by Dave Gibbons for Watchmen, from which this series draws it’s inspiration. Some Alan Moore purists would decry this series as not being true to Watchmen, but I have to say I am loving every page! It is a comic that needs reading at least twice, if not three times, just to get all the nuances.

If you decided to avoid this series, I urge you to find a few pennies and get in now before both issue #1 second print and issue #2 first print are sold out!

Library Donations

As an independent retailer I’ve always been a believer in – and keen supporter of – the local community and it is sad to see elements of this diminishing in generic town centres across the country. With a compulsion to help out if I can and a love of comics, I have started a Library Donation Scheme. If you visit one of our stores between February and April 2017 and donate a used but ‘as new’ graphic novel from your collection, we will take 25% off the price when you buy a new one. These books will be donated to our local libraries.

Reading Tip for the Month

Elephantmen. This title was first published in 2006 and was born out of a frustration that Richard Starkings had at the time with Marvel. In continual publication since that time, and also available in many collected editions, this is a series that will not fail to entertain.

The premise: 200 years from now a company creates genetic mutations of African animals such as Elephants, Crocodiles and others collectively known as ‘Elephantmen’. After disposing of the human mothers used to birth these creatures, the ‘Elephantmen’ are then trained as soldiers and killers. Forces for good intervene and rescue these mutants, destroy the creators base, rehabilitate the creatures and let them loose in society.

There are so many great stories across all the genres, all written by Richard Starkings. Richard secures top artists to illustrate his tales and produces stories that will make you laugh, cry, fear for humanity and make you realise the beauty of the comic art form.

Try a single issue or go for the superb Elephantmen 2260 Vol.1.

Happy New Year,
Biff