The Shipping Forecast is Ninth Art's pick of the best and most notable new releases hitting comic stores each week, courtesy of the fishing crew at the Ninth Art lighthouse. Shipping details come courtesy of Diamond. Check out the Diamond website for the latest information, as the list is subject to change.

VIKING PICKS:

THE AUTHORITY: KEV (DC Wildstorm)
Ah, THE AUTHORITY. Swept thoroughly under the rug for, rumour has it, its homosexual characters and too-violent situations, THE AUTHORITY has what could be its last hurrah (at least for the time being) in this prestige-format one-shot. It's been suggested that DC is only publishing KEV at all because it had already paid for a load of lovely, lovely Glenn Fabry interior artwork - his first in years. Editorial constraints be damned; a Garth Ennis-penned tale about one man trying to take down The Authority is certainly an attractive proposition, and the presence of Fabry doing more than just covers definitely seals the deal.

ULTIMATE X-MEN HC (Ultimate Marvel)
ULTIMATE X-MEN is a decidedly good comic - Millar has produced some great stories, and the tag-team of Adam and Andy Kubert has provided some superb art, so it's fantastic to see the series getting the hardcover treatment - especially given the way Marvel handles the format. Marvel's new range of deluxe hardcovers are enlarged, packed with extras, and surprisingly good value. This one collects the first 12 issues of ULTIMATE X-MEN (already available in paperback), plus GIANT SIZED X-MEN #1 and scads of extras, for just $34.99. This is how hardcovers should be done.

PLYMOUTH PICKS:

CHARM SCHOOL VOL 1 TP (Slave Labor Graphics)
What happens when you've got a romantic triangle between a witch, a vampire, and a faerie? Well, if you're lucky, you've just ended up with a copy of Elizabeth Watasin's enchanting CHARM SCHOOL. When I first opened up an issue of CHARM SCHOOL and saw the wonderful character designs she'd come up with, I knew I had a winner in my hands. Then I read the story... and it was even better. They generally just don't seem to make romance comics like this anymore, and it's a pity, because this is exactly the sort of thing I would love to see more of.

CATWOMAN: THE DARK END OF THE STREET TP $12.95 (DC Universe)
Ed Brubaker and Darwyn Cooke's revamp of CATWOMAN did everything a brand new series should; redefined the lead character's role, brought a new visual style to the comic, and quickly established itself as a completely different take on the character... which meant that a lot of people who thought, "Oh, it's just Catwoman" missed out entirely. This collection pulls together the first four issues of CATWOMAN, plus the four-part back-up story from DETECTIVE COMICS that kicked off the series. It's slick, it's sexy, it's smart, it's the new Catwoman. Gotta love it.

AGENT X #1 $2.99 (Marvel Universe)
All right, you get one more chance. Remember how a month or two ago I was advising all of you about how Gail Simone and Udon Studios had turned DEADPOOL from must-miss status to something you'd want to fish out of the ocean? Well, DEADPOOL is now no more, but that's because it's been replaced with AGENT X. Still the same great sense of humour, snappy dialogue, gorgeous animation-inspired art... and a jumping on point, too. Don't let this fine catch get away from you again.

GERMAN BIGHT PICKS:

FANTASTIC BUTTERFLIES GN (Alternative Comics)
James Kochalka seems to have been unusually productive this year, even by his standards. Having released his SKETCHBOOK DIARIES, plus titles like PINKY AND STINKY with which to charm and baffle children, in FANTASTIC BUTTERFLIES he returns to his Magic Boy character. Sometimes a protagonist in pure flights of fancy, sometimes an alias for Kochalka's autobiographical self, Magic Boy's stories usually walk a line between psychedelic and introspective. I don't know what the significance of the title is, but when a book tackles drunken wanderings, cancer, barbecues and cute kung-fu girls, is the oblique title really going to trouble you? No, me neither.

SPARKS: AN URBAN FAIRY TALE GN (Slave Labor Graphics)
This story was a long time in the completion when it came out as single issues, although it won itself a considerable following of devoted and patient fans, myself included. Now it's been lengthened with 170 pages of new material, which will doubtlessly add further depth to an already affecting story. A girl mechanic named Jennifer feels trapped and unsure of herself, and makes a tin man from spare parts. By some magic, he comes to life and she teaches him about being human while still trying to figure out her own place in the world. Lawrence Marvit's artwork shows off a simple, confident animator's line, which should appeal to those who enjoy Andi Watson's work. A fairy tale with a lovely face and a sad, angry heart, SPARKS is one of the most welcome reissues of the year.

LOVE & ROCKETS #5 (Fantagraphics)
This issue is being timed to mark the twentieth anniversary of the first issue's release. Chew that over and feel old, dear reader. Twenty years and it still feels as though the stories are only halfway told, at most. Not deviating much from the non-linear norm, not making a big fuss, Los Hermanos Hernandez get on with the usual quality business that is LOVE & ROCKETS. This issue sees the continuation of "Julio's Day" and "Me for the Unknown" by Gilbert, plus more from the youth of lisping psychiatrist Fritz. Jaime brings us an update on Ray growing old disgracefully, and the story that's intriguing me most about this issue; the first meeting between HR Costigan and a seven-year-old Penny Century. A subtle way to mark L&R's long history, but suitably elegant. May it continue for many more years.

FISHER PICKS:

ANCIENT JOE TP (Dark Horse)
Let me state quite unequivocally: I do not get a kickback from Scott Morse for recommending all his books. Nor do I pick his works just because he's so very polite and charming and washes up so neat. I do it because Morse is one of the industry's most unique talents, one of its most gifted Renaissance men, and one of its most unusual storytellers. Ancient Joe is his Tiki-headed godling, who stole the Devil's silver and now fears his late wife is in the Devil's grip. His story begins here, with the three issue mini and all the other short stories published so far. The mini read a bit strangely in issues, but the pacing will sit much better in the trade. I've said it before and I'll say it again: This is the next HELLBOY. You don't want to miss it.

BIG DADDY DANGER #1 (DC)
Wrestler comics. There's a sub-genre, stretching from STONE COLD STEVE AUSTIN to SONAMBULO, that I never thought I'd be writing about. But this new DC series sees the return to my radar of Adam Pollina, whom I last heard was illustrating a Scott Lobdell comic - a fate slightly better than death, since you can apparently come back from Lobdell. Pollina writes and draws this miniseries about a superhero wrestler who takes on villains called Diablo X and Shanghai Suzy. It sounds hokey, but hopefully it'll also be entertaining and fun. Pollina's warped, kinetic pencils are certainly the big ticket on this one, but if the story's up to par then it's sure to be a keeper.

SONAR / MISSED PICKS FROM LAST WEEK'S COMICS

SAMURAI JACK SPECIAL (DC/Cartoon Network)
We're having trouble picking up cable here on the lighthouse, so I've still never seen SAMURAI JACK, but the design of the character and his demonic nemesis Aku have long struck me as particularly brilliant. What a treat, then, to see a whole comic rendered in that style. This stand-alone special tells Jack's origin story, adapted by creator Genndy Tarkovsky, and the art by Lynn Naylor and Bill Wray is just wonderful - stylish, lively and loopy as all heck. One of the best and most beautiful comics I've picked up this year. [FISHER]

Comics shipping in the US on August 7th:

DARK HORSE

MAY020024 ANCIENT JOE TP $12.95
MAY020056 BTVS #47 HELLMOUTH TO MOUTH (PART 1 OF 4) $2.99
MAY020057 BTVS #47 HELLMOUTH TO MOUTH (PART 1 OF 4) PHOTO CVR $2.99
MAY020063 OH MY GODDESS! LEADER OF THE PACK TP $13.95
JUN020033 OH MY GODDESS! PART XII #2 LEARNING TO LOVE (PART 2 OF 3) $2.99
MAY020051 SUPERMAN ALIENS II GODWAR #2 (Of 4) $2.99

DC COMICS

JUN020472 100 BULLETS #37 (RES) $2.50
JUN020455 AUTHORITY KEV (MR) $4.95
JUN020421 BIG DADDY DANGER #1 (Of 9) $2.95
JUN020406 CATWOMAN THE DARK END OF THE STREET TP $12.95
JUN020477 CRUSADES #18 (MR) $2.95
JUN020393 DETECTIVE COMICS #773 $2.75
JUN020420 DOOM PATROL #11 $2.50
JUN020408 GOTHAM GIRLS #1 (Of 5) $2.25
JUN020430 HAWKMAN #6 $2.50
JUN020458 HIGH ROADS #5 (Of 6) $2.95
JUN020437 JLA DESTINY #3 (Of 4) $5.95
JUN020439 JUSTICE LEAGUE ADVENTURES #10 $2.25
JUN020440 LAB RATS #5 $2.50
JUN020452 LOONEY TUNES #93 $2.25
JUN020461 RESIDENT EVIL CODE VERONICA VOL 2 TP (MR) $14.95
JUN020443 SPECTRE #20 $2.75
JUN020411 SUPERMAN #185 $2.25
JUN020418 SUPERMAN OUR WORLDS AT WAR VOL 1 TP $19.95
JUN020463 THUNDERCATS #0 $2.50
JUN020489 VERTIGO POP TOKYO #2 (Of 4) (MR) $2.95
JUN020449 YOUNG JUSTICE #48 $2.75

IMAGE

JUN021377 BATTLE OF THE PLANETS #2 $2.99
MAR021386 RISING STARS #19 (Of 24) $2.50
JUN021413Z RISING STARS POET POSTER PI
MAY021194 TOMB RAIDER VOL 3 CHASING SHANGRI LA TP $12.95

MARVEL

MAY021486 AGENT X #1 $2.99
JUN021691 ALIAS #13 (MR) $2.99
JUN021740 EXILES #16 $2.25
JUN021725 FANTASTIC FOUR #59 $2.25
MAY021484 SOLDIER X #1 $2.99
JUN021748 SPIDER-MAN DAREDEVIL #1 $2.99
JUN021710 ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #25 $2.25
MAY021529 ULTIMATE X-MEN HC VOL 1 $34.99
JUN021698 UNCANNY X-MEN #410 $2.25
JUN021701 WEAPON X SAURON #1 $2.25
JUN021700 WEAPON X WILD CHILD #1 $2.25
APR021785 WOLVERINE DEADPOOL WEAPON X TP $21.99
JUN021746 X-MEN ICONS CHAMBER #1 $2.99

OTHER PUBLISHERS

MAY021805 ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #136 $3.29
JUN022207F BARCHETTA VOL 1 #2 (MR) $2.95
MAY021807 BETTY & VERONICA #178 $1.99
JUN021974F BLACK HEART BILLY TP $12.95
JUN022199F BLOODY SCHOOL VOL 1 #1 (MR) $2.95
MAY021765 CHARM SCHOOL VOL 1 TP (MR) $11.95
JUN022405F CHIAROSCURO #4 (MR) $2.75
MAY022388 COMIC BOOKS & OTHER NECESSITIES OF LIFE $12.95
JAN011764 COMPLETE STRANGERS IN PARADISE BOOK 3 PART 2 HC (STAR11980) $49.95
JUL022303F CREATURE TECH GN $14.95
APR022156 DEADBEATS #54 $2.50
JUN022451 DECOY #2 STORM OF THE CENTURY (Of 4) $2.95
JUN022220F DORK TOWER #20 $2.99
MAY022166 EDEN VOL 1 #1 (A) $3.50
JUN022178 EDGE #5 (Note Price) $11.95
JUN022142F ELVIRA #112 $2.50
JUN022208F ESP VOL 1 #2 $2.95
JUN022205F ETERNAL MIRAGE VOL 1 #2 $2.95
MAY025197 EVERYTHING CAN BE BEATEN (MR) $3.95
JUN022206F EXTREME VOL 1 #2 $2.95
JUN021979F FANTASTIC BUTTERFLIES GN (MR) $14.95
APR022567 FISH N CHIPS #3 $2.95
JUN022173 FORGE #5 (Note Price) $11.95
MAY022163 FUTABAKUN CHANGE VOL 6 GN $15.95
MAY022162 FUTABAKUN CHANGE VOL 8 #6 $2.95
JUN022154F GENERIC COMIC BOOK #9 $1.95
APR022000 GIRL GENIUS VOL 1 HC $25.00
SEP991283F HEROBEAR AND THE KID #1 $2.95
FEB022235F I HATE CARTOONS #1 (MR) $4.95
JUN022165 IMMORAL ANGEL VOL 2 TP LEMMING APOSTLE (A) $16.95
JUN022210F INTO THE STORM VOL 1 #2 $2.95
MAY022327 K CHRONICLES TP WHAT A LONG STRANGE STRIP $12.95
MAY021974 KEN LASHLEYS LEGENDS #1 (Of 6) $2.95
MAY021975 KEN LASHLEYS LEGENDS #1 PX CVR $4.95
JUN022200F KNIGHT GUNNER VOL 1 #1 (MR) $2.95
STAR05084 LOVE & ROCKETS #5 $2.50
JUN022379F LURID #1 (MR) $2.99
JUN022548 MAGICAL POKEMON JOURNEY VOL 6 GOLD & SILVER TP $13.95
JUN022167 MERIDIAN #26 $2.95
JUN022201F MINOS VOL 1 #1 (MR) $2.95
JUN022209F MOON VOL 1 #2 (MR) $2.95
MAY022289 MURCIELAGA SHE BAT #1 (MR) $2.95
MAY022167 OGENKI CLINIC VOL 9 #4 (A) $2.95
JUN022211F PANDEMONIUM VOL 1 #2 (MR) $2.95
JUN022181 PATH #5 $2.95
JUN022204F PSI VOL 1 #2 (MR) $2.95
JUN022168 RUSE #10 $2.95
MAY022006 SHIDIMA #5 $2.95
JUN022202F SLASHER VOL 1 #1 (MR) $2.95
MAY021814 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #113 $1.99
JUN021988F SPARKS URBAN FAIRY TALE GN $35.95
JAN971172 SPIDER-MAN BADROCK #1 (of 2) $2.99
MAR022201 STRAY BULLETS #26 (MR) $3.50
APR022369 THIEVES & KINGS #39 $2.50
JUN022520F THREE FINGERS GN $14.95
MAY021760 TRIPLE DARE #2 $2.95
AUG011874 TRUE STORY SWEAR TO GOD #1 $2.95
MAY022164 VAMPIRE YUI VOL 4 #6 $2.95
MAY022143 VAMPIRELLA #11 LTD CVR ED $9.95
MAY022144 VAMPIRELLA #11 LTD MODEL PHOTO ED $9.95
MAY022142 VAMPIRELLA #11 REG ED $2.99
JUN022453 VICTORIAN #14 $2.95
MAY022077 WEASEL #5 (MR) $4.95
JUN021980 WHERES IT AT SUGAR KAT TP $12.95
MAY022165 YOU AND ME VOL 1 #1 $2.95
JUN022452 ZENDRA VOL 2 #2 WINDMILLS OF THE WORLD (Of 6) $2.95
JUN022203F ZERO TAKER VOL 1 #1 (MR) $2.95

The 9A Lighthouse Crew are Trafalgar, Shannon, Fastnet, Plymouth, Viking, German Bight, Finisterre, Forties, Dogger, Cromarty and Fisher.

This article is Ideological Freeware. The author grants permission for its reproduction and redistribution by private individuals on condition that the author and source of the article are clearly shown, no charge is made, and the whole article is reproduced intact, including this notice.