AMAZING FANTASY #9
Writer: Fred Van Lente
Art: Leonard Kirk, Jonathan Glapion and James Jean (cover)

Two different factions of S.H.I.E.L.D are watching the new Scorpion, but neither of them seems to be able to keep track of her in the end. As the quest for her mother continues, her new traveling companion seems to have his own secrets. I miss Kirk's art a little.

ATOMIKA #3
Writer: Andrew Dabb
Art: Sal Abbinanti, Buzz and Glenn Fabry (cover)

Ok, I admit it 3 issues in and I'm a little lost, but the art keeps me in it. The mood that comes through with the artwork and colors keeps me with the book. This issue features a battle between Atomika and Morosko and the beginnings of a plan to keep Atomika from becoming too powerful.

BLOOD OF THE DEMON #4
Writers: John Byrne and Will Pfeifer
Art: John Byrne and Nekros

The demon Etrigan, finds himself up against the power of Morgan Le Fey, her plan, to once again control Etrigan. I must say the idea of a semi-transformed Jason Blood/Etrigan is somewhat interesting and the writing team seem to be finding their voice.

CONCRETE: HUMAN DELEMMA #6
Writer: Paul Chadwick
Art: Paul Chadwick

Everyone's story comes to a head- Larry with his failed engagement and the pregnancy of the woman he had a one night stand with, Concrete and his association with his current crusaders and the "birth" of his child, it all comes together here. It's been too long since Chadwick has put out a Concrete story, I forgot how good they are.

DETECTIVE COMICS #807
Writer:David Lapham and Scott Beatty
Art: Ramon Bachs, Nathan Massengill, Jeff Parker and David Lapham (cover)

This story seems out of place, it is almost as if it should be in Lapham's "Stray Bullets" title, although it would seem a bit toned down for that title. never the less, this issue reminds us that Batman didn't always fight the crininals while wearing the cowl. The art fits the overall tone of the story quite well.

FANTASTIC FOUR: FOES #5
Wrter: Robert Kirkman
Art: Cliff Rathburn and Jim Cheung (cover)

Cheung's cover- great, the Red Ghost really looks meanacing. Reed's vendeta against his foes continues with the team capturing more of them and now that they are all together in one place, what would happen if it was someone's plan to have that happen in the first place?

HOUSE OF M #1
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Art: Olivier Coipel, Tim Townsend and Esad Ribic (cover)

"Hey Everybody, the Scarlet Witch has gone absolutely bonkers, I think we should stand around for 18 or so pages and talk about it." When Bendis is on, he's one of the better writers out there, when he's not- Ladies and Gentlemen I give you the House of M. Outside of the pacing, it's not really a bad book, but I thought the senate was going to stay away fron fillibusters for a while.

INCREDIBLE HULK #82
Writer: Peter David
Art: Jae Lee

To tell you the truth, I was a little worried when Jae Lee was announced as the artist on this issue. I've always thought of his art as a bit dark, not bad, but dark. His art was absolutely perfect for the tone of this issue. Bruce finds himself in England where he meets Tricia, but their time is cut short when she is murdered. Her ghost appeals to the Hulk to help find the killer. A very strong issue, only because of the one part of the creative team that I had the most doubt in.

JSA #74
Writer: Geoff Johns
Art: Leonard Kirk, Keith Champagne and Alex Ross (cover)

If you were unaware, the Eclipso posessed, Jean Loring, has convinced the Spectre that the magig in the DC universe is bad and everything to do with it must be destroyed. That leads the Spectre to Kahndaq, to deal with Black Adam, as Ecliso's agent to pay him back for his manipulation back in the Black Reign storyline. This also brings him into direct conflict with the JSA, who are on their way their to "rescue" the Atom Smasher. Things don't go well for them.

LETHAL ENFORCER #1
Plot: Rômulo Soares & Wagner Baehr
Scripter: Bart A. Thompson
Art: Jack Jadson, Ruy José & Wellington Dias

Let me tell you, if huge word ballons with not a lot of words in them are your thing, this is money well spent. If not, sit back and give this a read and see if you can read further in it than I can, let me know what happens, I gave up the HUGE balloons were too distracting.

 

 

MARVEL TEAM-UP #9
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Art: Scott Kolins

The old Marvel Team-Up featured Spider-Man and some other hero, meeting by coincidence usually. Kirkman takes that idea to a whole new level with this book, now everyone is running into each other, which if you think about it, with the concentration of heros in the area, how can it not happen. See the return of Sleepwalker, the new and improved Stilt-Man, and a frightened Luke Cage (you deal with a moody-hungry pregnant woman). Good stuff.

SEVEN SOLDIERS: ZANTANA #2
Writer: Grant Morrison
Art: Ryan Sook and Mick Gray

What I like best about this title, so far we are two issues into the 4 issue run and I feel like I've got a complete story, although I know there are threads that lead into a bigger thing. The fact that in two issues there is a sense of closure, is not something that happens with today's trend of pacing to trade. Zantana, with the aid of her new apprentice battle the shapeless one and a cameo by the Phontom Stranger to boot. Sook and Gray do a nice job with the artwork, I'm glad they stayed away from the cheesecake factor.

SHANNA THE SHE-DEVIL #5
Writer: Frank Cho
Art: Frank Cho

I believe that this whole mini series could have been told in no more than 4 issues, but if that were to happen, we would have missed out on Cho's wondrful art. I don't think I need to talk about his knack for drawing the female form, but I think the best part are all the dinos. More please.

STRANGE #6
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski and Samm Barnes
Art: Brandon Peterson

The master is gone, long live the master. While I thik the story was drawn out onger than it should have been, it would have been a shame to miss the oppertunity to see Peterson's art.

SUPERMAN #218
Writer: Mark Verheiden
Art: Ed Benes

With the events of last issue still stinging Superman, it seems that he is beginning to loose control of himself. Not control of his powers, but control of his own restraint, and because of this he's beginning to think of himself as a liability to the people he protects.

SUPERMAN / BATMAN #20
Writer: Jeph Loeb
Art: Ed McGuinness and Dexter Vines

Me can't stand Bizzaro. Me am sad to see him in this tile. Me wonder what is up with Batzaro. Me quit typing like this. Me thank you for putting up with this.

UNCANNY X-MEN #460
Writer: Chris Claremont
Art: Tom Raney and Scott Hanna; Randall Green and Frank Cho (cover)

I read this just a little while ago and for the life of me, I can't tell you what happened. Not really a good sign.

 

 

VILLIANS UNITED #2
Writer: Gail Simone
Art: Dale Eaglesham and Wade von Grawbadger

As the Mysterious Mockingbird sends her team on their first mission, things don't go as expected when the team runs into a squad sent by Luthor and Co.. Catman is caught and is going te be "persuaded" to tell all he knows about who Mockingbird is, which unfortunately for him, isn't much. Two issues in and already the stakes are high.

WALKING DEAD #19
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Art: Charlie Adlard and Tony Moore (cover)

I avoided the zombies like the plague. I wanted nothing to do with the undead walking the eart, then upon urging of one of my friends, I tried this book. I am constantly suprised by how each issue gives you a new twist or turn. If you read one Zombie book...

Y: THE LAST MAN #34
Writer: Brian K. Vaughan
Art: Goran Sudzuka, José Marzan Jr and Massimo Carnevale (cover)

So the boat is carrying drugs, and the Australian Navy (in submarines no less) are coming to get them before they can transport their cargo. If they are captured, does that mean that Yorick may be reunited with his fiance...if he survives. Every issue ends with the anticipation of the next one coming.