Zero Killer TPB- Arvid Nelson is one of those talents in the industry that deserves a crapload more attention then he seems to be getting. His Rex Mundi is a brilliant series and he pulls it off again with Zero Killer. Set in a post apocalyptic alternate history where nuclear war hit in 1973, Zero is a bounty hunter surviving in the remnants of a flooded New York City. Nelson’s pacing is unique in that the main story never really takes the time to expand on the world history, but if you take the time to check out the great back up features in the form of fake newspapers made for the remainder of the US military that brutally controls the wasteland of America you can piece everything together. Matt Camp’s art is the perfect match for the scripting, his clean lines and fine detail work fleshing out the dirtiness and abandon of the atmosphere. Top that off with a solid price point ($16.99 for six issues and the FCBD sampler!) and you get a dense and intriguing piece of work. A+

Thor The Warriors Three HC- I’ve been waiting to finish out the story in this collection because it is a pain in the ass to find all the issues from Marvel Fanfare. They don’t price high, but usually people didn’t take care of them or retailers just toss them into quarter bins. People who actually knew what they had held onto them, meaning you don’t see them come in collections to stores too often. Beautiful artwork by Charles Vess is the highlight here, capturing the mythical and fairytale like quality of the Warriors Three in a fun story written by Alan Zelenetz. The Marvel Spotlight #30 by Len Wein and John Buscema is a great addition that rounds this volume up to a kind of pricey sale point $19.99 but really, it’s not at all bad considering the level of quality here and how hard it is to find these original issues. Fans of high fantasy and mythology should check this out, and if you’re a Thor fan and have always wanted a good showcase for these supporting characters then this is a cornerstone for your collection. A+

Locke & Key: Crown of Shadows HC- If you are not reading this series then you are missing out on one of the best comics being published today. I’ve already reviewed the first two volumes and not much else can be said without repeating myself. Fantastic art, great story, and a unique blend of horror and fantasy make this something fans of any genre can jump into. If you do not like this series then that means something is deeply wrong with you. A+