Pop Culture Chronicles

Tarzan

Tarzan has been in the comics for about as long as comics have been around. Some of the earlier comic book stories were reprints of newspaper strips. Titles like Tip Top Comics (1936), Comics on Parade (1938), Large Feature Comic (1939), and Sparkler Comics (1941) featured Tarzan stories.

The most popular Tarzan series spanned at least three publishers running from 1939-1979. Dell published the Tarzan title from 1939-1947 for 131 issues. Issues 132-206 appeared under the Gold Key label from 1948-1972. DC Comics continued the numbering with 207-259 (1972-1977). Then Marvel secured the rights to Tarzan with renumbering starting in 1977, running for 29 issues and three annuals. 

The Tarzan comic series often complimented the Tarzan movie series which was produced during many of the same years. In addition to various stand-alone Tarzan movies, the movie series starred the following actors in the lead role: 

- Johnny Weissmuller [12 movies] (1932-1948)

- Lex Barker [5 movies] (1949-1953)

- Gordon Scott [6 movies] (1955-1960)

- Jock Mahoney [2 movies] (1962-1963)

- Mike Henry [2 movies] (1967-1968)

- Ron Ely [2 movies] (1970) 

Several of these actors appeared as Tarzan on photo covers of the comics. The Dell series featured Lex Barker on the covers from issues 13-54 and Gordon Scott from issues 80-110. Gold Key featured Ron Ely on at least four covers (162, 165, 168, 171). To my knowledge, Johnny Weissmuller, the most popular Tarzan never appeared on a comic cover. Some fan sites have mistakenly listed him as pictured on Dell covers, but these pictures are actually of Lex Barker who bore some resemblance to Weissmuller.  

The Tarzan comics have boasted such artistic talent as Hal Foster, Jesse Marsh, Joe Kubert, and John Buscema. The 80s were slow years for Tarzan in both movies and comics, with highlights including the 1984 Greystoke movie and Marvel's accompanying adaptation. A seven issue mini-series was published by Malibu Comics in 1992-93. The mid-nineties through early 2000s found Dark Horse with the licensing to Tarzan including comics series and an excellent mini-series in which Tarzan teamed with Batman in an Elsesworlds story set in 1939.

Tarzan has mostly been absent from the movies with exceptions including the live action feature Tarzan and the Lost City starring Casper Van Dien and Disney's animated 1999 feature which brought Tarzan back into vogue (though its TV and video sequels were quite bad).

Dynamite Entertainment published a 15-issue Tarzan series titled Lord of the Jungle in 2012-13. Tarzan may now have a new lease on life in the movies with a new Tarzan feature scheduled for release in 2016. It stars Alexander Skarsgard as Tarzan and Margot Robbie as Jane. I'm hoping this movie will breath new life into Tarzan while being grounded in the source material. Perhaps this will launch a new franchise.  

Invaders Now (review)

Well, I'm back and this time hoping to post more frequently. Summer was busy. I'll start with a review of a comic that just came out last week: Invaders Now # 1 (of a five part series).

This is a great follow-up to the 12-part Avengers/Invaders and the 8-part The Torch. The comics should be read in the following order for the right chronology: Avengers/ Invaders; The Torch; Invaders Now.

Alex Ross is back again for co-plotting and covers which makes this a Marvel / Dynamite collaboration since Ross is exclusively contracted to the later. As usual, his covers are stunning. I'll miss the interior art of Sandowski and Berkenkotter (from the previous series), who I believe drew the definitive Torch (Jim Hammond) and Toro. But the art by Reis isn't too bad.

The writing has been consistently good on all the above mentioned series. It doesn't hurt that the original Vision is back to keep things moving. He is a foreboding presence who appears to be confident and in control.

An up-side to the first issue of Invaders Now is character development. I love it when comics show multi-dimensional characterization as opposed to an entire issue of fights and explosions. I especially liked the conversation between Bucky and Thomas as they walked down the urban streets sharing impressions of how things have changed since the 40s era from which they came. This is too important for a good writer to ignore and still have any sense of realism at all. Christos Gage is a good writer.  

The scene in which the young mutants are asking Jim Hammond (the original Human Torch) about Hitler is priceless. Hammond's response is not predictable, but is believeable. The creative team has not let us forget that this is a World War II team now brought together for a threat from the past that only they are equipped to handle. 

The roll call includes Steve Rogers, the new Captain America (originally Bucky), Human Torch, Toro, the Sub-Mariner, and British members Spitfire and Union Jack (Joseph Chapman). The series is off to a good start and promises not to disappoint. 

Rating: A  

Free Comic Book Day

I'm writing this post on the first Saturday of May. Our family has awakened on this date over the last several years in anticipation of the annual Free Comic Book Day. This "holiday" is celebrated by comic shops and bookstores around the country. Samples of offerings from various publishers are offered free of charge.

To demonstrate the variety and the broad appeal of each year's Free Comic Book Day, I will now give the break down of what my kids and I got this year:

12-year old son:

• Ironman / Thor (Marvel)
• Ironman / Nova (Marvel)
• G. I. Joe: A Real American Hero # 155 1/2 (IDW)
• Toy Story (Boom Studios)
• Shrek / Penguins of Madagascar (Ape Entertainment) 

10-year-old daughter:

• Archie (Archie Comics)
• Owly & Friends (Top Shelf)
• DC Kids (DC Comics) 
• Toy Story (Boom Studios)
• Shrek / Penguins of Madagascar (Ape Entertainment)

40-something-year-old dad (that would be me):

• Ironman / Thor (Marvel)
• Green Hornet (Dynamite)
• G. I. Joe: A Real American Hero 155 1/2 (IDW)
• War of the Supermen # 0 (DC Comics)
• Doctor Solar: Man of the Atom / Magnus: Robot Fighter (Dark Horse)

I'll let you know how some of these titles were after I've read them. So how was your Free Comic Book Day? Hope it was happy.

Interesting Stuff; Spring 2010

Here is some upcoming stuff that interests me.

Floppies

By "floppies" I mean monthly periodical comics:

Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne - I may actually purchase this six part series as it comes out, beginning in April. From the looks of the covers, it appears that Bruce Wayne makes his way forward from the beginning of time with some interesting historical stops along the way. This one is written by Grant Morrison, which could be great (i.e., All-Star Superman) or not-so-great (i. e., Final Crisis).

Legacies - A ten-part History of the DC Universe from the viewpoint of a man on the street. Now hasn't Marvel done something like that already? (i.e. Marvels)? But the retro appeal, including some Golden Age era stories, makes this right up my alley. This one begins in May.

The Twelve: Spearhead - A World War II era one-shot guest starring Captain America. This one just came out. Maybe there is still hope of Marvel concluding The Twelve limited series sometime. 

War of the Supermen - The series will launch with # 0 given away at Free Comic Book Day. Then I'll decide whether to purchase the series.

Trades & Hardcovers

Who's Who in the DC Universe- I could buy the 15 issue limited series that begins soon, but I choose to wait for the trade for a more encyclopedic feel. It's also easier to take a volume like this off the book shelf as a reference than it is to thumb through single issues in boxes.

The History of the DC Universe - I think this will be a one volume book updating the universe since the alterations brought about in the last few crises. 

Other Titles I May Read in Trades

Batman and Robin - A good series, but I just can't read everything.

Fantastic Four- With Dale Eaglesham having done art chores for this title, I cannot refuse.

Green Hornet - How can I ignore all of Dynamite's hype for this new series? It's got retro appeal too, but I'll wait for the trades.

Zorro- Another good title I haven't collected since the first couple of issues. I'll check out some of the trades.  

My Pull List (September 2009)

So here is what I'm reading these days:

Marvel Comics

Marvel 70th Anniversary One-Shots

I've really enjoyed this retro return to the Golden Age era. Each issue includes a new story, usually set in the World War II era, and back-up reprints providing a good history of Marvel Comics and of the state of popular culture in that era. 

Marvel's Project

A retelling of Marvel history written by Ed Brubaker. The first issue blew me away. The Human Torch, the Sub-Mariner, and the Angel. Classic characters with story and art that are up to modern standards of excellence.

Torch

An eight-parter co-written by Alex Ross who proved that he could write with the publication of JSA Kingdom Come Special: Superman (one of the best comics I may ever have read). It seems that this all new tale might be bringing the Golden Age Human Torch and sidekick Toro back together again. This will pick up some threads of sub-plot that were introduced in Avengers/Invaders, which had plot and covers by Ross.

DC Comics

Justice Society of America

This remains the only ongoing title I collect. The characters continue to fascinate me and the stories are still good despite the departure of Johns. I hear that a new title will be spinning off from this one as the JSA divides into two different teams. The other series will be called JSA All Stars. I don't know that I'll be getting both, but I was of the impression that the JSA was getting too big. If the teams are divided evenly between older and younger members, I'll go with the more established team.

Dynamite Entertainment

Project Superpowers, Chapter Two

While the first mini-series left much to be desired, it did set the tone for the excellent spin-off mini-series Black Terror and Masquerade. This one seems to be as good so far.

As usual the comics I collect are typically either revivals of Golden Age heroes or are set in the Golden Age era. I'm wondering if the final issue of Marvels: Eye of the Camera will ever be released. But maybe there's more hope for that than there is for the completion of The Twelve limited series. Anyway, I'm not holding my breath.

Masquerade

Masquerade was known as Miss Masque during the Golden Age of comics. Originally published by Standard Publications, her first appearance was in Exciting Comics 51 (September 1946). She continued to appear in comics until 1949. She was a socialite crime-fighter whose two guns were her only powers.   

She was recently reintroduced to a new generation in the Project Superpowers limited series. Here the new powers she gained from Pandora's urn include the ability to take on the form of any other person. She can now "Masquerade" as someone else.  

But it's her own new four-part miniseries that has me intrigued. In the first issue, Phil Hester gives us a great story set in the post-World War II era.

We get some good back story and character development, guest-starring the Fighting Yank and the Black Terror.  Our heroes fight a Nazi robot in true Golden Age fashion.

The plot here is far superior to any Project Superpowers-related books thus far. It's a self-contained story which nevertheless leaves you longing for more. If subsequent issues are as good as this one, I'm really going to love this series. It is very retro!                      

Current Pull List (11/08)

Here is what I'm collecting and reading these days:

Marvel

Age of the Sentry Now this is just a fun comic! Set in the Silver Age with plenty of Silver Age spoofing. Hilarious, but great adventure for all ages. Watchdog is a great spoof of the super-hero pets like Krypto and Ace the Bat-hound.

Avengers/Invaders (Alex Ross co-plotting and covers) Nostalgia, time travel, and Alex Ross. What's not to like?

The Twelve The strength of this book is character development as obscure Golden Age heroes are re-introduced. The art is great too. This 12-parter is over half way to conclusion.  

Dynamite  

Project Super Powers (Alex Ross co-plotting and covers) The seven-issue first volume has concluded and I was going to check out after that. This series was just too chaotic and overcrowded. Unlike The Twelve  there wasn't much character development. Too many characters were coming out of the woodwork (or the urn) at once. The redeeming thing about this book was the Alex Ross "class photo" style character drawings in the back pages of most issues. I am undecided as to whether I'll collect volume 2, but my sheer love of the Golden Age keeps me coming back. Dynamite is creating a whole new superhero universe from public domain characters.  

Black Terror (Alex Ross co-plotting and some covers) I was prepared for disappointment after the fiasco that was Project Super Powers. Black Terror seemed very one-dimensional in that series. But if this book is any indication, it appears that the Super Powers spin-offs are going to be a lot bigger on character development. After one issue I'm beginning to care about the character. It helps that his background was developed and I am now more sympathetic with his plight to find Tim, his missing partner. I chose the Greg Land cover which I thought was awesome. 

It's clear now that the Project Super Powers universe is not our universe, but a world in which the "Super Powers" of nations have become corrupt and tyrannical (at least I don't think this is our universe) and so the heroes with super powers have been self-appointed to provide checks and balances. Interesting premise, but it would also have been interesting to see these Golden Age heroes in a setting more similar to ours, as Marvel has done with The Twelve. I can't wait for Masquerade and Death-Defying Devil to have their own books. 

DC

Justice Society of America (Alex Ross co-plotting and covers) This is the only ongoing title I am seriously collecting. The others are mostly limited series. If I only read one comic, this would be it. 

Now if Power Girl is not the Power Girl of the Earth-2 in the new multiverse, but the Power Girl of a now dead universe, there could be hope that the missing Earth-2 Superman could be found alive. Wouldn't that be cool. And I still wonder if there is hope of seeing a Golden Age Batman sometime. Did I pick up a hint in issue 20 or was it just my own wishful thinking?  

Final Crisis I really don't like this book, but I'm following it to see what, if any, sweeping changes come over the DC universe. Besides, I've got all the other crisis limited series so I'll complete the collection. But this one cannot hold a candle to the original Crisis on Infinite Earths which was far more intriguing, although I didn't like the outcome. 

This particular series shares the darker tone, grittier edge, bloodier violence and profane language (although often expressed as @#*#!%) of many of today's comics. This is also typical Grant Morrison, whose writing I enjoyed in All-Star Superman, but that's about it. His stuff is usually just too "out there" for me. You don't know what's going on until the end, if you even know then. Nor has much been revealed about the multiverse to this point. 

Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds Perhaps the only redeeming tie-in to Final Crisis, with original crisis artist George Perez and the best-current-writer-in-the- business, Geoff Johns. Some of the usual things I don't like about today's comics are present in this book as well, but the story, art, and multiversal storyline are excellent. 

A few things I'll note about my pull list: 

1) Alex Ross is connected with four of the titles I collect as co-plotter and cover artist. I am a huge fan of this man who provided the art for Marvels and Kingdom Come. He brought a new brand of realism to comics.         

2) Justice Society of America remains my only ongoing title. With limited series I can make shorter commitments. With the exception of JSA I may start waiting for the trades. 

3) Seven of the eight titles I'm currently reading have a large dose of Golden or Silver Age nostalgia. Another hint of my dissatisfaction with the direction of modern comics. But I'm not called Dr. Retro for nothing.          

Retro Revival

So much of what's coming out is a revival of bygone characters and concepts. Here is a list of soon-to-be-released stuff that interests me:

Science Fiction Heroes

- Flash Gordon (A new comic from a publisher called Ardden).

-Buck Rogers (reprints of the newspaper strips) 

- Star Trek Key Collection (trade reprints of Gold Key Star Trek series) (22.95 from Checker publishing).

Silver Age Heroes

- Final Crisis: Resist (features former JLA mascot, Snapper Carr) (October)

- Age of the Sentry - While this character has only been around since the beginning of this decade a Marvel publicity stunt preceded his first appearance. He was billed as a never-before-published Silver Age hero. This was a hoax, but the Sentry now has his own mini-series, set in the Silver Age era. The comic is appropriate for all ages. Kids will find it high adventure, but adults will love the campy satire of Marvel's Silver Age. 

Golden Age Heroes 

- Archie Super Heroes- DC will be publishing adventures of these heroes including the Shield, the Fly, the Black Hood, and others. Eighties and Nineties revivals by both Archie and DC (under the Impact banner) will be forgotten. The fresh start begins in Brave and the Bold after Michael J. Straczynski of The Twelve takes the helm, continuing his practice of reintroducing the heroes of old.

- Phantom Annual# 1 (with Mandrake) Moonstone's version of Lee Falk's creation. Perhaps the earliest Golden Age hero, pre-dating even Superman. The Phantom was the first to wear the cowl and the skin-tight costume. He also donned the non-pupil-revealing mask which has become such a standard of super hero fare. He began as a newspaper strip but has since been published by nearly every famous comic book publisher. (November)  

- The Phantom (Dynamite's version of Lee Falk's creation with covers by Alex Ross) (Jan 09)

- Project Super Powers Spin-offs - The Black Terror will be getting an ongoing series and Masquerade will be getting a mini-series. Death Defying Devil will get one or the other. I'm looking forward to seeing some of these heroes branch off into their own titles. The main title has had Golden Age super heroes coming out of the woodwork (or the urn) leaving little room for any serious character development. 

- Marvels: Eye of the Camera - Long awaited sequel retelling Marvel's Golden and Silver Age through the eyes of a photojournalist. This time without Alex Ross. Starts in December. 

- Justice Society of America - Three Kingdom Come one-shots in November.  

- Captain America: Theater of War: Operation Zero Point - World War II one-shot. 

Film and TV Heroes  

- Mr. T Graphic Novel - Return of a retro character appropriately published by Mohawk Media.

- Kolchak Tales Annual 1 - Based on the TV movies and short lived 70s horror series, Kolchak now hunts monsters in the comics. This annual features Kolchak and Barnabas Collins of Dark Shadows fame. The latter, to my knowledge, has not appeared in comics since the 70s. Both Dark Shadows and the original Kolchak movies were Dan Curtis productions. Both these shows terrified me as a child and I am pleased to see these characters returning. (November)

Collected Newspaper Strips (All in the Fall, probably October)

- Blondie: Bumstead Family History (29.99 from Nelson)

- Complete Little Orphan Annie (No mask, but still no pupils) (hc, v. 2, 39.99, IDW)

- Hank Ketcham's Complete Dennis the Menace (1959-1960; hc, v. 5, $25)

- Milton Caniff's Steve Canyon (1955; 19.95, Checker)  

- Complete Chester Gould's Dick Tracy (hc, v. 5)

Literary Characters

A Christmas Carol Graphic Novel (19.95, Classical publishing)

Disney All-Ages Comics

Boom Studios has cut a deal to publish various comics based on Pixar characters including The Incredibles (illustrated by Darwyn Cooke), Wall E., Nemo, Cars, Monsters Inc., and the Toy Story toys. These will begin as mini-series and be reprinted as collected editions. While the characters aren't old enough to be retro, the concept is very retro: Disney comics for all ages. And these promise to be truly all ages, kid friendly, but not just for kids. 

So there you have a good list of some retro stuff coming out. I'm hyped!  

Collected Reprint Editions

Throughout the modern age of comics thus far, collected reprint editions have been popular. A collected edition might be in trade paperback format or it might be a hardcover archives edition.

Collected editions are basically comic book reprints in book form that bring together stories consisting of a particular series, character, or theme. Just as it doesn't take long for movies to get to DVD these days, nor does it take long for comics to be reprinted as collected editions. Once a title completes a story arc of several issues, those issues are soon reprinted either in paperback or hardcover. It's also common for Golden, Silver, and Bronze Age series to be reprinted in collections.

The good thing about all this is that it can make comics more affordable and easier to collect. Reprints of Golden Age material is far more affordable than the original comics. And the reprint editions are usually restored to pristine quality. And if a reader doesn't want to collect every issue in a current story arc, reading the story in small bits over several months, one can just wait for the run to be reprinted. Reprint editions can also be found in public libraries, providing access to the stories without having to buy them, or allowing readers to preview prior to purchase. So this is great news for comic fans.  

If there is a down side, it is the potential poor health of the back issue market. Who wants to do all the leg work of collecting back issues of a recent limited series when it's easier, and sometimes less expensive, to simply buy the trade? This could be bad news for dealers and collectors trying to move back issue stock--especially comics that are only several months old. 

I still buy an occasional back issue though. I recently cataloged my entire comic collection, discovering gaps in several runs--an issue or two missing here and there. Since I have some almost complete runs in comic book format it makes since to fill in the gaps with standard comics. On the other hand, I wanted to collect every JLA/JSA team-up. As opposed to hunting down all the back issues and spending hundreds of dollars, I'm collecting the trade series that reprints these stories--Crisis on Multiple Earths. Volume five is rumored to be in the works. 

That being said, I've recently noticed how the Dark Horse company is outdoing itself in regard to retro reprints. Here are some of the nostalgic reprint collections I am personally glad to see, all from Dark Horse: 

Golden Age Archives

Roy Rogers Archives reprints the King of the Cowboys first comic appearances, from Dell's Four Color series published in the 40s. Coming soon. The issues reprinted in this collection would cost thousands of dollars if one collected the back issues. Archive editions usually run around 50 bucks--or about $32 on Amazon.    

Green Lama Archives dedicates two volumes to this forgotten 40s hero who has recently made a comeback in Dynamite's Project Superpowers.

Shmoo Archives A character originating in Al Capp's Li'l Abner. This volume reprints all the Shmoo's comic book appearances from the 40s and 50s.

Harvey Collections

Remember when Disco Queen, Donna Summer, sang "Lookin' for some hot stuff, baby this evenin'. I want some hot stuff, baby tonight"? This may not be exactly what Ms. Summer meant, but now everyone can have Hot Stuff the Little Devil in a paperback collection in the Harvey Classics series. Now this is the original Hell Boy! Not really. More like Hell Baby. A devil in a diaper. How intimidating.

As a child, I recall reading many of the Harvey comics, but especially Hot Stuff and Richie Rich. Reprint volumes thus far include: Casper, Richie Rich, and Hot Stuff. Forthcoming volumes include Baby Huey and Harvey Girls (featuring Little Dot, Little Audrey, and Little Lotta). All for just around $20 each. 

Silver Age "Gold Key" Reprints

I still have fond memories of the now defunct Gold Key Comics. Most of those I read as a kid (and still own) consist of TV, movie, and cartoon characters. But Dark Horse is now reprinting the original material first published by Gold Key. 

Doctor Solar, Man of the Atom was Gold Key's first original hero (1962-69). Four volumes of his Archives have now been published.

Magnus, Robot Fighter, 4000 A.D. has now seen three Archive editions. Dark Horse has also revived this character in some recent comics.

M.A.R.S Patrol Total War Archives with art by the legendary Wally Wood, reprints stories from 1966-69. 

Boris Karloff, Tales of Mystery will be archived in 2009 complete with a forward by Sara Karloff, daughter of Boris.

Silver Age "American Comics" Reprints

MagicMan Archives reprints the adventures of this Vietnam War era sorcerer. His adventures ran in Forbidden Worlds 125-141. While the Archive edition is $60, a back issue would range from $40 to $100. Coming Soon.         

Nemesis Archives reprints the exploits of this hero from Adventures into the Unknown 154-170 (1965-67). An expensive Archive running about $60, but even one issue of the originals in near mint condition would cost you at least that much. Coming soon. 

I, for one, am happy to see the Golden and Silver Age comics being reprinted. This provides more all ages alternatives. The problem is that today's kids can't afford these, but there is always the library and retro parents who will buy and perhaps share them.     

I hope more Gold Key and Dell series will be archived but since so many of their characters were licensed to them by other companies (such as Disney and Hanna Barbera) it might require some legal red tape. 

I love reprint collections because I'm so retro. Of course the stories weren't usually too sophisticated by today's standards (a bit juvenile as opposed to being truly for "all" ages). But I love this stuff for the nostalgic flavor. I like them because of the retro appeal.           

Reviews: Justice Society, Avengers / Invaders

Justice Society of America 15-16

Plotted by Geoff Johns and Alex Ross, with alternate painted covers by Ross. The interior art by Eaglesham and Rollins is outstanding. I'm enjoying this story arc in spite of the so-called New Gods and fourth world stuff, which I could typically care less about. But Gog is an interesting character and some happy events actually take place in # 16. Do comics always have to be dark? 

Issue 15 is basically a battle issue with the JSA against Magog. While character development might at first seem sparse, the characters are developed as individual members' powers are showcased in various panels. The final page of this issue promises a return of Earth-2 and its Robin and Huntress (but we already knew that, right?). Both issues 15 and 16 hint at a return of Isis, a character created to be killed in 52. I do hope she comes back. I liked her. 

I'm glad Cyclone is around. It's great to have a descendant of the original Red Tornado on board. But I do wish she'd replace that utterly ridiculous costume. She looks more like she belongs in the circus than with the JSA. 

Avengers / Invaders 1-2

In addition to JSA, Alex Ross is co-plotting and painting covers for this Marvel/Dynamite series. I wasn't going to add anything else to my pull list. But my love for Golden Age characters, combined with the free sketch book, and Ross' life like painted cover for the first issue made this a must read. It takes me back to the Roy Thomas Invaders series I read as a kid in the 70s.  

The Invaders accidentally travel forward through time from the battlefields of World War II to  present day NYC. They get there through a most creative and mysterious means. And they unknowingly take an American soldier with them. What havoc might such anomalies play on the timestream? 

Will the WW II Captain America learn that the Avengers he meets were his friends in the present, but that it's a present in which he is already dead? Will Bucky meet his older self, who I hear is the new Captain America? Will the outcome of WW II be altered in the Marvel Universe?

This is one of three current titles in which Golden Age heroes find themselves in their future, which is our present day. The others include Marvel's excellent series, The Twelve. It may be that the Black Widow of that series may appear in this one along with some other forgotten Golden Age heroes. The third title with Golden Age heroes is Project Superpowers. As with Justice Society of America and Avengers / Invaders this one also includes painted covers and co-plotting by Ross. 

I love this resurgence of Golden Age characters and I'm enjoying Avengers / Invaders as much as I have any comic in a long time. By the time I get to the last page I can't believe it's already over and I'm looking forward to the next issue to see what develops. Sadowski's excellent interior art makes the original Human Torch more realistic than ever. Ross and Krueger have Namor's character down perfect. And of course Ironman and Spiderman play key roles.