On The Rack – July 2, 2014

Although you never really forget about new comic day, sometimes a nice long weekend like we had allows it creep up quicker than expected and that’s perfectly fine in my books. There are some great things hitting the shelves this week and since it’s only a month until the next Marvel film hits theatres, you can be sure there will be lots of material surrounding the Guardians in the coming weeks. So turn off the TV, stop binge watching your favorite show and run to the local comic shop to find out what’s going to be On The Rack.

Avatar Press

Extinction Parade War #1

Max Brooks is back with another series of his Extinction Parade. If you missed last series you should jump on this one while you bin dive for that last one.

“Jump on here, as the epic conflict continues right after Vol 1 with a super-sized battle issue! MAX BROOKS returns to the frightening world of zombies versus vampires in his groundbreaking follow up series: Extinction Parade: War! Well known for his breathtakingly original fiction, Brooks pushes the limits of the horror genre with his trademark meticulous research and vision for the next evolution in zombie storytelling.

The subdead were always a joke to the aristocratic vampire race. Just a spec on the radar of their immortal lives, nothing worth even a moment’s notice in their quest for self-gratification through the veins of their host, the human race. But at last they have been pulled from their ignorance into the reality of the world. The human race is facing extinction and should they succumb so too shall the vampires disappear beneath the waves of rotting walking dead. Extinction Parade: War opens the doors to the next violent chapter in Brooks’ epic tale with an oversized issue starting the all-out battle for the survival of the races!

Available with Regular, Wraparound, End of a Species, Leather, and Bloodwashed and Pure Art Retailer Order Incentive covers, all by series artist Raulo Caceres. Also, you won’t want to miss the Deluxe Collector Set!”

Boom! Studios

Big Trouble In Little China #2

We showcased the first issue here on OTR and if you had forgotten about this while you were engaging in all the great storylines taking place, you can throw this back in the mix as issue two hits the rack this week.

“Before, Jack Burton and Wang had to save Wang’s kidnapped-bride-to-be. Now, Wang’s the one who’s been kidnapped and Jack Burton’s back in action! Jack and Egg Shen travel through Chinatown’s Black Road and the villains Jack faced before have something new on their mind: REVENGE!”

Robocop 2014 #1

Robocop is back with another series, this time kicking off with a few variant covers. Be sure to check them out.

“WHY WE LOVE IT: If you’re like us, the classic 1987 film holds a special place in your fan heart. Now, we’re taking the next step to give fans an original, ongoing RoboCop series set in that very world. This is the hard-bitten world of RoboCop we all grew up on!

WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT: If you’ve ever wondered what happens to RoboCop and his partner, Anne Lewis, after the first film, wonder no more. Joshua Williamson (GHOSTED, CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT) crafts a story of crime and corruption that fans of Gotham Central, Stray Bullets, and Incognito will enjoy. Carlos Magno (PLANET OF THE APES, DEATHMATCH) brings RoboCop and Old Detroit to life in detail and intensity never seen before.

WHAT’S IT ABOUT: A deadly and charismatic criminal, Killian, is released from jail. He went into the slammer before RoboCop hit the streets. Now he wants to take out the biggest cop in the city. When OCP wants to take guns off the street, Killian sees it as his opportunity to take on the former Alex Murphy!”

Dark Horse Comics

#1 for $1: Avatar: The Last Airbender-The Rift #1

We love comics for a dollar here at OTR, and this week we get to pick up a classic in Avatar. The entire series including all the TV shows seem to be an instant hit with everyone. Jump in feet first on this one, you won’t be disappointed.

“Written and drawn by the team behind the best-selling The Promise and The Search, Gene Luen Yang and Gurihiru (in collaboration with Airbender and Korra creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko), this is the ultimate continuation of Avatar and the perfect companion to Legend of Korra!”

Avatar: The Last Airbender Volume 8 TPB – The Rift Part 2

Since you will most likely pick up Avatar, or if you already did when it came out, the next installment hits the shelves this week as well.

“Team Avatar find themselves up to their necks in trouble as mysterious forces threaten to destroy land once sacred to the Airbenders! While Aang journeys to the spirit world in search of clues, Toph faces off against her own past!”

DC Comics

Action Comics #33

Have you been keeping up with Doomed? If you have, you will most definitely enjoy this months issue of action!

“Superman finally succumbs to the Doomsday virus and transforms into SUPERDOOM! Is anybody in the universe safe from his vast power and fury? How can Superman possibly find a cure for his condition when the Monster of Steel has completely taken over his mind?”

Batman Eternal #13

“A demon from Jim Gordon’s past comes to haunt him in Blackgate while the Gang War threatens to rip Gotham City apart! Can Jason Bard keep the order without coming head to head with Batman himself?”

Batman Superman #12

A new story arc begins this week for the fans picking this up. Still with the great team up of Greg Pak and Jae Lee.

“A new arc begins following the events of “FIRST CONTACT.” The worlds of Batman and Superman come to an explosive clash as something terrible happens to the World’s Finest team, and a Dark Knight who is not quite himself must team up with Lois Lane to find a missing Man of Steel. Meanwhile, Selina Kyle encounters a person of amazing strength who has no idea who he is.”

New 52 Futures End #9

“Can the Masked Superman stop a Rampage in Metropolis? Plus, Batman Beyond must figure out what to do after a startling revelation threatens to change his entire mission.”

Superman Unchained #7

DC is exploding this week with a Superman-heavy week. If the cover to this issue doesn’t catch your eye as it explodes off the page, I don’t know what will.

“It’s a rampage in the Batcave! It’s come to this: Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman against Wraith! Alone, they wouldn’t have a chance–but they don’t have much of one together, either! And all the while, Lex Luthor’s machinations are clicking into place…”

IDW Publishing

Locke & Key Crown Of Shadows 100 Penny Press Ed #1

If you are like me and wish there was more Locke & Key, it may satisfy your craving just a tiny bit to know that they are going to reprint a dollar edition of Crown of Shadows. If you haven’t read this series, I would encourage you to pick this up, but go to the beginning of the series and work your way through. It’s worth every penny!

“The bargain-priced debut issues of the beloved series continue here with this dollar comic presenting ‘The Haunting of Keyhouse,’ the first chapter of Crown of Shadows, the haunting third storyline in the Locke and Key saga!”

Image Comics

Tech Jacket #1

If you followed the Invincible series, you’ll recognize this one as it breaks into its own series this week.

“A new ongoing series from the creative team who brought you the hit TECH JACKET DIGITAL mini! Zack Thompson: community college dropout, lives with his parents… This is who protects us from what lies beyond our world?! But he’s also Tech Jacket, the self-styled ‘Galactic Guardian of Earth,’ and when a big-ass space ship enters Earth’s orbit, Zack will face the greatest challenge of his life!”

Marvel Comics

100th Anniversary Special #1 Fantastic Four

There is no synopsis and no cover shown on this title, but Everything about this anniversary issue is going to be an absolute treat.

Captain America #22

Cap is entering into a new storyline this week as well as showcasing an Alex Ross 75th anniversary variant cover.

“The Tomorrow Soldier part 1. This is it! The final chapter of the story that begin in Dimension Z! After the Earth shattering events of last issue how can Steve Rogers survive his new situation? Two of his oldest foes move forward their plot! Enter Arnim Zola and The Red Skull! A face from the past hunts Steve. Can even The Avengers keep him safe?”

Guardians of the Galaxy : Galaxy’s Most Wanted #1

Get in the Guardians spirit with this amazing cover as Groot and Rocket storm the cover of this first issue.

“Rocket Raccoon and Groot-your favorite cosmic bounty hunters (and soon to be world-famous movie stars)-leap into action in an all-new adventure! Could it possibly happen? Is Groot attempting to arrest…his best bud Rocket? Plus: Reprinting THOR #314, featuring the Thunder God in cosmic combat with the mean, green Guardian known as Drax!”

Legendary Star Lord #1

If you don’t know much about Star Lord, you will soon if you intend on watching the movie. Marvel is keeping this synopsis under wraps as well, leading me to believe this will be a movie tie in. Look for a list of variants on this one as well.

Rocket Raccoon #1

Going into Guardian overload yet? Don’t stop at Star Lord because everyone’s favorite raccoon is getting his own series!

“ALL-NEW, IN-CONTINUITY SERIES! As defenders of the cosmos go, Rocket Raccoon has faced his fair share of galactic battles. He’s been a hero to the weak, a champion of good, a protector of the innocent, a heartthrob to the many intergalactic female species and now–a raccoon on the run?! ( I’m sorry, I’m sorry, a ‘formidable-and-expert-Guardian’ on the run. Rocket is NOT a raccoon, okay?)

Rocket’s high-flying life of adventure and heroism may soon be a thing of the past when he becomes a wanted man-and the authorities are not the only one on his TAIL! (We’ll definitely be overusing that pun!)

Superstar creator Skottie Young brings his A-game as writer and artist on the series we’ve been waiting decades for. Because let’s be real, this is the only Guardian of the Galaxy you actually care about. Am I right?”

Thor God Of Thunder #24

Marvel is pushing the Guardians comics hard prior to their movie launch in August and we all knew that would happen but there are still lots of other great titles out there too so you can have a break from the mainstream phase. Pick up Thor’s fantastic series this week and you may find yourself picking up a new title on a regular basis if you aren’t already getting this

“THE LAST DAYS OF MIDGARD Aftermath. Thor’s battle against ROXXON has colossal ramifications for all of Asgard. And also for… Jane Foster? While in the far future, what dark fate has befallen Galactus at the hands of the King Thor?”

As fun as it is to show you as much as possible on here, I just cant get through them all every week. July is kicking off what seems to be a great month in comics and has us here at The GCE very excited for things to come. Drop us a line in the comment section or on Facebook and spread the word about On The Rack. We are more than willing to track your favorite titles if you haven’t seen them show up yet. Be sure to be here next week as we explore grey matter, walk with the dead, and pass judgement once again!

Chat soon fellow geeks, and stay elite!