On The Shelf: A cable legend makes his comics debut, and a franchise returns

 News first, then reviews.

Dynamite has a trifecta of new books out in December, in time for the holidays, and that's not including the predictable holiday specials for Red Sonja, Vampirella, & Gargoyles. More on the latter in a bit.

Vampirella also stars in a new crossover miniseries with Sabrina, The Teenage Witch, the latest collaboration between Dynamite & Archie. The two share a beach house while Sabrina's on vacation, and there's trouble afoot. Can a part-witch and an alien vampire co-exist without driving each other crazy?

Cable legend Joe Bob Briggs, who's also done time on radio with his drive-in movie reviews back in the day, stars in his own miniseries, written by David Avallone. Joe's sidekick, Darcy, must've joined him when he debuted on Shudder 8 years ago. If you haven't seen Joe on TV, well, now you'll have some idea about what he looks like.

Finally, it's the comics return of The X-Files. We're bummed that Charles Adlard, who drew the original series for Topps 30 years ago, didn't come back this time. Don't expect this to be an ongoing, but, rather, another miniseries.

Dynamite is launching another crossover with Archie in November, by having The Terminator visit Riverdale. The publisher is also doing a facsimile reprint of the first-ever issue of Evil Ernie from the 90's, also in December.

Now, on to the reviews.

Speaking of Gargoyles, the series relaunches with writer-creator Greg Weisman having Goliath deputized by the NYPD while pursuing a gargoyle egg stolen by Demona. So, of course, the rest of the clan joins in. We'll see if Weisman gets a year out of this.

Rating: Incomplete.

Cheetara gets her own book again, this time meant to be an ongoing. The writers are veering too close to the supernatural elements for my tastes. With Greg Pak taking over a relaunched ThunderCats, this may be a jumping off point for some readers. I'm just not feeling this.

Rating: C.

Over the summer, IDW acquired Zorro from American Mythology, and gave Howard Chaykin a 3 part miniseries to write. A decent tale of Zorro fighting a battle against a duplicitous Irishman both as Don Diego and Zorro. Chaykin did everything but put Diego in bed with the pirate princess fighting alongside him.....!

Rating: B-.

Also from IDW is Zorro's Legacy, written by Dan Abnett, with the first two issues drawn by Aaron Lopresti. A fill-in covered issue 3. Yep, another attempt at modernizing the hero for today's audience. No indication this will be an ongoing, which is being cautious.

Rating: B.

So why is Space Ghost fighting The Herculoids? Chalk it up to the manipulations of an old enemy of his. The conflict will resolve around the 4th issue, and the villain gets a royal whupping.

Rating: B+.

Jason Aaron wrapped his Thundarr The Barbarian time travel miniseries with the predictable tropes, but also giving fans something they've waited 45 years for in the final panel, and if you don't know what I mean, you haven't paid attention to the series at all.

Final rating: B+.

Greg Pak is also responsible for Marvel's latest Planet of The Apes miniseries, which has a lone Predator on the planet. I didn't think they'd do worse than the miniseries with the Fantastic Four earlier this year, but they have. Decent art saves this from being a total bore.

Rating: B--.