Tendrils the color of crushed rose squirmed around the octarine gem that served as the centerpiece for the Black Guards courting room. If one were so inclined, they could put their ear to the otherworldly trophy and hear a gently rhythmic beat, along with the calming scent of lavender with just a small hint of vanilla. Rumor had it that it was a gift to the guard from the love-making tribes of the lushlands for saving them from brutish, religious zealots who threatened their hedonistic lifestyle. Which is exactly why it was in the courting room.


Ether #5 (Dark Horse)

Matt Kindt (W) David Rubin (A)

Man, this series is pretty fun, but my wallet can’t handle the barrage of new titles. I’m probably going to drop this series soon. I’m sad about this.

Archie #18 (Archie Comics)

Mark Waid (W) Pete Woods (A)

I feel like I haven’t been enjoying this series as much recently. I really hope that they can bring it back for me. I’m excited for the new arc, my hope is that it rekindles my love.

Green Arrow #19 (DC)

Ben Percy (W) Eleonora Carlini (A)

Dig the reunion. Last issue of the mini arc. I’m ready for the next installment. Something that really pulls me in about this comic, and probably turns off a decent amount of people, is the comic’s attempt to handle current issues within the pages. Nothing like being socially and politically active. If you could see me right now, I’d be giving you a big thumbs up.

Ms. Marvel #16 (Marvel)

G. Willow Wilson (W) Takeshi Miyagawa (A)

This has been a fun little arc. No one likes internet trolls, not even superheroes. It speaks to the nerd in all of us.

Batwoman #1 (DC)

Marguerite Bennett (W) Steve Epting (A)

The rebirth issue of this comic was amazing. I’m really excited about Bennett’s take on this series. Funny story, the wife of a friend of mine is friends with her. Weird. It’s almost as if the world is uncomfortably small. Is that just me?

The Mighty Thor #17 (Marvel)

Jason Aaron (W) Russell Dauterman (A)

GODS PUNCHING GODS! Well, not really, at least not yet, but they are battling to see who can be the Godliest, which is a weird concept. I dig.

Dead Inside #4 of 5 (Dark Horse)

John Arcudi (W) Toni Fejzula (A)

Aw shit. The penultimate episode of my current favorite little mini series. I feel like I’m going to need to pick this up in trade afterwards to have to read over and over again.

Daredevil #18 (Marvel)

Charles Soule (W) Ron Garney (A)

Okay, so not really what I was expecting. I expected someone a little more sinister, but I guess Purple Man is pretty fucking sinister. This is going to turn out great.

Injection #11 (Image)

Warren Ellis (W) Declan Shalvey (A)

It’s been quite a while since this one last graced the stack. I was honestly afraid that it had gone the way of so many comics before. No, not this one. At least, not yet.

All-Star Batman #8 (DC)

Scott Snyder (W) Giuseppe Camuncoli (A)

Hey, I love this artist! Also Mad Hatter makes an appearance. I’ve been really digging these little issues focusing on each villian. I feel I can be candid and tell you all that the first arc had me hesitant. I am really not a fan of JRJR’s art, so I think that was the issue. Or issues as it were. Bad joke punchline.

Wild Storm #2 (DC)

Warren Ellis (W) Jon Davis-Hunt (A)

I was seriously impressed with the first issue of this comic. I suggest everyone jumping on board with this comic before you can’t find any issues and you are just left weeping over empty comic racks. Just a thought.

Batman #19 (DC)

Tom King (W) David Finch (A)

Want to see Batman be beaten back and fourth like a dusty rug in some side alley in New York circa 1937? I may have the comic for you. Here’s a hint, it’s this one.

Manifest Destiny #27 (Image)

Chris Dingess (W) Matthew Roberts (A)

The exploration team may have had their misgivings come to roost. Basically, this is an excuse for them to bring back all the cool ass things that the team’s faced on their trek. I’m certainly not complaining.

East of West #32 (Image)

Jonathan Hickman (W) Nick Dragotta (A)

I think this comic is wrapping up. I am super sad about that, but it’s giving us some really fucking cool issues. I mean death found it’s son and war is on the horizon. How will the apocalypse end? You may think that’s obvious, but not with Hickman.

Sex Criminals #17 (Image)

Matt Fraction (W) Chip Zdarsky (A)

This comic is a breath of fresh air. Seriously, I didn’t realize how much I missed it until it came back to me. I seriously have issues with appreciating things in the moment. Long story. Pretty obvious. My immortal soul was sold for a can of black bean, then Bacchus wanted a refund, now I’m back but with some messed up attachment issues.

Kill or Be Killed #7 (Image)

Ed Brubaker (W) Sean Phillips (A)

Award for consistently amazing team goes to these two fuckers. How do you do it? The story is about deals with the devil, literally, maybe they’re trying to tell us something. Someone get the holy water. On second thought, wait until they finish the comic.


Currently the beating of the device was louder than normal as pairs, and in two cases at least three enthusiastic partners, made love passionately. In fact, the power of the device had all of them synchronized in their passions. One of the tricks to lushland orgies is perfect timing. This gem was a marvel in that regard. To the disinterested and generally inanimate object, it felt it was doing a damn fine job. The piece de resistance was just on the precipice. All was good this night.