While I finish up the 3rd installment of the Best of 2016 I thought I would quickly post this week’s releases and some news on an event happening this weekend and next.

First, before going over the comics releasing today, some information on an upcoming event this weekend that is worth checking out.

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Friends of the Poughkeepsie Public Library District Book Store Comic Sale

Friends of the Poughkeepsie Library District Book Store will host a four-day sale beginning this weekend and next weekend.

Approximately 5,000 high-grade condition comic books from the late 1970’s through the last decade were donated to Friends by a private collector and include bagged-and-boarded issues of superhero titles from Marvel Comics, DC Comics, and independent publishers.

Popular titles include “Fantastic Four,” “X-Men,” “Superman” and “Suicide Squad,” The comic books are grouped by series title and range from $3 to $40-50 or more per pack. There will also be approximately 300 loose single copies will also be available for $1 each.

From their Facebook Page:

FPPLD Comic Book Sale 101:

Here’s what you’ll find when you walk (don’t stampede!) into the sale this Saturday, January 28 at 10 AM. There will be upwards of 5000 issues in 30 comic book short boxes arrayed on 6 tables. Most boxes will contain sealed bags of comics; each bag contains anywhere from 3 to 20 or more individual comic books in great condition. Each bag has a label like this one, displaying the title, number of issues inside, and the sale price. Our resident “comic book guy” used the Overstreet Price Guide as reference, rounded down the given values, then chopped each bag’s total (the black crossed-out price) by at least half, often more to arrive at the sale (red) price. That’s why the bags are sealed, the red prices firm, and the purchases non-returnable. See you then!

On Saturday, Jan. 28th, Richard Pini, co-creator with his wife Wendy Pini of the fantasy comic book series “Elfquest ” will be at the Friends Book Store from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. to discuss and answer questions about comic books and “Elfquest.”

“Elfquest” was first published in 1978, and is entering its 39th year of continuous publication.

The sale will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 28 and 30 and Feb. 2 and 4 at the Friends Used Book Store, located at the Boardman Road Branch Library (entrance behind the Library on the south side), 141 Boardman Road, Poughkeepsie.

More info here on their Facebook Page

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Definitely sounds like something to check out if you have the time.

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PICKS and Pulls for the week of Jan. 25, 2017

I am going to try a new format rather than doing a gallery, (unless people like the gallery format, let me know in the comments section).

DC Comics

PICKS OF THE WEEK:

Kamandi Challenge #1 (Of 12)

Writer: Dan Abnett

Art: Dale Eaglesham

Cover A Bruce Timm, Cover B Dale Eaglesham, Cover C Keith Giffen)

Prepare to take part in one of the greatest adventures from the infinite future of the DC Universe, and join the industry’s top creative teams in a round-robin, no-holds-barred, storytelling extravaganza titled THE KAMANDI CHALLENGE! Born from the mind of Jack ‘King’ Kirby, the post apocalyptic Earth of Kamandi has been a fan favorite for decades, and now 14 intrepid teams of writers and artists build on this incredible foundation and take the title character on an epic quest to find his long-lost parents and travel to places seen and unseen in the DC Universe. Each issue will end with an unimaginable cliffhanger, and it’s up to the next creative team to resolve it before creating their own.

It’s a challenge worthy of ‘The King’ himself!

In this premiere issue, the Last Boy on Earth is dragged from his safe haven by a group of tigers, only to face the nightmarish threat of the ultimate weapon!

This is definitly a:

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Justice League Of America Killer Frost Rebirth #1

Writer: Steve Orlando

Art: Mirka Andolfo

Cover A Ivan Reis & Joe Prado, Cover B Mirka Andolfo.

SPINNING OUT OF THE PAGES OF JUSTICE LEAGUE VS. SUICIDE SQUAD! What happens to a super-villain on their last day in Belle Reve Prison? Against all odds, Killer Frost is up for parole from the Suicide Squad, but you can bet Amanda Waller isn’t going to make it easy for Frost to join the new JLA.

Steve Orlando continues to introduce readers to the members of the his Justice League of America roster. So far his Rebirth’ing of THE ATOM, VIXEN, and THE RAY have all been solid reads and have me very excited for the upcoming team book.

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Deathstroke #11

Writer: Christopher Priest

Art: Denys Cowan

Cover A Denys Cowan & Bill Sienkiewicz, Cover B Shane Davis

‘CHICAGO’!

Jack Ryder, a.k.a. the Creeper, investigates a series of murders in Chicago…and comes face to face with Deathstroke, the World’s Deadliest Assassin. Christopher Priest is joined by guest artists Denys Cowan and Bill Sienkiewicz for an unflinching look at gun violence in America.-

I have been thoroughly enjoying the Deathstroke series (something I never thought I would say) and now with an appearance by The Creeper …SOLD!!

Odyssey Of The Amazons #1 (Of 6)

Writer: Kevin Grevioux

Art: Ryan Benjamin

Cover A: Ryan Benjamin, Cover B: Yasmine Putri

The start of the new miniseries set in the world of Wonder Woman, years before the birth of Princess Diana, a group of Amazons set out on a globe-spanning quest to find others of their kind, encountering legendary creatures and beings along the way. But their journey soon turns into a rescue mission as two of their own are captured by the legendary Storm Giants of Norse mythology. It’s up to their leader, the stalwart Hessia, to keep them together through the many trials that lie ahead.

Wonder Woman #15

Writer: Greg Rucka

Art: Liam Sharp

Cover A: Liam Sharp, Cover B: Cover B Jenny Frison

‘THE TRUTH’ part one! Diana has finally seen the full scope of how her life and history have been transformed?unfortunately, the knowledge has driven her completely insane!

Greg Rucka continues to kick some @$$ on his Wonder Woman books… I just wonder if the changes to her history are going to somehow play into the over Watchmen storyline?

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The Rest of the Pull List:

Action Comics #972 “>’MEN OF STEEL’ conclusion!

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Batgirl #7 Son of Penguin’ part one!

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Batman Beyond #4

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Blue Beetle #5 ‘THE POSSE’ part five!

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Detective Comics #949 ‘BATWOMAN BEGINS’ part two!

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Flash #15 ROGUES RELOADED’ part two!

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Hal Jordan And The Green Lantern Corps #13 HEROES’!

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Hellblazer #6 ‘THE POISON TRUTH’ part six!

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Suicide Squad #10 A ‘JUSTICE LEAGUE VS. SUICIDE SQUAD’ epilogue

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Teen Titans #4 Damian Knows Best’ part four!

Miniseries / Event:

Justice League /Suicide Squad #6

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Sixpack & Dogwelder Hard-travelin Heroz #6 of 6

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YOUNG ANIMAL Imprint:

Doom Patrol #4

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DC Comics/ HANNA-BARBERA:

Future Quest #9

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MARVEL Comics

PICKS OF THE WEEK:

Inhumans vs X-Men #3

Writer: Charles Soule

Art: Javi Garron

Cover: Leinil Francis Yu

Cover Price: $3.99

New Attilan is conquered. Medusa and her generals are being held prisoner as the X-Men prepare to cleanse the world of the Terrigen Cloud. Could this be the end of Inhuman progeny? Now, the only hope for the Inhuman legacy rests in the hands of an unlikely crew of young Inhumans.

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HULK #2

Writer: Mariko Tamaki

Art: Nico Leon

Cover: Jeff Dekal

Cover Price: $3.99

HOW CAN YOU FIGHT THE MONSTER WHEN THE MONSTER IS YOURSELF? As JEN continues to struggle with the HULK (and anger) within herself, her newest client struggles with her own dark secrets. What happens when a terrified recluse is forced into the world against her will? When fear is pushed into the light? Can Jen reconcile the two halves of herself in time to help her client?

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Star Wars #27

Writer: Jason Aaron Art: Salvador Larroca Cover: Stuart Immonen

Cover Price: $3.99

Master Yoda finds himself on an all-new world? ?full of vicious, mysteriously powered children?! Not easy, will this be

Other Marvel Releases of Interest:

Civil War II Oath #1

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Captain America Steve Rogers #10

IMAGE / IDW / OTHER

IMAGE COMICS

Revival #46

Writer: Tim Seeley

Art: Mike Norton

Cover: Jenny Frison

Cover Price: $3.99

The penultimate issue of the critically acclaimed, long-running horror-crime series! Only Em can close the door between the worlds of the living and the dead, but both General Cale and the militant insurgency want control!

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Saga #42

Writer: Brian K. Vaughan

Art: Fiona Staples

Cover: Fiona Staples

Cover Price: $2.99

END OF STORY ARC ‘THE WAR FOR PHANG,’ The Epic Conclusion! Hell is war, as Hazel and her family learn the hardest way.

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Reborn #4

Writer: Mark Millar

Art: Greg Capullo

Cover: Greg Capullo

Cover Price: $3.99

MILLAR & CAPULLO’s epic sci-fi fantasy story continues. Bonnie and Tom are chained and dragged to Black Wish Mountain, where they are confronted by a vengeful figure from the past. Will they escape to find Harry, or be turned over to Lord Golgotha?

IDW

Comic Book History Of Comics #3

Writer: Fred Van Lente

Art: Ryan Dunlavey

Cover: Ryan Dunlavey

Cover Price: $3.99

The inspiring, infuriating, and utterly insane story of comics, graphic novels, and manga continues in four-color glory! This issue, Fred Van Lente and Ryan Dunlavey bring you ROMANCE, WAR, and CRIME comics galore!

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Batman / TMNT Adventures #3

Writer: Matthew K. Manning

Art: Jon Sommariva

Cover: Jon Sommariva

Cover Price: $3.99

A fiendish alliance unfolds behind the scenes, unbeknownst to Batman and the TMNT as they are forced to fight a Poison Ivy-powered Snakeweed!

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Star Trek Green Lantern Vol 2 #2

Writer: Mike Johnson

Art: Angel Hernandez

Cover: Angel Hernandez

Cover Price: $3.99

STRANGER WORLDS PART TWO! With their power rings running low and no power batteries left to recharge them, the surviving heroes of the Lantern Corps join with Starfleet in the ultimate battle with Sinestro and the resurgent Klingons… until the arrival of an unexpected visitor from the Lanterns’ past changes the game entirely!

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Finally some good old comic book news:

DC COMICS RAISES PRICE FOR MONTHLY REBIRTH TITLES, ADDS DIGITAL CODES

Okay here is the breakdown of the article:

DC Comics will raise the prices of 15 of its monthly “Rebirth” series starting in April, with cover prices increasing from $2.99 to $3.99.

DC will offer download codes for a matching digital copy in the affected comic books, also starting in April

Here’s the full-list of series which will see a price increase and/or added digital codes starting in April: “All Star Batman,” “Batgirl,” “Batgirl and the Birds of Prey,” “Batman Beyond,” “Batwoman,” “Blue Beetle,” “Cyborg,” “The Hellblazer,” “New Super-Man,” “Red Hood and the Outlaws,” “Super Sons,” “Supergirl,” “Superwoman,” “Teen Titans,” “Titans” and “Trinity.”

DC’s twice-monthly Rebirth titles — which include high-profile series such as “Batman,” “Superman,” “Wonder Woman,” “Green Lanterns” and “Deathstroke” — will remain at $2.99 per issue.

Marvel announced that it will no longer include digital codes matching a purchased print copy, but instead include a code to download two separate comics from Marvel’s digital library.

My Thoughts:

A mixed bag… The DC news is ok but not great, still no mention or plans for a service like Marvel Digitial Unlimited.

The increase to $3.99 may affect whether or not I continue to purchase those titles, which while I enjoy them are probably the ones closest to the chopping block due to sales.

The Marvel move has me bummed and dumbfounded and will make it less likely that I purchase any titles because of the new digital code policy.

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Back Tomorrow or Friday with Part 3 of Best of 2016