New Comics - Week of November 25, 2009

The greatest story in all of comics comes to end, along with JMS's reign on Thor, in Thor: Defining Moments Giant Size #1. Loki has moved Asgard to Latveria and given Dr. Doom immortality. Baldur's rule is constantly in trouble and Thor is none too pleased with his current status. Expect brilliance tomorrow, especially with Siege right around the corner.

We get a double dose of Blackest Night the last Wednesday of this month too, matching that of October's. In Blackest Night #5, the true mastermind of the Black Light, Nekron - Lord of the Undead, has finally showed his face as Flash tries to gather the forces of good to defend Earth long enough for Green Lantern's return. Expect him to beat down some of DC's finest while Hal Jordan is off uniting the other Lanterns of light for an offensive. In Green Lantern #48, Blackest Night's best tie-in, we get to see Hal Jordan's mission play out. He went to the rescue of the Blue Lanterns last issue, which turned out to be a wise decision, not only because they are the most powerful, but also because they were in dire need of assistance. Atrocitus seemed to be on a similar mission himself after some Black Lanterns really pissed him off. Expect to see how that plays out as he hooks up with Larfleeze, the one and only Orange Lantern.

Other big releases are Amazing Spider-Man #613, Invincible Iron Man #20, New Avengers #59, and Secret Warriors #10. Electro will duke it out with Spidey in his title. Tony Stark lays brain-dead as Thor comes to his aide in the first chapter of "Stark: Disassembled." In New Avengers, Spider-Man (he gets around this week), teams up with Spider-Woman in battle. And "God of Fear/God of War" comes to a close in Secret Warriors.

I must say that what will probably be the most entertaining book of the week has yet to be mentioned. After reading Thor and the Blackest Night titles, I will quickly jump over to Ms. Marvel #47. More than half a year ago, Spider-Man agreed to help Ms. Marvel out only if she agreed to go on a date with him. Well he helped her out and she pays the price this week. I don't care if there is no fighting at all in this issue. I just want some awkward comedy. Plus, Brian Reed writes a great Spidey.

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New Comics - Week of November 18, 2009

Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning are working their magic again in Marvel's cosmic corner. Realm of Kings #1 takes over directly after the events of War of Kings. Black Bolt and Vulcan had seemingly fought to their deaths, creating a tear in the Universe. What lies on the other side of the tear and how will it and the deaths of Vulcan and Black Bolt affect the Shi'Ar, Inhumans and Kree? If you're looking for a more in-depth look at the Inhumans (Who isn't?), then you'll definitely want to pick up Realm of Kings: Inhumans #1. Without Black Bolt, Medusa will have to lead her royal family and the rest of her people while also grieving for the man and hero she loved. Expect a lot of great character moments in this series.

Spider-Man is doing it big this week too. The Gauntlet finally gets started in Amazing Spider-Man #612. Every villain to make a reappearance since Brand New Day has been reimagined brilliantly. This new direction will be a series of those reemergences. Electro gets to go first. Spidey also has to deal with Norman Osborn in Dark Reign: The List - Spider-Man. I gave up on this series a while ago, but seeing as how Spider-Man is Osborn's greatest enemy and this is the last issue of the series, something significant has just got to happen.


Some other big books are Dark Avengers #11, Mighty Avengers #31, and Spider-Woman #3. Norman Osborn was left in a very dire situation the last time we saw him in Dark Avengers and this predicament could be the tipping point that drives him over the edge. In Mighty Avengers, Hank Pym has just assembled most of the greatest heroes in America to battle a force like no other. And Spider-Woman is just awesome. HYDRA and SWORD are already after her. Who will try to recruit her this issue?

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New Comics - Week of November 11, 2009

Spider-Man and Deadpool! Together! Written by Joe Kelly! This is a match made in heaven. Not only has Joe Kelly been the best writer on the Spidey staff, but he also has a masterful feel for Deadpool and writes the funniest dialogue at Marvel. Spider-Man #611 is a must-buy for all comic lovers.

Another book to look out for is Cable #20. I know this series sucks, but stick with it just a little longer. This is the final chapter of the lame Brood story and hopefully Bishop will finally die off. Next issue will be the big one where Cable and Hope return to the present, so something important has just got to go down here.

Green Lantern Corps #42 also comes out this week. An Indigo Lantern finally showed up in the last issue, meaning the corps will probably do some ass-kicking for a change. Expect some emotional moments from the key members of the corps too.

Some good mini-series start tomorrow. Strange #1 begins Dr. Strange's journey after losing his title as the Sorcerer Supreme. Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #1 follows Gladiator after the events of War of Kings left him as the leader of the Shi'Ar empire.

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New Comics - Week of November 04, 2009

Finally! Another chapter of Captain America: Reborn. If you can remember from way back in September, Cap has just devised a plan with Vision that may solve his time-problems, Bucky has escaped from Osborn's capture, and Dr. Doom and Red Skull go into cahoots together. Dang that sounds cool. Expect more of the same in Captain America: Reborn #4

Another interesting book this week has to be Black Widow: Deadly Origin #1. This mini-series is supposed to act as some source material for fans eagerly anticipating her big screen debut in Iron Man 2 next Spring. In it, her past will be retold to make sense of a present danger facing her. Natasha is a secondary character in practically every book nowadays and I am glad to see her get some star treatment for a change.

Not much else coming out this week. Things may be bad in "Who was Ben Reilly," but at least they come to an end in Amazing Spider-Man #610. One book to look out for is Psylocke #1. She's always been a fan favorite for X-Men fans and because of her recent resurrection, everyone's favorite telepathic Asian-assassin gets her own mini too. The book will act in much the same way as Deadly Origin will to Black Widow.

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New Comics - Week of October 28, 2009

Blackest Night #4 comes out tomorrow. That's really enough said, but I'll continue anyway. The Lanterns have finally figured how to defeat a Black Lantern thanks the exciting debut of the Indigo Tribe. Also the cover shows the mastermind behind the new rings, Nekron. How did he come to power and what are his reasons for this abomination? Answers tomorrow.

Heating things up on the Marvel side, Ms. Marvel #46 brings the conclusion to "War of the Marvels." How will Ms. Marvel finally defeat Moonstone? What's in store for Catherine Donovan? And who the hell are those light creatures? I hope all these questions will be answered as Ms. Marvel gets ready for her big date with Spider-Man next month.

Some other huge titles are Green Lantern #47, New Avengers #58, and Secret Warriors #9. In Green Lantern, Hal Jordan's searches for the leaders of every corps and confronts Atrocitus. The Hood seems to be back in power and extremely angry at his old gang in New Avengers. Luke Cage's deteriorating heart condition continues too. And if you read The List, you know Nick Fury has just found the names of the remaining members of a super-secret group of people running the world. The new Secret Warriors picks up from there.

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New Comics - Week of October 21, 2009

No slow one this week. Marvel decided to unleash most of its biggest titles tomorrow, with Invincible Iron Man #19 topping the list. This issue will be the conclusion of "World's Most Wanted" and features the long awaited battle between Stark and Osborn. I have a feeling the events in this issue will tie in strongly to Siege, which will greatly affect these two gentlemen.

Another book I am very much looking forward to, is Dark Avengers #10. This series has been at its best when focusing on the relationships amongst its team members and Osborn's loosening grip on reality. Also, Brian Bendis has said that this issue is probably one of the greatest books he's ever written. Strong words considering Bendis is also the man who reinvented Daredevil and wrote Civil War: The Confession.

Some other good books coming out are Amazing Spider-Man #609, Mighty Avengers #30, and Spider-Woman #2. Spidey continues his battle with Razor in his book, as we learn just what went down between the new villain and Ben Reilly. In Mighty, we get a huge battle featuring a number of Avengers against The Unspoken. And the first issue of Spider-Woman was stellar. I have no reason to doubt that Bendis won't be at his finest writing this series.

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New Comics - Week of October 14, 2009

This week is the slowest one in quite some time. In it, only one comic book will be added to my collection. That one: Green Lantern Corps #41. This series has always been the heart of the Green Lantern stories so expect to see how the transformation of the dead Lanterns into Black Lanterns affects the Corps. Oh, and we should be treated to some intense action.

I may not be purchasing any more books, but some interesting ones are still due out. Deadpool makes a mockery of the new way of numbering issues in Deadpool #900. Spider-Man gets another ongoing series with Web of Spider-Man #1. And Magneto makes his long-awaited return in Uncanny X-Men #516.

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New Comics - Week of October 7, 2009

We've got a slow one this week. The biggest book to look forward to is Dark Reign: The List - Secret Warriors. Now it may be true that The List has progressively gotten worse with each issue, but it still has the potential to be significant. Add the fact that Jonathan Hickman, writer for Secret Warriors, is at the helm of this issue, and I am very hopeful.

The only other books this week are Amazing Spider-Man #608 and Cable #19. Raptor from the Spider-Man Annual is the villain in Spidey's new arc, trying to take revenge for Ben Reilly killing his family. Cable may have been sucking lately, but I've seen solicits for future issues and Hope will eventually become someone important. Don't drop this series yet.

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New Comics - Week of September 30, 2009

Thor is an event comic in and of itself. It may only come out once every two months, but the story is so good that not only do we remember everything clearly, but our interest and anticipation never falters during the lapses in releases. Thor #603 picks up on the Asgardian's new life in Latveria, Loki's mischievous scheming, and Thor's new bond with Mjolnir as he attempts to save Sif. My description really doesn't do this incredibly epic book justice. Just read it.

Also be sure to get both Thunderbolts #136 and Secret Warriors #8. The two books are tied together telling the same story, except from two different perspectives. In Thunderbolts we get to see Osborn plan his torture of Nick Fury and the crazed team of lunatics continue its fracas. Also, Scourge's identity is supposed to be revealed in what is Andy Diggle's tells the story from Nick Fury's final issue writing this great series. Secret Warriors perspective. Expect to see how he escapes with his girls and the Secret Warriors battle the Thunderbolts and Dark Avengers.

Some other big releases are Green Lantern #46, Amazing Spider-Man #607, and Runaways #14. Sinestro moves from the Star Sapphires to deal with his old friend Mongul in the pages of Green Lantern. In Spider-Man we'll get to see how Spidey handles his feelings for the Black Cat and how it affects the other crazy women in his life. And Kathryn Immonen's first arc comes to an end in Runaways as Gertrude makes her return to the team.

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New Comics - Week of September 23, 2009

It's finally here! The eight part story of "Old Man Logan" has taken almost two years to complete, with the most recent issue coming out four months ago. Sure, that may be a long time, but the story has been well worth reading. And I can forgive the monstrous delays because Steve McNiven needed extra time on the art. Take all the time you need, Steve, because your work is easily the best in the industry. Wolverine: Old Man Logan is worth buying just for the art alone.

Another interesting book devastated by delays is Spider-Woman #1. This series was supposed to happen after New Avengers, then after Civil War, and then in the summer. Oh well, with the events of Secret Invasion, Spider-Woman has never been more interesting than right now. Plus Brian Bendis and Alex Maleev are teaming up on the book. The last book they did - the award-winning and huge fan-favorite Daredevil. That's another one of those "'nuff said' comments.

Don't forget about Amazing Spider-Man #606, Dark Reign: The List - X-Men, Ms. Marvel #45, and New Avengers #57. The Black Cat will be making her return in Spider-Man. Over in The List, Osborn attempts to take care of what remains of his mutant problem. Ms. Marvel battles Moonstone in the penultimate issue of "War of the Marvels." And the New Avengers will have to defeat a foe without their powers while Luke Cage's life may be slipping away.

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New Comics - Week of September 16, 2009

Lots of books this week. Most important - Blackest Night #3. The first two issues have been haunting and amazing, but they've just been drawn-out fight scenes for the most part. I hope to learn some of the specifics of the Black Lanterns this month. Why are they rising? What is their motivation? And how do you stop one? The solicit teases that Johns may be addressing some of those issues and that the Spectre may play a big role.

The other huge book for the week - Captain America: Reborn #3. These two books have been dominating the sales charts, taking turns at number one the past two months. Besides that, Reborn #2 was great. No one hated the idea of bringing Steve Rogers back more than I did, but last issue completely won me over and I look for Ed Brubanker to continue that trend here.

I'm also looking forward to Amazing Spider-Man #605, Dark Avengers #9, Dark Reign: The List - Daredevil, Invincible Iron Man #18, and Mighty Avengers #29. This weeks Spider-Man serves as an epilogue to the Chameleon story and the cover suggests some hilarity as Pete has to deal with his stage five clinger girlfriend/roommate. Things return to normal in Dark Avengers, since they're done with the X-Men crossover. The first issue of The List was great and I expect this one to build on that momentum. Plus it has a battle between Bullseye and Daredevil: guaranteed coolness. "World's Most Wanted" in Iron Man has been stellar so far and you know the penultimate issue will be worth a read. Finally, Loki is going to whoop up on the Young Avengers in Mighty Avengers this week. Enough said.

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New Comics - Week of September 9, 2009

Due to the Labor Day holiday, all our books will be out a day late this week. So on Thursday, the comic I will be most excited for is Dark Reign: The List - Avengers. "The List" is a set of goals Osborn sets out to accomplish with the name in the title showing who that goal is focused on. This series is also supposed to mark the end of Marvel's Dark Reign. So not only is the premise totally awesome, the collection of books is sure to be incredibly significant.

Another big book out this week is Green Lantern Corps #40. Last issue saw the resurrection of hundreds of dead Green Lanterns as Black Lanterns and the destruction of Oa. Naturally, this one will show the fallout of that in a huge battle between the two corps. Nothing important should happen, but the fight should be entertaining and given that the last Green Lantern showed some of the other corps' reactions to Black Lanterns, maybe this book will follow suit.

I will also be purchasing Amazing Spider-Man #604, Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Exodus, and Thunderbolts #135. Even though the "Redheaded Stranger" arc in Spider-Man hasn't exactly delivered what was promised, the book has been great thanks to Fred Van Lente's characterization of Chameleon. The new take on him has been creepy, horrific, funny, and fascinating all at the same time and I can't wait to see what happens next. The only reason I'm getting Exodus is because I've bought every other issue of the "Utopia" arc so I might as well get this one too. But, who knows? There might be a cool fight between the Dark Avengers and the X-Men. Over in Thunderbolts, Andy Diggle has been working his magic. Just when it looks like Osborn has Songbird where he wants her, we realize that Nick Fury has been pulling the strings the whole time. I can't wait to see Widow and Songbird versus the lunatic Thunderbolts.

Something else to consider this week is Models, Inc. #1. I know what you're thinking. "Sounds gay." It probably is, but this series could turn out to be a big hit and I have a feeling the Tim Gunn variant cover might be worth some money one day.



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New Comics - Week of September 02, 2009

This is an extremely slow week for comic books. Of all the books coming out, I am only interested in two of them. First up is Invincible Iron Man #17. So far, Matt Fraction has been doing a phenomenal job telling the tragic tale of Tony of Stark. This issue sees Stark's plan maybe starting to fail because he can't actually remember it after all the memory deletion. Also, I look forward to seeing Black Widow and Maria Hill get to work.

The other book I'll be buying is Cable #18. Last issue left Duane Swierczynski with lots of potential plot lines. I'm excited about their space expedition and finding out what obstacles lie ahead for them. The one thing I'm most looking forward too though: no more of the bumbling idiot known as Bishop. Also, from the looks of the preview page I'm providing, Hope might be starting to develop some of her long-awaited secret powers.

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New Comics - Week of August 26, 2009

Runaways #13 is coming out this week! Ever since Terry Moore departed, the series has gotten back to its fun and teenage angst ways. The last issue was full of analyses of the team's new relationships with each other and left us with an unexpected family reunion. Sara Pichelli's art may not be the best I've ever seen, but Runaways is always at its best when dealing with family issues, so this issue is sure to rock.

Of course, I'm excited about Green Lantern #45 as well. In this issue we finally get to see the Black Lanterns affecting someone else. As Sinestro attacks the Star Sapphires, they are interrupted by a deluge of Black Lanterns. I can't wait to see their reactions to Blackest Night and how it compares to those of the Green Lanterns.

Other books I will be adding to my collection are Dark Avengers #8, Ms. Marvel #44, New Avengers #56, and Secret Warriors #7. I look for ongoing sagas to keep getting better and more epic in the pages of Dark Avengers and Ms. Marvel. The last New Avengers felt a little too silly and left a bad taste in my mouth, but I've been following the team for four years and won't stop now. And Secret Warriors has been amazing in its entirety and I can't wait to see what the second story arc has in store for us.

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New Comics - Week of August 19, 2009

Not only is this a very light week, but no huge comics are coming out either. Easily the most significant would be Daredevil #500. Here we have another fake anniversary issue to generate buzz for higher sales. No extra incentive was needed for me to buy this issue though, because it concludes the Return of the King arc. Throughout the story we've seen the Kingpin return to Daredevil's life to either help or hurt him and Ed Brubanker has done a phenomenal job keeping us guessing. I can't wait to see what happens.

Not much else is left for us comic book fans. Along with Daredevil, I'll be buying Amazing Spider-Man #603 and Mighty Avengers #28. The Chameleon was awesome in the last issue of Spider-Man and I very much anticipate how Fred Van Lente will continue to use him. Over in Mighty Avengers, the team needs to bring together multiple superhero groups to take on the totally badass Inhumans villain, Unspoken.

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