Damn, I love this book and I love the hell out of the cover above!

Written by Greg Pak with art by Clayton Henry we find our hero, Hercules, and his pal Amadeus Cho taking a little down time on an island in the Pacific that also happens to be a hangout for Amazon warriors. These Amazons are packing heat and are in heat, looking for a male worthy to sire their next generation. There’s great action and humor throughout the issue and, as I’ve said in previous reviews of this title, I don’t mind at all that Hercules has taken over this old Hulk title. Pak’s writing is fresh and makes this book one of the firsts I read the week it comes out. Henry’s art is fun and action packed and the man can draw some sexy ass Amazons. The only thing I didn’t like about this issue was that it seemed kind of short. But still very cool. Thanks to this book, Hercules is quickly becoming one of my favorite characters around. He’s as cool as Wolverine but without all the brooding. Grade: B+

Red 5 Comics: Atomic Robo – Dogs of War part 2 ( of 5 )

Man, I so want to see a team-up book with Atomic Robo and Hellboy. They would fit together so nicely. Anyhoo, this second issue of the second volume from writer Brian Clevinger with art by Scott Wegener is a super fun read with the WWII adventures of Atomic Robo, on a mission to stop the Nazis and their “Laufpanzers” –walking tanks. The action is no holds barred as Robo goes after Laufpanzer after Laufpanzer with help from the G.I.s around him. It’s nothing deep but if you want an entertaining read then you can’t go wrong with Atomic Robo. Grade: A-

DC Comics: Action Comics #869

Thank you comic book gods for giving us writer Geoff Johns! The man is a force to be reckoned with and knows these DC characters in and out and tells fantastic stories that showcase the characters strengths and weaknesses in perfect form. This issue is part 4 of the Braniac storyline that has Superman confronting the real Braniac, not the probes that he has dealt with before. In the previous issues he learned the details of the fate of the Kryptonian city of Kandor, how Braniac captured the city and triggered the destruction of Krypton and has been doing the same thing all over the universe. So, Supes went looking for Brainiac and found the real deal but now the evil bastard has brought his ship to Metropolis so he can do the same thing to it and to Earth that he did to Krypton. This issue is great as you see Superman face Brainiac head on all the while Metropolis residents panic and Daily Planet workers deal with the Brainiac probes in some, what I like to call, “OH YEAH!” moments. Artist Gary Frank is stupendous in this issue and I hope he stays on forever. Awesome awesome awesome! Grade: A+

Until next time—Peace…

Anybody who has read these posts in the past know that I’m a Hulk geek. I just can’t get enough of the green guy whether it’s an all out smash fest or we are delving into the psychology that is Banner/Hulk.

The movie out this Friday (June 13) is getting some great reviews and that the flick is 10 times better than the Ang Lee snooze-arama that we got in 2003. This Hulk smashes and smashes and smashes. And it is said that this is really starting to expand the cinematic Marvel Universe even further (there’s a cameo by Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark). Can’t freakin’ wait to see it! Now, I will tell you that you should pick up the latest issue of Green Lantern Corps and Action Comics–both are hella-awesome. But in celebration of the Hulk flick, here are reviews for two Hulk books out this week….

This is a one-shot featuring some great Hulk smashing and is drawn by Mitch Breitweiser who I would hope to see doing more Hulk projects. The back up tale in this is a reprint of and old Fantastic Four story and might be something you want to skip. That’s the drawback of this oneshot. They could have charged 2.99 instead of 3.99 and given us more of the new Hulk tale. Grade: B-

Dude, this is badass! Spinning out of events of the Planet Hulk storyline (if you didn’t read it you really missed out on a great Hulk story), we get to see the offspring of Hulk and his ladylove Caiera kicking ass all over the planet Sakaar. And Ron Garney delivers kick-ass art. Grade: A

GO SEE THE INCREDIBLE HULK!!!

Until next time–Peace…

Wow, I really liked this issue! I have had some mixed feelings since the departure of the original creative team of writer Kurt Busiek and artist Cary Nord leaving this book last year. Writer Tim Truman was giving us cool story with Conan versus a demonic army in “The Hand of Nergal” but Tomas Giorello’s art, while very good, just didn’t seem to be measuring up to the story.

I should have known that a guy with that kind of talent just had to find his groove and he has found it in this final issue concluding the tale of “Nergal” and ending the series on a high note. Now Conan will be back with an all new series in June called “Conan the Cimmerian.” The current series was all about Conan discovering civilization and becoming a thief and the new series will be about Conan returning to Cimmeria and becoming an even better barbarian. Back to this issue….just buy it…you’ll love it! Grade: A

Marvel Comics: The Invincible Iron Man #1

Here we have Marvel cashing in on their new golden boy, Iron Man, since he has a hit movie (which is AWESOME!) and is on his way to becoming a household name. Iron Man already has one book (Iron Man: Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.) on the stands so does he really need another monthly title? I’m not really sure but this issue was actually very cool. Writer Matt Fraction really knows how to write an interesting tale delving into the super and not so super (but very rich) life of Tony Stark and Salvador Larocca’s art is amazing. The story involves what appears to be a terrorist attack in Africa caused by persons using Stark’s technology. It’s a great first issue and you couldn’t ask for a better creative team. Grade: A

DC Comics: Action Comics Annual #11

Okay, DC Comics usually does a decent job of getting books/storylines out on time but this annual concludes a story started in Action Comics over a year and a half ago. We were cruising along with this story, written by Geoff Johns and Richard Donner with art by Adam Kubert, about a Kryptonian boy arriving on Earth and Superman taking the child in only to find out that he is actually the son of evil Kryptonian General Zod. Zod and crew were imprisoned in the Phantom Zone but manage to find a way out and, with a large group of Kryptonian baddies, wreak lots of havoc in Metropolis. And then, we get a year of stories that have nothing to do with this storyline…we are left in limbo. Well, here is finally the conclusion to that and it’s pretty good but not great. If it have been on time and they kept the momentum up somewhat on the story I think I would have liked this more. I’m a huge Superman fan and I think General Zod is a fantastic baddie for Supes but this all felt a little flat. Dear DC, please have Geoff Johns be the sole writer on this book and make Gary Frank the artist….permanently. While Frank was on this book it just kicked so much ass! And while having a big name movie director like Richard Donner might sound like a good idea, it usually isn’t due to it will likely mean big delays in the book and cause confusion in continuity. Just ask Marvel’s boss, Joe Quesada. He thought it was a good idea to have director Kevin Smith write a Spider-Man mini and it ended up being over 3 years between issues. And then there’s “Lost” creator Damon Lindelhof writing a Hulk vs. Wolverine mini. We saw the first 2 issues over 2 years ago….nothing since. So, this issue is just okay. Grade: C+

Until next time–Peace…

Writer Geoff Johns is a comic book writing god! The guy delivers the goods whether writing Superman, Green Lantern, The Justice Society or pretty much anything. I’m convinced that he could write a My Little Pony comic and make it kick all kinds of ass!

Anyway, this issue is the conclusion to the fantastic Superman and the Legion of Superheroes storyline and along with superb artist Gary Frank we get a very satisfying read. The action is intense and the dialogue perfect. Grade: A+

Marvel Comics: Secret Invasion #1 ( of 8 )

Here it is….Marvel’s big Summer event, beating DC to the punch by a month. It’s freakin’ awesome! Writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Leinil Yu pull out all the stops for a satisfying first issue. In case you haven’t been reading a Marvel book (or this column either), the alien shape-shifters, the Skrulls, have infiltrated Earth with plans on invasion. Already we have had characters such as Elektra and Black Bolt revealed over the past few months but in this issue we get some pretty big reveals along with some great action. Can’t wait for issue 2! Grade: A

DC Comics: The Trials of Shazam #12 ( of 12 )

This book was actually supposed to be a year long mini-series but ended up taking over a year and a half, I’m assuming due to problems with the artist, John Porter. The artist on the last and on this issue is Mauro Cascioli and, even though Porter did a decent job, I wish he had been there from the beginning. The guy’s art is gorgeous! Writer Judd Winick ties up this tale of a battle over magical powers neatly and it guest stars the Justice League to boot! Grade: B+

Until next time–Peace…

The buzz around this comic has been substantial but I didn’t pay much attention to it as there have been some “letdowns” lately (coughUltimates3cough). This book, although the first issue is a setup issue, freakin’ ROCKS!

We’re introduced to Dave Lizewski, your typical High School teenaged comic book geek, who’s mother died of an aneurysm and he has a caring hardworking father and fanboy friends who stand by his side but also chide him as close friends will do. Dave finds escape from the sadness of losing his mother and his mundane life as the geeky kid by rabidly reading his comics and he has an epiphany. Why not live the exciting life of a superhero? Which he sets out to do in disastrous fashion. Writer Mark Millar and artist John Romita Jr. have set this for all intents and purposes in the real world, giving us the wish fullfillment that some of us comic book geeks had growing up, going to school and dealing with the social clicks that can alienate and empower all at the same time. The story is violent, funny and one of the best first issues I’ve read in a while. Grade: A

DC Comics: Action Comics #862

Writer Geoff Johns and artist Gary Frank continue their story of Superman teaming up with the Legion of Superheroes in 3008 A.D. as they face a very corrupt Justice League. The League is comprised of superpowered individuals that have Earth believing that Superman was actually an Earthling and have helped cause the banning of aliens on the planet. This issue has some great action as Supes and crew take the fight to the League’s space station with help from the Legion of Substitute Heroes, a group of misfits whose powers are weird or somewhat impractical. In the first issue when Superman comes to 3008 he discovers that he is slowly losing his powers due to an apparent accident that turned the sun red. We learn in this ish what really happened and gives us a cool cliffhanger. Can’t wait to read more. And I’m still blown away by Gary Frank’s art, especially the way he draws Superman. It’s almost a dead-on likeness of Christopher Reeve. I know he’s probably leaving the book after this arc and that’s a real shame–he gives this a lot of pop! Grade: A+

Movie Review: Justice League-The New Frontier

This is the best superhero animated feature ever! The depiction of the Silver Age versions of our favorite DC heroes, just as it was done in DC: The New Frontier on which this is based, is pure awesomeness. I’m a big fan of Kevin Conroy, the voice of the animated Batman since the early 90s animated Batman, but Jeremy Sisto gives a great voice to this Silver Age Batman. BUY IT AND BE A HAPPY FANBOY OR FANGIRL!! Grade: A+

Until next time–Peace…

The conclusion to the 3 part Bizarroworld storyline by writers Geoff Johns and Richard Donner with art by Eric Powell is something you are either going to love or hate depending on how you feel about the character of Bizarro. Personally, I’ve always liked the character when he’s handled well.

There have been many ways he’s been depicted–from comic relief to a nearly mindless monster. This is somewhere in the middle and I think it works. This issue is great because you get to see a Bizarro Justice League drawn by Powell as well as a a couple of villains. The moments between Clark and his father are well done as well. But the story still did seem a little flat in places so I can’t give it a high score. Grade: B-

DC Comics: Green Lantern Corps #17 (Part 9 of the Sinestro Corps War)

The Sinestro Corps storyline, in my opinion, is the best “Big Event” story DC comics has done in years and this issue is a thrilling chapter. The Green Lantern Corps have been authorized by the Guardians to use lethal force to stop the onslaught against Earth by Sinestro’s yellow ring-bearing army and they cut loose. There is a scene in this book where a GLC member brings a Navy ship down on one of the Sinestro soldiers and it is SWEEET! The ending gives us a tease for one hell of an upcoming battle that I can’t wait to read. And there has been some clues dropped that this all ties into DC’s weekly comic Countdown all relating to “The Great Disaster”. Grade: A

Dark Horse Comics: Star Wars: Dark Times #6

Star Wars comics are pretty much for the die-hard Star Wars fan so if you are one of those, as I am, then you should check this book out as it is the best of the Dark Horse Star Wars line. A five issue storyline has just wrapped up but the adventures of those characters involves continues in the last half of this issue. But what I really liked about this was the first half which Jedi Master K’Kruhk (a fan favorite character from the previous comics) is faced with the horrors of Order 66, the annihalation of the Jedi order. Of course we know that a few Jedi escape and K’Kruhk is one of them. The depiction of Order 66 in this issue is hardcore. The troopers gun down younglings without mercy. The art, while not as realistic and detailed as Doug Wheatley’s from the previous issues, is still great and made this a good comic. Grade: B

Until next time–Peace…

Writers Geoff Johns and Richard Donner (Director of Superman: The Movie) and artist Eric Powell have created a nifty tale here of Superman trying to rescue Pa Kent from Bizarro.

Two things make this issue work–the great painted art from Powell that has a bit of a cartoonish quality to it but still totally works for this story and the other thing is a scene a little past the middle of the issue that is a tender flashback to a moment in the life of a young Clark Kent and Pa Kent. I love the great action sequences in a Superman book but those little pieces of Americana seen through the eyes of an all powerful alien are what makes Supes special. He embraces who he is as a hero but he longs to be one of us, something he can never really be. On the other end, Superman is the moral ideal of humanity–willing to do the right thing always. Oh sorry, I’m rambling….this is a great issue and worth the buy. Grade: A

Marvel Comics: Avengers-Initiative #5

Another great issue of a title that spun out of Marvel’s Civil War. The government organization, The Initiative, creates a special tactical team in this story to save some of it’s recruits who went in without orders to try to take down the Hulk (this all stems from events in The Incredible Hulk storyline World War Hulk, which you should be reading) and got their asses handed to them. The Initiative wants these recruits retrieved, dead or alive, from the Hulk’s base of operations so they create a team consisting of Trauma, Constrictor, Bengal, Mutant Zero, and the Scarlet Spiders. There are some awesome action scenes and some funny stuff amidst all the punching and superpowering. Grade: B+ Marvel Comics: Silver Surfer-Requiem #4 (of 4)

J. Michael Straczynski sure can write one hell of a moving superhero story and he does that here in the finale of this stupendous Silver Surfer mini-series. And artist Esad Ribic is right up there with Alex Ross, in my opinion, as one of the greatest comic book painters. His art is simply beautiful and the images in this issue are iconic. The series is all about the imminent death of the Surfer–the protective silver shell around his body is disintegrating and his Power Cosmic is going with it. In this issue he makes it back to his home planet of Zenn-La, the planet he saved from Galactus by becoming his herald, and his people welcome him back with love and adoration. This is not the book to pick up if you’re looking for action. If you’re looking for a beautiful tale that brings the story of a Marvel Icon full circle then you need to get this and the three issues that came before it now. It’s one of the best stories I’ve read all year. Grade: A+

Until next time–Peace….