REVIEW: The Boys - 20

You know you have a good book in your hands, when you're left completely speechless.

If you haven't read Garth Ennis' The Boys before - you're in for a pretty huge surprise. On the offchance that you don't know the premise - in a nutshell The Boys are a CIA backed 'hit squad', there to clean up the problems when super powered humans go astray. And as you might expect - that happens a little more often than you'd think. More often than the superhero community would like to admit.

***SPOILER ALERT***

This issue is part two of the 'I tell you no lie, G.I.' storyline, which usually means a book completely wrapped up in its own storyline and self worth, focusing purely on its core readers. But with issue 20 of The Boys - the fact that this is midway through a multiple part story makes no difference whatsover, as Ennis writes a brilliant book that could easily be a standalone story of its own, or the perfect introduction to the series.

I'm pretty hesitant to go into too much detail about why Garth Ennis and Derick Robertson have such a winner on their hands - not because I can't do it justice - but rather that something this good just shouldn't be spoiled.

Pete's Score: 5 out of 5
(truly - this is a shining example of a full marks comic - great from start to finish, leaving you wanting more)

REVIEW: Dan Dare - 6

Damn. I really don't want this book to end.

I've been reading Dan Dare since I was a kid - and he's always been my favourite British character by a mile.

Yeah, Judge Dredd is good - but he just isn't Dan Dare.

Dan Dare can take out an entire fleet of Treens, knobble the Mekon and still have time to make breakfast, with perfect toast.

Dredd would probably blow up the kitchen before anyone even had a chance to talk about breakfast.

***SPOILER ALERT***

Issue 6 sees Dan's escape from the Mekon in true british style - taking out Treens left right and centre with a handful of royal marines.

After his exit, Dan and Lt Christian have a brief moment to gather the navy's forces before taking the battle to the Mekon...

It truly saddens me to think that this issue is the penultimate book in the series. Garth Ennis and Gary Erskine have both done themselves proud time and again, and I'm now fully invested in the new world Dan and his co-horts inhabit.

Please Virgin - make this an ongoing book - it truly deserves it.

Pete's Score: 4 out of 5
(an extremely enjoyable comic - filled will nostalgia that fans will enjoy)