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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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)