American Barbarian

In this latest offering by Scioli (Godland; The Myth of 8-Opus), readers are treated to a sci-fi epic that is over the top in the very best sense of the expression. Once again channeling Jack Kirby, Scioli gives us the tale of Meric—youngest of seven sons and proud progeny of the Yoosamon Dynasty—in what can best be described as Thundarr the Barbarian meets Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, with homages to Star Wars thrown in—the half-Wookie, half-Scream-villain, Buu-Chaka, comes to mind. Meric must avenge the slaughter of his father and five of his six brothers at the hands of Two-Tank Omen, a giant pharaoh with tanks for feet. All that Meric has are his wits and his star sword (and, yes, okay, a bunch of allies that include dinosaurs). Even those readers who might not get the humor and intelligence of Scioli’s writing can’t help being blown away by what he can do with pen and ink. The strong visceral connection to the comics of days gone by makes this book worth reading for this experience alone. Most readers will simply read it because, for lack of a better word, it’s awesome. (Mar.)