Ezra is a beautiful female warrior who, like all of her battling Sword and Sorcery sisters, bares no scars and lots of skin. So what separates her from her competition? Ezra is well drawn and written.

     Although her debut is more an event than a story, Ezra talks and acts like a human being with calluses on her soul as well as her fingers. As she thwarts her attempted rape and fights to escape her captors, Ezra becomes a believable and interesting personality.

     I say hurray that she does it without the use of the profanity that debases too many comic book titles today. Dynamic and not overly gory, a second hurray is offered because Ezra is at least drawn less nude than most other gals that hop around this genre.

     Review by Michael Vance - For info on his work, send a query to MiklVance@Yahoo.com.

     A Sword and Sorcery tale filtered through Japanese Manga, Kade is about a warrior who wears a domino mask to protect an identity known by all.

     If you are unfamiliar with the terms Sword and Sorcery and Manga, imagine Conan the Barbarian as a warrior in Japan. Kade seeks revenge on an evil Dark Lord and, to accomplish his heroic goal, kills lots of people and monsters with a gigantic sword.

     Well drawn by Eduuardo Garcia (issues #s 1 & 2) and Allen Otero (#3), this series needs the strong hand of an editor or writer who knows the rules of grammar and visual storytelling.

     Scene changes are often confusing, dialog is occasionally overblown, and the writer has trouble matching past, present and future tenses in the same sentence. 

     Quality paper and interesting coloring won't help Kade stand out on crowded newsstands.

     Kade #s 1-3/28 pgs. and $2.95 ea., Arcana/story: Sean O'Reilly/ available at comics shops and www.kade.ca.

     Review by Michael Vance - For info on his work, send a query to MiklVance@Yahoo.com.

     One of my favorite comics, and the only Marvel publication that I read on a regular basis, doesn't even take place in Marvel continuity. For non-, or new comic readers, let me explain.

     For years, Marvel published a title called What If, where pivotal Marvel events and characters were changed, and/or taken in different directions; the result was entertaining looks at what might have been, without changing what had already occurred.

     A few years ago, something unusual happened; a "What If" story about Peter Parker (Spider-Man) and his wife, Mary Jane having a baby, who grows into a web-slinging teen super hero, elicited such positive fan response that the character was given her own comic.

     Now, having logged over 70 issues, and being saved by readers from two different attempts at cancellation, Spider-Girl, if not one of Marvel's most popular titles, can certainly boast the most loyal following. And for good reason.

Spider-Girl is written by long-time Marvel fixture, Tom DeFalco. Through sheer imagination, and intense love for the character, DeFalco has woven a tapestry of entertaining characters, with believable motivations, actions, and reactions. In the great Marvel tradition, the character of Spider-Girl is built around her alter-ego, May Parker, instead of vice-versa. And, much like the Spider-man books, her villains are often equally interesting.

     The series' art thus far has been handled by pencilers Pat Olliffe and Ron Frenz, whose styles are so similar, that making the transition between the two is almost "silky" smooth. Both are action-oriented artists, which is exactly what any Spider-Man-related title needs. Yet, the artists are also adept at subdued scenes, as well. Spider-Girl has also seen the inking talents of long-time comic artists Al Williamson and Sal Buscema, legends, both.

     Perhaps the most important thing about Spider-Girl? Quite simply, it's a lot of fun. Something many comics are missing, these days.

     Spider-Girl is recommended for everyone, so let your children, as well as your inner child, read it.

     Spider-Girl, published by Marvel Comics, 32 pages, $2.99.

     Review by Mark Allen

Never miss a review! Fill in your email address below and we will notify you every time we post a new Suspended Animation.

Worry not, we won't trade or abuse you with ads, we'll just notify you when a new column arrives.

 Questions? Comments? A comic you wish reviewed? 
Write: 1427 S. Delaware Ave., Tulsa, OK, 74104. Or email Michael Vance.