This review is a bit late, I know, but I felt strongly that the ifanboy community should know how entertaining this is, and the high level of storytelling.

Seems like Simonson doesn’t get much love these days…you already know of his legendary run on Thor.

The Judas Coin belongs on your permanent classic shelf. I’m not going to reveal any spoilers but here’s the concept:

The Judas Coin — a silver coin from the purse paid to Judas (you know him) — is followed through the centuries as it passes through 6 hands and how the power of the Coin impacts each:

• 73 AD – The Golden Gladiator
• 1000 AD – The Viking Prince
• 1720 AD – Captain Fear (pirate)
• 1881 AD – Bat Lash
• The Present – Two Face (& Batman)
• 2087 AD – Manhunter 2070

Individual Ratings:
• 73 AD – The Golden Gladiator: Story 4/ Art 5
• 1000 AD – The Viking Prince — HELLO THOR LOVERS!! Simonson is soooo in his element with this story. Story 5/Art 5 …hell, Art 10!
• 1720 AD Captain Fear — As Simonson notes in the liner notes, this story is more about the art than the story. There are so many layers and textures in these panels. Story 4/ Art 10!
• 1881 AD Bat Lash — A Bat Lash story! Who doesn’t love a good Bat Lash story? Simonson has Bat’s character down pat. The dialogue is perfect. Story 5/ Art 5
• The Present — Two Face (& Batman) — Un-freaking-believable. This story ( and the Viking prince) are alone worth the purchase price — The story layout is NOT horizontal– it’s vertical, almost like a newspaper.

The visual storytelling is strong, I mean REALLY good. I haven’t seen black & white art this good in … I don’t know how long.

In only a few short pages, Simonson tells a fantastic Two-Face story that puts muc–if not most– of the recent Bat-world material to shame (excepting Snyder’s run).

Story 10/ Art 10

• 2087 AD Manhunter — stylistically, almost Anime, or Battle of the Planets, a real departure from the rest of the book, but again, thematically right in tune. Story 4/ Art 5

What else to say? An epic work that will provide many many satisfying re-reads.