Ryan Schrodt Comic Reviews

This year saw the release of number of highprofile original graphic novels like

Verdict

Jeff Smith's vision of Captain Marvel is a fun and unique approach to a character that enjoys one of the richest mythos and histories of any DC character, but is often one of the most poorlyused characters owned by the company. The story of Monster Society of Evil is an interesting mix of political commentary and whimsical superhero action, which is a fun concept that falters a bit in execution thanks to the very rushed final chapter. In the end, the good outweighs the bad though, and Smith has created an enduring reinterpretation that I'd love to see him return to at some point in the future.

SpiderMan Blue is, by no means, a perfect story. Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale attempt to put together an extremely ambitious story in the simplest way possible, which causes a lot of the elements they pack into the story to be incredibly forced and distracting from the main narrative. That story, however, is one of the best looks at the relationship between Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy and is an incredibly strong argument for the camp that believes that Gwen will always be Peter's true love. This is a story that will pull at your heart strings and have you waxing nostalgic. It works incredibly well at what it attempts to do, despite the glaring nature of its faults.

. Once again, the creative team behind War of Kings delivers an amazingly wellexecuted issue that does a great job of balancing a huge cosmic war with personal character issues. Despite some logical missteps and an assumption that I read all of the tiein issues, Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning continue to prove they belong with the elites of the comic book writing world while Paul Pelletier's growth as an artist is on full display here. It may not have taken the Top Spot this week, but this issue is still a book you shouldn't miss under any circumstances.

I can't remember the last time there wasn't any letdown whatsoever in the conclusion of an event. There is really nothing to dislike about this issue and, by proxy, this event. Kudos to all involved with War of Kings, just one more sign why the best facet of the superhero genre is Marvel's cosmic line.

. I am so glad that the unusual format for this series isn't being treated as a gimmick to help shill the same old stories we are used to. All of the creative teams do an excellent job of putting artistry and craft first, even in the less spectacular stories. This is pure fun and a great loveletter to the medium of comics, much like DC's criminally under read

In a week that is full of heavycontinuity and event comics, it's great to see an issue that is just plain fun to read. The great character interaction, strong pacing, and good plot make this a good read, but it is the art by Albuquerque that makes it a can't miss issue.

This is a fluff issue for sure, but that doesn't stop it from being fun as Williamson does a great job of developing the tense relationship between Robin and Supergirl in their unlikely teamup. Between the strong interaction and fun gags, Williamson has a winner on his hands. When you add in the art by Ale GarzaSupergirl's torso asidethe issue is that much better. I just hope other writers pick up on how well these characters came together here, as I'd like to see more interaction from them.

I had very high expectations for this issue due to the great work that Glass and Oeming did on the first volume. Not only did this issue meet those expectations, it exceeded them on all levels. The creative team brings the goods and then some. With amazing character work, an engaging story, and simply gorgeous art, this issue really has it all. The Stuff of Legend made choosing the week's best book very difficult, but the brilliant debut of Victor Santos and the incredibly smart storytelling by Bryan J.L. Glass won the day...and the

Once again the creative team behind Mice Templar have a can't miss issue on their hands. Fans of the original series will be pleased to see that the epic scope of the original miniseries returns with this incredibly dense issue. There is a lot to love about all aspects of this issue with very few items warranting a complaint. You can never go wrong with this franchise and this issue is a prime example of why.

With yet another amazing issue, Mice Templar Destiny continues to take everything that worked about the original miniserieswellconceived world, fantastic characters, lush mythology, etcand builds upon. It isn't very often that you can say a comic has too many great ideas, but that is one problem this issue risks having. Were Victor Santos on his game here, this would have been the hands down winner for Book of the Week, but believe me, there is no shame in taking second for this amazing issue.

I think this might actually be my favorite issue of Mice Templar yet, which says a lot considering how much I've been loving the series since it began in 2006. The shift in tone and strong mix of action and character work, along with simply amazing art makes this the most wellrounded issue of the week and one of the finer issues of the year. The bar is always set high for this series, but next issue really has big shoes to fill!

I've been praising the depth and charm of this incredibly wellcrafted franchise from day one, but Bryan Glass and the art team go beyond even their own high standards with this issue. Nearly everything about this issue works in perfect synch with everything else. The chemistry between the writing and the art is simply astounding. This issue features some of the best character work I've read in years and should not be missed under any circumstances.

While not quite as awesome as the monstrously amazing Mice Templar Destiny #5, this week's issue lives up the title's high standards and delivers with a complex issue that puts a lot of interesting things in motion. We are entering the last leg of this miniseries and, if this issue is any indication, we are in for some exciting things before it wraps up.

I am really impressed with Bryan JL Glass's ability to keep this issue so focused despite the fact that there are so many plot threads converging here; that is a major testament to his talent as a writer. This issue is amongst the strongest of this volume and is certainly the most intense thus far. When you add in a solid effort from the very talented art team, you've got yet another very fine issue of this amazing series!

As I said in my first bullet point, I hold Mice Templar to an almost unnecessarily high standard compared to most comics that I read each week and I have never been disappointed as Bryan Glass and company always meet and often exceed those expectations. They have never exceeded my expectations quite like this. This is simply incredible comic book storytelling from start to finish as every single member of the creative team puts forth one of the finest works of their respective careers. As this phenomenal franchise closes out its second volume, the bar has been raised even higher thanks to this issue, not only the Book of the Week, but one of the finest comics of the year.

In the end, its another extremely impressive issue for Secret Six that made a strong run for the #1 spot. Unfortunately, some awkward dialogue (mostly with the benefactors) and minor issues with the coloring were just enough to keep it from being Book of the Week. Still, as it stands its a great issue and one that you definitely should not miss.

. It is simply ridiculous how good this title is monthinandmonthout. Once again Gail Simone and the talented duo of Nicola Scott and Doug Hazlewood (with help from Mark McKenna and Jason Wright) produce an amazing issue with loads of personality. It's sick, twisted, depraved, shocking, and ludicrously charming. This issue excels on all levels and was an easy pick for the week's best book. Do not miss out!

At this point, I'm really not sure how Gail Simone and Nicola Scott can continue to top themselves on this series. Every issue is an amazing example of quality craftsmanship and this one is no different. This is, hands down, the single best superhero book on the stands and a real front runner for the best comic in general.

It is incredibly telling about the quality of the series when you consider that even a weak issue of Secret Six is still a Must Read book and far better than the vast majority of this week's other comics. So, unfortunately, this means that Secret Six did not pull in the coveted Book of the Week honors (for only the third time this year, as #5, 79, and 1112 did), but it certainly came close and definitely should not be missed.

There were a few extremely minor issues with the writing and the art, but allinall this is yet another simply amazing issue of Secret Six, which remains one of the top two or three ongoing books being put out right now. In most weeks, this issue could easily have taken the Top Spot, so don't let the #3 Ranking fool youit has a lot more to do with the #1 and #2 books being exceptionally awesome than it does with any problems this issue had.

John Ostrander proves that he hasn't lost a beat with his signature character in this excellent story that does wonders at getting into Deadshot's psyche. Ostrander builds a perfect bridge from his classic interpretation of the character to Gail Simone's current take while adding more depth to Deadshot than I think has ever been presented before. When you add in the stellar work by Jim Calafiore, you've got not only the best book of the week, but also one of the stronger issues of the year and

It was a really close battle for the Top Spot in this week's Rankings and Secret Six nearly lost it because its art wasn't as strong as Booster Gold's. However the strength of the character work and the disturbingly awesome opening scenes of this issue carried it to #1. For those keeping track, Secret Six will end 2009 with a whopping EIGHT

Under normal circumstances, this book would have been the easy pick for Book of the Week (more on that in a moment), as the craftsmanship of this issue is of the highest quality. The writing duo of John Ostrander and Gail Simone put their best feet forward and we get the best of both writers as a result. Meanwhile, Jim Calafiore brings the goods with the art. There really isn't a reason that we don't see more big name projects out of Calafiore and this issue is a prime example of why. This is just an awesome, awesome comic.

I'm sure that all of you are shocked to see Secret Six topping the Rankings once again, especially after the huge number of Book of the Week honors the title brought in last year. Once again Gail Simone puts on a clinic, this time with the help of John Ostrander and Jim Calafiore. This issue has it all big action, great characters, stellar dialogue, and amazing art. You aren't going to find a better comic out there this week than this one.

This might be my least favorite issue of Secret Six yet. Here is the brilliant thing about Secret Six, though, even my least favorite issue is totally worth your time. Don't expect to be wowed by its supreme awesomeness, but prepare to thoroughly enjoy yourself. I promise. You'll dig it.

Just when you think that Gail Simone can't surprise you, she writes an issue like this. This is one of the most intense, darkest, and deliciously satisfying issues so far this year. This issue is ten kinds of crazy and even more kinds of awesome. It was a tough fight for

Another month, another simply amazing issue of Secret Six. This issue was very, very, very close to taking home the Book of the Week honor and probably would have if it weren't for the weird misstep with the Scandal and Black Alice confrontation. Even if it isn't quite #1, it is still definitely worth your money and is a book that I absolutely implore you to pick up this week...even if you already bought your comics this week. This one is worth a second trip to the comic shop.

You will not find a comic more intense than Secret Six #22. You probably won't find a comic more disturbing than Secret Six #22. This week, you definitely will not find a comic more satisfying than Secret Six #22. This is Gail Simone and Jim Calafiore at their absolute finest. From the brilliant character development to the shockingly awesome artwork, this issue is the total package and an easy choice for

Once again John Ostrander has proven that he is more than capable of being the only person fit to fill in for regular writer Gail Simone with this fantastic action story that showcases just how badass the Secret Six really are. The biggest problem? This issue is done long before I was ready for it to be done as Ostrander rushes through this great concept to keep the story down to one issue. It's great for what it is, but it could be so much more!

As of this week, this is the sixth issue that I've pegged as a potential Single Issue of the Year candidate and, quite honestly, I now think it is the book to beat. This issue works on every single level of its craft and is incredibly entertaining to boot. There is absolutely no reason for anyone to miss this book. If it weren't so practically impossible (and financially irresponsible), I would buy all of you a copy to enjoy the crap out ofthis book is that good. There were some awesome comics this week, but none could touch this one, making it one of the easiest

Truthfully, this is probably the worst Secret Six issue I've ever read. That being said, I can honestly say that the worst Secret Six book is still better than the vast majority of the comics you'll read in any given week. Does it deserve a higher ranking than #5? Probably, but I am docking points of for this issue not living up to its potential. That's nothing something I do for most books, but when you are the best comic being printed today, there are standards that must be maintained. Although, I do have to give credit to Gail Simone for giving

This isn't the best Secret Six storyline that we've seen, but even its lulls are stronger than most comic's highs. There is a lot to love here, especially with some of the stronger character moments. Ragdoll's joke about it raining swamp creature is worth the cover price alone. This is your usual fantastic Secret Six fare and, if things go the way they are heading, the next issue will be even better.

This storyline is still a bit weaker than the usual Secret Six fair, with awkward pacing being the only major issue. Despite this, it's still a great read with strong character work and some great art. Plus, Amanda Waller's scene is so awesome that it is worth the cover price alone. Seriously, it's incredibly badass.

This has been the weakest Secret Six storyline yet and, while it does feature a bit of an upswing this week due to the twists with Waller, the illdefined conflict and rushed conclusion to the battle for Skartaris does hold it back some. Simone's character work is as good as ever, as is Calafiore's art, so fans of the series should enjoy what they are getting here quite a bit, though it is worth noting that this is a bit of a letdown from the earlier storylines.

This issue just barely misses out from taking home a Must Read verdict. You get a cool new villain introduced and a few great moments of personality, including Bane's first date ever, but the lack of focus on the main characters for the majority of the issue and some slightly awkward plotting towards the second half of the issue did drag this one down a bit. This one is definitely on the bubble, so I do strongly recommend it.

Secret Six is at its best when Gail Simone gets bizarre and it doesn't get much more bizarre than this issue, which features some just plain crazy moments. True to form, however, Simone and artist Jim Calafiore never back down in this issue when confronting their insane demons. Both creators are at the top of their game in this

The price tag on this issue is a bit hefty ($4.99), but with 40+ pages of story content and superb presentation quality, this issue is still a strong value. Fans of the Aladdin legend should really enjoy the way that Edginton keeps things familiar while still taking ownership with his intriguing changes and strong character work. The art doesn't exactly wow me, but when you've got a story this good, you can always make exceptions. This one might be a bit hard to track down for some readers, but if you run across a copy, it is well worth your time!

As grumpy as I was regarding the massive delay between issues prior to picking this up, I walked away not caring. Seriously, if this is the level of quality that I can expect, Ellis and Percio can take all the time that they need. This one is great fun on a purely visceral level if that is what you are looking for, but a closer read will reveal a multitude of layers and thoughprovoking concepts if you are looking for something a bit meatier. In that sense and in terms of sheer quality, I'd compare this issue to Image Comics'

This issue excels in every aspect of craftsmanship and should not be missed under any circumstances!

This issue just barely sneaks onto the Buy It plateau. At $4.99, it is a tad pricier than most comics, but you get two extended stories. The first really didn't do much for me this week, but I've got a lot of faith in the writing team and I know they can bring it back around. That alone is probably a Check It level story, but it is balanced out by the Must Read brilliance of the Rocket Raccoon and Groot second story. So, although I do say Buy It, I want to forewarn you that the lead is a bit of a letdown.

Comic book readers are constantly complaining about comics not being fun anymore, but then often overlook comics like this issue that are precisely that. Seeley's playful tone and great character work make this a highly enjoyable issue that has a decidedly different feel than any other book that Marvel is currently publishing. Its oldschool superheroics with a newschool attitude presented through fine craftsmanship. While not quite jumping into Must Read territory, I still highly recommend it.

Tim Seeley makes the best of this great opportunity to bring something a bit offbeat to the Marvel Universe while simultaneously showcasing his skills to an audience that may not be as familiar with his awesomeness. This issue features some extremely creative concepts while remaining grounded with strong character writingall wrapped up in some fantastic artwork. While the title characters may keep some readers away, don't let them discourage youthis is a can't miss comic.

In all honesty, I'm sad to see this miniseries end. Tim Seeley is absolutely superb on all levels in this incredibly fun issue. You get big crazy concepts, great characters, and fantastic artyou really can't go wrong with this one. AntMan and Wasp is a really wellcrafted comic and one of the biggest surprises of the last few months.

Jeff Parker and Company bring their Agame on this very unusual first issue that taps a pulpy noir vein and manages to make one of the least interesting characters in all of Marvel one of the most intriguing. You get a great mystery and fantastic art in this issue, which has me clamoring for more. You can't ask for more from a debut issue.

After being let down a bit by the last volume of Agents of Atlas (I loved the original miniseries), I'm glad to see that Jeff Parker's pet team are back to form with this new ongoing. I had high hopes but did not expect this issue to be as fantastic as it was. When you take a character as lame as 3D Man and make a story compelling around him, you know you are onto this one. I wouldn't recommend missing out on this issue as it is well worth your time and money.

This one is going to be a hard sell due to the $4.99 price tag, but the creative team does their best to make it worth the high price. Azarello's work is very strong as he introduces readers to this new universe and his new take on the classic characters. Unfortunately, the unevenness of Phil Noto's artwork does hold the issue back at times, despite the fact that there are a handful of simply jawdroppingly awesome panels in the issue.

This issue just barely misses the Must Read verdict. You have writing from Grant Morrison that easily earns the verdict, but the art just barely falls short and, when combined with an unjustified $4.99 price point, I can't rationalize bumping this book to the next level. That being said, it's still a very strong comic that has me extremely excited for the future of the Batline and, perhaps most importantly, Grant Morrison's participation in it. He casts aside the chains of his convoluted highconcept Batman versus Dr. Hurt epic in favor of a more directed and grounded approach that should appeal to both his loyalists and his fans that were disenchanted with his recent output. It's not quite a Must Read, but it's still a winning comic.

To tell you the truth, a lot of the comics that are sent to reviewers really aren't that good. We get bombarded with PDF files each week and only a handful of the comics are worth the mass email that their publishers send out. I've spared you the agony of reading me trashing a good number of them myself. Hotwire, however, stands apart. It is a fastpaced, complex, and incredibly engaging action tale with some of the smartest character writing I've read in a long time. The art is lush and exciting. The extras are superb. This is the type of book that I'm glad to find in my email inbox. In fact, this is a book that I'd be proud to have on my shelf and you should too (in other words, if anyone at Radical is reading this, I want a hardcopy of the actual print release!).

There isn't much I can say that I haven't said in the past about this seriesit's a phenomenally crafted and supremely enjoyable series and this issue follows suit. Were it not for the uncharacteristically uneven art from Sean Phillips, there is a good chance that this one would be #1 on this week's Rankings!

Writingwise, this is one of the best issues of Criminal in some time. Brubaker's tightplotting and strong character work combine for intensely deep issue. Unfortunately, this is a major misstep for artist Sean Phillips. His work is still good, but is not up to par with what I'd expect from him.

Criminal was once the King of the Power Rankings, but the last few issues stripped the title of its crown (don't get me wrong, it was still awesome, just not as awesome. With this issue, though, things are back to the levels that made this series the single best comic on the stands. In any other week, this would have been the easy choice for Book of the Week, but the competition was just a tad too fierce for this one to take the top spot. Don't let that stop you from picking this up, though, as this is still require reading, True Believers.

This volume of Criminal has been a lot of fun but, for the most part, hasn't been quite as amazing as some of the earlier stories. While things had picked up over the last few years, I wasn't expecting to really be blown away by this issue. How foolish, I was. This issue is amongst Criminal's finest and closes out this storyline so well that it is immediately catapulted to the level of my favorite Criminal stories, Lawless and

This issue is a great followup to the last Dead@17 miniseries that should please fans of the franchise. Howard does a good job of playing to his strengths while clearly pushing to improve in certain areas. It is great to see that growth. I would like to see a bit more meat to the story, as well as a better reminder of what has already happened. As a long time fan, I found a lot to like here, though I really must stress the importance of reading the entire epic to this point rather than trying to hit the ground running as a new reader.

If you are a Dead @17 fan, then Howard delivers in a big way on this issue. You get great characters, very clean art, and some great twists. The problem is that Howard has settled into his comfort zone, especially his art. He is dealing with very complex issues and a very dense story, which opens him up to try new things, but we aren't seeing any. If this series is going to make as a Must Read, which I know it is capable of, Howard is going to have to start bringing something new to the table creatively.

This issue came really close to snagging a "Must Read" verdict and certainly would have it the love scene had better setup. That is really all that it came down to as Josh Howard puts forth one of the best efforts of his career in this issue. His character writing is amongst his strongest and, as always, his art is top notch. I don't think I've enjoyed one of Josh's comics this much since

This is a great ending for the most unique chapter in the Dead @17 franchise yet as Josh Howard packs the story into this issue before bringing it to a close with perhaps his best cliffhanger yet. It isn't perfect and there are bits that certainly could be done differently, but its immensely satisfying and highly enjoyable. Having follow Howard's work on this franchise for years, I'm sad to see it all coming to the end that this issue ushers in, but if this is any indication, we are in for a real treat as this epic story reaches its conclusion.

Scott Snyderwhose

This one just barely inches into the highest verdict bracket despite some issues that were hard to ignore. However, when Jock is one he is damn near unstoppable, Snyder has a great ear for his characters, and Francavilla is amazing; when you add these up, you get a superb comic that should not be missed. It's hard not to be impressed by a comic with so much talent involved!

Scott Snyder does a wonderful job developing the complex relationship between Jim Gordon and his psychopath son in this issue's main thread. This story is powerful in its simplicity and one of the finest things I've read from Snyderwhich makes up for the faults in Batman's place in this issue. The show stealer, though, is artist Francesco Francavilla, who absolutely shines here with his clean, atmospheric artwork that is evocative of Tim Sale and Darwyn Cooke. The stumbling block for Francavilla, much like Snyder, is the Batman sequence. If the two could have replicated the success they had with Jim Gordon on these scenes, this would've been a major contender for the top spot on this week's Rankings.

Fans of

It is always great to have Dynamo 5 back, even if it is just a oneshot story. Much of this issueaside from the epilogueis fairly inconsequential, but is rather heartwarming and is a great way for Jay Faerber to tackle something less weighty with his superhero team. When you add in a solid effort from Marcio Takara, you get a great little issue that overcomes its faults to become quite the enjoyable read.

Brutally intense and viscerally pleasing, this week's issue of Elephantmen marks a dark turn for the series, but continues to encompass the thought provoking characterization and themes that make the series such a brilliant work. Because this issue does cover so much of the series' essence and explains much of its back story, it is a great jumping on point for new readers. However, under absolutely no circumstances should that be taken as an excuse for new readers not to track down all of the back issues or trades to fill themselves in. As much as this issue is a Must Read comic, so is every other single issue of this series and its spinoffs/offshoots.

Elephantmen tends to jump directly into plot points and develop back story parallel to the main narrative, so I was a bit off put at first by the fact that this issue is mostly setup to looming larger conflicts. However, upon further reflection, I really enjoyed how controlled the pace of the issue was and absolutely loved the character interaction. Andrew Szymanowicz puts forth a strong effort here and shows great potential, though his work lacks the polish that fans of Elephantmen may be used to from the work of previous artists like Moritat and

Elephantmen closes out a fantastic year and a great storyline with this really solid issue that lives up to the high quality standards that this series is known for. There are a few missteps in how the story unfolds and the coloring is tremendously distracting, but as a whole, it's another great issue for this fantastic series. As well as this issue kicks off the next storyline, I have a feeling that 2010 is going to be just as prosperous for this series.

I'm really running out of ways to talk about how great Elephantmen is. This issue is no different than any other issue from this franchise. It is incredibly brilliant, thoughtprovoking, wellcrafted, horrifying, and beautiful. There is no other title in the industry that is this consistently intelligent and entertaining at the same time. Every issue of Elephantmen sticks with you after reading and this is no different. Reading Elephantmen is an experience and should not be missed.

It is really hard to explain why this issue works as well as it does. The concept is simple, the storytelling is straightforward, and the splash page concept is gimmicky. None of that is detrimental though as it all combines into a powerful and fantastic issue that really sums up why Elephantmen is perhaps the single best comic book being published today. This is the type of comic that makes you glad that you are a comic book reader.

This slightly disjointed issue of Elephantmen may not be the strongest that this series have ever seen, but buy now you should know that even the weakest issue of Elephantmen is going to be lightyears ahead of most comics you'll see on the stands. Starkings throws a lot of plot points out there this week, which opens the story up to go in a number of different directions and does so with the help of a cadre of talented artists. Could it have been better? By Elephantmen's standards, possibly, but its still an awesome read that you should definitely check out.

It's getting harder and harder to write justifications for Elephantmen's Must Read verdictsnot because it doesn't deserve thembut because I'm running out of ways to praise this series. I think it is wellknown at this point that Elephantmen is my favorite comic and this issue is another great example of why. You'd be a fool to miss it, True Believers.

This week's Elephantmen features all of the characteristics that make this series such an addictive seriesgreat characters, quality action, complex themes, and superb craftsmanship. On a purely visceral level, you get a great comic about giant animal/human hybrids and robots battling it out, but under the surface, as with all Elephantmen issues, is a haunting history and multifaceted conflict that makes it all the more engaging. Plus, on top of that, you get another fun Charley Loves Robots comic. Who could ask for me? Not me, that's who.

Once again, the Elephantmen crew put together a powerful and incredibly wellcrafted comic. I've made no secret of my love for this series; it is issues like this that have earned that praise and adoration. I've told you this over and over and over againyou absolutely must read Elephantmen.

In terms of nudity, this is

As impressive as the Battle School miniseries was, Yost, Ferry, and D'Armata really outdid themselves with this issue. I would say that this is a pictureperfect adaptation of the original story, but even that doesn't seem fitting. The creative team does an amazing job of presenting and, most importantly, enhancing the original story with this brilliant issue earning it my pick as

This is probably my favorite issue thus far in Marvel's adaptation of Ender's Game, including both this miniseries and the Battle School series from earlier this year. Chris Yost has found the perfect storytelling rhythm and is packing in the plot elements in a way that rewards longtime fans of the story while remaining accessible to firsttimers. When you add in the finelycrafted art by Pasqual Ferry and Frank D'Armata, you've got a simply superb adaptation that shouldn't be missed.

I really cannot put into accurate enough words exactly how great of an adaptation this issue is. Chris Yost and Pasqual Ferry perfectly capture what Orson Scott Card had original created, but actually enhance the original story by emphasizing the importance of certain story beats and bringing it to life through gorgeous artwork. This is simply stunning craftsmanship and something that should not be missed by anyone, whether they be fans of the original novel or not!

There is no reason that the internet is not abuzz with readers and reviewers talking about this issue. There was no other issue this week that could touch it. The creative team simply knocks this one out of the park, not only crafting an awesome adaptation of a great story, but succeeding by its own merits and, in some cases, actually exceeding the awesomeness of the source material.

I'm sure this verdict is going to confuse some based upon how harsh my comments were about how the ending was handled. I really need to make it clear that this is a beautiful done comic. The craftsmanship is superb and the entire creative team should be commended for not just their work here, but on the miniseries as a whole. The ending is a misstep and I'm really focusing on it because this series has had so few of them, one like this is a bit of a shock. However, as a standalone story, this still works. Does it work as good as it could? Of course not, but the strengths of the issue really come through to pull this one up to the verdict it received. I'll put it this way, you'd be a fool to miss this one, but I'm really hoping you'd check out the novel as well for its shockingly brilliant ending.

As a fan of the pulp style and of how seamlessly Azzarello can work his magic with it, I had very high expectations of this comic. I was not disappointed. While I would like to see more of a focus on the plot, this is an excellent "hitthegroundrunning" approach to developing a new universe as Azarello gives the reader just enough plot to be intrigued while putting a big push behind the characters and concepts of the new world. Rags Morales and Nei Ruffino make a formidable art team here that compliments the story incredibly well. This is definitely a great start and I can't wait to see where the creative team goes with this momentum.

Brian Azzarello is definitely writing towards his strengths in First Wave and because of that, is writing to a niche market. The average superhero fan may not care much for such a carefully plotted and slow burning story, but mystery buffs and fans of classic pulp stories should find a lot to dig here. The ambitiousness of the project does come back to haunt Azzarello a bit when the scope becomes cumbersome here, but if you've got the patience to sort it out it is well worth the more careful read. Plus, seriously, Nei Ruffino is a freakin' rockstar on this issue, bringing Rags Morales's art to a whole new level.

When I first starting writing the Rankings for this week, I had Freedom Fighters at #5; then, every time I flipped through it, I found something else that I loved about itnext thing I know, it's the

It's clear that

Remember when Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray launched

The creative team behind Freedom Fighters has not let up on the throttle for even a moment since the first page of the first issue. That has been a major reason why this series has been such a great read but, as this week's issue shows, that can work against them. Some of the intricacies of the plot and a lot of Travis Moore's storytelling gets lost in the densely packed issue because the creative team is pushing too hard to put so much in the issue. It's still a great read and highly engaging, but it could easily be so much more!

Its business as usual, as the highoctane Freedom Fighters delivers another denselypacked issue. The issue is walltowall action and a great cliffhanger. There are some small issues that just barely keep this issue from reaching a Must Read verdict, but, as a whole, the comic is highly entertaining, wellcrafted, and definitely worth your money.

Once again, Freedom Fighters is all about value. This denselypacked actionoriented comic gives you more story per page than nearly any other "big 2" comic with Palmiotti, Gray, and the fantastic art team giving you more for your $2.99 than you'd expect. There are some faults and inconsistencies, but for the most part, this is an awesomely crafted comic with bold memorable characters and an engaging highenergy plot that is definitely well worth your cash.

This issue is a prime example of why it is a tragedy that Freedom Fighters is being canceled later this year. The awesome pacing, great character work, and superb art make it one of the finest comics being produced, while its density and focus on huge action makes it unlike any other superhero book currently on the market. This is a can't miss comic, even if you only have a few more months to catch it!

This is a prime example of how a backup can hijack a great comic. The lead comic in this issue is easily Must Read material and could be a contender for Book of the Week on its own. Unfortunately, the longwinded prose story takes up the majority of this issue, bumping up the page count and adding to the price. At $2.99 for just the main story, this comic could take home the top spot on this week's rankings (granted, IDW's standard price point for GI Joe books is $3.99, but I think we'd probably get more story pages at full price, so I won't complain). Unfortunately, I feel like I've paid a few extra bucks for something that has very little to do with the lead and, ultimately, drags the book down.

When I first read the solicitation for this comic, I expected something edgier and blunter in its explorations of the origin of the Baroness. While the end result is absolutely nothing like what I had expected, I can honestly say that I would never want it any other way. This is a subtle and vulnerable exploration of one of the franchise's darkest and most impenetrable characters, which makes it all the more fascinating. Everything about this issue works almost perfectly as Andreyko and Templesmith turn the readers' expectations upside down while still staying true to the core of the character. This is a brilliant comic and should not be missed.

The biggest problem with this issue isn't anything about the actual story itself. I don't really take issue with what this issue is, but rather with what it isn't. Mignola has a killer concept here and a fantastic story that demands more time to percolate and develop than what we are seeing here. This feels like a pretty cool trailer or pilot to a much, much more awesome and engaging larger tale. As a standalone issue, I'm not disappointed, but as a fan that knows what this story is capable of, I am a bit let down.

Boldly unique and unflinchingly creative,

Boldly unique and unflinchingly creative,

Despite some scriptdensity issues and a few stiff facial expressions, this was easily one of the most entertaining and wellcrafted comics of the week. You do have to overlook some flaws, but the fact that this comic is so thrilling makes that much easier to do than you'd expect. Steve Pugh has an awesome character on his hands with a superb premise and does not disappoint in the execution. The only problem? I want more of Alice's adventures now!

The big problem with this issue is that it contains two stories, one of which is totally unnecessary. Jesse Blaze Sinder's lead story is an incredibly strong characterfocused tale that is honestly one of the best Hulk stories I've read in a very long time. He absolutely nails it. It would earn a Must Read verdict on its own. The problem is that the second story is the complete opposite and drags this one down. You still need to read the first story, which is why I'm recommending that you buy the issue, but it might be best if you stop halfway through.

There are comics Ranked below this that have better stories, stronger character writing, and more consistent art, but this issue is worth picking up for the sheer awesomeness of its collaborative process and the fun that oozes from every page. It's easy to see from looking at every page in this comic that it was a labor of love and that a lot of hard work went into it, which makes this issue that much more enjoyable than the comics Ranked below it.

As if there was any question, the brilliant creative team of Brubaker, Phillips, and Staples come together again for a topnotch issue that hits all of the right notes in this pulpy thrillride. This creative team is as good as they come and continue to showcase that in this issue. If you aren't reading this book, you should be.

It has been way too long since we've seen an issue from this series, but that doesn't stop this one from being immensely enjoyable. Brubaker and Phillips both play to their strengths and the issue is fantastic for itthough Phillips does make some strange detours along the way. I still would prefer this series in trade, but the episodic nature of this issue definitely made it work better as a single issue. It's gritty, it's pulpy, it's fun, and it's worth your cash.

Another fine issue of

Another fine issue of

While I definitely prefer to read Incorruptible in trade and feel that it flows better that way as opposed to an issuebyissue read (which is rarely an issue with superhero comics), I was really pleased with this issue and the developments that it sets up. The series is turning a major corner here as the Plutonian is no longer a major issue hanging behind Danger's actions from this point forward. I look forward to seeing where Waid takes this and I'm glad to have Takara along for the ride, even if some tweaking is needed for him to meet his potential.

I know that I'm a late comer to this series, but issues like this have really made me a huge fan. Mark Waid has done a great job of adding depth to the character of Max Damage and this issue really highlights that as Damage finds himself going in a very different direction than his protg, Headcase. When you add a solid effort from artist Marcio Takara, you've got a fun and enjoyable comic that I give a solid recommendation to.

I'll put it bluntly for you, friends. If this issue is any indication of the quality of Jonah Hex, then I'm stupid for not picking it up sooner and you probably aren't doing much better for not reading it either. We seriously need to remedy this and the first step is by picking up this incredible issue. In a week full of topnotch comics, this was the easy choice for

KickAss returns with a vengeance and a score to settle with an issue that more than makes up for the wait with sheer brutality, superb art, and strong character work. While I hate extended delays on comics, I'm willing to be a bit more lenient when the end result is an issue like this.

This issue is a fitting and enjoyable end to the first volume of KickAss that closes things out in a strong, albeit familiar, manner that should be relatively satisfying for most readers. There are some creative missteps in the writing that are frustrating,

I really considered skipping over Knight and Squire, waiting for the reviews to pour in, and potentially picking it up in trade. This would have been a horrible decision. This comic is incredibly charming and entertaining with a great bit of action and superb character work. It feels like a natural extension of Grant Morrison's use of the characters (some of his best work in the last few years) and is a showcase of superb craftsmanship. I really, really dig this comic and I think you'd be absolutely insane if you didn't give it a shot. I told myself I would only feature one Book of the Week this week, but this issue made it extremely hard for me to decide what book that would be. While this didn't capture the top spot, it was certainly deserving of the honor.

It pains me to rank this book at #6 when it's definitely of a Book of the Week caliber. That just shows how strong this week really was for comics. There aren't many major flaws with the craftsmanship or the entertainment value of this comic. The lack of action may put some readers off, but the real stumbling block, and the main reason this didn't rank higher, is accessibility. This is definitely a niche comic for a niche audience, meaning that the average reader of the Rankings may not be able to get full invested into the comic. On one hand, I applaud Cornell and company for not even flinching with this book, but on the other hand, I do have to note how easily they dismiss a large potential audience that would love to jump onto the K&S bandwagon from Morrison's work. Still, if this is your thing, you'll freakin' love this book and you'll wish it were an ongoing series (I know I do).

Personally, I wanted to give this a Must Read verdict. I loved the bits of British humor and history that are packed throughout this incredibly fun issue. However, I do recognize that most American readers aren't going to get a lot of the references and might have a hard time tackling this issue without some familiarity for everything that Cornell is referencing. I'm part of the target audience for this book and so I loved every second of it. If your not, though, it's still a great read, but you are missing out on a lot of what makes it phenomenal.

This quirky and charming miniseries rolls on this week with its strongest issue yet thanks to a great effort from artist Jimmy Broxton and simply superb plotting and character writing from Paul Cornell. This is a book with a niche audience, which, sadly, will keep us from ever having a Knight and Squire ongoing series, but as a member of that audience, I am damn glad that this book is what it is.

I was very pleasantly surprised by this issue. Ron Marz has a great concept here with very engaging characters that I was immediately interested in. Nelson Blake's art is a perfect fit for the series and is a welcome breath of fresh air form the standard Top Cow style. I'm super glad that the Top Cow folks sent me this issue and I hope they continue to do so with this series!

I can't say that I would ever think to buy Magdalena if it weren't for the fact that Top Cow was nice enough to share it with me. Now that we are two issues in, I'm pretty sure I would buy it now. While I would like to see more plot in this issue and more backgrounds in the art, this is really solid comic featuring some strong craftsmanship and a lot of potential. I could have easily missed this comic but that doesn't mean you should. I don't think you'd regret buying this comic at all.

This issue is epic and engaging with a great balance between the larger conflicts and a strong personal connection that is just fantastically put together. This series has gotten better and better with each issue, but the creative seems to just now be hitting their stride. This issue is a perfect example of everything that this series is capable of and everything that fantasy comics should strive to be.

This issue squeaks in at a Buy It ranking, but just barely. Paul Tobin's writing continues to impress me as he's made SpiderGirl an extremely engaging character. If you look at each individual artists' pages as a singular entity, this issue is really amazing, but the three artists fail to come together without jarring shifts that really detract from the issue. It is still worth your money and another fine issue from this great series, though.

Once again, Freedom Fighters is all about value. This denselypacked actionoriented comic gives you more story per page than nearly any other "big 2" comic with Palmiotti, Gray, and the fantastic art team giving you more for your $2.99 than you'd expect. There are some faults and inconsistencies, but for the most part, this is an awesomely crafted comic with bold memorable characters and an engaging highenergy plot that is definitely well worth your cash.

This volume of GI Joe is on its way out (a relaunch is planned for later this year after Cobra Commander was killed a few weeks ago in

This issue just barely misses out from taking home a Must Read verdict. You get a cool new villain introduced and a few great moments of personality, including Bane's first date ever, but the lack of focus on the main characters for the majority of the issue and some slightly awkward plotting towards the second half of the issue did drag this one down a bit. This one is definitely on the bubble, so I do strongly recommend it.

The newest volume of Mice Templarthe halfway point in the serieskicks off superbly with this week's issue as Glass, Oeming, and Santos put together one of the finest issues this series has seen in its already illustrious history. Fans of the series will be excited with the new developments while new readers should be able to jump into the series quite well thanks to the accessibility of the issue. If you've never read Mice Templar before, shame on you, but now is a good time to start!

This issue is epic and engaging with a great balance between the larger conflicts and a strong personal connection that is just fantastically put together. This series has gotten better and better with each issue, but the creative seems to just now be hitting their stride. This issue is a perfect example of everything that this series is capable of and everything that fantasy comics should strive to be.

This issue is epic and engaging with a great balance between the larger conflicts and a strong personal connection that is just fantastically put together. This series has gotten better and better with each issue, but the creative seems to just now be hitting their stride. This issue is a perfect example of everything that this series is capable of and everything that fantasy comics should strive to be.

I had no plans to pick this up, but after it had been heavily hyped over the last few months, I felt that it was worth a shot. I'm glad I did.

I'm clearly enamored with this issue of Morning Glories. Nick Spencer and Joe Eisma have put together a shockingly awesome comic that is clearly the "next big thing" for Image, a company that has spent the last several years churning out "next big things." Between the haunting mysteries of the Morning Glory Academy, to the undeniably engaging characters, to the shockingly awesome final page, this comic is stellar in every single way. Get in on the ground floor by picking this comic up right now. You won't regret it!

Morning Glories is every bit as amazing as everyone says it is. There is no way around it. If you aren't reading this comic, then you can't possibly comprehend how awesome this series is. Don't just take my word for itgrab $3.50, head to your comic book shop, and demand a copy. Well, take like $15, because you'll want all three issues, plus you'll probably need a snack, too. DO IT NOW.

With just one more issue left in the opening storyline, things really pick up with this week's issue of Morning Glories. We see more character development in this issue than any of the previous, which bodes well as Nick Spencer absolutely kills here. To back him up, Joe Eisma steps up his game with perhaps his best effort yet. Two great creators working in perfect sync on an equally as great concepthow can you go wrong? Seriously, if you aren't reading Morning Glories, you are totally missing out.

I've been singing the praises of Morning Glories from day one and it has easily been one of the best comics of the year. That being said, this issue completely blows away every single issue that we've seen so far. This is Morning Glories living up to its tremendous amount of potential and exceeding all expectations. There is no more enigmatic comic on the stands this week and the brilliant creative team turns that into one of the most satisfying. Even in a week overflowing with awesome comics, there was never any question as to what would be the

The character writing really leaves a lot to decide, but the pacing in this actionpacked issue really impressed me. I went in not caring much about the New Mutants, but I left the issue being very excited about the next chapter in Second Coming. Even with this issues faults, its hard to ask for much more than that!

I absolutely love the intensity of this issue as Zeb Wells puts together what is probably my favorite issue that he has ever written. His strong sense of character voice allowed for so many characters, many of whom only have a panel or two of face time, to shine without detracting from the intense action of this storyline. When you add in some solid art, you've got another big win for this enjoyable crossover.

I was admittedly on the fence about this comic before I read it. I have never cared for Norman Osborn or, with few major exceptions, Norman Osborn stories, but I really dig all of the creators involved. In the end, the creators won out and I am so glad that they did. DeConnick, Rios, Ellis, and McKelvie flex their creative muscles and throw their weight around in a disturbingly complex and satisfying comic that pushes the boundaries of a "superhero" comic. This comic is nothing like anything else that Marvel is currently publishing and is an absolute must have book for your collection. This will get overlooked by far too many people, but don't be one of them.

Another fine issue from the creative team of DeConnick and Rios, who put together a great thrillride story that sees Osborn manipulating his surroundings as he works his way out of custody. This issue isn't tremendously deep, but it is highly entertaining thanks to the fine craftsmanship of the creative team. You aren't missing much in terms of a highly important plot if you skip this issue, but you are going to miss out on a fun story that features some really great art.

I'd been solidly behind the Week 2 offering,

We may only be two weeks into Top Cow's Pilot Season, but this issue is the frontrunner for me and its going to take a very strong comic to steal my vote. Filip Sablik's unique story is brought to life expertly by David Marquez in this extremely intriguing issue. This feels like a good trailer for a hit movieyou get just enough to be interested and you have to overlook some flaws, but in the end you can't wait to see the whole thing.

We are three weeks in and all three of Top Cow's Pilot Season titles have been enjoyable. Jeff Katz, working from concepts created by

This issue came really close to jumping up to Must Read territory. The $3.99 price tag does hamper it a bit as we don't get any extras and a few other flaws all add up to knock it down a peg, but just barely. This is a fantastic comic that really celebrates why Ragman is such a fascinating character, but also serves as a great introduction to those who are unfamiliar with him.

This has been one of the strongest weeks for comics in recent memory, with so many great issues. It was almost impossible for me to choose my favorite comic this week, but I kept coming back to Ryder on the Storm. The lush, atmospheric art and the genredestroying come together beautifully in an intriguing and exciting package that is not only the Book of the Week, but one of the best comics of the year. This is not a comic you want to miss.

The moody and atmospheric storytelling of Hine and Nichols come together here for another fine issue of this supernaturalnoir series. The reliance on exposition and stiffness in the art do hold it back some, but that shouldn't keep you from checking this out. It's well worth your money.

I can honestly say that I never thought a SheHulk comic could make such a strong case for being purchased, let alone for being Book of the Week. While this issue does fall just shortand I'm taking millimeters hereit is certainly worth of the honor. Harrison Wilcox puts together an insanely entertaining storyline featuring some of the most intriguing characters of the week, but it is the work of Ryan Stegman that launches this book to another level I've been singing the praises of Stegman for years, but his work here is above and beyond anything I've seen from him before. In a few years when he is headlining the next

This comic really has it alla fun plot, great character work, fantastic art, and a whole buttload of superpowered apes. Wilcox puts together an incredibly charming issue that had me incredibly engaged in characters I've never really cared for before, but it's the work of artist Stegman that made this the

The problem with this comic is that it doesn't tie into a major event and doesn't feature marquee characters. In other words, too many readers are going to miss out on this incredibly entertaining and finely crafted comic. Harrison Wilcox and Ryan Stegman have been generating a lot of buzz over the last year and hit all of the right notes here. With issues like this, it won't be long before they are major players in the industry. This was an easy choice for

Being a big fan of the creative team, I knew that SheHulks was going to be a fun comic put together fine craftsmanship from all involved. I had high hopes for this book, but I never could have guessed how insanely entertaining and incredibly fantastic this comic would end up being. Wilcox went from being a writer that I barely knew to one whose work I'll now greatly anticipate, while Stegman went from being one of my favorite rising stars to a true superstar in the making. If you passed up this comic for whatever reason, go grab it now while you still can. When this creative team is headlining some of Marvel's biggest books, you'll wish you had this awesome comic in your collection. Few comics can pull in three consecutive

Writer Kelly Sue DeConnick and artist Ryan Stegman show incredibly chemistry as a creative team on this oneshot as they make a strong case for a Sif ongoing with this very fun, actionpacked story. They really made the most of this oneshot by telling a very entertaining tale of a badass warrior in action, but also making the character incredibly compelling. This one is just good old, wellcrafted fun. This was a totally unexpected

Until the second printing drops, you are going to have a hard time finding Skullkickers #1. You might have to do some hunting and you might have to pay more than cover price, but trust me, it's worth it. Skullkickers is quirky and entertaining with a highly imaginative approach to the fantasy genre that should have a broad appeal. There is a lot of buzz about this book and, quite frankly, it's wellearned.

Skullkickers is big, crazy fun. Jim Zubkavich and Edwin Huang pull no punches with how boldly silly this comic is, but never let that get in the way of telling a great story through superb craftsmanship. This is high fantasy that isn't afraid to ham up its kitschier elements. If you are looking for a comic that is sheer entertainment, you can't do much better than Skullkickers.

Once again, the more absurd Skullkickers gets, the more enjoyable it is. This issue is chock full of action as the "heroes" storm the castle of their enemies, but the highlight is Beardy's hilariously absurd hallucination. I had no idea until now that I'm a sucker for constellations coming to life to deliver prophecies to angry dwarves. And here I thought I knew myself so well! Despite little in terms of concrete character interaction, I'm amazed at how well

Skullkickers is easily one of my favorite comics being published right now and this issue is another prime example of why. It's big, bold, and bodacious in its unrelenting awesomeness. It has memorable characters, great action, and a unique sense of humor that sets it apart from every other book on the stands. You can a comic that is just plain fun (and finely crafted)? Look no further.

For fans of the SkyDoll franchise, this is a nice "distraction" while we wait for the fourth chapter in the ongoing story by creators Barbara Canepa and Allessandro Barbucci. It doesn't quite live up to the standards of the original, but is still a very fun comic and something that should appeal to the desired audience. Personally, I think it would make a great addition to a Sky Doll omnibus, should Marvel and Soliel choose to release one.

It was another hardfought week on the Power Rankings where any number of books had good reason to be the #1 book. Only one book, however, could take home the

After bursting onto the scene with a great debut issue, the creative team behind SpiderGirl follows it up incredibly well with the actionpacked and tragic story that is extremely powerful. Tobin's brilliant character writing is accented nicely by both of the main artists, resulting in an issue that carries the momentum forward from the first issue and earns this title a place on my Pull List.

This issue squeaks in at a Buy It ranking, but just barely. Paul Tobin's writing continues to impress me as he's made SpiderGirl an extremely engaging character. If you look at each individual artists' pages as a singular entity, this issue is really amazing, but the three artists fail to come together without jarring shifts that really detract from the issue. It is still worth your money and another fine issue from this great series, though.

It took me quite some time to determine where this book would fall on the Rankings and what verdict it would receive. Paul Tobin's writing is stellar and could easily take in a Must Read verdict if I were judging the book on writing alone. On the flipside, the art isn't really my thing and is most certainly the wrong fit for this book. In the end, the writing edge the art out and just barely bumped his one up a level.

This issue is a brilliant look at Superman's earliest days from an interesting angle. Rather than focusing on how Superman arose from young Clark Kent, Johns and Frank focus on how the young Clark Kent made the selfdiscoveries that would later cause him to become Superman. The result is a heartwarming and incrediblywell crafted introduction to the character that is one of the single best Superman comics I've read in years. This was an easy choice for Book of the Week and a major contender for Single Issue of the Year.

A lot of people have asked why another retelling of Superman's origin is necessary and, in truth, it isn't. These stories have been told countless times before, but the superior craftsmanship of Geoff Johns and Gary Frank bring them to life in a whole new way that manages to capture the magic and wonder of Superman's earliest adventures and bring them to life in a beautiful new way. It may not be necessary for you to explore the first team up between Clark Kent and the Legion of Superheroes again, but this issue is so much fun that you'll be glad that you did.

I've been loving this series so much, but this issue is easily my favorite so far. This issue really captures the magic and wonder of the Superman/Clark Kent dichotomy and is a great showcase of how awesome Lois Lane is. I've never been a huge Superman fan, but this series, and this issue in particular are really converting me.

I really can't imagine this miniseries being any better than it is. Did we really need another retelling of Superman's origin, even with the revisions like we see in this issue? No, probably not. However, when the craftsmanship is this freakin' good, we shouldn't argue. This issue looks amazing and also reads quite well. I've never been a huge Superman fan, but it is issues like this that show me exactly why the character has endured as long as he has!

I really cannot think of any Superman story that I have enjoyed more than Superman Secret Origin and this issue is just one more reason why. It is full of bold iconic interpretations of classic characters interacting in an energetic and engaging plot that kept me enthralled from start to finish. I've never been very taken with Superman comics because I've found the character to be pretty dullnow it will be hard to get into any Superman comic because it is going to pale in comparison to this one!

As

I really want to give this issue a Must Read and I'll probably regret holding it back at Buy it, but after seeing what the potential of the art, I can't help but feel that the coloring in this issue was a large enough miss that it drags down the entire issue. Don't get me wrong though, this is still an amazing issue with some awesome action and some of the finest character moments DnA have ever written. You shouldn't miss it, but be warned about the art.

The action gets turned up to 11 in this issue as DnA set the stage for what should be the most exciting cosmic showdown since the first

Ive really enjoyed this story so far, but this issue really raises the bar as Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning introduce some of the highest concepts Ive seen from there. There are definitely shades of writers like Warren Ellis, Grant Morrison, and 4th World-era Jack Kirby in this issue. I really like that each scene in this issue throws something new into the mix that builds the tension even morethis story goes from huge to epic rather quickly. The art is definitely a step up as well. While I still dont think we are seeing the best of Miguel Sepulvedas line work (again, I refer to the sketch pages from the back of issue #1), but Jay David Ramos definitely seems to be coloring with more attention to detail here. This is definitely the strongest issue yet from this miniseries and after seeing the awesome debut of Novas strike team, Ive got a feeling it is only going to get better from here!

This issue really delivers the action with Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning putting together a very exciting issue that sees nearly all of the major players in this storyline embroiled in some battle or another. While it's great to see the fights, it is still a little hard to grab onto the very high concept behind the war between the regular universe and the Cancerverse (simple conquest yes, but the battle between Life and Death is a lot). Still, with action this sweet and extremely solid art behind it, it's hard to go wrong with this issue.

This is easily the best issue of Thanos Imperative yet, which says a lot considering how awesome the series has been thus far. The great action, superb art, and utterly fantastic twist ending make this a comic that you absolutely have to read. On a lighter week, this one could've easily been the Book of the Week. Take that to heart and buy this comic as soon as you can. You won't regret it (and if you do, I'm not so sure we can be friends anymore).

For patient fans that have followed Marvel's cosmic books from page one of the epic Annihilation miniseries way back in 2006 until now, this is the perfect ending to one of the most complex and satisfying epics that Marvel has ever produced. Although Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning jumped in after that initial miniseries, they piloted these characters through twist and turn through hundreds of pages spanning multiple titles and then BAM, they slap the readers in the fact with a shock ending that reaches all the way back to those opening pages of Annihilation. It's heartbreaking and powerful; even if I'm totally not okay with the fact that we readers are left with our jaws on the floor wondering what happened to two of our favorite heroes (including my personal favorite Marvel character). There are still issues with the art that have plagued this miniseries from day one and there is a lot that is glossed over to reach the shocks, but this is still an amazing comic that absolutely needs to b

You can't tell me that you were actually expecting anything less from this series, could you? I mean, you've got all of the heavy hitters from Marvel's cosmic line, the return of one of Marvel's coolest villains, and a simply superb creative team. There is no way this comic wasn't going to rock incredibly hard. Now you just need to do your part and not miss it!

I'm not sure that I've mentioned this before, but

This is a really solid issue that caught me off guard with its quality. JT Krul's strong character writing is paramount to the success of the issue and he does wonders. Had the art been stronger and less time been wasted in recaps, this could have been a Must Read issue. I look forward to seeing where they take it from here.

On its own, the lead story in this comic is a total Must Read. There aren't many faults that can't be overlooked as Mark Schultz has one of the best interpretations of The Spirit that I've read. The story is expertly brought to life by a very capable art team that puts their own unique and exciting spin on the character. This issue is worth owning for the strength of the lead story art alone. Unfortunately, I'm not just reviewing the lead story; I'm reviewing the entire issue. In a stark contrast from the opening story, the backup is simply abysmal. There is almost nothing about it that works and it really brings the issue as a whole down tremendously. Is the comic still worth $3.99? Of course, but don't say I didn't warn you about the backup.

This week's Spirit stuffs two topnotch stories between its covers and easily walks away with the

I had a really hard time deciding on this week's Book of the Week and a huge reason for this was the sheer badassery of this week's Spirit. This issue excels on almost every single level with not one, but two great stories including, by far, the best of the

The change in creative teams does absolutely nothing to slow this series down as David Hine's debut is just as strong, if not stronger, than the three previous issues thanks to his complexly plotted story and instant chemistry with artist Moritat. When you add in a strong backup feature, you've got another win for this awesome series. If you haven't been checking out The Spirit, now is that time!

The lead in this issue is an excellent chase story with a lot of fun twist and turns as Spirit rushes to save Ebony.

Another month and another fine issue of The Spirit. This issue has really caught fire under writer David Hine and this issue does not disappoint. The darker tone and serious edge make for some incredibly tense storytelling that works very well. As a huge fan of Azarello's writing, I was a bit disappointed in the back up, which does pull the issue down a tad. Still, allinall, it's a solid read.

DC's soontobedeceased backup features can be both a blessing and a curse, sometimes lifting lackluster titles up (such as Sean McKeever's Ravager stories in the abysmal Teen Titans), but they can also drag an otherwise strong comic down. This is definitely a case of the latter. While David Hine's departure from the style and pace of the previous issues does make this the weakest issue of the storyarc, this issue could have jumped up a few slots on the Rankings with a strong backup (or without a backup at all). Don't get me wrong, this comic is still worth your money, but in the end, there are better buys because I do have to look at the comic as a whole.

This is another great issue for The Spirit, which continues to flourish under the watchful eyes of David Hine and Moritat. They spin a fun, but somewhat shallow mystery in the midst of a larger and more satisfying plot that I think has some real potential. When you add in a solid blackandwhite backup from the legendary Walt Simonson and equallyaslegendary Jordi Bernet, you've got a really solid issue that is worth a purchase in spite of needing some polish in all aspects.

Another month down and another issue from this incredibly solid, but criminally underread title is on the stands. While The Spirit may not be on every reader's radar, it is one of the finest books that DC is currently producing. Once again, Hine and Moritat make a formidable team with this quirky crime story that sets up some interesting pulpstyle action for the next installment in the storyline. Too many of you aren't reading this title and now seems like a great time to give it a shot!

Yes, Girl Comics does feel like a gimmick and it does have a pretty stupid title. Once you get past that, though, you get a very enjoyable and charming anthology that covers a wide range of styles and approaches to well known characters from talented creators. There are some low points, but they are majorly overshadowed by the issue's strengths. The hook is the fact that this was all done by female creators, but the message is that great storytelling and talent transcends gender.

The Stuff of Legend began on a very strong foot, but this issue elevates the story to new heights thanks to the simply amazing craftsmanship behind it. Brilliant character writing and gorgeous art bring this

The fact that Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning have written yet another Must Read comic should surprise absolutely no one. The duo bring their usual magic, teaming up with artist Miguel Sepulveda to take Marvel's cosmic characters around the corner to the next movement in their saga. It looks like there are big things on the horizon and this is a great way to kick them off...even if it doesn't address the disappearance of Nova and StarLord at the end of the miniseries.

. As a long time fan of the L. Frank Baum's Oz "franchise," I really appreciate the reverence and respect that this adaptation pays to the original source material. Eric Shanower goes to great lengths to be faithful to the original story while still remaining accessible to readers who may be discovering the Land of Oz for the first time. The highlight of the book, however, is Skottie Young's simply amazing artwork. His designs perfectly capture the wonder and whimsy of the story with a completely unique twist that should be considered the new standard for how the characters and the world they inhabit should be presented. I've loved Judy Garland's performance since I was a child, but I'll take Young's energetic and lively Dorothy Gale over all others any day. Whether you are a diehard of the original literature, a fan of the 1939 film, or a newcomer to the Land of Oz, this adaption is required reading.

Having never been a fan of the Legion of Superheroes, it is a testament to the work of Paul Levitz that I'm digging this new volume so much. Then again, how could I not when you have issues like this where he is cramming the book with great subplots and engaging characters? Were it not for the jarring transitions between the two very talented artists on this book, this could have easily been a contender for Book of the Week.

With the battle of Second Coming essentially over, I'm glad to see that this massive storyline closes out in a big way.

This issue really captures everything I have loved about Thor since I was a wee little lad, while stripping away the years of intense continuity that have made the main series pretty inaccessible to a lot of readers. What's left is an incredibly charming tale written by Roger Langridge that is full of personality and is drawn by Chris Samnee in an amazing twist on his usual style. To beat the nearperfect Red Robin #14, it took one heck of a book and

We may only be two issues into this book, but I'm ready to hand this series the title "Best New Series 2010" already. Langridge and Samnee have an undeniable chemistry that bleeds through on every single page of this incredibly wellcrafted and highly entertaining comic. There are very few things I could even dream of complaining about in this book and they are all outshined by its many, many, many strengths. While everyone's eyes are on the leaked Thor trailer today, I really hope they don't overlook the excellence that is this series. This week had a slew of Must Reads, but nothing could come close to unseating this issue was

Reading this series is easily the most fun I have had with a Marvel comic in years.

Once again, the combination of superb craftsmanship and undeniable charm rockets Thor Mighty Avengers up the Rankings to take home the

This issue jumps and backandforth between scenes, which can be a bit jarring at times, though the dichotomy between Thor finding a life on Earth just as he is being denied one in Asgard is incredibly intriguing.

There is little to be said about

I'll admit, I am a little annoyed that we got a baitandswitch from Marvel as this issue doesn't continue the action of Avengers Academy #3, but instead happens alongside it and, ultimately, spoils some of the action of the yettobereleased Avengers Academy #4. That being said, this is a fun read. It's a very loose, somewhat shallow action issue, but its fast pace and memorable moments kept my interest all along. I especially enjoyed

Time Bomb might not be the easiest comic for you to find this week, but is definitely one of the most satisfying. Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray take a great concept and milk it for all that it is worth in this wellpaced and finely crafted issue that is engaging from page one and leaves you wanting more. You should definitely pick this comic up if you can find it, though I strongly recommend going out of your way to hunt it down.

This is one of the most complex comics of the year and also one of the most satisfying. Palmiotti, Gray, and Gulacy have put together an amazingly tight plot with extremely engaging characters around a very strong concept that looks absolutely fantastic to boot. Honestly, even at a staggering 50 story pages, I am ravenous for more. It took me a really long time to decide which comic should be this week's

This comic is awesome. I cannot stress that enough. It is simply awesome. The first two chapters were fantastic, but the entire creative team turns it up to eleven in the finale. I can't recommend this highly enough and I can guarantee you'll see it on a lot of "best of" lists this year. The easy

Much like Siege, this issue was really close to take home a Must Read verdict. It is a very fun, very interesting, and very wellcrafted comic book that showcases exactly why Art Adams is a legend in the industry and exactly what Jeph Loeb is still capable of, despite his seriously disappointing work since joining Marvel. It was the work by Adams that sold me on this, but Loeb stepping up really cemented the comic such a high spot on the Rankings. I just hope that this isn't a fluke, but instead is a return to form for the once incredible writer.

This is a great introduction to the character of Karen and is just as intriguing as the first issue of this series. I really don't know where this book is going, but I'm excited to find out as Loeb and Adams have done a great job of laying the foundation with these strong characters.

While my patience for the lack of an overarching plot is growing thin, I am still very pleased with how finely crafted Ultimate X is as a continual character study. Jeph Loeb is back in old form here once again with a compelling and engaging introduction to the newest member of the Ultimate X crew. When you add in the art by the everawesome Arthur Adams, you get an issue that is so good that you'll forget momentarily that you have no idea where this story is going.

I would probably pay the full cover price of this issue for the scenes between Beast and Molly on their own as Fraction and Sanders absolutely nailed them. When you add in some cool developments with Hope and Cyclops, plus a great effort from McKelvie, you have a very strong issue. The art from Portacio drags it down a bit and there is some wheelspinning in the Hope story thanks to Franklin Richards showing up for almost no reason, but I'm willing to overlook that when so much of the issue is incredibly enjoyable.

This honestly feels more like a great opening to an ongoing series than it does a oneoff story. Glass makes you care, then sets Valkyrie off into the sunset for other writers to work with. The problem? I want more and I want more from this creative team. This issue shows what a strong creative team with a clear focus can do for even the most convoluted characters. I never though I'd say this, but if Marvel launched an ongoing Valykrie series, it would go to the top of my pull listprovided it retained this creative team. In a week full of simply awesome comics, it took a total package issue to walk away with the Book of the Week honor and that is exactly what this is.

While the story left me wanting a bit more, the art in this issue is simply spectacular. I really feel like Kenneth Rocafort is one of the best artists outside of the Big 2 and I'm surprised that DC and Marvel have yet to scoop him up for fulltime work. His artwork alone is Must Read material, but the story does pull it down some. This is a satisfying read that is probably under the radar for a lot of readers, but don't let that keep you from checking it out.

This is an excellently crafted issue that most certainly desires a "Must Read" verdict based upon the merits of its execution. Millar and McNiven bring their Agame and the end result is a simply fantastic comic that excels on nearly all levels. Unfortunately, the ridiculous price tag and sorry excuse for extras hold this one back. You definitely shouldn't miss this issue, even if its going to cost you way more than it should to check it out.

I had high expectations going into this one thanks to the absolutely stellar creative team and they did not disappoint. This is a ton of fun with great action, superb character work, and some of the best looking art you'll see in any comic this week. Yes, it is a little light on story, but what is there is entertaining as the comic lives up to its potential in spades.

Opening chapters of any crossover are always the most important part of the story and are very difficult to pull off. You have to have the perfect mix of action and intrigue with great character work that gets you instantly invested in the fate of the cast while still giving just enough away to snag a commitment from the reader who might not be ready to purchase more comics than they normally would. XMen Second Coming has all that in spades. This is a great way to kick off the new storyline and it instantly raises the bar for an entire franchise that has struggled to keep reader interest since the last big storyline. This was the easy choice for Book of the Week and a great place for lapsed XFans like me to jump back on board.

I picked this up as a big fan of Sean McKeever's ability to write teenage heroes (potentially as a replacement for Teen Titans on my pull list now that his

Wonderful character writing should suck readers right into this immensely fun comic as the haphazard team of underestimated teen heroes deal with the fallout of Warhead's attack and prepare for the next show of force from the socalled

This issue really sums up everything I love about this bookstrong characters, interesting plot twists, energetic artworkbut also suffers from some nagging issues that could easily be fixed, such as the slowmoving plot, weird eyes, etc. You can tell from page one that this series has the possibility of being one of Marvel's strongest titles, but its not quite there yet. Don't get me wrong this is a fantastic comic from a criminally underread title, but you can tell after reading it that it has the potentially to be something much greater.

With a little bit of direction and focus, this issue could've easily jumped into the Must Read range. The character work from McKeever continues to be topnotch and the action was satisfying. When you add in a strong, but someone shifty effort from Baldeon, Young Allies continues to be one of the best books you probably aren't reading.

The first storyline for Young Allies ends on a very strong note with the team finally coming together to stop a threat and showing just how capable the young heroes are when the situation demands their attention. The openending has me wondering where McKeever is going with the story, but so long as the craftsmanship stays as strong as it is here, count me in for the ride. This is definitely one of the most underlooked books on the stands today and you'd be wise not to pass it up.

Young Allies comes to a close with this issue and it's a damn shame. This issue is a great example of the complexity and depth behind the concept of a "team that isn't a team" that Sean McKeever and David Baldeon have been building over the last six issues. The craftsmanship here is as superb as ever; I'm glad to see the series go out on a strong note. It's just a shame that Marvel's readership can support umpteen Deadpool and Avengers books, but couldn't find a place for this one on their pull lists! Hopefully the upcoming

While there are some occasional missteps for both the writing and the art, Batgirl continues to be an impressive series in its second issue. Miller is doing a good job of building some credibility and depth for Stephanie, which is something she drastically needs and will be the lynchpin to the success of this series long term. However, as it stands now, the future looks bright for this series.

Despite a few missteps here and there, Batgirl #3 is a very solid issue and does a great job of cementing Stephanie into the role of Batgirl. There is a lot of grumbling amongst fans that she is replacing

As this series continues to settle into "its place" amongst DC's other titles, I'm really pleased with how things are coming together for the creative team. Lee Garbett struggles at time, but has good chemistry with Bryan Q. Miller who is doing some simply amazing work as he makes Batgirl one of DC's most engaging characters. The unlikely duo of Batgirl and Robin in this issue only fuels that and makes this a really enjoyable issue.

As this series continues to settle into "its place" amongst DC's other titles, I'm really pleased with how things are coming together for the creative team. Lee Garbett struggles at time, but has good chemistry with Bryan Q. Miller who is doing some simply amazing work as he makes Batgirl one of DC's most engaging characters. The unlikely duo of Batgirl and Robin in this issue only fuels that and makes this a really enjoyable issue.

From cover to cover, this is a finely crafted, incredibly entertaining comic. Miller is getting stronger with every single issue and this one showcases exactly how strong of a writer he is. I would not be surprised if you start seeing him take on more prestigious projects by year's end. When you add in the excellent art from Garbett, you've got an excellent comic on your hands that is likely to be criminally overlooked. Don't be one of those fools, go pick this one up!

This issue was really, really close to pulling in a Buy It verdict, but the inconsistent art performance really killed the momentum built up by the strong writing. You'll may still want to check it out so that you can be prepped for this week's issue of Red Robin though, which you'll read more about later on in the Rankings.

Stephanie Brown as Batgirl was a hard sell for a lot of readers, but with issues like this, that debate seems totally unnecessary as Bryan Miller and Lee Garbett do such amazing work that I can't imagine any reader wanting it any other way. The craftsmanship in this issue is amongst the best you'll find in any superhero comic and its incredibly fun to boot.

As a longtime fan of Stephanie Brown and off the Batgirl legacy, I had high hopes for this series, but I don't think I could have ever imagined that it would so quickly become one of DC's strongest titles. Issues like this are a perfect example of why this might just be the best solocharacter series that the company is producing today. Then again, I can't argue with high quality storytelling, polished craftsmanship, and fun characters in an engaging plot (of course, that could just be me).

Another month and another win for what is probably DC's single best straightup superhero comic (the only comic they are publishing right now that is better would have to be Secret Six). The ridiculous amount of charm and personality in both the writing and the art should win over most readers, which the strong action and intriguing work in the rivalry between Oracle and Calculator should win over the rest. I know that Stephanie Brown has been a tough sell to a lot of readers, but there is no reason this comic isn't on everyone's pull list and this is another example of why.

In a week that featured five Must Read books, you'd think it was a hard fought battle for the

Batgirl is easily DCs second best book after Secret Six and, with issues like this, it is going to give that title a run for its money. This issue is filled with heart and personality while delivering a very strong done-in-one story. Its not filled with shocking revelations or major twists, but its highly entertaining and features one of the best endings from a single-issue story that Ive read in a long time. It was simple, but very powerful and highly evocative of the type of storytelling that made Batman: The Animated Series so amazing. Simply put, Bryan Q. Miller is establishing himself as one of the best character writers in the business. This is Pere Perezs first full issue on the series and, while I wouldnt say he is as sharp as Lee Garbett yet, he makes the most of it. The art isnt flashing, but its paced incredibly well and does a brilliant job of establishing the tone of the story. Its solid work that is perfect for this story. I cannot recommend this series enough and this is

I've seen a lot of reviews trash this issue for being a silly doneinone story, which is absolutely ridiculous. This story is meant to be brief and fun and selfcontained; these are strengths, not its weaknesses. This is a bit silly and it is inconsequential, but it is also a ton of fun and extremely charming. This is one of the more entertaining comics I've read all year.

I really hate to see Lee Garbett leaving this title because he had amazing chemistry with writer Bryan Q. Miller and the two did such an impressive job of bringing the adventures of Stephanie Brown to life, but it's hard to be upset when his replacement is the alwaysimpressive Dustin Nguyen. Nguyen and Miller make an excellent team here and continue the winning ways for this insanely charming and addictive series. Another month, another big win for Batgirlthe best superhero book that you probably aren't reading.

Another month and another fun issue of Batgirl, one of DC's top titles. Between Miller's superb character work and Nguyen's clear storytelling, this issue is as technically sound as it is entertaining. I've been singing this book's praises nonstop since its debut and this issue continues that winning trend, despite a handful of stumbling blocks that keep it from reaching a Must Read level.

In a week full of wellcrafted comics, what really gave Batgirl the edge was the fact that, not only was it supremely put together thanks to some amazing work from the creative team, it was also extremely enjoyable. The charm of this series is turned up to eleven in this issue. I never thought that any comic featuring Klarion the Witch Boy could top the Rankings, but this issue earned the spot easily thanks to the stellar work of Miller and Nguyen. A lot of folks still scoff at the high praise that this series has earned from its devoted fanbase, which is unfortunatethis is one of DC's finest comics. Everything about this issue screams

While this isn't the strongest issue of Batgirl in recent memory, it does feature all of the wit, charm, and personality that make this DC's most underrated book. Miller does a lot of setup work here, so I expect the next issue to make up for some of the more awkward moments in this one, though the big thing that keeps this from being a Must Read is the uneven effort from Ramon Bachs. This is a great comic, though, and it just barely falls short of reaching that next level.

I do feel that the story was unnecessarily convoluted in its setup, but once it hit its stride, it was a ton of fun and featured some great art by Stegman, whom I hope we see more of in the future.

I told myself that I was only picking up this series to check out Ryan Stegman's art, but this issue has me convinced that the series has improved enough to warrant becoming a full time reader again. Well played, Pak and Van Lente. Plus, the art by Ryan Stegman is simply phenomenal. I know I've been gushing about it for the last few issues, but he brings his Agame here and the end result is fantastic. It's not about potential anymore, its simply about Stegman getting the recognition he deservesthere are big things in his future and I can't wait to see someone give him that shot he needs.

I'm a sucker for teen superheroes, particularly those that are presented in a complex and reverent manner. This issue takes cues from some of my favorite teen hero runs as it presents some of the most interesting and intriguing new characters that have come from Marvel in quite some time. Gage and McKone have a ridiculous amount of potential in this series, which says a lot considering this is already a wildly entertaining and finely crafted issue. The sky is the limit on this one and I highly suggest that you get in on the ground floor before its too late.

The first issue of Avengers Academy really blew my away with his quality craftsmanship, especially the strength of Christos Gage's new characters. This second issue shows that the first was definitely not a fluke as he builds upon all of the strengths of the first issue and throws in a slew of new twists as he focuses on Finesse. When you add in another strong effort from Mike McKone, you have a comic that you'd be insane not to buy.

After three straight second place performances on the Rankings, Avengers Academy finally snags its first

I've been a huge fan of Christos Gage for years, but with Avengers Academy, he has completely redefined himself as a writer and jumped into the upper echelon of characterwriters. His work on this issue has just been superb and this issue might be his best effort yet. The way that he has turned Striker into the most interesting and complex characters in the series is just phenomenal. Jorge Molina does an admirable job stepping in for Mike McKone here, as well. Honestly, this one had Book of the Week written all over it, but was just barely edged out for the top spot.

It's really hard not to compare this issue to the previous efforts from this awesome series because the quality of those issues was so high. On its own merits, there is a lot to like here, but knowing the potential that Gage and McKone have, it doesn't add up. Of course, it doesn't help that the multiple inkers on McKone's art give it an uneven quality. This isn't a horrible comic by any means, but its definitely a step down for this otherwise brilliant series.

This week's Avengers Academy made a strong run at the top spot this week through a great combination of exciting action, strong art, and brilliant character writing. This will be the defining Hank Pym story for years to come and with good reason, Gage does a great job of redefining the character in a way that opens up a lot of potential stories without fundamentally changing anything about the character that has come before. Oh yeah, and you think that

Avengers Academy has been simply amazing from day one, but Gage and McKone take it to a completely new level here. This is one of the finest issues I've ever seen from either creator. The Taskmaster/Finesse situation is incredibly intriguing and the way that it plays out here is simply incredible. This will be the new standard for this title and for these creators. Not only is this an incredibly easily pick for

Are you reading Avengers Academy? No? Why not? Seriously, this is the best comic that Marvel is currently releasing and probably the best comic that they have released in years. You need to read this book, including this issue. Seriously, go buy it right now. You won't regret it.

Verdict

If this issue was only comprised of the main plot, it would've been a major contender (if not winner) of the Book of the Week honors. Instead, the haphazard subplots and ineffective cliffhanger left a bad taste in my mouth. Thankfully Martian Manhunter and Doug Mahnke finally getting the attention they deserve evened things out a bit. Although, it is really sad that it took his death and subsequent return as a zombie before someone finally got J'onn J'onzz right.

I think that Johns is overextending himself in this issue and, by extension, cracks are now starting to appear in the overall execution of Blackest Night. This issue would be all the stronger if its events took place over several issues, which would allow Johns to apply greater focus to each scene. The saving grace is Doug Mahnke's simply superb art, but it takes the back seat to an overambitious and ultimately unfocused story.

Geoff Johns brings his Agame for writing both action and character development in this issue, giving Doug Mahnke an amazing story to work with. While Mahnke's usual level of quality would have been enough to make this a Must Read book, he too steps up his efforts and produces what is easily one of the finest issues I've ever seen from him and certainly my favorite issue of his since Final Crisis Requiem or his great work on StormWatch P.H.D. This is an incredibly intense, incredibly wellthought out, and incredibly executed story that brings the goods in terms of action and doe such amazing character work that you'll be cheering on Sinestro by the end of it.

This week's issue of Green Lantern is the polar opposite of this week's Blackest Night thanks to its tight storytelling, big action with a purpose, strong storytelling, and simply gorgeous artwork. In fact, the two are so different that it is hard to believe that the same man wrote both issues. Of course, this issue was also helped by Doug Mahnke's superb artwork. I've been a fan of Mahnke's for years and I'm glad to see that he is doing such an amazing job on this highprofile gig.

This issue is everything that Blackest Night #5 probably should have been, but wasn't. Not only does it feature some jawdroppingly awesome art from Doug Mahnke, but also simply awesome character interaction between the various Lanterns. This is an issue that you'll want to read again the moment you put it down.

This issue nearly jumped into Buy It range, but the thin plot in the main story and the unnecessary backup story drag it down. I will say, however, that this is the best John Stewart has been written in a very long time and that this issue is worth a read for that reason alone.

It's not very often that the Book of the Week honor is earned on the merits of the art alone, but even if Johns had an off issuewhich he doesn'tI think that Doug Mahnke and his pantheon of artistic helpers could have still been number one this week. I've been a huge Mahnke fan ever since StormWatch PHD, but I've never seen him step up his game like this. I know it is early, but this could easily go down as this single best looking superhero issue of the year. You'd be a fool to miss it.

After how awesome Green Lantern #50 was, #51 was a bit of a letdown storywise. The Spectre is defeated all too easily, we get some repeat scenes with the nonmarquee Lanterns, and a totally unnecessary scene with Nekron threatening to kill everyone. Tighter plotting certainly could have given the story the room it needed to flourish, but I suppose that really doesn't matter when the art is so good that it earned this issue a Buy It verdict on its own. Mahnke owns this issue and Johns is really just along for the ride.

Is this filler? Yes, but if you are going to have a filler issue, this is the way to do it. Geoff Johns may be dragging his feet, but he does it with style. What makes this the

I'm having a really hard time with this issue. When I first read it, I really liked it because of the fantastic character work and the intriguing plot points are set up. The more I think about it, though, the more frustrating it is that the issue is mostly filler and then a reminder that the character's stories will be told in other books. That just doesn't work for me. I'm never 100% sold on the issue, but my opinion does fluctuate every time I think about the issue. I suspect your mileage will vary.

This issue has some flaws, but the strengths definitely overcome up it. I'm absolutely loving what Geoff Johns is doing with Atrocitus and I hope there is some connection between him and the character revealed in the cliffhanger. I could have done without the repeated scene at the beginning of the issue but once things pick up, this one is great. As for the art, Mahnke is earning his keep here in big ways, though I think something needs to be done if his work is going to be drowned out by the White Lantern in future issues to avoid the poor quality of those pages in this issue.

Green Lantern pulls in its third

Green Lantern maintains its postBlackest Night momentum with another incredibly strong issue this week. This issue really is a total package, excelling in nearly all aspects of craftsmanship. Plus, it features some downright hilarious scenes with Larfleeze that are easily amongst the most memorable moments I read this week. You really cannot go wrong with this issue, but you definitely shouldn't go without it.

This issue really rocks on a number of levels with Geoff Johns putting together some great character work that adds a ton of credibility to the Star Sapphires that the group had been lacking when compared to some of the other Lantern Corps. Add in some very strong work from Doug Mahnke and his pantheon of inkers and you've got fantastic issue despite some nagging flaws that bring it down.

I'm tempted to give this issue a Must Read verdict on the strength of Doug Mahnke's art and the awesomeness of Larfleeze alone, but the somewhat haphazard plotting and the lack of urgency in the plot stuck with me long after reading. A bit more focus and a tightening up of the pace would go a long way, potentially even making this issue a contender for Book of the Week.

Is this the best issue of Green Lantern that we've seen lately? Not by a long shot, but that doesn't mean it isn't worth the cover price. The seams are starting to show in this is current storyline as Johns circles a bit in this issue, but when he does take a step forward, it's practically a leap. In terms of story, this issue nearly earns a Buy It verdict on the strength of Black Hand's appearance alone. When you add in a solid, but not quite up fantastic, effort from Doug Mahnke and crew, you get another issue of Green Lantern that is worth your cash.

This issue features some of the most excitement Green Lantern moments of the year, but falls short of being a Must Read simply because so much of the issue is Geoff Johns covering the same ground that he has covered countless times since

While I am disappointed that this issue doesn't directly pick up on the

You already know that Green Lantern is a Must Read for Doug Mahnke's art alone, but Geoff Johns does a great job of establishing the threat of Krona while giving Hal Jordan something more personal to worry about in the midst of this crisis. It's a setup issue, but Johns keeps it fresh with his great character writing. Chances are this is already the mostread title on this week's Rankings, so you probably already bought this comic. But, in the off chance that you didn't, you need to!

This series has lost a lot of steam over the last few months and this choppy issue does nothing to alleviate that problem.

This comic is as charming as it is heartbreaking with Geoff Johns and Brett Booth working together to create an intelligent, emotionally complex Christmas special that does wonders for expanding upon the character of Larfleeze in a way that should really resonate with readers. Holiday comics are normally fluff pieces without substance, but they break the mold here and produce not only one of the finest comics of the week, but one of the best comics of the year.

This is an extremely fun issue with some great writing that is hindered a bit by the serviceable art. Still, even though the art kept it from taking the Top Spot, this is a cant miss book.

Despite the major issue with the pacing and strange panel choices, this is still a fun read with a great plot and amazing character interaction. The scenes between Blastaar and Nova were fantastic. The ending was a major shock and played out well enough that I can't wait for next month to see what happens next.

The next phase of this amazing series begins here and it kicks off with style. The issue is simply awesome on all levels and should not be missed. Of course, you should've been reading the series before this issue anyway, but if you haven't jumped on the Nova bandwagon yet, this issue is just one more reason to.

It should come as no surprise that, once again, Nova is amongst the best books of the week. The superb character work featured in this issue is the calling card for the series, as is the great mix of action and quieter moments. Kevin Sharpe's art could use a bit refinement, but he does a solid job of interpreting the script and has good chemistry with the writers.

While this isn't the strongest issue of Nova, it does feature a good amount of fun action and strong character work with some great twists. The pacing of the script does betray the pace of the story at times, as does the inconsistency of the art, but if you are just looking for a fun read, this issue will do you just fine.

Even without having a ton of knowledge about Darkhawk's situation, I found myself completely enthralled by this issue. The strong character work sucks you, while the fast paced action and interesting twists keeps you begging for more. Andrea Divito tops it off with a strong effort with the art. After slightly disappointing me last week, this series bounces back in a big way here.

This is a fun issue with a cool teamup with some surprising special guests and an interesting mystery. Unfortunately, it is one of the weaker issues of this series in terms of craft. I'm not sure if it was rushed or what, but neither the writing nor the art had the depth that I've come to expect from this series.

This week's Nova really overcomes all of the problems that crop up with solid storytelling and some simply awesome character work. When its bad, its pretty bad, but the rest of the issue is incredibly solid as

The strong art from Mahmud Asrar goes a long way in salvaging the uninspired plot of this issue. The story is really all about putting the Sphinx into a certain place for the final leg of this story, but it does so in a really drab manner. Thankfully Asrar comes in with one of his strongest Marvel outings yet to keep this one out of the fire.

This very strange storyline ends in a very strong manner as Mahmud Asrar carries the issue to this spot in the Rankings. His art is easily the strongest work he has done for Marvel to date. When that is combined with the very intriguing conclusion to this issue, you've got a great read on your hands. I really cannot see where they take this from here and I hope that Asrar sticks around for it.

While I've been trying to ignore the rumors of this titles demise as it takes a hiatus after this issue, I have to admit that if it is going to be cancelled, this is a great way to go out. This issue manages to capture everything that I've loved about this Nova series and about Nova in general. Kudos to the great creative team for stepping it up in a big way with this issue and earning themselves a shiny new Book of the Week honor.

This is easily my favorite issue of Kill Shakespeare yet and, much like the other books in the Top 6, has plenty of reasons for why it was a contender for Book of the Week. This is the most emotionally and thematically complex issue of the series, with the writing team of McCreery and Del Col showcasing just how much thought went into the plotting of this series. Another solid effort from Belangerwith some of the coolest layouts you'll see this weekelevates the book to the Must Read level, despite featuring the weirdest swollen lips I've seen in some time!

I really loved the first three issues of this series and the fourth follows suit by showcasing the same strengths as the creative team does wonders in turning a strong but whacky premise into a highly engaging story that is as intelligent as it is irreverent. I'm really not sure exactly what I expected with this series, but I do know that every single issue has exceeding any expectations I could have had and this issue is no different.

With a smidgen more plot movement this issue would easily jump into Must Read territory. The writing team does a great job with the characterization, but I don't feel like we are any closer to the core of the story than we were in the previous issue. The good news is that Andy Belanger's art is really starting to win me over. This issue is a great improvement and I hope that we see similar growth over the next few issues.

As Kill Shakespeare heads towards its inevitable conclusion, the creativity and complexity of the plotting continue to compound into what is becoming one of the best comics of the last few years. This week's issue features an awesome twist with Hamlet and Juliet that has me chomping at the bit for next issue in addition to more solid craftsmanship from all involved. You really should not miss this comic!

This is a really hard issue to review because so much of the book's success hinges upon the appearance of William Shakespeare. Looking at this issue alone, I'm a bit underwhelmed, but that's not to say that this won't read a million times better once the story is completed. This is one comic that is really going to benefit from being read in trade format (or even in chunks of issues) and I think that my opinion of this issue in particular could change retroactively after we see more of what McCreery and Del Col are doing. That's not to say that there aren't some problems that are hard to overlook, though. This isn't the strongest issue of Kill Shakespeare yet, but in the grand scheme of things, I remain extremely positive about this series as a whole.

. Chris Yost is doing some stellar things with Tim Drake in this issue with some of the best character development of the week. I like Ramon Bachs style and I think his tone matches what is going on in the script, but he needs to solidify his design work to take this book to another level. Still, the strength of the writing and the compelling plot (can't wait for next issue's Red Robin/Ra's al Ghul teamup) win out.

This is, admittedly, a step down for this title, but much of that lies in the weakness of Ramon Bachs's art and the fact that more clarification is needed on the plot. The characterization is still spot on, though, so I'm not worried about the decline in quality becoming a trend.

What really impresses me about this series is just how well Chris Yost "gets" Tim Drake and how that extends into everything he does with the character. The interesting plot and intriguing quest to find out what happened to Bruce Wayne certainly helps, but it is how well Yost handles Tim and his interactions with other characters that really carries this issue and this series as a whole.

The story and character work in this issue are simply awesome as Chris Yost continues to write one of the best interpretations of Robin that I've ever read. The greatness of the writing is really thrown off by the art though. Honestly, as rough as Bachs's work is here, I consider it a testament to the strength of the writing that the issue is even ranked this high.

This is probably the weakest issue yet of Red Robin, mostly due to the stiffness of the Tam Fox characters. Its hard to push someone else into the spotlight of a solo title without that character having a strong personality. There are a few other minor issues, but there's a lot to like about this issue as well. It's certainly not one I would avoid by any means, but it is a book I'd approach with caution.

This issue isn't flashy and it's not overly complex; however, it is a ton of fun and a great characterfocused story that explores who Red Robin is, but does so without skimping on the action. More importantly, though, this is a just plain enjoyable issue. It's a fun read from start to finish with solid craftsmanship. You really can't ask for more!

Red Robin has been a great series since its debut last year, but this issue really sets a new standard for the title with stellar craftsmanship from Chris Yost and the art team led by Marcus To. The series is clearly turning a corner with this issue, which makes it a perfect jumping on point for both new readers and readers that might have jumped ship with the darker take on Tim Drake from the previous issues. Regardless, new readers, returning readers, and regular readers should not miss this issue under any circumstances.

The creative team really outdoes themselves here as this is definitely the best issue this series has seen since its debut last year. Yost's great character work and strong plotting are complimented perfectly by Marcus To's art, which gets better and better with each issue. I'm really impressed with this issue. It is solid issues like this that make me disappointed that Yost will be leaving the title after issue #12!

Red Robin continues its run as, by far, the strongest comic in the Batman franchise at the moment. Chris Yost and Marcus To not only put together a great issue here but also prove that they have the chops to take on any character in the franchise. They've only got one issue left, which is a huge bummerlet's hope there are more teamups with this creative team to tackle these characters somewhere down the road!

This issue is the total package. You get brilliant character work, a great plot, some fantastic twists, and utterly stellar art. I've been digging this series from its first issue and so I've got high expectations, but this issue blew those out of the water. I hate to see Yost and To separated when they have such amazing chemistry with the title character, but I'm glad to see them go out on top. I had a tough choice to make in picking this week's #1 thanks to a strong haul of issues, but this

Transitions from one very strong run to a new creative team tend to be some of my least favorite issues; it seems like the more I liked the previous direction, the harder it is for me to stay entertained while the new creative team finds its legs. That doesn't happen here. In fact, there isn't a moment where I even remotely lost interest in Red Robin while reading this issue. Nicieza jumps immediately into old form as he picks up the reigns on Tim Drake, firmly establishing the new direction of this issue while still spinning out of Yost's superb run. This issue works on nearly every level and you'd be a fool to miss it!

I absolutely loved this issue. Nicieza continues to show that he is the best man for the job when it comes to Tim Drake and his chemistry with To is simply stellar. When you add in one of the best uses of Damian yet, you have an issue that should absolutely not be missed. If you are following any of the Batman books right now, you absolutely have no excuse for missing out on this issue. If you aren't, this issue is a shining example of why you should be.

This series is definitely in the running for my favorite comic of 2009 and this issue is a great example of why. Fabian Nicieza and Marcus To are working perfectly in sync on this series and the results are just phenomenal. There aren't many major flaws in the issue and those that do exist are more than made up for by its strengths. You really cannot go wrong with this book.

Honestly, this issue is pretty flawless. The craftsmanship from everyone involved is topnotch and its pretty entertaining to boot. There is a lot to like about this issue and a lot that is building up to that I think I'll like even more. There is no reason whatsoever to miss this comic.

There are a lot of books this week that pulled in Must Read verdicts, but no comic fought harder for the Book of the Week ranking than this week's Red Robin. This is a near flawless issue that delivers on an obnoxiously large number of levels. Every time I think about this comic, I find new things to love about it. The fact that this issue isn't #1 has absolutely nothing to do with any of its own flaws and it should be noted that it was just barely nosed out of the top spot by another incredibly impressive comic. Even as I write this, I'm second guessing my choice to put this book at #2. It's that goodnay! It's that great!

Nothing goes quite as planned for Tim Drake in this issue, but its business as usual for Red Robin with another top notch issue. This is one of the most complex and densely packed issues of the series thus far, with a great amount of action and plot movement. Nicieza balances that out with strong character work, including an intriguing debut for the new character Promise. All of this is rounded out by another solid effort from artist Marcus To.

Great storytelling and superb art continue to be the hallmarks of this series, which produced another great issue this week. Nicieza and To are a dynamite creative team and this issue shows that they can work just as well with other DCU characters, with the exception of Catman, who is surprisingly flat here. That aside, you really cannot go wrong with this series and this is another fine example of why.

Given the last minute creative team switch on this issue, I'm not surprised that this isn't the strongest issue of Paul Cornell's that I've ever read (Marc Guggenheim was originally solicited as the writer), but there is still a lot to like about this issue and enough to show that the concept has a lot of potential. It is a bit unfocused and the logical leaps are a bit much to swallow, but I think it is still worth a read if you've got a chance.

I picked this issue up knowing how great the Jimmy Olsen backup feature was (after it had been posted on Comixology last week), but was pleasantly surprised to see that the Lex Luthor main story was leaps and bounds ahead of the first (and only) installment I had read a few months back. With clever writing from both Cornell and Spencer, as well as fantastic art from both Chen and Silva, this is a definite "can't miss" comic.

If you have the patience to follow the lead story carefully,

You get a brilliantly written Lex Luthor, a fantastic guest appearance the Secret Six, the insanely enjoyable Jimmy Olsen by Nick Spencer, and art from two of the finest creators in the business today. You cannot go wrong with this issue of Action Comics, which is definitely a Book of the Week caliber comic and would be a shoein if not for the fact that this has was such a great week for the industry (which, in all honesty, featured five Book of the Week caliber comics). Don't miss this.

I'm so glad that the hiatus has not meant a dip in quality for Dynamo 5. It has been far too long since we've seen a new issue from this always awesome series, so it is so good to have it back. Faerber has absolutely no rust with these characters and with a bit more polish, Brilha could easily become the next big thing like Asrar was. This one was close to a Must Read, but a few nagging issuesincluding a really uninteresting backup storyheld it back, but just barely.

This issue is just as strong as any of the previous Dynamo 5 issues, as Jay Faerber and Julio Brilha bring the goods on a number of levels. I was a bit worried that we would see some rust, but I'm just as pleased with this issue as I was with the original run of the series. In fact, were it not for the relatively uninteresting backup feature, this would definitely rank as a Must Read and would've taken a strong run at the Top Spot in this week's Rankings.

If this issue was $2.99 or even $3.50 without the backup story, I think that it could have easily been a Buy it level book. Unfortunately, when reviewing the issue as a whole, I have to include the simply uninteresting backup feature. The backup alone is bad enough, but when you add in otherwise forgivable issues in the main story (they wouldn't be so bad if they were the only problems I had with the issue), this one tumbles back down the Rankings. I think that this issue is going to seem a lot better in trade, truthfully.

This one squeaks into the Buy It range on the strength of its art mostly. There are some great moments in terms of writing, especially in the latter half of the issue, but in a lot of ways it feels like we are treading down the same path, which is frustrating. That's not to say that I didn't enjoy the issue or that I wouldn't recommend it, because I think you should read it, but don't say that I didn't warn you!

I had very high expectations for Bryan Glass's writing here, as his Mice Templar series is one of the best comics of the last several years, and I wasn't disappointed. Glass is clearly looking to add depth and humanity to Thor's origin and is right on point here. There are some minor gripes here and there, but for the most part, my biggest issue is with the art. Huat's ability to convey action and his storytelling are strong, but in terms of actual designs and style, I was not impressed. Despite these issues, I definitely think that this comic is worth your time and money.

Much like Thor's internal battle with Donald Blake within the issue, I feel like the writing is at battle with the art in this issue. Glass's strong take on the Thor/Blake relationship and his simply frightening vision of Loki are definitely Must Read material. Unfortunately, I found that the art seriously hindered my enjoyment of the issue. Tan Eng Huat definitely has strong aspects to his art, but the overall look and feel of the issue is incredibly offputting. Thankfully the writing wins out on this issue, but I can't help but feel that, with stronger art, this issue could have made a run for Book of the Week.

I actually read this one multiple times before writing this review and, while I did gain a great appreciation for the character work, I couldn't get past a lot of the issues that I found in this comic. The biggest issue in the writing is the pacing, though I don't think this would be quite as noticeable if the art wasn't so distracting. The art should complete the story, not pull you out of it. Unfortunately, Tan Eng Huat's art works against this book more than for it and the entire issue suffers accordingly.

I feel like I'm repeating myself in each review of

I've never really connected with the Legion of Superheroes, despite all of my efforts to get engaged in their adventures. That, of course, was before this wonderfully crafted issue that does a great job of making the Legion accessible and enjoyable. Levitz's character writing is fantastic, especially given how long it has been since he has regular written a comic, and Cinar's artwork really shines. I was weary of another Legion relaunch, but I can see myself really getting on board with this series.

This series is threeforthree on fantastic, reasonably accessible issues as Paul Levitz and company are put together the best Legion title in quite some time (and really, the only one I've been able to stomach). There are some really cool thing brewing with EarthMan that are worth buying the issue for alone, though the fact that it is filledtothebrim with intriguing characters drawn quite well solidifies this as a worthy purchase.

I've said this on every single review of every single issue of this series, but I'm totally surprised by how invested I have become in this series. Paul Levtiz's character work has been simply amazing as he has done a tremendous job with making this series accessible and enjoyable to new readers. I cannot commend him enough on that. There are still issues with the multiple pencilers, though. If either Portela or Cinar (preferably Cinar) were taking on the issue in full by themselves, this issue could easily have made a run at the Top Spot on the Rankings.

Earth Man is the

It's amazing how this went from a series that I approached with caution due to the convoluted history of the extremely large Legion of Superheroes cast to becoming one of DC's strongest titles. Paul Levitz and a great art crew close out the first story arc with great new twists on undeniably charismatic characters. I get more and more excited about this series with each issue and this is a fine example of why I've recently become a total Legion junkie.

This issue almost pulls in a Buy It verdict, but falls short thanks to an underdeveloped backup and a lead story that is simply too short for my liking. I'm trying not to throw the

This issue is very much on the cusp of being a Buy It book as the action was handled really well and there are some cool developments that go on as the plot inches forward. Unfortunately, accessibility issues do factor in heavily, as does the disappointingly shallow dialogue. Is it a fun read? Definitely. Is it something you need to run out and buy not? Probably not.

Amazing to see Gage unleashed. This is not what you'd expect from him in terms of tone and story, but perfectly fits with his talent. Would like to see stronger art with more consistency, but the story still carries it.

I'm a fool. Knowing how much I loved the original Agents of Atlas miniseries and knowing how capable of a writer Jeff Parker is, I should've been reading this series all long. This issue is all about achieving balances and the creative really pulls it off. This one is pure fun.

I can't say that there have been many major event storylines that are good jumping on points for new readers, but with a little bit of Wikipedia research, this is a great place for newbies to start out in the Top Cow Universe. The characters are introduced well and the concepts seem to unfold naturally as it builds up to a great conclusion that has me excited for the next issue. Am I newfound Top Cow junkie? Not yet, but I'm certainly on board for this exciting story.

Honestly, when the kind folks at Top Cow sent me a review copy of

Artifacts #3 is a weird beast. In some ways, the flurry of character introductions puts you in information overload, but on the flipside, the lack of story movement makes you wish there were more meat in the issue. This draws and interesting parallel with the absurd number of artists who touch this issue, but don't seem to touch it enough. I'm intrigued by where the story is going and I want to know more about the characters we are introduced to here, but I need something more than what we are getting here. This issue is on the right track, it's just not going anywhere yet.

I have to be totally honest, this could have been the Book of the Week or a very strong runnerup if the art was just a bit more under control. Grant Morrison absolutely shines in this issue with his cleveryetclear approach to the characters, concepts, and plots. There is so much about this issue that I absolutely loved, it just kills me that the inking holds back the art so much. Inkers are often considered the unsung heroes of the business, but here, the inker is definitely the villain! A great performance from almost all around earn this the Must Read verdict, though it clearly had the potential for so much more!

When Grant Morrison manages to inject some fun into his weird and builds that out of a strong plot and great characterization, he is hard to beat and that is exactly what we get here. This issue features some great development as the Batman, Inc concept is fleshed out more in this highly entertaining issue. Paquette's art is a strong fit for the series, especially with the improvement made from last issue, though the inking is just a terrible fit. The sooner this is fixed, the sooner this book will be a contender for the top spot on the Rankings.

There are a lot things that work really well in theory in this issue, as Grant Morrison has some fun, wacky ideas that could work really well with the tense plot, but the execution from both the writer and artist Yanick Paquette here just aren't up to snuff compared to their usual work. The great cliffhanger has me excited for next issue, but I can't help but feel like this one should've been stronger than it was.

. I think this book would benefit from swapping the lead and the backup. Sturges, Norton, and Rapmund put together the much stronger story, but clearly need more space to do everything they are trying to accomplish. The lead story was interesting and had a lot of potential, but ultimately falls flat in comparison to the "second feature."

The cofeature is still the highlight of the series for me, but the lead story made me feel much better about picking up the entire book than it has in the past. This is the first time it seemed that Dan Jurgens was comfortable back in the writingseat. I'm still a bit confused about Blair Butler's cameo, though. Unless you are a big fan of G4, her appearance on the cover is a bit baffling and her onepanel cameo in the issue does little to help that. It makes you wonder why DC even bothered.

With a fun, adventurous leadstory and strong art throughout, this issue of Booster Gold is another win for the book since adding the Blue Beetle backup. The cofeature was a bit simplistic, but the character work was solid enough for me to overlook that. The only thing that really held this one back was the unacceptable discrepancies in how Black Beetle was portrayed between the two stories.

Both stories in Booster Gold are a bit light on plot, but feature strong character writing. For once, the lead is actually the stronger story as Dan Jurgens does a wonderful job of reflecting on his run thus far and makes me wish that he'd have more chances to write Dick Grayson as Batman. The cofeature is a fun little romp, but ends far too quickly for my liking.

This issue really has it allsuperb character work, gorgeous art, and a gripping plot. I've been complaining a lot about how stale the Blackest Night formula has becomeBlack Lantern comes back, hero is shocked, hero is overwhelmed in fight, rinse, and repeatbut this issue shows that even a very tired concept can be made fresh with quality craftsmanship. This could very easily be the best issue of Booster Gold since the heartbreaking Killing Joke issue and that says a lot!

This is easily my favorite issue of Booster Gold yet and one of my favorite Blackest Night tieins. The interaction between Booster and the two Blue Beetles is simply priceless and the tribute to Ted Kord is incredibly moving. When you add in the gorgeous art you have an incredibly strong issue that shouldn't be missed.

The two great stories in this issue are nice payoffs to readers that have been following them for a while, but remain accessible to new readers. The Booster Gold story felt a bit phoned in at times, especially with the opening sequence that dragged on a bit. I would much rather have seen less time focused on Booster pounding the Royal Flush Gang and more time given to Blue Beetle's latest adventure.

I never thought I'd say it, but this issue is held back by the Blue Beetle backup. Although its clear that this is meant to be a sendoff for the character and a payoff for longtime fans, it is far too rushed and there is no dnouement to give it any impact. The Booster story is solid and might have made it into Buy It territory on its own, but the Beetle story falls flat, which is a major disappointment for a HUGE fan like me.

The issue does drag a bit towards the middle, but that is really the only major complaint that I have on this one. This was definitely one of the most entertaining comics of the week and the creative team did a great job with the craftsmanship. As a lifelong

I really did not expect much out of a series focusing on Barry Allen as the Flash (lifelong fan of Wally as the character), but Geoff Johns and Francis Manapul are making a fan out of me with high quality issues like this one. The strong pacing, interesting characterbased twists, and fantastic art are enough to win over just about any cynic. I know I can't be the only naysayer about Barry Allen's return and I urge my brethren to give this series a shot as issues like this are likely to change their minds.

Another issue, another big win for The Flash. Geoff Johns and Francis Manapul are working perfectly in synch to build an exciting story here with a slew of twists and turns while remaining extremely character focused. This series is a ton fun and this issue really should not be missed.

This issue is practically exploding with awesomeness as there are a ton of cool concepts going on and another amazing effort from artist Francis Manapul. I wasn't quite as thrilled with the short backup on the

It isn't often that I can say this, but I really feel like there is too much of Geoff Johns in this issue. Francis Manapul does a superb job of carrying this issue and telling the story, but Johns has a tendency to overwrite here and that hijacks a lot of what Manapul is accomplishing. There are some major issues that would keep this from being a Must Read comic, but with a minimal approach to dialogue, Manapul could have run this one a few more spots up the Rankings!

The first storyline for this series wraps up just as well as it began, with Johns and Manapul showing that they both have the goods to make Barry Allen a compelling and exciting character (as a Wally fan that hated

For every step forward this issue makes, it takes another big step back...over and over and over again. There is a lot that the creative team does really well here that is at war at all the things they could have done better. The end result is a wildly uneven ride that, while entertaining, can't overcome its flaws to be the comic it has the potential of being.

Clearly the Reverse Flash has a major role to play in the upcoming Flashpoint storyline and this issue is an entertaining way of bringing readers up to speed on the character's history. I really dig seeing Geoff Johns be playful with how he unfolds this story, even if the ending does seem to miss the mark. The biggest downfall for me, though, is the art of Scott Kolins, which simpy isn't up to par on his previous work. A stronger outing from Kolins and this issue would be much higher up on the Rankings.

Technically, other than some issues with the coloring, there isn't a lot wrong with the craftsmanship of this issue. Manapul's art is impressive and Johns has a good take on the characters. The biggest problem that I'm having is that the issue is that it's simply too much like the first issue of this relaunched series and it really wasn't the most entertaining book. Sometimes it just comes down to how much fun you have reading a book and this one felt a bit flat.

This issue just barely missed the mark for a Buy It verdict, mostly because of the awkward pacing that made it hard to trudge through on my first readthrough and the prerequisite knowledge of Mockingbird's history that you really need to have to get the full extent of this issue. I really dug McCann's approach to the characters through and the art team worked well with him. This is certainly a fun issue that has me convinced to come back for more as this series has loads of potential.

One step forward, one step back. Great character moments, followed by less than pleasing plotting. Awesome action sequences, followed by horrible looking civilian identities. The good definitely outweighs the bad, which vaulted the issue up a few places, but the series could definitely use some polish before I'm going to commit to anything beyond the next issue.

This is a great issue that builds upon a lot of the many, many things that have worked over the last few issues. McCann has been dropping threads leftandright, many of which start to come together, giving this issue multiple levels of conflict that are tremendously interesting. There are some pacing issue with the dialogue and certain aspects of the art still grate on me, but overall, I'm calling this one a win (albeit just barely) and a book that way too many people are missing out on.

I had been generally enjoying this series over the first three issues, but with this issue it has officially solidified its place on my Pull List. Jim McCann's spot on plotting and great character writing are complimented perfectly by David Lopez's engaging and exciting art in one of the more thrilling issues of the week. There are still kinks that need to be worked out, but with this issue, Hawkeye and Mockingbird has vaulted up to the echelon of Marvel's best titles.

The first storyline in this series rockets to a conclusion in the much the same manner it has operated from the beginningstrong character work, highoctane action, and an anything goes approach to storytelling. Jim McCann pulls a major shocker here that completely changes the game for this series and the art team led by David Lopez makes it look fantastic. I never thought I'd see the day that a comic starring Hawkeye and Mockingbird would be one of Marvel's strongest books, but issues like this have shown me the error of my ways.

I absolutely hate that this series is going to go away, especially since the recent Runaways hiatus has shown us that hiatuses are just cruelly mislabeled cancellations. Jim McCann and the art team led by David Lopez play to their strengths here and bring their Agame in doing so. This issue encapsulates everything that has worked incredibly well for this series and turns it up to 11. I'm not okay with the fact that this series is ending, but I'm so glad that it is ending on such a strong note. If you are going to go, go out on top, right? This is the first

This issue is another fine example of the strength of Marvel's cosmic books, which have flourished under the writing team of Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning. There are some glaring issues, most notable the predictability of the issue and the uncharacteristically weak art by Paul Pelletier. However, ti is a nice kickoff to the next saga for this end of the Marvel Universe and a good exploration of Crystal and Gladiatorthe most interesting characters coming out of the original War of Kings miniseries.

There are setbacks in this issue and some of its faults are awfully glaring, but you cannot deny the potential it has for greatness. Paul Dini does wonders with the character and Stephane Roux looks like he will, given time, just as strong of an interior artist as he is for covers. Zatanna is character that is too often played up as either A) a quick magical deus ex machine or B) sheer eye candy, but I think that this series is going to go a long way at changing that. This could definitely be the new

Zatanna has been a fantastic book since its debut, but Dini and Roux really raised the bar with this amazing issue. Everything about this issue works perfectly in synch as this amazingly talented creative team puts on a showcase for quality storytelling and characterization. From the strong dialogue and inventive action sequences to the gorgeous designs and stellar expressions, this comic is pure gold from cover to cover. You absolutely should not miss this one under any circumstances.

As usual, Paul Dini does a brilliant job here. I really love the crazy concepts that he puts together in this issue (a Rat Pack version of the Royal Flush Gang? Im sold!), plus the interaction between Zatanna and Zatara was strong. Unfortunately, Chad Hardin simply cannot live up to the standards set by regular artist Stephane Roux and is wildly inconsistent in his attempts to do so. If not for their clothes remaining the same through this issue, the characters would be unrecognizable at times thanks to their ever-shifting facial features. Plus, seriously, if you are going to have Rat Pack impersonators in your comic, you need to make them look at least marginally like Frank Sinatra and company!

While I'd still much rather have

I can't say that I didn't enjoy this issue, because it was fun, despite its flaws. Adam Beechen brings a great oldschool vibe to the story, which feels like it could be ripped from one of DC's blackandwhite Showcase volumes. Unfortunately, the pacing issues and overwritten approach take away from the story, as does Chad Hardin's struggles to refine his art. There are definitely reasons to read this issue, but I couldn't find enough to recommend a purchase.

While Cliff Chiang's work is a nice bonusalbeit an odd bonus as he seems to be feeling out a new stylethe real draw of this issue is the clever storytelling from Paul Dini, who uses the plot of this issue in some interesting ways as he establishes rules, plays with reader expectations, and showcases just how clever he is. Another month and another fun issue of Zatanna.

Like its counterpart, Ultimate Comics Avengers, this is a great introduction to the Ultimate Universe; unlike that issue, however, I really feel that I got my $3.99 worth thanks to the densely packed storytelling and the simply superb showing on all fronts. I don't agree with Marvel's choice to price this at $3.99, but if this series continues to be as strong as this issue, I could be swayed to find an extra $4 each month to pick it up.

The only real problem that I had with Ultimate Comics SpiderMan #2 is the cover, which I think speaks volumes about the level of quality of this issue. Of course, considering it beat out this week's amazing issues of Mice Templar Destiny and Incognito to be Book of the Week, you know it has to be one heck of an issue. As good as the first issue was, this issue really won me over and now has me clamoring for the next issue.

While I do enjoy the regular Amazing SpiderMan title and will always have a softspot for the original Peter Parker, the Ultimate version of the character by Bendis and LaFuente is simply blowing the 616 title out of the water. This issue is just another fine example of why this is one of the most enjoyable comics on the stands.

I'll keep it simple with this one. The worse part about Ultimate Comics SpiderMan is that it isn't the Spidey book that is released thrice monthlyonce a month simply isn't enough for this spectacular series.

I'm still completely infatuated with this series. Bendis and Lafuente are putting on a clinic with their awesomeness here. This is precisely how classic superhero styling can combine with a modern flair. There are a handful of better comics out there right now, but I can't think of any straightup superhero books that are this good. Another month, another big win for Ultimate Comics SpiderMan.

Once again I'm simply blown away by how much fun this series is. Bendis and Lafuente do a brilliant job of bringing these characters to life with a great deal of personality that is unlike any other teencentric comic that I've read in years. There are very few flaws in this issue and all of them are more than made up for by this issue's strengths.

Another month and another fun issue of Ultimate Comics SpiderMan. This is a light, charming issue with solid character interaction and a take on Rick Jones that is surprisingly notannoying. The issue does lack the polish of the previous issues, but even a rough issue of this series is heads and tails above most comics on the stands this week.

On the surface, this is a fun issue that is a decent introduction to Rick Jones as the Ultimate Nova (think Frankie Raye, not Richard Rider). The problem is that the character work isn't up to the title's high standards and the art is a bit of a misstep for the usually awesome Miyazawa. It's worth a read, but I wouldn't bend over backwards to check it out.

Once again, Brian Michael Bendis creeps me out by his uncanny ability to write engaging and realistic teen characters in the most unusual and unrealistic of circumstances. This issue strays away from the action for the most part and instead focuses on the most mundane of teenage activities. While you might think that this would mean the issue would be less than thrilling, the creative team keeps things very fresh and entertaining. Who would've thought a comic featuring an extended haircut scene could earn a

Once again, Ultimate Comics SpiderMan is a veritable clinic on effective storytelling and character work with Bendis and Lafuente seemingly sharing a brain as they put this issue together. There is no other explanation for how two individuals could click so well in creating a comic. Having never seen them in the same place at the same time, I'll also accept conspiracy theories about them being the same person.

There are things to like in this issue, but most of them are fleeting as it plods along from one major storyline to another. Transition issues like this are always a hard sell, but there just wasn't enough for me to sink my teeth into to be fully satisfied, especially with such a bland villain to close out the issue. At least we had plenty of David Lafuente awesomeness to even things out.

I'm not a huge fan of any story that involves a shapeshifter taking over the body of a hero because, quite frankly, its been done too many times and there are only so many spins that can be put on it. Considering this storyline was already done with SpiderMan earlier this year with the

There really isn't anything original about this story that hasn't been done for every other superhero that has faced a shapeshifter at one time or another; the only real twist is that Chameleon is two people in the Ultimate Universe (yawn). This is really the first time I've felt letdown by this series, but the hopefully the inevitable action next issue will make up for it. Also, while

A bad issue of

This is really fun, really wellcrafted comic. All of the art teams do a great job of working with

You should probably buy this issue for the artwork alone, as Sara Pichelli absolutely rocks it here. She is such an incredible talent and I really hope that Marvel utilizes her elsewhere after she leaves this book. The writing is a tad disjointed, but Bendis's tremendous character work does make up for a lot of the pacing and plotting issues. In the end, not the finest issue of Ultimate SpiderMan, but another nice reminder on why this book is so much fun.

This issue is all about setup and foreshadowing as SpiderMan "learns" about heroics and we learn about the insanely powerful Zodiac Key, both of which are likely to be major parts of the

If you are going to follow The Death of SpiderMan in the coming months, this is a really important issue to read and there are some things in the issue that you'll find to be very enjoyable. The final scene is a really touching moment, but the majority of the issue simply doesn't fall into place. We all know what this creative team is capable of, but, unfortunately they just don't live up to it in this issue.

When Bendis writes one of the best scenes of his career and Samnee draws the best issue of his career, there is absolutely no chance that any other comiceven the amazing Elephantmencould top this one as

While this is a minor step down in terms of quality for this amazing series, a less-than-stellar issue of Guardians is better than almost every other book out there and still comes with a very strong recommendation.