Tricky New Approach

I advance order my comic books. The closest comic book shop is about an hour's drive from me and I usually pay less than $10 for shipping/handling, so it not only saves money, it guarantees I get the comics I want even if they sell-out at the market level (in stores). However, I get confused - easily and often - by the companies' promotions.

I get PR on comics, titles, and properties 3-4 months prior to their release. For the most part, I have been publishing PR as soon as they come in, more or less since The Rundown began. Because of this, I have missed more than a few opportunities - by the time they're available, I've forgotten about them; whenever a PR on something I want comes through, I go right to my provider and try to order it, and it usually isn't available for order until the next month. I don't think I'm the only one who's fallen prey to this, either.

So I've started hanging-on to the PR for at least a few weeks. I've maintained from the beginning that the natures of blogging and reporting are not the same; I love it whenever I get the chance to bring you some "breaking news" item that not every comics source online has already brought you, but that doesn't happen often and isn't really my goal. True to its namesake, The Rundown "runs things down" - usually long after the dust has settled and some real sense can be made of the situation - and that's what we're going to do with comic books from now on, too.

Again, depending on the nature of the PR and so forth, I may release it as soon as it crosses my desk, but I like the idea of holding onto them until it's closer to the release date. That way, not only are you reminded they are on the way, but you aren't as likely to forget about them before they arrive! It also ensures a more steady stream of content for you to read.

I'm always open to suggestions and love to hear your comments, so fire away, but I think this is a better approach. The only problem is an overflowing inbox which is too easy to ignore for weeks on-end, meaning I'm likely to miss a few PR and announcements along the way until I get a system in-place and become familiar with it.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Brooke Shields Seeking to Prosecute Paparazzi for Impersonation

When actress/model, Brooke Shields, heard that a paparazzi had pretended to be a friend in order to check her mom out of her nursing home and grill her, she was furious. Teri Shields, Brooke's 75-year old mother, suffers from dementia and resides in an assisted-living nursing home under full-time care.

Police were called when the staff was unable to find the elder Ms. Shields. Police discovered her, unharmed, chatting with an unnamed reporter and photographer at a nearby New Jersey restaurant. Police questioned the pair and were told they work for The National Enquirer, though the article notes the journalist is freelance. The pair was released and no charges have been filed yet; the incident is still under investigation.

I intend to take every lawful action against all who were involved or who authorized this despicable act

- Brooke Shields

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Attention PR Departments

Hey you gu-uys!

If you received an e-mail from one of my many addresses earlier today, it is a legitimate e-mail. Unfortunately, some of you have different e-mail addresses, as I have many. I did not think of this until a few minutes ago and forwarded it from another of them. I apologize; I am obviously not trying to spam your boxes, just trying to get my message through.

Luckily, I run a blog.

The title is The Weirding Spring 2009 Promo Contest.

Thanks.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Age of the Sentry Podcast

I am not sure why Marvel is pushing this comic so hard. I am no great fan of 70's-era comics and I am not sure anyone under about 50 is, either. Sequential art has come such a long way since then that I find it hard to believe anyone could find any real value in the form, excepting the obvious historical and nostalgic. Still, the art is not bad and I have yet to read any of the story, but if the art is any indication, and they maintain the dialogue styling, then I personally would not enjoy this at all. Maybe the podcast will elucidate?

That’s right true believers, in the latest edition of the Mighty Marvel Podcast, fan favorite host Jeff Suter spotlights The Age Of Sentry and chats with Jeff Parker, the man writing stories of the Golden Guardian of Good!

The Sentry’s history is shrouded in mystery and Jeff Parker is shining some light on Rob Reynolds' past. As Parker reveals, this series has fighting atomic bears, villains with three brains and even more can’t miss action! Also, Senior Editor Mark Paniccia stops by and gets Parker to reveal a BIG guest appearance in the book—but just who is it? There is much Silver Age fun to be had in this episode of the Mighty Marvel Podcast!

Also, don’t forget to subscribe on iTunes so you don’t miss any of the hot Mighty Marvel Podcast interviews coming from the House of Ideas.

THE AGE OF THE SENTRY #1 (of 6) (JUL082344)
Written by JEFF PARKER & PAUL TOBIN
Penciled by NICK DRAGOTTA & RAMON ROSANAS
Cover by DAVE BULLOCK & MICHAEL CHO
Rated A …$2.99
On-Sale—9/17/08

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

What?

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Cooke, Bone, & Allred - MADMAN

14 August 2008 (Berkeley, CA) - DC: THE NEW FRONTIER author Darwyn Cooke will collaborate with writer J. Bone this November for an all-new story featuring Mike Allred's seminal creation, Madman, in MADMAN ATOMIC COMICS #14!

"Darwyn and I are like twins separated at birth," Allred said. "We dig all the same things and get ridiculously excited about whatever we're working on. We also throw fits whenever we're told 'no' by 'the Man', and, sometimes to our detriment, have a 'burned earth policy' when it comes to doing a project the way we want. Fortunately, we usually get the support needed to build our visions, and MADMAN ATOMIC COMICS is a prime example of that. Image Comics could not be more supportive in their backing me up with all my crazed paper dreams in MADMAN ATOMIC COMICS. They're just as jazzed as I am to invite Darwyn and mutual pal, and cool genius, J.Bone, on MADMAN ATOMIC COMICS #14!"

While Cooke and Allred have worked together on various projects such as CATWOMAN and THE X-STATIX, this will mark the very first time Darwyn and collaberator J. Bone have delved into a full story featuring Snap City's number one superhero. Their short, "Madman: The Movie," takes Frank Einstein and company down the treacherous road to Hollywood as a film studio intends to loosely adapt Frank's life story with some very strange results.

MADMAN ATOMIC COMICS #14, a 32-page full color comic book for $3.50, will be in-stores November 19^th, 2008. In addition, Allred fans can meet the creator himself mere weeks before the issue's release on October 4^th at San Francisco's Neon Monster.

War Heroes Tour of Duty

7 August 2008 (Berkeley, CA) - This upcoming week WANTED's Mark Millar and EX MACHINA's Tony Harris storm the United States to support their sold-out, superhero hit WAR HEROES!

"The reaction Tony and I have received for WAR HEROES from fans and retailers alike has been phenomenal so we arranged this tour to say 'thank you' to as many of them as possible," Millar said. "In fact, these trips may be the only way to get the book since the initial printing sold out instantly!"

The tour spans the globe, with a farewell launch party at London's Forbidden Planet on August 9^th, followed up by spots to New York's Midtown Comics, North Carolina's Heroes Aren't Hard to Find, Texas' Lone Star Comics, Arizona's Atomic Comics, Las Vegas' Comics Oasis, Los Angeles' Golden Apple and finally, San Francisco's Isotope. All stores will feature the extremely limited WAR HEROES #1 TOUR OF DUTY EDITION, which will never be made available again!

COMPLETE WAR HEROES TOUR OF DUTY SCHEDULE

Saturday, August 9^th: Forbidden Planet - London, England - 1-4pm
179 Shaftesbury Avenue London, WC2H 8JR, United Kingdom +44 20 7420 3666

Saturday, August 16^th: Midtown Comics - New York, NY - 4-6pm
200 West 40^th Street New York, NY 10018 (212) 302-8192

Sunday, August 17^th: Heroes Aren't Hard to Find - Charlotte, North Carolina - 2:00-5:00 PM
1957 E.7^th St. Charlotte NC 28204 (704) 375-7462

Tuesday, August 19^th: Lone Star Comics - Dallas, TX - 3-5:30pm
6465 E. Mockingbird Ln., Dallas, TX 75214 (214) 823-0934

Wednesday, August 20^th: Atomic Comics - Chandler, AZ - 1-5pm
Atomic Chandler Fashion Center 3155 West Chandler Blvd Chandler, AZ 85226 (480) 940-6061

Thursday, August 21^st: Comic Oasis - Las Vegas, NV - 4-7pm
3121 N Rainbow Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89108 (702) 212-8885

Friday, August 22^nd: Golden Apple - Los Angeles, CA - 6-8pm
7018 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038 (323) 658-6047

Saturday, August 23^rd: Isotope, San Francisco - SIGNING: 5-7 - PARTY: 8-12
326 Fell St San Francisco, CA 94102 (415) 621-6543

In addition, WAR HEROES #1 2^nd Printing, a 32-page full color book for $2.99, is available for reorder now and will be released later this August.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

DNAgents Industrial Strength

6 August 2008 (Berkeley, CA) - This October, the prototypical supersoldiers of tomorrow return in DNAGENTS: INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH EDITION TP, a comprehensive omnibus of the hit superhero series by writer Mark Evanier and artist Will Meugniot.

"DNAGENTS signaled the creator-owned superhero craze years before it started," Shadowline Publisher Jim Valentino said. "The work Mark and Will did foreshadowed a lot of what was to come in superheroes. It's very much the precursor to some of the biggest team books out today. Bringing DNAGENTS under the Image and Shadowline banners is a true pleasure and something I've hoped to do for years."

DNAGENTS: INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH EDITION collects the entire initial run on the series by Evanier and Meugniot, which introduced the world to the Matrix Corporation and the superpowered teens who rebelled against it. As one of the first independently published superhero books, DNAGENTS members Tank, Surge, Rainbow, Amber, and Sham broke away from the typical genre norms of the day and paved the way for the independent superhero movement that was to come years later. Their unique combination of lush art and compelling characterization made DNAGENTS one of the most influential books of its era!

DNAGENTS: INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH EDITION TP (AUG082271), a 452-page black & white tradepaperback for $24.99, will be in stores October 14^th.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

War Heroes Returns with Second-Printing

30 July 2008 (Berkeley, CA) - Within 24 hours of release, Mark Millar and Tony Harris' WAR HEROES has sold out at a distribution level and a second printing is on the way to meet demand!

"Much like KICK ASS, the response to WAR HEROES has taken a lot of people by surprise," said Millar. "Stores all over are reporting sell outs and are reordering as many as possible, even as the initial supply is exhausted! Those fans from ULTIMATES are coming to WAR HEROES in droves so we're putting even more copies out there! Retailers are advised to order up as our initial printing had a substantial overprint and that clearly wasn't enough for the fans!"

With WAR HEROES, Millar and Harris have created a thematic sequel to their many works including CIVIL WAR, KICK ASS, EX MACHINA, and especially THE ULTIMATES as a United States torn by terrorism gives its citizens the one thing they can use to fight back against a world gone mad - superpowers. The second printing will feature a new cover by Harris, spotlighting the super-powered nature of their soldiers of tomorrow.

WAR HEROES #1 second printing, a 32-page full color comic book for $2.99, will be in stores this August.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Archangel and X-Force #5 Variant

A villain civil war has erupted, a horseman of Apocalypse has returned and everyone's favorite mutant dark-ops team is struggling to keep the lid on. Marvel is pleased announce that X-Force #5 has sold out at Diamond (although copies may still be available at a retail level). Everyone is clamoring for more Archangel, and to satisfy overwhelming demand Marvel will be going back to print with X-Force #5 Second Printing Variant. This issue will also feature a stunning cover by superstar artist Clayton Crain.

Bastion has complete control of Stryker and his Purifiers. It's up to Risman to use his army of Archangel wannabes to take control back from robotic menace. Also, Warren isn't playing nice anymore and he's got both Stryker and Risman in his sights. Can the X-Force team of Wolverine, X-23, and Warpath put an end to it all? Find out the answers to these questions and more as X-Force #5 Second Printing Variant hits store shelves!

X-FORCE #5 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (MAY088374)
Written by CHRISTOPHER YOST & CRAIG KYLE
Pencils & Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN
Parental Advisory …$2.99
FOC—8/14/08, On-Sale—9/3/08

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Philip K. Dick's Electric Ant Coming to Marvel

New York, NY- July 25, 2008 -- Electric Ant, Philip K. Dick's seminal science fiction short story, will be adapted by Marvel Comics in the upcoming Electric Ant limited series to be released in 2009, it was announced by Marvel, and Electric Shepherd Productions.

Dick's work, which has revolutionized the world of science fiction, has been adapted into hit films, such as Blade Runner, Total Recall, and Minority Report, and Dick remains one of the genre's most resonant authors.

"We couldn't be happier adapting such a powerful story by Philip K Dick," said Dan Buckley, Marvel Entertainment, Inc. President and Publisher.

The creative team behind this existential thriller includes acclaimed writer David Mack (Daredevil, Kabuki) and artist Pascal Alixe (Ultimate X-Men, 1602: Fantastik Four), joined by Consulting Editor Brian Michael Bendis (award-winning author behind Secret Invasion) and renowned artist Paul Pope, who will provide covers to the series.

"David Mack and Pascal Alixe remain faithful to the work of a man considered by many to be the greatest science fiction writer of all time, while also exploring all the nuances of Electric Ant's fascinating world," said Buckley.

"As the first original adaptation of our father's work into this genre, we are thrilled with the creative team and the support of Marvel in the care they have taken to be true to the integrity of this story," said Laura Leslie, Dick's daughter and a partner with her sister, Isa Dick Hackett, in Electric Shepherd Productions.

One of the most celebrated authors of the last century, Philip K Dick is the winner of the Hugo Award and the John W. Campbell award, both of which honor excellence in science fiction. Inducted into the Library of America in 2007, Dick has received literary recognition unprecedented for a contemporary science fiction writer.

"This is another example of Marvel's commitment to expanding not only the breadth of our products, but in also drawing new readers to the comic medium," explained Marvel Senior Vice President of Sales & Circulation, David Gabriel. "We're proud to be working alongside the Philip K Dick Estate in bringing another best-selling author's work to Marvel for a whole new legion of readers to enjoy. Along with Dark Tower, Anita Blake, and all our Best-Selling Authors titles, Electric Ant is another example of Marvel working to bring popular, mainstream properties to comics for a whole new audience to enjoy."

Electric Shepherd was founded by Leslie and Hackett, who along with their brother, Christopher Dick, own and manage the Philip K Dick Estate. Electric Shepherd is currently working on several other projects based on the works of Philip K. Dick, including the Disney/Pixar animated feature based on King Of The Elves slated for release in 2012, and a Philip K. Dick biopic for HBO Films. Christopher Tricarico handles all business and legal affairs for Electric Shepherd and the Estate.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Ian Churchill Covers Jack Staff

I bought the Jack Staff Special a few months back, as it was advertised as "the perfect jumping-on point" for new readers. It was a stream-of-consciousness thing with a bunch of silly characters and concepts that made absolutely no sense, whatsoever. I later read that it was akin to a series of vignettes, introducing the characters and plots involved in the regular series, and that it had done a pretty good job at this. So maybe it was just me; I didn't get it.

Still, this is a nice cover! From Image Comics:

11 July 2008 (Berkeley, CA) - This October Britain's number one superhero, JACK STAFF, gets covered by fellow Englishman and artist of DC Comics' TITANS, Ian Churchill.

"It's a bit worrying when you let someone else play with your toys," said series creator Paul Grist. "But Ian nailed it. Certainly gets my vote for best Jack Staff cover of 2008!"

The award-winning superhero series centers around Castletown, the epicenter for all superhuman activity in the United Kingdom and its greatest hero, the titular JACK STAFF.

Churchill's cover reveals his unique interpretations of our hero and two of his fellow combatants, Becky Burdock and Alfred Chinard. In addition, Churchill's team up with Grist marks a special two-part story as JACK STAFF and company take on the murderous menace of the Muddy Man.

JACK STAFF #21, a 32-page page comic book for $3.50, will be in stores October 8^th.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Marvel Goes Ape!

What is it with the current monkey obsession? First Mad Magazine, now this from Marvel (that Moon Knight cover ROCKS!):

To celebrate Marvel’s landmark simian series, Marvel Apes, debuting in September, select series will feature Monkey Variant covers throughout late August and September. Each week on Marvel.Com, these covers will be unveiled and today Marvel proudly presents the Monkey Variants to Ghost Rider #26 and Moon Knight #21!

GHOST RIDER #26 (JUN082329)
GHOST RIDER #26 MONKEY VARIANT (JUN082330)
Written by JASON AARON
Art by TAN ENG HUAT
Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
Ape Variant by NIC KLEIN
Parental Advisory …$2.99
FOC—7/31/08, On-Sale—8/20/08


MOON KNIGHT #21 (JUN082370)
MOON KNIGHT #21 MONKEY VARIANT (JUN082371)
Written by MIKE BENSON
Penciled by MARK TEXEIRA
Cover by ARTHUR SUYDAM
Ape Variant by JASON PEARSON
FOC—7/31/08, On-Sale—8/20/08

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Youngblood Collection on the Way

This is from Image Comics:

3 July 2008 (Berkeley, CA) - The all-new, all-different YOUNGBLOOD from the creative team of G-DLAND's Joe Casey and CONNER HAWKE's Derec Donovan gets collected this July in time for issue five's jumping-on point!

"FOCUS TESTED is the opening salvo of the new YOUNGBLOOD assault that Derec and I have planned," Casey said. "The stories in this collection are just the beginning of a much larger epic that, for fans of the YOUNGBLOOD concept, should give them exactly what they've been wanting for years. It's pop superheroics on a grand scale, not to mention media and celebrity worship at its most obnoxious. All this, plus the grand soap opera and the big explosions that superhero team books do so well. This one's got it all!"

YOUNGBLOOD: FOCUS TESTED not only features the first four issues of the new series, but is backed up by a plethora of extras including an introduction by INVINCIBLE and WALKING DEAD's Robert Kirkman, an interview with Joe Casey detailing the process behind Youngblood, an exclusive feature in which Casey and creator Rob Liefeld discuss their favorite comics and Casey's never-before-seen first pro sale - a Youngblood script circa 1995.

Donovan added, "Where YOUNGBLOOD goes after the trade has me more excited about the book than I've ever been. An old YOUNGBLOOD favorite, Televillain, returns in full-on serial killer mode, gunning after the a brand new YOUNGBLOOD team I can't wait to draw. All this plus I can't believe who we're bringing back from The Golden Age! It's a good time to be a YOUNGBLOOD fan."

YOUNGBLOOD: FOCUS TESTED TPB (MAR082088), a 104-page full color TPB for $9.99, will be on sale August 3^rd, 2008.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

New Guardians of the Galaxy One-Shot

All last week, I received PR after PR from Marvel, detailing how this issue and that one had sold-out at the distribution level and they were going back to press. I chose not to run these because... well, what's the point?

You must recall that I did not say the market itself was in the dumps when I began this discussion, I said sales sales were down to the point that retailers and small press publishers are closing, and that we had seen this entire process of events before (the early 90s). From a business standpoint, this is just that: business; after all, it is to Marvel and DC's benefit to have less competition. But Marvel and DC rarely suffer until the very end of the cycle.

Even then, there is no comparison; the "suffering" of the Big Two is incomparable to that of the smaller houses. The Big Two - despite what the old-timers used to tell us (daily) - will always be here. But the industry, in its current form, may not.

As print becomes less and less accessible, and more and more expensive, the collecting side of the hobby becomes less prevalent - especially when the market is diluted by endless printings, collections, ad nauseam - and distribution becomes more and more important. What better distribution method in this Digital Age than... digital?

No, comic books are not going anywhere anytime real soon, but the industry is experiencing a shake-up on many levels to the point that even I can't really see where it's headed! And while I have some pretty good theories, this is one of those matters where it behooves me to remain silent.

This is from Marvel Comics and it's cosmically OFFICIAL:

Due to overwhelming demand for the sold-out Guardians of the Galaxy #1 and #2, Marvel is going back to the press with a special one-shot collecting the first two critically acclaimed issues! Guardians of the Galaxy: Legacy Must-Have introduces Star-Lord and a new rag-tag team of sci-fi heroes determined to protect the cosmos and save the universe! From the acclaimed team of writers, Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, featuring a brand new incredibly stunning cover from fan-favorite interior artist, Paul Pelletier – the Guardians of the Galaxy are unleashed in an out of this world book that has become one of 2008’s most popular new series!

The critics have spoken and they love Guardians of the Galaxy!

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Tori Amos Debuts Tattoo at Comic Con

This is straight from Image Comics:

26 June 2008 (Berkeley, CA) - Tori Amos will appear at this year's Comic Con International, taking place at the San Diego Convention Center, to debut her upcoming anthology, COMIC BOOK TATTOO.

Amos' Comic Con plans begin with LIVE FROM COMIC-CON, TORI AMOS & COMIC BOOK TATTOO, hosted by comics and music critic Douglas Wolk, on Saturday, July 26 from 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM. The signing will be held the same day at 2pm. Fans wishing to meet the acclaimed songwriter can receive tickets to her signing, limited to two hundred fans, by purchasing a copy of COMIC BOOK TATTOO at the Image Comics booth (#2729).

Tickets will be made available in increments with twenty on Wednesday, seventy five on Thursday, another seventy five on Friday and thirty on Saturday.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Image & Shadowline Present M-Theory

Image is making waves with their paranormal-based titles, and for good reason: they're good! While Shadowline tried to get into the game with the schizophrenic New World Order, M-Theory looks a little more solid. I love gamey pulp-fiction and that's what I was hoping for with their previous outing, so let's see if M-Theory fares better.

This is a pulpificaciously official press release from Image Comics:

25 June 2008 (Berkeley, CA) - This September Shadowline/Image Comics brings back robots, spacemen and dames to their pulp roots with the three-issue mini-series, M-THEORY!

"It's long overdue for sci-fi pulp fiction to get back to its roots," said co-writer Dwight L. MacPherson. "My cohorts, Bruce Brown and Mark Barentine, are also massive fans of the genre and cannot wait to go all out!"

The three issue mini-series, co-written by Dwight L. MacPherson and Bruce Brown with artist Mark Barentine, is an action-packed romp exploring every facet of science fiction featured in the golden age of pulp novels. In the first issue alone, a government scientist receives a startling transmission of extraterrestrial origin leading to terrifying discoveries leading them to the outer reaches of our galaxy and a shocking nemesis like none other!

Shadowline President Jim Valentino added, "Pulp fiction has received its due in film, so it's a real pleasure to see Bruce, Dwight and Mark really go at it with such a high level of passion and vigor in the comic book format. I'm really looking forward to the results."

M-THEORY, a three-issue 32-page full color mini-series at $3.50, will be in stores September 17^th.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Howard Chaykin on Squadron Supreme

For years, I wondered what happened to Howard Chaykin.

Some of you may be too young to know who he was, but Chaykin was touted as a wunderkind in the 1980s - on a par with Frank Miller, Alan Moore, and the like. He had a series called American Flagg which had a good run for limited sales and direct-market only distribution. Flagg was hailed by fans and critics alike, but all sorts of problems staggered the title and it eventually folded. From what I understand, Chaykin tired of the medium and moved on to television, specifically bringing The Flash to the small screen for its short, but memorable, run on CBS.

Well, Howard Chaykin is back, and this time, he's over to Marvel, playing with their toys. He's taking over the Squadron Supreme title and talking about it on the new Marvel podcast available now.

I can guarantee you that no matter what Chaykin has in-store, it will be worth watching.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

X-Men #25 WILL CHANGE THE MARVEL X-UNIVERSE FOREVER!

If you are getting sick of the "joke," then you don't get it:

For the past year or so, Marvel's only real advertising motto has been [this issue/series/title] WILL CHANGE THE MARVEL UNIVERSE FOREVER! Every few months, they used their only other one: 234092349 YEARS IN THE MAKING...

Obviously, I am sick of hearing it - especially since none of it's true. After all, Spidey's unmasking did not CHANGE THE MARVEL UNIVERSE FOREVER! It barely changed Spidey's own universe and it didn't even do that for long. I have nothing against advertising or marketing, but I hate blatantly dishonest campaigns - even moreso when they are shoved down your throat. As though the more you hear it, the more likely it is to be true.

Warren Ellis takes over Astonishing X-Men with issue #25, along with artist, Simone Bianchi. The picture included here is by Lee Bremejo. The issue hits stands July 2nd and will CHANGE THE MARVEL... okay, okay.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

More on Ultimates

Marvel is really working the Ultimates line in their press releases and advertising. And, yes, the first press release I got with the new David Finch cover (Ultimates 3 #4, to left) literally said - this is a quote - "It all leads into this fall’s Ultimatum, as the Ultimate Universe is forever changed!" Hand to God. The Variant Cover is down toward the bottom, on the right.

While over to the Marvel site itself, Brian Bendis discusses the whole Ultimates Origins thing in a new podcast. He's there to tell us how "everything's connected" and - I'm sure - how this new series WILL CHANGE THE MARVEL UTLIMATES UNIVERSE FOREVER!

Both feature some nice artwork and Origins is penciled by none other than Jackson "Butch" Guice! Younger readers might not know the name, but Guice is a badass who worked on such greats as Epic's Swords of the Swashbucklers. His art alone is worth checking out, as it WILL CHANGE THE MARVEL UNIVERSE FOREVER!

I still haven't the faintest clue as to what Ultimates is nor what constitutes an Ultimate and no one has told me, so one of these days - maybe while I'm recuperating - I guess I'm just going to have to breakdown and do a search for myself.

What I discover may very well CHANGE MY MARVEL UNIVERSE FOREVER!

© C Harris Lynn, 2008