Dungeons & Dragons: Forgotten Realms, Vol. 1
Written by Ed Greenwood
Art by Lee Ferguson
Inks by Sal Buscema and Marc Deering
Colors by Len O’Grady and Dee Cunniffe
Lettering by Shawn Lee, Tom B. Long, and Neil Uyetake
Cover by Tyler Walpole
IDW Publishing
Release Date: January 15, 2013
Cover Price: $24.99

As a long time player of RPGs, I’ve borne witness to a lot of books and comics based on these games. Many are great additions to their franchise, while others are laughable and contribute nothing to the genre. IDW Publishing’s Dungeons & Dragons: Forgotten Realms is one of those that falls in between. With decent art and a mediocre story, it is entertaining but nothing remarkable when compared to others of its ilk.

The story starts off in Waterdeep, one of the dirtiest and most corrupt of all cities in the Realms. Two local thieves become involved in what appears to be a simple kidnapping but turns out to be more of a political scandal, though little is truly explained to justify the actions undertaken by the enemies of House Roaringhorn. Much magic and deceit follow closely on the heels of our two ruffians as they are forced into one calamity after another…even a rescue attempt. All in all, it’s a fun read, but definitely not memorable.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles:
Secret History of the Foot Clan #1
Story by Mateus Santolouco
Script by Mateus Santolouco & Erik Burnham
Art by Mateus Santolouco
Colors by Joao “Azitona” Vieira
Letters by Shawn Lee
Edits by Bobby Curnow
IDW Publishing
Release Date: January 9, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

In Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Secret Origin of the Foot Clan #1, you get about 3 issues worth of story. I mean it. It’s REALLY packed with the history of how the foot clan came to be. After reading it, I can’t help but think, “Is there any more story that they can tell?” I guess we’ll find out.

With a story by Mateus Santolouco, and a script by Mateus Santolouco and Erik Burnham, this is a perfect blend of humor/history/mystery/suspense and action. Now, I don’t know who exactly scripted what, but I have a sneaking suspicion that Burnham was brought in to provide dialogue for the Turtles and contribute that unique brand of humor that he brings to Ghostbusters on a monthly basis. This issue is, simply put, a great story. You’re really gonna enjoy this book. I’ll even go so far as to say non-Turtle fans will get some enjoyment out of it.

Star Trek: The Next Generation: Hive #3
Story by Brannon Braga
Script by Terry Matalas & Travis Fickett
Art by Joe Corroney
Ink Assist by Matt Fillback & Shawn Fillback
Colors by Hi-Fi
Lettering by Shawn Lee
Edited by Scott Dunbier
Covers by Joe Corroney, David Messina & Ilaria Traversi
IDW Publishing
Release Date: December 19, 2012
Cover Price: $3.99

Star Trek: The Next Generation: Hive #3 is the penultimate chapter in this 4-issue mini series that spans the Star Trek: The Next Generation era and beyond. The Federations in trouble, the Borg are everywhere and it ends with a pretty big shocker.

Once I started reading this, I realized just how much writer Brannon Braga loved time travel. Too much. Too much to the point where it hurts the story. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not bad, it’s just not good. While reading this issue I felt no sense of urgency, danger, or, well…anything. It felt like I was reading an old episode of TNG. The comic DOES have some good, true to character dialogue, but it’s just not firing on all cylinders. And as I stated, it does end with a pretty big shock ending, so I have high hopes for the next issue.

KISS #6
Written by Chris Ryall
Pencils by Wagner Reis
Colors by Romulo Fajardo, Jr.
Letters by Shawn Lee
Covers by Tom Jerman, Jamal Igle & Romulo Fajardo, Jr, and Sam Shearon
IDW Publishing
Release Date: November 21, 2012
Cover Price: $3.99

KISS #6 is the conclusion of “Kiss Meets the Phantom” story arc. When we last left the guys they were…girls. But, they were fighting a bunch of robots at an amusement park run by an evil scientist. And you thought KISS was just four guys that made awesome music!

Chris Ryall started this story by turning everything we know about KISS on its ear. This issue, he continues to do so. KISS #6 is straight-out rock and roll action! I’m not kidding, this issue has more action in it than most comics have in six issues. Beyond that, it’s amazing how he can keep the characters of KISS grounded in the humans that they possess, while mixing in a slight dose of the personality of said humans. I’ve read lots of books by Ryall, but I have to say, he could write KISS for the rest of his life, and I’d read it every single month. Shocks and surprises come out of nowhere and he does a fantastic job wrapping up the arc, while at the same time moving the overall story further into unknown territory. And he throws in some really interesting stuff with the Destroyer and She. It’s a great ending to a very entertaining arc in this title, yet, in some ways, it’s just the beginning.

KISS #5
Written by Chris Ryall
Art by Wagner Reis
Colors by Romulo Fajardo, Jr.
Letters by Shawn Lee
Edited by Tom Waltz
Covers by Sam Shearon, Jamal Igle & Romulo Fajardo, Jr.
IDW Publishing
Release Date: October 24, 2012
Cover Price: $3.99

KISS #5 is a game changer. Seriously, folks. It takes the whole concept of KISS and turns it on its ear. Two words, kids: KISS GIRLS. That’s right, you wanted hot girls, you GOT hot girls! Not to mention The Phantom of the Park!

Writer Chris Ryall takes everyone’s “favorite” movie, KISS Meets The Phantom Of The Park, and puts a WHOLE new spin on it. The basics are still there, like the evil Abner Devereaux and, of course, the amusement park. I can’t tell you what a refreshing change of pace this is, and Ryall proves with this issue that the sky truly IS the limit when it comes to this comic. So far, it’s been very enjoyable, going from different eras in time watching the group take on the henchmen of the evil Destroyer, but this issue he makes everything fresh and totally different. Don’t get me wrong, we all love the group, but it’s nice to get a total 180 once in awhile. This book is something that you’re going to want to read at least a couple of times – it’s that good – and you’re going to make sure that you don’t miss anything. Maybe it’s my love of KISS or my love of KISS Meets The Phantom of the Park movie (c’mon, it was fun), but I honestly can’t remember enjoying a comic this much in a long time.