Writer – J. Micheal Straczynski       Cover art – John Cassaday & Alex Sinclair

Some fantastic storytelling, awesome psychedelic artwork – so cool!!

It’s been a while since I’ve posted here. I’ll try to be more regular. But here’s what’s going on with me in the comicbookworld.

I’m rediscovering, the legend of the Ghost Who Walks! And what a magnificent legend it is. He is the nemesis of pirates, evildoers and slavers across the world – the Ghost Who Walks, the Man Who Cannot Die, the Guardian of the Eastern Dark – Kit Walker a.k.a the Phantom.

He draws the pistol quicker than any gun in the west and he shoots to disarm. He was one of the first masked heroes in the world – before the Shadow or the Green Hornet or the Lone Ranger.

It’s been over 400 years that the Phantom has been around. The first Phantom washed up on the shore of Bengalla and was nursed back to health by the Bandar Pygmies who were slaves to Giants. His name was Christopher Walker.

For those who came in late:

On the skull of his father’s murderer, he swore an oath by firelight as the pygmies watched. “I swear to devote my life to the destruction of piracy, greed, cruelty and injustice, and my sons and their sons will follow me.”

And so the line continues, to the current day, 21st Phantom. His name is Kit Walker, who was raised in America and married Diana Palmer – started as a nurse and now a diplomat for the United Nations, a diver and well-trained (Black belt in Karate) athlete. They married in the year 1977, the year I was born. Cool, ain’t it?

The Phantom (created by the legendary Lee Falk) started as a daily strip, making his debut on February 17th 1936. He remains one of the few who is still published as a daily in 2010.

For those who believe:

Liberty Meadows is an animal shelter. Frank Cho owns it and woah! It’s one of the finest comic book / strips I’ve read. Agreed, Frank Cho is one of the masters of his time. Also agreed, that Brandy is by far the most beautiful comic character I’ve come across. Agreed, Dean is a male chauvanist and a pig. Also agreed, Liberty Meadows is one of the finest reads in comic books. I don’t own a copy yet.

When I will, I’ll head to a comic con and I’ll get it signed. Yes I will. And I’m hoping it will be Brandy who does the signing.

And maybe Mr. Cho will be there too and he’ll also sign it.

(This post is just an excuse to put up some of the exquisite art of Mr. Frank Cho!! )

Liberty Meadows is published by Image Comics and comes in four books: 

Liberty Meadows Book 1: Eden 

Liberty Meadows Book 2: Creature Comforts

Liberty Meadows Book 3: Summer of Love

Liberty Meadows Book 4: Cold, Cold Heart

Thank you Mr. Cho!

- a big fan

Released on MAX comics, the Punisher storyline is one of the finest and most violent stories I’ve ever read. Garth Ennis bring to life a violent world filled with criminals who are running – running hard – from the vigilante.

On a sunny afternoon, Frank Castle took his family to Central Park on a picnic. The picnic turned to a bloodbath when in a bid to kill a Mafia Don, his wife and children were killed in a crossfire.  From there onwards Frank has walked the path of vengeance. And what a vengeance it is!

He surrenders himself to the Police, gets into jail. This is the beginning of this comic book – the Cell! One of the best stories I’ve ever read – the one that got me hooked, lined and sinker’d to the Punisher.

Not a threat, not an ultimatum – the Punisher just states facts!

And then goes on to act….hard, very hard!

The world of the Punisher is filled with crime, hate, bloodlust, violence and justice. And the price one has to pay for its deliverance.  It’s easy to get in, and very very difficult to let go!

The Cell: Garth Ennis-Writer, Lewis LaRosa-Pencils, Tim Bradstreet-Cover, Scott Koblish-Inks & Finishes, Raul Trevino-Colorist – on MAX Comics!

Read it to believe it. Own it to Kick mafia ass!

This is the magic of Kurt Busiek’s Astro City. A comic book unlike any other I’ve read so far. And I’ve certainly read lots. From the mainstream to the underground to the mediocre. But Astro City is way up there, in the highest reaches of the comicbookfandom.

This is one of the truly rare and few comic books than brings alive the whole spandex superhero genre to a new level.

To read a comic book about a solid superhero team effort and explorations and adventure – read the JLA.

To read about a group of beings whose attitude kicks ass and they kick harder than ever before – read the Authority.

To read simply the best stories – the characters that bring nobility and stories that make you want to read more comics and believe in the goodness that shines through pretty much everything – read Kurt Busiek’s Astro City.

the best place to hangout at the comicbookfandom

It got me hook, line, sinker and right down to the depths of blue and warm fuzzy sunshine – a joy of being in this world where men tell tales which are worth listening to and reading over and over again.

Astro City is an Eisner Award Winner (a fitting award too!) – and that makes it a definite winner in my list of comicbooks and collectibles! Written by Kurt Busiek, the series is co-created and illustrated by Brent Anderson with character designs and painted covers by Alex Ross.

Kurt Busiek, sir, you rock!!

Click here to visit his homepage.

The question: what’s sexy?

The answer: the fantastic art of Luis Royo.

This incredibly talented artist turned to comic book art after seeing the art of Moebius and Enki Bilkal. His art is of dark, sensual women – drawn and painted with the clarity and vision of a true master.

But don’t take my word for it…have a lookie -

Luis Royo is a Spanish artist par excellence and has published his art in magazines such as Heavy Metal and many books. Subversive Beauty - is just one of his subliminal books published by NormaEditorial.

Luis Royo has dedicated his art to comics and is an inspiration to many comicbookfans like myself, all over the world! Click here to visit his official home page!

Some times you come across stories that make you wish for a different life. This is definitely one of them! Bringing you a wild tale of a woman Lady Sin, who takes on a ship full of rough sailors and has them follow her into a war of vengeance against a legendary and notorious pirate – Captain Blackjack Tom, in a story that defies the odds and turns out to be one helluva comicbook to read.

This is story of El Cazador - the hunter.

It is a story of vengeance and of high sea adventure.

The Beginning

The death of Captain Hidalgo

The Lady who becomes Captain

The Hunter

Extraordinary Art

Featuring the extraordinary artwork by pencils of Stephen “Silent Steve” Epting, the colours of Francis “Stutterin’ Frank” D’Armata, the fine lettering of David “Deadhand Davy” Lanphear and a bold tale of a woman’s destiny and retribution, written by Charles “Chuck” Dixon (a.k.a. Cap’n Nubbie).

Brought to life in comicbook format by CrossGen Comics.

Kurt’s stories are awesome. They leave me with a sense of nobility… a goodness. The Big S. He’s the best there is… no two ways about it!!

And up.

And oops…

And whoa…

And what happens when you see Superman, returned from the Infinite Crisis having lost his powers and not seen over Metropolis for almost a year, standing by the window in your office?

I bought this TPB! I definitely recommend a buy on this one for anyone who’s into comic books. Imagine Lex Luthor getting his hands on a Kryptonian battleship capable of taking on an entire planet teeming with an advanced civilisation. And the only thing that ship wasn’t designed to taken on – Superman!!

Up Up and Away on Action Comics and Superman – written by Kurt Busiek and Geoff Johns for DC Comics. Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.