Here's one comic book with a direct tie to a TV series that you won't be able to buy in any store -- Rage: Gay Crusader is available only as a free premium with an advance order of Queer As Folk -- The Complete Second Season.  Today's Miami Herald features an article on the Rage comic by Cary Darling, who notes that the comic comes directly from the Showtime cable TV series in which Michael (Hal Sparks) and Justin (Randy Harrison) create and market a gay superhero comic.

 

Rage: Gay Crusader features a cover illustration by veteran comic artist Jerry Ordway that recalls Michelangelo's Pieta.  Unfortunately for retailers, the comic is only available to consumers who order Queer as Folk -- The Complete Second Season, and there are no plans for any additional issues.  Of course overtly gay-themed comics have been published for years, and many readers, both gay and straight, enjoy ferreting out the supposedly gay subtext in all sorts of superhero storylines, but it is still unfortunate that the Rage comic, which declares itself a 'First Edition Collector's Item' on its cover will be unavailable to comic collectors unless they pre-order the Second Season of Queer As Folk.