Vampirella Polystone Statue (Sideshow Collectibles)

She's been illustrated by legendary artists over the years.  She's had her iconic costume worn by stunning cover models.  She's even inspired a horrible film adaptation starring the beautiful and well cast Talisa Soto.  Now Vampirella is getting the Sideshow Collectibles treatment just in time for Halloween!

Vampirella stands 18" tall and weighs about 8 pounds.  The pose is perfect and the details incredible, everything from the hair all the way down to the base.  This lovely statue will also set your wallet back $289.99, but monthly installments are available so it doesn't have to hurt all at once.  Honestly, if I hadn't blown all my cash on other Sideshow statues, I'd be pre-ordering mine right now!  I highly recommend the exclusive version for its switch-out head, but you'll have to get on the waiting list.







 

Power Girl: Snow Job

There are very few comic books that I look forward to reading each month, and Power Girl is one of them.  Even after Amanda Conner and Jim Palmiotti left, this title hasn't lost any steam with the new creative team.  The current story Snow Job, now two issues in, starts with Starr Enterprises bankrupt, victimized by an employee who has fled the country.  The employee then turns up dead and Power Girl finds herself trying to solve a murder mystery.  There's also a great deal of action with Kara matched up against a seemingly stronger foe, with a surprise reveal at the end leaving me eager for the third installment!

Writer Judd Winnick has the right feel for his characters and it shows in the humorous moments between Power Girl and new Batman Dick Grayson in Power Girl #17.  It's not all fun and games, however, and Winnick capably shifts gears when the story needs to advance or take a serious tone.  The other key to good storytelling is artist Sami Basri.  His Power Girl is drawn sexy and strong with lots of fun facial expressions to get your eyes above her chest!  He's had many opportunities to draw Kara in action, and he doesn't disappoint.  If you haven't been reading Power Girl, then now is a perfect time to start!
 

Wonder Woman: The Contest

Superman was killed by Doomsday.  Batman was broken by Bane.  It seemed only fair that Wonder Woman have her big event in the 90's, so began The Contest.

This tale runs from Wonder Woman #90-93 as well as a Wonder Woman #0 issue thrown in; there was such a fascination with "zero issues" back in the day!  The plot is simple yet effective, and summarized on DC's website as follows:

"After winning a contest of physical and mental challenges, Princess Diana was elected to go to Patriarch's World to teach them the Amazon ways as the super-heroine Wonder Woman.  But years later, Diana's mother is unsatisfied with her limited progress to bring an end to all acts of hate on Earth, so she institutes another contest to name a new champion.  Attempting to defend her position, Diana enters the games ..."

The contest's ultimate victor was Artemis, a skilled warrior from the Bana-Mighdall tribe with a short temper and penchant for violence.  By winning the contest, and claiming the title of Wonder Woman, Artemis brought honor back to her banished tribe.  However, this is only half of the story as Queen Hippolyta had other motivations for removing Diana as Wonder Woman.

The Contest is well-written by William Messner-Loebs, but the real star is Mike Deodato Jr. and his artwork.  This guy was born to draw Amazons and monsters, and his run on Wonder Woman definitely put him on the map!  As a side, Deodato Jr. has said that part of his inspiration for creating Artemis was the Coda warrior and Kherubim Zealot of Wildcats fame.