InvestComics Comic Hot Picks 8-25-10

InvestComics has cat scratch fever! Also, check out 2 Bronze Age characters that should be on your radar. All that and more….

This week we begin our focus group on 2 extremely underrated characters that have the potential to absolutely break loose in a huge way if ever used to the capacity they are capable of. Now granted, each one of them has had success in their own way, but “really” break out? Not yet. 2 comics come out this week that remind us that these 2 need to get their due. Action Comics #892 & Shadowland: Moon Knight #1.

Let’s start with Moon Knight, well we have six volumes of Moon Knight spanning from 1980 till 2010. Yes some were mini-series, but that just meant Marvel was testing the waters to see how hot the reception might be with the limited series. Instead they received a cool one and never went “live” with a regular ongoing follow up to the minis. Many have said that Moon Knight is a blatant rip-off of DC’s Batman. If you really look at the origins and into the character development of each, It doesn’t seem too much of a rip off at all. You want to talk rip-off? Look at Rob Liefeld’s “SMASH”, now THAT is ridiculousness at the height of just being flat out unholy. Getting back to the White Knight, the recent Vengeance of Moon Knight series has been faring rather well, the problem is so did the other regular series and they ultimately meet their demise. Writer Greg Hurwitz is doing an amazing job of keeping Moon Knight relevant. As for the art, David Finch is to Moon Knight what McFarlane is to Spidey, Adams is to Batman, Keown is to Hulk, etc. When David draws Moon Knight, his style is immediately recognized much like the “other” Moon Knight artist that MUST get kudos, Stephen Platt. Take a look at Finch’s Moon Knight #1 from 2006 and take a look at Platt’s Marc Spector: Moon Knight #55 from 1993 and you will see exactly why these 2 guys OWN this character. Both of the comics just mentioned are the first Moon Knight work from both of them and can be bought for only $4 each. A nice book to have in your collection is the Variant Moon Knight #1 (2006) from David Finch. It’s the beautiful penciled cover. Here’s the thing fans, if Marvel ever gets Moon Knight firing on all cylinders, and also decides, since THEY have their own movie studios that a film is in order, it’s going to be big. Too long Marvel has clamored for that “dark, edgy” sort of character (Ghost Rider/Blade excluded). If Marvel were to ever go for a strong PG rating (no R here, Disney says so), THIS would be a perfect movie to start with. Speaking of a starting point, a nice place a collector should start would be Werewolf by Night #32 (1975). This would be the very first appearance of Moon Knight, and features a cover by Al Milgrom and Gil Kane. This alone should be worth the price of admission, but at a much undervalued $100, this 1^st appearance should be stashed away in your collection.

Action Comics #892 features Deathstroke, and he too needs HIS due. Countless appearances and series runs are the makeup of DC’s number one assassin. With DC taking their time in the comic book movie market (lets go people, chop chop) it’s a crying shame we haven’t seen the likes of a Deathstroke on film yet. It’s a crying shame we haven’t seen much of anything from DC actually, but that’s for another time. The New Teen Titans #2 (1980), 1^st appearance of Deathstroke from Marv Wolman and George Perez cost ONLY $50?? This is a steal of epic proportions. We all know that DC (WB) will eventually get their act together with the movie front. Why would anyone think that Deathstroke would not be a part of a film someplace, somewhere? He will be, so get $50 together and buy a nice copy of this extremely affordable comic now before Deathstroke becomes a force like he was back in the 80’s.

Sticking with DC, Superman/Batman #75 hits your local comic shop and will most likely fly off the shelf. This anniversary issue features names such as Levitz, J.T. Krul, Hughes, Kelly, Tucci, and the list goes on. But one name that sticks out is a previously mentioned name in the Moon Knight spotlight in this article. David Finch will be writing and penciling a story for the first time in this issue. This is great news for Finch fans.

Marvel will be dipping their toe in the pool again, the ocean actually. Namor The First Mutant #1 will be another attempt for Marvel to get this fisherman going. Although a favorite among certain fans, and a very loyal following, do not look for Namor to break through this time. Yes the first issue will sell out (thanks to a sweet Joe Quesada variant cover), but the interest will die rather quickly. Look for this comic to sustain a moderate run, but nothing substantial.

Some very interesting Independents headed our way this week. Let’s do a quick rundown of them. Not too sure which ones are due out exactly. Diamond does not have some of them listed, but check out these titles if you see them on the shelf. Ani-Max #1 from Dynamite Entertainment, this one shot is set to be a cartoon series in the near future. Dracula The Company of Monsters #1 from Kurt Busiek and BOOM! Studios looks like a good old fashioned monster book. Not sure if this next comic has been released yet, but A-10 Comics Presents #1 looks very interesting and deserves a look. A sell out for sure. Scratch 9 #1 from Ape Entertainment Comics is an appealing take on the 9 lives of a cat. This cat will be a sleeper hit so watch out for this one. Bluewater’s Nanny and Hank #1 dives into the vampire fold with a twist. And the last of our Indie’s to check out is the continuation of One with issue #2. Yes that is One #2.