This being Spider-Woman Week and all, the Keeper thought it appropriate to acknowledge Steve Leialoha - one of two artists responsible for the majority of Jessica Drew’s Bronze Age existence.

(The other, of course, being the legendary Carmine Infantino … )

Following Infantino’s lead, Leialoha drew Spider-Woman in a manner that was both sultry and somewhat mysterious. Artistically at least, he ensured that Jessica’s adventures retained the noir feel that defined the Wolfman/Gruenwald/Infantino issues.

(Scripts, however, were an entirely different matter as the book lurched from the somewhat campy approach of Michael Fleischer to Chris Claremont and his attendant strengths and weaknesses.)

We had the pleasure of interviewing Leialoha several years ago, and found the artist to be extremely cooperative and personable. He is truly an underrated talent.

On more mundane matters, your indecisive host finally settled on a format for these (mostly) weekly reviews. Basically, we’re completely ripping off a formula perfected by music critic Robert Christgau many years ago.

That means continuing with the grading system (which makes it a darn sight easier to review comics that inspire little more than such amazing insights as “this is awesome.”)

We’ll also set aside sections for the picks and duds of the week.

So, on with the show!

Batman/The Spirit

We first discovered Will Eisner’s Spirit back in the days when the legendary strip was reprinted in black and white by Warren publications. (The same fine fellows responsible for Creepy, Eerie and Vampirella … )

We were - and still are, in fact - awed by Eisner’s amazing artwork and O. Henry-esque tales that emphasized the human over the super. The Keeper had never seen anything like those stores, and we instantly became lifelong fans of both Denny Colt and his creator.

Although such luminaries as Alan Moore and Kurt Busiek have taken credible stabs at the character in recent years, no one has ever truly approached - let alone equalled - the brilliance of those original adventures.

Enter Darwyn Cooke, unquestionably one of the most talented writer/artists in the field today. Is he up to the task of bringing Denny Colt into the 21st century?

That question remains unanswered until Cooke’s Spirit comic debuts later this month, but in the meantime we have this “pilot episode” that teams Will Eisner’s all-too-fallible hero with Bob Kane’s Darknight Detective.

The art, of course, is gorgeous but Cooke does not handle the writing in this one-shot. That honor falls to Jeph Loeb, who hasn’t really been on his game for quite some time now. (Since Superman For All Seasons, basically.)

This time out, Loeb crafts a story that’s worthy of Paul Dini if not Eisner. There are several fun scenes contrasting the Spirit and Batman’s different personalities (in many ways they’re the Odd Couple of the super-hero set).

An entertaining read, to be sure. While the Spirit’s newest incarnation probably won’t make anyone forget Eisner, it looks as if Cooke (who’ll handle the writing himself once the series begins) can deliver the goods. Grade: A-

Crossing Midnight #1

First issues never reveal anything these days, but writer Mike Carey has a high enough A.P.P. rating to warrant sticking around for a few more months.

Still, while the series is shrouded in mystery and Japanese folklore, Jim Fern’s art is enjoyably clear and to the point. He has progressed mightily since his days on the late and not-so-lamented Scarlett series.

It’s an intriguing beginning. Hopefully, Carey and Fern have a strong enough grasp of the concept to move onward and upward. Grade: B

The Immortal Iron Fist #1

Ed Brubaker and Matt Fraction’s resurrection of Fortress fave Iron Fist just missed being the Keeper’s pick of the week, but rest assured it didn’t fall short for lack of quality.

Seriously, this book has everything one would want in a super-hero comic: a giant robotic menace, shady corporations, HYDRA and a heaping helping of punches and kicks to the face.

The real story, however, is the authors’ attempt to create an Iron Fist legacy a la The Phantom. Glimpses of past heroes give the character a sense of history that previous stories have lacked. Readers are finally given a sense of Iron Fist’s place in the greater scheme of things.

(And really, has anyone ever done more with K’un-L’un than that stupid alien colony business??)

The Keeper is also gratified to see Danny take a proactive role in the story, after numerous appearances where he either a pawn in someone else’s game (Black Panther) or an angst-ridden failure (the Iron Fist mini-series of a few years back).

As Walaka commented a few weeks ago, artist David Aja’s strong work contains a hint of Jim Steranko - a fine influence by any definition. An auspicious beginning to what may become our favorite Marvel title. Grade: A

The Punisher: Xmas Special #1

Stuart Moore is one of our favorite under-appreciated writers. He is responsible for several excellent Firestorm stories and penned an excellent Wolverine one-shot that paid tribute to the classic Lone Wolf and Cub.

On the strength of Moore’s name, we picked up this slice of holiday cheer that features Frank Castle making a list and checking it twice. Of course, in the Punisher’s world, ending up in the “naughty” category can put an abrupt end to any Christmas plans.

Although Moore has done better, the book is a nice bridge between Garth Ennis’ MAX series and Fraction’s super-heroic War Journal. C.P Smith’s art is standard Marvel grim and gritty.

Entertaining enough. Grade: B

Teen Titans Go! # 37

As one of the few people in the blogoverse who actually prefers the Silver Age Teen Titans to the more heralded Marv Wolfman/George Perez group, the Keeper considers Geoff Johns’ “real” Titans far too morose and disjointed to be any fun.

Can anyone honestly tell us that the self-absorbed, ill-tempered group who currently wanders around the DCU in a daze is heroic - or even entertaining - in the least?

(The truly fab Miss Martian excepted, of course.)

Enter Teen Titans Go. Although intended for kids - as were many of the comics the Keeper read in his youth - the continuing adventures of the animated Titans are closer in spirit to the fun, friendly team of yore.

In fact, we’d go as far to state that the toon Starfire, Raven and Cyborg are definitive.

This issue manages to link Frosty the Snowman with the magical menace of Mumbo to create a Christmas tale that’s the polar opposite of the Punisher comic. (Polar? Christmas?? Get it?!?)

If regular artist Todd Nauck hadn’t taken a break this issue, the book would be perfect. As it stands, however, Teen Titans Go! is still a good antidote to comics that take themselves too seriously. Grade: B+

Whisper #1

Long before Kate Spencer became the poster child for complex heroines, Steven Grant’s Whisper helped paved the way for kick-ass female characters who served a greater purpose than supporting their male counterparts.

However, Whisper 2K6 has little to do with the reluctant ninja who graced independent comics in the 1980s. This tale concerns two sisters caught up in a black ops deal taking place in New Orleans just before Hurricane Katrina.

To state more would blow the story, but it is safe to say that Grant retains his knack for spinning street-level grit and intrigue. Kudos are also due artist Jean Dzialowsk for drawing a realistically proportioned woman - a true rarity in this post-Image era.

If the Keeper has any complaint, it’s that Grant shoves a bit too much story into this one-shot. Hopefully we’ll have an opportunity to visit Whisper once again, and the creators will have a bit more space to breathe. Grade: A

Zombies vs. Robots #1

The Keeper isn’t really a fan of zombie-themed comics, but robots? Well, that’s an entirely different story.

The premise behind this graphic masterpiece is that, yet again, humanity has been decimated by a mysterious virus that turns corpses into the living dead.

Robots once built to serve mankind now hope to bring new life to the world by safeguarding - and ultimately cloning - the last human infant on earth.

The tale has a goofy feel that wouldn’t be too out of place in a DC sci-fi comic from the 1960s. Robots act as you’d expect, laying the smackdown on the undead until a critical malfunction places humanity’s future in jeopardy.

Ashley Wood’s sketchy art fits the tone of the story well, giving the setting enough realism to establish credibility but not going overboard on the gore.

The all-out battle promised in the next issue may tip the scales from fun to overindulgent, but the first chapter at least is a solid piece of entertainment. Grade: B

PICK OF THE WEEK

Nextwave: Agents Of H.A.T.E. #10

In a brief spotlight highlighting Monica Rambeau, Warren Ellis and Stuart Immonen outstrip Grant Morrison’s Seven Soldiers of Victory as the true apex of surreal super-heroics.

Although derided by some as a “humor comic” (as if that’s so terrible), this issue conclusively proves the Nextwave format is flexible enough to handle any permutation of the classic “heroes in spandex” formula.

Fusing Kirby grandeur with Not Brand Ecch humor, Ellis and Immonen have crafted a tale that runs the gamut from humor to tragedy within the space of a few panels.

Old X-Force fans will also be happy to see Tabitha (”Boom-Boom”) Smith play a key role in the story’s denouement, but they’ll simultaneously be p!$$ed to see just how the heroine saves the day.

Easily the best super-hero story we’ve read in a blue moon. Must be about time for the title to get canceled … Grade: A+

DUD OF THE WEEK

52 #30

It’s hardly the full-length story promised in DC’s solicitations, and this failed attempt to chronicle Batman’s missing year suffers from a lack of space and an apparent unwillingness or inability to provide more depth than just a cool panel or two.

While Bruce embarks on a vision quest to build a better Batman, Nightwing and Robin learn how their absence has affected crime in Gotham City.

Meanwhile, Batwoman battles more ani-men and teams up with a flirtatious Jason Todd masquerading as Nightwing.

(The story doesn’t really spell this out, but Nightwing’s dialogue didn’t really sound like Dick Grayson. Still, we’ve been wrong before … )

The scenes where Grant Morrison details the arc of Bruce Wayne’s life and unveils the all-new Ten-Eyed Man are compelling, but the rest of the story lacks coherence. Aside from one scene showing Vic Sage’s worsening condition, there’s no indication that any of this issue helps further 52’s multiple storylines.

The Metal Men back-up is similarly flawed. Although we’re happy to see the Veridium nonsense wiped out once and for all, the new character designs make Tina and the gang look like wind-up Tinker Toys.

The original Ross Andru/Mike Esposito designs were timeless. Why mess with perfection? Grade: C, upped a notch for J.G. Jones’ stunning cover. How does this guy maintain such standards, week in and week out?

Thanks for reading! Tomorrow, more Spider-Woman!!