Welcome to the Shipping Forecast, Ninth Art's pick of the best and most notable new releases hitting comic stores each week.

COMIC OF THE WEEK

HIP FLASK: ELEPHANTMEN #1 (Active Images)
When Richard Starkings first mentioned that Comicraft's mascot Hip Flask (a bipedal hippo) was getting his own comic, it was understandable when most people laughed. What no one was expecting, though, was to have Starkings, Joe Casey, and Jose Ladronn create a gripping story of genetic experiments and enslaved species in the original one-shot HIP FLASK: UNNATURAL SELECTION. Now Starkings, Casey, and Ladronn are back in this new HIP FLASK limited series. If it's anything like the earlier comic, it's going to have gorgeous fully painted art by Ladronn that could quite possibly rival most European albums, and a dark, moody air about it as Hip Flask makes his way through an untrusting world. You'll buy it for the art, but you'll stay for the story. Proof, if nothing else, that there really are no bad characters... all you need is a good final product to put them in. [Plymouth]

ALSO THIS WEEK

YEAST HOIST GN (Highwater Books)
Ron Rege's work has been likened to many things by many different people. While doing the largest portion of his work in mini-comics during the 1990s, Rege stayed under the radar of all but the most arduous of arts-comics fans. But, on the heels of a full-length COMICS JOURNAL interview and a 256 page graphic novel called SKIBBER BEE BYE, Rege's unique approach to comics of late has become a focal point that divides readers quickly into "I Get It" and "I Don't Get It Cause There's Nothing to Get" camps with both willing to argue fiercely the validity of their position. While this forecaster is still uncertain as to what would lead Chris Ware to call Rege, "the only artist in there (his comics library) to have his own drawer that is under 100 years old and who's not dead", Rege's work does read more comprehensibly in their completed form and should appeal to fans of the aforementioned Ware or Gary Panter (JIMBO). Not for the easily frustrated but likely contributing more to the form right now than your average Spider-Man comic book. [Trafalgar]

PROMETHEA BOOK 4 (DC Wildstorm/ABC)
It may be becoming predictable to find Alan Moore and JH Williams astonishing collaboration picked out on this forecast every time it's collected, or there's a decent jumping on point. If it is, it's with good reason - this is one of the finest comics on the market, a thing of serious beauty and astonishing craft. Rather than trying to find new ways to heap praise upon the creative team, it's probably easiest just to remind you of some of the things various fisherfolk have said about this book in the past: "one of the most interesting comics being published today"; "There is no denying the majesty and artistry that goes into each of these vignettes about the nature of Life"; "This is a feast for the eyes, and whether or not you share or even accept Moore's beliefs, it's a feast for the mind as well"; "these are two of the cleverest men in comics producing work that really is an object lesson in the possibilities of the form". We say these sorts of things every time we're given the chance. D'you think it might be time you gave it a try? [Dogger]

SAMURAI JAM TP (Slave Labor Graphics)
Andi Watson seems to be a pretty in-demand chap at the moment; as well as writing for Marvel's Tsunami line, he's also got current projects, some ongoing, with Slave Labor and Oni Press that are on the stands right now. Besides this deserved popularity, this year is also an important one for Watson as it marks his tenth year of creating comics professionally. In recognition of this fact, SLG is releasing his first pro comics work, SAMURAI JAM, in collected trade format. It may not have the polished style of his later work, but it is billed as a fun tale of punk rock, hockey and skateboarding, so this is one jam that's likely to be packed with good things. [Finisterre]

ARROWSMITH #1 (DC Wildstorm)
After Kurt Busiek and Carlos Pacheco worked on the twelve-issue AVENGERS FOREVER series together, both stated in interviews how much fun they had and how they would love to work with each other again. Well, clearly that wasn't an empty promise, as the two reunite for their new Cliffhanger imprint mini-series ARROWSMITH. This looks like it's going to play to all their strengths; Busiek gets to world-build an alternate universe where magic rose up instead of science, and Pacheco gets to draw beautiful and awe-inspiring creations of all shapes and sizes. How can you not love a World War I story involving dragons on the front lines and gargoyles as an early warning system? By the time you're done reading the online preview you'll be ready to enlist in ARROWSMITH as well. [Plymouth]

CHIP ZDARSKY'S PRISON FUNNIES #1 (Legion Of Evil Press)
Toronto-based cartoonist Chip Zdarsky is a pretty zany guy. After all, not many people would think of the harsh realities of prison life as being a particularly fecund source of comedy. Zdarsky's Prison Funnies immediately dispels that assumption, however, as it pelts the reader with some seriously black humour right from the outset. Zdarsky's dialogue is wry and full of excellent jokes, but never loses sight of the grimness of its subject matter, and his caricaturish artwork wouldn't be out of place in a national daily paper. Give PRISON FUNNIES a try if you're looking for Big Laughs from the Big House - it's like OZ on nitrous oxide. [Finisterre]

THE SHIPPING LIST FOR JULY 16th:

Shipping details come courtesy of Diamond. Visit the Diamond website for the latest information, as the list is subject to change.

DARK HORSE
MAY030044 CANNON GOD EXAXXION #15 (MR) $3.50
MAY030033 GRENDEL GOD & THE DEVIL #6 (Of 10) (MR) $3.50
MAY030017 HELL #1 $2.99
MAY030034 KISS ART CVR #11 $2.99
APR030055 SUPER MANGA BLAST #33 (MR) $5.99

DC COMICS
MAY030168 AQUAMAN #8 $2.50
MAY030209 ARROWSMITH #1 (Of 6) $2.95
MAY030144 BATGIRL YEAR ONE #8 (Of 9) $2.95
MAY030146 BATMAN ADVENTURES #4 $2.25
MAY030137 BATMAN GOTHAM KNIGHTS #43 $2.75
MAY030152 CATWOMAN SELINAS BIG SCORE SC $17.95
APR030214 GLOBAL FREQUENCY #9 (Of 12) $2.95
MAY030151 GOTHAM CENTRAL #9 $2.50
MAY030181 HAWKMAN #17 $2.50
MAY030182 HERO #6 $2.50
MAY030184 HUMANS DEFENSE CORPS #3 (Of 6) $2.50
MAY030191 JUSTICE LEAGUE A NEW BEGINNING TP NEW PRTG $12.95
STAR16504 LOEG BOOK ONE TP $14.95
MAY030229 POSSESSED #1 (Of 6) (MR) $2.95
MAY030203 POWERPUFF GIRLS #40 $2.25
MAY030223 PROMETHEA BOOK 4 HC $24.95
MAR030261 RELOAD #3 (Of 3) (MR) $2.95
MAY030217 SLEEPER #7 (MR) $2.95
MAY030166 SMALLVILLE #3 $3.95
MAY030164 SUPERMAN METROPOLIS #6 (Of 12) $2.95

IMAGE
APR031262 AGENTS #3 (Of 6) $2.95
MAY031203 BRIT #1 (MR) $4.95
MAR031276 GI JOE FRONTLINE #8 $2.95
MAY031226 KORE #3 $2.95
MAY031274 MAGDALENA VOL 2 #1 $2.99
MAY031234 MICRONAUTS #9 $2.95
STAR07266 SAVAGE DRAGON VOL 3 THE FALLEN TP $12.95
APR031299 SEMANTIC LACE GN $9.95
JUL021204 SPAWN #126 $2.50

MARVEL
MAY031489 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #55 $2.25
MAY031543 CALL #4 $2.25
MAY031547 CAPTAIN MARVEL #12 $2.99
MAY031540 CREW #3 $2.50
MAY031498 DAREDEVIL #49 $2.99
MAY031525 FANTASTIC FOUR #500 (#71) DIRECTORS CUT ED $4.99
MAY031527 HUMAN TORCH #4 $2.50
MAY031490 MARVEL MUST HAVES AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #30-32 $3.99
MAY031513 MARVEL MUST HAVES NEW X-MEN #114-116 $3.99
MAY031536 NAMOR #4 $2.25
MAY031522 NEW MUTANTS #3 $2.50
MAY031537 RUNAWAYS #4 $2.50
MAY031501 SPIDER-MAN & WOLVERINE #2 (Of 4) $2.99
MAY031548 THUNDERBOLTS #81 (Note Price) $2.25
MAY031542 TRUTH RED WHITE BLACK #7 (Of 7) (RES) $3.50
STAR17789 ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN VOL 5 PUBLIC SCRUTINY TP $11.99
MAY031507 UNCANNY X-MEN #428 $2.25
MAY031516 WOLVERINE #3 $2.25
APR031529 X-MEN PHOENIX #2 (Of 3) $2.99
MAY031517 X-MEN UNLIMITED #50 $2.50
MAY031520 X-TREME X-MEN #28 $2.99

OTHER PUBLISHERS
MAY032502 ALL NEW TENCHI MUYO VOL 2 TP DOOM TIME $8.95
JAN032373 AMELIA RULES #10 $2.95
MAY032226 ANGELS WING #2 $7.95
JUL032215 ANGRY YOUTH COMIX #5 (MR) $2.95
MAY032001 BETTY & VERONICA DIGEST #140 $2.39
MAY032003 BETTY & VERONICA SUMMER FUN VOL 1 TP $10.95
MAY032104 BRIAN PULIDO LADY DEATH #6 $2.95
MAY032139 CBLDF SPX 2003 TRAVEL GN $9.95
MAY032325 CHIP ZDARSKYS PRISON FUNNIES #1 (MR) $3.00
MAR031905 DORK VOL 2 TP CIRCLING THE DRAIN $13.95
MAY031920 EVENFALL #3 (MR) $2.95
MAY032510 FLAME OF RECCA VOL 1 TP $9.95
APR031911 GIRL GENIUS #9 (RES) $3.95
MAY032511 GUNDAM THE ORIGIN #6 $7.95
MAY032512 GUNDAM WING EPISODE ZERO 2ND ED $9.95
MAY032077 HEROES ANONYMOUS #1 (Of 6) $2.99
MAY031897 HIP FLASK ELEPHANTMEN #1 $3.50
MAY031921 HSU AND CHAN #3 $2.95
MAY032010 JUGHEADS DOUBLE DIGEST #96 $3.59
STAR09903 LENORE TP VOL 1 NOOGIES $11.95
MAY031888 LIBERTY PROJECT VOL 1 TP $11.95
MAY032425 LIL RED STITCH #1 $3.50
MAY032231 LOVE & ROCKETS VOL 2 #8 (MR) $3.95
JUN032306 LUBA #7 (MR) $3.50
MAY031924 MY MONKEYS NAME IS JENNIFER VOL 1 TP $15.95
MAY032112 NEGATION #20 $2.95
MAY032429 NORM 12 STEPS TO MARRIAGE $4.95
APR032510 ONE PIECE VOL 1 TP ROMANCE DAWN $7.95
STAR16516 PANEL DISCUSSION TP $19.95
MAY032318 PAPER MUSEUM VOL 2 #1 $2.95
MAY032519 PROJECT ARMS VOL 1 TP FIRST REVELATION AWAKENINGS (RES) $9.95
MAY031944 SAMURAI JAM TP $14.95
JUL031919 SCURVY DOGS #2 $2.95
MAY032411 SHIVER IN THE DARK #2 $2.95
DEC022751 SHRIMPY AND PAUL SC (MR) $16.95
MAY032120 SIGIL #38 $2.95
MAY032128 SILKEN GHOST #3 (OF 5) $2.95
STAR18818 SIMPSONS BIG BAD BOOK OF BART SIMPSON TP $12.95
STAR18123 SIMPSONS COMIC MADNESS TP $14.95
MAY032078 SIMPSONS COMICS #84 $2.50
MAY032018 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG BEGINNINGS TP $10.95
MAY031896 STRANGE EMBRACE TP (MR) $14.95
MAY032173 UROTSUKIDOJI BOOK 5 GATE OF HELL (A) $16.95
APR032524 VAGABOND VOL 6 TP $9.95
MAY031954 VAMPI VICIOUS #1 $2.99
APR032368 VAMPIRE THE MASQUERADE GIOVANNI (MR) $5.50
MAY032020 VERONICA #142 $2.19
MAY032523 WEDDING PEACH VOL 1 TP $9.95
APR032577 WERTHAM WAS RIGHT TP $12.95
MAY032070 WRITERS BLOCK 2003 #1 $3.50
APR032526 X 1999 VOL 10 TP FUGUE (RES) $9.95
APR032316 YEAST HOIST GN $8.95
MAY031912 YELLOW BABY #1 $3.95
DEC022978 ZOIDS #13 CHAOTIC CENTURY $5.95

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.