Comic Geek Update No. 8

I know I sound like a broken record (HEY---remember that term?), but Dark Horse Comics' CONAN: ROAD OF KINGS series is yet another example of how everyone's favorite Cimmerian can be done the right way. In this 3rd issue, Conan leaves princess Olivia at a shady tavern as he tries to locate an old friend. But the sexy dancer girl he left her with almost has her life taken by the slimebag she works for. When Conan returns to the tavern, Olivia is missing, and the basement holds an underground lake that's home to a huge sea dragon. The 4th issue is now set up quite well, and Doug Wheatley's cover art can be stared at for hours...

The 11th issue of Vertigo's iZOMBIE features vampire hunter Horatio as he learns the origin of the vampire girls and gets his partner back after making a truce with them; Ghost girl Ellie finally meets Scott's grandfather (who's now inside the body of a chimp) while Galatea informs mummy-man Amon about Xitalu, a Cthulhu-like God whose powers she's trying to harbor. We discover vampire girl Claire has little self-control with her human blood lust, and our title zombie girl Gwen contemplates her possible romantic future with Horatio (who still doesn't know she's undead) as she hangs in the cemetery with Ellie and the were-terrier. These first 11 issues sort-of conclude an introduction to all these characters, and we're promised the start of a new story arc with issue 12. Addictive, fun stuff so far.

After the last 2 issues' epic 'Aquawar' story, we're back to Martian Manhunter's battle on Mars with D'Kay that began a few issues ago. This 21st issue begins with the aftermath of the Aquawar, then dives into Manhunter's epic brawl (that ends with a few Big Bangs). We also learn (somewhat) what has been happening with Deadman since the White Lantern took possession of him. While BRIGHTEST DAY has drifted away from the zombie tale it began as back in the DARKEST NIGHT series, it's still a continually action-packed, interesting tale (and it's bi-weekly to boot).