What I’m Getting Wednesday September 23

The Black Widow is now officially the worse spy ever. She was captured by Norman Osborn in Captain America and let go to get the message to Sharon Carter. In Thunderbolts she went undercover as Black Widow II, but was being manipulated by Norman Osborn. In Iron Man she was captured by Norman Osborn and rescued by Pepper Potts. I mean really she sucks at being a spy. Let me she has also slept with Clint Barton, Tony Stark, Matt Murdock and Bucky Barnes and I’m sure Wolverine and who knows who else. So she is a slut and a lousy spy. This just points out the true sparseness of characters in any universe and why I laughed about the catalog of 5,000 characters Disney purchased, with only 25 viable characters. It also points out why we need to move on and let new people be under the mask otherwise every character ends up with a history that boggles the mind.

The books I’m looking forward to most this week are:

Blackest Night Superman #2 (of 3) – The Blackest Night material has been excellent and no reason to think this will not be more of the same. Inside “Written by James Robinson; Art and cover by Eddy Barrows and Ruy José. It's a crisis in Smallville as Psycho Pirate attacks! Plus, Superman's dead bride returns as a Black Lantern! And she joins in on the haunting of Smallville in the second part of this terrifying 3-issue epic.”

Echo #15 – Terry Moore is creating a true graphic novel, just releasing it one chapter at a time. No one that I know of who has read it has not enjoyed this story. This issue “Dillon loves Annie, but the murdered Annie now lives inside Julie, and Julie thinks the whole thing is bizarre. As if life wasn't complicated enough, Julie and Dillon must stop HeNRI from activating its ill-fated Super Collider. But, with Special Agent Ivy Raven and half the army on their trail, getting anywhere near the secret facility will be almost impossible. Almost.”

Fantastic Four #571 – It is very nice to be looking forward to the Fantastic Four again. This is a book that was one of my first comic book loves, nice to be back. Marvel says “Reed continues his quest to right all wrongs while Ben and Johnny prepare for a trip to Nu-Earth. Val figures out what her dad is up to and Sue wants to know "is that an ultimate nullifier in your pocket?" All that and a world-eater before breakfast! Part two of SOLVE EVERYTHING.”

Spider-Woman #1 – This is Marvel’s first ongoing book that was released on the digital side of things first. I’m curious to see how tightly this ties to current Marvel continuity. The hype “THE WAIT IS OVER! The explosive Eisner award-winning team of Bendis and Maleev reunite for their first ongoing series since Daredevil! Ripped from the pages of New Avengers and Secret Invasion, watch as the gorgeous and mysterious Jessica Drew reenters a society she did not make...as an AGENT OF S.W.O.R.D. This brand new series is a perfect companion to the dazzling Spider-Woman motion comic. Containing new story and artwork not available in any other format. This is the start of a major chapter in one of the most high profile characters in all of Marvel Comics.”

Superman Secret Origin #1 (of 6) – I’m looking forward to a current definitive origin of Superman as his continuity has been confusing since the “One Year” jump. The word “Written by Geoff Johns; Art by Gary Frank and Jon Sibal; Covers by Gary Frank. Hot on the heels of their acclaimed run on ACTION COMICS, superstars Geoff Johns and Gary Frank reunite to present a 6-issue event that spells out the definitive origin of Superman for the 21st century – and it all starts with a gigantic 48-page issue! Chronicling Clark Kent's journey from the cornfields of Smallville to the skyscrapers of Metropolis, you'll witness a whole new look at the beginnings of Lex Luthor, the Legion of Super-Heroes, Lois Lane, Metallo, Jimmy Olsen, the Parasite and more! It's a look at the mythic past of the Man of Steel with an eye toward the future!”

The Web #1 – Shield #1 was very good and I’m looking forward to seeing how they handle the Web and the Hangman. DC says “Written by Angela Robinson; co-feature written by John Rozum; Art by Roger Robinson and Hilary Barta;co-feature art by Tom Derenick and Bill Sienkiewicz; Cover by Stanley "Artgerm" Lau. Spinning out of August's "Red Circle" event from superstar writer J. Michael Straczynski comes the new ongoing adventures of the selfish rich-boy hero the Web, and the mysterious-undying Hangman. Writer/director Angela Robinson (D.E.B.S.) and artist Roger Robinson (BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHTS) spin the tales of The Web, a man who has only recently come to understand the burden of true heroism. He's fighting crime on his own terms, and for his first mission he's hunting down the men responsible for killing his brother! Plus, the Hangman stars in his own co-feature with a touch of urban noir from writer John Rozum (DETECTIVE COMICS) and artists Tom Derenick and Bill Sienkiewicz, the team behind REIGN IN HELL! The Hangman haunts the streets of San Francisco and touches lives as he works to discover whether his powers are a blessing or a curse.”

The rest of the list:

Dark Reign The List – X-Men - The fallout of UTOPIA begins here. What else could Norman Osborn possibly do to the X-Men? ...CLASSIFIED... Plus, Matt Fraction's first Marvel story featuring the X-Men!

Detective Comics #857 – Written by Greg Rucka; Art by JH Williams III; co-feature art by Cully Hamner; Cover by JH Williams III."Elegy" part 4 of 4! Batwoman faces off against Alice in an attempt to stop the villainess from unleashing a toxic death cloud over all of Gotham! But Alice has more up her sleeve than just poison, and Batwoman's life will never ever be the same again.Plus, The Question's search for a missing girl leads Renee to a human trafficking ring, and the Question suddenly finds herself in way over her head.

Farscape Gone & Back #3 (of 4)- What does John Crichton do when he faces a new Scorpius, one who has always considered John an ally? He uses his new “friend” to find Aeryn Sun, a faceless Peacekeeper among millions, but one who can be so much more than that. More FARSCAPE adventure from the show’s creator Rockne S. O’Bannon.

Guardians of the Galaxy #18 - Who are the Guardians of the Galaxy? In the wake of the War of Kings, the 31st Century is hit by wave after wave of temporal distortions! Rocked by this lethal and uncertain era, a handful of surviving Guardians must confront faces from the future that you should find very familiar! Yes, it’s another unpredictable chapter.

Hellblazer #259 – Written by Peter Milligan ; Art and cover by Simon Bisley.Too wild to be contained on the cover, fan-favorite artist Simon Bisley has worked his way to the insides of two issues of HELLBLAZER! First up, John Constantine is on the run, lying low and short on friends. Luckily the wife of his oldest mate Chas inherited a quiet summer cottage where Constantine can hide out until things blow over. At least he thought it was luck…

Immortal Weapons #3 (of 5) - The legends say that if you’re an orphan, a runaway, one of the forgotten, and you get lost enough – you will find your way to the Under-City. As British warships pound China’s shores during the thick of the first Opium War, scores of orphan refugees keep themselves warm at night with stories of the Under-City and its champion, their protector – Dog Brother #1! Hero to all the strays on all the streets of the world! But with orphans mysteriously disappearing from the streets, are the boys’ stories of Dog Brother just that…and does anybody exist who will help them? Don’t miss this action-packed one-shot spinning out of the pages of IMMORTAL IRON FIST!

Incredible Hercules #135 - AMADEUS CHO is MASTER MIND EXCELLO! Heroically parachuting behind enemy lines! Bravely rescuing beautiful secret agents imprisoned inside the death traps of a mad Nazi genius! And discovering for the first time what the real nature of his powers are as his secret origin continues -- at last the truth can be revealed here!

Incredible Hulk #602 - X marks the spot as the most insane father and son duo in the Marvel Universe take on one of the Green Goliath's most formidable adversaries. That's right, it's the JUGGERNAUT, bi--bi--boys and girls! What happens when an unstoppable force meets the Old Power and the gamma-fueled genes of the Strongest One There Is? Massive destruction and emotional revelation, that's what! Continuing the acclaimed writer Greg Pak's return to the "Incredible Hulk,”plus, in the "Savage She-Hulk" backup story written by Fred Van Lente, Lyra takes on the all-new Gamma Corps Black!

Invincible #66 - 'PREPARATIONS FOR WAR,' Part One Artist CORY WALKER returns to the series he co-created! After escaping from a Viltrumite Prison, Nolan Grayson and Allen the Alien must use what they've learned to gather the powers of the universe and unite them against the Viltumites. It all starts here, folks: The Viltrumite War looms large on the horizon!

Justice League of America #37 – Written by Len Wein; Pencil art by Tom Derenick; Cover by Joe Prado. It's the epic finale of the 3-part Royal Flush arc as Roulette and Amos Fortune raise the stakes, and the JLA go all in! But with the odds against them, the team had better pray for a last-minute miracle before their chips are cashed in for good.

Madame Xanadu #15 - Written by Matt Wagner; Art and cover by Michael Wm. Kaluta. Comics legends Matt Wagner and Michael Wm. Kaluta wrap up their dynamic collaboration as Madame Xanadu and the golden age Sandman confront an ancient terror in the mind-bending conclusion to "Exodus Noir."

Marvel Masterworks Iron Man Volume #124 – The life and times of Tony Stark have never been a quiet affair, but the tales coming at you in our latest and greatest Marvel Masterworks collection, are going to drive the Golden Avenger to the brink like never before! As if being tethered to one of his oldest foes, The Unicorn, while his life hangs in the balance wasn’t threat enough, Tony Stark finds himself replaced by his own S.H.I.E.L.D. Life Model Decoy. And this doppelganger doesn’t just want to take Stark’s place—he wants his life. So it’s Iron Man vs. Iron Man like never before, while a ghost from the past returns in the form of the mysterious and alluring Madame Masque. That’s not all, though! There’s the return of the Titanium Man and the Crimson Dynamo, the tragic loss of a loved one, the continuing saga of Madame Masque’s torment, EC Comics great, Johnny Craig’s story of voodoo horror, and an all-out, thrown down with the Sub-Mariner while Tony Stark looks to get into the movie business—Masterworks one and all! Collecting IRON MAN #14-25

Ms Marvel #45 - WAR OF THE MARVELS CONTINUES! The only woman who can hope to defeat Norman Osborn refuses to fight, and the Dark Reign takes permanent hold of the Marvel Universe--it's Moonstone triumphant as War of the Marvels reaches its penultimate episode!

New Avengers #57 - It was bound to happen and now it has. The Hood loses his grip on the colorful criminals that make his empire. It’s a super-villain turf war and guess who is stuck in the middle? That’s right... the powerless New Avengers. Not to mention the powerless Dark Avengers (who guest star, btw.) Who will replace the Hood as kingpin of criminals??

No Hero #7 (of 7) - The final issue brings the world of The Front Line crashing down around them as the Ellis and Ryp masterpiece concludes! Today, in the wreckage of what was the life of Carrick Masterson and the career of the Front Line, all secrets are revealed. Young Josh Carver, sucked into the whole mess just because he wanted to be a superhuman and do good, is stuck in the middle of it all. But Josh has secrets, too. And one of them is that he's exactly where he wants to be. Not all is what it seems to be and the big reveals here will change everything! It all goes to Hell in this last issue.

Nova #29 - “Starstalker” part 1 of 2! How has the aftermath of the War of Kings affected the newly reborn and viciously battered Nova Corps? When the universe is changed, who is left to protect and serve the innocents? Out of the devastation—and from Marvel’s cosmic past—strides a mysterious new threat...and an unexpected ally!

Power Girl #5 - Written by Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray; Art and cover by Amanda Conner; variant cover by Guillem March. "Space Girls Gone Wild!" part 2 of 3! As the trio of sexy alien marauders continue their rampage across Earth, Power Girl tries to figure out how to stop 'em! But with aliens this gorgeous, readers won't ever want them to leave!

Supergirl #45 - Written by Sterling Gates and Greg Rucka; Art by Jamal Igle and Jon Sibal; Cover by Joshua Middleton. Continuing from ACTION COMICS #881 – "The Hunt for Reactron" part 2! Can Supergirl rely on her seemingly unstable childhood friend to help her track down her father's assassin? Or will she ultimately get burned by Flamebird?

Superman Batman #64- Written by Joe Casey; Art and cover by Rafael Albuquerque. Batman makes a shocking discovery with possible Kryptonian origins that places the duo in certain doom - unless Superman makes the ultimate sacrifice...

Underground #1(of 4) - As WHITEOUT readies to hit theaters worldwide, artist STEVE LIEBER returns to the adventure genre with a new thriller, pairing with acclaimed writer JEFF PARKER (AGENTS OF ATLAS, EXILES)! Park Ranger and avid caver Wesley Fischer is on a one-woman mission to stop Stillwater Cave from being turned into a tourist trap, but public opinion is not on her side. When locals begin blasting in the cave, Wes and a fellow ranger investigate – and a confrontation spirals into a deadly chase deep under the Kentucky mountains!

Wednesday Comics #12 (of 12) - Various Writers and Artists.WEDNESDAY COMICS, DC's new, 12-issue weekly series, reaches its incredible conclusion in September. Here are just some of the highlights of this third and final month: In BATMAN, WEDNESDAY COMICS' weekly cover feature, Bruce Wayne digs further into a steamy murder mystery. It's a classic noir tale by the Eisner Award-winning 100 BULLETS team of writer Brian Azzarello and artist Eduardo Risso.

Wildcats #15- Written by Christos Gage; Art by Shawn Moll and Drew Geraci; Cover by Ryan Sook. For Tao to reach his ultimate goal, he's missing one element – the power of Max Faraday. And Wildcats and Team Seven have inadvertently led Tao straight to Max! Now the god war is really on!

Wolverine Giant-Size Old Man Logan - This is it! The moment you’ve been waiting for! Prepare yourselves for the most brutal battle in the history of comics as Wolverine returns— and unleashes a tidal wave of bloody revenge! It’s Wolverine versus the Hulk Gang to the death! Don’t miss the flesh-rending final chapter to the greatest Wolverine story ever told by the peerless Mark Millar and Steve McNiven! Plus—you won’t be able to tear yourself away from the gallery of covers, background material, behind-the-scenes extras, and all-new pinups that fill out this GIANT-SIZE SPECTACULAR!


This looks to be another solid week of comics. I find that the five week month has a tendency to have two weeks that are just good and two to three really good weeks. It shows that five week months are just four week months spread out. I think it would be nice if the companies tried fifth week events like DC did a few years back. This week looks to be good, but with not a lot of highly anticipated books this week.