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Hello ToW-folk, I write you from the Atlanta airport as I await the 4:35 to Orlando with my 6-year old boy, Thomas. I'd say we're ready for a weekend of Disney-fied fun, but call me apprehensive after Thomas complained about the 20 minutes we waited in the surprisingly swift security line. Just wait until you're snaking through those turnstile anacondas at the theme park, son! I was saddened to part with our bottle of sun block after it was flagged as carry-on contraband. It's been in the family for six years, since we don't get out very much. I was aware of the liquids restriction, but after my wife told me she cleared airport security four times with her Swiss army knife (it was on a keychain, which apparently makes items transparent to detection), I figured I could squeak by with the Coppertone. Nope... confiscate the lotion! Of course, now I'm sure to be gouged when I buy sun block in Orlando. I mean, what else or you going to do? Wear long sleeves and pants? I think this is why sun block manufacturers are known sponsors of terrorist organizations. Well, not really, but I'm sure there's a link there somewhere. Will somebody get Homeland Security on the phone? All the best, Andy

New Releases 10/8 - Graphic Novels

DC * Absolute Sandman Vol 2 HC (Mature Readers): $69.29 * Justice Vol 3 HC: $13.99 * Mystery In Space Vol 1 TP: $12.59 * Nightwing Love And War TP: $10.49 Marvel * Fallen Son Death Of Captain America Prem HC: $13.99 * Spider Man Back In Black HC: $24.49 * Powers Vol 10 Cosmic TP (Mature Readers): $13.99 * X-Factor Visionaries Peter David Vol 3 TP: $11.19 * Spider-Man Fantastic Four Silver Rage TP: $7.69 * Ms Marvel Vol 3 Operation Lightning Storm Prem HC: $13.99 * Marvel Adventures Iron Man Vol 1 Digest TP: $4.99 * Magician Apprentice Vol 1 TP: $11.19 Other * EC Archives Vault Of Horror Volume 1 HC : $39.99 * Modern Masters Vol 13 Jerry Ordway SC: $11.99 * Alan Moores Yuggoth Cultures HC (Mature Readers): $31.99 * Strontium Dog Search Destroy Agency Files 03 GN : $23.19 * James Sturms America HC (Mature Readers): $19.99 * Garth Ennis Chronicles Of Wormwood TP (Mature Readers): $15.99 * Shortcomings HC (Mature Readers): $15.99 * Manga Complete Guide : $15.19 * Witchblade Takeru Vol 2 GN: $7.99 * Dynamo 5 Vol 1 Post Nuclear Family TP : $7.99 * Joseph GN (Mature Readers): $7.99

New Releases 10/8 - Statues

Marvel Origins Thor Statue - $52.49 A Diamond Select Release! Every superhero had to begin somewhere, and now those fateful moments are commemorated with the all-new Marvel Origins series! When Donald Blake struck his staff against the earth, his true heritage as the Mighty Thor was at least revealed to him and the world would never be the same. Sculpted by Gabriel Marquez and limited to 1500 pieces, each eight-inch statue features a hand-numbered base with matching box and Certificate of Authenticity.

Lord of the Rings Saruman Bust - $39.99 Saruman was the wizard in charge of Isengard, but he was lured into doing the bidding of the evil lord Sauron. This detailed sculpt shows Saruman using the Palantir to communicate with Sauron. The limited edition Saruman mini-bust has a light-up feature, stands 7.25' H and is made of poly-resin. Comes with a hand-numbered Certificate of Authenticity. Painted and ready to display.

Marvel Icons Red Skull Bust - $33.79 A Diamond Select Release! Continuing the ever-expanding Marvel Icons line comes one of the most infamous evils in the Marvel Universe - the Red Skull! The ultimate arch nemesis of freedom, his plots has cost Captain America his life. This amazingly detailed piece continues to deliver the very best heroes and worst villains the Marvel Universe has to offer. Sculpted by Rudy Garcia and limited to 2000 pieces, each bust features a hand-numbered base with matching box and Certificate of Authenticity.

Marvel Universe Winter Soldier Bust - $37.49 A Diamond Select Release! Long thought to have been killed during World War II, James 'Bucky' Barnes was Captain America's teenaged sidekick before being conditioned by the Russians and being reborn as the Winter Soldier. Now with his memories intact, the Winter Soldier and Nick Fury stand poised to make some real waves in the Marvel Universe. Limited to 1500 pieces and sculpted by Michael Locassio, each six-inch bust features a hand-numbered base with matching box and Certificate of Authenticity.

New Bowen Advance Order Items!

Wolverine Classic Statue - $140.00 From Bowen Designs. Sculpted by Randy Bowen. Over 12" tall. Features an additional booster base.

Wolverine Original Action Statue - $144.00 From Bowen Designs. Sculpted by Randy Bowen. Stands 15 1/2" tall overall.

Wolverine Unmasked Action Statue - $160.00 From Bowen Designs. Sculpted by Randy Bowen. Stands 15 1/2" tall overall.

Retro Black Knight Mini Bust - $48.00 From Bowen Designs. Sculpted by Rocco & Vinnie Tartamella, Ulises Cantu, with Randy Bowen. Stands 7 1/2" tall (to tip of sword).

Black Knight Mini Bust - $48.00 From Bowen Designs. Sculpted by Rocco & Vinnie Tartamella with Randy Bowen. Stands 8" tall (to tip of sword).

Stingray Mini Bust - $68.00 From Bowen Designs. Sculpted by The Kucharek Brothers. Stands 10 " tall (to tip of wings). Featuring a tranlucent water base.

New Releases Full Description - Graphic Novels

Absolute Sandman Vol 2 HC (Mature Readers) - $69.29 Written by Neil Gaiman. Art by Shawn McManus, Kelley Jones, Mike Dringenberg, Bryan Talbot, John Watkiss, Matt Wagner, Stan Woch, Colleen Doran, Duncan Eagleson, John Bolton, Malcolm Jones III, George Pratt, Dick Giordano, P. Craig Russell and Vince Locke. Cover by Dave McKean. DC Comics is proud to present the second volume of the comics classic THE SANDMAN in Absolute format! The second of four beautifully designed slipcased volumes, THE ABSOLUTE SANDMAN VOL. 2 collects issues 21-39 of THE SANDMAN and features remastered coloring on all 19 issues as well as brand-new inks on THE SANDMAN #34 by the issue's original penciller, Colleen Doran, and a host of bonus material, including two never-before-reprinted stories by Gaiman (one prose and one illustrated), a complete reproduction of the never-before-reprinted one-shot THE SANDMAN: A GALLERY OF DREAMS, and the complete script and pencils by Gaiman and Kelley Jones for Chapter Two of 'Season of Mists' from THE SANDMAN #23.

Justice Vol 3 HC - $13.99 Written by Jim Krueger & Alex Ross. Art by Doug Braithwaite & Ross. Cover by Ross. The final hardcover volume of the lushly illustrated maxiseries by Alex Ross, Jim Krueger and Doug Braithwaite collects issues #9-12! The Super-Villains' plot to exploit the innocent thickens as the heroes discover that it may even affect their comrades, colleagues and co-combatants! Guest-starring Black Adam, the Marvel Family, Doom Patrol, the Metal Men, the Titans, Supergirl and more!

Mystery In Space Vol 1 TP - $12.59 Written by Jim Starlin. Art by Shane Davis, Starlin, Matt Banning and others. Cover by Davis. Discover the origin of the new Captain Comet and find out how he is connected to his predecessor who was killed in the pages of the critically acclaimed series 52. This volume collects MYSTERY IN SPACE #1-5. Volume 2, due in 2008, will collect issues #6-8 plus the original THE WEIRD miniseries.

Nightwing Love And War TP - $10.49 Written by Marv Wolfman. Art by Dan Jurgens, Jamal Igle and others. Cover by Ryan Sook. In this volume collecting issues #125-132, Nightwing faces off against Raptor, a powerful new foe wanted by the police for murder. Nightwing finds himself in the uncomfortable position of trying to save the villain from the law and the mysterious people who are trying to kill him after he discovers the possibility that this criminal didn't kill anyone.

Fallen Son Death Of Captain America Prem HC - $13.99 Written by JEPH LOEB. Penciled by LEINIL YU, ED MCGUINNESS, JOHN ROMITA JR., DAVID FINCH, JOHN CASSADAY. Cover by JOHN ROMITA JR. The death of Captain America hits the Marvel Universe - hard! Be there as superstar Jeph Loeb teams with the industry's top artists on a story that will have everyone talking, navigating the turbulent post-Civil War landscape! Can the world accept the death of a true hero? In the wake of a tragedy, we visit the top heroes of the Marvel Universe. How do people with amazing powers face a force that no one can fight? Is more violence coming? Featuring Wolverine, the Mighty Avengers, the New Avengers, Spider-Man and Iron Man! FALLEN SON: WOLVERINE, AVENGERS, CAPTAIN AMERICA, SPIDER-MAN, and IRON MAN.

Spider Man Back In Black HC - $24.49 Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI & PETER DAVID. Penciled by RON GARNEY, TODD NAUCK, RONAN CLIQUET & COLLEEN DORAN. Cover by ANGEL MEDINA. The first of two titanic hardcovers collecting the status-quo-shattering BACK IN BLACK saga! Reeling in the aftermath of CIVIL WAR, Peter Parker has plenty of reasons to consider a change of wardrobe: Black is his state of mind. But the worst is yet to come for Spider-Man! In AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, events are set in motion that will forever change the life of your favorite web-slinger. There IS no going back! In FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN, the secrets of the alternate Uncle Ben are revealed, but not before the Sandman attacks! Collecting AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #539-543, and FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #17-23 and ANNUAL #1.

Powers Vol 10 Cosmic TP (Mature Readers) - $13.99 Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS. Pencils and Cover by MICHAEL AVON OEMING. Powers are dropping out of the sky, leaving bloody bodies in their wake. When one of the victims is revealed to be the cosmic guardian of our galaxy, homicide detectives Christian Walker and Deena Pilgrim find themselves knee-deep in cosmic doo. And if things weren't bad enough, Internal Affairs would like to have a word with Detective Pilgrim. All that and it's a perfect jumping-on point for new readers! From the writer of some of your favorite Marvel Comics (NEW AVENGERS, HOUSE OF M, ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN, DAREDEVIL, SECRET WAR) comes a brand-new chapter from the award-winning book! Collects POWERS #13-18. 200 PGS.

X-Factor Visionaries Peter David Vol 3 TP - $11.19 Written by PETER DAVID & FABIAN NICIEZA. Penciled by JIM FERN, LARRY STROMAN, RURIK TYLER, MARK PACELLA, JOE QUESADA, DARICK ROBERTSON & JOE MADUREIRA. Cover by MARK PACELLA. Today X-Factor's beat is Mutant Town, but years before, it was Washington D.C.! Madrox, Strong Guy, Quicksilver and the rest face crises of diplomacy, deception and death while protecting humans from mutants and vice versa! A battle with the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants in the shadow of Genosha! Musical murder, the Mojoverse and more! Featuring one of Wolverine's worst rivals, Cyber! Collecting X-FACTOR #79-83, and Annual #7

Spider-Man Fantastic Four Silver Rage TP - $7.69 Written by JEFF PARKER. Penciled by MIKE WIERINGO. Cover by MIKE WIERINGO. Two great tastes that taste great together! The world's greatest super hero and the world's greatest super team collide for an adventure set nowhere near a Civil War (and upon which we will not put a CIVIL WAR tie-in label)! After a visit by the Impossible Man, your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is faced with a dangerous new alien threat for which he has only one recourse...call in the Fantastic Four. Separately, Spidey and the FF are the foundation of the Marvel Universe. Together...they just may save it! Collecting SPIDER-MAN/FANTASTIC FOUR #1-4. 104 pages.

Ms Marvel Vol 3 Operation Lightning Storm Prem HC - $13.99 Written by BRIAN REED. Penciled by ROBERTO DE LA TORRE & AARON LOPRESTI. Cover by GREG HORN. A new beginning for Ms. Marvel! Carol Danvers made herself a promise to be 'the best of the best' -- but after the events of Civil War, has Ms. Marvel lost her way? As the stress mounts and Carol finds herself less and less sure about what she's doing or why, a crossroads is reached and a decision is made -- a decision that will change the course of Ms. Marvel's life -- and possibly the Marvel Universe! Brian Reed (New Avengers: Illuminati) and Roberto De La Torre -- plus guest-stars Iron Man, Arana and Wonder Man -- kick-off the new era! Collecting MS. MARVEL #11-17.

Marvel Adventures Iron Man Vol 1 Digest TP - $4.99 Written by FRED VAN LENTE. Penciled by JAMES CORDEIRO & RONAN CLIQUET. Cover by MICHAEL GOLDEN. The Armored Avenger blasts into the newest title in the critically-acclaimed, best-selling Marvel Adventures line! Who is Iron Man, the world-renowned symbol of mega-conglomerate Stark International? And what terrible secret from his past forces billionaire inventor Tony Stark to become the Golden Guardian? Find out here! Collecting MARVEL ADVENTURES IRON MAN #1-4.

Magician Apprentice Vol 1 TP - $11.19 Written by RAYMOND E. FEIST with Special Introduction by the Author Adapted by MICHAEL AVON OEMING & BRYAN J.L. GLASS. Penciled by BRETT BOOTH & RYAN STEGMAN. Cover by BRETT BOOTH. Pug and Tomas are two kitchen boys living in the medieval fantasy world of Midkemia who dream of one day becoming heroes. But as the boys start on the path to manhood and begin their apprenticeships to their respective masters, they stumble upon a shipwreck and learn that invaders from a strange and distant world have found a way to Midkemia through portals known as 'rifts' and are preparing for a full scale assault. As Tomas learns to be a soldier and Pug studies the path of a magician, both boys find themselves growing into the heroes they had hoped to become - but growing apart as the effects of the Riftwar change both of their lives forever. All this and a cover gallery, sketches, and letters from author Raymond E. Feist and Michael Avon Oeming. Collecting MAGICIAN APPRENTICE #1-6.

EC Archives Vault Of Horror Volume 1 HC - $39.99 By Various. Legendary publisher Bill Gaines provided the forum and creators like Al Feldstein, Johnny Craig, Wally Wood, Harry Harrison, Jack Kamen, Harvey Kurtzman, Graham Ingels, and Jack Davis provided the mayhem. Six full issues and 24 complete stories are collected in this full-color, deluxe volume. Foreword by perennial N.Y. Times best-selling author R.L. Stine.

Modern Masters Vol 13 Jerry Ordway SC - $11.99 by Eric Nolen-Weathington & Jerry Ordway. With his keen sense of anatomy, proportion, and detail, Jerry Ordway draws super-heroes that are powerful, noble, and heroic. What more could you want from an artist? Well, not only is he an artist of the highest caliber, he can write a great story while he's at it. All-Star Squadron, The Adventures of Superman, The Power of Shazam!, The Avengers - all have been critically acclaimed for his scripting. In this latest volume of the Modern Masters series, Ordway's life and career are spotlighted, as he discusses the work that's made him a fan-favorite, complete with an extensive art gallery. Also presented is a lavish color section, featuring more remarkable Ordway illustrations.

Alan Moores Yuggoth Cultures HC (Mature Readers) - $31.99 The magical mind of Alan Moore is unleashed in this new monthly series which weighs in at a super-sized 40 pages per issue! Yuggoth Cultures features tons of Alan's classic short sequential comic book stories that have been long out of print, stories that have never before been seen, and special developmental sections with original script pages and comments from Alan and the creators! This debut issue features the amazing 'Nightjar,' a story written 20 years ago to run in legendary British comic anthology Warrior Magazine, but never fully drawn. With art by Bryan Talbot, the first part of the story is finally illustrated and sees print here along with Moore's notes on where the series was originally going to go. As a special bonus, we include Alan's original script.

Strontium Dog Search Destroy Agency Files 03 GN - $23.19 by Alan Grant & John Wagner, Carlos Ezquerra & Simon Harrison. Following the Atom Wars in the 22nd century, many of the survivors were mutated by the Strontium 90 fallout. Unable to get regular jobs, forced into ghettoes and considered an underclass by the 'norms,' the only work open to them was bounty hunting. These Search Destroy Agents, better known as Strontium Dogs, hunt the criminals too dangerous for the Galactic Crime Commission. One such S/D Agent is Johnny Alpha, whose eyes enable him to see through solid objects. Book 4 collects together such classic stories as 'Max Bubba' and 'Rage.'

James Sturms America HC (Mature Readers) - $19.99 by James Sturm. Focusing on less sensational times in U.S. history (non-war and pre-Depression), James Sturm's America draws a portrait of the people and their dreams that make up this country. Comprised of three chapters -'The Revival,' 'Hundreds of Feet Below Daylight,' and 'The Golem's Mighty Swing' - the story grows as the country grows; from pioneers searching for a place to call home, to ghost towns gutted by greed and racism, to the distractions and fantasies of popular entertainment. James Sturm is one of the most important figures to have emerged in comics in recent years, both as a cartoonist and as the founder and director of the Center For Cartoon Studies. The work collected in this book has been praised by numerous cultural luminaries, from novelists Jonathan Lethem and Russell Banks to Doonesbury's Gary Trudeau. Sturm won an Eisner Award for his Fantastic Four graphic novel, Unstable Molecules.

Garth Ennis Chronicles Of Wormwood TP (Mature Readers) - $15.99 By Garth Ennis & Jacen Burrows. Garth Ennis' critically-acclaimed religious epic is collected here for the first time! Wormwood is the anti-Christ, his dad is Satan, and his demonic powers help him fit right into New York. His best friend is Jesus, a black mentally-challenged man that just isn't performing many miracles these days. The pesky Armageddon is coming up, and it doesn't look like Pope Jacko is going to be any help in stopping it. Ennis drags the whole world into the gutter with his trademark razor-sharp dialogue, biting wit, and the stunning art of Jacen Burrows, all in full-color.

Shortcomings HC (Mature Readers) - $15.99 by Adrian Tomine. From the author of Optic Nerve, the most anticipated graphic novel of 2007! Ben Tanaka has problems. In addition to being rampantly critical, sarcastic, and insensitive, his long-term girlfriend, Miko Hayashi, suspects that Ben has a wandering eye, and more to the point, a wandering eye in the direction ofwhite women. This accusation (and its various implications) becomes the subject of heated debate, setting in motion a story that pits California against New York, devotion against desire, and truth against trust. By confusing their personal problems with political ones, Ben and Miko are strangely alone together and oddly alike, even as they fly apart, failing to see that what unites them is their shared hypocrisies and double standards. This gray zone between the personal and the political is a minefield that acclaimed cartoonist Adrian Tomine navigates boldly and nimbly. An insightful reflection of human shortcomings!

Manga Complete Guide - $15.19 by Jason Thompson. This indispensable companion and handy reference guide to manga features extensive reviews and information on more than 900 different manga series, complete with background and stories, as well as profiles on important and prolific manga artists and creators including CLAMP, Osamu Tezuka, and Rumiko Takahashi.

Witchblade Takeru Vol 2 GN - $7.99 The story continues! Takeru is a young Japanese girl who lives in a convent, raised by Buddhist nuns. The convent holds a dark secret: a chamber houses a box and locked inside is the Witchblade, a powerful artifact that has existed throughout the ages. Takeru suffers nightmares of the Witchblade, not understanding their meaning. But when demons attack the convent, Takeru discovers the Witchblade, and unwittingly becomes its bearer! A prequel story to the hit Witchblade anime series from Japanese animation powerhouse Gonzo, and coming soon from Funimation!

Dynamo 5 Vol 1 Post Nuclear Family TP - $7.99 He was the world's greatest hero, but Captain Dynamo was not a faithful husband. Now he's dead and his family is trying to piece their lives together. As his enemies descend on his unprotected city, Captain Dynamo's widow rounds up his five illegitimate children, each of whom have inherited one of their father's super-powers. Can these total strangers come to terms with their powers, their father's legacy and each other as total chaos erupts? Collects DYNAMO 5 #1-7

Joseph GN (Mature Readers) - $7.99 by Nicolas Robel. Joseph is another fantastical tale from surrealist master Nicholas Robel. A little boy with enormous hands and an overactive imagination copes with indifferent parents, teasing schoolmates, and troubling dreams. Returning to themes explored in Fallen Angel - his first book from D+Q's Petit Livres series - Robel captures the wonders and traumas of childhood in a short narrative that is as emotionally sincere as it is cryptic, while deftly melding the corporeal with the imaginary in his signature simple yet highly evocative style. Robel's first book, Fallen Angel, is offered here as well.

October Advance Orders The new advance order products are now available for preorder (credit cards aren't charged until release): -- October Graphic Novels -- October Statues and Busts Sale Marvel Hardcovers Sale Marvel Trade Paperbacks Sale Top Shelf, Others Sale Dark Horse Sale Statues 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.