Waiting for Wednesday, Volume 2, Issue 51

Traditionally, the last comic book Wednesday before the Christmas holiday is one of--if not the--biggest shipping weeks of the entire year. This happens for a couple of reasons, one of which being that the publishers rush to get late product that was solicited for 2010 out before the last day of the year.

That way, it's non-returnable per Diamond's guidelines.

So if there's a book that you've been not-so-patiently waiting for since, say, July, and it's been constantly delayed, take a second look at the shipping list for today, as there's a good chance the book will be there.

I think another reason for the massive amount of new product at this time has to be the idea that people will be shopping, and they'll be more likely to buy stuff if more of it is there.

Or something.

Everyone I know has less money to spend around the holidays on things like comics and books--not more. So, by inundating stores with all this stuff right before Christmas, I feel like the publishers miss out on sales that would have been easier to make had the product spread out more evenly over time.

Of course, this directly affects comic book retailers, who have to compete for their last quarter sales with places like Amazon, Borders, and the slew of online comics shops that heavily discount new books.

But, hey, they're only the lifeblood of the industry, right?

In any case, expect a metric ton of new comics, trades, and toys this week. So let's dive right in. In keeping with the spirit of the season (and to further my love of whacky, holiday related reading), there are two (count 'em, two!) Christmas/Holiday comics shipping today, and we'll get to those in just a bit.

But first, let's talk about a new one-shot from IDW and horror writer Joe Hill. Adapted from his best-selling first book (a short story anthology called 20th Century Ghosts), The Cape one-shot ships today.
And, according to the writer, he was so enamored with how the adaptation turned out, that he is planning on expanding the story to include four more issues.

And, in case you were wondering, Hill has the following to say on his website/blog:

"I suppose this is as good a place as any to note that our comic has NOTHING TO DO with the TV show called The Cape, which is just about to premiere. I wish the makers of the show well, but our Cape has firsties."

Hill's track record in comics is beyond stellar, with his IDW series, Locke & Key, continually nominated for Eisners and Harveys and, currently, Monster Awards.

I've talked about Hill's work a lot here on the blog, and I'm very much a fan of his writing. His horror makes you think, it's smart and sophisticated, and personally, I believe he's the best horror writer in comics today.

I haven't yet read the short story from which this comic is based, so I'm not entirely sure what to expect with The Cape. Here's the solicitation information provided by IDW:

Locke & Key: Keys to the Kingdom takes a month break in December, but in its place is another Joe Hill extravaganza!

This special one-shot takes Hill's acclaimed short story from his best-selling short-story collection 20th Century Ghosts and adapts it to comics! The Cape will walk you along the fence of childhood innocence, and then throw you face first into a brick wall. Explore your dark side in this tale by Hill and Jason Ciaramella, with art and two covers by Zach Howard.

I know, I know. Not much to go on. But I'm so confident in Hill's ability to deliver the goods that I pre-order every book he does, and I expect The Cape to be a great read.

Next up, it's time to get into the holiday spirit with two specials. The first comes from Image in the form of the Dynamo 5 Holiday Special 2010, written by series creator Jay Faerber.
Dynamo 5 is an interesting series in that, it's "real life" super heroes--a much overused trope in comics over the past decade--told in a way that actually seems believable.

And, as with all great super hero comics, the real story takes place when the capes are in the closet and the fighting is done.

A drama about the five teenage children of legendary--and missing and/or dead--superhero Captain Dynamo, Faerber has created a rich and interesting world for these characters.

Here's the solicitation info from Image for the Holiday Special:

It's the holiday season in Tower City, but the Dynamo 5 kids don't get any time off. They're busy tracking down one of Captain Dynamo's old enemies, who has escaped from prison. But is there more to this simple escape than meets the eye?

Featuring a special epilogue section that lays the groundwork for Dynamo 5 in 2011!

It's a good book, well written, and the art teams are always great, new up-and-comers. Give it a shot if you've never read it.

And, finally today, the book that DC fans have been waiting for with baited breath since writer Geoff Johns announced it at Comic-Con. From DC comes the Green Lantern: Larfleeze Christmas Special.
Yep. This one's gonna rock. Here's the blurb from DC, which speaks for itself:

It's BRIGHTEST (CHRISTMAS) DAY! What do you want for Christmas? Orange Lantern Larfleeze wants everything – including Santa Claus himself! And nothing, not even the heroes of the DC Universe can to stop the Orange Lantern from getting what he wants!

Plus, you won't want to miss the strange holiday season shenanigans starring the rest of the Orange Lantern Corps! Superstar writer Geoff Johns and artist Brett Booth team up for an unbelievable sleigh ride adventure!

And that's that. I'll be back tomorrow with more wonderful. But until then, what are you Waiting for?