Yet Another COMIC GEEK UPDATE...

 DARK HORSE kicks off yet another Conan series with CONAN THE BARBARIAN #1, the first in an adaptation of Robert E. Howard's classic story, 'Queen of the Black Coast.'  While Brian Wood does a fine job with the script, I'm still not sure if I like Becky Cloonan's cartoonish renderings of our favorite sword wielder.  While her artwork isn't as bad as Mike Hawthorne's hideous work on the ROAD OF KING series, I still find it a bit subpar for the quality we've come to expect from Dark Horse...which is why I'm thankful for...  ...the second issue of KING CONAN, where Tomas Giorello's gore-geous artwork enhances Timothy Truman's take on 'The Phoenix and the Sword.'  Thoth-Amon has never looked creepier and you can feel the mysticism dripping off each page.  THIS is how sword & sorcery--in comics form--is done right.
 Brian Keen's THE LAST ZOMBIE begins another chapter with NEVERLAND, where we find our small band of survivors traveling across Iowa and Dr. Ian beginning to show signs of infection.  Meanwhile, Doc Russo and Johnson stop in an abandoned building for a little shag session but are attacked by a horde of rats. Fun stuff, although it goes by so quickly it's easy to see why so many people wait for the trade editions.  Fred Perry's artwork leaves a lot to be desired, too.

The latest two issues of iZOMBIE (#'s 22 and 23) prove why it's one of the best comics on the market: Michael Allred's retro-looking artwork dazzles as Chris Roberson's script (consisting of ever-multiplying characters) continues to make this a completely engrossing series, now with a Lovecraftian/apocalyptic story line that, while it should feel played out, seems fresh.  In issue 22, Horatio finally admits his love for Gwen, while chaos erupts in all quarters as the ancient "Xitalu" gets closer to his earthly return in issue 23.  With all kinds of classic monsters given a fresh new take, iZOMBIE is must reading for horror fans as well as anyone who appreciates a top-notch comic book.