KNOCK KNOCK.
Hello, would you spare me a moment to sell you on our new fanzine?
Guys, I have to sell my own fish here. (Sorry, Aquaman.)
The past few months of my life are finally available to you readers with any shop order. It’s all about the Absolute phenomenon, with interviews with Kelly Thompson and Javier RodrĂguez and cool analyses of why exactly the line became such a groundbreaker.
But I also wanted to have a little fun and use a bit of storytelling, so the whole issue is a fictional publication from the Absolute version of Walt’s Comic Shop. I asked myself the question, “What would our shop look like in the Absolute Universe?” I came up with a pretty doozy of an answer that led me into insane research on archiving EVERY single imprint line Marvel has ever had. Yes, I spent months using all the time I had in this world to read everything out there and give you a careful look into the publisher’s past and what it can mean for the future.
(Then you add Gloriana’s data analysis, finding Wonder Woman among the most common words used in all her books, and Walt’s BRILLIANT article on ’90s Valiant, and you’ve got yourself one of the things that I’m most proud of in my life.)
So, please, spread the word and send your feedback, comments, and experiences. I really would love to hear back from people.
MISSED THE EVENT LAST SATURDAY? I GOT YOU.
Last Saturday, we had a very special, PACKED open warehouse with superstar couple Belén Ortega and Javier Fernández. It was such an incredible event that it kinda gave me chills. Y’all came through.
Belén, of course, did our awesome Absolute Catwoman store-exclusive variant and worked with Tom King on what was one of the most fun books of last year, Trinity: Daughter of Wonder Woman. And Javi is just the guy behind DC K.O., 2025’s earth-shattering, line-wide event, which was maybe the best-received event this decade.
We know not everyone can come to Berlin at a moment’s notice, so WE HAVE SIGNED COPIES IN STOCK of everything I talked about and more. CHECK IT OUT HERE.
I don’t want to influence you too much, but you know what makes a good treat-yourself gift for getting through the summer heat?
A signed combo of our Catwoman exclusive and a bundle of BEAUTIFUL connecting DC K.O. variants.
MS. MARVEL HAS A NEW BOOK!
Well, hmm, sort of. Superstar Iman Vellani, who, of course, plays Kamala Khan in the MCU, is continuing her journey as a comic writer with her first INDIE release, Chachu #1.
The book is a mix between a 1979-set neo-noir and a coming-of-age story inspired by her own story of being a 19-year-old Pakistani-Canadian girl in Hollywood. You know I’m a big Ms. Marvel fan, but I’m excited for this as an actual big IMAN fan. If you follow her on Letterboxd and see her deep passion for movies and film festivals, you cannot help but get thrilled for these books.
She’s got the references and knowledge, and she’s uniquely positioned for what I think will be only the start of a massive career in comics. What a joy to have one of us in the big spaces, and it’s incredible that what she chose to do with her shot at stardom was... to write comics.
(Yes, I’m trying everything to get an exclusive interview with her before release, or, you know, maybe a store visit if you help me by BOTHERING WALT about it enough.)
WHO’S THE BIRTHDAY SPIDEY??
We have hit issue #1000 of The Amazing Spider-Man, and Marvel is going all-in on the celebrations. (Sorry, Marvel, didn’t realise all-in was your trigger word.)
Controversial cover messiness aside, this features an array of cool stuff. Legend Frank Miller is collaborating with Peach Momoko. If that’s not enough to get your organic webbing process started, Bendis and Stuart Immonen are collaborating on a story, and J. M. DeMatteis and Humberto Ramos are partnering on another.
Enough? Nope! Larry Lieber, Stan Lee’s actual brother and co-creator of Thor, Iron Man, and Ant-Man, is returning to comics after years in retirement. On the other side, Noah Hawley, the showrunner behind some of the best TV of this century, including Fargo, Legion, and Alien: Earth, is making his comics debut.
You can pick among MANY variant covers. Or, you know, don’t pick and get everything. As I mentioned, the main cover by Pepe Larraz replaced a John Romita Jr. pencilled cover that was much maligned online. Marvel claims it was just a monumental and very disrespectful all-around solicitation mistake.
Well, a lot of people, like me, have an appreciation for everything Romita Jr. (Did you know we call him Romitinha in Brazil?)
TIME FOR A COVER GRID.
GET YOUR PENNIES-WORTH.
This month’s Batman #11 features the surprise first appearance of an all-new character: Verity Pennyworth. She’s in Gotham to fulfill her uncle’s wish by continuing his legacy as Batman’s butler. Is it a One Wish Willow situation?
Joking aside, this is such an essential part of Bruce’s life, and I’m excited to see what Matt Fraction brings to the table. I love his character work so far, with some much-needed departures and freshness.
Of course, we have seen variations of this before. Do you remember Barbara Pennyworth as Batgirl in 1997’s Batman & Robin? Well, you probably shouldn’t. She does not have a high bat to clear in that aspect, but she certainly has a bigger legacy to carry after Alfred. (GET IN THAT BOAT WITH STEVE TREVOR, DUDE.)
Batman #12 is her first full-fledged appearance and also a good place to get in on all the action before Bad Seeds takes hold of Gotham. Welcome, Verity. (Don’t mind all the jokers).
All books on FOC today
...can be found here. Pre-orders run until Saturday at 4 p.m., and you can email Heiko if you have any questions regarding Manage Comics, how to order, or Alfred’s genealogical tree. I’m saving my One Wish Willow to have Heiko give me a copy of Energon’s ROM #1 for free.
Guys, really check out the fanzine. I really want to hear back from all you amazing newsletter readers about all the madness we did. You just need to order something from the store to get it. It’s easy. (And an excuse to clear your wish list.)
See you,
Math.
