Dark Horse Comics: Conan The Cimmerian #1

I personally think that Conan is one of the greatest characters ever created. He’s a man’s man. Able to handle any situation that comes up and will take all of the abuse his opponent can dish out all the while holding up his head defiantly while he holds a battle axe in one hand and a lusty wench with the other.

Robert E. Howard’s storytelling is visceral, imaginative and thrilling and for over 4 years Dark Horse Comics has done a splendid job bringing those tales to the paneled world of comics. This book always is one of the first that I will read the week it comes out so I was pretty excited about the next exciting chapter in the adventures of Conan. Two months ago the first series, which explored Conan’s first adventures in the civilized world, ended with #50, an issue that kicked major ass. This one (after a great zero issue a few weeks back) brings Conan back to his homeland of Cimmeria. Unfortunately, it’s pretty mediocre. Written by Tim Truman with art by Tomas Giorello (FANTASTIC!) and Richard Corben (quirky but great), Conan encounters Vanir raiders on the borderlands who quickly try to dispatch our hero. A mysterious stranger shows up and the raiders depart in fear. The stranger tends to Conan’s wounds and, knowing who Conan is, starts to tell a story about Connacht, Conan’s grandfather from back in the day. While the visuals are great but this story starts off incredibly slow. This is not a way to get new readers for Conan. If I was not a Conan fan and this was the first Conan story I ever checked out I would be very disappointed. I really hope the next issue slays me! Grade: C

Marvel Comics: 1985 #3 ( of 6 )

I picked up the first issue of this mini-series for two reasons: Mark Millar was the writer and the concept of Marvel superheroes and villains in the real world was intriguing. The first introduced us to a good kid from a broken home named Toby who discovers that supervillains from his comic books have come to the real world with malicious intentions. The second further elaborates on this including a smackdown between the Hulk and Juggernaut in the forest. The third is pretty much a full-on assault by the villains including a f#cked up scene with MODOK. I’m sure that the heroes are going to show up at some point to save the day but right now this series has some cool moments and that’s about it. Writer Millar has stated that this somehow ties into events in his Wolverine: Old Man Logan arc and what’s happening in Fantastic Four. Okay. But at this point this series seems pretty silly. Artist Tommy Lee Edwards is doing some great work here but it’s not for everybody. That’s his cover above but his art inside is much rougher. You either love it or hate it. Mark Millar has crafted some of the most fantastic stories in recent years but this just feels like a vanity project….I hope I’m wrong. Grade: B

DC Comics: Final Crisis - Requiem (one-shot)

If you’ve been reading Final Crisis you know that in issue 1 Martian Manhunter was killed by a group of supervillains. If I spoiled that for you then you must not be reading a single DC book. There are ads in nearly every title asking, “Where were you when Martian Manhunter was killed?” so if this is news to you, whoops. Now, on to this book. Manhunter’s death in Final Crisis #1 seemed anti-climactic. It kind of pissed me off. I’ve always thought that the character was really cool and unique and that this is no way to kill off a character that’s been a major part of the Justice League since the Sixties. This one-shot gives the Manhunter the death he deserves….tragic, brutal and meaningful. This is a must read whether you really dig Martian Manhunter or you never thought much of him. If you are the latter, this will show you why he matters. Writer Peter Tomasi and artist Doug Mahnke (doing great work here) show us the epic and heroic life of Manhunter J’onn J’onnz and the funeral has a very cool scene with Batman. Come on, pick this up. The dude was one of the major players in the JLA but also was a unique character that I will miss…until his resurrection (oh, comic books and their relationship with death). Grade: A+

Until next time–Peace…

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