I've always been fascinated with the Green Man character. The nature symbol is primarily known for his face, which has been popping up in churches and other kinds of architecture all over the world since 400 AD. Because of his ubiquity, specific legends have been difficult to pin down and impossible to organize, meaning that there's an air of mystery around the character. That's part of what's so appealing about him.

The latest effort to explore the Green Man's mythology is by Eco Comics, the digital arm of small-press publisher Mohawk Media, which got its start (and name) from a 2008 Mr. T graphic novel. Focusing its marketing on the environmentally friendly, paperless aspect of digital comics, Eco is adopting the Green Man as a mascot and giving him his own series.

Although there have been a couple of Green Lanterns called Green Man -- and Charles Vess calls his publishing company Green Man Press -- writer Chris Bunting (Mr. T) may be on the right track when he says, "I don't believe that [the Green Man] has ever been given his own story, let alone comic book – until now."

All that he'll say about the story is that "the Green Man’s return is prompted by a threat to the last woodland in England. And when another legendary character turns up, all hell breaks loose." The 69-page comic, drawn by John-Paul Howard and available directly from Mohawk by emailing the company, costs $1.95 and includes an article on the history of the Green Man.