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20 Previews of Free Comic Book Day 2018 Titles, from Barrier to Relay to 2000AD Reneged

Published Mon, 22 Jan 2018 15:30:44 -0600

The first Saturday in May brings Free Comic Book Day. There are fifty titles being given away in comic book stores across the world, and Bleeding Cool has a sneak peek inside twenty of them…

COMICS FRIENDS FOREVER
(A) Hope Larson, Ben Hatke, Shannon Hale, LeUyen Pham (A/CA) Vera Brosgol
Comics friends forever! First Second presents an amazing Free Comic Book Day anthology that celebrates kids comics, girl power, and the amazing work of creators Vera Brosgol, Hope Larson, Charise Mericle Harper, Ben Hatke, and Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham. Don't miss out on this comic filled with the power of friendship that's great for every kid reader in your store.
All-Ages.

RELAY #0
AFTERSHOCK COMICS
(W) Zac Thompson, Donny Cates (A/CA) Andy Clarke
A story of community, religion, madness and the first planet to succumb to the universe's biggest paradigm shift. A weary space traveler arrives on a primitive planet lost in the dark ages. The shamanic tribe who resides there are unsettled and uncertain about their future. They rely on hunting and gathering to survive until the charismatic traveler offers a tantalizing and dangerous solution: The Relay. A Monolith designed to spread conformity of ideas, technology and progress across all discovered worlds.
Teen Audiences.

SPONGEBOB FREESTYLE FUNNIES
UNITED PLANKTON PICTURES
(W) Derek Drymon, James Kochalka (A) Robb Bihun, Vanessa Davis
Inspired by SpongeBob's comic book obsession, Plankton teams up with underwater super-villains to steal the Krabby Patty formula! But he may have gotten in over his tiny green head when word of his plan gets out in the aquatic bad-guy community! Soon, the Chum Bucket is filled with every Mermaid Man adversary we could fit into one story! How will Mr. Krabs fend off this evil, if somewhat over-large, invasion? Plus: In "Patrick Versus Somebody," enjoy the spazzy antics of Patrick and SpongeBob as they attempt to transform Patrick into a living comic book! All this, plus ocean facts from Maris Wicks and an amazing wraparound cover from Jacob Chabot!
All-Ages.

WORLDS OF ASPEN ANNIV ED
ASPEN MLT INC
(W) J. T. Krul, Jordan Gunderson (A) Alex Konat, Jordan Gunderson (CA) John Starr
Celebrate 15 years of publishing with Aspen Comics in this jam-packed Worlds of Aspen Free Comic Book Day 2018 Anniversary Edition! J.T. Krul and artist Alex Konat present Nu Way, set in 2051, where technology has infected every aspect of human life, and people sacrifice their flesh and blood for a chance at a better life. In New Sheng, a young combatant named Zihao is trying to literally fight his way up from the city slums with his fists, hoping to make it to the big leagues where cybernetically-enhanced warriors battle for fame and fortune. For the second half, Jordan Gunderson debuts his long-awaited first creator-owned series, Dissension! Long ago, mankind suffered under the hand of a vengeful group of fallen angels. Now, a young woman, possessing a power that had lain dormant in the descendants of the first peoples of Earth, must rise up to stop their return!
Teen Audiences.

SCOUT COMICS PRESENTS THE MALL
SCOUT COMICS
Fall, 1985. When the patriarch of a Florida crime family on the wane is murdered, his will leaves pieces of his criminal enterprise to his illegitimate offspring. These three teenagers each inherit a store in the local Twin Palms Mall, and must decide whether to embrace the family business or try to go legit, all while trying to navigate all of the John Hughes-type drama of high school in the 1980s. Finding a date for the prom is one thing, but doing it with the Columbian drug cartel out to kill you is another. Also featuring advanced previews of four upcoming 2018 Scout Comics titles: Zinnober by Ralf Singh and Thorsten Brochhaus; OBLIV18N by writer Ken Kristensen (Netflix's The Punisher) and Francesco Gaston; Monarchs by A.C. Medina and Fernando Pinto; and Geneticaa by Paul Jenkins and Joshua James.
Teen Audiences.

SILVER
DARK PLANET INC.
New York City. Meet Finnigan, ethically challenged master-thief, and his partners in crime Mullins and Brantley, as they rob the mysterious Harker foundation. But as the job turns into a narrow escape from the FBI, Finn encounters TAO, a young Chinese boy with the uncanny gift of second sight, and stumbles upon a mysterious and ancient silver bar. Finnegan's world will never be the same.
A high-concept genre-blender spun out of Bram Stoker's literary classic Dracula, Silver follows the adventures of witty pulp-era conmen James Finnigan; Rosalynd "Sledge" Van Helsing, granddaughter of the famous professor, hard-case vampire-hunter, and last of the Van Helsings; Tao Leu, a young boy who can see the future-just not his own- and their band of talented but troubled grifters, as they attempt to steal a mystical treasure from a castle full of vampires. Full of wits, heart, and wild pulp excitement, Silver pits its lovable but morally-challenged characters against the nihilistic undead, while lifting the veil on its original universe: a secret world of vampires full of gothic drama, intrigue, and epic adventure.
Teen Audiences.

MALIKA – CREED & FURY
YOUNEEK STUDIOS
After recovering from a spell that put her to sleep for 500 years, Malika (pronounced "Ma-LIE-Kah") is on the brink of yet another war. And this time, she has enemies she cannot predict, allies she refuses to trust, and a world she cannot understand. The enemy is the CREED, a growing domestic terrorist group responsible for a devastating attack on Malika's former home. The ally is Fury, a masked speedster who knows more about Malika than she's comfortable with. And the world is 2024 Abuja, Nigeria. Removed 500 years from the time she remembers, can Malika find the courage to use her newfound power to save the descendants of her former people? Or will she allow her rage to consume and transform her into something else?
Teen Audiences.

2000 AD REGENED
REBELLION DEVELOPMENTS LTD
(W) Matthew J. Smith, Alec Worley, Owen Michael Johnson, Colin Bell, Ned Hartley, Henry Flint (A) Neil Googe, Ben Wilsher, Tanya Roberts, INDIO, Henry Flint, Pye Parr
2000 AD Regened proudly presents a riotous all-ages comic featuring original, full-colour strips packed with thrill-power for Earthlets of all inception dates!
Cadet Judge Dredd upholds the law in a blistering crime caper at an Aeroball game by Matt Smith and Neil Googe! Mutant bounty hunter Johnny Alpha earns his Strontium Dog badge from Alec Worley and Ben Willsher! Tharg's Futureshocks present the wonderful world of HumanCraft by Ned Hartley and Tanya Roberts! Help Chet Jetstream escape Hell Island by Henry Flint! The teenage alien delinquents return with an eye on causing chaos in 'D.R. & Quinch Hijack Free Comic Book Day' from Owen Michael Johnson, Colin Bell and INDIO!
All-Ages.

TICK 2018 FREE COMIC BOOK DAY
NEW ENGLAND COMICS
(W) Jeff McClelland (A) Ian Nichols
Foretold by Ben Edlund himself, in the now-legendary 1980's Tick trading cards set, comes a tale you never expected to read! Wandering into an ancient village on a one-eyed horse, The Tick must make a stand against dark magic, enemy hordes, incredible beasts and the unknown itself! His reward: ACTION! (And also a mysterious jewel the size of a truck.) From a lost Ben Edlund plot comes a story of swords, sorcery, and… spoons?!
All-Ages.

STARBURNS PRESENTS #1
Starburns Industries Press
(W) Patton Oswalt, Dan Harmon, Eric Esquivel (A) Troy Nixey, Brent Schoonover, rebecca Nalty
Looking for more from the company that brought you Rick and Morty and Harmonquest? Starburns Industries is proud to announce their launch into comics as Starburns Industries Press. "Starburns Presents…" will feature Patton Oswalt's contribution to the upcoming Comic's Comics Anthology and an excerpt from Gregory Graves #1, written by Dan Harmon and Eric Esquivel. Worlds collide as comics and comedians join forces to tell epic and hilarious stories of fantasy, heroes, villains and more!
Teen Audiences.

SHADOWMAN SPECIAL
VALIANT ENTERTAINMENT LLC
(W) Andy Diggle, Matt Kindt, Eric Heisserer, Various (A) Stephen Segovia, Tomas Giorello, Raul Allen, Various (CA) Roberto de la Torre
Superstar writer Andy Diggle and high-octane artist Stephen Segovia present an all-new introduction to Shadowman as Jack Boniface reemerges from the Deadside to reclaim his birthright… and forges a new legend of magic, might, and malice for the long-awaited return of Valiant's most-demanded hero! Then, jump on board the seismic comics event of 2018, Harbinger Wars 2, as writers Matt Kindt and Eric Heisserer and artists Tomas Giorello and Raul Allen plunge X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, the Harbinger Renegades, Livewire, and the whole of the Valiant Universe into an epic power struggle with the potential to tear America apart!
Teen Audiences.

ONLY LIVING BOY
PAPERCUTZ
(W) David Gallaher (A/CA) Steve Ellis
The Harvey-nominated best-selling series returns in this all-new adventure. Erik is the only living boy on a dangerous patchwork planet. While he and his allies Thea and Morgan fight for their very survival, the dreaded Lord Baalikar, the fiendish Doctor Once, and the vile Consortium conspire on a threat that will have dire consequences for our heroes and their world. This daring adventure is the perfect introduction for the young and young-at-heart.
All-Ages.

STREET ANGELS DOG
IMAGE COMICS
(W) Jim Rugg, Brian Maruca (A/CA) Jim Rugg
What happens when the deadliest girl alive meets man's best friend? Jesse "Street Angel" Sanchez and her new dog pal go on a rampage… of fun! They play dress-up, skateboard, fight ninjas, skateboard, fight monsters, race robot cars to the death, fight bullies, and teach each other the value of family. It's Jesse's fourth best day ever! Unfortunately, even fourth best days ever must end. Don't worry – the dog lives.
All-Ages.In Shops: Apr 11, 2018

METABARON META GUARDIANESS AND TECHNO BARON
HUMANOIDS INC
(W) Jerry Frissen (A) Valentin Secher
The Metabaron Book 3: The adventure continues in this spin-off series of "The Incal" and "The Metabarons," two of the best-selling graphic novels of all time.
Featuring the exclusive first part and art pages of The Metabaron Book 3: The Meta-Guardianess and the Techno-Baron, the latest chapter in the new cycle of one of the most influential sci-fi graphic novel series of all time: The Metabarons. Written by Alejandro Jodorowsky and drawn by Juan Gimenez, The Metabarons changed the face of science fiction storytelling and is now a cornerstone of the Jodoverse. This new series is a collaboration between writers Alejandro Jodorowsky and Jerry Frissen, and features the stunning work of talented artists Valentin Secher, Niko Henrichon and Esad Ribic. In Book 3, the Metabaron enters a parallel universe to find more epiphyte, in order to save his own universe.

ULTRA STREET FIGHTER II #1
UDON ENTERTAINMENT INC
(W) Ken Siu-Chong (A/CA) Jeffrey Chamba Cruz
Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Street Fighter, UDON's very first comic story returns as a value-priced 6-issue mini-series! While Sagat challenges Ryu to a rematch and Vega spars with Cammy, Charlie rebels against M. Bison and Shadaloo! Reprints Street Fighter #5 (2004).
Teen Audiences.

JAMES BOND VARGAR
D. E.
(W) Warren Ellis (A) Jason Masters
Reprinting the first chapter in Dynamite Entertainment's ongoing James Bond series! James Bond returns to London after a mission of vengeance in Helsinki, to take up the workload of a fallen 00 Section agent. But something evil is moving through the back streets of the city, and sinister plans are being laid for Bond in Berlin.
Teen Audiences.

WORLDS GREATEST CARTOONISTS
(W) Sophie Goldstein, Simon Hanselmann, Dash Shaw, Georgia Webber, Carol Tyler, Ellen Forney, Anne Simon, Charles Glaubitz
Much like Fantagraphics' well-received 2017 FCBD book, they have commissioned over 12 new pieces by their most popular authors, each creating a short comic relating directly to their newest book!
Teen Audiences.In Shops: Apr 11, 2018

BARRIER
(W) Brian K. Vaughan (A/CA) Marcos Martin
From the Eisner Award-winning team behind The Private Eye, Barrier is an unconventional drama about violence, language and illegal immigration with a shocking sci-fi twist. After debuting on PanelSyndicate.com, this critically acclaimed five-part miniseries finally comes to print exclusively from Image Comics. And to help celebrate everything that makes serialized comics great, the massive, 53-page first issue will be available to mature readers for free on Free Comic Book Day, with the next four issues being released weekly throughout the rest of May! Printed in its original "landscape" format (side-stapled for convenient shelving!) and graced with gorgeous cardstock covers, each comic is meant to be a durable work of art, and there are no plans for these print issues to ever be collected, so the only way to own your own copies of this groundbreaking story is by supporting your friendly neighborhood comic shop!
Mature Readers.

CRUSH
YEN PRESS
(W) Svetlana Chmakova (A/CA) Svetlana Chmakova
Following the overwhelming success of Awkward and Brave, Svetlana Chmakova's award winning Berrybrook Middle School series continues with its next installment, Crush! Jorge seems to have it all together. He's big enough that nobody really messes with him, but he's also a genuinely sweet guy with a solid, reliable group of friends. The only time he ever really feels off his game is when he crosses paths with a certain girl… But when the group dynamic among the boys starts to shift, will Jorge be able to balance what his friends expect of him versus what he actually wants?
Teen Audiences.

OVERSTREET GUIDE TO COLLECTING
GEMSTONE PUBLISHING
(W) J. C. Vaughn (CA) Brendon Fraim, Brian Fraim
The team behind The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guidebrings you a comic book about collecting packed with all sorts of "how to" information including care of your collectibles, grading and more – and it's not only about comics! Get sneak peek at The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide #48 and much more! Cover features The Three Stooges as Valiant heroes X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, and The Eternal Warrior.
All Ages.

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