The issue wraps up with a little Cold War intrigue and much spooky foreshadowing. Cap it all off with a cliffhanger ending, and already you are wishing it was this time next month. If the next three issue can hold up to the standard the first two have set, “American Vampire: Lord of Nightmares” could be in the running for one of the best mini-series of 2012.

To wrap things up, this was a great romp with very little to complain about. The second story is a little weak, but if it goes where it promises to, things are bound to be interesting. Each story left me wanting more, and thus did its job of making want to pick up the next issue. If you love “Batman Beyond” you'll want this in your pull. If you've never encounted “Batman Beyond,” now might be a good time to start.

According to the issue's extras in the back, this installment was late. While nobody likes late comics, the tardiness just further proves that the key to a good Brubaker/ Philips book is patience. It also makes me wish I owned a time machine so I can read the rest of this arc right now, because the suspense is so thick I need a chainsaw.

To put it bluntly, there is nothing too terribly new about "Guarding the Globe." That said, it is only because this book has adopted the tried and true approaches to the team book, and is on the fast track to perfecting the formula. If "Invincible" is the best superhero comic in the universe, then "Guarding the Globe" will soon be in the running for "best team" book. Whether you are a long term fan, or a first timer such as myself, pick this number one up this week. It will not disappoint.

The final count for this book goes something like this. This issue continues what is so far an excellent run by Brian Wood. The writing is top notch, which is to be expected. Vasilis Lolos can pace a story well, and frame everything against gorgeous backdrops, but isn't the right fit for a Conan story. That said, don't let one or two gripes about the art stop you from enjoying this book, because there should be some excellent payoff down the road.

If the past few issues have left you a little skeptical as to whether you should continue picking this book up each month, this issue goes a long way to assuaging your fears. Also, the way the issue ends, it would be surprising if events in “Lord of Nightmares” didn't start trickling into the main story over the next couple of issues. I could be wrong, but things just seem to be leaning that way.

That's really it, guys. “Swamp Thing” #12 continues this trend of Snyder/Lemire excellence, and ties the year off with the beginning of a new story that looks just as weird and intense as everything that has come before it. A great anniversary issue and kick-off to whats to come.

If this is your first issue of “Wonder Woman” then I'm sorry, you are probably horribly confused. If you picked up the first few issues and left for whatever reason, try hopping back on with this anniversary issue. Many of your questions from earlier on in the year should be resolved, and you will be just in time to get a front row seat for the insanity that will hopefully ensue.

Like just about everything Image puts out these days, “Peter Panzerfaust” is worth a shot. If you like war stories, this is a book for you. If you like fairy tales, this is also a book for you. It is an unusual combination, but hot damn, does it work like a charm. Kevin Smith once said “Preacher” was better than going to the movies. The same should be said about “Peter Panzerfaust.”

All in all, “Stormwatch” #0 is a solid read — not the best, but good. It delivers on revealing to readers the origins of the Stormwatch team, an origin that turns out to be fairly intruiging. Hopefully the writers will capitalize on all the connections that have come to light, and make “Stormwatch” a cornerstone of the New 52. There is a lot of potential with this book.

Much like its sister book, “Stormwatch,” the zero issue of “Demon Knights” gives the reader exactly what was promised – a straight forward origin story for the Etrigan/Jason Blood, if not the entire team. It hints at ties with the Stormwatch team in the current DCU, and all in all, it is a pretty fun read. Whether you have been following “Demon Knights” for the past year, or want to jump on at this issue, consider picking it up.

With both an orign and a continuation of this story coming out next month, this reviewer could not be more excited. August has always been a horrible month anyway, so bring on September! This series has been overwhelmingly impressive so far, and many more issues of “Animal Man” should be purchased by anyone who is a fan of good comics.

Its understandable in some respects, I suppose. Publishers these days encourage writing for the trade, and both creators of this book have several other projects going. Scott Snyder himself has the ongoing titles ” Batman,” “American Vampire” and “Swamp Thing”, and that is just what we know of right now, so it is understandable that quality might suffer or fluctuate from title to title. Issue #3 here was bought on the strengths of the previous two issues, and the next two will be purchased as well – if only because it would feel ridiculous to read only half of a five issue mini-series. They just better deliver a strong and unique ending.

So, with gorgeous art and a fun story, it is safe to say that “Aquaman” # 11 is worth your $2.99. It isn't going to be the best thing you read this week, but it will be entertaining. I'drecommendpicking up some back issues if you haven't been following this title,as this is part five of an ongoing arc, and the lack of knowledge might impact the enjoyment just a tad.

To wrap it up, this issue is pretty decent, but not the quality a fan has come to expect. It won't blow you away, though hopefully that mindblow will come sometime in the next couple of months. If you are not a committed fan, New 52 “Batman Incorporated” might be something you wait to finish entirely and pick up in trade.

So what is the overall impression here? To sum it all up, this feels like a 90′s comic. The art is good, thewriting lackluster. There's some promise, and maybe once the story catches up to “New Guardians” things will get more interesting.I have a lot of love for any incarntion of Blue Beetle, butI will be cashing in on that promise with the next issue. Impress people,Team Beetle! Make this title the reason Jaime should be hyped upwith all these recentmultimedia appearances. Then bring Jaime back home to kick ass, Texas style.

The basic problem of this issue is that it does not stand on its own. This is a pure case of writing for the trade. If ‘The Blacklist' and ‘Lord of Nightmares' are collected together in a huge hardback like the WWII story and ‘Survial of the Fittest' were, then it would be a good buy. Month by month though? This just feels like paying $2.99 to be strung along month by month. Hopefully this story will wrap up soon and we can get “American Vampire” in the 1960s.

Overall, this issue is a little bit like eating popcorn for dinner. Sure, it is tasty, and it will tide you over, but it is not the most satisfying meal in the world by far. This issue does not deliver the dynamite conclusion that has been promised for a couple months, and so it just becomes a snack to tide us over for the real finish two months from now. “Aquaman” #0 better have eldritch knowledge from lost civilizations for me to devour in order for the next chapter in this story to be worth the wait.