Autumnlands: Tooth & Claw #4
Written by Kurt Busiek
Illustrated by Benjamin Dewey
Colored by Jordie Bellaire
Lettered by Karl Kerschl
Cover by Benjamin Dewey
Image Comics
Release Date: February 18, 2015
Cover Price: $2.99

“It’s a dangerous world, kid. Any world, it seems. You gotta know what’s out there that can hurt you. You gotta be prepared to act.” – Learoyd, the Great Champion

Morality can be fairly ambiguous in Autumnlands: Tooth & Claw #4. Written by Kurt Busiek with illustrations from Benjamin Dewey and colors from Jordie Bellaire, this series from Image Comics is a fantasy world rife with animal nations, fading magic, legendary warriors, and vicious treachery.

House of Night #1
Written by P.C. Cast, Kristin Cast, Kent Dalian
Art by Joëlle Jones, Karl Kerschl
Covers by Jenny Frison, Steve Morris
Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: November 9, 2011
Cover Price: $2.99

Imagine my surprise when I started reading this comic, one that I chose on a whim, and found it’s based on a young adult book series that I used to sell tons of during the last few years my bookstore was open. Now imagine my further surprise when I realized that I liked it! It’s got its quirks, but House of Night #1 is a pretty fun read.

Now, I went into this knowing exactly zilch about the books, so no preconceived notions about the characters or setting. Add to that the fact that there is absolutely no back story or prologue and you have a blank slate on which to create this series. P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast were familiar to me, but Kent Dalian is someone I didn’t know.