'The Siege' ends years of twists, turns & mayhem

Marvel Editor-In-Chief Joe Quesada has gone on record saying "The Siege" is a story that will leave you wondering "How can they ever top that?"

Hype? Sure. But after reading three of the four installments, Comics Guy has to ask "How are they going to top it?" - especially if the fourth and final issue gives us a conclusion and payoff worthy of the first three.

This is great, epic stuff - on page after page and panel after panel. Those who are picking up a comic for the first time in a while will instantly understand the players and stakes involved - while longtime readers will see "The Siege" as a satisfying payoff to seven years of twists, turns and mayhem in the Marvel Universe and a nice setup to the company's upcoming "Heroic Age."

Indeed, this series marks the first time in nearly a decade that Marvel's Holy Trinity of Captain America, Iron Man and Thor are working together and that the majority of Marvel's heroes have put aside their differences to unite against a common threat.

It's also refreshing to see old icons re-enter the fray and to have the events that take place in "The Siege" mean you are able to tell the good guys from the bad without a scorecard again. Heck, even President Obama is shown to be bewildered by the rapid change of the status quo that takes place.

Issue No. 3 has one of the best cliffhangers Comics Guy has ever seen in a comic and if the conclusion is worthy of all that has come before, then "The Siege" is destined to be talked about for as long as people talk about comics, and will stand as Quesada's crowning achievement.

Comics Guy cannot recommend this book enough. It is a shining example of how fun, epic and emotionally powerful the medium can be. Do not miss it.

Greg Rucka leaving DC

If you ever wonder why some editors or publishers may be afraid to take chances, here's a reason: The announcement that Greg Rucka, the driving force behind the new Batwoman, is done with both the character and DC Comics for the forseeable future so he can focus on creator-owned projects. Rucka's "Detective Comics" - which starred Kathy Kane, the new Batwoman since Bruce Wayne has been (temporarily) dead - has been getting rave reviews and has won a GLAAD Media Award for it's portrayal of Kane, who is a lesbian.