King Of The Unknown
Created by Marcus Muller
Art by Marcus Muller
King of The Unknown
Release Date: Ongoing

Webcomics typically fall into two categories: either they are rough homemade projects that rely on humor and a compelling story to make up for a lack of art, or they are polished, professional-looking comics that feature a very abstract concept that has relatively no mainstream appeal. The webcomics that can find the space in between those two categories tend to be the ones that generate an audience. Off the top of my head, I can think of several webcomics that have jumped the gap from D.I.Y projects to independent masterpieces including, Evan Dahm’s Rice Boy and Ben Costa’s Shi Long Pang. King Of The Unknown falls into that harmonious middle ground as well with polished artwork and thoughtful storytelling. Marcus Muller has created a comic that has ties to mainstream audiences, yet stays true to the roots of the webcomic community.

I’ll Take You To The Moon & Leave You There
Created by Skuds Mckinley
Art by Skuds Mckinley
BatShit Art
Release Date: April 11, 2012
Cover Price: $8.00

As a society, we tend to retain only the fondest memories of being young and in love. What lurks beneath those memories is a fundamental truth that, if possible, we would like to forget. The truth is that growing up and loving someone is terrifying, a fact that sometimes hurts too much to acknowledge. I’ll Take You To The Moon & Leave You There is a testament to those moments that slip between our subconscious and are, with any luck, forgotten for good. From isolation to addiction, indie creator, Skuds Mckinley, explores the darkest corners of the human experience in this book.

Secret #1
Written by Jonathan Hickman
Art by Ryan Bodenheim
Image Comics
Release Date: April 11, 2012
Cover Price: #3.50

In the case of Secret #1, I clearly judged this comic by its cover. The inclusion of actual photograph on a comic book cover is not something you see often. The cover of Secret #1 grabbed my attention the first time I saw it. The ghostly white set of teeth clenched around a sea of black tendrils was haunting. Luckily for me, I do not live to regret picking up this book based on its cover. Secret #1 is a tense and masterfully crafted first issue from an extremely talented young team.

Secret #1 plays out much like the opening scenes of a James Bond movie. We are first introduced to an unlucky C.E.O who has just had some information forcefully removed in a home invasion. Immediately after that, the rest of the comic takes place in a private meeting with some of Washington’s most powerful men, who are just learning that their private security is “shit.” The man delivering this information is known as Mr. Miller, who by all accounts is a private security expert with a few darker things planned for the future.

Skullkickers #13
Written by Jim Zubkavich
Art by Edwin Huang
Colors by Misty Coats
Image Comics
Release Date: April 4, 2012
Cover Price: $3.50

Skullkickers finally returns after a 4-month hiatus with a new story arc that promises to shed some light on the mysterious origins of our favorite mercenaries. Skullkickers #13 is the jumping on point for this new storyline and it dedicates itself to establishing a solid foundation for the rest of the saga. The trademark violence of Skullkickers is largely absent from this issue. Yet Skullkickers #13 gives readers something much more gratifying than blood and guts.

The most powerful moments in comics occur once we, as readers, realize that our heroes are vulnerable. The moment that Batman emerges from the rubble with Jason Todd’s body is so iconic for this reason. For the first time, we are shown that maybe the men and women in our comics are not without fear and loss. For 12 issues Skullkickers has thrown the mercenary duo in front of nearly every kind of monster, ghoul, and goblin with nary a scratch. Issue 13 is one of the first times that writer Jim Zubkavich paints one of his characters as a less than invincible super man.

Danger Club #1
Script by Landry Q. Walker
Art by Eric Jones
Colors by Michael Drake
Image Comics
Release Date: April 4, 2012
Cover Price: $2.99

Children fighting to the death and generally beating each other to pulp has never been as popular as it is now. With Mark Millar wrapping up Kick-Ass 2, and The Hunger Games movie in theaters, under-age battles are fresh in the public’s mind. Danger Club #1 introduces readers to a new brand of teen violence with super-powered youths dropping one another like a bag of rocks. However, at the moments that Danger Club #1 risks being gratuitous, the comic pulls back and shows restraint. Yes, this comic is not lacking in viciousness and, yes, it is graphic. But, while comics like Kick-Ass use violence for shock and awe, Danger Club #1 uses it to punctuate an idea.