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Greetings ToW-Patrol, With this week's release of JSA PRESENTS: STARS & S.T.R.I.P.E., I'm reminded that "GEOFF JOHNS" used to be just "Geoff Johns", at least as goes his name recognition. The guy we all know as the scrivener behind high-profile gigs like FLASH, GREEN LANTERN, INFINITE CRISIS and JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA got his start on STARS AND S.T.R.I.P.E., which ran for 14 issues beginning just prior to the end of the last century. The book features an inroduction by Johns, who waxes nostaligic about how STARS & S.T.R.I.P.E. came to be, and mentions in passing that the book's protagonist (high-schooler Courtney Whitmore, a.k.a. the Star-Spangled Kid) was inspired by his sister. What you may not know, and which Johns understandably doesn't speak of often, is that his sister Courtney was one of the passengers aboard TWA Flight 800, which exploded over Long Island on July 17, 1996 with no survivors. For me, once I heard the tragic history behind the character, I never looked at her the same way again. Frankly, I had never looked at her at all, but her origins pulled at my heartstrings and made me curious enough to pick up some of the Johns JSA issues (where Courtney is now Stargirl), and made me something of a fan. Courtney was now a character to root for, and one whose development into a superhero of JSA stature could almost make her readers feel like a proud aunt or uncle. I'm glad this book is out, as I've never read these issues (a Volume 2 finishing out the series is hinted at in the intro). I'm glad the Geoff Johns marquis value has risen such that it made this collection possible, and that his sister Courtney gets to live on, figuratively, as this great character. I'm sure he'd give it all away to spend even just one more minute with her. As the father of a brother and sister myself, I can only hope that someday, after all of requisite squabbling is past, they can love each other that much, too.

Have fun, Brett Lord, Sales Manager ToW Intergalactic Headquarters - Atlanta, GA email: brett at talesofwonder.com

New Releases 6/20 - Graphic Novels

Marvel * Ultimate Fantastic Four Vol 3 HC: $20.99 * X-Men First Class HC: $17.49 * Ultimate Fantastic Four Vol 8 Devils TP: $9.09 * Marvel Adventures Avengers Vol 3 Digest TP: $4.99 * X-Men Endangered Species One-Shot: $3.99 * Avengers Handbook Featuring Mighty Avengers: $3.99 * Marvel Spotlight Captain America Remembered: $2.99 DC * Superman Batman Vol 5 The Enemies Among Us HC: $13.99 * JSA Presents Stars And Stripes Vol 1 TP: $12.59 * Blue Beetle Vol 2 Road Trip TP: $9.09 * Seimaden Vol 9 : $6.99 Dark Horse * Star Wars 30th Anniv Coll HC Vol 5 Light & Dark : $19.99 * Maxwell Strangewell GN: $15.99 * Grendel Archive Edition HC : $11.99 Other * EC Archives Tales From The Crypt Vol 2 HC : $39.99 * Necromancer TP : $11.99 * Phonogram Vol 1 Rue Britanna TP: $11.99

New Releases 6/20 - Statues

Marvel Milestones Tomb Of Dracula Statue - $187.49 A Diamond Select Release! A Jean St Jean Sculpt and Design! From the Marvel archives comes one of the most terrifying and bone-chilling creatures ever to go bump in the night - Dracula! Based on the classic Tomb of Dracula and sculpted by Jean St. Jean, this 10 inch statue is limited to 1,000 pieces and features a hand-numbered base with matching box and Certificate of Authenticity.

Bome Vol 17 Oni Musume IV She Devil - $22.49 Imported from Japan! Kaiyodo and Mon-Sieur Bome have done it again! They gone and immortalized that 'She-Devil' in a tiger-striped bikini, Oni Musume, a fourth unbelievable time! But who can blame them?! Bome is, after all, one of the most famous Japanese sculptors around, and his work speaks for itself! If a picture is truly worth a thousand words, frankly we're speechless! Seated upon what appears to be a watery claw, Oni Musume IV (She Devil IV) smiles a pleasant smile, but don't let that fool you, she's still well-armed with her trademark Tetsubo! Blister packaging.

New Releases Full Description - Graphic Novels

Ultimate Fantastic Four Vol 3 HC - $20.99 Written by MARK MILLAR. Penciled by GREG LAND & MITCH BREITWEISER. Cover by GREG LAND. This deluxe hardcover collects ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR VOL. 5: CROSSOVER and ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR VOL. 6: FRIGHTFUL, plus extras. In Crossover, it's the rise of the Marvel Zombies! Even in their short careers, the Ultimate FF have seen a lot of amazing things - but nothing will prepare them for the world they're about to enter! Reed Richards has used his scientific genius to contact an Earth in a surprisingly familiar parallel dimension - and he's ready to visit! Plus: The shocking secret of the Storm family is finally revealed! Locked away at the bottom of the ocean for 5,000 years, Namor the Sub-Mariner's Atlantean tomb has been breached; now, he's back to rule a planet. This is a Namor you've never seen before with a vastly different agenda. This is Ultimate Namor! Learn about the ties between Atlantis, the Ultimate Inhumans and the super-races that existed before man ruled the Earth! And in Frightful, guilt-ridden Reed Richards attempts to undo his greatest failure by using time travel to fix the snag that caused the teleportation accident that resulted in Ben Grimm becoming the Thing. If it works, Ben will be Ben and the Thing will never have existed. And neither will the FF. Be careful what you wish for! Plus: the awesome return of Dr. Doom! The zombiefied FF escape from their Baxter Building prison! The deadly debut of the Frightful Four! Johnny Storm finds out he has only 28 days to live! And that's all just for starters! Collecting ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR #21-32. 296 PGS.

X-Men First Class HC - $17.49 Written by JEFF PARKER. Penciled by ROGER CRUZ. Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC. For millions of years, mankind's place on Earth was unchallenged - until five young people paved the way for a new kind of human. While students at the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters, Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Angel, Beast and Iceman taught the world what it meant to be X-Men. These are the hidden stories of the team that laid the foundation of a mutant dynasty! Collecting X-MEN: FIRST CLASS #1-8. 184 PGS.

Ultimate Fantastic Four Vol 8 Devils TP - $9.09 Written by MIKE CAREY. Penciled by MARK BROOKS, STUART IMMONEN & FRAZER IRVING. Cover by SALVADOR LARROCA. The FF are pulled into a madman's scheme when those closest to them are drawn back through time as a lure to get the foursome to follow. And what awaits them in the year 1483 is a man with a quest to transform the world - literally. Meet the alchemist supreme: Ultimate Diablo! And his plans for the Fantastic Four aren't pretty. Plus: Something strange has happened at Nursery Two, the Baxter Building's Think Tank counterpart in Oregon. It's disappeared, seemingly swallowed up by the earth itself! And if you think that heralds the return of the macabre Mole Man, go to the head of the class! Collecting ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR #39-41 and ANNUAL #2. 112 PGS.

Marvel Adventures Avengers Vol 3 Digest TP - $4.99 Written by JEFF PARKER. Penciled by JUAN SANTACRUZ. Cover by CAMERON STEWART. Facing the foes no single super hero could withstand! When global threats surface, they must contend with the combined might of: Captain America! Storm! Iron Man! The Hulk! Giant-Girl! Wolverine! Spider-Man! It's all-ages action in the Mighty Marvel Manner! Featuring M.O.D.O.C., the Black Knight, Morgan Lefay, the Serpent Society and Ego the Living Planet! Collecting MARVEL ADVENTURES THE AVENGERS #9-12. 96 PGS.

X-Men Endangered Species One-Shot - $3.99 SILVESTRI. Join THE ASTONISHING X-MEN, X-FACTOR, and the NEW X-MEN for the first steps towards the fate of the entire mutant race. 48 PGS.

Avengers Handbook Featuring Mighty Avengers - $3.99 Written by SEAN MCQUAID, JEFF CHRISTIANSEN, ANTHONY FLAMINI, MICHAEL HOSKIN, MARK O'ENGLISH, STUART VANDAL, RONALD BYRD, MADISON CARTER & CHAD ANDERSON. Cover by AARON LOPRESTI How has the Avengers roster divided in the wake of CIVIL WAR? What are the full capabilities of Iron Man's armor? Who is the mysterious new Ronin? Why does the Black Widow look so young? How do the gods of Mount Olympus fit into the modern-day Marvel Universe? And just how many costumes has the Wasp had, anyway? All these questions and more are explored in this year's AVENGERS HANDBOOK - spotlighting Avengers such as Ares, Ms. Marvel and Wonder Man; allies such as Maria Hill, Daisy Johnson and the Olympians; enemies such as the Collective, Viper and the Yakuza; and more! Featuring more technical diagrams by fan-favorite OHOTMU illustrator Eliot R. Brown! 48 PGS.

Marvel Spotlight Captain America Remembered - $2.99 Written by JOHN RHETT THOMAS. Full of powerful, exhilarating and breathtaking moments, CIVIL WAR was an event that from its very start had everyone in and out of comics talking - but the climax is certain to be the most breathtaking moment of all! In the stunning aftermath of the great comic event of our time, we find a landscape of heroes forever reshaped - and a fallen hero who paid the ultimate price. MARVEL SPOTLIGHT marks this solemn occasion with a special tribute to the life and legacy of a Marvel Comics legend. 32 PGS./Rated T+.

Superman Batman Vol 5 The Enemies Among Us HC - $13.99 Written by Mark Verheiden. Art by Ethan Van Sciver, Matthew Clark, Andy Lanning, Marlo Alquiza and others. Cover by Van Sciver. This explosive volume collects the best-selling SUPERMAN/BATMAN #28-33! The JLA's Martian Manhunter attacks Batman! The villainous Parasite and Titano return! Superman's allegiances will be tested in this story involving the Green Lantern Corps and more! 128 pg, FC.

JSA Presents Stars And Stripes Vol 1 TP - $12.59 Written by Geoff Johns. Art and cover by Lee Moder & Dan Davis. Collecting issues #1-8 of the STARS AND S.T.R.I.P.E. series that kicked off Geoff Johns' DC career and introduced Courtney Whitmore, the Star Spangled Kid! When Courtney discovers her stepfather was the sidekick of the Star-Spangled Kid, she begins acting as the all-new Star-Spangled Kid! He retaliates by donning an 8-foot suit of armor to keep her out of trouble, and adventure ensues! 192 pg, FC.

Blue Beetle Vol 2 Road Trip TP - $9.09 Written by Keith Giffen & John Rogers. Art by Cully Hamner, Rafael Albuquerque, Duncan Rouleau and others. Cover by Rouleau. A new volume collecting BLUE BEETLE #7-12! Jaime discovers the secret of his Blue Beetle armor and hits the road looking for answers from the Scarab's original owner. 144 pg, FC.

Seimaden Vol 9 - $6.99 Written and illustrated by You Higuri. CMX. Tetius is torn between his loyalty to Laures and Zadei's promise to restore his life force. He doesn't know that Zadei plans to perform that miracle by merging with the mighty being called Titan to destroy the Demon King once and for all - and use Laures' power to save Tetius. Now that his life hangs in the balance, will Tetius be able to stand on the sidelines when Laures is threatened? 180 pg, B&W.

Star Wars 30th Anniv Coll HC Vol 5 Light & Dark - $19.99 The Clone Wars have begun, and what it means to be a Jedi will be changed forever! Taking on new roles as generals, warriors, and even spies, the Jedi face difficult choices about their ideals, and what they are willing to sacrifice for the Republic they are sworn to protect. Jedi Master Quinlan Vos has had more than his share of brushes with the dark side of the Force, which is exactly why he is chosen to pierce the inner circle of Count Dooku, the ex-Jedi Separatist leader. Yet to complete his mission, Vos must plunge headlong into the shadow of the dark side-a path from which there may be no return! Each month, the Star Wars 30th Anniversary Collection series will bring readers a limited-edition hardcover of the best of Dark Horse's Star Wars graphic novels. Available only through Direct Market retail outlets, each volume's print run is limited to initial orders and will not be reprinted.

Maxwell Strangewell GN - $15.99 The Fillbach Brothers proudly present their most ambitious work to date! After putting their sci-fi skills to the ultimate test in six volumes of the best-selling series Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures, Matt and Shawn up the ante with a novella-length tale of aliens, amnesia, and the galaxy itself in peril. Photographer Anna Gilmour discovers a ten-foot-tall being immediately after his fall to Earth. He can't speak, but communicates through telepathic empathy, and Anna introduces him to her father as 'Max.' Their home is soon beset by a sea of beatific Tibetan monks, alien assassins in disguise, and heavy weapon fire! Max might not know who he is, but a lot of others sure as heck seem to. A galactic free-for-all is about to go down and Earth is ground zero. Before the final act, Anna and Max encounter a prophecy, the man in the moon, an entire race of alien accountants, and the Revolver-an innocuous-looking jogger responsible for keeping the world spinning. This massive tome is a page-turner you won't be able to put down, and prove that these brothers are a pair to watch!

Grendel Archive Edition HC - $11.99 For twenty-five years, the true origin of Matt Wagner's Eisner Award-winning anti-hero, Grendel, has remained largely unseen, available exclusively to collectors able to pay high prices for extremely rare, out-of-print issues. Now, for the first time anywhere, Dark Horse collects the original appearance of Grendel! A successful novelist by day, Hunter Rose becomes the unstoppable assassin Grendel by night, the leader of a vast criminal empire opposed by the mysterious wolf Argent. Containing the black-and-white interiors and full-color covers of Primer #2 and Grendel #1-3 originally published by Comico, this handsome hardcover volume is an essential piece of comics history, presenting the earliest work of Matt Wagner, the legendary creator behind such acclaimed projects as Mage, Sandman Mystery Theatre, and Batman: The Monster Men among many others. With new cover art by Wagner, the Grendel Archive Edition is a must-have for Grendel fans and the ultimate starting point for those interested in one of the most influential creator-owned comics of the last quarter century! Reprints the very first black-and-white appearance of Grendel in celebration of the character's 25th anniversary.

EC Archives Tales From The Crypt Vol 2 HC - $39.99 by Various. From stories by the legendary team Bill Gaines & Al Feldstein come the classic horror tales written by Feldstein and illustrated by the all-star line-up of Wally Wood, Jack Kamen, Johnny Craig, Feldstein himself, Joe Orlando, Graham Ingels, Jack Davis, and Marie Severin. Reprints 24 stories from Tales from the Crypt with a foreword by Joe Dante, director of Gremlins. Reprints issues #7-12 (24 stories) of the comic book Tales From the Crypt, originally published in 1951 and 1952, and the inspiration for the hit movie and HBO series!

Necromancer TP - $11.99 From science fiction writer Joshua Ortega (FREQUENCIES) and fan favorite penciler Francis Manapul (WITCHBLADE, THE DARKNESS), comes the story of Abigail van Alstine. Abigail is a stunning, smart high school student who just happens to be a natural spellcaster and adept in The Way. Abigail is thrust into the world of magic and soon ensnared in a larger conflict between the Church of Mali, an ancient demon, the Dark Agents, and the mysterious Hierarchy. What will Abby's inexperience cost her in this grand game? Necromancer is a gothic fantasy adventure brought to you by two storytelling powerhouses who pull you in and never let go! This collection includes all six issues, plus bonus material such as character designs, layout, and lots more. Find out about the book people have been talking about all year!

Phonogram Vol 1 Rue Britanna TP - $11.99 Britannia is ten years dead. Phonomancer David Kohl hadn't spared his old patron a thought for almost as long… at which point his mind starts to unravel. Can he discover what's happened to the Mod-Goddess of Britpop while there's still something of himself left? A dark modern-fantasy in a world where music is magic, where a song can save your life, or end it.

June Advance Orders The June advance order products are now available for preorder (credit cards aren't charged until release): -- June Graphic Novels -- June Statues and Busts Marvel-ous Graphic Novels Sale! Bowen Blowout Sale! Weta Kong & Narnia Statue Liquidation Free Shipping Free shipping for book orders over $99. Tales of Wonder Gift Certificates Give the gift of Wonder - gift certificates to buy comic book merchandise. Visit our newsletter archive to see the online version of this newsletter.