In This Week's FOC: An Omni So Big It Blocks Out The Sun!

An omni so BIG it blots out the sun!

We’re three weeks into April, it’s the middle of meteorological spring. Temperatures are cautiously rising and the sun shines a smidge longer every day, but news reports of real world events still chill me to the bone. Where is warmth? Where is comfort?!

“LOOK HERE,” a fictitious voice booms in my imagination, drawing my attention to a gap on my very real comic book shelves. “FILL THIS VOID.” 

The voice is right. Fake? Yes. Concerning? Shush, you’re not my psychologist. 

37 years of playing Tetris taught me that filling gaps is one of the great reliefs in life, and 38 years of reading comics taught me that world leaders don’t sound so loud while I’m deeply submerged into a heartwarming story…

Knowing what I must do, I browse this week’s FOCs.

Blood Hunt Omnibus HC

Alright, this one doesn’t necessarily “warm the heart” (I won’t judge if it does), but it will get your blood pumping. Nearly two years ago Marvel saw the world longing for summer and decided to deny its own universe any and all sunshine. In the franchise-spanning Blood Hunt event, all-nighter writer Jed Mackay and supreme pencilist Pepe Larraz introduced the Avengers to the Bloodcoven, a group of ultravampires who feed on superhuman blood, and had them cover Earth in darkness so that vampirekind could live free and die hard.

Even the Bloodcoven shipment, seen here after being stopped by customs, was not immune to import fees.

The coven’s battle with Earth’s mightiest heroes quickly turns bloody, forcing any heroes still standing to deal with an ever-expanding amount of vampires roaming the world. What follows is a spectacular rollercoaster ride, full of betrayals, twists and breathtakingly drawn, gut-wrenching loop-the-loops, supported by a plethora of side-stories (as Marvel just can’t help itself) that greatly add to the sense that the world at large is fighting to survive.

As usual, most crossovers stand largely on their own (such as the Fantastic Four, which features some mindboggling Mister Fantastic body horror that I still lie awake thinking about sometimes), while select others are more deeply interwoven in the plot (like Dracula: Blood Hunt, with the big bad lore drops), and this is the first time that the full omni-nous tale is neatly collected in one big book.

One cautionary note for the most bloodthirsty among us: this isn’t the extra gory red band version of the story, but believe me, blood is still spilled and the big hits still hit hard!

Blood Hunt Omnibus Pepe Larraz Cover HC *PRE-ORDER*

€112,99 €150,00

The full, blood-drenched saga of the Marvel Universe vs. vampires!The skies have gone dark, the sun hiding its face from the carnage to come. The children of the night, the vampires, have risen from the dark and hidden places of… read more

VIEW PRODUCT

Blood Hunt Omnibus Alex Ross Cover HC [DM Only] *PRE-ORDER*

€112,99 €150,00

The full, blood-drenched saga of the Marvel Universe vs. vampires! The skies have gone dark, the sun hiding its face from the carnage to come. The children of the night, the vampires, have risen from the dark and hidden places… read more

VIEW PRODUCT

King Conan Original Comics Omnibus Vol 03

Barely two months ago Arnold Schwarzenegger took the world by surprise when he announced that a new Conan the Barbarian movie is officially on the way, in which he will once again grace the realm of sword & sorcery with his buff bust and that enduring (and endearing) Austrian accent. The story that movie will be based on? Basically, this book!

In the King Conan Original Comics collected here, an older Conan rules as king of Aquilonia after crushing his enemies ✅, seeing them driven before him ✅, and hearing the lamentations of their women ✅. Of course, ruling a kingdom in the Hyborian Age comes with a unique set of personal, political and supernatural challenges, which provide ample opportunities for the Barbarian to still unsheathe his magnificent upper torso, as well as his big, big... sword.

Well, one of them. 😏

This third volume serves up the final act of the King Conan story and includes the grand graphic novel Conan of the Isles. There, comic book legend (and Stan Lee-successor) Roy Thomas spins the tale of Conan abdicating the throne to his son, before sailing west on an action-packed island-exploring adventure. Impeccably drawn by none other than Big John Buscema, this swan song of sorts is chock full of that good old blend of monsters and mysticism, reminding any adventurous reader of what is truly best in life.

King Conan Original Comics Omnibus HC Vol 03 Regular Edition *PRE-ORDER*

€134,99 €150,00

MAR250276 (W) Don Kraar, Jim Owsley (A) John Buscema, Mike Docherty, Geof Isherwood, Tony DeZuniga (A/CA) Judith Hunt, Mike Manley Featuring the return of John Buscema!This mammoth volume includes one of the more rarely collected stories from the conclusion of… read more

VIEW PRODUCT

King Conan Original Comics Omnibus HC Vol 03 DM Edition *PRE-ORDER*

€134,99 €150,00

MAR250277 (W) Don Kraar, Jim Owsley (A) John Buscema, Geof Isherwood, Tony DeZuniga, Judith Hunt, Mike Manley (A/CA) Mike Docherty Featuring the return of John Buscema!This mammoth volume includes one of the more rarely collected stories from the conclusion of… read more

VIEW PRODUCT

In case you haven’t caught up to the third volume yet, sheathe your fears, because the first two volumes are still available in the store as well!

Amazing Spider-Man: Torn

We all have a favourite Spider-Man writer, and mine is beyond a shadow of a doubt J. Michael Straczynski. His original early 2000s run may be as lauded for the first half as it is vilified for the second, but he’s my man either way. Beyond nailing the voices of both new and old characters, he pulled off some daring stuff, like reframing Peter Parker’s classical origins in a deeply engaging way, and progressing his personal life, and even his powers, in what-should-have-been irreversible ways. 

Until, to much dismay, everything was infamously reversed anyway. Still, Straczynsky’s run stands untouchable at the top, solidified as the Spider-book that strikes the hero chord just right, and as my go-to comfort read.

AHA! You’ve activated my drama card.

Imagine my excitement when JMS finally returned to the character this year, penning Spider-Man: Torn. A brief five issue series, yes, but I’ll take what I can get! No sweeping, radical perspective-shift on history this time, but it’s a gracious reframing anyway, taking place in a period where both Gwen and MJ still played a living, loving part in Peter’s life.

There’s great action, of course, and quips. A new villain, too. High stakes in need of some great responsibility. But the heart of the tale truly kicks in with Peter, Harry, Gwen and MJ just chilling and hanging out around a campfire, exchanging hopes and dreams on a summery sunset beach. It’s on that beach that I stop worrying about my world and linger just a little longer on the page. It’s there I find comfort, knowing my man still got it. If you’re finding yourself looking for warmth like me, read Torn.

Amazing Spider-Man: Torn TP *PRE-ORDER*

€15,29 €17,99

One of the most important Spider-Man writers returns to the webbed wonder!That’s right, J. Michael Straczynski is back — but this time, he’s digging into a vastly different part of Spidey history! Jump back with us to Peter Parker’s college… read more

VIEW PRODUCT

More FOC?

There’s more to the week than just the above! Follow the link below to find a handy overview of all books leaving FOC after today. Tomorrow, those low pre-order prices rise in actually irreversible ways. 😱

ALL BOOKS ON FOC Also, come gather around our own summery sunset beach campfire, Discord! Walt asks us weird questions there sometimes. And then we ask some back. It’s fun.

See you,
Jelle