Storyline: Ongoing
Date: May 28, 2008
Price: $2.99 US
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Jason Howard

Synopsis: Wolf-Man’s greatest shame is the fact that he lost control of his powers and accidentally killed a beloved superhero, Sergeant Superior. Now Superior’s teammates, The Actioneers have learned of Wolf-Man’s actions. They’ve come to return the favor.

Opinion: Jason Howard and Robert Kirkman continue to keep the frenzied pace of great stories on a continuous basis with The Astounding Wolf-Man #6. I know when it comes to Kirkman I can be a bit of a fanboy - but this guy has really got his style down and is fast making Image Comics a top contender.

This issue packs a couple big surprises - that’s what I love about Kirkman’s stories. In almost every book, almost every month; there is always a multi-layered story that flows from the foreground to the background, sometimes containing itself in one issue while at other times spanning a few. Astounding Wolf-Man is no different.

Read my full review after the jump.

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Storyline: Unspecified
Date: May 14, 2008
Price: $2.99 US
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Charlie Adlard

Synopsis: Everything is different now. Any information given here will spoil the story for you. Believe me when I tell you that this issue changes everything.

Opinion: The Walking Dead still packs the biggest punch in comics.  I am still reeling after this issue, and I have no idea where Robert Kirkman is going to go from here. The art, as always, delivers and Charlie Adlard continues to put together a coherent and high quality flow in the book.

As with most Kirkman comics, I can’t go into this story without spoiling the story a bit.  Please click through the jump to read my full review.

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(3 votes, average: 4.33 out of 5)

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Reports are coming in that arguably the most innovative creator in comics today, Robert Kirkman, is bringing The Astounding Wolf-Man series to a monthly format. This means we no longer have to wait 60 days between each issue!

The switchover begins this July with Astounding Wolf-Man #8, and right beforehand those who haven’t had a chance to read this excellent series will have a chance to pick up issues #1-7 collected in trade paperback for only $14.99! That is a hell of a deal, since most TBP’s collect only about 5 issues.

What this means for collectors, aside from a good story, is that you must go out and try to snatch up the original comics, as they are sure to shoot up in value like Kirkman’s other creator-run titles; Invincible and The Walking Dead.

Image Comics has been doing right by the industry lately, and while they don’t currently have any blockbusters hitting theaters, they’re keeping focused on making good books.

Here is an excerpt from the press release:

“Frankly, I just couldn’t stay patient,” ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN co-creator and writer Robert Kirkman said. “Over the past year THE ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN has become one of my favorite books to write and, even more so, seeing the pages pour in from Jason has made me crave MORE! With the impending shocker we’ve got coming in issue 7, we decided to switch the book from once every sixty days to every thirty! I certainly think folks will be happy with the results.”

“The book has really shown it’s got legs,” Executive Director Eric Stephenson said. “After debuting as part of Image’s Free Comic Book Day celebration in 2007 we’ve seen strong reorder activity and rave reviews. The one complaint often heard is that the six times a year schedule leaves people waiting and waiting - with that corrected, I’m confident this book can soar to the heights of Kirkman’s other Image Titles, INVINCIBLE and THE WALKING DEAD.”

ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN #8, a 32-page full color comic for $2.99, and ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN VOL. 1, a 176-page full color trade paperback for $14.99, will be available July 30th.

Source: CBR

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Storyline: Made to Suffer, Part 6 (of 6)
Date: April 2, 2008
Price: $2.99 US
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Charlie Adlard

Synopsis: With their backs against the wall, Rick and company are left with little choice but to fight their way out of their prison-come-shelter. With The Governor leading a violent raid set to murder them all, they have no choice but to flee into the throngs of hungry zombies encircling the prison. Unlike other comic book characters, Rick is limited to being simply human, and it is those limitations that sting the most in this issue. Dead and Buried.

Opinion: This is a comic that will be talked about in shops across the country. Kirkman pulls absolutely zero punches and sends this story in an all new direction. We genuinely do not have any clue what is going to happen next, but I know we are all reeling from this one. There is no way to discuss this issue without spoilers, so read more after the jump if you don’t mind being spoiled.

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(2 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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Storyline: Made to Suffer, Part 5 (of 6)
Date: March 2008
Price: $2.99 US
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Charlie Adlard

Synopsis: The action revs up in this issue, and everything that has been happening to Rick and company has all led up to this confrontation. Loyalties are renewed and tested, and even after all of the sacrifices, in this issue there are more to be made, and possibly one that is the biggest one of all. Mother and Child. No one is safe.

Opinion: The Walking Dead is one of those comics that never fails to surprise you. Even after 47 issues the hits just keep on coming. Robert Kirkman pulls no punches in portraying the gravity of a world gone awry. This arc has been terribly violent, with events shaping our characters (at least the ones still alive) well beyond what you would expect in comics today.

Every time an issue has come out the pacing and style has been near flawless. If you’re not reading this book you are seriously missing out on a unique character study as Kirkman provides glimpse after glimpse of insights into mankind’s soul.

That being said, this comic is suggested for mature readers. The scenario is dead serious and the subject matter could be very overwhelming to some. If you can handle it, I recommend this story.

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(3 votes, average: 4.33 out of 5)

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Storyline: Ongoing
Date: March 2008
Price: $2.99 US
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Jason Howard

Synopsis: Hero or Villain? The time has come for Gary Hampton, The Astounding Wolf-Man to make his choice. Can he contain the beast within… or will he succumb to the bloodlust?

Opinion: Kirkman seems to be back on track with the return of The Astounding Wolf-Man! After a bit of a questionable but understandable start after the new year, it seems this story’s pacing is right where it should be.

The main character Gary Hampton is after answers to his newfound condition, and some big hints are dropped via speculation regarding the mysterious origins of who turned him and why! The setup is a very interesting twist, but a better one comes from the promise of the Auctioneers to get personal revenge on our favorite werewolf for… well… you’ll have to read to find out!

TAWM has been a very enjoyable book thus far, and I happily spend my $2.99 on this bad boy every time it comes out. The art is crisp and Jason Howard’s style is incredible. Speaking of which, you can now purchase original artwork panels from TAWM at Splash Page Art - I know I’m going to grab a few when I can!

The only gripe I have is the fact that Astounding Wolf-Man is a bi-monthly title, so the comic could be a bit thicker with more story and information.

FANBOY ALERT!: Issue 49 & 50 of Invincible will feature “supporting roles” of both The Astounding Wolf-Man and Zecharia! Then in issue #9 of BRIT, Wolf-Man will be tearing it up there too!

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(3 votes, average: 4.67 out of 5)

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Storyline: Multiple
Date: 2005
Price:$34.95 US
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Cory Walker, Ryan Ottley

Synopsis: Get in on the ground floor! This massive hardcover collects the first 13 issues of Robert Kirkman’s Eisner-Nominated super-hero, along with all the extras from the first three trade paperback volumes and even more on top of that! Invincible: The Ultimate Collection, Volume 1 is a can’t-miss for anyone who’s wanted to start reading Invincible, but needed an easier way to start from the beginning.

Opinion: Collecting issues 1-13, this hardcover gives us the story of young Mark Grayson’s foray into super powers, and as another young-teenager-gets-powers-and-becomes-a-hero has learned, “with great power comes great responsibility”. Initially, the story smacks a bit of something we’re all pretty used to, and doesn’t stand out too much. Personally, I am a huge fan of the artwork and story in all of the Kirkman books I have read so far, The Walking Dead and (surprisingly) The Astounding Wolf-Man. So for me, it was easy to read. This is one of those books everyone kept talking about in the store I frequent, but I, like many other fans out there, have been burned on cape stories thanks to the frequent bouts of BS the publishers have thrown our way, especially in recent years.

Either way, this book was very refreshing for me. Naturally Kirkman’s writing and pace picked me up and took me along for the ride, waiting for the next page and caring for the characters. The introduction of several new heroes and induction into this story’s universe was enjoyable, not over the top - and just as seamless as the transition between Cory Walker and Ryan Ottley mid-stride.

Overall I was very happy with this book, and will get caught up with the series and continue reading. I find myself very excited to see what happens next, and the good thing about comics being in trade form is you get instant gratification. Lucky me :). For those of you who do not wish to spend a bunch of money getting into another new series; from what I understand issue #42 gives a great recap so you can get right into the thick of things. So if your wallet’s thin from all the other titles you pick up every week - at least grab this one and check it out for yourself.

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(5 votes, average: 4.8 out of 5)

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