King Conan The Phoenix on the Sword #2
Script by Tim Truman
Art by Tomas Giorello
Colors by Jose Villarrubia
Letters by Richard Starkings and Comicraft
Cover by Andrew Robinson
Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: February 29, 2012
Cover Price: $3.50

I really REALLY wanted to like King Conan: The Phoenix on the Sword #2. Honestly, I did. But, for a variety of reasons, I just couldn’t.

First off, let’s get this outta the way. Tim Truman is a legend in the business. That being said, everyone has an off day. The biggest problem that I had with this issue is that Conan is hardly in it. He doesn’t show up until the last quarter of the book, and then it’s just for a reveal that really doesn’t mean that much. This issue will probably read better in trade than it does in single issue format.

Blue Estate #8
Created by Viktor Kalvachev and Kosta Yanev
Script by Andrew Osborne
Art by Viktor Kalvachev, Nathan Fox, Toby Cypress, Andrew Robinson, Peter Nguyen
Cover by Viktor Kalvachev
Image Comics
Release Date: December 14, 2011
Cover Price: $2.99

As a reader of Blue Estate from the start I have seen this series develop piece after piece of an intricate puzzle, and Blue Estate #8 is no exception. As the body count grows in Blue Estate, so do the stakes. Blue Estate #8 puts a price on the head of just about everyone in it and leaves you as the reader feeling that no one is safe. This issue has significantly less action than previous installments, but provides groundwork for the inevitable crime spree that is sure to come.