DARK HORSE COMICS
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Page 33 - The Helm #2 (of 4), $3.50, Dark Horse
Written by Jim Hardison, Art by Bart Sears and Randy Elliot

This title was mentioned last month, but the concept was fun enough that it seemed to be worth mentioning again. The Helm, of course, is the story of the worst kind of geek stereotype (overweight, unemployed, living in his parents’ basement), who gains incredible powers by donning a mystic Helm. Of course, the Helm realizes that he isn’t the best choice to be The Chosen One, and has decided to try and correct its initial mistake. Has the potential to be some really funny stuff - well worth checking out.

DC COMICS
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Page 65 - Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds #1 (of 5), $3.99, 40 Pages
Written by Geoff Johns, Art by George Perez and Scott Koblish

Both of the major summer events are kind of let-downs this year. Despite this, both publishers are going to go Crossover Crazy - but all is not lost. Just because the main event itself isn’t all that spectacular, doesn’t mean there aren’t good stories to be had. This one is potentially one of them - pitting the Legion of Superheroes (all three versions?) against Superboy Prime. Some definite potential for a great story there, especially with the creative team. Geoff Johns has been behind some of the best stories DC has put out in recent memory, and George Perez - well, he is George Perez. You can rest assured that the art is in good hands.

Page 67 - Final Crisis: Superman Beyond #1 (of 2), $4350, 40 Pages
Written by Grant Morrison, Art by Doug Mahnke and Christian Alamy

This two-parter is something that most Superman fans should probably pick up (as well as fans of the multi-verse). This story should follow Superman as he combats a menace that threatens existence itself - and he needs the help of alternate Supermen from throughout the 52 Earths. You can imagine that some of the major alternate Supermen will make appearances here - likely Kingdom Come and Red Son, and no doubt several more. Good news for fans of Big Blue’s other-Earth counterparts.

Page 71 - Hawkman Special #1, $3.50, 32 Pages
Written by Jim Starlin, Art by Starlin and Al Milgrom

Ah, seeing this special makes one wish that DC had done a little better job with Hawkgirl. A mere 16 issues - that run had the potential of so much more, but was saddled by an unfortunate styles clash. Chaykin was just not the man for that book. Ah well. This one shot spins out of the Rann/Thanagar Holy War…. maybe. It looks like that might be some name-dropping, but either way, we are getting a Hawkman solo story. Probably a teaser for a return of a Hawkman ongoing. Time will tell.

Page 78 - Catwoman #82, $2.99, 32 Pages
Written by Will Pfeifer, Art by David Lopez and Alvaro Lopez

Final Issue. FINAL ISSUE! Seriously… things like this make me question how the comic world works. There are so few titles that are consistently good, and almost always it seems like those are the titles that the fewest people read. Is it the fans? In part - for some strange reason, comic readers are willing to take some abuse and buy the worst titles starring marquee heroes in droves, while neglecting much better lesser-tier titles. But that phenomenon is impossible to understand, so it isn’t worth trying.

Catwoman has been on a stellar run - since Brubaker’s epic run - and only faltered a bit when the baby was introduced as part of the One Year Later mess. But even then, it was quite readable end entertaining. This title will be missed a great deal.

Page 81 - All Star Superman #12, $2.99, 32 Pages
Written by Grant Morrison, Art by Frank Quitely and Jaime Grant

This series needed two things - more and more often. In stark contrast to All Star Batman and Robin, this title has been one of the best Superman stories in recent memory, only it came out so infrequently that it was really hard to remain excited about it. You take what you can get, of course, but still - it would have been nice to see this title monthly.

This issue is the final one of the series - Frank Quitely is moving on after this issue. Morrison isn’t totally done with the concept yet though, and is planning a few specials with guest artists, which should be passable.

Still - being the last issue of the regular run, you can expect that they will go out with something of a bang. Not that any more is needed - this series remains outstanding on its own merits, and an average issue (for them) would do just fine. This title will be missed.

Page 85 - The Brave and the Bold #16, $2.99, 32 Pages
Written by Mark Waid, Art by Scott Kolins

This issue gets mention for the cover alone - Catwoman covering Superman’s face with kisses - and he with this bewildered look… definitely the makings of a good team-up. This title has been off and on throughout its run, but this issue looks to be nice and simple. Anytime this book can avoid massive team-ups that involve half the DCU, all the better. Should be fun.

Page 114 - Air #1, $2.99, 32 Pages
Written by G. Willow Wilson, Art by M.K. Perker

Books like this one - they are really tough to gauge. On the surface, it seems like a pretty good idea. Anyone who has travelled lately knows how frustrating things are - air travel has become the very worst conflux of political correctness and security, and it often feels like we are going through all sorts of trouble for no tangible result. So why not tell the story of a clandestine vigilante group that aims to patrol the friendly skies? Could be interesting and relavant.

Of course, we have been burned before - where an eager idealistic writer will take a subject with some relevance and instead of telling a great story, feed us a bunch of political proselytizing. Let’s hope that isn’t the case here - it is possible to tell this story without having to hear how evil one half or the other of this country is.

Page 121 - House of Mystery #4, $2.99, 32 Pages
Written by Matt Sturges and Bill Willingham, Art by Luca Rossi and Michael Allred

Did you pick up a copy of House of Mystery #1 this past month? If not - you need to correct that mistake soon - you have no idea what you are missing. Sometimes you can tell from the start when a new Vertigo title has the chops to make a long, acclaimed run. House of Mystery is one such title. There are so many facets to this book - so many different ways it was great in one single issue - it demonstrated both rare quality and potential… this is going to be a must-read title for sometime to come. The sooner you pick it up, the better.

IMAGE COMICS
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Page 142 - Guerillas #1 (of 9), $3.99, 56 Pages
By Brahm Revel

Sometimes I mention a comic because the art is good, or the story has been great, or because some notable creator is coming aboard or leaving… but this one get s nod just for plain bizzareness. The setting is the Vietnam War, and in an effort to turn the tide, the US government decides to deploy a secret weapon. Monkey soldiers. No idea what to expect here - obviously there is some humor here, but what direction Revel will take this is yet unknown. Gonna have to read to see. Could be a real obscure, off-the-wall title.

Page 147 - Image Monster Pile-up #1, $1.99, 24 Pages
Written by Todd Dezago, Alex Grecian, Phil Hester, and Robert Kirkman, Art by Jason Howard, Andy Kuhn, Riley Rossmo, and Craig Rousseau

This one shot will feature a quartet of original stories feturing Image’s “monsters:” Firebreather, Wolf-Man, the Perhapanauts, and Proof. This isn’t the beginning of a team-up series, but rather a way to get familiar with each of these characters, and see if you might be interested in their respective ongoing titles. Existing fans of these characters should check this issue out as well, as each of the stories will be all new and original. Not exactly a quarter teaser issue, but still an inexpensive way to sample these titles.

MARVEL COMICS
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Page M12 - Venom: Dark Origin #1 (of 5), $2.99, 32 Pages
Written by Zeb Wells, Art by Angel Medina

Lot’s of attention is going to be focused on the symbiotes this month, as Spider-Man will see another new one, and comes to blow with Venom once again. This mini is going to take another look at the origin of Venom and Eddie Brock… a well worn story, but potentially one worth revisiting. The creative team is a good one - Zeb Wells is a solid choice to write, and Angel Medina … well, an established Spawn artist should do well with Venom. A good monthly choice.

Page M14 - Amazing Spider-Man Family #1, $4.99, 104 Pages
Written by Marc DeMatteis and Tom Defalco, Art by Alex Cai and Ron Frenz

A new start for Spider-Man Family - this might be a blessing for people who just can’t follow Amazing Spider-Man 3 times a month (though the cost is about the same as two issues, but better than three if you are on a budget). This issue is going to give us a few stories, including one that might be of note to Spider-Girl fans - a story about life in the Parker family before Mayday got her powers. There should be something in this issue you will like - it is worth checking out.

Page M16 - Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane #1 (of 5), $2.99, 32 Pages
Written by Terry Moore, Art by Craig Rousseau

Man, is it about time this book came out, or what? Kind of a shame that they are only outing it out as a mini, though if it does well, you can bet it will return. Terry Moore, of course, is the man behind the outstanding Strangers in Paradise series, and was probably the absolute best choice to take over this title from Sean McKeever.

This title was always traditionally aimed at a Younger, female reader, but it has consistently remained one of the best written titles in Marvel’s line-up. A slightly different twist on the normal superhero genre - but if you are ok with that, you will enjoy this book. Can’t wait to see where Moore takes this story.

Page M31 - Invincible Iron Man #4, $2.99, Marvel Comics
Written by Matt Fraction, Art by Salvador Larroca

The first issue of this series is in the can - not so bad, really. Of course, few really doubted that Matt Fraction would do a good job with this title, but when you are dealing with Iron Man - a character that remains a bit banged up from his treatment in Civil War, while at the same time under the very watchful eye of Marvel’s Editors (thanks to the movie), anything could happen. Fraction got off to a good start in issue one - the “disposable Iron Man armor” (or rather, the fear of) is an interesting angle, and I am curious to see where he takes this. Issue #4 is still in the middle of the opening arc, but if you still haven’t tried this title out, the sooner the better. It has the potential for long-term quality.

Page M57 - Runaways #1, $2.99, 32 Pages
Written by Terry Moore, Art by Humberto Ramos

If it is possible, this one could be even better than Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane.

Terry Moore has a real feel for female protagonists, which made him an ideal choice to take on Mary Jane. Runaways seems a natural fit too - it isn’t exactly the kind of story he is known for telling, but it seems to be something he could easily transition to. Humberto Ramos is an excellent choice for the art. His work does tend to divide readers (into the usual “love it” and “hate it” camps), but his style has always lent itself well to younger characters. Particularly in this day when most artists strive to sexualize their characters, Ramos’s style is uniquely suited to keeping kids as kids - and not trying to make teenage girls pin-up models.

So while Mary Jane is anticipated because Terry Moore is the perfect choice to write it - Runaways is even moreso because it has all the elements of a fantastic run. Add it to your list.

Page M69 - X-Men Origins: Jean Grey, $3.99, 40 Pages
Written by Sean McKeever, Art by Mike Mayhew

Isn’t Sean McKeever exclusive to DC? Ah - it would seem that he wrote this way back in August of 2006, before his contract was signed. While that explains that - it is kind of curious that they sat on it for this long. Ah well - it does look to be worth the wait - I am always up for a good representation of the Original X-Men (maybe it is just the costumes… I have always been a sucker for that old dorky get-up), and McKeever should be able to manage a good one. Great for fans of Jean Grey to boot … maybe she will be back soon?

Page M74- Punisher #60, $2.99, 40 Pages
Written by Garth Ennis, Art by Goran Parlov

Wow - talking about slipping by under my radar - Garth Ennis’s last issue of Punisher? That is a pretty major shift - outside a short hiatus when this title was being published under the Marvel Knights imprint, Garth Ennis has been the creative force behind the Punisher through three volumes, starting back in 2000. Over eight long years, Ennis returned Frank Castle to his roots, restoring to greatness a character that was once thought to be too broken to bother saving. He has done such a great job with Frank that it is going to be tough to accept anyone else writing him.

I’ll certainly never forget - “We had a team-up. You were great!” Ah the memories.

You won’t have to wait long for the new creative team though - issue #61 also comes out this month under the pen of crime novelist Gregg Hurwitz. I don’t envy the impossible act he has to follow. Best of luck to him.

INDEPENDENT COMICS
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Page 196 - Echo Volume 1: Silver Rain, $15.95, 112 Pages, Abstract Studios
By Terry Moore

Terry Moore’s latest self-publishing effort is now a couple months old, and some of you still might not have given it a shot. While Moore’s style is very-much present, it is still hard to say whether this series will be as endearing as Strangers in Paradise in the long-term. It has more of a sci-fi bent, but Julie is still a sympathetic character, and could stand the test of time as well as Katchoo and Francine have. If you missed the series launch, this is a good way to catch up - a trade collecting the first five issues, as well as some sketches and design notes. If you still haven’t read Echo, this is a good place to start.

Page 319 - Doctor Who: The Forgotten #1, $3.99, 32 Pages, IDW
Written by Tony Lee, Art by Pia Guerra and Nick Roche

This might be a good comic to get for Doctor Who fans, especially those who aren’t too familiar with the franchise’s history prior to the relaunch. The story revolves around The Doctor, who has lost his memories. Martha must help him regain the memories of each of his previous incarnations, starting with the very first. One of the problems that has plagued the Doctor Who series thus-far is sub-par art… Pia Guerra is definitely a step in the right direction, who is recently best known for her work on Y The Last Man. A good way to get a history of the good Doctor.

Craig’s Top Five of the Month

5 - Amazing Spider-Man Family #1, $4.99, 104 Pages, Marvel Comics - A non mostly-weekly Spider-Man title is a good thing.

4 - Catwoman #82, $2.99, 32 Pages, DC Comics - This title will be missed.

3 - Punisher #60, $2.99, 40 Pages, Marvel Comics - Garth Ennis’s final issue - a real blow for the Punisher as a character.

2 - Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane #1 (of 5), $2.99, 32 Pages, Marvel Comics - Finally - Moore’s run begins.

1- Runaways #1, $2.99, 32 Pages, Marvel Comics - Finally, Moore’s run begins!

NOTE: Opinions here may not reflect those of X-World Comics LLC or its staff and are solely the opinions of the writer.

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