Caligula Heart of Rome # 1 - David Lapham & German Nobile

I’ve talked before about sex and power. I have explained that sometimes, rulers must also be in charge of what happens in the bedchamber. In the first Caligula miniseries, the emperor of Rome was the epitome of power, which was expressed in every possible facet: politics, sexuality and supernatural abilities. Writer David Lapham returns to the Roman Empire during the era of Claudius. Caligula is long gone but his phantasm remains.

In order to kill Caligula, Junius and centurion Laurentius found a weakness in the demonic creature that possessed the ruler of Rome. However, this demon has returned. Only those who were close to Caligula can detect the presence of this evil. And thus, it’s time for a rendezvous between Laurentius and Agrippina, mother of Nero. The woman is concerned about his incestuous relationships with the deceased emperor, and she fears some of that evil seed has been passed onto her son, the young Nero. 

Laurentius and his mutilated wife / Laurentius y su esposa mutilada

There is also a tête-à-tête between Junius and Laurentius. Junius is no longer the innocent boy that was sodomized by Caligula on a regular basis. Now that he has power enough over a company of gladiators he repeats the same patterns, he does what the emperor did to him. 

Power and sex come together. Junius is the one dominating, and his gladiator is the one being dominated. Sex between these two men is not an act of consent but of domination.

Once again, we have German Nobile as the penciler, inker and colorist of the series. And it’s such a joy to look at his pages. From the brutal dismemberment of Laurentius’s wife to the savagery and violence on the Coliseum, from the strong, unapologetic sexual scenes (particularly the sequence in which Agrippina remembers how she was raped by her own brother) to the brilliant design of a new demonic presence in the court of Rome, a man with teeth in the abdomen, a child’s hand instead of a penis, and a sexual organ that comes out of the abdomen. This is the kind of monsters that really impress me, clearly German has put a lot of thought into this. Let’s not forget the darkness and almost palpable dirtiness that we can observe in the scene in which Junius is about to subjugate one of his gladiators. Congratulations to the creative team for another captivating opening chapter. 

Caligula raping his sister Agrippina / Calígula violando a su hermana Agripina

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Rome's new demon / el nuevo demonio de Roma

He hablado antes sobre el sexo y el poder. He explicado que, a veces, los gobernantes también deben estar a cargo de lo que sucede en la alcoba. En la primera miniserie de Calígula, el emperador de Roma era el epítome del poder, expresado en cada faceta posible: política, sexualidad y habilidades sobre-naturales. El escritor David Lapham regresa al Imperio Romano durante la era de Claudio. Calígula ha muerto hace mucho pero su fantasma permanece.

Para matar a Calígula, Junius y el centurión Laurentius encontraron una debilidad en la criatura demoníaca que había poseído al amo de Roma. Sin embargo, este demonio ha regresado. Sólo aquellos que fueron cercanos a Calígula pueden detectar la presencia de este mal. Y así, llega el momento para un encuentro entre Laurentius y Agripina,  madre de Nerón. La mujer está preocupada por su relación incestuosa con el fallecido emperador, y teme que algo de esa semilla maligna resida en su hijo, el joven Nerón.

Junius taking (sexual) advantage of his gladiator /
Junius aprovechándose (sexualmente) de su gladiador

También hay un tête-à-tête entre Junius y Laurentius. Junius ya no es el chico inocente que era sodomizado con frecuencia por Calígula. Ahora que tiene suficiente poder sobre una compañía de gladiadores repite los mismos patrones, hace lo que el emperador le hacía a él. 

El poder y el sexo van juntos. Junius es el dominante, y su gladiador es el dominado. El sexo entre estos dos hombres no es un acto de consenso sino de dominación.

Una vez más, tenemos a German Nobile como dibujante a lápiz, entintador y colorista de la miniserie. Y uno disfruta mucho viendo sus páginas. Desde el brutal desmembramiento de la esposa de Laurentius hasta el salvajismo y la violencia del Coliseo, desde las fuertes y explícitas escenas sexuales (en particular, la secuencia en la que Agripina recuerda cómo era violada por su propio hermano) hasta el brillante diseño de una nueva presencia demoníaca en la corte de Roma, un hombre con dientes en el abdomen, una mano de niño en vez de pene, y un órgano sexual que sale del abdomen. Esta es la clase de monstruos que realmente me impresiona, es obvio que German se ha tomado su tiempo para hacer estos diseños. No olvidemos la oscuridad y la suciedad casi palpable que podemos observar en la escena en la que Junius está a punto de subyugar a uno de sus gladiadores. Felicitaciones al equipo creativo por otro cautivador primer capítulo.

Caligula # 6 - David Lapham & German Nobile

Many historians have described the first century of the Roman Empire as a time in which corruption, depravation and perversion proliferated. David Lapham decided to build upon these premises to create a horror story in one of the most fascinating scenarios I could possibly conceive: Rome during the era of Caligula.

The story begun with Caligula raping and murdering Felix’s family. And after Felix managed to become the emperor’s pet he seemed to be seduced by the power of the most ruthless man in the world. Nonetheless, prompted by Caligula’s irrational demands and untamed rage, Felix started fearing not only for his life but for the sake of all Romans.

cover / portada

Felix has finally discovered Caligula’s weakness: a strange silver box that gives the emperor supernatural abilities. However, to obtain this box he must play a submissive role one last time. As Caligula whips the boy, we are confronted with a typical sadomasochistic setting.

In "Kant avec Sade" Lacan proposed two schemes which explain the two stages of Sade’s fantasy: the fundamental attitude of the sadist subject derives from his Will-to-Enjoy -volonté de jouissance- and his endeavor is to find enjoyment in the pain of the other. The sadist is a kind of parasite in search of the corroboration of his being (so it’s only fitting that in Lapham’s version, Caligula devours the souls of men and deposits them into his silver box, acting like a parasite ‘avant la lettre’). Caligula is a sadistic figure, but what happens with Felix? The young man is, after all, his -willing- victim, and so he acts as a resisting solid substance: the live flesh into which the sadist cuts authenticates the fullness of being.

sadistic game / juego sádico

Nonetheless, this is the last time that Felix operates as an object-victim, at the mercy of the "sadistic" Will of the Other. Suspense is never the product of a simple physical confrontation of the subject with the assailant, because true suspense always involves the mediation of what the subject reads into the gaze of the other. As Felix steals Caligula’s silver box, we can almost sense the fear in the eyes of the emperor. With Incitatus -the Caesar’s demonic horse- dead, Caligula has no allies in the palace.

After one last sadistic game, Caligula is gutted by his own Praetorian guard. Nonetheless, as Claudius is proclaimed as Rome’s new emperor and things seem to go back to normal, one might still ask… whatever happened to Caligula’s silver box? Lapham’s last pages answer this question in quite a horrifying manner. Caligula is a great horror miniseries that will satiate our thirst for (symbolic) blood, anyone who likes gore, uncensored sexuality and historical reconstructions will certainly enjoy it. Besides, German Nobile’s art is so fantastic that it can actually transport the reader to Rome in the year 41 AD.

This is the sixth and final installment of Caligula, but if you want to read my reviews for issues 1 through 5 click on the following links:Caligula # 1, Caligula # 2, Caligula # 3, Caligula # 4, Caligula # 5.
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silver box / caja de plata

Muchos historiadores describen el primer siglo del Imperio Romano como una época en la que la corrupción, la depravación y la perversión proliferaron. David Lapham decidió partir de estas premisas para crear una historia de terror en uno de los escenarios más fascinantes: Roma durante la era de Calígula.

La historia empezó con Calígula violando y asesinando a la familia de Félix. Y luego de que Félix se convirtiera en la mascota del emperador fue seducido por el poder del hombre más cruel del mundo. No obstante, las irracionales demandas de Calígula y su ira indómita lo hacen reaccionar; ahora Félix teme no solamente por su vida sino por el bienestar de todos los romanos.

Félix finalmente ha descubierto la debilidad de Calígula: una extraña caja de plata que la da al emperador habilidades sobrenaturales. Sin embargo, para obtener esta caja una vez más deberá asumir el rol de la sumisión. Cuando Calígula le da latigazos al muchacho, somos confrontados con un escenario típicamente sadomasoquista.

Caligula vs. Felix

En "Kant después de Sade", Lacan propuso dos esquemas para explicar las dos fases de la fantasía de Sade: la actitud fundamental del sujeto sádico deriva de su voluntad de goce -volonté de jouissance- y su tarea es encontrar goce en el dolor del otro. El sádico es como un parásito en busca de la corroboración de su ser (así que tiene sentido que en la versión de Lapham, Calígula devora las almas de los hombres y las deposita en su caja de plata, actuando como un parásito avant la lettre). Calígula es una figura sádica, pero ¿qué sucede con Félix? El joven, después de todo, es una víctima voluntaria, y así actúa como una sustancia sólida de resistencia: la carne viva que es lacerada por el sádico autentifica la completitud del ser.

No obstante, esta es la última vez que Félix es la víctima-objeto, en las garras de la sádica voluntad del Otro. El suspenso nunca es el producto de una simple confrontación física del sujeto y su asaltante, porque el verdadero suspenso siempre involucra la mediación de lo que el sujeto lee en la mirada del otro. Cuando Félix roba la caja de plata de Calígula, casi podemos sentir el miedo en los ojos del emperador. Con Incitatus -el demoníaco caballo del amo- muerto, Calígula no tiene aliados en palacio.

Después de un último juego sádico, Calígula es destripado por su propia guardia pretoriana. Cuando Claudio es proclamado como el nuevo emperador de Roma, las cosas parecen volver a la normalidad, pero queda una pregunta en el aire... ¿qué le pasó a la caja de plata de Calígula? Las últimas páginas de Lapham contestan esta pregunta de una manera terrorífica. Calígula es una grandiosa miniserie de terror que saciará nuestra sed de sangre (simbólica), a cualquiera que le guste el gore, la sexualidad sin censura y las reconstrucciones históricas disfrutará con estas páginas. Además, el arte de German Nobile es tan fantástico que transporta al lector a la Roma del año 41 de nuestra era.

Este es el sexto y último capítulo de Calígula, pero si quieren leer mis reseñas de los números 1 al 5 pueden hacer click aquí:
Caligula # 1, Caligula # 2, Caligula # 3, Caligula # 4, Caligula # 5.

Caligula # 5 - Lapham & Nobile

“If it’s possible for an insane man to go insane, then that’s what happened to Caligula”. As it has been chronicled, Caligula committed outrageous crimes in his last years of government, writer David Lapham takes this to his advantage and provides us, along with artist German Nobile, with a very graphic depiction of the emperor’s viciousness and cruelty.

emperor's madness / la locura del emperador

When Caligula’s sexual depravity gets on a whole new level, Felix (AKA Junius) realizes he can no longer remain as the emperor’s pet. Perhaps Felix’s tolerance would seem unexplainable for today’s readers, but we do not understand sexuality as the Romans did.

Historically, there have been two ways of viewing sexuality, according to Michele Foucault: China, Japan, India, Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire have seen it as an "Ars erotica" ("erotic art"), where sex is as much an art as it is a special experience, and it’s never something dirty or shameful. When Caligula forces Felix to kill and maim an innocent man, he wants Felix to create ‘art’ with the dismembered body, and so he does, but in doing it they both betray the sexual dogma of their time, replacing the ‘special experience’ with death.

In Western society, on the other hand, something completely different has been created, what Foucault calls "scientia sexualis", the science of sexuality. The origin of this science can be tracked all the way to the 17th century; it’s a phenomenon diametrically opposed to Ars erotica: the confession. It is not just a question of the Christian confession, but more generally the urge to talk about it. A fixation with finding out the "truth" about sexuality arises, a truth that is to be confessed. It is as if sexuality did not exist unless it is confessed. In a violent sexual encounter, Caligula forces Felix to confess. The emperor accuses the boy of using his sexual attributes to deceive him, and he also accuses him of conspiring against his life, like so many men have done in the past few months. Once again, as Foucault suggested, we cannot disassociate sexuality and confession.

Lapham and Nobile create a horror story plagued with violence, sex and shocking scenes, but it’s thanks to their cleverness that, as readers, we feel so spellbound by this saga. In January, the final issue of the miniseries will be released. Personally, I can’t wait to see how the story ends.

Felix is punished / Felix es castigado

If you want to read my reviews for issues 1-4, click on the following links:

Caligula # 1: http://artbyarion.blogspot.com/2011/05/caligula-by-lapham-nobile.html
Caligula # 2: http://artbyarion.blogspot.com/2011/07/caligula-david-lapham-german-nobile.html
Caligula # 3: http://artbyarion.blogspot.com/2011/09/caligula-3-by-david-lapham.html
Caligula # 4: http://artbyarion.blogspot.com/2011/11/caligula-4-german-nobile.html
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sexuality & confession / sexualidad y confesión

"Si es posible que un loco enloquezca, entonces eso es lo que le sucedió a Calígula". Las crónicas narran los crímenes terribles que cometió Calígula en sus últimos años de gobierno, y el escritor David Lapham aprovecha estos hechos para proporcionarnos, junto con el artista German Nobile, una descripción bastante gráfica de los vicios y la crueldad del emperador.

Cuando la depravación de Calígula sobrepasa lo imaginado, Félix (antes conocido como Junius), se da cuenta que no puede seguir siendo la mascota del emperador. Tal vez la tolerancia de Félix parecería inexplicable para el lector contemporáneo, pero nosotros no entendemos la sexualidad como lo hacían los romanos.

Históricamente existieron dos modos de ver la sexualidad, de acuerdo con Michele Foucault. China, Japón, India, la antigua Grecia y el imperio romano veían todo como un 'arte erótica', en donde el sexo era tanto un arte como una experiencia especial, y nunca algo sucio o vergonzoso. Cuando Calígula obliga a Félix a asesinar y mutilar a un hombre inocente, él quiere que Félix cree 'arte' al desmembrar un cuerpo, y al hacerlo ambos traicionan el dogma sexual de la época reemplazando la 'experiencia especial' con la muerte.

En la sociedad occidental, por otro lado, ocurre algo completamente distinto, algo que Foucault llama "ciencia de la sexualidad". El origen de esta ciencia se remonta al siglo XVII; es un fenómeno diametralmente opuesto al arte erótica: la confesión. Más que un asunto de confesión religiosa, es una urgencia de hablar sobre el tema. Una fijación con encontrar la 'verdad' sobre la sexualidad, una verdad que debe ser confesada. Es como si la sexualidad no existiese a menos que sea confesada. En un violento encuentro, Calígula obliga a Félix a confesar. El emperador acusa al joven de usar sus atributos sexuales para engañarlo, y también lo acusa de conspirar contra él, como tantos hombres han hecho. Nuevamente, como sugería Foucault, no podemos disociar la sexualidad de la confesión.

Caligula & Felix

Lapham y Nobile crean una historia de terror plagada de violencia, sexo y escenas impactantes, pero es gracias a la astucia de los autores que nos sentimos tan hipnotizados por esta saga. En enero llega el último número de esta miniserie. Personalmente, estoy impaciente por saber cómo termina todo.

Si quieren saber qué pasó en los números anteriores (1-4), hagan click aquí:

Caligula # 1: http://artbyarion.blogspot.com/2011/05/caligula-by-lapham-nobile.html
Caligula # 2: http://artbyarion.blogspot.com/2011/07/caligula-david-lapham-german-nobile.html
Caligula # 3: http://artbyarion.blogspot.com/2011/09/caligula-3-by-david-lapham.html
Caligula # 4: http://artbyarion.blogspot.com/2011/11/caligula-4-german-nobile.html

Caligula # 4 - German Nobile

Dying of old age was a rare privilege for more than a few Roman emperors… Not only the ambitions of other men to seize power was a factor in the constant plots within the Empire, but also the strange nature of some of the rulers of Rome. Caligula was assassinated mainly because of his eccentricities, because he was deemed as a dangerous and demented man that would ruin Rome forever.

But this isn’t History 101, this is David Lapham’s Caligula. After a failed assassination attempt, the Emperor decides to test everyone’s loyalties. And that’s how he designs a depraved game. He’s clearly the embodiment of power (in real life he was the most powerful man and in Lapham’s comic book, he also has supernatural abilities which make him even more powerful). He can only relate to others by overpowering them. And as Michel Foucault explains, power relations are the essence of society, and this is especially true for sexuality. Power relations are formed in all relations where differences exist.

What Foucault means by power is not necessarily what is ordinarily understood: it is something ubiquitous and cannot be thought of as dual, as creating a division between those dominating and those being dominated. This explains why Felix (the boy formerly known as Junius) is Caligula’s equal and his slave simultaneously. 

Do we understand power as something negative, oppressing? Something that defines what is not to be done? The senators and noble men that surround Caligula endorse the negative connotation of power. But for Caligula this game is focused on something else… rather than prohibiting something –and he has the power to do so- he wants to hear them confess. Common power relations related to sexuality also pertain to the one who confesses and the one that receives the confession.

Everyone follows Caligula’s orders. They are forced to have sex with the men or women Caligula chooses. They eat one of their own when he’s still alive. And throughout this ‘game’ Caligula forces them to confess. And they do. All of them do, but only a handful survive the evening.

I’m a fan of Avatar Press and I’m a fan of the prodigious artist German Nobile, who keeps surprising me, panel after panel. Lapham and Nobile are the ideal creative team. I can’t wait to read the last two issues of the miniseries.

Caligula # 1: http://artbyarion.blogspot.com/2011/05/caligula-by-lapham-nobile.html
Caligula # 2: http://artbyarion.blogspot.com/2011/07/caligula-david-lapham-german-nobile.html
Caligula # 3: http://artbyarion.blogspot.com/2011/09/caligula-3-by-david-lapham.html
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Pocos emperadores tuvieron el privilegio de llegar a viejos... no sólo por las ambiciones de otros hombres para llegar al poder, sino por la extraña naturaleza de algunos de los gobernantes de Roma. Calígula fue asesinado principalmente por sus excentricidades, porque era considerado como un hombre demente y peligroso que arruinaría a Roma para siempre.

Pero esto no es una clase de historia, esto es el Calígula de David Lapham. Luego de un intento de homicidio, el emperador decide poner a prueba la lealtad de todos. Y así es como diseña un juego depravado. Claramente, él representa el poder (en la vida real fue el hombre más poderoso y en el cómic de Lapham tiene incluso habilidades sobrenaturales). La única forma en la que puede vincularse con otros es ejerciendo su poder. Y como Michel Foucault explica, las relaciones de poder son la esencia de la sociedad, y esto es especialmente cierto para la sexualidad. Las relaciones de poder están presentes en todas las relaciones en las que hay diferencias.

Lo que Foucault quiere decir con poder no es lo que comúnmente entendemos: es algo ubicuo y no puede pensarse de manera dual, creando una división entre aquellos que dominan y aquellos que son dominados. Esto explica por qué Félix (el muchacho conocido antes como Junius) está al mismo nivel de Calígula y, simultáneamente, es su esclavo.

¿Entendemos el poder como algo negativo, opresivo? ¿Algo que define lo que no debemos hacer? Los senadores y patricios romanos que rodean Calígula se adscriben a esta connotación negativa del poder. Pero para Calígula este juego no está enfocado en la prohibición, lo que él quiere es que se confiesen. Las relaciones comunes de poder, relacionadas a la sexualidad, involucran siempre a alguien que se confiesa y a alguien que escucha esta confesión.

Todos siguen las órdenes de Calígula. Son obligados a tener sexo con los hombres o mujeres que Calígula elige. Devoran a uno de los suyos cuando todavía está vivo. Y a lo largo de este 'juego', Calígula los obliga a confesar. Y así lo hacen. Todos confiesan, aunque sólo un puñado sobrevive a la velada.

Soy un fan de Avatar Press y un fan del prodigioso artista German Nobile, que me sorprende con cada viñeta. Lapham y Nobile son el equipo creativo ideal. No puedo esperar a leer los últimos dos números de la miniserie.

Caligula # 1: http://artbyarion.blogspot.com/2011/05/caligula-by-lapham-nobile.html
Caligula # 2: http://artbyarion.blogspot.com/2011/07/caligula-david-lapham-german-nobile.html
Caligula # 3: http://artbyarion.blogspot.com/2011/09/caligula-3-by-david-lapham.html

Caligula # 3 by David Lapham

In the first issues Felix gained access to Caligula’s inner circle, but seeking revenge and exacting it are two very different endeavors. Felix is now Caligula’s pet, his new favorite, and he has slowly descended into stupor and self-complacency. Rome is, indeed, a corrupted, immoral city, and this young man is not immune to temptation.

Until Caligula plans more harmful activities for Felix; and so the straw that broke the camel’s back comes in an example of bestiality or zoophilic perversity… the emperor of Rome forces Felix to be penetrated by his own horse, the infamous Incitatus. Now, from Suetonius to several other historians, it’s clear that Caligula always had a special place in his heart for this stallion. After all, and this is historically acquirate, he tried to bestow upon the steed the title of Consul.

Brought to the limits, Felix is now a desperate victim, unable to find a way out. He knows it’s impossible to kill Caligula; but when he runs into one of the men that, along with the emperor, raped and killed her mother, he comes to a decision: if he can’t assassinate the ruler of Rome at least he will murder all of his accomplices. And thus, the killing begins.

David Lapham reinvents the world of the Roman Empire magnificently, and he even turns Incitatus into a most sinister and eerie creature. German Nobile provides lavishly illustrated pages, mixing digital painting with other groundbreaking techniques. They are truly the perfect team for such an intense series.   

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En los primeros capítulos Félix accedió al círculo interno de Calígula, pero buscar venganza y obtenerla son dos tareas muy diferentes. Ahora Félix es la mascota de Calígula, su nuevo favorito, y lentamente ha caído en el estupor y la autocomplacencia. Roma es, definitivamente, una ciudad corrompida e inmoral, y este joven no es inmune a la tentación.

Hasta que Calígula cruza aún más el límite. La gota que colma el vaso llega en un ejemplo de lo que podría definirse como bestialismo o zoofilia… el emperador de Roma obliga a Félix a ser penetrado por su propio caballo, el infame Incitatus. Suetonio y otros historiadores han demostrado que este animal siempre tuvo un lugar especial en el corazón de su amo. Después de todo, y esto es históricamente cierto, Calígula intentó que su corcel fuese nombrado cónsul.


Llevado hasta el límite, Félix es ahora una víctima desesperada, incapaz de encontrar una salida. Sabe que es imposible matar a Calígula; pero cuando se encuentro con uno de los hombres que, junto con el emperador, violó y mató a su madre, toma una decisión. Si no puede asesinar al gobernante de Roma al menos podrá aniquilar a sus cómplices. Y es así como la matanza comienza.

Lapham hace un magnífico trabajo al reinventar el mundo del imperio romano, e incluso convierte a Incitatus en un personaje siniestro y espantoso. German Nobile ilustra minuciosamente cada página, aplicando pintura digitalmente y utilizando otras técnicas novedosas. Sin duda, es el equipo creativo ideal para una serie tan intensa. 


Caligula # 1: http://artbyarion.blogspot.com/2011/05/caligula-by-lapham-nobile.html 
Caligula # 2: http://artbyarion.blogspot.com/2011/07/caligula-david-lapham-german-nobile.html

June comic books / Cómics de junio

Exactly one day after my birthday, my DCBS package arrived home: 20 new comics that I would read in a couple of days. Here they are, as per solicitations:
50 GIRLS 50 #1 
story FRANK CHO & DOUG MURRAY art AXEL MEDELLIN cover FRANK CHO Hot on the heels of his blockbuster New Ultimates run, FRANK CHO teams with Co-writer DOUG MURRAY (The 'Nam) and artist AXEL MEDELLIN (ELEPHANTMEN) to unleash a new universe-spanning sci-fi epic! Join in the fantastic voyage of the Space Vessel ESS Savannah and her beautiful crew as they fight their way from hostile aliens and exotic worlds, searching for the wormhole that will take them to their ultimate destination: Home. 

ALL WINNERS SQUAD BAND OF HEROES #1   
Written by Paul Jenkins Art by Carmine Di Giandomenico Cover by MICO SUAYAN It's World War II super-action as Captain America heads up a top-secret, all-hero unit of the U.S. military! But a mystery surrounding the Band of Heroes rears its ugly head in the present…and you won't believe how deep it goes. Join the wartime adventures of the toughest, most exceptional band of soldiers in American military history, in this series by acclaimed writer Paul Jenkins (SENTRY: FALLEN SUN) and rising star Carmine Di Giandomenico (INVINCIBLE IRON MAN ANNUAL, IRON MAN 2.0)! 32 PGS./Rated T+ 


AVENGERS CHILDRENS CRUSADE #6 (OF 9) 
Written by ALLAN HEINBERG Pencils & Cover by JIM CHEUNG THE SCARLET WITCH RETURNS WITH A VENGEANCE!  With her memory and her powers finally restored, The Scarlet Witch returns to Avengers Mansion for a revealing reunion with Clint Barton and a fiery reckoning with the Avengers that provokes the Beast, Jessica Jones, and the mutant detectives of X-Factor to join the crusade.  But will the Scarlet Witch continue the decimation she began in 'House of M'?  Or will she become the new mutant messiah? 32 PGS./Rated T+ 


CALIGULA #2 (OF 6) (MR) 
David (Crossed) Lapham unveils a new tale of ancient Rome and the most feared emperor of all time.  The one name that still speaks volumes of how absolute power can corrupt - Caligula.   After his assassination attempt goes horribly and horrifyingly wrong young Junius finds himself taken in by Caligula, who renames him Felix, meaning 'lucky one', and becomes the Emperor's pet, confidant, whipping boy, lover, apprentice, and biographer. Caligula lavishes money and women on Felix one minute than beats him the next. Felix must play along if he's to find out the secret behind Caligula's mysterious supernatural power over life and death. Virgin blood ceremonies, gladiator fights rigged for added brutality, and dinner parties where guests are randomly slaughtered, is there any limit to Caligula's depravity? Can Felix keep his focus and sanity in the face of so much misery and horror? A modern master of horror, Lapham digs deep into the world of Rome 37 AD and offers a unique epic of sin. Joined by new talent German Nobile who promises to serve up fully-painted pages dripping with blood, this all-new, full-color series will be six issues of evil that will make any Crossed fan smile with glee. For in the age of Caligula, all roads lead to Hell. Caligula #2 is available with a Regular cover by Jacen Burrows, a Wraparound cover by series artist German Nobile, and a special rare Golden retailer incentive.

EX MACHINA #41 (MR)
Written by Brian K. Vaughan Art by Tony Harris & Jim Clark Cover by Tony Harris It's the beginning of a new storyline - one that will finally reveal the true source of the Great Machine's strange powers! As New Year's Eve approaches, Mayor Mitchell Hundred makes a shocking announcement while the retired Super Hero's past returns to haunt Times Square. On sale April 22 • 32 pg, FC MATURE READERS


HERC #1 
The son of Zeus returns.


FLY #1 (MR)  
What if there was a drug that gave you the power to fly? How far would you go to possess it and who would you hurt to get your next fix? This is the story of Eddie Patron. Eddie was trying to live a normal life. A rundown broken life but a normal life nonetheless. But Eddie has a secret and that secret is coming back to haunt him and his life will never be the same again. From the mind of Raven Gregory, writer of Image Comics THE GIFT, the Wonderland trilogy and The Waking comes the latest brand new ongoing tale of horror and first tale of a world where the superheroes aren't heroes at all. Featuring 4 covers by superstar artists Ebas (Witchblade, Grimm Fairy Tales), Artgerm (Batman, Bird's of Prey), Eric J (JSA, Rex Mundi), and a Tyler Kirkham cover (Green Lantern Corps, Stryke Force, The Gift) as an exclusive. Don't miss what is guaranteed to be the hottest new series of the year! ONLY $2.99!!! As an added bonus retailers who order 20 copies of cover A get 5 additional copies free. 


HACK SLASH #5 CVR B ESQUEJO (MR) 
story TIM SEELEY art KYLE STRAHM cover B RODIN ESQUEJO  Guest-artist KYLE STRAHM (We Will Bury You) steps in as the skull-faced mystery woman Fantomah comes to Cassie and Vlad for help. But, what could a super powerful goddess, known for her horrible (yet creative) methods of tormenting evil doers, need with a teenage girl and a mutant with a machete? 


KIRBY GENESIS #1  
(W) Kurt Busiek, Alex Ross (A) Jackson Herbert, Alex Ross (C) Alex Ross (3 Covers, 33% Each), Ryan Sook (1-in-5), Paul Renaud (1-in-10), Dale Keown (1-in-15) KIRBY: GENESIS explodes into action! A message to space has been heard and answered -- but what has come to Earth isn't what anyone would expect! As cosmic visitors begin to be revealed to the world, a deadly battle begins -- and three ordinary people are caught up in it. Featuring: Captain Victory, Silver Star, the Glory Knights and more -- and this is just the beginning! Superstars Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross bring Jack 'King' Kirby's creations to life in a way you'll never forget! This is the beginning! This is the GENESIS!


LAST MORTAL #1 (OF 4) 
Story JOHN MAHONEY & FILIP SABLIK, art & cover THOMAS NACHLIK  Alec King is a born loser.  A small time criminal who has never succeeded at anything in life and whose fear of failure has crippled him. When his only friend, Brian, the brains and charm of their two-man operation, convinces Alec to help him with a hit contract on a mayoral candidate his life unravels to rock bottom. But sometimes we need to hit rock bottom to begin the climb towards a better day… 


MORNING GLORIES #10 
Story NICK SPENCER, art JOE EISMA, cover RODIN ESQUEJO  Since enrolling at Morning Glory Academy, perhaps no new student has been through more than Jade. But it turns out, sadly, this is one girl who is no stranger to pain and suffering - learn more about who she is, what she's been through, and what the Academy wants with her right here! 


RED MASS FOR MARS #4 (OF 4) 
story JONATHAN HICKMAN art & cover RYAN BODENHEIM 'FRATERNITY'-The smashing conclusion to the tale of Mars as the fate of the world hangs in the balance and the one person who could save the Earth must make his decision. SEPTEMBER 10 • 32 PAGES • FC


RUSE #1 (OF 4) 
Written by Mark Waid Art by MIRCO PIERFEDERICI Cover by BUTCH GUICE & MIKE PERKINS Variant Cover by MITCH BREITWEISER Renowned as the Victorian world's greatest detective, Simon Archard is the most intelligent of men. But when he crosses paths with the mysterious and enchanting Emma Bishop, has the smartest man in the world met his equal? Brought to readers by superstar writer Mark Waid (Amazing Spider-Man) and red-hot artist Mirco Pierfederici (Tron: Original Movie Adaptation), this is the new comic series that'll leave you breathless. 32 PGS./Rated T+


SIGIL #1 (OF 4) 
Written by MIKE CAREY Penciled by LEONARD KIRK Cover by JELENA KEVIC-DJURJEVIC Variant Cover by ED McGUINNESS In the war for forever, time is only an?obstacle. Warriors jump from century to century, their battlefields span all of history but have led them to a stalemate. But now a 16 year old girl from present-day South Carolina will turn the tide. The symbol on her chest makes her part of this war, but will she save us or damn all of creation? New York Times best-selling scribe Mike Carey (Age of X, The Unwritten) and Leonard Kirk (New Mutants) begin the next great comic epic. 32 PGS./Rated T+ 


SAMURAIS BLOOD #1 (OF 6) (MR)  
story OWEN WISEMAN art NAM KIM, MATTHEW DALTON & JESSICA KHOLINNE cover JO CHEN In an era when lineage defined you, three teenagers must make their way through the world hiding their identities in order to find their destinies. As their village burns behind them, they are headed for a city they'd heard about only in stories. The three young samurai must now struggle to stay alive and take vengeance on the evil usurper who has destroyed the rest of their clan and the only world they'd ever known. Will they rise on the tides of vengeance, or they will they fall on the swords of fate? 


SHIELD #1  
Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN Penciled by DUSTIN WEAVER Cover by GERALD PAREL Historical Variant Cover by DUSTIN WEAVER The most acclaimed book of 2010 is back in 2011! The second volume of S.H.I.E.L.D. has arrived and Jonathan Hickman (FANTASTIC FOUR) and Dustin Weaver (X-MEN) are making the second volume of S.H.I.E.L.D. even better than the first! In this issue, the secret history of Michelangelo. He has been pulling the strings for years and is now becoming the prime mover. Can he keep Da Vinci and Newton from killing each other and destroying the Brotherhood of the Shield? Don't miss this new start of the book that everyone is talking about! 40 PGS./Rated T+ 


THAT HELLBOUND TRAIN #1 (OF 3)  
Robert Bloch, Joe and John Lansdale (w) Dave Wachter (a) Menton Matthews III (c) Take a trip back in time on Robert Bloch's That Hellbound Train! Join Martin, an out-of-luck orphan, as he struggles to fulfill the American dream. As Martin comes of age, fate conspires against him at every turn. On the verge of giving up hope, our young protagonist is visited by a monstrous train, one whose conductor might just have a ticket to fame and riches... if Martin is willing to pay the price! Scribes Joe and John Lansdale (30 Days of Night: Night, Again) and artist Dave Wachter bring this unique tale of American folklore to life! 


WITCH DOCTOR #1 (OF 4)  
story BRANDON SEIFERT art & cover LUKAS KETNER HOUSE M.D. MEETS FRINGE IN THE FIRST SKYBOUND ORIGINAL FROM ROBERT KIRKMAN's NEW COMICS IMPRINT! Meet Vincent Morrow, a doctor looking for a vaccine... for the apocalypse! In this stand-alone first issue, a family needs Dr. Morrow's help with their son's illness: Demonic possession. But when Morrow attempts an experimental cure, he discovers the boy's disease isn't all spinning heads and pea soup - it's like nothing you've seen before! Horror gets a brain transplant in WITCH DOCTOR, the book WARREN ELLIS calls 'Mental.' 


WALKING DEAD #86 (MR) 
story ROBERT KIRKMAN art & cover CHARLIE ADLARD & CLIFF RATHBURN  How do we deal with what comes next?


WOLVERINE #1
Written by JASON AARON Penciled by RENATO GUEDES Cover by JAE LEE Variant Cover by STEVE MCNIVEN Variant Cover by PAUL SMITH Variant Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC Sketch Variant Cover by JAE LEE Blank Variant Cover also available! Acclaimed author JASON AARON (ASTONISHING SPIDER-MAN AND WOLVERINE, WEAPON X) and superstar artist RENATO GUEDES (Action Comics, Adventures of Superman) launch an all-new ongoing Wolverine series as Wolverine goes to hell… literally! Someone's out to destroy Wolverine-permanently-and they may have succeeded. But if Wolverine's soul is in hell, how is his body terrorizing those closest to him? 40 PGS./Parental Advisory 


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Exactamente un día después de mi cumpleaños, llegó a mi puerta el paquete de DCBS: 20 cómics nuevos que leería en tan sólo un par de días. Ahí van.


50 GIRLS 50 #1
Empieza el fantástico viaje del bajel espacial ESS Savannah y de su atractiva tripulación. Encontrarán extraterrestres hostiles y mundos exóticos.


ALL WINNERS SQUAD BAND OF HEROES #1    
El Capitán América lidera un grupo secreto en WWII.

AVENGERS CHILDRENS CRUSADE #6 (OF 9) 
Con su memoria y poderes restaurados, la Bruja Escarlata regresa a la mansión de los Vengadores. ¿Continuará la misión que provocó su caída o se convertirá en la nueva adalid de la comunidad mutante? 


CALIGULA #2 (OF 6) (MR) 
Tras sobrevivir a un intento de asesinato, Félix se convierte en el confidente de Calígula, en su mascota, en su aprendiz, en su biógrafo, incluso en su amante. Ceremonias con sangre de vírgenes, peleas con gladiadores y fiestas donde los invitados son asesinados al azar. ¿Hay límites para la  depravación de Calígula? ¿Podrá Félix mantener su cordura?


FLY #1 (MR)
¿Y si existiese una droga que te diera el poder de volar? ¿Qué tan lejos irías para conseguirla y a quién harías daño con tal de tener la próxima dosis? La vida de Eddie ha sido triste pero normal. Pero él tiene un secreto que lo acosa y ahora su vida no volverá a ser la misma… nunca más. 


EX MACHINA #41 (MR)  
Se revela el origen de los poderes de la Gran Maquinaria. 


HERC #1  
Regresa una vez más el hijo de Zeus. 


HACK SLASH #5    
¿Qué podría buscar una poderosa diosa en la agencia de una chica joven y su compañero, un mutante con un machete?


KIRBY GENESIS #1  
El mensaje espacial ha sido escuchado y respondido. Pero nadie podría imaginar lo que arribará a la Tierra. La llegada de los visitantes cósmicos da inicio a una batalla mortal. Y tres personas ordinarias se ven involucradas.


LAST MORTAL #1 (OF 4)  
King es un fracasado. Un criminal de poca monta que nunca ha dado el gran golpe. Cuando su único amigo Brian, el cerebro detrás de sus operaciones, le sugiere asesinar a un político todo empeorará.  


MORNING GLORIES #10  
Tal vez ningún otro estudiante ha padecido tanto como Jade. Pero resulta que Jade ya conocía el dolor y el sufrimiento. ¿Cuál es su pasado?


RED MASS FOR MARS #4 (OF 4)  
El relato de Marte llega a su conclusión. El destino del mundo está en la balanza: él único capaz de salvar la Tierra debe tomar una decisión. 


RUSE #1 (OF 4)  
Conocido como el más grande detective victoriano, Simon es el hombre más inteligente. ¿Qué sucederá si conoce a la misteriosa Emma? 


SAMURAIS BLOOD #1 (OF 6) (MR) 
En una era definida por los linajes, tres adolescentes deben descubrir su lugar en el mundo ocultando sus identidades para encontrar su destino. Cuando su aldea es incendiada se dirigen a una ciudad que conocen solamente por historias. Allí los tres jóvenes samuráis buscarán venganza.


SHIELD #1 
La historia secreta de Miguel Ángel… él ha estado actuando de manera encubierta todo este tiempo, pero ¿podrá evitar que Da Vinci y Newton se maten el uno al otro, y salvar así a la Hermandad de SHIELD? 

Avengers Children's Crusade

SIGIL #1 (OF 4)  
En la guerra por la eternidad, el tiempo es solamente un obstáculo. Los guerreros viajan de un siglo a otro, sus campos de batalla se extienden a lo largo de la historia pero siguen empatados en la lucha. Hasta que una chica de dieciséis años, en Carolina de Sur, entra en el conflicto. 


THAT HELLBOUND TRAIN #1 (OF 3) 
Martin es un desafortunado huérfano que lucha por alcanzar el sueño americano. Cuando está a punto de rendirse, este joven sube a un monstruoso tren que podría traerle riqueza y fama pero ¿a qué precio?


WALKING DEAD #86 (MR) 
¿Cómo sobrellevar lo que ocurrirá ahora?


WITCH DOCTOR #1 (OF 4) 
Conoced a Morrow, un doctor que busca una vacuna… para el apocalipsis. Cuando una familia necesita la ayuda del doctor para salvar a su hijo de una posesión demoniaca, la cura experimental de Morrow será letal.  


WOLVERINE #1  
Alguien quiere destruir a WOLVERINE para siempre. 

Caligula (David Lapham & German Nobile)

Power corrupts. We’re all aware of that. But how fast can it corrupt us? Junius, the protagonist of “Caligula”, had vowed to seek vengeance for the murder of her mother and siblings. He had gone through great efforts to breach into the emperor’s inner circle.

Cover / portada

And now, confronted with the Emperor of Rome, he’s unable to kill him. What happens next? Caligula bestows upon him the sobriquet Felix (“the lucky one”) and takes him to the races. As other emperors, Caligula was a gambler. And within the confines of the Roman circus, the people get hysterically enthusiastic about gambling. This fact has been documented by historians such as Suetonius: teams would bear a primary color and compete with each other, people would place bets, fortunes would be won and lost. 

Power & corruption / corrupción y poder

Felix is now drifting amidst the world of the rulers, the world of those not controlled by rules but by sheer desire. It is in that situation in which this young man must decide what to do about the man he had sworn to kill.

Violent, strong and erotically adventurous, the second issue of the miniseries by David Lapham and German Nobile shows us the horror of civilization and gives us a glimpse of the supernatural.

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El poder corrompe. Todos conocemos esa frase. ¿Pero qué tan rápido puede corrompernos? Junius, el protagonista de "Calígula", había jurado vengarse por el asesinato de su madre y hermanos. Había hecho todo tipo de esfuerzos para llegar al círculo interno del emperador.

Caligula & Felix

Y ahora, ¿qué sucederá al descubrir que no puede matar al emperador de Roma? Calígula le otorga el sobrenombre Félix ("el afortunado"), y lo lleva a las carreras. Como otros emperadores, Calígula era un apostador. Dentro de los confines del circo romano, el histérico pueblo se entusiasma apostando. Este fenómeno ha sido bien documentado por historiadores como Suetonio: diferentes equipos llevarían distintos colores, y competerían entre sí, la gente apostaría, y fortunas enteras serían ganadas o perdidas.

Sexuality / sexualidad

Félix está ahora a la deriva en el mundo de los gobernantes, en el mundo de aquellos controlados no por la ley sino por el deseo. Es en esta situación en la que el joven deberá decidir qué hacer con el hombre que había jurado asesinar.

Violento, fuerte y con cierta carga erótica, el segundo número de la miniserie de David Lapham y German Nobile nos muestra el horror de la civilización y nos da un vistazo a lo sobrenatural.