TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Comics Product Category

Chance in Hell by FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS

Gilbert Hernandez’s first original graphic novel from Fantagraphics follows on the heels of his acclaimed "Sloth" graphic novel from DC’s Vertigo Comics in 2006.  "Chance in Hell" tells the story of a little orphan girl who lives in the slum of slums.  Nobody knows who she is or where she’s from, but her fellow shantytown inhabitants collectively look over her.  The three-act story follows our heroine as she is adopted by a decent man who raises her well, and she eventually marries a kind, well-to-do man, only to discover that she can’t relate to the good life and the comforts it provides. 11/2/2006 (Price: $16.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Katy Keene by ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS INC.

That high-fashion siren of the '40s and '50s is back, updated and ready for the new millennium.  Still using clothes designed by her fans, she runways her way back into the comic firmament. 11/2/2006 (Price: $2.25)

Archie Comics #572 by ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS INC.

Betty Cooper is getting behind the wheel and burning rubber in the story titled, “The Fast Track to Success” written by Mike Pellowski, with art by Stan Goldberg.  Mr. Lodge is the sponsor of one of the fastest race teams around, but his pride runs out of gas when one of his rivals lures away his top driver and pit crew.  But Betty Cooper steps up and gets behind the wheel, with Archie and the gang as her makeshift pit crew. 11/2/2006 (Price: $2.25)

Showcase Presents: Aquaman Vol. 1 by DC COMICS

Collect classic tales of Aquaman from ADVENTURE COMICS #260-280, 282, 284 and more.  More than 500 pages highlight classic tales of Aquaman, featuring the debuts of Mera and Aqualad. 11/2/2006 (Price: $16.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Superman: Action Comics Archives Vol. 5 by DC COMICS

Don't miss this thrilling archive featuring some of Superman's earliest adventures by his creators, Siegel and Shuster.  This volume includes ACTION COMICS #69-85, from 1944-1945. 11/2/2006 (Price: $49.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Fantastic Four: The End #1 by MARVEL ENTERTAINMENT GROUP INC.

Alan Davis wrote and penciled the final story of Marvel’s first family.  Even the strongest family can be torn apart by tragedy—and in the futuristic world of tomorrow, the members of the once-Fantastic Four are divided and vulnerable to opponents from their past.  What events could have caused the FF to go their separate ways, and how does their disbanding set the stage for a conflict that will send shockwaves across the galaxy and beyond? 11/2/2006 (Price: $2.99)

Twisted Tales by INNOVATIVEKIDS

This Phonics Comics level 3 is about the stories kids think they know ... but they'll discover the "twists" in "Hansel and Gretel," "Little Red Riding Hood" and "The Three Billy Goats Gruff" in these new takes on old tales. Written by Kitty Richards and illustrated by Fernando Juarez. Launch date: July 2006. (Read Review) 8/17/2006 (Price: $3.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Duke and Fang Phonics Comics by INNOVATIVEKIDS

Phonics Comics now has seven new titles in a new, smaller format: Duke and Fang, Super Sam, Meet the Sparkplugs, Twisted Tales, Spooky Sara, The Misfits, and Time Travelers (all Level 3). Kids can use this three-tiered leveling system to improve reading at a beginning, intermediate or advanced stage. They're easy to read, but hard to put down. Launch date: July 2006. 7/11/2006 (Price: $3.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Krypt Kiddies by TWISTED GATE ENTERTAINMENT

Based on the creepy Krypt Kiddies dolls, Ray Scoot took the idea, enlisted Chad Lambert as writer and Samuel L. Galentree as artist to bring it all to comic book life. Reminiscent of the old EC comics in town and style, they’re very fun. It's a dark horror tale, however, that may be unsuitable for small children. 3/30/2006 (Price: $3.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Every Girl Is the End of the World for Me by Jeffrey Brown by TOP SHELF PRODUCTIONS

Autobiographical cartoonist Jeffrey Brown provides an epilogue to his "Girlfriend Trilogy," detailing the day-by-day events of a three week run in with five girls in this graphic novel. Watch and be mesmerized by an ex coming back into the picture, a growing but poorly chosen crush, musings on the way friends come and go in life, and a realization that the end is never really the end. "Every Girl Is the End of the World for Me" is 104 pages and was published in April 2006. 3/1/2006 (Price: $8.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]