The Art Of Rise Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Back In 2018 Nickelodeon produced the The Rise Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series and it was a huge hit.

It was big, bold, bright and featured the top current animation effects and technology at the time.

IDW Publishing presents the The Art Of Nickelodeon Rise Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, by Colin Stein, an oversize hardbound book that is chockful of art, character designs and more taken from all of the episodes.

I’ve seen, read and reviewed a lot ‘The Art Of...’ books over the years. I’ve enjoyed them all. But, I have to say that IDW’s The Art Of Rise Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is rated among the best-if not the best.

I have never seen so much art, production strips, character designs, story breakdowns, concept art, color studies and pre-post designs in one book. Wow!

Add all of that and the book recreates the covers of comic book series associated with the TV animated show and an additional 40^th Anniversary story and you have a combination of great art, informative text and sheer volume of images that you can’t beat.

It’s that good. You could literally spend days looking over this book and not take it all in. “Dude!”

John 1:16 - And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

Justice Leagues

Mention the initials JLA and any comic book collector worth their weight in comic books knows it stands for Justice League of America.

Makes sense right?

Not necessarily.  In the early 2000s DC Comics came up with a 6-part JLA mini-series consisting of individual books with names like JL?, Justice League of Amazons, Justice League of Atlantis, Justice League of Arkham, Justice League of Aliens and JLA.

Someone or something has caused the Justice League to forget they are a team.  The various members of the team sense something is wrong and they create their own versions of the Justice League.

A mysterious alien contacts and contracts Green Lantern's mega-brain adversary Hector Hammond to cause the members of the Justice League of America to forget there ever was a League.

Hector goes along with the plan until he discovers what the alien is really up to.

Hector plants subtle hints into each member of the League causing them to form their own psuedo-Leagues.

As new attempts are created to take over the earth each League responds in kind.

Eventually the real Justice League of America reforms as Hector’s had hoped.  The villain turns into a hero.

The series offers teams that are a reflection of each of the founding members of the Justice League: Wonder Woman with Amazons, Aquaman with Atlantis, Batman with his Arkham Rogue’s Gallery, Superman with Aliens and finally the reunited team, including those already mentioned: Martian Manhunter, The Flash and Green Lantern.

It’s a powerful 6-part saga that contains everything a superhero comic book fan could ever want.

John 16:33These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Nickelodeon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles The Bookakasha Books Volume One

Have you ever passed up the opportunity for something big and kicked yourself later for your mistake? I have-a number of times.

It was in the mid-1980s. I was picking up my weekly stash at my local comic book store. Before I payed the cashier I decided to peruse the shelves for anything interesting.

There wasn’t much. But, I did spot a rather odd book, not particularly well drawn and printed in black and white.

The book was Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by Eastman and Laird-their tribute to artist/writer Frank Miller’s runs on Daredevil and Ronin.

"How silly!" I thought and passed it up. Big mistake! Not long after the series kicked into high gear especially after Playmates Toys picked up the toy license and backed an animated series. It was a huge hit and the early issues of TMNT soon skyrocketed in price.

I have a few early issues-but...oh well.

IDW Publishing presents the Nickelodeon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles The Bookakasha Books Volume One trade paperback collecting the never published before stories of Panini’s TMNT magazine-a collection compiled from issues 1-32 based on the 2012 animated TMNT series.

What a unique vision of the TMNT. The art style is a combination comic book/animation, fast-paced, very colorful and fun to read.

A lot of new characters are introduced and of course the humor is over the top.

This oversize trade paper back is a real must-have for TMNT fans. Add it to the fact that some of the stories never saw print in the United States and you have a real treat on your hands.

2 Timothy 2:1 - Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Godzilla Here There Be Aliens

The time-1945. The place-the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

World War II drags on and the Japanese refuse to surrender. President Truman approved dropping two atomic bombs on the cities killing thousands, severely injuring others and destroying the cities.

Not long after more died from radiation poisoning and later still many of the babies born after the bombings were deformed, crippled and severely mentally and physically challenged.

The Japanese surrendered and the Japanese population was in shock. To some extent they still are. How does one cope with a such disastrous event?

In the 1950s at the dawn of the Nuclear Age Japanese film makers translated and represented their fear of anything atomic into a landmark movie starring a giant lizard  with devastating atomic breath that had been created by radiation.

The creature rampaged through Tokyo killing and destroying. So was born Godzilla the King Of The Monsters.

In IDW Publishing’s new one-shot hardbound graphic novel: Godzilla Here There Be Aliens, by Frank Tiera and Angel Hernandez, Godzilla makes his appearance when earth is invaded.

Millennia ago an alien armada arrived on earth to colonize it. Earth’s dominate species at the time: the Simian, managed to send the aliens packing.

Defeated but determined to make earth their own they vowed to return one day.

Thousands of years later the aliens sent sleeper agents to earth disguised as humans. Once they determined the time was right to invade earth the again they sent their fleet of ships.

This time however they also brought their own giant monsters: alien Kaiju.

Fortunately for humanity the Simians still existed, also disguised as humans. Earth also had its own Kaiju, including Godzilla.

Can humanity, with the aid of the Simians and Kaiju, hope to defeat the aliens and will Godzilla prove to be the deciding factor?

Get ready for a Godzilla tale like no other as the creative team introduces a whole new facet to the legend of Godzilla. It’s non-stop action, intrigue, subterfuge and danger as Godzilla confronts the alien hoard with earth’s fate in the balance.

Psalms 37:4 - Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

The Rocketeer Thrills, Spills, And Chills

I was there at the beginning. Back in the 1980s when the Direct Market became the main distributor to comic book shops many small independent publishers released their own creator-owned comic books.

One of those publishers: Pacific Comics, happened to one of my favorites. I bought most of their titles. Starslayer was one of them.

In issue number two a short back-up story by artist/writer Dave Stevens featured a retro character straight out of old movie serials: The Rocketeer.

I read the story and I was hooked. I bought all of his Pacific Comics appearances and after the publisher went out of business I picked up the Dark Horse Comics series and sporadically from the five publishers that printed his adventures after Dark Horse. I still have all the issues. Yay for me!

Artist/writer Dave Stevens introduced The Rocketeer to readers way back in 1982. Unfortunately Dave passed away a number of years later and did not get to enjoy his character’s adventures as envisioned by some talented people like John Byrne, Alex Ross, Walter Simonson, Mike Allred, John Cassady and many others.

However he did get to see his character adapted as a movie.

The oversize book contains lots of new stories, it’s beautifully colored and all of the stories continue the spirit of the character and his quirky class of characters.

IDW Publishing has done an outstanding job of continuing The Rocketeer’s adventures in The Rocketeer Thrills, Spills, And Chills and for compiling them all in one spectacular trade paperback fans are sure to enjoy.

Isaiah 40:31 - But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Ironman

Stan Lee, along with Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, created a comic book universe filled with superheroes endowed with incredible powers.

Marvel Comics' Peter Parker was given incredible spider powers when bitten by a radioactive spider. Donald Blake found a cane in a cave when pursued by alien invaders. He struck the cane and became the Mighty Thor. The X-Men were born with incredible powers that manifested themselves at puberty.

Frail and weak Steve Rogers became a super-soldier after being injected with a serum and bombarded by energy rays. Matt Murdock gained super-senses when he was struck by a barrel filled with radioactive waste. He lost his sight but his other senses were super-elevated.

Doctor Stephen Strange’s hands were mangled in an accident. He searched for a cure and became The Master Of The Mystic Arts: Doctor Strange. Hank Pym invented a serum that shrinks things. He used it to became Antman.

Doctor Bruce Banner was bombarded by Gamma rays and became the Green Goliath: The Incredible Hulk. Reed Richards, Susan Storm, Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm were given super-human abilities when their spaceship was bombarded by cosmic rays.

All of the aforementioned Marvel characters gained super powers and used them to fight evil. All faced challenges, tragedies and trials.

But, Stan Lee wanted a character that would be the most unlikely of heroes.

So, he introduced billionaire, playboy and military industrialist Tony Stark who supplied advanced weapons to the US military.

While on tour in Vietnam his party was attacked. Tony’s heart was severely injured by an explosion and he was captured by the Viet Cong.

While there he and another captured scientist were forced to make weapons for the Viet Cong.

The other scientist assisted Tony in creating a device that kept Tony’s heart functioning. They also secretly built a suit of mechanized armor in order to escape. The other scientist sacrificed his life in order for Tony to have enough time to make the armor functional.

Then and there Tony decided to use his armor to fight evil. Later he would abandon making weapons and instead concentrate on more useful devices.

In Titan Comics Ironman The First 60 Years, part of Titan’s Comics/Creator/Allies/Enemies/Culture series of hardback books, the complete Iron’s/Tony Stark’s run of comics is covered.

Full-color interior and cover art spanning every decade along with complete with bottom-of-pages visual timelines look at every aspect of ol’ Shellhead’s existence.

Inside the book you’ll discover the origin of Ironman, his cast of characters and the story-lines that shaped and evolved the character.

Readers will witness his early struggles with a damaged heart, Tony Stark’s alcohol addiction, the may suits of Ironman armor and Tony giving up the mantle of Ironman and passing it on and reclaiming it.

Watch as Ironman/Tony Stark faces all sorts of foes both superhuman, corporate and government.

See those that have followed in Tony’s footsteps donning their own armor-both friend and foe.

Witness his membership in The Avengers, an alternate version of Ironman in the Ultimate Universe, his clashes with fellow heroes, his heartbreaks, triumphs, trials and best of all the gallery of artists who have made Ironman the hero that he is.

Very concise and highly informative text lead you along culminating to a full-gallery of Tony Stark’s variations of his Ironman armor-both updated and/or designed for specific purposes.

It is remarkable that so much information and art about Ironman is contained in this compact hardback book.

Psalms 28:7 - The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

The Last Ronin II Re-Evolution The Covers

Just when I think the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have conquered almost every media: comic books, toys, animation, movies, TV shows, etc. those feisty amphibians take on a whole new genre and make it their own.

The Last Ronin became a runaway best-seller in the comic book world with its gritty art, take no prisoners story and more than its fair share of surprises.

TMNT creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, along with publisher IDW Publishing pulled out all the stops and, based on a story by Eastman and Laird and released a sequel: The Last Ronin II Re-Evolution: a five-part mini-series story that took place 15 years after the original mini- series, that both shocked and delighted TMNT fans.

Besides the killer story and art the series boasted some spectacular variant covers by some of the industry's top artistic talents such as Laird and Eastman, Ryan Browne, Raymond Gay, Gavin Smith and many more.

The Last Ronin II Re-Evolution The Covers hardbound book pages are packed with full-color art. Single page, double-page spreads and five panel spreads comprise 115 pieces of cover art from the mini-series. It is beautiful! It truly is a stunning hardbound book collection any TMNT fan will want to own.

Print production is top notch with high-definition images, brilliant colors, great page layouts, tight binding and first-rate paper selection. With its widely divergent art styles each and every page is a real treat.

TMNT do it again! They’ve conquered the hardbound cover illustrations compilation collections. Cowabunga!

Ecclesiastes 12:7 - Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

Project Pegasus

One of the most overlooked Marvel Comics epics occurred in the Bronze Age series of Marvel Two-In-One comic books starring the Thing.

Issues 53-58 chronicled an adventure that is still sending ripples through the Marvel Universe to this day.

George Perez and John Byrne shared the cover and interior art for the saga.

Where else do you get the Thing, Deathlok, Nuklo, Wundarr, Nth Man, Thundra, Screaming Mimi, Titania, Poundcakes, Letha, Solarr, Giant-Man, Aquarian and Quasar all in one epic?

Project Pegasus is a secret government research facility that houses advanced technology and super beings of imaginable power.

It’s main purpose is to explore and utilize alternate energy sources.

The facility hopes to benefit mankind with its research and tap into the powers of its occupants.

Far from a conventional jail the facility is more focused on helping the individuals despite the fact they some are criminals. 

That's all fine and good except there are certain individuals out there who want what Project Pegasus has for their own benefit.

One such ‘organization’ has attempted on several occasions to disrupt and infiltrate the facility by whatever means possible.

Finally they succeed and unintentionally unleash an individual with extremely devastating powers that are so lethal they may very well destroy all life.

The Thing, along with other super-powered individuals, attempt to stop the melee.  As a result much of the facility is destroyed, some individuals get hurt or killed and eventually the threat is contained.

One of the results of the incident brings about the birth of a new benevolent powerful individual.

Project Pegasus is mentioned sporadically in various Marvel Comics, which is surprising in how groundbreaking and potentially beneficial it is.

Since its introduction in the late 1970s it does crop up in conversations and ‘incidents’ but no major storyline has occurred in over four decades.

Given Marvel’s tendency to bring up past projects and update them for the current comic book readership it would not surprise me in the least that Project Pegasus will be popping up soon in some major world shaking crossover event.

John 16:33 - These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Green Lantern/Green Arrow # 86

Writer Denny O’Neil and artist Neal Adams dared to tackle the problem of drugs in issues #85 and #86 of Green Lantern/Green Arrow from DC Comics back in 1971.  At that time drug use was considered a taboo subject in comic books as enforced by the Comics Code Authority.

In the second part of a two-part story Green Arrow confronts his one-time partner Speedy about being a drug addict.  The meeting does not go well.

In this classic anti-drug issue (supported and promoted by then Mayor of New York City John V. Lindsay) things come to a head.

After confronting Speedy about his addiction Green Arrow decides to go after the pushers who sold him the drugs. 

Speedy faces reality and with the help of Black Canary decides to stop cold turkey.

Green Lantern also tracks down the people responsible for the drug trafficking.

Along the way people are hurt and killed and ultimately the bad guys lose-for now.  There are some very tense moments as Green Arrow and Green Lantern face ruthless drug dealers and ultimately confront their wealthy boss.

This powerful tale examines the how and why of drug addiction. The story still resonates today.  It’s no wonder this issue and the previous one are considered classics.

Also included is a reprint of a Golden Age Green Lantern tale and a word from Mayor Lindsay of New York City.

Psalms 34:4 - I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

JLA Liberty And Justice

Writer/artist extraordinaire Alex Ross takes DC Comics’ first Silver Age super team: The Justice League of America, on a fantastic journey. 

Talk about a timely story!

The Justice League faces a threat like none they’ve ever faced before.

A worldwide epidemic threatens to destroy mankind and the JLA must combine their considerable skills and powers to squelch the epidemic.

But, were they the ones responsible for bringing it to earth from outer space?  Some people seem to think so and this sets off a panic, mistrust of the JLA and finger pointing.

It also escalates into a worldwide paranoia with nation threatening nation.

Can the JLA stop the spread of the disease and set things right?

In JLA Liberty And Justice it’s a different type of JLA story where the heroes are treated like villains.

Alex Ross is primarily known as a cover artist when it comes to comic books.  The majority of his cover work has been for DC Comics, followed by Marvel Comics, Independents and finally to magazine and special projects.

When he has the opportunity to draw an entire comic book issue it demonstrates just how multi-talented Alex is.

The page layout, illustrations and color application in this JLA special is astounding.  Is there nothing Mr. Ross can’t draw and draw it well?

Alex did a series of DC oversize specials in the early 2000s.  I recommend buying them all.

John 16:33 - These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Forever People #1

They’re back-reluctantly. 

Back in 1970 Jack Kirby created The Fourth World for DC Comics.  One of the titles was the Forever People-kind of super flower people/hippies.

They, along with Mr. Miracle, Jimmy Olden and The New Gods made up the roster of the Fourth World titles Kirby created.

In 1988 the Forever People returned in a 6-part mini-series. 

The success of that mini-series resulted in a brand new Forever People title.

It all starts with Serifan.  Depressed, alone and wallowing in the past Serifan is a prime target for The Dark.  Longng for the past and the adventures he had with his fellow Forever People he succumbs to the alluring temptation of The Dark.

Meanwhile the other Forever People have grown, started families, began new careers, fell in love and even surrendered to death.

At a Forever People reunion Serifan appears endowed with the power of The Dark.

He attacks the gathering and engulfs the former Forever People with the stygian ink black of The Dark.  What happens next both brings the Forever People together and tears them apart.

Writer J.M. Dematteus brings new life to the Forever People and artist Paris Cullins captures the frenetic energy and wonder of Jack Kirby’s art.

It makes for a great combination and a lot of fun to read.

2 Timothy 1:7 - For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Doc Savage #1

The Man Of Bronze resides in his Fortress of Solitude.  Sound familiar? Shades of Superman!

For those of you unfamiliar with Doc Savage he originally premiered in Pulp Magazines before the advent of comic books and Superman.

In fact Doc Sage inspired the creation of Superman!.

He became so popular that a huge inventory of stories eventually accumulated starring Doc and his band of associates.

They traveled all over the world fighting crime and investigating mysteries-some of them of the supernatural type.

Doc Savage has jumped around from comic book publisher to publisher eventually winding up at DC Comics in 1988 where he enjoyed his best success next to his Marvel Comics run.

Doc Savage Issue #1 features a cover very much in the vein of James Bama’s Doc Savage paperback novels.

Things seem slightly askew in the book as a few of Doc’s associates seemed to have age and Doc has not.

It seems the original Doc Savage is no longer around and a new ‘Junior’ Doc Savage has taken his place.

Author Denny O’Neil packs the first issue with enough surprises, revelations and unexpected occurrences to satisfy the most ardent Doc Savage fan.

‘Hold onto your potatoes!  It’s going to be a rough ride!”

Hebrews 10:25 - Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Adventure Into Fear With The Man Called Morbius..The Living Vampire #20

Celebrate the third appearance of Spider-Man’s bloodsucking adversary in Adventure Into Fear With The Man Called Morbius..The Living Vampire #20 from Marvel Comics.

Morbius, when he was human, had a rare blood disease.  Using a serum concocted from he blood of vampire bats, he injects himself only to be transformed in a bloodthirsty, fanged, dead white skin living vampire.

He must walk the line between his almost unquenchable lust for blood and his human spirit.

Writer Mike Frederich and artist Paul Gulacy tell the tale as Morbius submits to mind control and is sent to kill a completely unexpected individual.

Los Angeles; Michael Morbius cannot squelch his thirst for blood any longer.  He attacks a young woman who just spent an evening with her friends.

He manages to quench his thirst and leaves the girl alive.  He flees before his bloodlust causes him to feed again-killing the girl.

As the sun rises he searches and finds a place of refuge where he can sleep and regain his strength.

His sleep is interrupted by the arrival of two holy men.

For some odd reason he doesn’t attack them but instead follows them back to their dwelling with the promise they will help him.

They use their scientific expertise to try to cure him--unsuccessfully.

Succumbing to his bloodlust Morbius attacks only to be stopped by the black magic of one of the holy men.

One holy man is taken by surprise never realizing his friend is a devil worshipper.

Enthralled by the magic the occultist instructs him to kill his friend in order to keep his secret safe and so that he might set his final plan into place-the murder of an innocent.

OK, OK I know this story is full of convenience coincidences.  I men really Morbius just happens to encounter two holy men (who are scientists) with the promise of a cure.

Still the art by Paul Gulacy makes the whole story worthwhile and after all it is the first issue of Morbius’s own series.

John 16:33 - These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Superman Vs. The Amazing Spider-Man

Webhead versus the Man of Steel?!  How is that even possible?  What if Spider-Man acquired powers similar to Superman's?

When the fists fly Superman is surprised by Spider-Man’s new powers that rival his own.

Why have the heroes of DC Comics and Marvel Comics got into a slugfest?

Doctor Octopus, Lex Luthor, Mary Jane Watson and Lois Lane make their appearances.

What is it with super villains and their giant rampaging machines?

Superman gets called to action when a giant robot rampages through the streets of metropolis.  Superman manages to stop the machine but not before its pilot Lex Luthor escapes, travels to some frozen wastelands and activates another monster machine.

This time Superman destroys the machine and saves Lex from drowning.  Off to prison he goes!

Meanwhile Spider-Man goes one-on-one with Doc Ock’s giant mechanical octopus and then a giant blimp.

Like Lex Luthor Doc Ock finds himself about to drown and Spider-Man saves him.  He too goes to prison.

It just so happens both baddies are in the same jail.  Lex Luthor activates some hidden electronics on his person and breaks out Doc Ock too.  

They conspire to stop both Superman and Spider-Man.

As expected they manage to get Supes and Spidey fighting each other to distract them away from their own nefarious plans.  You can guess the outcome.

The new larger format of the publication allowed artist Ross Andru to kick things up a notch with huge vistas and lots of details in Superman Vs. The Amazing Spider-Man.  It’s a classic!

Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

The Raven Dark Hero From White Knight To Villain 1

Super powers come at a price. That’s what Kouki Suou discovered when something fierce awakens inside of him.

He soon realizes that often that those who are sworn to protect others may be a threat themselves. Kouki finds himself becoming the very thing he fears.

Time to put on my reading right to left, back to front Manga glasses as I look through Titan Comics’ The Raven Dark Hero From White Knight To Villain 1.

Printed in black and white, the digest-size Manga packs a big punch with lots of action sequences, plenty of angst, lots on introspective thoughts and a fascinating story that delves deeply on what it means to be a hero tight-roping the line between good and evil.

Desiring and acquiring special powers is not all it’s cracked up to be as Kouki discovers you might not like what you ask for.

Only when he is attacked and ‘killed’ do his ‘gifts’ manifest themselves-starting with fast-healing and blinding speed.

He decides he doesn’t wish to be a member of the heroes (Specialists) organization and to fight crime on his own. The problem is the ‘good’ guys won’t take no for an answer and the bad guys (Firz) want him for their side.

As his powers multiply each time he ‘dies’, his personality begins to alter-but will it be for the good or the bad?

Created by Tonkye, illustrated by Akira Mitsuya with characters created by Sinsora, The Raven Dark Hero Form White Night To Villain 1 is a hold-your-breath, what-happens-next Manga that is sure please both Manga and Comic book fans.

Deuteronomy 20:4 - For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.

Solomon Kane The Serpent Ring

Conan-that’s the Cimmerian barbarian author Robert E. Howard is most famous for creating.

But, Howard is also responsible for one of the most unique, conflicted and mysterious heroes ever to grace the printed page.

His name is Solomon Kane, a devout Puritan who vanquishes evil by whatever means possible. He is ruthless in his fervor viewing the world as only black and white with no gray areas.

He is conflicted, haunted by his own frailties and failings, yet doggedly determined to whip out evil by any mean necessary using his abilities and expertise with a wide array of weapons.

Dressed in black, possessing a strict code of honor and loyal to the church and country Solomon Kane is a complicated man-both

He's ruthless and gentle, kind and cruel, sympathetic and condemning and deadly to any who embrace evil.

Serving in the Queen’s navy, Solomon takes part in the plunder of goods from other nation’s ships. (Some call it piracy.) On one such ship he reluctantly kills a man whom makes him promise to deliver an artifact to his family.

Being a man of honor Solomon does so and soon finds himself entrenched in a quest to find a mystical ring, fight a legion of serpent worshipers and shape-shifters and struggle to come out alive.

Writer and artist Patrick Zircher tuns in a spectacular piece of work that really captures the essence of Solomon Kane. An intriguing story, stellar art and beautiful coloring all combine to make this Titan Comics’ trade paper back compilation of the four-issues of The Serpent Ring a winner!

Hebrews 10:25 - Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Daredevil The First 60 Years

I’m giving away my age but when I was 11 years old in 1964 Daredevil premiered. Being a Marvel Zombie I (of course) bought the first issue.

I read it and wasn’t really sure what I thought of it. A blind superhero? How? Why? Would it work?

As I continued buying the series I came to realize just how special Daredevil was/is.

This is a guy who as a young man saved a pedestrian from a runaway delivery truck. Inside the truck were barrels of radioactive waste. 

Struck by the truck young Matt Murdock was bathed in the liquid from the barrels and goes blind. Later he discovered that although blind that all of his other senses had been magnified to unbelievable levels.

He developed a radar sense-his senses were so attuned that he could even hear heartbeats. Smell, taste, touch and hearing were all heightened.

As an adult he became a lawyer and decided to use his abilities to fight crime as Daredevil. Donning a black, red and yellow outfit (later all red) Matt fought crime on the street level and back alleys. He honed his physical body and using his athletic and acrobatic skills and along with his heightened senses fights crime.

At first he came off as second tier Spider-Man complete with quips and gyrating gymnastics. But, as the character matured I began to see a more complicated character-one with a unique set of problems, abilities and interesting cast of characters.

Titan Comics/Magazines presents the ultimate guide to the history of Daredevil complete with character bios, key events, comics, creators, allies, enemies and culture in its Daredevil: TheFirst 60 Years hardback book/magazine.

Brimming with incredible art, a chronological time line and all sorts of Daredevil trivia and facts it is a must-have for any comic book fan.

Artwork from different decades are spotlighted from the likes of Gene Colan, Frank Miller and many more. Don’t miss it!

Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Disenchantment Untold Tales

From the creative mind who brought you the longest running comedy and animation TV series comes a mystical, magical and wigged out series of tales set during the time of sorcerers, knights, kings, kingdoms, demons, dwarves and other monsters and mythical creatures set in Medieval times.

Matt Groening, the mind behind The Simpsons, brings the tales of Princess Bean and her adventures in Disenchantment Untold Tales Complete Treasury. Accompanied by Party Horse, Luci (the demon) and Elfo (an elf, hybrid?), Princess Bean explores the magical lands of imagination.

The twist is while it has all the trappings of a Dungeons and Dragons set of adventures Disenchantment is filled with wacky, weird, hilarious and off-the-wall, misfit characters with an overdose of humor.

In this 3-volume set of hardbound comic books, encased in a cleverly and heavy square-bound box, follow the hedonistic adventures of Princess Bean as she and her partners in crime manage to out-drink, somehow outwit, out-run, out-maneuver and attempt to stay out of trouble in some of the wildness adventures ever imagined.

Illustrated in the style of Matt Goering (similar to The Simpsons) the 3-volumes of bound slipcase wackiness also includes fun puzzles, character profiles, recipes, helpful schematics, instructional material, history snippets and much, much more.

I absolutely love the artwork, the hilarious dialogue, the off-the-wall humor, the coloring and the packaging: the whole shebang!

Titan Comics and Bapper Books have really outdone themselves with this funny, eye-pleasing, brain-teasing boxed set of lunacy.

Did I mention it comes with three, postage-card size pieces of colorful art?

Ephesians 4:32 - And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Wolverine The First 50 Years

It all started with The Incredible Hulk #180 culminating in issue #182 during the Bronze Age of comic books.

Artist Herb Trimpe and writer Len Wein turned out what was just another Incredible Hulk tale for Marvel Comics.

When the Hulk and Wendigo come face-to-face in Canada the Canadian government sent in one of its’ most fierce agents to take them down. That agent, part of the Weapon X program, was Wolverine.

Originally Wolverine was a young man with razor sharp claws in his gloves. He was basically a throw away character with a costume designed by John Romita.

It wasn’t until Wolverine became part of The New X-Men team some time later that his popularity began to take off. When artist John Byrne took over the art chores for the X-Men Wolverine’s popularity exploded-due in part because, like Wolverine, John Byrne was Canadian.

As the decades passed Wolverine became the most popular member of The New X-Men, earned his own mini-series, then series and guest-star spots in almost (if not all) of Marvel Comics other comic book titles.

When The X-Men movie premiered in the year 2000 Wolverine emerged as the top draw and would go on to star in several solo films.

The feisty, 5 foot, 4 inch tall, with adamantium bones and claws, fast-healing ability and berzerker rage Wolverine continues to be one of Marvel Comics’ top characters going head-to-head with Spider-Man as #1,

In Titan Comics/Magazines’ Wolverine The First 50 Years book/magazine everyone’s favorite canucklehead’s comics, creators, allies, enemies and culture are examined accompanied by gorgeous full-color artwork by many of the comic book industry’s top talent such as Dave Cockrum, John Byrne, Jim Lee and many others.

Lots of facts and information about Wolverine are included along with comic book covers and interior art and so much more broken down by the decades.

Wolverine is by far my favorite Marvel Comics’ character. The only complaint I have is that I wish Marvel had never revealed his origin. I preferred not knowing. A little mystery makes the character even more interesting.

Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Adventure Into Fear With The Man-Thing #12

It’s hard not to giggle when anyone mentions Marvel Comics’ Man-Thing.  Eyebrows rise and the more prudent tend to shake their heads in disbelief.

It’s an honest reaction, but totally inappropriate.  Man-Thing refers to Marvels’ lumbering, barely intelligent muck monster with the touch that burns at the sign of fear. 

Writer Steve Gerber and artist Jim Starlin turn in a tale of racism and bigotry with a supernatural twist.

A black man is being ruthlessly hunted by a white sheriff.

His crime?  The sheriff resents the fact that black man is trying to make something of himself and worst of all dares to be friends with a white girl.

The chase is on in the nearby swamp.  The black man escapes into the swamp only to meet the Man-Thing.

Surprisingly the Man-Thing does nothing but follows the man through the swamp, even saving his life when a giant snake attacks him.

Things go from bad to worse when the sheriff shows up and kills the black man.  You can imagine what the Man-Thing does to the sheriff.

Adventure Into Fear With The Man-Thing #12 is definitely a comic book reflecting the times it was published in the 1970s.  Racism and prejudice still were very powerful in many parts of the United States.

While the story was over the top it did make a statement.

Sadly racism has become a hot topic in today's news.  Much of it is true but there are those that are using the subject to further their own agenda under the guise of protesting racism.

Looting, rioting, property destruction and dismantling police departments are not the answer.

If Martin Luther King, Jr. were alive today he would be shocked, dismayed and totally against some of the tactics used by today’s ‘protestors’.

Violence and hatred beget violence and hatred.  It’s time for cooler minds to prevail. Dialogues must be set up and realistic, practical, logical and permanent solutions must be established.

Psalms 34:4 - I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.