Jones and Ka-Zar have their first mediocre issue. Anderson is fine, opening the issue with this amazing panel of a snow covered jungle, but the story is lacking.

The issue concentrates on Shanna this time and Jones hurries her through a life crisis. It turns out Ka-Zar‘s Atlantis isn’t really in Marvel Universe continuity (or, if it is, the Atlantean in this issue’s never heard of Namor). It’s a quick little love story, with Shanna getting an Atlantean ghost as an admirer.

But Jones removes the drama from it. She doesn’t have to pick between men, she has to pick between Ka-Zar living and dying. That development changes the story’s trajectory, making it melodramatic and common.

And even though Jones’s characterization of Shanna isn’t bad, her suitor’s pretty lame.

It feels like a rush attempt–or even a regular one–when the story demands more thoughtfulness, more attention to detail.

It’s a flashback issue, but only flashing back to right before the first issue of the series. Jones gives the reader an insight into what’s made Ka-Zar so thoughtful about his place in the world (other than being the protagonist in a thoughtful comic book).

Jones gets away with a lot here because he realizes he needs to make Ka-Zar feel identifiable to the reader. There are quizzical pop culture references, making one wonder if all Ka-Zar’s time in the civilized world is spent watching TV or movies. But it works, because Jones has to make his struggles (as the protagonist) matter. They’re also pretty funny.

The issue is split between resolving the opening arc and the flashback, about half and half. Jones and Anderson’s trip, in the flashback, through the Savage Land is utterly fantastic. It mixes action and humanity.

I can’t believe this series isn’t more well-known.

Lots more Robert E. Howard influence to detail again. This time it’s lost Atlantean machinery. Now, it works great as a plot detail–and as machinery, apparently Atlantean devices are easier to use than Apple ones–but it’s got me confused.

Ka-Zar is in Marvel continuity, right? Their Antarctica is all funky with these lost lands. But Namor’s from Atlantis, isn’t he? In other words, it isn’t hard to find Atlantean technology. And why’s it in Antarctica?

But those are small detail problems and the issue’s still another great one. Ka-Zar and Shanna meet up with one of his other love interests and have some problems. There’s also a dinosaur and a cute flying bat creature.

It’s the closest Jones has done to an all-action issue, with barely any time for Ka-Zar to pause to reflect. Anderson’s art carries the reader through.

Ka-Zar continues to impress.

So another similarity between Ka-Zar and Conan? Every woman Ka-Zar meets is beautiful… and of loose morale character.

I wish the series were about Shanna, being some dedicated scientist who goes a little crazy with the jungle boy, but it’s all an act.

Anyway, Jones’s back on track, even though the last issue was only the most minor dip. He’s confronting Ka-Zar’s personal weaknesses, juxtaposing them against Shanna’s strengths.

Ka-Zar is shockingly good jungle adventure. I can’t get over the quality of Jones’s writing on the series. He’s not just using Conan for inspiration, he’s also dedicating himself to each issue being a full experience. There are plots and subplots and cliffhangers… for each issue.

Having Anderson is, of course, key. Anderson’s able to make striking panels, which convey all the presence of a full page spread, but only taking up a fourth of a page.

I don’t love this issue of Ka-Zar as much as the first. Jones opens the comic with revelations from Shanna, but he’s iffy on showing her side of them. It’s actually a strange approach–he implies her perspective on them, with Anderson doing a great job complementing the implications, but it’s too little. Ka-Zar is from Ka-Zar’s point of view and Jones needed to figure out a better way to show Shanna’s take without breaking the POV.

That long quibble aside, it’s still surprising great jungle adventure. There’s a lot more of the Conan influence here, along with maybe some John Carter of Mars. Ka-Zar and Shanna face off against some flying pterodactyl men (and team up with the good bird people).

Anderson, who was no slouch last issue, is getting better at an exponential rate. His inventive panel composition makes the issue a visual delight.

Ka-Zar‘s a great find.

If the first issue is any indicator, Bruce Jones’s Ka-Zar is a mix of Conan, Tarzan and Woody Allen. This issue is Ka-Zar roaming around, acting like a petulant teenager (even though he’s apparently late twenties) and thinking about his crazy life.

It’s a rough life too. He starts the issue bedding Shanna of the Jungle (with a dinosaur looking on). Now, they’re not dating, they’re just the only two people in the Savage Land so occasionally they get together. The revelation of this character relationship is about when I decided Jones was doing a crazy good job.

After Shanna rejects his marriage proposal, Ka-Zar heads off looking for his cat. He discovers Conan-like new lands and a new girl. See, Shanna rejected his marriage proposal.

Adventure, romance and disappointment ensue.

With Brent Anderson’s great jungle adventure art, Ka-Zar is off to a great start.