Progs, Magic and New Gods – Wednesday Comics. Welcome to Wednesday Comics. Each week, we will highlight our Comic of the Week, along with other notable releases, classic favourites, and industry news.
This is the last Wednesday Comics of 2024, I will be taking a break now until the new year. Even though I’m not here, there will still be loads of great comics hitting the shelves over the festive season so be sure to pop in to your local comic shop and spend a bit of that Christmas money your Gran gave you.
If you want to send any comics or details of any comic related events we should feature, feel free to reach out to me at keith@geekybrummie.com or comics@geekybrummie.com
Now on with the comics…
2000AD #2413
2000AD/Rebellion
By Kenneth Niemand, Ian Edginton, John Tomlinson, Tom Eglington, Dan Abnett, Karl Stock, Alec Worley, Rob Williams, Garth Ennis, David Roach, Tiernen Trevallion, Eoin Coveney, Simon Davis, Tazio Bettin, Ilias Kyriazis, Mark Harrison, Simon Coleby, Simon Parr, Henry Flint, Chris Blythe, Jim Boswell, Matt Soffe, Gary Caldwell, Annie Parkhouse, Jim Campbell, Simon Bowland and Rob Steen
Buy direct from 2000AD – 2000AD #2413 (Link)
This December, if you hear the sound of tiny feet pattering across your roof, then cower in fear: the Thrill-Suckers are predicted to be out in force this Christmas! The only known way to blast them away and ensure you keep your Thrill-Power levels at the accepted hyper-dangerous level required to keep the festive spirit blazing?
The 2000 AD Christmas Mega-Spectacular, out on the 18th December and featuring over 100 pages of the finest comics excitement imaginable!
The Galaxy’s Greatest Comic marks the end of another year with the traditional festive blowout – featuring the start of several new ongoing stories for the Prog, alongside a hearty host of special surprises! Tharg’s Thrills for this year’s special include:
- Judge Dredd: Life Lessons by Ken Niemand and David Roach
- Fiends of the Western Front: Wilde West by Ian Edginton and Tiernen Trevallion
- Portals and Black Goo: A Quorum of Fiends by John Tomlinson and Eoin Coveney
- Hawk the Slayer: The Last of Her Kind by Alec Worley and Simon Coleby
- The Out: Book Four by Dan Abnett and Mark Harrison
But that’s not all! In addition to these all-new Thrills, the Christmas Mega-Special will also include some one-off surprises and familiar faces, including:
- Azimuth: Santa’s Little Helpers by Dan Abnett and Tazio Bettin
- Rogue Trooper: The Hot Zone by Karl Stock and Ilias Kyriazis
- Thistlebone: The Eel of Harrowvale Pond by T.C. Eglington and Simon Davis
- Tharg’s Future Shocks: Tis The Season for Taking by Rob Williams and Pye Parr
- Strontium Dog: Doghouse Roses by Garth Ennis and Henry Flint
A stacked sampling of the most stupendous stories imaginable, we’re sure you agree!
All this, and the glowing emerald visage of The Mighty One himself welcoming readers old and new to the issue, thanks to a festive cover from Andy Clarke?
Grud bless us, every one!
2000AD ends a fantastic year with another blow-out bumper Prog. This is what the Christmas Holiday is all about. I’m looking forward to the latest Judge Dredd story, and it’s great to see Hawk the Slayer return. Beyond the start of a bunch of new regular stories I can’t wait to read the one-off strips, the Rogue Trooper story illustrated by Ilias Kyriazis and Strontium Dog by Henry Flint are ones I wished were ongoing. Do yourself a favour and pick up a copy of this and settle down with a lovely mince pie and a festive beverage and keep those thrill-suckers away until the New Year.
Absolute Batman #3
DC Comics
By Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta, Frank Martin and Clayton Cowles
Buy digitally – Absolute Batman #3 (Link)
NEW FRIENDS, NEW ENEMIES! Batman and Alfred have formed a tentative alliance, but the Black Mask has some new friends too… and they’re coming to Gotham to wreak absolute havoc. Plus, discover the dark secret that will rock Bruce to his core and make him question everything…
I’m having a fun time readings this. It’s essentially an Elseworlds version of the Dark Knight and it’s fun to see a new interpretation of such iconic characters. It also reminds us how perfect the original version is, as he’s still the definitive version, even after all these years.
John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America #11
DC Black Label
By Simon Spurrier, Aaron Campbell and Jordie Bellaire
Buy digitally – John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America #11 (Link)
It’s the end of the long road across America for John Constantine…and it could be the end for more than just his quest to take Dream’s power out of the wrong hands! Constantine may have cheated Death before, but in the end, she always gets her man…
No, no, no, no, no. This cannot be the end for Simon Spurrier’s incredibly brilliant take on Hellblazer. It was hard enough when the original run ended and even though this wasn’t supposed to last this long, I can’t believe DC is letting one of its best comics come to an end. This comic is so vital and pertinent to the world we are living in, and Spurrier has tapped in to rich narrative vein the still has lots to give. I will be devastated to see this comic go again, but at least this issue looks to be a suitably epic farewell.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #5
IDW Publishing
By Jason Aaron, Darick Robertson, Norm Rapmund, Tony Aviña and Shawn Lee
Buy digitally – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #5 (Link)
What has been going on in New York while the Turtles have been scattered across the globe? A dangerous district attorney has come into power, and he’s got a grudge against mutantkind. Backed by some powerful benefactors who have designs of their own for the city, he’s doing everything he can to stoke hatred against the mutants. With the TMNT absent, someone needs to step in and stop this power grab-and figure out who is backing this nefarious new enemy. Enter Casey Jones! Jason Aaron completes his first story arc for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, teaming with legendary artist Darick Robertson, co-creator of The Boys!
IDW and Aaron continue to make the Turtles one of the most amazing books on the market. Even after 40 years these four turtles still have a lot of life left in them.
The New Gods #1
DC Comics
By Ram V., Jorge Fornés, Evan Cagle and Francesco Segala
Buy digitally – The New Gods #1 (Link)
An old god has died, and the reverberations of his passing are felt across the universe, setting forth the soldiers of an intergalactic army and awakening the latent powers of a mysterious child on Earth. But this has all been foreseen — prophesized by the Source and fed as enigmatic images to its agent, Metron. Now, as Metron brings word of this cosmos-shattering prediction to the residents of New Genesis and Apokolips, both worlds are thrown into chaos and conflict. On Earth, Scott Free and Barda find themselves unaware of this incoming chaos while consumed with their most daunting task yet: parenthood. Ram V and Evan Cagle bring the Fourth World to a whole new generation in this epic of cosmic proportions. An old god has died… the New Gods are born!
I’ve always been fascinated by Kirby’s Fourth World. The look and the scale of the world they inhabit has been awe inspiring. Now one of the best new comics writers in years is reviving The New Gods, in what looks to be epic fashion. I’m always here for more stories with Scott Free and Bg Barda, and having the rest of the family along this time will surely be something to behold.
Godzilla’s Monsterpiece Theatre #2
IDW Publishing
By Tom Scioli
Buy digitally – Godzilla’s Monsterpiece Theatre #2 (Link)
The roar of the twenties escalated to a mighty SKREONK as Godzilla attacked the party of the wrong man and hurt the wrong lady. Now Jay Gatsby has enlisted the help of Sherlock Holmes, Thomas Edison, Jules Verne, The Time Machinist, and more to put an end to the Godzilla threat once and for all. Watch as our new team travels twenty thousand leagues under the sea and turns Paris into the ultimate Godzilla trap in this thrilling feat of cartooning by the unrivaled Tom Scioli.
Godzilla and Sherlock Holmes, sign me up. These incredibly nuts comics, are one of the best things to happen to the Big G this year. What better way to celebrate his 70th Anniversary. If you have any love for the works of Verne, Doyle and Wells, then be sure to pick this inspired mash-up today.
The Horizon Experiment: Motherfu*kin’ Monsters #1
Image Comics
By Jason Holtham and Michael Lee Harris
Buy digitally – The Horizon Experiment: Motherfu*kin’ Monsters #1 (Link)
Esteemed TV writer J. Holtham (Emmy-winning The Handmaid’s Tale, Marvel’s Jessica Jones) and white-hot indie cartoonist Michael Lee Harris (Black Hitler, Choco Leche) present an Evil Dead for black nerds-a modern spin on the action-packed horror comedy for fans of Bitter Root and Chew.
Great title, Great Art. I’m in.
Each week we’ll be selecting one unmissable trade paperback, that absolutely must be in your collection.
Superman 100 Project TP
DC Comics
By Alan Davis, Kevin Eastman, Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, Dan Jurgens, Ed McGuinness, Frank Miller, Frank Quitely, and more
Buy from Forbidden Planet – Superman 100 Project TP (Link)
All of Hero Initiative’s 100+ original covers to DC Comics’ Superman #6 are on display in this great book, with art by Alan Davis, Kevin Eastman, José Luis García-López, Dan Jurgens, Ed McGuinness, Frank Miller, Frank Quitely, and more! See all the covers, along with a special behind-the-scenes section showing developmental art along with even more bonus content.
Note: There will be only one printing of this book ever! Get it now so you don’t blow your chance!
Don’t miss out on this single printing, that brings together every single one of the one hundred blank-covered editions of Superman #6. Hero Initiative partners with major publishers to create “100 Projects,” in which Hero Initiative gets 100 top artists to do original drawings right on blank-covered comics. The art is collected into books, and the originals are auctioned off to benefit Hero Initiative. A few of the original covers are still up for auction, but if, like me, you don’t have that kind of cash, this is the prefect way to own a little piece of history.
Your Local Comics Shops
Britain has some of the best comics shops in the world. This updated lists features just a few of the shops you can pop in to for your geek fix. Check out you own local shops and if they don’t appear on this list let me know and we can add them.
WORLDS APART BIRMINGHAM (part of FPI)
Birmingham’s premier comic book store and Pokestop.
Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 09:30 – 17:00
Wednesday, Friday: 09:30 – 18:00
Saturday: 09:30 – 18:00
Sunday: 11:00 – 17:00
14-16 Smallbrook Queensway, Birmingham B5 4EN Tel: 0121 643 0143
Website: Forbidden Planet International and Twitter: @WorldsApart_Bir
FORBIDDEN PLANET (BIRMINGHAM)
Graphic novel/comic store with merchandise & T-shirts, plus character figures & toys.
Monday to Saturday: 09:30 – 17:30
Sunday: 11:00 – 17:00
74 Bull St, Birmingham B4 6AD Tel: 0121 236 3026
Website: Forbidden Planet and Twitter: @ForbiddenPlanet
GOSH! COMICS (LONDON)
A mean little comics shop in the heart of London.
Open Daily: 10:30 – 19.00
1 Berwick St, London W1F 0DR Tel: 0207 437 0187
Website: Gosh! Comics and Twitter: @GoshComics
OK COMICS (LEEDS)
Twenty Year Old, Eisner Award Nominated Comic Book Shop in the beating heart of Leeds City Centre, UK.
Open Monday to Saturday: 11.00 – 17.00
Sunday: 11.00 – 15.00
19 Thornton’s Arcade, Briggate, Leeds LS1 6LQ Tel: 0113 246 9366
Website: OK Comics and Twitter: @OKComics
PAGE 45 (NOTTINGHAM)
UK Comic Shop created & curated since 1994 by Stephen Holland, Comics Laureate 2021-23.
Open Monday to Saturday: 09.00 – 18.00
Sunday: 11.00 – 16.00
Closed on Bank Holiday Mondays, Easter Sunday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
9 Market St, Nottingham NG1 6HY Tel: (0115) 9508045
Website: Page 45 and Twitter: @PageFortyFive
TRAVELLING MAN (VARIOUS)
Travelling Man Is The UK’s Friendliest Comic & Games Shop Since 1991. Shop Online Now! Explore The Rich Genres & Worlds That Games, Comics & Independent Press Have To Offer. Since 1991.
Open Monday to Saturday: 10.00 – 18.00
Sunday: 11.00 -17.00
LEEDS
32 Central Road, Leeds LS1 6DE Tel: 0113 245 0822
YORK
74 Goodramgate, York YO1 7LF Tel: 01904628787
NEWCASTLE
43 Grainger Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 5JE Tel: 0191 261 4993
MANCHESTER
4 Dale Street, Manchester M1 1JW Tel: 0161 237 1877
Website: Travelling Man and Twitter: @TravellingManUK
MEGA CITY COMICS (LONDON)
Mega City Comics, was established in 1981, initially as a mail-order business, supplying comics, graphic novels, and collecting supplies. After 6 years of mail-order and trading through the comic marts, we opened our shop in Camden Town in 1987.
Open Monday to Friday: 11.00 -18.00
Saturday: 10.30 – 18.00
Sunday: 11.00 – 18.00
18 Inverness Street, Camden Town, London NW1 7HJ Tel: 020 7485 9320
Website: Mega City Comics and Twitter: @MegaCityComics
MEGA CITY COMICS TO CLOSE IN 2o25
It was recently announced that Mega City Comics will close in the new year, so please go and visit now and let them know how much they meant to you. What follows is the official announcement –
“THE END OF AN ERA!
Mega City Comics was established in 1981, and has been operating from our shop in Camden Town since 1987. After 43 years (and 37 years in the same shop), Martin, the owner, is taking retirement, and the shop will be closing at the end of Jan 2025. We had originally hoped to pass on the mantle to a new owner, but a suitable candidate has unfortunately, not been forthcoming (although do read to the end!).
It has been a joyous ride (for Martin, all of his adult life), and we have had some great staff and some great customers (a crazy number who have been here pretty much from the start, and stuck with us throughout). So it is a bitter sweet event to be closing the doors.
The mail-order/standing order service will be winding up at the end of the year, and final parcels will be going out no later than early Jan 25.
GOING OUT WITH A BANG
We are not quite finished yet, and we will be going out with an upbeat BANG!, so if you can make it into the shop over the next two months, there will be some once-in-a-lifetime deals to be had. The back room back issue stores are being opened up, and the shop is bursting to the seams with comic goodness, ranging all the way back to 1940’s Golden Age, through classic Silver and Bronze, and right up to modern day books. We have always offered up a huge range, but for the final run, there is more on show and available than ever before! Fine tune those wants lists, raid the piggy bank, and head on in and fill your boots.
FINAL CLEARANCE SALE
The FINAL CLEARANCE SALE will be launched in early Jan, but we recommend you get in earlier than that, and get your choice pick of everything we have, as there are deals to be had NOW and negotiations to be made!
Dealers, bulk buyers and re-sellers – we will have some clearance offers on excess stock available soon – drop us an email if interested in taking 1,000 plus to 10,000 items. Wholesale inquiries are by invitation only – you can’t just drop in unannounced – but we welcome you registering any interest now.
Whilst we are fully preparing to shut up shop, this is still a profitable and feasible business here, so if there are any last minute inquiries, from a serious party, with a passion comics, a strong business background, and secure funding, we would be happy to discuss the potential possibilities.
We are open 7 days a week, right through mid Jan (closed Dec 25,26,27), and look forward to seeing customers old and new.”
CLOSE ENCOUNTERS (VARIOUS)
A trio of comic shops in Bedford, Northampton and Peterborough.
BEDFORD
20 Allhallows, Bedford MK40 1LJ Tel: 01234 270777
Open Monday to Friday: 10:00 – 17.30
Saturday: 09:30 – 17:30
Sunday: 11:00 – 16:00
NORTHAMPTON
29 Abington Square, Northampton NN1 4AE Tel: 01604 602311
Monday: CLOSED
Open Tuesday: 10:00 – 17:30
Wednesday: 10:00 – 19.00
Thursday to Friday: 10:00 – 17:30
Saturday: 09:30 – 17:30
Sunday: 11:00 – 16:00
PETERBOROUGH
25 Broadway, Peterborough PE1 1SQ Tel: 01733 892827
Monday: CLOSED
Open Tuesday: 10:30 – 17:30
Wednesday: 10:30 – 18:00
Thursday to Friday : 10:30 – 17:30
Saturday: 09:30 – 17:30
Sunday: CLOSED
Website: Close Encounters and Twitter: @CEncountersUK
THAT COMIC SHOP (PRESTON)
Retailers of new Comics weekly, Magic the Gathering Card Games, Board Games, Toys, T-Shirts plus loads more.
Monday: CLOSED
Open Tuesday to Thursday: 10:00 – 17:00
Friday: 10:00 – 21:00
Saturday: 10:00 – 16:00
Sunday: CLOSED
116 Friargate, Preston PR1 2EE Tel: 01772 204287
Website: That Comic Shop and Twitter: @ThatComicShop
PARADOX COMICS (DORSET)
Comic book shop in Dorset, dealing in graphic novels, statues, action figures, card games, limited edition comics and more
Monday: Closed
Open Tuesday to Friday: 10:30 – 17:00
Saturday: 10:00 – 17:00
Sunday: 11:00 – 16:00
19 High Street, Poole, Dorset BH15 1AB Tel: 01202 661346
Website: Paradox Comics and Twitter: @ParadoxComicsUK
WAKEFIELD COMICS 616 (WAKEFIELD)
Comic Book Shop in the centre of Wakefield. Stocking the latest comics direct from the US.
Open Monday: 9:00 – 17:00
Tuesday: 9:00 – 16:30
Wednesday to Saturday: 9:00 – 17:00
Sunday: CLOSED
3 The Springs, Wakefield West Yorkshire WF1 1PU Tel: 01924 375234
Website: Wakefield Comics 616 and Twitter: @wakeycomics616
COMIC BOOK GUYS (BELFAST)
Comic Book Guys – Northern Ireland’s newest independent comic book store also stocking movie memorabilia, toys & other collectibles… excelsior!
Open Monday to Saturday: 10.00 to 17.00
Sunday: CLOSED
130 Great Victoria Street, Belfast BT2 7BG Tel: 02890 080169
Website: Comic Book Guys and Twitter: @comicbookguysni
RAYGUN COMICS (RICHMOND)
A welcoming and friendly comic book shop. Comics, toys, books, games and merchandise for all ages.
Open Monday to Saturday: 10:00 – 18:00
Sunday: 11:00 – 17:00
26 Red Lion Street, Richmond TW9 1RW Tel: 0208 948 8476
Website: Raygun Comics and Twitter: @Raygun_comics
DAVE’S COMCIS (BRIGHTON)
Dave’s Comics, The Graphic Novel Shop.
Open Monday to Friday: 10:00 – 18:00
Saturday: 09:30 – 18:00
Sunday: 11.00 – 17:00
5 Sydney St, Brighton, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 4EN Tel: 01273 691012
Website: Dave’s Comics and Twitter: @DavesComics
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