Greetings and solicitations! I’ve been looking through Titan’s December solicits and picking out my highlights. There are a few new ones starting between now and December that I’m really looking forward to. This is a huge article, mostly because it’s also got news of some comics starting in October and November, making this the Titan October November December solicits review.
SHERLOCK: A STUDY IN PINK TRADE PAPERBACK
If you’ve been following my reviews you’ll know I’ve been enjoying A Study in Pink immensely. The 6 comic series is an English translation of the Japanese manga, which is almost a storyboard with most of the dialogue from the original BBC TV series written by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss.
Sherlock: A Study in Pink TPB is a collection of all 6 editions of the comic and is perfect for fans of Sherlock or manga.
Writer Steven Moffat, Mark Gatiss. Artist Jay.
B&W/Partial Color • SC • 208pp • $12.99. On Sale February 1, 2017
Adapting the episodes of the smash-hit TV series starring worldwide superstars Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange) and Martin Freeman (The Hobbit).
Holmes and Watson tackle brain-teasing crimes in modern-day London in this stunning Manga, presented in its original right-to-left reading order, and in the full chapters as originally serialized! Meet Holmes and Watson for the first time… all over again!
Collects Sherlock: A Study In Pink (2016) #1-#6.
HOOKJAW #1
You’ll either be saying “Yes! Hookjaw!” or shrugging and wondering what it is. I’m assuming it’s an updated version of a Pat Mills (2000 AD) comic that originally appeared in British anthology comic Action in 1976. Action made such a splash with its violent content there was a campaign to ban it. Faced with being removed from the shelves, Action toned things down. Lacking its original bite, its days were numbered.
Hookjaw rode the wave of killer shark popularity (Jaws was released in 1975), and featured an environmental aspect. Hookjaw ate corrupt humans, plus anyone who got in the way. This included the fishermen who tried to catch the shark with a large hook which got stuck in the shark’s jaw. No wonder Hookjaw was so angry.
Looking at the covers, this is exactly what I wanted to see; pirates, blood and even a man in a giant shark’s mouth in the Marc Laming variant.
Writer: Si Spurrier. Artist: Conor Boyle. Colorist: Guilia Brusco
FC – 32pp – $3.99. On sale: December 14, 2016
In the troubled waters off Somalia, a rag-tag group of marine scientists studying a pack of female great white sharks find themselves caught in a conflict between pirates and the might of the US Navy. But why is the CIA so interested in the work of the scientists? And just how will they face up to the shadowy terror of the legendary great white – HOOKJAW?!
Cover A: Conor Boyle. Cover B: John McCrea. Cover C: Marc Laming. Cover D: Anna Dittman. Cover E: Steve White
WORLD WAR X #1
There’s a new series appearing in late December from Jerry Frissen and Peter Snejberg. It’s got aliens, destroyed cities and swords on the covers so that’s got to be good!
Writer: Jerry Frissen. Artist: Peter Snejbjerg.
FC – 32pp – $3.99 – On sale: December 2017.
On the Moon, a monstrous alien creature awakens from a centuries-long sleep, determined to put an end to mankind. Humanity’s only hope? Helius, a tired and battle-weary veteran of an ancient war…
Cover A: Regular Cover: Simone Di Meo. Cover B: John Mccrea. Cover C: Nick Percival. Cover D: Norrie Millar. Cover E: Peter Snejbjerg.
NORMAN: THE FIRST SLASH #1
The origins of Norman are revealed in this Stan Silas comic appearing in early December. I like the ‘cartoon’ artwork a lot.
Writer/artist: Stan Silas
FC – 32pp – $3.99 – On sale: December 7, 2016
The razor-sharp tale of Norman’s origins! A member of the class has disappeared, and Norman is to blame! This bloodthirsty kid’s penchant for killing knows no bounds! With his classmates also out for blood, maybe he should just rid himself of them all, one by one…
Cover A: Marc Ellerby. Cover B: Jake. Cover C: Rachael Smith. Cover D: Sonia Leong. Cover E: Amoona Saohin.
VIKINGS UPRISING #4
Vikings Uprising #1 is released on 28 September. By December it’ll be on issue 4 so we’ll know if it’s good or not by then. It’s written by Cavan Scott and if it’s anywhere near as good as his Vikings series, it’ll be great.
Writer Cavan Scott. Artist Daniel Indro. Covers Verity Glass, Photo, Claudia Caranfa
FC • 32pp • $3.99. On Sale December 21, 2016
Lagertha and her forces are in a desperate situation, as she finds the rebel slaves have learned a lot from their former masters. It will take all of her bravery and resourcefulness to survive! Meanwhile, in Kattegat, Ragnar faces public scorn and a fight for his life!
Cover A: Regular cover – Verity Glass. Cover B: Photo subscription variant. Cover C: Claudia Caranfa.
DOCTOR WHO TENTH DOCTOR YEAR THREE #1
Allons-y! It wouldn’t be Titan Comics if there wasn’t some action from the Doctor, and there’s a new series starting in January. Something to look forward to as the excitement of the New Year always wears off by about the 4th.
Writer: Nick Abadzis. Artists: Giorgia Sposito, Arianna Florean.
FC – 32pp – $3.99. On sale: January 4, 2017
It’s a brand-new season for the Tenth Doctor and his loyal travelling companions, Gabby Gonzalez and Cindy Wu! Jump on board with a two-part opening story – ‘Breakfast at Tyrannies’ that introduces a whole new terror to test the Doctor and his friends! Plus: a new companion joins the TARDIS – the like of which you’ve never seen!
Cover A: Josh Burns. Cover B: Photo. Cover C: Marc Ellerby – Linked Cover. Cover D: Iolanda Zanfardino. Cover E: Brian Miller & Hi-Fi. Cover F: Elena Casagrande.
TORCHWOOD #2.1
Not a million miles away from the Doctor, the second series of Torchwood from Carole and John Barrowman is out on 21 December. #1 of the first series looked good so the continuation should be a high action romp.
Writers: John Barrowman & Carole Barrowman. Artists: Antonio Fuso, Pasquale
Qualano
FC – 32pp – $3.99. On sale: December 21.
Captain Jack Harkness, Gwen Cooper and the rest of the crew of the Ice Maiden investigate a case the likes of which even they haven’t seen before! Does the ship’s unconventional crew have what it takes?
Cover A: Blair Shedd. Cover B: Will Brooks – Photo. Cover C: Nick Percival. Cover D: Staz Johnson. Cover E: Simon Myers.
WARHAMMER 40,000: WILL OF IRON #3
It’s Warhammer 40,000 and George Mann. There’s a good chance some of you are fans of at least one of them. It’s #3 so it’s not new, so keep an eye out for #1 coming soon.
Writer George Mann. Artists Tazio Bettin & Enrica Eren Angiolini.
Covers Boo Cook, Nick Percival, Tazio Bettin & Enrica Eren Angiolini, Ørjan Svendsen
FC • 32pp • $3.99. On Sale December 7, 2016.
From the universe of the ever-popular tabletop miniatures wargame!
By superstar writer George Mann (Warhammer Novels, Dark Souls, Doctor Who)!
Cover A: Nick Percival. Cover B: Tazio Bettin & Enrica Eren Angiolini. Cover C: Boo Cook. Cover D: Ørjan Svendsen.
DARK SOULS: WINTER’S SPITE #2
Another one from George Mann. Again, it’s going to be on #2 in December and it looks like it has swords in it.
Writer: George Mann
Artist: Alan Quah
FC – 32pp – $3.99 – On sale: December 14, 2016
Trapped in a never-ending cycle of death and misery, Andred’s course across the barren lands of Parnethia leads him ever closer to the fabled House of Winterspite, where his hopes of deliverance lie. But an approaching hoard of frost hollows could spell an early doom for this noble knight of Ithvale…
Cover A: Alan Quah. Cover B: Nick Percival. Cover C: Rob Hack.
TRIGGERMAN #3
It looks like it has gangsters and detectives. Also one of the covers is what you might call a little racy. This could be interesting. It’s #3 so start looking out for Triggerman before December.
Writers: Walter Hill, Matz. Artist: Jef.
FC – 32pp – $3.99 – On sale: December 7
After a brief brush with Johnny Law, Roy Nash’s cross-country bounty hunt takes a surprising turn when he’s confronted by his former love, Lena Dorsey!
Cover A: Josh Burns. Cover B: Kody Chamberlin. Cover C: Ivan Rodriguez.
PEEPLAND #3
I kept looking at the Peepland font on the front cover. It intrigued me. I liked the look of the cover art and then I saw it has a Central Park killer and a punk gig at CBGBs. I want to read this comic.
Writers: Christa Faust, Gary Phillips. Artist: Andrea Camerini.
FC – 32pp – $3.99 – On sale: December 21
With the Central Park killer still at large, Roxy and Nick try to let some steam off at an impromptu punk show at CBGBs. But across town, it looks like their only piece of evidence is about to fall into the wrong hands…
Cover A: Steve Scott. Cover B: Ben Oliver. Cover C: Julia Frost.
THE MUMMY #2
The Mummy came with the most in-depth synopsis which helped to catch my attention. It sounds like a great plot, mixing organised crime with modern London and ancient Egyptian legends. #1 should be out in November.
Writer Peter Milligan. Artist Ronilson Freire. Covers Ronilson Friere, John McCrea, Paul McCaffrey, Tom Mandrake
FC • 32pp • $3.99. On Sale December 7, 2016.
Having escaped from the clutches of the sinister Sect of Annubis, Angel, a Ukrainian immigrant trafficked illegally into the UK is now lost and alone on the unknown streets of London. Chosen by the Sect as vessel for the soul of an ancient Egyptian High Priestess called Nebetah, Angel has begun to transform into a mummy.
Angel now finds herself pursued by, not only, agents of the Sect of Annubis, but also their sworn enemies, The Pyramid Club and Ammit, a huge demonic hell-hound from the Ancient Egyptian Land of the Dead. Ammit’s task it is to bring Nebetah back to the Land of the Dead. With time running out, Angel must find sanctuary before her soul is devoured by Nebetah…
Cover A: Tom Mandrake. Cover B: John Mccrea. Cover C: Paul Mccaffrey.
ANYTHING ELSE?
Technically, naming anything else makes it more than 12 things to get excited about but as long as nobody complains…there’s a lot of the Doctor in December and a lot of Assassins Creed. What are you looking forward to in the next few months?
