New Comics for March 2nd

Marvel 5 RONIN #1 (OF 5) ANNIHILATORS #1 (OF 4) ASTONISHING THOR #3 (OF 5) AVENGERS ACADEMY #10 THOR CAPTAIN AMERICA OFF INDEX MU #11 CAPTAIN AMERICA AND FALCON #1 CAPTAIN AMERICA HAIL HYDRA #3 (OF 5) DAKEN DARK WOLVERINE #6 DEADPOOL #33.1 EMMA #1 (OF 5) FORMIC WARS BURNING EARTH #2 (OF 7) HEROES FOR HIRE #4 INCOGNITO BAD INFLUENCES #4 (MR) MARVEL ZOMBIES SUPREME #1 (OF 5) SECRET WARRIORS #25 STAND NO MANS LAND #2 (OF 5) THUNDERBOLTS #154 ULTIMATE COMICS CAPTAIN AMERICA #3 (OF 4) WOLVERINE BEST THERE IS #4 WOLVERINE HERCULES MM&M #1 (OF 4) X-FACTOR #216 DC Comics AZRAEL #18 BATMAN BEYOND #3 BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #54 BATMAN STREETS OF GOTHAM #20 BRIGHTEST DAY #21 DC PRESENTS SUPERMAN DOOMSDAY #1 DC UNIVERSE LEGACIES #9 (OF 10) DC UNIVERSE ONLINE LEGENDS #3 FIRST WAVE #6 (OF 6) FREEDOM FIGHTERS #7 GIANT SIZE ATOM #1 GREEN LANTERN #63 (WAR OF GL) JONAH HEX #65 SECRET SIX #31 WARCRAFT CURSE OF THE WORGEN #4 (OF 5) Vertigo HOUSE OF MYSTERY #35 JOE THE BARBARIAN #8 (OF 8)  SWEET TOOTH #19 Boom DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP #20 IRREDEEMABLE #23 Dark Horse AXE COP BAD GUY EARTH #1 (OF 3) USAGI YOJIMBO #135 WITCHFINDER LOST & GONE FOREVER #2 (OF 5) Dynamite BOYS #52 BRING THE THUNDER #3 IDW ANGEL ILLYRIA #4 (OF 4) DOCTOR WHO CLASSICS #2 SEVENTH DOCTOR GI JOE INFESTATION #1 (OF 2) LOCKE & KEY KEYS TO THE KINGDOM #5 (OF 6) Image CARBON GREY #1 CHEW #17  INTREPIDS #1 WALKING DEAD WEEKLY #9 Misc ARCHIE #618 HERCULIAN #1 LENORE VOLUME II #1 LENORE VOLUME II #2 SHONEN JUMP APRIL 2011 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #222 WULF #1 New Release Trade Paperbacks BATMAN BEYOND HUSH BEYOND TP BATMAN TIME AND THE BATMAN HC BILLY BATSON MAGIC SHAZAM MR MIND OVER MATTER TP BINKY GN VOL 01 SPACE CAT DARK TOWER TREACHERY TP DARKNESS ACCURSED TP VOL 01 BOOK MARKET ED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS FORGOTTEN REALMS TP VOL 01 ESSENTIAL X-MEN TP VOL 02 NEW ED FLASH DASTARDLY DEATH OF THE ROGUES HC GI JOE COBRA TP VOL 03 SERPENTS COIL HELLBLAZER TP VOL 01 ORIGINAL SINS HEXED TP MMW MIGHTY THOR TP VOL 02 SPIDER-MAN GRIM HUNT TP STAR TREK CAPTAINS LOG TP VOL 01 SUCKER PUNCH ART O/T FILM ZACK SNYDER SUPERPATRIOT AMERICAS FIGHTING FORCE TP TAKIO GN HC THOR FIRST THUNDER TP THOR TALES OF ASGARD TP COIPEL CVR TRANSFORMERS IDW COLLECTION HC VOL 03 VENOM BY DANIEL WAY ULTIMATE COLLECTION TP WILDCATS VERSION 3.0 YEAR TWO (MR) OTHER MIKE MYERS 7 INCH PLUSH POP HEROES BATGIRL VINYL FIGURE MAD MAGAZINE #508 MARVEL PREVIEWS #91 PREVIEWS #270 MARCH 2011

All Star Recommends!

Another week of recommendations. Please remember that all prices are shelf price, standing order customers receive a 10% discount. 

Morning Glories Vol 1 
Writer: Nick Spencer
Artist: Joe Eisma
Recommended by: Dom

Writer Nick Spencer manages to maintain a fine balancing act with Morning Glories by giving the reader both a sense the familiar and original. As the beginning of an ongoing series, Spencer is building a rich and complex world from which to form characters and stories. This opening arc to his story successfully starts the formation of this world, but not at the expense of its characters. 

Morning Glories is the story of six new students who quickly discover that the academy they have been brought to contains some rather dark secrets. Rather than the slow build and reveal to the characters, Spencer opts to put them through punishment quickly, keeping them as much in the loop as the reader. The science fiction/horror undertones when combined with the setting of a school based teenage drama prove to be engaging. It is the characters that draw in the reader though with each of the six new students taking on familiar archetypes. This isn’t to say they’re unoriginal though with personal quirks quickly revealed. Each character is introduced with just two story pages which offer hints as to the roles they will take both later in the volume and potentially, the series.

The key to a book that has as many questions as the first volume of Morning Glories is capturing the reader’s desire to want answers to them. Here, Spencer lays the questions on thick and fast, but he always makes sure that the reader is kept as enlightened as the majority of the main characters. While there aren’t a great deal of answers to be found within the narrative of this first collection, the questions aren’t so obscure as to stop the reader from wanting to come back. 

Morning Glories vol. 1 is available at All Star Comics now for $14.95. This volume collects issues 1 to 6. Issue 7 is also available now for $4.50.

American Vampire Vol 1

Writers: Scott Snyder and Stephen King

Artist: Rafael Alburquerque

Recommended by: Brian

You can’t turn a corner these days without running into the newest Vampire fad. American Vampire by Scott Snyder, Rafael Albuquerque and that unheard of little gem Stephen King stands apart from an ocean of over-used cannon by providing a unique take on an old mythos.

One half of the book, penned by King, centres around the Anti-hero, Skinner Sweet, the first of a new breed of Vampires that seem to be native to American soil. Set in the lawless years of America’s Wild West, Sweet’s story is your classic outlaw western with bank robberies and shoot-outs in the canyon. Amidst the badassery though, there is also a strange tenderness between characters, no doubt setting up for future blood-drenched stories of revenge.

The other half of the book is set thirty years later, in Los Angeles, and has a Madmen-meets-Boardwalk-Empire feel. It’s not quite ‘noire’, but it does flawlessly carry with it that certain essence that comes with 1920’s America. Focusing on Pearl Jones, a young woman fresh from the country, looking to break it big in Hollywood, Snyder slowly pulls the reader in before things begin to get supernatural. Felled by some old-world Vampires, and brought back to delicious unlife by Skinner Sweet, the reader learns along with Pearl about her new powers, and weaknesses.

Although they were born decades apart, and appear as completely separate people, it just so happens that Miss Jones and Mister Sweet have far more in common that it would initially appear. It’s all part of being an American Vampire. The book is refreshing Vampire fiction, and has a lot of potential to grow into something phenomenal. So what are you waiting for? Take a bite.

American Vampire Vol 1 Hard Cover is now available at All Star Comics Melbourne for $32.95. Single issues are also available for $4.50.

Age of X 

Writer: Mike Carey

Artist: Various

Recommended By: Jess

Ah, those X-Men, they love their alternate dimensions, don’t they? Age of X which started last week is yet another incarnation of the team, this time in a world where mutants fight off a worldwide human assault from behind a psychic shield, living in a fortress that is part haven, part prison. Humans (or as they’re cleverly called ‘Precursors’ or ‘Preaks’) have hemmed the mutants in. They’re the same group, young and older members, as the ‘regular’ timeline, but characters are different, dead, imprisoned.

This is your standard ‘alternate/altered Universe’, which cancels all bets on relationships, factions and alliances and reforges a world that never knew the X-Men. Art wise, it’s fairly standard; you’re meant to identify characters by their standard ‘looks’ rather than actions or direct names or contact. It’s a grim, dark look at a very emotionally controlled setting adding to the mystery. The writing jumps from introspective narrative to action well, giving you tantalising glimpses into these alternate mutants. Age of X Wolverine is a small but interesting snapshot of a man afraid to fight. But that’s why we read these ‘What If’ comics, right? To feed that desire to see different storylines, a remix of our favourites. Considering it’s meant to be all teams and individuals of the X-Men involved, (and part one is packed full of blink-and-you'll-miss 'em character spots) it’ll be interesting to see how they all mesh.

This event promises to be an intriguing and dark jump into another world, and anyone should be able to pick up the first issue without having read the previous event ‘Second Coming’ or much of the previous year’s main storyline. This is a good all-encompassing story and it will be interesting to see if the Age of X- Avengers title they’re hinting at also comes to pass.

Age of X Alpha is available at All Star Comics now for $5.40. Chapter 1 can be found in X-men: Legacy #245 and Chapter 2 in New Mutants #22, both are $4.50. 

Hack/Slash

Writer: Tim Seeley

Artist: Various 

Recommended by: Eddie

Bit sad that Buffy season 8 finished? Or just after a solid read? Perhaps it’s time to check out the fantastic cult book Hack/Slash! For those that haven’t heard about this book it follows the adventures of Cassandra Hack (think Buffy meets Suicide Girls) and Vlad (think Jason Voorhees with a heart of gold) as they travel the roads taking out “Slashers”. “Slashers” being angry souls returned from the dead who kill not entirely virtuous, drug smoking teenagers. You know, your typical villain from a slasher film.

Out right now is the Hack/Slash omnibus vol 1, collecting Hack/Slash right from its early days at Devils Due. This volume Features early works of artists Steven Caselli (Amazing Spider-Man) Skottie Young (Wizard of Oz) and Mike Norton (Young Justice) and any Robert Kirkman fans may want to check this book out. The volume also has Cass and Vlad facing off with some famous film slashers. Maybe try Hack/Slash: My First Maniac TPB, a sort of Cassandra Hack: Year One. This book is the perfect spot to discover the origin of what drives someone to keep going into these horror film style situations as opposed to living a normal life. Finally Hack/Slash has recently launched a new ongoing series. This is as good a place as any to jump in to the continuing story of one of the most three dimensional female characters in comics.

Any one looking for strong but not stereotypical female characters, stories with consequence (not every character is assured to make it to the next story) or just some solid one off stories with a bigger mythology to tie it together, these different Hack/Slash volumes offer great jumping on points for the interested reader.

Hack/Slash Omnibus Vol. 1 is available at All Star Comics now for $39.95, My First Maniac is available for order. Issue one of the new Hack/Slash Ongoing title is $5.25, also available for $5.25 is the one shot Hack/Slash: Me Without You.

For Older Recommendations please see our Archive. 

All Star Recommends Archive

Below are our archived recommendations.

Kirby Genesis, Green Wake and Butcher Baker: The Righteous Maker

Free Comic Book Day Edition

Scalped, Forgetless, Fear Itself #1 and Astonishing X-Men

Demo, War of The Green Lanterns and Kill Shakespeare

Takio, Skullkickers and The Mission #1

I Kill Giants

Morning Glories, American Vampire, Age of X and Hack/Slash

Cinderella: Fables are Forever #1, DMZ and Locke and Key

Casanova, Infinite Vacation #1 and Invincible Iron Man #500.1

New Comics for February 24th

Hi everyone,

Please Note: Due to President's day in the US, comics have been delayed by 24 hours. Thankfully this time, we aren't the only store affected.

The following is a list of comics that are scheduled to ship to All Star this Thursday. Please let us know if there is something on this list that you thought was supposed to come out this week, we will investigate the issue. Remember, if there is stock we don't have that you are interested in, ask us and we will place a special order for you. Keep an eye on our Facebook and Twitter feeds for the most up to date information on shipping schedules.

MARVEL
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #655 BIG
ASTONISHING X-MEN #36
AVENGERS #10
CAPTAIN AMERICA #615
DEADPOOL #33
DEADPOOL CORPS #11
DEADPOOL TEAM-UP #884
FANTASTIC FOUR #588 THREE
INCREDIBLE HULKS #623
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #501 
IRON MAN 2.0 #1
IRON MAN THOR #4 (OF 4)
NAMOR FIRST MUTANT #7
NEW MUTANTS #22 AGEX
ORSON SCOTT CARDS SPEAKER FOR DEAD #2 (OF 5)
POWER MAN AND IRON FIST #2 (OF 5)
PUNISHER IN BLOOD #4 (OF 5)
SECRET AVENGERS #10
SPIDER-MAN #11
THOR #620
ULTIMATE COMICS DOOM #3 (OF 4)
ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #154 DOSM
UNCANNY X-MEN #533
WARRIORS THREE #4 (OF 4)
X-23 #6
X-MEN #8
X-MEN LEGACY #245 AGEX
X-MEN TO SERVE AND PROTECT #4 (OF 4)
 
DC
ACTION COMICS #898
DC COMICS PRESENTS BATMAN CONSPIRACY #1
DETECTIVE COMICS #874
GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #20
GREEN ARROW #9 (BRIGHTEST DAY)
JLA THE 99 #5 (OF 6) 
JUSTICE LEAGUE GENERATION LOST #20
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #48
POWER GIRL #21
TEEN TITANS #92

VERTIGO
AMERICAN VAMPIRE #12
NEW YORK FIVE #2 (OF 4) 
SCALPED #46
 
DARK HORSE
KING CONAN SCARLET CITADEL #1
KULL THE HATE WITCH #4 (OF 4)
STAR WARS DARTH VADER & LOST COMMAND #2 (OF 5)
STAR WARS LEGACY WAR #3 (OF 6)

IDW
ATOMIC ROBO DEADLY ART OF SCIENCE #4 (OF 5)
FALLEN ANGEL RETURN OF THE SON #2 (OF 4)
GI JOE #27
KILL SHAKESPEARE #9 (OF 12) SPIKE #5 (OF 8)
STAR TREK INFESTATION #2 (OF 2)
TRANSFORMERS RISING STORM #1 (OF 4)
TRUE BLOOD TAINTED LOVE #1

IMAGE
MISSION #1 
MORNING GLORIES #7
SAVAGE DRAGON #169
SKULLKICKERS #6
SPAWN #203
WALKING DEAD WEEKLY #8
WHO IS JAKE ELLIS? #2

MISCELLANEOUS
BART SIMPSON COMICS #58
BETTY & VERONICA #252
CROSSED PSYCHOPATH #1 (OF 6)
HEAVY METAL SPRING 2011
INCORRUPTIBLE #15
LADY DEATH #2 SIXTH GUN #9
STAN LEE TRAVELER #4
TERRY MOORES ECHO #28

TRADE PAPERBACKS/GRAPHIC NOVELS
ANGELUS TP VOL 01
ANITA BLAKE PREM HC CIRCUS OF DAMNED CHARMER BOOK
ASTONISHING X-MEN TP VOL 06 EXOGENETIC
BOOK OF GENESIS ILLUS BY ROBERT CRUMB HC
CHRONICLES OF KULL TP VOL 04 BLOOD OF KINGS OTHER
DAYTRIPPER TP
FARSCAPE SCORPIUS TP VOL 02
FREAKANGELS TP VOL 05
GRIMM FAIRY TALES TP DIFFERENT SEASONS
HELLBLAZER PANDEMONIUM TP
HUNGER OF SEVEN SQUAT BEARS HC
INCOGNITO TP
INCREDIBLE HULKS DARK SON PREM HC
INCREDIBLE HULKS TP DARK SON ENIGMA FORCE 
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN PREM HC VOL 06
MEANWHILE PICK ANY PATH 3856 STORY POSSIBILITIES
NEMESIS PREM HC (TITAN ED)
SCALPED TP VOL 07 REZ BLUES
SHOWCASE PRESENTS JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA TP
STAND HARDCASES PREM HC
TERM LIFE GN
VAMPIRE TALES GN TP VOL 02
X-MEN CURSE OF MUTANTS PREM HC
X-MEN FIRST CLASS GN TP VOL 01

All Star Recommends!

Welcome back to this weeks round of recommendations. As usual, let us know what you think by leaving feedback below, in the appropriate Facebook thread or by Tweeting us. All prices listed below are Australian shelf price, standing order customers receive a 10% discount.

Cinderella: Fables are Forever
Writer: Chris Roberson
Artist: Shawn McManus
Recommended by: Jess

For those of you familiar with Fables, you might have read the previous mini series starring Cinderella, entitled From Fabletown With Love, released in 2009. Fables Are Forever is the follow up, bringing back the same team of writer Chris Roberson and artist Shawn McManus, along with a delicious looking cover by Chrissie Zullo.

Cinderella's spin off follows an almost film noir style, fashioning gangsters out of fairytale thugs and allowing our golden haired black ops agent to gun her way through countries that don't often get a mention in the original series. Issue 1 of Fables are Forever starts off with Cindy in a bikini in a Russian bathhouse with a gaggle of Ukrainian women and some sleazy men of ill repute, on the trail of a 'Shadow Fabletown', hidden from the world by organised crime. From there, with the help of Cindy's dry, Chandler-esque narration and the well-rounded artwork of McManus, we jump to the present storyline of Fables and start delving into a mystery worthy of some of the better class of espionage stories.

The art is dynamic, colourful and expressive, with subtle scene framing reminiscent of the 70s spy films. The writing is a short departure from the parent comic, allowing for a more sly sense of humour in the characters and a more realistic plot progression. While Fables are Forever does still contain the mythology and magic, it approaches these elements through the no-nonsense and somewhat cold perspective it's main character. Cindy believes in her gun and her ability to sort stuff out.

Highly recommended for anyone eager to flesh out their Fables metaknowledge, or for those who just want some spy-girl action.

Cinderella: Fables are Forever #1 is available at All Star Comics now for $4.50.

DMZ
Writer: Brian Wood
Artist: Various

Recommended by: Dom

DMZ began as a series written in the wake of 9/11 and the second Iraq war. Like a number of great Science Fiction works, it is a reaction to political tensions of the time. The story depicts New York City as the titular DMZ, a lawless environment in the middle of a modern American civil war. As the series has evolved, politics within the United States have continued to be more divisive than ever. As a result of this the book has taken shape of something that could be more prescient than its original intent was perhaps expected.

With the series now coming to its conclusion, Brian Wood continues to focus on some of the diverse characters he has introduced througout the overall story. It's because of this attention to keeping its main characters in view that the book has had such a wide appeal to readers. Wood's stories are character focused making the series feel almost documentary like in its depiction of a post war New York City. The artwork which acompanies these stories will often remain on the ground level with the characters, giving the reader a sense of being a tourist.

DMZ is a series that captures the feel of life during wartime but it never loses focus of its characters. It is quite an accomplishment on Brian Wood's part in that he has been able to contain a story dealing with large and complex issues and yet keep it grounded to its core characters, particularly main character Matty Roth. If you want to see a scary depiction of a future not entirely out of the realm of possibility, DMZ is a great start.

DMZ Volume 9: MIA is available at All Star Comics for $19.95. Volumes 1-8 are also available and they range between $14.95 and $22.95.

Locke and Key
Writer: Joe Hill 
Artist: Gabriel Rodriguez
Recommended by: Luke

Many authors are blessed with the luxury of having their work speak for itself, but in the case of Joe Hill his lineage carries an unfortunately weighty amount of expectation being the son of one Stephen King. In his comic series Locke and Key he seems to embrace his heritage by telling a story that wouldn’t be out of place in his father’s oeuvre. Bold yes, but Locke and Key delivers in its exploration of a supernatural aura centered upon an old house in the town of Lovecraft. The mansion itself hides a dark legacy which continues to affect the family of recently widowed Mrs Locke and her three children, two boys Bode and Tyler and daughter Kinsey.

The strength of the series lies in its ability to straddle tone; In one instance the mystical goings on are thoroughly magical, akin to the childlike wonder captured in the early films of Steven Spieleberg and M. Night Shyamalan; While in the next you can be pulled back into reality by stark violence permeated by a creeping dread more commonly seen in the darker work of a Clive Barker or David Cronenberg.

At its core, it remains a horror book with certain hooks and tropes alluding to something that took place in the deceased father’s past coming back to challenge his unsuspecting family; but by funneling much of the story through the children’s perspective we get a less cynical view of proceedings which creates true menace when their innocence is confronted by the more insidious forces that seek to possess the house’ treasures.

LOCKE & KEY Vol. 1 & 2 can be ordered in at All Star Comics now for $26.95. Single issues are also available for $6. 

PREVIOUS RECOMMENDATIONS
Casanova, Infinite Vacation #1 and Invincible Iron Man #500.1 

Want to Win a $100 All Star Comics Voucher?

We can't thank you all enough for your love and support over the last couple of weeks. As a way of returning the favour, we want to give you all the chance to win a $100 voucher to use in the store. All we want you to do is share the love of comics.

It's simple, just send a friend in the store, if they spend equal to or over the cost of a standard single issue (generally around $5) and mention your name, not only will they recieve a 10% discount but you'll also go in the draw to win the $100 voucher. The more friends you send in, the more chances you have to win. This also includes bringing your friends into the store in case they are a little skittish about coming into a comic book store alone. The winner of the contest will be drawn at 1pm on Saturday the 5th of March so that gives you a couple of weeks to get as many people in the door as you can and we will be taking entries right up until this time.

Worried that your friend doesn't know what to buy? That's what we're here for. We like to think we're somewhat experienced at offering advice based on interests and we feel confident that we'll be able to push them in the right direction. So tweet it, facebook it, get a group together to come in this weekend or the next. We look forward to seeing some new faces.

Any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.

With the Good News Comes the Bad

Hi Everyone,

First, the bad news. As you've all heard by now our shipment has been delayed until Sunday. Unfortunately this is because of reasons beyond our control. We hope you can wait the extra few days for your comics. If you have any questions please contact or message us and we will do our best to answer you. See our previous blog post for information on this weeks releases. Keep an eye on our Facebook and Twitter pages for the latest updates on the shipment. We will let you know as soon as we hear if there are further delays.

So onto the good news, we are happy to announce that we are officially a proud sponsor of the Astor Theatre with this ad appearing in their latest calendar.

This great Saul Bass inspired piece was designed  by in house genius designer Tim Hobday. We can't thank him enough for his help in producing this for us. So make sure you pick up when it becomes available, until then you can view it online here.

Speaking of the silver screen, our good friend Zak Hepburn has been running the fantastic Cult Vault nights at the Westgarth Cinema. This week they are screening the anime classic Ghost In The Shell. Get in touch with them for information on tickets. If you go and check it out you may see this before the screening.

We probably don't have to explain to you who designed the poster at this point, but let's heap more praise on Tim anyway.

So as stated, good news with the bad. Once again, we hope you can wait a little longer for this weeks comics and if you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact us.

New Comics for February 16th

UPDATE: Our Shipment has been delayed. At this stage we are expecting to get it on Sunday. Please keep an eye on the below links for up to date information.

Hi everyone,

The following is a list of comics that are scheduled to ship to All Star this Wednesday. Please let us know if there is something on this list that you thought was supposed to come out this week, we will investigate the issue. Remember, if there is stock we don't have that you are interested in, ask us and we will place a special order for you. Keep an eye on our Facebook and Twitter feeds for the most up to date information on shipping schedules. If there is a delay, we will let you know the minute we find out. 

MARVEL

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #654.1

AVENGERS ACADEMY #9

CAPTAIN AMERICA MAN OUT OF TIME #4 (OF 5)

DAREDEVIL REBORN #2 (OF 4)

DEADPOOL MAX #5

FORMIC WARS BURNING EARTH #1 (OF 7)

GENERATION HOPE #4

HAWKEYE: BLIND SPOT #1 (OF 4)

HULK #30

IRON MAN RAPTURE #4 (OF 4)

MARVEL GIRL #1

SHIELD #6

SILVER SURFER #1 (OF 5)

SPIDER-GIRL #4

THUNDERBOLTS #153

UNCANNY X-FORCE #5

VENOM DEADPOOL #1

WOLVERINE #6

WOLVERINE & JUBILEE #2 (OF 4)

DC

BATMAN #707

BOOSTER GOLD #41

BRIGHTEST DAY #20

DC UNIVERSE ONLINE LEGENDS #2

DOOM PATROL #19

GREEN LANTERN #62 (BRIGHTEST DAY)

GREEN LANTERN CORPS #57 (BRIGHTEST DAY)

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #54

LEGION OF SUPER HEROES #10

OUTSIDERS #36

SPIRIT #11

SUPERGIRL #61

SUPERMAN BATMAN #81

TINY TITANS #37

WONDER WOMAN #607

YOUNG JUSTICE #1

VERTIGO

DMZ #62

FABLES #102

HELLBLAZER #276

DARK HORSE

MASS EFFECT EVOLUTION #2 (OF 4)

MIGHTY SAMSON #2

STAR WARS KNIGHT ERRANT #5 (OF 5)

IDW

ANGEL #42

DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS #4

GI JOE COBRA II #13

KILL SHAKESPEARE #1 100 PENNY PRESS ED

TANK GIRL BAD WIND RISING #2 (OF 4)

TRANSFORMERS INFESTATION #2 (OF 2)

IMAGE

MARINEMAN #3

MEMOIR #2 (OF 6)

WALKING DEAD WEEKLY #7

MISCELANIOUS

28 DAYS LATER #20

ARCHIE & FRIENDS #152

BOYS #51

GARTH ENNIS JENNIFER BLOOD #1

SIMPSONS COMICS #175

SONIC UNIVERSE #25

STAN LEE SOLDIER ZERO #5

VAMPIRELLA #3

TRADE PAPERBACKS/GRAPHIC NOVELS

28 DAYS LATER TP VOL 03 HOTZONE

ABE SAPIEN TP VOL 01 DROWNING

ABSOLUTE PROMETHEA HC VOL 01

ABSOLUTE PROMETHEA HC VOL 02

ALL NEW ATOM TP VOL 01 MY LIFE IN MINIATURE

AMERICAN VAMPIRE HC VOL 01

AVENGERS & INFINITY GAUNTLET GN TP

BOMB QUEEN TP VOL 01 WOMAN OF MASS DESTRUCTION

BOMB QUEEN TP VOL 02 QUEEN OF HEARTS

BOMB QUEEN TP VOL 03 BOMBSHELL

BOMB QUEEN TP VOL 04 SUICIDE BOMBER

BOMB QUEEN TP VOL 05 BOMBASTIC

BPRD TP VOL 02 SOUL OF VENICE AND OTHER STORIES

BPRD TP VOL 04 THE DEAD

BPRD TP VOL 05 BLACK FLAME

BPRD TP VOL 07 GARDEN OF SOULS

BPRD TP VOL 08 KILLING GROUND

BPRD TP VOL 09 1946

BPRD TP VOL 10 THE WARNING

BPRD TP VOL 11 BLACK GODDESS

BPRD TP VOL 12 WAR ON FROGS

BPRD TP VOL 13 1947

BTVS SEASON 8 TP VOL 01 LONG WAY HOME

BTVS SEASON 8 TP VOL 04 TIME OF YOUR LIFE

CAPTAIN AMERICA SCOURGE OF UNDERWORLD TP

CHARLES BURNS X ED OUT GN

CHEW TP VOL 03 JUST DESSERTS

CLUMSY GN

COURIERS GN VOL 01

CRIMINAL DELUXE ED HC

DAKEN DARK WOLVERINE PREM HC EMPIRE

DEAD AT 17 AFTERBIRTH TP VOL 5

DEAD AT 17 ULTIMATE ED TP

DEADPOOL MERC WITH A MOUTH TP VOL 01 HEAD TRIP

DMZ TP VOL 09 MIA

ESSENTIAL THOR TP VOL 03

FABLES TP VOL 14 WITCHES

FROM HELL TP

GHOSTBUSTERS HAUNTED HOLIDAYS TP

GI JOE SPECIAL MISSIONS TP VOL 03

HUMAN TARGET SECOND CHANCES TP

INCORRUPTIBLE TP VOL 01

INCREDIBLE CHANGE BOTS ONE GN

JOSS WHEDONS FRAY FUTURE SLAYER TP

LOBSTER JOHNSON TP VOL 01 IRON PROMETHEUS

MARVEL SELECT INCREDIBLE HULK AF

MORNING GLORIES VOL 01 FOR A BETTER FUTURE TP

ORC STAIN TP VOL 01

SAVAGE DRAGON BACK IN BLUE TP

SAVAGE DRAGON DRAGON WAR TP

SAVAGE DRAGON IDENTITY CRISIS TP

SAVAGE DRAGON UNITED WE STAND TP

SERENITY BETTER DAYS TP

SHADOWLAND PREM HC

SHONEN JUMP MARCH 2011

SPAWN ORIGINS TP VOL 09

SPIDER-WOMAN TP AGENT OF SWORD

SUPERMAN BATMAN TORMENT TP

SWEETER SIDE OF R CRUMB SC

TRUE BLOOD HC VOL 01 ALL TOGETHER NOW

TUROK SON OF STONE TP

UMBRELLA ACADEMY TP VOL 01 APOCALYPSE SUITE

UNDELETED SCENES TP

UNLIKELY GN

WILSON HC

All Star Recommends!

As you all know we are trying to make All Star Comics Melbourne something unique. So, we've decided to post up some recommendations which we'll try to get to you on a weekly basis. Let us know what you think by leaving feedback below, in the appropriate Facebook thread or by Tweeting us. All prices listed below are Australian shelf price, standing order customers receive a 10% discount.

Casanova: Luxuria – Marvel/Icon

Writer: Matt Fraction

Artist: Gabriel Ba
Recommended by: Luke

Writer Matt Fraction has become one of the key creative staples within Marvel Comics. His upcoming Fear Itself is an event that seeks to support this year’s films from Marvel Studios, similar to the way his Invincible Iron Man run launched with the blockbuster film in 2008.  Before all this though, he had a little book over at Image comics that was changing the game in ways previously only seen by the likes of Warren Ellis and Grant Morrison; An eye opening tale of paradoxical parallel dimensions, filled with spies and psychedelic cerebral conflict and at the centre, aloof playboy lothario, Casanova Quinn. 

Casanova sees the author’s loves, influences and obsessions unchained and even unburdened by the expectations of mainstream comics, giving us a glimpse of a world (to quote the affable Willy Wonka) ‘of pure imagination’. There are more ideas and explosions of dynamism on one page of Casanova than most comics eke out in 22. Mock-u-mentary style asides ala American Flagg and the Dark Knight Returns compliment the action with character foibles and insight that are story centric but also allow a glimpse into how the medium can be used and pushed to its limit. Oh and it’s funny and a little cheeky/rude too.

Think James Bond by way of Selina Kyle with a dose of James Dean and Jarvis Cocker circa 1997 velvet hipster, but with long hair, and you still don’t quite encapsulate the place this gem occupies.

Casanova: Luxuria is available now at All Star Comics Melbourne for $19.95, new issues are $6.

The Infinite Vacation #1 – Image

Writer: Nick Spencer

Artist: Christian Ward
Recommended by: Dom

The Infinite Vacation is the story of the everyman in a high concept situation. The world of the main character is seemingly no different to our own other than the titular concept of The Infinite Vacation, a mobile phone application allowing the user to discover an alternate reality showing what would have happened if they had made a different decision. The book puts the character in the position of someone who need not take risks because they can see the outcome of an alternative decision with just the press of a button.

One of the key issues a lot of people have with science fiction is their inability to connect to the worlds characters often inhabit. A large and fantastic world can often be too much information and hinders a reader’s ability to connect to the character story. The Infinite Vacation removes this problem by brining the earlier mentioned high concept idea into a tangible world to the reader. The clever exposition detailing this high concept is handled early which in turn gives a solid foundation for the main characters story to begin. It is here that the important questions of a first issue are raised drawing the reader into the character's arc. The situations presented to the reader aren't too outlandish grounding the story to begin with so the headier ideas can come with natural progression.

The Infinite Vacation is that sort of hidden Science Fiction that you see in films like Eternal Sunshine of A Spotless Mind. The science is there to strengthen the characters and compound their problems. It’s possible that miniseries could spiral out of control in later issues but if writer Nick Spencer is able to maintain the solid structure on display in this first issue, this book should remain an exciting adventure through possibility.

The Infinite Vacation #1 is available now at All Star Comics Melbourne for $5.25.

Invincible Iron Man 500.1 - Marvel

Writer: Matt Fraction

Artist: Salvador Larocca

Recommended by: Eddie

Coming off the fantastic Stark Resilient arc and the interesting alternate reality take on the death of Tony in 500, Matt Fraction and crew bring us a quieter tale in issue 500.1. The idea of the story is a simple one, Tony Stark Attends an Alcoholics anonymous meeting. Basic idea, but it is through Tony telling the story to his fellow addicts where the strength of this issue lies.

 There is a monolog in this issue by Tony that, if read aloud, sounds believable as the story of someone facing addiction in the real world. The juxtaposition of the images from Tony’s life as Iron Man is strong, particularly with this monologue being spoken to a crowd unaware of his alternate life. This is particularly apparent when the reader is show some of the crazier images from the characters often colourful past. It is these layers that help the issue stand out as a great Iron Man tale.

Invincible Iron Man #500.1 is a solid jumping on point for new readers but also a nice reveal for long time readers of this run. It also serves as a lovely trailer for what is to come in the title this year. This issue left me wanting a coffee, if you read it, you’ll know that’s a good thing.

Invincible Iron Man #500.1 is available now at All Star Comics Melbourne for $4.50.

New Comics For 9th February

Hi Everyone,

Here is the list for comics which should be on the shelf tomorrow afternoon. Keep an eye on our Facebook or Twitter for updates on when that will be. If you can't make it in tomorrow but see something on this list you would like to put on hold, give us a call and we'll try to help you out.

MARVEL 
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #654
ANITA BLAKE CIRCUS OF DAMNED INGENUE #2 (OF 5)
AVENGERS EARTHS MIGHTIEST HEROES #4 (OF 4)
BLACK PANTHER MAN WITHOUT FEAR #515
CAPTAIN AMERICA KORVAC SAGA #3 (OF 4)
CARNAGE #3 (OF 5)
CASANOVA GULA #2 (OF 4)
DARK TOWER GUNSLINGER LITTLE SISTERS ELURIA #3
DEADPOOL TEAM-UP #885
HEROES FOR HIRE #3
INCREDIBLE HULKS #622
INVADERS NOW #5 (OF 5)
NEW AVENGERS #9
ONSLAUGHT UNLEASHED #1 (OF 4)
OSBORN #3 (OF 5)
POWER MAN AND IRON FIST #1 (OF 5)
PUNISHER MAX #10
SECRET WARRIORS #24
SUPER HEROES #11
THUNDER AGENTS #4
THUNDERSTRIKE #3 (OF 5)
ULTIMATE AVENGERS VS NEW ULTIMATES #1 (OF 6) DOSM
ULTIMATE COMICS CAPTAIN AMERICA #2 (OF 4)
ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #153 DOSM
WIDOW MAKER #4 (OF 4)
WOLVERINE #1000
WOLVERINE #5.1
X-FACTOR #215

DC
ADVENTURE COMICS #523
ALL NEW BATMAN THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #4
ASSASSINS CREED THE FALL #3 (OF 3)
BATGIRL #18BATMAN AND ROBIN #20
BIRDS OF PREY #9
DC COMICS PRESENTS GREEN LANTERN FEAR ITSELF #1
DC COMICS PRESENTS WONDER WOMAN #1
DC UNIVERSE LEGACIES #9 (OF 10)
DEUS EX #1 (OF 6)
DOC SAVAGE #11
GREEN LANTERN EMERALD WARRIORS #7 (WAR OF GL)
JUSTICE LEAGUE GENERATION LOST #19 (BRIGHTEST DAY)
KNIGHT & SQUIRE #5 (OF 6)
REBELS #25
RED ROBIN #20
SUPERMAN #708
TITANS #32
VICTORIAN UNDEAD II HOLMES VS DRACULA #4 (OF 5)

VERTIGO
CINDERELLA FABLES ARE FOREVER #1 (OF 6)
NORTHLANDERS #37
UNWRITTEN #22

DARK HORSE
BPRD HELL ON EARTH GODS #2 (OF 3)

IMAGE
HACK SLASH ONGOING #1
HAUNT #13 (RES)
LIL DEPRESSED BOY #1
WALKING DEAD #81
WALKING DEAD WEEKLY #6

IDW
DOCTOR WHO CLASSICS SERIES 4 #1 SEVENTH DOCTOR
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS DARK SUN #2 (OF 5)
GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO #163
STAR TREK INFESTATION #1 (OF 2)
TRANSFORMERS INFESTATION #1 (OF 2)
TRANSFORMERS ONGOING #1 100 PENNY PRESS ED
TRANSFORMERS ONGOING #16

MISCELLANEOUS
AMORY WARS KEEPING SECRETS OF SILENT EARTH 3 #8
ATOMIC ROBO DEADLY ART OF SCIENCE #3 (OF 5)
B & V FRIENDS DOUBLE DIGEST #211
BETTY #190
BUCK ROGERS ANNUAL #1
CHARISMAGIC #0
FARSCAPE #16
GREEN HORNET #13
RAISE THE DEAD II #3
SPONGEBOB COMICS #1
STAN LEE STARBORN #3
WARLORD OF MARS #4

TRADE PAPERBACKS/GRAPHIC NOVELS
AIR TP VOL 04 A HISTORY OF THE FUTURE
FARSCAPE SCORPIUS TP VOL 02
FARSCAPE TP VOL 03 GONE & BACK
GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO TP VOL 01
HAUNT TP VOL 02 (RES)
INCOGNITO TP (MR)
LOBSTER JOHNSON TP VOL 01 IRON PROMETHEUS
MMW FANTASTIC FOUR TP VOL 05
NAMOR FIRST MUTANT TP VOL 01 CURSE OF MUTANTS
NAMOR VISIONARIES TP JOHN BYRNE VOL 01
NEW MUTANTS FOREVER TP
SPIDER-MAN ANIMAL MAGNETISM TP
STAR WARS OLD REPUBLIC TP VOL 01 BLOOD OF EMPIRE
SUICIDE SQUAD TP VOL 01 TRIAL BY FIRE
SUPERMAN MON EL TP VOL 01
TEEN TITANS HUNT FOR RAVEN TP
THOR DEATH OF ODIN TP
YOUNG ALLIES TP

Thanks For A Great Night!

To all of those who had a chance to make it to last nights grand opening, thank you. You all made the launch of All Star Comics something special. For those of you that didn't get a chance to come in, remember we will be open seven days a week and we hope to see you soon. Hopefully these pictures don't spoil the experience too much.

We'd also like to thank all those who took pictures of the event, we hope you don't mind us reposting them. Above is one taken by Haley Rooney which really captures how busy things got. 
 

Troy's tower was certainly loved by all who saw it. One of our great new features we like to think brings something unique to All Star. Thanks to James McGauran for this one.

More views on just how busy things got. Thanks to Muhammad Iqbal for this and the many other great photographs he posted on Facebook.

Mitch, clearly happy with the turn out. Photo by James.

Troy taking a hard earned break and eating one of Jess' great cupcakes. Photo by James.

We worked hard on getting the stock on the shelves in time. Photo by James.
 

Another photo by James which shows off the unique showcase/essential tower.

Once again, thanks to all that showed up and all those that gave up their free time to help set up this larger than expected event. It was a night we will remember.