On The Shelf: EC's revival continues

 Cruel Universe is the 2nd miniseries from the revived EC Comics, released through Oni Press. This one deals in science fiction, and has the same format as Epitaphs From The Abyss, which we reviewed last time, except that there is no host for the book.

However, the plotting in the opener, "The Champion", is a bit confusing, and infuriating. Who or what is supposed to be narrating this tale? It's hard to tell. I've read this twice, and I still don't get it. The artwork is still an attraction, but, unlike Epitaphs, we're not sticking around.

Rating: B--.

Vault's Something Crawled Out is a tale of teen angst, with the appearance of one youth being a vessel for the devil. Nothing crawled out in this issue, and the hometown shop was giving away copies, as if to say, this one's not long for this world, and that may be true. Could've waited for Halloween before releasing, and that's being kind.

Rating: C.

Happened to see an ashcan for IDW's Exorcism at 1600 Penn the other day. The address, of course, is that of the White House, which is where this tale is set, another one that's also targeted for Halloween, in this writer's estimation. Trying to figure out the period in which this story is set, though, whether it was during the Obama administration, or sometime in the future, isn't that easy. Neither is Vanessa Del Ray's artwork, which is a little busy.

Rating: C.

Saving the best for last, Jonny Quest finally arrived from Dynamite, picking up where the Free Comic Book Day preview leaves off. Time travel is the theme, and, let's just say someone's getting a look at his prospective future in this first arc. Not spoiling anything. Old foe Dr. Zin does figure into the plot. Just how deep, we'll soon see.

Rating: A-.

Quick hits: Oni's Nacelleverse also includes the 90's cartoon, The Wild West C.O.W.boys of Moo Mesa, which spent 2 seasons on ABC (1992-4). Cowlamity Kate appears in a Nacelleverse one-off that sets up the whole thing. The current Biker Mice From Mars, reviewed last time, is a 3 part miniseries, but if sales warrant, the Mice may be back. The EC line will refresh in December with a 1-shot, Shiver SuspenStories, followed by Cruel Kingdom in January. Surprise your friends for the holidays!!

As a former "letterhack", I was stunned to receive a copy of Cary Friedman's 2006 book, Wisdom From The Batcave, from the author himself the other day. We'll review it next time.