Kevin Comic Reviews

Being one of the flagship titles in their DC Comics New 52 #1 it was imperative Action Comics #1 would deliver a strong read. With Grant Morrison at the helm that is exactly what we got. Morrison delivered a fast paced Superman comic that turned this non-Superman fan into one.

Action Comics #2 was a fantastic issue. Grant Morrison and Rags Morales combine to deliver an excellent character focus issue. Morrison lays all the ground work Superman and Lex Luthors conflict and how both characters represent the two sides of the same coin. There were a lot of great touches throughout the issue that also develops some sub-plots that will be fun to follow. With so many new series out on the stand Action Comics easily stands out as one of DC's best titles.

Action Comics #3 was yet another strong issue for one of DC Comics flagship titles. Grant Morrison is hitting all the right buttons with how he is developing Superman and his world during the beginning stages of his career. Morrison masterfully handles various running sub-plots as he sets up various physical and psychological threats for Superman to face. Not only that but the plot of the issue is so well developed that it feels like we got a full story in the issue with a good number of things to look forward to next. If you are a Superman fan or have ever been interested in picking up a Superman comic I recommend buying Action Comics. This is a comic that easily stands out as one DC Comics best offerings.

Action Comics #5 was another great entry in Grant Morrisons current Superman run. Morrison effectively handled the re-telling of Superman's origin and added more depth to his Superman run. There were a lot of interesting sub-plots introduced in this issue that has me looking forward to what else Morrison has in store for Action Comics. The ending of this issue with the older versions of Superman and the Legion of Superheroes has me looking forward to seeing what Morrison has in store for us in the next issue.

A few nitpicking comments aside I did enjoy the general story that Grant Morrison told in Action Comics #7. Morrison has a strong grasp of the type of hero Superman is and furthers the storyline involving Brainiac. The ending delivered the excitement necessary that I am looking forward to how Morrison takes things in next months issue.

Though the issue had a couple minor stumbles in the form of a specific story choice and art-by-committee Action Comics #12 was still a solid entry in one of DC Comics flagship titles. Grant Morrison continues to make this the must have Superman series with his strong characterization and continued effort in creating a mix of new and old supporting characters. With an ending that introduced elements for a long-time Superman character it will be interesting to find out what Morrison has in store for us next.

Action Comics #19 was a fast paced issue that set-up the future of the series in interesting ways. Some cofusing timeline problems aside Andy Diggle did a good job developing Superman's voice, his powers and current state of mind. He also did a great job capturing the sadistic voice of Lex Luthor in a way that shows the character is calm and in control of his latest plot against Superman. It is unfortunate that we will not be able to see this story goes from here as Diggle exits the series after his first issue. I am sure Danial will do a good job with the story moving forward but it will never fully realize the vision of Diggle had for the series. We will never know what his plans were since he was not allowed to write the story he was originally hired for and partially developed in Action Comics #19.

Adventure Comics #2 was a disappointing read especially with the news Johns and Manapul are leaving this book after issue #6. The slow and methodical approach Johns is taking with this series made this issue a boring read. Fans that are reading the current Superman books and are up to speed with the direction of the franchise will probably enjoy this series more than new readers like me. After this issue I am considering dropping this series before Johns run is over though I'll let a quick flip through at my LCS for the next issue decide that.

All-New Wolverine #13 firmly establishes "Enemy of the State II" as a personal story arc for Laura Kinney. Tom Taylor did an excellent developing the story around who Laura is in the present and was in the past. By doing this it makes "Enemy of the State II" not feel like it is a sequel. Instead it will be a story arc that will stand on the strength of its main character. If you haven't read All-New Wolverine yet than I highly recommend jumping in with this new arc as it is one Marvel's must-read comic books.

All-New X-Factor #1 successfully introduced us to the new team in grand fashion. Peter David did a great job executing a first issue that welcomes in new readers and long-time readers to the new series. The character interaction was done in a way that you know that there is already history between Polaris, Gambit and Quicksilver but its something that you dont need to know it to understand what is going on. You just have to know that they have been brought in as the new X-Factor team by Serval Industries and move forward with the story. With all that was set-up in this first issue I am ready to continue reading this series on a monthly basis instead of in trades.

All-New X-Men #1 is the biggest surprise coming out of MarvelNow. Brian Bendis floored me with how well written this new X-Men title was. The conflict and characters are all quickly established with choices being made by certain characters can lead to some interesting ramifications. Stuart Immomen is able to help make the issue be even better by giving all of the talking head scenes a sense of urgency through his artwork.

All-New X-Men #2 is a strong second showing for Brian Bendis and Stuart Immonen. They have been able to provide the X-Men with a new life. From beginning to end the story pacing is very strong as Bendis puts in motion the conflict between the original X-Men with the present day X-Men. The difference between both groups helped to show how much all the characters have changed over time and builds excitement to the conflict between the two groups in future issues.

While All-New X-Men #3 had a few minor faults this was by far the best issue of the series so far. This is saying something because there has been very little to complain about these first three issues of All-New X-Men. This third issue was able to final let us get into the perspective of Cyclops group. Each character has their own motivation for joining Cyclops cause and how these purposes will mesh and conflict will be fun to see. Just the possibility of seeing past and present day Cyclops fighting in the next issue, with past Jean Grey there, is enough to have me eagerly anticipating the release of the next issue.

All-New X-Men #4 contains a lot enjoyment with the big confrontation of the original X-Men and the present day Cyclops. It leads us to some interesting friction between each faction of the X-Men in the story. Unfortunately the fact remains that after four issues the story should have moved further along. Whether its weekly, bi-monthly or monthly I want to know that when I pay $3.99 I am getting more out of a comic. So far the characters are more or less in the same position they were in the second issue. The pace needs to be picked up or else the interest in this title will die down much like it did during Bendis Avengers run.

All-New X-Men #5 packed a lot of drama for the X-Men. Some heavy decisions were made by a few characters that will have ramifications felt by the entire X-Men Universe. Brian Bendis has been able to find his home with the X-Men as he is able to nail the large cast of characters really well. There are issues with the pacing of the story but the drama provided by this issue is able to provide enough excitement for the future of this series.

In the end, All-New X-Men #6 provides strong characterization but the recap nature of the story keeps this issue from being more than average. The focus on past Jean and Scott provides a good look at the current status quo of the X-Men. The added introduction of Mystique at the end also gives this story a much needed third party that makes things much more interesting. Now we know we will not have to go down an X-Men vs. X-Men road which this story was dangerously on. Hopefully, the next issue will see the story move forward for the X-Men.

All-New X-Men #7 is the best issues of Brian Bendis run thus far. By introducing Mystique and having her get directly involved with the original X-Men coming to the present added an extra layer of suspense to what will happen next in this series. There is still a missing element to the story to move it to that next level but that does not take away from the success of this issue. With Bendis lighting the bomb right at the house of the X-Men I cant wait to see what happens when it is set off. If youre an X-Men fan than I highly encourage giving Bendis All-New X-Men a try, if you havent already started reading it.

All-New X-Men #8 was able to dedicate time in developing Angel into something more than a joke character. Small character beats such as the Young Cyclops standing up to Captain America and the mock banter of Kitty Pride and Iceman gave this issue some additional weight. Unfortunately the snail-like pace of that Bendis is taking the story is finally getting in the way of the story progressing naturally. It does not help matters that the Avengers are treated as nothing more than set pieces to stand in the background and say nothing. Hopefully what Jean Grey did at the end of the issue is a clue that the story will start seeing some forward progression.

Even though there is a questionable creative choice made it does not change the fact that All-New X-Men #9 is one of the best issues of the series so far. With All-New X-Men #9 the story of the original X-Men coming to the present is able to see positive forward progression, more so than what we have gotten the last half dozen issues in total. The story moves in a natural way that never seems as though as Bendis is stretching the story thin. Bendis finds strong balance with giving us progression for the original X-Men, Kitty Pride growing into her new role and the rise of Mystiques Brotherhood. The addition of Stuart Immonen artwork returning to the series helped elevate the story further. If you are an X-Men pick up All-New X-Men #9. It has something for every X-Men fan.

All-New X-Men #10 continued the momentum that the previous issue set by progressing all of the plotlines of this series. Even though this is a dialogue heavy issue Brian Bendis makes the most of every page by delivering great characterization for the X-Men, especially the past version of Cyclops. The conclusion with an unknown member of the Jean Grey School joining Cyclops Uncanny X-Men could have a lot potential to provide a dramatic shift to what happens next. The addition of the new Brotherhood of Evil Mutants making their presence known only adds further intrigue into the future of the series. If you are an X-Men fan I highly recommend picking up All-New X-Men as it is getting better and better.

With Angel joining the Uncanny X-Men, a great scene between Kitty Pride and Jean, Mystique continuing to cause chaos around the Marvel Universe and the Uncanny Avengers appearing at the end there is a lot to love about All-New X-Men #11. The fact that Bendis found a way to bring Jean Grey back and make her the stand out character further elevates how enjoyable this series is. There are also a lot of great character moments that are highlighted by Stuart Immonen fantastic artwork. If youre an X-Men fan I highly recommend checking out All-New X-Men.

All-New X-Men #12 is another entertaining chapter in Brian Bendis run that is slightly brought down by scenes that we have seen before. Even with scenes taking a similar tone Bendis is able breathe new life to them by integrating events that occurred during House of M and Avengers vs. X-Men.

Though I was never a fan of the run Brian Bendis had on the Avengers I am happy to see him find the franchise that fits his style of writing and All-New X-Men #14 is a great example of this. What's incredible about All-New X-Men #14 is that Bendis gives most of the cast time in the spotlight which makes the character moments a satisfying payoff that will have you smiling or cheering in your head. There are so many great character moments that I can even overlook the complaint I have over the short battle between the X-Men and Brotherhood. Stuart Immonen deserves just as much credit for this issues success as his artwork alone is able to tell a great story. Whether you are a long-time fan or new reader looking to get into the X-Men comics All-New X-Men is the perfect title to jump into.

All-New X-Men #15 is not the strongest issue that Brian Bendis has written for this series but it was enjoyable for what it was. The great interactions between Scott, Bobby, Jean and Rachel helped to push this issue to be more than another boring talking head issue. Through these scenes and how other X-Men played their supporting roles well we got to see how the founding members are taking their futures into their own hands. At the same time the state of arrested development Jean has found herself in and the lack of screen time for Hank did take away from the impact this issues story shouldve had. These little things are threatening to become bigger problems as Im beginning to think about how this story should end soon. Hopefully the upcoming X-Men Battle of the Atom event will fix this problem as the X-Mens past, present and future collide.

Brian Bendis continues to weave an engaging tale with X-Men Battle of the Atom in which you dont know what direction it is headed. There are a lot of players at play in this event and All-New X-Men #16 does its best to push the characters forward. So far this latest X-Men event has been able to separate itself from other events going on by being a character driven story. This character driven story has actually made it a lot harder to predict what is going to happen next. There are a lot of questions for this story to answer that could end the story in multiple ways. With Brian Wood stepping up for the next chapter of X-Men Battle of the Atom I am very excited to see where all of this is headed.

After going through a few chapters that progressed at a snails pace Brian Bendis turned in a fine six chapter to the X-Men Battle of the Atom crossover. With a greater look at what the future holds for the X-Men if things stayed as they were Bendis furthered the unpredictable pace of this story. As a reader this makes what happens next be even more exciting because I have no idea what each character will do the closer we get to the end. There is so much going on in this story that I just want to get my hands on the next chapter of this crossover. In the end, Bendis was able to reinvigorating my interest in this crossover with All-New X-Men #17.

All-New X-Men #21 is another fantastic entry in Brian Bendis work with the X-Men franchise. The Purifiers provided a threat that the original X-Men havent faced before. They were the first X-Men villains that showed them that mutants and other super powered people arent there biggest threat. This new challenge also re-emphasized the danger that the original X-Men have put the present day X-Men by staying in the present. X-23s presence in the story has added an interesting wild card to the series, especially when it comes to specific character relationships. With a crossover with the Guardians of the Galaxy coming up next I am extremely excited to see how the original X-Men fare in space.

Brian Bendis is able to return to form with All-New X-Men #23 and deliver exactly the type of engaging comic book I have come to expect from him since the Marvel NOW! era began. Even though this is a talking heads issue Bendis does enough to continue to build on the tension created from the latest adventure the time displaced X-Men have found themselves in the middle in. He does this by creating multiple storylines for us to follow during this crossover with the most interesting being left for last. Hopefully, Bendis can continue this momentum into the next issue of Guardians of Galaxy and he does not hit the same problems he did in the previous issue.

Through the writing and artwork we get to see how epic this whole story is and how much weight the decision the original X-Men made to stay in the present has on the state of the Marvel Universe.

As a concept I am sure All-New X-Men #25 sounded great but what we got on paper was something that failed to execute a memorable anniversary issue. Instead of using all of the great talent that was assembled to enhance the story he was looking to tell Brian Bendis created a comic book that failed to tell a story worth buying. That is a shame because the main story involving Beast and the Watcher was good. But because of the large gaps between it and contribution made by each artist involved, the main story is completely forgettable. In turn, this made All-New X-Men #25 feel like I wasted my time and money on a glorified collection of superhero posters. And just by making me have to write that sentence I cannot recommend this issue to anyone and instead ask you to save your money or buy a different comic book.

All-New X-Men #27 continues the unofficial crossover between the All-New and Uncanny X-Men teams and does a fantastic job in re-introducing the future version of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. The change in the narrative to put a focus on the origin story of Charles Xavier Jr. and Raze gives added depth to the future that this Brotherhood come from. The more we can see Bendis develop this version of the Brotherhood the better. Their presence adds to the trouble the original X-Men are constantly in by staying in the present. And so far Bendis is keeping things small by having it all set in the Xavier School which gives the story more of a focus on the character dynamics. Hopefully that continues because scenes like those shared by Cyclops, Emma and Jean really helped this issue stand out.

All-Star Batman #3 was another fantastic read in what is the must-read Batman comic book DC Comics is publishing. From beginning to end Scott Snyder and John Romita make you want to just continue to read whatever Batman story they have in mind. It's to the point that when I reached the end of the comic I was disappointed there wasn't more. That is how compelling this Two-Face arc is and shows how well executed this story is. If you aren't reading All-Star Batman than you are for sure missing out on one of DC's best comic books.

All-Star Batman #4 is yet further proof that Scott Snyder is hands down one of the best modern day Batman writers. His understanding of the character and his world is second to none. This latest Two-Face story is yet another example of how Snyder finds new ways to challenge Batman that feels fresh. John Romita Jr. deserves just as much credit for executing the chaotic nature of Snyder's story with his artwork. If you're a Batman fan than All-Star Batman is a must buy.

A few flaws in the story and some inconsistent artwork keep All-Star Batman #5 from being the home run it could've been. With that said, this was still a great ending to Scott Snyder's first arc in this series. Through all the chaos that happened around Batman there was a lot of strong character development packed into "My Own Worst Enemy." There are also several plot threads that create a lot of intrigue for whatever Snyder has in store for us next. If you have followed any of Snyder's work in past or are looking for one Batman comic to read I highly recommend picking up All-Star Batman. It is only going to get better from here.

Dan Slott shows that he?s more than able to weave an excellent Spidey story. It?s even so well structured that I didn?t even realize how quickly a simple mugging had escalated to an ambitious mob assassination. The dialogue is spot on and you get the rare instance of a thought-balloon that works seamlessly with everything else. I also like that Slott shied away from a traditional Spider-Man villain, even if Mr. Negative doesn?t have much depth to him presently. Same goes for the new supporting cast, which is ?there? but little else at the moment. Steve McNiven?s work is beautiful as always. He does a superb job of infusing every panel with as much detail as possible. He sometimes seems to put more work into background characters that a lot of artist do in their main subject. In the end, good writing + good art = go buy. It?s just the sunk costs that make that equation harder than it is?

Amazing Spider-Man #592 was a fun read but because of the lack of picking up the developments from the last issue it didn't reach its full potential as I much rather find out what is going on with Harry or what MJ was going to say in the answering machine message (though it is kind of obvious what she was going to say) than seeing Jameson as mayor. Now if you don't excuse me I am going to try and scrub out my eyes in order to get that last page out of my mind.

Amazing Spider-Man #597 was another great installment of "American Son." So far, this has been one of the best Spider-Man stories we have gotten in a while. Joe Kelly is doing a great job with this story and I hope that we can get just one artist drawing the rest of the story.

Amazing Spider-Man #599 was a great ending to "American Son." Kelly really set the bar high for Amazing Spider-Man #600 that comes out on Wednesday. I cannot remember the last time I was this excited about reading Amazing Spider-Man and much of the credit goes to what Kelly and the other Spider-Man Brain Trust members have done to build stories organically.

8 Night Girls out of 10

Amazing Spider-Man #606 was another great read. Amazing Spider-Man has really become a title that I look forward to reading month in month out. With its usual three week a month schedule there is not much waiting time between issues. I look forward to seeing the conclusion of this two-part story on Wednesday. If you have yet to give Amazing Spider-Man a try or come back to this title I recommend picking up this issue along with the last few story arcs as this title has been very good.

Amazing Spider-Man #607 was another entertaining issue. Joe Kelly is a perfect fit for Amazing Spider-Man as he does a great job writing Peter and his supporting cast. If you haven't tried these past few issues of Amazing Spider-Man I highly recommend getting these issues in trade format, starting with "American Son," as this series has really been on a role the past few months.

Amazing Spider-Man #618 was a good read thanks to all the great artwork that Martin provided in this issue. While Slott does a solid job with the writing it was just not as great as the story that Van Lente and Kelly wrote in the last three issues of this series. Still you cant go wrong picking this issue up as Martins artwork alone is worth the cover price. Overall you wont go wrong picking this issue up as it was a nice solid Spider-Man issue that had plenty of entertaining parts.

Amazing Spider-Man #623 was a passable issue. After months of great Spider-Man issues this was the first issue of the series in a while that I was disappointed by. Waid did not do anything to make me interested in the new Vulture. If you are looking to read Amazing Spider-Man I recommend going out and reading the last few issues of this series, if you havent already, and pass on this story arc and waiting for the next story on Amazing Spider-Man.

Amazing Spider-Man #627 was a fun start to this three-part stand alone story that does not have any connection to the Gauntlet arc. This issue continues the role of great stories that Amazing Spider-Man has been delivering for the past few months. Roger Sterns sequel to his classic storyline hit all the right notes as he perfectly set-up the story and also showed that he still has a good handle of Peter Parker/Spider-Man. Combine Lee Weeks strong artwork and this was everything that you expect from a Spider-Man comic. I highly recommended to new and older fans looking for a good Spider-Man story.

Amazing Spider-Man #630 was another solid entry in the Gauntlet arc. Wells and Bachelo delivered a fun beginning to this new arc involving the Lizard. With the last page for this issue I cant wait to get a confrontation between Spider-Man and the Lizard. I recommend Spider-Man fans pick this issue up as you are in store for everything you expect from a Spider-Man comic as it looks like we are promised another fun arc involving one of Spider-Mans Rogues.

Amazing Spider-Man #632 was another great issue of Amazing Spider-Man. This Shed arc has really surprised me with how great it has been since I originally was not going to get this arc but boy am I glad I did. Zeb Wells is really delivering a fun Spider-Man story. If you are a Spider-Man pick this issue and arc up because it has everything you expect from a good Spider-Man story. You wont be disappointed.

Amazing Spider-Man #633 was a great end to the Shed arc. This was the best Lizard story I have read involving the character. Wells, Bachelo, and Rios combine to deliver a fun, engrossing story that all Spider-Man fans will want to read. Whether you havent read Amazing Spider-Man in a while or been reading this title on and off if you are a Spider-Man fan pick this story up when it comes out in trade paperback. This is just a quality Spider-Man story that you will not be disappointed in. Highly recommended.

Amazing Spider-Man #634 was a fantastic start to the Grim Hunt story. Kelly and Lark combined to tell a story that really feels like it is a big event as they immediately have captured my interest in the story with this first issue. No matter if you have been reading Amazing Spider-Man for the past year or have not read an issue from this title in a long time you should pick this issue up. You will not be disappointed as Kelly and Lark are going to be taking Spider-Man and the whole Spider family on a wild ride as they fight of the Kravinoff family. I highly recommend this issue to every Spider-Man fan.

Amazing Spider-Man #635 was yet another phenomenal read. Joe Kelly and Michael Lark absolutely knocked it out of the park in this second issue to Grim Hunt. While the story isnt very new reader friendly it is doing everything right that if you have been reading Spider-Man for a while that you should be reading this. I cannot gush about how much Im loving this story enough. It is just plain phenomenal as it feels like a big event that is happening within Amazing Spider-Man. I highly recommend long time Spider-Man fans to pick this issue up as this is a story for you.

Amazing Spider-Man #642 was a good start to Origin of the Species arc which should only get bigger with the next three issues. Waid does a solid job setting the story up and did a good job writing Peter and his supporting cast. The problem with the story is that it heavily relies on Brand New Day continuity. If you have been reading or have been keeping up with what has gone on during Brand New Day than you will enjoy this story. If you havent I recommend passing on this arc and waiting for Big Time which begins next month.

Amazing Spider-Man #647 was a fun read. Even with two stories that were complete duds this was still a well written issue that help not only end Brand New Day but start some interesting plotlines for Big Time. I am definitely looking forward to Big Time, especially with even more old school Spider-Man villains like Hobgobling coming back.

Amazing Spider-Man #650 was another spectacular issue. Dan Slott is delivering one wild and fun ride that all Spider-Man fans will enjoy. Slott does a great job balancing this issue with some great character interaction while building up the villain of the story in Hobgoblin. Two issues in and Slott has made Amazing Spider-Man a must read with how much fun it is. If you are looking for a comic that is just pure fun then make sure to pick up a copy of Amazing Spider-Man #650.

Amazing Spider-Man #651 was a fantastic end to a highly enjoyable story arc. You cannot kick off a new direction for a comic than how Dan Slott has started with Big Time. Slott just delivered a comic book story that is pure fun. With Humberto Ramos along for the ride as the artist this is a comic book that is hard not to have a smile on your face while reading and even after. If you are a Spider-Man I highly recommend picking up this comic up. And if you are looking for a fun comic to read than do yourself a favor and pick up this first arc by Slott. You will not regret it.

As Big Time continues it has only gotten better and Amazing Spider-Man #653 is an example of that. Dan Slott, with help from Fred Van Lente, is establishing Amazing Spider-Man as one of Marvels premier titles. This is just one fun comic that no Spider-Man fan will want to miss out on. With the extra back-up story in this issue, you are getting your moneys worth in by buying this issue. I highly recommend picking up this issue because you will be sure to be smiling from beginning to end. I know I was.

Amazing Spider-Man #659 was another enjoyable issue of the new Big Time direction for the book. Outside of problems handling Carlies character, both Dan Slott and Fred Van Lente are able to deliver a fun story with Spider-Man out on a mission with his new team in the Future Foundation, aka Fantastic Four. The story does a good job building up Spider-Mans new status quo as part of the FF and continuing the build up of the Sinister Six. Stefano Caselli comes along for the ride by providing some excellent artwork. Spider-Man fans will sure enjoy this issue, and if you have been reading FF then I recommend picking up this arc since it is a great extension to the story Hickman is telling.

Amazing Spider-Man #667 told a well-paced story that did an effective job being new reader friendly while inserting plot developments for long term readers. Dan Slott hit all the right character notes in this issue by presenting a challenge for Peter Parker to face that will force him to go about overcoming in a different manner he is used to. With a city filled with people with his powers itll be fun to see how Peter goes about implementing his new training and how his supporting cast will interact with him as Spider-Island moves forward.

Continuing the trend of delivering one fun comic after another Amazing Spider-Man #668 was another quick paced issue that was a blast to read. Dan Slott has done a great job making Amazing Spider-Man read like how a superhero comic should read like.

Amazing Spider-Man #671 was another great entry in the Spider-Island event. Dan Slott just nails Spider-Mans world. He understands that the core of every Spider-Man story is Peter Parker and his supporting cast. Even with such a big event going on they are still the focal point of the story.

Amazing Spider-Man #681 was another fun issue from one of Marvels best series. The story in this issue helps to further the upcoming End of the Earth event while delivering a fun team-up with Human Torch. The bantering back and forth between Spider-Man and the Human Torch is what carried this issue. With how the story ended I am more excited for the new Spider-Man event.

When it comes right down to it End of the Earth has gotten off to the right start. Amazing Spider-Man #682 delivered a different way to start an event as Dan Slott presented Doctor Octopus as both a hero and a villain. He also turned the world against Spider-Man in one quick move. Everything in this issue helped to make things a lot more mysterious in how things will end. Having Stefano Caselli on art was just icing on the cake for this great issue. If you have yet to pick up Amazing Spider-Man I highly encourage doing so because whether you are a new or old reader End of the Earth is an event that cannot be missed.

Amazing Spider-Man #686 was another fantastic entry in the Ends of the Earth event. Dan Slott is putting on a clinic with this storyline that will be a contender for story and event of the year. He has been able to assemble all the chess pieces and throw in some curve balls to keep us on our feet. Now that he has made the story more personal for Spider-Man as it is revealed that Doctor Octopus is using Peters own tech I cant wait to see how the final showdown between the two turns out in the next issue. If for some reason you are not reading Amazing Spider-Man I highly recommend you go out and start reading this series because it is one of the best comics on the market.

Amazing Spider-Man #687 did not provide the best conclusion to an event but it was still a fun comic to read. Dan Slott characterization for the most part was as strong as always. All of the action is well choreographed and he leaves Spider-Man has me greatly anticipate what comes next. It is just too bad that how Doc Ock is taken down turned out to be a letdown compared to all the build-up the character got this past year. Even so, I look forward to picking the eventual hardcover to End of the Earth as it is strong event that every Spider-Man fan will want to read.

Even with some problems with the story structure and artwork Amazing Spider-Man #688 was a fun read. Dan Slott nails all of the characterization he gives the characters in this issue. From start to finish this issue is able to get the reader invested in Spider-Mans battles, both personal and physical. This issue also serves as a great epilogue to End of the Earth as we get to see Peter dealing with the fallout from that story. With how this issue ended and what the cover shows for the next issue the battle looks to only have begun for Spider-Man, which means more fun for us.

Amazing Spider-Man #592 was an excellent origin story for Spider-Mans sidekick. Dan Slott gave Alpha ample time to develop his character that it is easy to connect with the new character. The story was able to grow organically, the pacing kept moving and there was never a dull moment. But as much as I enjoyed the story it is hard to recommend this comic to anyone given the high price point killing the issue score and must buy qualities.

At the end of the day Amazing Spider-Man #693 is a complete disappointment when it comes to Spider-Mans new sidekick, Alpha. Though the issue did have its good points when it came to Peter Parkers side of the story this is supposed to be a story that helps build Alpha as a new character. Instead what we get is a list of reasons to dislike Alphas character. This doesnt mean that the character cant be turned around but after only two issues it is clear that Dan Slott has a lot of work ahead of him to get Alpha over as character, much more than he had coming into Amazing Spider-Man #694.

Taking out all of the Alpha parts of this issue and storyline there was a lot to like. Unfortunately, for this issue and arc, Alpha was 80% of the story and it sunk with the failed ship that was Alpha. Now that this short filler-arc is over we can hopefully move forward to what has made Amazing Spider-Man a must buy comic for over a year.

Amazing Spider-Man #696 continues the recent filler trend of issues we have been getting since End of the Earth. As much as I love Dan Slotts run on this title it is disappointing to see this become a trend. Even with an intriguing cliffhanger in the last issue the resolution was quick and lacked meaning. The same can be said for the battle between the two Hobgoblins and the involvement of the Kingpin and the Hand. It is to bad because these are some of Spider-Mans best villains.

While Amazing Spider-Man #698 provides a much better executed comic then the last few arcs have it still has a lot of little things that become bigger problems. They are biggest being the issue having a rushed feel as Dan Slott is trying to pack in as many sub-plots as possible before the big 700th issue. Though Richard Elson's art is able to add some depth to scenes, particularly the closing scenes, it is not enough to help the Spider-Man fatigue I am beginning to feel.

There is still one more issue left for Dan Slott to convince me to pick up the relaunch series, Superior Spider-Man. Unfortunately issue #700 will have to be something special because Amazing Spider-Man #699 just left a bad taste in my mouth for the new direction of the franchise. Which I hate saying because up until now Slott's Amazing Spider-Man was my favorite series month in, month out.

At the end of the day, Amazing Spider-Man #700 turned out to be a reading experience that had a good set-up at the beginning but failed to peak any interest in the new Superior Spider-Man series thanks to its disappointing ending. There are just too many things about the ending that left a bad taste in my mouth for this and other recent Dan Slott Amazing Spider-Man stories. On top of that, the content that was provided was only worthless padding by Marvel to justify" the $7.99 price point. There are easily dozens of collections on Comixology and Amazon with more content worthy of that price point that people should buy.

Amazing Spider-Man #1 set-up the groundwork for the series moving forward without making it feel like I had to go back and read Superior Spider-Man. Dan Slott clearly has a plan in place for what he wants to do with Spider-Man moving forward. He has already set up numerous obstacles for Peter to overcome both personally and as Spider-Man. At the same time he makes the new status quo as something Peter is actually enjoying, which in turn makes it fun to read as a fan. And while half of the back-up stories did nothing for me the Electro and Black Cat stories did their job in teasing an interesting future for Spider-Man. With that I am back on board for whatever Slott has planned for Amazing Spider-Man next and that is all that can be asked for from a new first issue of a comic book.

Amazing Spider-Man #5 was another enjoyable issue for a new series that has quickly become one of the comics I look forward to reading every month. This is a big deal given how I did not read Dan Slotts Superior Spider-Man, and after more than a year away from reading a comic from this franchise it feels good to be reading a Spider-Man comic again. So far everything is playing out well, with the exception of Electros motivation. And with the hook ending showing us that Black Cat is getting closer to getting her revenge on Spider-Man things should only get more exciting moving forward.

Amazing Spider-Man #3 continues the strong momentum this latest volume this Marvel flagship title has built since the first issue. While I was not the biggest fan of the rich Peter Parker concept when I first heard it Dan Slott and Giuseppe Camuncoli have convinced me to buy in. Slott has delivered on keeping Peter Parker grounded even with all his success. The use of Johnny Storm in this issue was a good way to drive that point home. With Zodiac attacking SHIELD and Norman Osborn lurking in the shadows there are also plenty of things to be excited for in the coming months for Amazing Spider-Man. Knowing that has me even more excited for what is come from the minds of Dan Slott and Giuseppe Camuncoli.

Amazing Spider-Man #8 didn't have the best ending of a story but it delivered were it had to. Dan Slott made Mr. Negative's latest appearance have some resonance as it was closely tied to Peter's new status quo with Parker Industries. Slott also was able to show us how this new status quo has helped Peter become a better Spider-Man as we got to see our hero get the one up on a villain, even if the plan didn't go as planned. Now that the story is moving away from Shanghai I am interested to see what Slott has in story next for the globetrotting Peter Parker.

Amazing Spider-Man #18 did not help build my excitement in the upcoming Clone Conspiracy event. Instead I was left disappointed with how Doc Ock was written given Dan Slott's history of excellent character development for this iconic Spider-Man villain. While Doc Ock's arc turned out to be a disappointment there were a few things to enjoy for Superior Spider-Man fans, Anna's enjoyable arc in particular was long overdue. That said, Amazing Spider-Man #18 is an issue that did not live up to its potential due to its less than stellar execution.

Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows #1 is one of the best Secret Wars tie-ins that is currently out. Dan Slott and Adam Kubert did a phenomenal job developing the status of Peter and MJ's marriage while also showing us why Spider-Man is the last hero on this part of Battleworld. That status quo gave greater importance on how we saw Peter Parker in the final page of this issue. How Slott and Kubert will develop the conflict in this series moving forward will be interesting to see play out. If you are a Spider-Man fan this is one comic you must definitely go out and buy.

Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows #2 was another strong issue in a series that has quickly stood out as one of the best Secret Wars tie-in comic books. Dan Slott is working his magic with how he has reintroduced us not only to a married Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson-Parker but also Annie Parker. The dynamic that Slott has created with the Parker Family has made everything going around these character feel much more important. And with the momentum created by Peter's final decision at the end of this issue I'm highly intrigued in what will happen next.

As with the previous incarnation, Annihilation: Conquest was preceded by four mini-series, but you don't have to worry about getting lost if you decided to buy Halo 3 with the $60 needed to fully prep for the main series. In a change of pace, Abnett and Lanning decide to forego the customary recap page and put you right into the heat of the action. Multiple character hark on the point that no one has the full picture of what's going on/being planned, and the writers want the reader in the same position. You never get the full scope of what's happening, but continually pick of bits and pieces on the way. The resistance gains a couple allies, while the true face behind the Phalanx finally shows itself, but there's still not enough yet to connect all the dots. In the end, I'm more intrigued by the series than I was going into it, which is really the main purpose of a first issue, isn't it?

Aquaman #1 did everything a first issue should not do. The first task of this debut issue should have been to draw new readers into Aquamans character and his world. Johns did nothing of that sort. Instead, Johns wasted the whole issue having Aquaman act as a conduit for Johns' own voice. Unlike all other forms of entertainment that work on a budget, comic books have no budget that might constrain the author's approach to the story. The only budget that comic books have is the creative energy of its writer. Unfortunately, Johns treated this issue like it had a very small budget.

After dropping the series due to the first few issues being slow and boring Aquaman #15 was able to grab my attention in the series again. Geoff Johns is able to give us a solid background on why "Thrones of Atlantis" is happening as the foundation for this story. The addition of a third party will help keep the mystery of what will happen less predictable. It was also fantastic to see Paul Pelletier on a new comic book as his artwork delivers the big event feel to whatever story he is drawing.

Geoff Johns continues to use Throne of Atlantis as a showcase for how fascinating the world around Aquaman is and. Aquaman #16 is a good testament of that. Johns was also able to have the new members of the Justice League establish their presence on this title in a quick fashion. Unfortunately the predictability of the twist ending and Orm's importance diminishing hurt some of the story we have been following so far. Johns still has a chance to recover from this misstep and I'm willing to give him that chance because I have enjoyed Throne of Atlantis thus far.

After being impressed by Geoff Johns work during the Throne of Atlantis crossover I came into Aquaman #17 very excited to see what comes next. Unfortunately, this issue turned into a big disappointment as Johns keeps the story above ground instead of exploring the dynamic underwater world of Atlantis. Aquaman is a series that has a lot of untapped potential given how unknown the underwater world of the DC Universe is. Even with Johns portrayal of Aquaman and Mera being spot on and Pelletier's strong artwork Aquaman #17 was just a failure in capturing my imagination. Because of the lack of exploration in Atlantis this comic just felt like another comic being published by DC and nothing more.

Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine #1 was an absolute blast to read. Aaron and Kubert combine to deliver one fun comic book that promises eve more crazy adventures for our heroes in following issues. Aaron is a natural at writing both Spider-Man and Wolverine and Kubert expertly brings the story to life with his artwork. I cant wait to see what this creative team has in store for us next. If you didnt pick up Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine #1 I highly recommend you do because this was one fun comic book that you should not miss out on reading.

Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine #3 was a blast to read. From beginning to end, I had a crazy fun time with the insane story that Jason Aaron is telling. Aaron has been showing another layer to his writing that I have not seen from him before. Aaron's work here is easily cementing him as one of the best talents Marvel has. And with Adam Kubert on art, Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine is a comic that is a must have for Spider-Man and Wolverine fans. I highly recommend going out and buying this comic. You will have a fun time with this issue and the series as a whole.

Avengers #1 was a fun start to this new Avengers book. While this issue had some obvious defects Bendis turned in a solid effort as he delivers a story fitting of the Avengers. This issue was also very new reader friendly. So if you are looking for the classic Avengers or a more positive comic give Avengers #1 a try because this issue does capture the classic Avengers feel especially with the return of Kang.

During MarvelNow! the Avengers have been able to see a rebirth with Avengers #2 being a clear example of this. Even with its slow moments Jonathan Hickman is able to show the importance of the Avengers always being around and a valid reason for the team to expand its roster. The mixture of former Avengers, X-Men and Secret Warriors is makes the mission to save the captured Avengers from Ex Nihlo even more important. If you want to pick up a team book that has blockbuster event feel with every issue than pick up Jonathan Hickman's Avengers.

Avengers #3 solidifies what Jonathan Hickmans run for this series. Hickman establishes why the Avengers are seeing this expansion and that the scope for this series will be larger than life. Most importantly, he does this in a quick 3-issue arc that will let the series continue to grow in bigger ways. I was not a big fan of Captain Universe being used as the deus ex machina for this story. But even with that fact Hickman was able to create a fascinating new character in Ex Nihilo. Hickman has been able to hook me and look forward to seeing what he has in store for this Avengers title.

Though Avengers #3 had its good points it failed to capture my interest after the strong opening arc. The origin of Hyperion wasn't that interesting and would have been better served as a one-shot comic. In the process of telling such an origin story Hickman caused the story involving A.I.M's to be rushed as not enough time was dedicated to what they were doing in the Savage Land. It does not help that Adam Kubert's art, which I typically love, was not up to par with what he normally delivers. With so many great titles being published under the MarvelNow banner Hickman is going to have to do a better job delivering a tighter story or else the Avengers will face the chopping block.

Jonathan Hickman continues to weave a fascinating tale with Avengers #7. The cosmic nature of the story makes this title feel like a big event comic, something that has been missing from the majority of team books on the market. Hickman is able to feed us a lot of information while also keeping enough hidden that makes you want to keep coming back for more.

Avengers #8 is one of those comics that you will find even more rewarding with each additional read through. Jonathan Hickman packs so much into this comic that you are left wanting find out more about The White Event. Even with how much information that is thrown our way the story never feels slow, instead just feels as though we are reading a blockbuster Marvel event within an ongoing series. It doesnt hurt that the story is brought to life with amazing artwork from Dustin Weaver. I highly recommend all Marvel fans pick up Hickmans epic Avengers series.

Avengers #9 was another great read for Marvels flagship title. Jonathan Hickman further develops his grand vision for the series by developing a strong cast of villains for the Avengers to fight. Ex Nihlo is has quickly proven himself to be one of the greatest new additions to Avengers Rogue Gallery in a long time. The integration of New Universe plotlines such as White Event and Starbrand have only further added to the larger-than-life scope of the series. The addition of Dustin Weaver and Mike Deodato on art duties helps to elevate the grandeur of the story with truly stunning visuals from beginning to end. I highly recommend Marvel fans to give Hickmans Avengers series a try. If you dont you would be missing out on a truly spectacular comic.

Even though Ex Nihlo and his crew were not involved in Avengers #10 this issue successfully pushed the story forward thanks to the final fate of Alpha Flight and the revelations that the Avengers made during their mission in Canada. I will admit that Hickman should have turned this one-shot into a two issue arc to further flesh out certain sub-plots. But then again that is the double edge sword with using the Marvel Universe history as the basis for the story since there will be things new readers may not catch. Overall, Avengers #10 is able to solidly progress Hickmans epic Avengers story forward with things only get more dangerous for Earths Mightiest Heroes in the future.

Avengers #11 is another piece to the puzzle that Jonathan Hickman and, as an extension, Nick Spencer have been building towards. Hickman is able to further reestablish AIM as a strong organization and show the wide array of characters he has to play with in the Marvel Universe. The AIM plotline also gave us the opportunity to see different members of the Avengers get time in spotlight that they would have otherwise not gotten.

Avengers #13 is one of those comics that you don't realize how much content there is until you finish reading it. Jonathan Hickman and Nick Spencer not only pack this issue with great plot progression for the Garden storyline and integrating the High Evolutionary into the story but also pack in a ton of memorable character interactions.

Avengers #14 has everything that you could ask for from a comic book. It has action, drama, character development and proper use of continuity all in one neat package. Jonathan Hickman and Nick Spencer showed masterful hands in how they crafted Avengers #14 as each scene flowed into the next. The use of Bruce Banner proved to be the highlight of this issue as we finally get to see the character not just used as the Hulk but as one of the smartest person in the Marvel Universe. Coupled with a great call back to Planet Hulk and recent developments in Avengers the issue had a larger than life feeling to it. With spectacular artwork from Stefano Caselli Avengers #14 is another phenomenal issue for this can't miss series.

There are a lot of things that I love about Jonathan Hickman and Nick Spencer's work on the Avengers. They know how to capture the epic scope and small character moments of a series featuring the Earth's Mightiest Heroes. The problem that Hickman and Spencer run into with Avengers #16 is that there is so much going on that they lose focus of the story they are telling. The transitions between Sol's Hammer, Galadoa, the Avengers location, S.H.I.E.L.D and A.I.M did not work as smoothly as it has in the past. This caused the moments such as Bruce Banner transforming into the Hulk, the Spaceknights special appearance and the Avengers defeat to lack the weight they should have had. I am still looking forward to where all these developments are going but Avengers #14 is the first time in this story where I am left wondering if there is too much going on at the moment.

Avengers #17 is a solid end to the prelude to Infinity. Jonathan Hickman and Nick Spencer continue to do a fantastic job giving the Avengers a scope that spans the entire Marvel Universe. There is nothing that this team will not take on and seeing how they deal with their latest challenge by teaming up with Ex Nihlo, Abyss, Nightmask and Star Brand was fantastic. A.I.M continuing to plot their big plans in the shadows of this cosmic event has helped to add another layer to this series that we must keep our eyes on. Hopefully Hickman, Spencer and all those involved in the Infinity event are able to take this great build up and deliver a memorable Marvel event.

Avengers #22 takes a step back to give us smaller character moments that show us how the events that have occurred in Infinity has impacted various characters. On its own this is a very good issue because of how well executed these character interactions are handled. What hurts this type of issue is the fact that it does not give us anything that we haven't seen in previous Infinity related issues. Much of what happens in Avengers #22 has been done before and it loses its impact because of this fact. As we move closer to the end of Infinity I hope that Hickman can find a way to make these character moments feel special again because they haven't been with his recent Infinity issues.

Avengers #25 was not the best issue to kick off the next stage in Hickmans Avengers run. The story involving the past Avengers in the present felt too much like the story currently being told in All-New X-Men. I have faith that Hickman can turn this story into something that is his own, proven with the involvement of AIM and SHIELD in this issue, but it just did not feel as special as prior Hickman Avengers issues. Surprisingly, Salvador Larroca did prove to be the shining light of this issue, and that is coming from someone that strongly disliked his work on Iron Man.

As each month passes Christos Gage continues to show everyone how it is done. Avengers Academy #30 is yet further proof that this is the best Avengers title and one of Marvel's best comics on the stands. This issue does a great job fleshing out the conflict between the Avengers and X-Men as we finally get to see both sides given equal amount of time to voice their concerns and opinions.

Avengers Academy #33 delivers an emotionally heavy story that will remind you of The Iron Giant. From all the various personalities involved Christos Gage is able to show how all the student, no matter their differences, are friends and will stand by each other in the worst situation. This issue really helps get over how much all the kids at the Avengers Academy have evolved over the course of the series which is extremely satisfying for readers that have been reading the series from the beginning.

Avengers Academy #34 is even further proof of this series being one of the best series that Marvel has going. Taking everything he has built-up over the course of the series we see all of the character development for the students of Avengers Academy come to a head. Gage is able to give every character a unique voice as all the students face one of the most important decisions of their lives. Where things go is unknown but it will be exciting to see how Gage ends all of these characters stories and how it builds to their individual futures in the Marvel Universe.

Avengers Academy #37 is a big, fun end to the Final Exam story arc. Gage and Grummett combine to deliver a comic that is not only fun but is filled with great character moments that push all the kids of the Avengers Academy forward. Getting to see how far each character has come and the choices they make even in mid-battle is what makes this series special. We still don't fully know which characters will become heroes or villains in the end. What is known is that this is not only the best Avengers book but one of Marvels strongest series on the market on a monthly basis.

Avengers Academy #39 is able to end the series on a high note. It is sad that the series has to end but Gage is able to provide a proper "end" for this cast of characters. With how each character ends there time at this Academy there is a lot to look forward to in whatever book each one of them appears in the future.

I actually enjoyed the first issue of Avengers Arena because Dennis Hopeless was able to ground the situation with Hazmat and Mette's relationship. Unfortunately, Avengers Arena #2 failed to make me care about the dangerous situation these characters are placed. All the violence that happens on screen is unnecessary violent. It does not help that the characters we got to learn more about are extremely wooden with all their dialogue. The only saving grace for Avengers Arena #2 is Kev Walker's artwork but even that does not save this issue. If things do not change in the next issue Avengers Arena will be chopped from my pull list.

Kelly Sue DeConnick has continuously raised her stock as one of Marvel's top writers and Avengers Assembled #10 is another showcase for her. The writing and art all gelled together to create fun read with the right amount of character interaction between this cast of Avengers and big, over-the-top action. The bland villains does take away from the story but the comic is still enjoyable for all the Avengers interacting with one another. If you are looking for a fun Avengers comic that is not worrying itself with continuity or being dark and gritty than give DeConnick's Avengers Assembled. It is an easily accessible comic.

Avengers Prime #1 was solid start to this mini-series. Even though this issue suffered from the usual problems a Bendis Avengers book typically suffers from it was still the best issue of Avengers I have read that Bendis has wrote. It helps that he has the talent of Alan Davis on art who just knocked it out of the park with his artwork. If you are looking for a fun Avengers comic to read pick up this issue because this is definitely a good book. If it wasnt for Secret Avengers I would say this is the best Avengers book but still it is a close second. Pick this issue up if you are an Avengers fan or just a fan of one of these characters.

The issue was nothing that will blow a readers mind but it got the job done in giving Avengers vs. X-Men a strong foundation. Brian Bendis does a fine job presenting both sides of this latest Marvel conflict. The reader can understand the stances Captain America and Cyclops are taking and why the Phoenixs return causes them to disagree. Even with some bad choices in how to open up the story I ended up enjoy the majority of the issue. Now hopefully this momentum that started with issue #1 continues into Avengers vs. X-Men #2.

Avengers vs. X-Men #3 was an issue that continues the trend of having some unbalanced character work. Just as Cyclops finally shows himself as a strong leader Captain America is turned into an authoritative asshole that you do not want to follow. The lack of development for the majority of the cast for both the Avengers and X-Men does not help things. As much as I want to love this event there are major flaws that continue to hold it back from it reaching its fullest potential.

Outside a few flaws that continue to hamper the overall story Avengers vs. X-Men #7 was actually a highly entertaining read. Now that we have gotten past the halfway point of Marvels mega event things have picked up in quality with Fraction doing a very good job making the story even bigger. With solid characterization of the Phoenix-5 and most of the Avengers I am now looking forward to what happens next as there are a lot of interesting possibilities stemming off what happens in Avengers vs. X-Men #7.

Avengers vs. X-Men #8 continues the strong developments we have gotten from Act 2 of Marvel's big event. While things may have started slow things have really picked up steam as the X-Men continue to get stronger and the Avengers lose more hope. The ending does a great job having the Avengers hit their lowest point as now they are the ones to face the adversity that the X-Men have long known.

As we have gotten further into the latest Marvel event the better it has gotten. Avengers vs. X-Men #9 is a testament to this improvement from where it started. Jason Aaron is able to build an emotional connection to what is going on in the conflict. By focusing on three key character relationships we are able to see how far the conflict between the Avengers and X-Men has developed. Spider-Man specifically steps up as the star of the show in this issue which put a big smile on this Spider-Man fan. If you stuck with Avengers vs. X-Men this long than you will be happy to know that the event has been getting better and better. I am now even more excited to see how things turn out in the end.

At the end of the day, Avengers vs. X-Men #10 puts a spotlight on the two biggest weaknesses of the event its length and the lack of X-Men. These two factors are what has bogged down the entire event and affected the story of this issue. It is too bad that this happened after strong AvX #9. But, unlike its predecessor this issue failed to give us the needed emotional connection for the story Brubaker tried to tell. With only two issues left, Avengers vs. X-Men is on an uphill battle to regain its momentum.

Is Avengers vs. X-Men #11 a home run? No, it is not. But, it is not an issue that was unreadable. Avengers vs. X-Men #11 is actually a very entertaining issue that accomplished a lot more than the majority of the event has in ten issues. Brian Bendis effectively uses the page count he is given to tell a story that gets the reader excited to find out what will happen in the finale. Unfortunately, the problems that have shrouded the event continue affect this issue and keep it from being a winner. If you have enjoyed Avengers vs. X-Men than you will love this issue as it the best issue of the event. If you have not then this issue will not change your mind on Marvels big event.

Though Avengers vs. X-Men has had its fair share of problems, specifically with the way the story drags and the handling of the X-Men, this final issue did its job in getting me excited for what comes next. Jason Aaron and Adam Kubert combined to deliver a fun, fast paced comic that got the job done in tying things up and instilling hope for what comes next. There is a lot of possibilities when it comes to how the Marvel writers will handle the fallout from Avengers vs. X-Men #12. Because of all these possibilities there is no question that I will be buying many of the comics involved in the MarvelNow! direction that the company is going.

While I have my problems with the $3.99 price point Avenging Spider-Man was a fantastic read that was pure fun from beginning to end. Zeb Wells finally gets the opportunity to write his own Spider-Man book and he hits it out of the ballpark on his first at-bat. Wells understands how to write the character as he has him play off his fellow Avengers teammates really well. There were even points that I found myself smiling because of how much fun I had reading this issue. I definitely recommend picking up Avenging Spider-Man if you are looking for a Spider-Man book that is just about a fun adventure.

Avenging Spider-Man #6 is an excellent start to this three book crossover that will also involve the Punisher and Daredevil titles. From the first page to the last there is no wasted page or panel in this issue. Greg Rucka and Mark Waid keep the entire issue focused on the story as they present us with some background into what The Omega Drive is and why Spider-Man, Punisher and Daredevil are fighting over who should hold it. With how much content Avenging Spider-Man #6 had I cannot wait to see what Rucka and Waid have in store for us in the next two issue with Punisher #10 and Daredevil #11.

Avenging Spider-Man #7 is one of the must have issues of the year. Kathryn and Stuart Immonen combined their talents to deliver what will not only be a contender for Issue of the Year but is currently the comic to beat for that award. Avenging Spider-Man #7 is one of those comics that no summary will do it justice in how much fun the story is. If you are a Marvel fan pick this Spider-Man/She-Hulk team-up issue up the next time you are in your local comic book shop. You will not be disappointed.

From the time you open up this comic with the comedic recap page to the ending there is a lot to love about Avenging Spider-Man #9. This issue pushes the friendship between Spider-Man and Captain Marvel as Kelly Sue DeConnick gives us a preview of the voice she will give Captain Marvel in the characters new ongoing. This issue definitely got me more excited to read that series and has me looking forward to the next issue of Avenging Spider-Man. Having Terry and Rachel Dodson on art duties just puts the whip cream and cherry on top of this highly entertaining comic book.

Avenging Spider-Man #13 is one of those special comics that is so crazy that it works on many levels. The situations that Kevin Shinick and Aaron Kuder put the not to sane duo of Spider-Man and Deadpool is just so much fun that it is hard not to have a smile on your face when reading this issue. The enjoyment level of this issue is off the charts and fans of Spider-Man, Deadpool, comedic comics or a combination of the three will love this issue.

Avenging Spider-Man #15 is yet another example of how much fun comics can be. Cullen Bunn is able to make the team-up of Spider-Man, Moon Boy and Devil Dinosaur feel special. All the dinosaur fighting Devil Dinosaur is involved in does steal the show but Spider-Man is still able to make his presence known with some good comedic timing. If you have yet to give Avenging Spider-Man a try I recommend you start now because this has easily been one of Marvel's gems.

I will not lie by saying that The Avengers vs. The X-Men Versus #1 was not entertaining because it was. I had fun reading the two fights that were in this issue. But the question is not if the comic was fun but if it is worth the $3.99 cover price? The answer to that is a definitive No.

In the end, I ended up enjoying AvX: Versus #2 much more than the first issue of this tie-in mini-series. Not only that but Versus #2 was actually much more entertaining that its parent title. I am still not sure that this is enough to validate the $3.99 price tag. The high cover price is what makes me hesitant to recommend this title to readers. That along with the lack of actual progression in the main angle of the event makes Versus a series to only get if you really want to see how these fights play out.

Batgirl #1 was a good start to the new Batgirl series. Though it was nothing special Miller does a nice job establishing who the new Batgirl is and her supporting cast. Miller did enough to make me at least stick through the first arc in this series. If you have any interest in this series I would recommend getting this issue as it is new reader friendly.

When you mix in the fan fiction type writing and the awful artwork that Batgirl #8 you get a comic that is not very good at all. With this being part 2 of the Batgirl/Red Robin crossover this issue did not do anything to help build interest in what is going on in the story. If you are reading Red Robin you are going to have to get this issue in order to understand what is going on in Red Robin #10. For everyone else that is not reading this title or Red Robin you can completely skip this issue and this crossover.

Batgirl Annual #3 is a great example of how annuals should work. Even as the villains were a bit disappointing Fletcher and Stewart more than make up for with how entertaining the team-ups were. The opening segment involving Dick Grayson and Helena Bartilleni in particular stood out with strong action and comedy scenes. The artwork was also able to keep the pace of the story moving in an entertaining fashion. By the end of this annual Fletcher and Stewart left me hoping to see Batgirl interacted with Dick Grayson, Helena Bartilleni, Batwoman, Spoiler and the Gotham Academy students again in the near future.

Batgirl #3 was an improvement over the first two issues of the series. I want to love this book because Barbara Gordon is one of my favorite DC characters but Simone still has yet to deliver that one issue that knocks it out of the park. I will give Simone credit as she continues to show her understanding of Barbaras character and of the characters in the Batman universe, such as Nightwing. She also does a good job making this issue have a one-shot feel as it is one complete story. At the same time Simone continues to have problems with toning down how much dialogue and inner monologue boxes she packs into each panel. It distracts from what is really going on as she tries to seemingly compensate for artwork that doesnt complete get over certain scenes.

No matter what the future holds for this series Gail Simone looks to end her run on a high note as she proved with Batgirl #15. This is not just another tie-in book. Simone uses the situation presented to her with "The Death of the Family" event to explore the conflict between Batgirl and Joker. Daniel Sampere does a good job adding to the drama of the story with some intense and wicked expressions on various characters. If you are reading "The Death of the Family" make sure you pick up Batgirl #15. It is just as intense of a story as is being told in Snyder's Batman.

Gail Simone continues to do the most with the Joker's return outside of Scott Snyder's Batman series. Though the dialogue is not as strong as it was in previous entries Batgirl #16 is still a good supplement to "The Death of the Family." Simone has been able to grow Batgirl's character as she becomes more confident in her skills but still makes mistakes that show prone to mistakes that cost her in the end. If you're enjoying "The Death of the Family" and have a couple extra bucks to spare than give Batgirl a try.

Batgirl #17 is a disappointment following the events that took place during Death of the Family. Though Ray Fawkes does follow-up the long build James Gordon Jr. has been getting the narration the characters gives throughout the issue gets old a third of the way into the story. It does not help that it does not seem like Barbara is given time to see how she is after what the Joker just put her and her family through. The dull artwork does not help as there was no flow to what was going on with Sampere's artwork. Overall, there is nothing special about this comic and I am just going to wait until Gail Simone comes back because Fawkes lost my interest in his story incredibly quick with Batgirl #17.

Batgirl #18 was an improvement over the previous month's issue but not by a lot. Ray Fawkes does a good job continuing the rivalry between Barbara and James but the story is starting to feel as though we are running around in circles. There needs to be more to the story between the two siblings than what we have been shown so far. The addition of Robin's death to this issue was unnecessarily shoehorned in and only broke up the momentum of the main story in a negative way. Hopefully Batgirl can find her identity once Gail Simone returns to series.

Small nitpicks aside, Gail Simone returned to deliver the most memorable issue of the series thus far with her work on Batgirl #19. From beginning to end Simone packs a lot of emotion into this issue as Barbara tries to get her life back to normal only to be placed in a no-win scenario. Her final decision changes her status quo in an intriguing way that shakes both her personal and Batgirl life. The artwork by Daniel Sampere is also at its best in this issue as he captures the emotional moments that furthers your investment.

Since returning Gail Simone delivered one exciting issue after another and Batgirl #20 is the best issue of the series so far. Batgirl #20 was able to strike a good balance between the drama in Barbara Gordon's life and building up the new female Ventriloquist. This balance made the battle between Batgirl and the Ventriloquist much more exciting to watch since both characters, for different reasons, aren't mentally stable at the moment. The one place this issue stumbled was with the late appearance of Commissioner Gordon, which felt tacked on. His role in the story would have carried more weight to it if he was integrated into the story in a more seamless manner. With that said Batgirl #20 is the perfect jumping on point as Barbara begins the next stage of her life.

Batgirl #21 was another great issue in a series that has been rejuvenated since Gail Simone returned. This issue strikes a fine balance between continue to delve into the aftermath of Batgirl's decision in the previous arc and her current conflict with the new Ventriloquist. The new Ventriloquist has a sick and twisted vibe that is the perfect adversary for Batgirl to face at the moment. The interaction that Barbara has with Dick Grayson and her roommate gave us further insight into her current mental state. These interactions add extra depth as Simone is building towards a big confrontation between Barbara and Commissioner Gordon. While Fernando Pasarin needs to improve in how draws scenes outside of Barbara's superhero life he does a very good job in the Batgirl vs. Ventriloquist portion of this issue. Hopefully Simone and Pasarin are able to keep up this momentum moving forward.

In reading Batgirl #22 you can see that Simone loves Barbara Gordon's character. There a lot of nuances to how Simone writes Barbara that you will not find anywhere else. This is most apparent in the great scene between Barbara and Commissioner Gordon that's shrouded with the dark cloud of recent events. Now while the date between Barbara and Ricky was fine it would have been more effective if Simone allowed Pasarin to tell the story with his artwork in a silent date sequence. That aside, Batgirl #22 worked effectively to push the new status quo for the Gordon family forward and continue Barbara's evolution as a character.

Batgirl #22 is one of the strongest issues of this series to date. Gail Simone did a wonderful job using the Batman Familys current status quo to enhance Barbara Gordons choice of giving up the Batgirl cowl. Barbara is in a position where she has no one to turn to as theyre either away doing their own thing or too close to what is bothering her. These factors add a greater weight to the inner monologue and actions that Simone has Barbara take in this issue. Adding in the current tunnel vision that Commissioner Gordon has in his hunt for Batgirl and Batgirls villains assembling to take her down things only look to get worse for Barbara. If Batgirl #22 is any indication as to how things will shape out over the course of Batgirl Wanted than I cannot wait to see how this ride ends.

Batgirl #27 is an example of an opportunity to portray the main character in a different light and it is completely wasted. Gail Simone had a chance to explore a new side of Barbara Gordon, one that is devoid of all the darkness surrounding t her, and she didnt embrace the opportunity. The one saving grace for Batgirl #27 was how Robert Gill gave the Gothopia world a different look than we are used to seeing from Gotham City. Its just unfortunate that the writing did not capture that same sense of creativity.

By the issue's end Batgirl came to the conclusion that she knew it was better to just walk away from what the situation in instead continuing to investigate the vampire situation. And through this ending we got something that was different from most Batgirl arcs that is satisfying on its own.

Batigrl #41 had plenty of things to enjoy about it that one small gripe against the story couldn't ruin the fun of this issue. Cameron Stewart and Brenden Fletcher did not waste anytime in drawing out the mystery of who the new Batman. This allowed us to see how Barbara is really going to handle the fact that her dad is the new Batman and that he is actually hunting down all vigilantes. This development adds greater interest in the new status quo in Gotham City. Having the fabulous artwork from Babs Tarr does not hurt either as she elevated all of the dialogue given to the characters, particularly during the scenes between Barbara and Jim. All together, Batgirl #41 was a great issue that helped to increase my interest in everything going on in Gotham City.

Batman #688 was a good read. While it is nothing amazing, Winick is doing a good job showing the rough transition Dick is going through from being Nightwing into being the new Batman. I am also interested to see another confrontation between Dick and Two-Face now that Dick is the new Batman.

Batman #690 was another solid read that will not appeal to all Batman fans. This is a much more action focus series than the other Batman titles. This is just a title that you have to have fun with. I've been one of the biggest critics of Winnick's work but I have to admit that he is just providing a fun read. And with Bagley on art this arc has been a fun story and I look forward to seeing what happens with Batman vs. Two-Face.

Batman #691 was a good read. Winnick and Bagley combined to tell a fun story even though it had its faults. This issue and story arc will not appeal to all fans. If you enjoy reading a solid Batman adventure than I recommend picking this up. For fans looking for a bit more I recommend picking up Batman and Robin or Streets of Gotham.

Batman #692 was a good read. Other than the Nazi part of the story at the end Daniel actually impressed me with his writing in this issue. It was a vast improvement over his work on Battle for the Cowl. This was a very new reader friendly issue with giving the reader plenty of information not to get lost. Also with how this issue has built on other storylines that have been building since the start of the new direction from the franchise this has plenty for older Batman readers. So I do recommend picking up this issue whether you are new or a long time reader of Batman.

Batman #694 was another great read in Daniel's second turn at writing a Batman story. Daniel is doing an impressive job with his writing on this story arc. This is actually turning out to be one of the more enjoyable stories with Dick as Batman. Daniel has done a very good job balancing Dick's personal relationships with his new adventures as Batman while also bringing him into more of Bruce's lifestyle.

Batman #696 was another good read that continues what has been a very fun Batman story written and drawn by Tony Daniel. Daniel has really impressed me with his work on this title. Even though I got a little tired all of the shifts between past and present this was still a very well written issue that gave us some nice character work for all the characters in the issue. If you are a Batman fan Irecommend picking this issue and story arc up.

Batman #697 was a great ending to a story that was surprising in how well it turned out. Daniel turned in his A-game with this story arc. This story proved that his Battle for the Cowl story was hampered by editorial mandates as he proved himself to be a talented writer when given the creative freedom to write the story he wants to write. If you are a Batman fan pick this story up when it comes out on trade as it is a fun story that will be enjoyed by new and old Batman fans.

Batman #698 was a fun fast-paced Batman story. While not as deep and complex like what Morrison is giving us in Batman and Robin which might turn some readers off that like that type of story this was still a solid Batman story that most Batman fans should enjoy. Also if you are a fan of the Riddler this is an issue you should pick up. Overall a solid Batman story that I recommend all Batman fans looking for a fun fast-paced story to pick up.

Batman #700 was an enjoyable read. It is disappointing that DC did not make this monumental issue a much bigger celebration of Batman which is what it should have been. Still there will probably be at least one story out of the three that Morrison told that each Batman fan will enjoy. If you are a fan of Batman and are familiar with Morrisons run on Batman pick this issue up. For everyone else I cant completely really recommend this issue since I am not sure if this is a new reader friendly issue.

Batman #701 was solid read but it was nothing amazing. Morrison as always did a great job writing Bruce. The problem is that this issue lacks the depth I expect from a Morrison penned issue. A lot of this issue felt like a filler issue. Still if you have been a fan of Morrisons run on Batman you will probably enjoy reading Morrison write Bruce as Batman again. For those that have not followed Morrisons previous run on Batman I would say that you should pass on Batman #701 as this doesnt add anything to what is going on right now in the other Batbooks especially to Return of Bruce Wayne.

Batman #705 was another solid issue by Tony Daniel. I am still not convinced that Batman will continue to stay on my pull list after this arc, but Daniel has laid out a nice foundation for his second run on this title to be a fun one. The story with Sensei and his search for the Mask of the Beholder is an interesting one. I will be interested to see how the Riddler ties into this story of the Mask of the Beholder. If you are looking for a fun straightforward Batman tale than Batman #705, as well as the previous issue, are comics that you should get. For those looking for something more complex, I would recommend getting either Batman, Inc. or Detective Comics. The straightforward nature of the story in Batman may turn off those readers that are looking for more substance.

Batman #709 was a solid end to the Judgment of Gotham crossover between Batman, Red Robin and Gotham City Sirens. The crossover was nothing spectacular but it was an enjoyable read that Batman fans will enjoy. David Hine delivered the strongest chapters of the crossover in Batman, especially this finale. This issue did a great job telling us an untold story from Dick Graysons past to add an extra layer to the character and this character driven ending.

Batman #0 is able to give us some history of Bruce Wayne before he became Batman and set up the Red Hood Gang as a force to be wrecking with. Scott Snyder continues to establish a voice for each character he involves in his story which makes even stories that are fillers entertaining. Unfortunately the fact that the story doesn't have the same sense of importance the first twelve issues of the series have been able to have makes this an issue to pass on.

Batman #6 was another phenomenal entry in Scott Snyders epic. The whole story with the Court of Owls has been refreshing because as a reader I have been able to just read the story without knowing what is going to happen next. I am looking forward to what next crazy twist Snyder is going to throw at us instead of predicting what will happen. Heading into the big Batman crossover I am now looking forward to it even more because of how big of a threat the Court of Owls are to the Batman universe. Now if you are not reading Batman I highly encourage you do because this is a title that is a must buy.

My feeling for Batman #7 can be summed up in one word Excellent. In more than one word, I have to say Scott Snyder just continues to get better and better with each issue. There is no wasted time with Snyder making every scene and every panel feel important. This whole issue provided a lot of great revelations for all the characters involved. The story further strengthens the Court of Owls as absolutely menacing villains that Bruce needs to bring in the whole Batman Family to tackle. If you did not pick up this story arc in the single issue format I highly encourage you to pick up the eventual hardcover to catch up because Batman is the best series going for DC Comics right now.

Batman #8 was a fantastic comic book. Pure and simple, Scott Snyder knocked it out of the park with the beginning of the Night of the Owls. This opening chapter set up the chess piece for this war between the Batman Family and Court of Owls to be big. There are a lot of things to get excited for and the final page with Batman showing up with an armor suit reminiscent of the Dark Knight Returns suit just cemented the fact that this was a home run.

Batman #9 was another strong issue of the Night of the Owls storyline. Scott Snyder has done an excellent job getting over the threat the Court of the Owls have brought to the entire city of Gotham. With the added motivation he gains in this issue it is going to be fun to see how far Batman will go as he takes the fight to the Court of Owls. The back-up was a nice icing on the cake that expands on the story being told in the main feature.

Batman #10 takes the Night of the Owls event to another level as Scott Snyder delivers big revelations to both the reader and Batman. There is no point to predicting what is going to happen next with this Court of Owls Saga. This is one of those stories that has just been incredibly fun to just sit back and enjoy the intense ride Snyder has us on. I just wish we got Batman #11 next week because I am on the edge of my seat to find out how this story ends. If you have not been reading Batman I highly recommend going back and picking up this comic in trade format.

Batman #11 was a nearly perfect ending to what has been one of the best stories of the year. Scott Snyder truly creates an epic ending to the Court of Owls Saga that leaves you wanting more. Even with one misstep there was enough character work and action delivered that you can overlook that because the story is so much fun. With the announcement of the story for the series involving a certain Clown Prince of Crime this is a series that no one will want to miss out on reading. It is a must buy comic.

After an intense arc that saw Batman taken to his limits by the Court of Owl Scott Snyder choose to end his first year on the series with an issue that changes the stories focus. Maintaining a dark tone the series is known for Snyder switches the perspective to Harper Row. By making this switch we get a tightly focused character study that helps in the development for a supporting character that looks to play a large role in future stories. With strong artwork that supplements the strong story told Batman #12 is an issue that will be enjoyed by most Batman fans.

Scott Snyder has continuously delivered one excellent Batman comic after another and Batman #14 was no different. With the Joker going over the speed limit with his psychological attack on Batman this is a comic that can only be described as intense from beginning to end. Snyder did a great job showing off what makes the dynamic between Batman and Joker so special in terms of a battle between hero and villain. The additions of Batmans interaction with Commissioner Gordon and Nightwing only add more weight to everything going on in just one night. If you have not jumped on board with Snyders run do so immediately. Just begin with Batman #13 because this is one story arc that you do not want to miss out on.

Batman #15 was another excellent entry in the Death of the Family. The methodical approach that Scott Snyder applies to this issue feeds into all of the chaos that the Joker is causing Batman and Gotham City. The Joker has broken Batman and Batman doesnt even know it. The big discussion between the members of the Batman Family helped to make Death of the Family have a larger than life feel while adding interest to all the tie-in comics. With the issue ending with Batman marching into Arkham Asylum what happens next is anyones guess and that is exciting.

Batman #16 is an engrossing reading experience from beginning to end. Scott Snyder and company do not let go of your attention until you reach the final panel. Each time I finished reading this issue all I wanted to do was read it over and over again.

Batman #17 was a phenomenal end to Scott Snyder and Greg Capullos Death of the Family epic. Snyder and Capullo had my attention from the beginning and never let go. This is one of the most engrossing Batman stories Ive read. I not only want to see where Batman goes from here but I want to know what Nightwing, Batgirl, Robin, Red Robin and Red Hood do now. Even though Joker lost he successfully left his mark on everyone related to Batman. The next issue of Batman cannot be released soon enough. I want to read Batman #18 now.

Batman #18 does a great job showing what Bruce Waynes mental state is after suffering the loss of his son, Damian Wayne. Though I wish that DC would have allowed Grant Morrison to be the first to tackle the aftermath of Damians death Scott Synder did his best to address these developments. Snyder smartly used this opportunity to further delve into Harper Rows character history and use her as the vehicle to show the reader the fragile state of mind Batman currently is in. Andy Kubert and Alex Maleev are also able to provide artwork that strongly complimented Snyders story. If you have been keeping up with recent developments concerning Damians death than Batman #18 is an issue you should pick up.

For all its positives the one big negative makes me hesitant to say that Batman #19 measures up to the standard that Scott Snyder has set for himself. Batman is a character that works best when we dont know everything he is thinking. That said there is a lot of things that the issue does well. The way Snyder uses Damians death to enhance Batmans current mental state and is able to make Clayface a bigger threat than he previously was are great examples of this. The addition of a great back-up story by James Tynion IV involving a Superman/Batman team-up helps to elevate the value of this issue. It also doesnt hurt that Greg Capullo continues to deliver some of his best artwork to date. If youre a Batman fan I recommend checking out Batman #19 as all the good it does is able to overshadow the one negative.

Batman #20 gave Clayface the opportunity to elevate his stock in the crowded Batman Rogues Gallery. The lack of consequences to the events that happened in the story does hold this arc back from being memorable. This is a story that is just good enough to be entertaining but wont be remembered among Snyders best Batman stories. The strong back-up story by James Tynion and Alex Maleev that involves a team-up between Batman and Superman does help elevate the quality contained in this issue. Hopefully, Zero Year, which begins in the next issue, is able to put this series back on the memorable track it was before this quick arc took place.

I came into Batman #21 wanting to love Zero Year and it had all of the pieces in place for that to happen. Unfortunately everything Scott Snyder introduces in the main feature and in the back-up, which he co-wrote with James Tynion IV, fails to fuse everything together in order to tell a compelling story. The fact that Bruces road to become Batman is not presented with many hardships does not help. So far Snyder has handed everything to Bruce instead of letting us see the evolution the character as he creates the Batman persona. There is still a long way to go and things can quickly turn around given that this is only the first chapter. The great artwork from Greg Capullo and Rafael Albuquerque is already here. Now all we need is for the pieces that were introduced to come together and form a story in which we can immerse ourselves in.

Batman #22 was a big improvement over the first chapter of Zero Year. There are still some kinks that need to be worked out but as a whole this issue flowed much better. The dichotomy between Bruce and the Red Hood Gang and the confrontation between Bruce and Edward Nygma are just some of the issues highlights. These highlights add extra dimension to the story with every character given an important role to play in Bruces journey to become the Batman we know and love. If the previously mentioned weaknesses of the story can be worked out than Zero Year can stand on its own as a great origin story. Given the pedigree of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo past work this is something that Zero Year can achieve.

Batman #24 is by far the strongest issue we have had during this Zero Year arc. Even though the seven dollar price is jarring at first once you dig into the meat of what Batman #24 is youll find an engrossing reading experience that you will want to find out how it all ends. The oversized nature of this issue actually helped Scott Snyder execute the best ending to this first chapter in the career of the Batman. Snyder was able to move every character involved in Zero Year so far into the role readers are familiar with them being in. At the same time, he is able to present everything in a way that will appeal to new and older fans. So rest assured Batman #24 delivers on everything that is expected from a Batman comic with moments that will have you grinning when you see it inside the comic.

If all you are looking is a comic that gives you an idea about what Batman: Eternal will be about than you will enjoy Batman #28. There is enough action here that even new readers will enjoy. The problem is that when you take a look at the story being told in Batman #28 more closely than nothing about it lines up with what was previously established in Scott Snyder's pre-Zero Year stories.

In the process of making The Riddler a villain that Batman should be constantly be on the lookout for Snyder brought in some of the horror elements he introduced to the Batman Universe back in his Detective Comics run. It was during these moments that Snyder and Capullo shined as the writing and art came together nicely.

Batman #41 started of the era of Jim Gordon as Gotham City's newest Dark Knight on the right note. Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo crafted this issue in a way that made it feel like we were reading a story on a new Gotham City. From how they evolved Jim into the role of Gotham's new Batman to the development of the supporting cast everything worked together to make it easy to accept what was going on. The only thing that hurt this issue was Bruce Wayne's role in the story. As long as Snyder and Capullo keep the spotlight on Jim Gordon and his version of Batman than this could be a great way to build on the legend of DC Comics most iconic character.

Batman #42 was another strong entry in Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's run on this series. Putting aside Bruce Wayne's presence, Snyder does a very good job at making you come to terms with Jim Gordon as the new Batman. Through some clever plot development Snyder is able to place a greater emphasis on what it means to be Batman, both for the person wearing the cowl and Gotham City itself. This clear definition has set the stage for a different take on the Batman legend that has all the potential to be something special.

Batman #43 was an excellently dense read. Scott Snyder was able to craft a comic book that felt like it had double its actual page count. Through all of this Snyder was able to provide proper justification for Bruce's resurrection and why he is not going to be returning to the cape and cowl any time soon. This explanation opens the door for some fresh character development for Bruce Wayne. At the same time, Snyder spent an equal amount of time developing Jim Gordon as the new Batman and how dangerous Mr. Bloom is. All of this equated to a comic book that I wanted to read over and over again which is what all great comic books

Batman Annual #1 is a perfect example of a forgettable comic book. It's neither good nor bad, but rather somewhere in between. With such an all-star line-up headlining this annual had the potential to be so much more, especially given the cover price. Instead Batman Annual #1 is a comic only for the most hardcore Batman fan that feels the need to have for their complete collection. For everyone else, this is an issue you don't need to worry about purchasing at all.

Batman #9 is a great start for "I Am Suicide." Setting the majority of the issue inside of Arkham Asylum helped the execution of Batman assembling the team. Tom King nailed the characterization of all the characters that Batman recruited to be part of his Suicide Squad. Ending the issue with Catwoman's appearance helped to solidify how dangerous Bane and Santa Prisca are. Add in Mikel Janin's strong artwork and you have a story that Batman fans should not miss out on reading.

Batman #12 was another compelling chapter in the "I Am Suicide" storyline. Framing the entire issue around a letter Batman wrote to Catwoman before the events of this story gives us a better idea what they represent in each others lives. This made Catwoman's choice come over as a bigger twist to the story. It also made the issue-long fight sequence featuring Batman fighting his way through Bane's castle even more exciting. This all culminated with a strong ending as Batman now comes face-to-face with Bane and Catwoman.

Batman #13 is a good but flawed ending for Tom King and Mikel Janin's "I Am Suicide" arc. How Batman defeated Bane at the end couldn't off been more telegraphed. Luckily King's strong characterization of everyone involved in Batman's plan helped overcome this problem to not be as noticeable. The ending also opens the door for an even greater story involving Bane to be told in the future. Seeing as Bane comes to visit Batman Gotham City in February we won't have to wait that long for his revenge, which I cannot wait to see how it turns out.

Batman/Superman #1 is by no means the perfect reading experience. There are some flaws to this issue, mainly in the art department. Fortunately, Greg Pak was able to create a story that had enough interesting working parts that pushed the story forward. The characterization of Batman and Superman alone was strong enough that I can overlook some of the storys flaws. And while it may not be the ideal art style for this series Jae Lees art does invoke a sense of awe during the Gotham City sequence and whenever Batman was on screen. If you got some extra cash to spend while at your LCS I recommend giving Batman/Superman #1 a try to see if you can connect with the series.

While we get a brief bit of action Batman/Superman #2 is a character-driven comic that establishes multiverse within the New 52 era. This is the type of story that I did not expect to get for the first arc of a new Batman/Superman comic but it is fully welcomed. Greg Pak treats this multiverse crossover with care as we are treated with a few lighthearted moments from Earth 2 Catwoman and Lois Lane. At the same time Pak stays focused on the bigger story at hand with how the Batmans and Supermans interact with one another.

Batman and Robin #4 was another solid issue of this series. Morrison provided plenty of solid dialogue and Tan did a great job with the artwork for this issue. The only thing that keep this issue from being another great issue is Morrison lack to follow the continuity the other Batman writers have set-up with the new status quo. Anyone looking for a fun Batman title than I definitely recommend picking this series up as Morrison is doing a great job on this series.

Batman and Robin #5 was a disappointing read. This was the worst issue Morrison has provided in this series. Hopefully this only proves to be a minor stumble in the road and not a sign of things to come as before this issue Morrison has made this title one of the best titles DC has on the market. So I hope Morrison recovers in the next issue and gives us a solid ending to what might be a very dull arc that feels like nothing more than a filler arc so far.

Batman and Robin #6 was a very disappointing issue. As someone who has also found Morrison to be a hit-or-miss type writer with his stories this is a very passable storyline that I recommend just skipping. The only reason you may pick it up is if you're a hardcore Morrison fan or a completist, like me, and you already had the previous two issues of this arc. Other than that I don't recommend picking up this issue as there really isn't anything that was well written and the art was subpar at best.

Batman and Robin #7 was another disappointing issue that Morrison delivered. Morrison clearly was rushing through the story in this issue. Along with a giant editorial mistake this issue did not have any flow to it. If you are looking for a Batman title to read I do not recommend picking this series up other than the first arc with Quietly. Instead, I recommend picking up Batman or Streets of Gotham to get your Batman fix as Morrison has been very disappointing in Batman and Robin.

Batman and Robin #9 was another disappointing issue in a string of disappointing issues that Morrison has written. With these last two arcs Morrison has basically written two stories that are examples of how not to write a comic book story. Add on all the stupid grammar and editing mistakes this arc has suffered it is one of the worst stories I have read from Morrison. I actually enjoyed the majority of Morrisons run on Batman but his current output on Batman and Robin is just awful.

Batman and Robin #12 was a fun read and definitely was the best issue of Batman and Robin since issue #3. While the issue had its share of problems Morrison finally delivered an entertaining read. With Dr. Hurts return and Joker reappearing things should get much more interesting with the next story arc. Hopefully now that we are entering the big Return of Bruce Wayne story Morrison is able to maintain this consistency, which he hasnt been able to do since Batman RIP ended. If you have been enjoying Morrisons work on Batman and Robin than you are sure to enjoy this issue as Morrison brought his A-game for this issue and 3-part overall.

Batman and Robin #13 was an excellent story. Even though the artwork for this issue was absolutely horrendous Morrison was able to deliver a story that is good enough that I will be able to power through the awful artwork. Morrison really delivered the type of quality story that I expect from him that sadly he hadnt delivered since the start of this series. But hear is looking up to a story with a lot of potential that should be one of the better Batman stories Morrison has written. I highly recommended picking this issue up as the story is great, just be warned the art is just plain awful but the story is worth powering through.

Batman and Robin #14 delivered on everything I expect a Grant Morrison penned issue to be. From top to bottom this was a fantastic, tightly written story. Morrison is showing a lot of focus in this story which has been missing from his work as of late. The story feels big like a big event that no Batman fan should miss. Everything is falling apart around Dick Grayson as he has lost all control in Gotham City as the new Batman and is faced with the biggest challenge of his life. I cant wait to see how Morrison finishes this arc with the next issue. I highly recommend Batman fans to pick this, and the previous, issue up as it really feels like a big Batman story.

Batman and Robin #15 was another strong read in Batman and Robin Must Die. This has easily been the best story arc that Morrison has done since starting this series. Even with some weak art Morrison impressive writing is able to make up for it and deliver a great sequel to Batman RIP. Morrison is doing a great job creating an event style story for Dick and Damian to be in. I just wish the rest of his run on this title was this strong. So, if you like Batman and are a Morrison fan this is a story you should be reading as it is one of the best stories Morrison has written.

Batman and Robin #16 is a great end to Grant Morrisons final arc on Batman and Robin. While this issue has a big problem with schizophrenic art the story was still very strong. Morrison showed how great he can be when he writes a tightly focused comic book. With Bruce announcing the Batman Incorporated initiative I am at least interested in the direction the Batbooks are going, well at least Morrisons title. For those who enjoy Morrisons work on Batman I highly recommend picking this arc up when it comes out on trade.

Batman and Robin #0 was a good issue as it establishes Damian's backstory and what it is that drives him. Tomasi does a good job using this time to re-write the characters history in a way that keeps the Batman and Son storyline in continuity. Though the problem with the character's age and the questions it brings still are up in the air. Patrick Gleason provides some fine artwork as always as he is able to enhance the story with how he draws all the characters emotions and the action sequences.

With 52 new #1 comics coming out from DC Comics Batman and Robin #1 was able to separate itself from the pack. With only one issue the team of Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason made Batman and Robin my favorite series and the comic I will be looking forward to the most each month. Tomasi did a great job giving this issue a clear beginning, middle and end as he provided us with a full story that has a running sub-plot involving a new villain that has me looking forward to the next issue. I love the dynamic Tomasi established with Bruce and Damian as Batman and Robin.

Batman and Robin Annual #2 was exactly what I expected it to be. Peter Tomasi is able modernize the type of stories the original Dynamic Duo went on while keeping the light heartedness that those stories were known for around with the use of quick comedic moments and villain choice. The story was also a nice change of pace from present Batman stories as we are able to see an extensive look at how Batman and Robin acted during the early parts of their careers. After reading this issue I definitely was left with the urge to read more modern Batman and Robin stories. With DC publishing 20 Batman comics on a monthly basis I dont see why we wouldnt get a Batman comic that explores this early era of Batman, Robin and Batgirl. Make it happen DC!

Batman and Robin #2 was strong character focus issue with the Tomasi further developing the new Dynamic Duo. Though I have my problem with the NoBody plotline the writing for Bruce and Damian was so strong it makes up for the weakness in some of the plot. Tomasi writes both characters with their own distinct voices as they each deal with problems in having to team-up as Batman and Robin. Moving forward I want to see Batman and Robin fighting bigger villains. With what he has shown so far I am sure we will get that as Tomasi continues to develop the unique relationship Bruce and Damian have.

Batman and Robin #10 is strong start to a new story that will involve Bruce's four protgs. The challenge that Damian issues to Dick, Tim and Jason is good way of giving this series unique story that separates itself from the other Batbooks. This challenge has a lot of great possibilities from the interaction of the four characters that have held the Robin mantle and how Bruce will react to this family in-fighting. Unfortunately, the secondary plot involving the rise of a new organization that will fight Batman is nothing new and is already being done in two other Batbooks

Batman and Robin #11 continues to be one of the most underrated comics that DC Comics is currently putting out. Peter Tomasi does a great job exploring the relationship between Bruce and Damian while giving them challenges that test each of their personalities. The addition of Damian's challenge to his predecessor gives this book just another reason to follow as it is a battle that you want to see.

The end of the "Terminus" arc is a comic that was missing one piece to finish off the puzzle. Unfortunately, that piece turned out to be crucial to a successful story as the villain, Terminus, was a forgettable villain that did not leave a mark. The saving grace for the story of this issue is that Tomasi continues to do an excellent job when it comes to developing the relationships within the Batman Family. Whether it's Bruce and Damian or Dick, Tim, Jason and Damian all of the dynamics that are at play are well handled. The addition of Gleason's distinct artwork the Batman and Robin #12 is still fun but failed to reach its full potential.

With how vulnerable the Batman Family is post-Death of the Family it was great to see Peter Tomasi not just sweep things under the rug and actually explore were Bruce, Damian and Alfred are. Tomasi was able to address the aftermath in Batman and Robin #17 in a unique manner that gave us insight on the three characters state of minds. There are a lot of standout moments Batman fans will love, especially the ending. Add in Gleason's refreshing, vibrant artwork and Batman and Robin #17 is easily a must read for Batman fans and those who have followed "Death of the Family."

It is rare for me to read a comic book that I would label as perfect as soon as I reach the final page. But that is the exact thought that I had when I finished Batman and Robin #18. Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason delivered a comic where the reader is able to be part of the emotional rollercoaster that Bruce Wayne is on after the death of his son, Damian Wayne. The issue continuously built up to the point that when we got to that final page with Bruce holding Damians Robin costume in his arms you cant help but sad for Bruce and for what Damians fate turned out to be. That final splash will certainly live on as one of the most iconic Batman pages. So if it was not clear before, Batman and Robin #18 is a comic that is not to be missed by anyone. This must-have for every comic book collection.

Batman and Red Robin #19 did a lot in establishing Batman's current mental state. Peter Tomasi does a stellar job in presenting how Bruce Wayne is dealing with his son's death while using the tools available around the DC Universe in fun and unexpected ways. The addition of Red Robin and the introduction of Carrie Kelly helped to further show where Bruce is at mentally. At the same time, I continue to find all the "Who is the next Robin?" teases to be inappropriately timed, which reaches the point of frustration thanks to this week's Channel 52 back-up. With that said, Batman and Red Robin #19 continues the trend of Tomasi and Gleason making a claim for the best Batman title on the market.

Peter Tomasi continues to make the best out of Damian Wayne's death by exploring Batman's current relationship with his former sidekicks. Tomasi does a great job giving the reader a good sense of Batman and Red Hood's history through their dialogue instead of a bunch of flashbacks. The problem with their interaction is that Red Hood's personality is strikingly similar to Red Robin's. This fact cancels out the importance of both characters since there is no clear distinction between their personalities. At the same time, while I found a lot to like about the New 52 version of Carrie Kelly her integration into the series continues to feel forced. Hopefully with the next issue of Batman and Robin guest starring Batgirl we get to see a different direction taken with the current story.

Batman and Robin #21 hits all the right notes as it explores the fallout of all the big events that have occurred in Batmans life. The addition of Batgirl to the story elevated what Batmans current state of mind is because she is in a similar situation. The confrontation that these two have inside the batcave is easily one of the most memorable interactions that I have witness them having. Batgirl really got to the heart of the matter and is the first character that challenged Batman to realize that he is out of control. If you are a Batman fan I highly recommend checking this issue out as it is a great character study for both Batman and Batgirl.

With Batman and Robin #22 Peter Tomasi shows masterful skills in using everything that has been going on in the New 52 DC Universe to enhance this team-up between Batman and Catwoman. These two characters are natural foils for one another, which is one of the reasons why this relationship is so special within the Batman lore. Their unique chemistry makes the moment that Batman smiles for the first time since Damian's death feel special. Batman smiling was made even better with the prior interaction between Bruce Wayne and Carrie Kelly helping to build up that moment. With that said, I hope that Tomasi can use Nightwing's upcoming appearance as a way to get the Two-Face sub-plot back on track.

Batman and Nightwing #23 is exactly the story that was missing from Grant Morrison's run and Peter Tomasi perfectly executes it. The story of this issue makes you forget about everything that has happened and focus in on the dynamic between Bruce, Dick and Alfred. Tomasi does a brilliant job using bringing Dick Grayson into this issue not as another person that lectures Bruce but as someone that is looking to help Bruce get through Damian's death.

Batman & Robin: Eternal #1 successfully set the stage for the latest Batman weekly series. Scott Snyder and James Tynion did a good job at putting the spotlight of this first issue on Dick Grayson, Harper Row and Cassandra Cain to show us that they will be the driving force of this series. The only problem I had with the issue was the decision to set this story shortly after the events of Grayson #12. There could've been better choices for this part of the story that wouldn't of gotten in the way of what Snyder and Tynion wanted to tell without lessening the impact of that issue. That aside, I am all in on the story of Batman & Robin: Eternal and greatly looking forward to learning more about all that was revealed.

Batman Beyond #1 was a nice trip down memory lane that fans of Batman Beyond will enjoy. This is definitely a series built for fans of the cartoon. Even though I loved the cartoon this issue was very mixed with the story. Beechen did get some aspects of the story and characters right but there were things that were just not written well. And the art by Benjamin was sub-par at best. Still for fans of the series go ahead and pick this issue up to see if you like it. For everyone else I say pass on this issue. As for me I am going to trade wait the series instead of picking it up in monthly format.

Batman Beyond #3 was another average read at best. Though this issue is helped with some cool guest appearances that make it the best read of the mini-series it is still a disappointing story. When this mini-series was first announced I was very excited at the prospects of finally revisiting the Batman Beyond universe but getting to read this has been a big letdown as a big fan of the cartoon. The only people I would possibly recommend this mini-series to are die hard Batman Beyond fans and even to those fans I would say treed with caution. If you have a friend that is reading this mini-series borrow their copy to see if you like it. Otherwise I say avoid this mini-series as it is a very average story.

Batman Beyond #2 was a significant improvement over what we got in the first issue. Dan Jurgens and Bernado Chang we're able to develop this post-apocalyptic DC Universe in a way that I wanted to learn more about what is going on. The presence of Barbara Gordon, Max Gibson and Inque helped to peak my interest in this world. Unfortunately, the same can't be said about Tim Drake as Batman, who continues to be a duller, less competent version of the character we have come to know. If this series is going to have legs Jurgens will need to make Tim a compelling star because there is only so much the supporting cast can do to lift him up.

Batman Beyond 2.0 #5 is one of the best issues since the launch of the Beyond line of comics. Getting to see Terry briefly fight the previous Batman team, even if it was just an illusion created by Rewires crew, was a great moment that will have people fanboy and fangirl out. Also, through the introduction of Rewire to the Batman Beyond Rogues Gallery Kyle Higgins is able to show us how far Terry McGinnis has come as the Batman of the future. If youre a fan of the old DC Animated Universe than you should be picking up Batman Beyond 2.0. Higgins has done a great job capturing what made the Batman Beyond animated series special and progressing the characters to the next stage of their lives.

Batman Beyond: Rebirth #1 is one of the rare DC Rebirth titles that did not instantly win me over. With my pull list already reaching its max capacity I do not have room for a comic that can't instantly grab my attention with its first issue. And while I am a Batman Beyond fan Dan Jurgens failed to get me to buy into what he is doing with this series. There are far too many questions with the foundation of this series and feeling like I have to buy other comics to understand what is going on. For now Batman Beyond is not a comic that is worth buying into right away. Instead fans of the Batman Beyond series will be better off trade waiting to see if it gets good buzz moving with future issues.

Combine a vanilla story with flat artwork and Batman Inc. #0 is a throwaway issue that should be skipped. There is nothing in this issue for fans of Grant Morrison's Batman run to care about. For those unfamiliar, this issue is a nice catch up to how Batman Incorporated was established. But because of story and art problems I cannot recommend this issue to anyone.

Batman Incorporated #5 is as close to the old Morrison Batman we have had in the last year. By revisiting the world seen in Batman #666 we are able to see how it all fits into the greater story Morrison has been telling throughout his Batman run. With what Bruce has told Damian and the attack Leviathan launched that ended the issue these final issues of Morrisons Batman epic will have a lot of exciting moments. Hopefully these exciting moments come without the convoluted, headache inducing plot points. I doubt it since this is still Grant Morrison.

The battle between Batman Inc. and Leviathan continues to ramp up in Batman Incorporated #6. Grant Morrison continues to move all the chess pieces he has been using since the beginning of his Batman run and moving them closer to his grand finale. Talia and Leviathan have taken this war against Batman to the next level as they have caused a revolution to happen in Gotham City and broken Batman Inc. Hopefully the ending will live up to all this build-up.

Batman Incorporated #7 is another strong chapter in Grant Morrisons Batman epic. The introduction of a third party, Spyra, this late into the game is disappointing and the artwork by Chris Burnham leaves a lot to be desired. Fortunately Morrison works past these pitfalls and still delivers a comic that tells a tight story with a quick pace. The involvement of Nightwing, Red Robin, Red Hood and Robin is well handled and seeing how Morrison has worked so much history into this rivalry between Bruces Batman Incorporated and Talias Leviathan is fantastic. With Damian continuing to be in the middle of this entire war what happens next will be exciting to see.

With Batman Incorporated #8 Grant Morrison delivered one of the best issues of his Batman run to date. From top to bottom Morrison was able to weave an incredible story that not only showed the evolution of Damians character as Robin but also how parents being so focused on fighting one another will blinds them to how the fighting effects their child, which was the case for Bruce and Talia. Helping things out are scenes such as Nightwing and Robins team-up only help elevate the story as you awaited what Morrison had in store for us when we reached the end.

Batman Incorporated #9 was an exhilarating follow up to the events that lead to Damian Waynes death. Grant Morrison continues to work his magic on the Batman Universe as he has now isolated Batman just when Talia has turned Gotham City against him and everyone associated with Batman Incorporated. These latest developments along with other sub-plots in the work are a great example of the masterful way Morrison has handled his Batman epic since the beginning of his run. It is unfortunate that the artwork for this issue cannot reach that same level but it does not take away from how exciting the story is to read. If you are a Batman fan I encourage you to pick up Morrisons Batman Incorporated as he is doing something special.

Batman Incorporated #10 is another incredible chapter in Grant Morrisons Batman epic. The closer we get to the end the more Morrison ramps up the intensity of the story. Morrison has done an incredible job in creating a sinister aura around Talia and Leviathan. We see Batman make choices that may end up doing more harm than good but he makes these choices because Talia has pushed him to the absolute edge. The additions of Ras, Nightwing, Red Robin and Spyral in this issue further elevated the intensity of the war that is taking place in Gotham City. With the final image of this issue being that of a Man-Bat version of Batman I have absolutely no idea how Morrison is going to end his Batman epic. All I know is that I cannot wait to get my hands on the next issue.

Batman Incorporated #12 was another good entry in Grant Morrisons Batman epic. The battle between Batman and the Damian clone was intense and was properly framed with progression from all the characters involved in this story. Morrison was even able to turn the Spyral sub-plot into something that I am eagerly anticipating to see how it is resolved. The level of violence in the last half dozen pages did take some of the punch away from the ending and held this issue back from being as great other issues in the series are. That said I am still excited for whatever Morrison has planned for the ending. The next issue is where everything ends and I cannot wait to get my hands on the final chapter to Morrisons Batman epic.

By the time I finished reading Batman Incorporated #13 I knew something was wrong. Upon reading it again and again before even writing this review I understood that what I felt was emptiness to this supposed epic conclusion. For all that Grant Morrison built during his 7 year run on Batman this conclusion lacked the payoff that the characters and this comic book run deserved. There were many missed opportunities for meaningful character interactions that would have given this story a more proper ending. Given all that occurred there are many ways that Morrison could have ended things while leaving the door open for Ras al Ghul and members of Batman Inc. to return without the need of this jumbled. In the end this conclusion puts an epic stain on a 7 year comic book run that I enjoyed before reading this final issue.

Batman Eternal #1 does not waste any time in setting up the enormous scale of this new Batman series and it does so successfully. Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV did a fantastic job starting this event on the right foot by instantly grabbing our attention in the first page. The visual of beaten Bruce Wayne over a burning Gotham City was an intense visual that set the tone for how exciting the rest of the issue was. I was on the edge of my seat as I wanted to pick up on every clue Batman Eternal #1 may have had to understand why Gotham City will be in such a disastrous state in the future. And none of this excitement would have been there without the superb artwork from Jason Fabok, who was the real star of the show. As far as first issues go it does not get any better than Batman Eternal #1.

Batman Eternal #2 is an enjoyable issue that continues the plot threads created in the first issue. It also introduced us to a number of new players and get hints at the sides certain characters will be taking during the course of this weekly comic. But as the story progress I am worried with Snyder and company trying to use too many characters for this story. We can already see how big the cast is going to be and it will only grow. This issue definitely made me see how problematic things could get with characters getting enough screen time to adequately involve them in the story. If this isnt corrected quickly Batman Eternal will be in danger of becoming turning into yet another Batman and Commissioner Gordon story, of which we are already getting in Snyders Zero Year storyline. Hopefully, that is not the case as we move forward with this weekly comic.

While 99% of DC Comics marketing has been geared towards Flashpoints importance and the DCnU relaunch/reboot Batman Gates of Gotham snuck its way in to being the best event that we have gotten this year. Even without getting much attention Scott Snyder, Kyle Higgins and Ryan Parrott combined to deliver a story worthy of being a big event. All the characters involved from Dick Grayson to the new villain, The Architect, were given plenty of growth as the event moved forward. Even underutilized characters like Cassandra Cain got to be in the spotlight for most of the story. If you are a Batman fan I highly recommend picking up Batman Gates of Gotham when it comes out in trade as it was one of the best Batman events we have gotten in years.

Batman Lil Gotham #1 provides not just Halloween fun but a fantastic comic that could be read all year round. Dustin Nguyen and Derek Fridolfs provide something that is easily accessible for new and long time readers. There is a great story of a father, Bruce, trying to teach his son, Damian, how to be a kid. The addition of the fun artwork that is peppered with sight gags just adds to the must read quality of this issue. If you have the DC Comics or Comixology App on your phone or tablet buy and download this issue right away.

While this may be the weakest entry in series so far Batman: Lil' Gotham #4 was still highly enjoyable. You just can't help but have a smile on your face after reading the adventures of Catwoman, Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn in a chibi-style. Both the writing and artwork are on point as this book works as both fanservice and an all-ages story. Whether you're a long-time comic book fan, looking for a way to get into comics or someone you know than do yourselves a favor and download Batman: Li'l Gotham.

Batman: Lil' Gotham #5 is yet another excellent entry into one of the best comics DC Comics is publishing. Dustin Nguyen and Derek Fridolfs are only focused on telling a fun, creative story and that is exactly what this comic is. Seeing characters such as Joker, Talia Al Ghul, Catwoman and Zatanna having wacky chibi-style adventures in Gotham City is a pure joy. This is a must buy comic for any DC Comics fan and great comic to buy for those looking to get kids into comics. This comic gets the Revolution-Kevin stamp of approval.

Batman: Li'l Gotham #7 is another excellent entry in what is the best comic book being published right now. Getting to see the insanity of Batman picking up his villains one-by-one and stuffing them in the back seat of the Batmobile was purely awesome. The artwork also has a lot going on as every character on screen is doing something even if they don't have actual dialogue. This mix of strong writing and artwork should be an example for all current and aspiring comic book creators to follow. If you can tell a fun story right you will have a comic that can be enjoyed by readers young and old, which is exactly what Batman: Li'l Gotham #7 is.

Batman: Li'l Gotham #11 was another highly entertaining entry in what is easily the best comic that DC Comics is currently publishing. Though the lack of other Batman Family members was disappointing it was fun to see Damian Wayne carry this Mother's Day story. This issue had a very different tone to it than previous Li'l Gotham issues. Instead of just focusing on the comedic antics of the Batman cast this one mixed humor with some very touching moments about a kid and his parents. The heartwarming payoff at the end worked because Damian was the focus for this issue, as he is given a true family moment with Batman and Talia that he always wanted. If you're a Batman fan Batman: Li'l Gotham #11 is a must to have on your iPad, iPhone, Android or whatever other device that you have Comixology available on.

This is by far the best comic book that DC Comics is publishing and is a must read for every comic book fan, young and old.

Batman Streets of Gotham #8 was a good story for a filler arc. For those looking to get a continuation of the Zsasz storyline you will be disappointed by this issue as Dini again steps aside for another writer to write a different story. For his credit Benson did the best he could but at no point in the issue was he able to shake of the filler feel to the story. Still this issue, as well as the next issue, is not mandatory issues that you have to pick. So if you are waiting for the start of the conclusion of the Zsasz storyline I recommend passing on this two-part story and picking this series back up again in March when that story starts back up again, hopefully.

Did Batman: The Dark Knight #9 deliver on the promised first adventure of Red Robin in the Batman universe? No. If that is what may have interested you about picking this comic up than save yourself your money and buy a different comic. What Batman: The Dark Knight #9 did is to provide a supplementary story to the current Night of the Owls event going on in Scott Snyder's Batman comic. Is this required reading? No. But if you want to see more of the Court of Owls storyline play out The Dark Knight #9 is not a bad comic to pick up.

Batman The Return is a great start to the new Batman Incorporated direction. Outside a few problems Grant Morrison and David Finch combined to tell a great story. A lot of the ground work for the new direction has now been set in place including the villain. I am very excited to see what Morrison and the other Batman writers have in store for this new direction for the franchise. If you are a Batman fan or are looking for a great jumping on point to Batman comics this is the issue you should pick up.

The Return of Bruce Wayne #2 was a mixed bag of good and bad for me. I am not as excited about this story as I was coming into it. Morrison does do a good job with some of the elements of the story but his need to tell complex stories got in the way a bit in this issue. And the art hurt this issue even more with how bad it was. Hopefully the next issue will be an improvement over this issue, both in writing and art.

Batman The Return of Bruce Wayne #6 was one big disappointment. As much as I love the concept behind The Return of Bruce Wayne the execution was sorely lacking. Grant Morrison just never seemed to be able to bring all of his ideas together on paper. And with some weak art throughout the series I cant recommend this series to anyone. It is just one passable mini-series that does not set-up Batman Inc. at all. I am still going to at least try out Batman Inc. #1 but this mini-series definitely lowered my excitement for that issue.

Birds of Prey #1 was a solid start to the new Birds of Prey. This was a nice balanced read between action and talking head scenes while delivering two solid mysteries. And outside of a problem with too much dialogue at times Simone delivers everything you expect from a new #1 for a comic as this is a very new reader friendly issue while keeping things in for long time readers. If you are a Birds of Prey fan or are interested in any of the characters in this title pick this issue up.

Through its first four issues Nathan Edmondson has done a very good job separating Black Widow from the other comics Marvel is publishing by focusing on the superspy aspect of the character.

Nathan Edmondson and Phil Noto continued to show us how much chemistry they have with the close of their latest arc. It's that chemistry that made Black Widow #18 something I wanted to read multiple times, just to catch the little things they each did. With how many question marks they left in Natasha's life with how things ended I am excited to see what they will do next with her.

What's made Nathan Edmondson and Phil Noto's Black Widow standout from the pack is how they are able merge Natasha's backstory into their overarching story. With Black Widow #19 we were able to finally get an issue dedicated to the backstory we have been treated in glimpses throughout this run. In exploring Natasha's backstory we were able to further dive into the core of who she really is. With how this story was framed Black Widow #19 is an easy jumping on point for anyone looking for a good Black Widow story.

Black Widow Deadly Origins #1 was a disappointing read. This isn't really a required read in order to understand the character. Unless you are a fan of Natasha this is hard mini-series to recommend to. There is just not much to the story and nothing new to learn about the character. So unless you have the extra $3.99 and are a fan of Black Widow you can pick this issue up but if your not than save your money as this is not worth the cover price, but maybe in trade format.

Blackest Night #7 was yet another disappointing issue of DCs latest event. While I there has been massive love for this event so far I have found that this has been just a slow and uneventful story. Every issue seems to follow the same formula that by the time I read this issue it feels like the same thing as previous issues. Even though the final few pages where just plain awesome those final pages does not make up for the fact that the majority of this issue is a slow plot progressing issue just like all the issues of Blackest Night which is not a good thing for the second to last issue of an event.

Blackest Night #8 was a disappointing end to what has been one of the most disappointing stories I have read. While I am sure many people will enjoy this issue and series in general I was not one of them. Johns did such a great job building up this event that to see all that build be thrown away for this mess is just disappointing. Even though I am excited to see where some characters go from here does not make up for how dull the story turned out to be.

Blackest Night Batman #1 was a great read. Tomasi did a great job bringing in Batman and his universe into Blackest Night. So far this is the best Blackest Night related issue I have read so far. If you are reading Blackest Night than I recommend picking this mini-series up as this series will provide some answers and questions to the event. Plus seeing Batman and his allies having to fight their family and the dead Rogue Gallery along with the Deadman plotline should make this mini-series a blast to read in the next two issue.

Blackest Night Titans #2 was a good read. If you are reading Blackest Night this mini-series isn't very crucial to the main series. This mini-series is much more for fans of the Titans franchise. So if you have no interest in the Titans I would not recommend getting this mini-series. Still, if you are a fan of these characters I recommend getting this fun mini-series to get some of that old Titans nostalgia.

I was as happy as anybody when I originally heard that there was going to be a season eight, but I was expecting it to be like all the other seasons - not content with the status quo. Some of those changes didn't go over all that well (pretty much all of season six), but most succeeded. In not making changes that could alienate readers, they've found a way to alienate them regardless. Of course, it's still early, so I'll stick around for a bit longer to see if they can turn things around.

Most importantly though, is that the overall plot is progressing and characters are starting to move out of the static representation that we know so well. While the settings have changed, the characters really haven't grown all that much (besides Dawn's literal growth of course), so it was good to see Giles and Faith branch out in new directions. The art chores are handled once again by Georges Jeanty. He does a good job of capturing the likeness of the major players, while at the same time putting his own touch to them. The only problem I really had was that Faith in the flashback scene looked 12 years old instead of how she actually did in the third season. That's a small quibble though, and doesn't really detract from what is one of the best issues since season eight began.

Captain America #606 was a solid start to the Heroic Age for this title. Brubaker and Guice returned this series to form and went back to what made this issue great. Brubaker showed why Bucky makes for an interesting Captain America with the conflict inside of him. He also did a great job quickly building up Baron Zemo into being the new Red Skull for this title while giving Zemo his own distinct character and motivation for going after Captain America. If you havent picked up Captain America yet this is a great jumping on point as it has great action and character development to get new fans into the series. And if you have been reading this title this issue should not disappoint as it was a great read. Good to have you back to greatness Captain America.

Captain America #609 was another solid entry to this No Escape arc. Ed Brubaker has a very firm grasp on Buckys character as well as the supporting cast. Brubakers Baron Zemo also comes off as a very wicked villain that is prepared for everything. Were this issue and arc suffers is that it reads like a set up for the Trial of Captain America arc that follows this one which takes away some of the impact of this arc and the ending for the next issue. Still if you have been following Brubakers Captain America this will be another enjoyable read for fans of this comic. For those that are not reading this on a monthly basis I recommend picking this up in trade because Brubakers Captain America reads much better in trade format.

Captain America #610 did a good job ending No Escape and setting up the next arc for this title, The Trial of Captain America. Though I had my problems with how Brubaker portrayed Zemo, Brubaker still continues to do a great job showing the depth of Buckys character that makes him so interesting. With Guice's great artwork it looks like Brubaker is bringing Captain America back to form. I am looking forward to the next arc as it has a lot of potential to be one of the best arcs on this title.

Ed Brubaker delivered another strong read with Captain America #614. With each issue The Trial of Captain America has been getting better and better. This story has far and away been the strongest story we have gotten since Marvel decided to renumber Captain America. Brubaker is doing a good job showing that no matter what he does Bucky will never be able to escape his past as Winter Soldier. With Bucky going to face Sin to save Falcon and Black Widow it will be interesting to not only see what happens in his battle against Sin but also the repercussions of him escaping his imprisonment.

Since its relaunch at the end of last year Captain America has slowly been getting its swagger back. Ed Brubaker has returned to form on the series and character that made him a Marvel mainstay. Captain America #12 delivers on everything that a reader can want from a comic with strong action, character work, suspense and reveals that leave you wanting more. If you haven't given Captain America a shot I recommend picking up this latest arc as it is the perfect jumping on point for Marvel's First Avenger.

Captain America #15 continues the strong trend of fun action packed issues that are layered with good character work. Ed Brubaker, along with co-writer Ed Cullen, delivered on a comic that is just fun to read. With Scott Eaton on art, this issue is able to suck you into the adventure and gets you inside of what the character is thinking without having to rely on inner monologue. As we reach the conclusion of Brubakers epic run on the character it doesnt seem he is letting up on the gas pedal which means only exciting things for us as the reader.

As we reach closer to the end of Ed Brubaker's run on Captain America there is clearly no sign of this comic slowing down. Captain America #16 is another example of how Brubaker is able to mix in strong action with great character. Every character has something to do in this issue that all feel important to the bigger picture of the story. With what this issue establishes the next issue of Captain America everything is set for a strong ending for this story.

By the time you turn to the last page of Captain America #18 the phrase "Is that it?" will quickly come to mind. Though the issue delivers a lot of explosions many of the resolutions to the story lack that final element to make it all tie together. But thanks to Scott Eaten on art duty we do get some grand explosions that does entertain in a shut off your brain-type of fun. Hopefully Brubakers final arc on Captain America that begins in a couple weeks will end on a high note.

Captain America Reborn #2 was another very average issue that disappoints because it is just not the same type of quality I expect from an Ed Brubaker penned Captain America issue. So far, Brubaker has been writing this more for the eventual trade paperback than for a monthly series. While I still have faith Brubaker can pick things up with the last three issues I recommend that if you are interested in picking up this series wait for the trade as.

Captain America Reborn #5 was a good read that was not as great as it could have been since Marvel has decided to spoil what happens in this mini-series ending already. With the ending already spoiled it is a bit harder to get excited for the final issue of this mini-series. Still Brubaker and Hitch have done a solid job on this mini-series so far and I look forward to seeing how we reach the ending of Steve being back. If you have not picked up this series up yet I recommend picking it up in trade as I have no doubt that this mini-series will read much better as a trade than it has been in single issues.

Captain Marvel #1 is a strong start to Carol Danvers latest series as she picks up the Captain Marvel mantle, with all-new costume to go along with the new title. Kelly DeConnick is able to capture the various aspects of the characters life, from her grounded personality to the cosmic basis of her powers. With how well we are able to get to know who Carol is and what point in her life that she is in there is a lot to look forward to for future stories in this series. If you are looking not just for a strong female-lead book but great comic book to read pick up Captain Marvel #1. It is a great starting point for the character and a comic book that will be a lot of fun to read.

From the beginning Captain Marvel has been a series that is fun, smart and full of personality. Captain Marvel #4 continues this as Kelly Sue DeConnick firmly establishes the voice of both Carol Danvers and the series. With the addition of artwork from Dexter Soy that has continued to get better there is no reason to not pick up Captain Marvel. This is a book that will easily be in the running for Best New Series for 2012.

Captain Marvel #7 combines great writing with great artwork. Kelly Sue DeConnick and Dexter Soy continue to make Captain Marvel one of the best new series of the year. This issue continues to show what makes Carol Danvers different with her grounded background to go along with her cosmic powers. The underwater adventure was a fun way to keep things grounded on Earth while maintaining the unknown setting of a cosmic adventure. If you have yet to try out Captain Marvel then I highly recommend giving this comic a try.

Kelly Sue DeConnick and Dexter Soy continue to make a great combination on Captain Marvel. This latest issue is yet further proof as to why this series is one of the best new comics of the year. As we have Captain Marvel and her supporting cast firmly established it will be important for this series to create a Rogues Gallery for Captain Marvel to battle. If you haven't given Captain Marvel a try I recommend you change that as this is an extremely fun superhero comic.

Captain Marvel #9 is the perfect jumping on point for any reader that has not tried one of the best monthly titles Marvel is producing. The one shot nature of this issue allowed Kelly Sue DeConnick to show why Carol Danvers is a leading character. This issue does a great job not only highlighting Captain Marvel but her supporting cast as well. The ending was unexpected and I trust DeConnick to do a great job following up on the consequences of the reveal.

Captain Marvel #10 is yet another gem for this series that has been just that since it launched. Kelly DeConnick and Christopher Sebela are able to treat the new development in Carol's life with care. They use the brain lesion as a way to add another layer to her character that helps set her apart from other superheroes. From the touching scene with the young Captain Marvel fan and Captain America's dramatic conversation, there was a lot explored when it comes to the situation Carol finds herself in. If you are not reading Captain Marvel I highly implore you to change that.

Kelly DeConnick and Christopher Sebela are able to use Captain Marvel's current status quo as a way to ground Carol's character while also addressing her cosmic origins. The battle between Captain Marvel and Deathbird further established the danger Carol is in with her brain lesion continuing to affect every aspect of her life. Though the art will not be for everyone Filipe Andrade's stylized artwork does provide this comic a unique look not found in a standard Marvel comic. So if you aren't reading Captain Marvel I highly recommend checking it out.

After a critically successful run Kelly Sue DeConnick takes Captain Marvel #1 as a new launching pad to have the character involved in the more cosmic aspects of the Marvel Universe post-Infinity. The results are an issue that tries to act as an introductory issue for new readers that isn't entirely successful.

Captain Marvel and the Carol Corps #2 does a fantastic job in helping to separate this series from the army of Secret Wars comics on the stands right now. Kelly Sue DeConnick and Kelly Thompson delivered a story that feels unique to Carol Danvers character. The relationships between Carol and her crew help ground the more fantastical elements as they all seem like genuine friends dealing with a conflict together. James Rhodes presence in the story added to the tension that already existed around this story as he gave this series a wildcard at its disposal. And with how things ended in this issue I have even greater expectations for this story to get even better moving forward.

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Chaos War #1 was a fantastic start to this Marvel event. Just as they did over on Incredible Hercules, Pak and Van Lente delivered one fun comic. Chaos War #1 is a perfect example of how you start an event. Pak and Van Lente did not waste any time setting up the story as they showed how big of a threat Chaos King was in the first few pages and what the return of Hercules means. There was no shortage of awesomeness in this issue. If you did not pick up Chaos War #1 then I implore you to do yourself a favor and pick this issue up. You do not want to miss out on this event.

">Written by Kevin TweetChuck came back with a vengeance last week with a spectacular episode. The creators did a great job setting the overall tone of this season with Chuck out to find his mom and fighting a new organization. Along with Chucks mom being revealed, there is the question of whether Chuck brings in Ellie in for his search. So will the second episode be able to carry on the momentum built up from the first episode or will it falter? And more importantly how will the writers be able to bring back Big Mike, Jeff, and Lester with the new status quo? Hit the jump button to find out.With how the writers of this show did such a strong job setting up Chucks search for his mom, I was surprised to see that they moved away from that story so quickly to give us more of the spy adventure episodes from previous seasons. This was still a strong episode, but I was a bit taken a back with how we did not get a direct follow up, especially after seeing how much of a badass Chucks mom is,

Avengers #14 has everything that you could ask for from a comic book. It has action, drama, character development and proper use of continuity all in one neat package. Jonathan Hickman and Nick Spencer showed masterful hands in how they crafted Avengers #14 as each scene flowed into the next. The use of Bruce Banner proved to be the highlight of this issue as we finally get to see the character not just used as the Hulk but as one of the smartest person in the Marvel Universe. Coupled with a great call back to Planet Hulk and recent developments in Avengers the issue had a larger than life feeling to it. With spectacular artwork from Stefano Caselli Avengers #14 is another phenomenal issue for this cant miss series.

In reading Batgirl #22 you can see that Simone loves Barbara Gordons character. There a lot of nuances to how Simone writes Barbara that you will not find anywhere else. This is most apparent in the great scene between Barbara and Commissioner Gordon thats shrouded with the dark cloud of recent events. Now while the date between Barbara and Ricky was fine it would have been more effective if Simone allowed Pasarin to tell the story with his artwork in a silent date sequence. That aside, Batgirl #22 worked effectively to push the new status quo for the Gordon family forward and continue Barbaras evolution as a character.

With such great love for Earth-Two and Red Son universes I wanted to like Convergence: Detective Comics #2 more than I did. While Earth-Two Dick Grayson story arc provided this series a constant to hang onto it was not enough to get over its shortcoming. Too much time was spent making excuses as to why characters where making choices that did not line up with past portrayals. These out-of-character actions made it hard to recommend this as a series fans should read.

For all its faults Damian Son of Batman #1 successfully brings Damian Wayne back in his own book that isnt tied to the New 52. This book wont be for everyone as it is written for Damian Wayne fans, especially those looking to delve deeper into the world introduced in Batman #666. Luckily I am one of those fans and I greatly enjoyed what Kubert presented to us. With the swerve that Bruce was not the Batman that died and Damian battling the conflicting ideals he was raised on I am fully strapped in for whatever comes next.

Damian Son of Batman #4 could have been so much more than it turned out to be. Instead of providing a satisfying end to the first chapter of Damian Waynes choice of taking up the cowl Andy Kubert left a lot to be desired. There was no finality to the story that was started and you can tell that Kubert wasnt sure how he should actually end this mini-series. It is an unfortunate outcome because the world of Batman 666 was an interesting one set-up by Grant Morrison and Kubert never tapped into that potential. Even if you are a hardcore Batman fan I do not recommend picking up this mini-series at all. Save your money and buy Peter Tomasis Batman and Robin instead.

It goes without saying that Michael Lark does his usual fantastic job. He's a great noir artist that just happens to be able to do super heroes as well. After a short lull in quality, Daredevil is back running full throttle.

7 Night Girls out 10

Daredevil #500 was a spectacular read. Brubaker and Lark did a fantastic job with this anniversary issue that serves as a great way to end their run on this title. The place were they leave Matt and his supporting cast is a very interesting place for Diggle to pick up on and I will be interesting to see were the characters are headed from this point forward. I definitely recommend picking this story when it comes out in trade paperback as it is a very deep and complex story that has some great action scenes with very likable characters.

Daredevil #501 was a great read. Diggle and De La Torre set a very good foundation for the start of their new run. Diggle did the right thing to take a slow and methodical approach with this issue as this was a very character driven issue. And with the surprising ending we got at the end of this issue things only look to get even more intense with future issues. I highly recommend any fan of gritty street level titles to pick this issue and series up as it is a very well written series.

Daredevil #502 was another phenomenal issue. Andy Diggle and Roberto De La Torre are proving to be worthy successors to this title from their predecessors. I really have no idea where Diggle and De La Torre are going to take all the characters. All I know is that we should be in store for one wild ride on Daredevil. If you like dark and gritty titles I highly recommend picking up Daredevil up as it is one of the best books on the market.

I have only given two issues a 10 for the story in the past, and can only think of a handful of comic book issues I would ever give a 10 to, and Daredevil #506 was that damn good. Even though I was going to give the issue straight 9s that ending catapulted the story to get 10 Cosmic Boys out of 10. Diggle continue to astound me with the work they are doing since he started this run and Johnston seems to be a great co-writer for Diggle to team-up with. If you have not been reading Daredevil do yourself a favor and pick up this issue as well as Daredevil #501-#505 because this book just continues to get better and better. And this title does not look like it is going to slow down anytime soon with all that has happened so far and Shadowland coming up. So if you have not jumped on the Daredevil bandwagon yet all I have to say is What are you waiting for? Go out and get this title right now because this is one of the best and most exciting titles youll find on the stands.

Daredevil #11 was a strong finish to The Omega Effect. Mark Waid provided a lot of great character work for Daredevil, Punisher and Spider-Man. All three characters were able to mesh together very well as they each brought something different to the table. The addition of Rachel Alves gave the team-up an added cog to the machine to further Daredevils character. With how the story ended I look forward to seeing how the ramifications of where each character stands at the end will affect each book.

Being left to do its own thing Daredevil continues to be one of the most consistently well written titles. Daredevil #13 is yet another example of how great this series is as Mark Waid closes one chapter in Matt Murdock's Daredevil adventure and begins another. The combination of strong character interaction and action sequences made this issue a lot of fun, which is enhanced by the vibrant artwork. The ending is sure to mean a lot of Doom is on the way for Daredevil which only means more fun for us as the reader.

Having that instant feeling that you are about to read a comic that is truly special is a rare feeling to have. But when you do get that feeling it just makes the comic a must read. That is exactly what Daredevil #19 is. With a strong mix of adventure and drama Mark Waid continues to male Daredevil a must have comic every month. If this comic is not on your pull list I highly recommend changing that right away and buying this comic.

The ending not-withstanding, Daredevil #21 provided an exciting end to this Coyote/Spot story arc. Mark Waid continues to challenge Daredevil in unique ways that has him utilize his powers to look even better. At the same time, Chris Samnee's art style helps elevate all the action involving Daredevil and the dramatic scenes between Matt and Foggy. This is just another winner in a long line of excellent issues from Waid's Daredevil.

I had low expectations coming into this issue given how disappointing the Superior Spider-Man has been. I should have known better to doubt Mark Waid's abilities and proving how entertaining the Superior Spider-Man could be in the right situation. Spider-Man's attitude helped to contrast Daredevil current status quo with an entertaining team-up to fight Stilt-Man. Daredevil #22 also provided strong developments in Matt and Foggy's friendship that will continue to be tested given the ending of the issue. Chris Samnee's fantastic art helps elevate an already strong story which continues to make Daredevil a must buy.

Mark Waid and Chris Samnee continue to astound me with how incredible Daredevil is month in and month out. While the cancer topic is always a hard subject to tackle Waid handled it in a masterful way that helps the reader see how strong, even with all the ups and downs they've had, the friendship between Matt and Foggy is. At the same time Waid is able to provide some good plot progression on who has been after Daredevil and introduce a new gang with a unique design. If you have not read Waid's Daredevil than do yourself a favor and buy this comic. It is the best comic book that you can on the stands from any comic book company.

With all the great comic books out on the market Waid and Samnee's Daredevil continues to stand out as the leader of the pack. In Daredevil #25 Mark Waid continues to impress with how he has taken all of the established Daredevil mythology and made it his own. The costume design for Ikari made him an instant threat. This was only made more apparent with how the fight between Daredevil and Ikari spread across Hell's Kitchen. Making Daredevil #25 even better is how Chris Samnee is able to capture both the dark and fun aspects of this series perfectly through his artwork.

From beginning to end Daredevil #26 is an absolutely brilliant comic that deserves the rare 10 Night Girls out of 10 for the story and artwork. Mark Waid and Chris Samnee have created a truly special reading experience with their work on Daredevil. This issue is a fine example as to why we all read comics on a monthly basis. When everything is working in conjunction a creative team has the opportunity to tell a long term story that provides fans a gratifying reading experience that continues the eternal hero vs. villain struggle. While we still have yet to arrive to Waid and Samnees endgame the fact that we are one step closer to it is just as exciting as the story within Daredevil #26. No matter your comic book allegiances or whether you have read a Daredevil comic or not Mark Waids run on Daredevil is one that you should absolutely not miss.

Mark Waids Daredevil continues to be in a class of its own, a fact proven with Daredevil #28. Its incredible how much content Waid is able to pack into a single issue. Even when introducing a new character to Daredevils mythology Waid does not slow the issue down. Instead he uses the new character, Nate Hackett, to provide Matt Murdock yet another challenge for him to face. We even treated to some great scenes between Matt and Foggy as well as Matt and his father, Jack Murdock. Add in the artwork from Javier Rodriguez and you have yet another winner for the best comic book on the market. If you arent reading Waids Daredevil I highly recommend changing that right away and picking up the trades and single issues right away. You will be in for quite a treat when you do.

While it is fun to see Matt Murdock overcome the struggles in his civilian and Daredevil life Mark Waid gave us with a much needed break from that with Daredevil #30. This one-shot story continued the action-adventure tone this series has taken under Waid's watch and added a bit of the Marvel Cosmic magic to separate this from other Daredevil stories. Silver Surfer's involvement in this story helped to give Daredevil a different type of character to interact with since Daredevil isn't accustomed to dealing with cosmic characters. It was also interesting to see how Waid was able to use this cosmic story to further the personal struggles Matt is dealing with. The ending left me looking forward to what happens next in Matt's life in and outside his Daredevil persona.

Daredevil #36 ends this volume of the Man Without Fears adventures with a questionable bang. Mark Waid continued to show his understanding of Matt Murdocks world and what makes the character special. At the same time some of the impact of Matts Daredevil reveal is taken away due to the lack of follow-up in the final pages. Hopefully we get to see how the reveal affects Matts life when the new volume of Daredevil launches. Still, I am excited to see where Waid is going to take the character and his supporting cast next with the move to San Francisco.

Daredevil #1 did exactly what a first issue should do and that is to set-up a comic book world that makes the reader want to come back for more. Mark Waid took a more one-and-done approach with the story that he told in this first issue as Daredevil was able to save the day by the end of the issue. At the same time, Waid left enough on the table that we still have some questions we want answers to. The most pressing question that the final page of this issue brought up was the whereabouts of Foggy Nelson. This mystery along with Matts continued adjustment to his new surroundings will make the direction that this series takes even more exciting to see play out. If you have not read a Daredevil comic before than do yourself a favor by picking up Daredevil #1 that is part of All-New Marvel Now. This is a comic that is just a joy to read.

Daredevil #16 was another big win for the team of Mark Waid and Chris Samnee. This issue was a pure joy to read as the writing and artwork worked together perfectly in order to conveyed the tension between Daredevil and Kingpin. Everything else that happened around this confrontation helped to elevate the decision that Matt Murdock is making. With so many variables in play I am completely on the edge of my seat as to how Waid and Samnee will end their fabulous run on this series.

Daredevil #17 did exactly what it needed to do as the story has escalated to a point where you don't know how things will turn out for Matt Murdock and his supporting cast. Mark Waid did a great job making sure that everything that happened here elevated the threat that Kingpin imposes on Daredevil's life. With how things were left off I have no idea what will happen at the end of this story. All of this only helps to build on the anticipation I have as a reader to get my hands on the next issue as soon as possible.

Daredevil #18 capped off Mark Waid and Chris Samnee's run on this franchise in excellent fashion. Just like their entire run, Waid and Samnee went for a different type of Daredevil ending, one in which saw the character finally get a "happily ever after." The entire set-up leading into this finally made Daredevil finally coming out on top even more rewarding as a fan of the character and this run. While I can't immediately say where Waid and Samnee's run ranks amongst all the Daredevil creative team runs it was excellently executed and something all fans of the Man Without Fear should put on their reading queues.

It is a great mix of old and new school with a lot of great, dynamic pages that keep the focus on the characters of the story. If you're a Daredevil fan I recommend checking Daredevil: Dark Nights #1 out.

Dark Reign The List - Amazing Spider-Man was a great read that many Spider-Man fans will enjoy. Also if you have liked these List one-shots and Dark Reign so far you should pick this issue up as it is one of the best Dark Reign related stories I have read. Highly recommended as it also seems to be setting some ground work for Norman's fall from grace.

DC Universe Online was a fun adaption of the Blur trailer. While there was too strong of a focus on Lex and Superman in this comic for my taste, Tony Bedard did a good job expanding on this post-apocalyptic DC Universe. He gave a lot of information to why some characters acted as they did. Overall, it was a fun addition to the collectors edition of DC Universe Online.

fter the insanity of the Dead Presidents arc, Brian Posehn and Grerry Duggan go retro with our favorite Merc with a Mouth. This lead Deadpool #7 to a fun, sometimes disjointed, issue that I found myself laughing at Deadpools antics. Seeing Deadpool do his own take on the Demon in a Bottle story was a fun reference as was the inclusion of Peter Parker and Cable. The addition of Scott Koblish artwork helped capture the retro feel of this issue as he replicated the look of the Marvel comics in the 80s. And as always the letter page of Deadpool brings its own fourth-wall breaking comedy that I have come to love about this series.

I can't say enough good things about Descender #5. While I came into this issue expecting the end of a story arc I'm glad to see that things aren't being rushed. Jeff Lemire and Dustin Nguyen continue to find ways to add to the mythology of the Descender's universe. The way Lemire and Nguyen do so is in a natural way that keeps the story moving forward with a purpose. The ending of this issue only made me even more excited to see how everything plays out in this universe.

Detective Comics #866 was a fun read. Dennis ONeil and Dustin Nguyen deliver a great story that most Batman fans should enjoy as it included a story set in the past that was very old school while also giving us a story told in the present that was darker. There was one problem with the narration of the issue that might not make this issue for everyone but if you are a Batman fan I recommend picking this issue up as it is a lot of fun.

Detective Comics #871 was a fantastic read. One issue in and Scott Snyder, along with Jock, has made Detective Comics the premier Batman title which is not an easy thing to do after Batman Inc. #1. The dark and gritty vibe of this book helps separate this title from the other Batbooks as the story is standalone and does not rely on the current direction of the franchise. Snyder showed a great understanding of Dick Graysons character and what makes him different from Bruce Wayne. The mystery was also solid. If you can only pick up one Batman book Snyder and Jocks Detective Comics is the one you should be getting. This is a must have comic book.

Detective Comics #872 was flat out phenomenal. With so many Batman titles that DC puts out month in and month out, Snyder and Jock have been able to make Detective Comics stand out as the best one out of them all. Snyder is telling the type of story I expect to get from my Batman comic. With Jock helping out with some wonderful artwork this is a duo that cannot be stopped. If you have yet to pick up Snyder and Jocks Detective Comics what are you waiting for? This is easily the best Batman comic on the stands. Just do yourselves a favor and pick this comic up already.

With the Batman Family comics being heavily involved in Grant Morrisons master plan for the franchise it is refreshing to get a comic like Detective Comics #873 that does its own thing. Even though Scott Snyder puts in little reference to Batman Inc. he is not relying on that story. Instead he is providing us a different look at Gotham City as we see that the city is transforming in order to reflect the new protector of the city. With Jock at his side to provide the art, Snyders dark and gritty storytelling for Detective Comics is a refreshing change of pace from what we are currently getting in the Batman books. Snyder and Jock are doing everything right as they have made Detective Comics into DC Comics premier title again.

Detective Comics #875 was a perfect issue. From the story and artwork, the whole issue was just dead on perfect. Scott Snyders plotting of this issue was just brilliant as he took a chance on basing a whole two issue arc on Commissioner Gordon and it paid off. Snyder gave us a look at a character that we rarely ever see be more than a supporting player in stories. Here Snyder showed Gordon as a character that can star in his own story without the Batman characters around. This is just the type of issue that shows why Batman has one of the deepest set of characters in comics. The artwork from Francesco Francavilla was equally brilliant from the color scheme to all of the character reactions. If Detective Comics under Snyder pen wasnt already the best Batman book this issue more than put this comic over the hump as the premier Batman title.

Detective Comics #878 was yet another exceptional entry in Scott Snyders Batman run. With so many Batman books that exist on the market Snyder has easily separated himself and Detective Comics as the best in DC Comics library. The way he is able to explore both Dick Grayson and Gotham Citys history and weave them into the present are something every comic book fan should be reading.

Detective Comics #880 was yet another fantastic entry in Scott Snyders run on this title. As we are one issue away from Snyders big end to his Detective Comics run before he heads over to Batman he delivered an issue full of suspense. With everything that Snyder has been building towards finally colliding with one another I am on the edge of my seat as I anticipate the final issue. I cannot wait to get my hands on Detective Comics #881 in two weeks. August 10th cannot come soon enough.

As endings go, you cannot get better than the ending Scott Snyder, Jock and Francavilla combined to give us in Detective Comics #881. This issue was absolutely perfect end for a run that will go down as one of my favorite Batman runs of all-time. Snyder did a wonderful job from the beginning to the end of his run. Every issue built on the what came before it and it all came together for a tightly told ending that saw Snyder give Dick Grayson his own version of the Joker in James Gordon. All of the character work was spot on as we saw each character involved in the story grow and accept their roles as Gotham Citys protectors.

With the amount of pressure Tony Daniel was on with the relaunching of this historic series he was able to deliver a strong issue from beginning to end. Detective Comics #1 is a strong read from with good dialogue and artwork. Daniels treated this issue as his one-shot to bring in new and old readers as he gave us a beginning, middle and end in just one issue. If it was not for the final page I would recommend everyone to pick up this issue. Still, if youre a Batman fan or are looking for a place to start I would recommend picking up Detective Comics #1.

Detective Comics #940 turned out to be a much more important comic book than originally advertised. Not only did James Tynion deliver a big development by taking Tim Drake off the table for use in the immediate future but also tied it into the greater narrative of DC's Rebirth story. This ending also leaves Batman and Batwoman's new team of heroes in an interesting spot after the quick crossover with Batman and Nightwing comics is over. I am definitely more interested to see what happens next than I was already which is all I can ask for from any comic book.

Detective Comics #943 loudly makes its case for why it this series should be considered one of the best Batman books DC is publishing. James Tynion and Alvaro Martinez team-up to deliver a great follow up on both the continuing fallout of Tim Drake's death and aftermath of the "Night of the Monster Men" crossover. In using both these recent storylines Tynion and Martinez were able to seamlessly launch Detective Comics in a unique direction that gives multiple characters to shine moving forward. And with the Victim Syndicate already making their presence know there are a lot of reasons for Batman fans to be picking up Detective Comics.

Wolverine and the X-Men #1 is a strong start for the new status quo of Wolverines squad of X-Men. The strong focus on the characters that make up this book made it so that we did not need action to be entertained. Jason Aaron made sure to keep this issue moving at a quick pace and never felt slow. With the ending we got at the end we are sure to get plenty of action in the next issue. If you are a fan of the franchise and are looking to get your X-Men fix look no further than Wolverine and the X-Men #1. This is just a fun issue that brings back all the fun elements of the X-Men franchise.

Fantastic Four #570 was a great start to Hickman and Eaglesham's run on this series. They did a very good job making this a very new reader friendly issue while also hooking long time readers with the introduction of the multiverse versions of Reed and continuing the Nu-World plotline. I definitely recommend picking this issue up for fans of team books and of the Fantastic Four specifically.

Fantastic Four #576 was an incredible issue that no Fantastic Four fan should miss. Even if you havent read a Fantastic Four comic before this issue was very new reader friendly that this is a great jumping on point to Hickman and Eagleshams run. Hickman has done a wonderful job bringing the adventure aspect of the Fantastic Four back which has been missing for far too long from this title. So if you are a fan of adventure comic books I highly recommend picking this issue up as it is a comic you do not want to miss.

Fantastic Four #579 was another homerun issue by Jonathan Hickman. I absolutely love how Hickman is weaving together all of these various one-shot stories together as he builds up the War of the Four Cities. This issue is a great jumping on point for readers that have yet to jump on the Fantastic Four bandwagon. Hickman showed in this issue that he has big plans in store for the Fantastic Four and no one should miss what is coming up next. I just cant recommend this issue and Hickmans run as a whole to you enough. If you are a fan of big stories with a nice cosmic flavor do yourselves a favor and pick this series up. You wont be disappointed.

Fantastic Four #581 was yet another superb issue. Hickman continues deliver one great read after another and building this title back to a fun adventure title. I love how Hickman is using the multiverse and the concept of the Council of Reeds but just for Nathaniel in this issue. Also seeing how Hickman is tying his various work together gives this issue a cool payoff to his work and I cant wait to see what he is going to do with the final showdown between the last two Nathaniel Richards in the multiverse. If you have been enjoying Hickmans work so far you will no doubt like this issue. And if you havent picked up Hickmans work on Fantastic Four I highly recommend picking up the trades for Hickmans Fantastic Four as he has been doing a wonderful job building up great stories.

Fantastic Four #582 was a phenomenal read. I dont know if I can say enough about how much I am loving Jonathan Hickmans work on this title. I highly recommend seeking out all of Hickmans Fantastic Four trades right now and catching up to what has been going on as Fantastic Four is easily one of the best, if not the best, book on the market right now. I cant wait to see what is in store next as Fantastic Four #582 has me all kinds of excited for what comes next and you dont want to miss out.

Fantastic Four #583 was a phenomenal read. Jonathan Hickman is absolutely killing it on Fantastic Four. Hickman's work here is second to none as he has created a fantastic universe for the Fantastic Four. Hickmans work reminds me a lot of Stan Lee and Jack Kirbys work on this title. With everything that Hickman has built seemingly coming to a head in this latest story arc, Three, comic book fans will not want to miss out. Whether it is adventure, action, cosmic, world building, character deconstruction or anything else that you are looking for Fantastic Four has it. This title truly has everything that a reader would want from a comic book. I highly recommend jumping on board Hickmans Fantastic Four run as a whole.

Fantastic Four #2 is able to finish off all the set-up to the beginning of the story in fine fashion. After becoming a Matt Fraction doubter I am glad to say that all my doubts about a Fraction Fantastic Four series have been proven wrong. Fraction continued to show in this issue that he gets the characters and the type of story that the team should be put into. Some may not like the fact that Fantastic Four #2 read more like promotional material for the FF series but there is enough here for Fantastic Four fans to be excited about the future of this series.

Fantastic Four #3 provides us an enjoyable one and done adventure story. Matt Fraction has done enough to separate Fantastic Four from the pack by making this more of an adventure comic than another superhero comic. The twist of the world that the Fantastic Four visit is not so much of a planet provided some witty dialogue as they try and find a way out. Mark Bagley's artwork is able to help Fraction's script that has a lot of cosmic elements going on in it.

FF #2 was another good entry to Jonathan Hickmans run on the Fantastic Four. A few complaints aside, Hickman does a fantastic job handling all the characters in this issue. With Doctor Doom back to being his old self I cannot wait to see what Hickman has planned next for all the characters. There are definitely a lot of great sub-plots running throughout this title that should insure that this title will continue to be one of the best comic books Marvel has on the stands.

FF #5 was a good read that is help greatly by the excitement that was brought with the final page of the issue. Jonathan Hickman immediately grabbed my attention with the ending and has put me on the edge of my seat as I wait for FF #6. At the same time, the pages before the last two pages did not do much for me as I am getting somewhat tired of the snail-like pacing of all the story developments. More needs to happen which hopefully happens soon or else I may have to go to trade waiting this series even though I still love it.

With a combination of strong dialogue and artwork FF #10 was the strongest issue of the series since its relaunch. Jonathan Hickman nailed the different interactions we got in this issue as he shows us where all these character are after all the big things that they have been through. With the Kree attacking the Inhumans on the moon it is going to be fun to see the Fantastic Four deal with more cosmic threats close to Earth. The next issue cannot come fast enough.

This issue is also part one of the back-up feature, "The Fast Life", which is supposed to cover the missing time when the West family disappeared during Infinite Crisis. Part one mostly sets up the alien world and how it relates to the Flash lineage, so we start with Jay Garrick's first contact. Nothing really revolutionary occurs, but the groundwork is lain for what could be a fun story.

The Flash #8 provided a solid ending to "Lightning Strikes Twice" and the conflict with Godspeed. This issue provides some great looking Speed Force-related action, thanks to Carmine Di Giandomenico artwork, and Joshua Williamson further developed Barry and Wally West as characters. That said, this opening story arc could've benefitted from being tightened up as there was a sense of exhaustion once everything was resolved. Now that Godspeed is in the rearview window we can get away from speedsters and see Flash go up against different types of challenges.

While Flashpoint #3 did have some good points it was overall a very disappointing issue of DC Comics big event. Geoff Johns has done an excellent job building Flashpoint to be a highly engaging Elseworld but has done very little to flesh out what is going on. There has been no build up of a conflict within Flashpoint. So far this series has ended up being nothing but Barry being a tourist in Flashpoint and more of a promotion comic for the tie-ins. With only two issues left I am very worried with how things will end since there has been no antagonist presented at all in three issues. This could all lead to a rushed ending which is not good for a series that is supposed to also introduce the New DC Universe.

With each issue of Flashpoint, Geoff Johns seems to have crumbled under the weight of the event. Flashpoint #4 was no different. If nothing else, this issue put an even bigger spotlight on a lot of the problems that this event has been having. Even with the fantastic art by Andy Kubert breathing life into the Flashpoint Universe, it has not hidden the fact of how thin of a story that Johns is telling. Up until the final page this has been a series that has lacked a big villain which lead to the final page lacking any sort of punch. With only one issue left, which will have pages dedicated to establishing the New DC Universe, I have been left with very little confidence that the ending will be satisfying.

Though Flashpoint #5 added so much needed emotional ties to what was going on, these elements could not hide the overall weak story by Geoff Johns. As with Blackest Night, Johns seemed to be overwhelmed by everything Flashpoint was supposed to accomplish which caused the story to suffer. Outside of Barry Allen and Thomas Wayne, there was nothing about the story that was developed enough to make the reader care about the Flashpoint Universe.

Was Forever Evil #1 a perfect comic book issue? No. Did it capture my interest in the story? Yes. In the end that was all I could ask for from Forever Evil #1 after being disappointed by the majority of the non-Batman New 52 line of comic books. Geoff Johns was able to hook me into a story I had no idea what expect from it. Johns was able to do this in a way that instantly puts the heroes of the DC Universe in peril as they are outgunned and outmatched by the joint force of the Crime Syndicate and Secret Society. Johns was even able to execute the Nightwing reveal in an effective manner, even though I have my doubts about its long-term effects. My enjoyment of the story makes the fact that the artwork was such a mess slightly depressing. Hopefully David Finch can pick up his game because Forever Evil has the potential to regain my interest in many of the comic books that DC Comics is publishing.

With Forever Evil #2 Geoff Johns uses his world building skills to effectively show what happens when the DCU is missing its heavy hitters and the villains are united. While it is odd that the whole super villain takeover is going on without other heroes rising up to pick up the slack it isnt a deal breaker. With Johns in charge of the story Im sure that it is something that will come later on in a dramatic way. In the meantime Forever Evil #2 does a great job developing the personalities of the Crime Syndicate and the underlying conflicts within this powerful group of characters. If the story continues to progress the way it is then Forever Evil may very well be the spark that the DCU has been missing since the launch of the New 52 reboot.

At the end of the day, Forever Evil #3 was just a lot of noise without any real depth added to the story. There was very little forward progress made to this story outside of Lex Luthor quickly assembling his Legion of Doom in the last three pages. This lack of execution makes it easy to forget that Geoff Johns has a lot of different sub-plots going on within Forever Evil. For a monthly event this is unacceptable and Johns needs to find a way to properly pace the story so that every major character is involved in some way. This is disappointing because up till now I was enjoying the story. Hopefully Johns is able to quickly turn things around with Forever Evil #4.

As a character study, Forever Evil #5 is a very good issue involving Batman, Lex Luthor, Sinestro and Deathstroke. Unfortunately, this is not just some team-up comic book, it is a big company event that has been published to change the landscape of the DC Universe when it is over. Geoff Johns continues to fail to capture the full scope of this event throughout the issue. If Johns really wants Forever Evil to feel like a big event in these final two issues he needs to find ways to develop the entire story of Forever Evil within this mini-series. It also would not hurt to have more DC heroes other than Batman involved in trying to save the DC Universe from the Crime Syndicate. That is just a thought from someone who enjoys reading superhero comics that involve superheroes actually saving the world. Im just saying.

Forever Evil #6 is the strongest issue of DC Comics latest event that Geoff Johns and David Finch have put together. There are a lot of great character moments, with the standouts being Batman, Lex Luthor and Captain Cold. These character moments where nicely balanced out with some strong action sequences that Finch did a great job illustrating. But as much fun as these parts of the issue are, the lack of development from the Crime Syndicate and addition of Alexander Luthor as another villain to the story is highly disappointing. The overabundance of villains in Forever Evil while there is only one hero, Batman, involved in the story makes the impact Alexanders appearance not as important as it should be. With only one issue left in Forever Evil Johns has a lot of work ahead of him to make this a story that can go from average to excellent.

Giant-Size Little Marvel: AvX #1 easily lived up to my expectations and delivered something unique in the face of Secret Wars. I absolutely loved the world of Marville that Skottie Young has created. The animated look of the world and characters that inhabited it makes you want to not just watch these adventures but also visit Marville. And in a comic book landscape that is filled with creators looking to tell serious tales it is great to find a comic that revels in how much fun the medium can be. If you haven't checked out Giant-Size Little Marvel: AvX #1 I highly recommend you fix that by buying a copy yourself.

As soon as I opened Giant Size Little Marvel AvX #2 I had a smile on my face. That smile did not stop even after I finished reading Skottie Young's comic book. In a sea of comic books that take themselves too seriously at times it is great to have a comic book that is all about fun. And that is honestly the best way I can summarize what Young's comics have always been: fun. If you are a Marvel fan I highly urge you to go out and buy Giant Size Little Marvel AvX #2.

Grayson #2 was a good continuation to the story that Tim Seeley and Tom King have put in place for this series. Dick Grayson has a lot on his plate when it comes to dealing with Spyrals mission to find out the secret identities of the DC Universes greatest heroes. Helena Bertinelli and Mr. Minos development in this issue also showed us how they will be obstacles in Dicks success as a spy within Spyral. As long as Seeley and King keep the focus on this aspect of the Grayson series, and not Midnighter, than I can see this becoming strong staple in DCs publishing line-up.

Grayson #9 was another stellar issue in a series that has been consistently one of the best titles DC Comics is publishing. Tom King and Tim Seeley were on point with how they were able to clearly establish the changes that were made to the Spyral organization following the events of Grayson #8. The shake up in Spyral gave Dick Grayson a great chance to show off exactly why he is a natural fit as James Bond-esque super spy. With the introduction of Nemesis and other possible threats to this series Grayson #9 is a great jumping on point for anyone not reading this series.

Grayson #11 accomplished its job of setting the stage for Dick Grayson's return to the DC Universe proper. This is something that we've been waiting to see since Forever Evil and now we are about to get. At the same time, there was plenty done in the process that gives this series many more stories to tell beyond Dick's return to Gotham City. Hopefully all of this leads to Dick's life in Gotham and Spyral merging at some point in the future.

Grayson #12 did a great job bringing Dick Grayson back into the fold of what is going on in the DC Universe and bringing the Bat Family into what he has been doing in Spyral. While it would've been easy to go down a more sentimental route with this story that is not how things went. Instead Tim Seeley and Tom King did a great job using Batgirl, Robin, Red Robin and Red Hood to further their own story. At the same time there is going to be a lot to love from these interactions for Batman fans, especially Batgirl and Robin's reactions. And now that Dick has re-established himself in the DC Universe I can't wait to see what happens next with Spyral.

Green Arrow #41 never went beyond being an average street-level character. As an intro to Oliver Queen's world it was fine but it never went out of its way to be more. With the current landscape this series finds itself in that is just not good enough. If this creative team is going to be successful they will need to establish a greater reason for you to buy this comic than it just being the only comic book featuring Green Arrow's solo adventures.

Green Arrow #8 is a compelling look into the developing relationship of Oliver Queen and Dinah Lance. Benjamin Percy furthered the relationship by showing us the emotional aspect of the pairing and how they differ from one another. This is an element that has been missing from the two and I am glad that we are going to have it as something to be explored further down the line. It's just unfortunate that the villain of this particular arc couldn't be as compelling. Luckily we had Otto Schmidt returning to Green Arrow art duties to lessen the pain of the generic villain. Hopefully the villains plot is fleshed out more to match the character development we saw on the hero side in the next issue.

Green Lantern #50 was a very disappointing issue. The previous Blackest Night tie-in issues that Geoff Johns wrote on Green Lantern were much stronger. This issue, like Blackest Night #2-#6, is a perfect example of a story that is all noise and very little story. With now only two issues left Johns has a lot of work left to do with Blackest Night to prove that Nekron is a real threat and then bringing back many of the characters turned Black Lanterns to life.

Green Lantern #56 was yet another fun read. Geoff Johns and Doug Mahnke have teamed up to deliver a title that is just great read month in and month out. Seeing Hector Hammond as the Orange Lantern Corps entity should be a lot of fun in the next issue, especially with how Larfleeze handles this situation. I just hope we get more space adventures in future issues instead of continuing to have this title only take place on Earth. If you have been enjoying Green Lantern so far you will like this issue. I recommend picking this issue up if you have been enjoying Brightest Day and this title.

Green Lantern #65 was a highly disappointing issue. The issue as a whole reads and looks like it was phoned in by Geoff Johns and Doug Mahnke. I never try to say this but, the truth is that there was very little effort put into this issue. This entire issue was just one big recap of what has happened in the previous three chapters. Outside of the final page, which was recapped at the beginning of Green Lantern Corps #59, this issue had very little importance to the story. It is disappointing because I was greatly enjoying this crossover before this issue. Hopefully things will turn around in following chapters.

Green Lantern #67 was a great end to the War of the Green Lanterns. Though I had my share of problems with most of the issues in this crossover Geoff Johns was able to deliver the good with this final issue. Things have been shaken up for the whole Green Lantern franchise in a very interesting manner as now we have Sinestro back to being a Green Lantern and Hal kicked out. This sets up things up nicely for the relaunched Green Lantern books in September.

Green Lantern #1 continues the cosmic opera that is Green Lantern as Geoff Johns continues to have a clear minded course to where he wants to take the franchise. In the process this comic does not read as new reader friendly as the rest of the relaunch books that are part of the DC Comics New 52. As a fan who has followed the Green Lantern series since Johns original relaunched the series 6 years ago I enjoyed this issue. Unfortunately I cant recommend this book to new readers. Instead I recommend picking up Green Lantern #1 only if you have read Geoff Johns previous work on Green Lantern.

Green Lantern #5 was another great issue that leaves us with some huge ramifications that will spin out of what happened. Geoff Johns has done a fantastic job transitioning the lead of this book to Sinestro. With Sinestro as the head of the book I am finding myself become even more interested in the series than I was when Hal Jordan was in the role. With the majority of DC books taking place on Earth it is refreshing to have a book like Green Lantern that can be that cosmic opera that explores the rest of the universe. If you are looking for a strong sci-fi book I recommend giving Green Lantern a try.

Green Lantern #21 kicked off the new era for the franchise on the right foot. Robert Venditti and Billy Tan are able to quickly establish their vision for this series with a tease of the future and a look at the new dynamic for the series. Hal Jordan taking over as the leader of the Green Lantern Corps is something different for the character and it will be interesting to see how he handles. The new recruits add another layer to what Hal has to deal with along with his personal problems with Carol Ferris. This issue is also successful in creating a new reader friendly experience by moving forward with its plot and not relying on what came before it. If youve ever been interested in picking up Green Lantern or havent read this series in a while I recommend picking Green Lantern #21 up.

Green Lantern Corps #36 was another solid issue by Tomasi and Gleason. This title has become such a fun title that I recommend any who enjoys great space stories to give Green Lantern Corps a try as it has become more than just a supplementary title to Green Lantern and stands on its own as one of the best titles DC has.

Green Lantern Corps #37 was another solid read. Tomasi has made Green Lantern Corps so much fun that it is able to not just stand out on its own from Green Lantern, but actually surpass Green Lantern in of quality. If you are looking for a comic that is just pure fun while also playing up the events that are going to happen in Blackest Night, then I would recommend picking up Green Lantern Corps.

Green Lantern Corps #40 was another solid issue in Peter Tomasi's run on this title. Tomasi did an excellent job capturing the big event aspect of Blackest Night that the main series has. Though I don't think this issue is a must read to understand Blackest Night it does help further the story for those interested in the event.

Green Lantern Corps #48 was a solid start for the new creative team of Tony Bedard and Ardian Syaf. While I was not blown away by GLC #48 Bedard did show he has a good grasp of all the characters on this title, especially Ganthet. I still dont know if I am going to be sticking around this title for all of Bedard and Syafs run but I am willing to give them at least one story arc to convince me to keep GLC on my pull list. With that said this issue is a great jumping on point for new readers and if you are looking for more Green Lantern goodness than this issue is one you should pick up.

Green Lantern Corps #49 was mix of good and bad. Bedard is still running into the same problems he had in the previous issue. John continues to be the least interesting character in this title but Bedard is doing a solid job writing Ganthet, Kyle, and Soranik. Also the appearance of Cyborg Superman and him leading the Alpha Lanterns is an interesting development. Hopefully Bedard will improve on the weakness he has been having in these first two issues.

Green Lantern Emerald Warriors #9 showed an improvement over the previous three chapters, but it still fell under the same problems of its predecessors. Peter Tomasi does his best to move the plot along as quickly as possible but he fails to take advantage of what happens to the characters wearing different rings. The story also continues to lack that grand scale that a cosmic epic should have. Instead the story feels more like a street level event than a cosmic event. Hopefully, now that War of the Green Lanterns has past the halfway point things can turn around and we will get a story that improves on its many faults.

Green Lantern New Guardians #1 set-up the ground work for this new team series that will be part of the Green Lantern franchise. Though I was not overly impressed with the issue Tony Berdard did enough that I will come back for more. Future issues will have to develop all of the characters that make up this book but they have interesting enough looks that Berdard will have a lot to play with. If you are a Green Lantern fan this book is a good pick up. For non-Green Lantern fans this is more of a browse issue since this will not be for everyone.

Guardians of Knowhere #1 is one of the weakest Secret Wars tie-in comics that I have read. While I dig the concept of Battleworld's version of Knowhere and Mike Deodato's artwork it was not enough to overcome the weak story this issue told. At no point was I connected to the conflict Drax, Gamora and Rocket have found themselves in. It's highly disappointing given the fact that Brian Bendis has been writing these characters for a while now and he couldn't get me to care about them here. This disappointment makes my choice of not reading this Secret Wars comic an easy one given how good ones there already are to read.

Guardians of the Galaxy #14 was a great read. DnA do an excellent job making Guardians feel like is not just a senseless tie-in, like most tie-ins are, and actually make every issue that is War of Kings related feel like they add rather than detract from the story. If you still haven't picked up War of Kings or Guardians of the Galaxy I highly recommend you pick up both titles as they are some of the best books on the shelves today.

Guardians of the Galaxy #23 was another entertaining read. Guardians of the Galaxy continues to be the best team book on the market. DnA are doing a wonderful job on this title and this issue finally sees the series embracing everything that has happened since War of Kings. If you have not given this title a try I highly recommend picking this series up because it is truly one of the best comics on the market.

Guardians of the Galaxy #25 was another spectacular issue. Throughout their run DnA have put on a clinic as they showed how to write a big team book. This issue had everything you want out of a story big villains, universe ending disasters, and a likable team of heroes ready to take on any threat. Hopefully once Thanos Imperative is over Guardians of the Galaxy does return because it would be a shame to lose this title which has easily been one of the best titles on the stands. If you are looking for a great team book with epic stories than pick up DnAs run on Guardians of the Galaxy. There are very few comics that are more fun with a great cast from the top down than this title.

Guardians of the Galaxy #0.1 did its job in letting new readers learn about Star-Lord's origin story but it lacked in overall execution. From a slow beginning to the rest of the issue being rushed once Star-Lord appears as a kid, things are just uneven with how Brian Bendis was trying to frame the story. It does not help that this is priced at $3.99 when A) Guardians of the Galaxy is not a big, well-known franchise and B) Supposed to be the entry-point for new readers.

While it is not perfect, Guardians of the Galaxy #1 did a lot well that I will be coming back for more. Brian Bendis did a lot to set up the current setting of the Marvel Cosmic Universe and what the mission statement of the Guardians of the Galaxy will be. The Council of Galactic Empires are firmly established to be both good and bad guys with how they will be making decisions that will be personal for Star-Lord and company. And, even though I am not too wild about a couple character designs, Steve McNiven does a great job bringing to life Bendis's cosmic soap opera. If you have been enjoying the current direction of Marvel Now I recommend giving Guardians of the Galaxy #1 a shot as it has a grand scope that shows a lot of potential.

Even though the Galactic Counsel meeting went on longer than it should have, thanks to all the exposition, it never got in the way of the story that Brian Bendis crafted in Guardians of the Galaxy #2. Bendis actually impressed me with how he was able to switch between the action on Earth and the meeting that took place. Everything flowed together smoothly that built up the insurmountable threat that the Guardians of the Galaxy must overcome. The artwork by Steve McNiven, Sara Pichelli and the rest of the art crew helped in a lot of areas as they maintained the cosmic tone of the story.

Brian Bendis is not afraid to go all out with the big summer blockbuster vibe he has going for Guardians of the Galaxy. It helps that this series features excellent artwork from Steve McNiven and Sara Pichelli that really capture the cosmic setting of this series. Guardians of the Galaxy #3 does a great job continuing to build an intriguing story with Bendis finding his comfort zone with his writing of these characters. While the brief bursts of comedy still need refinement I am finding myself enjoying the new guy vibe Bendis has given Iron Man and the chemistry he has built for the team. The political drama surrounding this series has also been fun to watch with Star-Lord's father doing his best to keep himself composed while dealing with extremely powerful leaders. If Bendis, McNiven and Pichelli can continue this momentum than Guardians of the Galaxy may find itself among Marvel's best titles by year's end.

It is an issue like Guardians of the Galaxy #4 that reminds me exactly why I did not read more than five issues of Bendis' entire Avengers run. Everything that occurred over the first arc of the series was thrown away for some cheap comedy that made all the male characters of the Guardians of the Galaxy sound like the same character. It does not help matters that Gamora is not portrayed as a particularly strong character. Bendis goes out of his way to show that without her weapons or the Guardians around Gamora is just a competent fighter, even though that is far from who she is. It is too bad that this issue had to turn out this way because Guardians of the Galaxy was carrying some good momentum after the events that took place in the first arc. At least Guardians of the Galaxy #4 featured the wonderful artwork of Sara Pichelli to look at when the dialogue became repetitive. So there is that.

Guardians of the Galaxy #11.NOW had all the makings of a fantastic second chapter to this crossover with All-New X-Men. Unfortunately specific story choice made by Brian Bendis left me disappointed with how things ended. With this issue ending up in the same exact spot that All-New X-Men #22.NOW did Bendis devalued the importance of these first two chapters to the crossover. And that is the worst feeling to have because now I feel like I wasted $8 on a story that shouldve only taken no more than 30 pages to tell. Hopefully, with this awkward two-part introduction out of the way the latest Jean Grey/Phoenix story can truly get underway.

Guardians of the Galaxy #13 did what it was supposed to do. It delivered a satisfying ending that continues to move his chess piece in place for where Brian Bendis wants to take Guardians of the Galaxy and All-New X-Men. Where things are going I have no idea but that is part of the fun of Bendis current work. I am more than happy to just sit back and enjoy the story that is being told. I also cant wait to see how Present Cyclops reacts to his past self taking off with his supposedly deceased father. If you are not reading All-New X-Men or Guardians of the Galaxy I recommend you start because things are getting even more interesting for both titles.

Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #4 is another strong issue in what is one of DC Comics best series. Robert Venditti continues to do everything in his writing power to make everything going on in his story feel larger to life. Even as he gives us an issue with almost no action scenes Venditti keeps your interest with how great character work for Sinestro, Guy Gardner, Soranik and John Stewart. All of this character work moved the overall story forward to make the reader look forward to the war between the Green Lantern and Sinestro Corps. Add in Ethan Van Sciver's phenomenal artwork and you have an issue and series that every Green Lantern fan should be buying.

Robert Venditti continues to show that he has a firm grasp on the Green Lantern franchise and the cosmic side of the DCU. Even as the ending stumbles a bit Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #7 does a great job closing the door on 'Sinestro Law' while setting the stage for several potential story arcs. Hal Jordan and Sinestro final battle more than lived up to expectations as both sides got to show why they are the alpha males of their respective Corps. But now with both characters out of action there are a lot of exciting possibilities for this series to take hold off. If you are into sci-fi stories I highly recommend picking up Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps series.