IDW PUBLISHING APRIL & MAY 2006 SOLICITATIONS

[Zachary J. Morrison]

Direct from IDW Publishing, here are the publisher's solicitations and preview images for books which are scheduled to ship in April and May 2006.

Click a thumbnail below to see the full-sized preview image in a new browser window.

Compiled by Zachary Jian Morrison

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APRIL 2006

THE TRANSFORMERS #4
Simon Furman (w); EJ Su (a); Su, Guidi, Raiz, Wildman (c)

Ratchet needs answers, before the crisis on Earth escalates, and that means sending a crack team deep—literally—into enemy territory. Too bad then, given Ratchet’s oath to protect human life, that his available resources amount to Verity, Hunter and Jimmy. Too bad also that Decepticon unit commander Starscream is intent on removing all evidence of his indiscretions, and that includes the particular bit of ‘enemy territory’ in question. Enter: Blitzwing and Skywarp! By Simon Furman and E.J. Su.


$2.99 • FC • 32 pages

TRANSFORMERS: BEAST WARS #3 (of 4)
Simon Furman (w); Don Figueroa (a); Figueroa, Roche, Raiz, Guidi (c)

The Beast Wars—a timelost series of conflicts on Earth: heroic Maximals pitted against evil Predacons. The action steps up into an even higher gear as Magmatron turns his attention to fulfilling his original (Tri-Predacus Council-approved) mission objective: capture Megatron and return him to Cybertron for trial. Does that mean he’s prepared to just let Razorbeast and his Maximal militia be? Of course not. Not now that Ravage is on the case! By Simon Furman and Don Figueroa.

$2.99 • FC • 32 pages

TRANSFORMERS: GENERATIONS #2
Bob Budiansky (w); Don Perlin and Al Gordon (a) Wood, Roche (c)

IDW continues their look back at some of the most beloved Transformers comics from years past. This special monthly series with rolled back cover prices continues to present classic hard-to-find stories from the past two decades of Transformers comics. Once again, this issue features brand-new cover art from Ashley Wood (Metal Gear Solid) and Nick Roche, both of whom present recreations of the original cover art. This issue looks at one of the most off-beat TF stories of all time, “Shooting Star,” originally presented in Marvel Comics’ The Transformers #3!

$1.99 • FC • 24 pages

WORMWOOD GENTLEMAN CORPSE: THE TASTER
Ben Templesmith (w & a)

Ben Templesmith returns with his first solo project since Singularity 7. Meet Wormwood, the English-accented, beer-drinking, sentient corpse possessing a maggot expat from the Hell dimension. Well, one of them. If he's not attempting to save Earth from demonic, parasitic fungal infections or undead strippers, then he's off drinking with his homemade mechanical sidekick, Mr. Pendulum.

Collecting one of the original short stories first seen in Lo-Fi Magazine, this book also includes extra pages, new artwork and background material. It’s a perfect prelude to the upcoming, all-new Wormwood regular series coming from IDW Publishing, written and drawn by the artist responsible for 30 Days of Night, Singularity 7, and Fell.

$3.99 • FC • 32 pages

ANGEL SPOTLIGHT: ILLYRIA
Peter David (w); Nicola Scott (a); Scott, Stamb, Walks, Howard (c)

Presenting an all-new series of Angel one-shots focusing on different members of the supporting cast. Each issue will be presented by a different creative team. First up, Peter David (Spike: Old Times) and Nicola Scott focus on Illyria—a goddess without worshippers, existing in a world not her own, surrounded by humans whose emotions she is trying to comprehend. And her greatest sin was the means by which she arrived here in the first place: she destroyed Winnifred Burkle's body and soul in order to use it as her own vessel to exist. Now witness Illyria as she tries to find a personal touchstone by which she can at least understand the human—she returns to the remnants of Fred's old life to try and make herself feel guilty over having destroyed Fred's very existence. This first issue features covers from Nicola Scott, Zach Howard, Russell Walks, and Steph Stamb.

$3.99 • FC • 32 pages

SPIKE: LOST AND FOUND
Scott Tipton (w); Fernando Goni (a & c)

There’s a vampire preying on the citizens of Los Angeles—nothing new for Spike and company, right? Only one problem: the attacks are happening in broad daylight! As Spike and Angel try to track down the killer, Spike finds himself struggling with something even more unexpected—his own guilty conscience. Can Spike put aside the demons of his past in time to face the vamp feeding on L.A.? Written by Scott Tipton (Spike: Old Wounds) with art by Fernando Goni (Spike: Old Times, Spike: Old Wounds).

$7.49 • FC • 48 pages • ISBN: 1-933239-97-2

SPIKE VS. DRACULA #3 (of 5)
Peter David (w); Joe Corroney (a); Corroney, Howard, Murphy, Wight (c)

Fan-favorite author Peter David continues with the third installment of the centuries-spanning Spike saga. With Darla a prisoner of the Third Reich, Spike must become an agent of Hitler and help deliver gypsy tribes into the hands of the Nazis–forcing our vampire hero into an unlikely and uneasy alliance with his foremost rival, Dracula. Artist Joe Corroney will also provide covers for all five issues, as will variant cover artists Zach Howard, Sean Murphy, and Eric Wight.

$3.99 • FC • 32 pages

ANGEL SCRIPTBOOK #2: “A HOLE IN THE WORLD“
Joss Whedon (w); Jeff Johnson (a & c)

Presenting monthly-illustrated scriptbooks based on the very best Angel episodes pulled from its five-season run. Each specially priced 48-page scriptbook will feature the entire shooting script and full-page and spot illustrations from the episode by artist Jeff Johnson. The second script offered in this series is from the episode “A Hole in the World,” written and directed by series creator Joss Whedon.

$3.99 • B&W • 48 pages

WILL EISNER’S JOHN LAW: ANGELS AND ASHES, DEVILS AND DUST #1
Gary Chaloner (w & a)

Will Eisner's one-eyed detective is back in a brand-new four-part series by award-winning creator, Gary Chaloner. The heat in Crossroads begins to rise as John Law and Nubbin face off against mobsters, movie stars and monsters. This series will mark an important change in Law's life, as he moves closer to learning the truth behind his father's death... with tragic consequences in this very first issue. Co-starring Nubbin, the Shoeshine Boy, Enzo “The Angel” D'Angelo, Lady Luck, Mr. Mystic, and featuring the debut of Melba, Private Eye-ful!—a Texas cactus with city-bloomed thorns! Best of all, every issue will feature a full 28 pages of story and art from Chaloner.

$3.99 • B&W with Greyscale • 32 pages

DOOMED #2
Bloch, Matheson, Ryall, Schow, Taylor, Tipton, Wilson (w); Hoffman, Salmons, Sanchez, Wood (a); Geddes, Wood (c)

The macabre Ms. Doomed is back, and she brings with her four more tales of the damned, adapted from the short works of Robert Bloch, Richard Matheson, David J. Schow, and F. Paul Wilson. This time out, channeling the artistic spirit of ‘70s horror tales are Mike Hoffman, Tony Salmons, Alex Sanchez, and Ashley Wood. Wood and artist Jeremy Geddes once again provide covers for IDW’s horror magazine revival.

$7.99 • B&W • 8-1/2 x 11 • 72 pages

ADVENTURES IN OZ – TPB, HC
Eric Shanower (w & a)

In the marvelous Land of Oz, magic is always around the next corner. Dorothy, the Scarecrow, and their many Oz friends can't stop plunging into one adventure after another. Come journey over the rainbow to help save Oz from the Wicked Witch of the South, to ride an enchanted whirlpool that leads to a hidden island, to explore the spooky Great Gray Gillikin Swamp, to prevent a war between dragons and wood-nymphs, and to soar in an emerald unicorn to the frozen land of the mysterious Ice King. Wonder and magic abound in five full-color stories, The Enchanted Apples of Oz, The Secret Island of Oz, The Ice King of Oz, The Forgotten Forest of Oz, and The Blue Witch of Oz, by award-winning cartoonist Eric Shanower, collected here for the first time in one volume. This special volume also contains over 70 pages of sketches and other bonus material from Shanower. L. Frank Baum's Land of Oz lives again in stories that Booklist calls "well-written" and "charming" by "the superbly talented Shanower."

TPB • $39.99 • FC • 328 pages • ISBN: 1-933239-61-1
HC • $75.00 • FC • 328 pages • ISBN: 1-933239-62-X
Signed * Numbered HC • $100.00 • FC • 328 pages • ISBN: 1-60010-000-7

THE GREAT AND SECRET SHOW #2
Chris Ryall (w); Gabriel Rodriquez (a & c)

The Great and Secret Show is about to begin in the small Northern California town of Palomo Grove. A strange and innocent-looking new lake in the town just might be the birthplace of the apocalypse. Continuing the extended adaptation of horror writer Clive Barker’s epic tale.

$3.99 • FC • 32 pages

FALLEN ANGEL #5
Peter David (w); J.K. Woodward (a & c)

This is the issue that Fallen Angel fans have been waiting for. The final showdown–and we do mean final–between the Fallen Angel and Doctor Juris for control of Bete Noire, with the fate of their son hanging in the balance. Written by New York Times Bestselling author Peter David with art by J.K. Woodward.

$3.99 • FC • 32 pages

SILENT HILL: DEAD/ALIVE #5
Scott Ciencin (w); Nick Stakal (a); Bolton, McKeever (c)

A deadly game draws to a close as the living dead girl Christabella must escape from her greatest enemies and put herself in the path of malevolent beings that are neither angels nor demons, but something worse… if she is to stop them from putting the world to flame and realize her own twisted plans for the monster-laden mist-enshrouded haunted town of Silent Hill. Ted McKeever once again provides a horrifying cover for this issue, as does artist Chris Bolton.

$3.99 • FC • 32 pages

CHICANOS #6
Carlos Trillo (w); Eduardo Risso (a)

The smash European series Chicanos continues! In this issue, the unlikely detective A.Y. Jalisco takes a night-shift job at an Asian laundromat, only to make a shocking discovery about the identity of the thief that’s been robbing it. Then, her luck seems to change when she gets a call from a rich benefactor, but instead of a big payday she experiences the worst day ever! Featuring striking art and cover by Eisner-winner Eduardo Risso (100 Bullets).

$3.99 • B&W • 32 pages

Chicanos ™ and © Strip Art Features, 2005.

JON SABLE FREELANCE: BLOODTRAIL TPB
Mike Grell (w & a)

At long last, the best-selling independent hero of the 1980s has returned–Mike Grell’s Jon Sable, Freelance. But this time around, Sable isn’t quite at the top of his form as he is haunted by his dark past. His career in a tailspin, Sable signs on to prevent the assassination of a foreign national visiting terror-torn Manhattan… but who are the killers really after, and why? And what will it take for Jon Sable to get his act together? Series creator Mike Grell returns to provide the story and art for Bloodtrail, the newest and most thrilling chapter in the continuing saga of Jon Sable, Freelance.

TPB • $19.99 • FC • 144 page • ISBN: 1-933239-72-7

MAY 2006

THE TRANSFORMERS #5
Simon Furman (w), E.J. Su (a), Su, Guidi, Roche, Wildman (c)

This is it–the one you’ve been waiting for! Megatron arrives on Earth, and he’s not in the best of moods. His local Decepticon infiltration unit has broken protocol and gone rogue, and he’s not about to take it lying down. Once he’s got the whys and wherefores, there’ll be due punishment meted out, starting with Skywarp and Blitzwing. What about the Autobots and their human allies? Well, they’re all (wisely) staying well out of harm’s way. All, that is, except for Verity Carlo, who’s set for her own, personal face-to-face with Megatron! By Simon Furman and E.J. Su.

FC • 32 pages • $2.99

TRANSFORMERS: BEAST WARS #4 (of 4)
Simon Furman (w), Don Figueroa (a), Figueroa, Guidi, Roche (c) (a 4th cover will be done by Guido)

The Beast Wars–a timelost series of conflicts on Earth that pitted heroic Maximals against evil Predacons. The searing mini-series draws to a close, with pitched battles and desperate last stands on two fronts. While Razorbeast stands alone against the all-powerful Magmatron, desperate to prevent his return to Cybertron, so his fellow Maximals must somehow survive the onslaught of Ravage and his massed Predacon forces and get a warning back to the future. No happy endings are guaranteed! By Simon Furman and Don Figueroa.

FC • 32 pages • $2.99

TRANSFORMERS: GENERATIONS #3
Bob Budiansky (w), Don Perlin and Al Gordon (a) Wood, Roche (c)

IDW continues their look back at some of the most beloved Transformers comics from years past. This special monthly series with rollback cover prices continues to present classic hard-to-find stories from the past two decades of Transformers comics. Once again, this issue features brand-new cover art from Ashley Wood (Metal Gear Solid) and Nick Roche, both of which present recreations of the original cover art. This issue features the first appearance of Autobot Hoist in “Rock and Roll-Out!” originally presented in Marvel Comics’ The Transformers #14!

FC • 24 pages • $1.99

ZOMBIES!: FEAST #1
Shane McCarthy (w); Chris Bolton (a & c)

An event of nightmarish proportions has begun! The dead are walking the Earth and tearing the living limb from limb in an endless pursuit to quench their insatiable hunger for flesh. Yet not all killers are undead. Eight of the country's most notorious murderers are being transferred across state when their bus enters a town overrun with feasting corpses! Now the town's remaining survivors find themselves fighting a battle on two sides. Five innocents, countless zombies. eight killers, and a wide variety of blunt instruments whether they make it out or not, it promises to be very bloody and incredibly gruesome! In the end, it's not the nightmare outside you need to worry about but the monsters beside you. Art and all five covers, which connect to form one horrific image, will be provided by George A. Romero’s Land of the Dead cover artist Chris Bolton.

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

ANGEL SPOTLIGHT: GUNN
Dan Jolley (w), Mark Pennington (a), Pennington, Howard, Stamb, Walks (c)

The City of Angels can be a gateway to dreams... or the entrance to Hell itself. When Gunn's starry-eyed cousin from Ohio runs away from home and winds up in L.A., it's up to Gunn to find him and get him to safety before the city literally chews him up and spits him out.

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

SPIKE VS. DRACULA #4
Peter David (w), Joe Corroney (a), Corroney, Howard, Murphy, Wight (c)

Fan-favorite author Peter David continues with the fourth installment of the centuries-spanning Spike saga. In the midst of the jazz scene in 1950s Italy, Spike finds Drusilla being romanced away from him courtesy of a dark and mysterious stranger. Is it Dracula? His old enemy, the Immortal? Or is there a new player in town who spells danger for all concerned? Artist Joe Corroney will also provide covers for the issue, as do variant cover artists Zach Howard, Sean Murphy, and Eric Wight.

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

ANGEL SCRIPTBOOK #3: “SPIN THE BOTTLE”
Joss Whedon (w), Jeff Johnson (a), Jeff Johnson (c)

Continuing monthly illustrated scriptbooks based on the very best Angel episodes pulled from its five-season run. Each specially priced 48-page scriptbook will feature the entire shooting script and full-page and spot illustrations inspired by the episode from artist Jeff Johnson. The third script offered in this series is from the fourth-season episode “Spin the Bottle,” written and directed by series creator Joss Whedon. Issue #3 features 2 covers, a photo cover and a cover featuring art by Jeff Johnson.
B&W • 48 pages • $3.99

COBB #1
Beau Smith (w), Eduardo Barreto (a & c)

Beau Smith’s latest creation explodes onto the scene! Aided and abetted by fellow comics legend Eduardo Barreto, Smith creates a tough guy for the new millennium in the form of Frank Cobb. Cobb is a former Level One Secret Service agent who has been off the radar for the last few years. When his aimless actions land him in jail, one of his former government contacts decides that it’s time Cobb’s special talents were put to a more productive use. In Part One of this debut Cobb story, “Off the Leash,” Cobb’s protective skills will be needed to save a very important witness from a sadistic Russian Mafia leader with connections to a terrorist cell.

B&W • 32 pages • $3.99

SUPERMARKET #3 (of 4)
Brian Wood (w), Kristian Donaldson (a & c)

With her new friends in tow and a greater knowledge of the city–aka the Supermarket–Pella's come to grips with her status in the criminal underworld, realizing her power and potential. Additional clues in the encrypted email hint at why the Yakuza and Porno Swedes want her dead, as well as a possible solution to it all. The secret to a mythical underworld money stash is at stake here, and Pella Suzuki, criminal heiress-at-large, just might be holding all the cards.

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

THE GREAT AND SECRET SHOW #3
Chris Ryall (w), Gabriel Rodriquez (a & c)

The adaptation of Clive Barker’s masterpiece continues here! In the town of Palomo Grove, the war between Jaffe and Fletcher continues. But what effect will the meeting between Jaffe’s offspring and a stranger in town have on their epic battle? Will this push the world one step closer to Armageddon? It just might…

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

WILL EISNER’S JOHN LAW: ANGELS AND ASHES, DEVILS AND DUST #2
Gary Chaloner, Chris Sequeira (w) Gary Chaloner (a & c)

This is the big one! A HUGE turning point issue for Will Eisner's pipe-smoking, one eyed detective! With Nubbin murdered, Law is on the trail of the people responsible. He crosses paths once more with the mysterious and inscrutable Mr. Mystic, who asks for Law's help–in return offering Law a chance to solve the mystery of his father's death. Also, the detective has a drink with the devilish Ray Hades, a sexy chat with Melba and also asks the question–"Is Nubbin Butts really dead?" This issue also features a brand-new Mr Mystic origin story, written by Chris Sequeira (Justice League Adventures) and illustrated by Chaloner!

B&W with Grayscale • 32 pages • $3.99

METAL GEAR SOLID: SONS OF LIBERTY #6
Alex Garner (w), Ashley Wood (a & c)

As the Metal Gear Solid story hurtles forward, Snake and Raiden engage Metal Gear Ray in an all-out battle! And old mysteries are laid to rest, as Snake finally reveals the truth behind the shadowy events of his confrontation with Revolver Ocelot two years prior. Featuring artist Ashley Wood’s brilliant art, including two covers, and a gripping script by Alex Garner.

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Metal Gear Solid ©1987 2006 KONAMI. Konami® is a registered trademark of Konami Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

CHICANOS #7
Carlos Trillo (w), Eduardo Risso (a)

A.Y. Jalisco, lonely for too long, decides to change her love life for the better. But her plans are ruined by the gender-shifted Guadalupe, who puts Jalisco’s life in danger while seducing her man. Her bad luck continues when she’s attacked by a hulking brute looking for information on a man she doesn’t even know! Carlos Trillo’s spellbinding tale continues, with art and cover provided by comics star Eduardo Risso (100 Bullets).

B&W • 32 pages • $3.99

Chicanos ™ and © Strip Art Features, 2006. www.safcomics.com

GRANDE FINALE
Ashley Wood (w & a)

Spectrum-Award winning artist Ashley Wood is a proven favorite, and this deluxe volume Grande Finale collects the popular–and currently unavailable–art books Uno Fanta, Dos Fanta and Tres Fanta. This collection is presented in a new and larger 8.5” x 11” format and contains 20 more pages of outstanding art, than its sold out little brother Grande Finale.

FC • 340 pages • $50.00 • ISBN: 1-933239-90-5

[SuperGirl]

I'm sooo happy I can still feed my Spike addiction through comics.

[Chris Eight]

Originally Posted by SuperGirl

I'm sooo happy I can still feed my Spike addiction through comics.

i know what you mean

[Andrew Stoneham]

Really looking forward to Fallen Angel #5

[steve2275]

just the tfs for me

[Marty P]

For me this month:

TRANSFORMERS #4
TRANSFORMERS: BEAST WARS #3 (of 4)
FALLEN ANGEL # 5 (I LOVE this series!)
TRANSFORMERS #5
TRANSFORMERS: BEAST WARS #4 (of 4)
METAL GEAR SOLID: SONS OF LIBERTY #6

[Jos1988]

I wonder if the Angel stuff will come out as trades

Might try some other IDW stuff at some point - any suggestions guys?

[Marty P]

Originally Posted by Jos1988

I wonder if the Angel stuff will come out as trades

Might try some other IDW stuff at some point - any suggestions guys?

Well, depends on what you like...they got some amazing horrortitles I hear...
Not really my genre though...
More close to a superhero book is Fallen Angel, written by Peter David (X-factor, Friendly N Spider-man).

AMAZING good read, with matching art. Best book they publish IMHO.