After the recent violent and dramatic conclusion to The Hunters story arc, Robert Kirkman gives his readers a breather.  In other comic series, stopgap issues can be like watching paint dry.  However, it’s the characters and their tenuous relationships that makes The Walking Dead magnificent.

It’s nice to see Carl grow up realistically.  Rick’s son could have easily been left on the sidelines, but Kirkman has written him well.  Like his father, Carl makes tough choices so others can survive.  This issue’s ‘kick to the nuts’ moment is provided courteous of Eugene.  As he shares his back-story and motives, jaws drop and kicks fly.

Where do they go from here?  This is the dilemma the survivors face as their food supply runs low.  Not one zombie haunts the pages of this issue, but sometimes just trying to make it through the day is scary enough.  Page for page, this is still the most rewarding read on the racks.

4.5 out of 5

The Luna Brothers’ action-packed saga about a girl gifted with supernatural powers from a mystical sword pauses from the continuous battle to take a needed breather. From issue one, “The Sword” has been an almost non-stop battle royal between Dara, with sword, and four demigods, each controlling an earthen element.

I felt the series fell into a predictable rut over the last few issues. One by one, Dara squared off against these godly villains. This issue provides some deeper insights into the last of the demigods, Malia, and her connection with Dara’s father, the original wielder of the sword. Dara and her faithful friends debate what to do next. Tension arises and Dara is forced to make a tough decision.

The Lunas get back on track with this issue. The exposition provided adds the emotional fuel that was lacking in recent issues. The impending series conclusion should be a blast.

3.5 out of 5

If you’re not reading “The Walking Dead,” you are missing out on one of the greatest comics ever written.  Bold proclamation, sure.  Am I qualified to make that definitive statement?  Maybe not, but I do know that every person I encouraged to read this title has been has been hooked (Jimmy not included).  I know that of my extensive pull list, it’s “The Walking Dead” that earns the honor of being read in the parking lot of the comic book store.  Like a crack addict drooling for a fix, I anxiously dive into this book, knowing that Kirkman will not disappoint.

“Fear of the Hunters” is the current arc and it’s an excellent installment so far.  A group that has a terrifying plan for survival stalks Rick and his band of survivors.  This issue offers insight into the hunter’s mindset.  Sometimes getting answers in “The Walking Dead” is even more terrifying than guessing.  Kirkman sets up a great final chapter with this issue’s final pages, leaving me counting down the weeks to the next issue.

Robert Kirkman is simply writing the best story I have ever read in comics.  He nails this read on so many levels.  His cast of characters is realistic in their diversity and engaging as they struggle to survive.  They battle not only against zombies (which serve only as a backdrop at times), but they fight against despair, madness, infighting, and other survivors of the zombie plague.  Kirkman’s dialogue is masterful.  Coupled with his knack for perfectly timed action, it’s a brutal read for fans.  “The Walking Dead” rips out your heart and keeps you wanting more.  If I had to drop all titles and keep only one, “The Walking Dead” would win hands down.

5 out of 5

Invincible squares off for the final round with Conquest.  Mark’s beaten to a pulp, mourning the death of Atom Eve, and ready to die trying to rip his foe from limb to limb.  Bring this shit on!

With very few words in this issue, Robert Kirkman allows his unrivaled writing skills to take a backseat to Ryan Ottley’s stunning pencils.  Invincible and Conquest’s battle is a masterpiece.  It’s flesh biting (and spitting out), bone breaking, skin burning off the bone, head butting into hamburger meat fun, fun, fun!  From the exceptional panel choices to the flow of the battle, Ottley draws the shit out of this book!  Yes, it bloody, but the artwork that creates this epic match is pure gold.  The final shot of the loser’s face is something Clive Barker would hang on his fridge.

Kirkman throws in a nice little “what the hell” moment at the end of the book. Man, this series is firing on all cylinders right now.  Please, keep this up!

How do you write a phenomenal comic in less than 200 words?  Ask Mr. Robert Kirkman.

4.5 out of 5

The Walking Dead is the best comic book out today.  There, I said it.  Review over.

Life does not get any easier for The Walking Dead in issue #63, part 2 of 5 of “Fear the Hunters”.  Dale is missing, Andrea is hysterical and the rest deal with the hard decision of how long to pursue a dangerous search and rescue mission that none are very confident about.

Robert Kirkman is the master of the double-twist.  If he were after me, I’d be captured in a minute because I fall into every trap his stories set.  This issue fills in some of the backstory of the newest member of the surivors, Gabriel, the preacher who wandered along moving among the dead with only a Bible in hand.  Totally immersed and satisfied that I had received my money’s worth and pleased at how the story had progressed, pages 20 and 21 jump back to the other part of the story.  Kirkman’s monologue slowly lured me along through the final scenes and then I turned the page and got slapped in the face by the last full-page panel.  As I say all too often with The Walking Dead, “I didn’t see that coming.”

Charlie Adlard is the best in the business at drawing facial expressions.  From Andrea’s anger and then tearful breakdown, to Abraham’s steely resolve, Gabriel’s humility and Eugene’s smugness, you can feel every emotion as the character’s are being put through the ringer.  His use of shadowing is amazing.  Take notice at how many of the panels are on nothing but a black background.  There are no distractions with his art; you are made to focus on exactly what he wants you to see.

4.5 out of 5

As a bonus, the entire first issue of Chew by John Layman and Rob Guillory is on the “flip side” of this issue.  I’m always a little skeptical when a new book is re-printed as a tag-along on the publisher’s top title.  But, I am getting a full comic, essentially for free, so things aren’t all bad.  Tony Chu is a cop who gets psychic visions from everything he eats.  It helps solve crimes, but doesn’t make dinnertime very enjoyable.  Chicken is illegal and the FDA appears to be the most powerful of government agencies.  If anything, you have to say the story is creative.  The art is reminiscent of Gabriel Ba’s work on the Umbrella Academy.  Some characters look normal while others are disproportionate or exaggerated (body too wide, legs too short, etc), but in a consistent way that works.  Image’s ploy worked.  I’m not totally onboard yet, but I’m in for a second issue.

Armed with a sword that gives her powers of strength and regeneration, the once paralytic Dara continues her fight against the three sibling demigods that forged the only weapon that can destroy them wages on. Knossos, the demigod able to control earth, has encased himself in a massive rock golem and is giving Dara her greatest challenge to date.  With the arrival of his sister Malia, who control air, the scales just tipped against Dara.  However, Malia’s actions are equally shocking to her brother and Dara.

The Luna Brothers have been writing one heck of a rollercoaster ride.  The Sword has been a no-hold barred, knock down, rip of arms, break legs, punch of jaws, clash for the ages.  The action was unique and the story fascinating in its simplicity.  I have been a big fan of The Sword, but with this issue I began to lose interest for the firs time in this series.  How long can this fight go one?  I certainly don’t want this series to end, but I think we need something new here or it’s going to fall flat.  The reveal on the last page may be giving us that new, distinct story the series need.

The Sword remains a favorite of mine.  This may just be fatigue on my part as a reader.  I’m not sure why this issue didn’t thrill me as the others have.  The Luna Brothers are talented and I am sure they have more surprises in store.

3 of out 5

Without much hype, Image released the first issue of this new series.  Sly, an amoral scientist has discovered how to transfer a person’s consciousness into another body.  The opening scene is pretty awesome; Sly is getting stabbed to death and activates Existence.  His soul is then transferred into Marko’s, the assassin who just killed him, body.  His quest begins to discover who wanted him dead.

Author Nick Spencer does a superb job in establishing both the technology and his man character.  Without boring us down with unnecessary technological descriptions, the plot moves fast and hard.  It’s a rough book, violent and slight on ethical concerns.

Ronald Salas’s artwork is a good fit for this book.  His pulp noir style lends to the shady tone and darkness.  Smaller figures can appear stick-like and cheap in some of the panels.

This is an excellent example of what first issue can and should be.  Sly is a fun anti-hero who is not much better than the men trying to kill him.  I’m totally onboard for this rollercoaster.

4 out of 5

Invincible doesn’t quite live up to his name as Conquest kicks the living shit out of him.  You know the saying “He got his ass handed to him”?  Take that common phase to the thirteenth degree and you might come close to describing this issue of Invincible.

In this issue Invincible gets his face pulped, his bones snapped, and his heart broken.  Robert Kirkman has been writing a unique superhero book with his no one is safe principle.  WARNING: Spoilers are in the next sentence.  Atom Eve dies while coming to Mark’s assistance against the unstoppable Conquest. Kirkman isn’t afraid to have heroes die fighting bad guys.  It’s as simple as that.  No big story laden with intricately women plots.  There are no sappy and prolonged goodbyes.  Big fights can cause death and they do.  This is just an awesome, tough to read at times, fight.  Just look at the cover!!!

Ryan Ottley draws one of the best comic book brawls of all time in this issue.  The panels are brilliant and the characters are powerful.  I loved the splattering effects reaching past the panels’ boarders creating a sense of carnage and mayhem.  The close ups of Mark’s wounds are savage and painstakingly detailed.

This issue shows that a good fight is all a comic needs sometimes.  Yet, Kirkman throws a shocker in the midst of it as well.  The champ of the battle is Ryan Ottley’s art.  I can’t wait for more. Somebody get Invincible a Band-Aid!

4 out of 5

Garth Ennis delivers a straight up, ruthless tale of warring brothers. Bob Saetta has evidence that can put his mobster brother, Paul, away for life.  Needing to protect his family and friends, Bob returns to Brooklyn to confront his wayward brother.

Bones are broken, heads are cracked, and a few other gruesome surprises are par for the course.  This is a fun read. This issue offers a sick moment that I really didn’t see coming.  If you’ve ever had it with a nagging, opinionated loved one, you’ll get a chuckle.

This book does have its flaws.  There are a few moments of action that push the realism the story is based in to the limit.  I have a love –hate relationship with the art.  I like the realistic photo quality in which the characters drawn. However, the same effect can fail miserably at times, making people look like mannequins.

Back to Brooklyn is entertaining.  If you miss The Sopranos, fagettabout it; Back to Brooklyn will satisfy your Italian mob sweet tooth.

3 out of 5

This one is a jaw dropper! For those of you have read this issue, you’re nodding your head right now and saying, “Hell yes it was.” I stared at the last four pages in shock for a few minutes. Then I looked at them again, making sure that I actually saw those things.

The Sword is a supernatural weapon, granting its wielder both incredible power and healing. With the sword in her hands, Dara wants revenge on her family’s killers. This title continues to play out like a great action movie. It’s pure in its simplicity. The Sword just kicks ass.

With two trade paperbacks in print already, there is no excuse to not be reading this. Unless, you’re a little bitch. Don’t be a bitch, read The Sword.

4 out of 5