Waiting for Wednesday, Volume 2, Issue 49

Well, it’s late Tuesday as I write this, and I’m still not entirely sure what books are coming out this week from the publishers. Diamond’s website is currently in the process of being rebuilt, it seems, after some kind of hardware issues that they are trying to resolve.

Hopefully they can get that back up and running, as people like me depend on the site to generate a pull list for the week. (It’s dangerous for me to wander into a comics shop without "pre-browsing" the books on sale, since I’m way more likely to spend way more money.)

[Editor's Note: As of Wednesday morning, Diamond's site is back up and running at full capacity, so go check out what's on sale today!]

Once I write out my list, it very, very rarely changes--if it ain’t on my little cheat sheet when I walk in the store, it ain’t in my bag when I walk out of the store.

Still and all, there’s one new release that I’m certain is coming out today, and it’s one that I’m very happy to promote, since it seemed to have fallen under the radar when the single issues were coming out month to month. There's also a single issue that I'll happily spend way too much money on, for the sake of tradition.


But before we get to all that, let’s talk about USA Today. You know, the newspaper. Okay, fine. Not really the newspaper, but the online version of USA Today. Which is kind of like a newspaper. Only it's responsible for putting the actual newspaper out of business.

Right.

Anyway, USA Today and Dark Horse Comics recently announced a joint publishing venture, wherein the paper will run short comics stories by Dark Horse creators. And, whattaya know? This week, Eric Powell's The Goon gets the USA Today treatment, with an all-new eight-page story called, "Irish Wake."

You can check out the full story--which ran in two parts, one on Monday and one on Tuesday--right here. Go on, already. Check it out!

And with that perfect lead in, let's get to the new comics!

First up, from Marvel, we have a three-issue hardcover collection of a stand-alone X-Force story, titled "Sex and Violence." Featuring X-Force mainstays Wolverine and Domino, this story certainly lives up to its name.
Now, if you're not familiar with X-Force, don't worry--neither was I. I know Wolverine, and very, very little about Domino, but I was able to find my way through the story just fine.

It's a fast, violent read, and the gorgeous, painted art by Gabrielle Dell'otto is nothing short of stunning on each and every page. Here's the solicitation information from Marvel:

The Story: Just when you thought it was over, we pull you back in—it’s the X-Force story everyone’s been talking about, finally delivered!

Wolverine and Domino have always had a special relationship, but everything goes upside down when the Assassins Guild puts out a hit on our gun wielding bombshell. Why do they want her dead? And more importantly, how many people have to die before Wolverine and Domino can spend some quality time together?

Get ready for the sexiest blood-soaked ride Craig Kyle and Chris Yost have ever delivered as they join forces with international superstar Gabriele Dell'otto to offer up their final X-Force story!

Plus, Grant Morrison and Leinil Yu bring you the story of how Wolverine and Domino first got together in the pages of New X-Men. Collecting X-FORCE: SEX AND VIOLENCE #1-3 & NEW X-MEN ANNUAL 2001. 120 PGS./Parental Advisory

And they're not kidding when they mean Parental Advisory. This isn't the story you give to little Billy for Christmas. Or, come to think of it, little Nathaniel. But if you enjoy fast, action-packed (and blood-soaked) Wolverine stories, then this book is for you.

Next up, we have a yearly tradition--the DCU Holiday Special 2010 ships today! Yes, the stories are cheesy! Yes, the book is $5! Yes, I need gas in my car and should spend the money on that!
But, c'mon! It's the holidays, and they're just not complete (around my tree, at least) unless I'm reading some Christmas comics while I wait for Old Saint Nick to stop by.

Here's the info from DC:

From the dawn of time (Anthro) to the far-flung future (Legion of Super-Heroes), sentient life has honored the winter holidays with celebrations and rituals as diverse as the universe itself!

Join DC Comics – and a stellar team of writers and artists – to honor the vast and diverse holidays of the DC Universe in 6 tales of holiday cheer!

Starring the aforementioned characters along with Superman, The Spectre, Jonah Hex, and Green Lantern John Stewart for a HOLIDAY SPECIAL like no other!

Do you need to read/own this collection? Absolutely not! But it's good, harmless fun, and there's nothing better than following up a post-Christmas Eve meal with some superhero comics. I highly recommend it.

And with that, I'm out like Superman on a Kryptonite hammock. Before I go, though, what are you Waiting for?