Review:
Matt's Comic Picks for the Week--American Vampire #2, Joe the Barbarian #4 and More!

You know, after reading my comics this week I just had to think to myself, man it's a great time to be reading comics. Two of my current favorites came out this week so let’s jump right into it.

First off, American Vampire #2. I thought the first issue of this series was great. Number two is even better. I continue to enjoy Scott Snyder's story a tad more than Stephen King's story. For those of you unfamiliar, the comic is broken into two stories. The first is by series creator Scott Snyder, the second (which focuses on the origin of Skinner Sweet, one of the first story's main characters) is written by the one and only Stephen King.

We open with the aftermath of Pearl's brutal attack by the old vampires. Skinner Sweet pays her a visit and damn if he's not becoming one of my favorite characters in any book. Both stories are full of humor, style and a bit of the ultra-violence. Very highly recommended, go pick this book up.

My other favorite for the week is Joe the Barbarian #4. This book was one of my most anticipated comics for 2010 and boy does it continue to surpass my expectations. Joe continues to weave in and out of the real world and his fantasy world as he, the warrior rat Jack and the dwarf giant Smoot (he's just normal sized) find themselves in the company of the wizard scientists who have made a vow of cowardice. Some explanations of the nature of things are made as the Death Coats attack again and another person joins their little band. Jack has also become another favorite of mine, he's just so darn cool.
We're only half way through this series and I can't wait to see where it goes. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite Grant Morrison comic series. Its style, quirkiness and coolness really makes this book unique. Also in this issue we get a couple page preview of I, Zombie--a new Vertigo series by Chris Robinson and Mike Allred. I've really been looking forward to this since I saw a preview in the House of Mystery Halloween Annual. And it's pretty darn cool, can't wait for issue one.