Here are a couple releases to check out during this week's visit to the comic shop:
Strange Tales #3 (of 3) (Marvel)
The final issue of Marvel's indie/alternative experiment. As with the previous two issues, Strange Tales #3 features creators not normally associated with superheroes providing their takes on some of Marvel's most iconic (or unusual) characters. The Hulk mixes it up with samurai in feudal Japan courtesy of Usagi Yojimbo creator Stan Sakai; Paul Hornschemeier introduces Nightcrawler to the Molecule Man and Clumsy author Jeffery Brown contributes "Fantastic Fool's Day". This series has been highly entertaining thus far, and hopefully its critical success will encourage the Big Two to take more chances like it in the future.
Lobo: Highway To Hell #1 (of 2) (DC)
The Main Man returns in this, the first of a new two issue miniseries. Highway To Hell marks the comic writing debut of Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian, and is doubly notable in that it features art by one of the medium's most idiosyncratic artists, Sam Kieth. Having already killed Santa awhile ago, Lobo's decided to switch the letters around a bit and go after Satan this time. Just because. Expect a lot of creative violence and surreally ghoulish imagery from Kieth.
Criminal: The Deluxe Edition (Marvel/Icon)
The critically acclaimed, creator-owned crime title from Marvel's Icon imprint is collected in one weighty tome. This hardcover volume assembles Criminal's first three story arcs, which showcase the amazing creative talents of writer Ed Brubaker and artist Sean Phillips, who previously worked together on Sleeper for Wildstorm. Bonus features in this volume include selected articles by Brubaker, behind-the-scenes material and two additional Criminal short stories, as well as an introduction by Watchmen co-creator Dave Gibbons. Gritty crime drama at its finest.
Fantastic Four Visionaries: Walter Simonson Vol. 3 (Marvel)
Marvel wraps up their reprint series of writer/artist Walt Simonson's great early 90s run on Fantastic Four. Included here is the "New Fantastic Four" storyline that appeared in issues #347-#349, one of my personal childhood favorites. Written by Simonson and drawn by the incomparable Art Adams, this tale assembles the quartet of Spider-Man, The Hulk, Ghost Rider and Wolverine when the original 4 are incapacitated. Simonson is primarily lauded for his artwork but his plotting and scripting are equally sharp, and all of these qualities are on full display in the latter half of this collection, which features both Doctor Doom and the Time Variance Authority.
Check out these and many more great titles at your local comic shop. Not sure where that is? Call 1-888-COMIC-BOOK.
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