So I finally made it to the comic book store after about a month or two of doing other things involving comics, but not buying them. To quench my Halloween thirst, I picked up Hellboy: The Chained Coffin and Others. The best Hellboy stories are back-up’s and other short stories, and this collection has them all, ranging from the quirky “The Corpse” to the surreal and scary “Wolves of St. August.” If you haven’t read a Mike Mignola - seriously, get out there and buy one, right in time for Halloween.

Also picked up a couple comics. First off, DC has thoroughly mismanaged the second “death” of Green Arrow. The superhero seemingly died in the end of one of the Black Canary/Green Arrow wedding one shots, when he tried to kill his new wife and got an arrow in the jugular for his efforts.It hasn’t been a week since he “died”, and “Green Arrow and Black Canary” debuts its first issue with the explanation (the shapeshifter, Everyman). Admittedly, I’m the last person on Earth who wanted Green Arrow to die (again). But after reading this, I’m feel more ripped-off than relieved. DC should have made this (even faked) death look real by giving the superhero community time to grieve instead of glossing over it

The first issue, written by Judd Winick, is actually pretty good though. It captures the reactions of various heroes as well as Black Canary’s turbulent emotional state pretty well. Plus Batman and Dr. Midnite looming over the “corpse” of Green Arrow with a chainsaw is priceless, and the geniune Oliver Queen’s reaction to being held captive by Amazons is worth its weight in gold. It should be a great series - I just wish DC handled its execution better.

I also got Countdown to Mystery #1, which features the new Doctor Fate - one of Kent Nelson’s descendants - in the role of master mage. The issue manages to pack a painful amount of exposition into a pretty managable half an issue, and the art by Justinano is simply awesome. I look forward to seeing how this new Doctor Fate - who actually is a doctor (of psychology - handles a world of myth and magic. The issue also features Eclipso potentially corrupting a hero known for his flexibility - leaving me to wonder what the consequences are. Fortunately, the temptress is between a rock and a hard place - namely the new Spectre and Darkseid.

Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters was a pretty good read as a trade paperback, but the latest series drops the ball with a particularly painful artist change. Still, the writing team remains, and the premise weird - features the team splitting up over the NSA’s plan to carry out pre-emptive operations on suspected supervillains. The plot is interesting enough, but the sheer weirdness of Red Bee’s situation undermines the story a lot.

I also picked up Shadowpact to help fill my Halloween appetite, and what can I say but its Shadowpact. The team hasn’t changed much since I read an issue probably three to six months ago. The writer has - its not Matthew Sturges - but the tone is basically the same. Its a good book, and its a steady book, so I probably should be thankful for its consistency, but I still want to see, well, something more for DC’s premiere team of magicians.

Now for a quick glance of this week’s titles. On the DC side, Tales of Sinestro Presents: The Anti-Monitor reveals, well, what the hell Anti-Monitor is still doing here. He died way back in Crisis in Infinite Earths, and he was looking pretty dead as of Infinite Crisis, so how’s he back and what’s he up to? DC better have an answer - this is a mystery of “Lost” proportions, with just as much potential for let-down.

Lots going on in the Marvel Universe though - which is good considering I didn’t really touch upon them all column. Peter David, who made his name as one of the best writers in Hulk’s history, now tackles his sexy and statuesque cousin. Well, not literally. You know what I mean. Errr, anyway, She-Hulk #22 opens with Peter David’s new arc, “Jaded.” There’s also three different variant covers for this issue.

X-Men #204 features Rogue and Gambit reunited on the cover, but don’t expect a joyful reunion - Gambit has been working with the Marauders ever since his ill-thought-out attempt to infiltrated the Horsemen of Apocalypse went horribly astray, and Rogue has been captured by the Marauders for the Diaries of Destiny locked away in her head. Still, looks to be a good issue with a lot of answers on both sides of the ever-growing mutant divide.

Well, that’s it for this week. As always, comments and criticism are welcome, as long as its for the comics, and not for me . . . unless its good . . .

If you liked that, try...

1. Comic Rundown: Hell Yeah
2. Comic Rundown: Green Mists, Green Lanterns and Green Skrulls
3. Comic Rundown: Amazons, Arrows and Alien Shapeshifts
4. Comic Rundown: Green Christmas
5. Comic Rundown: Who Do You Trust and What Do You Buy?

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