The Clone Conspiracy #5 did not stick the landing as the latest Spider-Man event came to a close. The lack of development for certain characters left a lot to be desired. That said, Dan Slott did a great job with how Spider-Man saved the day by overcoming tremendous odds in the face of all the horrible things Ben Reilly and New U did. The ending of The Clone Conspiracy #5 also leaves enough things open for future stories in all the Spider-Man books to follow up on.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #11 does a great job kicking off this new arc by continuing the momentum created by the Black Dragon arc. Kyle Higgins sets several things in motion with Billy and Tommy's adventures in a post-apocalyptic Angel Grove taking center stage. How the other Rangers, Rita and Goldar in the present factor into whatever Lord Drakken has planned will be very interesting see play out. Hendry Prasetya artwork further helps establish the darker turn this arc is taking with some great design unique to this series. If you were ever a Power Rangers fan I highly recommend picking up this series as it is only getting better with each passing issue.

The Clone Conspiracy #4 has made the cloud of mystery as to how this event will end even bigger. It's clear that Dan Slott has some endgame in mind for the final issue. What that is will be anyone's guess. What we do know is that the aftermath of The Clone Conspiracy won't only affect Spider-Man's life but everyone else that Jackal/Ben Reilly has involved in his plot, which is a lot of people. This all creates further excitement for the final issue that we will be getting next month.

Justice League/Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #1 kicked off this dream crossover with a fun and effective debut. The focus on the Power Rangers was the right one to make as Tom Taylor is able to establish the team as being able to stand side-by-side with the Justice League. This choice also properly builds Lord Zedd as a real threat to both the DC and Power Rangers Universes. It's just unfortunate that some questionable character choices during the second half of the issue keep Justice League/Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #1 from being a home run. That said, this is still a comic book every DC Comics and Power Rangers fan should buy right away.

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.

Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #11 is the strongest chapter of "Bottled Light" that we have had thus far. Robert Venditti was able to strike a good balance between Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern and Sinestro Corps individual stories. He is also able to bring them together to set-up a reunion between Hal and his friends that could go many different ways. The introduction of Larfleeze as the main villain of the story was seamlessly integrated to the ongoing story. It doesn't hurt that this issue feature some great looking artwork from Rafa Sandoval.

Titans #6 was a strong ending to "The Return of Wally West" arc. Dan Abnett successfully brought Wally back in a prominent way and pushed the character to accept his new life with the Titans. This story also helped to elevate Kadabra as a credible threat and Lilith as a powerful member of the team. With the appearance of Deathstroke at the end there is plenty for old and new Titans fans to be excited from this series.

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.

Nightwing #11 was a strong world building issue. Tim Seeley once again shows off his understand of who Nightwing is in and out of his costume. The backstory the Run-Offs receive work well in complementing why Nightwing moved to Bludhaven in the first place. Seeley also creates enough obstacles for Nightwing to overcome that make his first case in his new city interesting to follow. As long as Seeley can find a way to balance the personal and superhero life Dick Grayson leads, this series will only be getting better moving forward.

Trinity #4 was a solid but flawed entry into this series featuring Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. Getting a better idea of who Wonder Woman is and how she is a much more grounded character than most people give her credit for was enjoyable to see play out. At the same time the main plot of this story continues to move at a snail's pace that gives us very little reason to feel that our heroes are in danger. This lack of urgency keeps Trinity's first story arc from being as engaging as it could be.

Superman #13 was another superb entry in what is clearly DC Comics best series. Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason's writing has no equals as they show complete understand of Superman and his world. At the same time they continue to put Superman and his cast in different situations that allows us to further explore who these characters are. This team-up with Frankenstein was a great example of this. Add in some phenomenal artwork from Doug Mahnke and we have another example in Superman #13 that further proves that if you aren't reading this series that you must change that right away. This is a can't miss series.

Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #10 delivered a strong return to action for the title character following his brief death. Robert Venditti was able to deliver some fun fan-service while also establishing the future mission Hal Jordan and company need to accomplish. At the same time, Venditti brought back Ganthet, Sayd and Kyle Rayner back into the fold in ways that hopefully mean that they will take on bigger roles in this series in the near future. With this return out of the way maybe Hal and Kyle can now go on to help make the other part of "Bottled Light" a more interesting tale.

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.

Nightwing #10 was a strong introduction to the new version of Bludhaven that is located in this DC Universe. Tim Seeley lays the groundwork for a city brimmed with opportunity to become Nightwing's new stomping grounds outside of Gotham City. The issue is hurt by how the supporting cast we've been introduced to so far were portrayed. Even with that slight disappointment Seeley writing along with Marcus To's visually appealing artwork makes Nightwing #10 a worthwhile read for fans of Dick Grayson.

Motor Crush #1 is one of the most refreshing comic books I've read all year. Brenden Fletcher, Cameron Stewart and Babs Tarr quickly present us with a strong but flawed main character in Domino Swift. The world is so well realized that it makes you want to learn more about what happens both in the WGP and underground realm. Motor Crush's artwork is just as stunning that makes the world feel lived in with a history that you want to learn about. If you are looking for something not superhero related I highly recommend picking up Motor Crush #1.

Dan Slott delivered the surprises with The Clone Conspiracy #3 as he brought Ben Reilly back to Spider-Man's world. This along with Spider-Man's interactions with Spider-Gwen and Kingpin as well as bringing in elements from the old Clone Saga also elevated the story to show how far back Slott's plot goes. The issue does get marked down a bit with how predictable Jackal's offer to Spider-Man was. But even with that slight disappointment Slott story teamed with Jim Cheung's fantastic artwork delivered a strong third chapter to The Clone Conspiracy.

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.

Teen Titans #2 is another strong entry in the opening arc of Benjamin Percy's plans for the next generation of DC Universe heroes. Percy did a great job establishing The Demon's Fist as a credible threat for the Teen Titans to face. This issue also furthers the character arcs for each member of this new team. Add in the strong artwork from Diogenes Neves and you have all the you need for an enjoyable reading experience.

Titans #5 lacked the impact that Dan Abnett was hoping to deliver with Wally West's actions. The ending of this issue would've meant more if we were further into Titans as a series. Abra Kadabra's appearance in this issue didn't help any as he has become more of a one-note villain each time he appears on screen. On the plus side, Brett Booth delivered a great looking issue with how he drew Wally running faster and faster with each passing page. Hopefully this story arc is able to end on a high note in the next issue.

Invincible #131 is not a fun or interesting issue. It's not even a bad issue. A bad issue I can actually excuse. But Invincible #131 is just a boring issue that lacks the punch I've come to expect from this series. I believe that Robert Kirkman has big things in store for Invincible in the future but this was not his best turn out. It's time we actually saw the hero of the series, Invincible, actual do something that pushes the story forward rather than just being surprised at all the changes from the time skip. Hopefully the next issue delivers on that and returns to the quality expected of Kirkman's Invincible.

Just as you think that Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason can't find another way to make Superman even better they gift us an issue like this. Not only is Superman #11 the best issue that came out this week but an example of the type of comic book every creative team should strive to deliver. The development of Batman, Robin, Superman and Superboy was perfectly executed, leading to an excellent payoff. If you aren't reading Tomasi and Gleason's Superman changed that right now by purchasing these last two issues. You won't regret it.

Nightwing #9 is a great one-shot story that helps reconnect our hero with Superman. Tim Seeley does an excellent job using Superman to highlight what makes Nightwing a special character within the DC Universe. And Dr. Destiny was a great opponent to enhance Superman's involvement while also tackling some of the loss Nightwing has suffered in his life recently. If you haven't picked up this series I highly recommend picking up Nightwing #9. This is a great launching off point for new readers to start with.

Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #8 is a strong start to the second arc in the series. Without Hal Jordan or Sinestro around we were able to shine the spotlight on other characters that deserve just as much as those two. The surprising ending that revealed Brainiac as the main villain for this new arc brings a lot of fresh new opportunities for Robert Venditti to take. Adding in Ethan Van Sciver phenomenal artwork makes this an even bigger must-read for Green Lantern fans.

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.

The Clone Conspiracy #2 nailed how the story continues to evolve. Dan Slott did a great job introducing new players in the form of Spider-Gwen and Kaine into the conflict. At the same time we got plenty of development for Spider-Man and Jackal with a big hook ending that creates a lot of questions for the story moving forward. Add in Jim Cheung's big event style artwork and there is really no reason for Spider-Man fans not to pick up The Clone Conspiracy. It's easily Marvel's best event going on right now.

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.

Titans #4 was another solid entry in what is quietly one of DC's most enjoyable comic books. Dan Abnett has done an excellent job with following up on Wally West's return to the DC Universe and bringing back a classic Flash villain in the process. In the process Abnett has been able to reestablish the family dynamic that has always made the Titans such a unique superhero team within the DC Universe. The addition of Brett Booth's energetic artwork makes Titans #4 a must have for Teen Titans and Flash fans.

Teen Titans #1 does a good job building on the momentum created by the Rebirth issue. Damian Wayne getting a rocky start in his career as the Teen Titans' Robin was a good launching point for the dynamic Benjamin Percy is creating for the team. While Percy still has some room to improve in how he handles giving each member of the Teen Titans quality screen time I trust that he will find that balance. Add in strong artwork from Jonboy Meyers and it is looking more and more like the Teen Titans have finally returned to being a fun series about the next generation of the DC Universe's superheroes.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Clone Conspiracy #1 doesn't knock it out of the park with its first at-bat. It is more of a productive double that continues the momentum established with previous issues of Amazing Spider-Man post-Superior era. This may not be for everyone but for fans of what Dan Slott has been doing with his run on Spider-Man it is a must-read as Jackal's plot comes to forefront. The addition of Jim Cheung's artwork makes this an even better purchase for Spider-Man fans. But for those that haven't been reading Slott's Spider-Man run, particularly Amazing Spider-Man post-Secret Wars, than you should not get this title. It's not for you unfortunately.

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.

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.

Spider-Gwen #12 is one of the best issues of the series. Jason Latour and Robbi Rodriguez effectively shake up Gwen Stacy's world with how her fight with Frank Castle ended. Now faced with a life without her dad to turn to Latour has created a situation where we are going to see a desperate Gwen that doesn't have someone to talk her out of bad decisions. Gwen's current state of mind is driven home by her decision to turn to Matt Murdock for help. How this decision will affect her personal and Spider-Woman life will be interesting to see moving forward.

Teen Titans: Rebirth #1 did exactly what it needed to do to breathe new life into the franchise. Benjamin Percy does a good job giving us an idea of where Robin, Beast Boy, Starfire, Kid Flash and Raven are in their lives and what their current mentality is. This introduction helps set up whatever Percy had Robin assemble the Teen Titans for as now we know who they all are. Jonboy Meyers art style was a welcome addition as his art brought a lot of energy to every panel. With both the story and artwork working together Teen Titans looks to be in great shape moving forward.

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.

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.

Old Man Logan #11 is another great example of how Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino continue to create the best comic book Marvel is publishing on a monthly basis. This issue in particular delivers everything a Wolverine can ask for as we get a lot of fast-paced ninja action. The action sequences that show Logan going up against The Silent Order is beautifully illustrated by Sorrentino. Add in the compelling story that Lemire continues to weave for Old Man Logan with each issue and you have yourself a comic book series that no Wolverine fan should miss out on buying.

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.

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.

Old Man Logan #3 delivered another compelling look into Marvel's newest man out of time in Wolverine. This older version of the character has opened up a lot of opportunities for Jeff Lemire and Marvel to explore a Logan that does not have a God-like healing factor and comes from a time where he lost everything. Those are the opportunities that Lemire and Sorrentino are making full use of in both the writing and artwork. And now that Kate Bishop and Steve Rogers are forcing Logan to face the reality of his situation hopefully we are in store for something even bigger. Overall if you are a Wolverine fan I can't recommend Old Man Logan enough. This is a comic all fans of the character should be adding to their collection.

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.

Robin War #2 doesn't completely knock things out of the park. There are several problems with the use of characters not named Dick Grayson, Damian Wayne or Duke Thomas. The "Robin Law" quickly being swept under the rug was also a disappointment. That said, there are several big things that happened during Robin War #2 that make it worth reading for Batman fans. These new developments are sure to leave lasting ramifications that will drive the Batman Universe 2016 forward.

Star Wars: Obi-Wan And Anakin #1 is a good start to the first Marvel comic that takes place during the prequel era. Charles Soule showed a very good understanding of both Anakin and Obi-Wan as he builds on what the early days of their relationship looked like. By literally grounding the two on a planet that has been destroyed by war Soule has opened up plenty of opportunity to explore both Anakin and Obi-Wan's characters mental state at this point in their lives. At the same time, there is opportunity to see how the remaining people of a forgotten planet by the Republic and Jedi act when confronted by two Jedi. If you're a Star Wars fan that is still looking to be immersed even more into the canon I recommend giving Star Wars: Obi-Wan And Anakin #1 a try.

Titans Hunt #2 is far too happy with not stepping out to far from where the first issue left off. Even the small character beats are not too different from what we saw before and that is a big problem if we are to believe that this story is worth following for 10 full issues. As of now the only thing that will keep me around for one or two more issues of Titans Hunt is my love for the franchise and these characters. Hopefully that love won't be the only driving force behind buying Titans Hunt and Abnett can get the story moving forward in a positive direction.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Old Man Logan #3 does a fantastic job fully utilizing the concept behind Battleworld and using it to its full potential. Brian Bendis has been able to carve out something unique with his wandering samurai approach to detailing Old Man Logan's journey to meet Doom. The way that Logan is able to effect world's like Age of Apocalypse and Armor Wars helped to add to the greater story being told in Secret Wars. It doesn't hurt that this series features Andrea Sorrentino's jaw dropping artwork.

The final domino for Brian Bendis epic X-Men finale has been laid out with Uncanny X-Men #35. By highlighting the young group of X-Men he has developed over the course of his run Bendis was able to place them in an interesting position leading into his grand finale. The one-shot nature of Uncanny X-Men #35 also provided this set of characters a good chance to have a full arc on their own. Seeing how these young X-Men dealt with success and adversity also gave a greater importance for a place like the Jean Grey School to exist in the Marvel Universe. Hopefully now that everything is place Bendis is able to deliver a strong end to his great X-Men run.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Ultimate End #3 was a very disappointing issue. After spending two issues of building up different layers in the conflict between the 616- and Ultimate Universes there was very little in the way of intriguing plot development. Instead of using the prison breakout to show us how both universes heroes dealt with the problem at hand Brian Bendis spent this entire issue having two characters having a dick measuring contest. Even though that argument between Tony Stark and Ultimate Nick Fury started off fine it was not enough to carry a story that is lacking someone to get behind. If things don't pick up in the next issue I fear that Ultimate End will be a lackluster end to the Ultimate Universe.

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.

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.

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.

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.

DC Comics is entering into a period where many of their franchises feel fresh as they experiment with different creative runs at the same time. Unfortunately, that sense of freshness was not present in Bryan Hitch's Justice League of America #1. The story and art in JLA #1 was average at best and being average is not good enough when your comic book costs $5.99. It does not help that nothing in this comic felt consequential to the DCU, especially when you consider that Geoff Johns is telling a much more compelling Justice League story with a similar expanded roster. This is an unfortunate turn of events because I really wanted to like Hitch's latest work but paying such a high cover price for an average story has completely turned me off from purchasing another issue of this series.

All you need to know about Old Man Logan #2 is that it is a must buy merely to have the beautiful artwork from Andrea Sorrentino in your hands to look over for the rest of time. This is just a fantastic looking comic book with Sorrentino ability to tell a complete story through his artwork a sight to see. It's in that beautiful artwork that the story is propelled to be better than it may have been otherwise. With how Brian Bendis is presenting Logan as a wild card within Battleworld I am even more excited to see what comes next in this series.

Ultimate End #2 never reached the level of the first issue. There were some very good fan service moments throughout the issue. The additional sub-plots involving the Thor Corps and The Raft gave us more to look forward to from this series in the future. Unfortunately Bendis failed to use all of the potential opened to him by this crossover between the 616 and Ultimate Universes since he spent too much page space on a repetitive Tony Stark scene. Hopefully Ultimate End #3 can do a better job exploring the possibilities open to this mini-series.

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.

Spider-Gwen #5 knows exactly what it is and in embracing that you are able to feel why this is a comic book unlike anything that Marvel is publishing. The addition of Felicia Hardy gave another layer Gwen Stacy's world both in and out of her superhero adventures. Felicia's involvement also added to the threat that Matt Murdock poses to Spider-Woman and New York as a whole. If you haven't picked up an issue of Spider-Gwen yet I highly recommend fixing that by going out and buying every issue of this series.

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.

Justice League #41 is a great example of how to keep the opening issue of an event moving forward while introducing all the major players along the way. This attention to detail allowed every big moment Geoff Johns gives each character have a greater impact to what was going on. The issue also does a great job making the story really feel like there is no hope for the Justice League to overcome the might of Darkseid and Anti-Monitor's forces as they are. Seeing how the Justice League can overcome these odds makes the anticipation for what comes next harder to endure.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Old Man Logan #1 is one of the stronger Secret Wars tie-in comics out there. Brian Bendis brought his A-game to this book with how he is able to further flesh out the world of Old Man Logan. It doesn't hurt that Bendis had Andrea Sorrentino phenomenal artwork to elevate everything about the story. While Logan was the headliner it was Sorrentino's artwork that was the true star of the show. The art alone is reason enough to buy this comic and the fact that the story is so strong is just an added plus.

Spider-Verse #1 is not a perfect issue but it did set up a world that has major possibilities. By using a post-Death of Gwen Stacy world Mike Costa opened a window for some interesting character developments for people like Spider-Gwen. The fact that this world's main Spider-Man is missing and the other Spiders past life memories are blurred adds weight to what exactly is going on in this part of Battleworld. It's a mystery that has my interests peaked. I just hope the art sees major improvements in the next issue.

Ultimate End #1 knocked it out of the park when it came to delivering on a crossover we've been waiting for since the Ultimate Universes inception. Brian Bendis and Mark Bagley proved that they are the right creative team to work on this mini-series with how much they understand both universes. Not only was it great to see the 616 and Ultimate Universes colliding but having this series be directly tied into the events of Secret Wars gave this added value to those reading the Marvel event. Establishing that these Marvel heroes still remember everything before Battleworld's formation is an important factor in separating Ultimate End from all the other tie-ins. This fact alone makes what goes on in this series feel like a must read for everyone following Secret Wars.

Darth Vader #5 continued to give depth to Vader's character without ever going in a direction that makes the character unrecognizable. Seeing Darth Vader's plans to create an army of his be squashed a bit by Emperor Palpatines on private army was well executed. It gave additional layer of tension that Kieron Gillen has been building between the two after the events of the first Death Star's explosion. How these new characters are used moving forward makes for an exciting prospect that just has me itching to get my hands on the next issue of Darth Vader.

Star-Lord #12 is a good building block that was able to add depth to Peter Quill's sister, Captain Victoria. In doing so Sam Humphries was able to build an additional plot point for the future of Star-Lord's character. What that future is we don't know given the fact that Secret Wars blew up the Marvel Universe. While I would have liked to have gotten some time dedicated to the aftermath of Peter Quill and Kitty Pryde's engagement I can't complain too much about an issue that gave us more Collector goodness. That alone makes this an issue that any good Marvel cosmic fan will enjoy.

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.

Original Sin #7 had all the elements to be an outstanding issue. Unfortunately there were a few things that held this issue back from reaching that level. But even as this issue does not get to the quality it should be at there was a lot to like in this issue. Jason Aaron and Mike Deodato showed us a Nick Fury that wont let anyone get in his way, not even the Earths Mightiest Heroes. The Avengers interaction with Nick was the heart of the issue that helped make the anticipation for what happens next harder to wait for.

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.

Instead of living up to the potential of telling a compelling story that shows us the impact Forever Evil had on Dick Grayson and those closest to him what we got was essentially Grayson #0. This in turn leads to an issue with a stretched out fight sequences that outstays its welcome and dialogue that lacks the weight it shouldve had given the outcome of DCs recent big event. It doesnt help that the artwork poor quality only helps to highlights the weakness in the story. Moving forward I will give Seely and King a proper chance when Grayson #1 is released but they did not put their best foot forward with the work they published in Nightwing #30.

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.

The biggest question I had after reading The New 52 Futures End #1 was not about what was going to happen next but why I should care about the characters in this issue. There are a lot of characters explaining stuff to me but no real reason shown about why I should be reading this series other than this being another comic book by DC Comics that is going down a dark and gritty route. The fact that there are not any characters I care about or a world that is different from the current DCU hurts the story event more. By the end of this first issue, I am happy to walk away from this series knowing I am not going to invest anymore time or money after The New 52 Futures End #1.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #200 was exactly what it was supposed to be a celebration. Brian Bendis wrote this issue for long-term fans to remember why they have been reading this series and that is because of the dynamic between Peter, Miles and the rest of the Ultimate Spider-Man supporting cast. Each character was given enough time so that we can catch up with where they are and also get to see the dynamic they share together. The possible futures we got to see was great bit of fan service that had me smiling as each character had a different vision for Peters future had he not died. Bringing in the artists that were most attached to each character was a nice touch to make the possible futures stand out without getting in the way of consistency of Dave Marquez artwork. If you are an Ultimate Spider-Man fan than Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #200 is a must-have.

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.

X-Men #12 put an end to the John Sublime and Arkea Prime storyline in a passable way. Brian Wood seemingly ran out of steam the closer we got to the end of this 12 issue story arc. Now that it is over I am ready to see what Wood can do with a different type of adventure for this X-Men team. What has my hopes kept high for this series is that even with the disappointing way the main storyline ended Wood knows how to write the main cast of X-Men. He has done a great job giving each member of the team their own voice, with Storm being the standout character amongst the team.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Kyle Higgins ended his run on Nightwing the way he started his run and that was by focusing this final issue on who Dick Grayson is. There was not some big end of the world scenario for Nightwing to overcome. Nightwing #29 was simply about showing the reader who Nightwing is in and out of his superhero mask. Its simple but effectively ended one of the best creative runs the character has had. Thats saying something since writers like Chuck Dixon and Peter Tomasi have had incredible runs with this series. Hopefully, this is not the last time we see Higgins writing the character of Dick Grayson in the main DC Universe.

With the combination of fantastic artwork and writing Moon Knight #1 did exactly what it was supposed to do make me want to continue reading this new series after its first issue. Warren Ellis, Declan Shalvey and Jordie Bellaire did everything right with this first issue of Marc Specters latest adventures. Ellis was able to do enough with his writing of this issue that you walk away feeling like you learned a lot about the character without having to know his entire history. Shalvey and Bellaire do their part by giving Moon Knight #1 design that is its own that showcases all that Moon Knight is. Now that the tone has been set I am ready to go on whatever ride Ellis and company have in store for us on Moon Knight.

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.

Wolverine and the X-Men #42 is exactly the type of ending I expect from Jason Aaron after more than two years of storytelling. He gave us an issue that is able to put a close to his chapter in the X-Mens history while leaving things open for the next team to pick up from where he left off without a problem. And for an ending of a story that is all you can ask for as a reader.

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.

I cannot say this enough Wonder Woman is the best title DC Comics is publishing. From beginning to end, Brian Azzarello, Cliff Chiang and Goran Sudzuka hooked me into the story that was unfolding in Wonder Woman #28 and never let go. I cannot wait to see what happens now that Wonder Woman has to fight in order to save Zola and Dio from another force other than the First Born. At the same time we are given an excellent cliffhanger with the conclusion of the First Borns battle with Apollo atop Olympus Tower. If you have not been reading Wonder Woman I highly implore you to change that and begin catching up through the trades. This is by far one of the most entertaining comics youll find on a monthly basis.

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.

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.

Wolverine #1 does its job of hooking me right away. Paul Cornell quickly establishes how Wolverine is going to be handling life without a healing factor by embracing the characters entire history. Cornell accomplishes this in a way that doesnt make you feel like you have to come in with expert knowledge on the character. Everything you need to know you are able to learn as the issue progresses. There are also a lot of little things that long-time fans of Wolverine will love such as the look at the characters possible future. If you have ever been interested in reading a Wolverine comic book than I highly recommend giving Wolverine #1 a try.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Wolverine and the X-Men #40 will go down as one of the standout issues of Jason Aarons run on this series. The Cyclops and Wolverine scenes were easily some of the best writing Aaron has done. He showed such a clear understanding of both characters that by the end you understood where Cyclops and Wolverine were coming from. This also gave some closure to the rift Aaron created back in X-Men Schism. The addition of the scenes at the Jean Grey Academy helped to balance out the issue with Pepe Larraz having a lot of fun with the tour of the school we went on.

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.

Nightwing #27 is further proof that this is one of the strongest comic books that DC Comics is currently publishing. Kyle Higgins shows a clear understanding of who Dick Grayson is by showing us the multiple parts of Nightwings character and what separates him from other superheroes in the DCU. Higgins also shows great trust in his art team to help tell the story by reining the dialogue back and letting Will Conrads art shine during key moments. With the series now very close to lining up to the events of Forever Evil I look forward to seeing what Higgins has in store for the series before the inevitable happens to Nightwing.

Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting continue to do a fantastic job bringing all of the best aspects from classic spy movies into one comic book. Velvet #3 shows us that the first two issues werent just a fluke. Instead what those first two issues did was establish the world Velvet lives in and now with the third issue we are ready to see Velvet in full spy action. And even though we get to see how badass of a spy Velvet is we also see that she is still human and is prone to make mistakes. With how the issue ended I look forward to seeing what the fallout will be and what is next in the bigger mystery that Velvet has involved herself in.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Infinity #5 is the perfect summary of what has made great and disappointing at the same time. With everything that happens in this issue I am even more worried with how rushed Infinity #6 will be. It doesn't help matters that Hickman's Avengers books continue to play a big factor in how the story of Marvel's latest event has played out. It's really unfortunate that Marvel's latest event has turned out this way but in the end it was their decision to make this event for Avengers and Hickman superfans instead of a way to please current and new readers.

Nightwing Annual #2 is a well done annual that puts the spotlight on the Dick Grayson and Barbara Gordon relationship. This annual comes at a great time because with Geoff Johns revealing to the DC Universe that Dick Grayson is Nightwing in the pages of Forever Evil the character is going to need a strong support system when the timeline lines up with present events. Thankfully that is exactly what Higgins shows us that Nightwing will have as Barbara will be a character that will be there for her friend. This issue also gives us more of a clearer idea of the Batman Family history within the New 52 Universe. If you're a Nightwing or Batgirl fan I highly recommend picking up Nightwing Annual #1 up.

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.

Velvet #1 captured my attention from the opening page and it never let go. Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting work the same magic that they used to make Captain America such a special comic with this new series. The world around Velvet Templeton is rich with detail around every corner and Velvet herself has been shown to be a multi-layered character with everything we learned about her. Reading Velvet #1 reminded me of how special watching James Bond and Jason Bourne movies are. Steve Epting deserves just as much credit because his artwork captured the espionage setting perfectly as he was able to make subtle changes to fit with each time period we visit throughout Velvet #1. If youre into espionage comics or enjoyed Brubaker and Eptings run on Captain America do yourself a favor and pick up Velvet #1. This has all the makings for a special comic.

The Battle of the Atom crossover continues to deliver on all the crazy drama and action that I expect from X-Men story. It is done so well that by the time I finished reading Uncanny X-Men #13 all I wanted to do was read more. Brian Bendis delivers on all the moments comic book fans want, with great action and character moments, while also raising more questions about what is going on in the story itself. There are still many unanswered question about the past, present and future X-Men teams involved in this story. This adds to the unpredictability of the story, which in turn makes it even more engrossing because I do want to find out what happens next. If youre an X-Men fan you owe it to yourself to read Battle of the Atom right now or when it comes out in trade. It is exactly what you are looking for from an X-Men story.

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 #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.

Kyle Higgins has continuously shown himself to be one of the best rising talents that DC Comics has and Nightwing #24 reaffirms this fact. This issue properly ended the Prankster arc with Nightwing being able show how he can overcome any problem thrown his way. Nightwings victory over Prankster also propels the whole mask hunters sub-plot to become the next obstacle for Nightwing to face off against. At the same time Higgins is able to put together an unexpected end to Nightwings hunt for Tony Zucco that leaves the door for a bigger story down the line. If you have not been reading Kyle Higgins Nightwing then I highly recommend picking this series up in trade paperback.

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.

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.

Uncanny X-Men #12 failed to provide us with any substantial development in the Battle of the Atom. Brian Bendis never seemed comfortable moving the story forward because he was saving most of his material for later chapters. Its a shame because there are some genuinely interesting elements within this issue that are overshadowed by the recap nature of this issue. I am still invested in the Battle of the Atom but Uncanny X-Men #12 tempered my excitement for this story. Hopefully Jason Aaron is able to revive my excitement in Battle of the Atom with Wolverine and the X-Men #36.

For those reading the Avengers and New Avengers tie-in issues Infinity #3 will be an incredible reading experience. Jonathan Hickman is hitting it out of the park with all the stories he is telling in the Infinity titles he is writing. Every character involved is being shown to play an important role in this series with both the heroes and villains getting time to shine. The problem is that if youre not reading the Avengers and New Avengers tie-in issues than it is hard to get fully invested in the story within the Infinity mini-series. If youre willing to invest the money in the Avengers and New Avengers tie-in than you will love Infinity #3, but if youre not than be ready to be cheated out of a complete story.

I did not have high expectations for Mighty Avengers #1 and maybe because of that it was able to surprise me a solid first issue. Al Ewing effectively introduces us to this new Avengers roster and shows us the different relationships shared between the cast. Ewing does this in a natural way that does not shine a spotlight on how this series was marketed when it was announced, which would have been easy to do. Instead the story and cast are allowed to interact as if they were actual people who have a history with one another. While the tie-in to Infinity is awkwardly done there was enough here that I am interested in picking up the next issue. If youre an Avengers fan than you should give Mighty Avengers #1 a shot, as long as you can get passed the typical Greg Land artwork that is.

Its refreshing to have a comic book event that is able to execute the idea of an end of the world scenario without having to rely on giant explosions or dark settings. Brian Wood does a great job carrying over the tone established in the opening chapters to Battle for the Atom and makes the story his own with X-Men #5. Wood seamlessly integrates sub-plots from his recent story arc to enhance the X-Mens current predicament. The dynamic shared between all the X-Men, especially Past-Cyclops/Past-Jean Grey and Rachel/Present-Kitty, helps add to the unpredictability of this story. Wood does such a good job with the pacing of the story that he is able to naturally transition the story into the Uncanny X-Men series. Hopefully Brian Bendis can continue this great momentum as he gets the reins of the story back with the next chapter of Battle of the Atom.

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.

X-Men Battle of the Atom #1 is a great continuation of everything that has been going on with all the X-Men books post-Avengers vs. X-Men. Brian Bendis is able to properly lay out a strong foundation that gives this latest X-Men crossover a big event feel to it. Bendis is also able to separate this event from other going on concurrently by exploring the specific consequences of the original five X-Mens presence in the present Marvel Universe. Add in the great artwork from the team of Frank Cho and Stuart Immonen and you have a great start to a comic book crossover for current X-Men readers.

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.

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.

After being on the run for so long it was great to see Wonder Woman and her crew stand and fight together against First Born and his army. Brian Azzarello delivered a lot of moments in Wonder Woman #23 with the moment when Wonder Woman did not hesitate to kill First Born standing out. This choice emphasized the difference between Wonder Woman and her peers. She will do whatever it takes to save the day and it was a choice that War gave greater importance with his final words before dying in Wonder Woman's arms. The appearance of Apollo at the end of the issue helped to remind readers that while this ends this chapter in Wonder Woman life we should prepare ourselves for even bigger events to occur in the future. If you're not reading Wonder Woman I recommend checking this series out in trade paperback because Azzarello continues to make this a special reading experience.

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.

Brian Wood offers fans a little bit of everything that can be asked for from a comic with X-Men #4. The argument between Storm and Rachel address a long standing question in superhero comics and further establishes Storms role as the leader of this group. Not to be left out of the issue Kitty, Psylocke and Rogue steal the show in during their screen time with a riveting sequence that involves the three saving an airplane over a mountain range. The Wolverine and Jubilee portion of this issue helps break up the seriousness of what the other X-Men are doing and highlights the father-daughter relationship that they share. With so many X-Men comics to choose from every month Wood breaks out of the pack with X-Men #4 and stakes a claim at having one of the cant miss comic books.

From beginning to end Jason Aaron delivers a reading experience that is layered with great character interactions that enrich what has occurred in the Hellfire Saga up to this point. Each character involved in the story is given something to important to do in this issue. Whether its Iceman making a giant Ice Voltron, a comedic scene between Modok and Dopp or the drama surrounding Toad and Husk this issue had something for every comic book fan. The addition of Nick Bradshaws animated art style helps elevate everything going in the story to the next level. Wolverine and the X-Men #34 is a fun, engaging, and action packed comic book that no fan should miss out on.

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.

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.

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.

While the lack of a resolution may turn some people off this is exactly how things should have ended. Brian Wood does a phenomenal job not letting the fact that this is an all-female lead cast be the main driving force of the story. Instead Wood focuses on what is important which is how this X-Men team deals with the conflict at hand and how the characters complement one another. At the same time, with how the Sublime/Arkea conflict ended Wood has left the door open for an even bigger story to develop moving forward. The addition of Olivier Coipel fantastic artwork makes this an easy recommendation for all fans of superhero comics to read.

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.

Its incredible how much Jonathan Hickman and Mike Deodato packed into New Avengers #9. Everything that happens here, from Black Bolts plot to the Atlantis/Wakanda war, has its own sense of grandeur that naturally comes together to tell a cohesive story. This is all thanks to how Hickman treats his lead characters as just that leaders. Each character is playing an import part in the story and for all the crazy sci-fi elements that this issue had Hickman was able to properly ground it with the captivating political drama surrounding the Illuminati mission statement. The story is elevated to another level thanks to the fantastic work by Deodato and Frank Martin, who play an equally important part in bringing the story to life. With the Infinity event looming over the Marvel Universe I cannot wait to see what Hickman and company have in store for us next.

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.

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.

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.

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.

With each passing month Brian Azzarello has made his claim for the having the best DC Comics ongoing series and Wonder Woman #22 is another example of this. From beginning to end Azzarello is able to hook me into a story that introduces us to the rest of the New Gods in an intriguing fashion. While in New Genesis we are also treated to great character progression for Wonder Woman and Orion as they have grown to understand each other on a deeper level. At the same time Azzarello gives us a taste of the history of New Genesis and how that history has made Highfather into the authoritative figure he shows himself to be. This all leads to an exciting end that sets up the continuation of the war between Wonder Woman and the First Born. With so many pieces in play itll be interesting to see what other surprises Azzarello has in store for Wonder Woman 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.

Unfortunately the incredible artwork cannot subdue my disappointment with Justice League #22 nor change my decision to officially drop all the Justice League books until further notice.

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.

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 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.

From the opening page Uncanny #1 was able to grab my attention and left a strong impression by the time I finished reading the issue. Andy Diggle was able to create a fascinating world around the lead character that compliments who Weaver is established to be. There are a lot of question created that I want to find the answers too which adds to my excitement in following these characters and the world. The addition of Aaron Capbells strong artwork helped to elevate Uncanny #1 as one of the better first issues to a comic that I have read. Hopefully, the momentum that was created continues into the next issue. If it does then I can easily see this series becoming one of my favorite comics on my pull list.

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.

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.

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.

New Avengers #7 catches the series up with the current Marvel Now timeline and in the process created a few more sub-plots for us to follow. This issue won't be for everyone because a big chunk of this issue deals with catching us up to recent events. That said, the methodical pacing that Jonathan Hickman takes provided us with a lot of great character interactions as we spend just enough time in each scene to eagerly anticipate what happens next. It is this character work that continues to separate this series from all the other Marvel books because each character in this new Illuminati group is doing something outside the group that affects everyone else. Hopefully some of these sub-plots pick up because there will come a point where all of the exposition will get in the way of a strong story. But as I've said in the past: In Hickman I Trust.

Wonder Woman #21 is where everything clicks for this series. In many ways this issue feels like a season finale and we are now ready to move on to the next part of the bigger story that Brian Azzarello is crafting. This issue was filled with tension, family drama, action, character development, a strong character sacrifice and a hook ending that makes you want to come back for more. Even though I still don't like Zola every other character in this series is adding to Wonder Woman's world, even Hera who has become one of the emotional centers of this story. Now that the story has moved to New Genesis I can't wait to see how Wonder Woman reacts to this new world and how it furthers what is going on with her family.

From the beginning Uncanny Avengers #9 does not let go of your attention until you get to the back cover. Even when the art is not up to par Rick Remenders story is so wonderfully detailed that youll just find yourself immersed in the world that he has been created. There are a lot of great character moments between the various members of the Avengers Unity Squad specifically the argument Scarlet Witch and Rogue get into and Thor standing up for Wolverine. At the same time the Apocalypse Twins plot to be the overlords of every world continues to take interesting turns. In the end I just want to read more about this story as Uncanny Avengers is one of the best comics at the moment.

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.

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.

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.

For all the attention the other Batbooks get Kyle Higgins Nightwing continues to be one of the most consistently entertaining comics that DC Comics is publishing. Higgins has a great grasp of the character and the setting. In Nightwing #21 Higgins puts Nightwing in scenarios where he can flourish while developing intriguing sub-plots that complements the main plotline. The story develops several obstacles for Nightwing with Tony Zucco going on a "vacation," Prankster's escape and the presences of the mysterious Mask Murders group. The issues story is further elevated by the great artwork from Brett Booth, which will be missed as this is his final issue on Nightwing while he moves on to be the artist for Justice League of America. With all this said if Nightwing is not on your pull list I highly recommend you change that because Kyle Higgins is doing something special.

Wolverine and the X-Men #31 was another strong issue that moves the war between the Jean Grey and Hellfire Academies forward. With this issue spotlighting the Hellfire Academy Jason Aaron develops the villains of this conflict by showing us how they are going about teaching their students. The cast of the Hellfire Academy had a lot of distinct personalities with Mystique, Sauron and Kid Omega being the standouts in this spotlight issue. At the same time Aaron is able to develop the X-Men's side of this conflict with Wolverine making a big decision while he and Rachel Grey look for their missing students.

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.

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.

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.

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.

By the time I finished reading I felt sad to know that this was the last issue of what has been one of Marvel's best books in Winter Soldier. The great thing is that Jason Latour and Nick Klein were able to end the series on a high note with Winter Soldier #19. This was a character focused story that showed how far Bucky Barnes has come since being brought back to life years ago. The ending which revealed what Bucky used the Cosmic Cube for was a great way to end the series and gives hope for the character's future, wherever Bucky ends up popping up next. If you like grounded, character focused stories I highly recommend buying the Winter Soldier trades, especially if you enjoyed Brubaker's Captain America run.

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.

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.

While the first three issues of this series were solid outings Justice League of America #4 was a complete disappointment. This issue is another clear example of the uncomfortable trend that many New 52 comics have followed as we are presented with one-dimensional characters and overreliance on gore to get the story's importance across. Anything that could be compelling with why ARGUS assembled the JLA and the rise of the Secret Society of Villains has been artificially created. Nothing about this story feels as if it's progressing at a natural pace. I wish that this wasn't the case because where I was once compelled to read Trinity War Justice League of America #4 and recent issues of Justice League have led me to question if DC Comics latest event will be worth picking up.

There is a great sense of discovery to Jonathan Hickman's Marvel work and New Avengers #6 is no different. It's incredible how Hickman gets all the little things right in order to enhance the grander vision he has for this group of Avengers. Small story beats with how each member of the Illuminati speak to individual teammates differently to the bigger stuff such as Doctor Doom's appearance and a whole world blowing up is incredible to see play out. Black Swan's continued presence adds a wild card to the entire story as you can see the wheels turning inside her head with each word that she speaks. While this issue's exposition story may turn off fans looking for non-stop action it works for what Hickman is doing on this series. It helps that Steve Epting continues to impress with how the small and big moments are drawn to have an equal epic importance.

Sonic the Hedgehog #249 is another exciting chapter in the Worlds Collide crossover. Ian Flynn continues to provide excellent chemistry between the Mega Man and Sonic characters. Each character is given a moment to shine and it never feels like one set of characters is being favored over the other. The one problem that I did have with this issue is the size of the lettering. It is rare to see such big lettering used for a comic and they did cause the word bubbles to take a good chuck of each panel. Fortunately Tracy Yardley provides us with a lot of eye pleasing artwork that gives this title a fun energy, which you can't help but smile when reading this comic. If you've ever been a Mega Man or Sonic fan I encourage you to pick up the Worlds Collide crossover. It is some of the most fun you'll find yourself having with a comic book this year.

Wolverine and the X-Men #30 may be one of the darkest issues this series has had but Jason Aaron accomplished what he set out to do: set the stage for The Hellfire Saga. Aaron quickly set this event apart by having the X-Men of the Jean Grey School immediately become proactive in their fight with the Hellfire Club. But even with a more proactive X-Men team Aaron was still able to deliver some surprises as traitors are revealed as the X-Men have already fallen behind before the war even starts. Although the art by committee had its rough spots Pasqual Ferry, Pepe Laraz and Salva Espin were able to execute on the dramatic and action sequences well enough that it didn't get in the way of the story. With what Aaron was able to accomplish in this prelude to the Hellfire Saga I am even more pumped to find out how this event plays out and what ramifications it will have for the X-Men Universe.

Instead of creating a new reader who would dig through the back issues in order to catch up and continue to read the series on a monthly basis; Red Hood and the Outlaws Annual #1 did the opposite. Now I remember exactly why I didnt read this series past the first issue. For a team book, Red Hood, Arsenal and Starfire are all very similar characters that do not complement one another. The biggest downfall for this Annual was basing it around Arsenal, whose expanded history with Green Arrow makes the character less likable than he was before. If your currently reading Red Hood and the Outlaws maybe youll find something to enjoy from this Annual but for everyone else just stay away. Far, far away.

X-Men #1 is a good start to Brian Woods X-Men title that delivers on what it promises. There were a few things that keep the issue from being a perfect read but they never got in the way of how much fun this issue is. Wood does a great job creating an organic chemistry with the X-Men team of Storm, Kitty Pride, Rogue, Psylocke, Rachel Grey and Jubilee while developing the central plotline involving Sublime and his sister. Olivier Coipels realistic take on the characters enhance the story as the art compliments Woods story by portraying the characters as strong and independent. No matter your allegiances if you are a comic book fan I recommend giving X-Men #1 a try. You may be surprised as you will fall in love with one or more of the characters that star on this book.

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.

While I enjoyed how powerful Despero was made to look, Batman revealing his plans and the Shazam back-up the problems with the New 52 continuity got in the way of how strong these sub-plots where. Add in the Atoms rushed character development for the upcoming Trinity War crossover than you have an issue in Justice League #20 that had potential to be good but wasnt. The artwork by the small army of artists didnt help matters as the issue was full of inconsistencies.

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.

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.

Sonic Universe #52 was another strong chapter in what is quickly become one the best comic book event in years. The work Ian Flynn has done cannot be understated. He has created a crossover event that mixes two different worlds together perfectly. All the characters in this issue are given time to shine whether it is through the great battle sequence or the banter they have amongst their group. If you are looking for a comic book story that will put a smile on your face when reading it this Mega Man and Sonic crossover is for you. And if that is not what you are looking for you should still pick this issue up anyways as it will give a turn that frown, or whatever facial you have at the moment, into a joyous smile.

Wolvering and the X-Men #29 further fleshes out the new mutant environment that the X-Men are living in. Jason Aaron continues to amaze me with all the world building he has done as how he is letting his imagination run wild with his X-Men stories. This issue does a very good job setting up the future for Wolverine's character and the X-Men as a whole as they get ready to face off against the Hellfire Academy. The look into the future of the current X-Men status also had a lot of fun Easter Eggs to find on further re-reads. With what was hinted at in Wolverine and the X-Men #29 I am even more excited for what Aaron and the rest of the X-Men writers have in store for us next. It is a good time to be an X-Men fan.

Nightwing #20 may not be a groundbreaking issue but by building a strong foundation around Nightwing and his new setting Kyle Higgins has set this series up to tell riveting stories. Most importantly this change in the setting gives Higgins and Brett Booth the opportunity to show off the skills and resourcefulness Nightwing has now that he is limited with the equipment and resources available to him. The Pranksters appearance also throws a wrench in things as his rise furthers the mysterious history Chicago has with masked vigilantes. At the same time Higgins is able to firmly establish Nightwings supporting cast and develop some major sub-plots that will prove beneficial in the longevity of the overarching Tony Zucco story. If youre a Batman fan I highly recommend checking Nightwing out as it has separated itself as its own series separate from the rest of the Batman Family.

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.

There is a disjointed tone to Justice League of America #3. The way Geoff Johns is having the JLA handle the threat posed by the new Secret Society is different from what we are used to seeing. The problem with this is that Johns is trying to tell a big Justice League story by writing it with a street-level approach in mind. This causes the team's mission to seem smaller than it actually is. This is not helped by David Finch's gritty artwork that faces many problems with inking inconsistencies. Finch's artwork would honestly be more at home on a Batman book than a big team book like the JLA. Overall Justice League of America #3 has a lot of good ideas in play but the approach Johns is taking does not fit with the scope of the story.

Mega Man #25 caps off the first act of this crossover with fast paced action and witty dialogue. While this issue is plagued with some heavy exposition in the middle of the issue it never slows the story down. Ian Flynn has done a fantastic job merging Mega Man and Sonic's worlds together with each character given the opportunity to shine. The artwork by Jamal Peppers and Ryan Jampole is what truly steals the show as they bring both worlds to life with visually pleasing artwork. With things moving back to Sonic's newly distorted world I cannot wait to see what Flynn and company have in store for Mega Man and Sonic.

Uncanny Avengers #8 was another exciting chapter in what is easily one of the best comics on the stands. What makes the entire story impressive is how Rick Remender uses the established history of the Avengers and X-Men to further develop the story he is telling. This approach further establishes the larger than life threat that the Apocalypse Twins pose and spotlights the unique dynamic of this Avengers/X-Men team. While I am not a big fan of Daniel Acuna's art style I got to admit that he does turn in some of his best work on this issue. He is able to capture both the small and epic moments of Remender's tale. If you are looking for an Avengers or X-Men book to pick up than I highly recommend checking out Uncanny Avengers. This series does a fantastic job using the best of both worlds.

While the first two issues of the series weren't bad they never were able to fully connect the dots for an engaging story. Wolverine #3 is where everything comes together for this series. Paul Cornell has done a fine job capturing the veteran superhero voice of Wolverine with a great use of the supporting cast and Nick Fury Jr.'s involvement to highlight this. The story with the mysterious villains plot is also able to pick up and truly gets going in interesting ways. All of this is brought to life by the great artwork from Alan Davis, who brings his usual A-list talent to this series. With how things went down in this issue I believe that Cornell is setting us up for something special on Wolverine. Knowing Cornell's past work that is something no Marvel fan will want to miss out on.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I wanted to enjoy New Avengers #5 more than I did. The same methodical approach that I've always enjoyed from Jonathan Hickman is proving to be this series worst enemy. That is not to say that I didn't find Black Swan's history interesting but more that I would like to see Hickman find a way to involve all the members of the Illuminati instead of cherry picking one or two members. It doesn't help that New Avengers has more of a singular focus while the other Avengers books are dealing with multiple plot threads at the same time, even some that involve the Illuminati. At the same time Steve Epting greatly helps the story's pacing with some great visuals throughout the issue.

Rick Remender continues to deliver some of the best stories that have come out of Marvel Now! with Uncanny Avengers #5. What is most impressive about Remender's work on this series is how he is able to juggle multiple stories at once. There are many sub-plots working together in Uncanny Avengers #5 and Remender is able to present it in a clear manner so that readers do not feel lost even when addressing daggling plotlines from his run on Uncanny X-Force. Everything meshes well together and allows us to get a good gauge at the mission statement and personalities that are in this Avengers team. Though I am not a big fan of Daniel Acuna's artwork I did enjoy how he choreographed the opening action sequence involving the Apocalypse Twins and the Four Horsemen. In the end Uncanny Avengers #7 is another great example of this series being one of the best comics in Marvel's current catalogue.

After a slow start Brian Bendis has begun to find his grove on Uncanny X-Men. The greatest improvement in Uncanny X-Men #5 is that Bendis is finally letting the series stand on its own instead of relying on other books or teams to help tell its story. The story involving Magik and Dormammu's connection wwas elevated thanks to the students of the Xavier School finally getting the chance to be involved with one of the senior staff's mission. Additionally, the sub-plot of the growing opposition that Cyclops is facing in the form of SHIELD adds another dimension to the story of the series. Unfortunately I can't say the same thing for the artwork as I continue not to be sold on Frazer Irving's artwork, at least for a superhero comic. The art just doesn't work for me but it didn't get in the way of the story being told in Uncanny X-Men #5.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Justice League #19 does a good job setting the stage for this new arc that will see Despero as the principle antagonist. The addition of Superman and Wonder Woman's relationship beginning to cause problems for the Justice League and Batman's contingency plans being revealed kept things moving forward at a solid pace. At the same time this issue makes the last issue feel like a time waster since Justice League #19 was another talking head issue that is more about set-up than big event action. This isn't a deal breaker, since Ivan Reis awesome artwork maintains the titles big event feel, but it does get in the way of Justice League separating itself from the mountain of team books currently available.

Kyle Higgins does a great job creating a new setting in Nightwing #19 that is both familiar and different from what the character is used to in Gotham City. With the Dick Grayson having to start from the ground up Higgins is able put the characters improvised style to the forefront. This improvised style is further highlighted from the artwork by Brett Booth, which is much more clean and consistent in this issue than it was over in Teen Titans. With Tony Zucco dark shadow looming over everything Nightwing does in Chicago and the introduction of the Prankster there is a lot to look forward to in the future of this series.

As someone that has never been a Wonder Woman fan I continue to find myself more and more invested in the intriguing tale that Brian Azzarello is weaving in this series. Wonder Woman #19 does a great job spotlighting all of the aspects in the series that make this one of the best comic books being published by DC Comics. Azzarello is able to move many of the chess pieces he has set into a position where I cannot wait to see how Wonder Woman handles this war between the Twelve Olympians. If you havent checked out Wonder Woman I highly recommend you do so because it is a true standout in the sea of all the superhero comics out there.

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.

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.

Mega Man #24 was exactly what I wanted it to be. Ian Flynn is able to develop a fun story that brings together Mega Man and Sonic's Universes. All of the great fanservice put a smile on my face from beginning to end as the 6 year old in me was having a blast reading this comic. Jamal Peppers helps things out by replicating both worlds in such a way that I was flashing back to memories of playing the video games and watching the cartoons as a kid. Overall, this was a fantastic read that every Mega Man and Sonic fan will enjoy reading.

Rick Remender continues to move the story in fascinating ways with the dream match-up of Thor and Apocalypse headlined Uncanny Avengers #6. The story of these two characters worlds clashing with one another brought along some great results. Though it is odd that we are going to have to wait another month to get to see the aftermath of what Rogue did at the end of the last issue. With that said, Uncanny Avengers #6 is still another strong issue even by Rick Remender.

Much like the debut issue Wolverine #2 has an interesting idea that hasn't been fully realized yet. Though I enjoy the fact that Paul Cornell is giving Wolverine a story that isn't connected to the Avengers or X-Men things could be made much clearer. The random guest appearance by Nick Fury Jr. felt tacked on and did not add to the story. Once we begin to learn more about whatever Wolverine is fighting things will improve. I trust Cornell enough to know he will turn things around quickly and at least we have the wonderful artwork by Alan Davis to enjoy during this time.

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.

Uncanny X-Men #4 was exactly the type of issue that was needed in order to sell me on the concept behind the series. My biggest complaint up until this point was Brian Bendis singular focus on Cyclops and Magneto. That finally changed with this issue as Bendis did a great job in getting inside of Emma Frosts head, developing the personalities of the new students at the Xavier School and providing Illyanas character with an interesting hook that goes beyond being a one-note crazy girl. Its unfortunate that the awkward way that the dialogue from All-New X-Men #10 was worked into this issue and the fact it spoiled a major plot for the other Bendis X-series got in the way of an otherwise great issue. But the fact is that these problems did occur and kept me from completely falling in love with it. Still, if you are reading All-New X-Men and dont mind spoilers I recommend picking up Uncanny X-Men #4.

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.

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.

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.

Thanos Rising #1 was a disappointing look at one of the most powerful Marvel villains. In trying to make the reader sympathize with Thanos, Jason Aaron strips away why fans love him as a villain. We do not have to sympathize with every villain and Thanos is one of those villains that should be treated as such a threat we hate him because of it. It does not help that the art by Simone Bianchi does not capture the cosmic setting properly with the grounded take taking away from what life was like for the young Thanos.

Jason Latour and Nic Klein deliver another dramatic read with Winter Soldier #17. Latour is able to explore the unknown parts of Bucky's history as the Winter Soldier in a way that you don't know what is going to happen next. There is something to be said about this type of storytelling since we are learning more about Bucky just like he is. The original Nick Fury appearance helps to keep the story focused as the reader never feels lost even with all the information that is thrown our way. The addition of Klein's styled artwork elevates the story by building up the tension with how the color palette changes depending on the scene.

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.

Injustice Gods Among Us #12 was another riveting chapter in one of the best comic books being published by DC Comics. Tom Taylor and Mike Miller did a great job moving the story forward as we see Superman going down a darker path, Wonder Woman becoming a puppet master, Batman trying to play peacemaker and Aquaman protecting his people. If youre a DC Comics fan Injustice Gods Among Us is a must-read comic. I also highly recommend any fan that has been disenchanted by the New 52 to try this series out because it is taking the iconic characters you know from the pre-New 52 DCU in unpredictable directions.

Uncanny Avengers #5 drives forward the potential of the fantastic ending to the opening arc. Rick Remender does a lot character work for the members of the team as they each have different factors that motivate them to be part of this specific Avengers squad. These different character motivations contribute to how Uncanny Avenger is doing the best job at dealing with the aftermath of the Avengers vs. X-Men. The addition of the birth of the Apocalypse Twins and Kangs involvement with the Twins should lead to a very intriguing second adventure for the Avengers Unity Division.

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.

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.

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.

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.

So far Geoff Johns has done enough with the Justice League of America to keep me coming back for more. Justice League of America #2 was a good follow-up to the first issue of the series. Geoff Johns was able to further the concept behind the formation of the JLA. Johns is also able to build some additional intrigue into the story with a solid scene between Scarecrow and the mysterious Secret Society leader. I just hope that the Secret Society formation isnt something that Johns stretches out, as he has been prone to do in the past. If he does than it will kill the momentum he has create with these first two issues.

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.

Secret Avengers is one of the biggest surprises out of Marvel Now. This is a series that I did not have high expectations for but Nick Spencer and Luke Ross have turned it into one of the most intriguing Marvel titles. Secret Avengers #2 effectively conveys this with Spencer moving the series at a methodical pace that never feels slow. This issue had a strong balance between Nick Fury Jr. continuing to build up the Secret Avengers membership and AIM rising to power once again with its new High Council. If your into action/adventure comics with an espionage tone than pick up Secret Avengers.

Uncanny X-Men #3 was able to turn things around after the previous issue saw the series hit rock bottom. Brian Bendis has created a different dynamic for the Uncanny X-Men team as they are being seen as the biggest threat by every other Marvel Universe team. Much of this is thanks to Cyclops and Magneto carrying this series on the shoulders of their new kick ass costumes. Unfortunately this has caused the other X-Men, including Emma Frost, to take the back seat as they don't see any positive character development. Things aren't helped by how inconsistent Chris Bachalo's artwork is throughout this issue. If you are a Cyclops or Magneto fan than Uncanny X-Men is a series you will enjoy. For everyone else go read All-New X-Men or Wolverine and the X-Men for your X-Men fix.

Wolverine #1 is a good start for the mutant that calls himself "The Best There is at What I Do." Admittedly having the story begin in the middle of an adventure did not help build a connection to the story right away. But by choosing not to go with the normal Weapon X or X-Men storyline Paul Cornell gives the reader the feeling that he is going to do something new and different with Wolverine. The mystery with who the weird kid is and where he came from is intriguing, especially since Wolverine has normally tried not to hurt kids throughout his career. It doesn't hurt that this issue features some fantastic artwork by Alan Davis that you can easily lose yourself looking at.

Wolverine and the X-Men #26 is not one of the best examples of how great this series has been for the last few couple years. The history lesson Jason Aaron provides for Dog Logan is interesting as it further fuels the reason for Dog to attack Wolverine, his brother. Unfortunately this is the type of story that is tailored to only a certain set of fans and those are Wolverine fans. This linear focus on one character makes this current arc passable for non-Wolverine fans. Though if you do pick this issue up than you will be treated to some fun stylized artwork from Ramon Perez.

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 #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.

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.

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.

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.

Jason Latour and Nic Klein deserve a lot of credit for doing a wonderful job in picking up directly from where Ed Brubaker and Butch Guice left Bucky Barnes. Winter Soldier #16 does a good job showing Bucky as the Jason Bourne of the Marvel Universe. Latour is able to make great use of the unknown parts of Bucky's Winter Soldier history along with recent events to motivate the character forward. The ending has put Bucky in another tough position which makes what happens next that much more interesting.

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.

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.

With the onslaught of Avengers titles on the market Rick Remender and John Cassaday have found a way to make Uncanny Avengers stand out as the leader of the pack. Uncanny Avengers #4 was wonderfully executed from beginning to end. Remender was able to close this arc on a high note as the Avengers stopped the Red Skull while setting up what the future has in store for this team made up of Avengers and X-Men. Cassaday does an equally excellent job with the artwork as he is able to tell the story through his art with how he draws characters emotions and actions. If there is one Avengers book to pick up it is Uncanny Avengers.

Uncanny X-Men #2 is easily the worst comic I have read from the MarvelNow relaunch. It is not just a bad comic but also a boring one. Unlike All-New X-Men where Bendis has been able to breathe new life into that cast of X-Men he has completely destroyed the Uncanny X-Men characters, specifically Cyclops and Emma Frost,, which was destruction that began in Avengers vs. X-Men. Even Magneto, who shined in the previous issue, was non-existent here. In reading both All-New X-Men and Uncanny X-Men Bendis has displayed his best (All-New X-Men " characters and drama) and his worst (Uncanny X-Men " decompression and mismanagement of a team) traits as a writer. Uncanny X-Men #2 is a boring comic that does nothing but a disservice to a number of iconic X-Men characters. Do not come near this series, even if you're Mr. Fantastic.

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.

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.

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.

Nightwing #17 covered a lot of ground as we see how "Death of the Family" has affected every aspect of Dick Grayson's life. Kyle Higgins has done an effective job using this situation to test Nightwing's character and what he represents to be within the Batman Family and the DC Universe. Though I hate that the Channel 52 back-up spoiled what Higgins has next for Nightwing I am excited to see how it works with the return of The Dealer from Scott Snyder's run when Dick Grayson was Batman.

While Wonder Woman #17 is not the strongest issue of the series it is still another good example of how this is one of the best DC comics on the stands right now. Azzarello has been able to breathe new life into Wonder Woman's world with how he is using the various Greek Gods in the modern day setting. The addition of Orion did lead to some fun dialogue, though the scene did get old quickly. Hopefully with the ending things pick up in the next issue and we see the Gods not just sitting around.

Young Justice: Invasion #25 was a solid issue that ends this comic on a high note. There was a lot going on in this issue that was wrapped up for the most part along with adding some additional information on things currently going on in the show. With how things ended for certain characters I wonder if any of it will be brought into the show given the fact that we only have 3 episodes left. If you're a fan of the show or looking to get a kid into reading comics be sure to pick up Young Justice in trade.

Justice League #17 was a very good ending for the Throne of Atlantis. Even though there were story choices that keep this comic from being great Johns was able to effectively make the choices made by Aquaman feel important. There is a lot of fallout that will be exciting to see develop, especially on the heels of the launch of the Justice League of America. I am excited enough to stick around with both Justice League books now, which was not the case pre-Throne of Atlantis.

Justice League of America #1 did everything a first issue is supposed to do. Geoff Johns quickly established what the mission statement for this series is while also inserting some character specific sub-plots for future stories. The ending worked well to bring things full circle with how the issue opened. Even with how mediocre the artwork by David Finch turned out I am invested into seeing how the new JLA deal with the rise of the Secret Society. That is all thanks to the strong tale that was woven by Johns in this first issue. If you have been following the events of the new DC Universe I recommend picking this issue up as it will be one of the key titles as DC Comics heads into Trinity War.

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.

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."

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.

As first issues go Secret Avengers #1 did its job in showing us why we should be picking this series up. Nick Spencer did a fine job setting up the groundwork to make Secret Avengers different from the dozen other Avengers book on the market. It doesn't hurt that Luke Ross nails the espionage tone of Spencer's story. Even with questionable character motivation this issue did enough to get me to back for more.

Uncanny X-Men #1 does a very good job establishing how this series will be different from the other X-Men titles involving the cast at the Jean Grey Academy. The balance of power that Cyclops will be fighting provides an interesting dynamic, especially in the aftermath of the recent Phoenix saga. That said this is brought down with its singular focus and Bendis going overboard with the dialogue in certain parts. Less is more and that is the case given who is the one narrating the issue. Luckily Bendis did enough that I will be picking up the next issue to see how things progress.

With all the drama that has been surrounding the X-Men lately it is nice to have an issue like Wolverine and the X-Men #25 that focuses on telling a fun X-Men story. Jason Aaron continuously finds new ways to make Wolverine and the X-Men a different type of comic from the regular Marvel comics, and it shows. A lot of what goes on in the Savage Lands feels fresh thanks to the Jean Grey Academy students' distinct voices during the trip. The addition of characters from Wolverine's past helps elevate what will happen in this arc.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Rick Remender has quickly separated this series from the rest of the Avengers related titles on the market. Uncanny Avengers #3 does a great job finding a balance between a grounded story with a larger than life concept. This is not something easy because the anti-mutant riots have been done many times in the past. But Remender has been able to take the anti-mutant hysteria concept and make it his own with how he has the Red Skull become involved. This story also allowed many Avengers and X-Men characters to step up to this latest conflict. It's going to be exciting to see how this story unfolds and grows into more stories for this Avengers/X-Men team-up title.

With Winter Soldier #14 Ed Brubaker and Butch Guice end their run in stellar fashion. Brubaker delivered on all the dramatic potential of this story. Though Bucky was able to save Natasha it was a no win situation for Bucky. It's a sad but fitting end for the story. This leaves Bucky in a very interesting position moving forward for the new creative team of this series. At the same time Guice is able to deliver some fitting artwork as he is able to switch up his artwork for both the past and present day scenes. If you did not read Brubaker and Guice run on Winter Soldier I highly recommend picking up the trades. This is one short but great run that shouldn't be missed.

While Wolverine and the X-Men #24 provides an entertaining story but it does not live up to the high expectations this series has built for itself. Much of this issue is filler until the next big arc. This is not a bad thing because we do get to see a lot of fun character interaction between Wolverine and Storm as well as Kitty and Bobby. Unfortunately the Jean and Quentin scene along with the lack of Rachel's group appearance brought things down. This is a fun issue but one that can be passed on.

Young Justice: Invasion #24 is another fine example as to how this series is able to separate itself from all the other DC Comics published series. This series is not worried about telling dark and brooding stories. Greg Weisman continues to keep the focus on telling entertaining superhero stories and allowing the characters iconic stature to shine through. Batgirl's fight with Match is a great example of this as it is a scene that you can't help but have a smile on your face when reading it. In a time where DC has been changing, or as they say tweaking, a lot of character origins it's nice to pick up a series like Young Justice that's just focused on telling a strong superhero story.

Is Justice League #16 a perfect comic? No. But even with the few problems that I had with Justice League #16 still left me excited to see what happens next. Geoff Johns successfully made the Ocean Master and Atlantis a larger than life threat with how they were able to not just go toe to toe with the Justice League but utterly decimate them. The additional drama of Aquamans indecision of what side to be on makes things that much more interesting. With a new Justice League on the way things should only get bigger and that is a good thing.

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.

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.

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.

New Avengers #2 effectively establishes the grand scope that makes it standout from other Avengers titles. Along with setting up the scope for the series Jonathan Hickman is able to create some sub-plots within the group that will make the dynamic of this Avengers team standout. With Steve Epting presenting a grim future for this group of Avengers it'll be interesting to see how things unfold.

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.

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.

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.

Wolverine and the X-Men #23 was another crazy experience to behold. Seeing the X-Men battle a bunch of different circus freaks lead by the new Doctor Frankenstein and Azrael is just too enjoyable that it's hard not to have a smile on my face when reading it. Under the crazy battle Jason Aaron is able to continue the threat the Hellfire Academy are towards Wolverine's own mutant school. The build-up to the eventual showdown between the two academies is turning out is something I continue to fall in love with as there are multiple layers to the story that are building at once.

Thor God of Thunder #4 was another well-paced issue that sees all three Thors getting time to shine in their individual time-lines. Jason Aaron has been able to balance the voices of each Thor so that they dont all sound similar. It is a fine line to walk but Aaron is able to make the execution seem easy. Gorr the God Butcher also continues to be built up as a threat unlike any Thor has faced and his mystique is raised with what we learn about him. Add in strong artwork from Ribics and we have more epic storytelling being told and who does not like that?

Superior Spider-Man #1 could have proved all the naysayers, myself included, wrong. Though Amazing Spider-Man #700 did not make me buy into this new direction for Spider-Man I did see the potential in Dan Slott having Otto Octavius in control of Peter Parkers body. The execution of Otto-Peters story did away with any potential to this story. Instead, what the issue leaves us with is the anticipation that the real Peter Parker will return sooner, much sooner, rather than later. Rather than wait for that time I am dropping this title and in the process making it the first time I will not be picking up a monthly Spider-Man title in my comic book reading life.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Justice League #15 was a good starting point for the "Throne of Atlantis" crossover. The conflict is quickly established and big events are already taking place in this story. Problems with certain scenes being unnecessary and the Superman/Wonder Woman pairing boring pace kept the issue from being anything but average. The lack of presence from other Justice League members than just Batman and Aquaman also takes away from the grand scale this book that is a collection of the greatest DC Comics heroes should have.

Jonathan Hickman is able to get this latest Avengers series off to the right start. New Avengers #1 is able to set the tone for the series to have a grand scale, making you want to come back for more. The choice to center this first issue was risky but it paid off and was able to establish Black Panther as a powerful character that should be standing next to all the other members of the Illuminati. Though there are a few missteps in this issue it is going to be fun to see how the rest of the Illuminati react to this incoming.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

The Indestructible Hulk #2 is able to continue the road to redemption for Bruce Banner as he works with SHIELD and Iron Man. Iron Man's involvement in this issue help to firmly set what Bruce's attitude currently is and the reason he joined SHIELD. There still will need to be more to the story than it just being a road to redemption for Bruce because this is a story that has been told with the character many times before. Throwing in a twist from either Bruce or SHIELD's side of the story will help elevate this story than just what we have seen before.

In a sea of good MarvelNow! comics Thor: God of Thunder is able to stand as one of the best series to come out of all these relaunches. Thor: God of Thunder #3 is just another example of this excellence with Jason Aaron continuing to inject Thor's world with a larger than life feel. Each Thor that is involved in the story is given enough time to develop their personalities. Gorr is also a different type of threat with all the mystical aspects of the character to go along with its power. If you're wondering which MarvelNow! comic to pick up than be sure to get Thor: God of Thunder. It's one comic that is not to be missed.

Wonder Woman #15 is another solid issue for this overlooked series. Though the pacing of the main plotline could be sped up Orion's introduction is well handled. The idea of the New Gods facing off against Wonder Woman and the Olympic Gods is exciting. It is something different for both sets of characters which is a good thing. Hopefully, this series will be able to effectively use this addition of the New Gods because it could easily go off the rails.

If there was one comic to hand to a kid in order to get them into comics Young Justice: Invasion is that comic. It has all the fun of the show and is all-age friendly. There is also a lot to Young Justice: Invasion #23 that fans of the show will love. Greg Weisman is able to give us multiple layers to the plotlines that will keep you coming back for more.

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.

Nightwing #15 was another solid entry in The Death of the Family event. Kyle Higgins is able to make the Nightwing/Joker conflict personal. The people the Joker kidnaps and his taunts to the former Boy Wonder allowed this story to stand on its own without having Snyders Batman be required reading. Unfortunately two odd story choices keep Nightwing #15 from being as great and must-read as other comics in The Death of the Family event. Hopefully with what has been established in this issue these missteps will not occur during the rest of this arc.

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.

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.

There is no medal awarded to those satisfied with being average and that is the pit Iron Man #4 falls into. Even though I was excited to see where Kieron Gillen would go with Iron Man's character when he was announced as the writer I have become disappointed with what we have been presented. The concept of following up on the Extremis program being more wide spread is an interesting one that caught my attention in the first issue. Unfortunately, every issue since then has continued to just be nothing more than average. I am going to give Gillen's Iron Man one more issue to win me over but right now this is a title that is in the danger of being cut from my pull list completely.

Winter Soldier #13 delivered the goods as our brainwashed hero fights Daredevil, Hawkeye, Wolverine and Captain America. The action was fast and jammed packed with a lot of great moments for everyone involved. Ed Brubaker has done a good job creating a villain that is Bucky's own. The James Bond/Jason Bourne feel to Bucky's world is refreshing to see in a universe filled with super-powered characters. If you haven't read any of Brubaker and Guice's work on Winter Soldier I highly recommend you do so by picking up the trades for this series.

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.

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.

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.

Iron Man #3 was a mix bag. Though Gillen is starting to find his groove with the title the Extremis elements of this title feel like he is recycling old stories instead of telling his own story. Gillen does show that he gets who Tony Stark and his supporting cast are. He also is able to mix in a lot of good character interaction with solid action. All Gillen needs to do is make the story he is telling with Extremis his own.

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.

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 #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.

The otherworldly adventures as we get to see Asgard and the other realms through the eyes of Thor from three different periods is what is going to set Jason Aaron's run on Thor apart. That is something that is firmly established with Thor: God of Thunder as we see a young Thor fighting a threat that has him on the brink of death. If you are looking for a big fantasy adventure comic than I highly recommend giving Thor: God of Thunder a try.

As impressed as I have been with many of the MarvelNow! titles thus far Uncanny Avengers continues to be one of the top comics of this relaunch. Rick Remender kicked all kinds of ass with Uncanny Avengers #2 as he quickly builds up the members of this team that consist of Avengers and X-Men. Though Captain America, Thor, Havok and Wolverine do make appearances it is Rogue and Scarlet Witch that steal the show. Their interaction with each other as well as Red Skull and his crew is an engrossing experience. Having John Cassaday on art is just the cherry on top for this wonderful series.

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.

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.

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.

Indestructible Hulk #1 is able to set the stage for the rest of the series perfectly. Mark Waid is able to give both Bruce Banner and the Hulk a new direction as an Agent of SHIELD that is fresh and exciting. There are a lot of possibilities for where the series can go with this set-up. This is definitely one the stand out MarvelNow! comics that has been released. It is one not to miss out on.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

While Uncanny Avengers #1 is not the most new reader friendly issue that Marvel could have started their new direction with it delivered a strong story nonetheless. Rick Remender and John Cassaday combined to deliver an entertaining comic that laid the groundwork for the rest of the series going forward. The six cover characters are all given enough screen time to establish the different voices they each have and what their attitudes are post-Avengers vs. X-Men. With the Red Skull initiating his plans and mutants back with a vengeance what happens next will be exciting to see.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Young Justice #20 is an enjoyable comic that is going to be loved by fans of the show. Greg Weisman maintains the voice of the characters that we have grown to know. There are moments in this issue that will have fans of the characters from the original universe geek out with what Weisman inserts into their Young Justice version. This issue will have me coming back for more but hopefully the next issue will have the new members of The Team given more screen time than they have had on the show and this issue.

Nightwing #0 is the best issue we have had for the series during Kyle Higgins young run. What Higgins and his co-plotter Tom DeFalco are able to do is tell a fresh origin story the simultaneously updates Dick Graysons story and adds furthering understanding the characters motivation. Unlike all the other DC Comics #0 issue this is done in a way that does not feel like a rehash of an older story or filler until next month. We also get to see the similarities and differences between Bruce and Dick and what it is that makes the original Dynamic Duo work. If you have not picked up Nightwing up to this point than Nightwing #0 is the perfect issue to start reading the series.

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 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.

Though the fanboy part of me wants to hate certain aspects of the story Winter Soldier #10 but it is just too well executed to hate. Ed Brubaker continues to show why Bucky Barnes as Winter Soldier is deserving of starring in his own solo series. Putting Natasha in a situation where she not only reverts back to the old Black Widow but also forgets her whole relationship with Bucky puts further weight on this latest arc. Having Butch Guice on art only helps further the enjoyment of this issue as he is the perfect fit for the tone Brubaker is going for this story.

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.

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.

Justice League #12 does a good job setting in motion the future of the DC Universe. This issue is able to wrap up the David Graves revenge storyline while giving us a lot teases to what comes next. Geoff Johns has made things exciting for the Justice League as book continues to have a big event feel. At the same time timeline issues and certain character choices keep the book from being as excellent as it should be. Still, there is a lot to be excited for as we head into the Trinity War.

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, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Hawkeye #1 is a strong start to a series with a lot of promise. Matt Fraction is able to do a lot of character work for Clint Barton's character as he dedicates the issue to who the character is. Even though we don't get much Hawkeye in this issue things are set up well as when know who the man behind the mask and get set to follow his adventures. With the addition of David Aja on art duties Hawkeye is an ongoing series that has all the potential to be a true breakout series.

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.

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.

After a string of solid issues Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #12 is a major step back for the series. With so much anticipation going into the first confrontation between the Turtles, Shredder and the Foot for it to turn out the way it did was disappointed. We are left with no reason for us to think the Shredder and his Foot are dangerous figures. They are now just another villain of the week with nothing special. Hopefully future issues will do a better job building up the Shredder, Foot and other villains the Turtles face in order to help this young series out.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 #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.

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.

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.

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.

Between both Nightwing #8 and #9 Kyle Higgins has given us the two best issues of the whole Night of the Owls event. Not only has Higgins added to the story Scott Snyder is telling in Batman but has been able to make the Court of the Owls and the Talons as much of a villain for Nightwing as they are for Batman. What these two tie-in issues establish is how personal this battle has been for Nightwing as his family history is the most tied in with the Court of the Owls. With how things were left off in this issue I cannot wait to see what Higgins has in store for us next. If you are a Batman fan, whether you are reading the Night of the Owls or not, these two issues are a must buy. While they do tie into the greater Night of the Owls event you can read these issues as a standalone story.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Justice League #8 was the strongest issue that Geoff Johns has delivered since the relaunch. This issue does a nice job giving us a bunch of great character interactions between the Justice League and Green Arrow. There were a lot of teases to potential future stories that I am now looking forward to what Johns has in store for the team next. The Shazam back-up was a nice cherry on top that continues to add depth to this new version of Billy Batson.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Justice League #6 was a nice action packed end to the first arc for DC Comics flagship title. There were still a lot of problems when it came down to the core plot but I did enjoy this issue in a shut down your brain and enjoy the action sort of way. Geoff Johns did a good job finally bringing the team together and giving each member their own moments to shine. Now that the team is finally together I hope the pacing picks up for this series. If you are a fan of action packed comics Justice League is something you may want to check out. However, if you are looking for a comic with a strong plot I do not recommend buying Justice League.

Jason Aaron has been able to knock it out of the park so far with every issue of and Wolverine and the X-Men #6 is no different. Aaron has delivers great dialogue from beginning to end. The story has a strong pacing between Wolverine and Quentin Quires adventure on Planet Sin and the X-Men at the Jean Grey School fighting of the Brood. If you are a fan of the X-Men than Wolverine and the X-Men is definitely a series you should be picking up. It is the best X-Men book on the market.

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.

If you are going to launch a new series you better go big or go home. That is exactly what Ed Brubaker and Butch Guice do with Winter Soldier #1. Brubaker sets the espionage tone the series is going to have from page 1 and never stops. This first issue does everything right as we get inside of Bucky Barnes head to see how he ticks and how an efficient fighter the character is. With the inclusion of Black Widow as Buckys partner and Red Ghost as the villain of the story things should continue to get interesting in Buckys world. If you are looking for a superhero title with a 007-feel or were a fan of Brubakers initial run on Captain America then I highly recommend picking up Winter Soldier #1.

IDWs new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series has slowly been improving with each issue. Now with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #6 we are finally starting to see the build up from the first arc being fully fleshed out. Kevin Eastman and Tom Waltz have done a great job placing all of the key chess pieces on the board for the upcoming war in New York. Mix in Dan Duncans gritty artwork thats a perfect match for this title and you have a TMNT title all fans of the Turtles.

Up to this point I was enjoying Justice League but Justice League #5 has me considering dropping the title. The issue as a whole was a complete miss with me. Geoff Johns has completely dragged the first story arc of DC Comics flagship title to its maximum. Add to the fact that outside of Batman and Green Lantern the Justice League members have not been fully developed it makes this series hard to get behind. I will be giving the next issue a chance but I now have my expectations extremely low and it will be the deciding issue for the series staying on my pull list.

Nightwing #5 was a frustrating issue to read. After how great the series has been up to this point it is disappointing to get an issue like this one that takes the wind out of the series sails. Kyle Higgins still does a good job capturing Nightwings voice throughout the issue but the predictable ending ruins things.

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.

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.

The story in Incredible Hulk continues to be a fascinating one. Jason Aaron continues to show what the ramifications of the split between Bruce Banner and Hulk have on each one of them extremely well. Incredible Hulk #2 does a good job furthering this story.

As the team comes together Justice League finally becomes the big blockbuster comic book it should be. Justice League #3 did a great job balancing out the various personalities in this book with a lot of action. Getting to see the team finally come together was a lot of fun to see as each one of them gets some time to shine, especially the two new members of the team.

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.

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.