Brian Wood and Ryan Kelly Offer Smart Storytelling in New York Four

Writer Brian Wood and artist Ryan Kelly of Oni Press’ Local reteam for The New York Four, a new graphic novel from DC Comics/Minx.

Wood has generated acclaim with independent works like the Eisner Award-nominated Demo, as well as Vertigo’s hard-hitting DMZ, while Kelly’s art for such Vertigo hits as American Virgin, The Vinyl Underground and Lucifer has attracted a similar praise.

Fans of both creators should warm to their tale about New York University freshman Riley Wilder, who convinces three fellow brainiacs to join her in a research group to earn some quick money. But Riley doesn’t anticipate falling in love, and the ensuing story sets the scene for the ultimate insider’s guide to the adventure and mystery of the Big Apple.

The 176-page, black-&-white book is advance-solicited to ship on July 9

Invincible Iron Man Shines Monthly

The Armored Avenger soars into a brand-new ongoing Marvel Comics series in The Invincible Iron Man #1, written by Matt Fraction and pencilled by Salvador Larroca.

A popular Marvel character since his 1963 debut, Tony Stark and his heroic alter ego are enjoying heightened visibility with this summer’s release of Paramount Pictures/Marvel Films’ live-action Iron Man.

Join Stark as he faces off against rival Obadiah Stane’s calculating son, whose mastery of Iron Man technology is equaled only by his determination to destroy Stark.

The 32-page, full-color premiere is scheduled to ship with two covers by Larroca and Joe Quesada in a 50/50 split on May 7.

GI Joes, Cobra End “World War III” in G.I. Joe #36

After 12 grueling chapters, “World War III” ends – in an unexpected way – in G.I. Joe: America’s Elite #36, the conclusion of Devil’s Due Publishing’s (DDP) acclaimed yearlong saga.

This issue, written by Mark Powers and illustrated by an all-star battalion of artists, provides readers with an all-or-nothing finale to “World War III,” which has sent shockwaves through all combatants during the conflict’s escalation.

Now, as the monumental conflict races towards its finish, Cobra stands on the brink of world domination – while the G.I. Joe team stands helpless!

The world has hung in the balance during the fight between the Joes and Cobra, but it’s never faced jeopardy like this at the climax of the most ambitious G.I. Joe storyline ever!

The 48-page, full-color issue is set to ship on June 25.

DE, Top Cow Unleash Timeless Threat in Witchblade: Shades of Gray TP

Writers John Reppion & Leah Moore and artists Stephen Segovia and Walter Geovani deliver one of NYPD detective Sara Pezzini’s most breathtaking adventures in Dynamite Entertainment’s Witchblade: Shades of Gray Trade Paperback.

This crossover with Dynamite – like previous joint ventures such as Monster War and Darkness vs. Eva: Daughter of Dracula – brought readers an unforgettable event, and anyone seeking to enjoy it in a single volume will be able to do so as Pezzini contends with a murderer and a new partner simultaneously.

But watching her from the shadows is the potential culprit – Dorian Gray – and the chase for the truth takes Sara around the globe and deep into Gray’s colorful and surprising history.

Complete with pieces by cover artists Segovia, Billy Tan, e-Bas, and Adriano Batista, this is one Witchblade adventure that will weave a spell!

The 104-page, full-color collection is slated to ship on July 30.

New Battles Explode in Amory Wars II

Claudio Sanchez – frontman for the progressive rock band Coheed and Cambria – joins with artist Tony Moore for a direct continuation of a science-fiction blockbuster when The Amory Wars II #1 kicks off a new, five-issue limited series from Image Comics.

The Amory Wars first limited series revealed the vast, untapped abilities and secret origins of the Kilgannons, a suburban husband & wife thrust into the center of an interstellar conflict.

The new series continues their story with Part VI of “The Second Stage Turbine Blade,” in which Coheed and Cambria employ their powers against the diabolical Admiral Vielar Crom. Meanwhile, Supreme Tri-Mage Wilhelm Ryan divulges the secret power source for his ultimate weapon and the Prise make a terrible sacrifice.

With a cover by Moore, the 32-page, full-color issue is set to ship on June 4.

DC Direct Deals New Vertigo Tarot Deck Set

A highly sought-after collectible returns for the 20th anniversary of Neil Gaiman’s seminal comic series The Sandman when DC Direct unveils the limited edition Vertigo Tarot Deck Set: 20th Anniversary Edition.

This new, 78-card incarnation appeals equally to novice and experienced tarot readers with card images as award-winning artist Dave McKean portrays a Major Arcana as top Vertigo characters: John Constantine (The Fool); Tim Hunter (The Magician); Titania, Queen of Faerie (The High Priestess); Morpheus (The Hierophant); Destiny of the Endless (The Wheel of Fortune); Death of the Endless (Death); Lucifer (The Devil); and Swamp Thing (The World.)

Accompanied by a 128-page softcover (with a four-color cover by McKean, black-&-white interior text by tarot expert Rachel Pollack and an introduction by Gaiman) plus a black, velvet-like drawstring bag, the set is advance-solicited to ship on November 5.

Please Note: This set will be manufactured to order.

Legends Live Again in Avengers/Invaders

A team of World War II-era legends must contend with, and rescue, the modern age as Marvel Comics presents Avengers/Invaders #1, the launch of a 12-issue limited series written by Jim Krueger & Alex Ross (Earth X) and penciled by Steve Sadowski.

Temporal clashes have resulted in some of Marvel’s most famous tales. With Krueger & Ross engineering this meeting between classic and contemporary heroes, this title should please those interested as the past’s Captain America, Bucky, Human Torch, Toro and Sub-Mariner arrive in the present. But are these Invaders really who they claim to be? The only way they can prove themselves is to help save the Earth of their future – an Earth they never imagined, nor asked to be part of.

The 32-page, full-color first issue is set to ship with a Ross cover on May 7.