Lady Rawhide #1
Written by Eric Trautmann
Art by Milton Estevam
Colors by Dinei Ribeiro
Letters by Marshall Dillon
Cover by Joseph Michael Linsner
Edited by Joseph Rybandt
Dynamite Entertainment
Release Date: August 7, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

Lady Rawhide #1 really surprised me. I’m a big fan of Zorro and his universe, but in the past, Lady Rawhide was basically the Catwoman to his Batman. That has really changed in this new incarnation from Dynamite Entertainment.

I’ve been a fan of writer Eric Trautmann for a little while. Actually, I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with him. I LOVED his work on the excellent Flash Gordon: Zeitgeist miniseries. He was doing such a great job on that book, I was really hoping that it would turn into an ongoing series. Then, I didn’t really care at all for his Red Sonja issues. So, when I heard he was writing another book with a female lead, I was more than a bit skeptical. Well, I was pleasantly surprised by this issue. It wasn’t just good, it was GREAT!!!

Grimm #2
Plot by Jim Kouf & David Greenwalt
Script by Marc Gaffen & Kyle McVey
Art by Jose Malaga
Colors by Thiago Dal Bello
Letters by Marshall Dillon
Cover by Lucio Parrillo
Dynamite Entertainment
Release Date: June 12, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

Based on the hit NBC television series Grimm, this comic book series takes Nick and team on all-new adventures and to all new places. Grimm #2 stays true to the show in almost every way imaginable. You can read the comic and almost hear the actors’ voices as you do. As with the television program, we seem to be introduced to new Wesen (pronounced “vessin”) all the time. But that’s only part of the story…

We start this issue with Nick (our resident Grimm and a police detective), Hank (his partner on the police force), and Monroe (a Blutbad clock connoisseur) in Vienna. Having recently traveled there to track down Nick’s mother and the three coins that she was hiding, they find themselves in the company of a badass female Grimm (who dresses as if she moonlights as a dominatrix) and the Resistance with whom she fights. Finding that his mother left him a clue to decode, he sets about trying to unlock the secrets within. Unfortunately, the Wesen army of the Royal families are hot on his trail. A little retreating, some sexual tension, and a whole lot of bullets later, we bear witness to what could be the end for some of our beloved team. Only time will tell because the issue ends at a very exciting part!

The Bionic Man vs. The Bionic Woman #4
Written by Keith Champagne
Art by Jose Luis
Colors by Inlight Studios
Letters by Marshall Dillon
Covers by Sean Chen and Jonathan Lau
Dynamite Entertainment
Release Date: April 17, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

The Bionic Man vs The Bionic Woman #4 is the big action issue that leads up to the big finale next issue. It’s full of action, and crisp, sharp dialogue and great art, to boot!

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times. LET KEITH CHAMPAGNE WRITE THE BIONIC MAN MONTHLY SERIES!!!! He excells in everything that that book needs on a monthly basis. Humor, great, believable dialogue, the ability to put heroes in “real world” situations without going too over the top. Dynamite NEEDS him on that book!But, back to this issue. Steve is missing 3 of his limbs and he’s up against the main big bad from the series. Who can rescue him? I’m not telling! But, Champagne combines all the charm, action and plot line in this book that it’s a great modern day version of both franchises.

The Mighty Skullkickers #1
Story by Jim Zub
Pencils by Edwin Huang
Inks by Edwin Huang and Kevin Raganit
Colors by Misty Coats and Mike Luckas
Color Flatting by Ludwig Olimba
Letters by Marshall Dillon
Covers by Edwin Huang and Jim Zub, Chris Stevens
Image Comics
Release Date: April 24, 2013
Cover Price: $3.50

The current Skullkickers story arc has been in many ways a commentary on mainstream comics. Although it may seem like I’m making a proverbial mountain out of a blood-soaked-talking-ape-heavy molehill, the team behind Skullkickers have done something that exposes the clearly visible cracks in the veneer that is modern comic publishing.

When DC’s New 52 announcement came down the pipes, most of us thought the same thing, “this is lame, they are just trying to sell more comics.” Then we bought all of them, and a solid portion were terrible. It’s these marketing gimmicks that Jim Zub and the Skullkicker’s team are lampooning with their current story arc. However, when writing commentary into any story, sometimes a plot and solid characters are sacrificed in the name of sticking it to the man. Luckily, the appropriately titled The Mighty Skullkickers #1 delivers a one-two punch of gorgeous art and wit-drenched writing.

The Bionic Man vs. The Bionic Woman #2
Written by Keith Champagne
Art by Jose Luis
Colors by Inlight Studio
Letters by Marshall Dillon
Covers by Sean Chen & Jonathan Lau
Dynamite Entertainment
Release Date: February 13, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

The Bionic Man vs. The Bionic Woman #2 is more of the same if you read the first issue. And that is – AWESOME!!! When you picture team-ups in your head, THIS is the kind of book that you picture. A well-told story that makes sense and brings together two of your favorite comic books into one epic masterpiece!!!

I said it last month, and I’ll say it again – writer Keith Champagne should be writing the monthly series for BOTH Bionic Man and The Bionic Woman!!! Champagne does an incredible job at portraying everyone in the “Bionic” universe with dead-on accuracy. Not only that, but he makes the audience believe, in this super-powered day and age, that having bionic ears, eyes, legs, and arms IS a legitimate super power. He’s done the incredible and updated a television series successfully into a fantastic comic. That is truly rare.