Shipped July 2 & 9, 2008

100 Bullets #93
DC Comics / Vertigo Comics
(w) Brian Azzarello
(a) Eduardo Risso
FC, 32 pgs w/ ads $2.99

I didn't read this latest issue of 100 Bullets. In fact, it's been more than a year since I've read an issue. I'm waiting until the fast approaching issue #100, the end of the series, and then I'm going to read Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso's opus from start to finish. I'm looking forward to it. (Chad Boudreau)

The Goon #26
Dark Horse Comics
(w) Eric Powell
(w) Eric Powell
FC, 32 pgs w/ ads $2.99

I love the monthly Goon. Eric Powell is bringing together storylines and characters from throughout The Goon's history to weave a story that is building toward all out war between the good and evil factions of his fiction.

I don't think I've ever talked about a cover of a comic, but the cover of The Goon #26 deserves mentioning. In old-timey portrait style, Eric Powell shows us the members of the "good" faction. The cover art reminded me of photographs of gangs from the Old West, or those of large pioneer families. The Goon is front and centre, the patriarch, seated and brandishing a pistol. Surrounding him are his allies and friends, including Frankie, Morton with a double-barreled sawed-off shotgun, The Mudd Brothers, the surprisingly intelligent zombie Nagel with a guitar, and the enigmatic and tragic Buzzard. Everyone is dressed up for the photo and yet they still look rough and worn. I hope that The Goon #27 features a similar depiction of the bad faction in this war. (Chad Boudreau)

5 of 5

Invincible Iron Man #3
Marvel Comics
(w) Matt Fraction
(a) Salvador Larroca
FC 32 pgs w/ ads $3.05 CAN / 2.99 US

Ezekiel Stane, son of the late Obadiah Stane, continues his attack on Tony Stark using technology similar and better than Stark's own. He attacked Tony last issue at a gala in China. He blew up the building, killing just about everyone inside expect for Stark, Stane and Pepper Potts. Pepper is hurt bad, similarly to how Tony was when he first became Iron Man with shrapnel a little too close to vital organs.

Matt Fraction is hitting the mark with this new series, creating a jumping on point for new readers who have just seen the Iron Man movie while continuing some of the plot points started in the defunct The Order series, which also featured Pepper and Stane. It helps that Iron Man has a renewed interest after the successful movie because Marvel sure was taking a chance starting another ongoing title when the current one is hanging on by a thread. Fraction is helped with the usual awesome art by Larroca. It's a shame he is no longer drawing Warren Ellis' newuniversal but he's more than welcome here.

If I had told you last year that Iron Man, Marvel's most hated and despised superhero especially after Civil War, would not only have an extremely successful movie but also an excellent new ongoing title, you would have laughed in my face. (Shane Hnetka)

4 of 5

Young Liars #5
DC Comics / Vertigo Comics
(w) David Lapham
(a) David Lapham
FC, 32 pgs w/ ads $2.99

This is the first issue of Young Liars I really enjoyed. I felt the various characters and plot points started to come together in this issue. This is the first time I felt that creator, writer and artist David Lapham had a story to tell. Up until this point I felt the whole affair was rudderless and prone to repeat itself. This issue was a step in the right direction. It also turned nasty at the end, very nasty, and that left me unsettled and worried for its protagonists. I've also come to realize that Sadie, the fiery, unpredictable female lead, is the least interesting character in this series. It's Danny and the supporting cast that are the most compelling. (Chad Boudreau)

4 of 5