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Ten Exclusive Comics to Keep an Eye out for at Comic Con


Despite the popular wisdom, they absolutely still do have comic books at Comic Con. Lots in fact, and here are some of the exclusives that are only available this week at the Con, or, if you’re not lucky enough to be there, soon to be available for a lot more money on eBay.

10. Lady Death: Wicked Ways 1 Unchained Edition

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It’s fair to say that even in her ’90s heyday, I was never part of Lady Death’s target demographic of long-haired hetero males who loved death metal and would write to Wizard magazine over and over reiterating how only Glenn Danzig could ever play Wolverine in a live action X-Men movie. Against all odds, though, Lady Death has survived into the new century. One of the selling points on this Comic-Con exclusive is that the cover has been “enhanced with Swarovski crystals,” which would excite every drag queen I know, but just might not be worth it to your average Lady Death fanboy. This baby will be brought to you by the Hero Initiative, and will set you back $40 bucks.

Creative Team:
I think Lady Death creator Brian Pulido is writing this one, since he’s signing the cover, but it is kind of unclear. Darick Robertson is doing the art chores.
What it’s about:
Ummm….no idea? I’m sure it will entail Lady Death being both sexy and bad ass.One thing’s for sure…she won’t be chained. No sir.
Going purely by the cover:
Lady Death finally got that pet zombie from her daddy she always wanted.
Odds I’ll regret the purchase:
You won’t. Two words for ya – Swarovski. Crystals.

9. Bongo’s Two One-Shot Wonders in One

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Here’s one you might want to pick up for the Simpsons fan in your life: two recent Bongo one-shots set in the world of Springfield combined into one handy little edition.The Malevolent Mr. Burns #1 and Professor Frink’s Fantastic Science Fictions #1 are collected together in one exclusive, double-issue, one-shot for San Diego Comic-Con.

Creative Team:
The writer for the Mr. Burns portion is Ian Boothby, and the artist is Nathan Kane. The Professor Frink portion is also brought to you by Ian Boothby, along with Hilary Barta, Andrew Pepoy, Chris Yambar, James Lloyd, Nathan Kane, and John Delaney
What it’s about:
I’m going to assume that Mr. Burns will do something dastardly, and forget who his employee Homer Simpson is, and Professor Frink will make weird sounds. Just guessing.
Going purely by the cover:
Burns and Frink have created a four-headed Simpson beast. Bettah watch out, Tokyo.
Odds I’ll regret the purchase:
At this point, the Simpsons have been around for SO long that you know exactly what you’re gonna get when purchasing Simpsons items, regardless of what they may be. So if you regret it, it’s your own fault. Besides, it’s only like $10 bucks.

8. The Strain: The Fall #1 Comic – San Diego Comic-Con Exclusive Cover by Rafael Albuquerque

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Writer/director Guillermo del Toro, whose giant monsters vs giant robots epic Pacific Rim just came out this week, is like a geek demi-god who has his fingers in seemingly a million nerdy little pies. One of those pies is his series of vampire novels The Strain, which he co-wrote with author Tom Hogan, and will soon be a television series on FX. Before it’s a a television series, though, it’ll be a comic first, and you can get a copy of The Fall with an exclusive cover at this year’s con.

Creative Team:
Writer David Lapham and artist Mike Huddleston have adapted del Toro’s and Hogan’s novel into comic form.
What it’s about
A vampire plague has hit New York City (and presumably, the whole world.) And humans have to fight back. You know how it goes.
Going purely by the cover:
These vamps look less like any vampires I’ve ever seen, and more like weird giant fetuses with super long tongues. I have a feeling these vampires will not sparkle.
Odds I’ll regret the purchase:
It’s Guillermo del Toro and it’s only five dollars. Don’t be so cheap.

7. My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic #9 Glitter Variant

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I don’t claim to understand the whole Brony phenomenon. On the one hand, it’s sort of awesome that a bunch of adult, presumably straight males would embrace something so girly, especially in our overtly misogynist culture. But you realize that some of these guys sexually fetishize the ponies, and then comes the “ewww” factor. Regardless, My Little Pony is like a “thing” now, and IDW has an exclusive glitter variant cover of the latest issue of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic containing 8 pages of material that isn’t in the regular edition.

Creative Team:
This one is written by Katie Cook, drawn by Andy Price, and colored by Price and Tony Fleecs
What it’s about:
Slightly anthropomorphic horses with names like Twinkle Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash, like, hang out and do mushrooms or something. Or maybe that’s the people who write this stuff. I might have them mixed up.
Going purely by the cover:
A pony knows how to DJ, and all the other ponies get down in da club.
Odds I’ll regret the purchase
If you’re a Brony, you won’t regret this purchase when you make it (it’s only ten bucks) but you will really regret it in five years and find it among a pile of stuff in your closet, and have to remind yourself of your “pony phase.”

6. Star Wars: Dark Times – The Spark Remains #1 SDCC 2013 Exclusive Cover

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Star Wars comics over at Dark Horse seem to be having a resurgence of popularity lately, partially due to the Darth Vader-focused series Dark Times, which takes place between the events of Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. Star Wars is as big a part of Comic Con as any other geek media, what with all the Stormtroopers and all, so if you’re in a Jedi frame of mind you might wanna pick this baby up.

Creative Team:
Randy Stradley, Doug Wheatley, Dan Jackson & Benjamin Carre
What it’s about:
According to the official solicitation, having been reunited with the ragtag crew of the Uhumele, Jedi Dass Jennir is surprised to find them all plotting with another Jedi to take down Darth Vader. Seeing as how we all know how the movies turned out, I’m pretty sure they lose.
Going purely by the cover:
Apparently, at some point in this comic Lord Vader gets his groove on at a nightclub.
Odds I’ll regret the purchase:
The comic is only $3.50, so odds are slim that you’ll regret the purchase. At San Diego Comic Con, just a soda will cost you three fiddy.

5. Superior Spider-Man #13 Humberto Ramos Comic Con Variant

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Marvel Comics don’t seem to be selling or giving away any exclusives on their own this year, but you’ll still be able to get some Marvel Comic-Con exclusives through their various partners, like this variant cover to the popular Superior Spider-Man series, available through Crazy Cat Collectibles. There will also be a sketch cover of this issue available for an extra $5.00 at the booth as well.

Creative Team:
This one is brought to you by writer Dan Slott, and artist Giuseppe Camuncoli
What it’s about:
According to Marvel’s website, in this issue “The Superior Spider-Man teams up with the Lizard! Mayor Jameson demands that Spider-Man KILL the Spider-Slayer!”
Going purely by the cover:
The Lizard, really, really wants to make out with Spidey, and although he’s “flattered,” thats just not his thing.
Odds I’ll regret the purchase:
I never quite get the whole “alternate covers” thing with everything exactly the same on the inside, but some people go for that. If you’re one of those people, odds are you won’t regret dropping ten bucks on this.

3. Fathom: The Elite Saga #1 SDCC Joe Benitez Exclusive

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The late Michael Turner’s creation Fathom (as well as his company Aspen Comics) live on past his death, and Aspen has a new exclusive comic, with cover art by Turner’s protege Joe Benitiz. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say Turner had drawn that cover himself. Turner’s art epitomized a certain era of cheesecake comic book art, and I know he had many fans, and still does. If you’re one of them, you can pic up this issue of Fathom at the Aspen booth for only ten bucks.

Creative Team:
Written by Vince Hernandez, art by V. Ken Marion, Jordi Escuin Llorach and Kyle Ritter. –
What it’s about:
Fathom is like a female Aquaman/Namor type, but usually more naked.
Going purely by the cover:
Boobies.
Odds I’ll regret the purchase:
Not if you like boobies.

2. Mega Man #24 Convention Variant

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Listen up, children of the ’90’s; Archie Comics is giving you the crossover you’ve been waiting for: Mega Man and Sonic The Hedgehog! (although hasn’t this happened before? Oh well, let’s pretend it’s the first time.) Anyway, according to Archie, this is the historic first meeting of the two video game icons, so all you Nintendo Generation brats might wanna snag a copy of this one at the Archie booth.

Creative Team:
No clue whatsoever, but the cover is by “legendary Patrick “SPAZ” Spaziante!”
What it’s about
“The Mega Man/Sonic the Hedgehog epic kicks off with a bang as the Blue Blur and Blue Bomber meet for the first time! And considering how hard they’re fighting each other, it might be the last! Why are the heroes trying to take each other down? Drs. Eggman and Wily know, and they’re loving every minute of it!”
Going purely by the cover:
Mega Man and Sonic have seemingly left the premises, leaving whatever passes for their clothing behind. Hmmm. Actually, I might get this now.
Odds I’ll regret the purchase:
I’ve been pretty lenient on these exclusives so far when it comes to pricing, but I can’t really imagine this is worth much more than “free.” And it’s $10.00.

1. Batman ’66 Variant-Covered Comic

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After many decades in dispute, Warner Brothers and DC Comics finally have the rights to distribute products of all kinds based on the old Adam West/Burt Ward Batman television show from the late ’60s. The first issue of Batman ’66 has come out recently, and now you can buy it with a cool as hell alternate cover featuring the brand-new Mattel Batman ’66 action figures posed for a photo cover. I realize I just made a snide remark earlier about alternate covers being kinda lame if the contents inside are the same, but this one is too cool, and therefore doesn’t count. You can snag this puppy at the Graphitti Designs booth, which is located right next to the DC Comics booth.

Creative Team:
Writer Jeff Parker and Jonathan Case on art
What it’s about:
The Riddler and Catwoman, up to their no-good deeds.
Going purely by the cover:
Retro Batman toys come to life and re-inact their favorite episodes. That’s probably not what happens though.
Odds I’ll regret the purchase:
Everything about the old Batman television show is pure awesomeness, so the odds are that you’ll love this, unless you are totally humorless.

Previous articles by Eric Diaz:

Five Characters We Want To See In Star Wars: Rebels (and Five We DON’T)

Twenty Comics Panels To See At San Diego Comic Con 2013

9 Mainstream Comic Book Characters Who Came out as LGBT on the Page (and Not in a Press Release)

The Ten Sexiest Superhero Costume Makeovers (for Better and Worse)

The Ten Characters Who Should Star In An X-Force Movie