Amazing Fantasy #10
Writer: Fred Van Lente
Art: Leonard Kirk, Federica Manfredi and James Jean (cover)

Blood of the Demon #5
Writers: John Byrne and Will Pfeifer
Art: John Byrne and Nekros

Batman: Dark Detective #5
Writer: Steve Englehart
Art: Marshall Rogers and Terry Austin

DC Special: The Return of Donna Troy #2
Writer: Phil Jimenez
Art: José Luis García-López, George Pérez and Phil Jimenez (cover w/ Perez)

Gotham Central #33
Writers: Greg Rucka & Ed Brubaker
Art: Kano, Stefano Gaudiano and Sean Phillips (cover)

Judging from the cover, it hasn't been a good nnight for the Boy Wonder. The GCPD are drawn into a homicide investigation where the victem appears to be Robin. This leads the detective to be split as to whether or not they should concider Batman a suspect in the criime. This issue marks the last teaming of Rucka and Brubaker on this title, which makes me as a reader a little sad. In the past year we lost Michael Lark on the art and now Brubaker and his writing, 2 of the three things that made this book great are now gone, but on the plus side, Kano and Gaudiano make the parting of Lark easier to take and Rucka's writing has always been impressive so expect this book to continue on strong.

Incredible Hulk #83
Writer: Peter David
Art: Jorge Lucas and Andy Brase (cover)

I was saddened this week to learn that Peter David isn't planning to stick around beyond his twelve issue commitment, so I am going to relish this book while I can, but it's hard when it's caught up in the whole House of M, crossover/event whatever you want to call it. Lucas does and OK job on the art in a tale that takes Banner to the Australian outback as an adoptive member of a tribe (no I'm not going to try and spell Aborig...Aborigine..Abor forget about it I can't do it). once again an interesting take on the character of the Hulk by P.D. Why can't you stick around a little longer? Well at least we have Spider-Man to look forward to.

JSA #75
Writer: Geoff Johns
Art: Leonard Kirk, Keith Champagne and Alex Ross (cover)

Sometimes when a writer takes on too many titles one or more of them suffers. If that is the case for Geoff Johns, I still havent seen it. He is by far, what i would concider among the most consistant writers working today. This issue is the final chapter in the current arc. The JSA is fighting the Spectre with the help of Black Adam and Atom Smasher. Funny how that works out since they were all at odds not so long ago, but give people a common foe and they will come together. The real story of this issue is the redemption of one of the characters. While I use that term loosly, there is somewhat of a resolution as to the status of one of the primary characters that has been in turmoil the past few years.

 

 

Marvel Team-Up #10
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Art: Scott Kolins

This book may not be everybody's cup of tea, but I think Robert Kirkman is writing a gem of a book. He is using characters that haven't seen the light of day for a while, even if it is just a cameo, he is showing his awareness that in New York, it must be impossible for all these heros to be running around and not run into each other. When they do run into each other, you really get a sense that he understands the players. This issue features the final showdown with the Ringmaster, no longer a lame third string villian, he has been given a ring that augments his powers (smegol) and gives him the upper hand, that is until the Punisher decides he's had enough. Big problem for the heroes, and Frank has a nice simple answer. The artwork by Kollins is again goos and helps make this one of the books I enjoy most.

Ocean #6
Writer: Warren Ellis
Art: Chris Sprouse, Karl Story and Michael Golden (cover)

Shanna the She-Devil #6
Writer: Frank Cho
Art: Frank Cho

Superman #219
Writer: Mark Verheiden
Art: Ed Benes

What's going on with Superman? It seems as if someone is messing with his mind, making doubt come to those around him and it is even beginning to creep into his own mind. Who is behind this and how does it tie into the current ripples leading into the upcoming "crisis"? I wonder if I am right about who I think it is.

Uncanny X-Men #462
Writer: Chris Claremont
Art: Alan Davis and Mark Farmer

Only a few more issues until I can finally put this title to bed. The only thing that keeps it a three star book in my mind is the art of Alan Davis, always a pleasure to see, I can get past the crossover nonsense and the hard to follow stories for that.

 

Villains United #3
Writer: Gail Simone
Art: Val Semeiks, Wade von Grawbadger and J.G. Jones (cover)

Y: The Last Man #35
Writer: Brian K. Vaughan
Art: Goran Sudzuka, José Marzan Jr. and Massimo Carnevale (cover)