You read that right, my friends. Universal Pictures just snagged the options to the bestselling comic series Locke & Key by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez. In other words, they are looking to turn this awesome comic into a feature film! Now, I’ve loved the series since the beginning and I’ve got to say, this movie could easily shame a lot of the big comic films we have seen in the last few years.

Looking to produce this through Universal-based K/O Paper Products, Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci and Bobby Cohen have teamed with IDW’s CEO Ted Allen who is also being listed as producer on this project. That’s a lot of pull to get the job done. I don’t want to get my hopes up, but I was pretty jazzed to hear this today. We all know how Fox kind of dropped the ball on giving us a version for television with Steven Spielberg, not to mention MTV and SyFy passing on it, too. Luckily, it was Kurtzman and Orci (of Star Trek, Fringe and Transformers fame) who have remained dedicated to getting this off the ground. Their vigilance seems to have paid off finally. And I have to say, I think I’d rather see a feature length film than something scaled down for television anyway. And if everything goes well, word has it they might be looking at a trilogy of films! [...]

Star Wars: Legacy, Book 1
Story by John Ostrander and Jan Duursema
Art by Jan Duursema, Brad Anderson, Sean Cooke, Adam Dekraker, Travel Foreman, Dan Parsons, Ronda Paterson, Colin Wilson,
Cover by Adam Hughes
Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: June 5, 2013
Cover Price: $34.99

There are very few series within the Star Wars Expanded Universe that are universally celebrated by fans, so much so that their content would stand up on its own in film adaptations. Star Wars: Legacy is one of these. Boldly setting the storyline 125 years after the events of Return of the Jedi, the creative team of John Ostrander and Jan Duursema established a new saga in the Star Wars universe that fans have since embraced as some of the most outstanding Expanded Universe material since Timothy Zahn’s Thrawn Trilogy.

Star Wars: Legacy, Book 1 collects the first three volumes of the Dark Horse series (nearly 20 issues, massing an impressive hardcover collection of 482 pages!), and is most certainly a must-read for any Star Wars fan. The series follows Cade Skywalker, descendant of Anakin and Luke, though ripped from his original destiny to become a Jedi, he finds himself torn between the light side and the dark side of the Force, unwilling to face his future, and tormented from visions of the ghost of Luke Skywalker appearing before him [...]

Conan the Barbarian #17
Written by Brian Wood
Art by Davide Gianfelice
Colors by Dave Stewart
Letters by Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Cover by Massimo Carnevale
Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: June 19, 2013
Cover Price: $3.50

Conan the Barbarian #17 is further proof why it’s one of the 5 books that I wait for every month. There’s only a handful of books that, month in and out, I set my calendar by. This is one of them, and if you’re reading it, I’m sure it’s one of yours too.

In Part 2 of “The Nightmare of the Shallows” writer Brian Wood takes Conan and Belit on the strangest trip that they’ve ever been on. A head trip. It seems last issue, the two young lovers got into some yellow lotus that they maybe shouldn’t have and now they’re both seeing things that, to put it mildly, aren’t exactly there. But, it’s quite a ride for both them AND the audience. Wood has kept these two characters together a lot longer than I’ve thought he would. After all, Conan isn’t known for his lasting relationships. But one of the great loves of his life was Belit, it was always maintained that they spent part of their lives together, but it was never revealed how long and what exactly happened during their time together. Wood has solved that problem, and it’s more entertaining than I couldn’t ever imagined. [...]

It’s good to see Warner Bros. and DC Comics finally starting to learn from their past mistakes in bringing their classic comic book superhero stable to the big screen. Outside of Christopher Nolan‘s Batman trilogy their future looked mighty bleak in the wake of the less-than-enthusiastic receptions given to Superman Returns and Green Lantern. Last week the long-in-the-works Man of Steel brought Superman back to the big screen to the tune of a record-smashing $128 million opening weekend despite mixed reviews. Warners/DC had been hedging their bets of Man of Steel being successful enough to begin constructing a long-running cinematic universe of multiple superhero movie franchises to rival Marvel Studios, with the end result being an all-star Justice League team-up film.

However, the Justice League movie has proved to be of even greater difficulty to get off the ground than the film adventure of any single DCU character. Gangster Squad scribe Will Beall took a crack at the project last year but his efforts were eventually discarded by the studio in favor of a fresh start overseen by David S. Goyer, the writer and hardcore comic fan who helped make Blade the first lucrative feature franchise out of a Marvel character and also co-wrote Batman Begins and wrote Man of Steel, as part of a three-picture deal that also includes a naturally inevitable Man of Steel sequel. [...]

Killogy
Trade Paperback
Written by Alan Robert
Illustrated by Alan Robert
Lettered by Alan Robert
IDW Publishing
Release Date: June 19, 2013
Cover Price: $17.99

So, Frank Vincent, Marky Ramone, and Brea Grant are locked in a Brooklyn jail cell together… No, it’s not the start of some bizarre joke—it’s the start of one powerful gorefest by Alan Robert entitled Killogy. IDW has bundled the miniseries into one volume that every horror comic devotee should plan to have in their collection.

Alan Robert’s tight script drops the reader right in the middle of a high-tension scene thanks to his Tarantino-esque manipulation of the story’s timeline. This is a tricky thing to pull off properly, but Robert (best know for Wire Hangers) makes it seem effortless as he fills in the plot with pieces of the past to reveal the strange and possibly supernaturally-influenced connections between the characters. [...]

Captain Midnight #0
Written by Joshua Williamson
Illustrated by Victor Ibáñez and Pere Pérez
Colored by EGO
Lettered by Nate Piekos of Blambot
Covers by Raymond Swanland and Steve Rude
Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: June 19, 2013
Cover Price: $2.99

Captain Midnight, the war hero first introduced through a radio broadcast show in the late 1930s, has returned once again in a new ongoing comic book series from Dark Horse. In Captain Midnight #0, writer Joshua Williamson and artists Victor Ibáñez and Pere Pérez pull the Captain straight out of 1944 into the 21st century. Prepare yourself for a thrilling adventure that spans generations!

Jim Albright, the legendary Captain Midnight — costumed hero of World War II — has emerged in present time via a storm at the Bermuda Triangle. Almost crashing into a military plane on a routine run, the Captain bursts forth from his own plane, leaps onto the stranger’s plane, and forces the United States pilot to land on a Navy ship. Taken into custody but quickly escaping, Captain Midnight is now on the loose, apparently trying to complete his final mission from almost seventy years before. Hot on his trail are two U.S. Agents — one a supporter who seems to have a familial tie to Albright and the other a clear skeptic — trying to uncover the missing pieces to his last assignment, his disappearance, and who else may have been transported to 2013 as well [...]

Baltimore: The Inquisitor
Written by Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden
Illustrated by Ben Stenbeck
Colored by Dave Stewart
Lettered by Clem Robins
Cover by Ben Stenbeck and Dave Stewart
Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: June 19, 2013
Cover Price: $3.50

Everyone’s favorite vampire-killing English nobleman discovers that he has a rendezvous with his most malicious mortal opponent in Baltimore: The Inquisitor from Dark Horse. That’s right, fans — creators Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden have finally decided to satisfy our growing curiosity with an origin story of Lord Baltimore’s human nemesis Judge André Duvic.

This latest series opens with Baltimore’s friend and ally Mr. Hodge imprisoned by Judge Duvic. Hodge becomes the target of Duvic’s attempt to locate Baltimore to “cleanse” him of the evil that he believes has infested the man. The tale of the Judge’s dark past begins to unfold during his jail cell inquest, revealing a hell-bent mentor in the priesthood and a lifetime of horrific trials and torture [...]

Invincible #103
Written by Robert Kirkman
Illustrated by Ryan Ottley
Inked by Cliff Rathburn
Colored by John Rauch
Lettered by Rus Wooton
Cover by Ryan Ottley and John Rauch
Image Comics
Release Date: June 19, 2013
Cover Price: $2.99

As per usual, Invincible‘s team of Robert Kirkman, Ryan Ottley and Cliff Rathburn deliver the goods with super-powered punch-to-the-gut dialogue and illustrated revelations combined with wide-eyed, jaw-dropping moments. Fresh off its 100th issue, Invincible returns this month with #103 and an all new story-arc. With many of the characters facing major unforeseen changes and returning villains entering the mix, this new era in Invincible is sure to stir up excitement, turmoil and bring forth a slew of untouched ethical dilemmas.

The newly engaged Mark and Eve must deal with the possible negative effects on their unborn child due to their superpowers. Also unbeknownst to them, Angstrom Levy—the maniacal portal-creating super-villain who was revealed to be back in their dimension in issue 100—is not too thrilled to find out that Invincible is still alive. Meanwhile, on the last Viltrumite warship on the moon, Lord Regent Nolan explains his punishment for the former leader of the Viltrumites, Thragg. [...]

Dream Thief #2
Written by Jai Nitz
Art & Lettering by Greg Smallwood
Cover by Ryan Sook
Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: June 19, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

Dream Thief #2 continues the awesome yet confusing story of John Lincoln in his super crazy adventure, for lack of a better term, that…you know what? I don’t even know. Your guess is as good as mine!!

Jai Nitz is horribly underrated in the comic book business. I’ve sung his praises before on the excellent Green Hornet Legacy title that he writes for Dynamite Entertainment, and here, we have more of the same. Only, the two books in question could NOT be more different. Basically when John Lincoln falls asleep, horrible horrible things happen. And, he has, in addition to his own memories, the memories of several other people. This issue’s focus is very adult in nature and as not to offend anyone, I won’t go into specific detail here, but trust me when I tell you – this is a GREAT book. Not only this issue, which is superbly written, but the series in general. Now, that’s high praise for a series that’s only on issue two. But, please, TRUST me on this, you will LOVE this book!!! [...]

The second book in Marvel’s premium original graphic novel series brings together Eisner Award-winning writers Mark Waid (Daredevil, Kingdom Come), James Robinson, and (Starman) artist Gabriele Dell’otto (Secret War) to tell an all-new Spider-Man story that spins out of the Marvel NOW! series Superior Spider-Man. Spider-Man: Family Business is set to hit shelves in 2014 fully painted and published in an over-sized hardcover book with “sophisticated packaging.”

In the story, the Kingpin is building an international crime syndicate so Spidey is forced out of New York City to battle the crime lord on a global scale. At the same time, someone has Spider-Man in his sights and the only person who can save him is a mysterious sister. So now it truly is the Spider family! [...]

Tales of the Moonlight Cutter
Issues #1-4
Created by Dale W. Berry
Additional inks by Sebastian Castillo
Covers by Daerick Gross, John Giang, Cody Baker, and Dale Berry
Myriad Publications
Cover Price: Various

If you’ve been following the most recent relaunch of Katana penned by Ann Nocenti, then you’ve probably noticed the baffling cultural stereotypes. Nocenti writes Katana in a way that pays little to no respect to her main character’s Japanese cultural heritage. All of this is to say that in comics, cultural diversity is not always treated with total delicacy and most of the time just ignored for something a bit more European.

It’s because of this reason that Tales of the Moonlight Cutter is such a refreshing comic series. As far as action comics, Tales is pretty standard business — a mysterious warrior travels through 12th century China destroying violent spirits with a magic sword that can put vengeful ghosts to rest. It’s nothing groundbreaking, however, what does make this book shine is that way in which creator Dale Berry treats the culture surrounding ancient China [...]

The U.S. Army is still after the geeks! Eleven years ago, the Army released a videogame titled America’s Army that was free to play and is still available. The game allowed players to partake in military style training and missions. Now, the U.S. Army has partnered with comic book publisher IDW Publishing to release a companion comic book series simply titled America’s Army Comics to all major digital platforms including the IDW app, Comics by Comixology for iOS, Android, Kindle Fire, Nook, Windows 8 and the Web; Apple iBooks; Amazon Kindle; Barnes & Noble Nook; and Kobo.

The comics are meant to be companion pieces specifically to America’s Army 3 and the upcoming new videogame release America’s Army Proving Grounds scheduled for late 2013 …]

The deal of the day over at Things From Another World today is a Justice League Superman Action Figure from DC for only $13.77 (that’s 40% off the list price of $22.95).

Note – this deal is only for today, Sunday, June 16, 2013, until 11:59pm PST while supplies last (and at TFAW, supplies don’t last so grab this now if you want it at a discounted price).

If/when the deal runs out, you can still get Justice League Superman Action Figure statue at the discounted price of $16.18 through Amazon [...]

Star Wars #6
Script by Brian Wood
Art by Carlos D’anda and Gabe Eltaeb
Cover by Rodolfo Migliari
Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: June 12, 2013
Cover Price: $2.99

While the first five issues of Brian Wood’s Star Wars "self-titled" series from Dark Horse have been spectacular, the latest chapter seems to take an unusual turn, as the story delves from what felt and seemed to be an inevitable conclusion to a transitional tale.

Stranded in the middle of space, Leia’s small stealth group of starfighters float helplessly – after being discovered by an Imperial fleet and attacked, the group retreated blindly, resulting in the Princess’ X-Wing sustaining extensive damage, and with her dangerously wounded. Luke, along with new friend Prithi both rush to the rescue of the stealth group – but the Empire is on to them, and it is only a matter of time before that Star Destroyer shows up.

The new Star Wars series has brought with it some substantial character-focused content, highlighting elements (both emotional and transitional) that have rarely been opened up in previous Expanded Universe media. This has been a welcome breath of fresh air – though with issue six, the writing is relatively void of this content. Though we follow a spacewalk-based rescue (which is actually pretty damn cool) revolving a dilemma into a tactical advantage (also cool)… The action is then followed by a sequence of events that do very little to wrap up significant elements and instead act as lackluster teaser material for the next installment [...]

Each and every week, I, “Man of Steel” Henchman21, and “Woman of Steel” Empress Eve read a lot of comics. Seriously you guys, a lot of comics. Maybe too many comics. I mean, it is possible… theoretically. Naturally, we look forward to some more than others. I mean, who doesn’t? So, let’s take a look into the depths of our pull lists, grab some comics, and we’ll let YOU know what the top books to look forward to are for the week of June 12, 2013. Single issues and trades, they’re all here.

Who’s ready to see Man of Steel? I know I am, and just like always I’m going to get myself in the mood with some good old fashioned comic booking. There’s a ton to enjoy this week, including a new series featuring everyone’s favorite big blue boy scout. But that’s not all, so read on gentle reader, and see what else you’ll want to buy this week as we go faster than a speeding bullet into this week’s The GoD List! [...]