All-New X-Men #7

Marvel Comics
Story: Brian Michael Bendis
Art: David Marquez

Marvel Says: Mystique targets our young time-travelers, starting with Cyclops.

Vince Says: Still one of the best books out there. Marquez previously worked with Bendis on Ultimate Comics Spider-Man with great results.

Animal Man #17

DC Comics
Story: Jeff Lemire
Art: Steve Pugh

DC Says: The epic climax of ‘ROTWORLD’ starts here and continues into this month’s SWAMP THING #17! All hope seems lost! Can Buddy find a way to stop the Rot before it takes over the world?

Before that can even happen, Buddy must confront the horrible truth about the fate of his family.

Vince Says: Lemire and Snyder have been building to this since the start of the New 52. I’m ready for the payoff.

Fearless Defenders #1

Marvel Comics
Story: Cullen Bunn
Art: Will Sliney

Marvel Says: NEW TEAM! NEW VILLAINS! NEW CREATORS!

Valkyrie and Misty Knight are the Fearless Defenders and not since Power Man and Iron Fist has an unlikely duo kicked this much-well, you know.

Writer Cullen Bunn (Venom, Sixth Gun, The Fearless) and new-to-Marvel artist Will Sliney (MacGyver, Star Wars) bring you the book everyone is going to be talking about on Thursday morning.

Vince Says: Some may see this as a stunt to shoehorn a bunch of female characters into one book for publicity. However, when the core concept is rebuilding the Asgardian Valkyries, it just makes sense. Fear Itself may have been a wreck, but I liked The Fearless and Bunn’s writing of Valkyrie was very good, so I’ve got high hopes for this one.

New Avengers #3

Marvel Comics
Story: Jonathan Hickman
Art: Steve Epting

Marvel Says: The Illuminati experience their first incursion since reforming. Can the loose brotherhood of end times trust each other enough to use the Infinity Gems in unison? And a new member joins the Illuminati!

Vince Says: Hickman’s maintaining a precarious balance between several different elements in this book. Issue 2 was a huge step forward and did a great job setting the tone for what’s to come. I loved his writing of Black Panther near the end of his Fantastic Four run, and that strength continues here.

Swamp Thing #17

DC Comics
Story: Scott Snyder
Art: Yanick Paquette

DC Says: The epic finale of ‘ROTWORLD’ continues from this month’s ANIMAL MAN #17!

What will it cost our heroes to stop this apocalypse from happening? The answer will blow your freaking mind.

Vince Says: In addition to building a solid story, Snyder and Lemire have made great use of supporting characters, from both their own titles and across the DCU, in “Rotworld.” Last month’s appearances by Batman and Batgirl were great and I’m loving Abby Arcane’s story.