Shipped August 6, 2008

Authority volume 4: World's End #1
DC Comics / Wildstorm
(w) Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
(a) Simon Coleby
FC, 32 pgs w/ ads $2.99 US / CAN

This might be the swan song for the Wildstorm Universe. With sinking sales and another relaunch, the entire line might be in jeopardy. In fact, I don't recognize it anymore. I wrote off this imprint after the last relaunch a few years ago, and what a disaster that was. Jim Lee managed one issue of Wildcats before he disappeared, and Morrison and Ha's Authority put out two before the bottom fell out. But I'm here for one reason. I was told Wildstorm was working hard at being relevant again.

Apparently I've missed a few major events. The Authority as I knew it is no longer. Actually, the whole universe has been devastated by some great force. The former team is living in the dead city, UnLondon, trying to save any refugees left living. The few remaining are sheltered on The Carrier, which is also dead, while the group of heroes try to feed, fix, and clothe any survivors left in the once great city.

It's an interesting concept, but for me to catch up completely (or any former reader) I'd have to read the following Wildstorm: Revelations, Wildstorm: Armageddon, and Number of the Beast. At this point, I can't commit to a line that has continually disappointed this reader. (Dana Tillusz)

3 of 5

Hulk #5
Marvel Comics
(w) Jeph Loeb
(a) Ed McGuiness & Mark Farmer
FC, 32 pgs w/ ads $2.99 US / CAN

This book is getting mighty bizarre. My initial feeling is to skip any spoilers for this review, but this series is so whacked details must be divulged. The Red Hulk, or Rulk, takes down Thor big time. Rulk jumps to the moon, dragging Thor by his hammer, and then beats him with it. It's a humiliating defeat, and the Thunder God promises revenge. The battle was so quick and degrading it was almost funny. But I ask: what is Loeb planning?

Next issue promises a conclusion to the first arc, and there better be some convincing wrap ups. Loeb's pointing to Doc Samson as Rulk, but I know deep down that's a heap of dung. But we'll see you here in 4-6 weeks for the complete take. (Dana Tillusz)

3 of 5

The Killer #7 (of 10)
Archaia Studios Press
(w) Matz
(a) Luc Jacamon
FC, 32 pgs w/ ads $3.95

The Killer #7 is the issue in which this story starts to feel like it is going to wrap up. The assassin protagonist decides to lay low now that scores have seemingly been settled. He can't stop looking over his shoulder, however, because someone has destroyed his paradise home and laid a serious beating into his girl in an effort to find him. An associate he doesn't trust eventually comes forward with information about the attackers and thus begins a quest for vengeance.

The Killer has been a solid piece of gritty storytelling since its beginning. The delay between recent issues has hurt the momentum and my overall enjoyment, but I'll read the issues back to back when the tenth and final issue arrives in order to bask in its full excellence. (Chad Boudreau)

4 of 5

Okko: Cycle of Earth #1 (of 4)
Archaia Studios Press
(w) Hub
(a) Hub
FC, 32 pgs w/ ads $3.95

Recent difficulties over at Archaia Studios Press made me think I was never going to see this second set of books in the Okko saga. The publisher, speaking through press releases, had said they were restructuring and vowed to return, which appears to be the case. ASP released four new issues this week, and promises more are on the way.

I breathed a sigh of relief, but I shouldn't have been worried. Marvel's recent with its North American editions of European comics and the announcement that Devil's Due will soon be releasing Humanoids titles shows that the North American market has an increasing interest in stories from across the big water.

Okko: Cycle of Earth finds the cast of the first series joined by a brawny and mouthy female warrior. She is to be their guide through the mountains. The companions have traveled to these higher grounds in order to escape war that is ravaging the land below. It would seem there is evil in the mountainous lands, too, and, of course, the protagonists get tangled up in it.

So far, Cycle of Earth stands on its own. It appears the first series isn't a prerequisite, which means this is, in fact, a good chance for new readers to get a look at Hub's fantastically detailed artwork and enter his fully realized world. (Chad Boudreau)

3.5 of 5

Special Forces #3
Image Comics
(w) Kyle Baker
(a) Kyle Baker
FC 32 pgs w/ ads $3.50

Kyle Baker's Iraq war satire continues after a really long delay. Fortunately, Baker's work is always worth the wait. The story continues with Felony being held captive by a bunch of war maimed children in what can only be described as The Creepy Bondage issue. Meanwhile, Zone is a captive of the evil terrorist, Desert Wolf.

There are many elements of this issue that are really wrong to laugh at: the scantily clad heroine, Felony, running around killing people; the horrifically maimed and disfigured children caught in a conflict that only victimizes them; the mentally challenged Zone, who only does what's written on his list of things to do; the parodies of mercenaries and the evil terrorist Desert Wolf; but, there is a smattering of truth, and the alternative to laughing at the sorry state of the world is too grim to consider.

This series reminds me of Baker's You Are Here graphic novel-- funny, violent and wrong for all the right reasons. (Shane Hnetka)