Until next time–Peace…

DUDE! This is hella-awesome!! Thor’s pissed at the gods and humanity for various transgressions and decides to say to hell with it all and thrashes everything on an epic scale. This leads to his father, Odin, to start smackin’ his son around and show him the error of his ways. If you love mythology, battles, great art and, of course, Thor then you should pick this up and revel in this mighty good tale. Grade: A+

DC Comics: Justice Society of America – Kingdom Come Special: The Kingdom ( one-shot )

I don’t understand why this and the previous JSA Kingdom Come one-shots weren’t just told in the regular JSA monthly title but, like the previous two, this is a decent story (with fantastic art) that adds to the mystery and drama surrounding the god-like being, Gog, and how it affects the JSA as well as the rest of the world. Gog has granted “the heart’s desire” of several members of the JSA and some see it as a blessing while others are waiting for the other shoe to fall. The last page of this tale gives you an idea (which at least to me was obvious) of what’s coming. A pretty good story here but only pick it up if you’ve been reading the JSA Kingdom Come storyline already. Grade: B-

Marvel Comics: Hulk #8

You have two stories here in this issue, both second parts of ongoing storylines, one starring the Bruce Banner Hulk and the other starring the very crappy Red Hulk. The Banner Hulk story is better but I was at least entertained by the Red Hulk story. Jeph Loeb writes, if you want to call it that. The highlight of this whole issue is the phenomenal art by Arthur Adams and Frank Cho. Both men are kicking serious ass here. I just wish the writing was up to par. Please Marvel, I beg you, let the Green Hulk kill this Red Hulk. The character really really sucks! Grade: C

Cover of the Week: Batman #681

I hear that the current storyline in this book kind of sucks…but damn, that cover sure is purty!

Until Next Time–Peace…

This was actually very good but with writer Peter Tomasi (Green Lantern Corps) on hand I should have expected a good story.

Along with artist Fernando Pasarin, Tomasi gives us some background on one of the key characters from the epic Kingdom Come miniseries from 1996 as well as the current Kingdom storyline in the ongoing Justice Society of America. Lance Corporal David Reid was brought back from the dead by the god-like entity, Gog, several issues ago in JSA and turned into the superpowered Magog. Not only do we get backstory but a good and very timely story about a confrontation between superheroes and armed rebel sadists in the Congo. Pick up the book…it’s a flat-out good read. Grade: A-

Marvel Comics: Deadpool #4

This is very simple…this book is tons of fun! Humorous dialogue, slick art, blood, bullets and zombies all wrapped up in a superhero-ish package. Worth the buy! Grade: A

Dark Horse Comics: Conan the Cimmerian #5

I really, really miss writer Kurt Busiek and artist Cary Nord on this book. It seems to be lacking vitality throughout and I’ve never really felt that reading any Conan before. Writer Tim Truman, who has done other great things, just seems to not be hitting all of the buttons that need to be pushed. It’s very hard to put my finger on. Artist Tomas Giorello is a worthy artist but lacks that bit of grace and punch we got from Cary Nord. I just can’t recommend this book and it pains me. Grade: C- (very close to a D)

Cover of the Week: Fantastic Four #561 (variant cover)

Gotta love chimps!

Until next time— Peace…

F*ck one liners and gadgets! This Bond flick kicks ass!!

There is one reason you should buy this and it’s Alex Ross. The man is an unbelievably talented artist and he does the interior art in this thing front to back, not just the cover which he’s been doing mostly for a long while now. This book is beautiful!

If you haven’t been reading Justice Society of America then you might be a little lost. Basically, a much older Superman from a parallel Earth (the one from the most excellent Kingdom Come miniseries from 1996) has shown up on the DC Earth we usually deal with and has to come to terms that most of the allies he saw die on his Earth are very much alive on this one. This one-shot gives us some great moments that are wonderfully accentuated by the outstanding Ross art. He also wrote the thing as well. This is part one of a JSA Kingdom Come Special trilogy that adds to the great story happening in the regular JSA book. But, even if you aren’t following the story, pick this up for the art alone! Grade: A+

Marvel Comics: Wolverine #69 ( Old Man Logan part 4 )

Oh yeah, this story is still a lot of fun! Writer Mark Millar and artist Steve McNiven must be having a great time creating this story. To catch you up, the Marvel Universe has gone all to hell and it’s 50 years later. The supervillains won and divided America into quadrants ruled by particular baddies. Wolverine hasn’t given up his violent ways and just wants to take care of his family. Low on money to make the payment on his land he takes on a job with the now blind ex-Avenger Hawkeye to deliver some cargo to the east coast. They have run-ins with the Ghost Rider gang, the Kingpin and in this issue, the Moloids. Just a straight up cool read that’s superheroes mixed with The Road Warrior with a touch of the western flick Unforgiven. Definitely a fun read for those familiar with the Marvel Universe. The twists on what we know makes this worth reading. Grade: A

DC Comics: Green Lantern Corps #30

This title remains one of the best comics on the stands today. This issue is a lot quieter than previous issues but still gives you some good bang for your buck. This continues the saga of the expanding groups of ring bearers from the emotional/energy spectrum. The GLC go to the planet Zamaron, home of the Star Sapphire/Violet Lantern Corps, to spy under the disguise of diplomacy. They don’t like what they find being done in the name of “love”. And Kyle Rayner and other Corps members have a run-in with Kryb, a Sinestro Corps member who is murdering GLC members and their loved ones and abducting their infant children. Peter Tomasi has been writing his ass off on this book and Patrick Gleason is an artist with a fantastic visceral style that always makes this book find it’s way to the top of my read pile. Like I said, the issue is quieter than it’s been but still worthy of your moolah. Grade: B+

Cover of the Week: Marvel Comics – Magneto: Testament #3

This cover actually makes me feel sorry for the murderous bastard!

Until next time– Peace…

Written by Jimmy Palmiotti with art by Phil Noto, issue 1 of this 5 issue mini starts off with a Female Fury named Maelstrom who wants to become the queen of the evil ruler Darkseid and plans to do it by killing Superman. When she shows up on Earth she first encounters Supergirl and the aftermath of the battle takes a tragic turn. Pick this up. It apparently takes place before all of the Final Crisis crap, is devoid of excess continuity and has great art. Grade: A

Marvel Comics: Avengers – The Initiative ( one-shot )

I’ve stated before that the ongoing Avengers: The Initiative is one of the best titles that Marvel publishes and this one-shot is up to par. But I don’t really get why they just didn’t have this as part of the ongoing title. Written by Christos Gage with art by Steve Uy, this is a tale that concentrates on the romance between Initiative member, Hardball, and Komodo. Action, romance, origins and betrayal ensue. A good read. Grade: B

DC Comics: Trinity #23

This weekly series has been good most weeks and really good on some. This week’s issue….bleh! The cover’s cool though. Grade: D

Cover of the Week: A Tribute to Michael Turner (Aspen Comics)

RIP Mike…you are missed.

Until next time — Peace…

YES WE CAN!

….’nuff said.

Totally scare the shit out of your neighbors and then take their candy! Bwahahahaha!

Wow! Just freakin’ awesome and if you are not onboard with all things Green Lantern related then you are missing out. Geoff Johns writes one heck of a tale here that formally introduces us to the Red Lantern Corps, rage powered individuals who are sure to give the Green Lantern Corps one hell of a time. Shane Davis pencils this issue and the guy is unbelievable. There’s a splash page in this issue that rivals what Ivan Reis is doing in the main ongoing GL book. Buy this one! Grade: A+

Dark Horse Comics: Hellboy – In The Chapel of Moloch ( one-shot )

For the first time in years creator Mike Mignola does the art duties on a full sized Hellboy tale. It’s your basic Hellboy goodness which in many, many ways is better than anything on the stands today. Creepiness abounds in this tale of an artist in Portugal under supernatural influence with Hellboy out to save the day. Buy this one too! Come on…it’s Mike frickin’ Mignola!! Grade: A+

Marvel Comics: 1985 #6 ( of 6 )

This mini, to me, has been a lot of fun. It’s all about the Marvel Universe’s characters in the real world circa 1985. Havoc ensues. This issue has the big confrontation between the villains and the heroes. Since issue 3 I knew where writer Mark Milar and artist Tommy Edwards were going with this but it’s still been a cool read with the nostalgia of the 1985 Marvel Universe. Not a fantastic read but definitely a fun one. Grade: B

Cover of the Week: DC Universe – Decisions #4 ( of 4 )

with the upcoming election I just had to pick this one!

Until next time– Peace…

So far I haven’t cared much for this series. This is DC’s big event book for 2008 and the big completion to their “Crisis Trilogy” started with Crisis on Infinite Earths in 1986 and continued with Infinite Crisis in 2006. This one has been a little hard to follow and frankly, a bit boring, but thankfully this issue kicks it up several notches.

I’m not going to go into how overrated I think writer Grant Morrison is. He’s got some fantastic ideas at times but often his storytelling isn’t my cup of tea. This issue is the first thing I’ve liked from him since his days writing Justice League in the Nineties. As far as art goes on this book, J.G. Jones rocks! His visuals always deliver even if the story isn’t really there. Issue 4 here picks up a month after issue 3 when the Anti-Life Equation has been broadcast across the globe by the evil minions of the god-like Darkseid. His soldiers have enslaved much of the world’s population and the superheroes, Green Arrow, The Ray, Hawkgirl, Oracle, etc., are the last bit of resistance. It looks like evil has won. But the heroes have a hail mary pass that will hopefully turn the tide. Since the last 3 issues of this book really left a lot to be desired I have to give credit and say that this issue did entertain me and didn’t leave me scratching my head. Grade: B

IDW Publishing: G.I. Joe #0

IDW Publishing has taken over the comic side of this beloved 80’s franchise and here we are with a zero issue priced at 1 dollar that gives you a taste at where they are headed with the further adventures of G.I. Joe. You get three stories here previewing three Joe titles coming to your comic shop very soon and all three stories center on the popular character of Duke. I’m enthused to see what will be done with this and this issue is definitely worth picking up…the thing is only a buck! That’s great for these recession laden times!! Grade: B+

DC Comics: Superman – New Krypton Special one-shot

The last issue of Action Comics tied up the storyline that had Superman meeting the real Brainiac (not his robotic probes) for the first time and had a final page that was a punch in the gut….the apparent death of Pa Kent. I really thought that he was just injured and we’d see him recovering in the next few issues. Well, he’s gone. This one-shot begins with the funeral of Pa Kent and it is incredibly moving and beautifully rendered by master artist Gary Frank. You feel the pain of loss to Clark and Ma Kent as well as the rage felt towards Brainiac, who had launched a missile at the Kent farm in the final moments of the battle with Superman in Action Comics. Along with the family tragedy, Superman also has the issue of the Kryptonian city of Kandor. The city was a minituarized captive of Brainiac but during the battle was liberated by Superman and placed near the Fortress of Solitude before it expanded to normal size. Now, there are thousands of Kryptonians on Earth and Superman and some military types are wondering how to handle this new world-changing situation. Writers Geoff Johns, James Robinson and Sterling Gates and artists Gary Frank, Pete Woods and Renato Guedes give us a hell of a tale that lays the groundwork for where the Superman mythos is headed for issues to come. Very well done! RIP Johnathan “Pa” Kent. Grade: A+

Cover of the Week: DC Comics: The Family Dynamic #3 ( of 3 )

I know nothing about this comic but this cover caught my eye with it’s beautiful animated style!

Until next time– Peace…