Eternally Cool: Eternals #1

Most people don't respond well to being approached by strangers who are desperate to share their crazy ramblings with them. As soon as some guy on the street starts telling you about the secret government plan to hide Atlantis from the aliens who, by the way, are always watching you, you're probably gonna head in the opposite direction as fast as your feet will carry you. That kind of thing is just way out of our comfort zone.

Unfortunately for him, that is just about what happens to Mark Curry in Eternals #1 by Neil Gaiman and John Romita Jr. Mark is a hard-working medical intern whose life has hit a bit of a rough patch. His job is relentless, his student loan payments are overdue, his girlfriend just left him, and he is having some really weird dreams. The only thing that could make matters worse would be having some weirdo show up at the hospital to tell Mark that they are both actually super-powerful, immortal aliens who have been around for half a million years, give or take a decade. So, of course, that guy does turn up in the men's room.

The weirdo, who says his name is Ike Harris, is not easy to get rid of. He keeps turning up where Mark least expects him, with tales about the dawn of time, the origins of the humanity, a race of gigantic aliens called the Celestials, and super-powered beings known as the Deviants and the Eternals. Mark, normally enough, is not inclined to believe anything Ike tells him. It seems, however; that SOMEONE believes because Ike and the other Eternals soon find themselves targeted by some very violent and dangerous people.

If you've been a comics reader for any time at all, the names Gaiman and Romita will almost certainly not be new to you. Neil Gaiman is an award-winning, best-selling novelist, who also wrote Sandman (widely considered to be one of the all-time greatest series in comic's history). Known for his epic fantasy tales, Eternals is a perfect fit for Gaiman. These characters, originally created by Jack Kirby, inhabit a world of god-like beings, mysterious aliens and thought-provoking, fantastic concepts. It is a real treat for fans to have Gaiman back in comics with such a great story. Top that off with powerful and dynamic art from John Romita Jr. (who has probably drawn just about every character in the Marvel Universe by now), and you have a winning combination that is hard to beat.

Great writing, great art, and really cool characters. What more could anyone ask for? Eternals is definitely a series that should not be missed. That's why it is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week. Just try not to get distracted by that guy on your porch who wants to sell you an aluminum foil hat to keep the little gray men from reading your mind. That guy really is crazy.

Wranglin' Up a Good Time: The Mighty Marvel Western featuring Two-Gun Kid

Saddle-up, ya low-down, greasy, yella-bellied varmints! We is goin' ridin' with the Kid. Two-Gun Kid, that is. And don't go pointin' out that most all of them masked gunslinger types carries two guns. That's the Kid's gimmick, and it would be downright rude to ruin it fer him. (Reckon I should give this here authentic, western writin' style a rest, afore I busts my dialect bone.)

Over the next couple of months, Marvel is publishing a series of one-shots featuring their western characters under the Mighty Marvel Western banner. Like the monster-themed one shots from a few months back, each issue has a new story (or two) by a top-notch writer/artist team and a classic reprint story, all under a cover by Eric (The Goon) Powell. The first book out of the gate in this series is Two-Gun Kid, by Dan Slott and Eduardo Barreto.

Two-Gun Kid has a whole mess of entertainment value to make it well worth your 6 bits (or 3.99, as the case may be). Two-Gun Kid, AKA Matt Hawk, has recently found his way into the modern Marvel Universe thanks to his big, green, buddy She-Hulk. Matt is an interesting guy because he is not only a quick-drawin', sharp-shootin' gunslinger, but also a book-learned, law-slinging lawyer. With his legal skills being a hundred years or so out of date, Matt has been helping out at Shulkie's law firm by roundin' up some of the ornery critters they need to wrangle into court. Wranglin' skills never go out of date!

The story in this issue starts with Matt and She-Hulk on a vital mission (one that you don't want to miss if you've been reading She-Hulk, and you SHOULD be reading She-Hulk), but quickly becomes a flashback to Matt's past. This self-contained western tale has masked gunslingers, loads of action, and werewolves! Slott's story is great and Barreto's art lends a perfectly dry and dusty feel to the Tombstone setting. As if that wasn't enough fun, this issue also has a Keith Giffen tall tale featuring Hugo, the world's smallest cowboy. AND there is a full-length Jack Kirby classic reprint story featuring the Rawhide Kid: Beware the Terrible Totem! If all that isn't worth your 6 bits, I don't know what is. (Please be aware, I have no idea how much a "bit" actually is. If you try to pay for this comic in bits, you may be unsuccessful.)

So don't give me none of your sass, cowpokes! Get your ornery mitts on a copy of The Mighty Marvel Western featuring Two-Gun Kid with no delay. It's guaranteed at Four Color Fantasies this week, so there ain't no way you can lose. It'll give ya something to do while yore tendin' yore saddle sores!

Say Uncle: Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #9

We all know that comic book reality is a bit warped. When people die in the real world, no one wonders "when will they be back?" But in comics, that's the first question that comes to mind when a character goes to the big super-hero lair in the sky. We've gotten used to the weird logic of comic's storytelling that tells us death is just a temporary setback. Of course, there is an unspoken law that at least two characters can NEVER come back. Captain America's little chum Bucky and Peter Parker's Uncle Ben.

Recently, and to much critical acclaim, Ed Brubaker actually found a way to bring back Bucky. Somehow, the world didn't end. Readers liked the story, and Bucky came back to the land of the living. Brubaker got away with that one, but nobody would be crazy enough to.....what? Peter David did what? Brought Uncle Ben back to life? Is he allowed to do that?

I guess if anyone can be trusted to handle such a delicate subject, it's Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man writer Peter David. Mr. David has written tons of great comics over the years, including popular runs on Incredible Hulk, Supergirl, X-Factor, Spider-Man 2099, Aquaman, and many, many more. (He is a best-selling novelist too! Check out his Knight Life and Sir Apropos of Nothing series.) If anyone else even mentioned having Uncle Ben walking around, I'd be very afraid. Another writer might have made this a cheap stunt, instead of a great story. However; I think we can give Peter David the benefit of the doubt here.

So what exactly is going on in Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #9? I don't want to give too much away, but it involves alternate realities jumbling together, the time-patrolling Spider-Man of the year 2211, and future Spidey's daughter, who also happens to be the Hobgoblin of 2211. Oh, and did I mention, Uncle Ben? I know that sounds complicated, but David's great storytelling makes it all make sense. The story is aided and abetted by great pencils from Mike Wieringo. Wieringo is equally good at drawing character moments, super-hero action, and futuristic fashions and city-scapes. All of which makes him a perfect fit for this title.

If you haven't been checking out what this great creative team has been doing with Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, you've been missing one of the best books on the stands right now. Poor Uncle Ben has had a pretty raw deal in Spider-Man history, he is a pivotal character whose importance lies in being dead. Peter David is giving Ben Parker a chance to show his stuff, at least for a while, in the land of the living. Have some respect for the dead, and read Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #9. It's Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week!

Pasty-faced Fun: Spectre #1

When you think of ghosts, you usually think of something scary. Ghosts jump out at you in the night, screaming and moaning and making you run for the exorcist. Maybe they possess creepy dolls, or make the walls of your house bleed, or throw some crockery around. At the very least, they leave creepy Ouija Board messages. Scary stuff, kids!

However; in the DC Universe, ghosts apparently can't do squat. At least, that's the case for the ghost of Crispus Allen. Allen is a ex-homicide detective. "Ex" because he is, ironically for the guy who shows up at murder scenes, deceased in the line of duty. Shortly after his death, where he is quite surprised to find himself still hanging around, Crispus is paid a visit by the Spectre. The pasty-faced Instrument of Divine Justice wants to recruit Detective Allen for the cause, but the recently deceased detective is not interested in the position.

Not one to take no for an answer, the Spectre gives Crispus a year to ponder his choice. In that year, he discovers that ghosts just can't do very much. He observes the world around him, but he can't make his presence felt to his family, to his killer, or even to Batman. (And that guy doesn't miss anything!) After a year of this unsatisfying existence, Allen is a bit more interested when the Spectre returns, but administering God's justice may not be the gig he is expecting...

The Spectre #1, an Infinite Crisis Aftermath tie-in, is written by Will Pfeifer with art by Cliff Chiang. Pfeifer's story tells you everything you need to know about the Spectre, and makes a great start for this new series. I knew nothing about the Spectre going into this issue and I never felt like I was missing anything, despite the ties to other DCU stories. Chiang's art is dark and spooky, so it has the right vibe for this otherworldly tale.

If you want a little ghostly fun, but don't want to cut holes in your good sheets, give The Spectre #1 a try. Don't be scared to try it now, while it is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week!