Time's Up!
You've heard it before, and you'll hear it again, but it will never, ever, no matter what, be as true as it is now.

This changes EVERYTHING!

That's right, it's the comics event we've all been waiting for since Crisis on Infinite Earths. I'm talking about ZERO HOUR, and friends, you are simply not gonna believe what happens here. If you're anything like me, you figured that after last year's black cloud of Superman's death that DC might give our heroes a break, let our heroes develop and regroup.

Oh, how I wish that were so.

Turns out the emissary from space/time called Waverider (you remember him from the Armageddon 2001 series) has news that some unknown entity has decided to "roll back time" in the entire Universe, which means, you guessed it, the utter destruction of our whole existence! In an effort to stem the tide of time rolling back to the beginning of creation, our heroes muster up a common front to battle the universe-destroying entities known only as the Extant and Parallax---but is Parallax truly a creature out of the blue? Or is it someone much, much closer to the heart of our heroes?

See, if you thought killing Superman was bold, wait until you see what they've done with---well, I won't spoil it, but let's just say Parallax (quite possibly the most unique villain in DC history) turns out to be one of DC's "brightest lights", and the name will have a familiar "ring" to it!

This series has time paradoxes, mysterious cosmic beings, superheroes dying nobly, and basically just about everything you would expect from a tightly plotted, purposeful script. Man, can this Danny Jurgens write the Big Summer Events or what? I'd love to see him get a crack over at Marvel---it seems like he'd be tailor made for "Secret Wars III".

ZERO HOUR breaks the "crossover" mold in almost every way --- instead of just limiting the story to a paltry 12-issue miniseries and a few other semi-related issues, not only do we get a nice, compact 5-issue main series, but we follow the story through 30 --- count 'em, 30! --- other titles across the DC Universe, and it's a great way to get people off their duffs and go check out some of the coolest new ideas DC's had in years.

I can't think of a better way to get introduced to Anima, Steel, Damage, or (sadly) say goodbye to old friends like Valor or Team Titans than to delve into each of their ZERO HOUR ishes.

But wait, that's not all! As a bonus, DC is giving us a collectible #0 issue retelling the origin of each one of their current characters! Revisit old classics like Batman in Batman #0, Batman: Legends Of The Dark Knight #0, and Batman: Shadow of The Bat #0 for three totally different takes on Bruce's story. Hands off that Gunfire #0 and Xenobroods #0, though---you better believe I'm getting in on the ground floor with these guys.

In fairness, there are a few things here that don't work. I don't think this Kyle Rayner character is going to be around very long, and I really don't see the appeal of yet another cheesy Starman character (I guess this one's supposed to be Jack Knight, the other son of the original or something...wake me when it's over.) Also it's a shame that Parallax' alter ego will never be thought of in the same heroic light that he or she once was.

And I thought numbering the ZERO HOUR series backwards (the first issue is #5, second issue #4, and so on) was really a clever way of keeping the theme going.

I seriously don't see how anyone's ever going to even try and top this crossover---Marvel's already decided they're just going to do Annuals from now on, and it seems like the ideas in ZERO HOUR are so unique that it would be foolish to even try another "universe-destroying cosmic threat that turns a great hero into a historic villain" story. I would seriously bet that the companies put away their "crossover" pens for at least a good five years before attempting something like this again.  ¶ 2:02 PM 0 comments

  All Grown Up So, the Emmys were a month ago and "Seinfeld" won Best Comedy Series. Enjoy it while you can you no-talents! I picked up this week's new comics and on the inside cover of everything Marvel published is an ad for the show that will no doubt be taking home that award for the next seven years or so.

"Saved by the Bell: The College Years" promises to take the winning chemistry of everyone's favorite after-school show and introduce it to primetime. Unfortunately, not everyone is making the trip. Jessie Spano and Lisa Turtle will be pursuing other roles. Rumor has it Elizabeth Berkeley (Jessie) will be the star of a major motion picture written by Joe Eszterhas, who wrote Basic Instinct, Sliver, and Flashdance, so expect something sexy! I can't really blame her for wanting to branch out into film with an offer like that on the table. She could be the next Sharon Stone.

They'll be replaced by new characters played by Anne Tremko and Kiersten Warren. Warren was in a few episodes of "Life Goes On," but I never watched that show. My mom and dad did, but they didn't remember her well enough to describe her.

The biggest loss, however, will be Dennis Haskins, who played would-be-Zach-foil Principal Belding. He's maintaining that role on "Saved by the Bell: The Next Class," opening the door for former NFL defensive lineman Bob Golic to take the job of playing "the heavy." As much as I'd like to have seen Mr. Belding come to college, either as an administrator or perhaps in pursuit of his doctorate, I don't really have the right to ask that "SbtB: TNC" be stripped of all the elements that made the original so successful. It would be greedy of me to ask the younger kids to make due without the best possible actor to play Bayside High's principal just so I can selfishly have a dream cast for "SbtB: TCY."

The only possible snag I see with this show is in the title. By dubbing it the college years, the creators are already limiting it to a four or five year run (unless everyone goes to grad school together). In 1998 or so, there's going to be some heated debate over what to rename the show!  ¶ 4:18 PM 0 comments

  Beyond a Shadow of a Doubt It's the question everyone is asking and dying to know the answer to. Who is Shadowhawk?

The new Shadowhawk series is telling a four-part story titled, appropriately enough, "Out of the Shadows." At first glance, it might seem the character is the one emerging from the shadows, but in truth it is creator Jim Valentino who is stepping out of the shadows of luminaries like Todd McFarlane, Rob Liefeld, and Jim Lee. As the only Image founder not to have a million-selling issue under his belt, Valentino not only faces the pressure of creating a compelling story, but also has to prove he's worthy of being mentioned in the same breath as While Portacio or Marc Silvestri.

If he's under pressure, apparently no one told Valentino.

Since Shadowhawk's first appearance in the back of Youngblood #2, it was obvious Valentino had a hit on his hands. The ultra-violent vigilante was like nothing we'd seen before: part Batman, part Punisher, part Wolverine, all mystery. It was enough to make me say, "Badrock who?" At least for a minute or two.

The graphic violence of Shadowhawk has turned off some readers, but to me it opens a door of deep philosophical ideas like "what is heroism?" and "where is the line that divides good and evil?" Shadowhawk snaps the spines of criminals who are clearly guilty. What do you want him to do? Buy them tea and crumpets?!?!?

Obviously, what makes Shadowhawk such a gripping character is the shroud of mystery around his identity. We all know Batman is Bruce Wayne and Spider-Man is Peter Parker, but Shadowhawk dares us to discover his true identity. Could he be Captain Frakes or former district attorney Paul Johnstone or weapons collector Carlton Sum?

Is he even a he at all? My money is on Christina Reid, the former police officer dismissed from her job for using excessive force. There are some who think the title will go downhill once Shadowhawk's identity is revealed, but anyone who's been reading can see that Valentino is weaving a rich tapestry full of strong supporting characters, brewing back conflicts, and one of comicdoms most facinating rogues galleries.

Whomever Shadowhawk turns out to be, the first two issues have made it clear it's going to be a thrilling ride finding out. Valentino deserves credit for the gutsy decision to present us with a mystery that challenges our minds instead of a stright ahead superhero story.  ¶ 6:16 PM 0 comments

  Weapon X: Liefeld Style X-FORCE #2
Say the name Weapon X and everyone automatically thinks of Wolverine. Well, not anymore now!

Kane is here and he's here to stay.

Rob Liefeld has taken the tired old concept of Wolverine's origin and updated it, reminding us Logan wasn't the only subject of the Weapon X tests. Kane, the most interesting character to hit comics since Joel Schuster and Jerry Seagull thought up a guy from a planet called Krypton, is the newest--and greatest--Weapon X. Kane has metalic, mechanical arms, but not like Cable's metalic, mechanical arm. With the ability to detatch and launch his hands, Kane holds his own against Deadpool, another of Liefeld's masterful creations.

The art, as always, is ther perfect combination of realism and comic exaggeration. Liefeld may not get the hype Todd McFarlane gets, but his skill with pencil and ink and his dedication to a project is beyond any of his contemporaries. Fifteen years from now, we'll be laughing about the joke Jim Lee has made of his career while Liefeld will be mentioned in the same breath as Kirby, Ditko, and Byrne.

Anyway, X-Force continues to build on its strong first issue, including some very serious drama when Feral slashed Cannonball during their training exercise. I guess my predictions of a blossoming romance between them may have to wait a while. It's interesting that Feral is lashing out so violently. She's a very interesting character and I look forward to seeing what Liefeld and Nicieza have in store for her. At first glance, I know some people have written her off as another Wolverine/Sabretooth animalistic berserker, but that's stupid and short-sighted. Feral is a girl!

I was a little disappointed to find there was no chromium cover nor polybagged trading card with this issue, I fear I may have to wait until a milestone like #25 for a hologram cover. Come on, Tom DeFalco! Give me a glow-in-the-dark Cable before then and make mine Marvel!  ¶ 1:55 PM 0 comments