Awesome Comics

There’s a theory going around that there’s a single punchline that can be applied to virtually all comics without affecting the comedic value of the original. In fact, it almost always enhances them.

Portland storyboard artist Graham Annable has deftly combined Star Wars and Lost in an amusing mashup comic. It kind of makes you wonder if the Dharma Initiative is a subsidiary of the Empire.

An entertaining animated short from Icon Motosports with a visceral graphic novel appeal, illustrated by Lukas Ketner which features a few of their cool jacket and helmet styles too.

Iowa artist Michael Myers has created a richly jewel-toned series of posters, inspired by vintage DC Comics. Be sure to check out his amusingly accurate Lost character illustrations too.

Get a preview of Bitolithic’s Comic Zeal V4, an iPad version of its iPhone app; for the uninitiated, it’s a comic reader that reads CBZ, ZIP, CBR, and RAR files natively (PDF with Sync).

Nearly every superhero struggles with balancing their privacy with serving the public, but this The Flash t-shirt isn’t what we had in mind: his private life gets very, very public.

Eisner Award-winning comic The Invincible Iron Man is now available as an Omnibus; Volume 1 includes issues 1-19, from his fight with Ezekiel Stane to his days as a fugitive.

Axe Cop is our new favorite web comic: written by Ethan Nicolle and his 5-year old son Malachai, it includes unicorn babies, one-eyed robots, avocado soldiers, and a man-eating snowman.

Kazu Kibuishi’s much-loved Copper comic strip is now available as a book; it’s a more esoteric version of Calvin and Hobbes with beautiful illustrations and Kazu’s trademark subtle humor.

It’s not the two movie travesties but issues 554-569 of the Fantastic Four comic by Bryan Hitch and Mark Millar (the latter of Kick-Ass and Wanted fame); the 400 pg. Omnibus ships 2/10/2010.

The Rocketeer: The Deluxe Complete Edition is a tribute to Dave Stevens, who sadly passed in 2008; his comic inspired the 1991 film and is included along with never-before-seen drawings.

No claws or sideburns, but this Wolverine Jacket is an official replica from the first X-Men film with hand-distressed genuine leather, metal dog tags, and an X-Men sew-in label.

Although its ink is not as sanguine as the original comics, the KISS Kompendium is definitely epic: its 1,280 pages contain every KISS comic book with a foreword by Gene Simmons.

Minifigs get superpowers thanks to artist Ulises Farinas’ LEGO Superheroes; he’s only done two pieces (DC-themed Rise and Lego my Marvel), but they’re absolutely marvel-ous.

We’re fans of the fully-suited Iron Man collectibles, but we like how this Mech Test Tony Stark figure bares it all; Robert Downey, Jr. floats 12″ tall alongside a platform and robotic arm.

In its fourth edition, Best American Comics 2009 features the best of this year’s stories from graphic novels, newspapers, and more; illustrators include KAZ, Chris Ware, and Robert Crumb.

One of the best head sculpts we’ve ever seen, Hot Toys’ 1:6 scale, 12″ The Comedian does justice to our favorite Watchmen character with five weapons, a cigar, and full body harness.

Disaster flicks are as formulaic as they are extreme, but Mike Russell’s Make Your Own Disaster Movie shows just what a perfectly-tuned storm Zemeckis, Bay, and company are.

Based on the comic books, this first teaser for Kick-Ass easily drop-kicks its way into our geeky hearts; it’s about teenagers who decide to become real-life superheroes (sans powers).

The Dark Knight wasn’t always the invisible predator we know and love today: Batman Vanishing shows our favorite vigilante crusader in his early (and considerably less stealthy) days.

Holy awesome, Batman: made by Gotham Cruisers, this Replica 1966 Batmobile may be based on a ’76 Continental, but features a working flamethrower, parachute packs and batphone.

Ryan Dunlavey’s Comic Strip Mashups awesomely marry science fiction and weekend funnies; Dark Side and Fantastic Family Circus rock, but there’s no beating Spy vs Spy vs AvP.

Your inner caped crusader won’t want to miss Marvel’s Create Your Own Comic: make and print up to a 22-page comic book with dozens of characters, backgrounds and layouts.