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…

Captain America #41

Still one of the best Marvel books for your money!

Conan The Cimmerian #2

A much better second issue with a cool ass ending!

The Incredible Hercules #120

This is in the top 5 of best Marvel books!

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…

Ever since the introduction of this character (Orson Randall) in the first storyline of the ongoing Iron Fist book, I’ve looked forward to finding out more about him. This excellent one-shot gives us a really cool story of Danny Rand’s predecessor’s battles and dealings with the Prince of Orphans in the 1920s and on.

Written by Matt Fraction with art by Mike Allred, Russ Heath, Mitch Breitweiser and others is one of the most refreshing comics Marvel has put out in the past few months. The story is broken up into four parts which respectively deal with four different story styles–pulp action, western, horror and a globe trotting “indiana jones-ish” style. The Prince of Orphans, a warrior linked with the Seven Capital Cities of Heaven, is on the hunt for Iron Fist Orson Randall, who refuses to takes part in the mystical tournament involving the Cities of Heaven. The story pops along and makes me wish that Marvel would give this character his own ongoing series set in the time period of the Golden Age of comics. Grade: A

Dark Horse Comics: Conan #49

I do miss writer Kurt Busiek and artist Cary Nord on this book but the current team of Tim Truman and Tomas Giorello are doing a fine job and this issue is proof of that. This continues the tale of Conan’s journey back to Cimmeria with his current “pit stop” of helping an army against a demonic horde. The art makes this worth buying. Giorello has his own style that is just as beautiful and visceral as Cary Nord’s is but I actually think Giorello’s depiction of Conan is better…he seems more brutal while still retaining a bit of nobility. And the demonic creatures look scary and threatening. Ultimately, this tale, which is based on an outline by Robert E. Howard, is quintessential Conan. Grade: B+

DC Comics: Countdown to Final Crisis -10 and counting…

Things are really starting to happen now and we’re starting to get some real hints to what this “Final Crisis” might be. There’s some some cool shit in this issue and, as has been the case the last few weeks with this book, I don’t mind shelling out 3 bucks for a comic that has me really looking forward to the next issue. Grade: B+

Until next time–Peace…

When I first heard that the Hulk would no longer be the star of this title and in fact that the name would, in a fashion, be changed to The Incredible Herc, I let a very loud groan of disgust. I actually like Hercules but I’m a huge Hulk fan and I thought that this was one of the most f*cked up ideas Marvel has come up with yet. It’s not bad, in fact, I actually like it. Writer Greg Pak is the only reason I gave this a chance and it was a fun read and artist Khoi Pham does a decent job. I miss the Hulk but I’ll hang in there to see where this goes. Grade: B-

Dark Horse Comics: Conan -The Frazetta Cover Series #1 (of 8 )

This is cut and dry. Conan the Barbarian has never been handled better than by the fine folks at Dark Horse and with a cover by the legendary Frank Frazetta, a great adaptation of Robert E. Howard’s The Frost-Giant’s Daughter by Kurt Busiek and kinetic art by the masterful Cary Nord makes this a must have. It’s simple–get this, even if you got it when if originally came out. Grade: A+

Marvel Comics: The Mighty Avengers #6

I wonder what the f*ck happened to writer Brian Michael Bendis. The man was at the top of his game just a couple of years ago but now he frequently puts out books that you think a no-name is writing. The first two issues of this title were pretty frickin’ cool but then the lame idea of bringing back thought balloons (there’s no need for them!) started to grate on my nerves, especially when it seems out of character, and then the lateness of the issues. This issue, writing wise, is very mediocre as it ties up the storyline of the return of Ultron and the fate of Tony Stark. At least the art by Frank Cho is very pleasing to the eye and Ares is one of my new favorite characters. But, Mr. Bendis, you can do better. And Mr. Quesada, Head of Marvel? WTF with the lateness of books? Grade: C-

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas—

Until next time—Peace….

Millenium Films has released the teaser poster for Conan, which will be in theaters in 2009. The studio has said that the film will be much closer to creator Robert E. Howard’s vision than the previous Arnold Schwarzenegger movies.

There are some changes in store for this ongoing Conan book. First, the award winning and critically praised team of writer Kurt Busiek and artist Cary Nord are gone. The new ongoing team will be writer Tim Truman and artist Tomas Giorello — the book is in good hands. Second, the current book will end with #50, closing out the very early years of Conan.

The book will relaunch as Conan the Cimmerian with an all new number 1 in 2008. But before all of that we get this wonderful issue which is the first part of a 2 part conclusion to the storyline “Born On The Battlefield” which was started way back in issue 8. This story is about the Siege at Venarium which any Conan-phile can tell you is the big battle against the invading Aquilonians that made the teenaged Conan into a warrior to be reckoned with. Kurt Busiek writes the story with verve and gusto and Greg Ruth’s art makes me wish he was taking on full time art chores on the book. The charge towards the walls of Venarium, at the end of the book, nearly makes you want to give out a primal bellow of your own as the Cimmerian tribes roar across the landscape with righteous fury. Now’s a good time to pick up Conan if you haven’t been. This will give you a great intro into his world and prepare you for what’s coming. Grade: A+

Hellboy 2 Movie Has A Great Site!

Universal Pictures has a great website up now for the flick, Hellboy 2, due in theaters July 11, 2008. Director Guillermo del Toro has his 1st blog entry up from location in Budapest. There is a fantastic gallery of concept art with descriptions and pics from the set. And Abe Sapien has a broadcasted message from B.P.R.D. Headquarters that is fun to check out. For a movie that is still 9 months away this site gives you a lot of info about the flick. Check it out!

Here’s the link: http://www.hellboymovie.com/

Until next time–Peace….

NBM Publishing: Far West by Richard Moore

This graphic novel came out years ago by Richard Moore, the man who is most famous for a comic book called Boneyard.

The setting of the story is basically a mish-mash of Dungeons and Dragons and the Old West and it freakin’ rocks. The main character of the book, Meg, is an elfin bounty hunter who is in pursuit of a train robbing forger. She is aided by her buddy Phil who is a walking talking bear. A variety of things get in the way of Meg’s mission, most notably a huge firebreathing dragon. The story is a lot of fun and the book itself contains all four issues of the mini-series including pin-ups and alternate covers. This is worth picking up because of it’s originality and just overall fun. Grade: A

DK Publishing: The Ultimate Guide to Conan

The most popular character from the mind of Robert E. Howard gets the “Ultimate Guide” treatment from DK and any Conan fan would enjoy this reference. Packed full of great art and info from the pulp book days to the comics there is much info to be gleaned from it’s pages. This tome is affordably priced at $24.95 and features art from the master Frank Frazetta, Gregory Manchess, Barry Windsor-Smith and many others. Worth buying alone for the great art! Grade: A

Until next time–Peace….

Marvel: Civil War #7

Iron Man is a douchebag! Marvel’s big mini-series event has finally ended and although I thought this was a good read I was kind of disappointed or I should say saddened by the ending. I don’t want to give to much info about this because any fan of Marvel Comics should pick this series up (I believe a trade paperback is due out soon). There is great action in this issue and as has been through the series, Steve McNiven’s art ROCKS! There is still a lot of books coming out in the following months that tie into this series and this appears to have changed the world of Marvel a great deal as was promised. I’m excited to see what’s coming and hope that some favorite characters can be redeemed. And remember–IRON MAN IS A DOUCHEBAG!!

Grade: B-

DC: Superman #659

I have to confess that I am a huge Superman geek! I love the character as he has been written since the mid 80s and I also love the pop culture aspect of him. This is a great issue that shows off the symbolic nature of Supes. All of the Superman titles have been awesome this past year but this issue is true to the “Norman Rockwellian” nature of this character.

Grade: A

Honorable Mention: Dark Horse Comics monthly Conan title and Conan miniseries

If you are a Conan the Barbarian fan or a sword and sorcery fan you should be picking this stuff up. These comics are true to the creator Robert E. Howard’s vision with great writing and art. The monthly title is something you should pick up every month, the miniseries Conan and The Demons of Khitai is a must have and the new mini Conan and The Midnight God looks to be a great read (only the 1st issue is out so far but it’s awesome). Barnes and Noble carries collections of the monthly title with extras so you have no excuse not to check this out.

Grade: A+