One note - August 24 was our 2 year anniversary mark. As we move forward you can expect more of the same and maybe a few changes here and there. I keep thinking we have to move to wordpress as it is all the rage, but we will see.
It feels like we have hit a quite time in the industry and even my real world job has slowed down a tiny bit. I think August is when the last vacations are being completed and in comics everyone is still recovering from the San Diego comic con. What this all mean is I have no rant as I type this week as I’m in shock due to my list. This week is one of those where it might be shorter if I listed what I’m not getting. Although I had hoped these type of weeks were in my past, every once in a while everything hits at once and I have a monster week.
Ambush Bug Year None #2 (of 6) – The first issue of this book was so much fun, from trying to buy an appliance without a dead body, to the death of Jonni DC. The insanity inside “The second issue of our 6-issue romp through the DC Universe takes us on a mystic journey into space, where we encounter a new world and witness the return of Amber Butane — all, like, irreverently! Irreverentially? Plus, find out what really happened when Ambush Bug met Blue Beetle!”
Batman Gotham After Midnight #4 (of 12) – This book is screaming to be a
hardcover collection once it is done. Kelly Jones is just a joy to look at and Niles is having fun writing this. The word “It's the ultimate knock-down, drag-out as Batman fights for his life — and all of Gotham City — against a gargantuan Clayface. But what is the mysterious Midnight up to during their fight – and who will be his next victim? Plus, what happens when Detective April Clarkson's investigations lead her to Bruce Wayne? It's gonna get gory and gruesome in Gotham after midnight!”
Blue Beetle #30 – Now that we have a new writer and he has opened strong he has to set a direction and move the character forward. The hype “”Boundaries" continues as Blue Beetle investigates the mystery of the superpowered men who tried to cross the border illegally. But La Dama and the Posse refuse to help him out, thanks to their own secret agendas”
Catwoman #82 – NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I hate that this
series is ending. Let’s see if RIP is causing it to end or what, but I will miss her solo adventures. Of course every good character comes back to getting a title again. The word “The not-so-long kiss goodnight! Catwoman's trying to stay one step ahead of Batman, the police and the supervillains of Gotham City, but in this final issue she's going to have to double-cross one of them. Will they be able to live with it? And will she still be standing when the smoke has cleared?”
DC Universe Last Will and Testament – No real idea what to expect, but with Brad Metzler at the helm it is almost a mortal lock to be a sentimental post card to times past. Brad is a good writer, he is just too sentimental about the characters he loves and that has made for some slow moving comics that go nowhere. The hype “The final battle is quickly approaching. How do the heroes of the DCU prepare for the end? Whom do they approach and say goodbye to before they make the ultimate sacrifice? Featuring the entire DC Universe, Meltzer takes us deep into the hearts and psyches of our heroes. It's the day before you die. What would you do?”
Final Crisis Rogues Revenge #2 (of 3) – The first issue was well done and we
saw the old guard being pushed aside and Professor Zoom and his Kid Flash take center stage and a hint that Barry Allen maybe showing up. I like that it is a story about the rogues first and foremost. What’s inside “Life was easier when the Rogues had Barry Allen for a foe – or at least it was a bit more fun. Now, hunted by Libra and the Secret Society for refusing to worship the impending evil that is prophesized to claim Earth, Cold and his crew find themselves attacked on several fronts . . . and that doesn't sit well with the Rogues. Plus, a bizarre twist for Inertia!”
Final Crisis Superman Beyond #1 (of 2) – I think it is a good idea that if Superman’s role in Final Crisis needs to be expanded that it is done as a separate spin-off and that allows the Superman books themselves to continue on with a different story uninterrupted by a forced cross-over. Since I wear glasses the 3-D can be a pain, but still fun. The hype “To save the woman he loves, the greatest hero of all time becomes the pawn of ultra-dimensional forces when a wounded emissary from a world of doomed super gods comes to Earth on the eve of the Final Crisis. His mission: To recruit Superman's help against an epic, reality-spanning menace that originated in the Crisis on Infinite Earths!
Join the Man of Steel and his alternate-earth counterparts for a mind-blowing voyage to the edge of the DC Universe — and beyond! Can these super champions overcome their differences to beat the clock, find the ultimate treasure and save all existence from extinction?Writer Grant Morrison and artist Doug Mahnke take you on an unforgettable, hyperdelic journey from the streets of Metropolis, through the 52 worlds of the multiverse, to the haunted court of the King of Limbo, in part one of this 2-issue Superman adventure!With a unique 3-D section, eye-popping visuals and mind-boggling glimpses into the mysteries behind FINAL CRISIS, SUPERMAN BEYOND takes the Man of Tomorrow to new dimensions of action and excitement! This issue comes with a pair of 3-D glasses!"
Jack of Fables #25 - I’m hot and cold on this book. The times past arc for the last three issues
was fun, but I’m not sure where this book is going. The word “Let's face it: You already know what's going to happen in this issue. Jack's going to do something smarmy, some creepy guy will do something creepy, an egg will explode, and a little blue pig will pontificate on weighty matters while wearing a brassiere on his head. Just another typical chapter in the life of Jack of The Tales. In this issue, however, we learn a bit more about the lovely young librarian Robin Page, and find out why she does the things she does. It's part one of a new story, even!” No matter what I love Brian Bolland doing the covers.
JLA Deluxe Edition HC Volume #1 – This is the first hard cover collection of the Grant Morrison run on JLA. I have to admit that when this first came out I was not blown away and Howard Porter is not one of my top ten artists. Still it is a worthwhile run and for me hard covers are the way to go. This volume contains “Relive the legendary 1990s JLA series, written by comics mastermind Grant Morrison (FINAL CRISIS) with stunning art by Howard Porter and others, in this amazing oversized hardcover collecting JLA #1-9 and SECRET FILES AND ORIGINS #1! The action begins as the JLA reunites to stop the Hyperclan, who have come to Earth posing as a new group of super heroes. But as their true nature comes to light, only the World's Greatest Super Heroes can stop them! Standing side by side, Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, The Flash, Green Lantern and the Martian Manhunter take on alien posers and come to realize that Earth needs a protectorate made up of only the mightiest icons!”
Justice Society of America #18 – This book is becoming DC’s equivalent of Captain America. It
still has 20 more issues of dragging the story line out to match Captain America, but it needs to move a lot faster. No matter what this is a group of characters I love and we have Johns writing and great art. The word “Magog is introduced into the DC Universe in "Gog" part 3! The last god of the Third World has walked the Earth delivering good will to men wherever he goes. But out of a violent confrontation comes the birth of the one being the Kingdom Come Superman must stop: Magog! Meanwhile, Starman struggles with his new role on the team and Damage celebrates his. Plus, Power Girl's strange ordeal on Earth-2 leads her to seek out help from an unlikely source.”
Legion of Super Heroes #45 – Jim Shooter’s run on this book has been excellent. He really knows how to build multiple plot lines and give a lot of characters stage time and still move the main story forward. What’s inside “A massive intruder planet has appeared near Jupiter – and its gravity is ripping apart the solar system! Under Brainiac 5's guidance, Light Lass and Star Boy fight back, but they'll have to do the impossible – moving planets – to end the chaos and carnage!”
Madame Xanadu #3 – This book has been a hit for me since issue #1. The
beautiful art by Amy Reeder Hadley is breath taking and Matt Wagner is writing a fascinating story. The hype “The hands of fate keep on ticking! In the court of Kublai Khan, an ageless seer who's taken the name Madame Xanadu tries to forget her endless past – but half the globe and nearly a millennium of history do little to conceal her from destiny.”
Northlanders #9 – This series is doing something very few series ever do and that is tell the story about one character and then move on to another character. This issue starts a story about a whole new character, but it is still a Viking tale. The word “An all-new story arc begins! Lindisfarne, England: An ancient center of religion and learning, and the infamous site of the first Viking raid. Described as "demons from hell," the Vikings kicked it off with a vicious attack on a monastery. See it all from the perspective of a native – a young Saxon boy who dreams of the larger world, of better things, of heroes and myths and foreign gods. Are the Vikings what he's been waiting for?”
Reign in Hell #2 (of 8) – The whole fight for control of Hell is okay, but I’m
more interested in how this will impact magic in the DCU. What’s inside “The war for control of hell has spread to the DC Universe! Now the mystics must choose sides as the conflict between Lord Satanus and Neron threatens to destroy everything! The stakes and body count are getting higher! Plus, a Dr. Occult backup story!”
Secret History of The Authority Jack Hawksmoor #6 (of 6) – I have enjoyed this series a lot. I like it when a series does what it is supposed to do and for me it filled out who Hawksmoor is a lot better and is giving us an enjoyable solo adventure. The hype “He's been smashed, crushed, shot, blown up, half drowned, manipulated, heartbroken, robbed of his powers and teleported all over the earth. Now, an exhausted Jack Hawksmoor meets the biggest challenge of his life: the awesome God of Cities!”
Suicide Squad from the Ashes TP – I loved the mini-series and still keeping
hoping they can work out the royalties stuff and do a Showcase of the original series. This trade contains “The Suicide Squad makes its triumphant return in this new volume collecting the recent miniseries. But how did team leader Rick Flag Jr. survive a ground-zero nuclear blast and return from the dead?”
Superman #679 – I love James Robinson but this has been a slow start to his run on this book. Of course I’m not sold on the artist being the right choice for this title. The hype “Two supermen: One, a man of yore, the other, the Man of Tomorrow! Atlas and Superman continue their all-out war, with Metropolis as the prize. But for all his power, Superman seems unable to defeat this titan of myth. With our hero down for the count, it will take another, unexpected hero to save the day. Guest-starring Supergirl and – someone else!”
Teen Titans #62 – The Teen Titans is an entertaining book, but it is not
moving beyond that level. I think the problem is that Robin is a central character and his life is too tied to the Bat-verse. When the Teen Titans were a big hit before all the side kicks were not tied to their mentors books. The word “Guest-starring Cyborg! When villains attack, it's up to two remarkable teens to pick up the pieces so the Teen Titans don't have to. This issue: a heartwarming look at Titans Tower through the eyes of its least-known inhabitants: Wendy, Marvin ... and Wonderdog?!”
Teen Titans Year One #6 (of 6) – The charm of this book wore off by issue #4, but I decided to ride out the end of the series. Should make a nice all age trade and could be a solid evergreen seller. The company line “The origin of the Teen Titans concludes with the return of Antithesis! How will the Titans defeat this monster as it exploits all their weaknesses and fears?”
Trinity #13 – The non-hype book as DC never gives this book the effort to
write up good hype. From my view point this series started off okay, but not with a bang, but has continually built upon itself and is telling a very good story about the big three of DC. What is very impressive is how strongly the second half of each issue supports the overall story.
Wildcats Worlds End #2 – To get the WU re-launched right they had to destroy the world to do it. The re-launch titles have been solid (except Gen 13) and have succeeded in getting my interest level up. The hype “The incredible story continues as the new, devastated world is revealed! The Wildcats find themselves battling a former ally — one who happens to be among the most powerful super-humans alive. Can the team withstand his assault on the HALO building? Also, don't miss the backup story featuring chapter one of a Wetworks tale written by Christos Gage and illustrated by Brandon Badeaux!”
Brit #8 – This series is okay, but it still has not grabbed me in the sense that I have a real level
of anticipation about the next issue. The company line “Intergalactic drug smugglers have been profiting a great deal by doing business on Earth. Brit's sister has been on the case for some time " but now, with a little help from her brother, she’ll finally shut them down " or instigate and all-out INVASION!” I hope this is not a secret invasion.
Guerillas #1 (of 9) – New series are always question marks, but this premise combines monkeys (always a good thing) and Viet Nam which become a focal point for a lot of things and made the time that I grew up in very interesting. The hype “As the Vietnam War continues to drag on, the U.S. decides to implement their new secret weapon… Monkeys! GUERILLAS is the first issue of an action-packed miniseries which follows a troop of specially trained chimpanzees and the lone human soldier brought along for the ride.”
Proof #11 – This book is one I’m always happy to see on the list for next
week. We ended last time with Ginger and Elvis in New York and Ginger was being asked to find a Golem. Proof was in a spot of trouble in the middle of the country dealing with Thunderbirds. What’s inside “Giant alligators fight a golem in New York's sewers! A religious cult thinks that Proof is the devil! And what is an ink monkey? Sound like too much for one comic book? Then you haven't seen Proof!”
Surreal Adventures of Edgar Allan Poo GN – Volume #2 – The first volume was such a surprise and so enjoyable that I picked up three or four copies and give away the extras. It was a literate fairly tale with great art by Thomas Boatwright. This time we have a different artist, but the preview pages look solid. The word “It's a clash of the titans as the forces of the Nightmare King collide with the armies of Terra Somnium in a battle to decide the fate of the Dream Child! In the end, Edgar Allan Poo must stand alone to rescue his mother and prevent the dark lord from trapping him in the realm of dreams... forever.” See a preview here.
Vix #2 (of 3) – Almost picking this up on a lark, as the first issue did not wow
me. It was not poorly done; it just wasn’t something that I didn’t enjoyed that much. Still I decided to try a second issue as it had it’s moments. The word “In this explosive issue, the comfortable life Vix knew is torn away. Unwillingly, she is thrust into the public eye in order to save her friends, and must face the terrible truth that she may have been betrayed by the person she believed in the most.”
Anna Mercury #3 (of 5) – The hype “Warren Ellis continues to strip away the layers of mystery from the sultry Anna Mercury in his all-new color series! In the aftermath of the disaster on New Ataraxia, Anna Mercury and her employers can't be blamed for thinking things couldn't get any worse. But the cracks in New Ataraxia run deeper than anyone could imagine, and when Anna stands down from active duty and returns to her 'normal' life, there's no one around to save that strange city as it slides from murderous to suicidal! A high-octane blend of The Shadow, Tomb Raider, retropunk science fiction, and 21st-century Weird Pulp Action, Anna Mercury is a headlong adventure serial about a beautiful and mysterious spy-adventurer who is not what she seems!” So far this series has been delivering with a lot of cool concepts, Ellis at his best and very good art.
Freedom Formula #2 (of 5) – The first issue was very cool and had wonderful art. We have a
futuristic world with these incredible racing machines. Our point of view character is caught up in a web of mystery that will pull him into that race. The company line “Zee's arrival at Los Petropolis sets a series of fateful events in motion when he joins the illegal Freedom Formula race. With corporations eager to crush the uprising of these underground racers, this modern day street war becomes a fight for survival.”
Caliber #5 (of 5) – This issue we are wrapping up the opening arc in our western remake of the Arthurian Legend. The word “The thrilling conclusion in the first chapter of the critically acclaimed Caliber series! Having survived the train ambush, Arthur, Whitefeather and Lance band together to rescue the remaining miners. The group then travel back to take care of some unfinished business with their nemesis and Telacoma?s overlord, Talbot Leary.”
Contract #2 (of 3) – This is a book that is packed with futuristic
settings, action and pure unadulterated fun. The closest equivalent I can think of would be the movie “The Fifth Element”. What’s inside “The mission - rescue a kidnapped girl from a gang of black market organ dealers. Tracking them to their hideout, Jessie, Panzer and Tsumi must get past the Organ-rippers protection, a couple of squads of heavily armed combat cyborgs that spend their entire lives viewing the world as an online fantasy video game!”
Corrective Measures GN – I took a flier on this book as the premise sounded interesting and Arcana is a publisher who while uneven has potential. The hype “San Tiburon Federal Correctional Institution has just received a new arrival -- an extremely dangerous vigilante calling himself Payback who is hellbent on killing the prisoners inside. While the Assistant Warden deals with the repercussions of adding such a volatile new prisoner, the Warden makes an attractive offer to a new Captain of Violent Crime… a former military man named Jason Brody. And soon, the wheels are set in motion for an inevitable showdown between the men.”
Doktor Sleepless #8 – I like this book, but it is just not sticking with me from
issue to issue. Warren Ellis has so much going on that I may be better served with the trades of this series. The company line “Doktor Sleepless returns to a regular schedule! Heavenside has seen better days. Bodies are starting to pile up, more are starting to get sick, and all the things people have always taken for granted are starting to not work. The promises of the future may all have been broken, but the Doktor has stayed true to his word - it's getting so the only constant in people's lives is the nightly Doktor Sleepless broadcast. And although that may be just how he wants it, that's what frightens Sing the most. But with everyone listening intently to the Doktor's every word, there may be no one left to listen to what she has to say! Warren Ellis' satirical-political science fiction novel continues its on-going run!”
EC Archives Tales for the Crypt Volume #3 – The deeper we get into these EC series I hear the better the work. Unfortunately I have not had the chance to read these like I want, but I committed to buying these as long as they publisher them. This volume contains “Reprints issues #13 - #18 (24 stories) of the comic book Tales From the Crypt, originally published in 1952 and 1953, and the inspiration for the hit movie and HBO series. Creators include Bill Gaines, Al Feldstein; Artists: Jack Davis, Jack Kamen, Graham Ingels, Al Williamson, Joe Orlando, George Evans. Foreward by comics historian Robert Overstreet.”
Fallen Angel #29 – This is my favorite book by Peter David right now. In
fact since I have dropped She-Hulk and X-Factor it is the only Peter David book I’m getting right now. The hype “You thought you had trouble going on a trip? Imagine being the Fallen Angel, her son Jude, and Black Mariah, trying to get to the fabled City of Life, stuck in the middle of the ocean with sharks converging and no land in sight. Just having to deal with lost luggage doesn't seem so bad now, does it?”
Gravel #4 – Some companies have minimal hype and then there is this hype “William Gravel has had a busy week - hunting down and disposing of his former co-workers one after the next, to relieve them of their peices of the hideously powerful Sigsand Manuscript. Killing magicians is tiring work, and Gravel would much prefer to relax with a nice pint, but it looks like he's going to have to deal with yet another adversary, and what's worse, this one has not arrived alone! Edwin Royston has brought with him his nine acolytes, an assemblage of young magicians who are ready to serve under him once he has finished what Gravel started: eradicating the remainder of the Minor Seven, Britain's greatest Occult Magicians. Near exhaustion, hopelessly outnumbered, and low on bullets, Gravel will have to dig into his deepest supernatural reserves to make it though this night alive. And if he manages to outlive the acolytes, he'll still have to battle Royston to the death to determine the owner of the fourth section of the Sigsand!” Reminds me of a trailer that almost gives away the entire movie.
Hercules #5 (of 5) – I have been enjoying this series a lot. I think of it as the “true” stories of
Hercules. We could see this is in the movies soon. The word “Hercules and his band of mercenaries face overwhelming odds as they take on the treacherous King Cotys and his Royal Guards in a final titanic battle. Slaughter, snares and a struggle for wealth beyond imagining. Yet even as the slate's washed clean in blood, there's still one last twist in the tale.”
Zombie Tales #4 – Continuing the anthology book of Zombie tales, that is a one shot this month. I wonder if this type of book would not be better served by doing it as a once a year graphic novel. The company line “A special book-length adventure from Christopher Morgan, co-writer of SALEM: QUEEN OF THORNS and screenwriter of WANTED! Three separate chapters by three different artists chronicle the birth, life and death of a young Japanese soldier who seeks only to defend his village and his family from the zombie hordes who surround his island!”
Black Panther #40 – Everyone else thought the last issue was a great Black Panther book, but I
had a lot of issues with it. Still it is Jason Aaron writing this arc, so I’ll check out part 2 of the SI cross-over. The hype “The nation of Wakanda has never been conquered by any outside invader, but then again, they've never faced an army of Super-Skrulls before, have they? As war rages on the plains of Africa, the Skrulls strike a major blow against the Black Panther. Could this be the end for all of Wakanda? No really, could it?” The answer is no it couldn’t.
Daredevil #110 – This has been a terrific story line on this book and it shows what a great writing team Brubaker and Rucka can be. I’m rather sad that it was just for this one arc. The word “The final chapter of "Cruel and Unusual" brings Daredevil and Dakota North to the truth about Big Ben Donovan's death sentence...but will the truth set any of them free?”
Davedevil by Bendis Omnibus – I have owned these books before and now
will be picking up the Omnibus and I’m not 100% sure why I’m doing it. I had a love/hate relationship with Bendis on Daredevil and I have a love/hate relationship with this format as I think past 500 pages it is almost too big. This volume contains “Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS Penciled by ALEX MALEEV, DAVID MACK, MANUEL GUTIERREZ, TERRY DODSON, GENE COLAN, LEE WEEKS, KLAUS JANSON, JOHN ROMITA, JOE QUESADA & MIKE AVON OEMING Cover by ALEX MALEEV An epic of ambition, betrayal and comeuppance culminates with the world learning the devil's mask hides a pair of blind eyes! The hero of Hell's Kitchen is assailed as both civilian and super hero by a wave of his worst enemies - including the Owl, Mister Hyde, Bullseye, Typhoid and the Kingpin of Crime! But it's the heart of the Man Without Fear that gets the real workout with not only the introduction of Milla Donovan - but also the Black Widow, Elektra and Echo! Who? Echo! Plus: the mystery of Leap-Frog and the trial of the White Tiger! Also featuring Luke Cage and Iron Fist, Jessica Jones, and enough other guest-stars to fill a jury box! Collecting DAREDEVIL #16-19 & #26-50 & #56-60. 848 PGS.”
Haunt of Horror Lovecraft #3 (of 3) – One of the few books I get for the art more then anything else. Richard Corben’s style fits this type of genre like a glove. The company line “Horror comics legend RICHARD CORBEN (HAUNT OF HORROR: EDGAR ALLAN POE) brings you a new 3-issue limited series that offers eerie new spins on the poems and short stories of H.P. Lovecraft. Each issue features three adaptations--beautifully rendered in black and white with gray tones as only Corben can do it--along with a printing of the original source text by H.P. Lovecraft. In this third and final issue, Corben brings you “Facts Concerning the Late Arthur Jermyn and His Family,” “The Well,” and “The Window.” It’s classic Lovecraft with a new twist!”
Iron Fist #18 – The new writer did a good job of keeping my interest in this story. Although he
has supposedly given us a locked in future as we started ten years ahead, although I’m sure that Iron Fist is not dying. The hype “A mysterious force that has plagued Immortal Iron Fists for centuries sets its sights on Danny Rand. But what is the Ch’i-Lin, and why is it destined to kill him? Danny races for answers for answers, as the fan-favorite legacy of the IMMORTAL IRON FIST grows even richer and more layered with the crackerjack creative team of Duane Swierczynski and Travel Foreman!”
Mighty Avengers #17 – I was enjoying the background stories for the whole Secret Invasion thing, but my interest level has waned as the main series has faltered. The word “The legacy of CAPTAIN MARVEL! The return of MAR-VELL has brought with it more questions then answers. In this special Secret Invasion tie-in, all those questions will be answered. Plus, Marvel Boy is confronted with his true destiny.”
Marvel Masterworks Marvel Comics Volume #102 – This should be my last
Golden Age Masterworks. I don’t think anything else could entice me for any other Golden Age Marvel Comics material. This issue contains “The wait is over, and the stage is set. It's fire vs. water in the most famous battle of comics' Golden Age! Breaking new ground like none other, MARVEL MYSTERY COMICS, the flagship title of Marvel's earliest days, started a craze that defines super-hero comic books to this day. With hero pitted against hero in a fight to the finish, you'd better place those bets and settle into your seats. 'Cause it's the final round of the Human Torch vs. the Sub-Mariner!Headlined by the lavish, manic and truly amazing Sub-Mariner by Bill Everett and the high-flying Human Torch by Carl Burgos, MARVEL MYSTERY COMICS is a bona-fide treasure trove of Golden Age action and adventure. The awesome and idiosyncratic Steve Dahlman brings you Electro, the Marvel of the Age, the monster-stomping robot featured today in THE TWELVE, while Paul Gustavson's Angel woos damsels in distress and battles the undead evils of the subterranean realm, and the jungle adventurer, Ka-Zar the Great, protects the Belgian Congo from the threats of the outside world. Also featuring the wild Western tales of the Masked Raider, boy-adventurer Terry Vance and a host of four-color companions -- each painstakingly restored to provide you with the best experience of these truly classic tales. Collecting MARVEL MYSTERY COMICS #9-12.”
New Avengers #44 – Again the back stories have been interesting, but overall my enthusiasm for this material is dying. Also I’m ticked that the skrulls crap has been forced into series that I normally would be enjoying more without the forced cross-over. The company line “The dark secret of the Illuminati. Marvel's most covert gathering of heroes has a secret so dark that they never speak of it, even to each other. And it could be what has brought about the Secret Invasion.”
Newuniversal Conqueror – The last one off story was good, so I have hopes
that this is also interesting. The main series seems to have slowed to a crawl again. What’s inside “Five thousand years ago, civilization was held in the mighty hand of the slayer called STARR, who defended his kingdom from all invaders. But what were these invaders? Simple monsters…or something more? In this, the second one-shot story exploring the history and mythos of the NEWUNIVERSAL world, writer SIMON SPURRIER-hand-picked by NEWUNIVERSAL's WARREN ELLIS-and visionary artist ERIC NGUYEN bring to life a history like you've never imagined!”
Nova #16 – This is a series that is doing fine on its own and has no need to be interrupted for the whole Secret Invasion thing. The hype “At last " our #1 sci-fi hero rockets into the alien invasion saga that’s tearing apart the Marvel Universe! But is our always-outnumbered space cop actually teaming with one of the enemy? When Super-Skrull comes asking for a favor, can you ever trust the warrior whose life was dedicated to destroying us?”
Thunderbolts #123 – This series really hit rock bottom with Ellis leaving
and then a forced Secret Invasion cross-over. By the time Andy Diggle gets a shot as writer the books sales will be bottoming out. The company line “The Skrull armada rains destruction on our nation's capitol! The only thing standing in their way? The Thunderbolts. But if salvation depends on a group of criminals and madmen who can barely keep from killing each other, is Earth doomed? Or are they exactly what we need against the merciless alien invaders? A major turning point for the Thunderbolts begins here!”
Ultimate Spider-Man #125 – The biggest threat this book faces is Jeph Loeb’s Ultimatum mini-series. The word “The War of the Symbiotes rages on - and the next victim may be Spider-Man himself! The high-flying Beetle has sliced off a tentacle of the slavering symbiote called Venom - but what does he want with it? Howling in pain, Venom gives chase to his tormentor through the streets of Manhattan, catching the attention of a certain wall-crawler. And when all three combatants come together, what occurs is so shocking, so unexpected, it could only happen in the book in which anything can happen!”
Wolverine #68 – This “Old Man Logan” story is okay, but even as an
Elseworlds story line it breaks down in its own logic at times. The hype “50 years after the super heroes died, WOLVERINE and the blind archer, HAWKEYE, continue their journey across a ruined America. Next stop: Cedar City, Utah--home of the man who killed Magneto: the all-new, all-different KINGPIN! And he isn’t about to let Logan and Hawkeye pass without paying the toll... Plus: the secret of Hawkeye’s daughter is revealed!”
X-Men Legacy #215 – The only X book in current continuity that I get that has been any good lately is the book I initially had doubts about. The word “With some of his oldest ghosts finally laid to rest, Charles Xavier feels the need to make peace with the X-Men who've been most important in his life. But starting with Scott Summers may have been a mistake - particularly when he decides to re-awaken some of Cyclops's worst nightmares against his will.”
As I said this is an absolute monster week. The frightening thing is thinking about the Best to Worst post for the following week, it maybe an abbreviated commentary on each book.
One quick side comment, that with the length of this post I’ll be shocked if anyone is still reading, Tom Cruise may star as Holden Carver from the Sleeper storyline. In my opinion that would kill that story. Cruise is pretty well done as an actor I care to see in my book and he is not a dark noir type actor.
Ambush Bug Year None #2 (of 6) – The first issue of this book was so much fun, from trying to buy an appliance without a dead body, to the death of Jonni DC. The insanity inside “The second issue of our 6-issue romp through the DC Universe takes us on a mystic journey into space, where we encounter a new world and witness the return of Amber Butane — all, like, irreverently! Irreverentially? Plus, find out what really happened when Ambush Bug met Blue Beetle!”Batman Gotham After Midnight #4 (of 12) – This book is screaming to be a
hardcover collection once it is done. Kelly Jones is just a joy to look at and Niles is having fun writing this. The word “It's the ultimate knock-down, drag-out as Batman fights for his life — and all of Gotham City — against a gargantuan Clayface. But what is the mysterious Midnight up to during their fight – and who will be his next victim? Plus, what happens when Detective April Clarkson's investigations lead her to Bruce Wayne? It's gonna get gory and gruesome in Gotham after midnight!”
Blue Beetle #30 – Now that we have a new writer and he has opened strong he has to set a direction and move the character forward. The hype “”Boundaries" continues as Blue Beetle investigates the mystery of the superpowered men who tried to cross the border illegally. But La Dama and the Posse refuse to help him out, thanks to their own secret agendas”Catwoman #82 – NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I hate that this
series is ending. Let’s see if RIP is causing it to end or what, but I will miss her solo adventures. Of course every good character comes back to getting a title again. The word “The not-so-long kiss goodnight! Catwoman's trying to stay one step ahead of Batman, the police and the supervillains of Gotham City, but in this final issue she's going to have to double-cross one of them. Will they be able to live with it? And will she still be standing when the smoke has cleared?”
DC Universe Last Will and Testament – No real idea what to expect, but with Brad Metzler at the helm it is almost a mortal lock to be a sentimental post card to times past. Brad is a good writer, he is just too sentimental about the characters he loves and that has made for some slow moving comics that go nowhere. The hype “The final battle is quickly approaching. How do the heroes of the DCU prepare for the end? Whom do they approach and say goodbye to before they make the ultimate sacrifice? Featuring the entire DC Universe, Meltzer takes us deep into the hearts and psyches of our heroes. It's the day before you die. What would you do?”Final Crisis Rogues Revenge #2 (of 3) – The first issue was well done and we
saw the old guard being pushed aside and Professor Zoom and his Kid Flash take center stage and a hint that Barry Allen maybe showing up. I like that it is a story about the rogues first and foremost. What’s inside “Life was easier when the Rogues had Barry Allen for a foe – or at least it was a bit more fun. Now, hunted by Libra and the Secret Society for refusing to worship the impending evil that is prophesized to claim Earth, Cold and his crew find themselves attacked on several fronts . . . and that doesn't sit well with the Rogues. Plus, a bizarre twist for Inertia!”
Final Crisis Superman Beyond #1 (of 2) – I think it is a good idea that if Superman’s role in Final Crisis needs to be expanded that it is done as a separate spin-off and that allows the Superman books themselves to continue on with a different story uninterrupted by a forced cross-over. Since I wear glasses the 3-D can be a pain, but still fun. The hype “To save the woman he loves, the greatest hero of all time becomes the pawn of ultra-dimensional forces when a wounded emissary from a world of doomed super gods comes to Earth on the eve of the Final Crisis. His mission: To recruit Superman's help against an epic, reality-spanning menace that originated in the Crisis on Infinite Earths!Join the Man of Steel and his alternate-earth counterparts for a mind-blowing voyage to the edge of the DC Universe — and beyond! Can these super champions overcome their differences to beat the clock, find the ultimate treasure and save all existence from extinction?Writer Grant Morrison and artist Doug Mahnke take you on an unforgettable, hyperdelic journey from the streets of Metropolis, through the 52 worlds of the multiverse, to the haunted court of the King of Limbo, in part one of this 2-issue Superman adventure!With a unique 3-D section, eye-popping visuals and mind-boggling glimpses into the mysteries behind FINAL CRISIS, SUPERMAN BEYOND takes the Man of Tomorrow to new dimensions of action and excitement! This issue comes with a pair of 3-D glasses!"
Jack of Fables #25 - I’m hot and cold on this book. The times past arc for the last three issues
was fun, but I’m not sure where this book is going. The word “Let's face it: You already know what's going to happen in this issue. Jack's going to do something smarmy, some creepy guy will do something creepy, an egg will explode, and a little blue pig will pontificate on weighty matters while wearing a brassiere on his head. Just another typical chapter in the life of Jack of The Tales. In this issue, however, we learn a bit more about the lovely young librarian Robin Page, and find out why she does the things she does. It's part one of a new story, even!” No matter what I love Brian Bolland doing the covers.
JLA Deluxe Edition HC Volume #1 – This is the first hard cover collection of the Grant Morrison run on JLA. I have to admit that when this first came out I was not blown away and Howard Porter is not one of my top ten artists. Still it is a worthwhile run and for me hard covers are the way to go. This volume contains “Relive the legendary 1990s JLA series, written by comics mastermind Grant Morrison (FINAL CRISIS) with stunning art by Howard Porter and others, in this amazing oversized hardcover collecting JLA #1-9 and SECRET FILES AND ORIGINS #1! The action begins as the JLA reunites to stop the Hyperclan, who have come to Earth posing as a new group of super heroes. But as their true nature comes to light, only the World's Greatest Super Heroes can stop them! Standing side by side, Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, The Flash, Green Lantern and the Martian Manhunter take on alien posers and come to realize that Earth needs a protectorate made up of only the mightiest icons!”Justice Society of America #18 – This book is becoming DC’s equivalent of Captain America. It
still has 20 more issues of dragging the story line out to match Captain America, but it needs to move a lot faster. No matter what this is a group of characters I love and we have Johns writing and great art. The word “Magog is introduced into the DC Universe in "Gog" part 3! The last god of the Third World has walked the Earth delivering good will to men wherever he goes. But out of a violent confrontation comes the birth of the one being the Kingdom Come Superman must stop: Magog! Meanwhile, Starman struggles with his new role on the team and Damage celebrates his. Plus, Power Girl's strange ordeal on Earth-2 leads her to seek out help from an unlikely source.”
Legion of Super Heroes #45 – Jim Shooter’s run on this book has been excellent. He really knows how to build multiple plot lines and give a lot of characters stage time and still move the main story forward. What’s inside “A massive intruder planet has appeared near Jupiter – and its gravity is ripping apart the solar system! Under Brainiac 5's guidance, Light Lass and Star Boy fight back, but they'll have to do the impossible – moving planets – to end the chaos and carnage!”Madame Xanadu #3 – This book has been a hit for me since issue #1. The
beautiful art by Amy Reeder Hadley is breath taking and Matt Wagner is writing a fascinating story. The hype “The hands of fate keep on ticking! In the court of Kublai Khan, an ageless seer who's taken the name Madame Xanadu tries to forget her endless past – but half the globe and nearly a millennium of history do little to conceal her from destiny.”
Northlanders #9 – This series is doing something very few series ever do and that is tell the story about one character and then move on to another character. This issue starts a story about a whole new character, but it is still a Viking tale. The word “An all-new story arc begins! Lindisfarne, England: An ancient center of religion and learning, and the infamous site of the first Viking raid. Described as "demons from hell," the Vikings kicked it off with a vicious attack on a monastery. See it all from the perspective of a native – a young Saxon boy who dreams of the larger world, of better things, of heroes and myths and foreign gods. Are the Vikings what he's been waiting for?”Reign in Hell #2 (of 8) – The whole fight for control of Hell is okay, but I’m
more interested in how this will impact magic in the DCU. What’s inside “The war for control of hell has spread to the DC Universe! Now the mystics must choose sides as the conflict between Lord Satanus and Neron threatens to destroy everything! The stakes and body count are getting higher! Plus, a Dr. Occult backup story!”
Secret History of The Authority Jack Hawksmoor #6 (of 6) – I have enjoyed this series a lot. I like it when a series does what it is supposed to do and for me it filled out who Hawksmoor is a lot better and is giving us an enjoyable solo adventure. The hype “He's been smashed, crushed, shot, blown up, half drowned, manipulated, heartbroken, robbed of his powers and teleported all over the earth. Now, an exhausted Jack Hawksmoor meets the biggest challenge of his life: the awesome God of Cities!”Suicide Squad from the Ashes TP – I loved the mini-series and still keeping
hoping they can work out the royalties stuff and do a Showcase of the original series. This trade contains “The Suicide Squad makes its triumphant return in this new volume collecting the recent miniseries. But how did team leader Rick Flag Jr. survive a ground-zero nuclear blast and return from the dead?”
Superman #679 – I love James Robinson but this has been a slow start to his run on this book. Of course I’m not sold on the artist being the right choice for this title. The hype “Two supermen: One, a man of yore, the other, the Man of Tomorrow! Atlas and Superman continue their all-out war, with Metropolis as the prize. But for all his power, Superman seems unable to defeat this titan of myth. With our hero down for the count, it will take another, unexpected hero to save the day. Guest-starring Supergirl and – someone else!”Teen Titans #62 – The Teen Titans is an entertaining book, but it is not
moving beyond that level. I think the problem is that Robin is a central character and his life is too tied to the Bat-verse. When the Teen Titans were a big hit before all the side kicks were not tied to their mentors books. The word “Guest-starring Cyborg! When villains attack, it's up to two remarkable teens to pick up the pieces so the Teen Titans don't have to. This issue: a heartwarming look at Titans Tower through the eyes of its least-known inhabitants: Wendy, Marvin ... and Wonderdog?!”
Teen Titans Year One #6 (of 6) – The charm of this book wore off by issue #4, but I decided to ride out the end of the series. Should make a nice all age trade and could be a solid evergreen seller. The company line “The origin of the Teen Titans concludes with the return of Antithesis! How will the Titans defeat this monster as it exploits all their weaknesses and fears?”Trinity #13 – The non-hype book as DC never gives this book the effort to
write up good hype. From my view point this series started off okay, but not with a bang, but has continually built upon itself and is telling a very good story about the big three of DC. What is very impressive is how strongly the second half of each issue supports the overall story.
Wildcats Worlds End #2 – To get the WU re-launched right they had to destroy the world to do it. The re-launch titles have been solid (except Gen 13) and have succeeded in getting my interest level up. The hype “The incredible story continues as the new, devastated world is revealed! The Wildcats find themselves battling a former ally — one who happens to be among the most powerful super-humans alive. Can the team withstand his assault on the HALO building? Also, don't miss the backup story featuring chapter one of a Wetworks tale written by Christos Gage and illustrated by Brandon Badeaux!”Brit #8 – This series is okay, but it still has not grabbed me in the sense that I have a real level
of anticipation about the next issue. The company line “Intergalactic drug smugglers have been profiting a great deal by doing business on Earth. Brit's sister has been on the case for some time " but now, with a little help from her brother, she’ll finally shut them down " or instigate and all-out INVASION!” I hope this is not a secret invasion.
Guerillas #1 (of 9) – New series are always question marks, but this premise combines monkeys (always a good thing) and Viet Nam which become a focal point for a lot of things and made the time that I grew up in very interesting. The hype “As the Vietnam War continues to drag on, the U.S. decides to implement their new secret weapon… Monkeys! GUERILLAS is the first issue of an action-packed miniseries which follows a troop of specially trained chimpanzees and the lone human soldier brought along for the ride.”Proof #11 – This book is one I’m always happy to see on the list for next
week. We ended last time with Ginger and Elvis in New York and Ginger was being asked to find a Golem. Proof was in a spot of trouble in the middle of the country dealing with Thunderbirds. What’s inside “Giant alligators fight a golem in New York's sewers! A religious cult thinks that Proof is the devil! And what is an ink monkey? Sound like too much for one comic book? Then you haven't seen Proof!”
Surreal Adventures of Edgar Allan Poo GN – Volume #2 – The first volume was such a surprise and so enjoyable that I picked up three or four copies and give away the extras. It was a literate fairly tale with great art by Thomas Boatwright. This time we have a different artist, but the preview pages look solid. The word “It's a clash of the titans as the forces of the Nightmare King collide with the armies of Terra Somnium in a battle to decide the fate of the Dream Child! In the end, Edgar Allan Poo must stand alone to rescue his mother and prevent the dark lord from trapping him in the realm of dreams... forever.” See a preview here.Vix #2 (of 3) – Almost picking this up on a lark, as the first issue did not wow
me. It was not poorly done; it just wasn’t something that I didn’t enjoyed that much. Still I decided to try a second issue as it had it’s moments. The word “In this explosive issue, the comfortable life Vix knew is torn away. Unwillingly, she is thrust into the public eye in order to save her friends, and must face the terrible truth that she may have been betrayed by the person she believed in the most.”
Anna Mercury #3 (of 5) – The hype “Warren Ellis continues to strip away the layers of mystery from the sultry Anna Mercury in his all-new color series! In the aftermath of the disaster on New Ataraxia, Anna Mercury and her employers can't be blamed for thinking things couldn't get any worse. But the cracks in New Ataraxia run deeper than anyone could imagine, and when Anna stands down from active duty and returns to her 'normal' life, there's no one around to save that strange city as it slides from murderous to suicidal! A high-octane blend of The Shadow, Tomb Raider, retropunk science fiction, and 21st-century Weird Pulp Action, Anna Mercury is a headlong adventure serial about a beautiful and mysterious spy-adventurer who is not what she seems!” So far this series has been delivering with a lot of cool concepts, Ellis at his best and very good art.Freedom Formula #2 (of 5) – The first issue was very cool and had wonderful art. We have a
futuristic world with these incredible racing machines. Our point of view character is caught up in a web of mystery that will pull him into that race. The company line “Zee's arrival at Los Petropolis sets a series of fateful events in motion when he joins the illegal Freedom Formula race. With corporations eager to crush the uprising of these underground racers, this modern day street war becomes a fight for survival.”Caliber #5 (of 5) – This issue we are wrapping up the opening arc in our western remake of the Arthurian Legend. The word “The thrilling conclusion in the first chapter of the critically acclaimed Caliber series! Having survived the train ambush, Arthur, Whitefeather and Lance band together to rescue the remaining miners. The group then travel back to take care of some unfinished business with their nemesis and Telacoma?s overlord, Talbot Leary.”Contract #2 (of 3) – This is a book that is packed with futuristic
settings, action and pure unadulterated fun. The closest equivalent I can think of would be the movie “The Fifth Element”. What’s inside “The mission - rescue a kidnapped girl from a gang of black market organ dealers. Tracking them to their hideout, Jessie, Panzer and Tsumi must get past the Organ-rippers protection, a couple of squads of heavily armed combat cyborgs that spend their entire lives viewing the world as an online fantasy video game!”
Corrective Measures GN – I took a flier on this book as the premise sounded interesting and Arcana is a publisher who while uneven has potential. The hype “San Tiburon Federal Correctional Institution has just received a new arrival -- an extremely dangerous vigilante calling himself Payback who is hellbent on killing the prisoners inside. While the Assistant Warden deals with the repercussions of adding such a volatile new prisoner, the Warden makes an attractive offer to a new Captain of Violent Crime… a former military man named Jason Brody. And soon, the wheels are set in motion for an inevitable showdown between the men.”Doktor Sleepless #8 – I like this book, but it is just not sticking with me from
issue to issue. Warren Ellis has so much going on that I may be better served with the trades of this series. The company line “Doktor Sleepless returns to a regular schedule! Heavenside has seen better days. Bodies are starting to pile up, more are starting to get sick, and all the things people have always taken for granted are starting to not work. The promises of the future may all have been broken, but the Doktor has stayed true to his word - it's getting so the only constant in people's lives is the nightly Doktor Sleepless broadcast. And although that may be just how he wants it, that's what frightens Sing the most. But with everyone listening intently to the Doktor's every word, there may be no one left to listen to what she has to say! Warren Ellis' satirical-political science fiction novel continues its on-going run!”
EC Archives Tales for the Crypt Volume #3 – The deeper we get into these EC series I hear the better the work. Unfortunately I have not had the chance to read these like I want, but I committed to buying these as long as they publisher them. This volume contains “Reprints issues #13 - #18 (24 stories) of the comic book Tales From the Crypt, originally published in 1952 and 1953, and the inspiration for the hit movie and HBO series. Creators include Bill Gaines, Al Feldstein; Artists: Jack Davis, Jack Kamen, Graham Ingels, Al Williamson, Joe Orlando, George Evans. Foreward by comics historian Robert Overstreet.”Fallen Angel #29 – This is my favorite book by Peter David right now. In
fact since I have dropped She-Hulk and X-Factor it is the only Peter David book I’m getting right now. The hype “You thought you had trouble going on a trip? Imagine being the Fallen Angel, her son Jude, and Black Mariah, trying to get to the fabled City of Life, stuck in the middle of the ocean with sharks converging and no land in sight. Just having to deal with lost luggage doesn't seem so bad now, does it?”
Gravel #4 – Some companies have minimal hype and then there is this hype “William Gravel has had a busy week - hunting down and disposing of his former co-workers one after the next, to relieve them of their peices of the hideously powerful Sigsand Manuscript. Killing magicians is tiring work, and Gravel would much prefer to relax with a nice pint, but it looks like he's going to have to deal with yet another adversary, and what's worse, this one has not arrived alone! Edwin Royston has brought with him his nine acolytes, an assemblage of young magicians who are ready to serve under him once he has finished what Gravel started: eradicating the remainder of the Minor Seven, Britain's greatest Occult Magicians. Near exhaustion, hopelessly outnumbered, and low on bullets, Gravel will have to dig into his deepest supernatural reserves to make it though this night alive. And if he manages to outlive the acolytes, he'll still have to battle Royston to the death to determine the owner of the fourth section of the Sigsand!” Reminds me of a trailer that almost gives away the entire movie.Hercules #5 (of 5) – I have been enjoying this series a lot. I think of it as the “true” stories of
Hercules. We could see this is in the movies soon. The word “Hercules and his band of mercenaries face overwhelming odds as they take on the treacherous King Cotys and his Royal Guards in a final titanic battle. Slaughter, snares and a struggle for wealth beyond imagining. Yet even as the slate's washed clean in blood, there's still one last twist in the tale.”
Zombie Tales #4 – Continuing the anthology book of Zombie tales, that is a one shot this month. I wonder if this type of book would not be better served by doing it as a once a year graphic novel. The company line “A special book-length adventure from Christopher Morgan, co-writer of SALEM: QUEEN OF THORNS and screenwriter of WANTED! Three separate chapters by three different artists chronicle the birth, life and death of a young Japanese soldier who seeks only to defend his village and his family from the zombie hordes who surround his island!”Black Panther #40 – Everyone else thought the last issue was a great Black Panther book, but I
had a lot of issues with it. Still it is Jason Aaron writing this arc, so I’ll check out part 2 of the SI cross-over. The hype “The nation of Wakanda has never been conquered by any outside invader, but then again, they've never faced an army of Super-Skrulls before, have they? As war rages on the plains of Africa, the Skrulls strike a major blow against the Black Panther. Could this be the end for all of Wakanda? No really, could it?” The answer is no it couldn’t.
Daredevil #110 – This has been a terrific story line on this book and it shows what a great writing team Brubaker and Rucka can be. I’m rather sad that it was just for this one arc. The word “The final chapter of "Cruel and Unusual" brings Daredevil and Dakota North to the truth about Big Ben Donovan's death sentence...but will the truth set any of them free?”Davedevil by Bendis Omnibus – I have owned these books before and now
will be picking up the Omnibus and I’m not 100% sure why I’m doing it. I had a love/hate relationship with Bendis on Daredevil and I have a love/hate relationship with this format as I think past 500 pages it is almost too big. This volume contains “Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS Penciled by ALEX MALEEV, DAVID MACK, MANUEL GUTIERREZ, TERRY DODSON, GENE COLAN, LEE WEEKS, KLAUS JANSON, JOHN ROMITA, JOE QUESADA & MIKE AVON OEMING Cover by ALEX MALEEV An epic of ambition, betrayal and comeuppance culminates with the world learning the devil's mask hides a pair of blind eyes! The hero of Hell's Kitchen is assailed as both civilian and super hero by a wave of his worst enemies - including the Owl, Mister Hyde, Bullseye, Typhoid and the Kingpin of Crime! But it's the heart of the Man Without Fear that gets the real workout with not only the introduction of Milla Donovan - but also the Black Widow, Elektra and Echo! Who? Echo! Plus: the mystery of Leap-Frog and the trial of the White Tiger! Also featuring Luke Cage and Iron Fist, Jessica Jones, and enough other guest-stars to fill a jury box! Collecting DAREDEVIL #16-19 & #26-50 & #56-60. 848 PGS.”
Haunt of Horror Lovecraft #3 (of 3) – One of the few books I get for the art more then anything else. Richard Corben’s style fits this type of genre like a glove. The company line “Horror comics legend RICHARD CORBEN (HAUNT OF HORROR: EDGAR ALLAN POE) brings you a new 3-issue limited series that offers eerie new spins on the poems and short stories of H.P. Lovecraft. Each issue features three adaptations--beautifully rendered in black and white with gray tones as only Corben can do it--along with a printing of the original source text by H.P. Lovecraft. In this third and final issue, Corben brings you “Facts Concerning the Late Arthur Jermyn and His Family,” “The Well,” and “The Window.” It’s classic Lovecraft with a new twist!”Iron Fist #18 – The new writer did a good job of keeping my interest in this story. Although he
has supposedly given us a locked in future as we started ten years ahead, although I’m sure that Iron Fist is not dying. The hype “A mysterious force that has plagued Immortal Iron Fists for centuries sets its sights on Danny Rand. But what is the Ch’i-Lin, and why is it destined to kill him? Danny races for answers for answers, as the fan-favorite legacy of the IMMORTAL IRON FIST grows even richer and more layered with the crackerjack creative team of Duane Swierczynski and Travel Foreman!”
Mighty Avengers #17 – I was enjoying the background stories for the whole Secret Invasion thing, but my interest level has waned as the main series has faltered. The word “The legacy of CAPTAIN MARVEL! The return of MAR-VELL has brought with it more questions then answers. In this special Secret Invasion tie-in, all those questions will be answered. Plus, Marvel Boy is confronted with his true destiny.”Marvel Masterworks Marvel Comics Volume #102 – This should be my last
Golden Age Masterworks. I don’t think anything else could entice me for any other Golden Age Marvel Comics material. This issue contains “The wait is over, and the stage is set. It's fire vs. water in the most famous battle of comics' Golden Age! Breaking new ground like none other, MARVEL MYSTERY COMICS, the flagship title of Marvel's earliest days, started a craze that defines super-hero comic books to this day. With hero pitted against hero in a fight to the finish, you'd better place those bets and settle into your seats. 'Cause it's the final round of the Human Torch vs. the Sub-Mariner!Headlined by the lavish, manic and truly amazing Sub-Mariner by Bill Everett and the high-flying Human Torch by Carl Burgos, MARVEL MYSTERY COMICS is a bona-fide treasure trove of Golden Age action and adventure. The awesome and idiosyncratic Steve Dahlman brings you Electro, the Marvel of the Age, the monster-stomping robot featured today in THE TWELVE, while Paul Gustavson's Angel woos damsels in distress and battles the undead evils of the subterranean realm, and the jungle adventurer, Ka-Zar the Great, protects the Belgian Congo from the threats of the outside world. Also featuring the wild Western tales of the Masked Raider, boy-adventurer Terry Vance and a host of four-color companions -- each painstakingly restored to provide you with the best experience of these truly classic tales. Collecting MARVEL MYSTERY COMICS #9-12.”
New Avengers #44 – Again the back stories have been interesting, but overall my enthusiasm for this material is dying. Also I’m ticked that the skrulls crap has been forced into series that I normally would be enjoying more without the forced cross-over. The company line “The dark secret of the Illuminati. Marvel's most covert gathering of heroes has a secret so dark that they never speak of it, even to each other. And it could be what has brought about the Secret Invasion.”Newuniversal Conqueror – The last one off story was good, so I have hopes
that this is also interesting. The main series seems to have slowed to a crawl again. What’s inside “Five thousand years ago, civilization was held in the mighty hand of the slayer called STARR, who defended his kingdom from all invaders. But what were these invaders? Simple monsters…or something more? In this, the second one-shot story exploring the history and mythos of the NEWUNIVERSAL world, writer SIMON SPURRIER-hand-picked by NEWUNIVERSAL's WARREN ELLIS-and visionary artist ERIC NGUYEN bring to life a history like you've never imagined!”
Nova #16 – This is a series that is doing fine on its own and has no need to be interrupted for the whole Secret Invasion thing. The hype “At last " our #1 sci-fi hero rockets into the alien invasion saga that’s tearing apart the Marvel Universe! But is our always-outnumbered space cop actually teaming with one of the enemy? When Super-Skrull comes asking for a favor, can you ever trust the warrior whose life was dedicated to destroying us?”Thunderbolts #123 – This series really hit rock bottom with Ellis leaving
and then a forced Secret Invasion cross-over. By the time Andy Diggle gets a shot as writer the books sales will be bottoming out. The company line “The Skrull armada rains destruction on our nation's capitol! The only thing standing in their way? The Thunderbolts. But if salvation depends on a group of criminals and madmen who can barely keep from killing each other, is Earth doomed? Or are they exactly what we need against the merciless alien invaders? A major turning point for the Thunderbolts begins here!”
Ultimate Spider-Man #125 – The biggest threat this book faces is Jeph Loeb’s Ultimatum mini-series. The word “The War of the Symbiotes rages on - and the next victim may be Spider-Man himself! The high-flying Beetle has sliced off a tentacle of the slavering symbiote called Venom - but what does he want with it? Howling in pain, Venom gives chase to his tormentor through the streets of Manhattan, catching the attention of a certain wall-crawler. And when all three combatants come together, what occurs is so shocking, so unexpected, it could only happen in the book in which anything can happen!”Wolverine #68 – This “Old Man Logan” story is okay, but even as an
Elseworlds story line it breaks down in its own logic at times. The hype “50 years after the super heroes died, WOLVERINE and the blind archer, HAWKEYE, continue their journey across a ruined America. Next stop: Cedar City, Utah--home of the man who killed Magneto: the all-new, all-different KINGPIN! And he isn’t about to let Logan and Hawkeye pass without paying the toll... Plus: the secret of Hawkeye’s daughter is revealed!”
X-Men Legacy #215 – The only X book in current continuity that I get that has been any good lately is the book I initially had doubts about. The word “With some of his oldest ghosts finally laid to rest, Charles Xavier feels the need to make peace with the X-Men who've been most important in his life. But starting with Scott Summers may have been a mistake - particularly when he decides to re-awaken some of Cyclops's worst nightmares against his will.”As I said this is an absolute monster week. The frightening thing is thinking about the Best to Worst post for the following week, it maybe an abbreviated commentary on each book.
One quick side comment, that with the length of this post I’ll be shocked if anyone is still reading, Tom Cruise may star as Holden Carver from the Sleeper storyline. In my opinion that would kill that story. Cruise is pretty well done as an actor I care to see in my book and he is not a dark noir type actor.
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