Douglas Adams’ Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency #1
Written by Chris Ryall
Pencils by Tony Akins
Inks by John Livesay
Colors by Leonard O’Grady
Letters by Robbie Robbins and Shawn Lee
Covers by Tony Akins and Paul Mounts (Regular), Rob Guillory (Subscription), Robert Hack and Stephen Downer (Retailer Incentive)
IDW Publishing
Release Date: May 20, 2015
Cover Price: $3.99

Everything is connected. That’s the long and short of how the title character in Douglas Adams’ Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency #1 sees the world in general and how he works through his mysteries in particular. If you haven’t read any Douglas Adams then immediately following this review, go do so. The man was not only amazing but he should have been sainted for the wonderful work he did in science fiction literature. I applaud anyone who revives or adapts his work for the newer generations. But we are here to talk about this individual issue, folks, so let’s do just that!

As it turns out, the concept of fundamental interconnectedness means that time, space, and reality can all be thrown to the wolves. If the entire makeup of everything is connected to everything else then it’s as if the universe is playing a game akin to the Six Degrees Of Kevin Bacon! In this comic, we see the eponymous Dirk Gently seeking those very same connections! Relying on his wits and wisdom, and a good deal of luck and fate, he somehow manages to find the thread that links it all together.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time #1
Written by Paul Allor
Art by Ross Campbell
Colors by Bill Crabtree
Letters by Shawn Lee
Editor: Bobby Curnow
Covers by David Petersen, and Ross Campbell
IDW Publishing
Release Date: June 18, 2014
Cover Price: $3.99

TMNT: Turtles in Time #1 starts with action and doesn’t stop until the very last page. Then, it starts again. This book was NOT what I was expecting at all, but sometimes, that’s a good thing.

Writer Paul Allor brings us into the middle of the story that hasn’t even been told yet!!! How awesome is that? And don’t worry, later in the year the rest of THAT story is coming, but for right now, all you need is this issue. Allor pens a fantastic “fish out of water” story, with the Turtles being thrust into a strange world (we’re not sure if it’s even EARTH!), and dumps the Turtles right into the thick of a fight between the Utroms and some really nasty dinosaurs.

T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, Vol. 1
Created by Wally Wood and Len Brown
Written by Phil Hester
Illustrated by Andrea Di Vito
Colors by Rom Fajardo
Letters by Shawn Lee and Chris Mowry
Cover by Jerry Ordway and David Baron
IDW Publishing
Release Date: March 11, 2014
Cover Price: $17.99

Welcome to the superhero team with the most improbable acronym in comic history. T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, Vol. 1 is a reimaging of the original 1960s comic of the same name by Wally Wood and Len Brown.

I’m not sure if Andrea Di Vito just erased the word balloons of the classic issues or exactly captured the look and feel of the original ’60s run. T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents gives every impression, from the frame set-ups to the campy coloring of the team uniforms, that it is a painstakingly crafted throwback.

G.I. Joe #14
Written by Paul Allor
Art by Steve Kurth
Inks by Allen Martinez
Colors by Joana LaFuente
Letters by Shawn Lee
Consulting Editor: Carlos Guzman
Editor: John Barber
Special Thanks to Max Brooks
Covers by Steve Kurth, Allen Martinez, Joana LaFuente & Freddie E. Williams II, David Garcia Cruz
IDW Publishing
Release Date: March 19, 2014
Cover Price: $3.99

G.I. Joe #14 starts with a shock and then just keeps on going. Talk about ACTION!!! There’s more than you can possibly handle in this issue. All this and I haven’t even mentioned the great story and awesome art.

Writer Paul Allor lays out a story that reads like an episode of the original G.I. Joe cartoon, only better. With more character depth and action and modern day military situations. Allor manages to get all the trademark G.I. Joe hallmarks into this issue, while telling a great story that focuses on the newest Joe team member, Hashtag, and her trouble to fit into the Joe team when her position is eliminated. There’s some great character development for her, but it doesn’t take away from the missions that the Joes are sent on. This was actually a real page turner, and Allor managed to give us a great close to this issue, yet leaving the characters in a great “to be continued” moment.

Samurai Jack #5
Written by Jim Zub
Art by Andy Suriano
Colors by Josh Burcham
Letters by Shawn Lee
Cover by Genndy Tartakovsky
IDW Publishing
Release Date: February 26, 2014
Cover Price: $3.99

Our favorite time-traveling Samurai is back in Samurai Jack #5 with the epic conclusion of the story arc, Threads of Time.

Samurai Jack was a groundbreaking cartoon on the Cartoon Network and continues its story in the comic book pages. The cartoon style artwork transitions well to the medium, so the look and feel of the TV show is well maintained. But as to the story”¦..?

[Spoiler Alert”¦]

Our hero fails miserably. Every step on his journey leading up to this confrontation ends in a single frame. Picture the Firelord Ozai (from The Last Airbender) kicking Ang around until reaches the Avatar state, but ending the story there.