Supergirl #7 - DC

This is another great book. Supergirl, Joe Kelly, Greg Rucka and Ian Churchill, FANTASTIC!!!!! Supergirl and Power Girl are in Kandor posing as Nightwing and Flamebird. There's also, I assume, the Superman from the world with the Crime Syndicate. I may be wrong but I don't think I am. So, he is posing as Superman, but more specifically, Kal-El. Since the Church of El is the big religion down here, they think he's a god, so he can pretty much do whatever he wants. And he does. There's also some "Holy Mother" guiding him, but we don't really know who that is yet. Anyways Supergirl is haunted by these dreams that her father keeps telling her her destiny is to kill Kal-El, and that she is nothing if she does not fulfill her destiny. Which from what I understand is why she ran away from our world and came here in the first place, so she wouldn't hurt Clark. So it comes down to a big battle, and it looks like she is going to kill him, although Power Girl keeps trying to talk her out of it, but when he asks her what she truly wants, she says she wants him to save her. She's on top of him, passionately kissing him, as he's cupping her ass and Power Girl is literally under the boot heel of one of his followers. Meanwhile, "Holy Mother" is looking down on them from above saying, "Finally .. . .. all I ever wanted was a good match for my son." Interesting! Incestual! But interesting! This storyline has had some great momentum ever since she showed up in Superman/Batman. I hope they don't have any plans of slowing down any time soon.

52 Week 8 - DC

Ok this week we start out with John Henry and Natasha. She's trying to build a new suit of armor. He's found out that Luthor put some kind of virus into him, and his whole body is turning in to stainless steel. We then see Ollie, who is talking to Ralph, on the rooftops of Star City. Ralph is still digging in to the Cult of Conner. It's proving very elusive however. They find a hideout, but it's been abandoned. But there is some cloning equipment there. John goes to STAR labs to figure out what is going on, and it's there that he's been infected with some sort of virus, and upon examination figures that it probably came from when he saw Luthor. But when they try to examine samples of his blood, they blow up in his face. Next we have all these eye witness reports of some new hero that keeps showing up and saving people. Nobody's got a real good look at him, but he pops in in the nick of time and teleports the people out of harms way. Then pops out. We also have Booster dealing with the backlash from the allegations against him. Natasha is upset because she doesn't know of the trouble her uncle is going through. She just thinks that he's trying to get some powers somehow. So she gets pissed off, goes to Luther Corp. to stand in line for the hero process, but Lex immediately recognizes her and pulls her in for immediate processing. We also get another glimpse of Starfire, Animal Man and Adam Strange on the planet they're stuck on. They are about to finally meet up with the Galactus looking character thats been watching them the last couple of weeks. And that's what happens in week 8. Good series. Great writing.

JLA Classified #23 - DC

We're dealing with the Detroit League here. They've gone out on a camping trip with Jonn Jonzz and thier guide and mentor. He's trying to build a team and show them how to work and grow together. Of course, thier trip is shanghai'd by the Royal Flush Gang, version 3 or 4 or 5, who know's?. But then the Royal Flush gang is shanghai'd by the New Royal Flush Gang, the only difference visually is that the old one wore clubs for luck, the new ones wear spades for death. The story ends that they are caught in the middle of a forest fire, caused by thier ruckus, and Jonn obviously can't help because this is his weakness. But, Aquaman is supposedly on his way to check of them. Like I've said before, I like the concept of this series. I'm thrilled with it's potential. This particular story, is kinda' boring. I'm not sure if they're trying to reintroduce some of these JLA characters, or if they're trying to put some new focus on the Royal Flush Gang, but in the end, who cares either way. Hopefully this wraps up next issue and we can get on to the next storyline.

Ion - Guardian of the Universe #3 - DC

Ok Kyle Rayner is given omnipotent powers. Again. This time by Jenny Lynn in the form of the Starheart. I reconciling his new stature, he is having some difficulties. He has a conversation with Mogo, the living planet, and he is given some insight. As it is explained to him, he is like a butterfly that has gone through death and rebirth to become something new and bigger. Except Kyle didn't have to go through the death thing. But admittably it would have been easier, had he. He also comes to realize that his whole life has been defined by his connections in the past . Both good and bad. All his loves with his various women, to his outright rage and hatred for Major Force. So, he comes to realize that in order to move on, he has to let go of all this luggage. He just simply has to dismiss it, and not be afraid anymore. In doing so he truly becomes transformed and is the pure essence of the starheart. But, he's still going to have to deal with all the stuff he's done during his transformation period. And some of it is some pretty bad stuff. Where's he going from here? I don't know. I'm just happy that there's some solo Kyle Rayner stories again. It's good to have him back. Good or Bad.

Spectre #2 - DC

In this issue Crispus gets a lesson from the Spectre on what it means to pass out judgement. He has a crisis of conscious because in joining with the Spectre, he delayed his decision. He delayed it for a year. So, for that year, the Spectre couldn't operate without his host. But apparently the Spectre has a long memory, because everyone they missed that year, they've been working O.T. to catch up on. So after all these "Sudden Appearances and Ironic Deaths", Crispus is beginning to ask himself what's the point of all this. He's especially upset because, since he was a cop, he knows that there is so much more going on out there than they are dealing with. And he doesn't understand the why's of who gets judged and who doesn't. In trying to show him the pattern to everything, the Spectre shows him a time when he was a beat cop and he was called in on a disturbance. The disturbance was actually a smell coming from an apartment. They found an apartment full of corpses that were made to look like they had been killed by the Joker. They also come to see a guy who is dealing in Black Magic, and can see their spectral forms. He also sees a bank robbery where they have a chance to save a woman the robber is going to shoot,but they aren't allowed to because if the robber doesn't shoot her then he will have done nothing wrong to garner thier justice. We also get a glimpse of Crispus' son going out to buy a weapon,which I can only guess is to get revenge on the man that killed his father. This is an interesting series. It's nice to see the Spectre brought down a notch so we can get a better glimpse of the character. This is a 3 issue series so there's only 1 to go. But it'll be interesting to see where they go from here.

Action Comics #840 - DC

This is the wrap up for the "UP, UP, & AWAY" storyline. At the end of last issue Superman and Lex were plummeting into the bay. They was up on shore, and they are just both beat. But, they both hate each other enough, that they use their last remaining ounces of energy for a round of fist-icuffs. Kind of an old fashioned fight for them. Eventually Superman gives him the knockout blow, but the exhaustion finally does him in. As he flies back through the city, the adulation that he receives from the public is astounding. "Even if my power weren't coming back. I think the force of the city cheering would hold me aloft." Then the rest of the issue he deals with the every day stuff. Putting up with the ridicule at the office for being so flaky, helping with the construction efforts to rebuild the city, making sure Jimmy's got a new signal watch, dealing with Dr. Virus and his Kryptococcus the Omni Germ, signing autographs for the public, finding out on TV that robots have broken Lex out of his holding cell already and finally heading to the north pole to use the last shard of the Kryptonite crystal to build his fortress of solitude. Just a typical day for the man of steel. It's good to have him back. Next issue Kurt Busiek and Fabian Nicieza come on board to scribe his tales. Should be good.

X-Factor #8 - Marvel

Ok, another incarnation of an X team. This one with a twist too. This issue deals with Quicksilver and Layla. Quicksilver is looking to get together with X-Factor for some reason. And Layla in her all knowing self, it trying to stop that from happening. But in a very subtle way. We learn that one of Jamie's multiples has been working for the Government for years. He come's calling to sign up all the members for the registration. Most go along with it because, as Monet says, "I've got nothing to hide."
Jamie and Quido go to find out about the DNA sample they took off Tryp and his son, but they find out not only is the DNA unique and different but both samples are identical. The guy analyzing them thought they were from the same person. We also get to see Spiderman this issue as he comes across Siryn and has a rooftop conversation with her. Meanwhile Layla has come to the conclusion that there's something about Quicksilver that disrupts her manipulations. Everything she's tried to do this issue has come back in a different way than she expected. So in the end they both agree to stay out of each other's way. There's some very interesting characters in this book. Even Rictor, who is now depowered, but still in the team. This book has a lot of potential. I just wish they could nail down a regular penciller. But that's just trivial.

Wolverine #43 - Marvel

Ok, I already like this book, but now we got Humberto Ramos on pencils, and it 's not even my birthday. We get alot of the background story of Civil War this book. Wolverine has decided to go after Nitro on his own. Of course there's alot of the Wolverine mayhem as he heads across country to find him. And of course he runs in to Iron Man who gives him a tip that Nitro is in Big Sur. He also forbids him from going after him, which give Wolverine a bigger hard on to do the job. Eventually he's allowed to go after him, but only if he goes in with a Shield stike team. They confront Nitro and Wolverine is melted down to his Adamantium skeleton. That's when we find out that this whole scheme has been orchestated from someone on the sidelines. My guess . . . . Tony Stark. If it's not him, it's someone he knows. But anyways, they payed him to make the rukus in Stamford killing all the people, they gave him a cabin to get away in, and they sent in the strike team probably to erase the evidence and their connection to him. But he's getting pretty cocky because in his book he's taken down Captain Marvel, the New Warriors and Wolverine. So his contact decides they're cutting him loose because he's, "A dangerous man to be associated with." Of course Wolverine is never down for long, and I think he heard most of Nitros conversation. So I think next issue they're going to start talking about each others involvement in things. Good book. Great art. Turning out to be a pretty good storyline. I wasn't so sure about this Civil War thing at first, but it's been taking some interesting turns along the way. Guess I might have to ride it out.

Ultimate Spider-man #96 - Marvel

Spiderman, Morbius, Brian Michael Bendis, what more could you ask for. Morbius appears to be after some new group of vampires or werewolves or both. Peter of course doesn't know this, and comes up in the middle not knowing which side is which. All he knows is that his friend, Ben Urich, has been bitten and he needs to do something to try to help him. Of course Peter impedes both side of this little fray, trys to help Ben, but in the end there's nothing he can do. Only Morbius can save him. Which he does eventually, but not before another frakus with the other vampire gang. Before disspearing he leaves Peter with a little advice, "If we ever bump into each other again . . . . . Let's both pray that you've grown the $%#@ up." This really gets to the core of how Peter's been feeling lately. The next day in biology class with MJ, he tells her, "Listen to me. It's happening again. OK? I'm seeing things I shouldn't be seeing. I'm too young to be doing and seeing these things. Daredevil warned me. They all warned me." He breaks down and they end up embracing each other on the last page. I just realized this is the first issue, in probably the last 8 to 10, that we haven't seen Kitty. Huh? But anyways I really like the way this book takes Peter all the way back to his teenage roots. His teenage angst. This is really what has made Spider-man who he his. And have I mentioned that I love the Ultimate books?

New Excalibur #9 - Marvel

As you can see, I'm an X nut. I get everything X related. Although, I'm not doing the X-Myths or all of the solo mini series. But, I do all the team books. And this one looks like it's going to be a good one. I really like Scott Kolins being on this book now too. I like the feel that he brings to the stories. Hopefully he'll stay here for a while. He was the only reason I bought Marvel Team-Up. But eventually I couldn't even buy it for him. I just couldn't feel it anymore. He didn't stick around much longer either, so I'm glad I dropped it. Anyways, we're dealing with Chamber this issue. After M-Day, when he lost his powers, he went to Weapon X. With an implant embedded in his chest, he was made more normal. Eventually this blew up in his face though, literally. Well, come to find out, he's actually a descendent of Apocalypse. Or at least that's what he's told by Ozymandias who is posing as Apocalypse. Excalibur comes in thinking that they are going to save him, but Jono isn't looking to be saved. The "Brotherhood of Apocalypse" or the BofA, I wonder if they have a lodge?, actually the Clan of Akkaba, have given him a semblance of normalcy, although he does bear a resemblance to Apocalypse, and he has a marking permanentaly emblazened across his chest. By the time Excalibur gets into the house where they were holding Jono, it's been cleaned out and the only thing Pete Wisdom has to go on is the markings on Jono's chest. This is another book that has huge potential. I really like the group of characters they've assembled for this incarnation. I can't wait to see what happens next.

Moon Knight #3 - Marvel

This book is truly going in the right direction. I really like what Charlie Huston and David Finch are trying to do here. Marc Spector is truly at his lowest point. His life right now, truly is the dumpster at the bottom. On top of that, it appears that we have some kind of group, govt. or otherwise, profiling him and trying to keep him right where he's at. And Bushman is part of, if not the leader of, this group. Marc is reaching out to DuChamp, although it seems to be a set up, as they both think the other called. There also seems as if there may be a new Moon Knight, a female, Marlene Alraune. Her father is the Dr. excavated the newly discovered chambers, of King Seti II, in the Valley of the Kings. So we just know that she's going to play in to this somehow. As the profiler states, "She's a killer too." and "Killer always end up being drawn together." So they decide they're going to come up with a plan to isolate Marc even more, so that he will pull himself even farther out of the world. However, someone in the group takes the initiative to initiate the plan prematurely. He has DuChamp beaten up, Marc delves out justice by carving the attacker up, and in doing so realizes how much he truly misses the life and will now do anything to get it back. The opposite of what the group was trying to do. The character development they've put into this series so far is astounding. We really get a feel for these characters, and are having feeling for them already. Like I said, I really like where they're going, and I can't wait to see what happens next.

Teen Titans #37 - DC

Ok, I have a rant to go with, but I'll talk about the book first. Geoff Johns and Tony Daniel. I hope these two stay on this book for a long time to come. They really have a feel for these characters. They've joined up with the Doom Patrol this issue and they're in one of their endless fights with the Brotherhood, who also has some new team members now. Anyways, through the course of this fighting, Robin finally convinces the Doom Patrol, that the Chief is not the altuistic man he is always displaying himself as. His underlying motives begin to come out, and we come to find out that the reason the Brotherhood hate him so much is because essentially Niles created that team too. Some of it's members are actually earlier experiments that failed to create the Doom Patrol. There are some major revalations in this book. We also get some more character development, with Kid Devil, Ravager and especially Cyborg. But in the end Vic and Cassie both decide that they're going to stick around. Cassie also finds out the lengths that Tim has been going to to try to bring back Conner. "I've lost too many people, Cassie. I want one back. I want my best friend back." Then they have a little sad moment together and they end up embracing and kissing. Uh-oh, I don't think that's a good idea. But anyways, awesome book. Now for my rant. The Doom Patrol, this is a team that has been hanging on to the edges for almost 40 years now. They are an awesome team, but nobody's really stuck with 'em for that long. They've had what, 5 or 6 incarnations. Some good, some not so much. Let's quit playing around with this team and do something with them. Quit treating them as a group that can just come out of the closet every few years or so, when some storyline can benefit from them, dust 'em off, rough 'em up, and then put 'em away until some other obscure storyline needs them again. Here's what DC needs to do. Give them to Grant Morrison. I don't mean have him come up with a new concept, I mean actually give them to him. Give him full creator rights. I know he didn't actually create them, but so what. Invest him fully in to them. Let him do whatever the hell he wants. Kill some off, create new ones, let him come up with a continuity that actually ties the last 40 years together. Let him make sense of all the incarnations and how they fit, what their purpose and motivations were, and who is Niles Caulder or Steve Dayton really?? Give it all to him. Let him hand choose the rest of his creative team, and let him do whatever the hell he wants. The only stipulation I would put in the creator agreement is that they stay with DC no matter what, but other than that, open the flood gates. If they do this, and if Grant truly has free reign, I guarantee that within a year or two, this will be the premiere book in the industry. Not just the best DC book, but the best period. It would tear up the charts. I know that this will probably never happen, but if some editor has enough vision, and enough balls, to put this together, the book would be unstoppable. And, maybe I'm missing some of the nuances to the business side of things, but I don't see a down side. Not for the fans, not for the creators and not for DC/Warner Bros.. And if things played out right, there might even be a movie franchise in it's future. A creator owned movie franchise. So Grant could quit saying that the Matrix ripped off his ideas, and show the world what his head can really wrap itself around. This really could blow away everything. Ok, I know I'm dreaming. I know that Grant's done the Doom Patrol before. And I know that chances are no one will ever read this. Especially an Editor at DC that could make a difference. But, if we don't have hopes and dreams, what do we got? I really feel that if they could get Grant truly fully invested in this project, that the sky would be the limit. Ok, I know I've pulled every metaphor out of the book for this, but if I just knew that I could get someone to actually think about, and consider this, I would be happy.

New Avengers #20 - Marvel

First I'm sorry. I don't know what happened, but somehow things got mixed up in my pile and I actually read #21 before I read #20. Ooops!! But anyways, this book gives you the one / two punch creatively. Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Deotato Jr., WOW!!! What more could you ask for?? This Michael guy, that we've come to find out absorbed all the missing powers after M-Day, has decided that he can't handle what he's become and he feels that the only person who can is Magneto. So he's gone to Genosha to expunge himself of all this, and give it to Eric. Well of course the Avengers are hot on his heels. During the course of the transfer we come to find out that the driving force behind this whole series of events has been Xorn. Being a pure energy being himself, when Michael absorbed everything, apparently Xorn still maintaining his motor functions, sort of , took control of the situation and has been driving him ever since he crash landed in Alaska. This guy is so powerful that he literally brings all of the million of dead corpses in Genosha to life to fight the Avengers and keep them busy. Iron Man brings in this Shield agent who can create earth quakes, and has her focus a mini one to materialize right in Eric's frontal lobe. When he becomes indisposed, of course, Xorn is set loose, or his energy is. Tony captures it in a containment cell, and Bob flies it into the sun. Bim, Bam, Boom the situation is resolved. But, it's not the end of the story because there's a lot of loose thread lines. But that is what make's this such an awesome title. Finally as they go to fly Magneto's body out, the helicopter explodes and there's not a trace left of him. "No sign? There's not even a foot? Floating there in the . . . .". From here we go in to "Civil War" and a new dissassembled Avengers. Luckily we'll still have Brian at the helm, so it's all gonna be gravy.

Ultimates 2 #11 - Marvel

I frakkin' love this book. If Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch don't get some kind of award for this series, then there ain't no justice. To bring you up to speed, the Liberators have taken control of, well, everything. Thor is locked up because Loki has convinced the world that he was a fake. By the way, Loki is the driving force behind the Liberators also. Bruce, Hulk, is in a self imposed exile, because the rest of the world believes he is dead. The Ultimates were supposed to have nuked him for his crimes. Also Steve and Janet are in love. Or at least he is in love, or infatuation, with her. Anyway we start out with Thor praying to Odin, and then somehow dissapearing from his holding tank. Cap and Janet find this out after fighting through an army of guys to get to him. At the Dome in Brussels, Europe is getting ready to send its self made, literally, team in to DC to try to do something to help. The Liberators are starting to feel cocky, always the brick that breaks the wall, because as some of their team bring in the President, in what's left of a shell of Air Force 1, they find out that Thor has escaped and the leader isn't overly concerned. He wants to proceed as normal, and all of the captured hero's will be beheaded and midnight. And on that note, Cap breaks in to the room that the rest are being held, only to find out that they've liberated themselves. But then they're overcome by a swarm of the Schizoid Man's body, whom I assume is there version of Jamie Madrox. Then, we have Iron Man, who with the help of the Govt., I assume, has obtained one of Iron Man's earlier suits and is using it to get to one of Stark's orbital satellites to get him his latest version. Back at the White House, we're just having an all out slug fest between the Liberators and the Ultimates. Both sides are hurting the other, but it looks like pretty much a stalemate. Although neither side will concede. That is until Bruce Banner shows up standing in the path of one of the giant robots. As he's standing there he says, "Sorry gentleman, I'm going nowhere. I didn't travel 5000 miles just to get pushed around the second I got back to my own damn country. I don't need to run away from anyone now that I'm in touch with my nasty inner sociopath. That's the way. Just keep coming if you want to meet him . . . . .", and then he's stepped on. That of course enrages him, and he single handedly, literally, tears apart the robot and we end up with a splash page of a full on Hulk standing in the wreckage shouting, "NOW! BRING IT ON!". If this book isn't the epitome of the super hero team book, I don't know what is. This book doesn't always come out on time, and it's on it's second incarnation. But it is always worth the wait. This series is going to be read and reread for a long time to come.

Batman #654 - DC

This is the final installment of "Face the Face". Batman has returned to Gotham after his year hiatus. Harvey Dent, whom he put in charge of watching out for the city, took his return as a direct commentary on the Batman's trust for him. Add to this the Great White Shark, who is now the new crime boss of Gotham, framing him for murder and it has sent his fragile psyche over the edge. And let's face it, Harvey was barely hanging on as it was. So anyways Harvey sets up an elaborate scheme, kills 5 police officers, all to let Batman know that he blames him for his return to Two-Face. After Harvey eludes capture, Batman goes to Arkham, to let the Great White Shark know that he's on to him. Batman can't prove any of this right now, but then he doesn't have to. And I really don't remember that many time when his instict wasn't dead on. After his confrontation Batman goes home, and him and Alfred decide to tell Tim that if he will have him, he'd like to adopt him as a son. Of course Tim is overcome with emotion. The issue ends with him embracing Tim, the Great White Shark lying in his bunk obviously scheming, and Harvey on the loose. James Robinson and Dan Kramer have done an awesome job with this storyline. I don't want to take anything away from this chapter of Batman's life, because it has been superb. But, next issue Grant Morrison and Andy Kubert take over. Yippee!!!! We got no place to go but up.

Blue Beetle #4 - DC

I really like the direction that Keith Giffen, John Rogers and Cully Hamner are taking this book in. A high school kid named Jamie, has obtained the power of the Scarab. So to find out more of what he's dealing with, he looks up the Blue Beetle's history on line and starts taking notes. Oracle tries to introduce herself, but of course he's suspicious and gets mad and ends up thrashing his computer. After that we mostly deal with the dialogue between him and his mom, and him and his friends. They're all trying to figure out what exactly is going on, and what they can do to help and support Jamie. There's also a bad guy, mystic, who happens to be working for one of his friends mother, who decides he's going to test the Beetle to see what he knows, how he's dealing with it, and if he's going to pose a threat. The teen angst in this book, puts me back to the early days of the Spider-man. Which is a good thing. Like so many other new books by DC, this one has amazing potential. And with someone like Keith Giffen at the helm, I can't see them leaving to many ideas out of the mix.

Hawkgirl #53 - DC

Ok, Walt Simonson and Howard Chaykin are fantastic on thier own. Together they are unstoppable. They have taken this mediocre sideline character and really thrust her into the forefront. She's the guardian of St. Roch Louisianna, as well as the museum curator. This issue while on patrol, she decides to follow two detectives that she knows, to find out what they're up to. They're actually trying to stop a gang hit, but that is kiboshed by Khimaera. A woman who been turned into a 1 woman wrecking crew, by some mystical force that needs to life-energy of people to sustain it. So while they're on the stakeout, this Khimaera, jumps into the mist of things and starts killing the bangers. After she kills her 3rd of 4th person, the detectives jump in to try to control the situation. Being seriously outmanned, Hawkwoman shows up as the calvary. Although she herself almost gets killed, but not before most of her clothes are ripped off. Love those Chaykin details. But one of the detectives comes to her aid, and ends up getting killed himself. Typical Simonson and Chaykin style. Lots of action. Lots of intrigue. Lots of sexual innuendo. But I like it! This is seriously turning into a must have book every month. This is the forth issue of thier run and they haven't showed signs of slowing down yet.

Uncanny X-Men Annual #1 - Marvel

It appears that annuals are all the rage again. After having none for a while, then having them but them being called something else (Summer Special, 2005 Special, Special Event, whatever), it's good to finally get them back again. And it looks like everyone is going to be putting one out this summer. Yippee! This issue is an inbetween issue. It falls between issue #474 of the X-men, and the new "Wedding of the Century" storyline. I'm not sure if that storyline will be in an X book or exclusively in Black Panther. My guess is Black Panther, and they're showcasing it in X-Men to try to get you to cross titles. Maybe. We'll see. But we got Bishop, Psylocke, Nightcrawler, Cannonball and Phoenix, in Africa, coming to Storm's aid. There's lots of flashbacks for Storm. And a lot of storybuilding to help you figure out what going on in this little country of Turkana. Throw in a Sentinel, an evil dictator and his mercenary soldiers, and you have the X-men in a "BlackHawk Down" situation. So while the X-men are doing all this fighting, Storm is going on a little soul searching, while she's trying to recover from some wounds that she's recieved. By the end of the search, she has decided what she needs to do. She goes to take down the dictator, only to find out that he is her uncle. This is one of those X-men issues, that doesn't really advance the story line very much, but, gives you a ton of information. At the end we're set up for the "Wedding of the Century".

SOLO #11 - DC

I love this concept. Basically, they focus on an artist each month, and let them do whatever they want to fill up the book. This month's focus is Sergio Aragone's, with writing help by Mark Evanier. I can't say enough about this guy. His artwork is so simplistic, yet dead on the subject. If you're not sure who I'm talking about, he's been in every Mad Magazine you've ever read. He's also the artistic force behind Groo the Wanderer. It amazes me that this guy is almost 70 years old. The irony and humor in his stips, has always been ahead of it's time, yet relevant to current events. I don't want to bog you down with statistics, because there's a "Focus On-" at the end of the book. Suffice it to say, this guy is an icon. And this series is cool too. Next issues focus is Brendan McCarthy.

Loveless #7 & #8 - DC

I'm only doing these two together because somehow #7 was missed in my pull, but I didn't realize it until this week when I went to pick up #8. I saw #7 sitting there and I didn't think that I had read it. At least I didn't miss it. This is a great book. I know. A Western in 2006? But, hey. It works. First of all Brian Azzarello's writing is spendid. When I saw this book first advertised, I knew it would be good, if for no other reason than the writing. His work on 100 Bullets, has been outstanding. And he's carried over the same work ethics to this book. And this artist, DanijelZezelj, at first I wasn't sure. The art fit the book, but I wasn't overly thrilled with it. Now, I look over every page a couple times to make sure I see all the detail. He has taken Frank Miller's style that he developed for Sin City, with the shadows defining the art work rather than the pencil and lines, to a whole new lever. The opening page to #7 is just a piece of art. The same goes for the panel on page 3, where she is looking down into the water,and you can see the reflection of her face amongst the ripples. Just outstanding. I also like the way he uses color for the present tense, and the browned hugh on the flashbacks. This issues focus' mainly on Ruth Cutter, and what she's had to go through since her husband Wes has left for the war. How the roles the women took on back then, were way different than the things they do and have to deal with now. Brian also did a neat thing in that all the past tense contained the dialogue, and the story with the present was told strictly with art. #8 on the other hand now, is mostly about Wes. What he's had to deal with since coming back from the war. Then there's mister Trotter, he appears to be one of the wealthiest men in town. He has decided that because of Wes' background, he would be the perfect candidate for Sheriff. Although I think he has some underlying motives to this that we haven't seen yet. Only time will tell. So this story tells of his present dealings with this Mr. Trotter, and with some flashbacks during the war, how the present is tied in with his past. And with a town name of BlackWater, you just know that there's more mayhem coming down the road. Excellent story, fantastic art, what more could you ask for? If you haven't tried this book out yet, you definitely need to. This story has the vibrancy and feel of the early Alan Moore Swamp Things. I think they will become just as classic also.

Uncanny X-men #474 - Marvel

This issue starts out after the X-men have been pulled through the rip in space that the Foursaken created last issue. We begin with Psylocke waking up in what appears to be an Egyptian town, and a winged man waited off her balcony to escort her. He says he is the First Fallen. Supposedly from what they learned last issue, he is the male counterpart to the Phoenix. He wants to show her where their at, and what he has accomplished. Apparently he'sgone across the galaxy and wiped out whole civilizations, and brought the last four of each to this "Waco" commune to live together in peace and harmony. He says that he is inhibiting everyone's powers to sustain the peace, but it's also his way of controlling everyone. We learn the history of Jamie Braddock and how the Foursaken came to be. But since everyone's powers are inhibited, there's nothing the X-men or the Foursaken can do about their circumstances. That is until Betsy comes along. Since she's impervious to psychic assaults she can still yield her soul sword, so she does so and takes down the First Fallen. This immediately reverts everyone back to their animalistic selves, powers and all. Now we learn some history on the Phoenix and the First Fallen and how they are connected. After she separates the First Fallen from it's host body, Jamie, in all the madness and confusion, sends all the X-men back to their planet. They are immediately called to help Storm in the African nation of Turkana, where she is trying to depose a vicious dictator. This will lead us into the Uncanny X-men Annual and the "Wedding of the Century" storyline, between Storm and the Black Panther. The X-men have long been one of my favorites, and they continue to astound and mystify me. I love the story lines, and all the subplots that sometimes stretch out for years. This isn't just a team, this is a family. And a family that we've all grown to care about.

Amazing Spider-man #533 - Marvel

This is the issue that picks up after Peter announces to the world that he is Spider-man, and that he has been so since he was 15 years old. We get to see a 3 page rant by J. Jonah Jameson because he's feels betrayed by Peter and also because he has decided to sue him for misrepresentation, fraud and breach of contract. That sucks!! Tony tries to console Peter, but he does a pretty good job at standing up to him. Outside there's a lot of people with plaquards. Some in praise of Spider-man, some calling him a freak. I liked the moment in the car when he gets a phone call from Reed Richards. At the time he's on the other phone talking to MJ and as he boucing back and forth between the conversations, Sue Richards ends up chiming in and Peter has to web the phones together so her and MJ can talk. We also get to see a few other peoples reactions, Flash Tompson, Eddie Brock, and a collage of all the faces in his rogues gallery as well as the faces of his colleagues and peers. Then the rock falls. Tony is on TV telling the country that he has compiled a list of 137 of his colleagues and their identities, and if they don't voluntarily register, he will begin a task force designed specifically to round them up.The initial strike team will consist of himself, Reed Richards, Hank Pym and Spider-man. News to Peter. When MJ and him go out to get some air and think, a guy with a gun comes up on them, and says "I'm Captain America's #1 fan . . . . and you're a traitor to everything he stands for!" As he shoots, Peter webs up his gun and it blows up in his hand. Of course Peter feels guilty, so he decides he needs to go have a talk with Tony. Peter tells him,"It's been a five star day. Starting with you . . . and ending with you." "I call you boss because I know that it bugs you. Don't start taking it to seriously!" But in the end he follows Tony inside where he tells Peter, "It's best I introduce you to the others you'll be fighting with them in this was . . . before the dying starts tomorrow." Pretty ominous stuff. I like that both sides are digging in this deep in to their trenches, because that means there's going to be hell to pay before any of this is sorted out.

New Avengers #21 - Marvel

This has consistently been an incredible book. First you have the Avengers who, let's face it, are awesome. Then you have Bendis writing it. And now with this issue we have Howard Chaykin drawing it. Talk about a Trifecta. This book, literally, has it all. Then to add icing to the cake, this is a Civil War story. I told you, I'm all for change. Well in this issue, Captain America is on the run from the U.S. government. Because he's such a role model, they really want him to take the lead on this registration act. Of course with his black&white perspective on the world, he's definitely not going to go along with that. So, he goes underground and begins assembling a team. If you've read Civil War #2, you know who this team will eventually enlist. So S.H.I.E.L.D. sends a squadron of men, "capekillers", to apprehend him, but, honestly, this is Captain America. One of them ends up being Dum Dum Dugan. "They sent a friend. Three thousand agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. on active dury, and they sent a friend". This really pisses him off and he plays a little dirty pool himself to escape custody. He goes to one of Nick Fury's old bunkers. Apparently only him & Cap know about these places. And again, if you've read Civil War #2, you already know that these bunkers will be Cap's base of operation. The last part of the book is Cap & Falcon going around trying to assemble a team. Spider-man is out, because he's in league with Tony Stark. Antman/Giantman is out because he's apparently in the govt.'s pocket. So next is Luke Cage. This book is fantastic. It's been fantastic ever since the dissassembled storyline. And with Bendis at the helm, there's nothing but greatness is this books future. Every month, I can't wait for this book to come out.

Exiles #83 - Marvel

This one is a sad story. I guess they've decided to go through the Crystal Palace and do some housekeeping. So, they're taking all the people that are in stasis, but are dead, back to their home earth's so they can get the proper closure and burial that they deserve. They send back Magnus, Mesmero, Wolverine, Maverick, Daredevil (who isn't dead, but is a bad guy), Iron Man (who also isn't dead, but is his worlds P.E. #1), Kane, Angel ,Storm, Vision, Colossus, Magik, Hulk, Spider, Ms. Marvel, Gambit and Namora. Blink who, originally wanted to bury Cal, Mimic, in the desert inside the Crystal Palace to keep him close, eventually decides to take him back to his home earth personally. She blinks into Xavier's and tells the X-men, "I've brought him home for a proper funeral. Cal died fighting for what he believed in. I'll tell you what happened. And why he's been gone . . . . and, then I hope you'll tell me everything he never got a chance to tell me himself." Sad stuff. But hopefully this is just tying up some loose ends, and we'll get back into the action next month. I think next month will bring a new creative team also. I'm not sure who the artist is going to be, but I think Chris Claremont will be writing it. Can't wait to see where we're going next.

Catwoman #56 - DC

This is of course a 1 year later book. This story starts out with Selina telling Holly that she wants her to take over for her. She's going to have a baby, which we know to be Helena. Now the protaganists are a newcomer with a Film Noir motif, and a complexion that looks like he's straight out of a black and white movie, and the Angle man. I'm not sure what this film guys beef with Catwoman is, but the Angle man wants her because he's already killed her once. We also have two detectives, Lenahan and Worth, who are on Catwomans trail, and Lenahan is particular is obsessed with finding out what's going on. Add to that Wildcat, who calls up Holly because he's going to bust up a chop shop and wants some help. We also get a quick glimpse of Slam Bradley and his dad who run Bradley investigations. Finally we end up with the film guy and Angle man breaking into Selina's house and abducting baby Helena, for what purpose we don't know yet. Will Pfeifer does a good job handling Selina's adventures, and David Lopez who fills in as artist this book, has a style that fits right in with this book. Also, you gotta love those Adam Hughes covers. I really like this series. It's not the same as it was with Jim Balent, but that's ok because it definitely has it's own style and direction.

Teen Titans Go! #32 - DC

Ok, I'm not sure who the protaganist is in this book, but he looks like a Caesar. He's holding gladiator type fights, and kidnapping metas, specifically some Teen Titans, to compete. General Immortus in watching the events, I would suppose to put together a new team. He's impressed by a champion by the name of Private Hive. Anyways, when they take Beast Boy, Pantha, Kole and Gnarrk, they get the teams attention. In typical fashion, they go in kick ass, rescue their team-mates, and capture the main guy whom Cyborg refers to as "toga man". But, Private Hive eludes capture. I'm sure that one's going to come back to bite them. I love the TV series, and I love the book. The book couldn't be any truer to the TV series if it tried. Check it out, it's good fun.

Warlord #5 - DC

Ok this issue epitomizes what the series is about. Travis has taken on the role of the returned god, though apparently under the influence of some kind of magic. Or, maybe he's being posessed by someone? Regardless, he swoops in to Shamballah, literally on the back of 2 winged steeds, and starts kicking ass and taking names. He's yeilding the magical "Sword of Truth". It appears that nothing, not prince Bovis or his army, can stop him. But then Terry who, with Alexa, has been searching for Travis and his plane, finds the plane, enters the cockpit and turns it on. Boom!!! Travis' magic is gone. I'm not sure what the connection is here, but I'm sure we'll find out more next issue. Although the treasure vessel in the treasure chamber, does bear more than a striking resemblance to Travis' ship that is still underwater. Coincidence? I can't give enough credit to Bruce Jones' story and writing. It is just phenomonal. And Bart Sears' artwork, apparentely he's doing his own inking with this series, is taking some serious strides. I really liked the flow of this issue. I know. Bart is an established superstar. But, with this series he seems to be experimenting with some different styles. I wasn't to thrilled at first, but it's really growing on me. The full page with Travis riding in on the 2 winged steeds was breathtaking. I had a lot of hopes for this series, and they seem to be coming true.

Brave new World - DC

First of all this is an 80 pg giant for $1. That in and of itself is a good reason to buy it. The book is a intro to 6 new books coming out in the next couple of months. It's not excerpts from these books, but actually like prequels to the first issues. The stories are written almost as an inbetween to what happens from the end of the crisis, leading into their own titles. We start out with the Martian Manhunter. A.J.Lieberman writes it, and Al Barrionuevo is the artist. Basically John has found out that he is not the last Martian and there are others on earth somewhere. So everything he's believed for the past few years is in question. This story seems well written and definitely has potential. Next we have O.M.A.C., by Bruce Jones and Renato Guedes. We got this guy Mike who is being chased by O.M.A.C.'s and his girlfriend Vienna is trying to protect him because he seems to have amnesia. After being chased through town, rescued by Superman, they loose him and go off on their own. In an embrace at the end, we come to find out that Vienna is actually the O.M.A.C. and in their embrace she transforms and begins to "modifiy Michael and extinguish him". Then he apparently wakes up and it's all a dream. This book definitely has potential. Especially with Bruce Jones at the helm. Now we have the Freedom Fighters. Their nemesis seems to be Father Time and S.H.A.D.E., whom they actually work for, but don't seem to have their best interests at heart. This one's by Justin Gray & Jimmy Palmiotti with stunning artwork by Daniel Acuna. This is one I really can't wait to see. The last page alone, a full page spread of Uncle Sam, is incredible. Next we go with the Creeper by Steve Niles and Justiniano on art. This goes back to the roots of the Creeper's and Jack Ryder's relationship and coexistence. This really takes us back to how the Creeper should be written. You gotta admit the last one or two mini's were a huge disappointment. Next we get to see the new Atom. Written by Gail Simone and drawn by John Byrne, this one is a must have in my pull. The story is action packed, fast paced, and full of new ideas and plays off the old stories. There's a new Atom, it's not Ray Palmer anymore. So we'll see what happens with him. Finally we have the Trials of Shazam by Judd Winick and Howard Porter. This story looks awesome. After the Crisis and the Spectre's assault on everything magical, it appears that everyone's magic, except Cap's is malfunctioning. Cap's is actually malfuntioning too, but while everyone else's is failing, Cap's seems to be overloading. Take all this and wrap it up in a few pages at the beginning and end of the Monitor's watching our earth again, and we gotta wonder what's going on. So, not only did DC give us an 80 pg book for $1, but they also filled it with fantastic stuff and a necessary step in the future of the DC Universe. What more could you ask for?

Crisis Aftermath - the Battle for Bludhaven #5 - DC

This issue shows Major Force in all of his demented glory. It starts out with him defeating the Titans, leaving only Monolith and Firebrand behind to try to stop him. Good luck with that. Then Hal Jordan shows up and all of Major Forces rage comes out. I don't think its a coincidence that the Major's initials are M.F. When Phantom Lady starts referring to him as that, it's hilarious. Now on top of this, we have Captain Atom, whom they are trying to contain in an empty bunker under the city. His outer shell is cracked, apparently from his return from his side trip to the Wildstorm Universe. Because of this he is leaking radiation, and it is steadily building. Therefore the Atomic Knights are coming in to try to take him to wherever there base is and hopefully "fix" him. We also have the "Nuclear Family", a group of androids that look and talk like a family from the 50's, and the new Freedom Fighters. There's literally about 40 characters running around this book, and they are all pivitol to the story. WOW!! I would say that this is probably the beginning of about 4 different spin off books. We already know that the Freedom Fighters are getting their own book. But I would expect the Nuclear Family and the Atomic Knights to show up someplace. If not in their own book, at least a mini-series. Then we have Captain Atom, who seems to be in the spotlight once again, and I would think that this Father Time, with his agency S.H.A.D.E., are going to be somebody's nemesis somewhere. And of course the book ends with a splash page of an all out brawl between all of them. There's a lot of stuff going on in this book. Justin Gray & Jimmy Palmiotti are doing a good job of keeping everything organized and flowing smoothly. I like this mini because it seems like a lot of good things are going to be coming out of it. But, next issue is the last, so it'll be interesting to see how they wrap it up.

Swamp Thing #28 - DC

So far in this series, author Joshua Dysart has done well to stay true to the Swamp Thing mythos. In fact most of these stories so far have been an attempt to take him back to his "Roots". It looks like his "family" is eventually going to get back together, no matter how dysfuntional they are. It just seems like all 3, Swamp Thing, Abigail and Tefe, just look to be a little lost or unfocused without one another. The chaos around them is always staggering, but it seems 10 fold when they try to go off on their own. At the end of this issue, it looks like Jason Woodrue is back. And all the madness that comes with that revelation. Enrique Breccia's art also seems true to the series. It's not overly polished, but it is detailed and perfect for this book.