Spoiler Warning:

If there’s one comic I always look forward to, it’s Conan. I’m a big fan of the original Robert E. Howard stories, and this series has been perfectly capturing the spirit of his work. Absolutely astounding artwork married to perfect prose, I simply cannot get enough of this fantastic series. This issue carries on an intriguing tale from #24 where a fellow thief seeks revenge on Conan for betraying him during a raid. It becomes a battle of wills, with each man almost enjoying the thrill of the hunt. If you haven’t read this series, or don’t think it’s your thing, I would seriously suggest picking up the first trade. We’ve got Swords, sorcery, monsters and demons. What more do you want?

Grade: A

Publisher: Dark Horse Comics

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The Goon is a stellar book. Eric Powell has consistently produced a superior product month after month. Every time I pick up a new issue, the art has improved as well as the storytelling. While there isn’t much in the way of story progression in this issue, it still manages to entertain. My only gripe is that the story is far too short, just as it gets interesting it cuts off in favour of a much weaker back up story from Mike Oeming. Good enough as the issue is, I felt a little cheated due to all the set-up from the previous issue having very little pay-off. Still a great issue though.

Grade: B+

Publisher: DC Comics

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Since reading Batman: Black and White vol2, I’ve loved the art of Paul Pope. His Batman is just so different, and has a real energy. This issue takes place in 2039, upon the reappearance of Batman, the first sighting since 1939 (hence the year 100 thing). In a world now dominated by technology and governmental spies, the powers that be are concerned about the enigmatic Batman prowling their streets. Deciding to launch an offensive on Batman, we glimpse into the Gotham of 2039 and see the way that things are handled in the future. It is a cold, hard world where there is no privacy or escape from prying eyes. Pope delivers this world beautifully, through his illustrations and words. The action sequences explode with life and are expertly executed. This is a truly brilliant start to the series, and has sucked me in for the long haul.

Grade: A

Publisher: DC Comics

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I’m not sure what to make of Justice. There are no reasons for me to dislike it. The art is amazing; the story has been solid so far but for some reason it just isn’t connecting with me. It all seems a little…forced. To be honest, from what I’ve heard about Alex Ross, he’s a bit of a dick. Why that should change my opinion of his work I don’t know, but it’s like enjoying a meal cooked by someone who kicks puppies. Sure he might cook a mean steak, but he still kicks puppies. I don’t know why I’m babbling like this. It’s a solid book people! It’s a freakin’ solid book!

Grade: B

Publisher: DC Comics

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Sgt. Rock is one of those characters that I love, but never really read. It’s like Captain America. I love Cap, but I never pick up his book. I think its more of an actual base-love for the character rather than a love for any of his storylines. I love what Sgt. Rock and Captain America represent. Good people who are dedicated to the same ideal. This book caught my eye since Joe Kubert illustrates it. I love his art and it fits the book perfectly. He has such a great loose style and it lends itself to the bleak backdrop of WW2. The story revolves around Rock and his Easy Company being sent on a mission to guide a young boy, who is believed to be the next messiah to safety. They must battle through enemy lines and avoid danger at all costs. There are some surprisingly heartfelt moments throughout and Bull taking care of a small lost puppy is classic. A good war-romp!

Grade: B

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Spoiler Warning:

What happens in this issue? Absolutely nothing of consequence happens, that’s what! This is classic Bendis, setting up a huge scenario, but taking a whole issue to do it. All you need to know is that there’s a big disaster heading towards America, and S.H.I.E.L.D have to decide whether to use the New Avengers or not.

That is it! You can completely skip it!

Ps- Oh, Alpha Flight is in it for two pages, but I won’t spoil the surprise.

Grade: C-

Publisher: Boom! Studios

Spoiler Warning:

You know I love Steve Niles’ work. You might know that I also love Josh Medors’ work as well. There was no real chance that I would dislike this book, really is there?

A nicely set up origin story involving a young man being attacked by a strange wolf-creature while driving his car at night. When he wakes up in the morning, strange changes have occurred in his body. He has claws! Skipping school, he decides to test his newfound wolf powers in the forest. Can he contain his bloodlust? Niles handles the tale perfectly, although a few times I was reminded of the first Spiderman movie (you know, boy gets powers through animal attack, misses school bus, ditches school to test new powers). The art is fantastic though. I always like it when Medors gets to the paints. It certainly has a ‘Ben Templesmith’ look to it, but really Josh has made the style his own here. I can’t wait to see issue 2 of this fright-fest.

Grade: B+

Publisher: Devils Due Publishing

Spoiler Warning:

I always look forward to Hack/Slash. Tim Seeley really has stumbled onto a winner with this formula. For those not in the know, the book follows Carrie Hack, a young woman who survived a serial killer attacker who turned out to be her own mother. Teaming up with a huge deformed goon known as Vlad, she now hunts these ‘slashers’ in a bid to stop anyone being hurt further by serial-killer antics.

The book is usually excellent, a mixture of humour and horror which is rarely handled so well in comics today. However, I hated this issue. The premise is that there are several short ‘set-up’ stories in the book, each imitating a trailer for a movie. Sounds like a good idea yeah? Well it doesn’t work. Seeley manages to make each story so entertaining to being with that you feel really cheated when it finishes so abruptly with absolutely no payoff. It’s total foreplay, which I don’t expect from Hack/Slash. I was really disappointed with this book. The art is fine, though. The mixture of artists on display would be a perfect fit for a full Hack/Slash one-shot. On the whole though, it’s really not worth it. I look forward to the upcoming ‘Slice Hard’ book though!

Grade: D

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Spoiler Warning:

Fucking Brilliant! If you haven’t read any Ultimates, get both trades, then catch up on the singles for this series. You fucknut! DO IT NOW!

Grade: A+

Onwards and upwards, people!

Gav
xxx

Talk about It came from GAV! and his big ass column here.