Amazon Leaks?

Some or all of these may be the inadvertent leaks that Amazon often provides of upcoming trades and hardcovers coming out from the big two (with another few thrown in for good measure):

The DC Comics Library entry that sites "Various" for creators is DC COMICS LIBRARY: BATMAN: THE ANNUALS. The DC Comics Library entry that credits Jim Shooter & Curt Swan is DC COMICS LIBRARY: LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES: THE LIFE AND DEATH OF FERRO LAD.

All cited Amazon entries ship in 2009 to be relatively sure they haven't likely appeared in Previews yet. An overwhelming majority are February 2009 or later.

There's a little something for everyone in the advance solicited offerings. Don't like super-heroes? Well, there are new offerings from Chris Ware, Tony Millionaire, Lynda Barry, Tom Spurgeon, Anders Nilsen & Wilfred Santiago.

JOE KUBERT: MAN OF ROCK by Bill Schelly

Author Billy Schelly dropped me a line to tell me a bit about his most recent work. Those of you who know your comic book legends might remember the work he did on Otto Binder previously. His current target is one of the true greats: Joe Kubert.

“After I finished my biography of Otto Binder, I wanted to write a biography of an even bigger giant in comic book history. I’m a big fan of Joe Kubert. He’s right up there with Will Eisner, Stan Lee, Jack Kirby and very few others, as far as I’m concerned.

“He’s been in the comic book industry for seventy years and his work is still in demand. The more I researched Kubert’s career, the more I realized the scope of his talent and achievements over the years. He’s much more than an amazingly talented artist. He’s also a fine writer, an innovator, and an educator.

“Work began on Man of Rock in 2004. I was able to interview Joe and his wife Muriel, as well as Adam and Andy, and a number of other Kubert colleagues and friends who have never been interviewed before with respect to their association with Joe. It was a great experience, though I hasten to add that this is my book, and my own take on Joe’s life and his work.”

Man of Rock, a Biography of Joe Kubert is 320-page trade paperback book selling for $19.95. It offers a 120,000 word manuscript by Bill Schelly, and a generous portion of photographs and artwork. It is being published by Fantagraphics Books as is being currently solicited in the April Diamond Previews.