All of these shortcomings are further irritated by poor sequencing, with confusing shifts of events between panels, and key moments crammed in awkwardly with less important panels. The result is a visual mess, without enough push from the writing to give it any footing.

With the creative team less cohesive than the team they're trying to tell a story about, this Birds of Prey installment lacked the wingspan to leave the ground, much less take flight. Ending the issue on a “shocking twist” that annoys more than surprises, it seems possible that Marx will likely leave the title on the ground until someone else picks it up.

Despite its stumbles, this issue was still bursting with potential, as none of its contributors failed the book so much as just failed to meet their potential. With an intriguing premise, a great cast revealed thus far, and the advantage of a barely-touched slate, All-New X-Factor still has the ability to run strong. This issue might just have been the pre-run stretching.

Garcia can be brilliant with this book. The concept insists that beneath the cardboard cut-out characters and relationships hes placed his story on. Perhaps in future issues, well be seeing those possibilities come into focus.

This issue was a lot of shallow bang and mostly buildup, so its audience will be looking for something stronger next issue. Ewing will likely deliver, but with Land at the helm on art, whatever's in store for the Mighty Avengers will likely come about with a lot of yelling, squinting, and alien body proportions.

Ghosted walks the line between cliche and setting itself apart, and has thus far done a pretty okay job of the latter. Much of the book feels very business-as-usual for the genre. But while the story will likely take some fairly predictable steps in the future, it's doubtful that Williamson will let it happen without at least a few surprises along the way.

An eerie but engaging read, Bloodshot #0 is a perfectly built story that feels like it could step right onto the big screen as the first act of the newest summer blockbuster, But probably not without at least an R rating and stirring up yet another national discussion on violence in media…which means it's a good one.

Sunstone will probably be viewed as a series for a very specific audience, but despite the focus on BDSM, I would argue that the book would interest to anyone who enjoys character-driven stories.

There has been much speculation about the direction of this book, and while its intended future remains uncertain, readers can be assured wherever it goes, it won't rest on Scott Summers's shoulders alone, but on everyone's shoulders, from S.H.I.E.L.D., to the public, to the team that's struggling to find its footing inbetween.

The creative team promised smooches and beefcake, and they're clearly not afraid to spill blood along the way.

For a first issue, Wolverine and the X-Men #1 does exactly what it's asked to do: introduce a book to new readers, and introduce a new creative team's collaborative ability to fans of the last volume still on for the ride. It does an excellent job with both, even if there's a few things the team have to iron out as they move forward.

Overall this was a great issue, well worth its cover price and a testament that team books do not have to rest on the shoulders of just one character, even when narrated by one. The buildup of tension was genuine, and with Wilson's wise use of every character she employs, this book is no doubt going to continue strong writing with the X-Men instead of just about them.

It's a solid installment, building on last issue's suspense and taking it several notches higher, for what will hopefully be an explosive end to Morbius's hobo-to-hero transformation next issue, or, perhaps, an intentionally humorous pop. And with the title's untimely end coming in October being heralded as the “death of Michael Morbius,” one wonders if whatever result comes about next issue will be bittersweet or just the beginning of the end.

Think Tank will be back to captivate readers and make them smarter with every page they turn, charming them with a great cast and amazing story and sustaining them with a well-explained look at the science that builds and shapes the world around them. It just needs you to pick it up.

Readers looking for an immediately substantial tie-in to Infinity won't find what they're seeking until September's issue, but #14 offers plenty of cushioning for those just tuning in for the event who might need familiarizing with the book's premise and cast (though it does not flesh the characters out individually). Wherever Infinity takes the Thunderbolts, the new creative team seems more than ready to handle it.

Silk is a great book. With superb art, a likeable and relatable lead, and a currently self-contained and consistently well-explained story, its everything youd want in a comic to hand a new reader. But its just as enjoyable for routine Marvel readers, drawing in familiar faces and dabbling with both the fun and dramatic sides of being a spider-powered superhero in New York. And considering it centers on an Asian American woman, and has thus far avoided alienating tropes, its also exactly the kind of book we want from the comic industry.

Now that it's been thrown out into the open, Gillen doesn't let Loki escape from his past any more than he lets readers forget about it. Additionally, he's placed the young Hawkeye in a precarious position with her own approaching adulthood, a thread that will hopefully unravel to give the archer more screentime after several issues of being in the backseat. But wherever Gillen takes the Young Avengers, one hopes the journey includes someone who can talk sense into Noh-Varr regarding his truly questionable choice in facial hair.

Avengers Arena isn't the kind of book that most look to for beautiful art, but just like with its character-driven story, readers who haven't picked up the title will likely be surprised at what they find should they ever take a look. Questionable premise aside, Avengers Arena remains an engagingly written, masterfully drawn love letter to the characters it ensnares. And, perhaps, to is heartbroken audience.

You know what, you get the point.

Readers cueing in for Infinity will have no difficulty stepping into Captain Marvel's story, because she herself is largely unaware of it and DeConnick cleverly uses that to build the setting and give a uniquely uncomfortable tone to the issue that gives its end a particularly strong jolt. Thrown right into the ongoing action, #15 is more than just a tipped hat to the event, and still has another issue in its two part tie-in to go, something even new readers are going to want to grab.

Fans can ask for no better creative team to tell a Gambit story. And while the story is coming to a likely explosive end in next month's issue, forcing Remy to make a life-defining choice of just where his cards fall, it shouldn't be a difficult choice for readers as to whether or not to pick up the final installment from this fantastic team.

After a first issue that presented only a handful of wow, this issue was a dozen levels above and really hit its mark. It threw readers into the clattering din of war and dragged them back out again to sprawl on their knees, and with a cold ending that makes the third issue's release seem a winter away.

Superior Foes has few discernable flaws, and at this point its baffling to even need to say you should be buying this book, because you must not read comics at all if you dont.

Think Tank is an excellent book and can keep the attention of even those lacking in interest in the military or comprehension of the world of science, and for a title that founds itself on both, that's high praise. Hawkins's investment in research and application of his findings, and Ekedal's unique art style and use of gorgeous grayscales, sets this book apart and above. If you're not reading it already, pick up #9 and give the title a chance and inevitably going back and reading the first eight issues as well when you get hooked.

The storys only shortcoming is that there is not enough of it, a mirror of the history that Gillen tirelessly dug through to create this comic.

X-O Manowar certainly hasn't lost its intrigue with Aric's return to earth, and Vendetti has not once fallen out of step, keeping the story captivating in its pace. One hopes that though one war is over and a new one seems to be brewing, time will be taken to further flesh out not just Aric's character but the book's supporting female cast.