CRUSH

Misfit Goth-girl Elizabeth Mason endures what may be the worst 18th birthday ever when she discovers her dysfunctional family isn't her real one, and that they have purposely kept her origins from her in an attempt to hide a terrifying secret. This secret rears its unwelcome head when Liz discovers that, from now on, she transforms into a brutal monster named Crush whenever she bleeds. Her savage, man-hating alter ego swiftly sets about obtaining bone-crunching vengeance against anyone who's made Liz's life miserable. The short list includes catty popular high school girls, an obnoxious creep whose attempts at flirtation veer toward sexual harassment and a local redneck who is convinced Liz is a witch. Further complicating matters is a clandestine group, headed by the masked Mr. Vesper, who has a marked interest in Liz's unusual predicament, and a trio of murderous teen werewolves dispatched to lure her into the open for unknown but undoubtedly sinister purposes. As her enemies loom, Liz must determine how to cope with the unexpected existence of the ultra-violent Crush, with only her two best friends by her side. The polished, fresh artwork complements the fast-moving, thoughtful script and offers readers an intriguingly skewed journey into Hulk territory. (Sept.)