Upcoming furry comics for February 2008 (Previews only)

Boy, there's a real pile of goodies this month that you can ask Herschel for. Second issues of Chickenhare and ARBBH for which I missed the first issues; Ubu Roi, I mean Bubu; a new furry pr0n source; a new Dungeon book; a paperback reissue of Grease Monkey; the usual; and much more. Read and make your shopping list.

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DARK HORSE COMICS (http://www.darkhorse.com)
DEC070061V3C Chickenhare Volume 2: Fire in the Hole sc, 6"x9", 200pg, b&w $10.95
by Chris Grine
'Things are going from bad to worse for our feathered and furry friend Chickenhare and his partner in hijinks Abe! Their narrow escape from the evil taxidermist Klaus is going to seem like a cakewalk compared to the dangers they'll face in the sequel to the Eisner- nominated graphic novel, Chickenhare: The House of Klaus. Magic and mayhem are about to collide, along with some pointy pitchforks, a few unexpected relatives, and more laughs than a barrel full of wet shromph as the Chickenhare and Abe learn the origins of their mysterious fellow escapees Meg and Banjo--and what this means to our friends is nothing but trouble!' See the cover at http://www.darkhorse.com/profile/profile.php?sku=14-536. For those who, like me, missed vol. 1's appearance in Sep 2006, they offer volume 1 again:

DEC070062V3 Chickenhare: House of Klaus sc, 6" x 9", 152pg, b&w $9.95
'He's a chicken! He's a hare! He's Chickenhare! And he's your new favorite comic book character, whether you know it or not!
Night is falling on the frozen landscape as Chickenhare and his turtle friend Abe find themselves on their way to be sold to Klaus--an insane taxidermist with a penchant for unique animals and enough emotional baggage to go on a very long vacation.
With the help of two mysterious new companions, our fuzzy, feathered, and amphibious heroes endeavor to escape their dire fate. But they soon discover that might not be so easy when they get caught up in an adventure that could bring Klaus's villainy to an end for good . . . or they all might die. Whatever happens, Chickenhare is sure to charm, scare, and delight readers young and old alike!' Cover at http://www.darkhorse.com/profile/profile.php?sku=13-818.

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DC COMICS (http://www.dccomics.com/)
DEC070266D1 Looney Tunes #159 32pg, color $2.25
by everybody in the whole world
'Duck Dodgers and Bugs Bunny have been invited to dinner. Er…that is, to be dinner. Attendance is mandatory!'

DEC070267D1 Scooby-Doo #128 32pg, color $2.25
by everybody in the whole world and their cousins
Horrific history and Snacks on a Plane.

DEC070296D1 Fables #70 32pg, color $2.99
Written by Bill Willingham
Art by Niko Henrichon
*Fables* is the only Vertigo comic I'm still following at the moment. Much of the Fablelands have been conquered by the Adversary, and the refugees have come to the mundy world and secretly settled in Fabletown, a magically hidden part of New York City. Important characters include Snow White, the Big Bad Wolf (an anthropolykos who marries her), Boy Blue, Aladdin (from the now-besieged Arabian Fablelands), and Bluebeard. The Animal Fables, being unable to blend in, have to stay on The Farm in upstate New York. I mention this issue because the Fabletowners have established a magically supported kingdom back in the Fablelands and in this issue the Animal Fables are all invited to return there. MATURE READERS

PAGES 143, 149
IMAGE COMICS (http://www.imagecomics.com/)
DEC072069D2 Lions, Tigers & Bears vol. 2 sc, 128pg, color $14.99
Story by Mike Bullock
Art by Jack Lawrence
'Joey and his stuffed animal guardians must thwart the evil schemes of the Beasties n this all-ages series.' They don't mention it, but this seems to assemble the second four-issue series.

DEC072087D2 Elephantmen #14 40pg, color $2.99
by Richard Starkings and Moritat & Steve Buccellato
FUNGICIDE! The spore war is over, but not without casualties. Plus -- STILL LIFE -- STEVE BUCCELLATO illustrates the introduction of Vanity Case; Hip Flask's life will never be the same again.' But then, it never was.

PAGES 196, 198
AMAZE INK/SLAVE LABOR (http://www.slgpublishing.com/)
DEC073336E Ubu Bubu #1 32pgs, b&w $3.50
by Jamie Smart
'From the creator of Bear! When an innocent cat is possessed by a brutal, malevolent demon, they become UBU BUBU, reaper of human souls and destroyer of innocents!' MATURE THEMES This is the only 'bully does horrible things to innocent' story I've ever enjoyed, mainly because Looshkin is barking mad as well as mean.
They're also reoffering the full ten-issue run of Bear in two trade paperbacks, which I highly recommend.

DEC073341E Gargoyles: Bad Guys #3 24pg, b&w $3.950
by Greg Weisman & Karine Charlebois
Hunter, Dingo, Matrix, and Yama are here and Hunter is over there.

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ANTARCTIC PRESS (http://www.antarctic-press.com/)
DEC073367E Gold Digger #93 32pg, color $2.99
by Fred Perry
In her quest to save Brittany, Gina invents the space-time inner tube.
32pgs, FC SRP: $2.99

DEC073368E Gold Digger Sourcebook: the Official Handbook to the Gold Digger Universe #14 32pg, color $3.95
by Fred Perry & Doug Dlin
Techninja to Tyr. The end is nearer.

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ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS (http://www.archiecomics.com/)
DEC073411E Sonic the Hedgehog #184 32pg, color $2.25
by various
The once super-powerful villain Mammoth Mogul threatens to revive the Fearsome Foursome.

DEC073412E Sonic X #30 32pg, color $2.25
by Ian Fleming (I thought he was dead), James Fry III, and Terry Austin (I thought he was dead)
Sonic and his friends find themselves the unwilling star attractions in Ringmaster Eggman's circus.

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CRITICAL MASS (http://www.ageofinsects.com/aboutus.htm)
DEC073534F The Age of Insects: Not Human #1 sc, 8"x11", 52pg, color $5.99
by Greene & Pieper
'A newly engineered species is on the rise, one that possesses insect characteristics and whose maltreatment at the hands of Homo sapiens has caused them to rebel against the death squads that hunt them down! The rebellion has escalated as the Hybrids, working under the direction of a reclusive yet powerful leader, embark on a campaign to destroy all humanity with the aid of the entire insect kingdom. Caught in the middle of the conflict is Flynn Morgan, a reluctant savior for the new species, who resists his biology and his destiny. To the Hybrids who seek him out, he is their future. For the Humans, he is an enemy to be exterminated at all costs!'

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D.E. (http://www.dynamiteentertainment.com/htmlfiles/)
DEC073544E Adolescent Radioactive Black Belt Hamsters #2 32pg, color $3.50
by Keith Champagne & Tom Nguyen
'Ninjas! Barbarians! Huns! Monks! Hamsters!' I don't know why anyone thought this refugee from the big black-and-white bust of the 80s needed reviving, but here it is, with series creator Don Chin reportedly keeping a watchful eye on it. The original version, the first of many takeoffs on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, ran for nine issues, with about a half dozen spinoff issues, Sam 'The Maxx' Keith doing art on some of the later issues. Somehow I missed the solicitation for #1 (NOV073453E) last month; sorry.

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NBM/EUROTICA (http://www.nbmpub.com/eurotica/comingup/comaugeros.html)
DEC073629F Sizzle #37 8.5"x11", 64pg, b&w $5.95
Another episode of Omaha in with all the other pr0n, Ogenki Clinic being the star turn this time.

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GEMSTONE PUBLISHING (http://www.gemstonepub.com/)
DEC073667E Uncle Scrooge #375 sc, 7"x10", 64pg, color $7.99
by Carl Barks, Cesar Ferioli & Terry Laban
Four stories. Hey, Terry Laban, creator of Muktuk Wolfsbreath, Hard-Boiled-Shaman! I might get this one!

DEC073667E Walt Disney's Comics & Stories #690 (last month's was #689, not #688) sc, 7"x10", 64pg, color $7.99
by Floyd Gottfredson, Carl Barks & William Van Horn
Five stories.

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HOT CIDER PRESS (http://shop.clubstripes.com)
DEC073692F The Best of Club Stripes Volume 1: Private Exhibition sc, 96pg, color $24.95
by Miu, Daria McGrain, Drybone, Gideon & Midori
'Club Stripes celebrates the success of their first year online with selected highlights from its collection of furry animal comics and pictures. Representing heterosexual, gay/yaoi, lesbian, and bi interests, the artists at Club Stripes explore fun and sexy art in all forms. ' ADULT MATERIAL

DEC073693F Love Can Be Different 32pg, color $4.95
'Description: Featuring the print debut of talented Russian artist Miles-DF, this first sensuous issue introduces a most unlikely pair, in a setting where budding romance can be bittersweet…' ADULT MATERIAL. The cover shows a vixen caressing the face of a fox chained to a pole.

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MIRAGE STUDIOS (http://www.ninjaturtles.com/)
DEC073808F Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #43 32pg, b&w $3.25
by Laird, Berger, Lawson & Talbot
How April O'Neil and Casey Jones got engaged.

DEC073809F Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Volume 5 sc, 152pg, b&w $13.00
by Steve Murphy & Jim Lawson
Collects Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles issues #2, #9, #15, #17, and #25.

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NBM (http://www.nbmpublishing.com/)
DEC073818F Dungeon Monstres volume 1 sc, 96pg, color $12.95
by Mazan, Menu, Trondheim & Sfar
'Welcome to the branch of Dungeon focusing on the great adventures of secondary characters and presented by leading guest artists! In this volume, Jean-Christophe Menu -- best known as the head of the publishing company L'Association -- presents Alcibiades the wizard in "The Crying Giant." His all-seeing giant's eye cannot stop crying, flooding the entire dungeon. They must find the Giant who gave his eye to remedy this rather wet situation. Mazan also presents the story of John-John the Terrible, the monster split into two living halves.' Recommended

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RADIO COMIX (http://www.radiocomix.com/)
DEC073852F Furrlough #181 (last month said #179; it was #180) 32pg, b&w $3.99
by various
Once again three continuing series\: "The Ioan Wan Chronicles" Kevin I. Muranaka (vampire hunting); "Cosmic Dash" by David Davis; and "Treasure Hunters" by Remi Perron.

DEC073852F Genus #87 32pg, b&w $3.99
by likewise various
'Justice Bunny' by Shon Howell and Phil Gibson, and other stuff.

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TITAN PUBLISHING (http://www.titanpublishinggroup.com/)
DEC073889F Wallace & Gromit: Cracking Capers hc, 9"x12", 48pg, color $12.95
by Abnett & Hansen
Four stories: Gromit is kidnapped by Feathers, forcing Wallace to rob a bank. . . . Wallace's creations go haywire; our heroes get mixed up in the hunt for a UFO; and finally there's mind swap mayhem as Shaun and Gromit accidentally exchange brains!

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TOR BOOKS
DEC073941H Grease Monkey sc, 7"x10", 352pg, color $17.95
by Tim Eldred
I reviewed the hardback back on 30 Nov 2006 and recommended it: 'This definitely belongs on the list of classic furry comics.' Now it's in softcover, and here's the blurb:
'Meet young space cadet -- and science-fiction buff -- Robin Plotnik as he reports for duty as a mechanic aboard the spaceship Fist of Duty. There he meets his superior, Mac Gimbensky, a talking gorilla who is rumored to eat people, and the Barbarians, a squadron of gorgeous female fighter pilots. It would seem that we are in the realm of juvenile sci-fi, bursting with undiluted adolescent male fantasies. But beneath the fantastic trappings, this is really a coming-of-age story that takes the form of a charming romantic comedy. While learning how to fit into shipboard society, Robin cautiously seeks to court a young librarian named Kara. As for the allegedly fearsome Mac, the gorilla not only becomes Robin's mentor and protector, but is something of an overgrown kid, who has a surprisingly touching romance with a female gorilla space fleet admiral! While swimming in some time-tested waters, this work should appeal to readers who appreciate a universal story and nuanced characterization with their space battles.'

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HUMOR (BORDERLANDS PRESS (http://www.borderlandspress.com))
DEC074181H Fables from the Mud sc, 6"x9", 180pg, b&w $9.95
by Erik Quisling
'Fables from the Mud compiles the triumphant accounts of three modern-day invertebrate heroes and their tireless quests for self-revelation: "The Angry Clam" reveals the trials and tribulations of a clam struggling with the absurd reality of his own impotence. "Adventures of Glen in My Stone Garden" is the story of a cynical ant whose view of the world is turned on its head by the discovery of a magical stone garden. "Grant's Tomb" is the tale of a great warrior worm who, despite having achieved everything he'd striven for in life, is still left feeling empty and alone.' The format is an illustration and a few lines of text per page. This has gotten very good reviews and has been optioned for filming; see http://www.amazon.com/Fables-Mud-Erik-Quisling/dp/1880325934, for example.