Flash #6 is a really solid issue that opens the door for the rest of the arc. While the last issue had many readers with their jaws hitting the floor in shock, this issue moves forward rather than lingering on that moment. A few things are wrapped up nicely, but it may feel like the Wally West portion of the issue is a bit forced. Regardless, this is a solid issue building towards what could be a great next issue.

Flash #6 is a really solid issue that opens the door for the rest of the arc. While the last issue had many readers with their jaws hitting the floor in shock, this issue moves forward rather than lingering on that moment. A few things are wrapped up nicely, but it may feel like the Wally West portion of the issue is a bit forced. Regardless, this is a solid issue building towards what could be a great next issue.

Moon Knight is a weird book, but it's a wonderfully nice break from the current Civil War II storyline happening throughout the majority of Marvel's monthly books. It's different. It tells its own story without being roped into whatever else is going on. It's has a unique voice as a comic that tells a story in ways we've never seen before at Marvel. It's not perfect, but it's one of the coolest series of 2016, right up there with Tom King's Vision. Lemire and companies take on Marc Spector isn't traditional, but don't let that scare you away from this fantastic book.

Overall, this issue of Spider-Man was enjoyable and continues to build on Miles' world and not just his life as a superhero. The whole reason he's involved with Tony Stark leaves too many questions, one of which being "Why does he matter to Stark?" The art team is doing a great job on this issue, and while some of us may have event fatigue, this is still a good read.

Suicide Squad not bad by any means, but for people that were excited for this book, it's disappointing this didn't reach the bar. Hopefully, as this book continues, it can get a bit more out of the shadow of the film and become its own series. There's a lot of potential here, but the first issue just doesn't grab the reader the way it should, considering the talent that is on this book.

Batman is throwing a lot at the reader, but all of it is really interesting. It's a book that seems to be always building towards the future. However, the main story, in this issue, is a tad lacking. Regardless, this fantastic creative team is really delivering some great moments and a story that mixes the old and the new. We highly recommend checking this series out.

The first issue of Jeff Steinberg: Champion of Earth is an entertaining read. While it does pull from a lot of familiar elements, overall, this book speaks to an older comic reader in ways most series don't. It's an issue that shows a couple of creators having fun and including the reader in said fun.

Overall, the first official issue of this series is a solid start. The Lantern books haven't been on the same page for quite some time, so it's nice to see Venditti and company bring everything back together. There is easily enough of a hook here to keep readers coming back, and it's leading to some interesting places. Plus, the Green Lantern Corps is finally back. Everything feels right again.

It's nice to have a Wonder Woman story that you're really excited to read, every two weeks. While part of the problem with the overall volume is that each issue switches between stories, that's the biggest and only real worry thus far. The issue did move a tad slow, but in the grand scheme of things, the slower pacing lends itself to enhance the world and the story. It read great as a single issue and will read even better in trade. This is one of the Rebirth series you need to read.

Batman fans should be pretty excited about this issue. Sure, it does lay down a lot of story, which sometimes can be a tad over-barring, but overall, this second issue does a stellar job at defining who Batman is going to be during King and Finch's run. What really raises the bar is that this has an appeal to both new and old Batman fans. There's never a point where either will feel lost or alienated.This book, thus far, is turning out to be one of the better Rebirth titles. I highly recommend checking this one out.

Overall, Justice League Rebirth offers a pretty good starter issue for those who have been out of the DC loops for the past few years. However, longtime readers will find this issue to be "more of the same," with very little pushing the new series forward, aside from new members joining the team. It tells a story that feels a bit too large for one issue. It's a down the middle of the road book. It's not bad. It's not great, but it does make us very curious as to where Hitch is going to go from here, and that's a good thing.

The opening issue of Cryptocracy is a big undertaking, delivering a whole lot of world-building within one issue. However, it feels like a labor of love and the creative team is having a fun time. The key to the first issue is that there's a ton of potential for an amazing series. While the first issue dumps a lot onto the reader, the comedic tone is the driving force which will keep readers coming back. It feels like Van Jensen and Pete Woods are both in their element. The first issue is good, and it feels like it's about to get a whole lot better.

This first issue may not be the best jumping-on point for new readers because the focus is more geared towards Atlantis rather than exploring just who Aquaman is, but it's still a great read. Aquaman fans will find themselves enjoying this book, as it plays better to people who have a prior background knowledge of the character and his world. It's a solid issue, and I recommend picking it up.

This issue may not be what people are expecting for a new series. The plot trickles in, but the issue is great for new readers and overall, provides a great kick-off to the new comic. We're getting this very intense moment in time and the book does a fine job at not only establishing Batman but also establishing Alfred and Duke as well.

The second issue of Civil War II is a bit of a letdown. While the first issue didn't blow us away, there were some interesting developments. Issue #2 doesn't live up to the hype, and while it does offer up some incredible and colorwork that keeps the issue interesting. The high stakes this book presents just don't feel that high. We'll see how the rest of this story plays out but this is just a bit of a letdown.

Green Lanterns #1 is a very solid opening offering. The issue gives readers a good idea of what's coming down the pipeline, without distracting the reader from the action on the page. The issue is geared more towards longtime readers, which is great, since so many other books are gearing more towards newer readers. The only real problem is that it feels like it gets into the story a bit too quickly. There is some character development, but it might have been nice for things to have a bit slower pace. Regardless, this is a solid opening issue.

Aquaman Rebirth feels geared more towards newer readers than to those who have been following the series for the past few years. That's fine, as the issue does give insight into where the series is headed. However, Aquaman fans may find a lot of the recapping to be a bit dull. Regardless, the series integrates that classic Atlantian lore and mythos into the book, making it feel more like a fantasy than a superhero comic, which will really set it apart from the other DC titles. It's not a perfect start, but there's a lot of potential here.

If you've been reading these Rebirth titles, then you probably know the name of the game by now. It's all about getting new readers and creating books that anyone could pick off the street and enjoy. That's the same thing with The Flash. Yes, longtime readers may find this issue a tad boring, but this issue is much better at giving longtime readers something to enjoy than some of the other titles. It doesn't give too much away for the upcoming series, which is both good and bad, so what we're left with is a solid issue that stands on its own.

Seeing someone else write a Batman series can be a bit of a shock, since Snyder and Capullo had such a long, wonderful run on the book, but the series is easily in good hands with King and Janin. There's a lot of set-up for the new series that is relatively accessible to new readers without alienating those who have enjoyed the run from the past few years. This is a great issue bridging the last volume to the new.

Superman: Rebirth wasn't as good as we hoped, considering where we were left off during "The Last Days of Superman," but there's a ton of potential here for the future series. The art is fantastic and while there's not a whole lot happening here, aside from what feels like catch up meets a eulogy, it's a pretty good issue that leaves readers wanting more.

This is a fantastic start to this Marvel event. This #0 issue does a fine job at setting up the main players for the book, except for Iron Man, and it delivers a pretty interesting story. We have some idea of where this is all headed, but we don't have all the answers, so we're hooked in. The art is completely fitting for something of this magnitude and this is a book you need to check out this week.

While it's great to see a story, before Rebirth, that isn't just trying to quickly wrap everything up and actually gives the readers something worthwhile, while sowing the seeds of the future of the Superman titles. There is a bit of redundancy here, for those who haven't been reading the other parts of this story, but overall, this is a satisfying and fun read and does what every comic should do: it makes you want to read more. Regardless if you've read the other parts of this story, I would recommend checking this issue out.

Issue #52 of GREEN LANTERN has a satisfying ending, in the fact that's a more of a bridge between this volume and REBIRTH. The series continues to push forward and tell stories, instead of halting itself to start back up for the next DC event. Robert Venditti and Billy Tan provide an interesting story here, and fans should be excited to see where this is headed.

The Punisher has had some amazing runs in the history of the character and some stinkers. This first issue is intriguing, fun, and brutal. It has an immense amount of potential just by how Cloonan writes Punisher and everything being introduced here. The book is straightforward, and there's no funny-business, and that's what you want from a series like this. The opening of the book was a bit slow, but it's a double-edged sword as it's important information and character introduction. This was a very solid opening issue and I'm pumped to see what Cloonan, Dillon, and Martin have in store next.

JUSTICE LEAGUE #49 does a stellar job at building on this epic story while getting readers ready for the finale. It's exciting, without being a whole issue of people punching each other. Dialogue is the driving force of the book and Johns keeps everything moving through that while developing some newer characters in some key moments. This is one of the best comics this week, and I highly recommend you check this issue out.

This is a very different issue of the series, but it still works. It's an enjoyable read and guest artist Christian Ward fits right into the tone of the story. We get to go into the mind of Galactus, which we've seen before, but it's been quite a while since that's happened. This is still one of my favorite on-going series right now, and what I'm most interested in seeing is what happens with this team during the upcoming CIVIL WAR II, since this whole team is all about stopping threats before they start.

MIGHTY THOR #6 takes some time to tell a story from the past, and it's a solid issue. In fact, the fact this is going to be at least a two-part story is pretty exciting. We get more insight into how the gods were involved during Viking times, and as expected, Loki was still a snake in the grass. The art style is different, but it really works well. This issue was a surprising amount of fun.

As someone who vaguely remembers the New Bloods, there weren't a lot of high hopes for this issue. However, BLOODLINES plays well to the reader's sense of nostalgia all while delivering a fun opening issue that revamps this team. It's lot a flat book, completely relying on people who liked this team over 20 years ago to buy it. The biggest downside is that it could have used some extra pages to really deliver the full story in one punch. It's big, bold, and will put a smile on older reader's faces. If you got some extra cash this week, give this book a shot.

The Darkseid War Special was fun and gave a lot more depth to both Jessica Cruz and Grail. You don't have to read this if you're following the main storyline, but it's highly recommended, as it fleshes out Grail and Cruz as characters, while building a little bit on the plot. The art is great but Sinclair's colorwork is the shining star here. If you've been loving Darkseid War, check this issue out.

Once again, ULTIMATES continues to be one of the best series Marvel is currently putting out. The series sits in its own little pocket and Ewing, Rocafort, and Brown seem to have free reign with what they're doing. This is a must read series, even if you're unfamiliar with the characters involved. ULTIMATES is treading new ground, and it's incredibly engaging.

This is a solid start to a new story that begins small but ends large. What makes it work is that we don't know where it's going and the reader is truly along for the ride from start to finish. I'm loving what the creative team is doing with the overall story and want to know more about the future the X-Men end up in. It'll be interesting to see how these other series tie into the book. I recommend checking Apocalypse Wars out this week.

Uncanny Avengers #7 is a blast. I'm really starting to love this team. It's a weird mix of characters that feel like they shouldn't work well together, but they do. It's a gorgeous looking issue and features the Wrecker, which is always a plus for me. The connection between the current Marvel event works, and the issue leaves off at a pretty interesting place. The only real problem with the issue is that it moves too quickly. I recommend checking this issue out.

Vision continues to be a hauntingly brilliant book, giving the audience a different look at this classic, Marvel character. King, Walta, and Bellaire deliver another fantastic issue, and while some may find this issue a tad slow. It really helps develop Vision, who in a sense seems a bit pompous and above it all. That's what makes this book so interesting. Vision is a hero, but there's something eerily sinister about him. I highly recommend this issue and series.

GREEN LANTERN #50 may cost a little more, but you're getting a double-sized issue. This is the issue fans have been waiting for and it really delivers some great action sequences. On the downside, the issue does feel a little thin in the way of story and plot progression, but overall, this was a great read, and it's leading to something bigger.

There's always a little worrying when a beloved property gets picked up to become a comic book series; however, Power Rangers is off to a tremendous start. Aside from providing an interesting and very cool story, the issue is fun, and I want more now. This is obviously a labor of love for Kyle Higgins, and it shows. The only problem comes from the artist side of things, where the outlining style gets a little weird at times, but aside from that, I highly recommend checking this series out. A quick note: Kimberly never says "Oh no, Puttys!" It's a bummer but forgivable, since this issue was awesome.

While the first issue of this series was pretty decent, Spider-Man #2 gives this character more direction and offers a lot more depth. The art on this book is worth the price of admission alone, but what makes this issue great is that it's building Miles Morales as a stronger character in the new Marvel Universe. This book really feels like it's on the right track.

This Avengers series works because it's so different than the other Avengers books on the shelves. It's unique and has its own voice. When the story centers around the younger members of the team, it's a wonderful reading experience. The problems come from the story being wrapped up so quickly. It's ok to say that overall, this story isn't finished for good, as Kang(s) is still out there. Regardless, this is still a really fun read and I recommend checking it out.

Overall, this was a really fun issue that brought Aquaman a bit more back to his roots. Abnett is working on who Aquaman is and what he means to the DCU on a very personal level. There's also this additional story being setup that's pretty fantastic, mysterious, and terrifying. Creatures from the deep are pretty scary, so why can't this book have a little bit of that in it? Overall, I highly recommend this issue.

If you enjoyed BOOM!'s last offering, then this will be right up your alley. Heck, if you liked Bill & Ted at all, this is something you should check out. Sure, there's a few problems with a lot of rehashing from the movies and the last volume, but overall, this ends up being a really fun read and the issue has a great hook to keep the reader invested.

If you're already reading DARTH VADER, then this is a must buy, as it's a great companion piece to that series, since Vader is looking for Aphra. Even if you're not reading DARTH VADER, this book stands strong on its own. Aside from the Rebel Jail story, we're getting a fun adventure with Luke and Han. If you love the films, there's no reason you should be missing out on this comic.

American Alien tells the story of the "missing years" of Clark Kent/Superman and does so pretty well. This issue primarily focuses on characters that will play a bigger role in Clark's life later on, but what this issue does exceptionally well is show that while Clark has powers, he can become something greater. The only downside is that there are a few scenes that drag on a tad, but overall, this is a fantastic issue. I highly recommend checking this out.

It stinks that this book is going on a bit of a break, but it truly goes out on a high-note, in the most disturbing way possible. Williamson continues to grip the readers in with shock and awe with some tremendous art from Henderson and Guzowski. There are some moments here where the reader wish more would happen with the secrets of Buckaroo, but overall, this was a fantastic book and a series you need to read and catch up on, if you're missing out.

Spider-Man #1 is a really solid start to a new series, which plays a bit better to brand new readers rather than Miles Morales fans who have been around since the start. This feels a lot more like an introductory issue to the character since this issue does retread a lot of what the previous two Miles Morales volumes set up. However, the art on this issue is wonderful and worth the price of admission alone. Hopefully, the future issues will give fans, both new and old, a little something more to chew on because there's a lot of potential for a great series here.

Both the first and second issue of this series are alright. More than anything else, it's a bit of a bummer to see something with so much potential be just an "ok" story. Regardless, I'm intrigued with where this is going and say keep reading it. The art here is fantastic, but the majority of the story wasn't as good as I hoped for.

Unfollow continues to be one of my favorite month-to-month readers from Vertigo. It's very grounded in reality, as bizarre as that may sound, and an easy story to connect with. Williams, Dowling, and Winter have created something very accessible that's intriguing and hooks the reader in. If you're thinking about trying out a new Vertigo series, go to this one first.

All-in-all, this is a good issue of GRAYSON, but it's a bit of a bummer to see no connection to the finale of Robin War, which changed everything about what Dick Grayson is up to. More than anything else, the final pages are the clincher, as it's setting up a new group of people, hired by Helena to hunt down Dick and Tiger, so I'm really enjoying where this story is going and the art we're getting here. GRAYSON continues to surprise me in the best ways possible.

OLD MAN LOGAN was a solid start to the series. I'm glad we get to see Logan in the MU during that 8 month "blank" period. It will be nice to see how his story plays out. Lemire, Sorrentino, and Maiolo really do a fine job in this opening issue and if you enjoyed the original Millar and McNiven story, you'll really like this book.

ASTONISHING ANT-MAN continues to be a fun and insightful series, giving readers a closer look at what makes Scott Lang tick on his journey towards redemption. The writing and art are top notch and I'm interested to see how this story builds and where its going. I highly recommend picking this series up.

Poison Ivy isn't one of those characters I'm "gaga" over nor am I a fanboy in any way, but this opening offering of POISON IVY: CIRCLE OF LIFE AND DEATH was a tremendously wonderful start. Chu, Mann, Mann, and Arreola are redefining Ivy, which seems to be a bit more caught up in the wacky adventures of Harley Quinn, even though Ivy is a great character on her own. We get to see a lot of depth here as well as an intriguing story. I was truly surprised with how much I enjoyed this.

This was a fantastic issue of STAR WARS. We get to visit an era that we haven't seen much of and get to follow to adventures of Obi-Wan during that time. It's a lot for a fan to handle and Aaron and Mayhew do a stellar job delivering this story. There is a tiny bit more to the story than just Obi-Wan, but we're not spoiling anything here because this is an issue to pick up this week.

BATMAN & ROBIN ETERNAL is still solid and storywise, this is one of the bigger standouts of the series, giving readers more of a glimpse into Jean-Paul Valley. We get a cool fight sequence and there is a bit more about Mother and Scarecrow's past here. This series continues to be impressive and the best weekly series ever put out.

We don't have a new costumed Falcon, but we get the new character's first adventure with Captain America. The issue is solid and a good read, but I'm much more interested to see how this all plays out against a whole bunch of villains in snake outfits. The art team does a great job here, but the main problem I have is the werewolf Cap story. It's not my cup of tea. Regardless, Spencer continues to do a great job on this book. I recommend picking this issue up.

Not every issue of this book is a revelation and it shouldn't be, but issue #14 of BATMAN & ROBIN ETERNAL does give the reader insight into Scarecrow's work and what makes him the character he is. Tynion does a nice job giving the reader a human look at the character and while there isn't anything huge revealed at the end of the issue, which is a nice change, the overall issue was a great read, minus a couple art missteps, and this weekly series continues to be a great read.

Frankly, I was a bit surprised with how much I enjoyed this first issue, considering Deadpool and Spider-Man aren't my two favorite characters. The writing is entertaining and the back and forth between Spider-Man and Deadpool is delightful. The creative team of this new series is putting together something that is a bit of fun, and I recommend you check this issue out.

THE ULTIMATES continues to be one of the best books in the post-SECRET WARS world, right next to VISION. Conceptually, this is a brilliant book and makes the team name "The Ultimates" mean something again. I cannot recommend this book enough.

There's a lot to love in the All-New, All-Different Marvel, and this is one of the top books in the new line. It's a comic written for people who love super-heroes but want to get more inside the day-to-day lives of these characters. It also delivers a good amount of humor, without making the book all about the jokes. I highly recommend picking up this series.

The final issue of "The Hunt" is a fantastic conclusion to this arc. As part of the whole story, it wraps everything up nicely and this is something that will read exceptionally well in trade. Once again, the second arc of this new Bloodshot book was fantastic and this is turning out to be one of Valiant's top series right now. BLOODSHOT REBORN reinvents Bloodshot as a compelling and intriguing character. I highly recommend you check this series out.

Overall, this was one of the more interesting issues of Robin War, which has been a bit underwhelming. There's a lot happening here with the new Gray Son and new Talons that really grabs the reader in to get ready for the finale. Aside from a few small problems, the art looks good, but the dialogue is where this issue shined for me.

There's a couple huge reveal moments in this issue that really hook the reader in, making for an overall really solid issue of this weekly series. BATMAN & ROBIN ETERNAL continues to be a great week-to-week read for those who are fans of all the Batchildren of Gotham. There's enough mystery and intrigue here to keep readers invested. If you've missed out, this is a series you should check out as this book continues to be worth the investment.

KLAUS is an intriguing concept that delivers a fun story, with some darker undertones. Grant Morrison and Dan Mora provide an entertaining and thrilling issue that continues to build the mythos of Klaus. BOOM! Studios has something awesome here that is great to read for the holiday season.

WEIRDWORLD is different from what most people consider a Marvel book. This first issue gives the reader a good idea of what this book is about and where it is going. There were some high expectations going into this series and it meets all said expectations. It's not the same as the Jason Aaron run, but that's a good thing, since Sam Humphires is really putting his stamp on this book.

SCARLET WITCH #1 is a decent start that shows a lot of potential. The story seems like it could be great and while this book will have rotating artists, Del Rey does some great work here. The problem with this first issue is that it's dry and a tad dull. It will play fine to readers who are new to the character, but overall, I'm more excited about where this book is headed.

ULTIMATES #2 gets around some of the confusing elements the first issue had to give readers a really fantastic story which sets the tone for the whole series. At times, some of the characters feel a bit out of focus, but overall, this is a surprisingly fantastic book. It's not the Ultimates we're used to, but Ewing, Rocafort, and Brown are elevating the name "Ultimates" for a whole new generation of readers. I highly recommend checking this issue out.

Overall, this was a solid start to this new story that has a HUGE secret revealed at the end of the issue. We finally get to see Hal Jordan have some down time and a new terrorist threat rise in the area. GREEN LANTERN continues to be a solid book, month-to-month, and more than anything else, I'm excited to see what this creative team has for us next.

VISION #2 is an incredibly haunting book that takes one of Marvel's iconic characters and puts them in a setting that borders on horror. King, Walta, and Bellaire have come together to create easily the most memorable first couple of issues, thus far, in the post-SECRET WARS universe. I highly recommend picking this book up.

DARK KNIGHT III: THE MASTER RACE offers a solid and entertaining read. It didn't blow me away, but it shows an immense amount of promise for greatness. Miller's world opens up even more as Brian Azzarello steps in to work with him and the artistic team is a wonderful fit for the first issue. DKIII doesn't feel like something that's trying to be DKR. It is its own story that pushes this world forward. If you're a Batman fan, then this is something you need to pick up on new comic day.

Vader Down is two issues in but is an incredibly promising story that is the perfect fit for the timeline this all takes place in. Gillen, Larroca, and Delgado are doing a great job with the story, and while the story does drag a tiny bit, the overall issue is a must-read for Star Wars fans. If you've been enjoying what Marvel has been doing with this franchise, then you need to pick up this crossover.

Overall, this was a decent book, but it did not meet expectations. It's easy to see there's a tremendous amount of potential in this new series, but this opening offering simply didn't balance well and there's too many questions on the reader's mind by the time it's all end. We get to see Flash Thompson as a more defined hero in space and the art is great, but all-in-all, this is a middle of the road issue.

EXTRAORDINARY X-MEN #2 wasn't as strong as the first issue, but it was still a great read. Lemire is setting up quite a bit in this second issue, from Jean Grey outing herself as a mutant while trying to find love, Colossus and Magik fighting Sinister, and Logan talking to the new X-Men leader Storm, but it's all interesting set-up, although it does get a bit chaotic at times. Regardless, this is a real pleasing issue and I highly recommend checking out this new series.

GREEN LANTERN: LOST ARMY feels like it ended too early and the last issue could have easily been stretched to two, giving that final battle a more epic feel. The overall issue isn't bad, but it is a tad underwhelming and can be a bit bland. The concept of this book is fantastic and the opening installments were a great read, but this final issue left me a tad disappointed.

This was a pretty great start for RED THORN. The issue delivers a lot of this world and story all within this opening. We get a good idea of who Isla is and this book actually mixes a bit of romance with a bit of horror pretty well. There may not be any big horror scenes, but the tone for horror is there. The art is pretty fantastic and once again, Vertigo has another hit on their hands.

ALL-NEW, ALL-DIFFERENT AVENGERS is a solid team book that feels like it has great potential. It's hard to say that this issue really gives the book an identity, but it does stand out from the two other Avengers-team books we've seen so far (I'm considering ULTIMATES an Avengers book). Both artists really fit a nice role for the stories they tell and once again, Waid delivers something pretty fun, even though these two stories don't really build together or play off each other. I highly recommend you check this one out.

THE ULTIMATES may not be the book fans of the 1610 Universe expected, but it is easily worth the read. This is a pretty cool concept which places heroes on the offensive, so they can save the Earth in the future. It's a very different but very cool book. However, the opening is a bit of an info dump that can be a bit overwhelming. Regardless, this was a great first issue and I highly recommend checking it out.

BATMAN & ROBIN ETERNAL has hit a small bump in the road. This issue wasn't bad but wasn't on par with previous issues. It offers a great fight scene but there's not too much build towards anything else. With a mystery this big, you come to expect things during each issue and while this was a fun book to read, it didn't deliver much in the way of hooking the reader in.

EXTRAORDINARY X-MEN #1 is a pretty standard "put the team together" story but it's done exceptionally well and opens the door wide for this new series. It's a good place for new readers to jump on and a great read for X-Men fans who have been reading for years. There's a lot of potential here in this new series. I highly recommend checking this issue out.

UNFOLLOW has a lot of potential, even if it doesn't have the strongest opening, for a book I had high expectations for. Williams, Dowling, and Winter debut in a solid showing and this first issue does a great job at setting up the world and the characters we'll be following early on. This is another hit from Vertigo, which has been "killing it" in the relaunch. This was the series I was most excited for in the relaunch and it does not disappoint.

THE VISION is very different and that may be off-putting for many readers since it doesn't feel like a traditional super-hero or Marvel book, but that's what makes this such a great read. There is the question of "where is this all going" which doesn't get too much of an answer here, as the issue is more about establishing the world than anything else. It's different, but it's something you are probably going to want to check out.

Regardless, BATMAN & ROBIN ETERNAL continues to be an intriguing and worthwhile book. It's a month in and I'm just as engaged with the story as I was with issue one. The team really comes together to help each other out here and finally, all of the "children" of Batman are working together. They've got a great read and I cannot wait for next week's issue.

Overall, this book continues to be fantastic. It's highly under-rated and really reinvents Dick Grayson. Is it a bummer that he's not Nightwing anymore? Sure, but this new chapter in his life really sets him apart and makes him more than just an "ex-Robin." I highly recommend checking this issue and series out.

DARKSEID WAR: BATMAN was interesting, to say the least. It really delves into the mind of Bruce Wayne and what he'd do with absolute knowledge. There are some moments that are a little bit of a head scratcher and un-Batman-like, but it's hard to make a final judgement on that because we don't know what the Mobius Chair does to the people sitting in it. Overall, this is a nice addition to one of the best Justice League stories in years.

Overall, this was a great start to the new series. Keep in mind, there's a decent amount of recap early on, which readers of the last volume will feel is a bit tedious and at times, the book drags, but the rest of the issue and set up for this storyline is fantastic. Spencer, Rosanas, and Boyd continue to deliver a highly underrated title that I highly recommend.

All three issues of this series have been truly awesome. BATMAN & ROBIN ETERNAL has all the makings of a truly memorable weekly series. The story is slowly coming together and what makes this book so great is that it takes all of the fans favorite sidekicks and puts them in the role of Batman, the world's greatest detective. This issue was a bit slower than the previous couple, but it still was a fantastic read and I highly recommend checking it out.

The series is off to a promising start and while it's a bit slower-paced and it feels like the book is holding too much information back from the reader, overall, it's a really fun read and a series I'm fully invested in already. Marquez and Ponsor do some phenomenal work on the book as well. This is a solid, fun issue and I highly recommend it.

TITANS HUNT is a decent book. The first issue sets up the characters and teases the mystery but just doesn't do enough to really grab the reader in. It's confusing and doesn't feel like it has a broad enough appeal for the opening of a mini-series. The art team does a pretty solid job to boot. If you're a Titans fan, this will be right up your alley.

Overall, this is a very solid start to a new series. It may not be the best for someone who is brand new to Marvel books, since characters like Doctor Voodoo and Synapse are a bit of a mystery, but what makes this book a step above the rest is how the team works and doesn't work together. This is really an amalgamation of everything at Marvel, representing almost everything the company has put together over the years, from Fantastic Four to mutants and everything in between. I recommend picking this issue up and checking it out for yourself.

BATMAN & ROBIN ETERNAL is another great start to a weekly series. There is a ton of stuff going on here and it just makes you want to read more. Tynion, Daniel, and Snyder set this first issue up in a way where there are clues trickling over every page, as the book sets its hooks in. This is the most impressive opening issue for a Bat-title in years. I highly recommend picking this issue up.

This arc is turning out to be one heck of a ride. Barry is up against something that seems unstoppable and by the end of the issue, he seems trapped and Central City seems doomed. The creative team on this book is doing a fabulous job and the pacing here is wonderful. There are a couple of moments that don't work here, mainly the dialogue between Wally and Barry, but overall, this was a very solid issue and you should check it out this week when you pick up your books.

Although there's still a few more SECRET WARS tie-in books that are wrapping up, GHOST RACERS is in the top 3, maybe top 5 of the slew of series that came out. It's downright fun and fits into Battleworld without spelling it out for the reader. This final issue is exactly what you'd expect and want from a story like this. Smith, Gedeon, and Bonvillain are one heck of a team and we're all hoping these three will get a Ghost Rider series in the future.

All-in-all, GREEN LANTERN ANNUAL #4 is decent. For those who want to know a bit more about Hal before the Corps disappeared, this is a solid read. It doesn't really add anything to the current arc, but there are some threads at the end of the issue that will most likely be picked up later. The biggest problem with the issue is the inconsistency in the art. It feels rushed and there's lots of tiny bumps in the road which are a huge bummer considering that Pascal Alixe's style is pretty fantastic. If you're really into Green Lantern, I'll mildly recommend this to you.

SINESTRO #15 is a nice "worlds collide" issue following Lobo, Saint Walker, and the titular star Sinestro. What keeps this book engaging is the twists and betrayal and the reader never being able to fully trust any of these characters. There were some very minor problems in the opening with Lobo explaining everything about his current mission, but overall, Bunn, Van Sciver, and Wright craft an issue that offers a compelling story that is a ton of fun.

What really works about this issue is the ending. Arkon has been searching for Polemachus since the beginning of this mini-series and he's never given up. Without spoiling too much about the issue, it's a pretty depressing ending and a moment where the reader wishes they could interact with the character inside the book. Aaron and Del Mundo have crafted something really enjoyable and a book that hearkens back to classic adventure/fantasy tales.

MARTIAN MANHUNTER is a series fans need to check out. It's highly underrated and doing something very different. It's an alien invasion story that grasps on to the horror elements and doesn't let go. This is one of the best books in the DCYou line-up that takes a lot of huge risks that are seeming to pay off. This was another amazing issue. Don't trade wait. Get on this series, month to month.

Overall, the issue provides an entertaining story and giant spiders getting punched in the face. Sometimes, that's all you need in life. This amusing tale is paced out very well and for the most part, the art is pretty great. There are a few times, early on, where there are problems, but overall, this was a solid issue.

Overall, ACTION COMICS' story was about par. It does a lot of set-up work for potential future stories, but this issue, along with the rest of the story, was just ok. However, there are great moments scattered throughout the issue, but the highlight of the issue is truly the art. It wasn't a bad issue, but really didn't feel like this creative team's strongest.

While there's a bit of a problem with SHATTERED EMPIRE retelling some of the events of Return of the Jedi, it also does a great job of expanding on the story and introducing the reader to a couple great characters as well as leading the reader to the future of the Star Wars cinematic universe this December. In addition, Rucka, Checchetto, and Mossa do a wonderful job setting this series up and I'm very curious to see how it all plays out.

GREEN LANTERN #44 is a pit stop that breaks up the main story; however, it's done exceptionally well and reminds the reader that a Green Lantern's duty is more than blasting ships in the middle of space. A grounded story gives the book a nice break, even if it is a bummer that it's interrupting the main story. The issue is full of fun, bright action and is overall a ton of fun to read.

Overall, THORS #3 continues to deliver a great issue in a surprisingly awesome series. The creative team mixes Thor and police procedurals in a way that really works and this book just looks beautiful as well. Easily, this is one of the best books of the week and something you need to check out.

If you loved ANT-MAN by Spencer, Rosanas, and Boyd, then picking this up is a no-brainer. It's a nice end to the series, before the same creative team takes on ASTONISHING ANT-MAN in October. It has a ton of heart and it's nice to see a Last Days issue just be a one-shot.

THE FLASH is headed in a very interesting direction and building on the Annual issue and even the story arc prior to it. It all really works and steps forward towards the inevitable final battle between Flash and Zoom's Acolytes. Although there were some minor problems with the figures for the characters, this book is still a lot of fun and shows promise towards an epic finale.

BIRTHRIGHT #10 gives readers a deeper look into what happened to Mikey while he was on Terrenos. There's a nice end cap between his early days there and his final days. Williamson, Lucas, and Bressan make one heck of a team and deliver, conceptually, an amazing story. The execution matches it with a high level of quality as well. This is a series you need to check out. Pick up the trade.

MARTIAN MANHUNTER is probably the biggest surprise to come out of the post-CONVERGENCE DC Universe. It's a series that has it's own look and feel and tonally, is one of the most interesting things on the shelf. The biggest problem with the issue is that it throws almost too much at the reader for a single issue. In trade, this will play out a little better, most likely. However, MARTIAN MANHUNTER is hauntingly good and plays upon lots of fears that everyone has, while telling a really good DC story about an underrated character.

CONSTANTINE: THE HELLBLAZER has its own voice and its own feel, apart from a lot of what DC comics is going and that's what makes it such a stand-out book. Readers are really getting to know who this character is and where he comes from and this series feels like its in its own little pocket of DC, without anything else touching it. Essentially, it's a grounded series and that's what makes it great.

PLANET HULK continues to be incredibly fun, which is exactly what readers want to see in a big summer event which can get a bit too serious for some people. Humphries delivers a cool adventure story accompanied by some awesome art from Laming and Boyd. It's a great re-imagining of these characters and the ending will leaving you wanting more.

This was a pretty huge issue and there was a lot going on in revealed in here. The book continues to be jaw-dropping, month after month. The biggest disappointment comes from the fact the book is on a break until October. It's only one month, but that's one month away where we won't know about how everything that ends here will play out.

OMEGA MEN is wonderful. It's a breath of fresh air and tells a story in a comic book in a completely different way. The creative team is doing something very special on this book with the look and the feel of each issue and while the series can be a little tough to get into, because there's so much unfamiliarity to it, this is a series everyone needs to check out.

FLASH ANNUAL #4 adds quite a bit to the mythos that is Professor Zoom while progressing the story forward. There's a few overall ideas within the book which feel overused and dated, but overall, it's an intriguing issue that builds on the main story and introduces some pretty cool characters. If you've been enjoying the main series, you're going to want to check this one out.

GHOSTBUSTERS: GET REAL delivers an awesome concept, executed in a precise way. This is more than two groups of Ghostbusters from different dimensions meeting. There's a cool story behind it all and more than anything else, it delivers a really fun read. Issue#2 did move a bit slower, setting up where it's going and how some of these folks are getting home, but overall, this was a really fantastic issue and I can't wait to continue reading.

ANT-MAN ANNUAL #1 was like a breath of fresh air. It was a nice little break from everything going on in SECRET WARS and was a highly entertaining read. This series really has a "little less wacky SUPERIOR FOES" feel to it and it was really cool to see two generations of people who wore the Ant-Man mantle working together. The issue will put a smile on the faces of Ant-Man fans or just comic fans in general. I haven't had this much fun with an Annual issue in a long time. I highly recommend it.

The last page really had me pumped for the continuation of this book. While the book title leads you to believe it's just about Ultrons and Zombies going at it, the book is much more than that. James Robinson is building a pretty cool story up here and having Steve Pugh and Jim Charalampidis do art on this book gives it a pretty eerie tone, when necessary. I wasn't expecting much, but I got something I really enjoyed. I highly recommend checking this issue out.

There's a great sense of adventure in PLANET HULK that we don't get to see in a lot of comics, which hearken back to adventure films of the past. There's a lot to love about this issue, including the gorgeous art and the fact this story really stands on its own merits and doesn't rely heavily on what's going on in the main SECRET WARS book. The only downside is that there isn't too much going on in the issue. I have a feeling it's something that will read much better in trade rather than as a stand alone. Overall, I highly recommend this issue.

There was no surprise that GHOSTBUSTER: GET REAL was going to be a fun book. Conceptually, it's a brilliant idea and the execution matches the level. While the main story just may seem like the Real Ghostbusters getting back to their own dimension, but there's another fun layer to it. The book is headed in the right direction and the artwork here is top notch as well. If you're looking for something a bit out there, but a lot of fun, check this book out.

X-O MANOWAR's latest storyline, "Dead Hand" was solid and the final issue of the storyline was great at setting up possible future stories, but it felt like it went by a little too fast. Venditti still tells a great story here and Bernard, Reber, and Winn do some solid work, for the most part, minus a couple of hiccups along the way. It may not be the best issue of the series, but this was still a lot of fun and I recommend checking this issue out.

SQUADRON SINISTER was a delightful surprise. It's quite a bit different from the other SECRET WARS books we've seen so far, but it plays in pretty well into the Battleground world that has been set up. It's a nice companion piece that really helps develop one areas of this new world, while focusing on one of the villainous groups of the world. It's a great stand-alone book and if you're looking for something SECRET WARS to get this week, this may be a pleasant surprise for you.

BIRTHRIGHT continues to be a stand-out series that delivers a fantastic fantasy story. There is a lot going on in this issue and it moves by quick. There's lots of questions posed by Williamson, for the reader, here and that's what keeps readers coming back to this book. If you haven't gotten around to checking out BIRTHRIGHT, you really need to especially if you like fantasy books or even fantasy films from the 80s and 90s. This is a series that needs to be on your pull list.

The first issue of CONSTANTINE: THE HELLBLAZER is a promising one. It is extremely new reader friendly and brings the adult element back to the character and book. The first issue sets up an interesting story and the art here is pretty fantastic and fitting for the tone Doyle and Tynion are setting here. I cannot wait to see what's next for the character and find out why it's his fault all the ghosts that follow him are dying. I highly recommend checking this first issue out. It's extremely promising and a very solid issue.

DETECTIVE COMICS has it's own identity and feel that really separates it from Snyder and Capullo's BATMAN. The book transitions even more to be about Harvey Bullock, which works well if you've been reading the book for the past couple of arcs. Even more importantly, we get the return of Renee Montoya! The only problem with the issue is that the art is a little inconsistent and doesn't hit the mark when it comes to the emotional impact of some scenes. However, this book is off to a great start since the CONVERGENCE break, so I highly recommend this issue.

GHOST RACERS is just a lot of fun. There's nothing huge happening here but you will feel for these characters racing against each other. The book stands on its own because it's just dealing with the area and the people within it, so it's a nice break from a lot of the other books, who are a bit more tethered to what's happening in the main book. Simply put, this is a Ghost Rider book unlike anything else. GHOST RACERS has more of a "What If" feel to it more than anything else we've seen so far. It's out there but it's a ton of fun. If you got extra cash and want something with a lot of action, check this issue out.

For a book that seemed a little out there compared to everything else in SECRET WARS, WEIRDWORLD ends up being one of the more entertaining pieces that the event has to offer. It stands far apart from everything else and gives readers a fun and exciting adventure that is reminiscent of Conan and many other fantasy properties. Del Mundo does some stellar work on the art in this issue, and by far, it's some of the best art we've seen come out of the event. This wasn't a book I could say I was looking forward to, prior to this review, but this easily became something I cannot wait to continue reading. I highly recommend picking this issue up.

Superman is in a very different place right now, and while Superman fans may have trouble transitioning into this story, Greg Pak and Aaron Kuder know what they're doing. We're seeing Superman challenged by things that normally wouldn't be a challenge to him and that is what makes the debut issue of "Truth" exciting. I can totally get down on a story or two about Superman being a street-level hero. The only problems with this book were minor and had to do with a scene or two of art towards the end of the book, but aside from that, this is a great start to the new storyline.

ARMOR WARS was a solid opening but not without its bumps in the road. It feels more like a What If story over anything else, which is really cool, but it does drag a bit because of some heavy dialogue that is mainly all about setting up this world's Tony Stark. At the same time, there's some hiccups in the art and the color work is decent, but the armor coloring and the facial coloring are too contrasting here. The last page will make you want to keep reading, so this gets a mild recommendation. It's pretty fun and there is a lot of potential here.

The new direction for GREEN LANTERN is bold and unique. It's quite the departure from where the book was at pre-CONVERGENCE, but it's a really interesting direction. The creative team is spinning this book into something completely different. It's not the Hal Jordan we're used to, but let's face it, this character has been through some insane changes over the past 30 years, from Parallax to The Spectre to dead... twice. The one flaw with the book is that the reader is left to assume a bit too much about Hal's place, but aside from that, this was one tremendous first issue.

You don't need to have large-scale action sequences in order to have an exciting issue. Hickman, Ribic, and Svorcina open up the doors to Battleworld and let the readers know this more to all of this than previously thought. Again, we get pieces of how this all came together but not the whole picture all at once. It will make you want to continue forward with the book. SECRET WARS #3 is a solid event issue that's going to lead to bigger things.

Overall, CONVERGENCE BOOSTER GOLD is fun but at times, can be a little rough for casual fans of the character that don't follow all of Booster's adventures. The story with Booster and Blue Beetle is a ton of fun and pretty emotional at times, but the secondary material with Rip and the other Booster against the Legion of Super-Heroes falls a tad flat. It's not bad, but it's really overshadowed by the Blue and Gold story. All-in-all, if you're a fan of Booster Gold, this is probably going to be some essential reading for the character's future, so you may want to pick this up.

It truly was great to see at least a few of the members of the JSA back together again, fighting the good fight. Abnett had a great handle on who these characters are and alongside Derenick, Scott, and Kubina, they executed an issue that will bring fans of the team back to a time where the JSA was one awesome team. If you're a fan of the team, you'll want to pick this issue up. If not, I'll give it a mild recommendation, especially if you just want to see a fist fight for a whole issue.

Every ounce of the Old Man Logan fanboy in me wants to love this book. I was incredibly excited to jump right into this book and while the art was nothing short of brilliant here and the world that Millar originally created is just as brilliant, the character of Logan is completely different from the original and the story here feels forced and not worth the effort of the main character. If you're looking for a book with great art, check this out. Otherwise, you may be a bit disappointed once the fanboy excitement fades away.

Romance is alive with FRESH ROMANCE. While I was pretty excited about this new book when the Kickstarter launched, the actual book lives up to the hype and will be a delight for those interested in this genre of comic storytelling. The first issue contains a plethora of incredibly talented creative folks from the industry and while the first story didn't grab me as much as the rest of the book, overall, this first issue is a smashing success.

Issue #2 is here and BLOODSHOT REBORN might be one of the strongest starts to a series at Valiant. I am in love with this series, and as I mentioned last month, this is not one of my favorite characters. Lemire, Suayan, and Baron have delivered one of the weirdest yet most compelling pieces to come out of Valiant and I'm in for the long haul. Ray's journey is something you just cannot turn away from and his story has this realism to it as it's more about struggle than a dude who shoots things in the face. I cannot recommend this book enough. Pick it up.

As far as this goes for a Guy Gardner story, it's awesome. It's a really fun issue, even though it doesn't live up to the first part of this two-part story. Guy's journey is what fans will love and they'll really be rooting for him. The issue does start off in the middle of a fight, which could make readers feel like they missed something and the overall issue does feel rushed because of restraints for this book, but overall, this was a really fun read and if you loved the first issue, you should check this one out at well. It's a fun read for fans, but just an alright book overall.

There's an overall feeling of joy and sadness flowing through me as one of my favorite on-going series comes to a close after 20 issues. However, this book has a natural ending and doesn't feel forced at all. The book really has come full circle and while I would love to see more with these characters, especially with where Nina is left at the end of this series, this last issue rounds out the series exceptionally well. I highly recommend checking this issue out and buying it all in trade.

ULTIMATE END wasn't what I was expecting, but nevertheless, it was a really fun issue that does tie into what's going on in SECRET WARS. If you're a fan of the Ultimate Universe, this is really something you need to check out. Even if you've never read an Ultimate book before, this book is very new reader friendly. Check this issue out for sure.

BILL & TED'S MOST TRIUMPHANT RETURN is a solid and fun series for those who loved the movies. It plays extremely well to its fans and manages to capture the tone of the films, which translates exceptionally well to comic books. What makes this issue exceptionally excellent is the fact the hook at the end is leading to bigger and better things, something the first couple of issues didn't really do for readers. This book is on the up and up and if you're looking for a fun read, then check this issue out.

Convergence: Parralax/Green Lantern is a fun issue and nothing more. It falls victim to the Convergence formula which ultimately either leaves the reader a bit disappointed and wanting more because each story feels so rushed or wondering why the story exists in the first place. The dialogue is fine and the battles are fun with some solid art, but in the end, it's a two issue story featuring some great characters that ultimately falls flat because it's as trapped within the formula as the characters were within their cities. If you like these characters, for sure, check this issue out, but this wasn't as essential a read as I originally projected.

INJECTION is easily one of the weirder books I've read this year. At first, I couldn't make heads or tails of it, but as I digested the contents of the piece, I began to start to see what makes this issue something readers should throw on their pull list. Seeing Ellis, Shalvey, and Bellaire working together again is a breath of fresh air and while this first issue didn't blow me away, it's something I am really want to continue reading, and that's what matters. This is some of Shalvey and Bellaire's best work to date, so while INJECTION may not be a book that appeals to everyone, I highly recommend checking this first issue out and sticking with it to see how it plays out.

If you're looking for a great comic to read that also has the Collector crying, then this is the issue for you. Sure, Peter and Kitty aren't a part of the issue, but the Victoria and Collector story stands on its own and it's actually an incredibly fun issue with a great sense of humor, minus the flashback scenes. Those are actually a bit depressing, but give better insight into Victoria and J-Son's relationship. I cannot wait to see what's in store for Peter and Kitty post-Secret Wars, as well as J-Son and Victoria. I highly recommend this issue.

Dead Hand moves forward and is still a great arc for X-O MANOWAR. It may not have the same have the same impact as previous issues, but it's a solid read. One of the problems for this book is that it's coming out of the ARMOR HUNTERS event, so it can be hard to follow something so large and epic. Regardless, Venditti, Bernard, Winn, and Reber do some fine storytelling here, even if this issue was more about build up over anything else. X-O MANOWAR continues to be Valiant's stand-out book for me. You seriously should be reading this.

The first arc of ANT-MAN is a hit. We're seeing Scott Lang step up as a hero and a father, and while he isn't completely redeemed in his own eyes, he's working his way back up the ladder to be a hero. ANT-MAN is a fun, comedic book with a big heart, and that's the biggest appeal to it. I highly recommend checking this book and this series out, especially if there's still a hole in your heart where SUPERIOR FOES used to be.

Without a doubt, CONVERGENCE THE QUESTION is the best thing to come out of CONVERGENCE, and that's saying a lot since most of the books haven't even had their second issue yet and the main story isn't over. However, this issue just nails it and gives the reader some insanely impactful scenes delivered to them by some wonderful looking art. Go get this book.

Another very solid issue of NAILBITER. Issue to issue, this is a good book, but is works even better in trade. The second issue of this story gives the reader better insight into some of its characters while progressing the story. NAILBITER is always giving the reader more. It's got a great story, some solid shocks and a dynamic mixture of horror and mystery. Check this book out.

If you're a Marvel fan, this book is a must have, for the SECRET WARS part. Sure, the ending doesn't feel like it works as smoothly as everything else, but this is a great catch-up to the upcoming event and it's great to see it all through the eyes of the Future Foundation. The Attack on Titan back-up looked cool and if you're a fan of the manga, you'll probably love it, but it was just ok overall.

Without a doubt, the way you have to get this comic book kinda sucks. Sure, it's "free," but you have to spend $25 on Marvel stuff to get it. If you're already planning on buying a LEGO set or action figure that Toys R Us sells, then this is an added bonus and actually a really fun read, but I can't say this is worth an out-of-your-way trip just to get the book. What this issue does do really well is get people pumped for ARMOR WARS and if this is the direction James Robinson is taking it, then I'm all in. Storywise, this is a blast. Artwise, it's a bit rough because of inks and colors, but artist Marcio Takara will be drawing ARMOR WARS when it comes out. For what it is, it's a good and fun book that really gets you excited for the next step in SECRET WARS.

Some of the best issues during the Convergence event stand on their own because they tell their own stories in this world without letting the overall event take control of the book, and that's exactly the case with this issue. This is a really fun story made for Booster Gold fans. Sure, there's moments where some readers may be a little confused, but what this issue does really well is take the reader on a journey with some characters that may not fit extremely well into this whole event. Check this issue out for sure if you're a fan.

While it's the last issue of FANTASTIC FOUR, the volume feels appropriately capped off. Fans will get closure and some great, quick stories as well. There is really only one moment that's a little shaky in this over-sized issue. This is something fans will love to read on its own, but it will work even better in trade. If you've been loving this series, then you need to read this issue.

JUSTICE LEAGUE #40 is a pretty big info dump. Luckily, it's done pretty dang well and does a fantastic job at getting the reader excited for the upcoming Darkseid War. More than anything, it's really nice to have this book during this month as a break from CONVERGENCE. It's a breath of fresh air and gives readers something to look forward to. I highly recommend check this out this week just so you can take a break from the event.

As a whole, the idea for the issue, along the lines of Superman trying to understand his new powers and getting help from the Justice League, shows a great amount of promise. The problem is that the execution isn't there. These characters don't have their essence here and having the Justice League trying to bond over beers feels really forced. The art team does some great work, but the dialogue and second half of the book simply do not work.

The final issue of AMAZING X-MEN, before the SECRET WARS break, was a little bit of a let down. This issue swung between a 3 and 4 for a while. It feels like filler. However, we are treated to one spectacular fight and Fornes really coming into his own as an artist. This issue will read incredibly well in trade as a cap to the Gem of the Cyttorak arc and overall, this story was a blast. If you've been loving this storyline, (how could you not?) you need to pick this issue up!

Again, for like the third time, this is the best issue to come out of CONVERGECE yet. It may not be a great read for everyone, but this book really captures a specific era in the DCU's lifespan, following one of its characters who wasn't treated exceptionally well. Ellis and Gallaher prove that you can have a tie-in to this event, but still tell a great story.

It's the first time in a while, where the cross-over event doesn't disappoint. Black Vortex ends and it's pretty satisfying, but at the same time, we get a lot of other stuff to love in this issue, including a few things we're not spoiling here. The book looks good and reads great, so I highly recommend checking out one of Marvel's better cosmic events.

THE BLACK HOOD has become one of my favorite reads, and we're only a few issues in. Hettinger is this incredibly intriguing character and his journey is incredibly fascinating. Swierczynski and Gaydos play exceptionally well off each other to create this dim but intriguing book that is really hard to put down. Check out the first two issues of this book if you're in the mood for something that's really character driven and quite gritty.

For as long as Bloodshot has been around in the Valiant reboot, it's great to see this new volume be so incredibly new reader friendly. Lemire, Suayan, and Baron present a great and pretty depressing character study about a man trying to get his life back to normal, something he never remembers experiencing, but one man's actions cause him to rise to the occasion. I highly recommend checking this issue out.

CONVERGENCE AQUAMAN isn't bad, but it is a disappointment. The issue spends so much time explaining what happened to Aquaman and why he's in Metropolis, but the problem is more with the situation that he's in rather than the writing. The final pages of this issue are where this book really kicks off and it leads the reader to believe that the second part of this book is going to be awesome, so while this issue gets a mild recommendation, it leads to what can be an awesome conclusion.

CONVERGENCE GREEN LANTERN/PARALLAX hits on a lot of characters and notes from DC's history that will get a lot of fans excited for this two-part tale. It's also a solid read for new readers, since Bedard does a great job summing up everything that's happened to Hal around the Zero Hour story line. This is one of the few CONVERGENCE stories that gets right into the fight, instead of spending a giant chunk of the story setting everything up, which was incredibly refreshing. It's not the best of the tie-ins, but it's certainly one of the better ones and worth checking out.

Surprisingly, Black Vortex has been pretty great, with only one issue to go. I say "surprisingly" because the past few events and cross-overs and floundered towards the end of the story, but Black Vortex still has my attention. The writing is delightful and the art is near perfection. The only problem with this chapter is that is services the story between Kitty and Peter more than the story for the Black Vortex. Regardless, you should still check this one out.

Bill & Ted have a special place in many people's hearts and what's great about this new offering from BOOM! Studios is that is captures the essence of these characters and their world and expands on it but with a bit more cartoony-style, and it actually works incredibly well. The second issue's story is a lot stronger and the reader will make a better connection with the titular characters. If you love the movies, you should really check this book out.

BIRTHRIGHT #6 is made up of a lot of little, memorable moments that add an incredible amount of depth to the characters and story. The art and colors on this book are outstanding and visually stunning, especially during key turning points here. The story, on the surface, may not seem to move forward too much, but that's because the focus is more on the characters and developing relationships between them. This is one of the better issues of BIRTHRIGHT, in a series of great issues thus far. I highly recommend checking this series out. You won't be disappointed.

This is really a book for fans of Renee Montoya as The Question. It's essentially fan-service that's done incredibly well. The Convergence aspect of this book isn't important. What is important is seeing Greg Rucka, Cully Hamner, and Dave McCaig deliver readers some awesome characters and fun story. These next couple of months may be pretty rough with all these Convergence books, and even if you're not a Question fan, I'd put this book towards the top of your Convergence reading pile.

ARKHAM MANOR: ENDGAME isn't a must read for anyone reading BATMAN, but it is a really solid tie-in issue that gives readers a glimpse into the rest of Gotham while Endgame is happening. There are some minor problems in the art department during a few scenes, but it doesn't hinder the overall story. I was really surprised with the fact that a tie-in to an event could stand on its own so well and just be this much fun. Overall, I highly recommend this issue.

This chapter of Black Vortex, in the long haul, is a mere stepping stone, but the events within it really give some great development to Cyclops as a character as he literally grows into adulthood in this issue. It isn't a must read in the grand scheme of things for Black Vortex. However, it is a must read if you love Cyclops and his series.

Annuals are a mixed bag, as always, and SINESTRO CORPS ANNUAL plays well to the hardcore fans while trying to push the mythos of these characters and a new story forward. There are some great moments here that will have fans excited, but the overall book is a bit rough since the story really picks up right when it ends. On top of that, there's a few times where the artists of the assigned origin stories just don't fit the book or the character. If you've been a fan of this series, you're going to want to read this but overall, this gets a mild recommendation.

Dead Hand is shaping up to be one of Aric's toughest battles yet. It's amazing how this book's stories keep raising the bar. They're epic and a great ride. What made this issue so good was the emotional aspects between Aric and the Vine. Venditti, Bernard, Winn, and Reber are really pushing the limit with this series and while it is not new reader friendly, it's worth catching up. I highly recommend this issue.

The finally of this Juggernaut-filled story really delivers and the conclusion really pays off and sets up the next story line extremely well. In fact, this is easily the best issue of the run and Juggernaut fans may not love the final costume they see at the end of the issue, but they'll certainly love how this story plays out. I cannot wait to see what comes next in this series.

It's a little bit of a bummer to see Pelletier, Beredo, and Parker leave this book, especially when this last arc was such a fun ride and the best arc from Parker's tenure on the series. While there are some issues with the pacing of the overall story, that's more on the fact that CONVERGENCE is making everything come to a grinding halt. Maelstrom really could have used another issue. However, for what it was, this was a great story and added a lot to the mythos of the character. I highly recommend checking this issue and storyline out.

I was incredibly surprised with how well this final issue turned out, considering so many stories feel a bit rushed this month because of CONVERGENCE. The art is downright stunning here and while the speed force world story wasn't my favorite thing to come out of this book, the impact it had on the overall arc and the finale was wonderful. The creative team on this book is doing some awesome things and I cannot wait to see what they have planned after the upcoming DC event.

This book is something different in all the best ways. It's following its own path and telling the story of a man who essentially fell from grace. It's dark and gritty, and gorgeous. Swierczynski and Gaydos deliver an engaging story from start to finish and leave readers off at a very interesting place that completely changes where we thought the book was going. It's only the second issue as well, so I highly recommend checking this series out from Dark Circle Comics.

Once again, here's the first episode of the show to wet your whistle.

Easily, this was one of the more interesting issues within the Black Vortex event, even with the X-Men being more on-lookers than actually right in the heat of battle. The art and colors are the real shining star of this issue and it's worth the price of admission alone. All-in-all, it feels like Black Vortex is doing something a little different here, compared to the standard cross-over format and that's the compelling thing about this issue. Black Vortex continues to be pretty good and I'd say check this issue out for sure if you've been enjoying it.

Conceptually, this is one of the coolest books to come out of Valiant, even if, at times, it comes off as a tad confusing and a little bit jumpy. DIVINITY is this wonderful reading experience that speaks mountains to Valiant regulars and those new to the company as a whole. The minor problems do not really distract from the overall enjoyment of this book, and while I'm a huge supporter/pusher of X-O MANOWAR, the first and second issue of DIVINITY may be what I'm going to push, Valiantwise, next.

PUNKS is pretty rad. It makes me laugh and giggle and the controlled chaos feeling the book gives off is unlike anything else in comics right now. This issue is pretty ridiculous and spoofs on the world of manga, and does so extremely well. The only real problem I had with it was reading in the manga style, something I'm personally not well-versed in, but nonetheless, still a series I look forward to every single month.

THE UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL is a pretty exciting and entertaining book. It's nice to see another character grab a hold of a zany personality and run full-force with it. The creative team has something special here and this book is a nice gateway comic for people to become comic book readers. If they're into having a laugh and enjoying the Marvel movies, give them this. Don't just toss Civil War at them right away. The thing is that this book isn't for everyone. Sometimes, it's a bit much for me, but that's totally ok. It's still well put together and it does a great job telling a story with words and art.

While I'm not a Taskmaster fan, his appearance doesn't hinder the book at all. ANT-MAN three is just an incredibly crafted book that is more than a few cheap laughs here and there. ANT-MAN is this fun, quirky redemption story that is a blast to read. It's weird to see anyone in the Ant-Man costume doing something memorable again, since I can't think of a time we had a good Ant-Man story since Eric O'Grady was in the costume. Regardless, jump on ANT-MAN and check it out. You will not be disappointed.

The first issue of BILL & TED's MOST TRIUMPHANT RETURN isn't as sensational as the title makes it out to be, but it's still a fantastic venture into this new book. More than anything else, it's great to see these characters back in action, even if the first issue leaves the reader wanting a little bit more in the story department. The book is easily a hit with its target demographic, and it will put smiles on fans faces, just excited to see Bill & Ted travel through time again.

Fans of GHOSTED need to prepare for a rough issue, and by "rough," I mean "depressing." We've watched these characters go through a lot and it never seems to let up for them. Joshua Williamson, conceptually, kills it in this issue, no pun intended, since the book is about ghosts. I'm intrigued for the build up and meeting with Death that is inevitably going to happen. While this book does do the old "info-dump" on the reader, it's needed and in the long run will add a lot to the story. The issue on its own is strong, but within trade, I'm sure this issue will be the glue for the whole story. As always, I highly recommend this series.

SOUTHERN CROSS shows a lot of promise and this issue gives the reader just enough to keep them roped in for future issues. However, this issue drops a lot of information on the reader to set this world up. It's a necessary evil for the book, and in the long run, it will do the series justice, but some may find it a bit much. Regardless, this is a series I'd highly recommend checking out if you like your science fiction a bit more grounded with a dash of mystery.

"Anarky" wraps up exceptionally well. There was no real doubt that this final issue would falter, but the natural progression of the reveals and the story itself raised the bar for how story lines should wrap up, especially when butting up against publisher-wide events which force books to wrap-up early. Overall, this was the most enjoyable story Manapul and Buccellato had to offer thus far during their run. Because of the layers within the story, the high quality of the writing and art, and the fact this book moves so well, "Anarky" is a story Batman fans need to read.

Looks like Robert Venditti has another hit on his hands. The opening of Dead Hand is pretty fantastic and a great start to a story for people who have been reading X-O MANOWAR since the start. Sadly, this book won't play too well to new readers because they're going to miss out on a bit of the emotional connection with some of these characters. However, X-O continues to be Valiant's top book, month after month, and that's saying quite a bit especially with DIVINITY, THE VALIANT, and IMPERIUM being fantastic series as well. This may not be the best place for folks to jump in, but I say if you're interested in this series, give it a shot.

AMAZING X-MEN flips the script on readers and leaves them with a fantastic ending. "The Once and Future Juggernaut" has been, thus far, a really great story line that on the surface is the fun race to grab a gem, but aside from that, it's a lot about Cain Marko trying to redeem himself and fight for his family, in a sense. Yost does a great job with Marko in every aspect, except for the fast he got rid of Cain's beard. This has been one of the best stories in this volume and I highly recommend checking it out.

Parker is taking AQUAMAN out with a bang. Maelstrom has been an exciting and adventurous story that really builds on the legend of the titular character while delivering something that is a ton of fun. We finally get to see Atlanna in all her glory and she's a bit off her rocker and doesn't trust anyone, which is a cool turn for the book. This issue was a lot of set-up for the finale next month, but it's all really enjoyable. Once again, this is Parker's best story during his run and I highly recommend folks give this story a shot.

While it stinks to see this book go, for now, at least it's building up to an exciting and fantastic conclusion that will really keep readers on the edge of their seats. Robinson, Kirk, and company have done wonders with this volume and it's becoming a must read run of FANTASTIC FOUR. I highly recommend checking it all out, especially for the moments between Bentley and his father here. This is one awesome, highly connected series that deserves your dollars.

GOTHAM ACADEMY is a series that won me over right away, lost me for an issue, but then grabbed me right back in. It's easily one of the most interesting books DC currently puts out and breaks the mold from what DC is traditionally done in the best way possible. It's a much more light-hearted and fun book with dark and mysterious undertones to it and this issue really highlights the ideas of adventure and camaraderie. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite on-going series and I highly recommend checking this book out.

It's a complete bummer than the next chapter/volume of RASPUTIN is months away, since this ends at a pretty weird place where you'd want to keep on reading, but overall, this was one of the best issues of this volume. Grecian and Rossmo deliver yet another fantastic issue. I highly suggest picking this up in trade or buying the single issues. It really is a hidden gem at Image Comics.

The newest chapter of Black Vortex is a bit of fun and puts one of the classic X-Men character into a new costume for the event, which is incredibly cool looking. The art and writing are fantastic for the issue, but where this issue of STAR-LORD drops the ball a bit is letting the readers know why these characters find the Black Vortex to be such a threat. Regardless, this is a fun issue and fans of the Kitty and Peter relationship are going to want to read this, as there seem to be some trouble in paradise here.

What this issue of MANIFEST DESTINY does well is set up the next arc after quite the tremendous issue the month prior. It may be a decent place for new readers to jump on, but folks reading since the opening act might find this issue a tad lackluster. It almost feels like this issue is following a repeating formula. Regardless of that, the character development is the focus and it's done extremely well. On top of that, the coloring and art are beautiful, and MANIFEST DESTINY continues to be one of my favorite on-going series. I highly suggest buying the first two trades of this series and jumping on while you can!

This is the best issue of MILES MORALES we've had in quite some time. For the first time in months, it didn't feel messy. We get back to the Spider-Robbers story, finally, and for the first time in a long while, Miles gets a bit of down time to get his affairs in order. This all leads up to a fantastic final page, which will reel readers in for the final two issues of the series.

DIVINITY #1 is a great opening offering. Kindt has presented readers with a fantastic venture into this limited series with has a bit of science-fiction, fictional history, and a touch of the weird. Valiant has been providing fans with some great new books and this is one of them. While Hairsine does some great work with establishing shots, really setting the scene, there are moments where his art just isn't on the same level as the writing. However, overall, this first issue is a real success.

GHOSTED is still one of my favorite on-going series, and while this issue didn't blow me out of the water, it was fantastic and continues to set up a very interesting story that plays on ideas and concepts set-up throughout the entirety of the series. It's a book you can pick up from arc to arc, but works so much better as a whole series, as you start to see things unravel. The new artist may be a bit jolting for long-time readers, but it's fantastic and you should pick this issue up. Read away!

There are a ton of these short, throw-away stories going on as DC moves into Convergence, but what GREEN LANTERN CORPS offers is a cool story that gives these characters some more development and humanizes them. Here, they're less "space cops" and more caring beings the reader can sympathize with. The Daggle parts of the story were alright, but the star of the show is John and Feska's story, along with the amazing art. It's going to be sad to see this book go, but at least we get one more issue.

The book was delayed and the art is sub-par, but there's something about SECRET SIX that is extremely appealing. That something is the writing of Gail Simone. There's a lot of love for these characters (mainly Catman, obviously) and this book takes a slower approach to the story in order to really work on developing the characters and how they interact with each other. Slow stars aside, these characters are great and the story is pretty interesting, especially all the Catman captivity stuff. We have one issue left with the current artist until Convergence, then Dale Eaglesham takes over. Understandably, art is not an easy thing to accomplish, but Lashley's just isn't right for this book. Keep reading SECRET SIX or Catman will apparently pee on your ashes.

What keeps people coming back to BIRTHRIGHT, and the reason more people should jump on this book, is for the storytelling. It's familiar yet completely alien at the same time. It has elements many people have seen in fantasy films, but it takes it to the next level. We get a great turn in this issue and an even better final page that will keep readers hooked in who have been on the series since the first issue. Just as important is the top tier art coming out of this book. As far as full creative teams go, this group is phenomenal and delivers yet another amazing issue of this series.

The debut to NAMELESS is a bit out there and some of its concepts are a tough swallow at times, but it's a solid start to a series. There's a lot to love about this book and the first issue is intriguing. However, it almost feels like the reader is jumping into the middle of an arc of another book and things could be explained a bit better. This is obviously something that will read a lot better in trade. However, it's a solid issue to read and reread again and the visuals in this issue are stunning and memorable.

Superman and I have never really been the best of friends, but I found the Men of Tomorrow story to be a wonderful arc that has roped me back into reading the book full time. The issues comes to a natural conclusion and while this issue really feels like it's pushing a new Superman power on the reader, at least it's surrounded by a pretty awesome story that is well-executed. I highly suggest checking this issue and arc out.

All-in-all, SQUIRREL-GIRL is a fun and enjoyable book that's not really up my alley, but one that has the potential to bring in a lot of new readers to comics. The book is fun and has a great sense of humor and deals with a lot of things young people struggle with, but in a humorous light. However, the book is still new and the second half of it feels a little rushed to get to the next point and the moments of Doreen as Squirrel-Girl fall a tad flat compared to the first half of the book. Overall, I'd recommend giving this book a try though. It is a lot of fun.

AQUAMAN #38 is the issue that really solidifies what Jeff Parker is doing with this book, or at least with this story line. Aside from one line that got me a tiny bit fanboy-mad, the writing and dialogue on this book is great and leaves the reader wanting more, and as always, Paul Pelletier and Rain Beredo on colors provide some spectacular art, including that final splash page, which is awesome. I highly recommend checking out AQUAMAN and more importantly, Maelstrom.

I'm loving BITCH PLANET. Sure there's moments where I feel a bit lost on some of the concepts, but this book is a hit. We get more and more of this world as the series moves forward and it's pretty rad. The writing is awesome. The art is awesome. DeConnick, De Landro, and Peter deliver something you'll want on your pull list. Finally, the essay in the back of this month's issue is well-stated and has a great point of view. Just go buy BITCH PLANET already.

PUNKS is everything you've been told a comic shouldn't be, but rules were meant to be triumphantly broken. That's what this series does and it does it well. This particular issue, like the others is outright insanity, but that's what I love about it. If you like to laugh and really want to read something that's fun, but fun in more of an adult way, this is the route to go. Also, any book that puts their creators in the issue is alright by me.

FANTASTIC FOUR is the best it has been in quite some time. James Robinson pours a lot of love and creativity into this book and gives the reader some great stories that connect to the history of Marvel, rather that trying to forget it all exists. It may be ending, but this book has not slipped in quality at all. Sure, there can be almost too much going on storywise, but it's all good. I highly recommend checking out this series and catching up before it all ends.

Where this book started and where it is at now are two insanely different things. GREEN LANTERN NEW GUARDIANS is an evolving book, which is something extremely cool about this series. However, this issue leaves the reader wanting something a bit more. The way it's set up is that we're going to have a one and done battle with a familiar face. The writing is good, the art is great, but the story is a bit disappointing. While this story has the potential to take some incredibly interesting turns, which Justin Jordan is easily capable of, this first issue falls relatively flat. If you loved Kyle's part in Godhead, then pick this one up for sure. There's some nice resolution here, but if you've fallen off the book, this won't rekindle your love for the series.

As The Planet of the Symbiotes closes up, it was easily one of the stories I was most excited for this year and one of the biggest let downs of the year. We get some great art and Venom in a cool, new costume which actually makes him fit on the team a whole lot better, but that's about it. This issue is a rushed information dump of everything Symbiote in order to progress to the next issue. This was a story that I wanted to be great, and it wasn't. If it weren't for the art, this would be rated a bit lower. Disappointment aside, if you want to see how Venom gets his new suit, saddle up. Otherwise, skip out on this one.

Vertigo's offering of THE KITCHEN is one of the better pieces of storytelling we've seen in quite some time. It's straightforward and there's nothing super-natural or out of this world about it. It's simply just about a group of women trying to survive in world that is vaguely familiar to them. Masters, Doyle and Bellaire keep raising the bar issue to issue with this mini-series and this issue really leaves the reader wanting more. While there were some problems with the inking in a few scenes, overall, this was a great issue. I highly recommend this book.

I'm not surprised that MORTAL KOMBAT X can hold a reader's attention without them feeling alienated due to the dense mythology and backstory that comes along with it. Kittelsen is obviously a fan of this world and presents it to the reader in an easy to access way. On top of that, Soy and Gandini deliver some beautiful art too. If you're a fan of Mortal Kombat, there's no reason not to be reading this. It's only 99 cents and awesome.

AMAZING X-MEN offers what could really be a fantastic story. Part of me is dying to see Cain Marko and maybe even a new Juggernaut, but what Yost delivers is much more about the mythos of Cyttorak, which fits really well here. The art is a bit of a miss and feels very rushed at certain moments, but overall, this is a great jumping on point for new readers and a great start to this run. I recommend you check this one out, especially if you're a Juggernaut fan.

The beginning of this new arc to GHOSTED is a tremendous start. While the overall issue started out a bit slow, the reasoning for everything happening here is pretty brilliant. Williamson knows what he is doing here and he's doing it well. The big surprise was seeing Ryp on art. The man is a maniac with detail and I loved seeing these characters in his style. This next arc is promising something really cool and I can't wait to see how it plays out.

With everything going on in this series and how it was tied into so many other events in the Green Lantern universe, it was safe to say fans had event fatigue from the past couple of years. What GREEN LANTERN CORPS #38 does well is break that fatigue and give readers something a bit more grounded. Van Jensen is setting up something dipped more in horror and lore than anything else and it feels like a science fiction story rather than a super-hero book, which is a fantastic way to get readers excited for this series again. This may be a two or three issue story, but if you've enjoyed any of the Green Lantern books in the past, you're going to want to pick this one up.

The second issue of MORTAL KOMBAT X didn't have the same one-two-punch of the first issue, but it still was a great read. There's great moments of action and horror as Kittelsen, Soy, and Gandini take the reader on a journey through the vast world of Mortal Kombat. This is a good series for anyone to jump on as you don't need to know much about this franchise to enjoy this series. Do you know Scorpion, Sub-Zero, and Raiden exist? Then you'll be fine. MORTAL KOMBAT X continues to entertain and it looks like DC picked up a franchise and has a hit on their hands.

BIRTHRIGHT continues to be one of the more impressive books under the pen of Joshua Williamson, who also has several other hits under his hat. Conceptually, this book is nothing short of brilliant and while this issue doesn't pay off on some of the stories told within it, it's still a wonderfully crafted issue both in the writing and with the art. BIRTHRIGHT is easily one of the best new on-going series and something people should check out if they enjoy a bit of fantasy in their comics. I highly recommend this issue.

DETECTIVE COMICS continues to roll on as an exciting series that Buccellato and Manapul have really elevated to all-star status. This book is smart, fun, and features stories that really put the characters in it to the test. Also, the art is simply phenomenal. This new story, featuring Anarky, is changing a lot of the folks in Gotham and I cannot wait to see what it in store next in DETECTIVE COMICS.

This issue of GREEN LANTERN isn't life or world changing. It's just a solid issue showing the reader that Hal doesn't always have to be saving the universe. Sometimes, he just needs to grab a drink with his friends. Venditti does a swell job at giving the reader a solid issue which humanizes Jordan as a character, while reconnecting him with friends and ex-lovers. It doesn't give the reader much to get excited for though and while the overall issue is done extremely well, some readers many find this issue to be filler or something to skip out on. Regardless, this was a good issue and worth the read.

In the past, books, films, television, and even some games with "Mortal Kombat" slapped onto the title have sucked, for the most part. What Mortal Kombat X does well is that it's a labor of love written by someone who loves the mythos and understands it but can still present it to a mainstream audience. This first issue is a success and even die-hard, hardcore MK fans will love this. The talent on this issue it top notch and if you're a MK fan, this is a must read. DC Digital has yet another hit on their hands.

Expectations were pretty high for this first issue but THE UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL exceeds them. North, Henderson, and Renzi have put together something that appeals to both young and old that is an incredible amount of fun, featuring a great, stand-out star, who at times isn't all there. The first issue delivers the direction for the series, gives readers some action, and develops the character all in a one-two punch that doesn't feel like an information dump. This is a book you're going to want to check out especially if you like to read something that borders on the silly. I highly recommend this issue.

How do you follow something as large and epic as Armor Hunters? It almost seems like you have to give the readers something that's a bit of a throw-away because it's a real hard follow-up. What Armorines does extremely well in this second part is show the reader that there's threats here on Earth that can take down Aric. It's not just space to be worried about. X-O MANOWAR continues to be Valiant's strongest title offering some of the most interesting characters and best storytelling. This issue and storyline is highly recommended.

Parker's AQUAMAN combines a lot of new mythos with a lot of fun. He's really grasping at the idea that you can do a lot with a character but still provide a fun book, which is something a lot of comics have lost. Parker reshapes Gorilla City and gives it a direct connection to the early Atlantis, before it sank. It's a cool addition to the book, and while readers may be a tad bummed with how the story is moving, what's provided within this issue is a really good read and something that's a must read for Gorilla Grodd fans. Overall, I highly recommend this issue.

Ray Fawkes and Ben Templesmith continue to have a hit on their hands. The second issue may not be as good as the first, but issue #2 offers some great backstory to Jim Corrigan and Sister Justine. We don't get much from the other characters because of the issue's focus, but there's a lot of great things happening here and once again, seeing Ben Templesmith on a DC book is a breath of fresh air. If you're looking for something a bit different from DC, you need to check this series out.

Events from the big two have been pretty dang mediocre, and while event fatigue has taken its toll on all comic book readers, Godhead is one of the few events in recent memory actually worthy of a read from start to finish. Venditti and crew truly knew what they were doing here and while there were some bumps along the road, overall, this was a fantastic event and a finale worthy of the story. Sure, the Highfather turn seemed to be handled a tad hastily, but all-in-all, this was a wonderful story both in concept and execution.

RASPUTIN #3 is a bit different than the first two issues but in the best way possible. It delves a bit more into the world of fantasy and integrates Russian mythology to explain a bit more about who Rapsutin is and why he can do what he does. This creative team is killing in on this book, and RASPUTIN is quickly jumping up to be one of my favorite on-going series. You need to read this series.

This volume of FANTASTIC FOUR is something that reads incredibly well in a collected edition. There's a lot happening, which can sometimes bog down a monthly issue read, but overall, this run of FANTASTIC FOUR is downright amazing. The way the issue and series embraces the past is something that speaks to new and old readers alike. I hate the fact this series is ending, but this is some of my favorite writing to come out of James Robinson. There's a real love for the book and the team and it shows. Go out and pick this issue and series up.

GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS#37 is a solid issue for Godhead but feels a tad like there's too many cooks in the kitchen. There's a pretty obvious line in the sand between the things Justin Jordan wanted to put into the book and the things he had to put into the book to move along the story. What we're left with is a decent issue that is by no means the worst part of this event, but a pretty middle of the road issue that serves the purpose of connecting a group of lanterns with each other. I'd still give this a mild recommendation because it is a lot of fun to read, but just a bit weaker than other Godhead issues.

This is easily the best issue of MANIFEST DESTINY yet. A lot happens here and there's a lot to take in, but it's not overwhelming. The new reveals really change the perspective of the series and its characters. This book is plotted out insanely well and it's great to continue to be surprised by a series a year in. There's still mystery and the book still captivates. MANIFEST DESTINY continues to be one of my favorite on-going series.

The direction MILES MORALES is taking is really cool. Going back through Jefferson's past, when he met Nick Fury, is a cool little addition to the series. The biggest problem with the issue is the coloring and the art. It feels a bit off and way too dark for the book. While I appreciate Ponsor trying a new technique, it's not working. The next issue is sure to offer a lot more in the way of story, so I recommend picking this up and staying with the book a few ore issues, especially if you love the crime syndicate part of the Marvel universe.

For a moment, let's step away from the online hype and promotion. This book is awesome without it. Sure, there's certainly a feminism slant towards the book and if you're the type of person that gets turned off by things like that, first, you're silly. Secondly, this book stands on its own as pretty dang rad for a first issue. Is this book geared towards women readers? I have no clue. All I see is a concept I really enjoy, some killer art, and some killer writing, but hey, I like space, HBO's Oz, and Orange is the New Black. BITCH PLANET deserves the hype it's getting, and it's a issue you should probably give a shot, since this book is bad ass. If you're still not sold, then there's a plethora of books featuring super-powered loners, punching dudes in the face, and feeling sad about life and things that you may find more up your alley.

This was easily one of the better issues of Godhead, which overall, has been really good. It feels like there's real advancement in the story here and numerous moments worth checking out. The only downside of the issue is the separate art team which kicks in halfway through the book. The new team isn't bad but the switch is startling and each artist draws these characters in different ways. Aside from that, Jensen nails this issue of Godhead and it opens the door for some great things in the upcoming issues. I highly recommend this issue, unless you aren't reading Godhead. Then, you'll be in the Land of the Lost.

PUNKS is an insane breath of fresh air. It's unlike everything else on the shelves and any book that makes fun of the McCarthy era communist hunt, more than half a century after it happened, is totally ok in my book. The interview with Rick Remender is hilarious. And I'm totally digging on the cut and paste art. The book is just a solid good time and if you understand the formula of the book, you're going to love it. (The secret formula is fun)

BIRTHRIGHT is a story for fantasy fans that want to know what happens AFTER the adventure. The art is amazing. The writing is top notch. It's a story for those who love fantasy and adventure. Williamson is on a tear over at Image and this, conceptually, is his best series as of right now. There's a lot of great books to pick from in the world of comics, but people should make this series a priority on their pull list.

If you're looking for a jump on point for Hellboy or B.P.R.D., then HELLBOY AND THE B.P.R.D. is the perfect place for you to start reading. The issue is a ton of set-up but it's smooth and a really enjoyable read. It's great to see Maleev doing the art for a Hellboy book, and I'm pretty excited to see where this one goes. Overall, this is one of the best issues this week.

SECRET SIX's story and scripting are some of the best we've seen from Gail Simone. She nails this first issue. Everything from the set-up to the final page moves so smoothly and it really will keep you wanting more. However, it's really hard to overlook all the problems within in the art. The inconsistencies, rushed feeling of those final pages, and trading off of two very different inking styles is a big speed-bump on this issue. This issue is so close to a 4/5, but it's really hard to overlook some of the problematic art. The story and characters have a tremendous amount of potential though and hopefully, the art problems will be ironed out. Even though this book is a 3/5, I highly recommend picking this one up for the story.

Part two to Maelstrom offers a fantastic amount of mystery and adventure which will keep readers hooked. Parker has done a lot of cool things with Aquaman since jumping on, but this story has a lot of potential to be amazing and so far, it's living up to the potential. The only downside is what feels like a really forced fight between character, which also takes up a giant chunk of the issue. However, Maelstrom is a really cool idea that keeps growing, so if you've stepped away from the book, now is the time to come back on. Pick up issue #35 and #36 and you'll be set.

Even though there's a a small problem with characters coming off a bit flat and it may be too soon to call it, this is my pick of the week. GOTHAM BY MIDNIGHT surpasses the high expectations many fans have for it. This is some of Fawkes' best work at DC and putting him together with Ben Templesmith is a genius move. While it's not a super-hero book and it's very different from the norm, this is a must buy for the week. Fawkes and Templesmith explore the characters of Gotham in a new way and it's superb. The more and more I read this, the more and more I love it.

ASM #10 wasn't as big as a hit as issue #9, it still delivers a ton of fun. Dan Slott loves this character and it shows. Yes, at times, it's a fan service book, but that's not such a bad thing in this case because it's involved in a very interesting story, conceptually. Luckily, it's also executed well too, and the art team is top notch. While this issue left me feeling like something was missing, overall, it's an awesome issue and I'm loving this arc.

Although it's an incredible bummer this book is coming to an end, this volume has been a joy to read. FANTASTIC FOUR is a love letter to the vast history of the team at Marvel comics, all while telling brilliantly crafted tales. It's creative team truly knows what it's doing and this issue especially hits on an emotional level multiple times. Everything is coming back together and all the team needs is Reed back on their side and that's where we're going next. This book is a must read for Fantastic Four fans.

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #21 does not get off to a good start, but on the bright side, there's a ton of promise and potential to this story. This isn't a bad issue, but it is a big disappointment. Bendis isn't a bad writer, but this issue leaves readers feeling like they missed out on something. Luckily, the art on this book is worth the price of admission alone. "Planet of the Symbiotes" will hopefully be a great story, since it's a story that should be told.

It's the start to something pretty awesome. It's tough to go from Armor Hunters to Armorines, since Armor Hunters was so epic, but this first issue of the new arc is great. On top of that, it's a great place for new readers to jump on. There is a lot going on in this first issue but it's all paced extremely well and it is never convoluted or overwhelming. This is still Valiant's flagship book and easily one of the best month-to-month reads in super-hero comics.

GREEN LANTERN CORPS #36 is a mixed bag. Folks not reading every part of Godhead may find this issue a lot more enjoyable than those reading everything because this issue feels so similar to last week's GREEN LANTERN #36. The formula being used for the issue becomes glaring and while the story is fun at parts, overall, it's a tad dull. Luckily, the art team pumps out some amazing artwork to elevate the book. This is the point where I'm a tad worried about Godhead and how it's going to continue to play out. We're not even halfway through the story and I feel like this issue and the last issue were a bit of a drop in quality of story.

What this issue offers readers is brutality but not just for brutality's sake. Norman Osborn is a villain that must be stopped and watching the events unfold was incredibly exciting. The book's direction is a bit more apparent here and those who have felt the series become frustrating will find themselves a bit more relieved. This book has a top notch creative team behind it featuring one of Marvel's best new characters, so the future is bright for Miles Morales. I highly recommend this issue.

THE KITCHEN was a surprising hit from Vertigo, a company that hasn't offered anything this intriguing in quite a while. This book has a great story and this is one great opening issue. Masters, Doyle, and Bellaire present not only an interesting story but a period piece that feels like a period piece. THE KITCHEN flew under my radar, but I'm incredibly happy I picked this one up. If you're looking for something a bit different this week, you need to check this issue out.

BIRTHRIGHT continues to impress. Williamson shows he isn't just a one-trick pony with genre writing as he steps away from horror and delivers a straight-forward book enveloped in fantasy. There are very few current books I'd call a must read, but this is easily one of them. BIRTHRIGHT not only has a great concept, but its executed masterfully. I highly recommend this series.

Godhead continues to be a very strong story. Sure, it's super-long and runs through way too many books, but overall, it's been a fantastic ride, so it's worth it. A lot is happening in this issue and there's a lot of revelations, almost too many, and the book is a bit slow and a tad dull at parts, but overall, it's a great read and a very essential moment in the overall Godhead story arc.

PUNKS is really awesome but not for everyone. It's pretty out-there, but the thing that's great about the book is that there's not a lot to it. It's just a lot of fun, crotch punches, and Native American statues about to go into a monologue. Fialkov and Chamberlain put some love back into comics. If you're looking for a book that's really out there, where each issue is a self-contained, and quite wacky, story, then PUNKS is for you. Overall, I highly recommend this issue, unless you take everything too seriously.

The first issue of RASPUTIN doesn't offer the reader a lot in the way of where the overall story is headed, but it is a tremendous way to introduce the main character of this series. It's a slow step into the pool but an extremely satisfying one at that. If you're in the market for historical fiction or loved PROOF or just want something really cool to read then RASPUTIN is right up your alley.

It's sad that Azzarello's and Chiang's time on WONDER WOMAN has come to an end. However, the conclusion is incredibly satisfying and a worthy wrap-up to this book. Without a doubt, this will go down as one of the best Wonder Woman stories of all time as well as one of the best stories to come out of the New 52. Everything just works well here, and it feels like it will work even better in a collected edition of this book. Hopefully, DC will put this story into an over-sized hardcover omnibus, most likely in two volumes. Anyway, this is an iconic run and it's a must read in the New 52. Make sure to check this out.

ARKHAM MANOR is surprisingly enjoyable. By way of the solicits, the idea did seem a tad silly, but the way Duggan sets everything up here makes this book feel like it's going to be a very fun ride. Obviously, the idea of Batman and "fun" in the same sentence may be a turn-off to most people, but this isn't DEADPOOL or NOVA. This isn't a funny or zany book. There is a lot of emotion here as we see how important Wayne Manor is to Bruce and the lengths he'll go to in order to keep it from becoming a complete mess. If you're a Batman fan, check this one out for sure. If the character is normally a bit too much for you, then this is really a Bat-series for you.

This is a decent issue of RED LANTERNS, but not the greatest of tie-in issues. It doesn't add much to the main story and to fully appreciate what it going on, you have to read the last part of the story line, which took place in GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS, but you should be reading that if you're invested in Godhead already. There are some great fight scenes in here and Simon Baz teaming up with Guy Gardner is promising, but overall it was a bit of a let down. It's still good, but not on par with the rest of the issues of Godhead thus far.

There's some minor problems, but FANTASTIC FOUR #11 is a huge hit. Robinson and Kirk provide the readers with a really fun story that builds on each individual story incredibly well. This book chugs along, month after month, like a well-oiled machine. It's engaging and gripping for new and old readers alike. I love the fact that Robinson continues to dip into the FF well to pull out some old favorites as well. As for the ending, it's brilliantly executed. This is a series you should have on your pull list.

GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS #35 is a huge hit. It's a great issue for readers to jump in on, but the issue doesn't spend the whole time catching said new readers up. It adds a lot of the overall story and most importantly, it's a really fun read. Jordan provides us with a story that adds a lot to the arc and gives the reader new insight into the New Gods, who aren't really the villains here, that we know of. If you've been enjoying Godhead, this is a must read, even if you've missed out on GLNG.

MILES MORALES is one of the top on-going series in comics right now. Sure, there's a few problems with how these mysteries are being revealed and pacing, at times, is rough, but the overall story is incredibly compelling and the art is fantastic. It's at a point where this has become my favorite Spider-Man title and Miles Morales is my favorite Spider-Man. I highly recommend checking this series out. You won't be disappointed.

Fans of these characters will be a bit let down because this issue feels like it reads solely for readers who have no clue who any of these characters are. That's the big disappointment since DeMatteis did such a good job with THE PHANTOM STRANGER. It almost feels like a lighter, carefree book presenting a very light plot to the reader. The art is middle-of-the-road and doesn't help nor hurt the book. While this issue really didn't like up to its potential, there's still a bit of hope on the horizon.

PUNKS is something hard to wrap your head around because it's so different from everything else on the shelves. The book is a bit silly but a lot of fun. The biggest thing holding the issue back is that it's not an atypical comic and that may turn people off to it. However, the sense of humor, the weirdness, and the overall concept are pretty fantastic, and if you're looking for something different, you should check this book out.

FANTASTIC FOUR ANNUAL offers an awesome complimentary story to the main volume. It's full of tons of extremely well-executed dialogue and the story has a great pace to it. I had a bit of a problem with how Valeria spoke, but a lot of that may come from my own ignorance of the character. Regardless, it still was problematic for me in this reading experience. Aside from that minor issue, I really enjoyed this issue and almost everything about it. I highly recommend checking this one out if you've been enjoying the main series

There's a lot of great things happening in JUSTICE LEAGUE #34, but there's also a lot of just "so-so" moments. For me, the issue breaks the 4-star barrier, but not by much. The scenes with Power Ring and Flash were awesome, as well as anything involving the Rogues. The art is both hit and miss for me, as a fan of Scott Kolins work. He's at the top of his game here, but I feel he lost a bit of what attracted me to him, as an artist, in the first place. Overall, it was a solid issue and sets up the rest of the story pretty dang well.

LOBO was a little bit of a let down. I was very excited for this new series, and while what was presented wasn't bad by any means, it didn't live up to expectations. However, there is a ton of potential in this series and it's worth picking up at least the first half of this arc to see how things go. I'll give this a recommendation, but with the hope this is going to be great because of Bunn and Brown are the creative team here.

MEN OF WRATH mixes murder and mystery without all that murder-mystery getting in the way. It's a gritty book that doesn't hold anything back but spends time developing the book's characters and the world, rather than just giving the reader shock after shock. Jason Aaron has another hit on his hands, and hopefully, more people pick up this book. Garney and Milla provide some amazing art, and while the final page isn't a giant shock, this book offers a lot to keep readers invested. I highly recommend checking this book out.

This is a great start for A TOWN CALLED DRAGON. Aside from the fact that you're getting more than 50 pages of story for the price $3.99, the art is wonderful and the story is fantastic. Do you like dragons? Then you should read this. Even if you're not a fan, Winick does an awesome job at setting this all up. Overall, I really enjoyed this issue and so will you.

ARMOR HUNTERS ends in a bang. Venditti, Braithwaite, and Martin provide a fantastic event that is overall very solid. While there were a couple times things felt a bit chaotic and things did play out as naturally as they should, reading this, then X-O MANOWAR #29 right afterwards made this event feel very full. I've said time and time again that this is how events should be done, and although I had minor complaints about this issue, overall, I still really believe that this is one of the better events in the past 5 years. You should probably pick this one up.

It's great to see Booster Gold back in action! There were a few times where the overall issue was a tad confusing, but it's a character travelling across multiple dimensions, so it's bound to be a bit out there. Dan Jurgens needs to be writing and maybe even drawing a Booster Gold on-going, as long as it's as fun as this little adventure was. There's a ton of the FUTURES END books to choose from, but this was one of my favorites.

MILES MORALES finally gets back to the lingering story lines that fans have been clamoring for more of. Bendis does a phenomenal job with the writing by giving readers some wonderful, dialogue driven scenes. Marquez and Ponsor kill it on the art, as always and make this one visually exciting book. Almost everything about this issue was a gigantic hit. I cannot recommend this series enough. MILES MORALES: THE ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN is easily one of Marvel's best series.

I've said it a ton of times on the Comic Vine podcast, but I love this book. I have this strange place for it in my heart. It's not a happy-go-lucky book nor is it one of those books we'd call "fun." It's essentially purgatory. There are delightful moments here and there, but the overall start of this series was pretty depressing. All-in-all, I'm really loving THE LIFE AFTER and if you're looking for something a bit out there that provides an interesting story and one hell of a journey, then this book is for you.

When a series you've been loving puts out a middle-of-the-road issue, it hurts and that's what happened here. Understandably, not every issue of a series can be a masterpiece, but issue #10 of FANTASTIC FOUR feels like a bit of filler, stretched to fill 20 pages. Robinson sets up a lot here and all of it's pretty good, but half the issue being a conversation between Thing & She-Thing drags the book down. Overall, this series has been amazing and I can't wait for the next issue, but this one was a big bummer.

Love is the only way to describe my feelings for GHOSTED. Williamson is taking this book in a very interesting direction and expanding on this world while connecting the pieces together at the same time. There's a reason this is my current favorite on-going series. It is fantastic with genre mixing, is full of intrigue and is a ton of fun. I highly recommend checking this issue out.

TEEN DOG is a ton of fun. Sure, I only latched onto this issue because I thought the name was genius. However, the pages inside provided a ton of fun and a group of very charming characters you will quickly fall in love with, even Thug Pug. Sure, as a new reader, to this new series, you still feel a little left out with this character's intro, but overall, TEEN DOG #1 is a great read and I highly recommend it.

ARCHER & ARMSTRONG #23 provides a solid story, even in the absence of its two titular characters. While this issue is, in a sense, filler until issue #25, it's a memorable story that adds a lot to the Valiant Universe. In the past, I've said (with ARMOR HUNTERS) that "this is how events are done." I now say "this is how filler issues are done." Don't take "filler" as a negative thing though because this raises the bar to unheard of heights when it comes to books getting from story 1 to story 2. Hopefully, we'll see more of Bollers in the future because he easily filled Van Lente's shoes. I highly recommend this issue.

What this issue does well with jumping forward into the future and giving the reader a "where are they now" update is the same thing that hurts the main series. Aquaman's new outfit is really the highlight here and while the book was just ok, this is one of two parts and I'm intrigued to see how this plays out in the Aquaman & the Others issue. If you're an Aquaman fan and reading the main series, you'll want to pick this up. However, if you're not, pass this one up.

I kept bounding back and forth on DETECTIVE COMICS: FUTURES END between a 3 and a 4, and while there are problems with the art and with the connection to Futures End, I ultimately really enjoyed the team-up between Riddler and Batman. It's an issue of Batman that ends up being a lot of fun and a solid one-shot story that has connection to the recent annual. It's not a story that changes anything we already don't know about the world, but it is a fun ride.

NAILBITER continues to be a thrilling and disturbing ride. This issue offers a few more answers about what's going on in Buckaroo, but it asks just as many new questions as well. Mike Henderso does a wonderful job on the art throughout the issue and gives the book a little light, since it's so dark. This is a book I highly recommend checking out especially if you love horror and mysteries.

Doctor Who is rolling on strongly. The story is pretty interesting and the art is fantastic. This issue gets way too into the ideas of over-explaining jargon to the point where it's tough to get through. However, overall, this issue and series are building up to be a hit. I'd say give this issue a shot.

While there's a lot to like with this issue, there's also a lot of things that rubbed me the wrong way. The overall story with future Flash is phenomenal, but the Wally West scenes here were a tad aggravating and make it seem like Wally is a bit of a idiot. This book is still worth reading though. The art is great and Van Jansen and Robert Venditti are both great writers, especially in the long-term sense, so overall, I'd give this a mild recommendation.

SAGA is still amazing, who would have thought? BKV and Staples are really moving forward with a great story that really grabs the heart-strings of the reader. Frankly, I can't think of another comic I'm this emotionally invested in. Overall, I highly recommend this issue and picking up the rest of the series as well.

The final issue of this arc wraps-up perfectly. Readers catch the Armor Hunters story and how it connects back to Aric. It's a cut and dry, simple story that adds an immense amount of depth to the book. Sure, Aric hasn't been in this book for a few months, but it doesn't matter because these past few issues were done so dang well. Now, fans can only wait and see how the rest of this event plays out and what the future holds for Aric and Earth.

MANIFEST DESTINY #9 is a bit slow, but it's still a great read. The group is stuck and there's not too much for the to do, which results in an issue not as enjoyable as its predecessors. However, overall, the story of Lewis and Clark discovering new, over-sized monsters is still one of my favorite reads each month and it's nice to see there's threats all over this new world, not just o the river for this arc. I highly recommend checking out MANIFEST DESTINY. It's unique, weird, and engaging. It will quickly become one of your favorite month-to-month reads.

Sam has everything he needs to know, but he still needs to find his father. This Original Sin tie in story ended up being a ton of fun. Sam and Rocket work extremely well as a team and I'm hoping we get to see more of them in the future. The issue sets up a really cool future story and overall, this is a very satisfying issue. Duggan, Baldeon, and company are killing it on this book. Even if you're not a cosmic fan, this book is worth it. Put it on your pull list.

THE STRAIN: THE NIGHT ETERNAL is off to a great start. While not a good place at all for a new reader to jump on, especially if they've been enjoying the series on FX, it's still a series folks should check out. It's written incredibly well and the dialogue is real and natural. Huddleston's art gets even better here as well. The world sucks here, figuratively and literally, but it's easily one of the better books I've read this month.

Although there's a few minor issues with this book, overall, it's fantastic. This is how events should be done. Venditti, Braithwaite, and Martin provide a story full of twists and turns that feels natural and not forced. As great as the issue is, fans won't be able to stop thinking about where this is headed and what the aftermath is going to be like. Overall, I highly recommend this issue and this event, especially the tie ins.

Once again, FANTASTIC FOUR impresses me to no ends. I wasn't an FF fan before, but now I am, so I'd say Robinson accomplished a mission every writer has, which is to get everyone to enjoy their books. On top of that, Kirk and company do such a wonderful job on art duties. The Fantastic Four is so disjointed at this point in the story, but that's what makes this book such a great read. Nothing is going well for these guys, but it doesn't feel like Robinson is being malicious. He's just telling his story and it's a story I can't put down. Overall, I highly recommend this issue and series.

GHOSTED #12 is easily one of the best month-to-month reads from any company. This book is incredibly engaging and compelling. Williamson really knows what he is doing here and the attention to detail is wonderful. Storywise, this issue has some concepts that already have me hooked. The past two issues of this series have been unbelievably good, and this is a series you need to be reading.

SPIDER-MAN 2099 #2 is a solid read. I'm not incredibly sure where the story is going, but David is still setting things up for a character that really hasn't appeared in 20 years. It hasn't completely won me over, but there's a lot of potential for this series as a whole. The dialogue heavy issue was an easy read and flowed incredibly well. Overall, I highly recommend this issue.

I was very split on this book. It's almost a 4 but because this book seems to do so much backtracking, it just didn't make sense. It still is a solid read and what's being done with Superman and Wonder Woman here is interesting and could lead one awesome conclusion. Overall, this was an ok read and I mildly recommend it.

Superman: Doomed has been a back and forth story for me. At times, it's a complete home run and really moves the story forward and at other times, it feels like a bit of filler. All three Doomed issues this week were great, but ACTION COMICS was really the stand-out for me. This issue worked on numerous levels and was incredibly captivating. Both the art team and the writing are wonderful and that cliffhanger has me hooked. Overall, I highly recommend this issue.

BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA is a hit. It's like if the movie got a Saturday Morning Cartoon that didn't get cancelled after a couple months. It's a series I, as a fan of the original film, really look forward to reading every month. Powell is doing one hell of a job of adding to the legacy of Jack Burton and this is one of the few times in my decades as a reader where the comic lives up to the license. If you're a fan of the movie, and you're not reading this, a pox on your house.

Out of the whole series, this is the weakest issue to date. However, it's still a good read. The reader will stay two steps ahead of the action, which is easily the biggest disappointment and the story moves pretty slowly. The tattooed clone's story is the highlight of the issue and what happens there will really be the focus point for readers. This is truly a book that reader's need to have on their pull list though. It reads like a solid weekly television series and at times, yes, it's going to be a bit slow, but it's all solid build up.

GREEN LANTERN #34 is an alright issue. It feels like merely a filler issue with one hell of an ending. There are some moments in here that simply don't make any logical sense, but there's also a lot of heart here. It doesn't offer the reader too much other than a glimpse of what's to come in October with Godhead. It's not a bad issue, but not one you have to race to the LCS to get. If you want a bit of the antagonist's motivation for the upcoming story, pick this up. Overall, it's just ok.

MILES MORALES #4 gives fans a fight, but puts a hold on a few of the sub-plots/mysteries that made the kick off to this series amazing. The issue is a ton of fun and has some gorgeous artwork, and it's still one of Marvel's top books, month after month. If you haven't been reading this series, what are you waiting for? Mile Morales is the greatest Spider-Man ever. I said it.

SUPERIOR FOES OF SPIDER-MAN is the cat's pajamas. The story inches forward, but we're getting to know a little bit more about Overdrive and his relationship with the rest of the team. I laughed a lot during this issue. It's easily one of the funnest reads each month. Pick this up in trade and catch up. It's easily the best on-going series about Spider-Man B-list villains ever made. However, I can't think of too many others. Anyway, I highly recommend this issue.

The first arc wraps up in an action-packed finale that is an incredibly fun read. While there is some frustration with knowing where this series is headed and what's going on with Eli, the overall issue provides some beautifully crafted art and a non-stop action thrill ride. I'm really glad that the new Ghost Rider book took this direction. It feels fresh and so different from previous incarnations. This is a series you should check out.

CHEW: WARRIOR CHICKEN POYO is exactly what you'd expect from John Layman and Rob Guilloary: a way over-the-top story that entertains the reader from front to back. Picking this up for CHEW fans is a no brainer, but those who have never read a single issue of CHEW will also really enjoy this book. If you like having a good time reading your comics, this is for you. If you don't, you need a sense of humor or new hobby.

Annuals are hit or miss, but DETECTIVE COMICS ANNUAL #3 is a big hit. It feels like a great introduction to the on-going series and presents a ton of elements fans are familiar with. TEC ANNUAL gives fans a taste of the main book, while getting deeper into the Gotham criminal underground. Most importantly, to me, Calendar Man makes his mark in an actual comic and not just stuck in the back ads. Overall, this is a really fun issue and great annual.

While the story is out there and it took 5 issues to really find a footing, ULTIMATE FF #5 is a hit. Sadly, it's coming to an end soon. Fialkov has a field day and throws as many animal puns into the issue as possible, and the issue ends in a very creepy/scary way, especially if the reader is a man. Flat-out, I like what's going on here, as an Ultimate fan. While it's no MILES MORALES, ULTIMATE FF, right now, is a ton of fun and a worth picking up.

The Armor Hunters aren't the real enemy, the armor is, at least that's what issue #27 of X-O MANOWAR tries to tell the reader. Regardless, this issue provides an action-packed adventure that really fleshes out the enemy of this event. Not only is everything about this story enjoyable, it's impressive. As it has been since the start, X-O MANOWAR is the top dog at Valiant when it comes to long-form story-telling in a shared universe. It's a top ten book.

This is Titan Comics' first jump into Doctor Who books, and out of the two they released this week, The Tenth Doctor was on overall stronger single issue. Whovians will really enjoy how much this feels like and episode of the series. On the downside, the issue is a bit jumpy and feels like jumping into the middle of the series. However, overall, this is a fantastic start to a new series.

This is a very impressive debut for G.I. ZOMBIE. Readers who may not be a fan of the espionage genre may not be too excited to jump onto this series, but this is something DC needs and who better to do it than Gray and Palmiotti. The debut issue focuses more on the story rather than the lead character, but the allure of mystery about G.I. Zombie, also known as Jared, is just one aspect of this book that will keep readers coming back. Overall, this is an impressive debut and it's fantastic to see a book of this caliber and genre within DC's fold. I highly recommend G.I. ZOMBIE.

MAGNETO is a book you can't put down. It's exciting and an adventure you know you shouldn't be seeing, but you can't look away. This issue tones down the violence and brutality a bit, but it's still an incredibly engaging read. The biggest problem, overall, is the jumpiness of the art. There's two different artists and two different colorists and they do not mesh well together at all. However, overall this is a fantastic series and anyone who has ever been a fan of Magento should be reading this.

What I find myself loving about this issue of MANIFEST DESTINY and the series as a whole is that it's a great, yet bizarre, re-imagining of American history and a really intriguing series. It's hard to put down, even though the issue feels like it moves a bit slower than most other series. This is a top pick book though and it's great to see Roberts and Gieni redesign creatures we all know to be these horrific, monstrous beings capable of killing people any time they want. Overall, I highly recommend this issue.

NOVA is a series I'd never thought I'd be a monthly reader of. The concept never really appealed to me and even moreso, tie-in issues to big events tend to also fall flat. However, NOVA #19 does a really solid job of giving readers a fun story that ties into the main event, but it doesn't take away from the main storyline. Duggan is consistently putting out a fantastic book that is a ton of fun and I highly recommend this series.

ORIGINAL SIN #6 isn't a bad read at all, and overall, the event has been pretty good. However, this past issue felt like 16 pages of recap and 4 pages of progression. So much of this issue relies heavily on characters telling each other what they already know, the story thus far of ORIGINAL SIN, and while it's all done very well, it's incredibly frustrating to not have this book more forward, especially after last issue's story which revealed a ton of stuff about Nick Fury. Keep reading this event though. It really is a ton of fun and this "ok" issue is not a reflection of the entire event.

It's weird and at times silly, but this issue of ULTIMATE FF is fun, if nothing else. There's a new artist on board and while the art did get better, it's still the weakest part of the book. What readers do have to look forward to is Josh Fialkov having a field day with the Ultimate universe and as many puns as possible in the next couple of issues before the series ends. The last page is what really sells the finale of this book.

ARMOR HUNTERS is a blast to read. It's an event that lives up to the hype. While there are some problems with having to know what's going on in X-O MANOWAR to get a full picture, and the fact I'm just not a fan of who showed up into this issue, everything else about this series is a ton of fun and moves along naturally. Venditti is really making this event feel smooth and not all hurky-jerky. This is a series readers should check out. Valiant is doing events the right way.

This issue and story line puts the "detective" back in DETECTIVE COMICS. This issue may not be filled with tons of action or giant, blockbuster explosions, but what it does have is a compelling story that the reader will not be able to put down. Since the focus is primarily on Batman's process, the reader gets to see things through his eyes as he compiles clues. Believe it or not, it's riveting stuff and gives us a new look on this old character. Overall, I highly recommend this issue.

I haven't been a big fan of more contemporary Fantastic Four volumes and creative teams. They just weren't my cup of tea. However, I am loving what James Robinson is doing with this team and series, even though this issue was incredibly depressing. I love the flashback scenes with Haspiel and Woodard on the art, and this series has really captured my attention in a way other volumes and creative teams have failed to do. Overall, I highly recommend this issue.

GHOSTED comes back after a break swinging hard. It explores Anderson's past and while it isn't a story that needs to be told, it's a story fans will be more than happy to read. However, this is a terrible jumping on point for new readers. Do yourselves a favor and buy the trades before reading this. Williamson, Sudzuka, and Mrva provide an exciting, one-shot read, that readers will want to read again and again. Overall, this is a fun horror series that you need on your pull list.

SUPERIOR FOES takes the idea of a team book and flips it on its head. It's filled with villains, for all intents and purposes, are utter failures at almost everything they do, without coming off like an episode of the Three Stooges. It's funny and while some folks may have a problem with the fact this book seems like it's becoming a bit more serious, the book is still incredibly strong and easily worth a place on your pull list, as long as you have a sense of humor and don't take your superheroes and villains too seriously.

ACTION COMICS #33 is not a bad issue by any means, but it feels a tad out of place and doesn't move the story forward as the rest of the issues in this event. Pak does do a wonderful job with SuperDoom's narration throughout the issue to a point where it feels poetic. The art team, as always, does a great job as well, but all-in-all, it's just an ok issue. If this is on your pull list, keep it on because Doomed is still the best Superman story of the New 52, regardless of one or two decent issues.

Fans of the movie will be fans of this series. It has a great sense of adventure that the film had, and while the sense of danger may be a bit lost, this book is pretty awesome and worth a pick up. This issue really lets the reader know where the series is headed and all-in-all, it's a fun read. Powell proves he has a great grasp of these character's and this world here, which can be hard. Adapting a world from one piece of media to another is a tough job, but Powell nails it.

MAGNETO continues to be an adventure through brutality to those who deserve it. If you're looking for a book that can be described as "wrath," then this is for you. Cullen Bunn is doing an incredible job with this series and this character and I love that he's embracing particular moments from Magneto's past. The biggest problem with the book is that the color isn't up to par and there's a couple small problems with the art, but all-in-all, MAGNETO is one hell of a series.

MILES MORALES: THE ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN sets the bar high for super-hero books. It does an amazing job at balancing super-hero elements while keeping the series relatively grounded. We finally get the return of Norman Osborn who is destructive as ever and while the big pay off will be in the next issue, the build up here is near perfect. Everything about this series is top notch and it's a series that needs to be on readers' pull lists everywhere.

NAILBITER is a horror/mystery on par with great films from that genre. The story and its characters are compelling and the overall book will keep readers in suspense, engaged, and ready for future issues. The art is a great compliment to the story, and frankly, this is one of the strongest horror books on the shelves because while it may be a bit out there with the different serial killers, it has a realistic feel to it. Overall, I highly recommend this issue.

IRON FIST: THE LIVING WEAPON is a bit different than the other Marvel books on the shelf, which many have taken a more light-hearted and fun approach to story telling. This book is dark and sad, without over-doing it. Danny Rand's past is explored and he has a lot of demons in his past which still haunt him to this day. This is an Iron Fist for a new generation of Marvel readers and Andrews is doing a fine job at putting together a first story arc which isn't just strong. It's also shaping who Danny Rand is now in the Marvel Universe. Overall, I highly recommend this issue.

ALL-NEW GHOST RIDER continues to be an incredibly fun book that has some brilliant art in it. Robbie Reyes is a very compelling character and the only real downside of the issue is that I wish they spent a little more time on Reyes and Morrow rather than going through the Grumpy and scientist story. Overall, though, this is still a top book and continues to impress me. I highly recommend it because it's a wild ride... pun intended.

Parker's run on AQUAMAN has been pretty good, with a few ups and downs, but issue #32 of AQUAMAN was brilliant. This book feels completely back on track and all the seeds Parker has been sewing for months are finally starting to pay off. Aquaman finally has a foe that can go toe-to-toe with him, that isn't Black Manta or Ocean Master, and Mera is having her own adventures, which rival the awesomeness of her husband's. This is easily the best issue of the run, and fans of the series who have been reading month-to-month will love this issue.

It's still relatively early, and there's still a lot of world and character building being worked on, but overall, C.O.W.L. is a very solid and entertaining read. Higgins, Siegel, and Reis are providing a very fresh look on how super-heroes can function within the world, and the focus is so much more on the individuals, rather than what the individuals can do. This issue does move a bit slow because there is so much to explain to the reader because it's a different concept, but all-in-all, it's a very intriguing piece and one you'll want to put onto your pull list.

FANTASTIC FOUR #6 is a prime example of how to continue an on-going story line while also tying into the big event. This series has been an incredible amount of fun that embraces the history of FF, instead of pushing it off to the side. Normally, I'm not a fan of this team, but Robinson's run is a lot of fun and a great overall read. In addition, the way it works with Original Sin is very cool and I cannot wait to see everything about what happened to Ben in the next issue. Overall, I highly recommend this series.

MS MARVEL #5 balances new characters, new powers, and intriguing stories insanely well. Where most books tent to struggle, MS MARVEL stands high. Kamala is a character who is easy to connect with, since most folks reading comics all dreamed of being a hero one day. She's a great driving force of this book and Wilson has crafted such an exciting and fun book to read. If you haven't read this book yet, catch up or pick up the trade when it's released. I highly recommend this issue.

The Armor Hunters storyline continues to live up to the hype and is easily one of the more interesting summer events currently happening in comics. Venditti, Bernard, Rodrigues, and Reber provide some incredibly fun storytelling that expands quite a bit on one of the members of the Armor Hunters, Primary. There's even a deeper connection to Primary and the armor which will change a lot of fans views on this character who actually comes off here as pretty compelling. However, this issue feels more like it should be a mini-series tie-in than interrupting the main X-O MANOWAR book, but all-in-all, X-O fans will love this issue.

BATMAN ETERNAL #11 contains three stories, two of which are good, and one of which is a bit bland. On top of that, the art can be pretty rough in places and doesn't mesh well with the overall issue or its characters, even though, without a doubt, this artist has a great amount of talent. Once again, it's a decent issue from this series, but it doesn't really "wow" the audience. The biggest drag on this particular issue is the art though. If you're enjoying the series, keep reading it as it does well as a weekly series. However, chances of it being one of your favorites is very slim.

Kot, Brown, and Chralampidis provide readers with a book that's one-part family, one-part fighting the system, and one-part eye candy. This book is surprisingly good, considering it features a character that has had a few struggles in the past with his own on-going. This may not be the best jumping-on point, but this is still a series that is worthy of being on fans' pull-lists. Overall, I highly recommend this issue.

NOVA #18, on its own, is a solid issue that gives more insight into how Sam felt about the death of his friend, Uatu. However, it's not a must have tie-in to ORIGINAL SIN, unless you're already a NOVA reader. If you are interested in this character, this is a fine place to jump on though. Duggan really makes this an issue that is not only new reader friendly, but completely captivating. While it does just revisit events that have already happened, it's still a great read with some incredibly beautiful art work. Overall, I highly recommend this issue.

Having multiple stories, within a single issue, that don't have much to do with each other is a dangerous road to travel since it can lose reader's interest very quickly. However, this issue of FUTURES END does it extremely well, and more than anything it's entertaining story telling. Zircher's art is the star of the show here and it's great to see a high caliber artist on this book. Things are looking up for this series as things heat up and I would highly recommend folks go and pick this one up.

WONDER WOMAN continues to be the stand-out of the New 52 that does not get the credit it is due. This is a phenomenal series that only gets better with each passing issue. The battle between Wonder Woman and First Born is coming to a head, and she's going to need all the help she can get. The creative team really makes a huge impact here and the ending isn't shocking but it will lead to some seriously cool moments in the next issue. Overall, I highly recommend this issue.

ALL-NEW ULTIMATES is the biggest disappointment of the post-Cataclysm era. Both the story and the art are a flop, and while a street-level super-hero team, in the Ultimate Universe, is a fantastic idea, it falls so flat here and miss its mark by a long shot. While the cover is really cool looking and the new vigilante character looks cool, everything else about this issue is a pass.

The more a book is hyped up, the more likely it is to disappoint the reader. ARMOR HUNTERS has been advertised and promoted for months now, and surprisingly, it hits the mark. Venditti, Braithwaite, and Martin are putting together one exciting book. The book starts off slow and doesn't give everything to the reader at once, which is what many readers with gravitate towards. There's still a bit of mystery behind the Armor Hunters and this story, aside from what the reader knows. Sadly, this isn't the best place to jump on for new readers though, since you need to read X-O MANOWAR to get a full scope of this book. Regardless, this was a fantastic star and I highly recommend it.

JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED is still setting up the story for the series, but Jeff Lemire is doing a fine job here in issue #2. There's a few problems with driving the point home that Byth is evil, and the fact that Supergirl's appearance feels a bit forced, but aside from those two things, JLU is a very fun book, which is something DC really needed. At times, it's funny, but overall, the art and writing are wonderful and provide a great home for these characters. Overall, I highly recommend this issue.

FIGMENT is a delightful romp through the world of imagination that will please audiences both young and old. You may not know the character, but that really doesn't matter, since Writer Jim Zub gives you a very solid opening issue and introduction to these characters and the adventure they're all about to take. The art here is also fantastic as well. While there's a few very minor problems with the issue, dealing with medium shots and who the book is intended for. Overall, this is an incredibly fun ride and I highly recommend it.

DOOMED continues to be one of the better Superman story lines since the start of the New 52. Greg Pak does a fine job of really making the reader feel for Superman and understanding the struggle he's going through. The standout character here is actually Steel though as he rises to the occasion to help out a fellow here. The art is crisp and brilliant and the issue leaves the reader at quite the shocking end point. The world is really changing around Superman, especially when it comes to how other governments handle him, so ACTION COMICS #32 does its job of moving the story forward while entertaining the reader.

BATMAN ETERNAL continues to prove it's a worthwhile, weekly book. It has a strong writing team and strong artistic team behind it. While there were some bumps in the road in previous issues, issues #8 and #9 make this book feel like it's right on track. The big reveal with this issue is very interesting and promises some interesting changes in the book coming down the road. The big question is whether or not to put this book on your pull list, since it's technically 4 books a month. It's pretty easy to say that this book is worth your time and money, since it's a pretty strong Bat-title.

There hasn't been another licensed book I've been more excited about, but Powell, Churilla, and Garland nail it here. It's a great follow-up to the film and Powell really nails the voices of these characters extremely well. While there are times where the tone gets a bit too silly, the overall story is pretty awesome and fits well compared to the film. It's a bit of a surprise that this book was enjoyable as it was considering licensed books tend to be not so great. The biggest problem this book will have to overcome is that it isn't as new reader friendly as it should be, but don't let that stop you from picking this up.

All-in-all, this issue was a bit of a disappointment, coming off that amazing first issue. However, it's not all bad. RAI presents itself as a solid detective book here, but the problem was that the issue wasn't that exciting and came off a bit dull. Crain's art looks amazing in some places and lacks polish in others. It feels rushed. RAI shows a lot of promise but it needs to pick up a bit more to stand toe-to-toe with the rest of Valiants books. Overall, I'd give this issue a mild recommendation.

SUPERIOR FOES OF SPIDER-MAN does an incredible job of doing everything right, month after month. It entertains the reader with a fun story, stays comedic without being zany, and artistically wows the reader. This was one of the funnier issues fans have seen in quite some time and it's nice to see this team actually accomplishing something instead of bumbling through it. This is a series you should be reading. Go out and pick up the trades and catch up, unless you hate fun. If you hate fun, then don't read this.

ALL STAR WESTERN is sadly wrapping up, but it's going out in style. This is and has been a fantastic series with its own style and tone that separates it from the rest of the DCU. The current story line is incredibly interesting and fans won't be able to wait to see how it plays out. Madame.44, from the back-up story, is a really cool character, but the overall story is just ok. However, this is, overall, an exceptional book and series and I highly recommend it, especially if you love westerns.

AQUAMAN continues to be a pretty fun book. However, the real highlight of this issue is Mera's story as she tries to find out who is killing her. While the Swamp Thing and Aquaman battle is pretty pleasing to read, it feels like the reason for it happening is pretty weak and not well explained. AQUAMAN is still worth your time and money as Parker continues his run though. Overall, I recommend this issue.

This issue is a step back in the right direction. We're starting to see the growth of some earlier stories set up in previous issues and finally, there's a fuller-scope to this story as Falconi's grip slowly turns Gotham into what it once was, before Batman came around. March's art is really cool on here and gives this issue a pretty intense feeling. The only real downside was that the color palate was a bit to brown for the book. However, it's still a great on-going series and I highly recommend it.

This run on FANTASTIC FOUR has been a ton of fun so far. There's really something special about this book because it really embraces the Fantastic Four's history at Marvel, no matter how weird or out there. And while this book spends a lot of time in the court room, it's still fantastic writing that makes you want more. Will regular Fantastic Four fans enjoy this? No clue, but as a person who's never really liked the team, I'm really enjoying this book. Overall, I highly recommend this issue.

DEVILERS surprised me. Normally, religious-based books don't interest me, but DEVILERS has a way of grabbing you and keeping you reading until the final page. This is a great start not only for this book but for Dynamite's creator driven series. Fialkov and Triano provide an entertaining and thrilling first issue which promises to be one Hell of a series, pun intended. This isn't just a book you'll want to pick up, it's one you'll want on your pull list. While there were some small problems with the issue, here and there, you'll want to make sure to pick this one up when it comes out.

There's a lot about FOREVER EVIL that was disappointing, even within this delayed issue, but all-in-all, FOREVER EVIL #7 delivers an action-packed, fun issue that does a fine job at telling an over-arcing story. It's a really fun book that will get readers excited about the future of the DCU, but you cannot forget the fact that it leaves loose ends dangling in the wind, especially Dick Grayson. The art is fantastic and the Luthor-driven narrative is well written, but it feels like there's a lot of spite in the writing towards the Bat-characters of the DC Universe. Overall, I recommend this issue though. It is a very fun book with some big problems.

GHOSTED #10 not only wraps up the second arc extremely well, but it puts the rest of the series into a larger perspective. However, more than anything else, this book is just a real fun read. It works on multiple layers as a great read as well as something building towards something larger that leaves clues, riddled throughout the book. GHOSTED #10 made me realize this is a much more complex book that I originally thought, and that makes me love it so much more. Sure, there were a few art problems, but overall, this is one hell of a read.

MAGNETO #4 is one fantastic read. It let's readers really get into the head of one of Marvel's most infamous villains and follows him on a journey to avenge his follow people. The book is brutal, sad, and hopeful all at the same time. Bunn, Fernandez, and Bellaire have crafted quite an extremely intriguing book that makes you feel for this character and look at him in a whole new light. Hopefully, this series continues to impress as it has the past four issues. Overall, I highly recommend this book.

SAGA returns, but it isn't with a bang because the direction of the book is a complete 180. The book has slowed down and very clearly focused on family and the family dynamic; however, when you look back at previous arcs, that's what this book has always been about. This is a great place for new readers to jump on, but the problem lies within the new concepts and elements being dumped on the reader. It's a lot to take in and BKV expects readers to understand everything. However, SAGA is still a brilliant book and a series more people should be reading.

WONDER WOMAN continues to be one of the best, if not the best, books at DC. In fact, it's one of the best on-going series, period. Never has a run of WONDER WOMAN captivated me this much. It's a grand mixture of mythology and modern day storytelling which will truly stand the test of time. Azzarello, Sudzuka, Wilson, and Chiang created a series you need to read. This issue continues to build up toward the finale and it is highly recommended.

ALL NEW GHOST RIDER is still pretty new, but it really doesn't disappoint. While there is a question to where this book is headed, the writing and art are fantastic. There's a great sense of justice for Robbie Reyes here as the Rider gets his revenge on those than wronged Reyes. Tradd Moore's art truly continues to be the star of this show, and if you have room on your pull list, this is a book you need to add to it.

The second issue of ALL NEW ULTIMATES is a bit of a disappointment. There's still a lot of potential here but the execution doesn't hit the mark. There's problems within the art and the one-liners dialogue and the fact the story just isn't that interesting; however, there is a glimmer of hope that this could be a good series, as this team is still new and learning to work together and that shows in this issue. But for now, I do not recommend this issue.

BATMAN ETERNAL isn't bad, but there are problems with the direction of this book. It feels like they're just topping more and more and more story on top of one another without resolving or building on anything else. For the past three issues, there have been numerous new plots introduced within each issue. This issue, on its own, is a pretty good read, introducing the reader to new characters and elements within the world of Gotham. The art is solid and the color work is fantastic. While this particular issue didn't hit it out of the park, it was still a solid read and this series is still worth picking up every week.

FANTASTIC FOUR #4 offers a quite fun and action-packed issue with some incredibly gorgeous art. The story may seem a bit over-the-top, but that's what gives this book its charm. It's great to see characters like The Wrecking Crew make their way back into Marvel continuity and Robinson is building a solid read that shows a ton of promise. Overall, I recommend this issue, especially if you like larger-scale fight scenes.

On paper, the idea of this book had a few fans scratching their head. However, the execution of this book is one heck of a fun ride. It is so refreshing to have a Justice League book that is actually fun to read but isn't trying to be a humor book. Lemire takes a step away from his normal story tone and gives readers something incredibly entertaining that they will not want to put down. JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED #1 is a book you need to pick up this week, even if you missed the #0 issue.

This is a bit of a surprise since issues #0 and #1 just didn't grab me. The second week of this book gives the reader an emotional connection to these characters and the world they live in, while setting up the main players in this very large game of chess. While there's not a lot of Batman Beyond in this issue, which many folks reading this are looking for, there's a lot of good stuff in here to keep them happy. Overall, I recommend this issue.

We're five issues into BATMAN ETERNAL and this book continues to do a fine job at building on the world of Gotham while continuing to tell and interesting story. Tim Drake truly is the star of this issue, and in some ways, bests Batman through Tim's detective work. The art is fantastic, but it's the colors that really make the art. Overall, this is a very satisfying weekly series, so far. The only real downside to the issue is that the Vicki Vale story feels completely overdone as far as stories go. This is especially apparent if you watch House of Cards. However, this is still a highly recommended series.

DETECTIVE COMICS #31 is smart, fun, and very open to new readership, even though it's two issues into this story. Brian Buccellato and Francis Manapul are truly crafting their own version of Batman in an exciting way which doesn't alienate its readers. The art is beautiful here and the colors are brilliant. It gives readers a great feel for the world of Gotham. Jump on this book if you've been missing the "detective" part of DETECTIVE COMICS. I highly recommend this issue.

It's hard to pick a book from these new Marvel #1s to call "my favorite," but MAGNETO is up there. It has a look and feel that distinctly sets it apart from the rest of the Marvel universe with a compelling character involved in an intriguing detective story with a bit of brutal violence thrown into the mix. This is a series more people should jump on. It's haunting and mesmerizing. Go buy it, now.

Since the reboot of the Ultimate books, fans have had a hard time finding something to cling to since ULTIMATES and ULTIMATE FF do not meet the high expectations in both story and art. Luckily, MILES MORALES is the book Ultimate

The ARMOR HUNTERS SPECIAL is a great offering for those who are interested in the Valiant universe but haven't gotten around to pick up any of their books. You're getting introductions to three different books, one of which is brand new. As for up-to-date Valiant fans, you may be disappointed that you're only getting 5 new pages of story and a few art pages, but overall, this book is good for Valiant fans and great for new readers. It's a great lead in to ARMOR HUNTERS.

All-in-all, ATOMIC ROBO & FRIENDS is a pretty decent Free Comic Book Day offering. The main Atomic Robo story is the star here, providing fun and actual laughs with a cool, quick little plot. The Bodie Troll was a bit of a hit and a miss. While the art was incredibly cool and nicely stylized, the story was geared more towards kids and will lose older readers, especially with the way too over-the-top dialogue. Lastly, Haunted just doesn't give readers enough to get them interested in the on-going series. Sure, the art is pretty and the lettering is nice, but that's all it really offers. So overall, if you're interested, pick it up, but don't go out of your way to grab this one.

The VALIANT UNIVERSE HANDBOOK gives readers all the info about the Valiant universe they could ever need. However, is it too much information? Will they be turned off to the rest of the series because they already know what happens? Otherwise, this is a good way to catch up and see if there's stories that interest you. This is a very conclusive and thorough look into all of Valiant's characters and teams. It's a pretty solid read for fans and new readers alike, but it's not really a comic book, as the title suggests.

AVENGERS WORLD is a book that is hit or miss issue to issue. It hasn't had a bad issue yet, per se, but this along with a previous issue was a middle of the road book. This is a series that truly feels like a great read as a trade, but struggles a bit from issue to issue because there is simply way too much going on within this book to contain within a single issue. Manifold is the center of this issue and he is a very cool character that brings a lot to the Avengers table. A.I.M. moves their plot further here and Hickman and Spencer have done a great job at redefining this once goofy team. However, overall, it's just an ok issue.

BATMAN ETERNAL is four issues in and it feels like a solid direction to the new weekly series. This book is much more about Gotham than Batman and it really shows here as the issue splits time between the Gordons, Batman, and Stephanie Brown. The art style keeps this issue a bit more light-hearted, which is the perfect match since it's a pretty depressing issue, with what is happening with James Gordon. Normally, I'd say to be very cautious of weekly series, but so far, this one has been top notch. Overall, I highly recommend this issue.

What really kills this issue and mini-series as a whole is that the first issue not only had a completely different tone and feel from the rest of the book, but it was exhilarating and a breath of fresh air. It continues to be one of my favorite single issues within a mini-series. However, this issue is incredibly disappointing and does not do the mini-series justice. As a Wolverine and ORIGIN fan, it's a punch in the gut, especially when the creative team are all fantastic at their craft. This was not a good follow-up and not a good final issue.

RAI is off to a killer start. It's wildly different than expected, in the best way possible. RAI reads more as a science fiction mystery than anything else, and while it's a giant leap away from the rest of Valiant's books, it still feels like it fits in the Valiant universe, but far, far in the future. Matt Kindt is crafting a very cool book, and while, at times, all these new concepts can get a bit confusing, since not all of them are explained enough to the reader, the overall book has this fantastic, cinematic feel. The highlight of the issue truly is Clayton Crain's artwork and colors. This is a book you really need to check out. Never read a Valiant book before? Don't worry, any new reader can jump on and feel right at home. Overall, I highly recommend this issue.

All-in-all, VERTIGO QUARTERLY: CYAN is a success. This book feels like more of a book for Vertigo fans, rather than an anthology anyone can pick up, but it was still an excellent read. The biggest problem folks may have is the $8 cover price; however, there's a whole lot of story within this book, but those who are pinching their pennies may be turned off by the price. Only one of the stories within was a task to read, everything else, including Tynion's "Once Upon the End of Time," was fantastic. Give this issue a shot. You may end up loving it.

ALL STAR WESTERN #30 is the return to the classic western comic that made this book awesome. Sure, the past few issues were a ton of fun, but #30 gets back to what many fans were missing. What was really surprising was how fun the back-up story was. Both pieces were incredibly strong and leave the reader wanting more. The only real downside is that it has been a while since we've seen back-ups, so it was a bit of a shock to have the Jonah story end so abruptly. Overall, this was a ton of fun and I highly recommend it.

It's a bit of a middle-of-the-road issue. While the fight scenes are a ton of fun here, the issue doesn't really progress any form of actual story. What fans will want to read is all pushed onto the first page of the issue and the end of #30 is a team-up set-up for the upcoming annual, which from the looks of it, won't be anything too exciting. This is not a bad issue, but it's just not winning me over. I give this issue a mild recommendation.

There were a lot of doubts about this book, as Marvel seems to be jumping from event to event; however, this #0 issue is extremely interesting and a ton of fun. Waid gives this book a ton of heart, with an underlying depressing story about a boy trying to find his father. As far as the creative team goes, there's a lot of big talent on this book, coming together to make a fantastic introductory issue. Overall, I highly recommend this issue.

THE BUNKER is one of my top on-going series right now. It's different in the best ways possible. Infurnari's art is more than just pictures. It's a depiction of the characters within that moment and sometimes much more. Fialkov does great with building these characters and developing them fully. While, at its core, this is a book about the world ending, this book is just layers upon layers of dramatic storytelling and subplots that are insanely engaging. I highly recommend this issue and series.

JUSTICE LEAGUE #29 is fun and pretty good, but not great. It provides a story that is much more suited for brand new readers than anything else, since it feels more like recap and reintroductions rather than brand new story. The last portion of this book was a bit silly, but overall, readers do get the fight they're waiting for and it is a bit of fun. The art is pretty solid throughout, but the colors of Reis really shine here. Overall, it was an ok read and gets a mild recommendation.

The art may be a bit rough, but the story for ULTIMATE FF #1 is one tremendous start. As far as the Ultimate universe goes, it's a bold, new direction, featuring a team of characters which a few have never really been in the spotlight. It's off to a great start and shows a lot of promise. It's a new team, a new start, and so far, is the best out of the Ultimates books. Overall, I highly recommend this issue and series.

WONDER WOMAN continues to be one of the best, if not the best, on-going series at DC Comics. While this character has never been one I've gravitated towards, Azzarello and Cliff Chiang (with Goran Sudzuka and Matthew Wilson) have put together not only one of the most interesting takes on Wonder Woman, but one that will stand the test of time. There's a lot happening in this particular issue which really changes where Diana stands with the Amazons. Instead of spoiling the whole thing, though, you should just go out at pick it up. This issue is setting up something awesome, so jump on board.

It's been two years now since the debut of X-O MANOWAR, and it's been two years on consistently brilliant storytelling on the part of Venditti. I honestly would have never thought this would become one of my favorite titles, but it never fails to please. This issue really pushes the story forward and onto the upcoming Armor Hunters story, while closing out the last two-part story. The writing is top notch and the art is beautiful. This is a book everyone should be reading as it is the top book Valiant is putting out. Overall, I highly recommend this issue.

Yes, everyone in Robbie's life is the worst person imaginable. They're thugs, murderers, potential rapists, and folks you don't want to deal with. However, that's the only part of the issue that was problematic. We're still learning about Robbie and why he is now the Ghost Rider. This issue, while a bit depressing, is still a ton of fun. Moore's and Staples' art really shines here and this is quickly becoming one of my top Marvel series, which is saying a lot since they're putting out quite a few great books. Overall, I highly recommend this issue.

I had high expectations for this issue, but overall, it was a let down. The concept for the new book is fantastic, but the execution was a let down. The issue is not new reader friendly and not incredibly interesting to boot. The art is a bit clunky and characters are unrecognizable. This is a series I really want to be successful, but this first issue was a bit of a mess. Overall, I do not recommend this issue.

AVENGERS UNDERCOVER is a great book, especially if you're looking for something that's a bit depressing and isn't just good guys battling bad guys. This issue and series deals with a lot more than stopping the Wrecking Crew from robbing a bank. It deals with character who were forced to do some terrible things and how it has affected their lives afterwards. If you didn't like the first issue, chances are you'll not be too enthused with this one as well; however, there's a lot of meat to this book and one you should try out. Overall, I highly recommend this issue.

SECRET AVENGERS is a combination of one part ridiculous, one part touching, and one part awesome. Kot, Walsh, and Wilson are putting together one heck of an entertaining story with some very dynamic characters. Sure, the book is very S.H.I.E.L.D. heavy, but that's what makes it really cool. While this issue closes out the first story, it spends a lot of time establishing its characters and their relationships to each other, even if the reader is already familiar with them, which is fantastic. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite Marvel books. Overall, I highly recommend this issue.

This is a story that should be bought in trade. Issues #1 and #2 of this book were fantastic, but the last couple just don't hit the mark as well because it's a story that's meant to be read in one sitting. There's a few art problems here and there, but overall, the issue looks pretty nice and it's well written, even though there is a lot of expository dialogue here. This issue gets a mild recommendation, but the first story arc gets a big recommendation. Get this one in trade, for sure.

AQUAMAN & THE OTHERS #1 is quite a bit of fun, and it really starts to flesh out some characters created in the New 52 that haven't been around. The reason these characters are teamed up does not feel forced and the story Jurgens presents the reader is something that will keep this book going for a while. Overall, this is an impressing start to a new series.

GREEN LANTERN #30 is the issue that will really grab readers and make them believe that Venditti was the perfect choice to run this series. From the opening to the last page, we are treated to some solid storytelling and seeing Hal Jordan really hone the role of leader. If you're aware of what's going on in GL, this is probably one of the better places to jump on the book. We're in the midst of a fantastic new era for Green Lantern.

LOKI: AGENT OF ASGARD #3 isn't a bad issue by any means, but it's a bit of a lull in the series. Those who picked up this issue, who aren't well-versed in everything Asgard may feel a bit lost in the shuffle, and Loki's history being rewritten is a bit tough to swallow. However, the overall series shows a ton of promise, so while this issue wasn't one of my favorite reads because I'm one of those people that isn't a huge Asgardian fan, this is still an incredibly intriguing book and one to keep on your pull list.

MAGNETO is a book you don't expect but one that you need. It's so different from the rest of Marvel's books, as it comes off as a street-level, gritty, detective book and not the super-hero/villain book fans would expect this character to star in. Cullen Bunn has crafted something special here that is far more appealing than the solicits make it out to be. Walta and Bellaire do a phenomenal job with the art. This is quickly becoming one of my top reads at Marvel. Overall, I highly recommend this issue.

Everything about ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #200 is set to invoke an emotional response from the reader, and it really works, as long as that reader has been following this book for at least a few years. This issue is really for the fans, which can leave casual readers blowing out in the wind. It's a great issue, but not one that is groundbreaking because the focus is so heavily on this one small moment. It's a well done issue that fans will no doubt enjoy.

ALL STAR WESTERN #29 isn't bad, but it's one of the weaker issues in what has been one hell of a series. Cliff Richards art isn't what fans are used to with this series, but the change is nice and he does a great job at sculpting faces throughout the issue. The problem lies in the fact that it's a story within a story and feels a tad like filler. However, this is a series that ultimately always delivers, so we're interested to see where it goes next.

FOREVER EVIL: ROGUES REBELLION is a tie-in that's not only worthwhile, but a must read for FLASH fans, even if you're not into FOREVER EVIL. Buccellato shines bright when writing these characters. There's a lot of love here for the Rogues, and the ending is what really elevates this team to a whole new level. However, what fans deserve is a series starring these characters written by Buccellato. Regardless of that, I highly recommend this issue and mini-series.

If you love Adam Kubert's art and Frank Martin's colors, pick this book up because they take some chances here in page layout and set-up. It's a workshop for artists to take a look at how differently you can set up a page and invoke emotion from the reader. The problem with the issue is that it doesn't do much. It's hard to figure out what direction this is taking and unlike the original ORIGIN, this book is not much more than a moderately fun and violent Wolverine book.

SURVIVE does a great job at setting up one aspect of the new Ultimate universe, but falters with almost everything else. Cataclysm went out with a whimper and while this is a step in the right direction, it's only a small step. Monica Chang's story is the standout in the issue, but the problem is that there's a bit too much going on here for a one-shot, and while this book is supposed to set-up the new Ultimate series, it feels like SURVIVE would do better as a fully realized bridge between CATACLYSM and the new series rather than a doorway.

IRON PATRIOT #1 does a fine job of establishing this character and world he lives in. It also gives readers a fine look into the direction this book is heading. Kot focuses more on the Rhodes family and Rhodes connecting more to his home country. Brown's artwork isn't exactly traditional, but for the most part, it really works well in this issue, along with Charalamidis' colors, except with straight-on close-ups of Rhodes, which look a tad awkward. All-in-all, this is a promising start to a new series, and while it won't blow readers away, it will easily keep them invested in the character and the future issues of the series. Overall, I recommend this issue.

ANIMAL MAN #29 isn't the perfect was to close up a series, but it was still a delightful read. It was great seeing Foreman back on this book, even if he isn't spending the whole time horrifying the reader with some creepy art, and Lemire's section of the book works perfectly for the issue. While his section is pretty much just recapping the entire series, it was a solid read. It really sucks to see this book go, since it was one of the best solo books at DC comics, but it goes out in an enjoyable and moving way. Overall, I highly recommend this issue.

While the overall story of what Batman is trying to achieve in this story is the best part of the issue, the rest of it falls flat. The Aquaman team-up feels a bit pointless and way too coincidental. He also doesn't really look like Aquaman, but more like a beefed-up version of the New 52 version of Arthur Curry. While there are a lot of problems with this overall issue, the larger story is incredibly intriguing and worth the reader; however, I cannot recommend this issue.

GHOSTED continues to be one of my favorite month-to-month series and this issue raises the bar. A TON of information is revealed about The Brotherhood of the Closed Book here, and while we won't spoil any of it, it's a pretty crazy twist that really gives this group a cool purpose. On the down side of things, I'm not too keen on the reveal page and this isn't a great place to jump on for new readers. Aside from all this, GHOSTED is still a must read. Overall, I highly recommend this issue.

This is one of those cases where I've been blown away by the creative team. I've never really cared about Ms. Marvel, mainly because I feel like I never got a chance to know this character, but this character isn't truly Ms. Marvel, so I feel right on the front lines with the rest of the readers. Wilson has a way with making readers feel accepted into this book and firmly establishing a character before diving into any larger story. She's taking her time and readers will ultimately appreciate that. This is a series you should throw on your pull list because it's a great new take on Ms. Marvel.

X-O MANOWAR always pushes forward towards something greater and that's what makes this just not a top book at Valiant, but also a top book in comics in general. This next arc kicks off with a bang, and while there were some small problems with things going on in space, most folks won't even notice it. This is a book you need on your pull list because it's not only a ton of fun, it's also a very satisfying read. Overall, I highly recommend this issue.

The Trial of Jean Grey is a really bizarre story that somehow really works. We're coming to a close here, but the story continues to be a ton of fun. This issue in particular has some really amazing moments thanks to Bendis and Immonen just giving the reader a great story. Above everything else, Gladiator is the star of the show, but only because he comes off extremely irrational. This was a story line I thought I would hate but ended up loving. Overall, I highly recommend this issue.

MAGNUS: ROBOT FIGHTER #1 is a great start to a new series that is a ton of fun to read. Van Lente does a phenomenal job at setting this book up and readers will really love how this issue, as a whole, plays out. Obviously, Magnus is fighting some robots here, which many people will be looking out for, but what's most important is that this is a great start to a brand new series. Overall, I highly recommend this issue.

Jokingly, I said that writing this review felt like an obituary rather than an actual review, and that's completely true. Higgins' run on this book, especially his stint in Chicago is some of the best storytelling to come out of this character in a very long time. There's a lot of love put into this issue as Higgins very obviously says farewell to those who have supported the book. While we shouldn't take away anything from Dauterman's stunning art throughout the past two issues, it's sad to see Higgins leave the book, but he does so with style, class, and with a gigantic bang. Overall, I highly recommend this brilliant issue.

While the third part of Goblin Nation didn't blow me away, it was still a very fun read. The art is dynamite throughout and the back and forth between Spidey and Goblin kept this particular issue in the fun zone. On the down side of things, the book gets a tad chaotic with everything going on and the individual issue isn't living up to the whole story. However, I still really recommend SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN.

CLONE is always one of those series that is consistently amazing. The story is top notch, every single month, and the art is some of the most detailed art in comics. This particular issue wraps up the end of this story arc extremely well and moves the reader into the next one with a very smooth transition. This is a book everyone should be reading. Everyone? Yep, everyone. It's awesome.

GREEN LANTERN #29 spends most of the time building towards something larger and something greater: a war. Venditti is taking his time to set up this story and work on the conflict between the Green Lantern Corps and... well, everyone else. While Venditti packs a little too much into this issue, it's a really solid real and building towards something that will be nothing short of epic.

While the last issue was a 5/5 for me, this one gets a 4, even though I liked it more than the first issue. The problem is that the tone feels so different from that first issue and readers are missing out on what the last issue left us with. However, if this series keeps in tone with this issue, Ewing has a dynamite series on his hands. Try this book out. It's a lot of fun and has an extremely interesting concept.

There are a few small problems with this book, but overall, this #0 issue is a huge success. Fans finally get to learn the origin of The Goat, which is a bit of a shocker, and we get to know what he was up to prior to meeting Quantum & Woody. The book continues to be incredibly funny and will probably get a loud chuckle or two out of the reader. The only real problem is that new fans can't really jump on here because you need to be invested in the rest of the series to know who these characters are. Overall, I highly recommend this issue.

Overall, this is a great start to a new series that will have you clamoring for more. The concept here is really cool and Millar has a hit on his hands. While the issue spends a bit too much time beating down Duke, Millar does a phenomenal job at setting all of this up and giving the reader a dynamite first issue which will undoubtedly become an amazing series. If you're a fan of sci-fi serials, this is a must have book.

The majority of the time, when a member of the X-Men gets their own solo book, it lacks purpose and direction. It feels like a cash grab, waiting to fizzle out into cancellation. MAGNETO is a book with a purpose and it feels right. This first issue really sticks with the reader because of the tone and it blew me away. This book has a very talented writing and art team behind it. This first issue really grabs you, and while there are a few small problems, like what's going on with Mangeto's powers and it being tough to swallow that Magneto is a bit of a Punisher archetype, the overall book is still fantastic.

ALL STAR WESTERN is still fantastic and still a series you should be reading. Palmiotti and Gray have a lot of love for this character and it shows in every issue. Hex finally makes his way back to the past, but the trip there is a lot of fun. Johnson and Fiorentino do a great job with the art and Atiyeh's colors are fantastic. This book is nothing but fun, and thanks to Gray and Palmiotti for 100 issues of Jonah Hex. Overall, I highly recommend this issue and series.

This issue was a ton of fun. We take a break from Aquaman punching sea creatures and bad dudes in the face to remember that at one point, Aquaman was actually Arthur Curry, an average guy with huge potential. Jeff Parker did the impossible here. He made a high school reunion interesting and fun. Joking aside (not really a joke), Parker and Pelletier have a hit with this issue and really get deeper into what makes Arthur Curry. Overall, I highly recommend this issue.

Here's the thing about Cataclysm as a whole: it's good with moments of greatness. Spider-Man's and The Ultimates' tie ins are utterly wonderful, and the overall main story is a lot of fun, but when something has this much hype around it, it becomes incredibly hard to live up to it. This last issue of the story falls short of the hype and expectations of the readers, which is a bummer because this is a book fans were dying to see succeed. Hopefully, this reads much better in trade because the writing and the art didn't make this issue bad, the hype did.

Overall, EMPIRE OF THE DEAD #2 is a bit of a disappointment. If it weren't for the fantastic art here, it would be a 2/5. There's way too much going on in this book and way too many side stories. Two of these many side stories are good and the other ones fall flat. There isn't enough room for all of this to grow from issue to issue. Hopefully, this series gets a bit better because right now, it's not meeting expectations.

Overall, X-O MANOWAR #22 offers a straight forward issue that concludes one fantastic story line and shoots the reader into another great story with a fantastic and beautiful transition. Nothing feels forced and Venditti keeps this series incredibly interesting by exploring new avenues for this character and his people. Once again, X-O MANOWAR proves to be one of Valiants top books and one everyone should be reading.

There's not too much you can say about the overall issue for AVENGERS WORLD #3, since it is one long fight scene. However, the issue really plays out nicely and it is a lot of fun to read. Hickman and Spencer, along with the great visual storytelling of Caselli, have put together a book that really compliments Hickman's AVENGERS run, while expanding into a new world that is pretty accessible to new readers.

GHOSTED #7 really kicks this new story up into high gear. The book may feel more like a detective story rather than a heist book, which was the entire first arc, but this story still retains a lot of what people loved about that first story, while raising the bar for the book. Williamson is really crafting a spooky and entertaining world for readers and Gianfelice's art gives this issue a great sense of style and purpose. This is a series, like many Image books, you really need to jump on and read. I can't give this a higher recommendation.

It's always a bit scary when a new team comes in to work on The Punisher because he can be an insanely tough character to build a good story around. He's a guy with a bunch of guns, killing criminals, at his core. Either his stories are utterly amazing or his stories are absolutely awful. Luckily, Edmondson and Gerads are crafting something that is already off to a fantastic start. I highly recommend this issue and jumping onto this series.

Hopefully, this first issue is just opening to something larger and something a lot cooler because what readers are left with is the same Terminator story we've seen numerous times with a bit of a twist. The actual dialogue writing and art aren't bad at all, but the story feels so redundant that it's really hard to get excited the reader feels like is very similar to its predecessors. Keep your eye out for the continuation of this book but bare in mind this first one is a rough start.