The Blog Monster

Comic Catch: March 10, 2010

2010-03-08T19:08:00.000-05:00

ACTION COMICS #887 - Story by: Greg Rucka and Eric Trautmann
Co-feature Story by: James Robinson
Art by: Pere Perez
Co-feature Art by: CAFU
Cover by: Kalman Andrasofszky
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $3.99

In this corner – the already beaten, exhausted and bruised Nightwing and Flamebird! And in this corner – the reincarnation of the all-powerful Kryptonian sun god Rao! Place your bets! (Smart money's on the sun god.)

And in the co-feature, Captain Atom has to answer for his past sins by fighting the entire Justice League of America single-handedly!

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #624 - Story by: Mark Waid
Art by: Paul Azaceta
Inks by: Array
Colorsw by: Julio Herrera
Letters by: Jason Paz
Cover by: Michael Lark
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

The origin of the new Vulture! Who is he? Why does he prey on the city's criminals? And what extreme circumstance could possibly make Spider-Man even consider allying with a creature this deadly? The Gauntlet pits Spidey against his most dangerous foe yet!

BPRD KING OF FEAR #3 - Story by: Mike Mignola, John Arcudi
Art by: Guy Davis
Colors by: Dave Stewart
Cover by: Mike Mignola
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

While scouring the Tibetan caverns to obliterate the monstrous frog colony, Liz and Abe face the King of Fear-who's found a powerful new ally in his quest to destroy the surface world!

The B.P.R.D. take on frogs, subterraneans, and giant squid-bots!

DARK X-MEN #5 - Story by: Paul Cornell
Art by: Leonard Kirk
Colors by: Gary Martin
Letters by: Paul Cammileri
Cover by: Giuseppi Camuncoli
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

It's the final showdown between the Dark X-Men and X-Man, all within the mind of Norman Osborn. Can the rag-tag group of villains take down the nigh-omnipotent Omega-level mutant while keeping Osborn sane? Or will this battle be what finally tips Norman over the brink forever?

DOOM PATROL #8 - Story by: Keith Giffen
Art by: Matthew Clark
Cover by: Justiniano
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

A pandimensional wrecking crew has come to Oolong Island looking for something specific, and the Doom Patrol had better find it while there's still an island left!

GRIMM FAIRY TALES #45 - Story by: Joe Brusha
Art by: Ralph Tedesco
Publisher: Zenescope Entertainment
Cover Price: $2.99

What ever happened to Cinderella? Way back in Grimm Fairy Tales #2 we met Cindy, a poor college freshman being tortured by the snobby sorority girls on campus until Sela came to her rescue. Under Belinda's influence Sela transported her to the fairy tale realm and promised to make all of Cindy's dreams come true for a small price...Her Soul. Cindy has been living the good life on campus since she made her deal but when she gets a visit from the Devil's right hand man she finds out the time has come to pay up. Cindy's fate is revealed in this issue...Cinderella Revisited.

JUSTICE LEAGUE RISE AND FALL SPECIAL #1 - Story by: James Robinson and J.T. Krul
Art by: Mike Mayhew
Cover by: Mauro Cascioli
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $3.99

Following the stunning conclusion to JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRY FOR JUSTICE comes the next epic chapter for the World's Greatest Heroes. What controversial decision has created a split in the League? A new meaning to the term "hunt for justice" creates fear in the villain populace. Plus, a shocking secret is revealed that will change Green Arrow's life forever.

LOCKJAW AND THE PET AVENGERS UNLEASHED #1 - Story by: Chris Eliopoulos
Art by: Ig Guara, Chris Sotomayor
Cover by: Chris Eliopoulos, Roger Langridge
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

Once upon a time, in a world of super heroes and villains, there lived a team of animals that saved the universe...and no one knew it. These creatures asked not for fortune or fame, merely to help the humans that pet them. But a new threat to the world has arisen, which only they know of, that could change everything...and kill one of them. Join CHRIS ELIOPOULOS, IG GUARA, and CHRIS SOTOMAYOR for an epic tale of adventure, courage...and sacrifice.

POWERS #3 - Story by: Brian Michael Bendis
Art by: Michael Avon Oeming
Inks by: Array
Cover by: Michael Avon Oeming
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $.95

Walker's past has come to bite him right in his ##$! big time and it's going to take a @#$@#$ and a $@#$@ to get him out of the !@$#@#$@$@$@. It's another potty mouth chapter in the award winning cops-meets-capes epic saga from the creators of Secret Invasion and The Mice Templar.

PRELUDE TO DEADPOOL CORPS #2 - Story by: Victor Gischler
Art by: Whilce Portacio
Cover by: Dave Johnson
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

Witness the birth of the most important super hero team ever in a universe-spanning event that will rock the month of March! Wade Wilson has been tapped to save the Universe, and to do that he’s going to need help. Enter: The sexy-but-insecure Lady Deadpool! The devious-but-lovable Headpool (a.k.a. the Zombie Deadpool Head)! The bratty-but-brilliant Kidpool! And the irascible mutt known as Dogpool! Individually, they’re, well, kind of messed up, but together, they’re the unstoppable force know as DPC.

PUNISHERMAX #5 - Story by: Jason Aaron
Art by: Steve Dillon
Colors by: Will Shetterly
Letters by: Rich Ginter
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

"KINGPIN," PART 5

Witness the birth of the Kingpin. And witness Frank Castle at his most desperate and brutal. The first arc of PUNISHERMAX concludes with death and murder and more death.

SAVAGE DRAGON #158 - Story by: Erik Larsen
Art by: Erik Larsen
Cover: Erik Larsen
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $3.50

“DRAGON WAR,” Part Four
The Vicious Circle has upgraded its most powerful member, and things aren't looking too rosy for Savage Dragon.

SECRET SIX #19 - Story by: Gail Simone
Art by: Jim Calafiore
Cover by: Daniel Luvisi
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

Catman's past crawls back to haunt him as Cheshire returns! Could the secret she's carrying spell the end of the Secret Six?

SUPERMAN LAST STAND OF NEW KRYPTON #1 - Story by: James Robinson, Sterling Gates
Art by: Pete Woods
Cover by: Andy Kubert, Marcos Manz
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

The new Superman crossover event "Brainiac and The Legion of Super-Heroes" begins here, in this first issue of a 3-part miniseries! It's New Krypton's worst nightmare as Brainiac attacks the planet, determined to recapture the city of Kandor! But General Zod has been waiting for this moment since Brainiac first attacked Old Krypton – he has a plan to save his people, but at the cost of Earth and the future as we know it! So it's up to Superman, Supergirl, Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes to stop the two madmen before they destroy everything!

TWELVE SPEARHEAD - Story by: Chris Weston
Art by: Chris Weston
Colors by: Brian Wilkinson
Cover by: Paolo Rivera
Cover Price: $3.99

Europe, 1945: Captain America leads a mission to destroy the Nazis' missile program...and The Phantom Reporter wants in! An untold tale from Marvel's Golden Age featuring the forgotten heroes who would go on to become "The Twelve"!

ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #8 - Story by: Brian Michael Bendis
Art by: Takeshi Miyazawa
Colors by: Amanda McMurray
Letters by: Rich Ginter
Cover by: Takeshi Miyazawa
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

Spider-Man and his amazing friends are there for the birth of a brand new hero!! Who is he? What is his name? Here’s a hint: It’s a name that will make you burst out in applause!! He’s set to be major player in the Ultimate Universe, so be there as hotshot creators BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN) and TAKESHI MIYAZAWA (RUNAWAYS) bring you his big debut!

UNWRITTEN #11 - Story by: Mike Carey
Art by: Peter Gross and Jimmy Broxton
Cover by: Yuko Shimizu
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

In a city haunted by its own past, Tom Taylor tries to help a very different kind of tormented ghost – and discovers the many ways the dead can threaten the living.

WAKING #1 - Story by: Raven Gregory
Pencils by: Vic Drujiniu
Colors by: Mark Roberts
Publisher: Zenescope Entertainment
Cover Price: $3.99

In the big city, four police detectives investigating two routine murders discover that the victims of these crimes are coming back from the dead in search of those responsible for their murders. Now the detectives are in a race against time to find the source of the recent "wakings." Meanwhile, a father with an incredible ability must choose between avenging his daughter's death or losing her forever. From the writer of Zenescope’s Wonderland trilogy and Image Comics “The Gift” comes a 4 issue mini-series that brings an incredibly fresh and new twist on the zombie genre!

Goodness Gravy! Holiday Out is alive!! Again!!

2010-03-08T11:18:00.001-05:00

During the 1980s, author Michael Vance and several well-known cartoonists produced a comic strip, “Holiday Out”, that was syndicated in more than one hundred newspapers, magazine, and fanzines during its peak. Three issues of “Holiday Out” were also published as a comic book by Renegade Press, but the complete run of the satiric comic strip has never been available…until today.

The first issue of “The Complete Holiday Out” has now been published by Main Enterprises.

"I'm excited to be publishing ‘The Complete Holiday Out’, and I thank Michael Vance for the opportunity to let people get a chance to see these rare treasures!" said Jim Main, publisher of Main Enterprises. “The team who produced the comic strip worked so well together in these satiric fantasies. I'm sure many will enjoy these collections of some of the most offbeat comic material ever seen! I'm certain it will do as well as the very successful ‘Forever Green’, which was previously published, .featuring a collection of "Holiday Out" strips and other material primarily drawn by Richard ‘Grass’ Green.”

The first issue of “The Complete Holiday Out” features two comic book stories written by Vance and drawn by legendary artist Richard “Grass” Green (a founder of comics fandom), and Chas Smith.

Vance is also known for his short stories set in the fictional town of Light’s End, Maine. The story drawn by Smith, “Where Bright Angel Feet Have Trod”, is the second Light’s End story ever written by Vance. In addition, it publishes a six page section of “Holiday Out” comic strips

Vance has been published in dozens of regional magazines and as a syndicated columnist and cartoonist in over 500 newspapers. His book, Forbidden Adventures, has been called a "benchmark in comics history". He also has written the comic strip Alley Oop, and comic books including Straw Men, Angel of Death, The Adventures of Captain Nemo, and Bloodtide. His current novel, Weird Horror Tales is available from Cornerstone Book Publishers, bookstores, and on-line retailers like Amazon.com.

“The Complete Holiday Out” #1 is the first of sixteen issues, each a digest-sized comic book. Main Enterprises also publishes Dark Corridor, a horror magazine, and other comic books and magazines. Copies are now available at http://mainenterprises.ecrater.com/product.php?pid=6978423

Meth, Ghost, and Rae - Wu-Massacre

2010-03-07T10:57:00.000-05:00

Chris Bachalo, one of the great artists in comics, has branched out into album cover art with Wu Massacre, a Meth, Ghost, and Rae album do out March 30th. For the record, while the album tags them as Meth, Ghost, and Rae, they are more popularly known as Method Man, Ghostface Killah, and Raekwon. Here is the Album description from Amazon.com:

For the first time, three of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan's most dynamic emcees step out together to create a supergroup with a distinctly shaolin sound. Method Man, Ghostface Killah and Raekwon have banded together on their new album of street bangers, Wu Massacre. Joined by fellow Wu-Tang alums Inspectah Deck and Cappadona on several tracks, and featuring production by RZA and Mathematics, Meth, Ghost and Rae's Wu Massacre is guaranteed to satisfy the legions of fans in the "Wu Army." From the soulful street single "Our Dreams," to the thunderous lead-off track "Criminology 2.5," Wu Massacre finds the three hip-hop legends in razor-sharp form.

I haven't heard any of the tracks, but I like that art. Wu Massacre is available for pre-order at Amazon.com.

Comic Catch: March 3, 2010

2010-03-02T21:01:00.000-05:00

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #623 - Story by: Mark Waid, Tom Peyer
Pencils by: Paul Azaceta
Inks by: Array
Colors by: Julio Herrera
Letters by: Jason Paz
Cover by: Michael Lark
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

The Gauntlet grows deadlier! It's Spider-Man versus Peter Parker when the two sides of Spidey go to war! Pete's a sworn defender of the freedom of the press--but the Web-Slinger needs to contain a certain news item about the new Vulture that could blow the city apart!

CHEW #9 - Story by: John Layman
Art by: Rob Guillory
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

WTF, vampires?!?!?

DEADPOOL TEAM-UP #895 - Story by: Christopher Long
Art by: Dalibor Talajic
Cover by: Humberto Ramos
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

Off the coast of the Galapagos Islands, something hideous, something so deliciously amoral has vanquished the tranquility and shattered the peace - DEADPOOL! The legend no one can forget has been missing for years...yes, we're talking about It! The Living Colossus, the 30-foot-tall stone statue brought to life by wheelchair-bound Robert "Bob" O'Bryan. Enlisted by O'Bryan's niece, Deadpool takes a dive, plunging down to the ocean floor in search of the stone statue. But something more heinous than Deadpool's thoughts when he's watching lingerie football lurks in the ocean depths. And underwater, nobody can hear your hilarious one-liners!

DETECTIVE COMICS #862 - Story by: Greg Rucka
Art by Jock; co-feature art by Cully Hamner
Cover by JH Williams III
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $3.99

Two mystery cases collide, as Batman gets closer to finding a missing socialite while Batwoman uncovers a gruesome new villain who has grafted knives onto his skin. There will be blood – and souvenirs of victims' flesh – in "Cutter" part 2!

And in The Question's co-feature, the unknown mastermind behind the gun-running scheme hires a professional killer to take care of some unwanted female companionship. When Zeiss sets his sights on Huntress and The Question, bullets will fly and blood will run!

DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP #9 - Story by: Philip K. Dick
Art by: Tony Parker
Publisher: Boom! Studios
Cover Price: $3.99

Rick Deckard is under arrest! Thanks to the notorious Nexus-6 android Luba Luft, Deckard finds himself in his biggest predicament yet. Everything is not as it seems in this exciting issue of the Philip K. Dick masterwork that inspired Blade Runner. This lead-up to the big 10th issue cannot be missed!

FIRST WAVE #1 - Story by: Brian Azzarello
Art by: Rags Morales
Cover by: Neal Adams, J.G.Jones
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

DC's shocking new pulp universe is finally unveiled! In the shadows of the War, the roots of the Golden Tree cabal grew deep into the heart of a fallen world… and the leaders at the heart of this secret organization see no place in their utopia for heroism. Doc Savage, struggling with the loss of his father, has been blind to their advance – until now. Central City's mysterious Spirit has caught wind of their plans as well. But whose side have the Blackhawks chosen? What is the Red Right Hand? And where is the Batman? Eisner Award winner Brian Azzarello (100 BULLETS, JOKER) and superstar Rags Morales (IDENTITY CRISIS) craft a DC universe like you've never seen before! It's a world with no supermen, only mortal men… Death can come at any moment, and adventure can still be found at every corner of the map! Will Doc Savage be the first to lead the coming world or the last to be crushed under its heel?

GIRL COMICS #1 - Story by: Devin Grayson, Ann Nocenti, Trina Robbins, Colleen Coover , G. Willow Wilson , Valerie D'Orazio , Lucy Knisley
Art by: Stephanie Buscema, Colleen Coover, Molly Crabapple, Ming Doyle , Nikki Cook , Lucy Knisley
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $4.99

With the most controversial question in the Marvel Universe finally answered right on the cover, Marvel is proud to bring you a celebration of amazing women in comics with the first of a three issue anthology entirely created by the most talented and exciting women working in comics today, including Ann Nocenti (DAREDEVIL), Amanda Conner (Power Girl), Laura Martin (SECRET INVASION), G. Willow Wilson (Air), Devin Grayson (Nightwing), Stephanie Buscema (WEB OF SPIDER-MAN), and more! With stories featuring your favorite Marvel characters, from the Punisher to Mary Jane, don't miss what will be the one of the most talked about series of the year! (Please note: She-Hulk would totally win).

GOD COMPLEX #4 - Story by: Michael Avon Oeming, Daniel Berman
Art by: John Broglia
Cover by: Michael Avon Oeming
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

George and Sophia are safe, but Paul can’t leave the monstrous Medusa loose on this unsuspecting world. He must go back and defeat one of the most dangerous creatures of myth and legend! Is she too strong for him now that he is no longer immortal? Can he resist the temptation she brings him from the gods?

GREEN HORNET #1 - Story by: Kevin Smith
Art by: Jonathan Lau
Cover by: Alex Ross, John Cassaday, J. Scott Campbell, Stephen Segovia
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Cover Price: $3.99

The Green Hornet is back and Dynamite is the new home for the avenging hero and his faithful sidekick, Kato (and, the Black Beauty, ‘natch!)!

And we’re kicking things off with a BANG as we launch the first of a new series of adventures starting with the great Kevin Smith. And let’s get it out of the way, right here, right NOW – THE ENTIRE STORY IS IN! Every single chapter from BEGINNING TO END! All 10 issues to this first story arc! Joining Smith in bringing his unproduced screenplay to life is artist Jonathan (Black Terror) Lau as they present the one and only origin of the Green Hornet and Kato. This is the comic book version of Kevin Smith’s unproduced Green Hornet film and has not been seen or read ANYWHERE else! Dynamite is the only place to get in on the action – it all begins here!

GRIMM FAIRY TALES #44 - Story by: Joe Brusha
Cover by: Paul Roper
Publisher: Zenescope Entertainment
Cover Price: $2.99

The root of the classic fairy tale The Devil's Brother is revealed in this issue. Fenton Bruce has been at the right hand of the Devil for over a century. As a reward he's lived a life of pleasure, wealth and excess far beyond that of any mortal man. In return he's been forced to see and do acts of unimaginable horror for more than 100 years. All because of one moment of weakness when he made a deal that was too good to be true. A deal that essentially made him the Devil's brother.

JSA ALL STARS #4 - Story by: Matthew Sturges; Co-feature story by: Jen Van Meter
Art and Cover by: Freddie Williams II; Co-feature Art by: Travis Moore and Dan Green

The All-Stars are forced to team with the Injustice Society against Johnny Sorrow's unearthly accomplice! And only Star Girl knows what she must sacrifice to save friend and foe alike!

The hero and villain team-ups continue in the co-feature, as Liberty Belle and Hourman join their proven enemies Tigress and Icicle, who hold essential clues as to the whereabouts of the ancient mysticism embodied in the Staff of Life!

JUSTICE LEAGUE CRY FOR JUSTICE #7 - Story by: James Robinson
Art and cover by: Mauro Cascioli
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $3.99

This is the big one! After the catastrophes seen in issues #5 and #6, a hero loses control, leading to an unexpected ending that will fundamentally change the lives of the World's Greatest Heroes forever. This issue launches a major storyline in the DC Universe and is not to be missed!

MIGHTY AVENGERS #34 - Story by: Dan Slott
Art by: Neil Edwards
Cover by: Khoi Pham
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

The Mighty Avengers are poised to join the Siege on Asgard, but first they have some pretty huge issues to resolve. THOR vs. the MIGHTY AVENGERS! LOKI revealed! Someone's off the team?! The most insane thing HANK PYM will ever do (and for Hank Pym, that's saying a LOT)! All this and more!

PRELUDE TO DEADPOOL CORPS #1 - Story by: Victor Gischler
Art by: Rob Liefeld
Cover by: Dave Johnson, Ed McGuinness
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

Witness the birth of the most important super hero team ever in a universe-spanning event that will rock the month of March! Wade Wilson has been tapped to save the Universe, and to do that he's going to need help. Enter: The sexy-but-insecure Lady Deadpool! The devious-but-lovable Headpool (a.k.a. the Zombie Deadpool Head)! The bratty-but-brilliant Kidpool! And the irascible mutt known as Dogpool! Individually, they're, well, kind of messed up, but together, they're the unstoppable force know as DPC. Issue #1

PUNISHER MAX BUTTERFLY #1 - Story by: Valerie D'Orazio
Art by: Laurence Campbell
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

A lurid tell-all book leads the Punisher on the trail of a hitwoman marked for death. Who is Butterfly? And will the Punisher be her salvation, her temptation, or her damnation? Author Valerie D'Orazio and artist Laurence Campbell unload a full barrage of mayhem in this blood-soaked one-shot.

SPARTA USA #1 - Story by: David Lapham
Art and Cover by: Johnny Timmons
Publisher: DC/Wildstorm
Cover Price: $2.99

There's never been a more American town than Sparta. In Sparta they believe in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness through treachery, blackmail and murder – just like the Maestro taught them as he learned it from the U.S. President. Sparta is such a great place that no one ever thinks of leaving. It's been three years since anyone's tried, and he was never heard from again…until today. Today, Godfrey McLaine, the greatest quarterback in Sparta's history, has returned bigger, taller and redder than when he left. He's also armed with a secret that will expose the rotten core of the American Dream.

STEPHEN KINGS N #1 - Story by: Marc Guggenheim
Art by: Alex Maleev
Inks by: Array
Cover by: Alex Maleev
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover price: $2.99

There is something unearthly and mysterious deep in Ackerman’s Field in rural Maine. There is a Stonehenge-like arrangement of seven stones with a horrifying EYE in the center. And whatever dwells there in that strange, windswept setting may have brought about the suicide of one man...and harbor death for the OCD afflicted "N.", whose visits to the field have passed beyond compulsion into the realm of obsession. Based on the chilling short story from the recent Stephen King collection, JUST AFTER SUNSET, this adaptation will provide nightmares aplenty. Just keep counting the stones...keep counting...counting...

ULTIMATE COMICS AVENGERS #5 - Story by: Mark Millar
Art by: Carlos Pacheco
Inks by: Array
Colors by: Justin Ponsor
Letters by: VC - Cory Petit
Covers by: Carlos Pacheco

It’s an all out super hero throw-down! Captain America and The Avengers face-off as the dreaded Red Skull plots universal mayhem! How will Fury’s death squad cope with the legend and his son? The world as we know it is on the line! Join superstars MARK MILLAR and CARLOS PACHECO for the next mind-blowing chapter!

ULTIMATE COMICS NEW ULTIMATES #1 - Story by: Jeph Loeb
Art by: Frank Cho
Colors by: Matteo Lolli
Letters by: Reuben Rude
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

If only a few super heroes survived the Ultimatum -- who is left to become the next super powered team to be reckoned with? The NEW Ultimates! With Thor gone, Loki takes his revenge unleashing the worst of Asgard on Earth. Iron Man must gather the heroes for their biggest Ultimates adventure yet. But who has made the final cut? And who can't be trusted? The Ultimates face evil once again and you'll never guess the new enemies they'll find...or should we say old friends? Superstar creators, JEPH LOEB and FRANK CHO (in his Ultimate Comics debut!) bring you the new face of the Ultimate line in NEW ULTIMATES: THOR REBORN!

Comic Review: Black Salt: The Last Heroes Left #2

2010-02-28T18:45:00.000-05:00

Black Salt #2

Writer: Chad Boudreau

Interior and Cover Artist: J. C. Grande

Colorist: Santosh Kumar Rath

Lettering and Production: Michael De Lepine

Publisher: Blackline Comics

A rogue shaolin monk heading an evil criminal empire, a sexy shaolin woman with an unknown connection to the evil monk and a muscular protector both working for US intelligence and both tracking the villain, and US intelliegence beureaucrats gumming up the works: these are the elements bringing us Black Salt: The Last Heroes Left.

Huan Li is the sexy agent with a history with the shaolin monks. Her drive to find Kali, the evil monk, is a force with which to be reconned. Samual Tharpe is her partner and friend since childhood. They make an unstoppable team out to end the malign plan of Kali.

Kali's plan is involves the theft of the M.A.R.S. virus, which can be turned weapon grade and used to devastate large areas. But you get the impression that Kali may have more complex plans than making a powerful missile.

Black Salt: The Last Heroes Left is an appealing story akin to the television show Kung Fu mixed with Mission: Impossible.

Boudreau gives us enough mystery to want to come back for more, and enough action to keep us going while we wait for the next startling revelation. His cliffhanger last page will have you chomping at the bit for issue #3.

Complimenting Boudreau's gripping tale is Grande's dynamic art. It's bright and colorful and you can almost see Agent Li's roundhouse kick streaking across an opponent's chin.

Blackline Comics has, in their own words, "cultivate[s] creator-owned projects produced by the best talent, to be distributed through the unlimited and largely untapped resources of the internet. Blackline launched in December 2008 with the promise of digital comics excitement."

You can check out Black Salt: The Last Heroes Left #1 for free here:

Comic Catch: February 24, 2010

2010-02-22T20:41:00.000-05:00

AIRFIGHTERS #1 - Story by: Chuck Dixon, Tom DeFalco
Art by: Oscar Celestini
Publisher: Moonstone Comics
Cover Price: $5.99

They're back! It's an all out air war as Airboy and his Airfighters return to the comic page! This 72-page extravaganza features the all new high-flying exploits of Airboy and his revamped compatriots in their very first Moonstone appearance: Skywolf, Black Angel, Flying Dutchman, Iron Ace, Bald Eagle, and the Flying Fool! Plus, a special tale of Captain Midnight!

AVP THREE WORLD WAR #2 - Story by: Randy Stradley
Art by: Rick Leonardi
Colors by: Wes Dzioba
Cover by: Raymond Swanland
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Cover Price: $3.50

Machiko Noguchi is the only human known to have lived among the extraterrestrial hunters known as Predators -- and she's had plenty of up-close-and-personal experience with another deadly, otherworldly life form, the xenomorph Aliens, hunting the beasts alongside her Predator hosts. Machiko thought those days were long past, but now a long-lost rival clan of warlike Predators has emerged, using specially bred Aliens as weapons, and both Predators and humans are threatened. Now, Machiko must again don her Predator armor and negotiate a possible alliance with the very same race that made trophies of humans for centuries. And when you "negotiate" with Predators, there will be blood!

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #622 - Story by: Fred Van Lente, Greg Weisman
Art by: Joe Quinones, Luke Ross
Inks by: Array
Cover by: Simone Bianchi
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

As the Gauntlet rages on around him, the spotlight is on Peter Parker’s original archenemy-turned-best friend, Flash Thompson. Since losing his legs in service to his country, Flash Thompson’s not been deterred by his physical limitations. But even a hero can have his limits. Greg Weisman, one of the brains behind the smash TV hit Spectacular Spider-Man, teams with Luke Ross (CAPTAIN AMERICA) to bring a touching story of Flash Thompson coming to terms with his new life. Then, Fred Van Lente and Joe Quinones (WEDNESDAY COMICS) bring Spider-Man face-to-face with Morbius, The Living Vampire!

BLACKEST NIGHT JSA #3 - Story by: James Robinson
Art by: Eddy Barrows and Nei Ruffino
Cover by: Eddy Barrows and Nei Ruffino; Gene Ha
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

The bloodthirsty combat in Manhattan reaches its stunning conclusion here! Earth-2 Superman returns to prove that the true legacy of the Justice Society of America is death. Can our heroes rise up to defeat their dead mentors, role models and villains? And can even the third- smartest man in the world, Mr. Terrific, devise a way to destroy them - or will Manhattan and the world perish under Nekron's might?

DEADPOOL #20 - Story by: Daniel Way
Art by: Carlo Barberi, Sandu Florea
Letters by: Joe Sabino
Cover by: Jason Pearson
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

"WHATEVER A SPIDER CAN," PART 2

Deadpool and Spider-Man team up (yes, team up) to combat the unstoppable killing machine known as Hitman Monkey! Yes, Hitman Monkey.

FANTASTIC FOUR #576 - Story by: Jonathan Hickman
Art by: Dale Eaglesham
Cover by: Alan Davis
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

At the bottom of the world, there's a mystery buried deep beneath Vostok station. It's part two of the Prime Elements arc: The Old Kings of Atlantis.

IMAGE UNITED #0 - Story by: Robert Kirkman
Art by: Erik Larsen, Ryan Ottley, and Whilce Portacio
Cover by: Erik Larsen and Whilce Portacio
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

PRELUDE TO THE CROSSOVER OF THE CENTURY!
Meet FORTRESS, the exciting new character created by WHILCE PORTACIO for IMAGE UNITED! He's trapped in a suit that gives him seemingly limitless power that he can barely control, which leads to a confrontation with the Image Universe's favorite cop: Savage Dragon!

IRREDEEMABLE #11 - Story by: Mark Waid
Art by: Peter Krause
Publisher: Boom! Studios
Cover Price: $3.99

Discover more behind the winged behomoth known as Gilgamos, as the newly empowered Charybdis leads The Paradigm into their first real victory! Don’t miss BOOM!’s bestselling apocalyptic superhero ongoing by multiple Eisner Award-winning KINGDOM COME and EMPIRE author Mark Waid.

JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #36 - Story by: Bill Willingham
Art by: Jesus Merino
Cover by: Jesus Merino
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

The discovery of exactly who was behind the recent attacks on Obsidian and other members of the Justice Society puts the team on the trail of a true Axis of Evil! This means war!

MARVELS PROJECT #6 - Story by: Ed Brubaker
Art by: Steve Epting
Cover by: Steve McNiven, Gerald Parel
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting's acclaimed tale of the origin of Marvel continues, as the mysteries of Nazi spies on American shores begin to unravel, and The Human Torch and the Sub-Mariner battle once again in the skies of New York, with devastating results.

NEW AVENGERS #62 - Story by: Brian Michael Bendis
Art by: Stuart Immonen, Daniel Acuña
Colors by: Dave McCaig
Cover by: Stuart Immonen
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

SIEGE BLOCKBUSTER TIE-IN!! The New Avengers are being hunted at the worst possible moment. The Hood has powered up his crew in ways that the Avengers can't possibly defeat. But they must find a way in order to save Asgard from Osborn’s advancing forces.

OFF HANDBOOK MARVEL UNIVERSE A TO Z UPDATE #1 - Art by: Tim Truman
Inks by: Array
Colors by: Louis Small
Cover by: Chris Ivy
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

The most comprehensive guide to the Marvel Universe marches on in 2010! This 64-page handbook features the first handbook of ALL-NEW PROFILES since 2007, and spans the width and depth of the Marvel U: New characters! Never-before profiled characters! Golden Age! Cosmic! Teams! Mutants! Westerns! Dimensions! And because you demanded it: EXCLUSIVE ORIGINAL ART for dozens of profiles! This issue contains everything you need to know about Blue Marvel (Brashear), Cyttorak, Gladiator (Kallark), Googam, K'un-Lun, Midgard Serpent, Nimrod, Percy Pinkerton, Rockman, She-Hulk (Lyra), Western era Tarantula (Riley), Veranke, Xemnu, the Young Gods and dozens more!

PROJECT SUPERPOWERS CHAPTER TWO #7 - Story by: Jim Krueger
Art by: Edgar Salazar; Doug Klauba
Cover by: Alex Ross
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Cover Price: $2.99

The Inheritors have fled the battle with the Superpowers and taken the Super Mysterymen back to Swisslakia to educate the state sponsored heroes in their version of the events. Meanwhile, The Big Shots work on their plan to capture Zeus while other members of the team confront Captain Future in a battle that will change all of their lives - and the world - forever! PLUS: The origin of The Face by Ross, Klauba and Krueger!

ROBOCOP #2 - Story by: Rob Williams
Art by: Fabiano Neves
Cover by: Stephen Segovia
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Cover Price: $3.50

Dynamite's Robocop series is the only sequel to the smash film any fan will ever need! Written with reverence and pure appreciation for the original film, Dynamite's Robocop - under the writing hand of Rob Williams and artist Fabiano Neves - pulls no punches and spares no criminal! This is the Robocop you've been waiting for! This issue: OCP has unleashed the biggest and baddest ED-209 yet, one that even Robocop is gonna have a hard time putting down...

SUPERMAN #697 - Story by: James Robinson
Art by: Bernard Chang and Javier Pina
Cover by: CAFU
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

"Man of Valor" Part 4! With the Legion of Super-Hero members in the 21st century now revealed to Mon-El, the Man of Valor learns of a greater destiny he and Superboy share; one that ties directly in to the fate of New Krypton and Kal-El!

ULTIMATE COMICS ENEMY #2 - Story by: Brian Michael Bendis
Art by: Rafa Sandoval
Cover by: Ed McGuinness
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

The explosive new mini-series continues!! The super hero survivors of the mysterious attacks on the Ultimate Universe are forced to deal with the damage dropped at their doorstep. But who is behind it all? There's one person who has had just about enough with pain and suffering in life and isn't going to take it anymore. That person is Susan Storm, the Invisible Woman...and she is going to kick somebody's @$#. Join fan-favorite BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN) and rising super-star, RAFA SANDOVAL (AVENGERS: INITIATIVE) as they bring you the next mind-blowing chapter!

WALKING DEAD #70 - Story by: Robert Kirkman
Art by: Charlie Adlard and Cliff Rathburn
Cover by: Charlie Adlard and Cliff Rathburn
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

Behind these walls everyone has their place; everyone has their job. There is no danger, there are no threats... everyone has hope. Will it last?

WE WILL BURY YOU #1 - Story by: Brea and Zane Grant
Art by: Kyle Strahm
Cover by: Ben Templesmith
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Cover Price: $3.99

1927: The first talkie ended the silent film era, the first man completed a solo transatlantic flight, and...a zombie virus decimated the human race. Two unlikely heroines use their unorthodox skills to survive as a zombie infection spreads through the streets of New York and beyond. Brea Grant (Heroes) and Zane Grant promise the worst breakup ever and an epic beginning to this historical horror miniseries.

WEIRD WORLD OF JACK STAFF #1 - Story by: Paul Grist
Art by: Paul Grist
Cover by: Paul Grist
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $3.50

BEGINNING A BRAND NEW ERA IN THE LIFE OF BRITAIN'S GREATEST HERO!
Castletown is home to giant robots, vampire reporters, victorian escape artists and also Britain's Greatest Hero. Welcome to the Weird World of Jack Staff! John Smith is a builder. He also seems to be a superhero, only he doesn't know about that. The only thing he knows is that a lot of people want him dead. And the only weapon he has to protect himself with is a wooden stick…

X-FACTOR #202 - Story by: Peter David
Art by: Bing Cansino
Cover by: David Yardin
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

It's all been building toward this: A suicidal assault on Castle Doom in the heart of Latveria as the unlikely trio of Monet, Shatterstar and the Thing go head-to-head with the guy who has his own complete country. Meanwhile, who or what exactly was buried in that lonely grave? And did Madrox arrive in time to make a difference? Plus, Franklin and Valeria Richards are on the run from the most unexpected enemy of all, and the only person who can defend them is...Strong Guy? Part 3 of "The Invisible Woman has Vanished!" Get it before it vanishes off the shelves!

X-MEN LEGACY #233 - Story by: Mike Carey
Art by: Clay Mann
Cover by: Adi Granov
Cover Price: $2.99

The most powerful villain the X-Men has ever faced is back. PROTEUS has returned and he is more powerful than ever! Now the X-Men must stop him where he died: Muir Island. Failure is not an option as this madman makes his move to block the X-Men from stopping Selene and her plans in Necrosha.

Comic Catch: January 10, 2010

2010-02-09T16:31:00.000-05:00

Apparently in Baltimore Captain Cold, Mister Freeze, Icicle and Killer Frost from DC fought Iceman, Blizzard, Icemaster, and Ymir from Marvel. The result is that we can't get an updated list of what is coming out this week. None-the-less, here is what was on Last Week's Diamond's Coming Out Next Week list. I guess we'll find out romorrow how accurate it is.

ACTION COMICS #886 - Story by: Greg Rucka and Eric Trautmann
Co-feature by: James Robinson and James Rucka
Art by: Pere Pérez
Co-feature Art by: CAFU
Cover by: CAFU
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $3.99

Nightwing and Flamebird race the clock to capture Jax-Ur, the most dangerous of Zod's sleeper agents.

And in the Captain Atom co-feature, our hero explores the horrors of his past with the help of Mon-El and Starfire!

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #620 - Story by: Dan Slott
Pencils by: Marcos Martin
Inks by: Array
Cover by: Marcos Martin
Publisher: Marel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

MYSTERIO'S made his big move and a criminal empire is his for the taking! Or is that just more sleight of hand? More mobsters! More mayhem! More magic tricks! And a fight to the finish with MR. NEGATIVE versus SPIDER-MAN versus MYSTERIO! The big question is: What prize goes to the winner?

BPRD KING OF FEAR #2 - Story by: Mike Mignola, John Arcudi
Art by: Guy Davis
Colors by: Dave Stewart
Cover by: Mike Mignola
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

While Liz and Abe lead a platoon of agents and soldiers into the Hollow Earth, Kate Corrigan tries to juggle work with romance. She travels to Austria to explore the ruins of Hunte Castle -- the haunted Nazi fortress where crime fighter Lobster Johnson died and Hellboy fought the Conqueror Worm -- where she hopes to place Lobster Johnson's ghost to rest and make him free the spirit of Johann Kraus.

Lobster Johnson returns to the scene of his death!

DARK X-MEN #4 - Story by: Paul Cornell
Art by: Leonard Kirk
Colors by: Brian Reber
Letters by: Robert Steen
Cover by: Mike Choi
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

What has X-Man done to Norman Osborn? Whatever it is, it must be extreme because the Dark X-Men are making a journey into Osborn's mind to fix it! But once they're in, can they survive the depths of madness they find in the dark corners of Norman's mental minefield?

HAUNT #5 - Story by: Robert Kirkman
Art by: Greg Capullo, Ryan Ottley, and Todd McFarlane
Covers by: Ryan Ottley and Todd McFarlane
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

THE FIRST STORY-ARC OF MCFARLANE and KIRKMAN’S HAUNT CONCLUDES!
More is revealed involving Kurt’s death, and it puts Daniel and Kurt at odds once again. A mole is exposed within The Agency and Haunt must come to a decision involving his future. Do not miss the stunning end to the introductory arc of this hot new series.

HIT-MONKEY #1 - Story by: Daniel Way
Art by: Dalibor Talijic
Cover by: Frank Cho
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

The Legend of Hitman Monkey'

You're digging him in this month's issue of DEADPOOL and you want to know more about him? How about his origin story? A troubled soul, set upon a path of vengeance he does not understand. An assassin without equal, trained in the most secret of killing techniques. A flesh and blood specter, haunting the killers of the world. A monkey.

INVINCIBLE PRESENTS ATOM EVE and REX SPLODE #3 - Story by: Benito Cereno
Art and Cover by: Nate Bellegarde and Bill Crabtree
Edited by: Robert Kirkman
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

Picking up right where the first ATOM EVE miniseries left off! See the secret origin of Rex Splode! See what shaped him into the man who tragically sacrificed himself in the Invincible War. Don't miss the stunning conclusion to this hit miniseries!

JSA ALL STARS #3 - Story by: Matthew Sturges
Co-feature by: Jen Van Meter
Art by: Freddie Williams II
Co-feature Art by: Travis Moore and Dan Green
Cover by: Freddie Williams II
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

In "Constellations" part 2, the All-Stars are on the trail of the villains who've kidnapped one of their own while internal turmoil creates drama in the ranks! And after what went down in the JSA ANNUAL this month, it looks like Magog won't be on the team much longer!

In the co-feature, Liberty Belle and Hourman trek to Venice alongside Icicle and Tigress in an amazing race to learn the secret of the ancient Staff of Legends!

MARVEL BOY URANIAN #2 - Story by: Jeff Parker
Art by: Felix Ruiz
Cover by: Marko Djurdjevic
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

From fan-favorite writer of X-MEN VS. AGENTS OF ALTAS comes a look back at the birth of one of Atlas' strangest heroes...the mysterious Uranian! Bob Grayson is starting to get the hang of super-heroing, but who is he doing this for? Does the Uranian Council really want to help our world - and are we even worth saving? Experience the Marvel Universe of the 50s through the eyes of the original Marvel Boy! PLUS: re-presenting selections from Marvel's vault of Golden Age Marvel Boy classics!

PUNISHERMAX #4 - Story by: Jason Aaron
Art by: Steve Dillon
Cover by: Dave Johnson
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

'KINGPIN,' PART 4

While Wilson Fisk makes his move on the leading crime families of New York, Frank Castle has problems of his own. Namely the sledgehammer-swinging hitman known as The Mennonite.

REALM OF KINGS IMPERIAL GUARD #4 - Story by: Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning
Art by: Kev Walker
Colors by: Nathan Fairbairn
Letters by: Clayton Cowles
Cover by: Brian Haberlin
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

Deep in the Fault, the Imperial Guard uncovers a catastrophic threat to the security of the entire Marvel Cosmos. The question is, can they stop it? Can they survive long enough to get a warning to Gladiator? And is the greatest threat they face actually coming from inside their own ranks? It's more mind-blowing combat sci-fi at its most brutal from the creators that do it best!

SALEMS DAUGHTER #3 - Story by: Joe Brusha and Ralph Tedesco
Art by: Caio Menescal
Covers by: Greg Horn and Nat Jones
Publisher: Zenescope Entertainment
Cover Price: $3.99

Using his power of mind control, the mysterious Darius has spread panic throughout Essex County and now Anna Williams is about to burn at the stake. Darius offers Anna one last chance to join him but her refusal only fuels his rage. Now it's all up to Braden to save Anna from certain death, but it might be too late. Don't miss the conclusion to the incredible prequel story arch of Zenescope's newest hit series Salem's Daughter!

SCIENCE FICTION and FANTASY ILLUSTRATED #1 - Story by: Joe Brusha
Art by: Claudio Sepulveda
Cover by: Al Rio
Publisher: Zenescope Entertainment
Cover Price: $4.99

From the creators of Grimm Fairy Tales comes an all new series that blends Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror in one provocative package.

You get 48 pages of story in this Giant Sized first issue titles 'The Perfect Mate' - When a man buys a sex robot thinking she will be the answer to all his dreams she really turns out to be his worst nightmare.

SECRET SIX #18 - Story by: John Ostrander, Gail Simone
Art by: Jim Calafiore
Cover by: Daniel LuVisi
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

It's the exciting conclusion of John Ostrander and Gail Simone's epic team-up! The Black Lanterns have both the Suicide Squad and the Secret Six up against the wall. But Amanda Waller always has a plan. That plan: Manhunter! Plus, Deadshot is forced to make the decision of his life!

TAILS OF PET AVENGERS #1 - Story by: Chris Eliopoulos, Scott Gray, Colleen Coover, Joe Caramagna
Art by: Ig Guara, Colleen Coover, Gurihiru, Chris Eliopoulos
Cover by: Humberto Ramos
Cover Price: $3.99

They saved the world in LOCKJAW and THE PET AVENGERS...what've they been doing since? Find out in this super-sized special featuring Lockjaw, Redwing, and the rest of your favorite Pet Avengers take center-stage in their own spotlight adventures! Featuring an all-new, NEVER before seen savage tale of ZABU and a FROG THOR prequel leading into the team's triumphant return in PET AVENGERS, onsale next month!

TITANS #22 - Story by: J.T. Krul
Art by: Angel Unzueta and Wayne Faucher
Cover by: Angel Unzueta
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

DC fans won't want to miss this finale of the two-part "Fractured" story! As the remaining three members of the team are evicted from their New York City headquarters by General Lane, they wonder if there's anywhere on Earth they can still call home. The answer will surprise you! This issue closes this chapter in the life of the classic Titans team and ushers in an exciting new era in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA and March's TITANS ANNUAL that'll blow your mind!

ULTIMATE COMICS ARMOR WARS #4 - Story by: Warren Ellis
Art by: Steve Kurth
Letters by: Joe Sabino
Cover by: Brandon Peterson
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

The IRON MAN's track record of kicking butt and taking names hasn't been faring so well. But after a hot pursuit across the globe, he finally faces off with a long lost...frenemy? Even the Man of Iron couldn't spot this on his radar! Plus the mysterious Remnant 242 is revealed and has some earth-shattering consequences! Acclaimed writer WARREN ELLIS (ULTIMATE HUMAN) and rising star STEVE KURTH (IRON MAN) bring you the momentous conclusion of ULTIMATE COMICS ARMOR WARS!

ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #7 - Story by: Brian Michael Bendis
Art by: Takeshi Miyazawa
Colors by: Justin Ponsor
Letters by: Cory Petit
Cover by: David Lafuente
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

Spider-Man and his amazing friends, Iceman and the Human Torch, team up to help the newly powered Rick Jones deal with the crazy changes and responsibilities that come with...power. But what side of the coin is Rick Jones on? Is this the birth of a new hero? Or the birth of an ultimate...enemy?? Find out as the awesomely talented duo of BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (DARK AVENGERS) and TAKESHI MIYAZAWA (RUNAWAYS) bring you a new revelation in ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN! Part one of a two-part story!!

VENGEANCE OF MOON KNIGHT #5 - Story by: Gregg Hurwitz
Art by: Jerome Opena
Cover by: Leinil Francis Yu
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

"SHOCK AND AWE, PART 5: PAST IS PROLOG"

There is one villain who can make Moon Knight look sane: The Scarecrow. This unhinged lunatic has taken to the streets. Now Moon Knight must face the Scarecrow and his minions of madness under a black sky filled with crows in this final obstacle keeping him from his true nemesis: Bushman.

Comic Book Review: Red Sonja: Wrath of the Gods #1

2010-02-07T19:58:00.000-05:00

Red Sonja: Wrath of the Gods #1

Plot: Luke Lieberman and Ethan Ryker
Script: Luke Lieberman
Art: Walter Geovani
Colors: Vinicius Andrade
Cover: Luccio Parrillo
Letters Simon Bowland
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Cover Price: $3.99

When we think about sword and sorcery comics, we think of Conan the Barbarian, the most known, successful character from sword and sorc comics. Marvel Comics brought him to the medium in 1970 with their classic run, and really, any publisher printing Conan books has success with him. Dark Horse and now Dynamite have reputable runs with the character. Blood drenched sword fights, enchanting sorcery, and thrilling monsters make Sword and Sorcery an easy appeal, but let's face it, all you comic guys know part of the draw is the scantily clad women that inevitably grace the panels.

So it's odd that it took seven years before Red Sonja got her own title. She wasn't as successful with Marvel as Conan was getting only fifteen issues, but Dynamite Entertainment with around fifty issues as well as spin-off titles Queen Sonja and this first issue to a mini-series.

And Walter Geovani makes sure we know part of Sonja's appeal with his beautiful art. Geovani uses many large panels and two splash pages to show off Sonja's form, and we readers are appreciative. But if Marvel taught us anything, it's that hot, metal bikini clad redheads do not guarantee and successful book.

Luckily Lieberman and Ryker provide us with a gripping first issue. A red haired youth named Gamble tells Sonja that her red hair marks her as one of the Budini, a people perpetually cursed as the scapegoats of other peoples. With a shining ruby, he pays Sonja to go to Wodinaz, the home of the Budini. There is trouble there, and they need the help of a powerful fighter...like Sonja.

Lieberman and Ryker keep the mysteries abounding making us desperate for the next issue. Surely Gamble is hiding something. And when Loki appears on the last page, an army of monsters in tow, looking for Gamble, we're trapped. We'll pick up the next issue because we must know what is going on.

And, of coourse, who can pass up that metal bikini?

Comic Catch: February 3, 2010

2010-02-02T22:18:00.000-05:00

DEADPOOL TEAM-UP #896 - Story by: Stuart Moore
Art by: Shawn Crystal
Colors by: Lee Loughridge
Cover by: Humberto Ramos
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

"GOOD BUDDIES"

Get ready to hit the road with U.S. ACE, Marvel's truckin' hero! He's back behind the wheels of a big rig with an unlikely partner -- DEADPOOL -- and together they're puttin' the hammer down, ridin' the open road, and decapitatin' giant killer raccoons. Good times...if they don't kill each other first! Featuring the working-class villainy of THE HIGHWAYMAN, and the world premiere of the chart-toppin' "Ballad of U.S. Ace," composed and performed by Wade Wilson. What part of "Collector's Item" don't you understand?

DOOM PATROL #7 - Story by: Keith Giffen
Co-feature Story by Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis
Art and Cover by: Matthew Clark
Co-feature Art by: Kevin Maguire
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $3.99

Oolong Island is picking up the pieces after the Black Lanterns' devastating attack. Former Patrol member Crazy Jane finds the island first, bearing terrifying news of what's to come… Plus, more Metal Men!

GOD COMPLEX #3 - Story by: Michael Avon Oeming, Daniel Berman
Art by: John Broglia
Cover by: Michael Avon Oeming
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

Don’t miss this ACTION-PACKED issue!

Titans CLASH when Paul dukes it out with none other than Hercules in order to save the beautiful Sophia from the clutches of the god’s minions! And the action doesn’t stop there - For Paul, even saving the damsel in distress is COMPLEX!

JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA ANNUAL #2 - Story by: Keith Giffen and Matthew Sturges
Art by: Tom Derenick
Cover by: Freddie Williams II
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $4.99

Reflecting developments in both MAGOG and JSA ALL-STARS this month, Magog finds himself the odd man out during a massive escape from Haven – and his own team thinks he's somehow responsible for the prison break! Turns out, Magog may have exposed one of the DC Universe's biggest cover-ups! Featuring 56 pages of thrilling JSA adventure from writers Keith Giffen and Matthew Sturges and artist Tom Derenick.

RED SONJA WRATH OF THE GODS #1 - Story by: Luke Lieberman, Than Ryker
Art by: Walter Geovanni
Colors by: Vinicius Andrade
Cover by: Lucio Parillo
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment

While the adventures of Queen Sonja continue to thrill and amaze readers both new and old, follow the She-Devil with a Sword in a classic tale of the primordial gods themselves as Red Sonja faces the "Wrath of the Gods." Written by Luke Leiberman and Ethan Ryker, featuring the returning art of Walter (RED SONJA) Geovani, WRATH OF THE GODS explores the mysteries of Sonja's past, while presenting her with the malicious threat of Loki in the present! Can Thor, the God of Thunder, and Odin, the All-Father, aid the warrior woman and prevent their fellow god from destroying the very world? Featuring a fully-painted cover by Lucio Parrillo.

SAVAGE DRAGON #157 - Story by: Erik Larsen
Art by: Erik Larsen
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $3.50

"DRAGON WAR," Part Three

The Vicious Circle gets an upgrade--and Savage Dragon has never faced greater odds. This war just went nuclear!

SIEGE #2 - Story by: Brian Michael Bendis
Art by: Olivier Coipel
Cover by: Olivier Coipel, Joe Quesada, Gabriele dell'Otto
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

The blockbuster Marvel event of the year goes full-blown carnage and madness as the biggest and most brutal battle in Marvel’s history brings together heroes from all sides. Lines have been drawn, and an unlikely hero will save one Avenger, but they can’t save them all. The Siege has begun and it claims its first victim as AN AVENGER WILL DIE!!

SUPERMAN WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON #12 - Story by: Greg Rucka, James Robinson
Art by: Pete Woods, Ron Randall
Cover by: Gary Frank
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

Now that the conspiracy involving New Krypton's council has been brought to light, can Superman keep his people from tearing each other apart? And what does a skull-shaped ship flying towards New Krypton mean?

ULTIMATE COMICS X #1 - Story by: Jeph Loeb
Art by: Art Adams
Colors by: Peter Steigerweld
Letters by: Comicraft
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

Who - or what - is Ultimate X? The answers and even more secrets arrive in the all new ULTIMATE X ongoing bi-monthly series from the superstar dream team of JEPH LOEB and ART ADAMS. Wolverine is dead. Captain America is a fugitive. The Fantastic Four disbanded. Lives have been destroyed and nothing can ever be the same - is there any hope left? It all begins with a search for a brand new character whose identity will leave jaws on the floor and change the Ultimate Universe forever.

Cool New Small Press Titles in April

2010-01-31T10:04:00.000-05:00

Cavewoman: Extinction - Story by: Rob Durham
Art by: Rob Durham
Publisher: Basement Comics
Cover Price: $3.75
Product Code: FEB100724

While exploring an immense cavern just on the other side of the town limits, four kids accidentally destroy the egg of one of the cave's deadliest inhabitants. Blindly fleeing from certain death, three manage to escape without harm but one is left behind in the panic to face the wrath of the enraged creature alone! The three that got away look to the only person who can help - Cavewoman!

Hack/Slash and Mercy Sparx: A Slice of Hell - Story by: Josh Blaylock
Art by: Joe Song
Cover by: Tim Seeley; Matt Merhoff
Publisher: Devil's Due Publishing
Cover Price: $5.99
Product Code: FEB100798/FEB100799

Angels and Demons, Slashers and Killers - discerning them can all get so confusing. What happens when Mercy and Hank need the relic of a slasher on Cassie and Vlad’s hit list? Even worse, when the slasher wants it back? It’s a fun violent romp that brings DDP’s sexiest seductresses together for the first time.

Kill Shakespeare #1 - Story by: Conor McCreery and Anthony Del Col
Art by: Andy Belanger
Covers by: Kagan McLeod; Andy Belanger
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Cover Price: $3.99
Product Code: FEB100959

What Fables does for fairy tales, Kill Shakespeare does with the greatest writer of all time. This dark take on the Bard pits his greatest heroes (Hamlet, Juliet, Othello Falstaff) against his most menacing villains (Richard III, Lady Macbeth, Iago) in an epic adventure to find and kill a reclusive wizard named William Shakespeare. This debut— featuring a full 32-page story—will change the way you look at Shakespeare forever.

The Light #1 - Story by: Nathan Edmondson
Art by: Brett Weldele
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
Product Code: FEB100336

In Oregon, a mysterious virus infects anyone that looks into an electric light. The few survivors include a father escaping town with his blindfolded daughter as the infected burn alive from the inside out. A fierce, action-packed and gritty tale of survival, THE LIGHT is 28 DAYS LATER meets 30 DAYS OF NIGHT.

Pilot Season: Hardcore #1 - Story by: Robert Kirkman
Art by: Brian Stelfreeze
Cover by: Marc Silvestri
Publisher: Top Cow/Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
Product Code: FEB100414

Once the hard core is shot into the back of your neck, an assassin’s brain waves can be transmitted into your body–circumventing your brain functions–taking complete control of your body. When assassins use this technology–your killer can be anyone; your barber, your neighbor or your wife. They are the best assassins in the world–but what happens when one of their own turns against them? Who can you trust when your enemy can change his appearance as easy as someone changes a shirt?

Splatterman - Story by: Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray
Art by: Giancarlo Caracuzzo and Paul Mounts
Letters by: Bill Tortolini
Cover by: Tim Bradstreet
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $6.99
Product Code: FEB100351

SPLATTERMAN is the blood soaked story of two comic creators and their ultimate horror character creation gone very bad. After receiving the publishing deal they've long sought after, they soon find a strong enough imagination can be twisted for chilling purposes. For this done-in-one graphic novella that truly lives up to its title, Palmiotti, Gray and Caracuzzo are joined by WANTED's Paul Mounts, letterer Bill Tortolini and famed cover artist Tim Bradstreet.

Voyages of the She-Buccaneer: Origins #1 - Story by: Will Hughes and Heidi Hughes
Art by: Will Hughes and Heidi hughes
Publisher: Great Big Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Product Code: FEB100929

The Lusty Lady of the Deep Blue Sea returns for a fanciful retelling of her origins which includes real pirates like Blackbeard, Ann Bonney, Mary Read, Calico Jack Rackham, and Charles Vane. Her three-part origin story is firmly set in a historical context and seasoned by the rambling memories of a drunken pirate narrator, with romance and epic pirate adveture upon the high seas. And if that isn't enough, there's her first session with evil Governer William Truk's sadistic torture rack.

Comic Catch: January 27, 2010

2010-01-25T19:38:00.000-05:00

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #619 - Story by: Dan Slott
Pencils by: Marcos Martin
Inks by: Array
Colors by: Javier Rodriguez
Letters by: Joe Caramagna
Cover by: Marcos Martin
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: 2.99

MYSTERIOUS: Chapter Two "Re-Appearing Act" SPIDER-MAN versus MYSTERIO! How long can Mysterio play with Spidey's head before the web-slinger finally snaps?! The mind games keep ratcheting up as the body count goes up, down, and...into the negatives? Some bad guys just won't die and others can't stay dead! So which long-thought deceased Spider-Man character is back now?! It may only be January, but get ready for the most unbelievable Spider-Man moment of the year!

BLACKEST NIGHT JSA #2 - Story by: James Robinson
Art by: Eddy Barrows and Ruy José
Cover by: Eddy Barrows and Nei Ruffino
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

BLACKEST NIGHT continues! Black Lantern Lois Lane tracks down her undead husband, but their reunion could mean Power Girl's funeral! Don't miss this terrifying tie-in from James Robinson and Eddy Barrows!

CHEW #8 - Story by: John Layman
Art and Cover: Rob Guillory
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

"INTERNATIONAL FLAVOR," Part Three
Introducing Poyo! In the cockfighting ring, Poyo is almost impossible to defeat. This makes Poyo's owners very, very rich. It also has a habit of making Poyo's owners very, very dead. Guess who gets assigned to track down Poyo, and the murderers who have stolen him?

DETECTIVE COMICS #861 - Story by : Greg Rucka
Art by: Jock, Cully Hamner
Cover by: JH Williams III
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $3.99

It's double the detectives with Batman and Batwoman in for part one of "Cutter"! Batwoman investigates a string of grisly attacks that have left the victims mutilated, or, worse, dead. But what does this case have to do with the kidnapping of a socialite from ten years ago, and what evidence can The Dark Knight himself bring to light on this macabre mystery? Featuring guest Art by acclaimed illustrator Jock (THE LOSERS, GREEN ARROW: YEAR ONE)!And in the co-feature, the Huntress and The Question find themselves in over their heads as a gunrunning case leads them to the business end of a double-barrel shotgun!

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep #8 - Story by: Philip K. Dick
Art by: Tony Parker
Cover by: Brett Weldele, Scott Keating
Publisher: Boom! Studios
Cover Price: $3.99

From the bestselling book that inspired the film Blade Runner! Things heat up in this issue of Philip K. Dick’s masterpiece as Deckard’s tireless hunt for the Nexus-6 androids continues. Although they are not easy to identify, staying alive may prove to be the hardest part of Deckard’s quest!

FANTASTIC FOUR #575 - Story by: Jonathan Hickman
Art by: Dale Eaglesham
Colors by: Paul Mounts
Cover by: Alan Davis
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

Kicking off the world-spanning new adventures of the Fantastic Four, this is part one of the Prime Elements arc: The Hidden City of the High Evolutionary! Featuring the return of the Mole Man, the architecture of the underworld, and the smartest Moloid you'll ever meet. Don't miss it!

GUARDIANS OF GALAXY #22 - Story by: Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning
Art by: Brad Walker
Colors by: Jay David Ramos
Letters by: Joe Caramagna
Cover by: Alex Garner
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

A REALM OF KINGS ISSUE! Holy Octo-mom! What's growing in Moondragon's belly, why is the Universal Church of Truth obsessed with keeping her, and can the Guardians rescue her before the planet they're on goes supernova? Find out in the series that IGN calls "Impressive...Brad Walker's pages are a dazzling sight...Guardians of the Galaxy is still standing tall and strong."

IRREDEEMABLE #10 - Story by: Mark Waid
Art by: Peter Krause, Diego Barreto
Cover by: Paul Azaceta, Dan Panosian
Publisher: Boom! Studios
Cover Price: $3.99

Revealed at last–the secrets behind the Bette/Gilgamos/Plutonian triangle as we learn just what brought Gilgamos to the Paradigm team originally–and why he may never trust any one of his former friends ever again! An apocalyptic superhero ongoing by the author of multiple Eisner Award-winning KINGDOM COME and EMPIRE!

JUSTICE LEAGUE CRY FOR JUSTICE #6 - Story by: James Robinson
Art and Cover by: Mauro Cascioli
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $3.99

After a shocking loss, Prometheus reveals an even greater threat to the team than they thought possible! How will this new crisis change the face of the DC Universe? Find out in the penultimate chapter of this groundbreaking miniseries event!

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #41 - Story by: James Robinson
Art and covers: by Mark Bagley and Rob Hunter
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $3.99

Be here for the start of a new Justice League era! The JLA have been getting a pounding in the last couple of months, but NO MORE! The team regroups with a new roster that will transcend time and space! Make way for the World's Greatest Heroes – Batman, Green Lantern, the Atom, Green Arrow, Donna Troy, the Guardian, Cyborg, Mon-El, Starfire, Dr. Light and, yes, Congorilla!

JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #35 - Story by: Bill Willingham
Art by: Travis Moore and Dan Green
Cover by: Jesus Merino
Publisher: DC
Cover Price $2.99

It's all-out war as the leaner, meaner Justice Society of America confront another intruder in their midst! But this time it's bad news for their enemy, as he's facing a team that has learned from its past mistakes! The new incarnation of the Justice Society is more together than ever!

KICK-ASS #8 - Story by: Mark Millar
Art by: John Romita Jr., Tom Palmer
Colors by: Dean White
Letters by: Chris Eliopoulos
Cover by: John Romita Jr.
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

THIS IS IT!!! The final confrontation as KICK-ASS and HIT GIRL test their mettle. Bodies will fly and bad guys will die as the biggest surprise hit super hero comic of the twenty-first century reaches shocking new heights! Who will live? Who will be morally outraged? MARK MILLAR (WOLVERINE: OLD MAN LOGAN) and JOHN ROMITA JR. (AMAZING SPIDER-MAN) know the answers—and they hold NOTHING BACK in what’s sure to be the most talked-about single issue of the year!

NEW AVENGERS #61 - Story by: Brian Michael Bendis
Art by: Stuart Immonen
Colors by: Dave McCaig
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

Steve Rogers makes his triumphant return to the Avengers, but is he too late? With the SIEGE on Asgard begun, he must act swiftly, but who can he turn to and trust in a world with Norman Osborn in charge? When the gods fall, what chance does a Super Soldier stand? The biggest shake up since DISASSEMBLED starts here!

PREDATOR #4 - Story by: John Arcudi
Art by: Javier Saltares
Cover by: Raymond Swanland
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Cover Price: $3.50

Think that a third-world civil war is messy? How about an off-world civil war? Caught in the middle of a blood feud between rival Predator clans in an east African war zone, private military contractor Thorpe barely makes it back to base with his hide intact after a pitched firefight with a squad of extraterrestrial marauders. But clean sheets and hot chow will provide cold comfort once the alien killers and their lethal technology track Thorpe down, and he has precious little time to marshal the Graham Directive Security crew for a desperate defense. They might have had a chance had they not lost their most potent ally, a lone rival Predator warrior, but now Thorpe and the GDS soldiers are out of options and out of time as they prepare to make their stand-their last stand.

PUNISHER #13 - Story by: Rick Remender
Art by: Tony Moore
Colors by: Dan Brown
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

"FRANKEN-CASTLE," PART 3

Trapped in the dank tunnels under New York, surrounded by a savage team of Japanese monster hunters, filthy in the blood of his friends, Frank Castle turns, lifts a giant rifle and smiles. They aren't prepared for this, you aren't prepared for this, an entire issue loaded full, completely dedicated to bleeding, sweet, revenge-splattered murder in traditional hardcore Punisher style. Frank's been through hell -- time to give a little back.

Robocop #1 - Story by: Rob Williams
Art by: Fabiano Neves
Colors by: Diogo Nascimento
Cover by: Stephen Segovia, Johnny D
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Cover Price: $3.50

Dynamite Entertainment proudly presents the dynamic debut of Robocop by writer Rob (Classwar) Williams and artist Fabiano (MARVEL ZOMBIES VS. THE ARMY OF DARKNESS) Neves! Under two awesome covers - one by the sensational Stephen Segovia and the other by Dynamite's newest artistic sensation (and the pupil of artist David Finch) Johnny D! - Dynamite goes back to basics as it unveils the dystopian, deeply satirical, and all-out violent world of Robocop.

This is ROBOCOP meets the conspiracy theory mystery of ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN, following on from Paul Verhoeven's original by mixing high action, extreme violence and satire. Plus: the return of ED-209!

SUPERMAN #696 - Story by: James Robinson
Art by: Bernard Chang
Cover by: CAFU
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

"Man of Valor" Part 3! Picking up plot threads from ACTION COMICS #885, the Guardian, Nightwing and Flamebird are hot on the trail of General Zod's Metropolis sleeper agent. But just as they're about to uncover who the sleeper is, tragedy strikes, which leads to a completely different revelation. Seeds for this issue's surprising twist were planted all the way back in James Robinson's first issue – so don't miss it!

SUPERMAN SECRET ORIGIN #4 - Story by: Geoff Johns
Art by: Gary Frank and Jon Sibal
Covers by: Gary Frank
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $3.99

While everyone wants something from Metropolis' first Super Hero, Superman must fight his first Super-Villain – someone who wants everything – the Parasite! Meanwhile, Lex Luthor turns his attention toward The Man of Steel...

ULTIMATE COMICS ENEMY #1 - Story by: Brian Michael Bendis
Art by: Rafa Sandoval
Cover by: Ed McGuinness
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

Who is the face of true evil in the Ultimate Universe? What is the biggest secret the world doesn't know? Join the gathered heroes as they embark on an adventure unlike anything seen in Marvel Comics...and that's a promise!! Ultimate Universe co-founder, BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (Ultimate Spider-Man, Secret Invasion) and rising star Rafa Sandoval (Avengers: The Initiative) unveils this important new chapter in the most exciting line in comics!

WALKING DEAD #69 - Story by: Robert Kirkman
Art and Cover by: Charlie Adlard and Cliff Rathburn
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

At long last... they arrive. But will things get better... or WORSE?

WOLVERINE WENDIGO #1 - Story by: Frank Tieri
Art by: Paco Diaz, Paul Gulacy
Colors by: Thomas Mason
Cover by: Ben Oliver
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

A camera crew torn limb from limb attempting to shoot footage of a mythical beast in the deepest forests of Canada. Two survivors spouting wildly diverging stories about a ferocious, white-furred monster and the mysterious stranger that came to their rescue. How are the police to make heads or tails of all of this? Let's go to the videotape! Also featuring: "Wolverine Vs. Thor": Want to see what happens when a jerky-chewing kanuckle-head steps up to the Asgardian God of Thunder? Let's just say that it doesn't involve tea and biscuits. Featuring Wolverine and Logan in their first encounter, which first debuted on MARVEL DIGITAL COMICS.

X-FACTOR #201 - Story by: Peter David
Art by: Bing Cansino
Colors by: Jeremy Cox
Cover by: David Yardin
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

Something is rotten in the state of Latveria. How does it relate to the disappearance of the Invisible Woman? How does it involve Layla Miller, and is she now an ally of Doctor Doom, with all of her precious knowledge at his disposal? Will Madrox learn exactly who is buried beneath that mysterious grave? And will you buy the issue in order to find out? We dunno; what're we, psychic?

X-MEN LEGACY #232 - Story by: Mike Carey
Art by: Clay Mann
Cover by: Adi Granov
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

"NECROSHA"

A classic X-Villain hitched a ride on Destiny's body when Selene brought her back from the dead. But this villain doesn't want to be part of the Black Queen's master plan. He's got his own agenda. So it's up to Rogue, Nightcrawler, Colossus, Psylocke, Husk, Blindfold and MAGNETO (what? You haven't been reading UNCANNY X-MEN?!?!) to take this villain down. Part 2 (of 3)

Comic Book Review: Fearless Dawn #2

2010-01-24T18:14:00.001-05:00

Written and Illustrated by: Steve Mannion
Colors: Frank Forte and Steve Mannion
Publisher: Asylum Press
Cover Price: $2.95

I had meant to pick up Fearless Dawn #1, but there was some mix up at Ye' Ol' Comic Shop and I never got it, but they got me Fearless Dawn #2. First thing that makes this a good purchase is the cover...We know Nazis are the best villains and are to be hated, but scantily clad Nazi vixens are comic staples which can't be ignored, right up there with gorillas and jungle women in leopard bikinis.

So I'm not going to claim I understand everything that is going on. Our alluring Nazi villainess is Helga and she's trapped Fearless Dawn and Number 7 in her dungeon, so they take some drug which turns them into monsters so that they can escape. In many respects, Fearless Dawn feels like a golden age book with the plot being focused on the simple pummeling of Nazis. Helga and the monstrous General remind me of the old Whiz Comics with Captain Marvel fighting inept villains in a campy, slapstick style. Add in the cheesecake shots of Fearless Dawn, Helga, and Agent Betty, with visable garters even, and you have a fun throwback to simpler comic days. Let's face it, not everything has to be melodramatic mega-events. After reading a stack of Bendis, Ellis, and Millar, a lighthearted, straightforward slugfest is a nice respite. Which, if that sounded like a backhanded compliment, it shouldn't. It should be taken as a straghtforward compliment.

I'm glad Ye' Ol' Comic Shop got me Fearless Dawn #2 because I wouldn't have known about this fun book with nice art from Mannion. Naturally with a cheesecake focused title such as Fearless Dawn, the art has to be able to carry the allure, and sure enough, Mannion pulls it off. I mean check out Agent Betty!

2010-01-24T11:25:00.001-05:00

Here at Evil Genius Comics we tend to focus on the underdog...

No, not that Underdog, though I have the utmost respect for Shoeshine Boy's alter ego (though Shoeshine himself was kind of annoying). No, I mean the indy comic underdogs.

Anywawy, even though the Big Two get enough press to choke Galactus with still enough left over to make Ego the Living Planet request a steak knife, I felt like this project, due out April 7, 2010, deserved some recognition. This will be Zalben's first Marvel series. He was published by Marvel in Hulk Team-Up with a back-up to that one-shot with Allison Blaire, the Dazzler, developing the hots for little ol' Bruce Banner. Many reviewers found the back-up a better piece than the main story. Now Zalben's getting a four issue mini pairing Thor with the Power Pack...oh, and the real selling point for me, the Pet Avengers get mixed in as well!

Need more than the solicitation below to help you decide to pick this book up in April? Then check out these interviews at Newsarama and Marvel.com, Zalben's blog, and his video seen world wide, Minesweeper: The Movie (after the solicitation):

Marvel.com Interview
Newsarama Interview
Alex Zalben's Website

Thor and the Warriors Four
Story by: Alex Zalben
Pencils by: Gurihiru
Inks by: Array
Cover by: Gurihiru
Publisher: Marvel Comics
PRICE: 2.99

THE STORY:
It all starts here! Power Pack’s biggest adventure ever begins, as they desperately search for the only person who can save the life of their grandmother – THE MIGHTY THOR! But first, they’re going to need to get to Asgard, and that means joining forces with Frog Thor...And THE PET AVENGERS! An epic tale that starts with a book of myths and ends with the destruction of the entire world, this is a journey into mystery that will leave Power Pack changed – forever!

Cool New Indy Titles in March

2010-01-23T09:49:00.000-05:00

Arcana Presents 2010
Story by: Various
Art by: Various
Publisher: Arcana Studios
Cover Price: $0.25
UPC Code: 89808400125510004

Featuring all-new, never-before-published content on The Greatest American Hero, Kade, and the Return of Ant! Plus, a sneak peak at upcoming titles and some major surprises! This is the one book we promise you won't want to miss!

Kevin Smith's Green Hornet #1

Story by: Kevin Smith
Art by: Jonathan Lau
Covers by: Alex Ross, John Cassaday, J. Scott Campbell, and Stephen Segovia
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Cover Price: $3.99
UPC: 725130137067

The Green Hornet is back and Dynamite is the new home for the avenging hero and his faithful sidekick, Kato (and, the Black Beauty, 'natch!)!
And we're kicking things off with a BANG as we launch the first of a new series of adventures starting with the great Kevin Smith. And let's get it out of the way, right here, right NOW - the scripts are in! Every single one! Joining Smith in bringing his unproduced screenplay to life is artist Jonathan (Black Terror) Lau as they present the one and only origin of the Green Hornet and Kato. This is the comic book version of Kevin smith's unproduced Green Hornet film and Dynamite is the only place to get in on the action - it all begins here!

THE GOVERNATOR #1

Story by: David Hutchison
Art by: David Hutchison
Publisher: Antarctic Press
Cover Price: $3.99
UPC Code: 61072107067300111

Fear him now, understand him later! Bursting out of the pages of President Evil comes a machine sent back in time to terminate Gray Davis and become Governor of Kaleefornia.. Because no puny specials about the President of the United States fighting zombies could be enough to contain the glorious, high-octane (but emissions-compliant) powerhouse that is the Governator. Zombie hordes? Pah! When the President can deal with rolling blackouts, tree-hugging environmentalists, annual wildfires, Hollywood-based lobbyists and zombie hordes, then maybe he'll start approaching the musclebound magnificence that is the Governator! "That Governator is out there. It can't be bargained with, it can't be reasoned with, and it will not stop, ever...until his term is over."

The Terminator #1
Story by: Zack Whedon
Art by: Andy MacDonald
Color by: Dan Jackson
Cover Art by: Massimo Carnevale
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Cover Price: $3.50
UPC Code: 76156817027600111

The year is 2029. It's the year that John Connor, leader of the Resistance, sends Kyle Reese to 1984 to save Sarah Connor from a T-800 with a grudge.

But before all of that happened, Kyle Reese was just another man fighting to survive in a world overrun by a technology that had taken on a life of its own and annihilated civilization.

Who was Kyle before he met John Connor and was thrust through time to face off with a T-800 and fall for a waitress with a destiny? And who were his comrades in arms?

In this three-issue series we'll meet Kyle Reese and his closest allies as they take on T-600s, T-800s, and HKs, in a world where there is little in the way of food, water, or hope.

Comic Catch: January 20, 2010

2010-01-19T21:11:00.000-05:00

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #618 - Story by: Dan Slott
Pencils by: Marcos Martin
Inks by: Array
Colors by: Javier Rodriguez
Letters by: Joe Caramagna
Cover by: Marcos Martin
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

MYSTERIOUS: Chapter One "Un-Murder Incorporated" MYSTERIO is back from the dead...and he's not alone! When deceased members of the Maggia crime family return from beyond the grave, the balance of power shifts in their gang war with Hammerhead and the Inner-Demons. Can Spider-Man and crime scene investigator, Carlie Cooper, solve this mystery...before it gets a little too personal? PLUS: Secret sides of both Mr. Negative and J. Jonah Jameson Sr. revealed, a disturbing turn for Aunt May, the reappearance of ANOTHER Spider-Villain.

AVENGERS VS AGENTS OF ATLAS #1 - Story by: Jeff Parker
Art by: Gabriel Hardman
Cover by: Humberto Ramos
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

Spacetime is being selectively eroded by an unknown force. To stop the effect, the Agents of Atlas seek the help of the Avengers- and find a much earlier version of the team than they expected: Captain America, Iron Man, Wasp, Giant-Man and Thor are together again, with the atomic wildcard THE HULK!

DARK AVENGERS #13 - Story by: Brian Michael Bendis
Art by: Mike Deodato
Cover by: Mike Deodato
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

SIEGE BLOCKBUSTER TIE-IN!! After years of mystery, the secrets of the Sentry are revealed! How deep is his madness and who is really in control of him? What is the limit of his power, if any? And what deadly mystery surrounds him causing mortals and gods to tremble in fear?

DEADPOOL MERC WITH A MOUTH #7 - Story by: Victor Gischler
Art by: Kyle Baker, Bong Dazo, Rob Liefeld, Das Pastoras
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

“ARE YOU THERE, DEADPOOL? IT'S ME DEADPOOL.” Special double-sized issue with art by ROB LIEFELD, KYLE BAKER, DAS PASTORAS and regular series artist BONG DAZO. What do you do with a homesick zombie head? Take it back to the zombie universe, of course! Hopping through an interdimensional portal in the Florida swamp with Headpool tucked under his arm, Deadpool soon finds himself bouncing through a series of outlandish alternate realities, each more warped than the last. Wade Wilson, say hello to Major Deadpool, the Deadpool Kid and – va-va-voom – Lady Deadpool.

DOCTOR VOODOO AVENGER OF SUPERNATURAL #4 - Story by: Rick Remender
Art by: Jefte Palo
Cover by: Marko Djurdjevic
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

Nightmare has claimed Earth. His unreal universe of pain and terror has been made tangible and spread across the globe by an army comprised of the world’s most powerful supernatural beings. Negating the sacrifice of a former Sorcerer Supreme, Jericho Drumm has opened the long-sealed gateway to Bondyè to ask the Voodoo Loa’s for aid. However, what he finds in the strange god land may very well shatter his world forever!

G-MAN CAPE CRISIS #5 - Story by: Chris Giarrusso
Art by: Chris Giarrusso
Cover by: Chris Giarrusso
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

G-Man and Great Man embark on a quest to regain their lost powers. Facing opposition and peril at every turn, their toughest challenge may be putting up with each other. It’s more action-packed laugh-out-loud kid superhero fun from Mini-Marvels creator CHRIS GIARRUSSO!

INCORRUPTIBLE #2 - Story by: Mark Waid
Art by: Jean Diaz
Cover by: Dennis Calero, Raphael Albuquerque
Publisher: Boom! Studios
Cover Price: $3.99

Last April BOOM! Studios showed the world that MARK WAID IS EVIL with the smash-hit series IRREDEEMABLE. Now BOOM! shows the world that Mark Waid is… INCORRUPTIBLE! In this new ongoing, the reformed super villain Max Damage and his sidekick, the less reformed Jailbait, set out on their first mission–to extract vengeance against an old ally who must be brought to justice and who holds an important key to Max’s plans to bring down the Plutonian!

INCREDIBLE HERCULES #140 - Story by: Greg Pak, Jeff Parker, Fred Van Lente
Art by: Rodney Buchemi, Gabriel Hardman
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

"ASSAULT ON NEW OLYMPUS," Part 3 (of 4) Of all the giants, gods and monsters Hercules and his team of New and Mighty Avengers have faced in their battle through New Olympus, none may be as formidable as HEPHAESTUS, creator of the immortals' fearsome war engines! With what fearsome device will he try to ensnare and destroy the Hercules/Amadeus Cho team, which has reformed at last -- only to meet their doom? Find out as the New York Times Best-Selling creative team lead Herc on his biggest adventure yet! Plus: as the Agents of Atlas push into the stronghold of the Olympus group, Aphrodite decides to take matters into her own hands in Godmarked Part 3!

MIGHTY AVENGERS #33 - Story by: Dan Slott
Art by: Khoi Pham
Cover by: Khoi Pham
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

"The Coming Darkness..." Part 2 Can the MIGHTY AVENGERS and DARK AVENGERS join forces long enough to -- we're sorry, we can't even pretend to finish that sentence. There's no way the MIGHTY AVENGERS and DARK AVENGERS are teaming up. They're gonna beat the living heck out of each other! The only question is: can HANK PYM stop the IRON PATRIOT before he harnesses the power of the Cosmic Cube?!

PHANTOM STRANGER #42 - Story by: Peter J. Tomasi
Art by: Ardian Syaf and Vicente Cifuentes
Cover by: Ardian Syaf and Vicente Cifuentes
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

Spotlighting the DC Universe's magic-based characters! The Phantom Stranger, with Blue Devil at his side, battles the Black Lantern Spectre with little hope of success. Meanwhile, Black Lantern Deadman delves into the Phantom Stranger, compelled to learn the mysterious hero's true origins. But what dangers will arise if the Phantom Stranger's enigmatic past is revealed? Find out in another of this month's one-issue revivals of classic DC Universe titles!

PROJECT SUPERPOWERS CHAPTER TWO #6 - Story by: Jim Krueger, Alex Ross
Art by: Edgar Salazar, Doug Klauba
Cover by: Alex Ross, Stephen Segovia, Michael Golden
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Cover Price: $3.50

This issue it's an all-out battle as we present The Super MysteryMen vs. Team SuperPowers! The Supremacy unleashes their own arsenal of superheroes to take down the rogue Superpowers! Will our heroes be able to withstand the assault?!?! Plus: the painted origin of The Target by Alex Ross, Doug Klauba and Jim Krueger!

RAPTURE #6 - Story by: Michael Avon Oeming, Taki Soma
Art by: Michael Avon Oeming
Colors by: Val Staples
Cover by: Taki Soma
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

The end of the end is near for Evelyn Town. Cannibals have slain her mother and decimated her city. A corrupted Champion has twisted the heart of the one she sought so valiantly from the beginning-her boyfriend, Gil. Love and power are strong forces which can bring triumph or destruction. Will Evelyn and Gil recognize their gifts in time to save their world and themselves? Or, now that the former flames are reunited, will they fight to the death in the ultimate lovers' quarrel? Can the world ever recover its former glory, when utopia seemed within grasp as Champions patrolled the skies above? Or will Evelyn's and Gil's passion and anger end it all?

UNCANNY X-MEN #520 - Story by: Matt Fraction
Art by: Greg Land
Cover by: Terry Dodson
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

“NATION X” There's a rogue Predator X stalking mutants beneath New York City and it's down to Wolverine and Fantomex to hunt it down. There's an island in the San Francisco Bay that the mutants call home and it's slowly sinking -- and only King Namor can save the day. And meanwhile, in San Francisco, a supermob is making life hard in Chinatown...somebody call the X-Men! Part 6 (of 8)

Comic Catch: January 13, 2010

2010-01-12T19:43:00.000-05:00

ABSOLUTION #6 - Story by: Christos Gage
Art by: Roberto Viacava
Cover by: Jacen Burrows
Publisher: Avatar Press
Cover Price: $3.99

It all comes to a head in this explosive final issue! The house of cards has collapsed. The web of lies has unraveled. With his life falling apart around him, can John Dusk survive? Or will he who chases monsters become a monster himself? Don't miss the shocking conclusion of the acclaimed miniseries - the book Ed Brubaker calls "my favorite thing from Christos Gage so far"! John always knew there would come a time when he had to choose between his two lives. That time is now. And either way, there's no going back. He wants to be forgiven...but he doesn't want to stop.

ACTION COMICS #885 - Story by: Greg Rucka and Eric Trautmann
Co-feature story by: James Robinson and Greg Rucka
Art by: Pere Pérez
Co-feature Art by: CAFU
Cover by: CAFU
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $3.99

With a new lease on life, Nightwing and Flamebird return to Metropolis determined to hunt down one of General Zod's few remaining sleeper agents. Continued in SUPERMAN #696!

And in the co-feature, Captain Atom is back on Earth, but his struggle to break his ties with Mirabai and Project 7734 aren't over yet. Guest-starring Metropolis's own super-powered protector, Mon-El!

ANYWHERE #2 - Story by: Tom Akel, Eric Mahoney
Art by: Alan Quah
Publisher: Red 5 Comics
Cover Price: $3.50

Evils abound when ex-roommates seek revenge, alien head lice invade, supervillains come out of the closet, and the homeless attack! The purchase of this issue is guaranteed to enhance your sex life and make your estranged parents apologize for a trauma-filled childhood. The perfect jumping-on point for new readers!

AVP THREE WORLD WAR #1 - Story by: Randy Stradley
Art by: Rick Leonardi
Colors by: Wes Dzioba
Cover by: Raymond Swanland
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Cover Price: $3.50

A centuries-old interstellar conflict threatens humanity's very existence as a long-lost Predator clan stakes its claim for galactic dominance, intent on exterminating its rival clan, the selfsame trophy hunters who have plagued Earth's history and every world they have touched. And if the advanced technology and military precision of this new threat weren't enough, they have an even more terrifying weapon at their disposal-Aliens, weaponized and under their malefic control. This puts earthmen in the dangerous position of parlaying with the same alien warriors who have relentlessly hunted them, and who better to carry out the negotiations than Machiko Naguchi, the only human known to have spent time alongside the Hunters.

DARK X-MEN #3 - Story by: Paul Cornell
Pencils by: Leonard Kirk
Inks by: Array
Colors by: Brian Reber
Letters by: Robert Steen
Cover by: Simone Bianchi
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

Nate Grey, a.k.a., X-Man is back and he is not happy with the state of affairs in the Marvel Universe. So he goes straight to the man responsible—Norman Osborn—and it’s not for a nice chat. It’s X-Man vs. the Dark Avengers and Dark X-Men. Can this Omega class mutant survive this matchup? Find out here!

MARVELS PROJECT #5 - Story by: Ed Brubaker
Art by: Steve Epting
Cover by: Steve Epting
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

Marvel's ORIGIN story continues! Out of the ashes of the Project: Rebirth comes America's first Super-Soldier -- Captain America! Witness the first mission of Cap in New York...as Namor stalks the city streets and the Angel finds the hero killer he's been searching for. By the award-winning team of Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting.

PUNISHERMAX #3 - Story by: Jason Aaron
Art by: Steve Dillon
Colors by: Matt Hollingsworth
Cover by: Dave Johnson
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

"KINGPIN," Part 3 Wilson Fisk's plot to become Kingpin of New York finally brings him face to face with Frank Castle, as well as drawing in a 97-year-old, shotgun-toting mob widow and a mysterious hitman known only as The Mennonite.

REALM OF KINGS IMPERIAL GUARD #3 - Story by: Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning
Art by: Kev Walker
Colors by: Nathan Fairbairn
Cover by: Brian Haberlin
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

Can the Imperial Guard actually team up with their hated enemies the Starjammers? They will if they don’t want to be turned into worm bait by the giant decaying corpse they’re trapped in! What horrors has The Fault unleashed now, and is someone else from our universe winning the race to explore this dangerous new zone? Majestor Gladiator will not be pleased!

SECRET SIX #17 - Story by: John Ostrander and Gail Simone
Art by: J. Calafiore
Cover by: Daniel LuVisi
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

John Ostrander and Gail Simone continue their epic team-up that begins in SUICIDE SQUAD #67! Suicide Squad has taken capture of Deadshot, forcing him to rejoin their ranks. But the Secret Six doesn't see that happening any time soon!

TALISMAN ROAD OF TRIALS #3 - Story by: Stephen King, Peter Straub, and Robin Furth
Art by: Tony Shasteen
Publisher: Del Rey Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

The sadistic Osmond has Jack in his clutches at last - and he won't let go until he's squeezed from him the truth about his identity and his presence inside the Queen's Pavillion. Cover by Massimo Carnevale.

TITANS #21 - Story by: J.T. Krul
Art by: Angel Unzueta and Wayne Faucher
Cover by: Angel Unzueta
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

In part 1 of the 2-part "Fractured," with Dick back in Gotham City and Gar and Raven returning to the West Coast, the Titans find themselves in crisis. As the team continues to fall apart, the remaining members struggle to put the pieces back together. But the future of the Titans might be out of their control altogether.

UNWRITTEN #9 - Story by: Mike Carey
Art by: Peter Gross
Cover by: Yuko Shimizu
Publisher: DC/Vertigo
Cover Price: $2.99

As Donostia jail burns, assassins stalk its corridors in search of Tom Taylor — and so do the children who've decided to be his saviors. But there's one terrifying encounter still to come, as the Inside Man finally unmasks.

WE KILL MONSTERS #6 - Story by: Christopher Leone & Laura Harkcom
Art by: Brian Churilla
Inks by: Richard Ellis
Colors by: Ronda Pattison
Publisher: Red 5 Comics
Cover Price: $3.50

Auto-mechanics-turned-monster-killers Jake and Andrew Basher finally discover the source of the monsters plaguing their small town. With Andrew's ex-girlfriend Vanessa, they must do battle with the most fearsome monster of them all. But will they be able to stop the monsters from infesting the whole world...or is it too late?

Comic Catch: January 6, 2010

2010-01-05T20:25:00.000-05:00

BPRD: KING OF FEAR #1 - Story by: Mike Mignola, John Arcudi
Art by: Guy Davis
Colors by: Dave Stewart
Cover by: Mike Mignola
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

After the defeat of the mystic Memnan Saa, the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense-on the outs with the United States government after the bloodstained rescue of Liz Sherman-embarks to the Ural Mountains, the site of B.P.R.D.: Hollow Earth, to put the frog menace to rest once and for all. Meanwhile, Kate Corrigan heads to Hunte Castle in Austria, where Hellboy killed the Conqueror Worm, on her own rescue mission-to save ectoplasmic special agent Johann Kraus, possessed by the ghost of Lobster Johnson. Written by Mike Mignola and John Arcudi, and drawn by 2009 Eisner winner Guy Davis, B.P.R.D.: King of Fear wraps up the Scorched Earth trilogy, which started with The Warning and The Black Goddess.

DEADPOOL TEAM-UP #897 - Story by: Adam Glass
Art by: Chris Staggs
Cover by: Humberto Ramos
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

Deadpool gets his freak on when he’s hired to bump off Ed McGrady -- a.k.a. “Lobster Boy” -- the mayor of Freaksville, USA. But things get a little bit complicated when one of the Fallen decides to take over the town and, quite possibly, the rest of the world. Luckily for Deadpool, the Ghost Riders, Johnny Blaze and Danny Ketch, just happen to be in town too. It’s the end of the world as we know it…unless the Merc with a Mouth can play nice with the Spirits of Vengeance and send this demon back to hell in a hand basket. Which is harder than it might seem…

DOOM PATROL #6 - Story by: Keith Giffen
Co-feature Story by: Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis
Art by: Matthew Clark
Co-feature Art by: Kevin Maguire
Cover by: Matthew Clark
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $3.99

This month, we spotlight Negative Man, who's going to knit the history of The Doom Patrol into one cohesive whole. Cohesive to him, anyway. Plus, The Metal Men find another gag that those three old geezers doing the feature can run into the ground

FVZA #2 - Story by: David Hine
Art by: Roy Allan Martinez and Wayne Nichols
Paints by: Kinsun Loh and Jerry Choo
Letters by: Richard Starkings and Jimmy Betancourt
Covers by: Clint Langley and Yang Xueguo
Publisher: Radical Publishing
Cover Price: $4.99

After a successful raid on the zombie-infected town of Corben, the newly reinstated FVZA recruits are on high alert. But as the agency scans the world for new outbreaks of the undead virus, the vampire high council begins its plan for domination of the United States. Only the knowledge of newly appointed agency adviser Hugo Pecos and the battle skills of his grandchildren, Landra and Vidal, will give the FVZA a fighting chance at extinguishing the undead threat once and for all!

GIGANTIC #5 - Story by: Rick Remender
Art by: Eric Nguyen
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Cover Price: $3.50

With Earth about to be canceled and the universe at war, can Gigantic overcome the planet masher, Gunro Leviathan Combatant?! Galactic monster battles the likes of which have never been seen! Death/love broadcasting across the cosmic stage with the hearts of all living beings up for grabs! Fancy creators of critical distinction, Rick Remender and Eric Nguyen bring the first arc of their hit series to its pulse-pounding conclusion as Gigantic finds himself standing between the two simulcast networks that control all of space/time!

GOD COMPLEX #2 - Story by: Michael Avon Oeming & Daniel Berman
Art: John Broglia
Cover: Michael Avon Oeming
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

Magic, monsters and GODS are back! In this action packed issue the GODS hit Paul where it hurts... his own neighborhood. And now he must fight for his life; has Paul been found out? Will he be able to protect Sophia and George or are they in as much danger as he is? Being Paul's neighbor just got COMPLEX!

HAUNT #4 - Story by: Robert Kirkman
Art by: Greg Capullo, Ryan Ottley, and Todd McFarlane
Covers: Todd McFarlane and Ryan Ottley
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

MCFARLANE & KIRKMAN'S HAUNT CONTINUES! Haunt faces off against Cobra for the second time - just in time to learn his weakness! Daniel Kilgore's quest to find his brother's killer and save the world just got a whole lot more difficult.

JSA ALL STARS #2 - Story by: Matthew Sturges
Co-feature Story by: Jen Van Meter
Art and Cover by: Freddie Williams II
Co-feature Art by: Travis Moore and Dan Green
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $3.99

In "Constellations," part 1, The All-Stars have survived their first major battle, but in the aftermath, one team member is missing without a trace. The mysterious Strike Force has that member captive, but there's someone else who wants the missing All-Star even worse than Strike Force does. Plus, the rift between Power Girl and Magog widens. And in the first chapter of a new co-feature, Liberty Belle and Hourman embark on a worldwide hunt for a mysterious book – and the killer who may be after the secrets held within it! Icicle and Tigress aren't responsible for the murder, but they just might hold some keys to solving the mystery!

MARVEL BOY: URANIAN #1 - Story by: Jeff Parker
Art by: Felix Ruiz
Cover by: Marko Djurdjevic
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

A young man has travelled billions of miles through space in a rocket to help our world. But is Earth of the 1950's ready for a new super hero? Before he became the dark figure the Agents of Atlas call The Uranian, Bob Grayson raced through the skies as Marvel Boy! From the critically acclaimed writer of AGENTS OF ATLAS and FALL OF THE HULKS: ALPHA comes this all-new look back at one of Marvel’s first heroes!

ORC STAIN #1 - Story by: James Stokoe
Art & Cover: James Stokoe
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

A one-eyed orc with the ability to find the weak spot in any structure has started to notice cracks in the endless war and conquest of orc existence.

SAVAGE DRAGON #156 - Story by: Erik Larsen
Art & Cover: Erik Larsen
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $3.50

"DRAGON WAR," Part Two
It's Dragon vs. Dragon - to the death! But one of our green-skinned law enforcers has the brain of Emperor Kerr!

SIEGE #1 - Story by: Brian Michael Bendis
Art by: Oliver Coipel
Cover by: Oliver Coipel
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

Beginning with the ravaging affects of Avengers Disassembled and following the aftermaths of House of M, Civil War and Secret Invasion, culminating with the evil Reign of Norman Osborn, the Marvel Universe has been left with its greatest villains holding more power and control than ever before. On the brink of madness, Osborn, in his final bid to take total control, targets the final obstacle in his mission…Asgard. Events are set in motion forcing our heroes to put aside the deep rifts that have grown over the past seven years. Opposing them stand a horde of evil that has begun to take down the gods of the Golden Realm! SIEGE will rock the foundations of every super hero, villain and team in the Marvel Universe. As an era ends, one word will ring above all others…”SIEGE.”

SUICIDE SQUAD #67 - Story by: John Ostrander and Gail Simone
Art by: J. Calafiore
Cover by: Daniel LuVisi
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

Original SUICIDE SQUAD writer John Ostrander and Gail Simone resurrect The Suicide Squad as they take on BLACKEST NIGHT and the Secret Six! The Fiddler has risen from the dead, and he's targeting Deadshot and anyone who stands in his way. But someone else has targeted Deadshot – the Suicide Squad! Everything is about to hit the Wall (Amanda Waller, that is) – and this Wall hits back!

SUPERMAN: WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON #11 - Story by: Greg Rucka and James Robinson
Art by: Pete Woods
Cover by: Gary Frank
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

"Mystery in Space" Part 2! As the murder mystery on New Krypton deepens, Superman and Adam Strange's investigation leads them to uncover a conspiracy involving all five Kryptonian guilds that threatens to devastate the entire planet. This chain of events will touch everyone – Alura, Zod, even General Lane – and will lead directly into next month's explosive finale!

ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #6 - Story by: Brian Michael Bendis
Art by: David Lafuente
Colors by: Justin Ponsor
Letters by: Cory Petit
Cover by: David Lafuente
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

Mysterio has had just about enough of Spider-Man, so he sends in the ULTIMATE SPIDER-SLAYER…and sends it right to Peter Parker’s school! All this and the mystery of the Shroud is finally revealed!! Join rockstars BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS and DAVID LAFUENTE as we swing into the final chapter of this thrilling arc!

Comic Review: Anywhere #1

2010-01-03T12:55:00.000-05:00

Anywhere #1

Story by: Tom Akel and Eric Mahoney

Art by: Alan Quah

Colors by: Scott Kester and Kamikaze Studio

Letters by: Bill Tortolini

Publisher: Arcana Studios

Cover Price: $1.00

With a cover that looks like a tabloid carrying the headline "Gay Heroes Rescues Pussy", well, this wasn't a comic I could pass up. Especially considering that sweet cover price. Seriously? $1.00! Take me back to those sweet 99-cent days!

When you go pick this up, and yes I do mean when (It. Costs. One. Buck. Dude!), you will find the story of superhero slackers. That's right, superhero slackers. What do all superheroes do? Try to stop evil. What do these guys do? Try to party all night, play video games all day, and play the occasional game of hoops. And that's what they do to our amusement.

Who are they? There's Dust, the "leader" of the group, if couch potatoes actually have leaders. Then there's Wormhole. He opens worm holes to avoid using the subway and to go eat foreign food in foreign countries. But don't let him "drive" when he's been drinking. You could wind up anywhere. Then there's What's Up, the homosexual coffee-jockey with stretchy powers. He's Mr. Fantastic if Reed was a slack ass and no smarter than Ben Grimm. What? Reed's not gay? No, Sue's just a cover. Ok, fine...and "if" Mr. Fantastic was gay...

The humor is shown us by Alan Quah's vibrant art, with outstanding colors from Scott Kester and Kamikaze Studio.

It's not just beer jokes and video games, either. You'll find satire on superhero names, reality tv, and video games. So call your comic shop and tell them to get you a copy. Or find it online. I can't wait until next issue because this story could go...Anywhere!

Comic Catch: December 23, 2009

2009-12-23T13:17:00.001-05:00

ABSOLUTION #5 - Story by: Christos Gage
Art by: Roberto Viacava
Cover by: Jacen Burrows
Publisher: Avatar Press
Cover Price: $3.99

John Dusk's life continues to unravel as he finds himself in combat against his former teammates. Has he finally snapped? And even if he survives, is there any hope of salvaging some kind of life...or will he become a fugitive criminal like those he once hunted?

The searing saga of Absolution rockets to its conclusion...don't miss the book Ed Brubaker calls 'my favorite thing from Christos Gage so far'! John always knew there would come a time when he had to choose between his two lives. That time is now.

And either way, there's no going back. He wants to be forgiven...but he doesn't want to stop.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #616 - Story by: Fred Van Lente
Art by: Javier Pulido
Colors by: Javier Rodriguez
Cover by: Paolo Manuel Rivera
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

The Sandman has vacillated between good and evil over the years, joining the Sinister Six and the Frightful Four...as well as becoming a reserve Avenger and a member of Silver Sable's Wild Pack. But as of this issue, and forever more, he will always be known as a villain -- one of the worst in the Wall-Crawler's Rogues Gallery -- and it's all Spider-Man's fault!

CHEW #7 - Story by: John Layman
Art by: Rob Guillory
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

Meet Lin Sae Woo.

She’s a covert operative for the United States Department of Agriculture, and one its most lethal assassins. She has the equivalent of black belts in four different disciplines of martial arts hand-to-hand combat and is equally deadly with swords, throwing knifes, sniper rifles and handguns.

She’ll make a corpse out of anybody who tries to stand between her and completion of her current assignment—and that includes that nosy F.D.A. agent with the creepy cibopath power, Tony Chu!

DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP #7 - Story by: Philip K. Dick
Art by: Tony Parker
Cover by: Brett Weldele, Scott Keating
Publisher: Boom! Studios
Cover Price: $3.99

From the bestselling book that inspired the film Blade Runner! Things heat up in this issue of Philip K. Dick’s masterpiece as Deckard’s tireless hunt for the Nexus-6 androids continues. Although they are not easy to identify, staying alive may prove to be the hardest part of Deckard’s quest!

GUARDIANS OF GALAXY #21 - Story by: Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning
Art by: Brad Walker
Colors by: Jay David Ramos
Letters by: Joe Caramagna
Cover by: Dave Wilkins
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

A REALM OF KINGS ISSUE! As the shocking true dangers of the Fault become apparent, the Luminals make an unregulated trip into the wild zone, and they've brought back something that threatens to exterminate all life on Knowhere! You guessed it, now it's up to our rag-tag band of misfits to save the universe in another issue of the series that Ain't It Cool News says “makes my geek heart pitter-patter!”

HELLBOY BRIDE OF HELL - Story by: Mike Mignola
Art by: Richard Corben
Cover by: Mike Mignola
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Cover Price: $3.50

A year after their Eisner-nominated collaboration Hellboy: The Crooked Man, horror comics legends Corben and Mignola reunite!

A nineteen-year-old girl is kidnapped and Hellboy tracks her down to a remote clearing in France where she's about to be given to Asmodeus, in a strange tale of ghosts, demonic revenge, lost love, and King Solomon.

IMAGE UNITED #2 - Story by: Robert Kirkman
Art by: Erik Larsen, Rob Liefeld, Todd McFarlane, Whilce Portacio, Marc Silvestri & Jim Valentino
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

The greatest threat the Image Universe has ever faced makes his first move toward world domination! You can't miss this historic event as the original Image Founders draw all the characters they made history with. Each page is an amazing jam piece - it's a story told in a way never before attempted in comics.

INCREDIBLE HERCULES #139 - Story by: Greg Pak, Jeff Parker, Fred Van Lente
Art by: Reilly Brown, Rodney Buchemi
Colors by: Elizabeth Breitweiser
Letters by: Simon Bowland
Cover by: Michael Bierek
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

"ASSAULT ON NEW OLYMPUS," Part 2 (of 4) Hercules leads the New and Mighty Avengers against the overwhelming forces of Hera's New Olympus -- but these are no ordinary foes our heroes face, but the gods themselves! Can the superpredator Wolverine outfox an immortal Huntsman? Can Spider-Man out-webspin the divine Arachne? Can Henry Pym outgrow the giant Argus? And with his love Delphyne Gorgon prepared to slay his mentor Athena, Amadeus Cho must make a final, fateful choice!

INVINCIBLE #69 - Story by: Robert Kirkman
Art by: Ryan Ottley, Fco Plascencia
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

EVERYTHING IS DIFFERENT NOW!

Who is Universa?! Why did she come to this planet in search of the one called Invincible? What does it have to do with the impending Viltrumite Invasion?! And why did she decide to come NOW, on the eve of an attack from the SEQUIDS?! The answers to all these questions and even more questions piled on top of them – in this issue of Invincible.

IRREDEEMABLE #9 - Story by: Mark Waid
Art by: Peter Krause
Cover by: Javier Pulido, Dan Panosian
Publisher: Boom! Studios
Cover Price: $3.99

A “twilight of the superheroes”-style ongoing series that examines super-villains from Mark Waid writer of KINGDOM COME and EMPIRE! The hunt for Modeus may be over but ultimate chaos is still at hand! With the Plutonian still on the loose, The Paradigm find themselves with little time and little choice. Have the Paradigm unleashed something they cannot control?

JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #34 - Story by: Bill Willingham
Art by: Travis Moore & Dan Green
Cover by: Jesus Merino
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: #2.99

The Justice Society struggles to pick up the pieces after the team's devastating break up! Regrouping at a new, temporary home base, the smaller team reflects on the recent infiltration of their ranks and how they can protect themselves from another such attack in the future! And why is the new Dr. Fate acting so weird?

NEW AVENGERS #60 - Story by: Brian Michael Bendis
Art by: Stuart Immonen
Colors by: Dave Stewart
Letters by: Comicraft
Cover by: Stuart Immonen
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

Get ready for something you never thought you'd see! Is this the end of Luke Cage? Has the Dark Reign found a casualty so horrifying that the Avengers may not be able to keep it together? Another shocker from the crack team of Bendis and Immonen.

POWERS #2 - Story by: Brian Michael Bendis
Art by: Michael Avon Oeming
Cover by: Michael Avon Oeming
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.95

POWERS continues its monthly comeback!! Following the shocking revelations about Walker's past in our first issue, we dig deeper into the mysterious death of Z, the leader of the super hero rat pack of yesteryear. All this PLUS the long-awaited return of the Powers Personals! That's right!! Will Kick-Ass get you a girl? No. Will Incognito get you a honey? Pretty unlikely. Will Kabuki get you-- Well, Kabuki will probably get you a threesome but...Powers is back!!

PUNISHER #12 - Story by: Rick Remender
Art by: Tony Moore
Colors by: Dan Brown
Cover by: Mike McKone
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

The Punisher is dead, so who, or what, is the giant patchwork monster skulking through the tunnels under New York? And what do those strange armored Japanese hunters tracking him want? Criminals are no longer being killed; they are simply vanishing into thin air. Listen closely, you can hear their pleas far below the streets. Those forgotten by society have a new protector. The Legion of Monsters has found a new leader.

SUPERMAN #695 - Story by: James Robinson
Art by: Fernando Dagnino & Raúl Fernandez
Cover by: CAFU
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

Metropolis gets a chance to see the new Mon-El in action. But now the stakes are raised even higher and the action escalates as Mon finally goes mano-a-mano against the Parasite! This is a battle that's been brewing since Mon's emergence on Earth and now it explodes into the streets and skies of the city.
Plus, with Mon-El's secret identity publicly known, how will the Science Police react to him now that they know he's been living among them all this time? All this plus the return of Natasha Irons and the fate of Steel!

UNCANNY X-MEN #519 - Story by: Matt Fraction
Art by: Terry Dodson
Letters by: Joe Caramagna
Cover by: Greg Land
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

Cyclops takes a voyage into the head of Emma Frost in hopes of containing the horrifying piece of the villainous Void that has been stuck there since UTOPIA. Can they possibly defeat the awfulness that has haunted the most powerful being in the Marvel U? Tensions are rising on Utopia as the X-Men deal with the new members of their team and the fact that the island is…well…sinking. And Wolverine and a classic pal take one of the craziest journies you’ve ever seen.

X-MEN LEGACY #231 - Story by: Mike Carey
Art by: Clay Mann
Cover by: Adi Granov
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

The NECROSHA event hits X-MEN: LEGACY! Selene’s masterplan is clicking into place, but she got something she didn’t plan for when Destiny was brought back to life. A major X-Villain came back with Destiny and a who’s who of X-Men are sent to Muir Island to deal with them. Join Nightcrawler, Colossus, Psylocke, Rogue (if she makes it through #230 alive) and a new member (who’s so secret we can’t mention him here) as they dive into NECROSHA.

Comic Book Review: The Big Bad Book

2009-12-23T10:27:00.000-05:00

The Big Bad Book

Words by: Nikola Jajic
Pictures by: Sergio Giardo, Rick Hershey, Bob Cram, and Cliff Kurowski
Letters, Edits, Chapter Intros, and Additional Art by: Michael Czerniawski
Cover Art by: Sergio Giardo
Published by: Alterna Comics

For hundreds of years, different civilizations worshipped a variety of god pantheons. The Greeks worshipped Olympus, the Norse worshipped Asgard, and Egyptians worshipped Heliopolis. Nowadays we don't woship these ancient polytheistic pantheons, we mock them. Marvel's Incredible Hercules makes fun of ol' Herc and the ever dysfunctionaly Greek gods. Michael Avon Oeming's God Complex does the same. Joining that impressive lot is Nikola Jajic with The Big Bad Book.

We're quick to make fun on the more familiar Greek gods, but Thor and Norse mythology isn't done, save for Marvel's Warriors Three. Thor has always been very straight-laced. But Jajic steps in and gives us that Norse comedy we all crave.

In The Big Bad Book Thor and Loki are both after a book. The book chronicles Thor's many indiscretions. As Loki says, Thor fears "they may fear your meaty member more than your mighty hammer." So Dad has to step in. Odin says they must compete for the book. It will be placed in a mortal's possession and they must convince the mortal to give it to one or the other. The catch, each brother can choose what form the other will take in the same species. Thor, thinking himself clever, says Loki must appear as a clown. Loki does one better and says Thor must appear as a chimpanzee.

The poor mortal caught between warring brothers? Jim. Jim's life isn't that great before Loki and Thor stepped in. He has a job he hates, a sex obsessed roommate named Josh, and the hots for a girl from work, Debbie, whom he can't work up the guts to make a move. Then he starts seeing clowns and monkeys when no one else can.

What follows is a funny rollercoaster as Jim tries to live his life despite seeing a clown and monkey that no one else can see. There's poo flinging, possessions, and the debate over old school 70's porn versus modern porn. Also throw in a rivalry between Odin and Zeus and you have a funny, psychedelic tale.

The art is very good. Different chapters in the story have different artists, but Loki breaches the fourth wall to explain that he's trying to get someone to tell the tale accurately. Each artist's work is well done. Granted, Thor was supposed to be a chimpanzee and what we see is a monkey with tail, but that's ok.

This book will be available in February, so be sure to check it out. It's all fun and games...unless monkey poo puts an eye out.

Check out these links for previews and more information:

http://alternacomics.com/#/the-big-bad-book/4535752912
http://thebigbadbook.tumblr.com/

ISBN: 9781934985144
Diamond Order Code: DEC090644

Comic Book Review: God Complex #1

2009-12-21T10:41:00.000-05:00

God Complex #1

Created by: Michael Avon Oeming, John Broglia, and Daniel Berman
Story by: Mike Oeming
Script: Dan Berman and Mike Oeming
Art by: John Broglia
Letters by: Aaron Walker
Colors by: Dan Berman
Logo and Website by: Tim Daniels
Cover by: Mike Oeming and Val Staples
Published by: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

You know, of all the powers which are often described as curses and yet I can't quite see it as a curse is immortality. I know and understand the theory...if you couldn't die but everyone you cared for could, then you would become lonely. Maybe it's that immortality is such an alien prospect to us that, for me, makes it something I still can't quite grasp as a big deal. I mean, people die, it's sad, we move on, we meet new people, we remember those who have passed but value the new relationships we make...I think the notion of immortality is just too alien for me to grasp the curse which it is often portrayed as. An exception to this is poor Yancy Queeg from DC's 1987 dystopian limited series The Outcasts by John Wagner, Alan Grant, Cam Kennedy, and Steve Mantano. Yancy was immortal and by the end of the series was nothing but a disembodied head. Ok, that would be a curse, but full body granted, I'm missing the curse.

So Oeming, Berman, and Broglia's God Complex does lose me with its main character, Apollo, resigning from the pantheon of Greek gods to lead a mortal life. Maybe it's less that he wants to live and die as a mortal and more that he wants to just meet new people, because centuries of the same arrogant, issue ridden blowhards could drive one to seek that final peace.

Despite not being able to udnerstand the desire to die, God Complex turned out to be an enjoyable read. Apollo, as Paul, attempts to lead a quiet, normal life, but local hoods force him to reveal his abilities to his new neighborhood getting him a reputation as a hero. That leads the hoods to a witch woman for help and leads the Kronos Corporation, run by the gods, to Apollo.

Oeming and Berman create a serious tale which is not bereft of some lightheartedness like a Kronos Corporation secretary saying of Zeus, "He runs this place like he thinks he's a god" and Hercules is hilarious. Just look for his comment about the new Star Wars.

The story does bare some resemblance to the Olympus Group in Incredible Hercules, but as much as I like Marvel's ol' Herc, God Complex's Apollo, being a more modern character, and certainly more humble, makes for an interesting contrast.

I look forward to the next issue to learn more about the Kronos Corporation and see if Apollo can catch the eye of the fair Sophia.

If you haven't already picked it up, do so...or risk the wrath of the gods...

Comic Catch: December 16, 2009

2009-12-15T20:05:00.001-05:00

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #615 - Story by: Fred Van Lente
Art by: Javier Pulido
Cover by: Paolo Manuel Rivera
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

A locked room mystery! A string of brutal murders! A missing girl! One of Peter Parker's closest friends on the brink of ruin! This looks like a job for the Amazing Spider-Sleuth... and all clues point to the sinister SANDMAN! But all of Spidey's classic villains are being reinvented as part of "THE GAUNTLET", and Sandy is no different -- so nothing is what it seems!

ASTONISHING X-MEN #33 - Story by: Warren Ellis
Art by: Phil Jimenez
Colors by: Frank D'Armata
Letters by: Chris Eliopoulos
Cover by: Phil Jimenez
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

“EXOGENETIC,” PART 3 Dead mutants turned into biological weapons…genetically-reprogrammed Brood sleazoids…missing data on Henry McCoy's research computers…the truth about what Abby Brand was trying to burn out on Cruithne. It all adds up to an attempt to remove mutantcy from the planet Earth entirely -- and the rise of the Bio-Sentinels.

CHIMICHANGA #1 - Story by: Eric Powell
Art by: Eric Powell
Publisher: Albatross Exploding Funny Books
Cover Price: $3.00

Eric Powell, creator of the award winning series The Goon, brings his offbeat humor and distinctive style to his newest creation! A story fit for youngsters, Chimichanga tells the tale of a bearded girl, her less than spectacular traveling circus, and a bizarre creature that turns their lives upside down. Discover Powell's first written and illustrated creator-owned series since The Goon.

DARK AVENGERS #12 - Story by: Brian Michael Bendis
Art by: Mike Deodato, Greg Horn
Colors by: Rainier Beredo
Letters by: Cory Petit
Cover by: Mike Deodato
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

The explosive smash hit series from Brian Bendis and Mike Deodato continues!! The Dark Avengers are pitted against a foe they cannot defeat: A man with the power over every molecule in the world! Norman can't talk his way out of this one as the world gets turned upside down and no joke...someone dies. For reelz!!

DEADPOOL MERC WITH A MOUTH #6 - Story by: Victor Gischler
Art by: Bong Dazo
Colors by: Matt Milla
Cover by: Arthur Suydam
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

Wade, the severed Zombie Deadpool head and Dr. Betty find themselves back on good old Earth, knee-deep in swampy goodness. Seems like Headpool is a little homesick, and everyone agrees the zombie virus should be put safely back into its own dimension. All they’ve got to do is find that damn dimensional portal. Anyway, you don't think A.I.M, is gonna give up that easy, do you? No way. Just because their space station got itself all blown up doesn't mean they're out of the game. But wait -- who's this surprise guest star? Is it a MAN? Is it a THING? Well, you see where this is going ... Is this enough preview copy to get you to buy the damn book…because I can go on all night?!

DOCTOR VOODOO AVENGER OF SUPERNATURAL #3 - Story by: Rick Remender
Art by: Gabriel Hardman, Jefte Palo
Colors by: Jean-Francois Beaulieu
Letters by: Dave Lanphear
Cover by: Marko Djurdjevic
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

The evil which Agamotto foretold has seeped into Earth and amassed an army of possessed children of the supernatural -- all former candidates to the mantle Sorcerer Supreme! Jericho’s journeys through the Everdimensions, in hopes of halting this darkness, have left him broken, near death. With help out of reach and the fabric between our world and the shadow planes corrupted, Doctor Voodoo alone must defeat an army of Earth’s most powerful lords of the arcane and their unnamed master!

INCORRUPTIBLE #1 - Story by: Mark Waid
Art by: Jean Diaz
Cover by: John Cassaday, Tim Sale, Jeffrey Spokes
Publisher: Boom! Studios
Cover Price: $3.99

Last April BOOM! Studios showed the world that MARK WAID IS EVIL with the smash-hit series IRREDEEMABLE. This December, BOOM! shows the world that Mark Waid is now… INCORRUPTIBLE! Super villain Max Damage had an epiphany the day The Plutonian destroyed Sky City. When The Plutonian turned his back on humanity, Max Damage decided to step up. Now Max Damage has changed his name to Max Daring and turned from his formerly selfish ways to become… INCORRUPTIBLE.

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #40 - Story by: James Robinson
Art by: Mark Bagley, Rob Hunter
Cover by: Mark Bagley, Rob Hunter
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $3.99

The JLA can't escape the BLACKEST NIGHT! Faced with the continuing threat of the Black Lanterns, Zatanna, Vixen and the rest of the team confront their pasts when fallen friends and foes return for blood!

LOCKE and KEY CROWN OF SHADOWS #2 - Story by: Joe Hill
Art by: Gabriel Rodriguez
Cover by: Gabriel Rodriguez
Publisher: IDW
Cover Price: $3.99

Far below Keyhouse lies the Drowning Cave, a place where shadows obscure ancient secrets, and the stones are stained with ancient blood. Kinsey Locke descends into the cavern, looking for answers to her family's troubled past, only to discover that it's easier to get in than it is to get out...

MIGHTY AVENGERS #32 - Story by: Christos Gage
Art by: Khoi Pham
Colors by: John Rauch
Letters by: Dave Lanphear
Cover by: Khoi Pham
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

"The Coming Darkness..." The throwdown you've been waiting for-- and that Loki, God of Mischief-- has been scheming towards: THE MIGHTY AVENGERS versus THE DARK AVENGERS! Hank Pym's team has tried their best to be a shining light in the world of Dark Reign but this might be the time that light gets snuffed out! Special appearance by the MIGHTY THOR!

PROJECT SUPERPOWERS CHAPTER TWO #5 - Story by: Jim Krueger
Art by: Edgar Salazar, Doug Klauba
Colors by: Ivan Nunes
Cover by: Alex Ross, Mark Texiera, Stephen Segovia
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Cover Price: $2.99

As the Green Lama continues to struggle to understand the nature of the returned heroes amidst the death of close allies, the Sisters Scarlet make plans to take down Captain Future... now going be his "true" name - Zeus! Plus: the painted origin of President Power by Alex Ross, Doug Klauba and Jim Krueger! Features covers by Alex Ross, Mark Texeira and Stephen Segovia!

THULSA DOOM #4 - Story by: Arvid Nelson
Art by: Lui Antonio
Colors by: Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Cover by: Alex Ross
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Cover Price: $3.50

The origin of the ultimate anti-hero, Thulsa Doom, continues here as we conclude our opening story arc! Atlantis is destroyed! The world is in chaos! And Thulsa seeks his own path to ultimate power! From the pages of writer Robert E. Howard comes Dynamite's Thulsa Doom! Written by Kull writer Arvid Nelson and illustrated by Lui (Red Sonja) Antonio with incredible painted covers by Alex Ross!

ULTIMATE COMICS ARMOR WARS #3 - Story by: Warren Ellis
Art by: Steve Kurth
Letters by: Joe Sabino
Cover by: Brandon Peterson
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

Tony Stark goes toe-to-toe with his deadliest creations! Can the man that created every version of IRON MAN armor defeat all of them at the SAME TIME???

X-FACTOR #200 - Story by: Peter David
Art by: Bing Cansino
Cover by: Esad RIbic
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $4.99

"THE INVISIBLE GIRL HAS VANISHED" X-Factor has relocated back to New York, and their first client is a keeper: Franklin Richards, whose mom has disappeared and who figures that the premiere detective agency in the Marvel Universe has the best chance of finding her. Except Reed Richards doesn't seem especially cooperative in helping them locate his missing wife. What is he hiding, and does it have anything to do with the coming Darkness? Meanwhile, Val Cooper has some bad news for Monet: Her ambassador father has been taken prisoner by terrorists, and she has less than 24 hours to find him before he winds up getting his head cut off on video.

X-MEN LEGACY #230 - Story by: Mike Carey, Duane Swierczysnki
Art by: Daniel Acuna, Steve Dillon
Cover by: Daniel Acuna
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

It’s Rogue and Trance vs. Emplate -- a villain who has single-handedly taken down teams of X-Men A-Listers. Do they stand a chance? We sure hope so as X-MEN LEGACY #231 is on sale two weeks later! Don’t miss the killer climax to the huge first arc of the new direction on X-MEN LEGACY! Plus, a Cable backstory!

Comic Review: Haunt #1

2009-10-14T09:43:00.000-04:00

Writer/Co-Creator: Robert Kirkman
Layouts: Greg Capullo
Pencils: Ryan Ottley
Inks/Co-Creator: Todd McFarlane
Color: FCO Plascencia
Letters by: Richard Starkings
Covers by: Todd McFarlane, Ryan Ottley, Greg Capullo
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

There are certain comic writers who, when they have a new series come out, you just have to pick it up. Robert Kirkman is that writer for me. So with his works Invincible and The Walking Dead well into their double digits, and Marvel readers seeming inability to "get" The Kirkman, when I saw that he had another series coming out, Haunt, I jumped onboard.

Ok, confession, I honestly am not sure how well received Kirkman's Marvel work has been, but appearances suggest lukewarm at best. Hopefully the appearances do deceive here, though Robert writes better with his own characters.

Another confession...I don't automatically love everything Kirkman does. I'm looking at Tech Jacket here. Astounding Wolf-Man is ok, but not good enough to keep considering the vast number of comics that I am biologically compelled to purchase and the effects the villainous Inflation has had on the global society.

But I always give The Kirkman a chance. Does that sound like a dance? Do The Kirkman!

So Kirkman teamed with McFarlane to create Haunt, which filled me conflicting feelings. McFarlane was a favored comic star at one point...90s...and now, not so much. He's still a great artist, and Spawn when it started was excellent, but Spawn's costume stopped having color in it, and after awhile all the characters drawn by McFarlane with fluid-ish costumes (Spawn, Venom) start blurring together. And the cover looks like the same sort of thing...but I was going to see what KirkFarlane could do...

Haunt #1 focuses on feuding brothers Daniel and Kurt Kilgore. Daniel is a priest and Kurt lives a life of espionage and danger. Daniel hears, unhappily, Kurt's confessions when he ready to unburden his soul of the dirty deeds he must do in his line of work.

But when Kurt gets tortured to death, Daniel thinks he's losing his mind when he starts seeing his dead brother. Worse he also hears Kurt plead for Daniel to protect his wife from the men who killed him. But then when men arrive to kill Daniel and Kurt's wife, Kurt enters Daniel's body to protect him, and Haunt is born.

The book certainly feels significantly McFarlane-ish, but with a heavy dose of Kirkman flavor, and it tastes good. Kirkman's characterization makes the disgruntled pair an appealing and interesting team. It's important to note that typically when two characters are at odds, there's one we are supposed to like and one we are supposed to not like, and if that's not supposed to happen, sometimes it happens anyway. However, Kirkman is able to keep both characters appealing. Daniel doesn't approve of Kurt's life, but Kurt doesn't lack morals and his moment of doing the right thing makes him a sympathetic character caught in a violent lifestyle.

The art is nice. I'm not an artist and not positive how all these things work, but I felt like McFarlane's inks overpowered Ottley's pencils, which probably added to the McFarlane feel. But Ottley's still seen in there.

Haunt #1 is definately worth a look. If you passed it last week, pick it up today and check it out. Your decision won't haunt you...

Cool New Titles Coming in December

2009-10-11T10:21:00.001-04:00

Chimichanga #1- Eric Powell, creator of the award winning series The Goon, brings his offbeat humor and distinctive style to his newest creation! A story fit for youngsters, Chimichanga tells the tale of a bearded girl, her less than spectacular traveling circus, and a bizarre creature that turns their lives upside down. Discover Powell's first written and illustrated creator-owned series since The Goon.

Writer and Artist: Eric Powell
Publisher: Albatross Exploding Funny Books
Cover Price: $3.00
Release Date: December 2, 2009
Previews Code: OCT090662

Empowered One-Shot - Even as costumed crime fighter Empowered fights a desperate battle against a functionally invulnerable, grave-robbing supervillain inside a secret underground mausoleum for fallen superheroes, back at Emp's apartment, the alien demonlord imprisoned upon her coffee table spins a tempestuous tell-all tale of the often-struggling heroine's deepest secrets . . . The scruple-free storyteller soon reveals how all of Empowered's many frustrations at work, at home, and even in the bedroom can be conveyed strictly through the vocabulary of her extraordinarily expressive exhalations, thus making her . . . 'The wench with a Million Sighs!'

Writer and Artist: Adam Warren
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: December 2, 2009
Previews Code: OCT090013

God Complex #1 - The co-creator of POWERS and MICE TEMPLAR, MICHAEL AVON OEMING, brings you magic, monsters and GODS. Meet Paul, he's an everyday kind of guy. He's kinda tall, kinda strong and kinda not mortal at all. Paul is actually Apollo (no, really) in hiding from his family the ancient Greek gods. Paul's father (you know, Zeus) would rather see Paul dead than living as a mortal. So, for Paul, being a god is complex... and dangerous...

Writers: Michael Avon Oeming and Daniel Berman
Artist: John Broglia
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: December 2, 2009
Previews Code: OCT090348

Hellboy: Bride of Hell one-shot - A year after their Eisner-nominated collaboration Hellboy: The Crooked Man, horror comics legends Corben and Mignola reunite! A nineteen-year-old girl is kidnapped and Hellboy tracks her down to a remote clearing in France where she's about to be given to Asmodeus, in a strange tale of ghosts, demonic revenge, lost love, and King Solomon.

Writer: Mike Mignola
Artist: Richard Corben
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Cover Price: $3.50
Release Date: December 23, 2009
Previews Code: OCT090011

Incorruptible #1 - Last April BOOM! Studios showed the world that 'Mark Waid Is Evil' with the smash-hit series Irredeemable. Now, Mark Waid is Incorruptible! Super villain Max Damage had an epiphany the day The Plutonian destroyed Sky City. When The Plutonian turned his back on humanity, Max Damage decided to step up. Now Max Damage has changed his name to Max Daring and turned from his formerly selfish ways to become Incorruptible. The flip side to this year's break-out smash hit, examining the hard, difficult road to changing your ways and making a difference in the world.

Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Neil Edwards
Publisher: Boom! Studios
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: December 23, 2009
Previews Code: OCT090784

Mystery Men Adventures vol. 1 - Tenth Anniversary Edition! Reprinting the first four full-color comics of the project that brought about the cult classic Universal movie of the same name starring Ben Stiller, Janeane Garfolo and William H. Macy. These classics are reprinted here for the first time as a 'director's cut' with restored dialogue and creator commentary. Unlike the light hearted movie, the tone of the comics ranged from the surreal to a gritty, dark realism and film-noir style, since unseen in comics.

Writer: Bob Burden
Artist: Various
Publisher: Bob Burden Studios
Cover Price: $19.95
Previews Code: OCT090764

The Unknowns #1 - Wanted meets The Bourne Identity when a beautiful woman living an average suburban life, Alexis Davenport, discovers she was once a superhero and part of a disbanded superhero team, The Unknowns. With the help of her former partners who all have unique superpowers, she now must discover why her memory was erased and what is the secret of the vast conspiracy they were trying to cover up. Features the likeness of model Monica Olsen as Alexis.

Writer: Mark Altman and Steve Kriozere
Artist: Alisson Borges
Publisher: Femme Fatales Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: December 2, 2009
Previews Code: OCT090903

Comic Catch: October 7, 2009

2009-10-06T21:41:00.000-04:00

ABSOLUTION #2 - Story by: Christos Gage
Art by: Roberto Viacava
Cover by: Jacen Burrows
Publisher: Avatar Press
Cover Pirce: $3.99

ABSOLUTION introduces John Dusk, a superhero in a world where they're a sanctioned arm of law enforcement. But this veteran hero has been scarred by his exposure to man's infinite capacity for evil, and he's seen one too many perpetrators escape justice. One day he crosses the line...lets a murderer die...and discovers it feels good. In this brutal second issue, John Dusk's campaign of exterminating criminals intensifies...as his girlfriend Karen reaches the conclusion that only an "enhancile" could have committed the murders she's investigating. We'll see that not all superhumans in John's world are on the side of the law, and meet some of the renegades, including the enigmatic Happy Kitty. And before the issue's over, someone will discover John's secret... He wants to be forgiven...but he doesn't want to stop.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #608 - Story by: Marc Guggenheim
Art by: Marco Chechetto & Luke Ross
Cover by: Adi Granov
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

"WHO WAS BEN REILLY?" begins here! Bursting out of the pages of this year's AMAZING SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL, RAPTOR is back for revenge against the man he claims killed his family - BEN REILLY, the clone of Spider-Man! Unfortunately, the only person alive that fits Ben's description is Peter Parker! As this super powered psycho with a thirst for vengeance targets Peter, his family and his friends, even Spider-Man might not be able to save the day this time!

ASTONISHING X-MEN #31 - Story by: Warren Ellis
Art by: Phil Jimenez, Andy Lanning
Colors by: Frank D'Armata
Letters by: Chris Eliopoulos
Cover by: Phil Jimenez, Travis Charest
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

Abigail Brand, director of S.W.O.R.D., has been in some sticky situations, and she isn’t the type who asks for help to get out of them. But when you’re careening towards Earth in the cockpit of a damaged spaceship after being attacked on an exploding asteroid 7.5 million miles from Earth…it’s time to call the X-Men. They might not have much of a plan, or much of a chance, but that’s certainly never stopped them before. Superstar artist Phil Jimenez joins writer Warren Ellis for the second arc of the mind-bending ongoing series!

DEADPOOL #16 - Story by: Daniel Way
Art by: Paco Medina
Colors by: Marte Gracia
Letters by: Cory Petit
Cover by: Jason Pearson
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

“Want You to Want Me,” Part 2 Deadpool is convinced that, after years of gun-for-hire work, he has found his true calling: He’s going to be an X-Man! One problem, though: they don’t want him! And can you blame them? Wade’s just as likely to fire on his friends as his enemies! But Cyclops is smart enough not to get on Deadpool’s bad side. He has a plan to keep Deadpool both close enough to monitor and far enough away so that no one gets hit by the shrapnel. But Deadpool has a plan, too…

DOCTOR VOODOO AVENGER OF SUPERNATURAL #1 - Story by: Rick Remender
Art by: Jefte Palo
Colors by: Jean-Francois Beauliew
Letters by: Dave Lanphear
Cover by: Marko Djurdjevic
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

Launching from the pages of New Avengers, Jericho Drumm assumes the role of Marvel’s new Sorcerer Supreme as DOCTOR VOODOO! Having foreseen an unimaginable evil that will soon envelop the Marvel Universe, the Eye of Agamotto has passed the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme on to the one man who has the unique gifts to stave off the coming darkness -- but is Doctor Voodoo ready for the momentous duty as avenger of the supernatural? As Jericho begins to grapple with his colossal new position, malevolent beings of vast power see his arrival as an opportunity to strike.

DOOM PATROL #3 - Story by: Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis
Art by: Matthew Clark, John Livesay, Kevin Maguire
Cover by: Matthew Clark, Kevin Maguire
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $3.99

Remember Mento? Yeah, that guy – goofy helmet, lightning bolt on his chest. After reading this issue, it's a sure bet you won't forget him again any time soon. Oh yeah, and the resolution of that whole "black hole" thing from last issue adds a kinda-sorta new member to the Doom Patrol roster. As for everyone's favorite Metal Men, it's the dynamic debut of Douglas, Robot Hunter! We're too good to you.

HAUNT #1 - Story by: Robert Kirkman
Art by: Greg Capullo, Ryan Ottley, Todd McFarlane
Letters by: Richard Starkings
Cover by: Todd McFarlane, Ryan Ottley, Greg Capullo
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

Daniel Kilgore is dragged into his estranged brother Kurt’s secret life of murder and espionage... by his ghost. With no training whatsoever, guided by the spirit of his secret-agent brother, Daniel must now solve his brother’s murder and save the world – or die trying! It all starts here, people: Witness the birth of HAUNT!

IRREDEEMABLE #7 - Story by: Mark Waid
Art by: Peter Krause
Colors by: Andrew Dalhouse
Letters by: Ed Dukeshire
Cover by: Gene Ha, Dan Panosian, Jeffrey Spokes
Publisher: Boom! Studios
Cover Price: $3.99

A “twilight of the superheroes”-style story that examines super-villains from Mark Waid writer of KINGDOM COME and EMPIRE! The Plutonian’s former teammates, the Paradigm, start to turn the tide against their former comrade. But you know what they say about a cornered animal…

JUSTICE LEAGUE CRY FOR JUSTICE #4 - Story by: James Robinson
Art by: Mauro Cascioli
Cover by: Mauro Cascioli
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $3.99

How far would you go for justice? The heroes have found themselves turning to darker tactics in their search for retribution. Starman and Congorilla have captured the killers who took down some of their friends, but now what do they do with them? Meanwhile, Green Lantern and company wrestle with the idea of torturing villains for information in order to save lives.

NORTH 40 #4 - Story by: Aaron Williams
Art and cover by: Fiona Staples
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

The undead have come to Lufton High, and the party hosted by Lufton’s “supernaturally gifted” students is in chaos. Meanwhile, Sheriff Morgan and the Atterhulls (who want him out of the picture) find that something new and ground shaking has been loosed in the night, and Morgan’s arsenal combined with David’s super-strength may not be enough to stop it.

PROJECT SUPERPOWERS MEET THE BAD GUYS #2 - Story by: Alex Ross, Joe Casey, Jim Kreuger
Art by: Mike Lilly, Doug Klauba
Colors by: Ivan Nunes
Cover by: Alex Ross
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Cover Price: $3.99

Dynamite invites you to "Meet the Bad Guys!" with this special PROJECT SUPERPOWERS series plotted by Alex Ross, scripted by Joe Casey and illustrated by Dynamite artistic sensation Mike (The Black Terror) Lilly! As the heroes return, the villains rise - this second villainous issue introduces The Revolutionary... an awesome force to be reckoned with for the Fighting Yank!

SAVAGE DRAGON #153 - Story by: Erik Larsen
Art and Cover by: Erik Larsen
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $3.50

Savage Dragon is reunited with his son Malcolm but the reunion is anything but happy. What's a son to do when his father has merged with a ruthless, unyielding killer? Meanwhile Dart continues to manipulate the Original Daredevil and the mysterious new Overlord is making a few changes to the Vicious Circle in his quest for power!

SUPERMAN WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON #8 - Story by: James Robinson, Greg Rucka
Art by: Pete Woods, Ron Randall
Cover by: Gary Frank, Joe Kubert
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

On a mission in space, Superman and his fellow Kryptonians encounter the might of the Thanagarian Army. Can Superman keep things peaceful between the two races – or will The Man of Steel discover that Hawkman's legendary temper is shared by all his people?

ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #3 - Story by: Brian Michael Bendis
Art by: David LaFuente
Colors by: Justin Ponsor
Letters by: Cory Petit
Cover by: David LaFuente
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

The world of Spider-Man is turned upside down! Friends are enemies and enemies are friends!! Mysterio is on the loose and gunning for Spidey big time. And the Hulk is back!!!?? Plus--and this is a biggie--you'll never believe what iconic super hero is moving into Aunt May's house!!

VENGEANCE OF MOON KNIGHT #2 - Story by: Gregg Hurwitz
Art by: Jerome Opena
Colors by: Paul Mounts
Letters by: Joe Caramagna
Cover by: Leinil Francis Yu
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

“SHOCK AND AWE,” PART 2 Moon Knight is back in the Big Apple to pick a fight with the man who chased him out of town in the first place: Norman Osborn. Freed of his demons and armed with an arsenal of incredible new weapons, Moon Knight is throwing down the gauntlet to his old nemesis. Is Osborn ready for Round Two? Uh….yeah. The real question is, is Moon Knight ready for the Sentry?

WITCHFINDER IN THE SERVICE OF ANGELS #4 - Story by: Mike Mignola
Art by: Ben Stenbeck
Colors by: Dave Stewart
Cover by: Mike Mignola
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

A horrific monster rampages through the streets of Victorian London, but not everyone wants to see the menace dead. The Heliopic Brotherhood of Ra wishes to capture the creature for their own dark purposes, and if Edward Grey is to have any hope of killing the beast before it falls into their hands, he’ll have to seek aid in the most unlikely of places -- a lunatic asylum!

X-MEN VS AGENTS OF ATLAS #1 - Story by: Jeff Parker
Art by: Carlo Pagulayan, Chris Samnee
Colors by: Elizabeth Breitweiser
Letters by: Joe Caramagna
Cover by: Ed McGuinness
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

It's a monster-sized throwdown as the Agents of Atlas go toe-to-toe with the Uncanny X-Men! Venus has been kidnapped and the Agents will scour the Earth to find her! The Uranian needs a bigger boost to enable his mind to scan the globe, and intel suggests the one machine that can help is CEREBRA- which brings the Agents of Atlas head to head with no less than THE X-MEN!