At long last the next Fall of Cthulhu series has started!

One Ancient God seems to have survived the Godwar and already he is plotting the fall of humanity.  The Fall of Cthulhu series is by far the best H. P. Lovecraft-ish comic out there today.  It's been incredibly loyal to Lovecraft's mythos and seeing all the Gods and settings in each issue is a real treat for a huge Lovecraft fan such as myself.

While following the Lovecraftian settings and using his creations, that is not to say that this is not an entirely original story.  I have no idea where this is going.  I doubt anyone but the writer does.  It's one messed up comic, just the way I like em!

Nemesis, or at least this issue, deals with human society on the island of Atlantis.  We get a hint of what is to come by the Oracle who tells a priest that he is the last Atlantean.  What else could that possibly mean?  Now the fun is how is this series going to get there?  I think Nyarlathotep will help us out with that!

If you haven't read this series, you'd do yourself a favour by picking up some of the old trades.  By the looks of this first issue though, even though it has Sysyphyx in it from the previous issues, look like it can be read without being lost for new readers. 

What I don't know and am really looking forward to is why the heck are we in Atlantis anyway?  The story starts out with a cat whom I am guessing is Nyarlathotep but then we get shot back to 9,600 B.C.  Interesting, but that's one of the things I love about this series... it goes through so many different times, worlds, dimensions however in the end it all gets wrapped up in some crazy creepy way.

Definitely in my top five comics to pull.

First off let me say this... man, did Supergirl ever get shafted.  No, not that kind of shafted, the bad kind.  Earth's leaders abolish all Kryptonians except for Superman?  I know Supergirl's been basically the brat Paris Hilton of superheroes most of this series but it's not like Hilton is a threat and has ever been behind bars... wait bad example.

Supergirl is a criminal in the eyes of humanity now.  Alright, well that doesn't faze out favorite superskirt!  She just keeps on plugging away at this mystery... who is Superwoman?  Well we find out now.  As a newer person to this lore I know WHO (don't click this following link if you don't want to know!) Superwoman is now, but don't know much history on her.  I suppose I'll have to do some research or see how this turns out. 

Like all Supergirl issues, this deals with Kara having to learn a couple more lessons.  With a little instruction from the Batman (through a flashback memory), Kara overcomes one challenge only to have a couple more.  While I understand why this is used as the main plot device for this comic, you know kind of a Smallville-ish lets-see-how-a-hero-deals-and-learns-to-use-their-powers, it is becoming a little tiresome.  Maybe I am reading the wrong comic.  Don't get me wrong, I love the Superman/girl/puppy/tropical fish mythos.  I just want a noble Supergirl.  It's coming though.  Ever since writer Sterling Gates has taken over, Kara's maturity level has really increased and had made her tolerable, even a little amiable as a character.  Unfortunately then you get stupid teenaged Supergirl thoughts thrown in every once in a while like "PLEASELETTHISWORK PLEASELETTHISWORK PLEASELETTHISWORK" and "THANKYOURAOTHANKYOURAOTHANKYOURAO".  Text thought boxes like this remind me that she is a teenager I suppose, but it's not that heroic, nor what I look for in heroes.  I want NO FEAR DANGIT!

Still, this series is on a high note right now.  I've followed it ever since the beginning and the current storyline is one of the most interesting Supergirl ones I've read in a long time.  Perhaps not since the first introduction of her in Superman / Batman!

Wow, it seems like so long ago I read the last issue of Jungle Girl Season 2.  I think I'll have to go back and re-read it again I've forgotten what the heck is going on!

In issue 4 of this five part series, Jana the Jungle Girl is still up for sacrifice to some ancient god.  Throughout the story it becomes quite apparent that this is becoming quite Lovecraftian in influence.

The issue itself doesn't really have much story in it at all.  I'd have to say it was one of the weakest in the series.  Oh, if you like action then by all means this has it but the problem is, it is just action.  The story is barely developed.  I have come away from reading this issue knowing nothing more but perhaps a little about this big old monster.  Maybe that's why the 'risque' cover by Frank Cho was released for this issue.  Jana's round derriere plastered on the cover I'm sure will sell a few more copies.

Oh well, some issues just are required to move the story along.  Perhaps this one can be the Star Wars Ep 1 Pod Races usless action sequence.  Here's looking forward to a good story wrap up next issue though.

Dear reader,

Let me first warn you about this tale that I alone have happened upon.  For some reason, although from this padded room others fear for my sanity, I know that after reading a comic called The Strange Adventures of H. P. Lovecraft I have witnessed incredulous things that men of weaker minds could not handle.

This tome entitled: Chapter One: About a Writer and His Book contains much biographical information on a certain gentleman from providence called Howard Lovecraft.  Interestingly enough, written into the story are others in his life, expecially another of his circle a Clark Ashton-Smith.

This title is difficult to categorize.  What is it going to be? On the one hand, the first third of the issue follows along the life (with a certain tongue-in-cheek nod to Lovecraft fans) of the author Lovecraft himself.  Later, things begin to blurr.  Where is this comic going?  Reality starts to disappear as a fictitious tale in the vein of, dare I say a 'Lovecraftian' style.  No, the dreaded Cthulhu does not rise from his slumber here.  No, while dreams are present and partof the story, we do not get to visit Randolph Carter just yet.  Instead, by the end, dreams do play a significant part of this tale, but only for what appears to be... REVENGE!

Now, this is not very 'Lovecraftian' wouldn't you say?  Perhaps if one was to read BOOM Studio's Fall of Cthulhu one would see a more representational type of Lovecraft Mythos story.  However, this is an interesting take on the (fictitous) life of Howard Phillips Lovecraft.  Sure, Mr. Lovecraft has been made a character before in many mediums, will this one be worth the read?  So far in About a Writer and His Book, the solid ending makes one wish they'd had the next page!  Reader, although it starts out with a little camp, the gore, crazy prostitute nudity, violence, and all around odd behaviour has made this issue a worthwhile read... but only for those whose minds can handle 'weird' fiction indeed.  If they ever let me out of this room I will most definitely track down the next tome.

The Phantom: Generations is a new maxi-series that seems to be going alongside the relaunch of Moonstone's The Phantom: Ghost Who Walks main series (a reboot of their volume one Phantom series).

This is a Christopher Standish tale whom just happens to be the very first Phantom.  If you don't know much about the Phantom, this is the specific Phantom that started it all.  His father was killed and Mr. Standish swore an oath to fight injustice and cruelty.  His children followed suit, all the way to our current Phantom who is the 21st I believe.


The Phantom: Generations is apparently going to explore the adventures of the past Phantoms.  I am pretty excited about this series.  I know a little of the past Phantoms through flashbacks in past books and descriptions stated in the Chronicles when they are mentioned, but never actually read through old Phantom stories.

The format for this comic was a letdown for me.  It is written like an illustrated short story.  One page has writing the following page art (and fantastic art I might say).  Only thing is, I want a comic book not an illustrated short story!  To top it off Moonstone has used that hard to read font that gives me trouble.  I can barely make out some words and there were a few that I just gave up on trying to figure out.  Please keep in mind that this is written like a captain's log way back in 1552 old English.  Now, this isn't the first time Moonstone has woven prose with illustrations, they also did it with a few other volumes as well.  All of them I would have preferred in a comic book form instead.  Still, they were alright reads with The Phantom: Legacy being a must.

It'll take getting used to, and I will have to just forget my disappointment with the format and enjoy this Phantom history lesson that Moonstone will be taking us on.  After finishing the tale I was not let down.  It was after all a really good one.  Blackguard, as it is called, is the story of the brutal murder of the Phantom's wife's family and the abduction of their son.

Overall a pretty good read.  Being a Phantom phan I will HAVE to follow along with these tales.  If you like the Phantom and don't mind the format it is written in, it's a good read.

The Phantom has been rebooted...AGAIN! Well, actually only the second time by their current U.S. publisher, Moonstone comics.  Why?  Who knows, perhaps they wanted a new number one issue to try and get Phans to jump on?

Apparently writer this is something writer Mike Bullock wanted so whatever, it doesn't look like it's going to be anything super different from the stories that Mr. Bullock has been doing for the past Moonstone Phantom issues.

I have really loved Mike Bullocks writing in the past series.  Mike is updating the Phantom to make him relevant to readers in this day and age.  Let's get this straight though... the reason I like the Phantom is that he's in the 'squeaky clean' era of the U.S when all Americans say 'Golly Gee Mrs. Robinson, I promise not be be late delivering your milk to your doorstep tomorrow!  Thank you very much nice lady for the nickel!'

I hope he doesn't lose too much innocence but of course aged cheesiness probably has to go to be relevant don't you think? 

In the updated Phantom, he takes on serious issues in Africa which is the killer aspect of this series' stories.  Bullock apparently will continue to develop that type of line.

This issue is a retelling of the Phantom's origin.  Yes, I know how many times can I look upon young Walker's bend over body holding up a skull and promising to fight evil?  It does start to make me cringe these days actually. It's issue 00 though so hopefully we are DONE with THAT for a while.  I mean, that's what Moonstone's The Phantom: Legacy was all about wasn't it?

What I really thought was neat was at the end of the book their are write ups on major characters in the stories so far.  There's of course The Phantom, his kids, wife, Guran, and even a character that hasn't been introduced yet.  That appears to be a strength of Bullock's in this series.  Who is the Phantom's arch nemesis?  Kabai Singh of course!  But it's not cool to JUST have stories about the Singh Bortherhood ALL the DANGED time!  SO what is Bullock doing to remedy that?  He's created so great characters for The Phantom's own Rogues Gallery.  Ali Gataale, Temur Singh, and personal fave Manuel Ortega are a few majors.  I hope he continues to revist these folks even though there was a big conclusion at the end of the past Moonstone series involving virtually all of them!

I am excited to see what happens with this series and will continue to follow it.  The Phantom: Ghost Who Walks will still top my comic pull list but one thing Moonstone HAS to fix is it's release schedule.  I don't know if it was because the last series was coming to a close so they took their dang time releasing the last few issues but holy mackeral they were late with EVERYTHING.  It almost got t the point where I was ready to abandon the bloody thing.  Still, if they can release this series in a timely basis, it looks like this will be a great one.

Did I mention I have no idea why they had to reboot the thing?

Enjoyable issue that has a bunch of hot dead nurses coming back from the dead to retreive their past body part donations because 'they've changed their mind'.

Loose Lips is an adequately titled issue as that's exactly what parts they've come for.  This doesn't say 'Part One of' anywhere yet the issue isn't exactly resolved in any way. 

Will this storyline continue?  Brief glimpses of the next issue appear to be unrelated, perhaps these new baddies will arrive back in the series down the line.  For now though, I like this entry into the series.  Who can't like five hot dead nursed dressed in lingerie with scalpels?

I love The Phantom.  This is the guy whose kept me interested single-handedly in comic books.  The Moonstone product has helped that immensely by updating the story to present day issues.  I am however choked at just how long it took to get this part five of this final issue in the series (apparently a reboot is coming or something like that). What like half a year!??!!?  I have been following Moonstone's Phantom for a long time now and that wait was just ridiculous.  I am all for small publishers but when you are releasing stuff that is a five parter you don't make a person wait for THAT long.

Anyhow, I WAS excited about this whole storyline a half year ago.  All the baddies that have come up in the past issues of Moonstone's Phantom have appeared in here, plus SALA!  I was quite excited.  The story was intense and easily is one of my favourite Phantom stories put out by Moonstone (another is the Aviatrix).  It's just too bad that a lot of my excitement waned as each month passed by.

I don't want to see Mike Bullock and his crew abandon the Phantom.  Apparently they have a plan for the next few years as well.  However, in between this long wait there was all that publicity about Moonstone and Dynamite both getting the character but Dynamite realized they did not have 'exclusive' rights to the Phantom and decided to put their ideas on the back burner.  At first I was upset because I really like the way the Phantom is being portrayed by Moonstone but if this is the way they are going to be releasing the character good riddance!  Please give him up to Dynamite!  Eat more fibre Moonstone and get some regularity going!  Sheesh.

The story of Sheena is fleshing out.  There are lots more scenes with her involved (even if she's unconcious from a traquilizer dart) and the artwork is superb.

After following the story I suspect I know Sheena's origins now, only a few more issues will have to prove it.  I;m not too sure I like this Peyote dream the one tree-hugger character keeps having though.  There is a balance this comic needs to keep between cheesecake pretty blonde jungle babe and an entertaining storyline that doesn't go over the top goofy.  I see flashes of a good story here, just when it comes to this tree-hugger's dreams it feels a little goofy.  Hopefully that part ends soon!

I don't know much about Sheena, Queen of the Jungle other than I fell in love with Tanya Roberts back in the eighties when I was a kid and saw the movie.  That was long ago though, and I doubt I could barely even get thrugh that film nowadays.  However, an updated Sheena I think I can handle.

After reading this 99 cent issue (listed as issue 0), I see some close similarity to Moonstone's Phantom comic in that they both take place in a modern day Africa.  I really enjoy the Phantom, so this Sheena should be a treat.  Issue 0 concentrates on being an introduction to the character which is good because I needed it.  It also sets the tone that Sheena is battling to save her jungle from an evil corporation.

The art in Sheena is pretty good, she's attractive, but the comic was so busy that she didn't wow me like in Frank Cho's Jungle Girl comics.

I am looking forward to seeing how this develops.

It's been a while but one of my favourites of late is back... Frank Cho's Jungle Girl!

For those of you that have enjoyed the first volume, Sheena type stories, or perhaps even Cho's Marvel Shanna the She-Devil, you'll all enjoy this series.

In this issue we rejoin our characters left over from the end of the first volume while they are watching something that looks like the Space Shuttle crash landing on another side of the island.  Guess what happens next?  Jungle Girl and her companions head out to investigate!

Dinosaurs, wild animals, and all the rest come back to thwart the babe in a leather bikini, so far it looks pretty good.  Jungle Girl looks more muscular these days than in the last volume, eh, I have nothing agains chicks with abs!

This is personally one of my most anticipated series releases.  I have been counting the months for Season 2 since the last one ended!

Good.  I have been looking for some decent Supergirl stories.  Superman?  If you are a fan of his then well, there are enough comics from DC that he is in... I can't even keep up with them all.  Supergirl however, she's in a few crossovers here and there and her own comic (which hasn't really been that great actually).  I am hoping for a better Supergirl story with this miniseries.

It starts out all fine and dandy, Supergirl is covering for Supes but gets her butt kicked, then like always, Supes comes to save the day.  One day maybe Supergirl will be able to hold her own.

Maelstrom, is a chick that's got a crush on Darkseid.  Chicks always dig the baddies don't you think?  Well, here is one of them and she so far hasn't really done much to capture Darkie's attention.

The comic as  whole shows promise.  It looks like another 'lets continue to mentor Supergirl' story... lets hope it's not too preachy.

Chillin' With Da Villains slowly progresses the latest Bomb Queen story along.  You find out the traumas that the various characters have gone through in life, forced into turning tricks to support their daughter, allowing boyfriends to fool around with their kids, and all kinds of that type of stuff.  Obviously the writer wants us to be a little sympathetic to the Bomb Queen's new nemesis.  Did it work?  Nah, not really.  This issue also shows the secret agency that is trying to rid the world of Bomb Queen as well.  So much story, and a pretty serious one at that, makes this not feel too much like a Bomb Queen comic.  I don't rally want to sypathize with anyone in a Bomb Queen comic...I was witty, sexy, action!  Lets hope the story is over and we get back to that!

Battle Chasers seems like it is going to be some kind of Dungeons and Dragony type of comic.  The chick named Red Monika was pretty nice to look at and well, the story isn't half bad either.   I mystery is currently being solved by a little girl whose dad is missing, presumed dead by most.  Meanwhile Red Monika is recruiting for some kind of heist.

It is too early to be able to judge this series.  I have heard good things, but so far it's been pretty cliche in a D & D way.

Hopefully it develops into something.

I've heard a little about this comic, saw a picture of Red Minika, and well... I have decided to try it out.  I had no idea what kind of story or genre this comic fell into.  From the start it looks like some kind of fantasy setting.  Some little girl's dad is missing.  He appears to be a hero of some worth and some werewolf-things are after him.  That's about it in this issue.  It's not a big one of course just a tease.  The story itself is compelling enough in such a short amount, although it's not anywhere near original.  It will be interesting to see where this takes us.

Another light hearted story in the Tarot series, Haunted Hairball is pretty lame.  The issue is mainly from Boo's (the were-cat) point of view and how much she really wants to play with Tarot.  Unfortunately Tarot's cat is sick... his hairballs are haunted.

The story jerks about here and there leaving me once in a while to think I had missed a page.  This issue had really poor story flow.  The nudity in this issue has also kicked it up a notch.  While Boo, Tarot, and her cat Pooka continue trying to evade the hairball haunts, Tarot is shown in all her glory more than I think I have ever seen.

Overall a definite miss issue.  There is nothing in this issue that is redeeming storywise whatsoever.  I am really disliking issues where Boo is the lead character.

Acceptance.  That is the name of this issue and the story shows us that Supergirl, through all of her trials and tribulations up to this point in the series, has accepted her destiny.  She fianlly realizes her role and responsibility.  She finds out why her parents realy sent her to Earth.  She finds out just how important she is.  For so long she has felt like a second rate Superman, or like just another Earthen hero.  Kara didn't feel that she belonged and she was right.  She now realizes why, and just how important her uniqueness is.

This story with her emotions and Supergirl's need to 'find herself' has been the theme of this entire series run.  I am still looking forward to seeing her act like a grownup eventually, or at least I hope the series shows her that way one day!

Ah, now I see what this issue is.  The Witches and Kittens story line is essentially Jim Balent's tribute to the troops out there in Iraq.  I still don't understand what the heck is going on with Hussein even being in this story but what ever, it the comics!  Balent by the end of this issue really pours it on about Iraq and gives kuds to the troops quite a bit here.

One major turning point I like (as always in this series, assisted by the ever so lovely Raven Hex), was that just when I was wondering just how huge the Fabulous Latex Red's breasts were and why not just show them to us, Raven Hex gives us reader our wish.  Ah witches, you have to love them.

The two parter as a whole was kind of bland actually, although it got serious with the Iraq war backstory for the Three Little Kittens.  Yes, the 3K back story in this issue made it for me.  I think I'll seek out some issues of that comic and check it out.  So I suppose this two parter crossover did the trick.  They introduced us to another Broadsword Comics' series.  Such good cross-promotion by them don't you think?  Personally I really liked the Fabulous Latex Red and hope to see more of her around.  She reminds me a bit liek the Bomb Queen, too bad they are by two entirely different comic companies!  A crossover there would be cool.

Ah I haven't read  a Bomb Queen issue in quite some time.  I had forgotten jsut how much I enjoy them.  This issue has so many different cameos with various other Image characters it's just a ittle too much.  Blacklight is back from her one-shot with the Bomb Queen.  It liked her alter-ego, but not really this superhero character.  Luckily for me, the supervillian in town is as good as always. 

The comic looks like it is going to setup a grand scale meeting on the Bomb Queen's turf.  The Bomb Queen doesn't allow heroes on her turf...why would they even show up there?  Regardless, it should leave open some good top ripping, wisecrack shouting, action that I am beginning to really like from this series.

Witches and Kittens , Part One appears to be a merging of some other characters into the series.  There are a whole bunch of other large breasted girls running around causing chaos, so many that it is difficult to keep track of everyone.  One person in particular that is kind of freaky to see in this issue is Saddam Hussein.  What is with that?  Is this the real Saddam?  It so far appears to be that way.

The big three (Tarot, Raven Hex, and Skeleton Man), make only slight cameo appearances in this issue and are all taken out...well, maybe not Raven Hex.. she makes another grand entry into the issue like always...sigh.  So, Witches and Kittens really is not about them, it is about the introduction of all these knew characters, these 'Kittens',and this girl in 'Red Latex', oh and of couse erm, Saddam.

It will be interesting to see who is a baddie and who isn't.  I mean they are chasing Saddam for Pete's sake!  Is it really ony for the money? Wat are our favoutire big three going to do?  I suppose I have gotta read part two!