Missing Melksham Comic Con is gonna suck!!!

So my honeymoon is over!!! I'm currently at my in-laws for a layover before hitting the M4 and heading home. It's a shame that what is essentially a continuation of my recent wedding has come to an end, but I have to admit I'm looking forward to getting married life proper started, as well as getting back to buying my comics from the local shop (I've so missed the comics).

However, there is one drawback going into this return to normality which is that, due to its close proximity to our return from honeymoon, I have agreed with my (now) wife that I won't be going to the Melksham Comic Con this year.... and, I'll tell you, that is a decision that sucks!!!

In some ways I don't regret this decision as there is plenty Which needs to be done upon returning home.

However, so much is expected to happen at Melksham this year that I am really wishing I could make it there.

The top of this list for me is a panel occurring during the day about mental health in comic books. For me, this is the holy grail of what is coming out of Melksham because, having been a sufferer of mental health issues in the past, I find it so very intriguing what a lot of the local creators think and feel about the concept of mental health issues, if they should appear more in comics and why they don't appear enough up until this point (assuming, of course, that there aren't comics currently available which show mental illness as a major plot point which I don't know about) as well as the views of other comic consumers. If I were to be there, I guarantee I'd be queuing for this panel from the moment the doors opened (I sure hope there is a podcast or something of this for me to download later).

Then of course, there are the comics themselves. Top of this list is part 2 of Jon Lock and Nich Angell's inter-book crossover, The Heavenly Chord. I remember when part 1 came out last year and have been looking forward to part 2 since, even though there's been many reprieves in the form of Afterlife Inc. vol. 3, book of life and the the Everthere short as well as Nich's Cat and Merengue omnibus. Before I started queuing for the panel I'd gladly stop here first and get a copy (and maybe chew the creators ears off as usual).

After this is the book Joe Cape by Swindon creator Sam Webster who, again, I first encountered at Melksham last year. After enjoying his prior books Arcadia and Superheroes Ltd, I recently found out about this new book and that it was at issue 2. This bugs me more than anything because it now means I'm missing both issues and really wanna read them.

And then there are all the other comic creators and their own outstanding titles. In fact, I find these comics are what make cons like Melksham awesome!!! It's not the guests, but the creators who all make fantastic books which always bring something different, and most often better, than what is available by the big publishers.

Of course, writing all this just makes me wish I was going all the more, which hurts all the more because I know it won't happen. I'm accepting of this because I have WAY too much to do. But just because normal life is in the way and should be considered more important, it doesn't change the fact that not going to Melksham Comic Con sucks, big time!!! 

The November 2014 solicits

So, I'm back!!! Well, I'm not quite back as I'm still on my second honeymoon (I get two. How fancy am I??) but as I have a little free time, I decided to take the opportunity to quickly go through the solicitations for November.

This months list, however, is pretty self explanatory so I'm not gonna ramble on with this one and I'm just gonna get on with it.

Alex + Ada #10 (Image)

Batgirl #36 (DC Comics)

Black Science #11 (Image)

Copperhead #3 (Image)

Daredevil #10 (Marvel)

Earth 2 #28 (DC Comics)

Earth 2: Worlds End #5-8 (DC Comics)

Fantastic Four #13 (Marvel)

Lazarus #13 (Image)

Now, I'm maybe being a bit lazy this time around but, in fairness, there seems little point in justifying my choices this month as every single one of them would be continuations from the prior solicits. The reasons for this are both monetary (aren't they always for me) as well as the fact nothing new really shouted out to me.

At the same time pretty much all of the current titles on my list have been (mostly) fantastic, entertaining books (Copperhead and Batgirl are more presumptive than the rest as they are yet to be released) to the extent that none of them I'm really not ready to consider dropping any of them. Especially when there is nothing I have to replace them.

Of course, there is still a fair way away before November hits, so maybe someone will recommend another title to me by then.

The October 2014 Solicits.

Finally!!! Last week saw the solicitations released for October 2014, which (for me) has got to be the most anticipated month for comics yet. As with the September 2014 solicits, I decided to go through and pick pretty much everything which interested me, although on this occasion it seemed a lot more difficult (or maybe it was just easier) than it was previously.

However, let's get started. What I hope to pick up in October is....;

Batgirl #35 (DC Comics) - Unless you've been living under a rock, you'll know why this is on my list. A new creative team with what looks to be fantastic art by Babs Tarr along with a really awesome costume concept makes me tempted to dip my toe into DC's bat infested waters with this book.

Black Science #10 (Image) - it's been a while since I read an issue of Black Science (damn staggered release) but the synopsis details the leader Kadir making a mad rescue attempt, which totally makes me want to read not only this issue, but all issue between now and then. I mean, how can Kadir be leader, right?

Daredevil #9 (Marvel) -  Mark Waid and Chris Samnee's run has been an incredibly fun, light-hearted story, so I'm a bit iffy about the 'new, grim chapter' reference in the solicits. However, 2 things. 1. I never underestimate Mark Waid and 2. Previous solicits imply an appearance of the Purple Man, which I'd be down with.

Detective Comics #35 (DC Comics) - I'm not normally a Bat universe fan which, like Deadpool, feels over saturated. However, with a two part story by a guest creative team which feels insulated by the series' current arcs beginning here, I found myself oddly tempted to delve deeper.

Earth 2 #27 (DC Comics) - Despite this issue being the first to not have Nicola Scott on art duties, this issue (I would suspect) ties this main series to the Worlds End event. Earth 2 is certainly up there as my favourite series at present and am interested to see how the new artist and co-writer hit this book I love so much.

Earth 2: Worlds End #1-4 (DC Comics) - IT'S HERE!!!!! The main event of the October solicits I've been waiting on since it's announcement, Worlds End, which looks to focus more on the battles of the Apokolips war, sees the first four issues released and I'm willing to give it a look if it maintains the main series quality.

Fantastic Four #11-#12 (Marvel) - I was willing to write this series off sometime ago but, shockingly, the original sin tie in turned me around. Now, with these issues, Ben Grimm gets into a prison fight, Johnny Storm tries to become the Human Torch and Reed Richards has a fight with Tony Stark. Yeah, I am SO reading these!!!

Lazarus #12 (Image) -  I'm no longer sure if I buy this title for the story or just to learn more about the world Rucka and Lark are building. Either way though with this issue showing more of the families in power working for their own ends, I'll be getting what I want, whichever of those things it may be.

Low #4 (Image) - Despite not yet having the first issue released, Low still remains on my list because the premise just seems so cool. Couple that with the fact Remender is writing, more than beats Tocchini's art (although recent shots of said art have me thinking it maybe perfect for this book).

Sensation Comics ft. Wonder Woman #3 (DC Comics) - At this point, this title is more of a long shot than any of the others in my list due to not reading an issue yet (next month) and my general ignorance of the character. That said, I want to get on board with Wonder Woman in some way and this seems like the best solution (for now).

Worlds Finest #27 (DC Comics) - This series is being retooled as a result of prior story arcs returning the leads to the Earth 2 series, making it more of an anthology series focusing on the Earth 2 Batman/Superman team. I like the Earth 2 universe, I like the Batman/Superman concept and the new Bats/Supes of that world. This seems like a no brainer to me.

And that's my list. Unfortunately, not all will be able to make the final cut (even with a slightly enlarged comic book budget) but, in truth, I really hope I do. This is quite possibly the best list I've put together in a long time, where I'm excited about every title on it. However, I'm realistic that what I want isn't always what I can get.

But as long as I get a copy of Batgirl, I'll be happy!!!