Waiting for Wednesday, Volume 3, Issue 41

Wow. I can't believe New York Comic Con starts tomorrow. Where in the world did the entire summer (and a good chunk of fall, for that matter) go? Heck, before you know it, one of your favorite Exfanders will be getting married.

Jeez. Talk about time flying.

Anyway, since NYCC is fast approaching and I'm planning on taking a couple of days off from work to attend, I need to make today's post pretty short and to the point. I'll probably be at this desk late into the night, so I most likely won't make it to the comics shop until next week.

Even so, there are a bunch of new books coming out today--including the first issue 2's from DC's relaunch--and despite the fact that I plan on spending way too much at NYCC, I still have a pretty big list for today.

Maybe it's better that I'll be picking those books up some time next week, a little closer to pay day...

And that's another thing. Why is it that every time I go to a convention, it's on the non-payday week? Every time. It's uncanny. Even without you know, money, I'm hoping to have a lot of fun at the show and I'm hoping to see a number of people I haven't seen in quite a while.

Before I head out to the Big City, though, here's what's got me excited about this week in comics.

First up, from Dark Horse we have probably the most interesting comic (to me at least) of the year. Written and created by Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello, Orchid, issue one, hits stands today for the introductory price of $1.00.
I've read a bit about the story and I've checked out preview pages and I'm definitely looking forward to picking this book up. Check out the solicitation information from Dark horse:

From the mind of musician Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, The Nightwatchman) with art by Scott Hepburn (Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic), Orchid is the tale of a teenage prostitute who learns that she is more than the role society has imposed upon her.

When the seas rose, genetic codes were smashed. Human settlements are ringed by a dense wilderness from which ferocious new animal species prey on the helpless. The high ground belongs to the rich and powerful that overlook swampland shantytowns from their fortress-like cities. Iron-fisted rule ensures order and allows the wealthy to harvest the poor as slaves. Welcome to the world of Orchid.

* Featuring a variant cover by the best known and influential street artist Shepard Fairey!

Each issue to feature new music by Tom Morello! Find out more at www.NightWatchmanmusic.com

New music to go along with each issue? That's really cool. Morello will be at NYCC this week, and I understand that Dark Horse will be pushing this book big time at the con. It seems different and interesting enough to give it a shot. Plus, for a buck can you really go wrong?

Next we have the 2011 edition of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF)'s annual anthology.
And instead of me trying to explain what it is, I'm gonna be lazy and just paste in the long copy from the CBLDF.

A COMIC BOOK LEGAL DEFENSE FUND BENEFIT BOOK!

Stand Up For Your Rights! Censorship is the ultimate form of bullying. Censors want to take away the power people have to think, speak, or create freely. In CBLDF LIBERTY ANNUAL 2011, Legendary Editor BOB SCHRECK gathers an all-star line-up of comics creators to stand up to those censoring bullies with 48 powerful pages of ALL NEW story and art about standing up for your rights! All proceeds from this book benefit the important First Amendment work of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, who've been fighting censorship in comics for 25 years!

This year's Liberty Annual includes incredible contributions, including all-new original stories by superstars J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI, FRANK QUITELY, J.H. WILLIAMS III, STEVE NILES, JUDD WINICK, MARK WAID, and CARLA SPEED MCNEIL. Plus, new tales featuring GRENDEL by MATT WAGNER, COWBOY NINJA VIKING by AJ LIEBERMAN & RILEY ROSSMO, and ELEPHANTMEN by RICHARD STARKINGS & SHAKY KANE. Plus a massive, and first ever color story from indy comics master CRAIG THOMPSON! Even Marvel and DC have stepped up to show their support all-new pin-ups including BATMAN by DUSTIN NGUYEN, X-MEN by GREG LAND, GREEN LANTERN by IVAN REIS, and THE AVENGERS by GREG HORN!

All proceeds from CBLDF Liberty Annual 2011 will benefit the important First Amendment legal work of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of the First Amendment rights of the comics art form and its community of retailers, creators, publishers, librarians and readers.

The CBLDF is a vital part of the comics industry, and one that needs as much support as it can get. It's a good cause, and the book--which is packed with big name talent--is a value at $4.99. So go. Buy.

Okay, I'm out of here. Before I get my con(vention) on...what are you Waiting for?