Dynamite Entertainment; $3.99

No, it’s not just another variant cover of the Kevin Smith Green Hornet series. In fact, this is the one we eagerly wanted to read! Green Hornet: Year One #1 is written by Grendel creator and Zorro scribe Matt Wagner, who along with artist Aaron Campbell (Sherlock Holmes) clearly gets what makes the characters tick. While the story jumps between different years (all leading up to the first appearance of the Green Hornet and Kato), it is clear, easy to follow, and very precise with its impact.

There is nothing forced here. Instead Wagner, in keeping with the spirit of the story, takes the reader on a journey through which it seems completely logical for Britt Reid and Kato to end up as partners.

Campbell’s art is definitely up to the job, and we would be remiss not to single out the colors by Zorro artist Francesco Francavilla. They’re a major component of the book’s flavor.

Wagner himself illustrated our favorite cover, but there are also good ones from Alex Ross and John Cassaday, and a great one by Stephen Segovia, too. And of course there are 419 variants.