By ANDREW A. SMITH, Scripps Howard News Service

He's been played by Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger. He's the principal foe of the world's most popular action hero, and has been around since 1940. His origins may or may not include the movie "The Man Who Laughs," a red hood, self-mutilation or a dump in a toxic chemical vat -- his past, he says, is multiple choice.

Everyone's heard of Conan, which tends to overshadow creator Robert E. Howard's other major barbarian character: Kull the Conqueror. Dark Horse's Arvid Nelson intends to change that with "Kull" No. 1, out this month.

The extraordinary 2008 campaign is finally wrapping up, after what seems like 5 million years. It's not just true of the real world; presidential politics have often played important roles in the comics, too.

Let's take a look at my top five presidential moments of yesteryear:

One of the best publishers extant is NBM, which has a large and eclectic catalog of comic gems.

It's time to pull some of the better books out of the Teetering Tower of Review Comics. Today's theme: Chicks!

DC Comics has been touting its new direction and creative team for the Maid of Steel, beginning with "Supergirl" No. 34 ($2.99), out this month. And I have to say my first reaction was anger.

I've often called this the Golden Age of Reprints. And if I'm right, it may have ridden in on a Dark Horse.

"Embrace change."

You might have heard that on ESPN2 or MTV, where commercials with this message have aired. Or you might have seen it in the many house ads in Marvel Comics. There's even a Web site devoted to it (see below), including screen savers, webisodes and a Twitter link.

What does that mean, to embrace change?

With Wall Street imploding, the obvious question on everybody's mind is: How will this affect fictional gazillionaires?

OK, maybe not. But it's fun, and we've got a guide to help us figure it out: the annual "Forbes Fictional 15" (Forbes.com), which lists the richest characters who exist only in our imagination -- and in comics, movies, videogames, etc.

Before Conan, there was Solomon Kane.

Have you ever wondered how Batman would vote? Wonder no more, if you pick up "DC Universe: Decisions" No. 1, which arrives Sept. 10.

According to Dan DiDio, grand pooh-bah of the DC Comics superhero books, this four-issue, bi-weekly miniseries will reveal the political affiliations of most of DC's major spandex characters in September and October.