Best to Worst of Last Week

Once again instead of giving a recommended book, I want to talk about characters writing themselves. Alex Grecian, the writer of Proof mentions that he was going to have a romance between Ginger and Proof, but it was not working, so he abandoned that idea. Stan Lee used to say that the characters often wrote their own stories. I believe that when a writer establishes a base personality for that character then the characters will write themselves. The writer’s job then is to be true to the character in the situations they place them in.

As a reader I believe that some writers do not respect the characters as they have been developed and instead cast them in roles and make them fit. Civil War was a prime example of this type of story writing, where it appears the writer had a story idea and knew what he wanted to do with it and then just cast various players in the roles that he decided they should be in. Some fit and some were forced to fit. The best stories are when a writer puts the characters in certain situations and allows their reactions to dictate what would happen.

Blue Beetle #35 – Writer Matthew Sturges, Artists Carlos Barberi & Jacob Eguren, Colors Guy Majors. This it the penultimate issue of this series and what a great issue it was. It looks to me that Sturges was given this book when DC had already decided to cancel it. Once a cancellation announcement is made I think fans may bail, but you should jump on this issue. Other Beetles from the Reach have rebelled and come to Jamie to serve as their leader as he was the inspiration for their rebellion. They want to overthrow the oppressive regimes of North Korea, China and the USA, of course Jamie says no and the fight ensues. This issued is filled with character moments, supporting cast development and action, a perfect issue of a regular series. I hate to see this series get canned, in some ways this is as good, if not often better then Invincible.

Umbrella Academy Dallas #3 (of 6) – Writer Gerard Way, Art Gabriel Ba. So Number five is actually an assassin for a Time Authority who is supposed to shoot Kennedy, but when he rebelled and tried to escape he accidentally ended up in his ten year old body. The Séance gets shot in the head and dies, but god does not want him and the devil won’t either per god, so he sends him back. What a crazed and just out and out wild and wacky story, that just works. The Academy is even better the second time around.

Northlanders #14 – Writer Brian Wood, Art Ryan Kelly, Colors Dave McCaig. Talk about a rough issue. The Viking commander who is trying to capture the rogue Irishman (Magnus) and his daughter institutes a scorched Earth policy. He sends his men out in teams of two and tells them to slaughter any Irish person they find in order to smoke out Magnus. They succeed and attack him en masse. We also a given a scene of a huge battle between the Viking and Irish and the brutality matches what we saw in Braveheart. This is turning out to be a great arc on this book.

Wonder Woman #28 – Writer Gail Simone, Pencils Aaron Lopresti, Inks Matt Ryan, Colors Brad Anderson. This book is moving up the charts as an excellent series. This issue we see Diana don her armor and along with Donna and Cassie take the fight to Genocide. Diana is hinting at what the lasso is and I for one hope that we get to learn more about what the lasso is over time. We also check in on Zeus who has raised Jason and the Argonauts and placed then on what was Paradise Island and sent them out to start a war. We also see that Cheetah is behind a lot of what is going on and she is helping to free Dr. Psycho. I’m not sure if Sarge Steel is a bad guy or not as I can’t quite get a handle on that part of the story. We have a lot going in this book and it is all good and the art by Aaron Lopresti is icing on the cake. Gail has finally remade Wonder Woman into a book that I look forward to each month.

Nova #21 – Writers Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning, Pencils Wellingotn Alves, Inks Scott Hanna, Colors Guru eFX. This book continues to be an amazing ride. Ego the living planet has been taken over by the Nova world mind and he has rebuilt the Nova Corps. Richard refuses to give up the Nova force because he just feels the rebuilding and everything about what has happened is wrong, but has no basis to prove it. The world mind strips Richard of all power and sends him home. Each issue of this book just keeps the pace going and it is hard to not start to think of this book as one of the best super hero books on the market.

Battlefields Dear Billy #1 (of 3) – Writer Garth Ennis, ArtPeter Snejbjerg, Colors Rob Steen. Garth’s war stories are never easy and this one is about two shattered people who may have found each other during WWII in the Pacific front. Our main character is Carrie, she is a British nurse who was captured by the Japanese and then the nurses were raped and marched into the ocean and shot. She survived and was saved by a plane doing some reconnaissance. While she is alive she only seems to be half alive at this point. She meets a young man who has gone through some tragic experience himself and is lucky to be alive. The story is told through her narration via letters to Billy. This is only the first of three parts, but it is already an extremely touching and disturbing story all at the same time. The artwork is excellent and the thinner and lighter line work works well for this story.
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Superman #684 – Writer James Robinson, Art Jesus Merino, Colors David Curiel. This issue was a lot of set-up and sort of a breather issue after “New Krypton” and yet so much happened it was just amazing. In the Superman books the plots now keep moving forward at a fairly rapid clip and I’m really enjoying it. We see how the Parasite escapes and gets to Metropolis. We see Jim Harper as the Guardian become the leader of the Metropolis Science Police. We get hints of things to come with Nightwing and Flamebird. Finally we see Superman visit his revived home world and try to set things right with Alura. Then we find out that Alura has indeed not only set Zod free, but he is openly now the ruler of the Kryptonian army again.

Batman #685 – Writer Paul Dini, Pencils Dustin Nguyen, Inks Derek Fridolfs, Colors Guy Major. Paul Dini certainly has a solid handle on Catwoman and Hush. I like how Selina handled the whole thing and manipulated everyone so she could do what she wanted to do, which was free animals from poachers. The end games was also well done where once Hush served his purpose she delivered him into the hands of Nightwing and Robin, who have Hush held prisoner in a skyscraper penthouse owned by Wayne Enterprises. This of course places Hush (who now looks like Bruce Wayne) in Gotham and we are a month away from the inane sounding “Battle for the Cowl”.

Batman Gotham After Midnight #9 (of 12) – Writer Steve Niles, Art Kelly Jones, Colors Michelle Marsden. I love this series. I really hope DC collects the entire series as a deluxe format hard cover. Batman could not save April Clarkson and just when he thinks he has figured out who Midnight is, he is foiled again. Midnight is staying one step ahead of Batman. I also have to laugh as Niles is playing off Jeph Loeb and Tim Sales work as we visit each Holiday and see various members of Batman’s rogue’s gallery as each issue progresses.

Daredevil #115 – Writer Ed Brubaker, Art Michael Lark, Tonci Zonjic, Stefano Guardino, Colors Matt Hollingsworth. This book is Brubaker’s best work in the MU right now. This issue we find out the end game of the entire attack against Daredevil was to have him be the leader of the Hand. An odd idea to be sure, which he rejects. What Brubaker has done is give us a wide supporting cast and has left a lot of sub plots floating around that can be used down the road. Another good issue in one of Marvel’s strongest books.

Crossed #3 (of 9) – Writer Garth Ennis, Art Jacen Burrows, Colors Juanmar. I think I got a misprinted book because about six pages in the middle of this book made no sense whatsoever. Fortunately the gist of the story came through without the missing pages. This book is taking the “after the apocalypse is over what happens then” to the next level. There is no hope for this small band of survivors and they happen upon a band of children led by a teacher who has turned them into killers in order to forage off others. The solution was to kill the children as our band could not trust them or try to take them along. At this point you almost have to wonder why anyone in this small band even cares to survive. A compelling read about survival in the face of hopelessness.

Final Crisis Revelations #5 (of 5) - Writer Greg Rucka, Pencils Philip Tan, Inks Jonathan Livesay, Colors Nei Ruffino. While Final Crisis was hard to follow, this book was a very easy read and in the midst of all the horror and loss we got a happy ending. The Spectre is restored and Montoya brings Crisp’s son back to life. This book was a nice sidebar to Final Crisis. Thematically it tied in, but one could have skipped it just as easily and it would not hurt your read of Final Crisis. On the flip side, one could have just gotten this book and gotten a story that was well done and stood on its own.

Final Crisis #7 (of 7) – Writer Grant Morrison, Pencils Doug Mahnke, Inks Tom Nguyen, Drew Garaci, Christian Almay, Norm Rapmund, Rodney Ramos, Doug Mahnke & Walden Wong, Colors Alex Sinclair with Tony Avina & Pete Pantazis. See a detailed commentary here. For those of you not jumping to that link I feel this had moments of sheer genius, some exceptional art, but was a confused morass. After I wrote this review I read an interview with Grant Morrison on Newsarama. I love most of Grant Morrison’s work and think the guy is a creative force. All Star Superman is the best Superman story ever done, but he comes across very defensive and a tad egotistical at times in this interview. Grant was stating that if you can’t understand his work, that you are lazy or lack the intellect. It appears that there are a lot of lazy and stupid fans out there then. Also Grant does not take into account that we are not all tuned in to just reading Final Crisis and I also feel it will read better as a whole, but then that means it failed as a episodic comic book. I have read all of Grant’s remarks about how it is a different way of telling a story. Experimentation is good and this may serve as a template on the way to tell other stories, but these pseudo intellectual arguments are often a mask for something that failed. I have often told people that if you go into a meeting and make a presentation and all of the people in the meeting think you are a jerk, regardless of how you meant to be perceived, you were a jerk and need to modify your style. As an issue by issue book I think Final Crisis missed the mark, but if they ever collected all of it in the order Grant says to read it, I’m willing to bet it will be a better story and maybe an epic story. In some ways I have to say that Grant had more stories inside Final Crisis that I wanted to read more about then most companies actually produce in six months.

New Avengers #49 – Writer Brian Bendis, Pencils Billy Tan, Inks Matt Banning, Colors Paul Mounts. Bendis just needs to write a book about Luke Cage. Last issue we saw Cage agree to work for Norman if Osborne can find Luke and Jessica's baby. Norman in typical brutal manner extracts the information needed from some skrull prisoners and helps Luke get his baby daughter back. Once that is done Luke has Jessica get out of the Avenger’s tower and tells Norman to screw it and escapes from Norman. As Norman is an evil and manipulative SOB, I thought it was dumb last issue to make that deal, but since Luke never intended to follow through it makes sense. A well done issue and again every time Bendis focuses on Luke Cage it works.

Dead Ahead #2 (of 3) – Writers Clark Castillo & Mel Smith, Additional Wordsmith Paul Birch, Art Alex Nino, Colors Moose Baumann. I’m buying this book for the art by Alex Nino, who puts more lines on a page of art then any other artist. His layouts are dynamic and wild and sometimes it is hard to follow his page design. The story at times is also a little too dense, but the basic premise is a bunch of people on a boat are trying to survive a zombie outbreak across the rest of the globe. A beautiful book and worth the price of admission.

City of Dust #4 (of 5) – Writer Steve Niles, Art Brandon Chng, Zid & Garrie Gastonny, Colors Buddy Jiang,& Leos Ng “Okita”. This series gets better and better and we learn that Phillip Khrome’s father was involved in a lot of what Phillip is now involved in. We have a lot of artificial people roaming around and we have Phillip straying further and further from the path the government wants people to follow. I’m looking forward to the conclusion of this series and will probably have to get the trade.

Proof #16 – Writer Alex Grecian, Art Riley Rossmo, Colors Adam Guzowski. A quiet issue of Proof as the funeral of an agent is the central piece that pulls together the cast and lays out some story lines for the future. I loved the ending when Autumn Song shows up at Ginger’s ex-boy friend’s apartment and says the old Mary Jane line from Spider-Man, “Face it tiger, you just hit the jackpot.” The best thing was reading an interview with the writer in the back and he said something that I loved that he won’t force things with his characters. In other words once someone has an established character he lets the characters writer themselves, something that is a lost art in many, many comics.

Savage #4 (of 4) – Story Steve Niles & Jeff Frank, Script Jeff Frank & Dan Wickerline, Art Mike Mayhew, Colors Frank Bravo. Way too many companies are publishing mini-series with the idea of starting a franchise. If done right it is okay, but almost every Shadowline mini-series has been a start of a concept and then never actually giving us a complete story. Savage is no exception and I will avoid Shadowline mini-series in the future. We get the start of a good story about a man who is turned into a were creature and is now hip deep in the middle of two warring fractions, but has no clue about what is going on. The entire mini-series was all set-up. While well done and entertaining, I want this launched as a series, not a mini-series that goes nowhere and just leaves me hanging. BOOM, Radical, IDW and other companies tell complete stories and leave room for additional stories to be told about a character or just tell a complete story. Shadowline gives you the start of a story and then you have to wander if another mini-series will ever come out.

Scourge of the Gods #1 (of 3) – Writer Valerie Mangin, Art Aleksa Gajic. This is a reprint of a European comic and it definitely has that type of feel to it. It challenges you to fill in the blanks as it starts in the what feels like the middle of a story. It is about a space faring race who still believes in the gods. It is about Empires, love, a goddess, power and betrayal. It has way too much happening to give a brief review, but if you like epic stories, this is a good one.

Unknown Soldier #4 - Writer Joshua Dysart, Art Alberto Ponticelli, Colors Oscar Celestini. This book continues to impress. I was sure there were not enough stories in here to make this an unlimited series, but we are four issues in and have not even scratched the surface about what is happening. How the main character has come to be almost possessed by what appears to be the spirit of the Unknown Soldier has not even been touched on. One thing I can take away from this book is that Uganda is one screwed up country and no one will be able to really save it from itself. Like many areas where the British once ruled the forced borders putting tribes together who have no love for each other creates endless chaos.

Wildcats #7 – Writer Christos Gage, Art Neil Googe, Colors Carrie Strachan. The battle between Maul and the huge Daemonite was well done and the ultimate solution to have a truce with them was interesting. Stormwatch and the Authority have a firmer handle on where they are going, but Wildcats certainly had a great action issue. The surprise in this issue of having Nemesis and Backlash leave for Majestic’s island, was a little abrupt, but all in all a solid issue.

Gravel #8 – Story & Script Warren Ellis, Script & Art Mike Wolfer, Colors Juanmar. This issue Gravel joins the Major Seven and it all seems on the up and up until Gravel and Mordecai Cave are leaving their meeting place. Gravel asks who died so they were one short and Cave tells him she was murdered. Then Cave asks Gravel to find out who did kill her. This essentially will force Gravel to try and investigate these five powerful magicians. The originality of what is constantly going on in this book is not high, but it is an entertaining read.

Faces of Evil Kobra (One Shot) – Writer Ivan Brandon, Pencils Julian Lopez, Inks Mark Farmer, Colors Santiago Arcas. I was not sure what to expect with this issue, but it worked out very well. Jason Burr (who was the dead twin of the first Kobra and a former good guy) is brought back as the new head of Kobra. He is at first slightly reluctant, but then falls easily into the role of the leader of Kobra. He proceeds to undo much of his brother’s work, including killing the hundreds of half human half snake children his brother had created. At the end on a global broadcast he declares war on all the heroes of the DCU. DC has again managed to establish a great sense of menace with this character, now we need to see some follow through.

Echo #9 – By Terry Moore. A lot of dream sequences and nothing much else happened this issue. I’m sure how this all plays together will make more sense in the future, but a weak issue in terms of plot advancement. The funny thing is I did not mind as I still love Terry’s line work and the characters are so great even a slow issue is a good read.

Mister X Condemned #2 (of 4) – by Dean Motter. I think I need to buy the Mister X archive to really get a handle on the background of this story. It is a well done story that is part noir, part pseudo-futuristic, park Salvador Dali painting and part Brubaker crime novel. It is a unique book and it the original material is half as good it will be worth getting the reprint of the old work.

Captain America #46 – Writer Ed Brubaker, Art Steve Epting, Colors Frank D’Armata. Bucky has enlisted the Sub Mariner to try and free the original Human Torch from a mad scientist who has captured him. The mad scientist was a child in WWII and an adult when Bucky as the Winter Soldier was sent to kill him. Bucky failed to kill him, but killed his wife. This issue is a lot of set-up and even though Marvel labels it as Part 1 it is the continuation of the arc that began three issues or so ago. This book is okay, but it is not hitting on all cylinders for me.

Teen Titans #67 – Writer Sean McKeever, Pencils Fernando Dagnino, Inks Raul Fernandez, Colors Rod Reis. The return of Brother Blood was interesting. I have no clue what the character’s background was anymore, but with the chaos in Hell he manages to escape with the help of Kid Eternity. I was not aware that Blood now can drink someone’s blood and obtain their abilities for a length of time. This issue really was a “Face of Evil” issue and totally about the villain as the Titans only served as a buffer to battle him and have him escape from them.

Astounding Wolf-Man #12 – Writer Robert Kirkman, Art Jason Howard, Colors FCO & Ivan Plascencia. Kirkman does issues where it is all about the set-up for where the next few issues are going and this is one of those issues of Wolf-Man. I have to say that the fast pace of events in this book is a welcome change to what felt like a slow build in the beginning. This issue Wolf-Man returns to his home, Cecil promises to help as best he can, the Elder Wolfman concludes Gary’s training, Gary’s daughter maybe turned into a Vampire and Gary gets arrested. I like this book a lot now. I know it flies under the radar, but each issue is a fun and entertaining read.

Jack of Fables #30 – Writer Matthew Sturges & Bill Willingham, Pencils Tony Akins and Russ Braun, Inks Jose Marzan Jr., Colors Daniel Vozzo. I blow so hot and cold on this series, but this was a good issue. The pathetic fallacy (Gary) goes nuts and unleashes his ability to make inanimate objects alive and sends them against Bookburner. Revise is forced to abandon his life work and allow the forgotten fables to read about themselves and learn what their true origins were. This restores them to more powerful forms. (As Grimm Fairy Tales had been water down over the years so had many other stories been sanitized for mass consumption). We also learn a lot of the origins of Gary, Revise and Bookburner. This was a very good issue of this series and a nice cliff hanger with Gary getting shot at the end.

Trinity #35 – Back Story Writer Kurt Busiek, Pencils Mark Bagley, Inks Art Thibert, Colors Pete Pantazis, Front story Writers Kurt Busiek & Fabian Nicieza, Art Mike Norton & Walden Wong, Colors Allen Passalaqua. Two things of note occurred this issue. First we finally find out what Enigma’s back story is and why he is doing this. Apparently he is trying to find a way to bring his family back to life, but for a good guy he feels pretty callous to be willing to sacrifice billions to save three people. We also see the “gods” of the Cosmic Egg world show up and they seem pissed at our intrepid band. Again a decent issue and notable for the interweaving of the two artists work as opposed to a strict front and back story.

Ms Marvel #35 – Writer Brian Reed, Pencils Patrick Olliffe, Inks Serge La Pointe & Kris Justice, Colors Chris Sotomayor. – Picked this issue up on a lark after reading an interview with writer Brian Reed. He states that he is working up to replacing Ms. Marvel in her own book and I could not resist checking that out. This issue Carol investigates the suicide of a group of the Church of Hala (worshipers of Captain Marvel). She also finds out that the Captain Marvel who was recently here was a skrull. Not a great book, but interesting enough to keep me on this series.
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Reign in Hell #7 (of 8) – Writer Keith Giffen, Pencils Tom Derencik, Inks Bill Sienkiewicz, Colors Mike Atiyeh. This series has felt way too long. So we learn the Satanus has won the battle for Hell and shut Hell down while he consolidates power. We also see Dr. Occult show up and join with some of the other heroes and Rose takes off with the legless girl. My question is: What was the point of the Dr. Occult story other then filler? At least this book seems to be having actual repercussions in the DCU as we see it being an integral part of this week’s Teen Titans.

Ultimate Spider-Man #130 – Writer Brian Bendis, Pencils Stuart Immonen, Inks Wade Von Grawbadger, Colors Justin Ponsor. Sadly this book actually ties into Ultimatum which is obviously about Magneto creating major disasters. For me it was like this series came to a stop and I have to suffer through this crap just to see how it impacts Spider-Man. I know the series is coming to an end, but I expect a re-launch almost immediately afterwards.

Legion of Super Heroes #50 – Writer Justin Thyme, Pencils Ramon Bachs, Inks John Livesay, Colors Jo Smith. This was a lousy way to end the series. No Jim Shooter, a fill-in artist and an ending that I have to wonder has any relationship to what Shooter was doing. They wrapped up the battle against the destroyers, brought Dream Girl back to life and ignored the Princess Projectra story. If I did not love the Legion so much, this would have almost turned me off the group forever. DC brings in Jim Shooter and then does not allow him to even do his story. The Legion is a separate continuity, how hard would it have been to let this story go its natural course. I do not know what happened, but it appears like it was not a good thing. Having said that I think the artist did a professional job. I believe the writer is a pseudonym as the name is “Just In Time”. My guess is they took Shooter’s script and then hacked it up.

Ferryman #5 (of 5) – Writer Marc Anreyko, Art Jonathan Wayshak, Colors Gabe Eltaeb & Randy Mayor. This was a fun mini-series, but I would have preferred that Gideon was reunited with his wife for a happy ending as opposed to him ending up as a nemesis for the devil. The artwork is what made this book, but one mini-series of this is more then enough and I would not get a second mini-series as the concept has been played out in my opinion.

I thought this was an off week for comics. Of course my disappointment in Final Crisis had a heavy influence on how I rated the whole week. Still it seems to me that my top books are weaker then normal and a stronger week could have put all of my top books in the middle section very easily.

Best to Worst of Last Week

I’m skipping my recommendation to talk about the death of the “Marvel style” of doing comics. Years ago this ‘style” came about because Stan Lee was trying to produce as many comics as possible. He would give a basic plot to an artist and then look to receive 20 or so pages of story and art. Once he got it back he would add in the dialogue. If you read early silver age Marvel you can often pick up where the words and pictures are not always going in the same direction. Of course this led to many questions as to who did what over the years but that form of collaborative style seems to be gone within Marvel and was never much of an element in DC.

I have always thought those types of collaborations often left both parties dissatisfied but was often a better product. The Beatles were better then McCartney or Lennon solo and Lee and Kirby were better together then apart.

When you read the credits on many of the comics you will see a lot of comics were there is more then one artist. This tells me that it has to be a full script. I assume this is done in order to get ahead or ensure deadlines are met and therefore the script pages are doled out to multiple artists. Good editors make sure the styles mesh or will use different styles for flashbacks or whatever, but it also reduces the freedom that an artist has to be able to redirect a story or to make some changes that could improve the story because he is forced to lead into the next guy’s work. So the grind of producing so many comics seems to have created the death or heavy decline of the “Marvel style”, which is a shame.

X-Factor #39 – Writer Peter David, Pencils Valentine DeLandro, Inks Craig Yeung, Colors Jeromy Cox. This was one of the best endings ever done in a comic book. Maddrox and Siryn are having their baby. Now the one problem of having a child in comics in how do you deal with it. If the baby ages the parents also age. The FF has had their children age very slowly and then just ignored the fact that the FF should be older. On TV shows a baby becomes 2 to 3 years old very fast so they can do some actual scenes with a child. No matter how you cut it a baby in real life and entertainment life changes everything. That means most people avoid it like the plague. But Peter David had the most unique way of both having a child and turning the actual dealing with the child into a simple and easy solution. He asked that we not spoil the ending and I won’t, but run down to your store and buy this book. X-Factor is now officially back on my list. I never saw this coming, unbelievable.

Battlefields Night Witches #3 (of 3) – Writer Garth Ennis, Art Russ Braun, Colors Tony Avina. Garth always gives us great war stories and the ending of Night Witches was no exception. One of the girls is shot down and a German soldier who is sick of the brutality of his side saves her. Unfortunately her lover had been killed by the Germans recently so she knifes him in the back, steals his gun and kills his squad. Garth and artist Russ Braun really put you in that place and that time and give us an up close perspective of one part of WWII. It is not glamorized, it is humanized and it also serves as a reminder of what war is like.

Green Lantern #37 – Writer Geoff Johns, Pencils Ivan Reis, Inks Oclair Albert & Julio Ferreira, Colors Nei Ruffino. – Blue Lanterns, Yellow Lanterns, Red Lanterns and Green Lanterns, we have a heck of a lot going on here and the comic almost feels like it can barely contain it. Hal is in the center of the action and goes to help Sinestro, but then Sinestro does what he always does and Hal is about ready to use his new ability granted by the guardians to kill Sinestro. The red ring seeks him out and recruits Hal as a Red Lantern since he allowed his rage to rule him. This series under Johns is just a very good to great book each and every issue. All is this is just the build up to the “Blackest Night” saga which should be the story of 2009.


X-Men Kingbreaker #2 (of 4) – Writer Chris Yost, Pencils Dustin Weaver, Inks Jamie Mendoza & Victor Olazaba, Colors Nathan Fairbairn & John Rauch. There is so much going on in this book that if I did a plot synopsis I would be writing three paragraphs or more. The bottom line is that Vulcan is shown to be power crazed and is doing things that even an ambitious sane man would not do. At the same time Havok has escaped from prison and released his fellow prisoners and is looking to hunt his brother down. This has been a well done story and allowed even those (like myself) who had avoided this stuff to know what is going on and get hooked onto the story. Plus this is just the lead-up to War of Kings, which is shaping up to be a nice mini-event.

Hellblazer #251 – Writer Peter Milligan, Layouts Giuseppe Camuncoli, Finished Art Stefano Landini, Colors Jamie Grant. – Peter Milligan is the new writer on John Constantine and after Andy Diggle’s run I was curious to see the next take on Constantine. Considering how long Milligan has been writing for Vertigo I was shocked this was his first stint on the character. It is very different from Diggle’s run and the art is also stylistically very different, so it is a clean break from before in many ways, it is also a strong start. John and Phoebe are in the midst of a new relationship that both parties are seeing as potentially serious. As they confess their past sins to each other, John wins by a landslide, but the relationship is till intact and has the earmarks of being a rare serious relationship for John. A bizarre scab appears on John’s chest that is related to some incident not involving John from 12 years ago. John is trying the magical approach to ridding himself of it. Phoebe is a doctor and is trying the scientific approach. At the same time we learn Phoebe has some skeletons in her closet that have yet to be revealed. The issue ends with Phoebe in danger from some creature and John not answering the phone. Any fears I had about Diggle leaving the book have already been resolved and I’m looking forward to the next issue under this creative team.

Frank Castle the Punisher #66 – Writer Duane Swierczynski, Art Michel Lacombe, Colors Val Staples. I had abandoned this series after Garth Ennis left the “max” version of the Punisher, but wanted to read this arc because the writer has impressed me in other books and the premise sounded great. Simply put, Frank is captured and injected with a poison that will kill him in six hours. A classic type of story that has been done many times the comic Sparks and the movie Crank are just the most recent examples. Still when done well they are beautiful tension builders. This story ends with the guy who poisons Frank telling him who his organization wants killed. He also tells Frank he is just a flunky and does not have the antidote to the poison with him. Frank kills him and goes to his weapons van and thinks if he only has six hours before he dies he should make the most of it. It was just a great ending and would be how I would imagine Castle to be, he doesn’t care if he dies or not.

Black Lightning Year One #2 (of 6) – Writer Jen Van Meter, Art Cully Hamner, Colors Laura Martin. – This is a very well written series and the art by Cully Hamner works nicely with this book. I enjoy how the book shows why Superman has not been involved with “Suicide Slum” and enjoy that Jeff Pierce in his civilian id is not faulting anybody. This issue we get to see Black Lightning progress from a street level vigilante to more of a true super-hero. Just as important we see the steps he is taking in his civilian identity to improve his home. I was not sure what I was expecting with this series, but what this is giving me a well done updating of Black Lighting’s origin and making me want an ongoing series with the man.

Supergirl #37 – Writer Sterling Gates, Pencils Jamal Igle, Inks Keith Champagne, Colors Nei Ruffino. – This series has gone from a book that I never wanted to read (yet still purchased) to a book that has direction, focus and is a book that I look forward to each month. Supergirl is living on New Krypton and has apparently abandoned her new identity in Metropolis. Her mother sends her to Earth to capture the criminal who killed her Dad. Superwoman (who is dogging Supergirl) steps in to stop her. At the same time we are wondering why Superwoman was acting as General Lang’s assassin (or did she kill Agent Liberty on her own?). The bottom line is a lot is going on in this book and the plot points are interweaving in and out of the Superman titles very well.
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Spider-Man Noir #2 (of 4) – Writer David Hine with Fabrice Sapolsky, Art Carmine Di Gandomenico. This mini-series is doing a nice job of “noiring” things up. Peter finds out that Ben is dirty as anyone else and Ben, because of Peter’s example, decides to do the right thing. We also get the origin of how this version of Peter Parker gets his powers and while lame, fit the 30’s era the story is set in. The ending was my favorite part as we find out JJ Jameson is part of the Goblin’s organization and he takes out Ben Urich to save the Goblin from exposure.

Dark Avengers #1 – Writer Brian Bendis, Art Mike Deodato, Color Rain Berdo. This book is why I’m trying out the Dark Reign stuff even though I hated how we got here. This story is actually fun in a twisted way. If we accept that the people are now in love with a murderer Norman Osborne, then the rest can be fun. Norman has pulled together his own Avengers. Ms. Marvel is Moonstone, Hawkeye is Bullseye, Wolverine is Draken, Spider-Man is Venom and the Iron Patriot is Norman Osborne. He has also recruited Ares, Sentry and the young Captain Marvel. How the real heroes react to this and how these villains posing as heroes react will make it fun. Hey isn’t this just Bendis ripping off the original Thunderbolt concept? Yes, it is Busiek and Bagley’s original Thunderbolt concept redone with some twists added here and there. Of course Bendis is good at taking other people’s concepts and running with them (see Ultimate Spider-Man) and making them entertaining.

Faces of Evil Deathstroke #1 – Writer David Hine, Pencils George Jeanty, Inks Mark McKenna, Colors Jo Smith. Hey it is that David Hine guy again at DC. This was a very good Deathstroke story and certainly brings him back as a truly bad a** person again. I like that his new agenda is for him to kill whoever needs to be killed. It could be a bad guy or a good guy, but if Deathstroke decides someone should die he will make it happen. Slade has given himself a clean slate. Hopefully DC will act on this and I would love to see Hine run with a Deathstroke series.

Brave and Bold #21 – Writer David Hine, Pencils Doug Braithwaite, Inks Bill Reinhold, Colors Art Lyon. This story has grabbed my interest. David Hine is a strong writer and I hope that DC or Marvel gives this guy a series to run with. GL and the Phantom Stranger are on an alien world fighting a creature called Purge. Purge is a being of pure thought who believes that since everyone is full of sin all must die. At the same time the little girl whose physic powers seems to be perhaps a defense against Purge is in danger back in Earth. The Phantom Stranger summons Green Arrow to try and save her. Needless to say a lot is going on and I’m looking forward to how this all wraps up next issue.

Fallen Angel #33 – Writer Peter David, Art JK Woodward. So this was a shocker to find out this was the final issue in the series. Now in the back it talks about bringing the series back in July calling it Fallen Angel Reborn, but that idea seems unexciting at this point. The series came to a rapid conclusion as Moloch is defeated by Jude stabbing himself and then allowing the fire inside him to kill Moloch as it is killing him. Angel negotiates with God to save her son and Angel ends up in charge of Bete Noire and Jude is a monstrous looking man who now is fulfilling Angel’s old role. I was really enjoying this arc and they just wrapped everything up way too quick and I think this maybe my final issue of this book and the new re-launch be damned.

Guardians of the Galaxy #9 – Writers Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning, Pencils Brad Walker & Carlos Magno, Inks Vicotr Olazaba & Jack Purcell, Colors Wil Quintana & Bruno Hang. As this book will be a big part of “War of the Kings” apparently we are getting a lot of set-up for that story line. Blastarr has sent Star-Lord to negotiate with the prisoners of the negative zone prison and all does not go according to plan. Still the Guardians do show up in the middle of the battle and will be fighting Blastarr next issue. We also have a sub-plot where Quasar gets Mentor’s (of Titan) help to find out if Moon Dragon is really dead. He obliges by killing her and Drax. Of course they leave us hanging but I assume it maybe the only way to rescue Moon Dragon is to have them also in the after life.

Vigilante #2 – Writer Marv Wolfman, Pencils Rick Leonardi, Inks John Stanisci, Colors David Baron. – We are on issue #2 and already running into headaches about the central good guy being someone willing to kill. I hate that we fall back into that trap too readily. The book should be about a good guy who kills bad guys. Does that make him a bad guy, who knows, but either make him the DCU’s Punisher or don’t do a series about him. This issue was well done and it looks like this Vigilante will not be able to catch a break as he is one step behind the bad guys so far. The lead in to him fighting Nightwing again is very lame as Wolfman spent the entire Nightwing arc about those two fighting. I’m also unhappy that this series is going to be part of a Titans cross-over event soon.

Robin #182 – Writer Fabien Nicieza, Art Freddie Williams II, Colors Guy Major. – This was a good story that illustrates how Tim has had to change his mindset now that Batman is not around. As for being a strong hero, Tim has always been that, but he is certainly not ready to be Batman and if they have him become Batman it would be really inane. As Tim is portrayed as a high school student, a teen Batman does not cut it. What I can see is Tim taking on the Red Robin role and handing off Robin to Spoiler or Damien if he is not Robin to the new Batman.

Thunderbolts – Writer Andy Diggle, Art Robert Del La Torre, Colors Frank Martin – Marvel is loving having Obama as President and has immediately inserted him into their books as this issue illustrates. On one hand it is fun to see a “real president” in the book, on the other it sets it too hard and fast into a place and time and therefore ties characters to an era when you know they will be around forever. As a side note, the fact the companies will not age characters and move on forces the writers to constantly reinvent the same characters over and over again and ultimately makes them lose their effectiveness over time in my opinion. This issue President Obama is dealing with allegation from Dr. Samson about what a nut job Norman is. Of course Norman has set things up to have Air Force One attacked by the “Green Goblin” and he will I’m sure save the day which will pull the wool over the President’s eyes and keep him running things. Then we get to the problem of why would a company who is run by a group of people clearly fans of the new President want to show us that Norman can outsmart him from day one. Maybe the conclusion of the book will surprise me. Of course this issue the Thunderbolts is an entirely new team and they are to be Norman’s off book assassination squad. I’m on the fence about this book and the whole Dark Reign thing, when I read them they are well done, but the after taste of this stuff comes off as inane and too far fetched for even a comic book.

Ghost Rider #31 – Writer Jason Aaron, Art Tan Eng Huat & Roland Boschi, Colors Jose Villarrubia. This issue was all set-up as the last Ghost Riders have gathered together and Danny with Zadkeil’s troops shows up ready to take them down. Johnny finally gets up his nerve to fight again and shows up at the last page to join the showdown. There is a side story where the sheriff from Jason’s first arc is now armed with the Hellfire shotgun and is going Ghost Rider hunting. Jason has turned this into a fast paced action/adventure book with Christian mythology overtones thrown in.

Final Crisis Superman Beyond #2 (of 2) – Writer Grant Morrison, Pencils Doug Mahnke, Inks Christian Almay with Tom Nguyen, Drew Garcia & Derek Fridolfs, Colors David Baron All of the 3-D makes a book problematic for me as I have to try and make my glasses work with the 3-D goggles and it never works right. Still the actual story was part meta-physical Grant Morrison drug induced fantasy about a living DCU and a touching love story of Clark and Lois. I look forward to reading this in its entirety and if DC is smart the Final Crisis books by Grant will all be collected together in a nice oversized format printed with and without 3D.

Mighty Avengers #21 – Writer Dan Slott, Pencils Khoi Pham, Inks Allen Martinez & Danny Miki, Colors Jason Keith & Guru eFX. I read it and I liked it and I disliked it and I’m not sure if I care about it. How is that for a mixed reaction? The Scarlet Witch is back and she has to dig up her own team of Avengers for various reasons. We end up with the Hulk, USAgent, Hercules, Cassie Lang, the Vision, Jocasta, Jarvis, Amadeus Cho, Hercules, Scarlet Witch and Hank Pym as the Wasp. The bad guy is now some version of Quicksilver. Dan Slott has some good dialogue and is having fun with recreating Hank Pym. Still as much as this book has potential, my problem is the endless recycling of these characters. Also Marvel is strong on keeping a consistent universe, but I stopped reading Hulk and I’m wondering who and what he is.

Birds of Prey #126 – Writer Tony Bedard, Pencils Claude St. Aubin, Inks John Floyd, Colors Hi-Fi. - So the penultimate issue of the series has the showdown between the Calculator and Oracle take an unexpected turn as the Calculator gains actual super powers. Calculator manipulates some of his criminal partners into setting up Kilgore (the living computer program) so that now the Calculator controls the Kilgore program and therefore controls any machine. With this type of power the Calculator is going after Oracle and that leads into the final issue of Birds of Prey.

Moon Knight #26 – Writer Mike Benson, Art Jefte Palo, Colors Lee Loughridge. So Moon Knight is roaming around being Jake Lockley in Mexico and comes to the notice of a wealthy man who needs help saving his daughter. Jake and some the rich man’s men go into the town and will try to break her out of where she is being held. Unfortunately (or it maybe a help) the Punisher is also in the same town.

Conan The Cimmerian #7 – Writer Tim Truman, Art Tomas Giorello & Rcihard Corben, Colors Jose Villarrubia. This really should have been a mini-series prior to re-launching the Conan book. It took us seven issues and half of that fill-in by Richard Corben giving us a bullsh*t story about Conan’s grandfather which added nothing. We knew once the girl was introduced that Conan would fall in love with her, she would be killed, and Conan would kill who did it and leave Cimmera. Not that the book was not professionally done, just that it did not move Conan forward into the next phase of his life as was promised.

Trinity #34 – Front Story Writer Kurt Busiek, Pencils Mark Bagley, Inks Art Thibert, Colors Pete Pantazis, Back-Up Writers Kurt Busiek & Fabian Nicieza, Art Tom Derencik & Wayne Faucher, Colors Allen Passalaqua. – Oddly as down as I have been on this book, I found this issue to be a better one then the last few issues. The story of the alternative Earth trying to stave off the chaos is more interesting then seeing the DC history re-visited through the eyes of the purple people in the cosmic egg and this issue focused more on the battle for control of the Earth. I’m now thoroughly convinced that making this story 52 issues was a huge mistake and Busiek is constantly treading water to make this story last.

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Epilogue #4 (of 4) – Writer Steve Niles, Art Kyle Hotz, Colors Tom Smith. It was an okay series. We had a vampire who is trying to be a good guy. We had vampires from the old country trying to stop him. A battle ensues and with the help of a cop who had befriended the good vampire he kills most of the bad guys. A decent read and Kyle Hotz’s art is very stylistic (you either like it or not), but there was no hook to this series to make me come back for more.

Dark Delicacies #1 – This books is a prime example of why anthologies are such are hard sell. The goal for the book was to scare you and provide truly creepy stories. The first story was a hit. Part of the Game – Story F. Paul Wilson, Script Dan Wickerline, Art Douglas Draper. This was a great film noir type of story, where the central character is trying to get rich by forcing a Mandarin from Chinatown (back in the 30’s) to give him a cut of the action. Instead he gets infected by a bug that has laid eggs in him and the only possible cure is another parasite. There is a lot more to it, but it does give you that creepy vibe they were shooting for and tells a great story. The second story was a total miss. Dog – Story Joe R. Lansdale, Script Neal Barrett Jr., Pencils Jerry Beck, Digital Painting Thomas Smith. A guy has a fight with his wife. He takes a ride on his bike. A giant almost rabid dog attacks him and he wins a long hard fought battle. His foot is broken and he is stuck in the middle of nowhere. I kept trying to find the point of this story or the message or what and nothing, nada, zip. For $4, both stories need to be good.

Uncanny X-Men Annual #2 – Writer Matt Fraction, Art Mitch Breitweiser & Daniel Acuna, Colors Elizabeth Breitweiser for Mitch’s pages. Advertised as part of Dark Reign, we get a retro-con of the history of the White Queen and find out she and Namor were lovers at one time. It all goes back to her history with the Hellfire Club and we see all sorts of stuff and find out a little bit about her hidden agendas. Bottom line, I did not like it at all. Emma is now being portrayed as someone who is an untrustworthy person. I know she had been a villain in prior times, but we had moved past all of that. This is the part of Dark Reign I don’t like and seeing Namor and Emma in these roles feels forced to me. Also Daniel Acuna’s portion of the art in this book looks weak. Acuna I’m sure is a competent artist, but I have not found a single book by him that I have enjoyed.

Stormwatch PHD #18 – Writer Ian Edginton, Pencils Leandro Fernandez, Inks Francesco Paronzini, Colors Carrie Strachan. This was a well done issue and if you had not read the Authority it was probably a good introduction to how Stormwatch and the Authority had teamed-up. Unfortunately I had red the Authority and this book was almost 50% redundant and I believe had some pages the exact same as the other. In a world full of cross-overs this and Authority needs to read more like Part 1 and Part 2 and not assume that a reader is only getting one or the other. While well done, I felt cheated as nothing new really occurred that I had not read in the Authority. Also since that have this crap back-up going through all 4 of the WU titles they are assuming we are reading both titles.

Frazetta’s Moon Mood (One Shot) – Writer Jay Fotos, Art Tim Virgil, Color Jay Fotos. It is hard to make this one shots really solid stories and this issue was no exception. They made the Moon Maid a goddess of sorts and the creature she was riding on was acting as her protector, but really was trying to kill her for his god. It was almost too much story for a one shot. Not a bad effort, just not a great effort.

Justice League of America#29 – Writer Len Wein, Pencils Chris Cross, Inks Rob Stull, Colors Pete Pantazis. This was a total interruption of the last story line and then I believe it tied back into the last storyline at the end. This issue we get the origin and current whereabouts of Starbreaker. He is a physic vampire and very powerful, which makes him to be a good foe for the JLA. We also find out that Starbreaker and the Shadow Thief have an alliance which spells nothing but trouble for the JLA.

Ruins #1 – (One Shot) – Writer Warren Ellis, Art Cliff Neilson & Terese Neilsen for the first ¾ of the book and then Chris Moeller. This was a reprint of an old Warren Ellis project that was two issues long back in the 90’s (Marvel’s worse period in many ways). I read where Ellis said this meant to be a joke and it is an obvious joke poking fun at the Marvels series. It also is a precursor to Ellis’ constant examination of what if these heroes were real or if what happened to them in the comics was real. The overall story failed to really entertain and the change in artist halfway through the second issue was very jarring. I enjoy seeing people’s earlier work and Marvel is certainly not shy to bank on a “star” name. Bottom line it was interesting, but not worth the $5 entry fee.

Tangent Superman’s Reign #11 (of 12) – Writer Dan Jurgens, Pencils Carlos Magno, Inks Julio Ferreira, Colors Kanila Tripp. This is a book I should have dropped. At this point I will buy the last issue, but instead of examining a new world we got a pointless big battle between bunches of super people. A shame as the Tangent heroes could have been more interesting in a dystopian world trying to overthrow a dictator who has actually done a lot of good for the world. That would have been a great series and examination of what is good versus evil and is a democracy always the best solution.

Captain America Theater of War – Two tales of Captain America and while both were well done; I’m also reading Garth Ennis’ war stories at the same time. So while these stories are striving to be uplifting and showing us how Cap impacted people’s lives in WWII, they fell short for me as I could not help but compare them to Battlefields: Night Witches by Ennis.

Superman Batman Annual #3 – Writer Len Wein, Pencils Chris Batista, Inks Mick Gray & Jack Jadson, Colors The Hories. Nothing Len Wein has written recently has worked. This issue was a prime example as he tried to remake Composite Superman and it was a disaster. The character was made up of DNA of all the JLA, but decided to make itself into a half Batman and half Superman and have a green face. The creature then displays the Atom’s shrinking power (which was done with a belt and not DNA) and displays other powers not created due to DNA. At the end the creature rips itself in half because it can’t stand the strain of having to do what Batman and Superman do to be heroes. A very poor issue and an issue best forgotten.

X-Men Legacy #220 – This book is boring me. This issue has Rogue, Gambit, the Danger Room character from Joss Whedon’s run and Professor X still not knowing what he is doing. It is all angst and meandering around and actually doing nothing. Canceled.

Giant Size Grimm Fairy Tales #1 – I’ve finally had enough of this series. I was enjoying the Belinda / Sela stories, but now the back story is getting so convoluted that I can’t follow it anymore. Plus I think you can only read so much of this type of material and my limit was finally reached. Canceled.

Mysterius the Unfathomable #1 – I guess this book has a certain charm to it and may hit the right note for some, but to me it was not to my taste. The central character is unlikable and the story was trying too hard. Canceled.


Two books that I have been thinking of canceling I finally did with Grimm Fairy Tales and X-Men Legacy. I know Mike Carey is writing more novels lately, but I will miss not having any books written by Mr. Carey on my list. Looking over the bottom third of my list this week points out that it was a tough week for a lot of books.

Best to Worst of Last Week

My recommendation of the week is I Kill Giants. I know the series has ended, but this is a beautiful mini-series.

What first drew me to the book is the artwork by JM Ken Niimura. It has a simplistic quality to it and a deft use of line work that reminded me of Calvin and Hobbes in some ways. It also had a manga type feel to it in some small ways. The more you see of it, the more you realize how deceptive his work is, because while appearing simple, it is not. The layouts, the character designs, the story telling is all top notch and makes for an easy to look at and read comic, where you never mistake any character for anyone else.

What seals this as a great series is the writing. Joe Kelly has written what I would call a seminal work for his career. I define a seminal work further then Webster’s, not only is it creative and original, it is a defining moment in a person’s career. This book stands out as the best work I have ever read by Joe Kelly and it contains all the emotions, humor, tragedy and triumph that you could hope for in a book. At the same time it is all about a young girl whose Mother is dying of cancer and how she learns to deal with it.

Brilliant! Beautiful! A book to be read by anyone at any age and a book that should not be missed.

I Kill Giants #7 (of 7) – Writer Joe Kelly, Art JM Ken Niimura. This is a true classic. This is a story that tells about a young girl dealing with the impending death of her mother. It is done with humor, grace, intelligence and humanity. It touches on so many emotions from happy to sad and all the emotions in between. I would gladly buy the trade of this book and give it to anybody to read for themselves or to read to their children, an incredible piece of work and a seminal book for the creators. See my spotlight review here.

Final Crisis #6 (of 7) – Writer Grant Morrison, Art JG Jones, Carlos Pacheo, Dough Mahnke, Marco Rudy, Christain Alamy & Jesus Merino, Colors Alex Sinclair & Pete Pantazis. Wow. What can you say about the book that has Bruce Wayne use a gun and then get taken out by Darkseid in it. The homage to the Perez cover of Superman holding Supergirl from COIE was stunning (instead Superman is holding a dead Batman). Now the one kicker that was added to this is when Darkseid goes to kill Batman with his “Omega Sanction” he calls it “the death that is life”, which to me is a built in fallback to resurrect Bruce when needed. Still I hope Bruce is dead for awhile as it would be a great to see someone take the chance to move the Batman character forward. We can always do stories of the past when Bruce was Batman, but let’s move past the same person being under the mask.

Other then that you have Superman in the 30th Century with the Miracle Machine, Tattoo Man becoming a honorary JLA member, Captain Marvel finally stopping the raging and evil Mary Marvel, Tawny taking out Kalibak, Renee Montoya being asked to lead the global peace agency that will establish the remnants of this world on a new world, Luthor and Sivana rebelling against Libra, the Flashes taking off to save the world, Batman shooting Darkseid with a gun, Darkseid killing Batman, Metron, the return of Superman, the end of the world.

Morrison has so much happening in this issue and the others, then I can imagine if he fully developed everything he is doing this would be a 1,000 page story and certainly worthy of being a weekly comic. I thing this is an excellent story and it gets better with each issue. Morrison is not telling a straight forward story and how it ties to the rest of the DCU is frustrating, but bottom line this is a great story and a compelling read. I had to read this book first when I got home and now I can’t wait for the ending.

After reading the web sites the idea that Batman has been sent to alternative worlds with each being worse then the one before sounds like a great setting for Morrison and Quietly to really explore who Bruce is and have one heck of an odyssey for Bruce getting back home. I hope that is the plan.

Action Comics #873 – Writer Geoff Johns, Art Pete Woods, Renato Guedes & Wilson Magalhaes, Colors Brad Anderson & David Curiel. – This story had so much happening, yet again, that it is amazing. It is an adjustment from the slow developing stories that had become more of the norm, where this is going by like a silver age roller coaster. In one issue we had a New Krypton be created and take up an orbit directly opposite to Earth. (We now have a planet of super men and women only 186 million miles away.) There is a pitched battle with the heroes of the DCU and the magic powered heroes versus the Kryptonians. Then Supergirl abandons Earth and takes off with her Mom. Finally we see her Mom go to who she is taking orders from and it is General Zod. This is just terrific stuff and has me anxiously awaiting each new issue of the Superman titles.

Locke & Key Head Games #1 (of 6) – Writer Joe Hill, Art Gabriel Rodriguez, Colors Jay Fotos. This series picks up where the first series left off with the witch from the well now being a boy. This issue we find out the boy is the true form of the creature and he used to be Luke Caravaggio, who was best friends with Rendell Locke (the father who was killed in the first series). Something sinister and bad happened to him back in the sixties and he is now a ghost or something more then that. Luke (now going by Zack) is looking for his revenge and he needs what is under the Locke house. An old Professor recognizes who Zack really is and before he can expose him Zack kills him. What sets this book apart is that while delivering the back story on the main bad guy, we also get a wonderful character piece on the Professor. The story tell us who he is, how much he loved his wife and how much he misses her since she died a few years ago. In most books the Professor would have been a plot device, a cardboard cut out and a stand in to move the plot forward. In Locke & Key he is a fully developed character that when he dies you care about him and how he dies, in his mind at least, makes you smile a little as he is with his wife again. It is so deftly interwoven with the back story that instead of an issue of exposition explaining more of what is going on, we get another great issue of this series. It would be wrong of me not to mention Gabriel Rodriguez’s art and how well it conveys this story. Gabriel is a true talent in this field and conveys both a sense of realism, while exhibiting a unique art style.

Green Lantern Corps #32 – Writer Peter Tomasi, Pencils Patrick Gleason, Inks Rebecca Buchman, Colors Randy Mayor. Kryb is one bad a** villain. It takes a lot of Green Lanterns and one Star Sapphire to finally put her down. Of course one GL was delivering a baby; the husband GL was protecting her and the doctor GL was delivering the baby. After they take Kryb down she still escapes one last time and kills a GL. The Guardians write another new law forbidding physical relationships or love between Green Lanterns. The amount of rings that show up at Oa signifying how many lanterns resigned was a great scene. It is obvious the guardians are going too far and the GL corps is losing members now to resignation as well as death at the hands of the Sinestro Corps. This series stands on its own and adds to the richness of the overall GL universe perfectly.

BPRD Black Goddess #1 (of 5) – Writers Mike Mignola & John Arcudi, Art Guy Davis, Colors Dave Stewart. The BPRD team members continue their search for Liz. Kate Corrigan interviews an old team member of Lobster Johnson in hopes of finding out where Gilfryd is and ultimately is given a map. Abe, Johann and Devon search and old lair of Lobster Johnson is hopes of learning where Gilfryd maybe. There is a hint of something going on with Devon as he is off camera and states one more drawer to search and then says he found nothing. Too much space was given for that to be true. Finally Panya back at headquarters tells her nurse the Elizabeth is not coming book. BPRD is some amazing work and Dark Horse needs to start putting it into hard covers.

Fables #80 – Writer Bill Willingham, Pencils Mark Buckingham, Inks Pepoy, Colors Lee Loughridge. Fables is back into a great groove. The Frog Prince story line almost dragged and the battle against the adversary was almost too easy, but Willingham was just setting us up for what was coming next. Fabletown is in ruins and all the bad guys are coming after them as the bad magic has been released because Geppetto is no longer running things on all the other worlds. The Dark Rider is coming, Baba Yaga is awake and hungry and a djinn is on the loose. Everyone has headed out to the Farm. When they show up Boy Blue (who is dying or something) gets to learn Rose Red married Sinbad, your day can get much worse then that. Fables has gotten very dark all of a sudden, but it makes a lot of sense and I can see that this series has plenty of steam left in it. The back-up with art by Peter Gross has been very enjoyable also as Mowgli gathers intelligence on Gobs.
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Simon Dark #16 – Writer Steve Niles, Art Scott Hampton, Colors Daniel Vozzo. The first long story arc was to set the stage for who Simon is and what he can do. Since then we have been learning about what he is and what he is learning to become. His creator is slowly revealing his origins and we see Simon is slowly learning to have a face. At the same time the failed experimental that came before Simon is not dead as his creator thought, but is actively looking to kill his creator. He also looks like Simon, but not exactly the same. I cannot recommend this series enough. Why it is in the DCU is unknown to me, but if it helps it sales by doing it this way then its okay with me.

Nightwing #152 – Writer Peter J. Tomasi, Pencils Don Kramer, Inks Jay Leisten, Colors Hi-Fi. Another strong issue of Nightwing, showing us yet again that Dick is the natural heir to the mantle of Batman. On one hand these issues are trending water till we get to the “Battle for the Cowl” on the other hand Peter Tomasi is giving us more and more character building us showing why Dick should be Batman. This issue we have a confrontation between Ras As Ghul and Nightwing and Ras agrees that he is the best replacement for Bruce Wayne.

No Hero #3 (of 7) – Writer Warren Ellis, Art Juan Jose Ryp, Colors Digikore Studios. I’m enjoying Ellis’ continued look at super heroes. He is playing with the same themes he played with in Authority and Black Summer and just putting different slants on it and having fun. This issue we see what it takes to become a super hero in this world and it is taking drugs and surviving a horrible acid trip. At the same time another member of the team is killed and they have no clue who is coming after them or why. Juan Jose Ryp is turning in another stellar art job and his style is working wonderfully with Ellis’ story.

Cleaners #2 (of 4) – Writers Mark Wheaton & Joshua Hale Fialkov, Art Rahsan Ekedal, Colors Jon Graef. The mystery as to why this crime scene had some many types of blood deepens and the police press our crew as to what they know about what is going on. They tell the police they think it is a “Harvester” a person who adds years to their life by consuming human tissue matter, in this case blood. Of course the police think they are lying and get mad. There is a lot more going on and an odd sex scene, but this series has a really cool vibe to it. Now I have read some complaints about the art, but I think that while not the best artist or most polished artist, we are seeing someone who is early in their career and what I see is a good art job (with some problems) but someone who has the potential to be a top notch artist.

Invincible #58 – Wrtier Robert Kirkman, Pencils Ryan Ottley, Inks Cliff Rathburn, Colors FCO Plascencia. The character developing arcs of Invincible are usually some of the best, but Kirkman does have to tread carefully to keep the excitement quotient high to avoid the rut this back feel into during the late 40’s of this book. This issue we see Eve and Mark enjoying their relationship, Eve building a business for her Mark so they can be independent and we see more of the monitoring devices. The shock reveal is Mark’s enemy Angstom Levy is gathering what appears to be a group of Invincibles from alternative realities as his own army.

Faces of Evil Prometheus #1 – Writer Sterling Gates, Art & Color Federico Dallocchio. So the original Prometheus is brought back and he is out for blood and looking to rebuild his reputation, as his protégé has been less then all inspiring. Prometheus was always created as the anti-Batman in some ways and I think the character has potential. The brutality on display here gives us the sense that this character has no limits as he is even willing to set fire to his failed protégé. As a re-introduction of the character and a rising of his menace level this issue did a fine job. My problem is DC has a recent history of doing some great one shot stories like this and then letting the idea lie fallow like a Chris Claremont sub plot.

Batman Confidential #25 – Writer Andrew Kreisberg, Pencisl Scott McDaniel, Inks Andy Owens, Colors I.L.L. This was a very good first Joker story. I have to laugh as there have been about ten or more first Joker stories as all writers want to give you their take on how the relationship between Batman and his arch-nemesis began. This story gave us the view that Batman had to learn that his job was to catch them and give them to the authorities what happened afterwards was something he could not control. We also saw the impact the Joker had from the standpoint of how he ruined one cop. We also see the Joker forced the city to create a new type of holding facility for someone like him and that was how Arkham Asylum was born in this story. I consider Batman Confidential almost myths of the Batman as nothing here is absolute cannon, just a place to tell a good Batman related story.

Fall of Cthulhu Apocalypse #2 (of 4) – Writer Michael Alan Nelson, Art & Colors Mateus Santolouco. I have enjoyed the fast pace of the Apocalypse arc as all the plot elements are moving together in rapid succession. Lucifer is tracking after the Necronicom and playing head games with the monster that has the book. Raymond saves Cy from the monster who looks like Cy’s girl friend to him. She takes the form of Ray’s wife to seduce Ray. The problem is the Harlot stole Ray’s memories of his wife and he kicks her off a bridge as he has no clue who she is supposed to be. At this point I’m wondering if this series is not in fact coming to a conclusion as once they sink the City again they should be safe for a little while.

Vixen Return of the Lion #4 (of 5) – Writer G. Willow Wilson, Art Cafu, Colors Santiago Arcas. This is a truly surprising well done mini-series that has raised my interest level in Vixen. I enjoyed that she now has her powers under control and her opening duel with a lion was really well done. Now she is uncovering what is actually happening and will have to go and save the JLA who came to save her. The artwork is also well done for Vixen, but did not work with the JLA. Still with the right book I hope we see more of Cafu’s work.

X-Infernus #2 (of 4) – Writer C.B. Cebulski, Pencils Giuseppe Camuncoli, Inks Jesse Delperdang & Craig Yeung, Colors Marte Garcia. This series is so well done. It had been years since I had paid attention to Colossus’ sister and some of the new people are foreign to me, but it is all working. Illyana regains the soul sword and returns to a more human look and goes back to Limbo. Colossus and a team of X-Men follow her into Limbo. Meanwhile, Illyana learns Belasco had a daughter and she is looking to kill Illyana. This series is one of the more enjoyable mini-series featuring the X-Men I have read in years.

Faces of Evil Grundy #1 – Writers Geoff Johns & Scott Kolins, Art Scott Kolins, Colors Hi-Fi. This is an odd one shot as it leads into a mini-series that starts in a month or two. Grundy has been used in different ways by different people and this issue tries to set the records straight about the different incarnations of Grundy. It also gives us a new incarnation of Grundy as he is more his old human self Cyrus Gold, then he is Grundy in this book. It is all a very confusing ride until the end when we find out that Grundy is being given a chance to break the curse and has seven days to do so. He will be helped by Alan Scott. The Phantom Stranger is the one telling Cyrus and Alan this as he states that Solomon Grundy should not be around for the blackest night that is coming. As a one shot, it was incomplete, as a prologue for the forthcoming series, it was a great job.

Booster Gold #16 – Writer/Artist Dan Jurgens, Finished Inks Norm Rapmund, Colors Hi-Fi. This book continues to be a pleasant surprise. This issue Booster is stuck in WWI and unwittingly helps to save the life of Maxwell Lord’s grandfather, who of course killed Blue (Ted Kord) Beetle. I was also pleasantly surprised to see how ell they managed to portray Enemy Ace properly as I was concerned as he was the “Face of Evil” for this issue’s cover. The whole “Faces of Evil” stuff when a book is in the middle of the arc is just a phony event. Still the Detective issue (where Batman is gone) and the actual one shot issues have been very good so far. Regardless of that, this was another solid issue of Booster Gold.

Titans #9 – Writer Judd Winick, Pencils Howard Porter & Jim Califiore, Inks Wayne Faucher & Jim Calafiore, Colors Edgar Delgado. This issue actually made the “Faces of Evil” thing work as we see the story from Jericho’s viewpoint. We also learn why Jericho has become evil after being a good guy and the explanation has the ring of “comic book truth” to it. All the people that Jericho has possessed over the years stay with him and they are taking him over and the bad guys are winning. This was a very plausible comic book explanation that makes a situation which seemed odd or not working and totally makes sense of it. I have to laugh as I constantly criticize DC for doing these one shots or mini-series and letting any good ideas lie fallow and now in Vigilante and the Titans things from the “Decision” mini-series that I passed on are playing into these books.

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Solomon Kane #4 (of 5) – Writer Scott Allie, Art Mario Guevara, Colors Dave Stewart. This issue is extremely action packed as Solomon fights the werewolf like creature that the Baron becomes. We find out that his staff and wife knows about this and she is trying to escape from him. The battle between the creature and Solomon comprise the bulk of the book and it is very well done. Ultimately Solomon escapes to the woods and battles these strange flying monsters. We know next issue should be the final showdown. I have lost exactly why all of this is going, but the art is so well done, that my inability to remember all the details from issue to issue falls by the wayside.

Manhunter #38 – Writer Marc Andreyko, Art Michael Gaydos & Dennis Calero & Fernando Blanco, Colors Jose Villarrubia & Dennis Calero. The final issue of this series. I have enjoyed the series for the most part, but thought the re-launch was botched. From not making it a new number one, especially with using a strong artist, who is not a typical super hero type artist. I also think the jumping ahead a bunch of years to age your characters and show us how you expect them to end up is entertaining on one hand, but useless on another as you know no other writer is going to be bound by this stuff. All in all this was a decent series and I’ll be looking forward to seeing this Manhunter floating around in the DCU in the future.

Trinity #33 – Front Story Writer Kurt Busiek, Pencils Mark Bagley, Inks Art Thibert, Colors Pete Pantazis, Back-Up Writers Kurt Busiek & Fabian Nicieza, Art Scott McDaniel & Andy Owens, Colors Allen Passalaqua. – I have had my say about this mini-series over and over again and I really have nothing new to add about how I feel about this series anymore. At this point I forget what happened almost as soon as I finish the book, which is a shame as the book is a very well written and artistically well done book, but one I have lost interest in.

Green Arrow Black Canary #16 – Writer Andrew Kreisberg, Pencils Mike Norton, Inks Josef Rubinstein, Colors David Baron. Having these “Faces of Evil” thing has really been dumb as while this issue featured Merlin it really did not give us Merlin’s viewpoint. Andrew Kreisberg who has been excellent on some other books is turning in some really generic super hero fare. Add into the mix that Mike Norton’s art is also competent, but uninspired and you have for a comic that is boring me at this point. The whacked out hero worshipping gal in this issue does show some promise for next issue. One last problem I’m having with this book is Canary is coming off like a side kick and I really do not like that as she is a viable character on her own and is more interesting then Ollie in many ways.

I look at the Buy Pile every week, but never read it in detail as he has often finished books way before I have had a chance to read anything and I don’t want my viewpoint impacted by another person’s viewpoint until I read a book. I can almost tell you what books will make the top of his list as his prejudices are clear, just as mine have become to anyone who reads this column. I only point this out because I can’t believe how differently we view this week, as he felt it was a bad week for books and I found very little to dislike and many, many excellent books this week. That’s the beauty of the internet, so many viewpoints and often too little time to read all the great work people are doing.

Best to Worst of Last Week

No recommendation this week but a quick mention that for the week I skipped my top books were GREEN LANTERN #36, JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #22MADAME XANADU #7, SCALPED #24, INCOGNITO #1 and PROOF #15 in no particular order. For anyone who follows this column on a normal basis these books should come as no surprise. All of these are solid series and Incognito is by a proven creative team. Now onto this weeks best to worst.

Detective Comics #852 – Writer Paul Dini, Pencils Dustin Nguyen, Inks Derek Fridolfs, Colors John Kalisz. This is the first “Faces of Evil” book that I have read and if all of them are this good, then DC has a great concept going. I was hesitant going in as we had just finished with Hush and bringing him back this fast felt way too early, but it worked. Hush is back and starts to utilize his looking more like Bruce by hustling people who do not know Bruce that well. He kills a rich woman and steals her yacht and sells it for cash. Withdraws a large sum of money from a foreign subsidiary of Wayne Enterprises and finally runs into trouble in Viet Nam and the trouble is Catwoman. I can’t wait until the Batman issue that concludes this story. Paul Dini continues to produce some highly entertaining Batman material (of course this issue is without Batman).

Hexed #1 (of 4) – See my detailed review here. When I did that review it was with a PDF copy and now I have been able to re-read it with a print copy. I have to say that I still love having the actual book in my hand. On a second read the book is still terrific. Lucifer is Catwoman and Doctor Strange (pre sorcerer supreme) with a little bit of the Kitty Pryde/Jubille type of charm to her character. You fall in love with her from the jump, wander about her past (which I’m still seeing unfold in Fall of Cthulhu) and are rooting for her to succeed. This is a tightly written book, with an art style that is appealing and has a light and almost ethereal feel to at times. A WINNER from BOOM.

Shrapnel #1 (of 5) – See my detailed review here. Jump in from the first issue of this terrific new series from Radical Comics. It is the beginning of a trilogy about a Solar War. It has touches and Blade Runner and Gattaca to it, but is just a good book that reads like a true graphic novel. Plus this book is 48 pages of story and art for $1.99, in a grim economic environment you have to love a company giving you a shot at reading a new book for such a bargain.

Punisher #1 – Writer Rick Remender, Art Jerome Opena, Colors Dan Brown. You have to love Rick Remender and Jerome Opena, who worked on Fear Agent together before taking on this book. This is the MU Punisher and not the Max Punisher and I have no problems with having two separate continuities. It does seem redundant and I assume Marvel has canned the Punisher War Journal book as this seems to be the Punisher that exists inside the regular MU and he is part of the whole Dark Reign thing. The Punisher is trying to kill Norman Osborne and the Sentry stops him and then goes after Frank. As he is trying to just capture Frank and is so impossibly powerful he ignores Frank’s traps. He would have captured Frank if not for some help from a mysterious benefactor. Why Frank was shooting Norman and who is his benefactor are mysteries to be revealed as we move forward, but this was a highly entertaining and fast paced book with some great art. The one complaint was the $4 price tag since the book included back matter giving us a history on who the Punisher is in this continuity, which was unwanted and unnecessary.

Secret Invasion War of the Kings – Writer Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning, Pencils Paul Pelletier & Bong Dazo, Inks Rick Maygar & Joe Pimentel, Colors Wil Quintana & Mike Kelleher. This is shaping up to be another good space event for Marvel. From Annihilation, to Annihilation Conquest to War of Kings, Marvel is been having fun with their outer space stuff. This issue focused on the Inhumans and Black Bolt’s reaction to being a captive of the skrulls. He takes the whole city off into space, kills the skrulls who are fleeing Earth and a few Shi’ar ships as collateral damage. He does not stop there and they invade the Kree home world and Ronan agrees to Black Bolt being the ruler of the Kree. Vulcan gets reports of what happen to his Shi’ar ships and it looks like the War is starting.

Walking Dead #57 –Writer Robert Kirkman, Art Charles Adlard, Graytones Cliff Rathburn. This issue we see Rick and Abraham go off on a task together to try and gather more weapons from Rick’s old sheriff’s office. Rick will not leave Carl behind and during the trip they are attacked by some humans who are almost as bad as the Zombies. When they start to try and rape Carl, Rick goes ballistic and actually rips the throat of one man out with his own teeth. Rick and Abraham save the day, but the cost is a little more of Rick’s soul and the price Rick will pay for Carl seeing him this way. It prompts Abraham to want to share his horror story with Rick and that should be next issue. A very powerful and emotional issue and Kirkman continues to take Rick further and further down some dark roads and when you think he has hit bottom, we find another level below that.

Black Lighting #1 (of 6) – Writer Jen Van Meter, Art Vully Hamner, Colors Laura Martin. I came into this book with low expectations and with the strong possibility of canning this book. I felt we did not need a year one story on someone who has been a “C” list character in the DCU. This book was excellent and has me excited to see what comes next. Jefferson Pierce has never been portrayed as well as this in any other books that I read about him. Now truth be known, I barely remember his early series, but he is a family man moving back into the neighborhood that he gave up on long ago. As the principal of an inner city school in Metropolis he is struggling with gang violence and the 100. He is suppressing his powers, as he always felt violence was the wrong way to go, but as we see he is coming to accept that he may need to be a vigilante as well as an educator to make things better. A great start to this mini-series.
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Secret Six #5 – Writer Gail Simone, Pencils Nicola Scott, Inks Doug Hazelwood & Rodney Ramos, Colors Jason Wright. They call this part of the “Faces of Evil”, but all it really is, is a Deadshot cover. That’s why some of these ‘events” can be so lame. Plus Secret Six is all about the bad guys. This was another good issue and this issue’s surprise ending is we find out who Junior is and actually see Junior. In case you have not read it, I’ll leave the ending alone, but it is pretty gross and amusing all at the same time. This is winning series from Simone and Scott.

Rest #2 – Writer Mark Powers, Illustrated by Shawn McManus & Lizzy John. I’m enjoying this series, but it comes out so slow and I know DDP has had financial issues, so I worry how long it will continue. This issue we see how John Barrett has been changed by the drug. Not only does he not sleep, but his IQ appears increased and by all accounts he is a “superman” of sorts (no actual powers). He finds out that he is sought after by various people for what is coursing through his bloodstream and wants out of the program. Also the dark side of the drug is what has happened in some of their early trials in foreign lands and the effects it is having on John’s friend who pushed him into the program.

Kull #3 (of 5) – Writer Avrid Nelson, Art Will Conrad, Colors Jose Villarrubia. This is the best Robert E. Howard inspired series coming out of Dark Horse and is a solid action/adventure in its own right. This issue we learn about the elder gods and the snake people who still live and have been replacing the kings of Valusia for many years. With the help of a Pict warrior Brule, Kull learns of the conspiracy and he and Brule thwart the attempt on his life. The art is lush and full of detail and gives us a great sense of the place. I hope this is just the first in a series of mini-series with this creative team on the helm of Kull.

Archibald: Chasing the Dragon – Created and Illustrated by Grant Bond, Writer Dara Naraghi. This series (really a string of one shots) is so bizarre, yet so much fun at the same time. First and foremost is Grant Bond’s brilliant artwork. His style is reminiscent of the old animation from back in the thirties and the black and white with the spotting of colors works perfectly. The best description of this book I ever read is Sin City meets Roger Rabbit and this issue is no exception. We are starting to layer in more back story as to what happened to Archibald’s brother and we added the father who is behind the deal with the devil. Maniacal, insane, bloody, humorous, and unadulterated fun and joy is what Archibald brings to comics. This book is easy to pick up at any point and I’m just waiting for the next one shot.

House of Mystery #9 – Writer Matthew Sturges, Pencils Lucca Rossi, Inks Jose Marzan, Colors Lee Loughridge. While the extra story this issue is a wonderous and joyous event (Story Bill Willingham and Art by Bernie Wrightson), it was just inserted into the book almost randomly. I like the gimmick and understand it cuts down on the main story’s artist monthly page commitment, but they need to make it work better. The main story advances the back story on Fig as what appears to be her father makes a surprise visit. Between this book and Madam Xanadu I believe Vertigo has two titles that should have long lives.

Jonah Hex #39 – Writers Justin Gray & Jimmy Palmiotti, Art Rafa Garres, Colors Rob Leigh. Another great one and done, where Jonah helps a deputy learn how to be more of a sheriff. What I love about Jonah Hex is how strong these stories set up a premise and execute against it and build characters and do it in 22 pages. Of course Jonah Hex is also a pleasure for the diverse artists that get to draw this book. Rafa Garres has a very distinct style and one that does not necessarily fit Jonah Hex, but as you read the book it does work, it is just a very different style then most artists.

The Authority # 6 – Writers Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning, Art Simon Colby, Colors Carrie Strachan. This issue was very well done and started to advance the story line in a way that was really needed. We know the world has been destroyed and we read about the repercussions, but we needed to see the heroes start to fix things. This issue Stormwatch shows up and they join with the Authority in helping to revive the Carrier in exchange for the Authority taking in their refugees. Immediately as something worthwhile is built up a bad guy wants to take it over. I have been enjoying the WU, but also knew that we needed to move the story forward a little faster and this book was just the ticket.

Sgt. Rock #3 (of 6) – By Billy Tucci, colors Hi-Fi. The realism in this story is so well done that it no longer even feels like a Sgt. Rock story in some ways. The level of detail Tucci has put into his work has made Rock a living, breathing human being. The addition of the “Haunted Tank” was well done and having the Kilroy, the Up Front reporter, is a great way to give us an everyman’s point of view.

Anna Mercury #5 (of 5) – Writer Warren Ellis, Art Facundo Percio, Color Paul Duffield. Have to love the way this series ended, with Anna pushing to all sorts of limits and leaving collateral damage in her wake. She chooses a course of action that kills hundreds of thousands of people, but it was to save millions of people. It would have been a suicide mission if her central command had not pulled her back in time. This book has some very cool concepts in creating alternative worlds and giving us super heroes who are only super in those worlds. In someway it reminded me of Hourman as her powers were limited to a set period of time and/or usage of energy.

Hellboy: Wild Hunt #2 (of 8) – Writer Mike Mignola, Art Duncan Fegredo, Art for back Story Guy Davis, Colors Dave Stewart. This issue we see Hellboy recovers from the spear in his chest and the people who betrayed him were killed by the Giants. Instead of escaping Hellboy decides to fight the Giants. We also learn some back story on Gruagach. The back story is “How Koshchei became deathless”. I really need to read my Hellboy archives to catch up on stuff I missed here and there over the year.

Invincible Iron Man #9 – Writer Matt Fraction, Art Salvador LaRocca, Colors Frank D’Armata. I have recently started to read more of Matt Fraction’s work and have either come around to liking his work or he is improving, maybe it is a little of both. Tony Start is trying to save the world by wiping out his brain as it contains all the important information that would help Osborne. He solicits Pepper Potts and Maria Hill’s assistance, but Hill refuses. Tony gets the process going and then Hill comes back as she is being chased by Osborne. So the setting is Tony is essentially dying and he is trying to complete one last task and now he needs to also try and help Hill. I’m curious to see how Matt gets Tony out of this “death trap”. The duel that is shaping up between Tony and Osborne is entertaining.

Gravel #7 – Story/Script Warren Ellis, Script Mike Wolfer, Art Oscar Jimenez, Color Juanmar. I know Avatar is doing the Dark Horse thing with characters by giving them a series of mini-series, but the numbering is getting annoying as companies do not want to let you know it is the last issue of anything. I guess it is a marketing gimmick, but still I think you owe me an idea of what is going on next. This issue ends Book One and ends with Gravel killing the last member of the minor seven and then receiving a phone call to join the major seven. On one hand it was nice the way he won the day on the other hand it felt like a cop out as we knew he was looking to kill everyone, but I wanted more of an ending.

Sub-Mariner The Depths #4 (of 5) – Writer Peter Milligan, Art Esad Ribic. It feels like it is taking longer and longer for each issue to show up, but all in all it has been an enjoyable story about Namor and Atlantis being a myth in the Marvel Universe (back in the 30’s). I believe this will read much better as trade because the pace of the story is deliberately slow and the reveal to actually get to Namor has to be the final act. Still the characters are interesting and the art is superb.

Haunted Tank # 2 (of 5) – Writer Frank Marraffino, Art Henry Flint, Colors Lee Loughridge. Where the first issue was played more for laughs this issue is played more for the purpose of showing that two parties who should have nothing in common, can still learn from each other and respect each other. While the Confederate General’s Ghost cannot understand why he is so offensive the black tank commander, both start to actually listen to each other this issue. While this book is making a point and certainly has a viewpoint to express, it is coming across very organically and it feels like what the characters would say and do and is not preachy at all. A surprisingly highly entertaining take on the “Haunted Tank” concept.
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Sword #14 – by Jonanthan and Joshua Luna. Somehow this book is losing a little steam for me. Last issue she gets to the next guy she wants to kill and gets shot. The sword is touching her so she heals and fights the bad guys. The guns are too much to overcome and she loses the sword during the battle and runs away with her friends. One of the bad guys grabs the sword and decides maybe he should be the boss and appears ready to face off against the guy Dara is after (who controls Earth). When the writing loses something, I start to notice the art and that is a problem as the actual artwork is very pedestrian and actually poorly done with some elements. The layouts and story telling is there, they just need to hire either a strong inker or an artist and they can just do breakdowns. At this point the story needs to find another hook or move to the ending a lot sooner.

Terror Titans #4 (of 6) – Writer Sean McKeever, Pencils Joe Bennett, Inks Jack Jadson, Colors Rod Reis. This book is way too forgettable and feels a little meaningless. It also feels very random as the plot point breaks are very jarring and I forget who the heck is who as I’m reading the book. I’m curious to see what Clock King’s end game is and what will happen with Ravager, but overall I have to say this book has been a let down, especially given the talent level on this book. I get the overall impression that Sean McKeever is a much better writer then he has been allowed to show as I feel like the Titans stuff is being over managed.

El Diablo #5 (of 6) – Writer Jai Nitz, Pencils Phil Hester, Inks Ande Parks, Colors Guy Major. I keep wondering why I’m buying this book and this issue I was starting to get into the battle between El Diablo and the Freedom Fighters when the book got too deep into some mythology that I’m not aware of. I also was a little turned off by the dialogue that felt a little preachy and was denigrating the American ideal, which I thought was unneeded. I felt like the writer was preaching to me as opposed to it be the character’s true thoughts. As I have one more issue I will ride this book out.

Trinity #32 – Front Story Writer Kurt Busiek, Pencils Mark Bagley, Inks Art Thibert, Colors Pete Pantazis, Back-Up Writers Kurt Busiek & Fabian Nicieza, Art Mike Norton & Andre Parks, Colors Allen Passalaqua. – I’m really growing tired of this book and I started to realize that I have 20 more issues to go and that is another $60 in cover price investment, that I’m not sure I want to make for this story. It has its moments, but they are few and far between. The front story about the Trinity in the cosmic egg world is so dragged out and the back story about the changed “real world” is also going way too slow. I want to drop this book, but there is a part of me that wants to see where Busiek is going with this.

Dead of Night: Werewolf by Night #1 (of 4) – The $4 price tag makes it easier to drop Marvel mini-series. If the book is good no problem, but they are taking the old Jack Russell character and re-booting it into a gore feast and it lost the charm the series had years ago. Canceled.

All in all this was a surprising week for me. I have been so busy lately that this week I looked at and I thought it would be a rather less then stellar week and I was pleasantly surprised with many of the offerings. You have to love comics as you get more entertainment for the buck then almost anything else. Plus I’m happy that the Ravens have made it to the AFC Championship game.