PRE-ORDER PICKS For Books Releasing In June 2019

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is Month Two of the revised feature titled PRE-ORDER PICKS. I will recommend books that I know are really good because I’ve either read an advanced review copy of a single issue - - or I’ve read all the individual issues that comprise a new trade paperback or hardcover being offered.

With all of these PRE-ORDER PICKS keep in mind - - if you are interested, don’t take a chance on the store having a copy. Make sure by pre-ordering. Your local comic shop will thank you. Guaranteed sales help make them profitable. Please place your order before Wednesday, APRIL 25 - - which is the cut-off date.

My plans for this feature call for me to post a review of everything that I’ve recommended for pre-order. Just like last month, I simply ran out of time.
Here are my PRE-ORDER PICKS for JUNE 2019, in no order of preference.

CONAN VOLUME 1: THE LIFE AND DEATH OF CONAN Trade Paperback reprints Conan #1 -6 Marvel Comics. (W) Jason Aaron (A) Mahmud Asrar & Gerardo Zaffino. Order # APR190960.

The return of CONAN THE BARBARIAN to Marvel Comics is somewhat bittersweet. On the upside, Marvel is the publisher that brought the pulp era tales of Conan(by creator Robert E Howard) and the fantastic imagery of artist Barry Windsor Smith to a new audience. On the downside, I’m sad to see the licensing for this property pass from Dark Horse Comics, who did an admirable job with the character for all the years they held the comics contract on Conan. However, the book is in very good hands with the present creative team.

I love that the first story arc is a saga that spans the various ages of Conan and allegedly will feature his death in the final issue of the arc. (I’ve only seen issues #1-5 so far, so even I don’t know how this wraps up.) Aaron introduces the Crimson Witch, who siphons a little more of the Conan energy every time he goes into battle until finally . . . well, we’ll have to wait and see.

HARDCORE VOLUME 1 Trade Paperback reprints Hardcore #1-5. Image Comics. (W) Andy Diggle (A) Alessandro Vitti, Adriano Lucas Order # APR190043.

Hardcore was originally introduced as a Top Cow one-shot issue, created by Robert Kirkman and Marc Silvestri. I didn’t read that so I can’t speak to how close the new version from Diggle and Vitti is - - but I really like the idea. Also, the first four issues have been released as of this writing, so I’m not sure how this is going to end (although I hope it works out for the main character).

A special government program allows agents to essentially assume the identity of others, including physical appearance and speech patterns. However, there is a limit to how long they can do this, and the program has just been sabotaged before the agent can finish the mission and return to his actual body. The clock is ticking on how long until he’s deleted from both identities.

WYRD VOLUME 1 Trade Paperback reprints Wyrd #1-4. Dark Horse Comics. (W) Curt Pires (A) Stefano Simeone. Order # APR 190271.

This is going to seem like a broken record: Only two issues have been published so far, and I don’t know how this is going to end. However, the character is quirky, an immortal assassin-for-hire with authority issues among other things. It’s clever and interesting and will remind readers of the early days of John Constantine / Hellblazer in many ways.

CAPTAIN GINGER VOLUME 1 Trade Paperback reprints Captain Ginger #1-4. Ahoy Comics. (W) Stuart Moore (A) June Brigman. Order # APR 191333.

If you love cats, you’ll want to check this out. For the rest of us, if you like goofy space opera - how about cats in space taking over an interstellar ship from the deceased human crew?

Even though the cats have evolved and stride on two legs and wear human clothing, they still act like cats - - and breed like them too! There’s a funny overpopulation problem that plagues the crew. Whimsical but not so silly that you won’t enjoy it. It’s also great to see June Brigman (Power Pack) penciling a regular book — I thought she retired. Her art is better than ever.

HIGH HEAVEN VOLUME 1 Trade Paperback reprints High Heaven #1-5 Ahoy Comics. (W) Tom Peyer (A) Greg Scott, Andy Troy. Order # APR191334.

I did get to read every issue of this one! High Heaven is a light-hearted and funny satire on religious beliefs particularly as they apply to Heaven.

Poor David Weathers never gets a break, always an also-ran when it comes to recognition and romance and often the butt of jokes at work and in his social life. Maybe dying and going to Heaven will improve his situation in the afterlife. Nope! There are different tiers in Heaven and different benefits depending on how the person is judged — and Weathers gets to inhabit a tier with horrible conditions. He complains to everybody and quickly becomes an outsider shunned by the others. There’s more, but I would rather not spoil it for you.