NO F-ing WAY, NO NO NO!!!!

Rich Johnston, over at Bleeding Cool, posted about a possible Watchmen Prequel or Sequel in the works at DC now that Levitz has stepped down as publisher. We all heard about this possibility back in the day when Watchmen (the comic) originally came out, but Moore and Gibbons were not interested. According to Johnston, this is a pet project of Mr. Dan Didio. Christ, this better not happen. Read all about it here:

http://www.bleedingcool.com/2010/02/03/get-ready-for-watchmen-2/

Would there be creators that would actually touch this piece-of-shit idea? I mean really? Yes, would a new Watchmen series sell in huge numbers? Unforatunately yes, but this is just another example of "just because you CAN doesn't mean you SHOULD." And yes, if we see more Watchmen comics in the future, you know that another Watchmen movie will be right around the corner. Shit....

I really don't want this to happen. Moore and Gibbons get right of first refusal, and you KNOW that neither one of them is going to touch this idea with a ten foot pole. Maybe DC can convince Gibbons to do some covers, but that is all I forsee.

I know DC would get tons of press for this project, but the backlash in the industry would be huge.

More Great Books for under $10.00!

Oops, I meant to post this on Monday, but I got distracted by something shiny.

Anyone who knows me or my taste in comics, I am quite the Vertigo pimp. Always have been, always will be. I can't help it, Vertigo has consistently put out quality comics for something like 15 years now, maybe longer, I can't remember exactly. (I am getting to be an old fangirl at this point).

Vertigo (aka DC) was I believe the first publisher to offer Volume Ones of various series for $9.99, since 2006 if I'm not mistaken. Not every Volume One from the Vertigo imprint is $9.99, but there are many to choose from. I may sound like a broken record mentioning some of these, which is why I will not take up much time or space with the following: 100 Bullets Volume One, DMZ Vol 1, Exterminators Vol 1, Fables Vol 1, and Unwritten Vol 1. Just know that I do recommend all of these, but I wanted to spend some time and space on some of the lesser known Vertigo/Wildstorm $9.99 GN's.

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Air Volume One
This book is not nearly as popular as it SHOULD be, imo. I read volume 1 & 2 and was thoroughly entertained. If you are a fan of Lost or Flash Forward, you should give this book a try.

Written by G. Willow Wilson
Art and cover by M.K. Perker
Collecting the story that started it all, from AIR #1-5! Blythe knew there was no time like the present more dangerous to be an airline stewardess, but the skies might be much more dangerous than anyone imagines. She's just learned of the Etesian Front - vigilantes dedicated to take the skies back from terrorism - and they're after Zayn, a man she's just met. Whether he's an average frequent flier or a terrorist, finding out will lead Blythe to discover the weird science of hyperaxis and the mysterious artifact that will change the way we see technology forever.
From the comics imprint known for innovation, G. Willow Wilson and M. K. Perker introduce a new way of looking at the magic of flight.
$9.99
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Ex Machina Volume One

This is a great book, by the man behind Y, Brian K. Vaughn. So why not, try it already? I'm pretty sure this series has been picked up to be a movie (at this point, what hasn't?), but honestly I can see this book as great inspiration for a TV show.

Written by Brian K. Vaughan; Art by Tony Harris & Tom Feister; Cover by Harris

From Wizard Magazine's Top Ten writer Brian K. Vaughan (Y: THE LAST MAN) and Eisner Award-winning artist Tony Harris (STARMAN) comes a collection of one of the most critically acclaimed new series of the year, featuring a gorgeous new cover by Harris! THE FIRST HUNDRED DAYS collects the first five issues of this stellar ongoing political thriller, including the extra-sized origin of the super-heroic Great Machine, as well as the 4-part "State of Emergency."

Set in our modern-day world, EX MACHINA tells the story of civil engineer Mitchell Hundred, who becomes America's first living, breathing super-hero after a strange accident gives him amazing powers. Eventually Mitchell tires of risking his life merely to maintain the status quo, retires from masked crimefighting and runs for mayor of New York City, winning by a landslide. But Mayor Hundred has to worry about more than just budget problems and an antagonistic governor, especially when a mysterious hooded figure begins assassinating plow drivers during the worst snowstorm in the city's history!
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Greek Street Volume One (Note: this GN ships to LCS on March 10th!)

This book is not for everyone, but anyone that has a love of Ancient Greece should really check it out. I love me some Peter Milligan, and this book fills that role nicely. This is a pretty violent, gritty series.

MATURE READERS
Written by Peter Milligan

Art by Davide Gianfelice

Cover by KAKO
"A reminder that some stories are too true and too dangerous to ever die...crackles with Promethean fire." - Grant Morrison
Boasting a "Greek Chorus" of sexy strippers, vengeful gangsters, a murderous youth and a disturbed clairvoyant teenaged girl, GREEK STREET is Peter Milligan's reimagining of the brutal and visceral tragedies of Ancient Greece played out on the mean streets of modern-day London. This first paperback collects issues #1-5 of the provocative new series.

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House of Mystery Volume One

Looking for something, anything to replace the gaping hole that Sandman left after it ended all those years ago? This is the book you've been waiting for, it takes place within the universe that Gaiman brought to life back in the day. Want some Cain and Able? Look no further!

Written by Matthew Sturges and Bill Willingham
Art by Luca Rossi, Ross Campbell, Sean Murphy, Zachary Baldus, Steve Rolston and Jill Thompson
Cover by Sam Weber
"This is the next Vertigo pillar to watch!" - Wizard
Welcome to the House of Mystery! Filled with peculiar, otherworldly characters from all walks of life, this series from Matthew Sturges (JACK OF FABLES) and Bill Willingham (FABLES) focuses on five people trapped in the reality-warping House of Mystery, a supernatural bar where tales are the legal tender and only the finest storytellers are patrons! But how - and why - they're stuck inside is all just a little piece of the puzzle in this first volume, which collects issues #1-5 of the all-new acclaimed series and special bonus material.
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Northlanders Volume One

Liek DMZ? Good, get Brian Wood's OTHER Vertigo genre-reaching series. Vertigo done right with a Viking twist! Collects EIGHT issues for $9.99, what an incredible deal!

Written by Brian Wood
Art by Davide Gianfelice
Cover by Massimo Carnevale

In this first volume collecting NORTHLANDERS #1-8, DMZ writer Brian Wood stabs Viking lore in the face with a fresh take on what it means to be a warrior. Meet Sven, an exiled Viking prince who must return to the desolate lands of his birth to reclaim his vast inheritance upon the death of his father. See why Entertainment Weekly calls it "a well-reserched, richly realized world that illuminates politics and culture without getting bogged down in history-book stuff."
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Unknown Soldier Volume One

Want to read a book with some edge? Check this series out, writer Dysart is pretty hard-core with his grim portrayal of the horrors of war, with the usual Vertigo twist.

Written by Joshua Dysart
Art by Alberto Ponticelli
Cover by Igor Kordey

"UNKNOWN SOLDIER could be a new Vertigo classic." - The Onion
"A story with teeth, unafraid to confront some horrific truths about the world we live in, Joshua Dysart's UNKNOWN SOLDIER is a comic that genuinely matters." - Garth Ennis

"This is an immensely brave, intelligent and ruthless piece of work. You need to read it." - Warren Ellis

Welcome to Northern Uganda. In 2002, it's a place where tourists are hacked to death with machetes, 12-year-olds with AK-47s wage war, and celebrities futilely try to get people to care. Moses Lwanga is a pacifist doctor caught at the center of this. But when his life is threatened, Moses suddenly realizes he knows how to kill all too well. What is this voice telling him the only way to fix what's wrong with the country is by slaughtering those responsible? And what is Moses' connection to past bandage-wrapped warrior?

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Next time you are fixin for something new to read, try any of these great Vertigo Volume Ones. Something here is bound to please. And as usual, all four Amazing Fantasy locations carry all of these books, along with every other Vertigo/Wildstorm/DC graphic novel you could possibly want.

Man it would be SO cool if I could add some Marvel books to the list of "Great Reads for under Ten Bucks!" There are some great digest-sized Marvel graphic novels I can discuss. I will highlight those for next time, but what I really want to see is Marvel jumping on the $10 band wagon, NOW please. Come on, if Agents of Atlas Volume One was $10, instead of the $20 for volume one, or $25 for the mini-series collected, I could convince a bunch of people to give it a shot. All I'm saying is Marvel certainly hasn't done everything possible to gather interest in the lesser known titles. Come on Marvel, take a cue from your friends at DC and Image and do this already!

Great Reads for Less than $10.00!

You've all heard me hype the Vertigo and Image $9.99 Volume One Graphic Novels before, but I thought is was about time to start highlighting many of the great graphic novels that have been published by DC/Wildstorm/Vertigo and Image GN's that are $10.00 or less EACH, all the little undiscovered gems just waiting to be read and enjoyed that I haven't droned on and on about! In this troubled economy, who couldn't use a little comic book goodness for about what it costs to go see a movie at the local theatre?

Everyone who is everyone knows that Walking Dead Volume One, Chew Volume One, and Proof Volume One make the under $10 list, but did you know that these other cool Image graphic novels are also under $10 bucks a piece? I bet you didn't.

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40 OZ Collected, Puttin the Backbone Back, and Stupid Comics
all three by Jim Mahfood, published by Image and each stellar collection is under $10 bucks!

40 OZ, THE CONCEPT:
40oz Comics, for the first time in one handsome collection! Hot indy artist Jim Mahfood (Clerks, Ultimate Marvel Team-Up, Grrl Scouts: Work Sucks) brings you this collection of his underground 40oz mini-comics. Previously, these four volumes have only been available at comic book shows and thru Jim's website, so lots of people have missed out on this stuff!

Stupid Comics, THE CONCEPT:
Fan-favorite JIM MAHFOOD (CLERKS, GRRL SCOUTS) offers a hilarious and satirical collection of his infamous Stupid Comics strips. Pulled from the weekly Phoenix New Times newspaper, these comics are universal in theme, lampooning government, war, pop culture, the entertainment industry, relationships, sex and technology. A must-have for comedy fans, political junkies, and anyone else slightly concerned with the world we live in.
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City of Silence
by Warren Ellis and Gary Erskine, published by Image, less than $10 bucks!

City of Silence, THE CONCEPT: The future is bad for you. In a place where everyone has the technology to create brand-new, weird sciences ten times a day, there are policemen who will hunt you down for having a bad idea. They are the Silencers. And the investigation of a dead kid with a silicon pentagram on his neck opens up a whole box of bad ideas upon a city that only survives through silence...

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Fire: Definitive Collection
with words and pictures by the indomitable Brian Michael Bendis, published by Image, less than $10 bucks!

YOUR GOVERNMENT DOES NOT WANT YOU TO READ THIS BOOK! Loosely based on events in the American intelligence community during the Reagan administration, FIRE tells the unique and powerful story of a young man's virgin journey through the complex world of international intelligence. This is a complete globe spanning thriller for fans of "Bond," pulp spy novels, and true world crime stories. This definitive presentation of Eisner Award-winner Brian Michael Bendis' first cinematic noir comic features re-mastered art, lettering, and a newly revised script. The design and format will match the Bendis line of definitive collections (Powers, Jinx, Torso, Goldfish)

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American Jesus Volume One, Chosen
words by Mark Millar, pictures by Peter Gross, published by Image for less than $10 bucks!

From the writer of WAR HEROES, KICK ASS and the Universal hit, WANTED! It's the next MARK MILLAR graphic novel set to become a feature film! AMERICAN JESUS, VOL. 1: CHOSEN follows a twelve-year-old boy who suddenly discovers he's the returned Jesus Christ. He can turn water into wine, make the crippled walk and perhaps even raise the dead. How will he deal with the destiny to lead the world in a conflict thousands of years in the making?

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Dynamo 5 Volume One
words by Jay Faerber, pictures by Asrar and Riley, published by Image for less than $10 bucks!

He was the world's greatest hero, but Captain Dynamo was not a faithful husband. Now he's dead and his family is trying to piece their lives together. As his enemies descend on his unprotected city, Captain Dynamo's widow rounds up his five illegitimate children, each of whom have inherited one of their father's super-powers. Can these total strangers come to terms with their powers, their father's legacy and each other as total chaos erupts?

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Elephantmen War Toys Volume One No Surrender
words by Richard Starkings, pictures by Moritat, published by Image for less than $10 bucks!

The story of the war to end all wars now in one volume! The prequel to Image's hit series, ELEPHANTMEN finds Africa and China at war. The battlefield: Europe, recently devastated by a lethal virus. Enter: MAPPO's soldiers, The Elephantmen. Even in the face of blistering resistance, it seems that nothing can stop MAPPO's advance across France to the North. But as Hip Flask comes face to face with the last vestiges of humanity in the frozen Scandinavian wastes, he discovers that only the dead see the end of warfare.

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Ronin Hood of the 47 Samurai
words by Jeff Amano, pictures by Rousseau and Faycher, and yes you guessed it, less than $10 bucks, published by Image.

The Free Comic Book Day sensation of 2005 is now in one complete graphic novel!

Masterless after his Lord falls prey to treachery, samurai Oishi of the 47 Ronin leads his faithful few to vengeance. The time has come to defend their honor and raise their swords one final time.

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Suburban Glamour Volume One
story and art by Jaimie Mckalvie, published by Image for less than $10 bucks baby!

Life's tough when you're a teenager-homework, boy trouble and meddling parents. So when Astrid Johnson has to deal with imaginary friends turned real, monster attacks and faerie magic as well-that's just not fair, is it? Collecting the critically acclaimed mini-series from the co-creator of PHONOGRAM.

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All of these fine graphic novels can be found at all four Chicagoland Amazing Fantasy locations. If you don't see what you are looking for, don't be afraid to ask for help. And if for some reason we are out of the book you are looking for, we will gladly order it for you!

Check my blog on monday for more great reads for under $10.00, when the focus will be DC/Wildstorm/Vertigo.

I love graphic novels under $10.00! Marvel, are you out there, are you listening? We want $10 trades! We want $10 trades! Everyone join me! Let's start an email campaign right now!

It's Called an iPad!

Big news day today. Not only do we have big announcements from Marvel and DC, but Apple finally unveils their fancy-dancy iPad. Read about it here or just about anywhere else because every other news source has their own take on it:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100127/ap_on_hi_te/us_tec_apple

Here is the price break-down:

16GB 32GB 64GB

WiFi $499 $599 $699

WiFi+3G $629 $729 $829

Seems a little nutty, but the price will come down over time I'm sure. Is this tech really the be all end all that everyone in the industry has been lusting over since the first hints of it surfaced a few years back? I have no idea. I'm sure it's a lot of fun to use and looks very pretty, but it's still pretty damn expensive and you have the option to buy into the dataplan with AT&T. Great, just what everyone needs, another monthly bill to add to the monthly cell phone and monthly Internet charges, no matter if you have crappy DSL or groovy cable there is still a bill. So now we are talking THREE ways for money to fly out of your wallet for services only. I hate paying a monthly service fee for an intangible something-or-other. Now, don't get me wrong, if Apple decided for, whatever reason, to give me a FREE iPad with FREE Internet services for a year, I'm sure I would take advantage, I would enjoy the shit out of the iPad, but for now, I will sit back, relax, count my pennies and wait for the barrage of online articles about the iPad and how awesome it is. The media coverage alone will be entertaining I'm sure. For god's sake there has been a countdown on many comic book related news sites. Will comic art look good on this fancy color touch-screen? Hell yes, I'm sure it will, BUT it is worth the price of admission? I'm sure there are many folks out there that can purchase an iPad and call it an "office expense" for business purposes, especially if their job requires a lot of traveling. I'm absolutely certain those kind of people will find all kinds of use for the iPad, but don't those same folks already have cool high-end laptops? I know the touch screen and the thinness of the pad are alluring, but is it enough to warrant another tech purchase, or is just something for techheads to get excited about?



Late breaking news:
Also check out this link at Newsarma, with more info:

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/Apple-iPad-Announcement.html

Marvel Announces "Heroic Age"

http://marvel.com/news/comicstories.10914.marvel~colon~_the_heroic_age

Check out the above link for info from Marvel about The NEW HEROIC AGE!!!

So, in theory Marvel is "getting back to the basics," whatever that means. I guess, in theory, we will see the end of big sweeping cross-over, universe-breaking EVENTS, and that can't happen soon enough imo.

Quesada says that this is NOT due to the Mouse in the House. I will believe him, this time, because both companies have been talking about getting back to a classic heroic age this year.

Could prove to be interesting.

DC Announces MORE Promo Rings!

The following information was sent to retailers from DC Comics:

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DC COMICS OFFERS PROMOTIONAL RINGS WITH THE FLASH #1 AND GREEN LANTERN #53

With THE FLASH #1 and GREEN LANTERN #53 soliciting in the February Previews as BRIGHTEST DAY tie-in issues, DC Comics offers promotional FLASH and GREEN LANTERN RINGS to qualifying retailers.

"This is a thank-you to our retailers and readers for their enthusiasm and support throughout BLACKEST NIGHT and the previous ring promotions," says Bob Wayne, DC's VP - Sales.

With a minimum combined purchase of 10 copies of THE FLASH #1 retailers may order FLASH PROMOTIONAL RINGS, ring orders may not exceed the combined number of copies of THE FLASH #1 . THE FLASH #1 and the FLASH PROMOTIONAL RINGS are scheduled to arrive in stores on April 14.

With a minimum combined purchase of 10 copies of GREEN LANTERN #53 retailers may order GREEN LANTERN PROMOTIONAL RINGS, ring orders may not exceed the combined number of copies of GREEN LANTERN #53. GREEN LANTERN #53 and the GREEN LANTERN PROMOTIONAL RINGS are scheduled to arrive in stores on April 21.

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The rings are pictured above. What does this mean for consumers you might ask? Easy, if you want either one of the rings, you must purchase the comic associated with the ring. There will be NO extras, unlike last time around for DC Promo Rings.

Some are speculating that this is DC's answer to Marvel's Deadpool Variant Stunt. If that is the case I say Well Played DC! This is a nice MATURE way to respond, something that Marvel can't seem to grasp. Of course, I'm biased because I'm a DC fangirl at heart. DC has lowered the quantity for retailers to qualify for the promo rings, unlike the last ring promotion that had some retailers complaining that the minimums were TOO high. I wasn't one of those retailers because, well we sell enough DC books that it wasn't a big deal, but I can understand if you were a small store that couldn't hit those minimums, I would definitely be bitching big time.

Something that seems a little unknown at this point, are the rings NEW versions of these rings? I have a call into my rep at DC, and as soon as he gets back to me about that I will post the answer here. If the above pictures are to be believed, it looks like the Flash Promo Ring IS slightly different. (DC gave away Flash rings not last year, but the year before, at various cons). The Green Lantern ring looks EXACTLY like the ring they gave away with Blackest Night #5. I certainly hope the Green Lantern ring is different, because what would be the point if it's the same?

I'll keep everyone posted as I hear more...

Must Read of the Week! Joe the Barbarian #1

From the original DC Solicitation:

JOE THE BARBARIAN #!

Written by Grant Morrison

Art by Sean Murphy

Cover by Sean Murphy

Having an overactive imagination can get a kid through a lot, but it doesn't change the facts: Joe's still the kid in school that can't fit in. He's the victim of bullies. His dad died overseas in the Iraq war. And then there's the Type 1 diabetes he has to live with.So is it insulin-deprived delirium or something much, much bigger that transports Joe to a land inhabited by all his toys - from ninja commandos to action robots to magical knights to star fleet captains? Is Joe really the savior of this wild fantasyland that's been held under siege by dark magic and evil forces? With the help of a samurai rodent, is he ready to take back besieged castles and win the freedom of an oppressed people? Or is he just an over imaginative boy who could die if he doesn't take his meds?White-hot writer Grant Morrison follows up his phenomenal BATMAN AND ROBIN with an epic adventure that's Home Alone by way of Lord of the Rings accompanied with to-die-for art by future superstar Sean Murphy (YEAR ONE: BATMAN/SCARECROW, HELLBLAZER).On sale January 20 o 1 of 8 o 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US o MATURE READERS Written by Grant Morrison, Art by Sean Murphy, Cover by Sean Murphy. Having an overactive imagination can get a kid through a lot, but it doesn't change the facts: Joe's still the kid in school that can't fit in. He's the victim of bullies. His dad died overseas in the Iraq war. And then there's the Type 1 diabetes he has to live with.So is it insulin-deprived delirium or something much, much bigger that transports Joe to a land inhabited by all his toys - from ninja commandos to action robots to magical knights to star fleet captains? Is Joe really the savior of this wild fantasyland that's been held under siege by dark magic and evil forces? With the help of a samurai rodent, is he ready to take back besieged castles and win the freedom of an oppressed people? Or is he just an over imaginative boy who could die if he doesn't take his meds?White-hot writer Grant Morrison follows up his phenomenal BATMAN AND ROBIN with an epic adventure that's Home Alone by way of Lord of the Rings accompanied with to-die-for art by future superstar Sean Murphy (YEAR ONE: BATMAN/SCARECROW, HELLBLAZER).

On sale January 20

1 of 8

32 pg, FC,

$2.99 US MATURE READERS

I have to say I truly enjoyed this book! Even though the solicitation reads $2.99 it is only ONE MEASLY DOLLAR! Get it before they reprint it at the original $2.99 price, which is what I'm betting they WILL do if they have to go back to press, or maybe they will make the reprint $1.99 like DC did previously with Unwritten #1. The basic concept of Joe the Barbarian, does have some similarity to indie-darling Stuff of Legend, but really it's only in the very loose sense. Joe's toys do come to life, sort of, in the insulin-deprived dreamland he finds himself, but this time we get to see Batman and other toys brought to life, since Vertigo is owned by DC Comics, which is pretty cool. I can't wait to read the rest of this mini-series. I'm sad that it's only 8 issues long, but I read somewhere that there is definitely a possibility for more stories to be told with other protagonists in other locales. Conceivably every house could have an inhabitant that could end up in another world. Joe's bedroom in his house is every child's dream bedroom. He lives in the attic , with high shelves of toys and cool stuff, the classic Sears brand twin size bed that is above a desk (you have to use a ladder to get to the bed, wasn't that every child's dream, lol), and you have to use a rope ladder to get to his room in the attic. How cool is that?

Morrison does not disappoint this time around, (Let's be honest here, does he ever disappoint? Not this fangirl, and all of you Final Crisis nay-sayers leave me alone, I liked FC!) and this is one of the first stories he has written that leaves me with a rather warm fuzzy feeling. Joe the Barbarian is a magical series with potential to become one of the years best graphic novels. Sean Murphy has blown me away with his beautiful artwork. Joe is the perfect vehicle to catapult Murphy to fame and fortune. Morrison and Murphy, the perfect combination for fantasy fans of all ages. This Vertigo mini doesn't seem to warrant the "mature readers" tag YET, but maybe it gets more bloody and dramatic as the series progresses. I could see the MR tag being used NOT for language and sexual situations this time around, but because it deals with such weighty mature issues, such as mortality. This series is bound to end in tragedy, but be that as it may, I can't wait for the enchanted journey to commence, whatever the ending may bring.

So there you go, I highly recommend you pick up JOE THE BARBARIAN #! for $1.00!
If you missed the title that I've mentioned over and over again it's JOE THE BARBARIAN.