GALACTICA 1980 #4: If you’re going to have a fight that pits dirtbikes versus Cylons, why would you not make this the entire issue? Or four issues? Because I would read that in a second. That aside, Guggenheim ties up the first series with panache, fulfilling the promise of “Galactica: 1980 done right.” And while it’s a little weird to read a payoff to two series I never watched (sorry, guys, I’m a Nu-Galactica man all the way), it works even if you haven’t read those series… And I’m certainly looking forward to the sequel, which will hopefully blaze its own path.

THULSA DOOM #4: So this was a mini-series? I understand the business sense of implying something is an ongoing, but its frustrating to be into a series, get to the last page, and read “The End,” when you thought there was several more issues, at least. I understand this is a bit of a silly problem to have (“Oh no! This series was too good, and now it’s over! I’m angry!”), but I’M THE ONE WRITING HERE, NOT YOU! And this series was very good… Arvid Nelson perfectly channeled the swords and sandals atmosphere cultivated by Robert E. Howard, forging a memorable anti-hero in Thulsa, distinct from both Conan and Red Sonja. Plus, the art by Lui Antonio was appropriately detailed and epic. He’s not the best with close-ups, or people’s faces (they end up a little exaggerated), but when he pulls back, his larger panels and splashes are killer. If you’re a fan of these types of books, once Thulsa Doom comes out in trade, definitely pick it up.

ARMY OF DARKNESS: ASH SAVES OBAMA #4: Well, I liked this. Despite the blatant cash-in set-up, writer Elliott Serrano had a blast cheekily tweaking the comic book marketization of our President with style, from the uproarious first issue, to the last. Serrano still finds some fun twists on the Necro-comic-con idea in this last issue, as our heroes make a last stand in Washington D.C. to save the Prez from a horde of undead zombies. And I’d also like to commend him for using restraint when it comes to our Commander in Chief, relegating him to a little seen, but omnipresent… Presence. Yeah, that wasn’t a good sentence. Point is, this was far more fun than it needed to be, and I’d argue, better than the main Army of Darkness series is right now. It may be temporary and disposable, but it was fun while it lasted.

ZORRO #18: Continuing the “Legend of Zorro” formula established in the previous issue, we get a peasants look at what Zorro may, or may not be like. Matt Wagner is in his element here, telling stories about telling stories, and it shows: these past two issues have definitely been my favorite of this series, from the art on down. While it may pale in comparison to the other masked man title Dynamite puts out (The Lone Ranger), this issue, at least, only slightly pales, and in fact, makes a good argument why the two titles might be equals.

PROJECT SUPERPOWERS: CHAPTER TWO #6: This is very, very, very complex. Honestly, I’ve been reading the Project Superpowers books since the beginning, and even I have trouble following all the characters. It’s like someone read JSA and thought there weren’t enough superheroes on the team, and then threw in a few more for good measure. For those of you who haven’t been reading the book, basically these old-timey heroes were trapped in Pandora’s Box. When they got out, they took over America, to save it. Now, they’re fighting a war on at least three fronts: The Supremacy, a shadow organization filled with eeeeevil; The Super Mystery-Men, a group comprised of their former sidekicks; and Captain Future, who it was recently revealed is actually Zeus, creator of Pandora’s Box.

Given how much is going on, writer Jim Kreuger keeps the plot moving at a brisk pace, and does keep readers up to date, mainly by clumping as many heroes together as possible, ignoring the smaller ones, and focusing on the tasks at hand. And while I’m not as into the sidekicks plot that plays out in this issue (it seems like such an easy problem to solve, just talk to them and explain you’re not evil), the Zeus plot is great, and will hopefully become the main focus of this series in the long run. I’m expecting, in fact, that they’ll be bringing in the rest of the Olympic pantheon in no time.

While this probably isn’t for anyone but hardcore superhero nuts, if you do try it out, you will find a well written book, with good art, and an intricate plot worth following… Even if the superheroes involved are not as interesting.

BLACK TERROR #6: Speaking of something for hardcore superhero nuts… A spin-off series from Project Superpowers that fills in the story gaps in the main series is not for the faint at heart. But if you are reading the main series, this is essential reading, letting us know where the shock-troops attacking our time-lost heroes have come from. The series is a little light on characterization: the Black Terror is more wrecking ball than angtsy hero. But the action is fun, and Phil Hester is enough of a pro to keep things moving from one scene to the next. I may like the thrust of the main series better, but this is better than it has to be.

BATTLEFIELDS: HAPPY VALLEY #2: Garth Ennis has been excelling in these two or three part war stories, and Happy Valley continues that grand tradition. For those of you who didn’t pick up the first few series, they were uniformly excellent, with the Dear Billy storyline standing heads and tales above the rest. Each series focuses on one small, specific, usually little known aspect of Word War II, whether it be British tank fighting units, or “Night Witches,” female pilots who attack the enemy in the dark. Each title develops a cast of characters we never see again, and is, as you might expect from Ennis, exceedingly well researched.

For my money, I would put the new series Happy Valley on par with Night Witches, though not quite at the heights of Dear Billy (a heart-achingly beautiful and tragic story). Focusing on an Australian bombing unit in Europe, the details are, of course, excellent and unique; though the dialogue is recognizably Ennis. It’s a fun effort most likely headed for tragedy next issue, but for the moment the reader gets as caught up in the Australian’s devil may care attitude as the characters themselves do. Battlefields is probably the best war comic currently published, and a worthy addition to any pull list.