This is a SUPERB week!
As always, the incentives can be viewed here - https://www.ecgce.com/collections/foc-incentives
SPEC RECS
Ghost Pepper #1 - Thank me later!
https://www.ecgce.com/products/ghost-pepper-1-cvr-a-ludo-lullabi
Full disclosure, we DO have an exclusive for this, but I am NOT promoting it because I want our book to do better. I am promoting this book as my #1 pick because I think this book is, truly, going to be MASSIVE. I have seen the hype engine at work, I have read issues 1 & 2, and it is just one of those books that has the makings to be a truly phenomenal hit. We are only half way through the year, but THIS BOOK has my spot for best of the year so far from the indie space. You know when I scream about a book like this, I am beyond hyped.
This Ends Tonight #1 1:500 - A ratio has entered the room.
Qualifiers: https://www.ecgce.com/pages/qualifiers?id=9038643134694
No direct link for this one, but it IS on the FoC if you qualify (i.e. buy 500 copies of the qualifiers). Why am I mentioning a 1:500? Because it will be a unique 1 of 1 from Jae Lee himself. These are something I think will do well if the book finds an audience (which I think it will having read it).
Absolute Batman #10 - BANE x Akira?
https://www.ecgce.com/products/absolute-batman-10-cvr-a-nick-dragotta
We have officially seen what the new Bane looks like, and HOLY SHIT. This is top of the list as this issue is going to set a stage. I don’t want to spoil it for anyone who hasn’t seen the uncensored cover, but this is hands down one I WILL NOT be passing. I am chasing the 1:25 and 1:50 on this as well, longer term holds for me.
Absolute Flash #5 - Heat Wave
https://www.ecgce.com/products/absolute-flash-5-cvr-a-nick-robles
Heat Wave looks absolutely insane on the A cover for #5 and this is another book that is shaping up to have a crazy fight, with potential crazy consequences. Again, remember, it is Lemire at the helm here!
Akira Vol 1 HC - This is a different one
https://www.ecgce.com/products/akira-hardcover-collection-1
I am adding a manga rec to the list this week, this is one of the most iconic mangas ever penned, and it’s being collected in an insanely nice new HC edition. If you collect manga, you know how valuable these become when they stop printing them (which they do). I am grabbing a reader and a copy to save.
Amazing Spider-Man #8 - Dell’otto
https://www.ecgce.com/products/amazing-spider-man-8-gabriele-dellotto-variant
This is one that is making the spec list purely on the cover art alone, I am unaware of any key story points in issue #8 that makes it a key, but this cover is one of THE BEST I have seen in a very very long time. I don’t think we see insane spikes, but I’d fully expect this will see over cover price.
Detective Comics 1099 - Jae Lee
https://www.ecgce.com/products/detective-comics-1099-cvr-d-jae-lee-gotham-city-sirens-card-stock-var
Jae Lee is no stranger to my recommendations, but this cover hits home for me.
Witchblade #12 - A key
https://www.ecgce.com/products/witchblade-12-2024-cvr-a-giuseppe-cafaro-arif-prianto
This is going to be a pivotal issue for the series, and this series is going to be around for a long while. I think this does lead to Witchblade getting proper media treatment outside of comics (finally, although I did love the show).
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Jeff the Land Shark #2 - Rivals
https://www.ecgce.com/products/jeff-the-land-shark-2-netease-games-marvel-rivals-variant
Honestly, a lot of these covers are great, but the rivals are where the $$$ has been, especially with Jeff!
This Ends Tonight #1 - Jae Lee
https://www.ecgce.com/products/this-ends-tonight-1-of-3-cvr-a-jae-lee
Jae Lee is back, and doing interiors. I was torn on this as it drops the same week as Ghost Pepper #1 and I wanted an exclusive for it, but opted not to. I think this book has legs though and def recommend it. I will 100% be getting some of the covers and ratios.
Amazing Spider-Man #8 - Dekal x Black Cat
https://www.ecgce.com/products/amazing-spider-man-8-jeff-dekal-black-cat-variant
Not sure I need to say much more, Dekal doing Black Cat is a must have for me.
Dc x Sonic #1 5th print - Knuckles
https://www.ecgce.com/products/dc-x-sonic-the-hedgehog-1-of-5-fourth-printing
Knuckles as Superman, not sure I need to say more. Just like the Batman cover, I am grabbing some!
MMPR: Rita’s Rewind #1 - A solid addition
https://www.ecgce.com/products/mighty-morphin-power-rangers-ritas-rewind-1-a-main-dressed-tango
Big fan of MMPR, and Rita is one of our fav characters. BOOM! Has been doing a wonderful job with these runs so I am not expecting anything less here.
BOOKS OF INTEREST
Catacomb of Torment #1 - All covers
https://www.ecgce.com/products/ec-catacomb-of-torment-1-cvr-a-jorge-fornes
Honestly, getting all of them. I am a huge horror fan, and ALL the EC books have been wildly amazing. The covers for Catacomb go HARD though!
Gargoyles Demona #1 - Jae Lee & Mark Spears
https://www.ecgce.com/products/gargoyles-demona-1-cvr-b-jae-lee-var
https://www.ecgce.com/products/gargoyles-demona-1-cvr-d-mark-spears-var
Honestly, all the covers are great for this and the gargoyle books have been super awesome.
Godzilla vs. Boston #1 - Godzilla = yes
https://www.ecgce.com/products/godzilla-vs-america-boston-cover-a-sherman
All of these have made the list, and will continue to! I won’t lie, I lived down the road from that Citgo sign decades ago, and it is so freaking cool to see such an iconic landmark on the A cover for this!
Mercy Sparx: Daddy Issues #1
https://www.ecgce.com/products/mercy-sparx-daddy-issues-1-of-3-cvr-a-joel-herrera-mr
Just a fan of this series so far.
Psylocke #9 - Retro
https://www.ecgce.com/products/psylocke-9-benjamin-su-retrovision-variant
Just a big fan of these covers!
Space Ghost Annual #1
https://www.ecgce.com/products/space-ghost-annual-1-one-shot-cvr-b-jae-lee-var
Nothing to be said, just fun.
HARD COVERS & TRADES
Batman Arkham - Classic
https://www.ecgce.com/products/batman-arkham-asylum-tp-dc-compact-comics-edition
These compact editions are something I am amazed no one thought of earlier. They literally are designed to go anywhere, and this is one of the most iconic storylines ever. I have been waiting for them to print this in this format for a while now.
Bone Deluxe Vol 1
https://www.ecgce.com/products/bone-deluxe-slipcase-edition-tp-part-01-the-valley
A new deluxe slipcase edition for the true collectors. Bone is one that crept up on me and I didn’t find love for it till later, but I def do now so will be grabbing a copy.
Iron Man - Demon in a Bottle
https://www.ecgce.com/products/iron-man-demon-in-a-bottle-new-printing-2
The story the movies refused to touch, arguably what made Iron Man one of my more respected super heroes, he is flawed, BADLY FLAWED. This storyline really held nothing back in showing the human side of the character.
Spectrum
https://www.ecgce.com/products/spectrum-tp
I didn’t get a chance to read it, and I am excited I get to now.
FACSIMILES
Batman #655
https://www.ecgce.com/products/batman-655-facsimile-edition-cvr-a-andy-kubert