FREE/BARGAIN - Comics - 2015

[TrevorViking]

Originally Posted by Andanzas

Have a great time! By the way, what comics are you bringing with you?

Thanks! I haven't decided if I'll bring any physical books, but I've loaded up my iPad with a bunch of Fables and old Conan books.

[Andanzas]

Originally Posted by TrevorViking

If someone else would pick up my slack and post the deals while I'm gone I'd appreciate it.

Well, there we go:

There is a Red Sonjia sale that ends 24/8. Red Sonjia adventures issues for €0.89, and some classics black and white collections for... €26.99! Holy crap! https://www.comixology.eu/Adventures...Sale/page/7793.
Anyway, you probably have lots of unread Red Sonjia issues from all those bundles, so go read those instead.

Marvel's one day (8/21) sale is on Avengers: The Children's Crusade (9 issues at €0.89), Young Avengers (2005) (13 issues), and Young Avengers Presents (6 issues). https://www.comixology.eu/Avengers-C...Sale/page/7855

I wonder if The Children's Crusade has anything to do with the historical event: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children's_Crusade. That would be interesting. And quite disturbing as well.

And there are 2 bundles of The Walking Dead for €35.99 each: https://www.comixology.eu/The-Walkin...dles/page/7828. I think I've seen those before? Anyway, I lost interest in this series when I got the impression is going nowhere because they are just milking it to make as much money as possible.

[Andanzas]

Interesting sales on Comixology right now.

The Shadow Sale: https://www.comixology.eu/The-Shadow-Sale/page/7846. One omnibus, six collections, and lots of issues from different Shadow series (bear in mind that the first collection, sold here for €4.49, is included in the current StoryBundle offering, along with other titles: https://storybundle.com/comics).

IDW Recent Hits Sale: https://www.comixology.eu/IDW-Recent...Sale/page/7876

Three collections: The Bigger Band, Galaxy Quest, and The October Faction (I like the art style of this one: has anyone read it?) and single issues from different series, like Ragnarok, Little Nemo, or Zombies vs Robots. (Yeah, I know you miss TrevorViking because he patiently types every single thing; well, I don't).

And the big one for me, because I have a 6-year-old son who is really into superheroes but not really into comics and I want to fix that, it's the DC's Back to School Sale: https://www.comixology.eu/Back-to-School-Sale/page/7875

The DC's Back to School Sale includes 11 collections: most of them Tiny Titans, 2 of Batman: Li'l Gotham (I like the art style of this one so much that I'll probably purchase it), and 1 of Teen Titans Go!

And there are single issues from different series: Young Justice (2011-2013), Impulse, Superboy (2010-2011), and Superboy (2011-2014).

DC has this strange habit of including full-price issues in its sales; I guess they want to see if people are paying attention. Young Justice (1998-2003), Teen Titans Go! (2004-2008), Superman Adventures, Batman Gotham Adventures, and Batman Adventures don't seem to be discounted. It's frustrating, and I don't understand why they do that.

Anyway, I am going to wait until tomorrow to see what's the next offering by Humble Bundle, and then I'll probably purchase a few items from the DC sale (probably Batman: Li'l Gotham and Tiny Titans), and maybe The October Faction.

Any recommendation (or anti-recommendation ) are very appreciated.

[ATDrake]

^

Tiny Titans is very cute and tells adorable stories, from what I've read of it. They do tend to be full of in-jokes for long-time DC Comics readers, but on a surface level, most of the stories can be easily understood as friendship type stuff without knowing who most of the characters are.

Parts of the runs of Superman Adventures, Batman Adventures, and Gotham Adventures are excellent and highly recommended. They were tie-ins to the DCAU animated series, and some of the first non-Archie/Asterix/Tintin comics that I ever read.

Best of the lot is the Ty Templeton-written run of Gotham Adventures (first 13 issues or so, IIRC; it's a shame his Batman & Robin Adventures, which were arguably even better, aren't similarly spotlighted with a 1st-issue introductory freebie), which told very thoughtful and imaginative stories, often with great emotional depth, built on the DCAU framework and trying to explain the changes in the cartoon style from B:TAS to TNBA by framing the art redesigns in terms of character development. It's a rather mixed bag after he was forced off the series due to editorial interference, but there were still some generally fairly decent stories (but I'd advise saving your money on the non-Templeton issues until you're feeling flush and indulgent).

In an extremely close tie for the top spot (B:GA got bonus points because I'm much more interested in the Batfamily than the Superstuff), Superman Adventures had some of Mark Millar's very best writing ever, and if you're interested in the character at all, you shouldn't miss his issues, which were truly excellent and thoughtful examinations of what it meant to be Superman and live in his world. They're somewhere around the 20s-40s of the run, IIRC. The first 20 or so issues written by Scott McCloud and other people are also quite good. After Millar, there's a few good issues by Templeton and others, but otherwise a rather steep quality drop.

The entire run of the early 90s Batman Adventures with the Rick Burchett art (I think they've misattributed the writers, since I'm pretty sure Ty Templeton & Dan Slott didn't show up until a later reboot of the series) is generally of fairly high quality, albeit a little more tightly tied into the Batman: The Animated Series tv show in terms of referencing characters and plots that first showed up there, and the writing is maybe a little retro in feel. Still, the stories are fairly good and should be easy enough to follow.

All the Adventures titles have good stories with not too much violence or very dark themes (some of them are a little moody, having to do with various Batfamily members' parents' deaths and all), truly suitable for all ages without being dumbed down for the kiddies.

The old Impulse run is really pretty good for the first 26 or so issues, which were written by Mark Waid himself (then the premier Flash scribe), and they're good clean light fun which I recommend if you have no objections to the art style (apparently something of an acquired taste for some Gentle Readers). After Waid's run, the quality was not nearly as good, from what I've read of the following issues.

Similarly, the Peter David run of Young Justice from the late 90s-early 00s is also highly recommended as a mostly fun and light-hearted book (with occasional surprisingly deep serious moments), but again, some people were off-put by the exaggerated cartoony art style, so YMMV. It's much more suitable for teen readers, IMHO, and has more mature themes, although it's also very, very easily enjoyed by grown-ups as well.

Teen Titans Go! told cutesy but not that deep stories which were fluffy light fun, probably best enjoyed if you've seen either of the TV cartoon series.

Personally, since most of the DC "kids" comics are still at the regular price of 99 cents which they've apparently set to lure in the younger readers on a regular basis, I'd advise picking up the Tiny Titans and other GN collection volumes that are actually on sale, and checking out the three freebie issues of PAD YJ, B:GA, & SA, and deciding later if you want to pick others in those runs up (although it does seem that the later PAD YJ issues starting in the 20s are genuinely on sale at half-price, and it's only the first dozen-and-a-half issues that are at the 99 cent introductory mark).

Hope this helps!

ETA: It turns out there is indeed a freebie Batman & Robin Adventures issue that was hiding at Comixology for you to try: Batman & Robin Adventures (1995-1997) #21

ETA 2: And one from the reboot of Batman Adventures that was the actual Ty Templeton run as well: Batman Adventures (2003-2004) #1

Enjoy!

[Andanzas]

Thanks a ton! It's always a joy to read your opinions on the titles you like and dislike.

I forgot to mention the freebies from this sale, but I hadn't seen the last two you mention. Great finds!

I purchased two Batman Adventures collections from the previous DC sale (Mad Love, and Vol. 2, which collects issues 11-20), so I am set on that front for the moment.

By the way, I enjoyed the post from Comics Alliance about this sale: http://comicsalliance.com/dc-back-to-school-sale/. The author, Chris Sims, is overly enthusiastic, but he seems honest, and his opinions are not that different from those of ATDrake. I didn't know these series were so good.

Well, gotta go back to work. I'll write later tonight, if I have something to add.

[Andanzas]

You lucky users of American and Canadian libraries, you'll soon get access to hundreds of digital comics from publisher Image:

Your local library is about to get an injection of Image Comics thanks to a new deal with Hoopla digital. Available through more than 4000 libraries in the United States and Canada, Hoopla offers a digital collection of movies, books, audio books, music and comics that bolsters your public library without the worry of being out of stock and the burden of late fees.

Read More: http://comicsalliance.com/hoopla-ima...igital-comics/

User undeadcow from the GOG.com forums mentions these deals (I copy his post):

Comixology podcast codes are for Delcourt titles:
Iron Squad #1: Red Commando 1/2 is free with SQUADPOD - https://www.comixology.com/Iron-Squa...l-comic/252101
Come Prima is 50% off with PRIMAPOD - https://www.comixology.com/Come-Prim...l-comic/251895

Also the new Submit code, DAY takes 50% off the Dayglow series - https://www.comixology.com/Get-50-Of...-DAY/list/8046

[TrevorViking]

I'm back from another great Royal Caribbean experience. Thanks to everyone on all the sites I visit for the well wishes and for posting deals while I was gone. Forgive me if I forgot anyone but special props go out to Hero, Brandon191, keithly, socnsum1, Alan, Derek G, undeadcow, Geddes17, Rob Allen, Andanzas, ATDrake, Bob_Bobbson, user941, starman9000, and more Undeadcow. Now that I know I'm not needed, I'm retiring to live on a different cruise ship every week or three. Just have to hit that lottery first...

Lots of good sales while I was gone, several still active. I'm partially ashamed to admit that I did buy the wifi package for the final four days of the cruise. In my defense, they offered a coupon, and me being me...

New freebie from the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.
https://www.comixology.com/CBLDF-Def...l-comic/262766

New Free Comic Book Day book.
https://www.comixology.com/FCBD-Worl...l-comic/264027

Weekend sale from Dark Horse should be up soon; I think they usually go live at noon, right?
https://digital.darkhorse.com

[Andanzas]

Welcome back!

To commemorate his return, there is a Valiant bundle on Groupees: https://groupees.com/valiant

Lots of repeats from the previous Humble Valiant Bundle, but also enough new material (The Delinquents, Armor Hunters, Unity...), so it's worth a look.

GOG user madth3 has kindly updated his already famous spreadsheet and added a Valiant tab, so you can compare both Valiant bundles: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...gid=1622983323

$5 for

Shadowman Vol 1 - Birth Rites
Eternal Warrior Vol 1 - Sword of the Wild
Quantum & Woody Vol 1 - World's Worst Superhero Team
Archer & Armstrong Vol 1 - The Michelangelo Code
X-O Manowar Volume 1 - By The Sword
X-O Manowar Volume 2 - Enter Ninjak
Ninjak #1
The Valiant #1
Harbinger - Faith #0
Punk Mambo #0

$10 for

Armor Hunters TPB
Doctor Mirage Vol 1
Armor Hunters - Harbinger TPB
Eternal Warrior - Days of Steel TPB
Rai Vol 1 - Welcome to New Japan
The Delinquents TPB
Armor Hunters - Bloodshot TPB
Divinity #1
X-O Manowar #0
Quatum & Woody Goat #0

$15 for

Harbinger Volume 1 - Omega Rising
Harbinger Volume 2 - Renegades
Harbinger Volume 3 - Harbinger Wars
Eternal Warrior Volume 2 - Eternal Emperor
Unity Volume 1 - To Kill A King
Unity Volume 2 - Trapped By Webnet
Unity Volume 3 - Armor Hunters
X-O Manowar Volume 3 - Planet Death
X-O Manowar Volume 4 - Homecoming
X-O Manowar Volume 5 - At War with Unity
X-O Manowar Volume 6 - Prelude to Armor Hunters
X-O Manowar Volume 7 - Armor Hunters
Archer & Armstrong #0

EDITED to add that X-O Manowar Volumes 5 & 6 have been added to the $15 tier. Awesome.

[TrevorViking]

Much/all of this post will be repeat for many of you, but I figured I'd make a catch-up post to make sure all my regular sites saw each sale/freebie.

DC weeker ends 8/31/15 and is on great all-ages books like Tiny Titans, Lil Gotham, Impulse, Suberboy, and Young Justice. Many of the included 'sale' titles are $.99 normally.
https://www.comixology.com/Back-to-S...Sale/page/7875

IDW recent hits sale ends 8/31/15 and includes titles like Little Nemo, Ragnarok, and The October Faction.
https://www.comixology.com/IDW-Recen...Sale/page/7876

Some great Image noir-ish books from Brubaker and Phillips on sale until 8/30/15.
https://www.comixology.com/Brubaker-...Sale/page/7887

A few newish non-English language sales.
https://www.comixology.com/comics-sale

Thanks to undeadcow for listening/posting: Comixology podcast codes are for Delcourt titles:
Iron Squad #1: Red Commando 1/2 is free with SQUADPOD - https://www.comixology.com/Iron-Squa...l-comic/252101

Prima Coma is 50% off with PRIMAPOD - https://www.comixology.com/Come-Prim...l-comic/251895

Also the new Submit code, DAY takes 50% off the Dayglow series until 9/2/15 - https://www.comixology.com/Get-50-Of...-DAY/list/8046

The weekend sale at Dark Horse is a PAX sale, so video game comics like Halo, Witcher, and Mass Effect; 63 books at $.99 each.
https://digital.darkhorse.com/genre/235/

[Andanzas]

Originally Posted by Andanzas

Come Prima is 50% off with PRIMAPOD - https://www.comixology.com/Come-Prim...l-comic/251895

This one is truly excellent. Come Prima tells the story of two stranged brothers who return to their country, Italy, after many years of absence. The art style is amazing, and the landscapes of both France and Italy are sometimes breathtaking. Highly recommended! And the code is valid until September 2nd.

Funnily enough, I also read Brian Lee O'Malley's Lost at Sea recently; it was included in the Humble Oni Press Bundle. It's also a road-trip story, and I also enjoyed it quite a bit. They are very different in tone, scope, and style (Lost at Sea's main character is a young girl who is always over-analyzing her feelings; the main characters in Come Prima are two men who never talk about their feelings and probably are not very aware of them), but they are both very moving and I am glad I read one so close to the other.

Unfortunately, I can't find more digital comics by Alfred, the author of Come Prima.

[TrevorViking]

^ I think Delcourt translating their books into English and digital are both fairly new, but it sounds like we'll be getting more and more of their stuff.

[TrevorViking]

Marvel Monday has $.99 singles on the 2006-2010 Ms Marvel series.
issues 1-50
Annual 1
Storyteller Special 2008
Special 2007
https://www.comixology.com/Ms-Marvel-Sale/page/7919

A sale from Avatar on George RR Martin comics includes a bundle of all 18 $.99 singles for $9.99, a 77% savings. I don't think I've read any of his work; anyone else read these comics?
https://www.comixology.com/George-RR...Sale/page/7939
https://www.comixology.com/George-R-...le/bundle/1062
Fever Dream 1-10
Skin Trade 1-4
House of the Worm 1-4

[Andanzas]

Originally Posted by TrevorViking

^ I think Delcourt translating their books into English and digital are both fairly new, but it sounds like we'll be getting more and more of their stuff.

Thanks, that's good to know. I took a quick look at their titles, thinking they would be translating their best stuff first, but I didn't see anything that caught my eye.

But taking another quick look at their French books, I saw something simply spectacular. A 280-page graphic novel without any dialogue that narrates a whole tennis match, point by point. Oh my. That has to be the weirdest premise for a comic book I've ever seen.

Quoi !? Un match de tennis, point par point sur des centaines de pages de bande dessinée ? Oui, Grégory Panaccione l'a fait ! Tout ça en muet ? Oui ! Et vraiment point par point ? Ouiiiii !

Which our beloved Google (with a little help of yours truly) translates as:

What!? A tennis match, point by point, on a comic book of hundreds of pages? Yes, Grégory Panaccione has done just that! And without a single word? Yes! And really point by point? Yeeess!...

https://www.comixology.eu/Match/digital-comic/114735

This has to be either a masterpiece or utter garbage.

Not sure if I'll be able to play tennis this year due to my back pain, but if I miss the sport too much at least I know which comic book I should buy.

[TrevorViking]

Another linewide Fantagraphics sale, this one lasting until 9/4/15 and giving 50% off with codeword INDIE on all their 300+ books.
https://www.comixology.com/Fantagrap...Sale/page/7916

DC's weekly sale is on books now being seen in TV shows, 184 singles at $.99 each, ends 9/7/15.
Gotham Central 1-40
Secret Origins Special 1
Penguin: Pain and Prejudice 1-5
Gotham Underground 1-9
Batman and the Outsiders (1983+) 11-12
Batman and the Outsiders (2007-2011) 1-40
Green Arrow: Year One 1-6
Green Arrow (2011+) 17-34, 23.1
The Flash: Rebirth 1-6
Showcase (1956) 8
The Flash (1959+) 105-106, 110, 113, 117, 139-140, 155
The Flash (1987+) 197-200, 220-225
iZombie 1-28
Katana (2013) 1-10
https://www.comixology.com/DC-on-TV-Sale/page/7917

Another Farscape sale from Boom, this one adding one collection not in the last sale, ends 9/3/15.
Farscape 1-4
Farscape: Strange Detractors 1-4
Farscape: Gone and Back 1-4
Farscape volume four 1-24
Farscape: D'Argo's Quest 1-4
Farscape: D'Argo's Trial 1-4
Farscape: D'Argo's Lament 1-4
Farscape: Scorpius 0-7
Farscape volume 7 collection, 12 issue The War for the Uncharted Territories series, $6.99
https://www.comixology.com/Farscape-Sale/page/7907

[Froide]

Four new free titles for me, from ComiXology's Free Comics section. (YMMV, depending upon how many of these are already in your ComiXology library.)

• Spider-Man: Blue #1
• The Thanos Imperative #1
• X-Factor (2005-2013) #1
• War Machine (2008-2010) #1