New Releases by J. Michael Straczynski

Joe Fitzgerald''s journey has taken him from Earth to Purgatory to Hell itself, a bloody path made of equal parts love for his beloved Laura''s spirit, and his desire for revenge against those who plucked her from her refuge in heaven. What began as one man''s quest becomes a struggle between the forces of light and dark that could topple the very foundations of heaven itself...depending entirely on which way Joe goes. Will he choose love above all else and let the world burn? Collects TEN GRAND #7-12.

The follow-up to the NEW YORK TIMES #1 bestselling graphic novels SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE VOL. 1 and 2 is here! Written by J. Michael Straczynski with art by Ardian Syaf (BATGIRL), SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE VOL. 3 follows a young Clark Kent as he continues his journey toward becoming the World''s Greatest Super Hero. After defeating villains terrestrial and beyond, Superman faces a threat that he can''t simply outmuscle. A threat smarter, more cunning and deadly than he can imagine: the Luthors!

Issue twelve signals the emotional conclusion of the first title from Joe''s Comics: the latest war between Heaven and Hell is over, for now, with casualties as far as the stars themselves. But Laura''s fate is still to be resolved. When Joe makes a life-or-death request of the Powers, a favor beyond anything he could have imagined, will they consent...and lift the veil between life and death one last time?

After having mysteriously disappeared over a decade earlier, The Patriot has returned from his long absence. But what has prompted this sudden reappearance? Does he know something of value about the murders that have lately gripped Chicago in a fist of terror...or is he trying to hide something? Who do you trust in an organization where everyone wears a mask and very few tell the truth? Detective John Riley must decide whether or not to trust someone he once idolized, but who may now be a serial killer.

From the mind of J. Michael Straczynski, Hugo Award-winning creator of Babylon 5 and writer for the blockbuster films Thor, Changeling, and World War Z! Trevor Richmond is a Wall Street investor who embezzled millions and is about to tank the economy. Desperate to avoid the consequences for his actions, he goes to Expedited Services, which offers to help him disappear and enjoy a life of leisure in a new identity. But what exactly is this new life, how much is freedom worth, and what happens to the old life when someone else shows up to claim it? This captivating first volume will push the boundaries of The Twilight Zone into new and uncharted territory - a journey that will travel into the past and the future, into murder and revenge, and finally into the sunrise of nuclear Armageddon!

Collects SIDEKICK #1-6 What happens when a hero''s sidekick is abandoned by tragedy, mocked by the media, scorned by enemies and heroes alike...and then his entire world is turned upside-down? Drawn by Julia Moonglow into investigating the death of the Red Cowl, Flyboy will discover things that will shatter his life completely as he uncovers a conspiracy of murder and terrible, life-changing secrets. Who was the Red Cowl, really, and what scared him so badly that he had to stage his own death in order to escape it? The debut volume of Sidekick contains the first six issues of this saga of grief, madness, and murder.

A New York Times Best Seller! Following the events of the NEW YORK TIMES bestselling graphic novel by acclaimed writer Michael J. Straczynski and superstar artist Shane Davis, comes the long awaited sequel SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE VOL. 2! Young Clark Kent continues his journey toward becoming the World''s Greatest Super Hero, but finds dealing with humanity to be a bigger challenge than he ever imagined! From a ruthless dictator to a new love interest who''s NOT Lois Lane, things are never easy for this emerging Man of Steel. And the worst is yet to come, in the form of a man-monster with an insatiable appetite, the Parasite! The only thing that might appease his hunger is The Last Son of Kryptonian! But that will also mean he will have Superman''s powers without his conscience, and Kal-El cannot come anywhere near him, even though he has to stop him!

Joe Fitzgerald entered Hell to find out what happened to Laura, the greatest love he has ever known. At last, he has found her...only to be captured by the same man who killed both of them and seized Laura''s spirit from deep inside Heaven. It''s the beginning of the confrontation Joe has been fighting to make happen ever since the Angel put him on this mission, but nothing''s going his way. If Joe dies this time, it''s permanent, and he and Laura will be trapped in Hell forever.

Detective Riley''s investigation into the murder of the Huntsman brings him into the very heart of Protectors, Inc., where he meets the woman of his dreamsÑassuming she''s not actually a killerÑand the other members of the Chicago Protectors. One of them killed the Huntsman...and may be after Riley next.

Joe Fitzgerald finds himself with a most unusual companion on his journey to Hell: an angel cast out by Heaven and unwanted in Hell. Soon they find themselves hunted by dark forces determined to stop their mission to rescue Laura...and only one of them may survive to see the journey to its conclusion.

Joe Fitzgerald has crossed into Hell itself in an attempt to rescue Laura, the spirit of his murdered love who had been safely ensconced in Heaven (or someplace that looks a lot like it) before all the forces of Hell tore the veil to take her down into the depths of utter darkness. But why would they take her? Why would Heaven allow her to be taken? And what''s Joe going to do when he finally learns the secret behind her situation? Be assured that someone''s going down for this, and going down hard.

After the devastating events of WAR OF THE SUPERMEN, Superman looks to reconnect with the roots of his battle for Truth, Justice and the American Way. ''Grounded'' begins as Superman visits Philadelphia--on foot--then continues in a small town in Ohio where, as in many towns, a number of its residents are from other places. But when the Man of Steel discovers that there are also a number of residents secretly from other worlds, he unravels a mystery that may have grave consequences for Earth. Superman meets the new Wonder Woman for the first time! But why can''t he shake the feeling that he already knows her? The Man of Steel will have to figure that out later, as the two heroes have their hands full defending Omaha, Nebraska from the evil Keres, a supernatural force determined to rid the town (and the world!) of all Amazons--and they''re not too crazy about Kryptonians, either.

Throughout his life, Peter Parker has often felt alone. When he first discovered his spider-like abilities after being bitten by a radioactive spider, he kept them secret. His attempts to exploit them for profit resulted in his Uncle Ben''s murder. It seemed as though no one understood the difficult balance between mortal and hero. Until now, that is. A mysterious figure appears suddenly, exhibiting similar powers to Peter. Who is this mystery man? Who are the people he represents? What is this ancient evil that has arrived in America in search of Peter? (From back cover)

Some of DC''s biggest heroes team up in this revamp of the BRAVE AND THE BOLD series from Hugo Award-winning author J. Michael Straczynski! First up, the best-selling scribe pairs Batman and the fan-favorite Dial H For Hero concept. And when an experiment meant to alter the speed of light goes awry, Barry Allen finds himself face-to-face with some surprising allies - World War II''s legendary Blackhawks! Then, the shambling walking doll that is Brother Power, the Geek is reborn in Gotham City while Green Lantern and Dr. Fate team up to take down a mystical threat! Fans of Straczynski''s work on blockbuster titles such as Amazing Spider-Man and Thor will want to get in on this action-packed DC ongoing debut from one of the biggest names in comics! Collects The Brave and the Bold #27-33.

Forget everything you know about The Man of Steel and brace yourself for a staggering new take on the world''s most popular Super Hero. Best-selling, Hugo Award-winning writer J. Michael Straczynski (BRAVE AND THE BOLD, THOR, BABYLON 5) and red-hot rising star artist Shane Davis (GREEN LANTERN, SUPERMAN/BATMAN) team up for this exciting launch of the EARTH ONE graphic novel series. Set in an all-new continuity re-imagining DC''s top heroes, EARTH ONE is a new wave of original, stand-alonegraphic novels produced by the top writers and artists in the industry. The groundbreaking new line rockets into effect right here with the Super Hero who started it all—Superman! What would happen if the origin of The Man of Tomorrow were introduced today for the very first time? Return to Smallville and experience the journey of Earth''s favorite adopted son as he grows from boy to Superman like you''ve never seen before!

Has Thor turned his back on Asgard...? Has Asgard turned its back on Thor?! After thedr monumental and cataclysmic events, the God of Thunder''s life will change completely! Collects Thor (2007) #600-603 & Thor: Giant-Size Finale.

With the mighty God of Thunder and Asgard to full glory, Thor is back in action with a vengeance! But as the Asgardians returned to this life and Thor returned to Midgard, so came the ills that have plagued the gods and man for millennia. Now, for the first time since their rebirth, Thor and his fellow hero-gods must venture forth from the Shining City to confront the growing evils that amass on their horizon - and within their walls. Collects Thor (2007) #7-12.

Thor is back! And in a story only J. Michael Straczynski could tell! Returned to the pantheon of great Marvel heroes, the Asgardian God of Thunder is reunited with the mortal form of Dr. Don Blake. Together, they must reckon with the legacy of the mythic Norse kingdom and the awakening of its immortal heroes - but in a world that may not want them back! Collects Thor (2007) #1-6.

Collects Amazing Spider-Man #544-545, Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #24, Sensational Spider-Man #41. At his darkest hours, Peter has always had one person who''d remind him who he is...now, he''s about to lose that person. What would he do...what would you do, if you only had "One More Day?

Spider-Man, his identity revealed after the Civil War, is overcome with grief as his Aunt May lies on her deathbed, and Iron Man seeks to bring Spider-Man in for not registering while Mephisto makes Peter Parker decide whether to save his aunt or his marriage to MJ.

"Contains material originally published in magazine form as Thor #1-6."

The entire status-quo-shattering BACK IN BLACK saga, collected in one mammoth oversized hardcover! reeling in the aftermath of CIVIL WAR, Peter Parker has plenty of reasons to consider a change of wardrobe: Black is his state of mind. But the worst is yet to come for Spider-Man! In AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, events are set in motion that will forever change life of your favorite web-slinger. There IS no going back! In FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN, the secrets of the alternate Uncle Ben are revealed, but not before the Sandman attacks! And in SENSATIONAL SPIDER-MAN, younger, less-experienced versions of our web-spinning hero begin appearing all over the city, causing havoc wherever they go. Can Peter stop them, and whoever''s behind them, before more lives are lost? Collecting Amazing Spider-Man #539-543, Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #17-23 and Annual #1, Sensational Spider-Man #35-40 and Annual #1.

For many years Norrin Radd has surfed the galaxy, exploring the darkness between stars, witnessing the rise and fall of vast civilisations. Now his ride is about to come to an end. It starts with a small spot - a blemish that will spread until he is no more.

Charlie Weiderman, the only kid in high school geekier than Peter Parker, has returned to town asking for Peter''s help, but Spider-Man may have to stop him from harming himself and his former classmates.

Two new characters emerge to stalk Peter Parker and threaten to destroy everything he holds dear.

Spider-Man and his superhero friends spend his birthday doing battle with a collection of transdimensional creatures--a battle that culminates in a trip through time.

When a comet strikes the Earth just outside of Pederson, Illinois, 113 babies who were in their mother''s womb when the flash hit are born with extraordinary super-powers that develop as they grow older. Now, 20 years later, the people of the world who worried what the children might become now fear what these adults will do with the powers they have. Illustrations. (May)

Based on Stracynski''s comic book series. Ten years have passed since the Specials had their standoff against the government. Now they are forced to come together once more when the Special known as Critical Maas takes the city of Chicago hostage. A small group of her former friends decide to take it back in exchange for a pardon from the government. But their actions will not come without a heavy price to pay. Original.

Graphic novel.

A vicious killer stalks the streets of Los Angeles, and crime reporter Susan Randall is hot on his trail. When she meets Raymond Weil, she thinks she''s found an ally-except his knowledge of the killer seems too complete.