Who wants pie? JLA #100

Everybody can appreciate a super-villain who brings pie. And JLA #100 has just that, and a lot of other pretty neat stuff.

I have to admit up front, I am not a big DC Universe reader. I don't know all of the characters and their backstories, which is how I know writer Joe Kelly did a great job in this story telling me everything I needed to know. The League (featuring all the big guns: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the Flash) come up against a powerful group called the Elite, who are out to show the world's governments just how things should be done. Of course, before the Elite's plans can proceed, they have to put a hurtin' on Supes and friends. Lots of punching and stuff blowing up soon follows. And we find out that it REALLY isn't nice to fool Mother Nature.

The story unfolds with some very cleverly constructed Tarantino-style out-of-order narrative, which reveals many unexpected twists and turns as the story proceeds. The villains are a very interesting bunch. I mean, one of them brings pie, and there is a very scary dude called The Hat. Not everyone could pull that name off without getting laughed out of town, but this guy does.

In this day and age of 6-part series to fit a later trade paperback, JLA#100 offers a very nice complete in one issue story, with a bit of a twist at the end to make you want to come back for more. This is also apparently a launching point for a new spin-off series AND it is issue #100. Comics fans can't resist those anniversary issues!

JLA #100 is Four Color Fantasies guaranteed Book of the Week. You know you want it. Self-contained story, #100, and pie! Mmmm, I bet it was blueberry.

Strangely Intriguing: Witches #1

Doctor Strange is a really cool guy. That is a fact that is hard to dispute. Look at the evidence: He is the Sorcerer Supreme. He has a SanctumSanctorum. He has a martial-arts proficient butler. He has a sweet cape ANDhe has a very suave moustache. The only thing he doesn't have is aCharlie's Angels-like trio of tough gals to help him face the forces ofdarkness. Until now!

Marvel's limited series Witches finally fills this void in Doc's life, andprovides a very entertaining read along the way. Facing an evil, powerful(and ugly!) critter that is out to destroy and devour all mystics in theMarvel Universe, Strange has to get help from three extremely different (andpretty!) young ladies. He recruits his acolyte Topaz, the mystic JenniferKale, and the daughter of Satan, Satana. Of course, these three don't getalong very well and mystic hijinks and wisecracks ensue. (Can anyone beexpected to get along well with the daughter of Satan?)

If you are a fan of the mystic side of the Marvel U, it is great to see someof these often neglected characters dusted off and used again. If you havenever read Doc's strange adventures before, author Brian Walsh tells youeverything you need to know to enjoy the ride. No prior knowledge ofcontinuity needed! Plus, the series just started, so you can still get inon the ground floor.
The art by Mike Deodato Jr. looks great, and evokes Steve Ditko's DoctorStrange by way of Todd McFarlane. He does a nice job with all themystical/magical stuff, the monster is super-creepy, and Strange's cape hasa Spawn-like mind of its own.

To sum up: attractive witches, scary monster, cool cape, suave moustache.What more could anyone ask for? For all of these reasons Witches #2 is the guaranteed Book of the Week!