Comic of the Week (9/21/11) – Batman Issue 1

Comic of the Week (9/21/11) – Batman Issue 1

Bruce Wayne is back as Batman in this all-new first issue, part of DC’s New 52 line-wide relaunch. Good writing, a solid plot, nice artwork and the general feel and tone of this comic make it one of the best Batman comics I’ve read in years. Batman Issue 1: “Knife Trick” DC Comics Story: Scott Snyder Art: Greg Capullo, Jonathan Glapion...

Comic of the Week (5/25/11) – Incredible Hulks Issue 629

Comic of the Week (5/25/11) – Incredible Hulks Issue 629

After all these years, you wouldn’t think there’s much fresh characterization left for Bruce Banner and his angry alter-ego, the Hulk. Luckily for us, Greg Pak does. With only a handful of issues left in his years-long run on the title, Pak is still finding new and interesting stories to tell. In this issue, Bruce Banner races to save the love of his life, Betty Ross, before he loses her to the Red She Hulk forever. Along the way, he may just save the world, too. Incredible Hulks #629: “License to Smash” Marvel Comics Story: Greg Pak Art: Tom Grummett, Cory Hamscher, Edgar Delgado...

Comic of the Week (5/18/11) – Ultimate Spider-Man Issue 158

Comic of the Week (5/18/11) – Ultimate Spider-Man Issue 158

Marvel is continuing with the “Death of Spider-Man” in the Ultimate Universe. The events of last month’s Ultimate Spider-Man, as well as Ultimate Avengers vs. New Ultimates #3, led to Peter Parker jumping in front of a bullet intended for Captain America. Badly injured, Peter manages to piece himself together and stumble home, where the Human Torch and Iceman are fighting for their lives against the remaining members of the Sinister Six. Ultimate: Spider-Man #158: “Death of Spider-Man, Part 3 of 5” Marvel Comics Story: Brian Michael Bendis Art: Mark Bagley, Andy Lanning, Justin Ponsor...

Comic of the Week (5/11/11) – Grab Bag #3

Comic of the Week (5/11/11) – Grab Bag #3

Another Grab Bag, looking at three comics taking things in new directions. Flashpoint #1 by Geoff Johns & Andy Kubert, Journey into Mystery #623 by Kieron Gillen & Doug Braithwaite and New Mutants #25 by Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning & Leandro Fernandez....

Comic of the Week (5/4/11) – Fear Itself: Spider-Man #1

Comic of the Week (5/4/11) – Fear Itself: Spider-Man #1

With another big event in “Fear Itself,” we’re of course treated to a whole lineup of tie-in comics. Event tie-ins have been very inconsistent over the years, with probably more bad than good. However, Fear Itself: Spider-Man plays its role perfectly. It expands on the story of the Fear Itself miniseries, without being required reading for the overall story. At the same time, it tells a solid Spider-Man story without being required reading for Amazing Spider-Man. Fans of one story may check out this title and become interested in the other, which is exactly what a tie-in miniseries should do. Fear Itself: Spider-Man #1 Marvel Comics Story: Chris Yost Art: Mike McKone, Jeromy Cox...

Comic of the Week (4/27/11) – Venom Issue 2

Comic of the Week (4/27/11) – Venom Issue 2

After bonding with Eddie Brock and Mac Gargan, the Venom symbiote is now in the possession of the US Government. Looking to weaponize the symbiote, they choose a new host: none other than Peter Parker’s long-time “friend,” Flash Thompson. Aware of the monster sharing his body, Flash still accepts the mission, especially since it allows him to walk again after losing his legs. In this issue, Venom faces off with Kraven the Hunter in an amazing spectacle from Tony Moore (The Walking Dead). Venom #2 Marvel Comics Story: Rick Remender Art: Tony Moore, Danny Miki, John Rauch...

Comic of the Week (4/20/11) – Wolverine Issue 8

Comic of the Week (4/20/11) – Wolverine Issue 8

Wolverine has literally been to Hell and back. For the last two issues, he’s been fighting to regain control of his own body from the demons currently possessing it. On the streets of San Francisco, Cyclops has assembled a team for a single purpose: to take Wolverine down. Meanwhile, some of Wolverine’s closest friends, both alive and dead, have entered his fractured mind to help him regain control. The latest volume of Wolverine may have started off slow, but it’s grown on me a bit more with each issue. Wolverine #8: “Wolverine vs. the X-Men, Part 3” Marvel Comics Story: Jason Aaron Art: Daniel Acuña...

Comic of the Week (4/13/11) – Uncanny X-Force Issue 7

Comic of the Week (4/13/11) – Uncanny X-Force Issue 7

In the conclusion to “Deathlok Nation”, X-Force teams up with Deathlok, a cyborg soldier from the future. Wolverine, Deadpool and Fantomex must confront a part of their past by entering The World, the main laboratory for the Weapon Plus program, which made them all the super-soldiers they are today. Along the way, they must fight cyborg versions of themselves while still dealing with the fallout from “The Apocalypse Solution.” Rick Remender has assembled a team of fan-favorites, but is using them for more than just generating sales. He has a real understanding of what makes each one tick, and that has made Uncanny X-Force one of my favorite current comics. Uncanny X-Force #7: “Deathlok Nation, Conclusion” Marvel Comics Story: Rick Remender Art: Esad Ribic, John Lucas, Matthew Wilson...

Comic of the Week (4/6/11) – Fear Itself #1

Comic of the Week (4/6/11) – Fear Itself #1

Fear Itself #1 is the first issue of Marvel’s next big event. In an attempt to bring the stories of Thor and Captain America together before their movies this summer, Sin, the Red Skull’s daughter, has gained an Asgardian hammer of her own. Much like Thor’s Mjolnir, the hammer grants her the powers of a god. Meanwhile, Thor and his father come to blows while an undercurrent of fear and tension runs through the population. A good story with amazing art, “Fear Itself” is off to a great start with this issue. Fear Itself #1 Marvel Comics Story: Matt Fraction Art: Stuart Immonen, Wade von Grawbadger, Laura Martin...

Comic of the Week (3/23/11) – New Mutants #23

Comic of the Week (3/23/11) – New Mutants #23

New Mutants #23 is the fourth chapter of the “Age of X” miniseries running between this title and X-Men Legacy. Mike Carey has created an alternate (or is it?) reality where the X-Men never existed and humanity has driven mutants to near extinction. The remaining mutants band together behind Magneto to defend themselves. However, cracks are starting to show in Fortress X, and not just physically; something is seriously wrong here. This issue follows Legacy (Rogue), Gambit and Magneto as the attempt to uncover the mystery with the help of Kitty Pryde and a comatose Charles Xavier. In a comic franchise where alternate realities are a regular event, “Age of X” has set itself up as something different; something that will matter. New Mutants #23 Marvel Comics Story: Mike Carey Art: Steve Kurth...

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