It's Manga Month 2004 at Previews, so naturally there will be some manga slant to the look ahead. (You know, because manga needs a push in the marketplace...) Well, regardless, since Ninth Art's Andrew Wheeler asked me to look at the Previews catalogue and give an honest evaluation of which books caught my eye, here's what jumped out at me and some reasons why.

ARCHIE

SABRINA THE TEENAGED WITCH #58, by Tania del Rio
MAR04 2270, p223, $2.19

Yes, I'm leading off with Archie Comics. That's because in SABRINA THE TEENAGED WITCH #58, Sabrina gets a total 'manga' makeover. The classic look that Dan DeCarlo made famous over the years has been put on the sidelines for the shojo styling of newcomer Tania del Rio.

Coming off the heels of the 1996 TV comedy series, the book looks to shift more toward romance and relationships. This is a fundamentally intelligent move on the part of Archie Comics, and if this is put out in digest format, this may go gangbusters. In any case, the style is charming.

DC

THE POWERPUFF GIRLS #50, by Amy Rogers, Phil Moy and Christopher Cook
MAR04 0344, p107, $2.25

What? Yes, I'm recommending two kids comics in a row.

This one is a special 50th issue celebration telling a story that was originally intended to be a Powerpuff Girls episode on TV, where the girls are sucked through a dimensional portal where they become the villains. So it's a bit like an episode of STAR TREK. Yes, meet the PowerPunk Girls, Oppressor Plutonium, and brave monkey hero Jomo Momo. With art by Phil Moy and Christopher Cook, it won't just read like an episode of the cartoon, it'll look the part too.

HAWKMAN #28, by Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray, Ryan Sook and Mick Gray
MAR04 0315, p102, $2.50

You know I never really cared for Hawkman, but with the new creative team of 21 DOWN's Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray as co-writers, and with ARKHAM ASYLUM's Ryan Sook and PROMETHEA inker Mick Gray on art chores, I'm going to have to give this a shot. This is the first part of a four-part story, and frankly the cover by Greg Land and Jay Leston is probably worth the price of admission alone.

EMPIRE TP, by Mark Waid, Barry Kitson and James Pascoe
MAR04 0303, p100, $14.95

This collection of the Mark Waid miniseries, telling the story of a world where the supervillain wins and following the political repercussions, is collected in this convenient trade paperback containing issues #0-6, a five page preview, and sketchbook section. That's 208 pages for $14.95, so if you missed this critically lauded series showcasing Waid at the top of his game, this should be well worth investing in.

FIRESTORM #1, by Dan Jolley, Chris Cross and John Dell
MAR04 0306, p101, $2.50

The new Firestorm is black, which could be interpreted as a move towards greater minority representation. But it's one step forward, two steps back, because the plot involves the new Firestorm, teenager Jason Rusch, making an unwise agreement with a local criminal to do a job to help pay for his college. Fantastic. They make the character black, and then they make him a criminal. Idiots.

If it wasn't for the art team of ChrisCross and John Dell, I might have given this book a pass, but I'm willing to overlook the really bad solicitation text to see if Dan Jolley can churn out a story that's on par with what the art team is capable of.

GOTHAM CENTRAL #19, by Ed Brubaker, Michael Lark and Stefano Gaudiano
MAR04 0287, p97, $2.50

Even if Ed Brubaker weren't writing this, the return of Michael Lark as regular artist is more than enough to keep me coming back month in, month out to follow the continuing adventures of the Gotham City police department. This issue, Brubaker and Lark bring back an old and much loved Batverse character we haven't seen in a while; Harvey Bullock.

NIGHTWING #93, by Devin Grayson, Patrick Zircher and Andy Owens
MAR04 0288, p96, $2.25

This is the final chapter in a yearlong story where Nightwing has lost his job, his love, his home and several of his closest friends. It's Nightwing vs Blockbuster, and a really, really nice cover by Patrick Zicher and Andy Owens. If all is as promised, Devin Grayson has a surprise ending in store for loyal readers.

ROBIN #126, by Bill Willingham and Damon Scott
MAR04 0290, p98, $2.25

Tim Drake has retired, so why the hell would Batman pick another Robin? Well, we'll find out in this issue, and as the new Robin is apparently a girl, I suppose this means Batman is now bi curious.

SEAGUY #1, by Grant Morrison and Cameron Stewart
MAR04 0373, p112, $2.95

With a floating fish that smokes cigars in its cast, this mini series from Grant Morrison and former CATWOMAN artist Cameron Stewart should have novelty value at least. Don't be too surprised if it also pisses gin and tonics. Of course, it hardly matters what's in the book. At this point in his career, Grant Morrison has earned himself a fanbase that'll buy anything he puts out, sight unseen - and deservedly so.

LUCIFER #50, by Mike Carey and P Craig Russell
MAR04 0367, p111, $3.50

It's the big half-century for Mike Carey's SANDMAN spin-off, so following the example of the parent book, this fiftieth issue features art by the sublime P Craig Russell, whose 'Ramadan' is rightly remembered as a SANDMAN classic.

STORMWATCH: TEAM ACHILLES #22, by Micah Ian Wright and Clement Sauve
MAR04 0351, p108, $2.95

Micah Ian Wright's series is a lot of fun to read as an action comic, but it also makes an edifying political science instruction manual, given all the little digs Wright takes at world politics along the way. This issue, the team makes a new ally in the form of Giant (aka The Hallibastard). If you have not been reading this series, it's long past time you gave it a shot.

PROMETHEA #30, by Alan Moore, JH Williams III and Mick Gray
MAR04 0355, p109, $2.95

There are only a few issues left of this landmark series, and every issue the art has maintained a standard of excellence that's hard to beat. Alan Moore's journey through the world of magic and science heroes will be greatly missed when it's gone.

IMAGE COMICS

AGE OF BRONZE VOL 2: SACRIFICE HC, by Eric Shanower
MAR04 1385, p135, $29.95

In good time for Wolfgang Petersen's blockbuster movie TROY, this black and white 224-page hardcover collects issues #10-19 of Eric Shanower's ambitious reinterpretation of the Trojan War. AGE OF BRONZE weaves together thoroughly researched historical facts with touches of ancient myth, and features gorgeous art throughout.

There's a reason why this book is the winner of two Eisner Awards; the attention to detail and the standard of Shanower's storytelling are both exceptional. This is one to give pride of place on your bookshelves.

CASEFILES: SAM & TWITCH #12, by Marc Andreyko and Andy Lee
MAR04 1390, p139, $2.50

Yes, I'm recommending a SPAWN book now as well, OK? But I have my reasons. This latest story arc from writer Marc Andreyko is drawn by Andy Lee, and when I say drawn, I mean painted. If the creative team isn't enough to tempt you, consider that the title of the arc is 'Gang Wars And Vampires'. Worth a shot, right?

A DISTANT SOIL #37, by Colleen Doran
MAR04 1391, p140, $3.95

If you have any desire to read something in the fantasy genre you would be doing yourself a disservice not to check out Colleen Doran's A DISTANT SOIL, if for no other reason than to gawk at the gorgeous art. The added incentive of a story that mixes inspired fantasy with intelligent political intrigues should be enough to grab your attention.

POWERS VOL. 2 #3, by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming
MAR04 1407, p153, $2.95

Despite the fact that writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Michael Avon Oeming are Eisner Award winners for their creator owned series POWERS, this book is being sold with the boast, "from the writer of DAREDEVIL". Oh well. If this gets people to buy the book, then it's worth it.

CROSSGEN

SOJOURN/LADY DEATH #1, by Chuck Dixon, Brian Pulido and George Perèz
MAR04 2409, p251, $2.95

Its George Perèz drawing two strong female protagonists having a fight! Granted, its written by Chuck Dickson and Brian Pulido but its George Perèz drawing two strong female protagonists having a fight! $2.95 an issue isn't such a bad deal to see George Perèz drawing two strong female protagonists having a fight.

ROUTE 666 #23, by Tony Bedard and Karl Moline
MAR04 2426, p258, $2.95

Tony Bedard has really come into his own with his contributions to one of comics' most often neglected genres, the horror book. Thankfully, a comic featuring a young girl riding a missile as she tries to avert Armageddon was bound to catch my eye.

TOP SHELF

EPOXY GIANT-SIZE SPECIAL, by John Pham
MAR04 2846, p329, $15.00

This softcover special is worth every penny of the $15.00 asking price. EPOXY has been called the best comic of 2003 by no less authority than snooty British fashionista magazine The Face.

I've read Pham's beautiful manga-influences short stories over and over again, and I'm happy to endorse that magazine's assessment. A real talent to watch.

FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS

THE COMICS JOURNAL # 261, by various
MAR04 2566, p290, $6.95

This month The Comics Journal focuses on indie creator Phoebe Gloeckner. With a highly suggestive cover depicting lesbian intimacy, this looks to be an unmissable issue.

LA PERDIDA # 4, by Jessica Abel
MAR04 2570, p292, $4.95

The second to last issue of Jessica Abel's LA PERDIDA continues the story of a young grad student's voyage into Mexico. Originally slated to be four issues, Abel apparently realised there's more she needs to tell, and has extended the series to five issues.

DRAWN & QUARTERLY

OPTIC NERVE #9, by Adrian Tomine
MAR04 2498, p278, $3.95

If you haven't had the chance to read OPTIC NEVER before now, it may be because your local comic store only orders through Diamond. This is the first issue of OPTIC NERVE to be listed in Previews, and it's also the first part of a new three-issue story. Now's your chance to enjoy Adrian Tomine's subtle, expressive art, and his affecting tales of everyday life.

MARVEL

ASTONISHING X-MEN #1, by Joss Whedon and John Cassaday
MAR04 1647, Marvel Previews p1, $2.99

PLANETARY returns with a look at a group of mutants that... OK, I'm sorry, it's not PLANETARY, but it is John Cassaday, and his art is worth owning in any book.

This much-hyped brand new X-Men series doesn't just boast the huge advantage of Cassaday's art, of course. The fact that BUFFY and ANGEL creator Joss Wheddon is writing it may just take it over the edge, though the few pages of script included in the Marvel Previews catalogue do seem to be trying a bit too hard to sound like Grant Morrison, even while working to undo the changes he made to the book.

UNCANNY X-MEN #444, by Chris Claremont and Alan Davis MAR04 1648, Marvel Previews p2, $2.25

Alan Davis is going to make damn sure this looks pretty!

DAREDEVIL: FATHER #2, by Joe Quesada
MAR04 1679, Marvel Previews p30, $2.99

Marvel editor-in-chief Joe Quesada stretches his creative muscles for this mini series, reminding those of us who are fans of his art that he is still an artist at his core.

One other thing in the Marvel Previews catalogue that caught my eye was the Marvel Age digest format books. Archie Comics has been very successful with the digest format in supermarkets and newsstands in the US, and it's a smart move to have an imprint that collects kid-friendly titles in a popular format.

Ed Mathews is Co-Editor In Chief of Popimage.

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.