The main reason why you should read this comic every month is for the amazing stories that will continually add new dimensions to an otherwise simple premise of aliens attacking the Earth.

Last few issues dealt with gangsters, freeze rays, and a child prodigy. This one opens with Venusians wielding laser whips. Such unexpected story elements break the mold of the standard story telling fare and provide readers with an unexpected and pleasing situation every month.

John McCrea’s art blends both the detailed bug-eyed monsters with the gruesome gore to enhance the already excellent stories. His attention to everything from the alien designs to the marvelous alien destructive machinery will give you pause to study each page.

I will not go into detail about story parts here so as to save you the enjoyment of the plot twists and turns. What I can safely share is that the issue follows Tommy Bailey, the kid genius who invented the Martian language translator, as he treks the icy aftermath of the battle from last issue.

Tommy comes across a gunman named Avery Hendershot. After the meeting, the story gives some background on Avery’s encounter with an alien spaceship so big that it takes up three pages of art.

Tommy and Avery look to infiltrate the Martian ship to reclaim Dr. Walters, the scientist who made the alien killing device.

The story moves along at a great pace. The characters prove to be functional and fun, and the interaction makes for an entertaining read. Best of all, Layman handles the continuity for the series with a delicate mastery.

This bears restating: for a comic with such a simple premise, Mars Attacks delivers one of the most unique comic book experiences every month.

Score: 4/5

Writer: John Layman

Artist: John McCrea

Publisher: IDW Publishing

Price: $3.99

Release Date: 4/10/13