I have created a custom cover template generator (http://www.donnyd.com/comics). There are a lot of binderies out there that can handle custom covers like Library Binding did.

The template will be at 350dpi at a height of 10 1/4″.

Enjoy.

I am going to see about other alternatives for binders in a similar price/quality (over-sewn and glued, extras like ribbon markers and die stamping, etc) range.

I have not had any direct communication with Houchen and therefore cannot comment one way or another on the quality of their work or even if they will work with individuals like Library Binding did. From what I understand, a lot of the larger binders do not take into account us one-off customers. You know the customer who is only getting a couple of books bound – unlike a library or school that would be getting hundreds or more bound at a time.

I am going to provide photos of a set of volumes I had created a few months ago along with the map, order of issue placement in each volume.  A great resource for binding is at the Binding Forum on TheComicForum.com and from the Comic Geek Speak podcast.

New Mutants Binding Map

Volume 1

• Marvel Graphic Novel #4 (smaller sized trade)
• New Mutants #1
• New Mutants #2
• New Mutants #3
• Uncanny X-Men #167
• New Mutants #4
• Marvel Team-Up Annual #6
• New Mutants #5
• New Mutants #6
• New Mutants #7
• New Mutants #8
• New Mutants #9
• New Mutants #10
• New Mutants #11
• New Mutants #12
• New Mutants #13
• Magick #1
• Magick #2
• Magick #3
• Magick #4
• New Mutants #14
• New Mutants #15
• New Mutants #16
• New Mutants #17

Volume 2

• New Mutants #18
• New Mutants #19
• New Mutants #20
• New Mutants #21
• New Mutants Annual #1
• New Mutants #22
• New Mutants #23
• New Mutants #24
• New Mutants #25
• New Mutants #26
• New Mutants #27
• New Mutants #28
• New Mutants #29
• New Mutants #30
• New Mutants #31
• New Mutants #32
• New Mutants #33
• New Mutants #34
• New Mutants Special Edition #1
• Uncanny X-Men  Annual #9
• New Mutants #35
• New Mutants #36
• New Mutants #37
• New Mutants #38

Volume 3

• New Mutants #39
• New Mutants #40
• New Mutants #41
• New Mutants #42
• New Mutants #43
• New Mutants #44
• New Mutants Annual #2
• Uncanny X-Men Annual #10
• New Mutants #45
• New Mutants #46
• New Mutants #47
• New Mutants #48
• New Mutants #49
• New Mutants #50
• New Mutants #51
• New Mutants Annual #3
• New Mutants #52
• Fallen Angels #1
• Fallen Angels #2
• Fallen Angels #3
• Fallen Angels #4
• Fallen Angels #5
• Fallen Angels #6
• Fallen Angels #7
• Fallen Angels #8

Volume 4

• New Mutants #53
• New Mutants #54
• New Mutants #55
• New Mutants #56
• New Mutants #57
• New Mutants #58
• New Mutants #59
• New Mutants #60
• New Mutants #61
• New Mutants #62
• New Mutants #63
• New Mutants #64
• New Mutants #65
• New Mutants #66
• New Mutants Annual #4
• New Mutants #67
• New Mutants #68
• New Mutants #69
• New Mutants #70
• New Mutants #71
• New Mutants #72
• New Mutants #73
• New Mutants #74

Volume 5

• New Mutants #75
• New Mutants #76
• New Mutants #77
• New Mutants #78
• New Mutants #79
• New Mutants #80
• New Mutants #81
• New Mutants #82
• New Mutants #83
• New Mutants #84
• New Mutants #85
• New Mutants #86
• New Mutants #87
• New Mutants Annual #5
• New Mutants #88
• New Mutants #89
• New Mutants #90
• New Mutants #91
• New Mutants #92
• Fantastic Four Annual #23
• New Mutants Annual #6
• X-Factor Annual #5
• Uncanny X-Men Annual #14

Volume 6

• New Mutants #93
• New Mutants #94
• Uncanny X-Men #270
• New Mutants #95
• X-Factor #60
• Uncanny X-Men #271
• New Mutants #96
• X-Factor #61
• Uncanny X-Men #272
• New Mutants #97
• X-Factor #62
• Uncanny X-Men #273
• New Mutants #98
• New Mutants #99
• New Mutants #100
• New Mutants Annual #7
• New Warriors Annual #1
• Uncanny X-Men Annual #15
• X-Factor Annual #6
• New Mutants: Truth or Dare #1
• New Mutants: Truth or Dare #2
• New Mutants: Truth or Dare #3

Check out “Ring Capacity” by Kirby Krackle on YouTube.

Go to Kirby Krackle’s website to hear more of their music.

http://www.kirbykracklemusic.com

The lawn gnome comes to life and works with Andy to get ready to fight the entity trying to enter our world through his basement. I’m not going to further spoil the plot. I may have already said too much. But this is not just the tale of the last gnome on earth, but also a coming-of-age tale for Andy. Sorta.

This book is awesome. Plus Dave did a pretty cool thing for people who pre-ordered the comic through DCBS (Discount Comic Book Service), he would sketch the hero/villain of your choice as a gnome. I, of course, elected to get one done of my City of Heroes character, Vindicator done. I’ll post a pic here

as soon as I can get it scanned in.

You can still get a copy of this book. Ask your local comic shop to order it, or you can get it from Super Real Graphics or Amazon.com

From the back of the book:

“Gnomes are real! Believed to be simple yard decoration, these Garden Gnomes once roamed the Earth as its greatest protectors. Lonmg ago a curse was placed upon them, petrifying them until the day they were needed to protect the Earth once more. In 1956 the world was in peril … and one lonely gnome answered the call.”/

The Return of Father Wrath!

Cassie and Vlad enter Haverhill in search of Father Wrath – and we see an art style change. The rest of the issue is presented in an Archie style. The story starts with 3 friends talking about a school dance being held that night. Taber, the Archie of this issue, has asked two girls to the dance and is freaking out. One of his friends begins to plot how he could benefit from this. He is approached by someone with a solution. Taber is convinced to wear a Father Wrath costume – and someone else will be at the dance in the same outfit – that way he can spend time with both girls without arousing suspicion. Taber’s friend spikes the punch and makes a move on Taber’s girl after she has had a lot of punch. Cassie and Vlad enter and Cassie tackles Taber thinking he is the real Father Wrath. Meanwhile, Father Wrath has followed Taber’s friend and his date to the locker room waiting for them to sin…so he can bash their heads in with a giant cross. Taber’s friend gets it, but Vlad is able to save the girl just in time. Turns out this is not the original Father Wrath, but his nephew.

If you were ever remotely a fan of Slasher movies – this title is for you! There are 3 trades out now – get them or check to see if your local library has them.Ultimate Spider-Man #116 (Marvel)

More fallout from the Goblin’s escape from SHIELD.

Norman flees the scene and Peter tries to draw him out. After that doesn’t work, Peter and Kitty leave. Peter gets home and is surprised to find Norman sitting in his living room. Norman begins to talk about how he will be remembered for creating Spider-Man – but Peter is having none of it. Suddenly, a special news report comes on TV – Harry outs his father to the world as a madman and murderer.

Crime Bible #2 (DC)

This issue deals with the sin of lust. Acolytes of the crime church has setup a convent (aka brothel) to attract politicians and other powerful men and women. Renee goes undercover as a client to find out what their goal is. Apparently, they videotape the sessions with their clients and then blackmail them – not for money or secrets – but to keep them coming back for more diverse “pleasures”. pleasures that end in the murder of one of the girls. A senator is being prepped for this final ritual when Renee begins coming to the convent. She spends weeks just talking to one girl in particular until one night she slips and lets things get physical. She then leaves the room and gets to the senator just in time to stop him from comitting murder. She sets fire to the building giving everyone plenty of time to evacuate. This closes this convent and the work they were doing.

Green Lantern Corps #18 (DC)

Ion vs. Superman-Prime!

We learn a lot about Ion’s previous life on his xenophobic homeworld in this issue as he and Superman-Prime have a huge knock-down dragout fight. He had befriended a crashed alien only to be brainwashed by his parents in an attempy to make him xeniphobic like everyone else on his planet. The plan backfires and he begins to fashion a spaceship from the wreckage of the alien’s vessel. Just as he is about to finish this endeavor, a Green Lantern ring chooses him. Unfortunately, he is not a match for Superman-Prime and is defeated.

The Sinestro War has been the perfect example of an event. It has an amzing story and writing and artwork. Much better than Countdown or any of the Marvel ones lately.

Teen Titans #53 (DC)

We see a large group of Titans from the future here as a future Lex leads them against Starro.  We cut to Miss Martian, Robin, Wonder Girl and Supergirl each dealing with their counterparts in various ways.  Miss Martian kills her future self.  Supergirl knocks the clone of Conner into the stratopshere and she goes to help Wonder Girl.  Lex and the future Titans and Kid Devil, Ravager and Blue Beetle fight for their lives until only Blue Beetle is left without being taken over by Starro.

Here we have the story of Angel picking up after the end of season 5. LA has literally been taken to Hell. Angel has convinced the dragon last seen in the final frames from the last episode of the show to be his ally. They are working to round up normal humans and take them to a safe haven. Who runs that safe haven – his son, Connor.

Angel returns to the Wolfram and Hart building and has a dustup with a demon lord. Wesley comes to break it up. Yep Wesley. Just as Lyla was tied to Wolfram and Hart after death, so to is Wesley’s spirit. We have more setup on the current status quo as we see Gunn and his gang taking out demons and freeing their slaves. After clearing out the demons, they promptly turn on the grateful humans and feed on them. Turns out, they are vampires – even Gunn.

Powers #27 (Icon)

Deena goes to Lance the Lance and “convinces” him to help find out who is killing teenage girls. Trihammer returns to the station in search of his daughter. Walker takes him to the morgue and Triphammer finds the body of his daughter. He loses it and trashed the morgue. We cut to Lance’s henchmen turning over criminals looking for information on the killings. What do they find? That Deena has the same powers as the killer and the police want to question her concerning the killings. As the fit hits the shan, the police are talking strategy to try and come up with a way to find or stop the killer. Then Retro Girl walks in …

The Boys #12 (Dynamite Entertainment)

We learn a little more about the exploding superpeople as little Nina returns to a building filled with supervillains. Butcher and Hughie are hiding and watching the proceedings … well … I don’t want to give this one away. Go read it. The first trade is available. This is NOT a title for the kids.

Invincible #46 (Image)

We open with the Immortal going to a cabin and finding Dupli-Kate. Turns out she keeps a copy of herself hidden away just in case all her copies die. Her power works a little differently than Marvel’s Multiple Man – Kate shares a consciousness with all her dupes in real time. Her brother does as well. Multi-Paul attacks Invincible and Rex Splode. He holds Rex responsible for the death of his sister. As Invincible and Rex mow through copies of Paul, Kate and the Immortal come on the scene. Kate eventually cools her brother down – somewhat.

We cut to a Viltrumite prison where Omni-man is exercising. His reward – General Kregg will deal with him personally.

Walking Dead #44 (Image)

The Governor has returned and he brought friends. And a tank. The Others attack the prison in an attempt to take it for their community. They mow down the zombies in front of the prison and fire through the fences at the people within. Andrea climbs a guard tower and begins sniping attackers one by one. Glen climbs the other tower – but doesn’t really do that much damage. They manage to run off the Others – but not without a price. Rick has taken a shot to the stomach.

Looks like it is really true – no one is safe in this arc.

The premise: There exists a special hidden school of supervillainy. Jacob and Miller, twin sons of the Matriarch, have just joined the school. Miller is totally intoit, but Jacob is not sure he wants to be a supervillain.

This is an amazing title and in two issues has climbed into my top 10 ongoing series.

Issue 2 opens with the first day of school with classes like History of Supervillainy, Avoiding Forensic Experts and Mystic Weapons. In the last class of the day, Anti gives them an assignment entitled The Death of Innocence. Jacob, Miller and a few others work together to solve the riddle. Jacob discovers the way through a mystic portal to a forest glen. On a pedestal, sits a baby and a knife. As a girl picks up the knife, we cut to a base in the sky and a gathering of heroes. Dr. Daylight has confirmed the existence of the school and put his sidekick, Sunrise, undercover.

Booster Gold #4 (DC)

The premise: Booster Gold is helping Rip Hunter fix things that are askew in time. Kind of like Quantum Leap. Booster is helping with the promise that they will go back in time and prevent the death of Ted Kord, the second Blue Beetle.

This issue, Booster and Rip discover the identities of two of the players in the scheme to wipe out the Justice LEague: Rex Hunter and Booster’s father aka Supernova. Booster keeps the Flash(Barry Allen) and Kid Flash(Wally West) from being erased from history and capture Rex Hunter.

I cannot stress how much FUN this series is. You do not have all the negativity that is so prevalent in the other DC and MArvel titles. I know this is the same selling point I used for Oni’s Maintenance – but the same holds true for this title.

New Avengers #36 (Marvel)

Avengers vs. a city of Venoms, at first. Then all but Luke Cage are infected. Spidey, Dr. Strange, Iron Fist, Ronin aka Hawkeye, Echo and Wolverine. The Mighty Avengers show and fighting ensues. Iron Man flies off and after more fighting – everyone returns to normal. Iron Man had done something to take care of the problem – something I’m sure we will see in the Mighty Avengers … eventually.

We cut to Avengers Tower and the Mighty Avengers. They have a briefing about the chemical bomb that was dropped on New York by Dr. Doom. They make plans for a counterstrike on Latveris. While they wait for Iron Man to prepare, Spider-Woman retires to her suite for a shower. Then claws pop around her neck – Wolverine has come to find out what information on the New Avengers she has told the Mighty Avengers.

We finish up with the New Avengers tracking the Hood’s thugs and calling in backup to take care of them. Backup that includes the Mighty Avengers, Fantastic Four, Thor, Silver Surfer and Howard the Duck.

Yes, Howard the Duck.

Avengers Initiative #7 (Marvel)

We finally discover the secrets of the Scarlet Spiders. They reveal themselves to the public as they chase thieves in vulture outfits. Peter Parker sees them on TV and is incensed. He joins the fray (still in his civvies). Two of the Scarlet Spiders engage Peter while the third is defeated by the vulturions. Amidst the public outcry – the Scarlet Spiders use their built-in image inducers to mimic the look of Peter. They out themselves to the press and tell everyone that Peter was among them and his powers came from the suit – making people doubt if Peter is the real Spidey.

This move infuriates the Initiative. The Scarlet Spiders return to their mentor, Baron von Blitzschlag. They remove their masks to reveal that they are clones. CLONES. But not clones of Peter Parker. They are clones of the recently deceased MVP.

Nova #8 (Marvel)

Nova will be sitting out the Annhilation Conquest. Last issue he flung to the end of the universe – literally. He finds himself in aome type of organic-tech structure and finds a purple-skinned woman. She is turned into a zombie by some unseen force and attacks Nova. Nova fires a blast that should have stunned her – only to incinerate her instead. Her compatriots arrive just as she dies and attack Nova for retribution. Nova retreats and is confronted by a telepathic dog. Telepathic Dog. Telepathic Dog with a Russian mental accent. The dog, Cosmo, gives Nova thelow-down on where he is and that some force is killing off the inhabitants.

Where are they? In the severed head of a giant Celestial hurtling towards the edge of the universe. We go back to the Luminals, the compatriots of the purple-skinned woman, and they are taken over by the same unseen force and become zombies.

I love this new Nova series. Fourth time is the charm it seems. While I miss his original costume, I am glad to see this character treated right.

The Premise: Doug and Manny are maintenance men for TerroMax, inc., the world’s largest organization dedicated to helping mad scientists and evil geniuses conduct their research. Doug and Manny have to clean up after the scientists when their experiments go bad- from babysitting a Man/Shark hybrid to being shrunk to microscopic size to take care of intelligent bacteria living in a toilet bowl.

Yes, this is a comedy series. A slightly dark comedy series.

In this issue, the heating system is on the fritz an all the scientists and employees are meeting for an office party in the lounge. Except for Doug and Manny. They have to report to a scientists lab to clean up a coffee spill. What they don’t know is that the coffee spilled onto a batch of chemicals and is now alive … and hungry. It devoured the scientist and nearly devoured Doug and Manny. They pursue it throughout TerroMax, only to see it run into the lounge. As it begins devouring scientists left and right, it heads towards the secretary who handily captures it in a thermos.

I cannot stress how much fun this series is. While so many comics are being dark and serious, this title is a refreshing change of pace. Buffy #8 (Dark Horse)

This excellent series continues on its season8 greatness. This issue brings us another chapter in the Faith story as Buffy provides a cameo. Fisticuffs ensue.

Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash #1 (Wilstorm and Dynamite Entertainment)
The Premise: The movie Freddy vs. Jason was a fun romp that made a good chunk of change. Enough that a sequel was planned. One fo the ideas for the sequel – Freddy vs Jason vs Ash. Unfortunately, the right people could not agree to terms and this movie was shelved. However, this title is based on the proposed FvJvA script.

The two survivors from the movie come back to Crystal Lake. Big Mistake. Just like the early Friday 13th movies – Jason does not waste any time dispatching the survivors. An S-Mart has recently opened in the area, but the housewares department is in serious disarray. So Corporate decides to send in a specialist to get the employees whipped into shape before the holiday shopping season. That specialist, Ash. The issue closes with his arrival in town – in search of the Necronomicon.

New Avengers: Illuminati #5 (Marvel)

This issue we learn that a member of the illuminati was a Skrull the entire time – Black Bolt. Iron Man calls the Illuminati together to show them the Skrull corpse of Elektra. The discuss possible ramifications when the Black Bolt Skrull reveals his true nature. He is not alone either, he has brought along new versions of the Super Skrull – one based on Avengers, one on X-Men. The Illuminati make quick work of them – but have no way of identifying and Skrulls still in Disguise. Not through telepathy, sorcery, or technology.

The issue an mini-series closes with the members all going their seperate ways – distrusting each other. This is a great setup for Brian Michael Bendis’ coming Secret Invasion storyline.

Y the Last Man #59 (Vertigo)

This amazing series is almost over.  Just one more issue to go.

After the mind-blowing ending to last issue, we find Beth, Beth an Hero captured by the Israelis, when Ceba rescues them.  We cut back to Yorick in the hotel room.  Alter launches sleeping gas through the window and comes in to kill Yorick alone.  She is surprised and glad to see that Yorick is not unconcious – but has his gas mask on an 355′s baton ready to take her on.  They fight briefly until Yorick realizes that she is only targeting him so that he will kill here.  She wants to die, but will not take her own life an will not accept death at the hands of a woman.  Yorick knocks her out and delivers her to the rest of her troops.

Afterwards, Hero and the Beths fiind Yorick sitting morosely by a fountain.

Here’s hoping for a nice upbeat ending to the series…

This issue starts the Kingdom Come arc in the JSA. The Kingdom Come (aka Earth 22)’s Superman is questioned and detained by the JSA as they try to figure out just what is going on. During all this Superman is content to answer their questions as he voices his own. As he tells part of his story, we see snippets of pages from the Kingdom Come series created by Alex Ross and Mark Waid. As the JSA try to figure out what to do with him, they lock him in their conference room. As they continue to debate, Superman listens in until he hears the sound of a girl about to jump off a building. Of course he busts out and saves the day. Power Girl is having a hard time with his appearance – he reminds her of her cousin Kal-L’s death at the hands of Superboy-Prime.

This is another great issue by Geoff Johns. All of the characterizations are spot on. Just like every issue to date.

Dynamo 5 #8

This title is a fun superhero romp. The basic premise is that Captain Dynamo, the world’s best hero, was not exactly faithful to his wife. Ok, he is a hound dog. In the wake of his death … in another woman’s bed, the city begins to fall apart as his rogue’s gallery begins wrecks havok. Maddie, his widow, theorizes that with sheer number of women in his little black book (filled with names, numbers, and dates), odds are that he fathered some children. She tracks down 5 young adults and brings them together as a team. Each has one of Captain Dynamo’s powers: flight, super strength, shape-shifting, telepathy and eye beams. The first trade contains the first 7 issues and is dirt cheap.

This issue is a great jumping on point. It introduces a new villain and starts the threads for the next arc. Someone is killing people by freezing them solid a la Mr. Freeze-style. The character is Bonechill – an escaped convist exacting revenge on his former crew who turned him in. Visionary is grounded after being out for a couple of days and Scatterbrain is in a coma due to events in the trade (get it – you know you want to). Myriad is sent to cover for Scatterbrain’s absence from his home. This leaves only Scrap and Slingshot to take on Bonechill. As they fight him, Maddie calls in back-up, the Firebirds – a mother/daughter team of fire blasters. We leave off with a group of men looking photos of Slingshot in her civilian life.

Crime Bible #1

Greg Rucka continues the story of Renee Montoya as the new Question and the Crime Bible from 52. Rucka was meant to write this character. It has the flavor of Gotham Central and the characterization of the Question from the JLU cartoon.

This issue begins with acolytes of the crime bible practicing on punching bags … punching bags filled with people. Turns out the crime bible is broken down into 5 crimes with murder as the most revered. A professor has written a book debunking the crime bible and those of its faith. Renee questions him on his source and follows him home. Turns out the professor was a true believer and is going to kill his wife and son to bring controversy and up book sales – getting info on the crime bible into the public’s hands. Renee busts in and stops him, but the head murder acolyte busts in and confronts her. As this is going on, the professor’s wife picks up a pair of large scissors and kills him. She is a true believer as well. She rushes up the stairs to kill her son, but is stopped by Renee as the acolyte makes his escape.

Action Comics #858

Another Geoff Johns book. We get a look at young Clark’s initial meeting with the Legion of Superheroes – now in continuity again. A giant Braniac robot begins tearing into Metropolis. As Superman goes to take it down, a monitor lights up with the image of Braniac 5. He tells Clark that he is needed in the future. Clark being Clark, enters the time sphere hidden in the robot without hesitation. He emerges into a future in disarray. Soldiers are out in force attacking any superheroes they find. Superman tries to explain the situation, but they are not listening. The Legion shows up to save the day. Superman steps up to block a blaster shot with his hand – only to have a tiny hole burned through his hand. In the Legion’s time, the sun is red not yellow.

I have been waiting for this storyarc since the Lightning Saga that played out in Justice Society of America and Justice League of America.

Batman #670

We get an intro to the Return of Rhas Al Ghul. We learn that Damion is a testtube baby whose sole purpose is to be a vessel for the return of the Demon. Rhas confronts Talia about Damion – who is wearing a Robin outfit. Damion is wanting to get Bruce Wayne’s approval – not Rhas. I really have not been happy with Morrison’s run on Batman. I am hoping this and the next arc will change my mind.