Moench, Doug

The Forensic Files of Batman

Although strong and relentless, Batman has no super powers. Instead he relies on Sherlock Holmes-like abilities of deduction and detection. Forensic Files of Batman features two dozen entries from Batman's Case Files. Most are written by Batman himself, but two are from Police Commissioner Gordon, and there are a couple of other entries from Batman's right hand man, Alfred the butler. Cases range from the puzzling to the bizarre, and feature such classic Batman villains as The Joker, Catwoman, Poison Ivy, and Two-Face. Interspersed among the Case File reports are sidebars that explain the specific kinds of forensic science that Batman uses to solve his cases.

What If? Classic Volume 3 TPB (What If Classics)

It's alternate-Earth anarchy as Doctor Strange, Captain Marvel, Ghost Rider, Spider-Woman, Nova and Shang-Chi are turned against humanity when fate is tossed a twist by that infamous question mark! Plus: The Howling Commandos fight for Earth, and Spider-Man fights for... ratings!? Featuring the Fantastic Four, Daredevil and Hellstorm! Collects What If? #14-15, 17-20.

Essential Iron Fist, Vol. 1 (Marvel Essentials)

Essential Iron Fist is another good use of Marvel's budget-priced Essentials series. Iron Fist was a second-tier character intended to capitalize on the '70s kung-fu craze who ended up occupying a middle ground between conventional super-heroes and Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu. Created by Roy Thomas and Gil Kane, Iron Fist was raised as a martial-arts master in the fabled city of K'un-Lun, but gave up an immortal life in that paradise in order to return to the United States in pursuit of revenge. Essential Iron Fist Vol. 1 collects his opening run in Marvel Premiere 15-25 followed by his own book, Iron Fist 1-15. The book floundered a bit once the initial story arc was over, but was distinguished by the team of Chris Claremont and John Byrne, who were also working on their historic run on the X-Men (there's some character overlap). But even so, Iron Fist only lasted 15 issues until some of the loose ends had to be tied up in two issues of Marvel Team-Up featuring Spider-Man. The volume concludes with Power Man 48-50, in which Iron Fist meets his eventual partner Luke Cage, the former Hero for Hire. --David Horiuchi

Collects Marvel Premiere #15-25, Iron Fist #1-15, Marvel Team-Up #63-64, and Power Man & Iron Fist #48-50.

Essential Monster Of Frankenstein Volume 1 TPB (Essential (Marvel Comics))

Batman Four of a Kind

Batman & Dracula: Red Rain

Batman and the world's most famous vampire--seems like a perfect combination. Except for the fact that Dracula wants to turn Gotham City into his personal kingdom of the undead. Batman is left with no choice but to side with a renegade band of vampires and face Dracula face to face. Kelley Jones brings his creepy, exaggerated Wrightsonesque artwork to this clever story. A big favorite with the fans, the first edition of this graphic novel was out of print within a month.

Six From Sirius

Created in 1984, Six From Sirius featured the incredible pairing of writer/creator Doug Moench and artist/creator Paul Gulacy! The pair - best known for their collaborative run on Marvel Comics' The Master of Kung Fu, among other comic classics - created the series for Marvel's Epic imprint back in the mid-80s. The series, featuring the intergalactic adventures of a team of agents, combined action, intrigue and suspense, all against the backdrop of that final frontier - space!

Batman: Crimson Mist (Batman (DC Comics Hardcover))

Shang-Chi: The Hellfire Apocalypse (Shang-Chi: Master of Kung Fu)

Comics pre-eminent star of martial arts action -- Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu -- is back. If Moench and Gully's seminal Master of Kung Fu successfully tapped into the Bruce Lee kung fu craze and popular James Bond spy flicks, then their revamped MOKF will appeal to the folks who are packing the seats for the latest Jet Li flick, or "Mission Impossible" sequel.

Wolverine: Doombringer