Publishers

Fresh off his success with his self-published SACRIFICE -- already sold out and a second printing on the way -- Sam Humphries has a gig writing JOHN CARTER: THE GODS OF MARS for Marvel, an all-ages five-issue miniseries which is apparently based on the second Mars novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs. The art is by Ramon Perez, fresh off TALE OF SAND, his Jim Henson adaptation for Archaia. This is a team we can get behind! The cover is by Julian Totino Tedesco   "Gods of Mars is going to be a blast -- tons of action and intrigue in a fantastic environment,” said Humphries. “From Landridge and Andrade to Edgar Rice Burroughs himself, there's an impressive foundation of awesome John Carter stories to build on. Combined with Marvel having the most exciting comics going on right now, and most talented editors in the industry – I can't wait to get myself to Mars."

Image Expo, the February show that both fills the Northern California comic-con slot and gives Image a place to publicly celebrate their 20th anniversary, has announced more guests, including Blair Butler, Kevin Mellon, John Layman, Rob Guillory, and Nick Spencer. In addition, Jennifer de Guzman interviewed the principals for PW Comics World:

Add another art all-star to the new DHP lineup: Francesco Francavilla is drawing a three part BLACK BEETLE story that will start in issues #11 in April. Black Beetle is Francavilla's own pulp tribute character, previously published online and in a scarce ashcan. ANd as you can see from the art, it's a perfect fit for Franvavilla's retro style.

Marc-Oliver can tell you how the actual sales levels of the DC relaunch are, but let's take a look at a slightly different metric: how do the relative popularity of the "New 52" compare to the way that retailers initially ordered them? With November's sales estimates, we see orders where the retailers had a chance to see how the #1's moved and potentially the #2's in some cases, before the cutoff dates for adjusting orders.

Here's a peek at the cover to issue #7 of Dynamite's Patricia Briggs adaptation by Jenny Frison.

Well now, comiXology took one step toward becoming the next Diamond as IDW is now powering its stores via comiXology. IDW, always considered one of the most aggressive companies in terms of digital, also announced they will be fully day and date —at full cover price. IDW had formerly used iVerse to power their standalone stores for series like GI Joe, Transformers and Ben Templesmith, so this is quite a switch.

Dynamite has provided us with the cover to the third part of their Charlaine Harris adaptation, by Benoit Springer.

Like the novels, the comics adaptation of WHEEL OF TIME rolls on and on. Here's a first look at the cover to issue #23 by Andie Tong.

Deadly Women are at it in this well-designed cover by Frank Cho.

Here's a peek at the first collection of the comics adaptation of GAME OF THRONES, courtesy of Dynamite. The cover is by Tommy Patterson & Sail.

An ultra violent blend of Paul Blart, the Village People, Robocop and Axe Cop (although it came first), Joe Casey and Chris Burnham's Officer Downe wishes us happy holidays in preparation for this week's debut of the Officer Downe: Bigger Better Bastard Edition. Artist Burnham has since gained fame as a Batman artist, so there's that, too.

Well, not content to merely sanction alternate futures, gay marriage, and the rights of the mentally challenged via Jughead, Archie Comics is following up on a storyline from last year with a rekindled romance between Archie and Valerie from Josie and the Pussycats— and another alternate future is on tap where Archie decides to marry Valerie.