Ragnarok #5 (of 6)

   For those of us who were fans of writer / artist Walt Simonson's work the Marvel's The Mighty Thor, this series has been a blast from the past.

   Sorta.

   Set long after the fall of the Norse Gods in the final battle known as Ragnarok, the series shows the revival of the powerful creature known as the Stone God, who seems... familiar.

   The skeletal god wields a familiar-looking weapon - a powerful hammer.

    Despite their attempts at being coy, a time or two they've slipped up and revealed his real name  - Thor.

   The former Thunder God has embarked on a quest to discover what happened to Asgard and his friends and family.

   To that end, his quest leads him to Mirmir's Well, where Odin gained wisdom at the cost of an eye.

   Is the well still there, and if so, what price will SG have to pay to get answers?

   This has been a terrific series, with amazing, powerful, Earth-shattering art by Simonson, who seems to be having a lot of fun back in the old playground (or at least a version of it).

   It's a great series - I hate to see it end!

Grade: A

------------------------

Uncanny Avengers Ultron Forever #1

   Ultron Forever has been a strange series.

   Not so much for the contents, which have been a (more or less) straightforward time travel adventure, with different Avengers pulled from different time periods to fight the world-conqurering Ultron.

    The strange part about it is that the story has been told over three oversized issues, each one with the same creative team and the same time-lost group of heroes.

   But each of the three issues has been an issue #1, with one subtitled The Avengers, one the New Avengers, and the last issue the Uncanny Avengers.

   Maybe it's just me, but that makes no sense at all.

   Still, it's smart to create some kind of tie-in to the movie villain, and the story itself has been pretty good.

   The art by Alan Davis and Mark Farmer, is, of course, brilliant. Terrific character designs, powerful layouts - the usual. And for sheer population on the page, there's a double-page spread in this issue worthy of George Perez - or Jack Kirby.

   The story by Al Ewing is solid, explaining why certain Avengers were chosen for the fight, and twisting the battle into a completely different shape by the final issue.

   It's a lot of fun with loads of action - what's not to like?

Grade: A-

------------------------

Convergence: Justice Society of America #2 (of 2)

   Hey, Convergence ended this week. Apparently it left behind massive changes to the DC Universe - something about all the alternate realities still existing?

   So how does that fit in with the Multiversity of 52 alternate Earths? No idea.

   But I did pick up a few of the sidebar issues that were published, hoping for at least one last look at some beloved characters.

   One of my all-time favorites is the original super-team, the Justice Society of America - but man, they're a tough group to love.

   That's because DC has, with rare exceptions, treated the team like crap.

   They've aged them, de-aged them, trapped them in a hellish dimension, returned them to the Earth, killed a few members off - you get the idea.

   They enjoyed a strong run under James Robinson and Geoff Johns - but since then, they've been rebooted in the new Earth-2 title - and they aren't even called the JSA.

   So I had high hopes for this mini-series - but once again, the team is put through the mill. They start the story as old men, they're rejuvenated for one last adventure, defending the city - and they spend the whole fight talking about how great it is to not have sore joints.

   And there's not much hope extended that we'll see their like again - it's depressing.

   C'mon, DC - this is the first-ever team of heroes, the company's only "family" of heroes. Give 'em a break!

Grade: B-

----------------------

The Sandman Overture #5 (of 6)

   It's always a delight to see another issue of Neil Gaiman and J.H. Williams III's Sandman Overture - but I have to admit, I'm having trouble hanging on to the story.

   Maybe I'm just getting old, but the first issue arrived in October 2013. Issue two in March 2014. Issue three in August. Issue four in December.

   So we're averaging about five months between issues (which means we should see that final issue late this year).

   That's a bit much for a continued story - I'm definitely going to want to read all the issues together when it finally wraps up.

   Despite that obstacle, this series is an amazing work of art. From the glimpses into the hidden side of Dream's "family" to some unexpected twists and turns, as the universe faces destruction.

   And the art by Williams almost defies description - it's an Op Art explosion of ideas, images and emotions - simply amazing!

   Of course, that's one reason why the series is dragging its feet - art cannot be rushed, and certainly work of this quality is well worth waiting for.

   I can be patient for one more issue. For any reader who values quality, go forth and do likewise.

Grade: A

-----------------------



 

New Comics Day

    Here's what I picked up at the comics shop today: 

 

- Convergence: JSA #2 - Final fight for the original heroes?

 

- Convergence: Shazam #2 - Taking on the Dark Knight.

 

- Elfquest #9 - Fighting in the deep dark places underground.

 

- Hawkeye #3 - A rescue mission.

 

- Ragnarok #5 (of 6) - A visit to Mirmir's Well.

 

- SHIELD # 6 - Can science match magic?

 

- Sandman Overture #5 (of 6) - Trippy!

 

- Uncanny Avengers: Ultron Forever #1 - The final showdown.

 

   And that's it!

Classic Comics - Mage: The Hero Defined #1

   A few years back I reviewed the first issue of Mage, which writer / artist Matt Wagner created at Comico in 1984.

   The series ended up being a limited series - it ran 15 issues and then ended in 1986, promising to return soon.

   "Soon" ended up being a bit of a wait, but the series finally returned in 1997 under the Image umbrella, with the title "The Hero Defined."

   The focus again was on Kevin Matchstick, who travels the country (wielding a glowing baseball bat) with his supernatural friend, Joe Phat, tracking down monsters and other evil creatures.

   As good as the original series was, the improvement in this series was remarkable. Wagner's art was more dynamic, the characters clearly outlined, the dialogue was sharp and funny, and the story loaded with surprises and shocks.

   As the series continued, the cast grew with characters drawn from a variety of mythological sources.

   Mage managed a great balance between action, drama and tragedy. A terrific series by one of the industry's top creators - and well worth tracking down.

   But we are way overdue for that third and final series.

Grade: A

--------------------------

Donald Duck #1

   It's great to see the Duck family (Uncle Scrooge and, of course, Donald Duck) back in print.

   I also like that the series is "double numbering" - the cover displays both #1 and #368 (if only more comics did this) - so the publisher, IDW, gets the "first issue" bragging rights, and longtime fans get the continuation of the original series.

   There are three stories included here, including: one that puts Donald in the role of a journalist who isn't really a journalist; one that has Donald ineptly trying to shoot a funny video (but who's the real patsy?); and Donald trying to tackle some DIY projects.

   The stories are fun, and the only mark against them is that the issue doesn't include any stories by Carl Barks or Don Rosa.

   But that's a minor quibble - the stories are high energy, with terrific art. Lots of fun for readers of all ages!

Grade: B+

-----------------------

Sculptor (Graphic Novel)

   When Scott McCloud speaks - or releases a new graphic novel - attention must be paid.

   And Sculptor is well worth your time and attention.

   It's the unique story of David Smith, an artist who is going through a rough patch. He came close to great success, but fell short, and he wonders if his career is over.

   That's when David receives an unusual offer from Death itself - incredible sculpting powers, but in 200 days, his life ends.

   What follows is an incredible roller-coaster of life and career, as David finds his muse renewed - but will it result in fame and fortune?

   His personal life also takes some unexpected twists and turns. It's a riveting story that unfolds over more than 500 pages of stunning, compelling art.

   McCloud has written several excellent books about the comics art form, and here he demonstrates his mastery of it, manipulating time, focus, emotion and environment to maximum effect.

   His art isn't realistic, but it builds its own reality, and captures life in New York in amazing detail, from grungy apartments to alleys and rooftops and modern museums.

   This is a story that offers so much to the reader - surprises, heartbreak, ingenuity, passion.

   It's a mature tale, so I can't recommend it for young readers, but for everyone else, this graphic novel gets my highest recommendation.

Grade: A+

---------------------------



 

Powers #3

   The beauty of the Powers series is that you can count on it for a story filled with shock and awe.

   The language and subject matter are as raw and real as can be (at least for a series about cops who deal with the murders and mayhem caused by super-powered citizens).

   And the story constantly keeps you off guard.

   For example... in this issue we have Detective Deena Pilgrim and her partner trying to solve a mass murder mystery that involves a "Power."

   Her former partner (and former Power) Christian Walker appears to be hiding out - but he was ambushed and badly beaten last issue.

   So if he's incapacitated, who are the figures showing up wearing his old costume?

   It's another fast, compelling story - the specialty of writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Michael Avon Oeming, who turn in outstanding work here (like always).

   This isn't a series for everyone - young readers and the easily offended should stay away. But if you're looking for hard-hitting action, this is about as rough as it gets.

Grade; A-

-------------------------

Star Wars #5

   I continue to be amazed at how good the new Star Wars comic is - it's one of the best Star Wars comics to date, and that's saying something.

   Some of the credit has to go to the amazing art of John Cassaday, one of the best artists working in comics today. His characters are expressive and spot on, his action sequences are incredible, and his environments are, well, real.

   But also give lots of credit to writer Jason Aaron, who seems to be writing with no fear. He throws characters together well before we might have expected them to meet, he takes us to places we might not expect to see again, and he gives the characters the right voice.

   Oh, and did I mention the wonderful cliffhanger endings, which are perfect for this kind of adventure?

   My only complaint is that some sequences are a bit too brutal - the scenes of torture (as a certain villain does his best to track down the pilot who destroyed the Death Star) are too intense.

   But if you can get past that, you have a comic that manages to capture that sense of high adventure that's so much a part of the Star Wars experience.

Grade: A-

---------------------------

Uncanny X-Men #34

   The Uncanny X-Men seem to be playing catch-up.

   While the rest of the Marvel Universe is submerged in the Secret Wars event, the X-types are still in their original universe, strabbaging along,  dealing with some unresolved issues.

   Here we have the Dazzler (sporting an odd new look) seeking her revenge on Mystique, who kidnapped and impersonated Dazzler.

    And... that's about the size of it for this issue. It's loaded with the usual sharp and funny dialogue by Brian Michael Bendis, and clean, stylized art by Kris Anka - all building toward the upcoming issue #600.

   Maybe then the team will be allowed to join the Secret War.

Grade: B+

---------------

A-Force #1

   I feel sorry for the heroes in the rest of Battleworld (the planet-wide division of realities into separate "countries").

   That's because, judging by this issue of A-Force, all the super-heroines are located on the land known as Arcadia.

   But it's not like Amazon Island - apparently there are some men here, too - but none with super-powers (that we've seen so far).

   Arcadia is presented as a near-utopia - but that's quickly disrupted when a giant prehistoric shark attacks, and the dramatic repercussions give us a look inside the new social order facing these warrior women.

   I have to admit, I'm not planning to buy most of the spin-off Secret Wars books - but this one was impossible to resist.

   The art by Jorge Molina and Craig Yeung is excellent - each character is unique, the environments are lush, the layouts are powerful - vey clean and dynamic.

   The story by Marguerite Bennett and G. Willow Wilson is quite good, with each character defined, given a unique voice and the story clearly spelled out (not an easy thing to accomplish with the Battleworld concept). And it's nice to see a comic about women written by women.

   So a strong start here, with new and familiar heroes working together - I'll stick with this one.

Grade: A-

-------------------------



   

New Comics Book Day

Here's what your pal Chuck picked up at the comics shop today:

- A-Force #1 - An all-female Avengers!

- Convergence Hawkman #2 - Final fight!

- Daredevil #15.1 - Flashback!

- Donald Duck #1 - Four adventures with Donald!

- Groo: Friends and Foes #5 - Brother vs. sister? 

- Guardians of the Galaxy #27 - The Chitauri attack!

- Powers #3 - What happened to Christian Walker?

- Star Wars #5 - Going home.

- WinterWorld: Frozen Fleet #1 - Crossing the frozen seas.  

- Uncanny X-Men #34 - Paying old debts.

   And that's it! 

The Classics - Kamandi #29

   Surely one of the strangest comics created by the legendary Jack Kirby, Kamandi was solidly set apart from DC's continuity.

   His adventures took place sometime in the future, after the Great Disaster, which left humans in a mute, animalistic state - and mutated animals into intelligent, humanoid-shaped creatures (well, mostly).

   As the series rolled along (this issue is from 1975), Kamandi crossed the country with his small group of friends. In this issue, he's traveling with the mutant Ben Boxer (an intelligent adult male who has the handy ability to transform into living steel).

   They encounter a race of gorillas that worship the legend of the "Mighty One" - and a handy stone carving recites the story (in comic strip form) of how that hero saved the Earth from destruction during the disaster by using his amazing powers to move mountains. After the work was done, he left, promising to return one day. (The cover, of course, gives away that hero's identity.)

   So intense is the legend for these gorillas, they each aspire to earn the rank of the "Mighty One" - so they take part in a number of life-threatening stunts designed to prove their worth. The first one is being shot from a catapult (yelling "Up, up and away!").

   Boxer upsets this fanboy race because he seems to have the qualifications, as a real "Man of Steel" - but it's Kamandi who figures out the secret at the heart of the contest, and he must fight to preserve the legend.

   It's a fun, over-the-top issue with amazing visuals and a compelling (if somewhat silly) story.

   It's also one of the very few Kamandi stories that actually connects to the DC Universe (the only other example I can think of is an appearance in Brave and the Bold - but that wasn't drawn by Kirby).

   Kamandi was an odd book, but Kirby wasn't capable of creating a comic that was anything less than purely entertaining - which is why I love these stories. They're just a heck of a lot of fun.

Grade: A-

---------------------------

Scarlett Couture #1

   Here's a spy story that takes a different approach to the time-honored genre - in more ways than one.

   It's actually a mix of high fashion and high security, some mysteries (big and small), all wrapped in original visuals.

   Created, written and drawn by Des Taylor, the focus is on Scarlett Couture, the sister of a fashion mogul who handles security for the family business.

   The story kicks off with a brutal scene, as two models have been kidnapped, and one is being tortured to reveal any secrets she might have uncovered.

   Scarlett races to the rescue, and it's a refreshingly real encounter, as she tries to outmaneuver the bad guys, save the models and stay alive.

   There are many plots afoot, and quite a few deaths tallied as the story rockets along.

    This is not a comic for young readers - there's some brutal violence and adult language on display here.

    The art style is interesting - it's not so much the usual "good girl" art as it is a unique, animation-like style. It's clean, expressive and very interesting.

   I'm anxious to see the rest of the story (this is the first of four chapters) to get a better feel for the storytelling style.

   But it's certainly off to a strong start.

Grade: A-

-------------------------

 
 

Civil War Adventure

   Those of us who've been reading comics since the '60s remember when you could buy comic books that covered a wide variety of topics (as opposed to the super-hero intensive publications of today).

   There were titles for science fiction, westerns, romance, horror, humor... and war.

   War must have been a favorite topic for many artists (who perhaps didn't care for drawing superheroes) - what tremendous talents tackled those books, including Joe Kubert, Jack Kirby, Russ Heath, Dick Ayers, John Severin, Gene Colan, Don Heck - the list goes on and on.

   But despite their high quality and top creative talents, war books have mostly disappeared from the modern comics scene.

   Which is why it's wonderful to see a new war title being published with the kind of quality that would fit right in with those classic tales.

   I'm talking about Civil War Adventure, a compilation of historical events, vignettes and dramatic moments from the War Between the States.

   Written by Chuck Dixon, the volume is loaded with information, personal stories, historic insights - it should delight history fans as it brings the classic story of war into focus.

   Most of the art is by Gary Kwapisz, whose work is tremendous - he seems to be channeling John Severin here, with maybe a touch of Will Eisner. It's impressive, compelling work.

   Other artists and writers included are Esteve Polls, Enrique Villagran, and Silvestre and Erik Burnham.

   Some may consider it wrong to label this a "war comic" - it's very much a historic narrative about a brutal, raw period in the history of America.

   What can I tell you? My first reaction was, "That's one terrific war comic."

   More, please!

Grade: A

---------------------



 

Saga #28

   I have to admit that Saga is one of the most difficult comics to review.

   That's because it's always... so... good!

   You'd think writer Brian K. Vaughn or artist Fiona Staples would stumble occasionally, turn out a below-average issue - but if that's happened, I haven't seen it.

   Instead, each issue is loaded with great characters, unexpected plot twists, terrific art and loads of surprises. And despite the fact that the issue is populated with an assortment of alien races, the characters all "feel" real.

   The only bad thing I can say about the series is that it would be tough to pick up this issue without reading the previous issues or collections.

   Also, readers should note that this series often contains adult themes, nudity, profanity - that sort of thing.

   But if you're looking for one of the best comics being published now, here it is.

Grade: A

-------------------------

Astro City #23

   In the late '80s I interviewed iconic DC Editor Julius Schwartz, and he confirmed that DC did research on sales in the late '50s / early '60s  that confirmed that their comics sold more copies when they put a gorilla on the cover.

   Astro City has finally tackled the time-honored "talking gorilla" trope with a terrific story (or the first part of one) called "Sticks."

   It's about an intelligent gorilla who has a dream that brought him to the big city - he wants to play drums in a band. (I admit, I immediately thought of the animatronic band, The Rockafire Explosion - but that gorilla plays the keyboard. Is it just me?)

   Of course, this being Astro City, other events interfere,  and we wonder if fate has other plans for Sticks.

   The issue is a heck of a lot of fun, as we learn about a previously-unknown corner of the world, learn the origin for Sticks and his race, and throw in some terrific action sequences, too.

   As always, writer Kurt Busiek and artist Brent Eric Anderson turn in fantastic, top-notch work. Surely every comics fan in existence would love this comic.

   And you have to love the Alex Ross cover - certainly Julie never thought of having a gorilla shooting a selfie!

Grade: A

----------------------------

Thor #8

   As we reach the (temporary) end of Thor (briefly suspended for Secret Wars), we thankfully also learn the secret identity of the woman behind the mask.

   But first, we have to wrap up the attack by the Destroyer, who's out to reclaim the hammer from the new Thor (acting on the orders of Odin, who has apparently become a villain).

   Taking part in the fight is the original Thor and every female character in the Marvel Universe (with a few female Asgardians thrown in there, too).

   It's a fun action sequence, though the outcome is no big surprise.

   The secret identity isn't a huge surprise, either, though the story took pains to lead the reader in the wrong direction.

   I won't give away the secret, of course. (That's what the rest of the Internet is for.) But I will say that I'm fine with the woman behind the mask.

   It brings the series to a close on an interesting note, and makes me feel inclined to stay with it for a while longer (which is more than I can say for the new Iron Man or Captain America).

   We'll see where this all goes after the Secret War.

Grade: A-

--------------------------

Secret Wars #2

   The first issue of Secret Wars featured no less than the destruction of the final two universes - the Marvel Universe and the Ultimate Universe.

   So where do you go from there? To the beginning of a new world, a new universe - Battleworld.

   Here we start learning the new "way things are," as an army of Thors serve as the peacekeepers across the expanse of this crazy-quilt world that seems to be pieced together from bits of different realities - some uplifting, some terrifying.

   They're commanded by... well, that would be telling.

   This is just the primer, setting the stage for the gobs of spin-off books that take us to those different lands.

   I'll keep following the main title here - the art is excellent and the writing is sharp, and things are happening - but I'm not sure how many of the "spinoff" titles I'll be following. I'll probably pick up a few of them - but certainly not all.

   The danger is that the whole thing will be wiped away at the end, as we return to Earth-616 (the Marvel Universe), and none of this will have made any difference at all.

   The thing that makes me doubt that, of course, is the fact that this is the brainchild of writer Jonathan Hickman - and he hasn't failed us yet.

Grade: A-

----------------------


 

New Comics Today

   Hey, I finally made it to the comics shop! Here's what I picked up today:

- Astro City #23 - You'll never go wrong putting a gorilla on the cover.

- Disney's Uncle Scrooge #2 - Pirates, sea monsters and secret treasures - what a deal!

- Howard the Duck #3 - Everybody run - Aunt May's got a gun!

- Saga #28 - Lots of confrontation - and betrayal.

- Secret Wars #2 - Learning the way of things in Battleworld!

- Thor #8 - Her secret identity revealed!

   And that's it!

Movie Review: Marvel's Avengers: Age of Ultron

   The sequel to a hit film always has a lot to live up to, and while I'd hesitate to say Marvel's Avengers: Age of Ultron is better than 2012's Avengers movie, it's a close call - and the new film is one of the few sequels that lives up to the original.

   The movie opens with a blast as the original Avengers attack a well-known menace (cleaning up some leftover business from the last Captain America movie).

   But during the battle, Tony Stark suffers a terrible vision that convinces him of the need to build a stronger defense for the world - and that effort leads (if inadvertently) to the creation of Ultron, a (possibly) unstoppable menace to all mankind.

   Writer / Director Joss Whedon weaves a terrific story, loaded with love interest, humor, plot twists and amazing action sequences (more than once I found myself grinning uncontrollably).

   Each character gets a chance to shine, and the relationships between the "band of brothers" (and a couple of sisters, including Maria Hill) is fun to watch.

   As a comic fan, it's a pure delight to see so many characters brought to life (yes, there are more than just the main team and Quicksilver and Wanda), and the expansion of some of the characters, including a budding romance and a surprising secret about Hawkeye.

   And one of my all-time favorite characters, Thor, gets some room to show his own capacity for humor and friendship.

   Marvel continues to show it has the magic touch for this kind of movie - the perfect balance of humor and adventure and great characters - and a terrific story to pull it all together.

   How much did I like this movie? How's this: I can't wait to see it again.

   Highly, Highly recommended!

Grade: A+

--------------------------


 

Convergence: Shazam #1

   The real blessing of the otherwise "ho-hum" Convergence series has been its revival of the classic versions of beloved characters.

   As a result of that and another event, in the span of a few months we're been rewarded with no less than two stories featuring the "real" Captain Marvel (even though thy use the tried and true SHAZAM! title on the cover).

   The first issue was part of Multiversity (and was my favorite comic last year) - and now we have this slice of the newest event at DC.

   This one brings back the "original" Captain Marvel - the one who was brought back into action in the 1970s at DC Comics.

  But, following the "no powers" story that has been inflicted on the opening stories of Convergence, we encounter a Marvel Family with no powers.

   That's a real problem when they're captured by the members of the Monster Society of Evil, who have been hanging around below the city.

   The story by Jeff Parker is sharp, making the most of the restrictions. And I love the art by Evan "Doc" Shaner (gotta love the name, too)! It's fresh, with a classic, Chris Sprouse-inspired style. Definitely someone to watch.

   So, I'm still not crazy about this event, but I can't stop smiling, enjoying the (gasp) fun and uplifting adventures of (the real) Captain Marvel.

Grade: A-

----------------------------
 

 

Multiversity #2

   I'm back in the saddle after a long hospital stay, so let's deal with a couple of gems I missed in the last week or so. Great to be back!

   It's astonishing that DC managed to get behind Multiversity, an amazing, brain-bending, creative and madly inspiring series by writer Grant Morrison - and then follow it with the (largely) shallow and impenetrable Convergence.

   This final issue really pulls out the stops, squeezing multiple Crisis-level events into a single issue, as the heroic elements of the Multiverse gather an army to stop the seemingly-inevitble destruction of... well, everything.

   The whole issue is a trivia lover's delight (though that's not necessary to enjoy it - you just kind of have to hang on for dear life).

   And penciller Ivan Reis rises to the challenge, turning in an inspired, Perez-worthy, packed-to-the-gills romp with characters and stories and fights and all kinds of over-the-top events.

   This series has been a delight from start to finish - I really hate to see it end!

   It's dense and loaded with Easter Eggs, so this series will bear re-reading many times. Highly recommended!

Grade: A

--------------------

   

At Long Last - The Answer!

   Wow, what a week (not in a good way)!

   In case you were wondering where I've been for the past week...

   Last Thursday I left work, thinking I was coming down with the Flu (running high temps and exhausted). Finally, at the insistence of my lovely wife, I went to the Emergency Room, where they told me I didn't have the Flu - I had Cellulitis, a pretty nasty leg infection, in my lower left leg.

   Doctors will tell you it's very common (nasty bacteria invades through a small cut), but I had never heard of it.  The upshot is my leg was badly swollen, red as a fire truck, and painful.

   They checked me in, and what followed was five days of IVs, antibiotics, kind nurses, constant sleep interruption and needle jabs. It was only my second stay in a hospital, and like always, it was no fun.

   But necessary. Thanks largely to an excellent doctor who took over two days ago, things finally turned around and I'm doing much better - I was released today and am back home at the computer, but still feeling a bit wiped out.

   And chomping at the bit to see Marvel's Avengers: Age of Ultron.

   So I'm going to take a couple of days to recover, and plan to return here on Monday, May 11, where we'll get back to business as usual.

   Thanks for your patience with me during this difficult time, and thanks for the many kind comments of encouragement. See you Monday!

Still Delayed

   Sorry, friends, but it turns out your pal Chuck was in worse shape than originally thought.

   It's going to take at least a couple more days before I'll be back at the blogging grind. I appreciate your patience.

   I shall return!

Sick Leave

   Sorry to have gone silent at this critical weekend - Avengers: Age of Ultron is out and it's Free Comic Book Day!

   Your pal Chuck has been flat on his back with the flu (a particularly nasty version of it).

   Hope to be back to normal soon. And I'm dying to see Ultron!