Comic Books: March 2008 Archives

Strap yourself in.  It's a great week for comic books my friend.

Editorial by Mike Heronime
Descriptions by Midtown Comics

ABE SAPIEN THE DROWNING #3
Writer: Mike Mignola

Artist:Jason Shawn Alexander

Manufacturer / Publisher: Dark Horse

Description: "With his companions dead and the island of Saint Sebastien overwhelmed by the stuff of nightmares, Abe struggles to stay alive as he fights his way toward the eye of the storm� and the monster that hides within. Written by Hellboy creator Mike Mignola, and featuring the haunting art of Jason Shawn Alexander (Damn Nation, The Secret, The Escapists), Abe Sapien: The Drowning is�the story of Hellboy mainstay Abe Sapien�s first solo adventure."

Editorial:  A Wednesday without Mignola just isn't a Wednesday.  Thank goodness Mike showed up to make our day.  So far, Abe's story is proving to be the equal of every other title in the Hellboy universe.  And as much as I dig on Mike's writing, I'm just as thrilled with Jason Shawn Alexander's art.  Top notch.

ACTION COMICS #863
Writer: Geoff Johns

Artist:Gary Frank - Jonathan Sibal

Manufacturer / Publisher: DC

Description: "It�s the grand finale to the 6-part �Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes!� To save the galaxy, Superman and the Legion must clear the good name of Krypton�s Last Son, but to do that, they must defeat the greatest villains of their time: the JLA! Featuring a stunning �Superman and The Legion of Super-Heroes� cover plus a �Superman Triumphant� variant cover, both by Gary Frank!"

Editorial: Superman is stuck in a future without his powers and a planet of super heroes that are determined to put him down for good.  This has been a great Superman story and a great Legion of Superheroes story and even a great Justice League story.  No way I'm going to miss the exciting conclusion.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #555
Writer: Bob Gale

Artist:Phil Jimenez

Manufacturer / Publisher: Marvel

Description: "Month Four of Brand New Day is upon us and so is the worst blizzard in the history of New York City! It�s colder than an outdoor hockey game in January out there and your favorite Wall-Crawler (aided by his Avengers buddy, Wolverine) must find his way through the cold to rescue a doctor who may know the real secret behind the deadly storm."

Editorial: I'm always suspicious when they decide to include a Wolverine appearance in a non-Wolverine title.  It's not like Spider-Man needs the lift.  Or does he?  I've certainly been a fan of the new Spider-Man but maybe it's losing ground with other readers.  Who knows?  Wolverine can't hurt in any case.

CASANOVA #13
Writer: Matt Fraction

Artist:Fabio Moon

Manufacturer / Publisher: Image

Description: "Time sure flies when you're killing people. Over on the E.M.P.I.R.E. side of things, the surviving cast members do a head-count, bury the dead, mourn a little and plan on avenging an awful lot-- all of which screams BAD NEWS for Zephyr Quinn. Who, speaking of, enters into phase 2 of Newman Xeno's sinister plan over on the X.S.M. side of things. Just what the hell are they building on X.S.M. Island? And what does that have to do with Casanova Quinn's disappearance?"

Editorial: Let me start by saying that I don't think this arc has been as "good" as the first one.  But that's kinda like sayin' that the second Matrix wasn't as "good" as the first one.  It's certainly not bad.  Far from it.  But it's different in a couple of key areas.  Simply put, the first one seemed to be a lot more fun and this arc seems to be a lot more weird.  Not that there's anything wrong with weird.  But it's pretty weird, man.  Still, I'm not about ready to miss an issue.  Frankly, for that matter, I'm not going to miss anything done by Matt Fraction -- ie. Iron Fist -- or Fabio Moon for that matter.

DARK TOWER LONG ROAD HOME #2
Writer: "Robin Furth, Peter David"

Artist:"Lee, Isanove"

Manufacturer / Publisher: Marvel

Description: "Roland�s spirit is trapped inside Maerlyn's sinister Grapefruit and is taken on a terrifying journey to the outer reaches of End-World...to the harsh domain called Thunderclap! Back in Mid-World, Roland�s ka-tet is pursued by the Hambry posse which intends to kill them all before they are able to cross the Xay River on their journey home. Revenge will soon be at hand for Eldred Jonas and the Big Coffin Hunters. "

Editorial:  None of this makes sense to me, really.  I get enough to get by.  But I feel like someone who has never seen Star Wars before trying to make sense out of the last film (number three).  I'm just a sucker for Jae Lee.  And frankly, this is the best creative team he's ever been on (although Fantastic Four 1234 was pretty damn excellent with Morrison and whoever).  Point being, great Jae Lee art.  Wild and wacky story from Stephen King. Mystical cowpokes.  I've really got nothing to complain about here.

FRANK FRAZETTAS DARK KINGDOM ONE-SHOT
Writer: Mark Kidwell

Artist:Tim Vigil

Manufacturer / Publisher: Image

Description (from Comic Shop News # 1078): Writer Mark Kidwell offered a summary of the story he's developed from Frazetta's painting. "This first look into Frazetta's Dark Kingdom is an introduction to the legend of Red Morden," Kidwell said.  The writer describes Morden as a "seafaring berserker with flame red hair and dripping battle axe -- his name alone means terror on the high seas.  The story is set near the middle of Morden's life, at a time when everything he loves, everything that keeps him human and separate from his violent personae is endangered.

Editorial: The Death Dealer series (the first of the Frazetta Comics line) was pretty good.  The art was wild and woolly.  The story was okay.  Not any great twists or surprises.  But as stories of this ilk go, it's a thousand times better than that 10,000 BC pablum.  Besides, you've seen this painting by Frazetta before.  And haven't you been dying to know what's up with that.  I know I have.

KICK ASS #2
Writer: Mark Millar

Artist:John Romita Jr.

Manufacturer / Publisher: Marvel/Icon

Description: Sickening violence...just the way you like it. The most screwed-up superhero comic of all time continues in what's sure to be the most exciting launch of 2008. What would happen if you tried to be a super hero? What would happen when an ordinary man in a latex suit comes face-to-face with the criminal underworld? Read about super heroes like you've never seen them before and feel happy that you are living here right now when this book is being published. Your grandchildren will only envy you. Comics just don't get better than this.

Editorial: This is a pretty hard comic book to watch.  Like a bad train wreck. Millar is a sadist.  And he likes to torture us, the reader, as much as his protagonists.  If this story is going where I think it's going, there's going to be very little to feel good about when it gets to the end. Why do I want to invest the time and money in this? Does this make me a masochist? God, I hope not.  I'll just keep telling myself, I'm a fan.

LOGAN #2
Writer: Brian K. Vaughan

Artist:Eduardo Risso

Manufacturer / Publisher: Marvel Knights

Description: "The groundbreaking new mini�series from Eduardo Risso (100 Bullets) and Brian K. Vaughan (Y: The Last Man) continues!� Returning to the place that made him the man he is today, Wolverine faces off against an all-new enemy in an epic clash with a last page that has to be seen to be believed."

Editorial: There's a real trend this month with my buying comics because I believe in the creative team more than the title.  Dark Tower, Kick-Ass, Dark Kingdom, Casanova, and now, Logan.  I'm not a huge Wolverine fan.  Maybe if it wasn't such a cliche, I would probably be heavily into Wolverine.  I remember in the early Claremont/Byrne X-men issues, I thought Wolverine was all balls. And I think that's the way that Joss Whedon has played him in Astonishing.  Let's see how Whedon's buddy, Brian handles the chore.  Oh, and Eduardo Risso can do no wrong.  NO WRONG.

SECRET INVASION #1
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis

Artist:Leinil Franics Yu

Manufacturer / Publisher: Marvel

Description: "SECRET INVASION IS HERE!! Years in the making, months in the teasing...and it all STARTS HERE!! The shape-shifting alien race known as the Skrulls has secretly infiltrated every super-powered organization on Earth with one goal...full-scale invasion! In this DOUBLE-SIZED first issue, page after page unveils reveal after reveal and shocking moment after shocking moment! Brian Bendis and Leinil Francis Yu leap off the pages of mega-hit New Avengers and deliver a story that will change the Marvel Universe forever.THE MARVEL UNIVERSE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME!!"

Editorial: Here it comes.  The big event that Bendis has been building up to for the last year.  With Leinil Yu on the art, I know it's going to be great.  And as much as I feel like Bendis is just overexposed, I always get wrapped up in his stories.  I'm ready for this one.

TWELVE #4
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski

Artist:Chris Weston

Manufacturer / Publisher: Marvel

Description: "As the savage murders continue, and members of the Twelve come under a cloud of suspicion, tensions flare, and hero faces off against hero! Plus, the unbelievable origin of underground secret agent Rockman!"

Editorial: J. Michael Straczynski is making Twelve his Watchman.  At first blush, that seems kinda cheap.  But let's face it.  When you read Watchman, you think to yourself that more comics need to be written like that.  And the truth is that most writers don't have the chops.  JMS does.  I can't wait to pick up this issue.

Review by Mark Allen

The Twelve #1, published by Marvel Publishing, Inc., 32 pages, $2.99.

Heroes from a bygone era are placed in suspended animation, only to awake in a time not their own.  It’s become a cliche in the medium of comic books, but not so much so that it necessarily relegates a story to staleness.  The first issue of Marvel’s The Twelve proves it.

Writer J. Michael Straczynski provides an intriguing look at a group of lesser-known heroes from the Marvel Universe’s W.W. II era, giving fans a surprising amount of information for a first issue.  He does it all while keeping readers’ attention with an interesting plot and leaving them with a shocking twist on the final page.

The art of The Twelve is some of the best you’ll find in superhero comics, today.  Chris Weston’s style is highly realistic, incredibly expressive, impressively detailed and amazingly dynamic.  His characters have their own personalities and quirks, with no two bearing even a slight resemblance.  His heroes are heroic (at least, to the point that they are meant to be) and his villains are villainous.  In other words, “the good guys look like good guys, and the bad guys...,” well, you get the point. Gary Leach’s inks and Chris Chuckry’s colors just sweeten the deal.

If I were to compare Weston’s art with that of another well-known comic artist, it would be Dave Gibbons.  And, Chris’ work may look a tad better than the last few offerings I’ve seen from his colleague.  Long-time fans will recognize the lofty nature of such praise.

The first issue of The Twelve is recommended for older readers.

The Twelve, #0, by Marvel Comics.

This issue includes origin stories of Rockman, Laughing Mask and Phantom Reporter from comics’ Golden Age.  At least one of the stories (Laughing Mask) is reprinted for the first time.  Also included are character sketches and a preview of issue 1.  Recommended for all readers, but most especially those who seek affordable Golden Age reprints.

Reviews by Mark Allen

Editorial by Mike Heronime
Descriptions by Midtown Comics

ALL STAR SUPERMAN #10
Writer: Grant Morrison

Artist:Frank Quitely - Jamie Grant

Manufacturer / Publisher: DC

Description: Nothing can stand against the Man of Steel! The 2007 Eisner Award Winner for "Best Continuing Series" keeps getting better when the new issue of ALL STAR SUPERMAN explodes!

Editorial:  All-Star Superman is the highlight of an otherwise questionable offering of comics this week.  You can't go wrong with Superman stories written by Grant Morrison and drawn by Frank Quitely.  This entire series has been a demonstration of comic book greatness.  They're getting closer to the end of their run so we're probably in for some closure on Superman's imminent demise as well as Luthor's role in upcoming death of Superman.

NEW AVENGERS #39
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis

Artist:Leinil Francis Yu

Manufacturer / Publisher: Marvel

Description: The Secret Invasion is here! Award-winning artist David Mack brings his amazing talent to NEW AVENGERS to illustrate a major story in the life of Echo! Have the Skrulls infiltrated the Avengers? Is Maya Lopez the only one with proof? Will she live to tell the tale? All this and a major Avengers hook up!

Editorial: No Leinil Yu this month.  I guess he's busy with the Invasion.  So they brought on David Mack which I think means this will be a pretty esoteric issue.  Mack's art work is definitely innovative but it usually lacks the kind of intensity that you come to expect from this title.  We'll just have to pick up an issue and see how it goes.

SPIRIT #15
Writer: Sergio Aragones - Mark Evanier

Artist:Mike Ploog

Manufacturer / Publisher: DC

Description: Are diamonds really a girl�s best friend? It sure seems that way when the Spirit tracks a diamond smuggling ring through a beauty pageant!

Editorial:  I started collecting this series because it featured Darwyn Cooke's art and writing.  But the last few issues have been created by others.  This month's creative team is a repeat from last month.  Ploog and Aragones.  I remember these guys from the seventies.  They weren't bad back then.  But I wasn't blown away by their effort on this title last month.  This is basically the last chance I'm giving this title.  I hope it's a good issue.

ULTIMATE HUMAN #3
Writer: Warren Ellis

Artist:Cary Nord

Manufacturer / Publisher: Marvel

Description: "Continuing the ultimate collision between Iron Man and the Hulk! Who is Peter Wisdom, and what does he want with Tony Stark and Bruce Banner? And why can�t either hero tap into the powers of their alter egos? Be there as Warren Ellis (ULTIMATE GALACTUS) and Cary Nord (Conan) unleash the fireworks at Ironworks!"

Editorial: Warren Ellis and Cary Nord should mean great comics.  But the first two issues of this series have not been blowing me away.  I probably should have waited and picked up the trade paperback on this one.  But compared to the other titles available this week, this is a better bet than most.

Review by Michael Vance

Graphic Classics: Mark Twain/139 pgs. and $11.95, Eureka Publications/various artists and
writers /sold at book and comics shops, and at www.graphicclassics.com.

This collection adapts several of the lesser works of American novelist, Mark Twain, and
lesser is meant as a pejorative.

"Tom Sawyer Abroad" was written when Twain was in financial straits, and decided to cash
in on the fame of one of his best known character.  It is the longest piece offered,
features the best art, and reads almost like an Indiana Jones adventure as Sawyer sails
to exotic locals in a hybrid boat/balloon. But Abroad lacks the deep characterization
that made Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn artistically and commercially successful, and
is only mildly entertaining.

"The Mysterious Stranger" was a barely disguised, controversial discussion of religion,
and Twain wasn't much of a philosopher. The art is exceptional, but the theology is
silly.

This collection is recommended only for hardcore Mark Twain fans.

Michael Vance

Graphic Classics: Special Edition/61 pgs. and $6.95 from Eureka Publications/various
artists and writers/sold at book and comics shops, and at www.graphicclassics.com.

Bierce, Lord Dunsany, Conan Doyle, and Mary Shelley for free! If your local comic book
shop participates in Free Comic Book Day in May, this jewel is yours!

If you don't have a local comics shop, or one that participates, Special Edition will be
available at a later date from the publisher and selected outlets.

Free or not, it is worth your effort to find a copy of this "sampler" of other Graphic
Classics collections. Most of the adaptations are of horror short stories, and even Mary
Shelley's gothic romance is at least historically interesting. Most of the art is
reality-based and better than interesting.

This collection is recommended.

Michael Vance

Check out Dark Corridor #1 for two Michael Vance short stories at www.
mainenterprises.ecrater.com.

Interested in the exciting Oklahoma Cartoonists Collection & Toy and Action Figure
Museum? Try fourcolorcommentary. blogspot.com and www.youtube.com/watch ?v=eCARtM5BvvU.

Editorial by Mike Heronime
Descriptions by Midtown Comics

ABE SAPIEN: THE DROWNING #2
Writer: Mike Mignola

Artist:Jason Shawn Alexander

Manufacturer / Publisher: Dark Horse

Description: Supernatural forces converge on the island of Saint Sebastien as Abe finds himself alone against a century-old evil.

Editorial: Some of the very best comics today are written and/or drawn by Mike Mignola.  Hellboy, BPRD, Lobster Johnson, and now Abe Sapien, Mignola's newest Hellboy spinoff title.  Perhaps Mignola's most popular character aside from Hellboy himself, Abe Sapien continues to unravel an ancient evil in this second issue of his first series.  There are lots of comic books that you should passover and many that you should wait until they come out in a trade paperback.  But this is one you can't miss and shouldn't wait for.  Go!  Get a copy now!

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #553
Writer: Bob Gale

Artist:Phil Jimenez

Manufacturer / Publisher: Marvel

Description: More as Spidey battles the threat of Freak and his personal life falls apart around him.

Editorial:  Hopefully you've read Mark Allen's review of the first few issues of Brand New Day. If so, just know that I agree with every word.  Especially when it comes to the art.  I was very happy with the first two months of his book.  Now not so much.  Phil Jimenez has created many comic books in the past that I admired but I have no such feelings for his Spider-Man.  Bring back McNiven.

ATOMIC ROBO #6
Writer: Brian Clevinger

Artist:Scott Wegener

Manufacturer / Publisher: Red 5 Comics

Description: "Atomic Robo is trapped in an underground complex, his Action Scientists are captured, and he's surrounded by a vast army of reanimated cyborg soldiers. Things can only go downhill from there! Baron von Helsingard won't let a little thing like being killed seventy years ago stop his latest scheme to destroy Atomic Robo!"

Editorial: I've been picking up this series that is obviously heavily influenced by Hellboy (scientist discovers/creates powerful boy during WWII timeframe with a long history of adventures spanning the 20th century and working with a team of government agents to tackle strange occurrences around the world) mainly because I'm a sucker for robots and committed to supporting independent publishers.  There are still some rough spots on this title but overall, it's remained a shiny beacon in the dark and unpredictable world of independent comics.

BPRD 1946 #3
Writer: Mike Mignola & Joshua Dysart

Artist:Paul Azaceta

Manufacturer / Publisher: Dark Horse

Description: "Professor Bruttenholm and his team�as well as their Soviet allies�return to the asylum, hoping to find out more about Project Vampir Sturm. But a fatal encounter with one of the project�s subjects has done little to prepare the investigators for what lurks in the asylum�s halls�or the greater horror still to come."

Editorial:  More Mike Mignola.  What a great week.  Like I said before, you're crazy if you wait to follow these stories.  This is the kind of excellent storytelling that transcends the form.  Plus, BPRD has got Paul Azaceta (Talent, Potters Field), one of the hottest new artists around.

FANTASTIC FOUR #555
Writer: Mark Millar

Artist:Bryan Hitch

Manufacturer / Publisher: Marvel

Description: "Buy this issue for a first-look at mankind's new home. Also, the Torch gets nekkid with a super-villain."

Editorial:  I'm a huge fan of both mark Millar and Bryan Hitch.  Having both of these guys on my all-time favorite comic book title (betcha didn't know that) is like a dream come true.  And after reading their first issue (#554), I know I'm taking no risk is predicting Fantastic Four's rise back to the top of the sales charts.  This is great comics.

Review by Mark Allen

Amazing Spider-Man #'s 546-550, published by Marvel Publishing, Inc., 32 pages, $2.99.

For those who have yet to delve into the "Brand New Day" storyline in Marvel's The Amazing Spider-man, this is your spoiler warning: Go away NOW.

That said, allow me to express my excitement at what the publisher is doing with it's flagship character. Having gotten rid of Peter Parker's wife, Mary Jane (No time to tell you how - go ask a comic book retailer or fan about "One More Day."), and re-established him as a single man, Marvel has increased the possibility of many more interesting relationship dynamics, which is part of what made the character much more interesting 20 years ago.

Additionally, the creators have wasted no time ramping up the drama with fascinating goings-on in the super-hero's life. Let's sum up: J. Jonah Jameson has lost the Daily Bugle to a competitor, and is lying in a hospital bed. There are two new, and very intriguing, villains giving Spidey a lot of trouble, and one of them spends time disturbingly close to Peter's Aunt May in his "alter ego." Old spider-tracers (tracking devices used by Spider-man) are turning up on murder victims around New York. And, as if all of that weren't enough, one of the most notorious crime families in the Marvel Universe has made the do-gooder one of their favorite people, adding to his already-dismal public approval ratings.

The first three issues of the now-thrice-weekly series were written by Dan Slott and drawn by Steve McNiven (one of the best Spider-Man artists in a long time, in my opinion), with issues 549 and 550 written and drawn by Marc Guggenheim and Salvador Larroca, respectively. Herein lies the only problem I see with the book. Changing up creative teams every three issues could make Amazing difficult to follow for fans, especially where varying art styles are concerned. My advice: Go back to a monthly schedule and one creative team.

Amazing Spider-Man is still recommended for older teens and up.

Mark Allen

Editorial by Mike Heronime
Descriptions by Midtown Comics

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #552
Writer: Marc Guggenheim

Artist:Salvador Larroca

Manufacturer / Publisher: Marvel

Description: "BRAND NEW DAY continues with two new web-slingin� creators: Oscar-nominated screenwriter Bob (Back to the Future) Gale and artist extraordinaire Phil (NEW X-MEN, Infinite Crisis) Jimenez! What starts as a petty theft from a local Soup Kitchen turns into a chase that results in the birth of a brand-freaking-new Spidey villain � and we mean �Freak� literally! Plus: more JJJ! More Daily Bugle � oops, we mean DB! Repercussions from the actions of new villain, Menace! Curt Connors! And � what you�ve really been waiting for, true believer � Peter Parker does his own laundry! Will those stains come out? And what ARE those stains anyway? Find out in �Just Blame Spider-Man!�"

Editorial: The first two months of a brand new day (how stupid does that sound?) have been pretty great.  Let's see how the next creative team of Gale and Jiminez will handle the pressure.

CASANOVA #12
Writer: Matt Fraction

Artist:Fabio Moon

Manufacturer / Publisher: Image

Description: "As Sasa Lisi unravels the mystery of Casanova's disappearance, the girl with the most daddy issues in the world comes gunning for daddy's secret spy moon base in a no-holds-barred bloodbath. All hell breaks loose as Zephyr and her psychotic boyfriend Kubark Benday come to E.M.P.I.R.E. to settle some family scores. And by ""settle some family scores,"" we mean "kill everything that moves." Find out why GQ calls CASANOVA, ""Devastatingly geeky – and brilliant."""

Editorial: For off-beat wackiness, this comic book can't be beat by anything on the shelf.  If you liked Warren Ellis' Nextwave, then you'll love Casanova.  Matt Fraction has been outstanding with Ed Brubaker on Iron Fist but here on Casanova, he holds nothing back.  Plus, Gabriel Ba's buddy, Fabio Moon is totally delivering the goods with his stylized approach .  And giving Gabriel Ba's Umbrella Academy a run for its money in a contest for who's the most stylish stylizer?  You can start complaining at any time.

DARK TOWER LONG ROAD HOME #1
Writer: "Robin Furth, Peter David"

Artist:"Lee, Isanove"

Manufacturer / Publisher: Marvel

Description: "It�s the return of the best-selling comic book series, inspired by Stephen King�s epic The Dark Tower! Gunslinger Roland Deschain has seen the death of his lover Susan Delgado. And the Big Coffin Hunters who burned her at the stake are now in pursuit of Roland and his ka-tet Cuthbert and Alain. The friends are forced to flee into the desert with the deadly posse in hot pursuit�.and Roland is in a coma! Don�t miss this opening chapter starring the Gunslinger whose quest for the Dark Tower will shake the foundation of reality itself!"

Editorial:  So, you got some kinda problem with Stephen King, Jay Lee, Peter David, and Richard Isanove?  How do you beat a team up like that?  Even Robin Furth, who is probably an unknown to most comic book readers is basically a Stephen King mini-me.  The first arc on Dark Tower was a visual masterpiece complemented with dialog spoken in a language that seems old and new all at the same time.  Packed with extra content, it was a no-brainer to pick up each issue last time around.  I expect this time -- more of the same...  maybe even better.

DC THE NEW FRONTIER SPECIAL
Writer: Darwyn Cooke

Artist:Various

Manufacturer / Publisher: DC

Description: "Celebrating the DVD release of the New Frontier movie comes this collection of never before seen stories including �New Frontier: The Lost Chapter,� with script and art by Darwyn Cooke! This tale provides a first-hand look at Faraday�s quest to outlaw masked vigilantes, culminating with the day Superman goes to Gotham to bring down Batman. Also included are two back-up stories featuring Wonder Woman, Black Canary, Sgt. Rock and others, as well as behind-the-scenes bonus material from the movie!"

Editorial: Darwyn Cooke can do no wrong as far as I'm concerned.  I just picked up the DVD.  haven't watched it yet.  Hopefully tonight.  Anyway, the original run was tremendous so anything created in this camp will get my attention.  If you haven't experienced Darwyn Cooke yet, do yourself a favor and pick up DC New Frontier, The Spirit, and anything else you can find with his name on it.

LOGAN #1
Writer: Brian K. Vaughan

Artist:Eduardo Risso

Manufacturer / Publisher: Marvel Knights

Description: "Superstar artist Eduardo Risso (100 Bullets) joins critically acclaimed writer Brian K. Vaughan (TV's LOST, Y: The Last Man) for a unique take on the man who's the best there is at what he does. Finally armed with long-lost memories from his past, Wolverine returns to one of his first battlefields to settle an old score in an all-new adventure with a shocking revelation about the man known as Logan."

Editorial: If you've ever read 100 bullets, I'm sure you were looking at Risso's art and going "this guy would draw a mean Wolverine."  Well, tah-dah!   Now he's gone and done it.  Along with master storyteller Brian K Vaughn.  I'm not the kind of comic book collector to go out and buy everything with Wolverine on the cover  (who could afford it?) but this is one Wolverine story I won't miss.
 
SCUD THE DISPOSABLE ASSASSIN #22
Writer: Rob Schrab

Artist:Rob Schrab

Manufacturer / Publisher: Image

Description: "�CHALLENGE OF THE OVER-USED MUSE,� Part Two�After Scud is hired by Heaven to destroy the world, he and Drywall attack VOO-DOO BEN�S office at Scudco. Deep inside the robot factory, Scud�s monster primary target, JEFF, waits for revenge. Scud 22 climaxes with a battle royal between Scud, Drywall, V.D. Ben, Jeff and three dozen disposable assassins."

Editorial:  Look.  I'm a sucker for robots.  And Schrab's art is definitely wacked out.  Lately, there's been a movement to make comics fun again (Casanova, Marvel Zombies, Umbrella Academy, Nextwave, Zombies vs Robots, Modok's Eleven, Atomic Robo, The Irredeemable Ant Man, just to name a few) so the time is ripe for Scud to make a comeback.

TWELVE #3
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski

Artist:Chris Weston

Manufacturer / Publisher: Marvel

Description: "How will your now-elderly family react when you return to them after an absence of 63 years? That�s the crisis of the soul faced by Mister E, and an emotional confrontation that shines a spotlight on secrets about his past and heritage. Plus, the origin of the Fiery Mask! And golden age Zombies!"

Editorial: Another recent trend in comics is the retro team. Alan Moore's Watchmen laid the ultimate foundation for this approach. Pull together a bunch of Golden/Silver/Bronze Age heroes and make them cool again. So if you liked Watchmen, the Invaders, Agents of Atlas, Dr. Thirteen, and Project Superpowers, you'll feel right at home reading Twelve.

ZOMBIES VS ROBOTS VS AMAZONS #3
Writer: Chris Ryall

Artist:Ashley Wood

Manufacturer / Publisher: IDW Publishing

Description: "The war between the starving zombies and the surviving robots has overrun an island once filled with Amazon warriors. Now, a small band of survivors tries to stave off the inevitable in this concluding issue of the greatest, most ridiculous of team-ups, courtesy of Chris Ryall and Ashley Wood. "

Editorial:  Like I said before, I'm a complete sucker for Robots.  In this case, Zombies and Amazons are just icing on the cake.  And any cake baked by Ashley Wood is definitely going to get me asking for desert.  If you are looking for a comic book that makes sense, don't look to this one.  But if you're into lots of gratuitous sex and violence, what are you waiting for?  Robots fighting Zombies fighting Amazons. Badabing.