Grey: I realized while reading this that I haven’t read the book since #5, and I actually forgot it was still being published

Glazer: I have enough books to read about these guys that as much as I love Busiek, just no thanks. Wake me when Abnett and Lanning arrive.

FINAL CRISIS: LEGION OF 3 WORLDS #5
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by George Pérez & Scott Koblish
Covers by George Pérez
This is it! The time-stopping finale to this FINAL CRISIS tie-in arrives as Superman, Cosmic Boy, Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl battle Time Trapper while Prime and the Legion of Super-Villains engage in an all-out war with the Legions! Leading into the all-new ADVENTURE COMICS #1!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers by George Pérez that will ship in approximately 50/50 ratio. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale March 25 • 5 of 5 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US

Grey: All that AND a gorgeous Perez cover of Dawnstar
*Does happy dance*
It’s hard to express my love for the Legion with just that, but it makes the fanboy in my scream with delight
Glazer: Perez will draw super crazy fights. I barely know the LEGION and this is just too sexy for words. If you love big crazy fights, just… just get this. It’s easily the coolest Prime appearance, Time Trapper is awesome… just all awesome.
Grey: totally awesome

BATMAN: BATTLE FOR THE COWL #1
Written by Tony Daniel
Art by Tony Daniel & Sandu Florea
Covers by Tony Daniel
“Batman: R.I.P.” and FINAL CRISIS saw the end of Batman. Now, months following the disappearance of her protector, Gotham City sits at a precipice and it may be too far gone for Nightwing, Robin, Commissioner Gordon and the rest of the city’s heroes to save the day. Amid the fires, rioting, looting and gang warfare, one question rings out from the souls of Gotham’s desperate citizens: Where is Batman?
With guest-stars galore, the destruction of a sacred Gotham City institution and an ending that will have everyone talking, this 3-issue miniseries event written and drawn by Tony Daniel (The Tenth) features the battle to take on the Mantle of the Bat. Who has earned the right? Who thinks they deserve it? Robin? Nightwing? Jason Todd? Two-Face? Catwoman? Batgirl? Who will ultimately win the BATTLE FOR THE COWL?
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 10 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Tony Daniel), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Tony Daniel). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale March 11 • 1 of 3 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US

Glazer: Hey, who’s Tony Daniel? Wasn’t Winick supposed to write this?
Grey: ……..Tony Daniel is the artist from Morrison’s run
Glazer: Right… why is he writing this?
Grey: because he used to write and draw his own book, quite well, actually
Glazer: Isn’t this rather… a big deal for his first big book? I mean McKeever was great on small stuff, them bombed on bigger. Terry Moore, who I love, often does the same. Even Kirkman was way weaker on his big Marvel stuff and his creator owned are the best in the biz. Why not break him in on a mini or something? Not the “who will be Batman” uber-arc?
Grey: because I have a feeling they’re going somewhere and as we go down the list, well, his isn’t the only book in the Battle for the Cowl line
Glazer: I guess, we should have known DC would milk it. Still, this is apparently Morrison’s baby and is leaving a bad “marketing ploy” taste in my mouth.
Grey: I think they’re letting Daniel do a 3 parter that explores the Bat-verse and the journey to crown a new Batman so that Grant can come back in and be like “New Batman, bitches” and not have to do the entire journey there himself
Glazer: I think you’re a DC apologist.
Grey: totally am
Glazer: I must have missed that middle arc where Ennis let Dillon write Punisher or Preacher so that he wouldn’t have to do the entire journey himself…
Grey: Morrison also had to write Final Crisis, Submit, Superman Beyond, and I’m sure there’s more. His plate got overloaded so they gave him 4 months off from Batman since they, you know, overloaded his plate
Glazer: Which is the top seller. Give him time off something else. Beyond fucking sucks. Let someone else write that.
Grey: apparently Beyond is leading directly into FC8 to explain the complete and total lack of Superman since Lois got bombed
Glazer: That’s fine if Beyond wasn’t atrocious.

BATMAN: BATTLE FOR THE COWL - COMMISSIONER GORDON #1
Written by Royal McGraw
Art by Tom Mandrake
Cover by Ladrönn
Gotham City is in a state of emergency. Crime runs rampant, commerce is at a standstill, and gang warfare is on the rise. Through its darkest hours, one man has stood firm against the criminal element in Gotham - Police Commissioner James Gordon. Now, in the aftermath of “Batman: R.I.P.,” Gordon and the GCPD will have to reclaim Gotham and take down Mister Freeze without the assistance of Batman. But with evil on the rise, will this be the beginning of the end of law enforcement in Gotham City? The battle has just begun in this all-new one-shot.
On sale March 25 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Grey:I love this guys name, Royal McGraw. Of course, I wont be buying this. I like Tom Mandrake, but who the hell is Royal McGraw and why is his name made out of awesome?

Glazer: I’m just going to pretend this didn’t happen unless Sims or someone creams over it.

Grey: You have to admit his name is awesome

Glazer: I admit it. So is Mandrake. Still won’t buy it.

GOTHAM GAZETTE: BATMAN DEAD? #1
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by various
Cover by Dustin Nguyen
A city looking to kill itself. A population without its dark avenger, without answers, without hope. A cop looking to save Gotham from its own madness. A reporter looking to reclaim her career by revealing that it’s no coincidence the city’s top billionaire and its urban legend are missing at the same time. A doctor seeking to regain her soul by stepping back into Hell. One hero who can’t quite get it right no matter how hard she tries. Harvey Bullock. Vicki Vale. Dr. Leslie Thompkins. Stephanie Brown. What do all these people have in common?
Without Batman, Gotham City continues to fall apart, and these extraordinary “ordinary” people try to mend the city’s wounds, looking into a dark night for answers. This one-shot special explores the effect a missing Batman has on the citizens of Gotham City.
On sale March 4 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Grey: For some reason this intrigues me
Glazer: I refuse to be milked by this. You buy it. I won’t. I like these characters and love Gotham Central, but… this is going to play off the terrible War Games and is mostly milking the reader for more cash with a book that doesn’t need to exist.
Grey: It’s regular priced, that works for me
Glazer: Enjoy it. If you love it, I suppose it won’t sell out.

AZRAEL: DEATH’S DARK KNIGHT #1
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Frazer Irving
Cover by Guillem March
He was a husband and a father. A brother and a friend. A cop and a dark knight. But he had all that taken away. And in return, he was given a suit of sorrows, a quest for redemption and a new name. He is Azrael, avenging angel for the Order of Purity and a new protector for Gotham City’s troubled times. But who will protect the citizens from him?
Guest-starring Robin, Nightwing, Talia and the League of Assassins, this miniseries runs alongside BATTLE FOR THE COWL and features the dramatic presence of a strangely familiar, troubled hero with two things on his mind: crazed vengeance for the wrongs he has suffered and salvation for the sins he continues to commit!
On sale March 18 • 1 of 3 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Grey: Good news: extra Fabian. Bad news: Azrael
Glazer: I have no use for Azrael in his own book. If this were a unified title Az again fighting to become Batman despite everyone else knowing its a bad idea could work… but Az as a protagonist isn’t going to happen for me.
Grey: I never once read his book the character did nada for me, even when he wore the Bat suit and I was like 11
Glazer: He’s beyond useless. Just don’t start now and be the happier person for it.
Grey: Noted

ORACLE #1
Written by Kevin VanHook
Art by Don Kramer and Jay Leisten
Cover by Guillem March
Part 1 of 3-part story that will change the life of Oracle forever! Barbara Gordon, after disbanding the Birds of Prey, returns to Gotham City as a recluse only to lose herself to her Oracle identity entirely. But when the evil Calculator seeks the remnants of the Anti-Life Equation to save the life of his daughter, Oracle will be caught in the crossfire, and Barbara Gordon will pay the ultimate price!
On sale March 18 • 1 of 3 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Grey: Assholes just spoiled the end of the book
Glazer: Now who the fuck is Kevin VanHook? Wow… they shouldn’t have solicited this at all. Let’s move on and try and unsee that. Anti-life is the answer.
Grey: Darkseid is

THE OUTSIDERS #16
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Art and cover by Lee Garbett & Trevor Scott
“The Deep” part 2 of 6. Who are The Insiders, and what exactly are they searching for deep under the Earth’s surface that could alter the future of mankind? As The Outsiders engage the first defensive circle of The Insiders, the newly formed team face a severe test as Geo-Force displays a unique perspective on how best to lead them in battle - and it doesn’t sit well with Black Lightning.
On sale March 18 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Glazer: Hey… Tomasi picked up Outsiders? I’m there. Please, please have Nightwing rejoin so Tomasi can write him again!
Grey: Yeah, Tomasi picks up the book with that special that Kubert is doing
Glazer: umm, what Issue so I can go back and get them?
Grey: Not out yet. January, it’s like a 0 issue I think. Or a one shot
Glazer: good to know, thanks

SUPERMAN #686
Written by James Robinson
Art by Renato Guedes & Wilson Magalháes
Cover by Eddy Barrows & Julio Ferreira
Following the startling events of “New Krypton” and the shocking occurrence in the Phantom Zone, Earth finds itself without its greatest protector! Luckily, Metropolis still has a few heroes, like Mon-El and the Guardian. But after years of knowing nothing but the solitude of the Phantom Zone, how will Mon-El acclimate himself to society? And the recently returned Guardian has his hands full with his new position in the Science Police. How can they fill Superman’s shoes? They’d better figure it out fast, because dangerous mysteries abound which will carry all the way into 2010!
The highly acclaimed writer-artist team of James Robinson and Renato Guedes continue their run on SUPERMAN with or without The Man of Steel!
On sale March 25 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Grey: Mmmmm, Mon El. Double mmmmmm, Guardian
Glazer: I don’t really know any of these characters and have no idea what’s been going on in Superman… hell, I never really read mainstream Superman… but James Robinson + Geoff Johns + Rave Reviews = me getting all of this in trade

ACTION COMICS #875
Written by Greg Rucka
Art by Eddy Barrows & Ruy José
Cover by Eddy Barrows & Julio Ferreira
To give the full details of this story would spoil the dramatic finale of the “New Krypton” crossover, and we don’t want to do that! Suffice to say, a “World Without Superman” is a very dangerous place, indeed, and the only thing standing between the good (and not so good) folks of Earth and an impending shadow of doom are the all-new Nightwing and Flamebird!
Eisner Award-winning writer Greg Rucka (FINAL CRISIS: REVELATIONS) teams with rising star Eddy Barrows (TEEN TITANS) to kick off a bold new era for ACTION COMICS!
On sale March 11 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Grey: Mmmm Rucka. Mmmmm Nightwing who looks and has identical powers to Superboy. Booooo Eddy Barrows
Glazer: This is confusing and weird. I’ll try it, but hey, just so you know DC, I’m confused and weirded out. Cut the shit or I’ll treat you like Marvel.

SUPERMAN: WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON #1
Written by Andrew Kreisberg
Art by Pete Woods
Cover by Gary Frank
Variant cover by Ladrönn
Following the events of the “New Krypton” crossover, the Man of Steel has had to embrace his past to ensure humanity’s future. And while a devastating armed conflict with Earth may have been averted, keeping the peace will be Superman’s greatest challenge yet.
Hot new writer Andrew Kreisberg (BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL) and fan-favorite artist Pete Woods (ACTION COMICS, SUPERMAN: UP, UP AND AWAY!) lead Superman through a world of interstellar treachery and deadly machinations where the lives of two races hang in the balance!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Gary Frank), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Ladrönn). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale March 4 • 1 of 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Grey: and now we know how New Krypton ends
Glazer: I’m just going to refuse to read this now. I skipped the solicit. Next.

SUPERGIRL #39
Written by Sterling Gates
Art by Jamal Igle & Keith Champagne
Cover by Joshua Middleton
“Who is Superwoman?” part 3! Supergirl continues her manhunt for Reactron, determined to bring him to justice for the heinous crimes he committed in “New Krypton”!
Meanwhile, Lois Lane and Inspector Mike Henderson investigate the appearance of a dead body in Metropolis Harbor. Whose body is it and what could it have to do with the new Woman of Steel? Find out as the big mystery of 2009 continues!
On sale March 18 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Grey: I like Sterling Gates and so far I like him on this book, I trust that trend will continue here
Glazer: I hate Supergirl as a character. I trust that trend will continue here. She’s brash and annoying and created as pure fanservice.

SUPERMAN/BATMAN #57
Written by Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning and Mike Johnson
Art and cover by Whilce Portacio & Richard Friend
Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning return for a special 3-part story! The Prankster succeeds in creating his ultimate revenge when he makes The Man of Steel disappear forever! It’s up to the World’s Greatest Detective to find his friend, but to do that, he’ll have to embark on a quest to a place that could mean the end of The Worlds Finest Duo! Robin and John Henry Irons guest-star in part 1 of “Nanopolis”!
On sale March 18 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Grey: I love the creative team but I doubt I’ll read it
Glazer: Oh, this is the Abnett and Lanning book. Looks like I get Superman/Batman 57-60! This sounds like good fun!

BOOSTER GOLD #18
Written by Dan Jurgens
Art and cover by Dan Jurgens & Norm Rapmund
The “Reality Lost” arc concludes as Booster Gold gets help from…Booster Gold? Thanks to the powers of time travel, the future Booster Gold jumps back in time to team up with none other than himself to defeat a powered-up Chronos and stop him from using the time-knife to forever alter history. It’s Booster Gold and Booster Gold in a fight against time!
On sale March 11 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Grey: This sounds sexy, and not just because I read the first all Jurgens issue of the book last week and it was awesome. Double the Booster, double the fun!
Glazer: I don’t like Booster. If I didn’t read it when it was Johns, who I love, I won’t now. Chronos is also pretty lame.
Grey: You suck, Booster is awesome

GREEN ARROW/BLACK CANARY #18
Written by Andrew Kreisberg
Art by Mike Norton & Josef Rubinstein
Cover by Ladrönn
It’s quiet in Star City - a little too quiet. And a new menace hits town that Black Canary herself may be responsible for! Also, Green Arrow crosses a line that just may send the couple going their separate ways!
On sale March 11 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Grey: I hear the new writer is a drastic step up for this book
Glazer: Who wrote it before? I never liked Black Canary. I like when my heroes don’t dress like hookers or have their personality in a huge state of flux based on the writer.
Grey: Winnick. Horribly
Glazer: That explains it.
Grey: Whatever happened to him, anyway? Winnick was great for a while, remember Exiles and Green Lantern? What happened to the guy that wrote those books? I thought I saw him write a few Green Arrow issues, but they were just fill ins, some other jackass with no talent was writing under his name. Or maybe some jackass WITH talent was writing here and there.
Glazer: I liked his Outsiders. I don’t know why he fell apart. Quantum Exiles was okay.
Grey: Oh yeah! Outsiders! That was consistently one of DC’s best books before the creative shift

GREEN LANTERN CORPS #34
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Art by Pat Gleason & Rebecca Buchman
Cover by Pat Gleason
Variant cover by Rodolfo Migliari
The prelude to “Blackest Night” continues as the “War of Light” heats up. Mongul commands Daxam and their Superman-like citizens plus the entire Sinestro Corps. Can Arisia and a small resistance of Daxamites defeat the fear-bearing Corps with Sodam Yat out of the picture?
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Pat Gleason), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Rodolfo Migliari). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale March 11 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Grey: Mmmm, Mongul with an army of Daxamites
Glazer: This sounds so sick. The Sinestro Corps are beyond awesome and everything Green Lantern since Rebirth has been simply godly.

GREEN LANTERN #40
Written by Geoff Johns
Art and cover by Philip Tan & Jonathan Glapion
Variant cover by Rodolfo Migliari
“Agent Orange” part 2! The prelude to “The Blackest Night” continues as the war of light explodes across the Vega System. It’s the Green Lantern Corps vs. the bizarre Orange Lantern Corps led by the most disgusting, filthiest, vilest being in the universe. But now that Agent Orange has been disturbed, what does that mean to the rest of the universe? Plus, John Stewart battles alongside his newest ally…Fatality?
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Philip Tan & Jonathan Glapion), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Rodolfo Migliari). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale March 25 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Grey: I really think there is only one Orange Lantern. Also, Fatality is a Sapphire now, that will be fucking weird

Glazer: There’s a being worse than Krib? Count me in.

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #31
Written by Dwayne McDuffie
Art by Ed Benes & Sandra Hope
Cover by Ed Benes
Death, destruction and betrayal! The fallout from FINAL CRISIS leaves the Justice League of America on the brink of dissolution. Black Canary faces her greatest test as she tries to hold her devastated team together. Will those who remain be enough to save the world?
On sale March 18 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Grey: A new JLA again, I can dig it. McDuffie is awesome on this book now ever since they let him write his own stories and not script over editorial
Glazer: I don’t know. let’s see who’s on the team. We’re coming full circle away from the Morrison JLA with all of the big 7 gone. It’ll have to be good to keep me on.
Grey: Canary, Lantern, Firestorm, Red Arrow, Hawkgirl, Vixen; it’s not a bad team
Glazer: I dislike Canary… which lantern?
Grey: John, McDuffie is black
Glazer: It’s too small for a league. I hate John.
Grey: There is more, Red Tornado. And don’t forget about Robinson’s League coming up with Hal and Ollie. Oh, Wally is on this team too I keep forgetting that. But I will say this, Ed Benes was born to draw the JLA.

JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #25
Written by Geoff Johns & Jerry Ordway
Art by Jerry Ordway & Bob Wiacek
Cover by Alex Ross
Variant cover by Dale Eaglesham & Nathan Massengill
The “Black Adam and Isis” epic concludes here! With Billy Batson banished from the Rock of Eternity, the Justice Society calls upon an old friend to help in the battle against the Black Marvel family and stop Black Adam and Isis once and for all!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 10 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Alex Ross), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Dale Eaglesham & Nathan Massengill). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale March 25 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Grey: MIGHTY ADAM!
Glazer: Now this is what I’m talking about! Black Adam is one of the best characters in comics, the JSA play off one another as a team awesome. I know KC Superman will be gone, but I really, really hope we get a confrontation between the two. This looks sick. I’m beyond excited.
Grey: It will be nice to finally see Captain Marvel again, and Billy. DC sort of forgot they existed
Glazer: They’re in the most recent Final Crisis
Grey: For like, 2 pages
Glazer: Still.
Grey: DC forgot about them for a few months, Grant didn’t. Grant never forgets. It did feel like they had big plans for the franchise and then just forgot all about them
Glazer: They can’t financially support their own books.

R.E.B.E.L.S. #2
Written by Tony Bedard
Art and cover by Andy Clarke
Vril Dox - the son of Brainiac - finds himself fleeing from the universe’s deadliest bounty hunters as he tries to figure out who stole his intergalactic L.E.G.I.O.N. police force from him. But the more he learns, the less he likes! Guest-starring Supergirl.
On sale March 11 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Grey: I’m buying this, Tony Bedard can sell anything to me
Glazer: What did Bedard write that’s so great? And I don’t know enough Legion to get this.
Grey: I loved his Exiles, and Birds of Prey, and Legion, and I even liked his Outsiders
Glazer: Ah, I cared about none. Enjoy that then.
Grey: You don’t need to know Legion to get this, this happens in the present. This is cosmic DC
Glazer: Why is Braniac 5 in current DC?
Grey: This is Brainiac 2
Glazer: And where the fuck is my Adam Strange?
Grey: Vril Dox is Brainiac 2, Querl Dox is Brainiac 5
Glazer: If Adam Strange shows up I’ll pick it up. Best you’re going to get.

THE MIGHTY #2
Written by Peter J. Tomasi & Keith Champagne
Art by Peter Snejbjerg
Cover by Dave Johnson
Section Omega is in chaos, and Lt. Cole and the hero known as Alpha One must work side by side for the first time! But in his quest to bring murderers to justice, Cole is in way over his head! When the two locate the villains responsible for the recent trouble, the fight doesn’t go as planned, and Cole finds that being partnered with the world’s greatest Super Hero isn’t what it’s cracked up to be. The consequences of their first battle together will leave even the great Alpha One shaken!
On sale March 4 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Grey: I didn’t read the solicit, I saw the creative team which is win times three.
Glazer: I don’t care what this is about. I’m just buying it. Stay classy Tomasi!

SECRET SIX #7
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Nicola Scott and Doug Hazlewood
Cover by Nicola Scott
It’s the big finale of the first arc and a punishing battle royal, Gotham City style, as the bloody, ragged remains of the Secret Six fight their way through throngs of Gotham City heroes and villains. And when the dust finally settles, the man pulling the strings of this whole affair will finally be revealed! Guest stars, betrayals and bad taste galore in this powerful issue!
On sale March 4 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Grey: This is the winner for best new title of 08 even if it did only get 4 issues out by years end, the Six is by far one of the best teams DC has ever produced
Glazer: This whole series has been battle royal’s. It’s awesome that this is finally an ongoing. I adore this book. So long as betrayals keep the core four present on the team, this will remain a must read book. Junior needs to never go away and appear a ton more, as well.
Grey: Seriously, and Nicola Scott needs to never leave this book. Her art is GORGEOUS
Glazer: I’m not an art guy but I need to agree there too.
Grey: It’s like Ivan Reis on Green Lantern, as much as I’d love to see either of them on a bigger title, I never want to see them leave MY title that they’re on
Glazer: I’m with you there.
Grey: Also, I’d do her. There, I said it, I think Nicola Scott is hot.

SOLOMON GRUNDY #1
Written by Scott Kolins
Art and cover by Scott Kolins
Born on a Monday! Writer/artist Scott Kolins (THE FLASH, FACES OF EVIL: SOLOMON GRUNDY) brings you the origin behind one of the most mysterious figures in DC comics! Smashing out of the pages of his “Faces of Evil” one-shot, Solomon Grundy teams with Cyrus Gold - the man he once was before becoming a monster - to uncover the truth behind the Grundy curse! But how can he team with Cyrus Gold? How was Solomon Grundy created? And can Cyrus ever be set free? There are seven issues for each day of the nursery rhyme that haunts the longtime DC favorite, and by Sunday, could this be the end of Solomon Grundy?
On sale March 4 • 1 of 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Glazer: Damnit, I don’t want the origin of Grundy. I just don’t care. You can’t sell it. He was a fine random force of nature that should be left be.
Grey: I do love myself some Grundy though

STRANGE ADVENTURES #1
Written by Jim Starlin
Art by Manuel Garcia & Al Milgrom and Jim Starlin & Rob Hunter
Cover by Jim Starlin & Rob Hunter
Variant cover by Ed Benes & Rob Hunter
Master storyteller Jim Starlin takes readers on an epic sci-fi adventure starring Adam Strange, Comet and the reverse Superman known as Bizarro. A deadly peril threatens the universe, and it’s up to Adam Strange to stop it. Meanwhile, a contract is put out for the death of Comet while Bizarro finds a new purpose in life, which leads to the beginning of a strange new journey.
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 10 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Jim Starlin & Rob Hunter), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Ed Benes & Rob Hunter). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale March 4 • 1 of 8 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US

Grey: There’s your Adam Strange, bitch. Cosmic + Starlin = win, no one does it better…..because he can’t do anything else
Glazer: Adam Strange is goddamn Awesome. Get this Book. I want ongoing Strange. Who wrote that last series?
Grey: Andy Diggle
Glazer: Right, what happened to him? He rocked.
Grey: He’s writing Thunderbolts
Glazer: Sweet. I guess I’ll keep picking that up.

TEEN TITANS #69
Written by Sean McKeever
Art by Allan Goldman & Julio Ferreira
Cover by Eddy Barrows & Ruy José
Get ready for the debut of the new Teen Titans line-up! What surprising heroes show up as part of the team? Who made the cut and who got sent home? And where do they go from here? This special issue sets the stage for the “Deathtrap” crossover with TITANS, which kicks off in the upcoming TEEN TITANS ANNUAL!
On sale March 25 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Grey: The cover shows us Wonder Girl, Kid Eternity, Red Devil, Bombshell, and Blue Beetle and we know Static is joining. Now the question is……I don’t care about who else, I’ll just read it when it happens
Glazer: McKeever still writes. Who cares who’s on the team? I love that team, sans Bombshell (well, who’s Kid Eternity again?), but until McKeever dies, I cannot read.
Grey: Kid Eternity is that guy who can raise the dead by thinking of them and saying Eternity, he appeared during Johns run. That whole thing with Brother Blood coming out of hell
Glazer: Oh right. I remember. He’s gonna be funky to use regularly.

WONDER WOMAN #30
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Aaron Lopresti & Matt Ryan
Cover by Aaron Lopresti
Variant cover by Eric Shanower
“Rise of the Olympian” Part 5! Created by Zeus himself, the Olympian is charged with spreading the message of peace and unity throughout the world - by any means necessary. Is a battered and bruised Wonder Woman up to the challenge of stopping his brutal ways? And does the world even want her to? All this plus a surprising revelation about the true origin of Genocide, the creature that beat Wonder Woman!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 10 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Aaron Lopresti), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Eric Shanower). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale March 25 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Grey: Is it bad that I almsot didn’t post this one? It kind of seems like KC Superman and Magog, only with Diana. But it’s; funny since I still don’t care, as opposed to that starting just now
Glazer: I really dislike Wonder Woman. She should be great as a Superman with Batman morals and skills… but ends up in neutered stories that her two counterparts would be in too often. I like her fine in the JL, but when not playing off other heroes, she doesn’t feel about anything distinct.
Grey: They need to push her legacy harder since Donna and Cassie make her more interesting
Glazer: That works to an extent, but I get my legacy hero fix in JSA. She should just be the main big gun of the JLA and let it be.
Grey: Yeah, but Donna needs more page time, I mean, Titans is so unreadable that we skipped it’s solicit
Glazer: I concur. Fuck you Judd.
Grey: This is why I ask if it’s the real Judd, because there are obviously two people. One that can write and one that can’t, but which is Judd?
Glazer: No clue

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #132
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Pencils & Cover by STUART IMMONEN
ULTIMATUM HAS TAKEN OVER THE WORLD!! SPIDER-MAN IS MISSING!! Friends are enemies and enemies are friends as tensions mount to insane proportions. And yes, your eyes do not deceive you: MJ versus Kitty… to the death!!! (well, they slap each other a little)
32 PGS./Rated A …$2.99

Grey: I……MJ vs Kitty? I might actually buy this, cat fight, rawr
Glazer: MJ vs. Kitty is for art pervs… not that there’s anything wrong with that, but it isn’t my thing.
Grey: There will be horrible fan fics written about this, I guarantee

ULTIMATE WOLVERINE VS. HULK #3 (of 6)
Written by DAMON LINDELOF Pencils & Cover by LEINIL FRANCIS YU
IT’S BAAAAAACK! And it’s going ALL THE WAY!
The ultimate smackdown brought to you by the Emmy award-winning co-creator of the hit show LOST, Damon Lindelof, and superstar artist Leinil Yu (Secret Invasion) makes its triumphant return!! The preliminaries are out of the way, and now it’s time for the battle of the century between one hirsute X-Man and one Jade Giant. It ain’t gonna end pretty.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

Grey: This is….what, three years late?
Glazer: I just don’t care. If you buy this book you are a shameless sheep.
Grey: I can’t even suggest reading it for the art, Yu still sucks

ULTIMATUM #4 (of 5)
Written by JEPH LOEB
Pencils & Cover by DAVID FINCH
Variant Cover by ED MCGUINNESS
Sketch Variant Cover by ED MCGUINNESS
The story that will change the Ultimate Universe forever continues! The unlikely pairing of Spider-Man and the Hulk take on Magneto’s gathered forces as two more major heroes fall! And will Reed Richards, Doctor Doom and Zarda (Power Princess of the Squadron Supreme) manage to save the world…or just destroy what’s left of it?! Eisner Award-winning writer Jeph Loeb and superstar artist David Finch rock the planet in this surprise-packed saga featuring the Ultimate X-Men, Ultimate Fantastic Four and the Ultimates!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Grey: I……..this might actually be more of a flop then Secret Invasion, I’m not sure how you can do that,but I have this feeling
Glazer: I got as far as written by Jeph Loeb. I don’t care. If you buy this you are a crossover sheep.

SPIDER-MAN NOIR #4 (of 4)
Written by DAVID HINE & FABRICE SAPOLSKY
Art by CARMINE DI GIANDOMENICO
Cover by PATRICK ZIRCHER
Variant Cover by DENNIS CALERO
With the bite of a fateful spider, Peter Parker finally got the power to go up against the rotten gangland of Depression-era New York…the insidious, far-reaching, unstoppable crime machine that killed his beloved Uncle Ben…but will it kill him as well? Spider-Man’s brash confrontation with Norman Osborn, the slick gangster nicknamed the Goblin, may be his final heroic act! By David Hine, Fabrice Sapolsky and Carmine Di Giandomenico.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Grey: Remember kids, Spider-Girl is cancelled, and this got 4 issues
Glazer: Spider-Man Noir… if you’ll buy this and you didn’t buy Spider-Girl, I fucking hate you and you are a terrible person. I don’t care if you’re Mother Theresa. I hate you. Go to hell.

X MEN NOIR #4 (of 4)
Written by FRED VAN LENTE
Pencils & Cover by DENNIS CALERO
Variant Cover by DENNIS CALERO
“The blue-garbed man of mystery known as The Angel plummeted like a stone out of the blazing firestorm! Death on the street below appeared to be his only destination!
“But suddenly, with a titanic effort, he managed to twist his red cape against the wind! Itself flickering with flame, the glider sent his muscular form hurtling through the windows of an office building’s upper stories with a teeth-rattling crash…”
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

Grey: The difference between noirs? I actually really like this creative team, but still. Spider-Girl.
Glazer: This you can read. Fred Van Lente deserves support. You’ve only got mixed up priorities for this one.
Grey: So does Dennis Calero, but still
Glazer: Mixed priorities, I know.
Grey: Bunch of savages man, bunch of damn savages

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #588
Written by MARC GUGGENHEIM
Pencils & Cover by JOHN ROMITA JR.
King Variant by TBA
This is the big one! The results are in, the masks are off and Spider-Man might just go down forever! With the secret of Menace revealed and the identity of the Spider-Tracer killer brought to light, the world of Peter Parker, Harry Osborn, Lily Hollister, Carlie Cooper and Vin Gonzales will never be the same! Questions you’ve asked since Spider-Man first entered his Brand New Day will be answered. But who will be left standing to pick up the pieces…and how does it involve Norman Osborn? This one’s a can’t miss, so be there for the conclusion of CHARACTER ASSASSINATION! By Marc Guggenheim and John Romita, Jr.
40 PGS./Rated A …$3.99

Grey: Does the conclusion of Character Assassination mean that Brand New Day is over and I get my Mary Jane back?
Glazer: I really wanted to like Guggenheim, but he’s just not that good. He’s serviceable, but I need more to make me buy an author. And… isn’t it a bit soon to change the status quo again? I know they aren’t going back to normal, so really, shove it.
Grey: Remember, Guggenheim has said that if you don’t like BND, that you DO like gay marriage. I stopped liking him then…..even if I do support gay marriage and hate BND.
Glazer: He actually had a more coherent point… one which he was still wrong about, but more coherent. Don’t just go with the twisted soundbite.
Grey: Oh, I know, remember that the first Special Edition of the Standard reposted his entire statement. The readers just like the twisted soundbite better
Glazer: I do remember. I hate twisted soundbites
Grey: I hate Brand New Day

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #589
Written by FRED VAN LENTE
Pencils by PAULO SIQUEIRA
Cover by KLAUS JANSON, CHRIS ELIOPOULOS & DEAN WHITE
CHARACTER ASSASSINATION may be over, but the troubles keep coming as Spidey’s old nemesis THE SPOT returns deadlier than ever! Wait. Did we just use “The Spot” and “deadlier” in the same sentence? You better believe it - with his teleportation powers, he’s poised to make a name for himself as an unstoppable killer for hire, and the only thing standing between him and his latest target is your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man!
32 PGS./Rated A …$2.99

Grey: Fred Van Lente! I think this book is actually a bigger waste of his talent then X-Men: Noir!

Glazer: Wow, Van Lente is going to burn out. Why does Marvel do this to everyone? First Bendis and Millar, then they stopped writing good stuff, so they destroyed Bendis and Vaughan on mainstream stuff. We need to just give good new writers 1-2 books and back the fuck off. As for the book… whatever. If you’re going to read Spidey, Wait, Slott and Van Lente make it at least defensible and fun.

Grey: The two of them make me want to read it, but it’s still not enough, and don’t forget, Kirkman up and left the big two for good because of Marvel

Glazer: I didn’t forget. And all Vaughan seems to write is Ex Machina.
Grey: Vaughan retired from super heroes, he’s got some Vertigo stuff in the pipeline
Glazer: And Bendis stopped writing good stories.
Grey: Hey now, New Avengers has been pretty good, like the last issue with Luke Cage and Jessica Jones, with Gaydos on art. That’s an official contender for best single issue of the year
Glazer: An occasional good issue? Sure, the dude has no idea how to build a structured plot
Grey: Ever since Yu stepped off art its’ been great. Alright, I’ll give you that, he can handle 1-3 issues but anything past 4 and he’s lost

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN EXTRA! #3
Written by MARC GUGGENHEIM, JOE KELLY & PHIL JIMENEZ
Pencils by PHIL JIMENEZ & MORE!
Cover by TOMM COKER
ASM Extra goes beyond the thrice-monthly pages of Amazing Spider-Man to bring you even more stories that explore Peter Parker’s life and give you a glimpse of what’s ahead.
This time out we catch up with wounded Iraq War Vet Flash Thomson as he adjusts to his new life, find out more about the mysterious young Kraven who continues to stalk Spider-Man, and we get a prelude to next Spring’s Spidey event AMERICAN SON featuring a secret about Pete’s best friend Harry Osborn.
Norman Osborn may be in charge of the world…but he hasn’t stopped us from publishing Spider-man…yet.
48 PGS./Rated A …$3.99

Grey: Iraq War Vet Flash Thompson? Wasn’t he brain dead last year? Or two years ago?

Glazer: Dude… its Spider-continuity. Give up. I can’t take all this rearview mirror shit.
Grey: But it used to be so much better!

NEW AVENGERS #51
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Pencils & Cover by BILLY TAN
WHO IS THE NEW SORCERER SUPREME? Doctor Strange has failed as the Master of the Mystic Arts and all the other mystic characters are the heir apparent. Strange comes to the New Avengers for help as the mystic battle royale begins. Plus, how can the Avengers trust Spider-Man if he won’t take his mask off?
32 PGS./Rated A …$3.99

Grey: Bendis does actually write a decent Dr. Strange, scarily enough. Decent, not good or great

Glazer: Wow. OMD seeps into New Avengers. Yet another reason to not read Bendis. I like Strange. Can we give him to someone else?
Grey: Can we coerce Vaughan to come back to super heroes just to write him? The Oath was fucking awesome
Glazer: It really was, I just bought it in trade.
Grey: I got the trade last year, must have read it a dozen times. You know who else does a good Dr. Strange? Peter Milligan
Glazer: Milligan… where’d he go? I didn’t love him besides X-Statix… though I have Human Target sitting on my shelf unread (thanks Mathan!)
Grey: He was writing the forgettable Infinity Inc a year or so ago. X-Statix needs a rerelease

MIGHTY AVENGERS #23
Written by DAN SLOTT
Pencils & Cover by KHOI PHAM
King Variant by TBA
“Earth’s Mightiest Part 3 of 3″
“The Last Knight on Earth”
How can the Mighty Avengers save all of reality from one of their greatest foes… when they can’t even stop fighting each other? To survive their first trial by fire, lines will be crossed, ideals will be compromised, and not every hero will make the cut.
You better read this issue of DARK REIGN, guys. Why? Because this one’s going to change the Marvel landscape! Literally!
32 PGS./Rated A …$2.99

Grey: Mmmmmmm….Dan Slott writing the Avengers as led by Hank Pym
Glazer: So, they’re going to make a new grand canyon or something? Do folks even know what “literally” means anymore? This is the least descriptive description ever. I hope Black Knight doesn’t show up.
Grey: No, but Bruce Banner is on the team so smashing will happen
Glazer: Loeb’s shit is in continuity. Hulk on the team is less exciting
Grey: But it means well written Hulk
Glazer: And I’d love to know how after WWH the higher ups and civilians of MU will accept this.
Grey: Skrulls?
Glazer: I guess. Weak.

DARK AVENGERS #3
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Pencils & Cover by MIKE DEODATO
Young Guns Variant Cover by DANIEL ACUÑA
The phenom that is the Dark Avengers continues. BATTLEGROUND LATVERIA as Morgana Le Fey attacks with all the power at her disposal. Meanwhile these new Avengers discover all the dirt and hidden secrets of their notorious pasts.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Grey:The cover has Hawkeye with Bullseye’s face on the background

Glazer: How is this a Phenom when it hasn’t happened yet? So, looks like Avengers will be fight comics for a bit. Could be worse.
Grey: Yeah, they could be political
Glazer:They could ALL be written by Bendis.
Grey: Also true

SECRET WARRIORS #2
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS & JONATHAN HICKMAN
Penciled by STEFANO CASELLI
Cover by JIM CHEUNG
King Variant by TBA
Exploding out of the pages of Secret Invasion and Mighty Avengers!!
Picking up from the earth-shattering conclusion to issue one… we find out who Nick Fury and his Secret Warriors’ real enemies are, where they’ve been hiding, and why they chose now to make their existence known. Get ready, this is going to send shock-waves that will ripple throughout the Marvel Universe. Hail Hydra!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

Grey: I actually want to read this, Nick Fury in a monthly. Fucking Bendis

Glazer: Dude, Brian, Michael, whatever you go by, stop it asshole. I don’t want to read your shit. Stop trying to tempt me with awesomeness like Fury. Back the fuck off. You’re like the creepy guy who won’t take no for an answer at the club. You will not rape me of my money and dignity again, for you see, I read Secret Invasion and Dark Reign. I know better.

DARK REIGN: ELEKTRA #1 (of 5)
Written by ZEB WELLS
Pencils by CLAY MANN
Cover by LEE BERMEJO
50/50 Variant Cover by CLAY MANN
She’s the deadliest woman in the world…and she’s never been in worse shape. Broken, beaten, and tortured by alien scientists, Elektra stumbles to freedom in the aftermath of the Skrull invasion. Now she struggles and fights to stay barely alive, and to clear her name for atrocities committed by an impostor. A LOT of people want Elektra killed…and in her state, that shouldn’t be too difficult…By Zeb Wells (AMAZING SPIDER-MAN) and Clay Mann (DAREDEVIL)!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Grey: I was happier thinking she was dead, it meant I didn’t have to care

Glazer: The Skrulls were stupidly ineffective at killing anyone. Now that will forever be a part of her legacy as we get further and further from Miller’s awesome, complete story

DARK REIGN: FANTASTIC FOUR #1 (of 5)
Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN
Penciled by SEAN CHEN
Cover by SIMONE BIANCHI
70th Anniversary Variant Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC (see pg. 7)
Dark Reign strikes Marvel’s first family-in an explosive way! Prepared to be blown away as: HAMMER agents attack the Baxter Building. Reed changes everything. The Human Torch suffers a horrible loss and Franklin and Val go shopping. There’s Time travel, Alternate realities, Celestials, Eternals, Deviants and Doombots… and more important than all of that, we find out the answer to the question: What is the Bridge?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

Grey: I kinda dig the solicit, but who is Hickman?
Glazer: He’s co-writing New Warriors
Grey: Secret Warriors, we can’t confuse the readers. New Warriors was trash, Secret Warriors is unproven
Glazer: I’ve heard of Pax Romana, apparently, he’s that guy too
Grey: I have no idea
Glazer: And he does the nightly news, whatever that is that has a cult following

NEW AVENGERS: THE REUNION #1 (of 4)
Written by JIM MCCANN
Penciled by DAVID LOPEZ
50/50 Covers by JO CHEN
In the wake of SECRET INVASION, Mockingbird is alive and has returned to Earth after being held captive by the Skrulls. Ronin, her estranged husband, volunteers to help her adjust to her new life as a member of the new Avengers, but some old wounds run too deep. And what deadly secret did she bring back with her that could tear them, and the world, apart once more? It’s high-octane action and intrigue as the Mr. & Mrs. Smith of the Marvel Universe take on one of the biggest threats in the world…and each other!
32 PGS./Rated A …$3.99

Grey: Buying
Glazer: I’d give him a shot, were I not boycotting Marvel Events (non DnA division)
Grey: Gotcha
Glazer: Who’s Jim MCCann?
Grey: No clue, but it’s Clint in a mini as a starring role
Glazer: Meh. I like well written-Clint. He was actually great in the current Mighty (Wasp funeral)

DEADPOOL #8
Written by DANIEL WAY
Penciled by PACO MEDINA
Cover by JASON PEARSON
King Variant by TBA
“MAGNUM OPUS,” PART 1 OF 4
SPECIAL CROSSOVER WITH THUNDERBOLTS! Deadpool unleashes his most insane plan yet: a full-on assault against Norman Osborn! As Deadpool storms his way to the top of Avengers Tower, Osborn is forced to pull out all the stops to save his own skin - and that means deploying the brand new Thunderbolts! Plug your ears, kids - this is gonna be loud!
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$2.99

Grey:Deadpool is a lot of fun, and Brand New Thunderbolts? Scary thought especially given the changes we already know about the landscape of the team

Glazer: That does sound fun…. and I don’t know who the new Thunderbolts are. Share.
Grey: No clue either, I just know Bullseye is Hawkeye. Chen Lu is back in China
Glazer: That’s Dark Avengers, no?
Grey: Yeah, Swordsman died in Dark Reign and Songbird faked her death to escape
Glazer: Marvel needs to get their shit together. Then so does DC…

THUNDERBOLTS #130
Written by ANDY DIGGLE
Penciled by ROBERTO DE LA TORRE
Cover by FRANCESCO “MATT” MATTINA
Variant Cover by CLINT LANGLEY
“MAGNUM OPUS,” PART 2 OF 4 - CROSSOVER WITH DEADPOOL
Everyone’s favorite Merc with a Mouth has the Thunderbolts in his crosshairs - but don’t expect this murderer’s row of butt-kickers to lay down! The nastiest fight of ‘09 has begun, and you’ve got the front row seat for all the ultra violence that Andy Diggle (DARK REIGN: HAWKEYE) and Roberto De La Torre (IRON MAN: DIRECTOR OF S.H.I.E.L.D.) can dish up!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

Grey: No further comments other then I bet Andy Diggle is pissed that he’s doing a crossover less then 6 issues into his run
Glazer: I’m just happy Diggle has a real book again. Adam Strange needs to star. Buy him from DC!

PUNISHER #3
Written by RICK REMENDER
Penciled by JEROME OPENA
50/50 Covers by MIKE MCKONE
King Variant by TBA
“LIVING IN DARKNESS,” PART 3
The only thing standing between the new king of crime and his dark reign of New York is a lone soldier doing what none of the capes will: taking out the bad guys permanently. Frank Castle has torn open an artery of the most feared crime family in the history of New York, and it will not go unanswered. A lesson must be taught - a bloody, public lesson. How can the Punisher possibly contend? With an arsenal of the most powerful weapons in the Marvel Universe - and a smile.
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$2.99

Grey: I like the new take on Frank; put him in Marvel proper and let him be a bad ass. Let him take on super crime instead of street crime
Glazer: I never really liked Frank. I like him as a supporting character fine, but he doesn’t carry a lead well generally.
Grey: Fraction was doing a good job with him in War Journal
Glazer: A likely story. I mean, you may be write, but how would I know?
Grey: Hmmm, point taken

INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #11
Written by MATT FRACTION
Pencils & Cover by SALVADOR LARROCA
King Variant by TBA
WORLD’S MOST WANTED PART 4! Tony risks it all to say goodbye to a friend. Maria Hill arrives in Texas - only to find she’s been beaten to the punch and now is outnumbered, outgunned, and out of luck. And time. And hope. All this as Pepper Potts goes to an old ally in hopes of stopping things from getting a whole lot worse for Tony Stark - everybody’s pal Jim Rhodes…once Iron Man himself and currently WAR MACHINE. Worlds are colliding! Guys in robot suits are fighting! Norman Osborn is ruling the world! Holy $%&#!
32 PGS./Rated A …$2.99

Grey: I kinda like the new status quo
Glazer: Tony is getting what he deserves. Seriously, fuck that guy.

INCREDIBLE HERCULES #127
Written by FRED VAN LENTE & GREG PAK
Penciled by DIETRICH SMITH
Cover by DAVE WILLIAMS
King Variant by TBA
As Hera consolidates her takeover of Olympus, marking Hercules and Athena for death, she reaches out to forge an alliance with the greatest mortal power on the planet - NORMAN OSBORN! With the forces of Heaven and Earth both arrayed against our heroes, how can they possibly survive? And what role does the ex-New Warrior AEGIS play in Hera’s mad scheme?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

Grey: I might need to check this book out, I keep hearing good things
Glazer: Its one of the best books on the market. Norman is now the greatest mortal power on the planet? That’s a big much, really. Sentry, Doom, Mandarin, Nova when he visits… come on. And we know it works out with Herc an Avenger, no?
Grey: Norman has a different kind of power…..political power!
Glazer: Political power vs. Gods. Right.
Grey: You know it

MS. MARVEL #37
Written by BRIAN REED
Penciled by PATRICK OLLIFFE
Cover by PHIL JIMENEZ
It’s a throwdown in Hong Kong against the mysteriously powered Ghazi as Ms. Marvel finally discovers the origin of her mysterious enemy. However, Carol has been keeping a secret connected to the Dark Reign concerning Norman Osborn and it may just mean she won’t survive the fight.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

Grey: I want to say something but can come up with nothing
Glazer: This book has really been good, but do we really really need to mention Dark Reign and Osborn in every solicit?
Grey: Yes, yes we do. We must never forget until the next header to cover books

WOLVERINE: ORIGINS #34
Written by DANIEL WAY
Pencils & Cover by DOUG BRAITHWAITE
King Variant by TBA
“WEAPON XI”
A DARK REIGN TIE-IN! Daken battles the X-Men for possession of the deadly Muramasa Blade! Can Wolverine stop him, or is Daken’s fate sealed? Is he, like his father, destined to become…a weapon? Part (2 of 5)
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$2.99

Grey: Well, we know that Daken is Wolverine in Dark Avengers, so yes, he is a weapon
Glazer: This book doesn’t exist, so I don’t worry about it. Wolverine has a mysterious past and struggles to control his animal side. He can heal, but it takes awhile and is a great warrior. What’s a Daken?

WAR MACHINE #4
Written by GREG PAK
Penciled by LEONARDO MANCO
Cover by FRANCESCO “MATT” MATTINA
King Variant by TBA
War Machine + God of War = Get the heck out of the way! As Rhodey’s commando run against the mercenaries of Eaglestar International explodes into open warfare in the capitol city of Aqiria, our one-man-army makes two shocking discoveries. First, the horrifying secret of Eaglestar’s wartech may strike closer to home than he ever suspected. And second, the only thing worse than having Ares, God of War, as an enemy…is having him as a friend!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

Grey: I have no idea what to say about this, I love the concept of what War Machine is turning into, but have no interest at all in reading it
Glazer: Who wrote that Ares solo series?
Grey: Oeming
Glazer: That was great. I’ve liked Ares since. With Bendis not writing, I’ll grab this if I remember. Also, Pak is great.

AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE FEATURING REPTIL #1
Written by CHRISTOS N. GAGE
Pencils by STEVE UY
Cover by HUMBERTO RAMOS
Stegron the Dinosaur Man and his dinosaur army launch a campaign of destruction across America! With the Fifty State Initiative in tatters from the fallout of Secret Invasion, Tigra must pull together a squad from the few superhumans still fit for duty, including Cloud 9, Komodo, Prodigy…and a brand new recruit. Be here for the debut of Marvel’s newest superstar-REPTIL! Will he save the Initiative…or ruin it?
48 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Grey: Cloud 9! And a new person! I really hope the book doesn’t lose it’s unique sense of fun with Gage writing it
Glazer: Dude, a villain named Stegron the Dinosuar Man, Cloud 9 appearing… and Gage writing.. I’m there. I was there yesterday. I’m there today. If its still there tomorrow, I’ll be there then too. This is just fun superhero comics.
Grey: Oh, it’s on my pull list, I had no questions about buying this

AMAZING SPIDER-GIRL #30
Written by TOM DEFALCO
Pencils & Cover by RON FRENZ
FINAL ISSUE! Is this the end of Spider-Girl? Can Peter and Mayday overcome Norman Osborn’s final revenge?! Will the Black Tarantula and Araña survive against the Goblin Lord and the brand new May? What does fate hold in store for little Ben and Mary Jane? When the smoke finally clears, will it still be Spider-Girl’s world? Be There For the End!
40 PGS./Rated A …$3.99

Grey: The last issue of an amazing book, and what does Marvel have to show for it? Oh, wait, that’s right
Glazer: We aren’t discussing this.
Grey: Now there’s only one way to read Spider-Man
Glazer: Stop it.
Grey: I’ll miss you May
Glazer: Three words (One hyphenated): Spider-Man Noir.

CAPTAIN AMERICA #48
Written by ED BRUBAKER
Pencils & Cover by STEVE EPTING
The New Captain America faces the crimes of his past as the Winter Soldier as the Sub-Mariner and the Black Widow struggle to stop a new foe from unleashing a deadly attack on the world! By the best-selling Eisner, Harvey and Eagle award-winning team of Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

Grey: This book makes me happy. Fast track to #50! FTW!
Glazer: But but… Namor is in Dark Illuminati! Why is he helping a real hero? Oh well, Brubaker can do no wrong. Nothing is revealed here and I don’t care. I couldn’t be more excited for every issue of this book. Book of the Year for 2008? Maybe.
Grey: Bru writes an awesome Namor
Glazer: Bru writes awesome.

DAREDEVIL #117
Written by ED BRUBAKER
Penciled by MICHAEL LARK
Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
King Variant by TBA
RETURN OF THE KING continues! Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin of Crime, comes back to Hell’s Kitchen to forge a pact with Daredevil! Their target? Lady Bullseye and the Hand! By the award-winning team of Brubaker and Lark!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

Grey: I want to get into this book but I have a rule about Daredevil
Glazer: I only do Daredevil in trades. I’ll get here.
Grey: That’s my rule

FANTASTIC FOUR #565
Written by MARK MILLAR
Pencils & Cover by BRYAN HITCH
A visit to Reed’s remotest relatives becomes a fight for survival as a creature beyond the confines of science targets the Richards’ offspring for consumption.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

Glazer: Go away Millar.
Grey: This book is actually kind of fun, I mean, it’s hit or miss, but I like it
Glazer: Why isn’t Waid FF writer for life?
Grey: Because Marvel hates assigning talent properly
Glazer: So long as we’re clear then.

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #11 & #12
Written by DAN ABNETT & ANDY LANNING
Penciled by WESLEY CRAIG
Covers by DAVID YARDIN
Issue #11 King Variant by TBA
If Captain Marvel is no more, how is he here? With War of Kings about to explode across the galaxy, two of the Guardians face death itself! Drax and Quasar journey beyond the veil of life in a desperate quest to find Moondragon. But what is waiting for them on the other side, and will it ever let them return? It’s a double shot of cosmic horror - that plants the seeds for where GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY is heading next!
32 PGS.(each)/Rated T+ …$2.99 (each)

Grey: There will be a giant hardcover and I will buy it
Glazer: God I love this book. All of these awesome characters on separate quests. It’s too much awesome to only be once a month.
Grey: Well, that’s two issues right there
Glazer: I know. I hope Captain Marvel is Genis. Wouldn’t you freak the fuck out? I’d freak the fuck out.
Grey: I totally would, but it wont be. Because Marvel hates doing good things
Glazer: Dude, this is Abnett and Lanning, are you doubting the guys who made Nova A-list, brought back Adam Warlock, did the belt Ultron run in a decade, use Rocket Raccoon and Groot, and …. christ, everything they do is made of pure awesome.
Grey: I don’t doubt them. I do, however, doubt that Marvel would let them bring back awesome in the form of Genis
Glazer: I don’t. I trust them now.

IMMORTAL IRON FIST #24
Written by DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI
Art by KANO
Cover by PATRICK ZIRCHER
There have been sixty-six men and women to carry the mantle of the Immortal Iron Fist - sixty-six men and women who have proudly and eagerly stood fast before the unstoppable forces of evil, and valiantly fought them back. Except one.
This is the story of Park Li - a pacifist, who sought to pursue wisdom rather than war. But fate would defy him - as K’un-Lun is overwhelmed by a deadly plague, Park Li is the only student ready to become the city’s Immortal Weapon. And war is coming…bloody, brutal war…
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

Grey: This book is still ten shades of awesome, I think sometimes that Duane Swierczynski is actually Bru and Frac under a new name
Glazer: I’ll see about this in trade. I don’t believe the hype. It just isn’t possible for Mr. Vowel to be as good as Bru
Grey: I’m telling you, I read his first issue and didn’t realize he’d taken over it, it was seamless
Glazer: I believe you totally, I just always read this in trade and its a rough habit to break.

RUNAWAYS #8
Written by TERRY MOORE
Penciled by TAKESHI MIYAZAWA
Cover by HUMBERTO RAMOS
Evil shock-jock Val Rhymin’ shows LA that he’s not just a radio host-he’s also an uber-powerful sorcerer! But it’s the fact that he’s Chase’s boss that gets the Runaways involved. Can they save their teammate? Does he even want to be saved?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

Grey:I like Moore on this, but Vaughan and Alphona need to come home

Glazer: I hated the Whedon run, so this is a step up, but Moore is capable of so much more. Strangers in Paradise was consistently awesome, this is consistently solid. What’s the disconnect?
Grey: The art

THOR #601
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Art, Cover & Variant Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
Has Thor turned his back on Asgard…? Has Asgard turned its back on Thor?! After the monumental and cataclysmic events of THOR #600, the God of Thunder’s life has changed completely! New readers…now’s your chance! Jump on board!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Grey: I love this book, JMS redeemed himself for all things OMD with this
Glazer: I’ve read every issue and own one. This settles it. I’m adding it to my pull list.
Grey: As you should have at #1
Glazer: I never loved Thor.
Grey: I did, especially under Jurgens
Glazer: I read a bit of Simonson and that rocked. Beisdes that, preferred as an Avenger.
Grey: You should check out Jurgens stuff
Glazer: It’s in trade?
Grey: The later stuff is, which is what I read

WAR OF KINGS #1 (of 6)
Written by DAN ABNETT & ANDY LANNING
Penciled by PAUL PELLETIER
Cover by BRANDON PETERSON
Variant Cover A by LEINIL FRANCIS YU
Variant Cover B by RON LIM
In the aftermath of the Secret Invasion, Black Bolt has led the Inhumans on a shockingly savage path to restore their strength and security. But that path has brought them into direct confrontation with the Shi’Ar Empire - and their mad ruler Vulcan! Who will get in the first strike? Who will fall on the bloody battlefield? Who will rule? The Imperial Guard, the Starjammers, the Inhuman Royal Family and more of your favorite sci-fi characters are locked on a collision course…and it all starts here! Join the acclaimed team
of Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning (NOVA) and Paul Pelletier (GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY) for a pivotal turning point in Marvel’s
cosmic history!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Grey: It’s DnA, but I hate everybody involved except for Havok. I mean, I’ll buy it on the grounds that it’s DnA, but still
Glazer: I hate everyone here too, but its DnA and Nova and Guardians are crossing over…. so, I’m there. I mean, before Annihilation who thought all these guys would rock?
Grey: Nova has always been cool
Glazer: Not like this, he was a cool c lister. Now within the marvel u he’s the man
Grey: He’s definitely up there

NOVA #23
Written by DAN ABNETT & ANDY LANNING
Penciled by ANDREA DIVITO
Cover by DANIEL ACUÑA
King Variant by TBA
War of Kings brings a new status quo…and a new penciler Andrea DiVito (Annihilation)! Who is the new Protector of the Universe? Stripped of his Nova powers and facing death, Rich Rider must stop the Worldmind’s plans before it’s too late. But he needs power to do it, which may come from a source that will change his very identity! It’s another unpredictable episode of the comic Ain’t It Cool News calls “awesomely jaw-droppingly cool stuff.”
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

Grey: Seeing Quasar on the cover and reading this preview gives me goosebumps
Glazer: DnA, don’t change it. Nova is really working, don’t go too far for the sake of going too far.
Grey: I think he’s going to go Quasar for a few issues and then go back to being Nova Prime
Glazer: works for me

UNCANNY X-MEN #507
Written by MATT FRACTION
Pencils & Cover by TERRY DODSON
The secret of the Cooperstown Massacre goes worldwide and anti-mutant hysteria explodes nationwide. If Scott and Emma don’t trust each other, how can mutantkind keep it together? Beast and the newly-assembled science team fight for their lives on Hokkaido Island…and the Angel’s deepest, darkest secret is revealed to all present. Uh-oh. Innocent lives are trapped between the Russian mob and everybody’s favorite heartbroken mutant Colossus, fighting along against old-world horrors that have followed him here. Oh! And the Sisterhood is finally assembled and ready to destroy the X-Men once and for all.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

Grey: I’m still enjoying this and Dodson > Land
Glazer: I have one question for you sir. Is Dr. Nemesis still around?
Grey: who?
Glazer: The man who co-created the original Human Torch, replaced his eyes with Robot eyes for seeing Super Nazis, and has a gun made of SCIENCE!! Is he in this book?
Grey: Oh, nope
Glazer: When he’s not, I’m dropping it.
Grey: Wait
Glazer: When he is, wherever he is, even if the dreaded Bendis is there, I will be there.
Grey: You mean the guy from last issue?
Glazer: Yes.
Grey: Oh, yeah, he’s there. Madison Jeffries too
Glazer: Then I’m back there.

X-MEN: LEGACY #222
Written by MIKE CAREY
Penciled by SCOT EATON
Cover by LEE BERMEJO
King Variant by TBA
“Salvage”
Rogue’s past comes back to haunt not only her, but Professor X and Gambit. The horrors of the past are brought here by a mysterious villain who has a beef with the X-Men that they plan on settling here and now. You may not believe it, but the
villain CAN win. Part 3 (of 5)
32 PGS./Rated A …$2.99

Grey: I do like this book, though I also hate Rogue, it’s perplexing
Glazer: I love Carey, but damn if this X-continuity isn’t a step down from Lucifer. Write something great again Mike!

X-FORCE/CABLE: MESSIAH WAR PROLOGUE
Written by CRAIG KYLE & CHRISTOPHER YOST
Art by MIKE CHOI & SONIA OBACK
Cover by KAARE ANDREWS
50/50 Cover by MIKE CHOI & SONIA OBACK
Variant Cover by ROB LIEFELD
The birth of a single mutant child forever changed the landscape of the X-Universe. Some see the baby as the last hope for mutankind’s survival; others see it as the bringer of the Apocalypse… No one knows which side is right because Cyclops handed the newborn over to Cable, believing his son could save both the child and mutantkind. But Cable never came back. Now, months later, Cyclops has found his son hiding in the FUTURE… and he’s sending in the one team that will do what needs to be done in order to ensure the survival of their species… X-FORCE. The X-Men event of the decade, “MESSIAH COMPLEX,” continues here as the past, present and future converge in the pages of X-FORCE and CABLE. Continues next month in the pages of CABLE #13 and X-FORCE #14!
48 PGS./One-Shot/Rated T+ …$3.99

Grey: Mmmmm, Mike Choi art AND X-Force! Oh, and Cable too
Glazer: I keep hearing this book is fun… and they just foreshadowed really really heavily.. bringer of the Apocalypse eh? After the 12, thanks but no thanks

X-FORCE #13
Written by CRAIG KYLE & CHRISTOPHER YOST
Pencils & Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN
PRELUDE TO WAR! The Leper Queen is creating weapons out of mutants, and using them against humanity to stir the fires of hate against mutants. But as X-Force tracks her down, they don’t realize how close to home she’s struck. Meanwhile, Wolfsbane is still dealing with the return of , and Cyclops prepares to send X-Force on the most important mission of their lives…whether they like it or not. You MUST NOT miss this ending, leading directly into X-FORCE/CABLE: MESSIAH WAR .
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$2.99

Grey: I don’t like Clayton Crain on this book
Glazer: I buy X-Crossovers. I guess I’m stuck here. AoA and Phalanx and such ruined me. I keep expecting more awesome.
Grey: This is just a fun book

CABLE #12
Written by DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI
Art by JAMIE MCKELVIE & ARIEL OLIVETTI
Cover by ARIEL OLIVETTI
PRELUDE TO WAR - “WASTELAND BLUES,” PART 2 OF 2
For more than seven years, Cable has focused on one thing: protecting the little girl who he believes will grow up to become the savior of mutantkind. But now they’ve timeslid into a barren, lifeless pocket of the future, where there’s no food, no water, and no way out. When Cable collapses from hunger and exhaustion, the girl faces the first challenge of her young life: saving her protector.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

Grey: Seven years in 12 issues, that has to be some sort of a record
Glazer:You knew they’d fast forward this time.
Grey: Doesn’t change that it keeps making me feel like I’m missing something
Glazer: Not me. Raising a kid? Cable doing it? No thanks, keep it moving. We’ll get flashback series for years on this.

X-MEN: THE LIVES AND TIMES OF LUCAS BISHOP #2 (of 3)
Written by DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI
Penciled by LARRY STROMAN
Cover by ARIEL OLIVETTI
The untold story of Lucas Bishop, renegade X-Man, continues here! Seventy years in the future, a young Bishop makes the hard journey from petty street thief to hero cop-but along the way, learns more about the green-eyed girl who damned mutants everywhere to a life of suffering and death. But when a time portal opens up, Bishop is given a glimpse of mutant life in the past… and a glimmer of hope in an otherwise murky future.
32 PGS./Rated T+…$3.99

Grey: If not for Larry Stroman, I would read this but his art makes my eyes want to be gouged out
Glazer: They’ve kept it mysterious all this time to give it its own damn mini. Fuck your price gouging Marvel. I just dropped Cable.

X-MEN: QUITTING TIME
Written by JAMES ASMUS
Penciled by TBD
Cover by BRANDON PETERSON
Since the move to San Francisco and after the events of X-Infernus, Nightcrawler realizes a hard truth-he has to quit the X-Men. Kurt has realized that the X-Men just don’t need him anymore. He hasn’t been operating at his highest levels and even the biggest strength he has-teleportation-has been made redundant by Pixie who can do it better and more efficiently. Don’t miss the departure of one of the most important characters in X-Men history.
32 PGS./One-Shot/Rated T+ …$3.99

Grey: Who is James Asmus and who solicits a book without an artist?
Glazer: The X-Men are a rescue team… having 2 teleporters makes sense. What if there are problems in two different places? Isn’t Nightcrawler also an awesome leader and fighter? How is he not needed? This premise sucks.
Grey: Agreed

X-FACTOR #41
Written by PETER DAVID
Penciled by VALENTINE DE LANDRO
Cover by DAVID YARDIN
Maru. Mr. Tryp. X-Cell. The Isolationist. Madrox has gone against his fair share of unseemly and unfamiliar antagonists of late, but some villains never go out of style. Like Sentinels. Big, honking Sentinels. Oh yes, this is going to be fun!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

Grey: Oh yes, this is definitely going to be fun!
Glazer: I suck. The Civil War issues sold out and I dropped this. I’ll trade it when Peter’s done. I like everything he does.
Grey: Trade it now, it’s great
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Sorry about how late last week’s was up, I put it up for review a day late and it took almost a week to get it up! Lesson learned, and I hope you regular readers won’t hold it against me! Totally not my intention, and I have no real control over when something actually gets posted. I just get to submit and wait, not that I’m complaining though, it’s a cushy job. I get to sit at my desk, smoke, watch TV, and take my time and pick my words.

AND I GET TO READ COMICS!

That’s the single best part about writing here, with you guys, the readers, being a close second. I love to read comics. I love it more than most things in this world. I have for as long as I can remember, and I don’t see it ever going away. As much as I enjoy reading, comics are what grip me. I have an affinity for a lot of the characters at Marvel and DC both, not to mention selected independent characters. The visual and serial style draws me in, and the structure holds me tight. I just love comic books. I love the crazy story arcs, I love the serialized medium, I love virtually everything about them. And as I’ve said in the past, I love super heroes especially. So when it comes time to follow along with a big event, it’s usually pretty easy to get me to hop on board. I mean, sure, there are going to be times like World War Hulk when I’m not going to pick up any books that I’m not already reading, but for the most part, I like to follow along. When Infinite Crisis hit I only skipped one of the lead in miniseries (Day of Vengeance), and with House of M it was a slightly larger skip list, but not by much. I tend to read the majority of the auxiliary titles for the simple reason that, for the most part, they tend to provide a bit more payoff then the main series.

Case in point: Secret Invasion.

Let me see here, for SI I bought:

• Secret Invasion
• New Avengers
• Mighty Avengers
• Avengers: The Initiative
• X-Factor
• She-Hulk
• Thunderbolts
• Secret Invasion: Front Line
• Secret Invasion: Fantastic Four
• Secret Invasion: Runaways/Young Avengers
• Secret Invasion: Who Do You Trust?
• Secret Invasion: X-Men
• Nova
• Deadpool
• Punisher: War Journal

Pretty big list, right? I mean, compare it to Final Crisis

• Final Crisis
• Final Crisis: Requiem
• Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds
• Final Crisis: Rogues Revenge
• Final Crisis: Revelations
• Final Crisis: Submit
• Final Crisis: Resist
• Final Crisis: Rage of the Red Lanterns
• DCU #0
• Last Will and Testament

The lists don’t seem very different in length, but there’s a big difference. See, six of the books on the Final Crisis list? One shots. The SI list? One of them, the rest are at least three parts each. DC promised an event that wouldn’t kill your wallet and they delivered without issue. Marvel, on the other hand, stretched their event out, added more tie-ins as time went along, and then decided that wasn’t enough. While every event promises long terms effects and changes, it’s rare that there’s a prolonged delivery of such an act. DC has been pretty good about trying to make sure that it goes through, and that their readers can feel the aftermath as the universe unfolds out of their events and tries to keep moving forward as each book tries to find its own unique voice in the post-event universe. Marvel…..is dropping us right into the next one after feeding us an event that disappointed in every single way and feels to this reader as if they wanted to waste a year of my time just to say that Norman Osborn is the top bad guy. But hey, I like Norman, and I love the idea of him filling Marvel’s much needed “Lex Luthor” role, so why does this bug me? Well, again, the sheer amount of money wasted on this bogus crossover.

We were promised big changes and huge reveals and giant unforgettable moments. We received…..well, we got five issues of an eight issue mini where nothing happened! I honestly have managed to forget more about what happened in Secret Invasion then in probably any other title I’ve read in the past six years, and I read Chuck Austen’s Uncanny X-Men. That’s right, Austen had more memorable moments then SI. Secret Invasion gave us an over hyped event that didn’t really deliver in any regards, whether it be compelling story telling or even epic battle or art. We were “treated” to horrible pacing from the get-go that carried over until the final panel of the final page. We watched shoe-horned character developments, and had the plot unfold at time through a narrator flat out telling us what was happening. I know that the story started life as Bendis trying to tell an epic Avengers story, and in all fairness, it should have stayed that way.

Now that it’s all said and done I can confirm my earlier thoughts, that the tie-ins were stronger then the core book. That I could have just bought New, Mighty, and the Initiative and gotten the full story. That the books designed to explain and to fill in the gaps wound up stronger then the core story. Then again, when you’re pacing out one and done issues, or two parters, it’s a lot easier to carry the load of the story as you have a tighter control over the characters and content. Then again, looking at the author’s name and seeing “Bendis” leads me to believe that somebody else should have scripted the core miniseries while he did the auxiliary books. Bendis has a huge weakness, and it happens to be his greatest strength. He is amazing at character pieces, and can write a believable story with believable characters, and he can easily handle a small handful of characters. But if you give him too many then he tries to stretch the development out and he tries to add too much important to too many little things and eventually the story finds itself taking a backseat to character moments. And that’s fine, it’s cool, character moments are awesome. But when it takes you five issues to advance a half an hour into the story because you’re handing out those character moments? Yeah, doesn’t work so hot.

Secret Invasion collapsed under the weight of its own hype engine, completely crashed and burned. Sure, we get an interesting after math, but I can’t help but think that there must have been at least a half dozen other ways to get to the same outcome. But I guess that it would have been harder to bring Mockingbird back using any of them, wouldn’t it? Actually, here’s what I want out of Secret Invasion. I want a book with Hawkeye, Mockingbird, and Hawkingbird. Call it the Barton’s and have Clint and Bobby adopt Kate. Echo can guest star as the spurned lover who vanished magically about halfway through the Invasion itself after a sucker punch. After all, the last time she had speaking lines she was fucking Clint, and now he’s back with Bobbi like Maya never existed. Poor Maya, Bendis never gave her a fair chance, first she was Ronin for about five minutes, and then she gets sucker punched and vanishes in the Invasion.

Frustrating, that’s really how the majority of this is for me. I read House of M, I read Civil War, I read Messiah Complex. I read all these big Marvel events, and generally I don’t complain too much. But after Secret Invasion I may have completely lost all faith in Bendis to write anything other than a monthly book, he just can’t do it. At all. He can’t pace worth a damn, he can’t decide which characters actually deserve to have great character moments so he just spreads them around, and when it’s all said and done, the plot caves beneath the weight of all the random bullshit being thrown in.

Let’s take a look back to completely unnecessary plots developed during it, starting with the big one. Mar-Vell. It took four months to resolve him attacking the Thunderbolts, and it wound up just being that Norman talks to him and he decides to be a good guy after all and then goes and dies pretty much immediately in his next appearance in an effort to build up Noh-Varr, Noh-Varr who just flew around on a speeder bike and acted like a jackass. We’ve also got Tony Stark who spent pretty much the entire Invasion sweating and moaning about how useless he was, and now he’s getting blamed completely for it. The big hero of the Marvel universe and….he doesn’t do shit. He was completely impotent, hell, the Black Widow did more than him during her one issue of being useful. The whole thing just felt….it was horribly paced, and there was just too much of a cluster fuck.

I almost missed it. Seriously.

I remember the promise of reuniting the trinity, and aside from Thor and Bucky talking about being dead, that didn’t happen. Thor bitched out Iron Man and told him that he still hated him, and Tony got all sad. To be honest, Buck didn’t do a whole hell of a lot other then go more public. Tony just jobbed a new way every issue. And then Thor….Thor killed Jan, only I didn’t realize it the first time through because it was done in narration. You don’t kill a founding Avenger through narration. It’s an insult. Kind of like how you don’t make you big reveal at the end be that everyone is actually ok. Seriously, every single major person impersonated by a Skrull was alive, without a single exception. Jan was the only death in the whole series that I can remember, and even with her she was shunted into another dimension instead of just traditionally dying. It was irritating beyond belief.

The more things change…..the more nothing actually changes because we got gyped.

I’m just bitter, most likely. I invested a lot of money because of the hype machine and I honestly feel like I wasted the vast majority of it. New, Mighty, and Initiative carried the entire storyline on their backs and were the most worthwhile parts of the entire crossover.

All of that said, the Dark Reign one-shot only added to my disappointment as I felt it was some of the worst pencils that Alex Maleev has ever done (look at Namor, he looks like a fat, balding, sixty-five year old man). On top of that, Bendis completely lost touch with the voices of his cast, especially bad since he normally writes The Hood so well. Parker came across here like some common street thug, not as the Kingpin of Super Crime, and that’s unfortunate considering that he’s been such an integral part in Bendis’s books for the past several months. Emma looked great, but in her case the characterization flag was waving high above her head as well. She didn’t read like any version of Emma that I’ve seen around lately, and it just didn’t gel. She made for a fine POV character, but Bendis tried to make her too sympathetic and, well, it’s Emma Fucking Frost. She doesn’t do sympathy.

Also, allow me to voice my disappointment with Swordsman being killed like a little bitch in a flashback scene during Dark Reign. After months of being built up as someone that could potentially be a threat, especially after what Norman did to him, he gets killed like a spoiled child that got stabbed during a hissy fit. Not a death fit for a Strucker. Hell, not a death fit for the weaker Strucker. What a waste of a character that Fabian and Ellis both worked their asses off to make into a serious player in the Thunderbolts title. Andrea had a better death when people thought she was a Skrull.

Andreas Strucker - Job Boy Bitch

Now let’s hop the fence to Final Crisis, which has five of its eight issues out. Not over by a longshot, and yet, going strong. This time around DC wisely removed tying into their monthly books with it, so as to not disrupt the pacing. It also generates a self containing element to the core mini, and adds more importance to the auxiliary titles. Why does Revelations feel important? Because it’s telling a story that no other book is. With Secret Invasion we got the story fleshed out in the tie-ins, as opposed to the core story. With Crisis, the tie-ins tell their own stores with Crisis as the backdrop. Stories that couldn’t truly be told in another way.

Do I see who I think I see? A mighty….yes! Teth Adam! BLACK ADAM FOR LIFE!

There’s a level of creative care being taken across the DC books during this mega event that helps to add to the special nature. There haven’t been tie-ins for the sake of it, which is a huge change from your traditional crossover. I mean, look at Submit and Resist. One shots, not required reading, but both add plenty to what’s going on. They don’t try and be more then they’re supposed to be, they’re gap fillers. They fill in blanks in the story that don’t have to be answered, but it helps. Sure Submit was a bit on the weak side, but Resist was amazing. The story advanced without trivializing the core miniseries, and on top of that, it granted us a fabulously done story by Rucka, Trautman, and Sook that sets up a giant battle to come without forcing anything in the core series to be rushed or ignored. This story benefited the pacing to a large degree, and while completely optional in its necessity, it felt worth every penny to me.

Darkseid is.

I guess this is what happens when you try to do a universe spanning crossover, encompassing as many of your characters into one oversized story as you can. There are always going to be tie-ins, and there are always going to be writers who are just unaware of how to pace them. Pretty much on par with their opposites, to be frank. So why do we buy them? Secret Invasion was horrible but I read the entire thing, why did I do that?

Simple. Because I love comics, and as much as the current story might bother me, I absolutely can’t wait to see what happens next. It’s an evolving medium, and the more chances you give the product, the more likely you are going to be to find something that you enjoy.

There’s a starman waiting in the sky

He’d like to come and meet us

But he thinks he’d blow our minds

There’s a starman waiting in the sky

He’s told us not to blow it

Cause he knows it’s all worthwhile

What can I say about Rest In Piece….that I’m not saying in the long delayed release of me and our own Aaron Glazer ranting our assess off about it. If we ever get around to formatting it (hopefully soon), it should be a real treat for you guys. Alright, fine, I’ll say something about it. I felt that if Bruce had to go out, that was one of the best possible ways to do it. No super climatic moment with an arch rival, or some over done superhero ending. He just goes out doing what he did best.

I hereby nominate Duane Swiercynski as breakout writer of the year. Sorry Glazer, but I’m STILL saying Tomasi was last year. Tomasi is having an AMAZING year, and is a candidate for any writer of the year competition, but I wouldn’t call him breakout. Swiercynski on the other hand came on to Immortal Iron Fist as a complete unknown, having only written a hand full of one shots before his runs on Cable and Iron Fist, and you know what he did? He seamlessly transitioned from the amazing work of Ed Brubaker and Matt Fraction into his own work. I didn’t even notice it, it was perfect. How many writers can honestly do that? His Cable still hasn’t found it’s legs, but Iron Fist is in the running for my book of the year.

The best Kung-Fu

New Avengers was the epilogue to Secret Invasion, and easily one of the best single issue stories of the year. I absolutely love how Bendis writes Luke Cage and Jessica Jones, and they’re one of my top couples in comics. Gaydos completely made the issue, as despite being a Luke Cage story first and foremost, it had the perfect feel of Alias that set the perfect tone for the book. A must read book.

I’d talk about Secret Invasion here, but I doubt you read the Standard just for the lower rantings.

Dan Jurgens is back on Booster Gold as the entire creative team, as he writes and pencils, and his first issue was solid and maintained the tone that Johns and Katz had set. Booster is one of Dan’s many, many children in the DCU, and even twenty years later he still can make him intriguing. Another book that didn’t take a hit in the quality.

Is it bad that I have absolutely no idea what’s happening in Final Crisis: Revelations? Seriously, I’m fucking lost. Would being Christian help? Because I can’t do that, and we don’t have a new testament in my religion.

JLA continued its upward swing as McDuffie is still running on premium. He really is at his best telling his own stories, with his own takes on characters. I think that this book will actually benefit heavily from the upcoming exit of the big three. It’s not going to be Giffen and DeMatteis’s work, just like it’s never going to be Morrison’s. It’s Dwayne McDuffie’s. There’s a reason why his episodes of JLU were so good, and this book is channeling it well. The man knows story structure.

And he knows that Kimiyo is a bitch.

Secret Six: Best new series. Nicola Scott: Best artist. Expect to see both on my awards column in a few weeks, not to be confused with the official Nexus awards however.

Invincible was very much in the middle this week as it featured Mark’s ex-girlfriend being a complete fucking idiot with battered wives syndrome, and his new girlfriend and him needing to figure out a way to not get caught having sex.

In Dark Reign, I have to say this, but why the fuck was Namor a 65 year old, overweight, balding male? Honestly, Maleev, who the fuck were you trying to draw? This book is on the bad end of his work, which is unfortunate since I do love his art. The issue was just…..it was a huge disappointment.

Not Namor.

What I read last week:

• Authority
• Batman
• JSA
• Cable
• Immortal Iron Fist
• New Avengers
• NYX: No Way Home
• Secret Invasion

Best of the week:

1. Batman
2. New Avengers
3. JSA

What I read this week:

• Action Comics
• Booster Gold
• Detective Comics
• Final Crisis
• Final Crisis: Revelations
• Green Lantern Corps
• Justice League
• Nightwing
• Secret Six
• Invincible
• Amazing Spider-Girl
• Astonishing X-Men: Ghost Boxes
• Secret Invasion: Dark Reign
• X-Men Spider-Man

Best of the week:

1. Final Crisis
2. Secret Six
3. Green Lantern Corps

The Gold Standard
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Grey: Character Assassination: Can there be any better title for Spider-Man these days?

Glazer: The title is great, yet the title itself doesn’t do a lot for me.  I, for one, grew up with a married Spider-man. The Brand New Day stuff has been fine, but its been “new stories with an old time feel.”  I got that the way I wanted from Ultimate Spidey and all this does is change the Spidey I grew up with to be a bad joke.  None of the cliffhangers constantly thrown at us have changed that, and I’ll certainly be skipping this book, where mysteries that don’t matter to me are resolved.

Logan: A year in the making, and nothing eye catching enough to make it worth coming back to for old fans? Well at least Romita Art is still good…

Proto: I still despise the very thought of a mainstream Spider-Man book because of this garbage.