Time Codes: 00:00:33 - Introduction 00:03:04 - Baby, it's cold outside 00:05:38 - Generation Gone, Vol. 1 00:37:45 - Assassinistas #1 00:55:04 - Love and Rockets IV #4 01:20:02 - Wrap up 01:21:16 - Contact us This week Gwen and Derek take a look at three recent and exciting titles. They begin with the first trade collection of Aleš Kot and André Lima Araújo's Generation Gone (Image Comics). This initial volume establishes the premise of the intriguing series. The story focuses on three hackers who attempt to get into government systems, are discovered, and "infected" with genetic codes that give them supernatural powers. Gwen points out that, in some ways, this narrative is reminiscent of Katsuhiro Otomo’s Akira, although as Derek mentions, Kot and Araújo's world isn't anything post-apocalyptic. This first volume introduces what promises to be an engaging series and whets readers' appetites for what may follow. Next, the Two People with PhDs Talking about Comics turn to the first of two Hernandez-infused comics covered this week. The first is Gilbert Hernandez and Tini Howard's Assassinistas #1, part of IDW Publications' and Shelly Bond's Black Crown imprint. The debut issue introduces us to three former assassins, two of which -- at least as far as we know -- have left that life and are attempting to "go legitimate" and live a normal life. However, drama erupts when one of the team, Charlotte “Scarlet” La Costa, has her son kidnapped, bringing another team member, Octavia “Red October” Price, back into a life she thought she had left behind her. And what of the third member of this one-time trio, Rosalyn “Blood” Diamond?  Both of the cohosts enjoyed this title, although the paratextual material in the back of this issue, commentary from editor Shelly Bond, is a bit conspicuous and doesn't add much. Finally, Derek and Gwen wrap up by discussing the latest issue of Love and Rockets IV (Fantagraphics). This fourth issue picks up with the various storylines that both Jaime and Gilbert Hernandez have established going back to the previous Love and Rockets annuals. For Jaime, this means continuing the Princess Animus and Isle narratives, as well as giving us glimpses into both Maggie's and Hopey's pasts growing up in Hoppers. And then there's Derek's favorite part of this issue, a two-page focus on Ray that follows up on the events in The Love Bunglers. Gilbert's contributions gives us a brief glimpse into Killer's career choices, but there is also a Pipo storyline where this foundational character tries to come to terms with a relationship she once had in Palomar. In fact, in extended flashbacks, we're taken back to "classic" Palomar and characters we haven't seen for quite a while. But as Derek points out, one of the most striking things about this issue is that we see little of Fritz...and no mention at all of any Fritz imitators. A rarity in recent Love and Rockets issues!