August
31 Twisted Toyfare Theatre: 10th Anniversary Collection

Creators: Toyfare Magazine writers and editors

Wizard Entertainment, color, $29.99

Before they stormed Cartoon Network with "Robot Chicken," the editors and writers at Toyfare magazine were splitting geeks' sides with Twisted Toyfare Theatre, now celebrating its 10th anniversary with the release of a classy paperback collection.

TTT consists of laugh-out-loud comic strips that use photos of action figures (primarily Megos, which are apparently big enough and articulated enough to make them the figures of choice) in storylines ripped from the pages of various geek texts (Marvel superheroes and "Star Wars" are, naturally, the most-used templates). Spider-Man is hilariously used as a straight man surrounded by such sights as Dr. Octopus trying to wed Aunt May, and a chaotic senate hearing on Coruscant.

Collecting their picks for the best of TTT since 1997, the book features some classic bits, including "Super Villain Jeopardy," an insane-looking Alan Moore battling Oscar Wilde, a funny "24" spoof, and one featuring zombie smurfs. In one of the best stories, Daredevil sues Ben Affleck for his poor performance in -- you guessed it -- "Daredevil."

It's also fun to see some of the early strips, when the style of humor hadn't quite yet jelled. Each strip is preceded by brief commentary, and there are short bios of some of the recurring characters, while Jeph Loeb provides the collection's introduction. The book also features a brand new strip, where Spider-Man -- against his will -- recounts his past TTT exploits with James Lipton on "Inside the Actor's Studio."

Grade: A-

Reviewed by David Lewis.