4 out of 5

Just trying to give credit to whomever wrote the copy for the previews, and Claydon’s name appears as contact info inside.  WHO KNOWS?

But anyway: yay, another Titan Comics preview.  I think I mentioned in the 2013 one that I was hoping they kept this up, so obviously they read my review and thus it is so.  It’s still a very quality collection – nice write-ups for each upcoming book that give you a fair breakdown of what to expect, and some scattered page samples for about half of the material – along with a handy contents overview (covers of each book) and a backlist of previous titles.  The only real reason that I knock this down a star is because the tone has changed somewhat.  Titan has been around for a bit with licensed material, but last year was their first foray (I believe) into original titles, so the preview has a certain exuberance about it, and everything included was new.  2014 has plenty of new material, but we’ve also entered into a second phase where we’re hawking collections of 2013’s titles and ‘previewing’ some material that’s been out.  Also, landing a major license like Doctor Who tips the book away from feeling like its creator-owned and closer to an IDW / Boom / Dynamite-type model where we’re working within the TV / movie world.  So 2013 was the youngster, 2014 is more of the eager businessman.  It reads a bit closer to the sales pitch that these previews usually are.

However, I’m walking away with a free, well-produced book that’s given me a handful more of titles I plan to pick up when they drop, so once again, the main mission has been accomplished.