The Comic Stop is back with two cool titles from our friends at IDW. Both of them offer up iconic imagery and characters that we’ve all grown up on and both are far better than you might expect. Check out our reviews of Mars Attacks #2 and KISS #2 after the jump!
Mars Attacks #2
Writer: John Layman
Artist: John McCrea
IDW
Maybe you collected the Mars Attacks trading cards growing up. Hey, maybe your dad did, they’ve been around so long. or maybe you just really enjoyed Tim Burton’s manic 1996 film version, starring Jack Nicholson, Pierce Brosnan, Annette Bening, Natalie Portman, Martin Short and many others. Whatever version is your favourite, I’m certain you’ll get a kick out of the new comic book incarnation of the most recognizable martian invaders around. Written by John Layman and illustrated by John McCrea, the second issue of the series follows the invasion and how it affects the United States President. The art is fun, with McCrea nailing the iconic Mars Attacks Martians perfectly, while Layman is writing a well-crafted and seriously dark story that doesn’t bode well for Earthlings. While Burton’s film had some cute and comedic moments, Layman and McCrea’s Mars Attacks is a full on invasion story with battles and blood. Fans of the cards won’t be disappointed, and neither will readers of sci-fi stories.
KISS #2
Writer: Chris Ryall
Artist: Jamal Igle
IDW
As a card-carrying member of the KISS army, I was definitely excited when it was announced that IDW was going to be publishing a new comic based on the band in make-up (you can read our interview with writers and IDW bigwigs Chris Ryall and Tom Waltz here ). Thing is, KISS comics can be hit or miss, so I was eager, and a little fearful, to see what Ryall and artist Jamal Igle were going to come up with for their opening arc. Thankfully, the duo rose to the heights of Eric Singer’s drum riser and delivered a fun opening story that paid homage to previous KISS comics while paving their own way as well. Chris Ryall throws in a lot of KISS references throughout the first two issues of the series (the character of Wicked Lester my favourite), and Igle’s art is really a lot of fun. While the four members of KISS do battle in 1920’s Chicago in this opening arc, without giving anything away, it’s safe to say that by the end of the issue, the skies the limit where these stories can take place. Tom Waltz picks up the next story arc and I hope he keeps pushing the series and the hottest band in the world to new places.
