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…

Marvel has produced several of these Mythos one-shots so far and each one has been a nice little treat that gives us the origins of some of our favorite Marvel heroes. They have done X-Men, Spider-Man, Hulk and Ghost Rider and now we get the Fantastic Four. You know the origin story but it’s told in a slightly different way here with some beautiful painted art throughout by Paolo Rivera. The art alone makes this a buy! Grade: B+

DC Comics: Justice Society of America #10

One of the best DC stories of all time is Kingdom Come by Mark Waid and Alex Ross. So when you get one of the better DC titles out there crossing over with that storyline even a little bit, it’s worth checking out. In this issue the Kingdom Come Superman has shown up in the current universe with no idea why he’s here but it has the Justice Society and the Justice League on edge. There is a great shot in this issue of Batman watching footage of this Supes as he holds the kryptonite ring given to him by the regular Supes as a way to take him down if he was ever to go out of control. Hmm, what’s coming and what’s going on? I can’t wait to find out! Geoff Johns and Alex Ross are writing this story arc so it’s in great hands and Dale Eaglesham is handling the art chores. But Alex Ross fans need not fret–not only is he doing some of the writing but also the covers (as he has been since the first issue) and some of the interior as well. Good stuff! Grade: A

Dark Horse Comics: Hellboy–Weird Tales Volume 1

Since it’s Halloween I must mention this great collection from Dark Horse of the Hellboy anthology series, Weird Tales, that lets other creators play around in the Hellboy universe. Inside there are tales about a mutated dog, an oriental witch woman, a giant bat, an evil circus, a posessed girl and much more. This is a fun and creepy read! Grade: A

Until next time–Peace….