Rating System: 0 to 1.5 stars = save your money unless you are just mindlessly collecting the title. 2 to 3.5 = worth a shot if you are up to trying something new or wanting to get back into a title. 4 to 5 = a must buy for any comic reader.

ANTI-VENOM: NEW WAYS TO LIVE #2 – I get it. Venom is popular. So was the Joker rip-off, Carnage. I’m a big Marvel and Spidey fan, but I firmly believe that the Symbiote Saga and the Clone Crap have damaged the Spider-Man books so bad that even “big” event storylines like “One More Day” can’t get Pete back on track. I’m not saying that Venom wasn’t a good villain for Spidey; but I do think that the writers used up all of his potential too fast. In the current Spider-Man series, I like the fact that Eddie Brock was no longer merged with the Venom symbiote and I liked that it was attached to Mac Gargan, the former Scorpion. Now, Brock once again has a version of the symbiote and is genuinely trying to do good at the street level with his new powers. The problem being, this is just a retelling of the Venom: Lethal Protector limited series in the ‘90’s. The best thing about this series is that artists Paulo Siqueira and Chad Hardin will get more work after this series ends after next issue.

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BATMAN #692 – Nooooo. We finally get great Batman artist, Tony Daniel, back only to lose Judd Winick. WTF?!? Mark Bagley should have never been named artist on this book. Doesn’t fit. He’s perfect for JLA though. Tony Daniel’s art has evolved to the point to where Batman is a great place for him to be. But, Daniel’s past writing forays haven’t proven to me that he can both write (for a flagship title no less…) and draw it. Judd Winick had such a great rapport with Dick and the rest of the Batman cast adjusting to Bruce’s death. The dialogue was so natural, funny and poignant at the same time. What happened? Did Tony have more “juice” than Judd or what? I wanna know. This went from needing an artist to needing a writer. Daniel’s story just seems flat. Nazis? And where is Damian? Sorry, man. Maybe get someone to help co-write or something…

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ULTIMATE COMICS: AVENGERS #3 – Nick Fury has contacted Dr. Gregory Stark, Tony’s older and amoral older brother, to put together a new group of Avengers. First, he’s taken the former Insect Queen, implanted an obedience chip and renamed her The Red Wasp. Then, he’s managed to clone another version of the Hulk from Bruce’s stem cells that is not only as strong as Hulk, but he managed to give the beast Banner’s intellect as well – codenamed: Nerd Hulk. He also has a clone of Peter Parker (I’m guessing he’s leftover from the Ultimate Spidey’s Clone Saga…) that is super smart, borderline evil and calling himself Black Widow. James Rhodes has also joined in a less sleek version of Iron Man’s armor that’s called; you guessed it – War Machine. All led by Hawkeye to track down and apprehend/eliminate Captain America; who is still seeking more information on the son he didn’t know he had – The Red Skull. Seeing that Tony had an older, blonde brother in this universe was enough of a trip; but seeing the “Nerd Hulk” with the top half of his dome missing was more than odd. This is going to be another big hit from Mark Millar. Artist Carlos Pacheco is doing some of his best stuff ever. He’s truly taken his art to a new level that fits an Ultimate title. Get this one on your pull list quick, you might be able to find the first two issues still on the shelves or cheap in the back issue bins.

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ARKHAM REBORN #1 – Another frickin’ Batman spin-off. Wait, Bruce Wayne is in this issue WTF?!? Where does this take place in current DC continuity? Where’s the Batman group editor? Why not just do this series as a graphic novel? It’s already got a Vertigo type vibe between the story and the art. Arkahm’s nephew has rebuilt the asylum and is looking to rehabilitate the less violent patients using less than accepted therapy. Unless you’re a Batman family collector, save your money because this is in no way as good as the original Arkham Asylum graphic novel.

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DARK AVENGERS: ARES #1 – As the former Greek god of war, Ares knows a thing or two about being a warrior. Norman Osborn thinks so too and decides to give Ares a handpicked squad of H.A.M.M.E.R. agents to train as he sees fit. Ares personally picks five men to train and starts by shooting live rounds at them and more each day. Close-combat teamwork, shooting, explosives, tactics and beating up on other H.A.M.M.E.R. squads just because. Calling them his “Shades,” what exactly Ares or Osborn plans to do with these men is anyone’s guess. British writer, Kieron Gillen’s dialogue is dead-on and the characterization of Ares’ men is great. I originally had this book tapped to be in my subscription box just because I saw that Cary Nord (Conan) was attached to draw the interiors. Something must have fallen through on Nord’s end because while he drew the cover, Manuel Garcia is handling the interior art – which is a great choice by Marvel to pick up the slack. Garcia’s layout and pencils on this title truly makes it a great read. Heck, I even liked the “Patton” rip-off where Ares is speaking to a H.A.M.M.E.R. battalion as he stands in front of a huuuuge American flag. If you’re looking for a good military story (like to get the bad taste of G.I. Joe out of your mouth…) this is the book for you.

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HUNTER’S FORTUNE #1 – Another new limited series from BOOM Studios. Focusing on perennial slacker, Hunter Prescott, the series starts off with him being evicted and his car being repossessed. Before he can totally breakdown, he finds out that an uncle he didn’t know he had died and left Hunter his entire estate ($650,000,000 worth…). The only stipulation being that Hunter must continue his uncle’s quest to find Excalibur. An avid archeologist, Hunter’s Uncle Max spent his entire life compiling information and questing for the fabled sword. While Hunter doesn’t have a formal college education, it seems that archeology might just be in his blood as he finds a hidden compartment on his uncle’s tombstone. The art is a little shaky, but I’m in for the mini-series just based on the story.

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DARK REIGN – THE LIST: PUNISHER – Wait. A whole issue of brand new art from John Romita, Jr.?!? YAAAAAYYY! WAIT. A whole issue of brand new art and it’s not the last issue of Kick-Ass?!? WTF?!? One project at a time John. I’m not denying that I bought this strictly because of your art, but making the comic buyers wait almost two years for the completion of Kick-Ass is a little ridiculous. It’s only eight issues. Yes, I know that the movie happened in-between, but d@mn. Sorry. On with the review. In an effort to eliminate all of the potential wildcards in the Marvel U, Norman Osborn has set his sights on Frank Castle aka The Punisher. Ticked because The Hood couldn’t find a way to kill him, Osborn has dedicated an entire H.A.M.M.E.R. battalion and Daken to tracking down and killing the Punisher. Not capturing – killing. And Frank puts ups a heckuva fight. He actually manages to hurt Daken to the point Daken edges pretty close to one of his old man’s berserker rages. After calling off the H.A.M.M.E.R. agents, Daken proceeds to slice and dice Frank. Stabbed in the chest and forearm, then slashed across the face and neck; Daken then slices off Castle’s right arm, left arm, head and then cuts the body in half. Daken then kicks the leftovers off the roof they were on. The H.A.M.M.E.R. agents are then sent in to collect the remains, but Moleoids have already collected them and brought them into the New York sewers where Man-Thing (wait… wasn’t he killed/captured in Dark Avengers #10?) takes out the pursuing agents. Get ready for Franken-Castle…. Blaargh. Really? Really, Rick Remender? This is what you’re giving us? I would have been ok with his current “sidekick” and son of Jigsaw becoming the new Punisher. I mean, Frank’s getting a little old. Vietnam vet? What is he, like sixty? But, wait – now he’s immortal and harder to kill. I imagine he’ll be stronger, meaner and even less well spoken. But, hey – his new weakness will be fire. C’mon guys… this is a retcon waiting to happen. Buy it for the art or if you need a good laugh (or cry if you’re a Punisher fan. check out Griz and I shredding this on ComicCenter…). 

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GREEN LANTERN #47 – As Hal, Sinestro and Carol (Star Sapphire) confront the Black Lantern versions of Abin Sur and his sister, we learn that Sinestro and Abin’s sister were lovers. Once the three of them unite their rings with Indigo-1, they are able to sever the connections to the Black Lantern power. Meanwhile, we discover that Red Lanterns are immune to the Black Lanterns “need to feed” on the emotionally charged hearts of their victims. The Red Lanterns rings actually replace the heart of the user. The “flag-bearers” of the various Lantern Corps are uniting; forcing Hal and Sinestro have a pissing contest to see who will lead the group to stop the Black Lanterns. Hal gets Sinestro to back down and they set out to recruit the Blue Lanterns, not knowing that they are currently under attack from the avatars of Agent Orange. We’re getting closer to an actual resistance against this universal threat and learning more about certain characters we never knew. I’ve said it before: Geoff Johns has not only redeemed himself from turning Hal evil and then killing him, but is writing one of the best comic books on the shelves today. Sure, Blackest Night is a “crossover event” that DC is using to sell comics; but Johns has been laying the groundwork for this story since issue number one of the current Green Lantern series. Bravo, sir. This will give you some perspective: Griz buys almost every Marvel comic that hits the shelf and hates DC as much as he hates the Red Sox (Yankees fan…) – but even he plans on grabbing all the Blackest Night trades when they hit. Don’t’ wait – get the issues now.

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X-FORCE #20 - So the cover is a little misleading… Taking place just before the events of X-Necrosha hit, X-23 has been recaptured by her creators who plan on mass producing her into an army. Writers Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost make it a point to show just how much of a bad-@$$ she is by carrying her own severed arm! And then she cuts out the adamantium claws to insure she could get them back in ONCE HER ARM GROWS BACK! She and H.A.M.M.E.R. agent Morales manage to destroy the arm, clones, trigger scent and the entire facility by themselves. Mike Choi needs to stay on this book for as long as possible. He actually tells a story with his art and doesn’t try to make each panel an individual work of art (all you interior painters out there take note…). It’s dynamic, emotional and bloody – perfect for a book like X-Force. Move Clayton Crain to covers and let Choi loose.

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BLACKEST NIGHT #4 – My only question is this: why is Earth always so important in these universe-spanning stories? Even in Marvel. Flash (Barry Allen), The Atom (Ray Palmer) and Mera (Queen of Atlantis) have a slight crisis of faith before the Flash gets them back on course to bring Earth’s heroes together to fight the ongoing threat of the Black Lanterns. As Flash runs across the planet telling everyone where to meet and how to hold off the living dead, the power levels of the Black Lanterns reach 100%. Instantly, the Black Power Battery is transported to Earth – Coast City to be exact (remember all the dead that Mongul killed there?). Black Hand and the Guardian of the Black Lanterns call forth Nekron from the ground – who then raises the dead of Coast City. Who’s Nekron you ask? Nekron is the ruler of a realm adjacent to DC’s Hell in which the dead must wait until they are allowed entry into either DC’s version of Heaven or Hell. He’s able to draw energy from the beings residing in his realm. Geoff Johns has described him as one of the most powerful dark forces in the DC Universe. If you’re familiar with Mephisto from the Marvel Universe, this is his DC counterpart. Halfway through this limited series and we are just now seeing the big-bad… If you’re a superhero comic fan, be sure you grab this crossover.

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SPIDER-MAN: THE CLONE SAGA #2 – Ya know, I’m just going to point you to Dr. Devastacion’s review of issue #1 here and then say that Todd Nauck’s art has looked better in the past…

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DARK REIGN – THE LIST: WOLVERINE – Norman Osborn has finally discovered files from Weapon X/Weapon Plus and wonders why he doesn’t “own” The World (the living facility used by Weapon Plus to create super-soldiers…) and sends H.A.M.M.E.R. squads to acquire and secure The World. Noh-Varr (Marvel Boy of the Dark Avengers..,) gets word of the mission and tracks down Wolverine to warn him. Wolvie thanks him and tells Noh-Varr he’s coming with. The coolest things about this issue was the Fantomex/Weapon XIII appearance. There’s also a small panel showing plans for “Project: Deathlok,” possibly foreshadowing the new series due out Wednesday. Other than that, there’s not much to get excited about in this one-shot. If you’re buying all things Dark Reign, you’ll want this issue -otherwise… you were warned.

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SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGINS #2 – Young Clark Kent has finally discovered his powers and his heritage, along with the responsibility that alienates his former friends. Even Lana. Wearing the costume that Martha made, Clark has been playing hero when he can, even saving the life of the drunk-driving Lionel Luthor when his brakes “fail.” Feeling more alone than ever, Clark gets to meet the Legion of Superheroes in this issue and travels to the future, just to hang out and have friends. When he goes back to his own time, Clark intercepts a meteor that turns out to be another space pod containing Krypto. And Lex manages to finally kill his father to collect the insurance money that will put him on the road to his future. Another Geoff Johns written series that is not to be missed, Superman: Secret Origins mixes the 1950’s Superboy comics with current continuity and the Smallville series on CW. Artist Gary Frank’s pencils bring a classic look that this title needs, but I wish that Jon Sibal would let Frank’s pencils breathe a little more. There just seems one too many lines on the faces that make the teenage characters look older than they are. A great book for anyone wanting to learn more about Superman or a lifelong Superman fan.

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X-MEN FOREVER #10 – I hate to admit this, but I’m hooked. Chris Claremont is once again telling a great X-Men story using the loose-ends from his own stories. Right now, my only complaint about this series is the fact that over-the-hill artist, Paul Smith needs to make way for Tom Grummet again. The great thing about this series is that is take place in an alternate reality which allows Claremont to tell the X-Men stories that he didn’t get to tell after leaving the series in the ‘90’s. In this issue, the X-Men take time to bury the recently killed Wolverine (yes and by an evil Storm no less!). Jean is hit hardest of all as she and Logan had begun a relationship a lot like Scott and Emma did before Jean was killed in our universe. Cyclops has the responsibility to give a eulogy for a man he really didn’t like – and he does a great job. The real “whaaaaa…?” moment came on the last page where Scott returns home to Alaska where he’s greeted by his grandparents, his father and a 5 – 6 year old Nathan Christopher Summers?!? I’m guessing in this reality that Apocalypse wasn’t able to infect Nate with the transmode virus as an infant. Great for anyone who likes the X-Men and What If…? or House of M type stories.

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HULK #16 – Bringing the art of writing comics back down to the 5^th grade reading level – it’s Jeph Loeb! At this point, no one cares who Red Hulk is, the story has dragged on waaaaaay too long and now – NOW, we have Red She-Hulk. Is she Domino? Is she Elektra? Who knows. Who cares. Given the story, it’s obviously someone that Rulk knows, but like I said: I am beyond caring at this point. The only thing I’m looking forward to in the upcoming “Fall of the Hulks” storyline is new art by John Romita, Jr. (hopefully Kick-Ass #8 will be out before this stuff hits…) and a possible end to the “Who the F#$K is Rulk?” Regular series artist Ed McGuinness has been missing for a couple of issues, but fill-in Ian Churchill has tweaked his own style to better fit the artistic tone set by McGuinness. While I have no complaints about either artist’s work, I would like to see a little more dialogue and fewer splash pages in the series (7 splash pages total and each page only averages around 4 1/2 panels per page…). If you’re a new comic reader that hasn’t made it to middle school yet, this is a great series for you.

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X-NECROSHA – Selene, former Black Queen of the Hellfire Club, is pissed at the world and has found away to raise the dead (hhhmmmmm… this all seems familiar, but I can’t quite place it…) to help her “ascend to godhood.” Selene has used her magicks to pervert the transmode virus (T-O Virus) that is housed in Eli Bard to bring the dead to life under her absolute control. Already, she’s risen Wither, Blink, Senyaka, Mortis, Eli Bard, Shinobi Shaw, Harry Leland, The Hellions, Pyro, Berseker, Thunderbird, Caliban, Doug Ramsay (Cypher) and now plans to do the same to the entire island of dead on Genosha. Wait, now I remember – DC is doing a little story called Blackest Night right now that is EXACTLY THE SAME! Way to copy this story guys. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve had it in the works because you still look like copycats wanting to cash in on a story that’s selling for DC (Identity Disc anyone?). Sure this will still sell; it’s got mutants running around in it. C’mon – not only has Clayton Crain’s waaay too dark artwork run its course; but this story is just sad if you’ve been reading Blackest Night at all. This feels like one of those stories that a writer creates to bring back any characters that they grew up with but now can’t write for because they’re dead. Mark my words: more than one character will remain alive after this crap is over just to appease one of the X-writers. Pick it up if you’re an X-Fan; otherwise, stay away. Heck, I’m an X-Fan and I’m boycotting it…

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STAR WARS: LEGACY #41 – I had been enjoying reading this series about the future of the Star Wars Galaxies so much that I forgot to ask a very important question: what have the Mandalorians been up too? This issue features a quick filler story arc that shows the Mandalorians helping the Galactic Alliance before the fall of Coruscant to the Imperial Remnant and the Sith Empire. Mandalore and the Mandalorians had been hired by the Alliance to hold Botajef until the Alliance fleet could arrive to push the invading forces back. Betrayed by one of their own that leads to the death of Mandalore, one Mando, Hondo Karr, puts on Stormtrooper armor to survive and gets absorbed into an Imperial unit of troopers. In the present, Hondo has managed to join the infamous Rogue Squadron in the Alliance Navy that is on a secret mission to a Hutt world to get refuge for the Mon Calamari survivors. Unfortunately, Hondo’s Mandalorian ex-wife has tracked him down, believing he was responsible for her brother’s death on Botajef. Hondo convinces her otherwise and leaves with her to confront the traitor that has now become Mandalore. Hondo dons some truly iconically colored Mando Beskar’gam – all black with yellow accents. I’m sure we’ll be seeing him again. Regular series artist Jan Duursema is taking a break on this arc (she seems to take two issues in a row off every year…), so the art isn’t up to its normal quality. Thankfully, writer John Ostrander doesn’t need breaks. Since issue one, he has been crafting a Star Wars story of epic proportions that make me want to see it done as a CGI movie. Along with Star Wars: Invasion, Star Wars: Legacy is required reading for any true Star Wars fan.

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WOLVERINE: WEAPON X #6 – With the first story arc wrapped upped and artist Yanick Paquette has joined writer Jason Aaron for this new arc. Opening with Wolvie in a padded cell in an institution with no memory o who his is or what he can do. No complaints about the art or story. I hope that Paquette lands a regular gig and Jason Aaron’s stuff doesn’t disappoint. Here’s my complaint: do we really need another title that features Wolverine as the main character. Here are his normal, monthly appearances not counting Weapon X: Uncanny X-Men, X-Force, New Avengers, Astonishing X-Men, the odd appearance in X-Men Legacy and Wolverine: Origins. That’s six titles a month without counting this one or the guest appearance or one-shot. I would take the guest appearances over a regular monthly title. Marvel, I think we’re at the point of Wolverine oversaturation. Remember back in the late ‘80’s and ‘90’s when Spider-Man reached this level of saturation? The writers struggled to write new material every month and then we wound up with crap like the Spider-Clones. Please don’t take Wolverine to that point. Spidey still hasn’t recovered fully yet. Pass unless you’re compulsive Wolverine fan (like Griz…).

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NEW AVENGERS #58 – Luke Cage is dying from the initial effects of Dr. Harrow’s power drainer and the only people that can help him work for Osborn. Cage gives himself up and then passes out as the rest of the Avengers make their escape through the sewers. They actually manage to hand Bullseye, Daken, Venom and Ares their butts. Badly. When Cage’s wife, Jessica Jones hears the news, she rushes headlong to save him only to be reined back in by Ms. Marvel who tells her that they have a plan to get him back. Bendis is still writing a great story, I’m just not sold on the art team of Stuart Immonen and Wade von Grawbadger. I don’t know what it is, but it doesn’t look like the Avengers should. I am enjoying the evolution of Bucky as he is beginning to come into his own with the Captain America identity. We all know that when Steve Rogers gets back, the Captain America identity is his. Period. But, I think that Bucky has earned his spot among the heroes of the Marvel U. With how upset Clint Barton is with Bullseye wearing his costume, could we see him back as Hawkeye and Bucky taking over as Ronin? It’d fit like a glove. A wandering soldier doing good as he sees fit or even staying with one team of Avengers or the other. With all that’s going on in the Marvel U right now, maybe he could lead a “black ops” team of Avengers while Cap leads the “public” team.

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NOVA #30 – As Rich Rider, the Nova Prime of the newly reformed Nova Corps, is not only dealing with a seemingly derelict starship; but also a reawakened Ego The Living Planet. The Nova Corps had been using Ego’s lobotomized form as their HQ. This probably isn’t the best issue to use as a jumping on point, but it should make you want to go find the back issues or trades to get caught up. Since they’ve been handed the reins of the Marvel U’s intergalactic heroes and stories, Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning have told phenomenal, interconnecting stories that have truly brought prominence back to the cosmic heroes of the Marvel U. Nova is no longer a joke, the Guardians of the Galaxy are relevant again – heck, they even killed Lilandra, Vulcan and Black Bolt and put Gladiator on the Shi’ar throne. This is Marvel’s diamond in the rough.

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PICK OF THE WEEK

FANTASTIC FOUR #572 – Jonathan Hickman has taken his spot next to John Byrne as one of the top chroniclers of Marvel’s First Family. And that’s what this issue comes down to – family. Last issue, Reed was intent on joining a group of Reed Richards from across the multi-verse that had set out to make all of reality a better place. Just as he was about to be formally inducted into the group, Celestials attacked and began to decimate the gathering. Reed rushes back to gather weapons, he hears Sue outside the door to his private lab saying that no matter what, she’ll be waiting when he’s done. Reed discovers that every other version of himself had to make the choice between solving everything and his family. Reed returns to his own dimension, erases the formulas, equations and problems written all over the lab; then opens the door leading to Sue. While all this is going on, Ben and Johnny leave for their vacation on Nu-World (a duplicate of Earth now inhabited by the population of an alternate reality, future Earth… no, really…) not knowing that Franklin and Val have hitched a ride. Hickman masterfully uses flashbacks of Reed’s father to drive the choices Reed makes home and the art by Dale Eaglesham is some of the best I’ve seen on the FF in the long time. And it’s not that Eaglesham will ever be in Wizard’s Top Ten Artist List – he’s not flashy enough. But his art has a “classic” feel to it that feels epic and tells a great story at the same time. Eaglesham’s art just “fits” the FF. If you have a family of your own, this is a must buy and you won’t be disappointed…

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