The Thing #2: Experience Ben Grimm's Other Life

Sweet Aunt Petunia! For most folks, getting zapped by cosmic rays and mutating into a big, rocky, orange "thing" would just be too much to handle. Lucky for us, Ben Grimm is not most folks. He took the hand fate (and maybe Reed Richards) dealt him, and became the "Ever Lovin' Blue-Eyed Thing", member of the Fantastic Four, and idol of millions. Now, Ben gets a chance to take center stage in his own book, The Thing.

The Thing, by Dan Slott and Andrea DiVito, is one of those comics that is just plain FUN to read. (Something Slott is quickly becoming known for. There is a new issue of his excellent She-Hulk series out this week too!) This series is very much in the same vein as Ben's previous starring vehicle, Marvel Two-In-One. Readers get a chance to see what the Thing gets up to when he isn't hanging with his "Fantastic" buddies. Of course, no matter how much Ben wishes otherwise, things tend to go a little haywire whenever he's around...

Even though this is the second issue of the series, Slott does a great job making sure you have everything you need to know to jump right on and enjoy the ride. In this particular case, a ride to the death since Arcade (one of the coolest Marvel villains ever!) is on the scene! Ben accompanies his new girlfriend, and big time movie star, Carlotta LaRosa to a fancy-shmancy high society party in his honor. Unfortunately, Arcade crashes the party and Ben finds himself, along with all the wealthy guests, hijacked and trapped on the latest version of Murderland. Guaranteed to be fun, right up until the minute you die horribly!

Lucky for Ben, he isn't the only one there to help protect the hapless wealthy. He is joined by a few other upper-crust super-folks: Nighthawk, a reformed Constrictor, and Tony Stark (without his handy-dandy Iron Man suit). The Thing and his colleagues find themselves struggling to protect the civilians from the deadly fun of Arcade's "Abusement Park." All of which doesn't seem so bad, until Arcade unleashes the mind-numbing horror of "It's a Small War After All" on his unwilling guests. The horror...

Don't let Aunt Petunia's favorite nephew down! Ya owe it to your Uncle Benjy to try out this comic today! The Thing #2 is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week. If you don't try it, you just KNOW it's gonna be CLOBBERIN' TIME!

Great Lakes Avengers: GLX-mas Special

Ahhhh, the holiday season. That festive and joyful time of year when the TV networks rerun all those lovely, heart-warming specials filled with peace, joy, and love. The season when everyone watches "Sound of Music" or "It's a Wonderful Life," just to see that adorable angel get his wings one more time. And the time of year when comic book publishers bring out those cute holiday specials and Spider-Man wears a Santa hat.

Following in that grand tradition, this year Marvel has brought us an extra-special issue of the Great Lakes Avengers. Umm, I mean Great Lakes X-Men. Anyway, since it is that wonderful time of the year, you just know that the Great Lakes Avengers: GLX-Mas Special is gonna have feel-good, heart-warming family fun... Wait! What did you say Squirrel Girl? This comic has violence, suicide, and an inappropriate use of the word FLOCK? Good grief!!

In case you haven't guessed already, The GLX-Mas Special by Dan Slott and an assortment of artists, is a hilariously dark antidote to all that treacly sweet holiday stuff out there. This one-shot issue is really a collection of short stories featuring the Great Lakers as they prepare for their big Christmas party. Some of the stories are just outright silly fun, while others are a little more thoughtful. The adorable Squirrel Girl and her new best squirrel buddy, Tippy-Toe (We miss ya, Monkey Joe!), lead the way through this four color sleigh-ride of fun!

I don't want to spoil any of the stories for you, but highlights of this issue include: Squirrel Girl VS Modok! A horrible candy-cane related death for Mr. Immortal! Squirrel Girl VS Thanos! The sensational NEW Grasshopper! Squirrel Girl VS Terrax! AND an incredible Flatman Marvel Legends Action Figure, featuring infinite points of articulation! If that isn't a comic book compendium that anyone would want to find in their stocking on Christmas morning, I don't know what is!

So hop on your Squirrel-A-Gig and fly down to Four Color Fantasies now to pick up a copy of the Great Lakes Avengers: GLX-Mas Special! It's guaranteed, so you should buy one for yourself and one for each of your friends. Don't let Squirrel Girl and Tippy-Toe down!

X-cellent Comic: X-Factor #1

An X-cellent, X-ceptional and X-citing comic that will X-ceed your wildest X-pectations! Mutant mayhem to the X-treme! The X-istence of this new book will X-hilarate you so much that you will never want to X-ile it from your X-isting collection. What on Earth am I babbling about? Marvel Comic's X-Factor, of course.

This new series from Peter David and Ryan Sook spins out of both the events of House of M/Decimation and David's recent (and really cool) MadroX limited series. Comic book readers who have been around long enough to remember "back in the day" of the early ninties may also recall a time when Mr. David took over the reins of the first incarnation of X-Factor. Back then, Marvel gave David a bunch of mutant characters that no one else wanted and he turned them into the best, most original, mutant team on the block. Mutant losers like Madrox, Rahne (AKA Wolfsbane), and Guido (AKA Strong Guy) were suddenly interesting and involving characters! Unfortunately, the ninties hit comics like a runaway super-villain and X-Factor was a casualty of the times.

David (with some help from Sook's great artwork) seems to be working the same magic with the all-new X-Factor. This time around Jamie Madrox (Multiple Man) is heading up the newly revamped X-Factor Investigations detective agency with a little help from his buddies Strong Guy, Rahne, Siryn, Monet, and (maybe) a de-powered Rictor. One of the things Peter David does best is to find new and different ways to look at old characters and concepts. In X-Factor, he has created a very different kind of mutant team book. This book has a very film-noir feel. These are not characters who are going to pull on spandex and go fight Magneto. They have smaller, and consequently, more involving, stories.

David also finds some great new twists to Madrox's power. On the surface, being able to make instant copies of yourself seems pretty cool. Don't want to go to work or school? Make a copy! Need to move some heavy furniture? Make ten copies! Got two hot dates for the same night just like on a cheesy sit-com? You get the idea. Too bad for Jamie, there are some unexpected dark sides to being your own best friend. Ever have a mental squabble with yourself over a tough decision? What if you actually got in your own face and gave yourself a bunch of lip over making the wrong choice? You would probably get on your own nerves pretty darn fast.

X-Factor #1 has all the X-citement you can handle! Buy a copy today while it is covered by Four Color Fantasies' X-cellent money back guarantee! X-plicate your desire to read this book of unX-pected (I stole that one from the cover) delights. Just don't X-pectorate on the sidewalk. It's X-tra rude.

Undead Fun: Marvel Zombies #1

Zombies, those loveable, shambling, undead rascals, have been experiencing a bit of a renaissance lately. For a long, dark, sad time, the walking dead stumbled out of the public eye. Fortunately, due to a recent upswing in the number of quality undead movies and comics, zombies are finally getting the respect they deserve! Or at least as much respect as anyone can have for a rotting, mindless fiend whose only desire is to eat you and your tasty brains. Mmmm, brains....

Marvel Zombies #1 is NOT about a bunch of crazed fans who only read Marvel comics, but is instead Marvel's turn at jumping on the undead bandwagon. (Not a wagon you want to be downwind of, by the way.) The events of Marvel Zombies spin out of a recent storyline in Ultimate Fantastic Four, but you don't need to read UFF to enjoy the undead fun of this comic. In a parallel dimension (not the regular or Ultimate Marvel universes), Earth's heroes become victims of a zombie plague. They retain much of their original personality, powers, and memories but they are still undead, decaying, flesh-eating ghouls. Unable to think much beyond their next meal, the undead heroes go on an eating spree, until almost all of their food supply (the citizens they once protected) is wiped out. They squabble over the last remaining tidbits on the buffet, until a new, tasty morsel shows up. A "delivery" from off planet on a silver surfboard....

Marvel Zombies writer Robert Kirkman knows a thing or two about writing both super-heroes and the undead. Not only does he write the greatly under-rated Marvel Team-Up, he is the writer/creator of The Walking Dead, published by Image. (If you aren't reading Walking Dead, you should try out the trades. You'll quickly find yourself hooked on this great series.) Kirkman's zombie expertise really shines in this comic. There is a lot of dark undead humor here, such as zombie Spidey breaking his leg "like, in half," but there is also some quite horrific and disturbing stuff to freak out the faint of heart. The creep-out factor is greatly enhanced by Sean Phillips dark, scary, and rather squishy, art.

Marvel Zombies is certainly unlike anything Marvel has ever tried before. Where else are you gonna see an undead Captain America carrying around a handful of his own brains, or a bunch of zombie Avengers arguing over how much of Magneto they get to eat? Nowhere, that's for sure! So shamble on down to Four Color Fantasies and moan incoherently until someone hands you a guaranteed copy of Marvel Zombies #1! Just don't try to eat your copy. You wanna save that room for some tasty brains when you get home

Changing Mutant Reality: Generation M #1

Mutants! Everybody loves mutants! I don't mean the radioactive horrors of '50s monster movies, but Marvel Universe Meta-Human, costume-wearing mutants. Marvel mutants have long been portrayed as a mistrusted minority, hated and feared by the world for being born "different." In recent years, things had been on a bit of an upswing for Marvel's gene-freaks. Mutants were popping out of the woodwork. There were so many mutants around that they were being accepted by the public as a fact of everyday life. Some mutants were even respected celebrities.

Unless you've been hiding under a rock, or (even worse) just not reading enough comics, you know that Marvel's recent House of M series/event/crossover changed all that. When Wacky Wanda (AKA Scarlet Witch) got ticked off at her dear old pop, Magneto, she altered reality to wipe out 90% of all mutants. In an instant, thousands (or even millions?) of mutants just didn't have powers anymore.

Some mutants are relieved to suddenly find themselves "normal." Other mutants are really annoyed to lose their super-cool powers. And some mutants just happened to be flying hundreds of feet above ground. Ouch. Generation M #1, by Paul Jenkins and Ramon Bachs, is the first issue of a five-part series that takes a hard look at the consequences of the "Decimation."

What makes Generation M particularly interesting is that we get to see the repercussions from a very ordinary point-of-view. Sally Floyd is a reporter who has experienced some really tough breaks. She is just beginning to get her life back together when M-Day hits the Marvel U. Amidst the booming anti-mutant backlash, Sally realizes that thousands of Ex-mutants are hurting. Someone has to bring their tragic stories to the public. Someone has to give them a voice. Sally is just the person for the job, but you know it won't be that easy.

If you are even a casual reader of Marvel's merry mutants, you shouldn't pass up Generation M #1. If you aren't an X-Men fan, you should try this out and see what all the fuss is about. This book is right at the heart of a major, universe-changing, Marvel event. Don't miss out! Run to Four Color Fantasies and try this comic now, while it is the guaranteed Book of the Week!

A Villainous History: Books of Doom #1

Everybody loves a great villain. Self-sacrificing heroes are all well and good, but we are simultaneously attracted and repelled by the lure of the Dark Side. Would anybody really care about Luke Skywalker if he didn't have Darth Vader to throw down with? I seriously doubt it. They say you can judge a hero by the caliber of his enemies. How did the Fantastic Four get to be "The World's Greatest Comics Magazine?" They had the world's greatest villain! The ruler of Latveria. The man in the iron mask. The one and only, Dr. Victor Von Doom! And I am NOT talking about that lame yuppy Doom from the FF movie.

Books of Doom #1, by Ed Brubaker and Pablo Raimondi, is the first issue of a six book series devoted to chronicling the life story of the Marvel Universe's greatest villain. The story is narrated by Doom himself, and he truly begins at the beginning with memories that start in his mother's womb. (Victor was clearly a precocious young fella.) We learn about Victor's earliest days, about the dark path travelled by his mother, and about the events that set him down that same path.

Doom has always been such a compelling character because of the two very different sides of his personality. On one side, he is a noble and honorable man who fiercely defends his people, and who risked the depths of Hell to save his mother's soul. On the other side, he is an arrogant tyrant capable of absolutely heartless and despicable acts of cruelty. A man who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.

Brubaker's story in Books of Doom does an excellent job of delving into Doom's character and showing readers his development from all sides. The traumas of Victor's youth clearly and logically shape him into the villainous Dr.Doom who would grow up to terrorize the heroes of the Marvel Universe. Raimondi's beautiful, yet somber, art perfectly captures the harsh Latverian countryside of Victor's youth.

Tempt not the wrath of Doom, feeble readers! With all haste, rush to Four Color Fantasies where you may purchase the stirring tale of Doom's earliest days! It is guaranteed, so you risk nothing. If you choose to ignore the dictates of Doom, and leave this book on the shelf, you risk everything! Do not follow in the footsteps of the accursed Richards and his blasted foursome! Doom does not forget his enemies. (Curse you, Richards.)

Bringing the Old West to Us: Jonah Hex #1

Ahhh, the legendary American Old West. It was a time and a place where, if popular fiction is to be believed, men were REAL men. Tough. Violent. Stubbly. These were men who didn't speak unless they had something important to say. They drank. They smoked. They did a whole lot of killin'. I'm not sure what the women did. I think they mostly wore corsets and served drinks to those tough, ornery men.

Enter Jonah Hex. Hex is one of the meanest and orneriest of this mean and ornery breed. He is a man scarred by life, literally and metaphorically. He knows God must hate him, but he's on a mission to send as many sinners on their way to Hell as he can. And the Old West had a whole mess of sinners, so Hex stays plenty busy.

Jonah Hex is a character who has been around for a long time but, even if you've never read a single one of his stories, don't hesitate to try out this new series. There's nothing you need to know that isn't made perfectly clear in this first issue. Hex finds himself tracking down a kidnapped boy, and when he finds the perpetrators you KNOW it ain't gonna be pretty.

This new series is written by Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti. These guys have worked together on quite a few high-profile projects, including some Punisher one-shots. That experience writing tough-as-nails vigilantes has clearly paid off. They perfectly convey Hex's character, and his rather dubious moral code, without overdoing the exposition. If you like watching Frank Castle hand out his brand of creative justice, you'll get a similar kick from Jonah Hex. The art by Luke Ross perfectly illustrates the violent and dirty world Jonah inhabits.

There aren't many western-themed comics out there nowadays, and Jonah Hex is a darn good one. So strap on your spurs and saddle up, ya varmints! Hit the trail to Four Color Fantasies, so you can try out a guaranteed copy of the brand-spankin' new Jonah Hex #1. Just leave your six-shooter at home, cause we don't want no trouble.

The Book of Lost Souls

Everybody loves a mystery. From Sherlock Holmes to the X-Files to Wolverine's real name, mysterious and unknowable goings-on keep people interested and on the edge of their seats. We love to hunt for clues and put together the pieces, working out the real story one bit of evidence at a time.

The Book of Lost Souls, by J. Michael Straczynski and Colleen Doran, has more than enough mystery to go around. The story revolves around a Byronic, sensitive, and outcast fellow named Jonathan. At a not quite specified time in the past, Jonathan was having a pretty crummy life. He didn't quite fit in with polite society. He didn't have the money or the connections to get a university education. He couldn't get a job. Worst of all, he was rejected by the woman he loved more than life itself.

So, when Jonathan finds himself standing on a nice, high bridge one night, it comes as no real surprise that he decides to jump off. What is a little unusual though, is the old man who wanders up just before he jumps and offers Jonathan a nice heavy book to help weigh him down. No sense jumping if you aren't going to sink, right? The book turns out to be the key to Jonathan's new "life after death." He is torn between the powers of dark and light. He has a job to do, but the job description is pretty unclear. Who is the Dark Man? What is Jonathan actually supposed to do with the book? And what does the talking cat named Mystery have to do with anything?

This book is published through Marvel's creator-owned Icon imprint, so JMS really has the freedom to take this story wherever he wants it to go. Fans of his comics work, as well as Babylon 5 and other TV shows, know JMS is a master planner when it comes to building story arcs. I'm sure he knows where this is all headed. The fun for the readers will be putting together the pieces of the mystery before we get there. Colleen Doran's art fits the sombre tone of this story perfectly. Plus, that sexy hunk of beefcake Jonathan looks like he just walked off the cover of a bodice-ripping romance novel.

This book will appeal to all lovers of the mysterious and fans of supernatural fiction. If you like your comics to be about more than guys in tights punching each other, you will like The Book of Lost Souls. Head out to Four Color Fantasies today, and try this comic without fear. It's guaranteed! It's the Book of the Week! Just don't try to use it as ballast for jumping off of anything! Comics aren't really very heavy, ya know.

Alien Zapping Fun: Fear Agent #1

How do you prefer your sci-fi? Do you like the boring and tedious SF where people go on and on about physics and gravity and, you know, actual science stuff? The kind of SF where WAY too much time is spent explaining how plausible intergalactic travel is and what it would be like to set up tariff rates for alien civilizations. OR do you prefer stories that just get on with the business of zapping aliens with ray guns and blowing stuff up?

If you prefer the latter, then Fear Agent #1 is just the rocket-ride to interplanetary action you've been waiting for! Fear Agent chronicles the adventures of alien exterminator Heath Huston. Huston is a slightly seedy, somewhat alcoholic, Mark Twain quoting, gun-for-hire whose jobs often seem to land him on the wrong side of the law. Fortunately for him, his motto is "If the law didn't see me, I didn't do it," and that seems to be working for him so far.

The first issue is really an action-packed teaser for what is to come. We follow Heath on what must be a "typical" day on the job for him. Luckily for readers, a typical day involves fighting off hordes of under-evolved ape men, dealing with brain-sucking jelly monsters, literally cliff hanging, and blowing up lots of stuff. It's enough to make a down on his luck alien exterminator really need a drink. Too bad for Heath he left his flask at home...

Fear Agent is written by Rick Remender with pencils by Tony Moore. The afterword in this issue makes it clear that these guys want Fear Agent to recapture the glory days of '50s comic book sci-fi as it was done by guys like Wally Wood. This is going to be a book loaded with action. Heath Huston is a rough and tumble adventurer who will find himself saving the galaxy from killer robots and hideous, tentacled horrors with a variety of zap guns and good, old fashioned ingenuity. The creators have big plans for this book, and I think it's gonna be an exciting ride.

Strap on your jet pack and don't let the Zagulon Hordes stand in your way! Do whatever it takes to get to Four Color Fantasies and try out this week's guaranteed Book of the Week, Fear Agent #1. If you don't read this book, the other space heroes will think you're a big scaredy cat. You're not gonna let them get away with that are you? Show 'em what you're made of, hero!

A Relaunch Not to Miss: She-Hulk #1

Some super-heroes never get the respect they truly deserve. I mean, honestly, what makes Spider-Man or Green Lantern any better than Speedball or Sleepwalker? Their powers aren't any more believable, and Spidey has had just as many bad stories as any other character. Spidey has even fought losers like Kangaroo and the Gibbon, yet he holds on to the respect of his fans while the Speedballs of the hero community are dismissed as unimportant. Some truly great characters have been unjustifiably ignored by fans, and it is time we put a stop to this cavalier treatment of those heroes who don't have the name recognition they deserve!

Start the movement today by heading straight to Four Color to buy She-Hulk #1! She-Hulk has been underappreciated for far too long. Maybe her origin as a girly Hulk spin-off wasn't one of comics most original moments, but look how far she has come since those early days! She's been in the Fantastic Four, she's been an Avenger, she's racked up almost one hundred issues in several series of her own, she's even saved the world on multiple occasions! What more does a lady need to do to prove herself?

Jennifer Walters (AKA She-Hulk) is no mere flavor of the month, eye candy heroine in a leotard. Sure, she's a gorgeous, green villain-smacking machine, but she's also got brains! Jen is a lawyer, and a darn good one. And Ms. Walters hasn't screwed her life up like some other super-hero lawyers, with a string of dead girlfriends and questionable legal ethics, that I COULD mention. On top of everything else, Shulkie has a great sense of humor. She can quip as fast as Spidey at his best, and look sexy doing it.

In case you missed it, Marvel published She-Hulk "Season One" last year. Written by Dan Slott (Marvel's go-to guy for stories that bring some much needed humor to the genre) with art by Juan Bobillo and Paul Pelletier, She-Hulk was a huge hit with critics and with any fans who actually read the book. Unfortunately, not enough people were reading these great stories, so the series was rested and relaunched (with the same creators) to hopefully attract more readers. The relaunch is upon us! Don't miss out this time!

She-Hulk has some of the most clever writing in comics today. The stories are witty, and include loads of subtle (and some not so subtle) references to the world of comics that will reward attentive fans. The very first issue has guest appearances by several New Avengers, and the Young Avengers, AND the Vision, AND Hawkeye (Not a hoax or an imaginary story!) She-Hulk WILL entertain you, so give Jen the respect she so richly deserves. Buy this book today, while it is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week. If you miss out this time, all the cool kids will laugh at you.

Not a Cheap Trick: Spellgame #1

It's maaagic! With the occasional Harry Potter-esque exception, most magic is pretty cheesy. Magic is the stuff of Vegas stage shows and lame TV specials where guys with ponytails wear puffy, silk shirts and dance around while pretending to saw a Victoria's Secret model in half. On the lower end of the magical spectrum, there are the sleazy con-men with big belt buckles and unbuttoned shirts who use card tricks to impress women and scam cash from the gullible.

Spellgame #1, from Speakeasy Comics, is about one of those sleazy con-men. John Dodge and his partner Harry make a living as "street performers," scamming the rubes with a combination of sleight of hand and confidence tricks. Of course, since this is a comic book, things aren't really that simple. Strange forces seem to be gathering around John, and his "tricks" suddenly take on a life of their own.

Being a skeptic and a cynic through and through, John doesn't believe in "real" magic. No matter how bizarre the circumstances around him, no matter how hard it is to deny the evidence in front of him, John refuses to believe that magic really exists. Dodge isn't going to be swayed by goblins, other-dimensional beings in bondage gear, or even walking, talking playing cards. Not even messages delivered by the re-animated body of his dead friend....well, maybe THAT will work.

Spellgame #1 is written by Dan Mishkin with artwork by Ramon Perez, and a cover by Darwyn Cooke. Mishkin's story is intriguing, and leaves a whole lot of unanswered questions to tempt readers back for more. The art by Perez has a simple, and slightly cartoony style that really shows off the magical weirdness that goes down around John Dodge.

If you want something a little different, and you enjoy stories that leave you just a little mystified, try out Spellgame #1. It is Four Color Fantasies' Guaranteed Book of the Week, so buy one today. Before it disappears, like, you know, um, magic. Poof!

Monster Mayhem All Month: Devil Dinosaur

Hey, it's October already, and you know what that means! No, not Oktoberfest, ya lushes! October means cooler weather, crummy plastic costumes, WAY too much cheap candy (just stay away from that mean old lady who gives kids those nasty Circus Peanuts and Candy Corn), horror movies, and, best of all, MONSTER COMICS!

Lucky for you, your good friends at Marvel Comics are lookin' out for ya this October with a whole month of cool monster comics! Under the banner of the Marvel Monsters Group, they're releasing a monster-themed comic every single week in October. Each book features monsters from the days of yore, before super-heroes ruled the comic book landscape. Each book also features a mighty fancy cover by monster artist supreme, Eric Powell. (And if you ain't readin' Powell's own book, The Goon, you better have a darn solid reason. Trust me, it's good comics.) Marvel wisely kicks off their monster-iffic celebrations with the return of one of Jack Kirby's weirdest creations, Devil Dinosaur.

Just in case you haven't been exposed to the wonders of Devil Dinosaur before, I'll fill you in on everything you need to know. Devil is a big, red, leathery tyranosaurus with a monkey-man named Moon Boy riding on his back. What a great concept! The only way Devil D could possibly be any cooler would be if Moon Boy was also a pirate, but that might just be too much of a good thing. Kirby was wise in his restraint.

Devil Dinosaur is written by Tom Sniegoski and Eric Powell, with sweet, sweet art also by Powell. (I'm tellin' ya, Eric Powell is a comics genius!) Are these great men content to give us page after page of Devil eating cave men? No sirree! This book also features Kirby's Celestials lurking around behind the scenes. In any other comic, that would be excitement enough. But Devil Dinosaur also has a titanic smack-down between the red one and the always incredible Hulk! Wait, there's more! This issue also has a reprint from Tales to Astonish featuring Kirby monster Xemnu-the ORIGINAL Hulk!

This comic is pure entertainment and Marvel Monster Mayhem. It is more fun than gorging on popcorn balls and cheap chocolate. It is ALSO Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week. With a money-back guarantee, you can't lose! So, if you don't give this great comic a try, I'm gonna save up all my Circus Peanuts and leave 'em in a flaming bag on your doorstep. That'll learn ya!

Join this Secret Society: Stronghold #1

If comics are to be believed (and they should be!), the world around us is just teeming with cool, mysterious, incredibly powerful, ultra-secret societies. These groups carry on campaigns to take over the world, conceal alien invasions, run the government, and protect us from the forces of evil. Most of them seem to offer pretty sweet employee benefits, too.

DDP's Stronghold #1 gives readers a glimpse into one such secret society. The Stronghold's job is to watch over and shelter a seemingly average guy named Michael. To them, Michael is also an amazingly powerful, god-like being known as The Primacy. His power is enough to accomplish a great deal of good in the world, but Michael doesn't know a thing about it. Instead of saving lives and becoming a hero, Michael drags through day after meaningless day in a dreary, lonely, unrewarding life.

The Stronghold believe that if Michael ever realizes his power, the world will be plunged into chaos and destruction. They believe that a truce has been called in the eternal battle of good versus evil, but that if The Primacy ever reclaims his title the truce is off. The forces of darkness will launch an all-out war on the forces of good. Result: the end of the world. To keep the rest of the world alive, Michael's life has to stay as dull and unfullfilling as possible. Makes being a god seem like a pretty raw deal, huh?

This book, by writer Phil Hester and artist Tyler Walpole, makes a great change of pace from all the super-heroics on the shelves. The characters are engaging, and there are enough mysteries in the world of The Stronghold to make readers anxious to know more. Best of all, I really have no idea where the plot is going after the first issue, and THAT is all too rare. Walpole's detailed black and white art is very realistic, which makes the fantasy elements of the story really stand apart from the mundane.

So, Stronghold #1 is a unique book with great art and an intriguing story. It is also Four Color Fantasies' Book of the Week. You have no reason not to try this book today. Of course, if you DON'T try it, The Stronghold may wonder just what you have against them. They may even have to start keeping you under close observation. I really don't think you want that, so try out Stronghold #1 now!

X-Men: Colossus: Bloodline

Before we even get started, I think it is only fair to warn you that this week's Book of the Week IS an X-Men spin-off limited series. I think we all know that those tend to be a little on the stinky side, but this one is actually pretty good! It was also relatively unhyped, and has gotten kinda lost in all the House of M/Infinite Crisis excitement of the summer.

Unfortunately, the title is an awkward mouthful, X-Men: Colossus: Bloodline. (I say no title should have more than 2 words, unless those words form a sentence, or at least a coherent thought.) As you may know, Colossus has only recently returned to the land of the living over in the rather excellent Astonishing X-Men. Having spent quite a while being thought dead, being tortured, and being experimented on, it is understandable that Piotr Rasputin (AKA Colossus) is having some "issues." He is plagued by nightmares, and a huge, armored Russian's nightmares can end up causing some serious property damage.

Pete tries to cope with the help of a little art therapy, but he is clearly still having some serious anger-management problems. The situation doesn't improve when Petey gets a mysterious message from the homeland. It seems that a killer with supernatural powers is working his way through the Rasputin family tree. Not only that, but the murders may have something to do with the most notorious Rasputin of all time...

Bloodline is written by David Hine with art by Jorge Lucas. It is nice that Hine's story is delving into Piotr's Russian heritage, since this aspect of the character has been mostly overlooked during his decades of X-Men membership. Lucas's art is very dark and moody, just the ticket for this creepy and edgy tale.

So, Colossus is back, the art is good, and the story is a unique direction for this character. Why wouldn't you give this a try? Don't let the generic and wordy title scare you away! Give X-Men: Colossus: Bloodline a read now, while it is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week! Pete has enough troubles, don't make him feel unloved!

Super-Baby? The Pulse #11

For quite a few very sound reasons, not many super-heroes have kids. The kid could turn out to be some sort of meta-human mutant with the power to destroy all of reality. Maybe the kid will get repeatedly kidnapped by villains and used as a hostage. Maybe heroes don't have time to change diapers and go to teacher/parent meetings. Maybe the baby will get infected with some sort of techno-organic virus and be sent to the future, only to return as a grizzled old freedom fighter out to change the history of his world. OK, that last one is a little far-fetched. Never happen.

Anyway, super-hero babies do come with a lot of problems, so it makes sense that Marvel's most neurotic ex-heroine, Jessica Jones, is a little freaked out over the impending birth of her child. Not only is she a super-powered mom but the father, Luke Cage, is now an official Avenger. If you live in the Marvel U, Susan Storm (AKA Invisible Woman) is by far the most successful heroic mom around. It makes perfect sense then, that Jessica turns to Sue for some parental advice.

That advice is the main focus of The Pulse #11, part 1 of a story called "Fear." Other questions are raised in this issue, such as what's up with the reappearance of D-Man, a lame former Avenger with Daredevil's old yellow costume and a Wolverine hat-thing? And can designer Janet Van Dyne (AKA The Wasp) come up with a look for Luke Cage, formerly known as Power Man, that is any less lame than his old yellow silk shirt and chains look?

The Pulse #11 is written by Marvel's number one writing guy, Brian Michael Bendis, so you know the story and characters are excellent. This issue will be extra-special to fans of Jessica's first series, Alias, since it marks the return of Miss Jones' first artist, Michael Gaydos. Despite many other artist's worthy attempts, Gaydos still draws the definitive Jessica Jones.

The impending arrival of a super-baby on the scene, the reunion of Bendis and Gaydos, and a terrifically funny cover (check out Wolverine!), all make The Pulse #11 a book not to be missed. Try it now while it is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week, or you'll be on diaper duty next issue!

Nothing Wackier: Cable and Deadpool #19

+So, you are a super-powered, pseudo-messiah who has saved the world but been artificially reverted to infancy. As you rapidly accelerate through puberty and adolescence, you need a place to go to wildly and hedonistically celebrate your return to manhood. With the whole world to choose from, where do you go? Intercourse, Pennsylvania, right?

Well, maybe not. As Wade (Deadpool) Wilson and Nathan (Cable) Askani'son discover in Cable and Deadpool #19, Intercourse does not really provide the lurid thrills that the name suggests. In fact, it is such a dismal disappointment that Wade and his young sidekick Nate have nothing better to do than sit in a dingy bar and grill drinking their troubles away. At least, Cable would be drinking if he was old enough. Which he is. Except he isn't. Yet. But he will be soon. Cable must be a very confusing guy to hang out with. No wonder the Avengers never ask him to join.

While these guys sit and drink (or not), they talk. Admittedly, a couple of guys chatting at a bar in Intercourse, PA does not sound like a very exciting comic. Fortunately, Cable and Deadpool have led much more interesting lives than the average man on the street. Their discussion reveals a lot about the difficult path these guys have traveled to become the world-saving mutant hero and psychotic merc-with-a-mouth odd couple we all know and love. Plus, no one makes running off at the mouth more entertaining than Deadpool! He's a talker, that one.

Cable and Deadpool, the wackiest team-up in the Marvel Universe, is brought to you by writer Fabian Nicieza and penciller Patrick Zircher. Nicieza helped bring both of these characters to fame back in the '90s, so he knows his way around the characters. His stories embrace continuity rather than avoiding it, even the crazy, twisty warped continuity behind Cable. He also does good work with Deadpool's incessant, reference laden chatter. (Though no one can touch Joe Kelly's run on Deadpool, but we won't hold that against Fabian.)

If you haven't been reading Cable and Deadpool, shame on you! Issue #19 gives you a great place to start. You'll learn everything you need to know about our intrepid heroes to join them in all their future hijinks and goings-on. Try it now while it is guaranteed as Four Color Fantasies' Book of the Week. If you don't, Deadpool will book your next birthday party in Intercourse, PA.

Reality Comics: Powers #12

You know, if we really lived in a world where it was a common thing for people to get super-powers, it would probably get pretty ugly. People tend to do really awful things to each other on a regular basis, so if folks had super-strength or melt-your-head vision, there would be a lot of melted heads lying around. Most super-hero comics tend to shy away from extreme violence of the melted head variety. MOST shy away, but not Powers, baby!

If you haven't been reading Powers, by Brian Bendis and Mike Oeming, I'd like to know why not. This comic consistently hits the high marks for all-around excellence. Everybody knows Bendis is currently the biggest shot on the comics writing block, and in the creator-owned Powers, he has the freedom to really cut loose and tell the kinds of stories that would never be allowed in the Marvel and DC universes.

In the simplest terms, the series is a police procedural. Homicide detectives Christian Walker and Deena Pilgrim investigate murder cases involving the super-powered community. Sometimes the Powers are the killers and sometimes they are the victims, but Walker and Pilgrim almost always get their perp. Of course, Bendis is known for creating deep and involving characters and putting them through some amazingly twisty-turny plots, so there is a lot more to Powers than can be summed up in a few sentences. Oeming's art is deceptively simple and cartoony, yet dark and gritty enough for this frequently very dark book.

If you haven't been reading this great comic, now is the perfect time to start! This issue (#12 under Marvel's Icon imprint but the 49th issue overall) marks the anniversary of the 2nd series. As an anniversary treat, a huge interview with Bendis and Oeming is included in this issue along with the always informative, and very long, letter column. With all this bonus material, Powers #12 is not a book you will flip through in just 5 minutes.

So if you like your super-heroics with a big dose of real world ultra-violence, if you like police procedurals, if you like gripping drama, if you like great art, you will love Powers. Give it a try now, while Four Color Fantasies guarantees your reading pleasure! If you don't want Detective Walker knocking on your door to ask a few questions, try out this Book of the Week now. You have the right to be entertained....

Buy without Fear: Daredevil #76

You don't get to be called the "Kingpin of Crime" by being a nice guy. In fact, Marvel's Wilson Fisk, AKA the Kingpin, is one large, scary, intimidating, cold-hearted dude. If he invited you to visit him in his top-secret, super-duper high security prison cel, you would probably not want to go have a "friendly-chat." Especially if you were Ben Urich and had once been stabbed by one of the Kingpin's high-priced assassins. Yet, that is exactly what Ben finds himself doing in Daredevil #76.

The Kingpin hasn't really been on the scene since Daredevil (AKA Matt Murdock, big-shot attorney) last trounced him and took his place as the Kingpin of Hell's Kitchen. No matter how many times they square off, Murdock just can't seem to get Fisk out of his life for good. DD has had his share of troubles recently. He's had his identity revealed to the public, worked long and hard to convince the world that he ISN'T Daredevil, had his new wife leave him, and had his fellow heroes question his whole "I am the new Kingpin" approach to crime-fighting. He really should have known that, just as things started looking up, Fisk would show up to throw a big fat wrench into the works of Matt's life.

Daredevil #76 begins the last DD storyline by Brian Bendis and Alex Maleev. You might have heard of this Bendis guy. He has been known to write a few bestselling comics for Marvel, like Ultimate Spider-Man, House of M, New Avengers, and almost everything else they publish. Marvel may have one or two books by other writers, I'll have to look that up. Anyway, Bendis and Maleev have had a long, critically acclaimed run on Daredevil, so you know they are going to go out with a bang. Bendis's writing is consistently excellent, and his crime-noir Daredevil stories are a perfect match for Maleev's gritty, realistic art.

This book has great creators, it has the return of the Kingpin, and it has a whole dump truck load of complications for Murdock's already crazy life. It is a good thing Daredevil is known as "The Man Without Fear," cause it seems like his life is set to get mighty scary.

Now you can be the "Comic Book Reader Without Fear!" Buy Daredevil #76 today! It is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week. You don't have to be afraid to rush out and get this book now, but you should look carefully for trucks carrying radioactive waste when you cross the road. No need to be reckless.

A Super Babysitter: Supergirl #1

Babysitting can be a mighty scary experience. You might find yourself responsible for the sweetest little darling imaginable, but you might also find yourself held hostage by a holy terror that makes Bart Simpson look like a dream-child. Of course, you MIGHT get to the house and find that the little tyke you are expecting is not only a fully-grown adult, but also the greatest and most powerful hero the world has ever known.

OK, that last one is unlikely, but it is sort of what happens to Kara Zor-El in Supergirl #1. Kara arrived on Earth in suspended animation, expecting to be right behind the spaceship carrying her infant cousin, Kal-El (AKA Superman). As you can probably guess, she arrived just a little late. Kal is a pretty big boy, and doesn't really need any supervision from his 15-year-old cousin. Add to that the fact that the ship carrying Kara's parents apparently ISN'T going to show up, and you are dealing with a very confused and uncertain teen in search of her identity.

As you may know, Supergirls haven't been all that hard to come by in the DC Universe. There have been quite a few previous holders of the title. Some have been retconned out of existence and some haven't, but you don't need to know anything about the previous Supergirls to join in on the adventures of the latest model. The fact that she is not the first Supergirl just adds to Kara's confusion about her new life. Even more perplexing, she isn't even the only person on Earth who claims to be Superman's cousin. (Yes, this issue DOES feature a serious girl-fight between Kara and Power Girl. Not that any of you are interested in that kind of thing.)

Supergirl #1 is written by the much-loved Jeph Loeb, with art by Ian Churchill. No one can deny that Loeb is a great writer, and his talent shows in this book. The characters are interesting, the dialogue revealing, and the mystery intriguing. Churchill's art is a great fit for this book, as he does a great job drawing big powerful, scary villains (like Solomon Grundy) and cute/sexy females (like the title character).

Don't miss out on the first issue of this new series! It's got Loeb, it's got Churchill, it's got Kara, it's got teen angst, it's got punching, AND it's got Power Girl's huge, ummmm, heroic ambitions. (Get your mind out of the gutter!) All that, PLUS Supergirl #1 is Four Color Fantasies guaranteed Book of the Week! Bribe the babysitter if you have to, but get out of the house and check this comic out now!

Just a Bad Dream: Justice #1

Ever had a bad dream? Or even a nightmare? Everyone has them sometimes. Maybe you've had the one where something is chasing you and you can't seem to move. Or maybe you've had the one where you show up for work or school and suddenly realize that you've forgotten your pants. Or maybe...umm, on second thought, I won't mention THAT one. The point is, we all have bad dreams, but you wake up, get a glass of water, go back to bed and forget all about it.

In Justice #1, the villains of the DC Universe are sharing the same bad dream. This isn't the kind of dream you just go back to sleep and forget about, though. Sharing dreams is disturbing enough, but this is one whopper of a bad dream. This is an apocalyptic, end-of-everything bad dream. Even stranger, the villains all see the heroes of the Justice League completely failing to save ANYONE in this dream of theirs. Since even the bad guys don't want the whole world to be destroyed, they are going to have to work together to make sure this dream never comes true.

Justice is a collaborative effort with a story by Alex Ross and Jim Krueger, and gorgeous painted art by Ross and Doug Braithwaite. Everybody knows Alex Ross, and you get just what people expect from him in this book: incredibly detailed paintings that make the heroes and villains of the DC Universe seem real enough to step right off of the pages. The backgrounds are amazingly lush, and Ross really shines depicting both apocalyptic explosions and amazing views of Aquaman's Atlantis.

The creators of Justice are not thinking small. The story is just as big and bold as the art. From beginning to end, this book is about huge, momentous, Earth-shattering events, with the promise of more to follow. There is no slow build-up to the action while characters sit around and chat here. For readers not as familiar with the DC Universe (like me!), there are some very helpful files from the Batcomputer included to fill you in on the major characters. No more will you be mocked because you don't know Black Manta's backstory!

Really, this book is worth 3 bucks for the art alone. Add in a great story, and you just can't go wrong. Try Justice #1 now, while it is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week! We can't promise you won't have any more bad dreams, but next time you have one you can roll over, read your copy of Justice, and realize that your dreams could be worse!

Incredible Hulk: Destruction #1

The Hulk is definitely NOT your average super-hero, if you even want to call him a hero. He doesn't wear a costume (torn purple pants don't count), he doesn't go out on crime patrol, and his identity is far from secret. Mostly, what Hulk DOES do is smash stuff, shout a lot, and cause panic wherever he goes. Not your typical hero.

True to form, Hulk doesn't really have a typical Rogue's Gallery of enemies either. Maybe that's because most people who run into the Hulk want to make sure it never happens again and, sensibly, try to stay as far away from him as possible. The closest thing the Hulk has to an arch-enemy is the Abomination. He is one of the few villains in the Marvel U who can go toe to toe with the Hulk and still chew his own food the next day. The history between the two characters is pretty ugly too, so it makes sense that Marvel has put together a limited series that shines a spotlight on the Abomination, AKA Emil Blonsky.

Incredible Hulk: Destruction #1 by Peter David and Jim Muniz promises to reveal the never seen before facts about good old Emil. Fans of Peter David's "incredible" run of Hulk stories will be glad to know that a ton of great Hulk supporting cast members are back in this series. General "Thunderbolt" Ross, Doc Sampson, Hulk, and, of course, the Abomination are all here in fine form. David's definitive take on these characters alone makes this book worth the cover price. Muniz's art is a great complement, giving readers all the huge, vein-covered, sinewy muscles you could possibly expect in 22 pages.

The story itself starts when some government official gets the "brilliant" idea of using the Abomination as a sort of one-man Army, to be sent in to depose the occasional dictator or whatever you might normally use an army for. Sending in one huge gamma-powered dude instead of thousands of troops seems like a great idea, right? It will save time, money AND lives. Seriously, what could possibly go wrong? How could someone called "the Abomination" be unsafe to work with? Sounds perfectly reasonable to me.

Really, you just can't do much better than Peter David writing a classic Hulk story, featuring THE Hulk villain. The story is great, the art is great, and if you don't buy Incredible Hulk: Destruction #1 now, while it is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week, you might make Emil angry. And, you know, you really wouldn't like him when he's angry.

An unwilling team will amuse you: Defenders #1

By the Hoary Hosts of Hoggoth!! All you foolish and vain mortals must immediately rush forth and purchase the first installment of the all-new, all-astounding adventures of the dynamic Defenders! If you do not heed this call, you may endanger the very reality in which you live, blissfully ignorant of the dire supernatural threats surrounding you-even at this exact moment in time! So says Doctor Strange, and so it shall be!

OK, hopefully that got your attention. You really should read Marvel's new Defenders #1, by Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis, and Kevin Macguire. The Defenders have always been an odd bunch. They are a team of heroes who don't like each other, don't particularly want to help each other, and don't want to be called a team. The big four of the Defenders have always been Doctor Strange, the Hulk, Namor, and the Silver Surfer. These are not really characters known for their social skills or teamwork. They ARE all known for having huge egos and difficult personalities. As you can imagine, they are as likely to fight with each other as they are to fight the threats they face. They also all love to hear themselves talk, especially by making convoluted and melodramatic speeches. (See above paragraph.)

The Defenders are perfect characters to be handed over to Giffen, DeMatteis, and Macguire. Each of these guys has created great comics working solo, but when they get together they are notorious for writing offbeat, satirical, and just plain funny, super-hero team books. They are responsible for quite a few very silly versions of the Justice League, and for making Guy Gardner the most obnoxious Green Lantern ever.

Defenders #1 will not disappoint readers who are looking for something a little different. In a summer season filled with deadly serious, universe-shattering crossovers, Defenders is a great change of pace. Thanks to a deadly serious, universe-shattering threat ( OK, maybe it isn't all that different) from the Dread Dormammu and his sister Umar the Unholy, Doctor Strange is forced to recruit his old Defenders allies to help him save the day. Needless to say, they are not happy, or cooperative, campers and Strange has his work cut out for him.

If you like your super-heroics with a bit of humor then, by the Rings of Raggador and the All-Seeing Eye of Agamotto, you must make haste to Four Color Fantasies! If you do not truly appreciate this mighty tome, then your hard-earned gold shall be returned! But if you do not at least try, you are truly a craven coward and you may pay dearly for your insolence! And don't even think about making fun of Namor's cute little ankle wings, either.

Living up to its adjectives: Ultimate Fantastic Four #21

A book called "Ultimate Fantastic Four" has a lot of adjectives to live up to. For most comics, being just Ultimate OR Fantastic would be enough, but not for this title. This book boldly claims to be BOTH. Fortunately, the Four do a pretty good job of living up to their billing.

If you have followed any of Marvel's Ultimate titles, you have a pretty good idea what to expect. The book gives readers a somewhat updated and streamlined version of the classic Fantastic Four. The stories and characters are not held back by 30+ years of continuity, allowing for a fresh take on some of Marvel's greatest icons. For example, Ultimate Reed Richards is much younger and inexperienced compared to his Marvel Universe original, and Ultimate Sue is a whole lot less mom-like. Up until now, the characters from the Ultimate Marvel Universe have remained completely separate from the characters in any other Marvel Universe.

It makes sense that the Fantastic Four (Ultimate or otherwise) would be the first to "Crossover," as this story arc is titled. The FF are always exploring the universe and all of its related dimensions and alternate realities. In Ultimate Fantastic Four #21, young Reed, while exploring the N-Zone, discovers a way to communicate with an alternate reality version of himself, who will seem very familiar to fans of the original Fantastic Four. While this may sound like a typical Marvel cross-reality team-up in the making, things don't quite go the way Reed, or the readers, expect. The cliffhanger ending will leave you checking your calendar to get the next issue.

Ultimate Fantastic Four #21 is written by Mark Millar, hot off his very succesful work on Marvel Knights Spider-Man and Wolverine. Millar is clearly having a great time playing with some of Marvel's best toys. Even more impressive is the beautiful artwork by Greg Land. Land is well-known for his gorgeously realistic, and often sexy, cover art and his recent work on Phoenix: Endsong. His art here will not disappoint fans, the realism and detail are amazing. Plus, the Torch's flame looks like it could singe your fingers, and Land's Sue Storm is not at all hard on the eyes. (Not that any of us are that shallow. Especially me.)

Anyway, with the fun Fantastic Four movie out, and an exciting new creative team on this book, you really shouldn't pass up Ultimate Fantastic Four #21. UFF is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week, so run out and try it now! If you don't like it, you can get your money back. That is an ultimate, fantastic, and just plain cool, deal.

R.A. Salvatore-Forgotten Realms, Homeland: The Legend of Drizzt: Book I

When most people think of Elves, they think of those adorable little pink-cheeked scamps from the North Pole. You know, Elves that are two feet tall, have little button noses and delight in making toys for children. How delightfully cute! If that adorable and sweet image is what pops into your head when you think of Elves, you may be in for a shock when you read this week's Book of the Week.

The awkwardly titled R.A. Salvatore-Forgotten Realms, Homeland: The Legend of Drizzt: Book I (henceforth known as Homeland #1) will reveal to you the truth about Elves. Not just any Elves, mind you, but Dark Elves. The Dark Elves are a race of viscious warriors who live deep beneath the surface of the planet in the cavernous city of Menzoberranzan. Menzoberranzan is absolutely nowhere near the North Pole, by the way. These Dark Elves are a cold-hearted, back-stabbing bunch, driven solely by ambition and the desire for power. They do not make toys and wear little green booties. What the Dark Elves DO make are plans to destroy one another and all the weapons they could possibly need to make their schemes happen.

The protagonist of Homeland #1 is Drizzt, the son of a powerful clan Matron. Drizzt was fated to die at birth, but circumstances conspire to save his life. It soon becomes apparent that Drizzt is a bit different from the rest of his people. He is not, by nature, nearly as cruel or heartless as others. He actually smiles once in a while and seems to have thoughts beyond pure ambition. As Drizzt is trained in the ways of combat, it becomes clear that he has the skill to be a great warrior. He may not, however, have what it takes to survive in the loveless world of his birth.

Homeland #1 is based on a novel by fantasy author R.A. Salvatore. For fans of high fantasy and adventure, Salvatore is considered one of the greatest, and most prolific, writers in the field. The adaptation of the novel by Andrew Dabb is very well done, he is clearly treating Salvatore's story with the respect it deserves. The art by Tim Seeley is also excellent. Seeley really captures the dark world of Menzoberranzan and its people.

Once again, the Book of the Week is a comic that both entertains and educates! Never again will you suffer from misconceptions about the cuteness of Elves. This book could save your life, or the life of a loved one, by helping you to remember NOT to invite any Elves into your home next holiday season. These Elves won't settle down just because you offer them milk and cookies. Don't take any chances, pick up Homeland #1 now! It's guaranteed!

Sleep Tight It's the Dream Police

This is Wednesday. New comics day. A lot of comics come out every Wednesday. Some good. Some bad. Some kind of in the middle. Not every comic has what it takes to be a Book of the Week. It takes a special breed of comic. Not just a good comic. It takes a DARN good comic.

OK, I'll give you a break on the phoney "Dragnet" narration for a while, but I can't promise it won't happen again. This week's Book of the Week is Dream Police by J. Michael Straczynski and Mike Deodato. These guys recently worked together on the controversial "Sins Past" story arc over in Amazing Spider-Man, but this book comes from Marvel's creator-owned Icon imprint. What that means is, we are getting something here unlike anything these creators have done before.

Dream Police is the story of a pair of cops, Joe Thursday and Frank Stanford, who patrol the Dreamscape beat. The Dreamscape is the place where all of our dreams actually happen. It's a huge city filled with dinosaurs, paranoia, orgies, naked people in meetings, frustration, symbolism, phobias and monsters in the closet. All these dreams, and the people who make them, have to play nice so they can co-exist. When things go wrong, it is time to call the Dream Police.

JMS goes all out to put together a story that is both fun and funny. Some of the humor comes from the silly circumstances faced by our completely serious heroes, and some of it comes from the craziness of the dreams themselves. Deodato's very subtle and realistic art helps ground the crazy proceedings by making everything feel down-to-earth and plausible, even when it isn't. Not only is this a great story from a pair of great creators, it is a completely self-contained, one-shot story. How often does that happen nowadays?

What we know so far: This week's Book of the Week-Dream Police. It's a comic. It's funny. Great art. Great story. Guaranteed. Buy it. Read it. Sleep tight.

Astro City: The Dark Age #1

A world full of super-heroes would truly be a cool and amazing place full of action, excitement and really wild things! If you were one of the super-folks. If, like everyone reading this, you were a regular, everyday person-no cosmic rays, no super-armor, no exposure to radioactive animal bites of any kind-things might not be so peachy.

That is the premise behind Astro City: The Dark Age #1. For the people of Astro City, their daily life is constantly being disrupted and endangered by alien invasions, super-people knocking buildings down and throwing cars at each other, giant spiders, and trolls coming out of the sewer. The constant turmoil in their lives really takes the edge off the "awe and wonder" of living in a world full of super-heroes.

The Dark Age specifically focusses on the lives of two brothers, Royal and Charles Williams. Royal is a petty criminal who is just about to dive even further into a life of crime. He takes advantage of the chaos in Astro City to prey on others and look out for himself. Charles has the unenviable job of being a police officer in Astro City. He tries to keep the chaos at bay, and tries to protect the normal citizens in this crazy world. Clearly, these brothers have a few issues between them.

The Dark Age is written by prolific fan-favorite scribe Kurt Busiek. Busiek does a great job here of combining everyday human drama with larger than life super-heroics. The art is by the equally respected Brent E. Anderson, and his slightly rough style truly captures the real-world feel of this series. Top that package off with covers by everyone's favorite super-hero painter Alex Ross, and you've got a trio of A-list comic book talents putting together a book that can't miss.

If you like your super-heroes with a little bit more real world appeal, or if you just enjoy reading a great, dramatic story, you can't go wrong with Astro City: The Dark Age #1. This promises to be the start of one of Busiek's most ambitious projects yet. You don't want to miss it, and you have no excuse not to try it out now while it is Four Color Fantasies' Guaranteed Book of the Week. Just remember, super-heroes may be cool but it wouldn't be so great if the Hulk leveled your house or Superman got knocked through your office building!

There aren't enough comics out there for kids to read! There are way too many super-hero comics! We want more diverse material featuring other genres! Excuse my exclamation points, but those are just a few examples of complaints from fans about the current state of the comics biz. Sure, the big publishers bring us a lot of great stuff, but many people feel that there is just too much of the same old thing out there.

Unfortunately, when something new and different comes out, especially in the family friendly category, it is all too common for those books to sit unnoticed on the shelf. Maybe it is because people don't immediately recognize the title or maybe they don't want to risk money on an unknown quantity. That is why you should pay attention to this week's Book of the Week, The Stardust Kid.

This new title, published under Image's Desperado imprint, is brought to you by J.M. DeMatteis and Mike Ploog, the creators of the critically acclaimed Abadazad. Both creators are known for quality work, and Stardust Kid certainly lives up to their reputations. DeMatteis's story is both clever and insightful, full of fantastic concepts and believable characters. Ploog's art is lushly detailed, perfect for this story's otherworldly elements.

The first issue introduces reader's to Cody DiMarco, a 12 year old boy with a very unusual best friend. Cody's mother isn't quite sure what it is that bothers her about Paul Brightfield, but she knows she would rather her son didn't spend so much time with him. Cody's former best friend Alana also feels that there is something not quite "right" about Paul. Neither of them has any idea just how odd Paul really is. Not only is Paul not normal, he is not even human. Paul is really a shape-shifting magical entity, one of the last magical beings left on the Earth. He is also at the center of events that may completely destroy the world as Cody knows it...

The Stardust Kid #1 is the start of an epic fantasy adventure, appropriate for younger readers but substantial enough to interest even the most jaded comic book fan. Share it with your kids or treat your own inner child, but try out Stardust Kid now while it is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week!!! Obey the exclamation points!!

Cosmic Delight: Fantastic Four #527

Some of you may have heard about this little comic called Fantastic Four. Back when they were created by some guys named Lee and Kirby, they kinda started the whole Marvel Universe and put Marvel, as a company, on the map. It's about these four people who get exposed to Cosmic Rays and get amazing (or possibly "fantastic") powers, and decide to use their powers to help people, save the universe, etc. Oh, there is apparently a movie coming out over the summer based on these guys too. Does that ring a bell?

OK, all kidding aside, no comic book fan worthy of the name doesn't know about the FF. They are Marvel's First Family and, in the right hands, their adventures can make for fantastic, exciting, and just-plain-fun reading. At their best, the FF can truly live up to Stan Lee's hype as "The World's Greatest Comic Magazine." When these great characters are hooked up with a great writer/artist team, fans better pay attention.

Fantastic Four # 527 marks the start of a promising new era for the team. J. Michael Straczynski (AKA:JMS), the much-loved and sometimes controversial writer of Amazing Spider-Man, Supreme Power, Midnight Nation, and loads of other good stuff, takes over the writing duties with this issue. JMS is known for writing great stories and for finding new ideas to explore with long-running characters. Those elements are definitely in place with his first issue of FF.

In fact, all the elements of a great FF story are here. Readers get just a hint of what life would be like with a brain as super-smarty-smart as Reed Richards. We get humor, family dynamics in action, some big sci-fi ideas, and just a hint of adventure to come. JMS' great story is well-served by excellent art from Mike McKone. The characters look great, Reed's science-gizmos are cool, and even the quieter moments are visually stunning.

This is your chance to get in at the start of a new era for the Fantastic Four. If you don't try out FF #527, Johnny will give you a hot-foot, Ben will clobber you, Reed will be appalled by your ignorance, and Sue will... um, probably put up a force field to protect you from that abuse. Anyway, buy FF #527 now while it is the guaranteed Book of the Week. It's cosmic, dude!

Man with the Screaming Brain #1

Bruce Campbell is THE man. Ask anybody who knows anything, and they'll tell ya that there is just no one cooler than Bruce. Anyone who doesn't agree is just plain crazy. Whether you know him as Ash from "Evil Dead", Elvis from"Bubba Ho-Tep", Briscoe County Jr., or from his pivotal roles in both Spider-Man films, you know that Bruce Campbell is one groovy dude.

"Sure," you say, "Campbell is cool. But what does he have to do with the Book of the Week?" Excellent question and, if I may say so, very well asked! One of Mr. Campbell's latest projects is an independently produced movie, "The Man with the Screaming Brain," co-written, directed by, and starring Bruce Campbell. The clever folks at Dark Horse Comics, seeing a chance to embrace the Campbell-cool, asked him to put together a script for a comic adaptation of the film, and THAT is what Bruce Campbell has to do with the Book of the Week.

Man with the Screaming Brain #1 is co-written by Campbell and David Goodman with art by Rick Remender and Hilary Barta. The story is a bizarre tale about an unpleasant and obnoxious American millionaire, William Cole, who makes an ill-fated business trip to a small Russian city. Cole runs into trouble with commies, a former KGB cab-driver, hilarious Russian accents, and Gypsies. The Gypsies are bad enough, but Willie's troubles really start when he runs afoul of an "unstable" Gypsy femme fatale calledTatoya.

The book is drawn in a somewhat cartoony style, which fits the story perfectly. Campbell himself says that the comic is a truer vision of the story because characters and settings can be captured much more perfectly through the hands of an artist than by any movie studio. The caricature-like art also perfectly re-creates Campbell's famous chin.

Give a little sugar to Bruce Campbell! Try out The Man with the Screaming Brain #1. This off-the-wall comic makes a great change of pace. It has mad science (love the mad science!), Gypsies, seduction, betrayal, a wonderfully violent cab driver, and Bruce Campbell! And all this is before we even set eyes on a screaming brain. Best of all, Screaming Brain is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week. Try it today! Just remember, there are two rules in Gypsy Town. Number One: Stay in the car. Number Two: Same as number 1.

Epic Fantasy: The Wood Boy #1

Those of you with a naughty mind may giggle when you hear the title The Wood Boy, but it isn't what you think. How many people would like to be named by the job they do? Most folks would probably object to being known only as "The Sales Lady," "The Driving Guy," "The Keyboard Dude," or "The Human Resources and Development Woman." Unfortunately, that is just what happens to "The Wood Boy."

The Wood Boy, from Image Comics, is an adaptation of a novel by famed fantasy writer Raymond E. Feist. The story has been adapted by Sean Jordan, with art by Matt Broome. Having never read the original novel, I'm not sure how faithful the adaptation is, but the story here is well-told. Broome's art is very nicely detailed, with a hint of manga-style in the look of the characters.

The Wood Boy is a young lad named Dirk. (I know, Dirk the Wood Boy is just asking for a rude double entendre. Try to be mature about this.) Dirk was looking forward to a fairly cushy life as a servant to Lord Paul of White Hill. His life of laid back Feudal servitude veers way off track when the White Hill is invaded by the mysterious Tsurani. The Tsurani take over with little blood-shed, but they are happy to demonstrate that they will not tolerate even the slightest disobedience to their rule. If anyone even looks at a Tsurani the wrong way, they will quickly find themselves hanging from the nearest available tree.

Among many other back-breaking duties, Dirk finds himself delivering firewood to the Tsurani kitchens. It is this thankless job that earns him the name "The Wood Boy." Considering the oppressive lack of fun that comes with Tsurani rule, many of the servants are not very happy with their new bosses. Since any expression of discontent leads to a one-man necktie party, things get a bit ugly and seem set to go downhill from here.

The Wood Boy seems all set to be an epic fantasy tale, something not seen all that often in comics. If you are a fan of Tolkein or Dark Horse's recent Conan series, you will probably find a lot to like in this series. Don't miss out on the opening chapter! Pick up The Wood Boy #1, while it is Four Color Fantasies' Book of the Week. You don't want to end up being called the "Wouldn't Try It Guy," do you?

It ain't easy being super: Great Lakes Avengers #2

What if YOU were a super-hero? At least part of the appeal of super-hero comics comes from the desire to BE a hero, to be someone with abilities and powers far beyond those of mortal men. Realistically, if most of us had some sort of run-in with experimental chemicals or radioactive waste that --instead of sending us for a lengthy hospital stay-- granted amazing powers, we probably wouldn't know quite what to do next. We wouldn't be the next Captain America or Daredevil. We might not even be the next Speedball. But maybe, just maybe, we could join the Great Lakes Avengers.

The GLA are a group of regular, everyday folks who somehow ended up with super powers. They all really want to help people, they really want to be heroes, they understand that "with great power comes great responsibility," but, try as they might, they just can't make the grade. Unwanted by any of the major super-teams out there, the GLA formed their own mid-western version of the Earth's Mightiest Heroes. Sadly, even as a team, these heroes have failed to make their mark. Even more sadly, their inadequate performance tends to get members killed with alarming frequency.

In the second issue of Marvel's new GLA series, this unfortunate dip in membership has forced the GLA to try to drum up some new recruits. In the Marvel Universe, if you are looking for heroes there is only one place to go-New York City! With membership down and their leader (Mr. Immortal, who tends to die quite often himself) on a bit of a "mental health break," Flatman and Doorman head to the big city looking for willing heroes to join the team. As you can imagine, recruiting is not easy for the GLA. Even Sleepwalker turns them down.

This very clever and funny look at the less successful side of the super-hero biz is written by Dan Slott and pencilled by Paul Pelletier, the talented team behind the excellent (and soon to be returning) She-Hulk series. Slott has added some great touches to the GLA, including commentary from new member Squirrel Girl (a hugely under-rated Steve Ditko creation) and her helpful squirrel side-kick, Monkey Joe. In fact, this book is worth buying for Monkey Joe's sage advice alone.

If you like your super-hero comics with a bit of humor and huge doses of satire, you should check out GLA #2. If you like comics that dare to be different, you should check out GLA #2. Most of all, if you like comics that offer advice and commentary from a cartoon squirrel, you HAVE to check out GLA #2. Do it now, while GLA #2 is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week. Monkey Joe says, "You better buy it, or Squirrel Girl will be angry!"

The Truth of Supreme Power

Power. Wouldn't you like to have more power? Of course, if you had power, you would have to figure out what to do with it. Would you try to end poverty and promote world peace? Would you set yourself up on a tropical island with a huge mansion and your very own harem? Or would you try to rule the world and keep the people crushed under your mighty heel? Tough choices. Now, what would you do if you had "Supreme Power"?

In the world of J. Michael Straczynski's Supreme Power, having power doesn't actually make life much easier for anybody. When the original "Squadron Supreme" first appeared in Marvel Comics, they were really just a thinly veiled parody of DC's "Justice League." JMS has taken those characters and looked at them in a whole new light. What would happen in the"real" world if people with incredible abilities and "supreme power" actually existed?

When the Superman-like Hyperion crashes to Earth as a baby, the US government is on the scene to take possession of this alien visitor. And when he shows signs of having power far beyond human beings, action is quickly taken to ensure that that power is always under government control. One way or another, Hyperion's arrival is the catalyst for other super-powered beings to appear on the scene. The more people become involved, the more difficult it is to maintain control. Eventually, things start to go wrong.

With JMS, the writer behind Amazing Spider-Man and TV's Babylon 5 at the helm, Supreme Power exists in a world where anything can happen. These characters are not tied into anyone else's shared universe, so JMS does not always have to play nice. The fact that this book exists in Marvel's MAXimprint, for mature readers, also means that JMS can take the story in any direction he may choose. The excellent writing in this title is ably supported by Gary Frank's gorgeously detailed and realistic art.

Supreme Power #16 deals mostly with the Army's attempts to regain control of Hyperion (AKA Mark Milton) after he has had enough of being manipulated and takes off to do his own thing. Even though new readers will be jumping into the middle of the story, there is enough info given here to explain everything you will need to know. Try out this realistic look at the life of a super-hero now, while it is Four Color's guaranteed Book of the Week. You have the power!

Zombie-rific: The Walking Dead #18

Zombies! Everybody loves zombies! Once upon a time, zombies were the under-appreciated middle child of the horror genre but those bleak days are far behind us. In recent years, zombies have been turning up all over the place to great popular acclaim. Zombies have shambled their way into the public's heart through the "Resident Evil" game and movie franchise, movies like "Dawn of the Dead" and "Shaun of the Dead," and, of course, comics.

The Walking Dead, from Image Comics, has stumbled, moaned and gasped its way to the head of the pack in the land of zombie comics. This book is the brain-child of the renowned and beloved Robert Kirkman, creator of Invincible and Battle Pope and the writer of Marvel Team-Up and other fun Marvel books. The starting premise of this book was to look at what would happen if one of those end-of-the-world apocalyptic zombie films didn't have to end in just two hours. What that really means is this comic is not your typical brain-eating zombie gore-fest (not that there is anything wrong with that). Walking Dead is actually a very thoughtful, character-led book about a group of very "real" folks and how they live and cope in a world overrun by the undead. There is action, and there is zombie violence, but the real strength of the book is character-based drama.

Kirkman clearly loves this book and these characters. Unfortunately for them, this love does not guarantee that anyone will survive in the world of Walking Dead. It has been clear from the start anyone, possibly even lead protagonist Rick, can die at any time. No one is safe. Kirkman is a master of cliffhangers that will leave you staring aghast at the final page, and counting the days until the next issue. The cast of characters is brought believably to life by the dark and moody black and white art of Charlie Adlard, and the great covers by Tony Moore.

The Walking Dead #18 is a good jumping on point for new readers, despite coming in mid-story, because the issue provides a cool "score card" of all the main characters (past and present) and their connections to each other. Each issue also boasts a huge letter column, sometimes up to 8 pages(!), answered by Kirkman himself, which can help new readers get up to speed fast.

Keeping in mind that the language and the, sometimes shocking, violence mean this comic is not one for the young or the faint-at-heart, The WalkingDead #18 is a can't miss read. If you like zombies, action, and human drama, you will enjoy your visit to the gripping world of The Walking Dead. Drag your decomposing carcass to the counter and ask for this book by name now, while Walking Dead #18 is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week! (Tasty brains not included in Book of the Week offer.)

Conan and the Jewels of Gwahlur

"Know, O Prince that between the years when the oceans drank Atlantis and the gleaming cities, and the years of the rise of the sons of Aryas, there was an age undreamed of when shining kingdoms lay spread across the world like blue mantles beneath the stars. Hither came Conan the Cimmerian; blackhaired, sullen-eyed, sword in hand..." -REH

Being a barbarian has acquired a certain amount of social stigma, but there are bonuses to living the barbarian lifestyle. I mean, you work your own hours, you are your own boss, the overhead expenses are minimal, and there are LOADS of perks. What other jobs actually require carousing, wenching, fighting and drinking? On the down side, the life expectancy of the average barbarian is brutally short, unless you are really good at your job. Like Conan.

If you haven't been reading Dark Horse Comics' monthly Conan book by Kurt Busiek and Cary Nord, you really should be. Their adaptation of the life of Robert E. Howard's famous barbarian has treated the character with therespect he deserves. True to his literary roots, Dark Horse's Conan is no muscle-bound, dim-bulb, slab of beef. He is a clever and calculating Cimmerian out to see the world and claim his part of it. If you have been missing out on the fun, now is your chance to redeem yourself by checking out Dark Horse's new limited series "Conan and the Jewels of Gwahlur."

P. Craig Russell, an artist known for his sumptuous and refined pencils, continues Busiek and Nord's tradition of quality in this three-issue series. "Jewels" is a very close adaptation of a novella by Howard, and does not take place during the same time in Conan's life as the monthly. (So even if you have never read a Conan story before, you can jump right in with this book.) This tells the tale of a somewhat older and more experienced Conan. Our barbarian hero gets mixed up in the political schemes of corrupt governments and religious leaders, when all he wants to do is make a buck by stealing the kingdom's most valuable artifacts: the jewels known as the"Teeth of Gwahlur." (And, no, I don't know how to pronounce "Gwahlur." Give it your best shot.) A beautiful woman and a mysterious, undying oracle complicate matters even further, but an adventurer's life is never easy.

If you like the sword and sorcery genre, Conan's tales are some of the very best. If you like great comic book art, P. Craig Russell's is some of the very best. When these two are put together, you have a can't-miss, guaranteed Four Color Fantasies' Book of the Week, by Crom! Try it and, by Mitra's Toes, you won't be disappointed.

Moon Knight appears! Marvel Team-Up #7

Moon Knight! That should really be all it takes to get you old-school Marvel fans to try out Marvel Team-Up #7. Just in case the first time didn't do, allow me to repeat myself: Moon Knight! Now onto the rest of the book.

The new Marvel Team-Up series by Robert Kirkman and Scott Kolins has everything comic book fans could possibly want in a super-hero comic. It has loads of continuity references to thrill long-time fans, but it doesn't get tied down by the continuity. It has continuing, involved story-arcs, but each issue also has a pretty satisfying chunk of story on its own. It has tons of action, but also plenty of humor and character moments. Best of all, it has the entire cast of the Marvel Universe to star in its pages. Any hero or villain that ever appeared in any Marvel comic can pop into these pages, and quite a few of them have turned up in just the first few issues.

Kirkman, who is also the writer of such slices of comics excellence as The Walking Dead and Invincible, really seems to be enjoying the chance to play with all of these great characters. Sure, he has made use of obvious choices like Spidey, Captain America, and the Hulk, but some great lesser known characters, like Nova and Moon Knight, are showing up as well. Kolins's art just adds to the fun. Kolins draws amazing action sequences and his clean-lines show off the rotating cast of characters in truly classic form.

Marvel Team-Up #7 kicks off a new story arc and teams up the always loveable Spider-Man with Moon Knight, a cool character who has not headlined a title of his own for far too long. Moon Knight, for those who have shamefully forgotten, is a bit like Batman with more of a mystical side. He has all the best super-hero toys to work with, and his banter with a very envious Spidey is a highlight of the issue. And if Spidey and Moon Knight aren't enough for you, this issue also features the villainous Ringmaster, Constrictor, AND a fragment of the Cosmic Cube!

If you like classic comic book action and the pure sense of fun that is missing from too many series nowadays, you really should be reading Marvel Team-Up. Now is your chance! This week Marvel Team-Up #7 is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week. This COULD be the start of the Moon Knight revolution, and you don't want to be left behind when the revolution begins. (Did I mention that Moon Knight is in this book?)

You lucky devil! Daredevil #71

Of all the heroes in the Marvel Universe, Daredevil just may be the one with the worst luck and the toughest breaks. Look at his origin story, he has to go blind AND lose his dad to even get in the hero biz. Unlike other heroes, the toxic, radioactive goop that gets dumped on him doesn't give him super-strength, or the ability to fly and shoot laser beams. He gets radar and really good hearing. His girlfriends either get killed by Bullseye or they turn out to be nutso psychopaths or (in most cases) both. Life is never easy for the Man Without Fear.

In recent years, Daredevil's identity was exposed in the press, so he has to spend most of his time dealing with lawsuits and assassination attempts. Despite it all, Matt Murdoch keeps pulling on his red PJs and struggling to bring justice to the mean streets of Hell's Kitchen. I think we can probably forgive the guy for being just a little cranky. It is understandable when DD decides that enough is enough. He takes out the Kingpin, Wilson Fisk, once and for all, and essentially declares himself the new "Kingpin."

"Decalogue, Part 1" in Daredevil #71 takes a look at how the public feels about the whole Daredevil situation. Most community churches have counselling for troubled teens, or people who need help with their marriage. St. Mary's Church in Hell's Kitchen has Wednesday sessions to discuss "The Devil Among Us." The small group that comes together here to discuss DD shows clearly that different members of the community have very different outlooks on Matt's alter ego. To some he is a hero, to others a jerk who can't mind his own business, and to some he is a creepy guy who dresses up in a devil suit and punches people.

Daredevil #71 is written by fan-favorite Brian Michael Bendis, with art by Alex Maleev. As always, Bendis writes excellent dialogue, and brings an unique approach to looking at the life of a super-hero and the way he affects the world around him. Bendis has been writing Daredevil for years now, so he knows his stuff when it comes to Matt Murdoch. (And despite the fact that Bendis writes something like a bajillion books every month, he keeps turning out quality!) Maleev's art has a realistic, yet dark and sketchy quality that makes a perfect match for DD's gritty, street-level heroics.

If you like your super-heroics just a bit on the dark and gritty side, you will love Daredevil: Decalogue, Part 1. It has Bendis, it has action, it has noir, and it has a guy in a red devil suit punching people! What more could anyone ask for? (Other than some sort of talking monkey.) If nothing else, you'll be glad you don't live Matt's life. Try Daredevil #71 now, while it is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week! You lucky devil!

Mad Science Origins: Ultimate Iron Man #1

Of all the many lessons comics have to teach us, the most frequently repeated is that cutting-edge scientific research (AKA "mad science") is often way more trouble than it is worth. Maybe comics wouldn't have to warn us about the dangers of science gone wild so much if people would just learn to lay off the test tubes. Science should be left in the capable hands of reasonable professionals, like Bill Nye and Professor Frink, not reckless munitions developers in Marvel's Ultimate universe.

Ultimate Iron Man #1 by Orson Scott Card and Andy Kubert, starts at the very beginning of the life of Iron Man. Actually, it starts even before the beginning. The story takes place years in the past, as Howard Stark begins work on an entirely new kind of armor. The cool thing about this armor is that you just spray it on from an aerosol can and you become invulnerable to almost any trauma, from ice picks to baseball bats. The downside is that it will eat your skin off in three hours.

The skin-eating problem means that Stark needs help, so he enlists the best geneticist he can find. Dr. Maria Cerrera is not only brilliant, she is darn cute too. Being a typical member of the Stark family, Howard is soon smitten with her and love blooms for the future parents of Iron Man. Unfortunately for them, scientific disaster soon rears its ugly head...

Orson Scott Card is a world-renowned, best selling author of science fiction novels, and he really brings his science know-how to this story. A character like Iron Man really needs to be right at the edge of current scientific theory and Ultimate Iron Man definitely is on that edge. The art by Andy Kubert is, as always, gorgeous and exciting. The only possible complaint with this first issue is that we don't actually get to see Kubert's version of Iron Man in action. At least that leaves something to look forward to!

So remember kids, science is awful dangerous but comics can wisely show you the way to avoid disaster. If you want to experience the thrill of experimentation without endangering your friends and loved-ones, pick up Ultimate Iron Man #1 while it is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week.

Mythic Aspirations: Blood of the Demon #1

Summoning up aid from the forces of darkness is really a tricky business. On the one hand, you may have an incredibly powerful being to defeat your enemies, conquer armies, or help with the laundry. This could be very useful. On the other hand (moral implications aside), the summoned one may find a way out of your control, bite your face off, and drag you screaming into the abyss. Very tricky business.

DC Comics' Blood of the Demon #1 starts out with just such a tricky proposition. Over a thousand years ago, Merlin (Yes, THE Merlin) summons up the demon Etrigan to help fend off the forces of Morgaine Le Fey. Unfortunately, Camelot falls but Merlin allows Etrigan to live on, tempered by a human side. For the next thousand years, the human Jason Blood and his demon half, Etrigan, fight for humanity against the forces of evil.

Today, in Gotham City, some extemely bad people (or people-like things) decide they have a need for Etrigan's special talents. They capture and torture Jason Blood in the hopes of finding Etrigan. What they unleash, however, may be more than they, or the world, can handle...

Blood of the Demon is pencilled and plotted by John Byrne, with scripting by Will Pfeifer. Byrne has been one of the most well-known names in comics for decades. He has written and drawn highly regarded stories for many classic characters, including the X-Men, Superman, the Fantastic Four, the Hulk, She-Hulk, and many, many others. John Byrne knows comics, and that shows with his work here. The characters look great and the action, and there is a LOT of action, is dynamic and easy to follow.

If you like supernatural stories with a dark edge, you will enjoy Blood of the Demon #1. This isn't for the faint hearted, as there is quite a bit of bloodshed, but there is some humor to lighten the darker moments. (Beware the naked, bullet-proof man!) Give Etrigan a try now, while he is starring in Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week. Just remember, don't go summoning evil forces in your own home. Take out the trash yourself, and you'll be happier in the long run.

Comics Cautionary Tale: Legend #1

You know, if more comic book characters actually READ comics, quite a few of the tricky situations they get themselves into could be avoided. For example, any comic book reader can tell you that untested, cutting-edge, "crazy" scientific experiments probably should not be conducted on onesel for ones' family. The odds are that you will end up insane, in jail, or in a gooey puddle on the floor.

In Legend #1, it is all too clear that Abednego Danner has not read enough comics. In what appears to be rural America, many decades ago, Danner starts experimenting with the chemistry of living things. He believes, much to the dismay of his sternly religious wife, that it is possible to create a human who has strength and endurance beyond imagining. He experiments on lesser animals, but when his wife becomes pregnant, Abednego just can't resist the urge to get out the hypo and start secretly injecting her with glowing, green chemicals.

Their son, Hugo, seems normal enough at birth, but it quickly becomes apparent that he is no average baby. The real story of Legend follows as Hugo grows up. Both he and his parents struggle to deal with his abilities, and to find Hugo's place in a society that hates him because he is different. Hugo has to learn to deal with abusive children and with intolerant adults, while not losing control of his awesome power. Life is not going to be easy for Hugo Danner.

Legend is written by Howard Chaykin with art by Russ Heath. In comics, you can't get a better pedigree than that. These are creators whose names have long been synonymous with quality, and Legend shows off their skills very well. The story and the characters are immediately involving, and Heath's pencils are perfect for evoking a quaint, but far from perfect, America of the past.

Legend #1 is a great first issue that will leave you hungry for more. There are some serious themes to think about here (and some cussin'), so it is recommended for older readers. Legendary comics creators, mad-science and super-powers. You can't go wrong with all of these ingredients combined. Check out Legend #1 while it is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week. Just don't start injecting your friends and family with green, glowing, science-y stuff. It will only lead to tears.

A Modern Day Witch Hunt: Daredevil "Redemption"

If there is one thing a bunch of angry rednecks tryin' to organize a good, lawful execution don't like, it's some fancy-pants, blind, New York lawyer stickin' his nose into their business. The only thing that could possibly be worse is one o' them tights-wearin' super-hero types stickin' his hornedhead where it just don't belong. Unfortunately for the people of Redemption, Alabama, they got both.

Daredevil: Redemption is a limited series that could almost (without the blind super-hero part) be pulled straight from CNN's scrolling headlines. Loosely based on real events, "Redemption" involves the Marvel Universe's most famous lawyer, Matt Murdock (AKA Daredevil), in a gruesome child-murder case. Matt has often found his life as a lawyer to be even more difficult than putting on the spandex and dealing with the world's problems vigilante-style. Defending Joel Flood is definitely one of those tough cases.

Murdock is approached by Joel's mother, Emily, to defend her teenage son. Joel is accused, with overwhelming evidence against him, of brutally murdering a young boy. The problem is, his mother is totally convinced of his innocence. So convinced that Matt, against everyone else's advice, believes her and feels compelled to take the case. When Matt arrives in Redemption, he finds a community on a modern-day witch hunt. Everyone is out to see Joel Flood convicted and executed, and Joel doesn't seem to be trying too hard to change anyone's mind about him.

Daredevil: Redemption is written by David Hine with art by Michael Gaydos. Hine's story is very believable, with characters that seem true-to-life. It would be easy for the isolated residents of Redemption to come across as simple backwoods stereotypes, but that doesn't happen in Hine's carefully crafted story. Gaydos' dark, moody, and realistic artstyle (which I loved in Marvel's "Alias!") is perfect for this story. The gravity of the themes in this story, such as child abuse, domestic violence, and murder, are well-served by Gaydos' heavy black lines and shadows.

If you are looking for light-hearted action with wall-to-wall super-heroics, this story may not be for you. However, if you like a bit of mystery, some real human drama, and a story that will really give you something to think about, you can't go wrong with Daredevil: Redemption. This limited series is coming out weekly, so you won't have to wait too long to find out what happens. Try out the first two issues now, while they are Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book(s) of the Week! Tell 'em the fancy New York lawyer sent ya.