ZANADU RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 5/2/12

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BART SIMPSON'S PAL MILHOUSE #1

(W) Pat McGreal, Gail Simone  (A) Bob Smith, Carol Lay

Bart Simpson's pal Milhouse takes center stage in the next of our series of Simpsons Comics One-Shots. Take a look at the world of Springfield through the eyes of Bart's bespectacled best friend, second banana, and juvenile delinquent wannabe, and the fantastical things you see through his thick lenses might surprise you.

At first glance, you might be asking yourself, "why is Casey recommending a Simpsons Comic?" But when you consider that it includes a story by Gail Simone, with art by Carol Lay, you'll agree that it's time to give some love to the Bongo boys and girls. (Of course, it could also mean Casey is on vacation, and someone else is picking his recommendation this week) Check it out, I know you won't be dissapointed. RECOMMENDED BY CASEY!

ZANADU RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 5/2/12

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FURY MAX #1

(W) Garth Ennis  (A) Goran Parlov

  •  Garth Ennis (Punisher MAX, Preacher) and Goran Parlov (Punisher MAX) reunite to bring you the life of Marvel's hardest soldier like no one else could.
  • In the wake of World War II, Fury is fast running out of battles to fight. But the world's superpowers are gearing up for a new kind of war and they'll need a man like Fury to win it.

    • Nick Fury makes his dramatic debut into the Marvel Max line with this gritty new series by the twisted minds behind Punisher MAX. The rules of warfare are changing, and Nick Fury, hero of Word War II, is forced to change along with them. See how the heroic warrior of the front lines becomes the covert warrior destined to lead the most clandestine organization in the Marvel Universe. RECOMMENDED BY PERRY!

    ZANADU RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 5/2/12

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    DETECTIVE COMICS #9

    (W) Tony S. Daniel  (A) Tony S. Daniel and Sandu Florea

    o "NIGHT OF THE OWLS" continues here!
    o Batman finds himself in the unlikeliest of situations: saving Arkham Asylum administrator Jeremiah Arkham from a mysterious Talon assailant.
    o What is the secret connection between the Court of Owls and Gotham City¹s oldest institution for the criminally insane?

    The Night of the Owls passes through Detective Comics #9 (as well as Batwing #9) this week. As the first major crossover event in DC Comics' New 52 titles, Night of the Owls is shaping up to be the crossover for comics readers who are sick of crossovers. This tightly woven story is just as easily read in individual titles as it is if you read every single one of them. The Court of Owls, with their Talon enforcers, is the most well-organized group foe Batman has faced since Ras Al Ghul's League of Assassins. Recommended by HOWARD

    INDY COMIX SPOTLIGHT!!

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    We've just received some new books from Portland based artist, Jason "Jfish" Fischer. Check out his websites for more info! http://masonstreetpress.com/ and http://junqueland.tumblr.com/

    JUNQUELAND #1

    (W) Robin Bogert  (A) Jason "Jfish" Fischer

     Two monsters make a mess in a bakery with the pastries... it's tasty fun! (X-rated fun)

    (Can be found in the adult section)

    JUNQUELAND #2

    (W) Robin Bogert  (A) Jason "Jfish" Fischer

    Two tales of summer fun await you in this new issue! Kiss Kiss and Strawberry Head get juicy in the poolside bar, followed by a hike in the woods with a wolflady and an abstract head.

    (Can be found in the adult section)

    UNE PETITE ROMANCE

    (W) Greg Khmara  (A) Jason "Jfish" Fischer

    A dramatic silent comic about a monster and a human woman in love. Their short romance is met with opression that they must confront together.

    ZANADU RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 4/25/12

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    BLOODSTRIKE #27

    (W) Tim Seely  (A) Franchesco Gaston

    The newly resurrected Bloodstrike team is sent against Cabbot's dad: the supervillian QUANTUM! Meanwhile, Cabbot is high in the mountains of Afghanistan fighting...mummies?!

    Rekindle the violence loving, 14 year old boy inside yourself with one of the most intense comics to come out of image since the days of the original EXTREME studios!! Seriously, this book has got giant techo mummies with pincer lined, worm like bodies and freaking gatling guns for hands!! Cabbot literally rips the flesh off this thing's face, then spikes him in the head; all while holding in his own intenstines!!! OH SO AWESOME!! (Warning: do not buy if you're easliy offeneded or looking for something high brow and intelligent.) RECOMMENDED BY CASEY!

    ZANADU RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 4/25/12

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    PTERODACTYL HUNTERS IN THE GILDED CITY

    (W/A) Brandon Leach

    Winner of the Xeric Award in 2010 and included in Houghton Mifflin's Best American Comics of 2011, The Pterodactyl Hunters (in the Gilded City) tells the story of Eamon and Declan Sullivan, young members of New York City's Pterodactyl Patrol, a municipal organization protecting the city from the menacing pterodactyls that plague its evening hours. As the New York City of 1904 moves into the modern era, only a few vicious pterosaurs remain. While Eamon makes headlines eradicating the final beasts, young Declan faces a future without the pterodactyl infestation, and without his anticipated role in a new generation of Pterodactyl Hunters.

    If you have never checked out any Xeric Award winning comics, you might want to start, as some of the past winners include Farel Dalrymple, Jordan Crane, Jason Shiga, and Derek Kirk Kim. If this book reads even half as good as it looks, I'll have to add it to my "Why aren't people buying this book?" list. Also, kudos to Leach for having a character named Declan. recommended by erin.

    ZANADU RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 4/25/12

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    ART OF AMANDA CONNER HC

    (W/A) Amanda Conner

    Desperado and IDW are proud to present this inaugural collection of one of comics' brightest and most popular talents in the field today. Her art has been called charming, inviting, friendly, and accessible, over a foundation of elegance, dynamic design, and personality, which can be found in every single panel of her work. Sought after by all the top writers in comics today-including Grant Morrison, Garth Ennis, Mark Millar, Warren Ellis, and Jimmy Palmiotti. Amanda Conner, with her amazing modern and tasteful take on the classic pin-up, has paved the way for countless female artists in an industry predominately male-oriented.

    Destined to be regarded as one of the best female artists working in mainstream comics today, Amanda Conner has come a long way from the days of "Tomoe", putting her stamp on Supergirl, Power Girl and the satirically brilliant farce of a comic, "The Pro". Discover the amazingly charming, cute and sassy art of one of the coolest chicks in comics!! RECOMMENDED BY PERRY!

    ZANADU RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 4/25/12

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    POPEYE #1

    (W) Roger Langridge (A) Bruce Ozella

    Popeye the Sailor Man sails again! E.C Segar's classic creation is back, with his first original comic in over 30 years! Written by the Eisner Award-winning Roger Landridge (The Muppets), with pitch-perfect art from rising star Bruce Ozella, it's a new take on the classic character that's true to its roots!

    Break out the spinach and grab your Olive Oil, the world's strongest sailor is back in an all new series by Roger Langridge! Missing in action from the racks for years, IDW aims to bring back the classic E.C. Segar feel in this all new, high adventure series!! RECOMMENDED BY HOWARD!

    ZANADU RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 4/18/12

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    MONKEY KING TP VOL 02

    (W/A) Katsuya Terada

    After a seven-year hiatus, Katsuya Terada, one of Japan's most sought-after commercial illustrators, returns to his adaptation of this saga with The Monkey King Volume 2. A rare example of a manga painted entirely in full color, The Monkey King is the epic of Goku, a savage ape once imprisoned by Lord Buddha himself, but now freed by the monk Sanzo to serve as his bodyguard on a journey to the West . . . across a wasteland filled with weird, violent, and sexy demons!

    Truly one of the most amazing artists to ever come out of Japan, Terada has remained relatively unknown in America, due to the limited number of books available in English. Despite having produced a limited number of finished comics, Terada has garnered acclaim in the states for a few, well known art books that fetch high prices on the aftermarket, so don't miss out on your chance to get new work from him at cover price! Witness the insane dribble of a master RAKAGUKING!! RECOMMENDED BY CASEY!

    ZANADU RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 4/18/12

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    SHADOW #1

    (W) Garth Ennis  (A) Aaron Campbell

    1938: The Shadow returns in a tale of blazing action and deadly intrigue, as a night of carnage on the New York waterfront plunges the mysterious vigilante into a conspiracy involving the fate of the world itself. As storm clouds gather across the globe, American Military Intelligence meets with a certain Lamont Cranston, determined to beat a host of spies and assassins to the greatest prize of all... but what that might be, only the Shadow knows.

    Who better knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men than notorious comics malcontent Garth Ennis? Sure to continue in the vein of Howard Chaykin's landmark revisioning, this is sure to at least satisfy one's lust for righteous violence. RECOMMENDED BY PATRICK!

    ZANADU RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 4/18/12

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    RESET #1

    (W/A) Peter Bagge

    If you could relive major events in your life, would you take a stab at making things better-and would your best attempts only make things worse? Or would you use your second chance to put your most twisted, perverted fantasies in motion? These are questions washed up actor and comedian Guy Krause asks himself after he signs up to be the main research subject for a virtual reality experiment.

    Like many of you, there are lots of moments in my past that could have been handled better, but as your mother taught you, what's done is done, move on and try to do better tomorrow. But what if you could go back? This is the question indy superstar, Peter Bagge aims to answer in his darkly satirical new series! Will our main character's human trappings get in the way of setting his life on the right path? Find out, in what is sure to be a scary and funny look at the sheer futility of human meddling! RECOMMENDED BY PERRY!

    ZANADU RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 4/18/12

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    CASTLE WAITING II #16

    (W/A) Linda Medley

    Surprise! After a long break to recharge her creative batteries, Linda Medley returns to finish the second volume of the Castle Waiting saga a four-issue epilogue. In this issue, our heroine Jain gets an unpleasant surprise as she moves into her new room, while Sister Peace has an awkward moment at the housewarming party; baby Pin surprises Jain and Chess with his amazing new ability; and mischief is brewing with Castle's supernatural residents!

    One the most popular independent comics still being published today, Castle Waiting focuses on the forgotten characters from some of folklore's greatest stories. Linda Medley has crafted one of the most inventive and often unseen perspectives on the world of fairy tales, showing what life was like for those of us unable to act on the main stage. And as we all know, the real story takes place behind the stage, just before the curtain rises...RECOMMENDED BY ERIN!

    ZANADU RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 4/11/12

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    SECRET #1

    (W) Jonathan Hickman  (A) Ryan Bodenheim

    "TEETH, WITH WHICH TO EAT"

    A man gets shot in London, a law firm gets broken into in Washington, an accountant gives away the password to his computer, and something put to sleep 20 years ago awakens. What is the unsavory relationship all these things share, and how could it bring down two of the largest governments in the history of the world?

    It's SECRET, a brand new, ongoing, monthly comic from the creators of A RED MASS FOR MARS.

    Brought to you by award-winning writer JONATHAN HICKMAN and break-out talent, RYAN BODENHEIM, SECRET is an espionage thriller that takes a deep look into the shadow world existing between the government and private security firms.

    Hot on the heels of the successful, "Manhattan Projects", Hickman brings us another look into the shady underworkings of the men who rule our lives. After the insightful and often scary factoids from "Nightly News", I'm almost scared to discover what Hickman has uncovered in his secret life of political espionage. Make the switch to Image and find out what comic creators can accomplish when freed from borders of the Big 2!! RECOMMENDED BY CASEY!

    ZANADU RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 4/11/12

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    COURTNEY CRUMRIN ONGOING #1

    (W/A) Ted Naifeh

    Courtney Crumrin returns in her first ever full color series! Welcome to a world where magic and Night Things lurk behind every corner and nothing is as it seems. This is the world introduced to Courtney by her dear Uncle Aloysius - a master mage of unknown age and even more mysterious motivations. What started the Crumrin clan down the dark path and is Courtney strong enough to follow it all the way down?

    After years of abscence, Ted Naifeh's gothic girlie returns in an all new, full color series! Journey into the dark recesses of a world where the Night has taken over, filled with magical beings and secrets best left forgotten. A great, all ages adventure for fans of the macabre and the mystical! RECOMMENDED BY ERIN!!

    ZANADU RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 4/11/12

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    FANTASTIC FOUR #605

    (W) Jonathan Hickman  (A) Ron Garney

    -"The Fantastic Four Of 3030"
    -One Thousand Years In The Future, Who Are The Fantastic Four?
    -Why Are There No More Villains?
    -What Happened To All The Heroes?

    Following last issue's conclusion of the epic narrative Hickman has been weaving with this title and its sister "FF", one can only imagine what kind of wild shenanigans he has planned next for this lively band of superheroes. I'm sure it'll melt minds. RECOMMENDED BY PATRICK!!!

    ZANADU RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 4/11/12

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    AMERICA'S GOT POWERS #1

    (W) Jonathan Ross  (A) Bryan Hitch

    Welcome to AMERICA'S GOT POWERS! It's the biggest TV show on Earth, where the chance to win fame, fortune and get laid are dangled in front of a generation of super-powered teens. All they have to do is WIN. Who is the fastest, the strongest or the greatest? Who survives? Young Tommy Watt's dreams of being the greatest hero of them all might just be shattered when the greatest show on the planet begins to reveal it's dark heart.

    Forget America's got talent, this is the kind of televison people want to watch! From Jonathan Ross, one of Britain's most popular television hosts, comes a story pulled directly from the headlines of tomorrow! It's hard enough being a teenager, but when you've got super-powers and the world is watching, how far will you go to attain fame, fortune and groupies? Who will you have to trample and what dark secrets lie in your past, waiting to be dredged up and used as ammunition in the war of celebrity stardom?! RECOMMENDED BY PERRY!