The Lone Ranger #15
Written by Ande Parks
Art by Esteve Polls
Colors by Marcelo Pinto
Letters by Simon Bowland
Cover by Francesco Francavilla
Dynamite Entertainment
Release Date: June 5, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

The Lone Ranger #15 kicks off a four-part story line that looks to take the Ranger & Tonto to places around the country that they’ve never been before. And, I’m sure, where ever they go, adventure and trouble are sure to follow.

Thank you, Ande Parks, this is JUST what I was in the mood for…a big Lone Ranger summer story arc!! The Ranger and Tonto are on the chase of a crooked government agent, and their search takes them from the Missouri River to…well, that would be spoiling. As usual, what starts as a quiet, low key search for justice ends up a full blown bar-fight/shoot-out. Just like any story set in the old west should. What I really loved about this issue was that it delivered everything I wanted and have come to expect from this comic-action, adventure, a solid, compelling story that has a definite ending yet leaves just enough to whet your appetite and get you psyched for the next issue.

Red Sonja #76
Written by Brandon Jerwa
Art by Sergio Fernandez Davila
Colors by Salvatore Aiala Studios
Letters by Simon Bowland
Covers by Lucio Parrillo
Edited by Joseph Rybandt
Dynamite Entertainment
Release Date: May 29, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

Red Sonja #76 begins a brand new five issue story arc by new writer Brandon Jerwa. Some BIG things happen this issue, and as usual, I’m not going to tell you what they are, but I WILL tell you why you should pick this book up!

Brandon Jerwa begins his run with a bang!! It’s unusual that a new writer can shake things up this much. The story starts as a normal Red Sonja adventure, but Jerwa incorporates some mystery into the action, which is a very welcome change and addition to the title. The action, which is plentiful, is fast and hugely entertaining. In this issue, through happenstance, he turns the heroin into a villain while still keeping the readers just as confused as Red Sonja. It all leads to a fantastic last page reveal that not only solves the mystery, but gets the reader VERY excited for the next issue.

King Conan #1
Written by Timothy Truman
Art by Tomas Giorello
Colors by Jose Villarrubia
Lettered by Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Cover by Gerald Parel
Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: May 29, 2013
Cover Price: $3.50

King Conan #1 is, well, charming. I’m afraid that’s the only way I can describe it. Yes, it has the usual Conan trademarks in it: sorcery, swords, fighting, blood, betrayal, and all those things, but at its heart, it’s just a charming comic book.

Writer Tim Truman puts together a great tale set many years later in Conan’s life. But, in classic Truman style, this is just the framing sequence for the REAL story that he’s telling. One of how Conan met his first wife, who would later become his first Queen. And that’s when the fun starts. Again, he throws everything that you’d expect and want in a Conan story, and actually, some pretty nice swerves and surprises. There was a couple of places that I got lost in the story, but that was only for about half a page at most at a time, then Truman comes right back in and tell the ready “Hey, look! Here’s where you are!” which is great. This is the kind of comic that you’ll probably want to read more than once, just to get every detail that you can out of it. This is one of Truman’s best Conan stories in years, and it’s just the opening chapter.

Red Sonja #75
Written by Eric Trautmann
Pencils by Marcio Abreu
Colors by Salvatore Aiala Studios
Lettered by Simon Bowland
Covers by Mel Rubi, Erik Jones and Walter Geovani
Dynamite Entertainment
Release Date: May 22, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

Red Sonja #75 is the last issue of Dynamite Entertainment’s longest running title. Although the series ends on an OK note story wise, in my opinion, it deserved a much better send off than it got.

Writer Eric Trautmann gives us a pretty satisfying ending to the latest story line within the title, but for a title that’s been coming out for the last 8 years, I wanted something WAY more out of this issue than just a last chapter to a the latest 6 month story line. The issue is about 99% war between Sonja and her army against Omaju and his. With, a surprise enemy thrown in for good measure and “shock” value. Again, what it fails to deliver is an ending to the SERIES or this chapter in her life. It’s simply just a turning point in Sonja’s life. This could’ve been issue #34 or #58 or any other natural story break. Simply put, the issue was good. Just not good enough.

The New Ghostbusters #4
Written by Erik Burnham
Art by Dan Schoening
Colors by Luis Antonio DelGado
Lettered by Neil Uyetake
Edited by Tom Waltz
Covers by Dan Schoening and Freddie E. Williams II
IDW Publishing
Release Date: May 22, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

The New Ghostbusters #4 is the epic team-up that we never knew we wanted. The Ghostbusters team up with THE GHOSTBUSTERS!!! No, STILL not the ones with the monkey. Leave that alone, it’s never happening. But, we get something much, much better.

Thanks to Erik Burnham, who’s mind came up with The New Ghostbusters, we finally get the two teams working together to stop a group of big bads that have been menacing them both since the last series. As usual, the writing is crisp, brisk, and full of laughs. What Burnham adds to this fourth installment is some really great character moments. Yes, he does that from time to time in the series, but this issue he gives it a new spin when The Ghostbusters are forced to team up with members of the OTHER Ghostbusting team. The result, is great. Most of the story takes place in the very creepy Parkview insane asylum, and that atmosphere is the perfect place for the climax of this story. Add to that a great ending, and an afterthought cliffhanger that you KNEW was coming, and you’ve got a really really well written issue.