Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born 1 & 2
This is a beautiful looking comic, in fact I’d go so far as to say it’s the most visually stunning book currently on the stands. The pairing of artists Jae Lee and Richard Isanove is a match made in heaven. The story ain’t bad either, based on the epic Stephen King series of books and adapted by Robin Furth (plot) and Peter David (script) it tells the origin of Roland the Gunslinger. An epic tale with the talent to match. Grade: B+
Deathblow 3 & 4
Of Wildstorm’s reboots this is probably the best, but that not to say it couldn’t be better. It’s taking its time getting anywhere, a common complaint with so many modern comics, but at least things are starting to pick up. The final scene in issue 4 showing Michael “Deathblow” Cray’s “kids” tooled up and ready to take on daddy has me anticipating lots of very un-PC action in the next issue. Grade: B-
Doomed 4
Featuring the usual adaptations of horror greats like Robert Bloch, Richard Matheson and David J. Schow this may be the final issue of IDW’s horror anthology magazine. The stand out, as usual, is Ashley Wood’s adaptation and this time he turns his attention to Matheson’s "Legion of Plotters", with the artist’s scratchy style perfectly complimenting the story of mental breakdown and murder. I hope this isn’t the last we’ll see of Doomed but if it is at least we’ve had four damn fine issues. Grade: B
Drain 2
I really enjoyed the first issue of Image’s new vampire series but this second instalment fails to live up to it. Full of lesbian vampire sex, actually that should be busty lesbian vampire sex, this is clearly aiming to titillate the teenage male audience and that’s fine if you’re a teenager but for someone who passed puberty in the last century it’s all a bit pointless. If I want busty lesbian vampires I’ll just watch a 70’s Hammer film. Grade: C-
Fantastic Four 543
The FF are 45 years old but they certainly don’t show their age, particularly on the cover where Sue Richards looks like she’s barely in her 20’s. She’s also wearing an FF uniform that looks to be made of PVC something I hope they carry over to the next Fantastic Four film. As for the inside…well they break the team up with Reed and Sue taking a leave of absence to sort their marriage out. Enter the Black Panther and Storm to take there place and exit one reader. Regular readers of this column will know of my disenchantment with the current state of the King of Wakanda and his inclusion in this title does not bode well and when coupled with the departure of artist Mike McKone, leaves me with little interest in continuing to read it. Grade: C+
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