March 2008 Previews Pop Culture Crossover

Comics coming in May - highlights of movies, stories, and other odds and ends adapted to comics in the March Previews. More stuff from classic artists (Harryhausen and Frazetta), some new and interesting stuff, and some comics related to some awesome movies (including great sequels this year).

Movies

• Igor Movie Prequel #1 (series or mini, IDW )
  Prequel (obviously) to the animated film Igor due out in October. Star-filled cast, including Steve Buscemi, John Cusack, and John Cleese.
• Indiana Jones Adventures, Vol. 1 (pocket book, Dark Horse)
  Indiana Jones story written for kids (according to Previews).
• Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull #1 and 2 (2-part mini, Dark Horse)
  Adaptation of the upcoming film. With all these awesome sequels, I need to have an 80s movies weekend and rent Raiders of the Lost Ark, and...
• Lost Boys: Reign of the Frogs #1 (4-part mini, Wildstorm)
  Rather than an adaptation, this fills the gap between the original The Lost Boys and the upcoming The Lost Boys: The Tribe.
• The Man with No Name #1 (new series, Dynamite Entertainment)
  Clint Eastwood's Man with No Name immortalized in comic form. I still need to see these films...
• Ray Harryhausen Presents 20 Million Miles More (Graphic Novel, Bluewater Productions)
  Sequel to the 1957 film, 20 Million Miles To Earth.
• Tron Vol. 1: The Ghost in the Machine (TPB, Amaze Ink / Slave Labor Graphics)
  Sequel to the original film, taking place in the present day; collects the 6-issue series.

Books/Stories

• Dean Koontz's Frankenstein: Prodigal Son #1 (5-part mini, Dabel Brothers)
  Book One in Koontz's trilogy. Adapted by Chuck Dixon.
• Hercules #1 (5-part mini, Radical Comics)
  The Greek myth revisited.
• In Odd We Trust (graphic novel, Del Rey)
  Prequel to Koontz's Koontz's Odd novels.
• The Worlds of H.P. Lovecraft (TPB, Transfuzion Publishing)
  Collection of the full-length adaptations originally published by Malibu.

Other

• Bionicle Volume 1 (TPB, Papercutz)
  Based on the toys - collects comics that were available to fan club members.
• Frank Frazetta's Swamp Demon (one-shot, Image)
  Another comic based on a Frazetta painting.

Anything else you're getting? Did I miss anything good?

2008 Free Comic Book Day Previews Pop Culture Crossover

Free Comic Book Day is May 3. A few pop culture crossover selections that will be available at comic book stores.


Movies

• Comics Go Hollywood (TwoMorrows Publishing)
  Not a comic, per se, but a background look at Justice League: New Frontier, Heroes, and the X-Men and Batman movies.
  

Books/Stories

• Graphic Classics (Eureka Productions)
  Adaptations of stories by Edgar Allen Poe, Arthur Conan Doyle, Mary Shelley, and others.
• Del Ray & Dabel Brothers Preview (Dabel Brothers)
  A little bit Dresden Files; a little bit Wild Cards; a little bit Dean Koontz's Frankenstein: Prodigal Son.
  

Animation

• Bongo Comics Free-For-All (Bongo)
  It's not a Free Comic Book Day without The Simpsons and Futurama!
• Gumby's Coloring Comic Book Special (Wildcard Ink)
  It's not a Free Comic Book Day without Gumby!
• Transformers Animated (IDW)
  Adapation of the first episode of the animated series.

Games

• Sonic the Hedgehog #1 (Archie Comics)
  It's not a Free Comic Book Day without...ok, that was probably old back on Gumby. This one's a reprint of the first Sonic comic.

Other

• NASCAR Heroes: All-Stars Special (NASCAR Comics)
  Superhero NASCAR drivers. What will they think of next?

February 2008 Previews Pop Culture Crossover

This month I forego Supernatural, Star Wars, Star Trek and several others for some new and different series and one-shots culled from movies, stories, games and other areas.

Movies

• The Complete Persepolis (TPB, Pantheon Books)
  I had to pick up the book that the Oscar-nominated film was based on.
• The Mummy Movie Prequel: The Rise & Fall of Xango's Ax #1 (one-shot?, IDW)
  There's another mummy movie coming out next summer?

Books/Stories

• The Dresden Files: Welcome to the Jungle #1 (4-part mini, Dabel Brothers)
  Originally a series of books about a private detective and wizard, it has also been adapted into a SCI FI Channel series. This is an original story penned by the author of the series, Jim Butcher.
• James Bond: The Paradise Plot (TPB, Titan Publishing)
  Ian Fleming's popular spy. Collection of the aformentioned tale and the non-Fleming Bond story Death Mask!.
• Mack Bolan, The Executioner: The Devil's Tools #1 (5-part mini, Dabel Brothers)
  I read a book from this classic series quite a while back - I'm surprised this doesn't have a Mature Readers warning.
• Oz Book 1: Mayhem in Munchkinland! (TPB, Transfuzion Publishing)
  Why does the Wizard of Oz have so many dark adaptations and sequels?
• Pigeons from Hell #1 (4-part mini, Dark Horse)
  Based on a Robert E. Howard short story - I can't tell when it was written, but it was first published in 1938 - two years after Howard died. You can see the original story here. It was even adapted to an anthology TV show (like Twilight Zone) - Boris Karloff's Thriller.
• Wild Cards: The Hard Call #1 (6-part mini, Dabel Brothers)
  It's been forever since I've read them, but I loved this George R. R. Martin series about a horrible virus that, when unleashed, killed 90% of those affected, left 9% horribly deformed, and gifted 1% with amazing superpowers. The Hard Call is a new story in the Wild Cards world.
  

Games

• Brothers in Arms #1 (new series, Dynamite)
  Based on the WWII game by Ubisoft. Take a look at the website - the game looks pretty intense.

Other

• Gnome One-Shot (one-shot, superrealgraphics.com)
  I never thought I'd see a comic based on a lawn ornament.
• Thoreau at Walden (graphic novel, Hyperion Books)
  Walden; or, Life in the Woods - one of the many books on my to-read list. I think I actually have a copy on my shelf, collecting dust. This is an interpretation of Henry David Thoreau's philosophical treatise.
  

I left a lot out, but I didn't think it necessary to list another Friday the 13th story, or Night of the Living Dead collection.

January 2008 Previews Pop Culture Crossover

Quite a group of TPBs, minis, one-shots, and graphic novels coming from various areas of pop culture solicited in the January Previews.


TV

• Buffy the Vampire Slayer Omnibus #4 (TPB, Dark Horse)
  More Buffy goodness. I don't normally list every new omnibus and TPB, but it is Buffy. Guess I better go back and finish the 3rd one before this comes out.
• Serenity: Better Days #1 (mini, Dark Horse)
  Prequel to the film, written by Joss Whedon himself.

Movies

• Army of Darkness/Xena: Why Not #1 (4-part mini, Dynamite Entertainment)
  Good grief. I don't even think I have a commentary on this.
• Buckaroo Banzai: The Prequel #1 (2-part mini, Moonstone)
  Sounds like they try to weave more crazy stuff in than even the film does.
• DNA Hacker Chronicles #1 (TPB, Abrams)
  Prequel to The Gene Generation. What's up with this film? Is it straight to DVD? When will it be out? Plus, is this another chicken-and-the-egg thing? Is a comic based on a movie or vice versa? More on that later...
• Fritz Lang's M (TPB, Abrams)
  Out-of-print mini series, packaged with the DVD of the 1931 film.
• The Godfather Chronicles #1 (new series, Boom! Studios)
  I guess you could argue this belongs under Books, but the films really gained the notoriety. This comic continues the story of the Corleone family, and the first arc is written by Mark Waid.
• Largo Winch Volume 1: The Heir (TPB, Cinebook)
  Comic that the upcoming French film is based on.
• The Last Winter (graphic novel, Image)
  Creepy looking film due out on DVD this summer. Ron Perlman and James LeGros? What's not to love? Here's the film's site.

Books/Stories

• Avengers Fairy Tales #1 (4-part mini, Marvel)
  I've been tempted to pick up these series from Marvel - their superheroes as fairy tale characters - but I haven't, yet. Are they any good?
• Dark Tower: The Long Road Home #1 (5-part mini, Marvel)
  Marvel's second adaptation of the Stephen King series.
• Dark Wraith of Shannara (graphic novel, Del Rey)
  Sequel to the original Shannara trilogy. I could never get through that series...I'm not really sure why.
• Holmes (graphic novel, AIT/Planetar)
  Appears to be a really off-beat adaptation of Sherlock Holmes.

Animation

• Star Wars: Clone Wars Photo Comic (one-shot, Dark Horse)
  They sure are milking this photo comic thing. I guess if people keep buying it, they'll keep making it.

Games

• Dead Space #1 (6-part mini, Image)
  Prequel to a Electronic Arts sci fi / horror game coming out in October. The game sounds Alien-esque, but it look pretty dang scary. Here it is at EA's site.

Other

• Super Friends #1 (new series, DC)
  Based on Mattel's new Super Friends toy line. (I gotta get me - I mean my son - a Batwing!)

Well, there was just too much stuff to list everything. Is there anything you liked that I missed? Maybe that new Star Trek: New Frontier series?

December 2007 Previews Pop Culture Crossover

Finally got that December Previews. Guess I'll have to keep getting these on-line so this doesn't happen again. Special thanks to morpuddypond who sent me the copy I used for this edition. Hope you enjoy Rex Libris - it went out in the mail today!

OK; so here's my monthly Previews list of interesting comic crossovers with movies, television, books and video games. So, I'm a couple months late, but I've got January and February waiting in the wings!

TV

• 24: Cold Warriors (one-shot, IDW)
  48 pages of commercial-free Jack Bauer. Does this mean every 2 pages is a full hour of Jack's life?

Movies

• The Terminator Omnibus Volume 1 (TPB, Dark Horse)
  Terminator gets the massive book treatment in this 352-page volume.
• Jumper: Jumpscars (TPB, Dark Horse)
  It's a comic-book prequel! I still can't tell if that's a combo of "Jumps Cars" or "Jump Scars". The film's out now...it actually look interesting - here's the site.

Books/Stories

• Lords of Avalon: Sword of Darkness #1 (6-part mini, Marvel)
  Swords and sorcery. Adapted from Kinley MacGregor's book.
• Moby Dick #1 (Marvel Illustrated) (6-part mini, Marvel)
  I've been meaning to pick this up for years. Which raises the question - do you read the book or the comic first?
• Rogue Angel: Teller of Tales #1 (mini, IDW)
  Never heard of this series of books. Dang, I'm really late with this list - this is already out.
• Tiger and Crane #1 (4-part mini, Bluewater Productions)
  Chinese folk hero Wong Fei Hung (or Huang Fei-hong) is probably the most prolific film character - he has been portrayed in well over 100 movies. Out of the few I've seen, Jackie Chan's Drunken Master films and Jet Li's Once Upon a Time in China series are pretty amazing. This mini-series teams Wong Fei Hung up with an American spy to prevent the Japanese from winning World War II.
• Zorro #1 (new series, Dynamite Entertainment)
  Originating in the early 1900's Zorro has also been the subject of numerous stories and films. This incarnation is written by Grendel creator Matt Wagner.
  

Games

• Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (graphic novel, Dark Horse)
  I have a special place in my heart for the first person shooter, Star Wars: Dark Forces, but looking at the game this comic is based on it may just surpass it. I'm just glad it's coming out for the PS2. Check out the official site.
• The World of Dungeons & Dragons #1 (new series, Devil's Due)
  I haven't picked up any of the Dragonlance or Forgotten Realms series Devil's Due has put out (though I was a major fan of the books based in both worlds back before marriage, family, job, and blogging), so I don't know the quality of the stories they're currently publishing. I wonder if this series will include stories outside those two worlds.

Some of these books are already shipping...anyone care to share if they're any good? And did I miss anything worth noting?

November 2007 Previews Pop Culture Crossover

OK, so still don't have the December Previews that came out a couple weeks ago, but I was able to hunt down November's issue outside of Gatlinburg, TN.

Here's a few comics on sale in January, from movies and television. Bones, I finally got around to the comics you've been talking about. Let me know how you like My Name is Bruce.

TV

• Dr. Who #1 (new series, IDW)
  Science fiction buff that I am, I never seemed to get into any of these series. I believe this series is based on the current show running on Sci Fi.
• Star Trek: Alien Spotlight: Borg (one-shot, IDW)
  Ah, the ever-popular Borg. IDW's series continues, spotlighting the alien races from Star Trek.
  

Movies

• Evil Dead #1 (4-part mini, Dark Horse)
  This is Bruce Campbell, returned to his roots. This adaptation comes with some additional scenes.
• My Name is Bruce (one-shot, Dark Horse)
  Continuing with the Bruce Campbell theme, this is based on his movie due out sometime in 2007. I think we're awfully close to that date slipping a bit.
• Star Wars: Vector (crossover, Dark Horse)
  Crossover that seems to run through all of the current Star Wars titles. Every episode is listed in Previews, and probably on Dark Horse's site.

Books/Stories

• Simon Bisley's Paradise Lost (graphic novel, Verotik)
  I actually enjoyed the epic poem in high school. This adaptation should be interesting.

Animation

• Crayon Shinchan Vol. 1 (TPB, CMX (DC))
  You know, I've just never caught the bug on animated, foul-mouthed kids. Apparently, this is the manga the Cartoon Network Adult Swim caroon is based on.
• Gumby: Volume 1 (TPB, Wildcard Ink)
  I love stop motion - I really need to get my hands on some of these episodes. Collects issues #1-3.
• Speed Racer: Chronicles of the Racer #1 (new series, IDW)
  This might be a little before my time, but still, it's something I never really got into. This is based on the cartoon, but watch for the movie adaptation coming soon.
• Voltron Complete Omnibus (Hardcover Collection, Devil's Due)
  It seems to be theme this month, but this is a cartoon from my childhood that I never seemed to watch. This 304-page hardcover collects the entire series - both volumes.

This is the part where you tell me what I missed.

October 2007 Previews Pop Culture Crossover

I haven't even picked up the November Previews, yet - but here's October a few weeks late. I strayed from more listings of the same. More Warhammar, more Bloodrayne, more Battlestar Galactica, more Highlander, more Transformers, and, yes - more horror movies. There are a few of the same old thing, but I tried to stick with the new and different.

TV

• Dr. Who Classics #1 (new series, IDW)
  Reprints of old Dr. Who comics.
  

Movies

• Darkman #1 (new series, Dynamite Entertainment)
  This superhero makes the film to comics transition, rather than the reverse.
• Indiana Jones Omnibus, vol. 1 (TPB, Dark Horse)
  Good timing with the making of the next movie - contains 3 out of print stories in a 352-page volume.
• Se7en (Hardcover, Zenoscope Entertainment)
  Collecting the seperate issues.
  

Books/Stories

• The Complete Clive Barker's The Great and Secret Show (TPB, IDW)
  This huge 300-page collection comes in 3 different versions, including hardcover, and $125 limited edition hardcover.
• The Iliad (Marvel Illustrated) #1 (8-part mini, Marvel)
  This is different - Homer's classic tale. Helen of Troy - the face that launched a thousand ships.
• Forgotten Realms: The Legend of Drizzt (Hardcover, Devil's Due)
  464 pages of Dungeons and Dragon-y goodness - collecting the adaptation of the Forgotten Realms trilogy.
• Shakespeare's Henry V (Graphic Novel, Classical Comics)
  Well, we've got the classic stories this month. This even comes in an unabridged version.
• Tales of Zorro (Anthology, Moonstone)
  Collection of 18 stories - available in TPB and Hardcover.
  

Animation

• GI. Joe vs. Transformers (Hardcover, Devil's Due)
  Massive, nearly 500-page collection of all 4 volumes.
  

Games

• Army of Two (Graphic Novel, Prima Publishing)
  Based on the intense new game from Electronic Arts. Well, it looks intense from the trailer on the EA site. The game is available for preorder.

Other

• The Stranded (mini?, Virgin Comics)
  Not technically a pop culture adaptation, but the first team up between Virgin Comics and the SciFi Channel.
  

From the "Is-This-Really-Necessary" Department. The Kiss 4K Kissmas Special. Written by Chuck Dixon? I think we're stretching here. Did anyone pick up the mini? Was it any good? (Or any "count", as we say here in Alabama).

Bonus: In the October Previews there's also the Smallville Series 2 action figures that were in (from DC Direct - due out in May). It's the Smallville version of the Justice League - yup: Green Arrow, Aquaman, Cyborg, Impulse, and Superman (well, Clark). They look pretty impressive, too. Now, if we could only get whoever is doing these sculpts to redo the current Buffy figures, I'd pick some of those up, too.

September 2007 Previews Pop Culture Crossover

Better late than never! Well, if I was late in August; I'm really late this month. Of course, when your Local Comic Shop (LCS) doesn't save you a Previews like you asked, and you can't seem to find one anywhere, it's hard to look over the whole catalog...finally, Hit Video in Huntsville gave me their old desk copy. I told him I wanted it for my comic blog, but he didn't really seem to be interested. But it was pretty cool for them to just give me their old copy.

So here I am, writing the September Previews crossover. I didn't want to mess up my run so far, so here's last month's list of other-media trades, new series and graphic novels for last month's Previews.

(Maybe I'll follow up next week with October's.)

TV

• Buffy the Vampire Slayer Omnibus, vol 3 (TPB, Dark Horse)
  Since I got turned on to Buffy so late, it'll be nice to have all the early comics collected into just a few volumes.
• Heroes (Hardcover, DC/Wildstorm)
  The collected on-line comics find print - all 34 chapters from season one.
• Tek Jansen #1 (offered again, Oni Press)
  Yes - Stephen Colbert's fake adaptation from his "unpublished novel." Is the comic so bad they couldn't get rid of the entire run the first time around?

Movies

• Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash (6-part mini, DC/Wildstorm / Dynamite)
  It's a movie monster smorgasborg. Nightmare on Elm Street meets Friday the 13th meets Evil Dead. Good grief.
• God Loves, Man Kills ("Premier" Hardcover, Marvel)
  Hardcover release of the series that X2: X-Men United was partially based on.
• Highlander: Way of the Sword #1 (mini, Dynamite Entertainment)
  So, are the comics as good as the first movie, or as bad as the second? (The third doesn't even count.)
• Wanted (Top Cow, Graphic Novel)
  Re-release of another comics-to-film project - this one starring Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman. Due out March of next year.

Books/Stories

• Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born ("Premier" Hardcover, Marvel)
  The collected edition of Peter David and Robin Furth's comic adaptation Stephen King's Dark Tower series. Rumor has it, there's more to come.
• Dracula vs. King Arthur (TPB, Silent Devil)
  Interesting idea...
• The Picture of Dorian Gray (6-issue mini, Marvel)
  The price of immortality. Marvel Illustrated's take on the classic book.
• The Wind in the Willows - Classics Illustrated Deluxe Volume 1 (Graphic Novel, Papercutz)
  Adaptation of the classic book - if it's done well, this could be a pretty cool addition to any comic collection.

Animation

• Red Lotus: Mark of the Warrior (One-shot, Arcana Studios)
  From an animated series on Spike (this past summer). I completely missed it - was it any good?

Games

• World of Warcraft #1 (new series, DC/Wildstorm)
  New ongoing series based on the on-line fantasy game.

Other

• Shifter #1/2 (prelude to a 4-part mini, Fangoria)
  Not really a crossover, but it's Michael Madsen starring in a comic book.
  

Anything else worth mentioning that's coming out in November?

August '07 Previews Pop Culture Crossover

Well, August is over. Tomorrow is Labor Day, holiday officially heralding the coming of Fall. When I started doing these, I honestly intended to do them toward the beginning of the month, instead of after the month was over. Anyway, here's the wrap up of notable (IMO) pop-culture-related trades, series, and graphic novels for August's Previews.

TV

• New Battlestar Galactica: Pegasus (One-shot, Dynamite Entertainment)
  Prequel of the new series, following the other Battlestar.
• Doctor Who Volume 1: Voyager (TPB, Panini Publishing)
  From Previews (yes, I'm out of my own words, plus, I don't know anything about Dr. Who, except that he time travels, and there are about 27 versions of him): "The first of two volumes featuring the sixth Doctor's complete comic strip run from the pages of Doctor Who Magazine!"

Movies

• Beowulf #1-4 and Beowulf TPB (mini/TPB, IDW)
  Adaptation of the Gaiman-scripted, completely CGI film. Yes, Previews is soliciting all four issues of the mini and the TPB in the same book.
  
• Kong: King of Skull Island (mini, Markosia)
  Based on a book that is both a prequel and sequel to the original King Kong.
  
• Legends of the Dark Crystal Vol 1: The Garthim Wars (Graphic Novel, Tokyopop)
  Actually, there's a preview of this manga prequel in Jim Henson's Fantasy Film Collection (I just got the cool gift for my birthday - it contains DVDs of Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, and MirrorMask). But to be honest, there's not enough there to make any kind of judgement - I hate it when comic previews just amount to character sketches.
  
• Trick 'R Treat #1, 2, 3, 4 (mini, Wildstorm)
  Adaptation of horror film Trick 'R Treat - in theaters this Halloween. At least it's not a prequel.

Books/Stories

• Beowulf (Graphic Novel, Markosia)
  This one is graphic novel based on the original myth. (Interesting timing!)
  
• Brian Jacques' Redwall (Graphic Novel, Philomel Books)
  Adaptation of the first book of the Redwall series.
  
• The Clive Barker Collections: Hellraiser vol 1-3 (TPBs, Checker Book Publishing)
  Anthologies based on Barker's film.
  
• Dracula (Graphic Novel, Barron's Educational Series)
  Bram Stoker's classic, shipping in time for Halloween.
  
• Myth Adventures! Another Fine Myth (Graphic Novel, Airship Entertainment)
  Ah, I loved the Myth Conceptions books in high school. It would be interesting to see how they translate to comic form.
  
• The Savage Sword of Conan (TPB, Dark Horse)
  Massive 542-page collection from the 70s Savage Sword of Conan magazine.

Animation

• Hellboy Animated, Vol 3: The Menagerie (TPB, Dark Horse)
  I hear these are really good (thanks, Bones), but haven't really tried them. Though I've enjoyed both movies.
• Gargoyles: Bad Guys #1 (mini?, Amaze Ink/Slave Labor Graphics)
  I always thought about watching it, but never caught Disney's toon on television - wasn't it on Fox? This comic highlights some of "the toughest villains in the Gargoyle's universe."

Games

• Mercs #1 (new series?, Dynamite Entertainment)
  Adaptation of the third-person shooter.

Other

• The Haunted Mansion Vol 1: Welcome Foolish Mortals (TPB, Amaze Ink/Slave Labor Graphics)
  Special edition collection of stories from the first 6 issues of the comic series based on the Disney ride.

Previews has more than that, but I'm not about to list everything. What'd I miss that you're going to pick up?

July '07 Previews Pop Culture Crossover

It's still July (so I'm ahead of schedule?) and here are some TPBs, one-shots, and #1's listed in July's Previews for September.

TV

• Serenity: Those Left Behind (HC collected mini, Dark Horse)
  Joss Whedon's bridge between Firefly (the show) and Serenity (the movie). This one's supposed to be a "fan favorite". I'll have to read it after I finish watching the entire season of Firefly on DVD. (Note: Target still has it for about $20.)

Movies

• Borderland (One-shot, Viper Comics)
  Based on a film which is, in turn, based on the true story of a US and Mexican police officer investigating a cult just south of the border, hunting for human sacrifices.
  
  
• Buckaroo Banzai vol 1: Return of the Screw (TPB, Moonstone)
  Continuing the adventures from the 80s cult film; includes a ton of extras.
  
  
• Friday the 13th Summer Vacation #1 (mini, Wildstorm)
  Is it a prequel? A sequel? Who knows. Dare I say, who cares?
  
  
• Ghostbusters: Legion (TPB, Eighty Eight MPH Studioes)
  This should hold you off until the next sequel comes out - it collects the 4-part mini, along with a San Diego comic-con exclusive.
  
  
• New Line Cinema's Tales of Horror #1 (new series or mini, Wildstorm)
  Will it never end? Oh, wait; these are sequels to both Nightmare on Elm Street and Texas Chainsaw Massacre. There's more than one way to milk a cat (or a comic book horror fan).

Books/Stories

• Artemis Fowl vol 1 (Graphic Novel, Hyperion Books)
  Are these any good? I've seen the books in stores, but haven't looked at them.
  


• Dark Hunger (Graphic Novel, Berkley Books)
  Based on the Dark Series of vampire novels by Christine Feehan.
  


• The Escapists (HC collected, Dark Horse)
  Based on the no-longer-fictional comic in The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay.
  


• Gods of Asgard (Graphic Novel, Studio E3)
  Comic adaptation of Norse myths.
  


• King Lear (Graphic Novel, thecomic.com)
  That's the one; based Shakespeare's play.
  


• Looking Glass Wars Hatter M (HC collected mini, Desperado)
  Based on a series of novels (The Looking Glass Wars Trilogy). The web site makes me want to buy the comic.
  


• Pizzeria Kamikaze (TPB, Alternative Comics)
  This comic is based on a short story, but a film based on it (or based on the story; or maybe both) is making the festival rounds as Wristcutters: A Love Story.
  


• Ray Harryhausen Presents Sinbad Rogue of Mars (5-part mini, Bluewater Production)
  Though more properly adapted from a series of stories, than books.

Other

• Ring of the Nibelung (Graphic Novel, ExPress Publishing)
  Adaptation of Wagner's opera.

Picking any of these up? See anything I missed? Take exception to my disparaging comments about endless additions to one-trick horror films?

June '07 Previews Pop Culture Crossover

Well, now that June is over, I thought I'd post the June listing of trades, one-shots, and new series that were solicited in Previews.

TV

• Stargate SG-1 2007 Special, "Teal'C" cover (Pulsar Press, One-Shot)
  I'm not sure why they felt the need to add an 8th cover to this one-shot from April, but here it is.
  

Movies

• Aliens vs. Predator: Omnibus Volume 2 (TPB, Dark Horse)
  Dark Horse, continuing their offering of these massive trades - 448 pages, including Deadliest of the Species.
• Army of Darkness: From the Ashes #1 (mini, Dynamite Entertainment)
  Ash once again fights the Deadites.
• Dee Sniders's Strangeland: Seven Sins #1 (4-part mini, Fangoria Comics)
  Are comic book horror movie prequels the cool thing in 2007? Does this movie really need one?
• George A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead: Hunger (one-shot, Avatar Press)
  Prequel to the 1968 horror flick, telling the story of one of the undead from the film.
• Splinter of the Mind's Eye (Star Wars 30th Anniversary Collection Volume 8) (TPB, Dark Horse)
  Fond memories of reading this book when I was kid. I don't think it's canon any more...but, sweet nostalgia!

Books

• Conan and the Midnight God (TPB, Dark Horse)
  Collecting the mini-series.
• Dark Tower Gunslinger's Guidebook (one-shot, Marvel)
  Guide to the world of the Gunslinger; coinciding with the final chapter of the Gunslinger Born series.

Games

• Dark Sector (one-shot, Top Cow)
  Video game prequel (at least it's not a horror movie) to Dark Sector, a creepy-looking new first person shooter due out in 2008.
• Gears of War #0 (series?, Boom! Studios)
  Based on the hit video game.

From the "Enough Already" category...not only is Wildstorm's By Himself #1 another horror film prequel, it's another Texas Chainsaw Massacre prequel.

Anything that I skipped that you're looking forward to?

May '07 Previews Pop Culture Crossover

Much later than I planned, but nonetheless, here are some interesting new series, trades, and one-shots in May's Previews.

TV

• Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Omnibus Volume 2 (Dark Horse, TPB)
  Stories taking place during Seasons 1, 2, and 3 of the show.
• New Battlestar Galactica: Season Zero #1 (Dynamite, 6-issue mini)
  The first mission of the Battlestar - two years before the series started.
• Who Wants to be a Superhero: Feedback (Dark Horse, One-Shot)
  Based on the winner of Sci Fi's Who Wants to Be A Superhero?, I'm hoping the comic isn't as stupid as the show.

Movies

• 2001 Maniacs Special #1 (one-shot, Avatar)
  Just in time for the 2001 Maniacs sequel (Beverly Hellbillys, due out in October). Also, the original happens to be on Encore this month.
• Friday the 13th: Pamela's Tale #1 (2-part mini, DC/Wildstorm)
  The tale of Jason's mother.
• The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: About a Boy #1 (one-shot, DC/Wildstorm)
  When Leatherface was but a child.

Music

• Sentences: The Life of M.F. Grimm (Hardcover Graphic Novel, DC/Vertigo)
  Percy Carey's autobiographical look at the life of a Hip Hop artist.

Books

• Marvel Illustrated: The Man in the Iron Mask #1 (mini-series, Marvel)
  Adaptation of the Dumas book (from the series that began with The Three Musketeers).

Games

• Halo: Uprising #1 (mini-series, Marvel)
  Based on the extremely popular game that is a favorite to mash with comic book movie 300. It seems like everybody knows somebody who made a Halo 300 film.
  

April '07 Previews Pop Culture Crossover

Some interesting (and not-so-interesting) TV, movie, and game crossovers into comics coming out in June. I can't wait to read Shadow Puppets!

TV

• Spike : Shadow Puppets #1 (IDW, mini)
  Smile Time is back!! This time, it's Spike and Lorne against the evil children's show.
• Stargate SG-1 2007 Special (Pulsar Press, One-Shot)
  16-page comic, available in 7 difference covers.

Movies

• Beneath the Valley of the Rage (Fangoria Comics, 4-part mini)
  Prequel to the horror film, The Rage.
• Frank Miller's Robocop (Pulsar Press, TPB)
  The story Miller intended to tell before his script went through the Hollywood editing process.
• Predator Omnibus vol 1 (Dark Horse, TPB)
  440-page collection of several Predator graphic novels and other stories.
• Shaun of the Dead (IDW, TPB)
  "Director's Cut" adaptation of the hilarious film.
• Star Wars Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace Photo Comic (Dark Horse, one-shot)
  Is it just me, or does this seem like an easy way to make a buck? Instead of actually going to the trouble to drawing a comic, how about we just take shots from the movie, and stick in dialogue from the movie? Voila! Instant comic book with hardly any work involved.
• Terminator 2: Infinity #1 (Dynamite, mini?)
  See what it was like from the future side of the story.

Animation

• Batman: Harley & Ivy (DC, TPB)
  Collecting the original mini, the story Love on the Lam, and a newly colored story pulled from Batman Black and White.

Games

• Bloodrayne: Red Blood Run #1 (Digital Webbing, 3-part mini)
  More from the vampire-fighting video game world.
• Street Fighter II: The Manga, vol 1 of 3 (Udon Entertainment, TPB)
  Any Street Fighter II story is cool, as long as Blanka's in it.

Did I miss anything you'll be getting?

An interesting bit of news from last month's listing: Jimmy Palmiotti talked to Sci Fi Wire about the Fox Atomic comic he wrote - The Hills Have Eyes: The Beginning. Sci Fi Wire asked Palmiotti about using that comic as the source material for a prequel movie. Jimmy replied, "They would be mentally retarded if they didn't." Yeah - I used to call people "retarded" - when I was 12. Nice job, Jimmy.

So, maybe my maturity came a bit later than that, but shouldn't people that talk to the press take some kind of sensitivity training?

March '07 Previews Pop Culture Crossover

In this month's Previews - on sale in May:

Books

• Journey to the Center of the Earth (Barrons Educational Series, One-Shot)
  The Jules Verne classic.
  
• Marvel Illustrated: Last of the Mohicans #1 (Marvel, 6-part mini)
  I've had this James Fenimore Cooper book on my shelf since I was 12 but have never actually picked it up and read it.

TV

• Buffy the Vampire Slayer Omnibus, Volume 1 (Dark Horse, TPB)
  320-page full-color giant, containing chronological Buffy stories, including a re-telling of the movie, and lead-ins to the first season.
  
• Dark Xena #1 (Dynamite Entertainment, mini - I think)
  Four different covers; takes place after the show's finale.
  
• Supernatural: Origins #1 (Wildstorm)
  Spin-off from the CW show. Is it any good? I never made it past the first episode. I can't tell if this is a one-shot or a mini.
  

Movies

• Aliens Omnibus, Volume 1 (Dark Horse, TPB)
  Massive 384-page book featuring the first 3 Alien stories appearing in Dark Horse Comics.
  
• Ray Harryhausen Presents: Wrath of the Titans #1 (Bluewater Productions, 4-part mini)
  Comic book sequel to Clash of the Titans!
  
• The Hills Have Eyes: The Beginning (Fox Atomic Comics, One-Shot)
  Setting the stage for the 1977 movie (and its 2006 remake).
  
• The Tripper (Image, One-Shot)
  The official comic of the movie. What movie? Why, David Arquette's writing and directorial debut that he's trying to get into theaters this summer. Duh.
  

Other

• Dork Covenant: Dork Tower Vol 1 (Dork Storm Press, TPB)
  I only mention this because of the cool parody cover of the original Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Dungeon Master's Guide.
  
• KISS 4K #1 (Platinum Studios, looks like a mini)
  Each KISS member carries a world-protecting warrior spirit within themselves. Also comes in 30" x 18" size ($50).

Free Comic Book Day Pop Culture Crossover

While they're listed in the February Previews, I thought they warranted their own entry. If any of the following comics interest you, let your local comic book store know you'd like to see them on Free Comic Book Day (May 5, 2007).

Movies

• Transformers: The Movie Prequel (IDW Publishing)
  Or should this be under toys?

TV

• The Lone Ranger / New Battlestar Galactica Flip Book (Dynamite Entertainment)
  Featuring Battlestar Galactica: Year One #0 and Lone Ranger: The Creed #0.

Animation

• Bongo Comics Free-For-All (Bongo Comics)
  The official comic book company of the Simpsons.
• Gumby Special (Wildcard Ink)
  The stop motion giant himself.
• The Legion of Super-Heroes In the 31st Century #1 (DC)
  Based on the new cartoon on Cartoon Network.

Games

• Digital Webbing Jam (Digital Webbing)
  Featuring BloodRayne.
• Sonic the Hedgehog (Archie Comics)
  Featuring...well...Sonic.

February '07 Previews Pop Culture Crossover

I intended to post this a couple weeks ago, but things just get in the way sometimes.

Here are some interesting one-shots, minis, graphic novels, TPBs, and series' beginnings listed in this month's Previews, on sale in April; you can find them listed under their particular publishers. Note: If I don't note the format, Previews doesn't show it. I have a feeling that means it's probably a mini-series - and they haven't commited to the length. But then I might be full of it.

Books

• Anita Blake Vampire Hunter: Guilty Pleasures Handbook (Marvel, One-Shot)
  I've always been curious about the novels, but haven't picked one up.
• The Hedge Knight 2: The Sworn Sword #1 (Marvel, mini)
  Sequel to 2003's The Hedge Knight adaptation.
• Jungle Book, Marvel Illustrated (Marvel, TPB)
  Not sure how it's collected, but it's a 64-page book collected from Marvel Fanfare #8-11.
• Moby Dick, Barron's Graphic Classics (Barrons Eduacational Series, Inc., Graphic Novel)
  I'm not sure how they fit the story into a 48-page comic.
• Starship Troopers: Ongoing #1 (Markosia, new ongoing)
  It'll probably be better than the movie adaptation.
  

TV

• Star Trek: Klingons: Blood Will Tell #1 (IDW)
  Written from a Klingon perspective. There's even a variant written only in Klingon (though it includes an English-language script).

Movies

• Chucky #1 (Devil's Due, mini)
  The movies never interested me; but I guess it's all a matter of taste.

Animation

• G.I. Joe Special Missions: Brazil (Devil's Due, One-Shot)
  Now you know...
• Xombie #1 (Devil's Due, mini)
  This is different - it's based on an on-line cartoon (Xombie).

Games

• Warhammer: Forge of War #1 (Boom! Studios)
  Based on the tabletop miniature wargame.

Other

• Frank Frazetta's Death Dealer #1 (Image, mini)
  Based on the painting by Frazetta.

And in the "not worth the paper it's printed on" category, does a line of gimmicky, evil teddy bear toys need it's own comic (Teddy Scares, Volume 1, Ape Entertainment)?

Have I missed anything that you're planning on picking up?

January '07 Previews Pop Culture Crossover

Just a few notable one-shots, minis, and series' beginnings listed in this month's Previews, on sale in March. These comics can all be found in this month's Previews under their particular publishers.

Headlining this month would have to be Buffy the Vampire Slayer #1, with a release date of March 7.

Books

• Conan: The Hall of the Dead and Other Stories (Dark Horse, HC collection)
  I've been a fan of Conan ever since I discovered the books as a kid. With writers such as Busiek and Mignola on it, I might pick this up when it hits TPB in June.

TV

• Buffy the Vampire Slayer #1 (Dark Horse, new series)
  As I mentioned before, I'm looking forward to this one. Dark Horse is also relisting other TPBs this month, including the popular Fray.
• New Battlestar Galactica Volume 1 (Dynamite Entertainment, TPB)
  I've been watching the show since the pilot - how does the comic compare?
• Stephen Colbert's Tek Jansen #1 (Oni Press, mini)
  I've seen him on the few snippets of the Daily Show that I've watched, and briefly on his show; is this actually going to be any good? I understand it's based on a supposed novel he's written that no one's ever seen. The ad compares it to The Tick. I doubt it.

Movies

• Star Wars: 30th Anniversary Collection Volume 3 - Darth Maul (Dark Horse, HC collection)
• Highlander #1 - Director's Cut (Dynamite Entertainment, re-release)
• Hack/Slash vs. Chucky (Devil's Due, one-shot)
  Written by Hack/Slash creator Tim Seeley.
• 28 Days Later: The Aftermath (Fox Atomic Comics, graphic novel)
  The movie was good; and not just because the main character was named Jim. Writers include Steve Niles (30 Days of Night).
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie Adaptation #1 (one-shot) and The Movie Prequel (five-part series) (Mirage Studios)
  The adaptation is a one-shot of the film being released in March. The prequels are all being released at the same time, one for each of the main characters (including April).
• Shaun the Sheep Comic #1 (Titan Publishing, new series)
  From Wallace & Gromit: A Close Shave.

Games

• Bloodrayne: Tibetan Heights #1 (Digital Webbing, one-shot)

Other

• NASCAR Heroes #1 (NASCAR Comics, new series)
  Good grief. I'll pass on this one.

In a low point this month, CSI: Dying in the Gutters TPB from IDW Publishing is also being solicited (this is the CSI crossover with the real world of comics). I happened to get my hands on the mini preview comics a few months ago, thinking this could be a fascinating read. Unfortunately, I thought it was horribly written, so I never went any further. What I want to know is, did it get any better?

Have I missed anything worth mentioning?