An Intriguing Chess Game: Civil War: War Crimes

You don't get to be the Kingpin of Crime in the Marvel Universe without some serious smarts. The only way Wilson Fisk has managed to stay at the top of the heap for so long is by staying several moves ahead of the heroes and villains who would love to take him down. Some folks may have the idea that Fisk is just a big, fat, thug, but those who make that mistake usually end up six feet under.

For any ordinary criminal, getting locked up would put a serious crimp in their plans, but not Wilson Fisk. Despite the fact that he is doing time at Riker's Island, Fisk is still clearly the Kingpin. He sits at the head of the mess hall, has a legion of bodyguards and enforcers (including THE Enforcers) and is approached by appointment only. Of course, Wilson's power does NOT stop at the prison's gates, as both Hammerhead and Iron Man will soon learn...

In Civil War: War Crimes, by Frank Tieri and Staz Johnson, Fisk and Tony "Iron Man" Stark play a literal, and figurative, chess game. The Kingpin has information about Captain America's resistance movement that Tony would love to get his hands on. Stark knows that such information isn't going to come without a price, but is it a price he is prepared to pay? Of course, Iron Man is no dummy either, so both players think they are winning this game. Who is making the smarter moves? And who is sacrificing one piece too many?

If you have been following Marvel's Civil War blockbuster, this one-shot is essential reading. Readers will discover what's been going on behind the scenes, and may be shocked to find out just who is making deals with the devil to win this war. If you haven't been reading Civil War, this is still a great self-contained story that explores the character of both Wilson Fisk and Tony Stark.

Don't be a mere pawn in the game. Make your move, and head to Four Color Fantasies to try out this 100% guaranteed Book of the Week! With a little help from Wilson Fisk, you could become a Kingpin too!

Worth joining him: Lone Ranger #3

For a long time, the once-popular western genre had all but vanished from the comic racks. Luckily for all fans of gruff, stubbly, men on horseback, comic book westerns have made quite a comeback. Marvel's westerns and DC's Jonah Hex and Loveless have all been great, but now Dynamite Entertainment has brought back the most well-known cowboy of them all: The Lone Ranger.

The Lone Ranger has appeared in just about every entertainment medium there is. He's been on radio and TV, in movies, books, viewmaster reels, and, naturally, comics. Dynamite has published some really great comics based on licensed properties like Red Sonja, Battlestar Galactica, Army of Darkness, and many others. They have already proven that they know how to find the right talent to revive an old property with the love and respect fans expect. I'm not really an old-school Lone Ranger fan myself, but I think those hardcore fans will like what they see in this book. Of course, Dynamite wouldn't put out a book that was only for nostalgia buffs, so they give us a great new take on the Ranger that will appeal to any readers who like a great story with beautiful art.

The Lone Ranger is written by Brett Matthews with art by Sergio Cariello (and art direction from John "Astonishing X-Men" Cassady). In Lone Ranger #3, they continue their version of the Ranger's origin. John Reid, masked and loaded for action, heads off to get revenge on the last of the men responsible for the deaths of his fellow rangers, including his father and brother. With villains and conspiracies all around him, John's going to need all the help he can get just to survive. Lucky for him, there's a guy named Tonto who seems willing to watch his back. Now, he'll just need to find a good horse...

If you are expecting the somewhat campy, sanitized version of the Lone Ranger from the old TV shows, you will be surprised by the extremely dark and gritty tone of this book. This story is told much more in the vein of Clint Eastwood than Roy Rogers. The Ranger's world is violent and the villains he will be coming up against are cruel and sadistic. If you are a fan of the new Jonah Hex, you definitely don't want to miss what Dynamite is doing with The Lone Ranger.

Go to Guy Gardner: Collateral Damage #1

Every office or organization has one and, somehow, they never go away, no matter how much everyone wishes they would. You know the person I'm talking about-the big jerk who does everything wrong, but always gets away with it. They make stupid, inappropriate jokes, steal office supplies, eat your carefully labelled lunch, and mouth off to everyone and anyone. Every school, business, store, or team has one (or two) of these idiots. For the Green Lantern Corps, that jerk who drives everyone crazy and nobody wants to deal with is Guy Gardner.

Amongst all of the noble and self-sacrificing heroes of the Corps, Guy stands out as a selfish bigmouth who just happens to be great with a power ring. The only reason for the Corps to keep a guy like Guy around is to have someone to do the dirty, unpleasant, nasty jobs that all those heroic and noble types don't want to touch. When you need a Green Lantern who isn't afraid to break some bones and kick someone when they're down, you need Guy Gardner. Guy always speaks his mind, regardless of how others might feel about what he has to say. Of course, you wouldn't want him anywhere near sensitive diplomatic situations of any kind. Right?

Well, maybe just this once. The Rann-Thanagar War in the DC Universe has gotten ugly, and there are some parties who would like to put an end to the killing and destruction. Earth has no involvement in the war, so it seems like maybe an Earthling would make a good neutral arbiter. Maybe an Earthling who has some degree of experience with other space-faring races, or even one who owns, say, a bar, where talks could be held. Of course, you need an arbiter who doesn't have a stake in the outcome and who won't be swayed by feelings and stuff. Someone, like Guy Gardner, who just doesn't really care very much.

Guy Gardner: Collateral Damage #1 (of 2) is a great meeting of character and creator. The legendary Howard Chaykin writes and draws this book, and he's great at writing guys who aren't the nicest dudes around. Guy's jerky dialogue is perfect, and kinda fun to read aloud. (Somewhere deep down, we all have an inner jerk just dying to get out, don't we?) Chaykin's art is clean, yet detailed, and loaded with style. He perfectly captures the little details, like Guy's sneer, and the big stuff, like marauding alien hordes.

Don't be a jerk! Give Guy Gardner: Collateral Damage a chance. Is that so much to ask? Or does Guy have to kick your worthless rear end? He'll do it, ya know.

Launching a better NewUniversal #1

Back in the dark depths of the '80s, the folks at Marvel had a pretty good idea. Why not start a whole new universe, where we can tell stories that don't fit into the regular, hero-filled Marvel Universe? The New Universe was a parallel reality, closer to our real world than the Marvel U, a whole new universe where anything could happen. The possibilities were endless! And then they came out with books starring a guy with a super-powered tool box and a bunch of other mediocre, goofy characters. The New Universe soon vanished, never to be heard from again. Until today...

Marvel is taking another shot at making the New Universe cool, and this time they have talented guys like Warren Ellis and Salvador Larroca at the helm. In NewUniversal #1, Ellis takes the basic concept of a realistic, parallel world where people gain powers, and runs off wildly in his own direction with it. The first issue introduces a bunch of interesting characters, but doesn't give away too much about where they are all headed. They are just living their normal lives, good and bad, when something weird happens. There is a white flash in the night sky, an ancient temple is uncovered, weird symbols pop up everywhere, some people die and some people seem to develop paranormal abilities.

Being a Warren Ellis book, NewUniversal is full of great characters, big sci-fi concepts, and a few angry Brits. What more could anyone ask for in a comic? (Besides a monkey pirate fighting a zombie ninja. They seem to have left that out of this issue.) Salvador Larocca's art is also a real treat. He excels at small character moments and facial expressions, but he also pulls off giant, cosmic, space stuff. His work here is a little more down to Earth than his recent X-Men art, which emphasizes that the strange goings-on are happening to "real" people. A strange flash in the sky would be the least weird thing to happen in the craziness filled Marvel Universe, but here it seems unique and ominous.

I'm not really sure what might happen next in NewUniversal, and that is a good thing. There is a whole new world of possibilities opened up here and, with Ellis and Larocca in charge, it will be fun finding out what happens next. As long as they keep those Kickers, Inc guys far away from this guaranteed Book of the Week. They were sooo lame.

No Conspiracy Engima Cipher #1

If you believe the conspiracy theorists of the world, you probably think the government is watching you at this very moment. Not the government guys we all see fooling around on CNN, wasting taxpayer money on whatever it is they do all day, but the dark-suited guys behind the scenes. The guys who have Hitler's brain in a jar, keep all the crashed UFOs to themselves, and could have anyone "rubbed out" with one cryptic command. The guys who have the REAL power. Of course, such secret government agencies are pure fantasy, right? Or maybe that's just what they want us to think...

Enigma Cipher #1, from Boom! Studios, drops readers right into the deep end of this mysterious world. A college professor stumbles across a coded Nazi message from World War II. He reports it to the state department, and then shares his discovery with a class. Decoding a message like this should be no big deal, right? It's surely just some dusty old piece of history, a curiousity for students to play around with. There's no way it could lead to a whole lot of people dying, or put a star student on the run from a monolithic organization out to silence her for good. Right? Or maybe that's just what I want you to think...

Written by Andrew Cosby and Michael Alan Nelson, Enigma Cipher could easily be the next blockbuster thriller in the "Bourne Identity" vein. It has a strong and believable cast of characters, even the ones who quickly find themselves victims of the sweeping conspiracy. The story is loaded with twists and turns that keep readers just as unsure about what's happening, or who can be trusted, as Casey (the computer genius heroine who tries to break the enigmatic code).

Greg Scott's art is perfect for this story. His use of heavy shadows and dark tones keeps events shrouded in mystery. There could be, and often are, enemies lurking behind every corner.

This review may leave you with many questions, but there's only one way to find the answers. You DO want to know the answers, don't you? I'm sure it's perfectly safe for you to read Enigma Cipher #1. There's no way you could learn too much by reading this guaranteed Book of the Week. Or maybe that's just what I want you to think...

Giving girls a reason to read comics: White Tiger #1

Who can resist a shapely woman who can kick your butt without breaking a sweat? Apparently, too many people. No one can dispute the dearth of women in comics. Not enough women are working in the industry, not enough women star in the books, and not enough women are reading the material. Now's our chance to celebrate all three with the butt-kicking launch of Marvel's White Tiger.

Scripted by the married team of Tamora Pierce and Timothy Liebe, White Tiger captures the audience with an intriguing story: the mythical organization, the Chaeyi, might be real, the is-he-or-isn't-he Daredevil pops in, and our hero isn't sure if she wants all this. Angela Del Toro, the niece of the original '70s kung fu hero White Tiger, received Hector Ayala's amulets just before being fired from her FBI position investigating Matt Murdock as Daredevil. Leave it to Brian Michael Bendis to introduce a character so compelling she deserves her own limited series, but Del Toro really comes to life in the able hands of Pierce, best known for her strong female leads in a series of young adult fantasy novels.

Despite the history behind White Tiger, the authors quickly fill in her backstory without being bogged down in exposition. And together we stumble through Angela's personal dilemma about using the amulets and whether or not that means she has to wear a costume. In the first of six issues, the Black Widow shows up to mentor Angela and her first stop is helping choose the costume. Fanboys might be disappointed by the decided lack of flesh showing, but the skintight outfit draws the eye to every sinuous muscle.

The artwork by Phil Briones with inks by Don Hillsman and colors by Chris Sotomayor is realistic with gritty, dark New York nights and sunny, yet grimy streets during the day. The world of Angela Del Toro is captivating through the eyes of this creative team and her emotional life is revealed with every expression.

If you are a fan of Collen Wing and Misty Knight AKA Heroes for Hire (and if not, why not?), White Tiger is a must read. If you want to see more female action heroes, White Tiger is a must read. If you want your girlfriend to share your super hero obsession, White Tiger is a must read. Did you need any other reason to check this out? Oh, wait, if you hurry, it comes with Four Color Fantasies' money-back guarantee. Buy it today and make this Tiger purr.

Samurai: Heaven and Earth (Vol. 2, #1)

In comic book circles, there is some debate about which is the greatest breed of legendary warriors: ninjas or samurai. For my money, samurai have the ninja beat by a mile. Sure, ninja can do all that hopping around, stealthy stuff. They can poison your food or sneak up behind you and stab you with their fancy ninja blades, but is that really any way for a deadly martial artist to act? Would you hang out with someone who did that to you?

Samurai, on the other hand, are noble warriors who will look you in the eye. A samurai will tell you how he's going to kill you, give you the first shot, and still take you down before you know what happened. Now THAT'S impressive! Asukai Shiro, the star of Dark Horse's Samurai: Heaven and Earth (Vol. 2, #1) by Ron Marz and Luke Ross, is a prime example of the honorable samurai warrior. He fights for a just cause, he gives his opponents fair warning before they die at his hand, and he stays cool and calm even in the face of insurmountable odds. I'd like to see a ninja top that!

Shiro is on a quest to rescue his kidnapped love Lady Yoshiko. He swears to cross Heaven and Earth to be reunited with her, and is well on his way to keeping that vow. Having crossed all of Asia and most of Europe on Yoshiko's trail, Shiro finds himself in Spain as this volume of the series opens. Being a stranger in a strange land puts him at a bit of a disadvantage, so Shiro has to recruit some unwilling local to help him pick up his lost love's trail. Of course, some people just don't believe Shiro when he says they will help him or die. As you can probably imagine, some of those skeptics end up on the wrong end of Shiro's sword. (That's the sharp end, if you couldn't guess.)

This book has a great, epic story with beautiful, realistic art. Both Marz and Ross have done their research, as this historical tale looks and feels very authentic. If you love Lone Wolf and Cub, Frank Miller's Ronin, or even those Wolverine issues where he goes to Japan, you should check out Samurai: Heaven and Earth #1. This book has tragic romance, historical drama, plenty of action, and a cool samurai hero. If that isn't enough to entice you, it looks like Shiro may be running afoul of some pirates soon. Nobody can resist pirates. Pirates are cooler than ninjas, too.

Don't skulk in the shadows! Boldly make your way to Four Color Fantasies, where you can do the honorable thing and try out this guaranteed Book of the Week.

New Beloved Brit Stuns: Wisdom #1

You know, thanks to Walt Disney and Tinkerbell, everyone thinks fairies are adorable little winged darlings, flitting about the English countryside. However, if you read your folklore, fairies are usually portrayed as manipulative, angry, hateful little buggers. Given half a chance, they'll steal your crops and kidnap your babies. Bloody fairies.

In the England of the marvel Universe, fairies really exist in the Otherworld. The Otherworld is essentially the collective unconcious of the English people. It exists alongside the "real" world and is teeming with fairies, monsters, knights, kings, swords in stones, and all that other great stuff from your English Lit class. Unfortunately, sometimes the residents of the Otherworld collide with modern day England, and that makes trouble. When a bunch of wild fairies start waging war on humans, it's time to call in Pete Wisdom.

Wisdom is the head of MI-13, a secret government team that deals with "weird happenings." Pete's team is, honestly, a pretty weird bunch too. Wisdom himself is a mutant (he was in the best ever Excalibur run, back when Warren Ellis wrote it), and he leads a group with a rogue fairy, a hippy Skrull, Captain Midlands, and a woman who is "clairsentient" but NOT a telepath. A strange team to deal with strange stuff.

Wisdom is a Marvel Max limited series written by Paul Cornell, with art by Trevor Hairsine. Cornell has long been a favorite writer of mine. He has written some excellent Doctor Who novels, an acclaimed episode of the new Doctor Who TV series, some original sci-fi novels, and some great comics for 2000 AD. This is his first work for American comics, and I have a feeling Paul Cornell will become a beloved import like fellow Brits Garth Ennis and Warren Ellis. In the first issue alone, Wisdom manages to be original, funny, and scary, packed with great moments and clever ideas. Trevor Hairsine, another former 2000 AD artist, is no slouch either. His detailed, dark, and gorgeous art is a perfect fit for the book.

With great art and a great story, there is no excuse for you to miss out on Wisdom #1. If you enjoy the modern take on folklore in Fables, you should definitely give Wisdom a try. Of course, the fairies might try to steal your copy, so be careful! Bloody fairies.

Don't mess with Aunt May: Sensational Spider-Man #31

Spider-Man fans who have been around long enough remember how useless Pete's beloved Aunt May used to be. She doddered about the house making wheat cakes for her nephew, totally overlooking the many, many clues that Pete was really Spider-Man. Spidey couldn't reveal his identity because Aunt May's feeble heart would give out with the shock. He was always running from battles because Aunt May needed her medicine, being only minutes away from death. May was so clueless that she thought Spidey was a terrible menace, but she was going to marry "that sweet Doctor Octavius" so he could get his tentacles on her nuclear power plant. (If you don't know the story behind that one, just count yourself lucky and never think of it again.)

However, May Parker has had a bit of a renaissance period over the last decade or so. Gone is the cliched, sickly, dim-witted old lady of the past. Today's Aunt May is a strong, smart, no-nonsense, fount of wisdom and support for Peter and Mary Jane. Nowhere is that transformation more evident than in Sensational Spider-Man #31 by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Angel Medina. Part of the fallout from Spidey's Civil War unmasking, this issue focuses on two of the women in Peter's life, Liz Allan and Aunt May.

Now that all the villains Spidey has pounded over the years know his identity, they figure they can get a little payback by attacking those close to him. One bunch of second-rate villains uses Liz and her son to lure Peter into a trap, while the Chameleon goes after the weakest link in Peter's life-Aunt May. I don't want to give anything away here, but lets just say Chameleon made a serious miscalculation. May is not the helpless victim he believed her to be, and I bet he won't ever look at a bakesale the same way again.

It is great that Marvel hasn't shied away from dealing with the logical consequences of Spider-Man's identity being public knowledge. Aguirre-Sacasa has used this controversial Civil War plot point to tell some excellent Spidey stories that could never have been told before. As a Spidey fan for almost 30 years, it's great to have stories with a truly new take on the character. If you've been reading Civil War, but missing out on the great stories spinning out from those events, you're missing the best part of the year's biggest superhero event.

Pick up Sensational Spider-Man #31, pull up a comfy chair and a plate of homemade oatmeal cookies, and enjoy! It's guaranteed at Four Color Fantasies all week. Try it or we'll reveal your true identity!

Unexpectedly Seasonal: Tales of the Unexpected #1

It's the middle of October and Halloween is sneaking up on us like the skulking, terrifying, bad boy of a holiday it is. You know what it means when Halloween is just around the corner? (Aside from the increased likelihood of egging and TP-ing, that is.) It means spooky comics, of course! There is no better way to spend a creepy October evening than curled up in a comfy chair with an eerie comic or two.

DC is here to help keep you frightened with their October debuting Tales of the Unexpected limited series. This book is an anthology title, headlined by The Spectre and backed up by Dr. 13. The Spectre tale, by David Lapham and Eric Battle, is the star of the show and gets the lion's share of the page count. The story stars dead Detective Crispus Allen, the current Spectre, observing and uncovering some seriously creepy goings-on in a run-down slumland building called the Granville Towers. The tenants are weird, the landlord is dead, and something is going on that even a ghostly detective can't figure out.

The Dr. 13 backup story is an interesting take on the "investigator of the unknown" formula. Terry Thirteen is a paranormal investigator, but he is also the ultimate sceptic. He doesn't believe in ghosts, monsters, aliens, or any other unexplained phenomenon. He seems compelled to explore these subjects because he is desperate to prove that they simply don't exist. The story is written by Brian Azzarello, with art by Cliff Chiang. In a very small number of pages, this story manages to incorporate cavemen, dinosaurs, yeti, cannibalism, freaky Freudian dreams, and a vampire. You can't ask for much more out of your entertainment dollar!

Both stories are well-told and well-drawn. The subject matter is perfect for the season, and the first issue is topped off with an excellent cover from Mike "Hellboy" Mignola. Pick up this comic, dig in to that bag of cheap candy you bought for the trick-or-treaters, and have yourself an early Halloween party.

No need to be scared, because Tales of the Unexpected #1 is Four Color Fantasies guaranteed Book of the Week!

Escape into the CRIMINAL

People are fascinated by the darker corners of the world, those places that we all know should really be avoided at any cost. Even those of us who are smart, or lucky, enough to stay away from dirty alleys that smell like urine are tempted to peek inside once in awhile. That urge probably explains the recent resurgence of dark and gritty storytelling in comics (and other media) lately.

The newest down and dirty crime comic on the block is Criminal, from Marvel's creator-owned Icon imprint. Written by Ed Brubaker and drawn by Sean Phillips, this book comes with a pretty good pedigree for a dark crime comic. The story lives up to Brubaker's previous work, with believable, well-rounded characters, cracking dialogue, and a convoluted plot. Phillip's art is a little more realistic than his recent stint on Marvel Zombies, but it still has that same rough edge that makes it a perfect fit for a story like Criminal.

Our protagonist is Leo Patterson, the son of one of the greatest pickpockets ever to work a city. Leo's dad died in prison, and Leo is determined not to make the same mistakes his father did. Not that he decides to actually earn an honest living; he just works really hard not to get caught. Leo operates by a pretty strict set of rules. The rules have kept Leo out of prison so far, but he finds himself tempted to break the rules to make one huge score that could take care of all his problems and responsibilities. Of course, there is just no way that things are going to go as smoothly as Leo would like.

If you want to sneak down that stinky alley and experience life on the wrong side of the tracks, you can't go wrong by doing it from the relative safety of your favorite comfy chair. Stop by Four Color Fantasies and pick up this guaranteed Book of the Week. But no five-finger discount! Leo is a bad, bad example, kids!

No Comedy Magician: Doctor Strange: The Oath #1

There are quite a few folks in the super-community who call themselves "Doctor" something, but most of them aren't really doctors. Doctor Doom, for example, is certainly not the kind of doctor I would want to perform a major surgery on myself or a loved one. Doctor Stephen Strange (Sorceror Supreme, Master of the Mystic Arts), however, is an honest-to-goodness HMO-charging, medication-prescribing doctor.

The good Doctor's medical training comes to the fore once again in Doctor Strange: The Oath by Brian K. (Y the Last Man) Vaughan and Marcos Martin. When Doc's loyal and true manservant Wong comes down with a fatal medical condition, he swears to live up to his Hippocratic Oath and find a way to save Wong. Lucky for Wong, Doctor Strange has considerably more resources than the average General Practitioner. Of course, nothing is easy in the world of super hero comics and finding a cure is not going to be a walk in the park, even for the Sorceror Supreme.

In recent years, the trend in the Marvel Universe seems to be to treat Doctor Strange as a bit of a joke. Admittedly, someone as pompous as Stephen Strange is an easy target for a laugh. Vaughan seems set to return Strange to an appropriate place of prominence in the Marvel U. He may be a bit on the stuffy and arrogant side, but he IS the most powerful magician in the world and the sole protector of the entire dimension in which the Marvel heroes reside. Nothing to sneeze at, even if he does dress funny.

There is certainly a lighthearted side to this series. Any comic that opens with Iron Fist and Arana sitting in the Night Nurse's waiting room, tending their wounds and listening to elevator music, is not without a funny bone. Doctor Strange, for all his faults, is portrayed as a powerful yet compassionate man. He may be a bit oblivious to the mundane world around him, but he does mean well and he is willing to risk his life for the benefit of others.

With a compelling and clever story by Vaughan and great art by Martin, this limited series is too good to miss. Pay a visit to the Doctor today, and try Doctor Strange: The Oath #1, while it is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week.

With all the Civil War hullabaloo going on in the Marvel Universe, none of the heroes seem to be thinking too much about what the old rogues gallery might be up to. Seriously, if the Avengers and the Fantastic Four are all busy beating the stuffing out of each other, who's keeping an eye on the bad guys? OK, Steve (Captain America) Rogers has been trying, but in Captain America #22, it's clear that he has way too much on his to-do list to stay on top of everything.

Even if you haven't been keeping tabs on all the Civil War madness (which you really should be, cause it's an awesome story), you can easily jump in with this first part of the "Drums of War" storyline. Sharon Carter, AKA Agent 13, AKA Cap's main squeeze, tries to warn her S.H.I.E.L.D. bosses that Cap is not going to take kindly to their attempts to take away the freedoms of heroic folks who've risked their lives to protect others. S.H.I.E.L.D.'s current leader, Maria Hill, still acts all surprised when Cap refuses to play ball and kicks S.H.I.E.L.D. agent butt all over the map.

Agent 13 suddenly finds herself with some tough choices to make between her personal feelings and her duty. Should she help her boss (who, for the record, is a big jerk) capture Captain America, the leader of the anti-registration resistance? Or should she help Steve stay one step ahead of his fascist former friends at S.H.I.E.L.D.? Of course, it might be easier for Sharon to make these choices if her psychologist didn't seem to have a rather fishy agenda of his own. Remember those unsupervised villains I mentioned earlier...?

Captain America #22 is written by Ed Brubaker, with art from Mike Perkins and Frank D'Armata. Brubaker has already proven himself as a great writer AND someone who really gets what Captain America is all about. Afterall, he found a cool way to bring back Bucky, which no one else ever thought possible. This issue does an amazing job of tying into the events of Civil War, while not being dependent on them. Despite all the big events, this is a very character-driven story. The art from Perkins and D'Armata is also excellent. It has loads of detail, dynamic action, and a dark, painted look that really adds gravity to these events.

If you are reading Civil War, you definitely can't miss Captain America #22. If you aren't reading Civil War, you should still support America's Super-Soldier and read Captain America #22. If you don't support Cap, Tony "Iron Man" Stark wins, and Tony is a bigger jerk than Maria Hill. Stupid Iron Jerk.

Roughest, Toughest, Manliest: Goon:Noir #1

Hey, you! Yeah, YOU, you no-account, comic book readin', mouth breathin' weirdo! What do you know about The Goon? You better know that The Goon is the roughest, toughest, manliest comic ever to see print from Dark Horse Comics. You better also know that The Goon is more fun than a hootenanny with fireworks, ice cream, and blueberry pie. And you better have a real good reason if you ain't been readin' The Goon on a regular basis.

The monthly comic, written and drawn by the mighty talented Eric Powell, tells the funny, violent, and occasionally tragic tales of the Goon. With a childhood that made Peter Parker's early life look like smooth sailing, the Goon is a big, tough, scarred thug who runs the rackets of his hometown with an iron fist. Goon is no heartless criminal though. He always keeps an eye out for the little guy, and he keeps the common folk safe from the super-natural horrors that tend to crawl the city streets. You know, slack-jawed zombies, tentacled monstrosities from the bottom of the sea, werewolves, that kinda thing. Goon doesn't do it all alone, of course. He gets a lot of help from his foul-mouthed little buddy Franky.

Maybe you've been worried that you couldn't just jump in and read any old issue of The Goon. That would really be a mistake on your part, cause almost every issue is self-contained. However, if you have been thinkin' that way, now is your chance to try The Goon at no personal risk to yourself. Apparently, creator Eric Powell needed some time to work on his upcoming Goon epic, Chinatown, so he is letting his former publisher (and all-around obnoxious guy) Dwight T. Albatross put together some black and white "jam" issues under the title Goon: Noir.

This three issue series was going to feature Goon stories by comedy giants like Jimmy "JJ" Walker and Carrot Top, but Albatross couldn't get them. He had to settle for great comic book creators instead. The first issue of Goon: Noir has three stories by creators taking their first turn on the Goon's turf. Guys like Mike Ploog, Steve Niles, Ryan Sook, and many more. There's also part one of a three part story drawn by Powell himself, just in case people missed him too much. Each of these creators takes a slightly different approach to the Goon's crazy world and each stand-alone story is pretty darn entertaining.

If you ain't never been brave enough to try out The Goon, pick up Goon: Noir #1 and see if you're man (or woman) enough to hang with the Goon and Franky. You'll have a good time if you do, and you might get your kneecaps all busted up if you don't. Plus, this book is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week, and you don't get many guarantees in this world.

Movie Thrills Meet Comics: Rush City #2

Rush may sound like the name of an energy drink or a protein bar, but it's also the name of DC's newest hero on wheels. Rush is the star of Rush City and, as his name suggests, he tends to move fast.

As any fan knows, lots of movies are being based on comics these days. It seems only fair that a comic or two may take some cues from the big movie guys in return. Rush City is a noir-ish book loaded with hot dames, a tough guy hero, and loads of car chasing with flashy cars. It has the non-stop action feel of movies like the Transporter series or The Italian Job.

Rush is a guy with a mysterious past who can find anyone who's lost, whether they want to be found or not. If the price is right, that is. In the second issue of the series, Rush finds himself tracking down a nerdy little French guy. Not so much for the money, but because the woman claiming to be the French guy's sister is incredibly hot. Of course, it seems a little odd that the stipulations of the job demand the missing brother be delivered alive, alert, and awake. Not to mention that Rush is far from the only person hunting down this apparently inconsequential movie geek.

Rush City is written by Chuck Dixon with art by Timothy Green II. The story and the art both keep things moving at a break-neck pace. Reading this book really feels like watching a big-budget action film. Dixon's dialogue is all very terse yet memorable, with our hero getting in an occasional action guy one-liner. The car chases and fist fights all convey the constant movement of a summer blockbuster. The only thing missing to complete the experience is a butt-kicking soundtrack. Hopefully, you can provide your own.

If you like action, cars, sexy women, and mysterious, brooding heroes, you should love Rush City. If you don't like those things, go watch some Matlock reruns. Either way, you should pick up Rush City #2 while it is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week. Just don't blame me if you break any traffic laws on the way to the shop!

Forget about science. If you've read enough comics, or watched enough TV, you know that space is a crazy place. If we haven't been misled (and I'm sure we haven't), space is full of weird energies, horrific monsters, probing aliens, and gorgeous but naive space babes. I'm sure NASA tries to tell us otherwise just so they can keep all the fun for themselves. (Though if they showed us more evidence of space babes, I bet NASA could get all the funding they need...)

Anyway, all this space weirdness is why Mystery in Space is the perfect title for DC's new anthology title. Mysteries and space are a can't-miss combination! Jim Starlin is the perfect creator to bring us all the Space Mystery we can handle, too. Starlin is most well-known for his various series set in the cosmic fringes of the Marvel Universe. He has been responsible for pretty much anything with Infinity in the title and he has been behind the most acclaimed stories featuring Captain Marvel and Adam Warlock. It would take all day to list all of Starlin's sci-fi work, so trust me, he knows space!

Mystery in Space is a little bit unusual in that it seems to be an anthology title. The first issue features two stories, both starring resurrected protagonists. First up is Captain Comet. I was unfamiliar with the Captain before reading this issue, but I learned everything I needed to know about the man and his history to enjoy the story. Starlin is joined by artist Shane Davis for the Comet tale, and the artist is a perfect fit for the story. Davis has designed some excellent and unusual looking aliens, and he does a great job with space-tech as well. He also draws a very believable talking bulldog, which is a selling point in and of itself.

The second story in this issue features another character who was unknown to me, The Weird. Again, I learned everything I needed to know about the character in this issue. Starlin handles the art himself for this story, which should be a relief for all the fans who most appreciate Mr. Starlin's work as a writer/artist combo. The two stories are connected, but it remains to be seen whether these characters will continue to influence each other's crazy, mysterious lives. I have a feelng that they will.

If you like your superheroes to have a sci-fi edge, you don't want to miss Mystery in Space. Try it out now, while it is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week! And don't forget to keep an eye peeled for those space babes!

The Benefit of Knowing Things: X-Factor #10

It would be really sweet to go through life knowing things like X-Factor's Layla Miller. Ever find yourself wondering if you should take a new job, ask for a date, or make a stock investment? I'm sure you have, and there have probably been a few times you really had to kick yourself over a move you did or didn't make. Layla never has to sweat over life's big decisions because she, well, she knows things. That is one handy-dandy mutant power.

One thing I DO know is that you should be checking out Marvel's X-Factor. Writer Peter David has an unfortunate history of writing great books, loved by both readers and reviewers, that just aren't read by enough people. If you are missing X-Factor, you are missing a seriously excellent series. Every issue is packed with humor, noir atmospere, mysteries, suspense, witty dialogue, genuine character development, and mutants. Everybody loves mutants! (No Wolverine, though. We get enough of that guy everywhere else.)

The current X-Factor is a bunch of mutants, and ex-mutants, who come together as a sort of detective agency/bodyguard service. They are champions of the downtrodden and the underdogs. They live on the bad side of town, and they don't have a fancy jet or X- mobile. X-Factor are the "regular guys and dames" of the mutant world. This group is made up of all the Marvel mutants who just don't fit in anywhere else, such as: Jamie "Multiple Man" Madrox, Theresa "Siryn" Rourke, Rahne "Wolfsbane" Sinclair, and Guido "Strong Guy" Carosella. And Layla Miller. She knows things.

In X-Factor #10, our heroes continue to lock horns with the mysterious and enigmatic Singularity Investigations. They learn that working for S.I. is NOT worth the benefits package. Jamie Madrox finds out the hard way why a Multiple Man shouldn't drink. Quicksilver continues to act like a jerk (big surprise there). And the team takes a stand on the Super-Human Registration Act. All this, plus an ending that will make you do a serious double-take. I mean it, next issue can't come quick enough!

You and I may not know things like Layla Miller, but now you know to pick up a copy of X-Factor #10. I know you'll be glad you did. I also know that, right now, this book is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week. Get it while you can!

Action-packed Adventure: Heroes for Hire #1

You know, it's all well and good for heroes to fight evil, save the world, and defeat nefarious villains, but why can't they make a little cash for their trouble? Sure, Spider-Man had to learn that whole "power and responsibility" lesson the hard way, but that's just because he was being kind of a jerk at the time. Heroes are out there risking serious injury, messing up their social lives, and spending tons of cash on fancy rocket-packs and whatnot. They deserve a paycheck for this crazy lifestyle! Altruism alone just doesn't pay the bills.

That's why the concept behind Heroes for Hire makes perfect sense! The first Heroes for Hire were Luke Cage and Iron Fist, back in their '70s heyday. The title has popped up once or twice at Marvel since then, but this new series stands completely on its own. Even though this particular incarnation of the title is really a sequel to the recent (and awesome!) Daughters of the Dragon mini-series, no prior reading is needed to jump right in and join in the fun!

This new, ongoing series is written by Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti, with art by Billy Tucci and Tom Plamer. Gray and Palmiotti have teamed up on many great comics, including Jonah Hex, Punisher, and Daughters of the Dragon. In Heroes the pair have put together a fun, action-packed adventure with an eclectic cast of characters, including some B-listers who never seem to get the attention they deserve. They've turned Misty Knight and Colleen Wing into wonderful, complex, leading ladies, and given them a great cast of supporting characters like Shang-Chi, Black Cat, Palladin, and Orka. Anyone who can make Humbug a fun and interesting character must be a great writer!

Of course, artist Billy Tucci is most know for his creator-owned character Shi. When you hire a guy who is known for drawing gorgeous women, it would be a shame not to give him plenty of material to work with! Gray and Palmiotti put their artist to good use in this book. Not only do they have him drawing the previously mentioned Misty, Colleen, and Black Cat, but they also threw a sexy-but-dangerous new Taratula into the mix. (Trust me, this character is nothing like the guy with the bandana and the pointy shoes that Spider-Man used to fight.) Tucci rises to the challenge with action-packed art full of both eye-candy and intense kung-fu kicking action. Now that's entertainment. (Don't feel left out if you like your eye-candy to be a little more beefy! Shang-Chi is shirtless more often than Captain Kirk.)

Not only is this first issue a fun start to a new series, it is also a "can't miss" Civil War spin-off. Misty and company are hired by Iron Man as government agents to help track down costumed villains who are not complying with the Superhero Registration Act. The Heroes for Hire are a little uneasy about getting involved in the Civil War conflict, but those goverment salaries with benefits sure do look good...

Help support struggling heroes, and give Heroes for Hire #1 a try. It's guaranteed at Four Color Fantasies this week, so you can't lose. Besides, if you hurt Misty's feelings, Colleen may go all Kill Bill on you.

Out-Preachering Preacher: Ennis delivers on The Boys

The heroes of the Marvel Universe may think they have it tough with the whole Civil War thing going on, but it could be MUCH worse. Sure, they may get beat up by Iron Man if they refuse to register, or maybe even locked up by SHIELD, but at least they don't have to worry about having a huge, surly Englishman kick their face in and then stand on their testicles. Captain America is luckier than he thinks, because he doesn't have to deal with The Boys.

The Boys are a taskforce of seriously bad dudes (and one female dude) who police all the out-of-control super-powered, cape-wearing types in the world. Led by the previously mentioned surly Englishman, Mr. Butcher, these people HATE the capes. These "boys" are likely to stomp you into a bloody paste first and ask questions later.

I've had high expectations for The Boys ever since the title was first announced, because this book from DC's Wildstorm imprint is the latest creator-owned title from writer Garth Ennis (Preacher, The Punisher, Bloody Mary, War Stories, and many more). This book delivers everything his fans love about a Garth Ennis tale: wildly creative violence, the darkest of dark humor, incredibly imaginative swearing, biting social satire, deep (and deeply disturbed) characters, and some more violence. In fact, Ennis has claimed that this book will "out preacher Preacher." If you read Preacher (And if you haven't, what are you waiting for?), you know that is a serious statement.

Ennis' partner in violent crime for this series is Darick Robertson, who also collaborated with him on The Punisher and Fury. Robertson's dark, realistic art is perfect for this title. His characters are amazingly expressive. One look into team leader Billy Butcher's eyes, with his sly knowing smile, and you'll know that you would run if you saw this guy coming. We don't meet the whole cast of characters in the first issue, but another guy we do meet is the tragic Wee Hughie. Hughie is drawn by Robertson to look an awful lot like actor Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead), which earns the artist points in my book.

The Boys is suggested for Mature Readers, and this warning should be taken seriously. If you are too young, or at all easily offended, this book will not be for you. However; if you think you're hard enough to handle a comic that pulls no punches, muscle up to the bar and spend some time with The Boys. I'm pretty sure Butcher would make even Iron Man cry.

Mad Science Debated: The Creeper #1

The public debate about the ethics of science has gone on since before Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein. Just because we CAN do something, does that mean we SHOULD? I'm sure not the one to answer that question in the real world, but I can tell you that in comic book land, science is nothing but trouble.

Take the case of Jack Ryder in DC's new Creeper limited series. Jack is your average arrogant, opinionated, obnoxious and obstreperous TV host. He loves nothing more than to get a guest on his show so he can belittle and berate them for the amusement of his audience. Jack is just enough of a journalist that he wants to get the scoop on the miraculous new Artificial Nanocell Technology invented by Dr. Vincent Yatz (also the guy who made that dice-rolling game?).

After poking around in the good Doctor's lab (always a mistake), Jack finds himself on the wrong end of this miracle healing technology. And on the wrong end of some gun-wielding criminals who are also mad science enthusiasts. Next thing you know, Jack is a good deal "Creepier," and comic book science has claimed another victim. What could be worse than a super-powered talk show host? Darn that science!

The Creeper #1 is written by veteran horror comics writer Steve Niles with art by the mono-named Justiniano. Niles horror background makes him a good fit for this story, since The Creeper is certainly a bit darker and, well, more creepy, than your average super-hero. The inclusion of the scientific debate issue also helps lend a little real world relevance to the story, and gives readers something to think about. Justiniano's art is well-matched for this character. He does a great job capturing The Creeper's weirdness through his bizarre body language and his crazy, cheshire cat smile.


So read The Creeper, but stay away from strange men in lab coats, especially if they're carrying giant hypodermic needles. Science is just more trouble than it's worth. For every guy who has an amazing origin, ten more get hideous, disfiguring mutations. Plus, this is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week. You don't get any guarantees with mad science.