Southern Bastards is going places. Its first issue is a raw, harsh, unflinching glimpse into the heart of a small Southern town and a man who is forced to return to it, even if it's the last thing he wants to do. And it's about as close to perfect as comics get.

Three issues in and it has become clear: Southern Bastards is amazing comics.

Aaron is at his best when he's writing about men returning to the places that made them. This series is perhaps his greatest meditation on that premise. Southern Bastards has arrived. Get on board.

Southern Bastards is mean, ugly, and raw. It is, simply, a book about some of the worst men in the world. It just so happens to be told through arguably the best comic on the stands today

At this point though, there's still no such thing as bad Southern Bastards, and issue 6 is another smart missile of comics greatness.

If you aren't reading Southern Bastards, you aren't reading the best comic being published right now.

Sex Criminals #6 is a masterful display of emotional vulnerability channeled perfectly through the medium. Buy this.

It's can't-miss stuff that needs to be read by everyone who has ever enjoyed a movie and wondered what went into writing it. There are still two issues left in this mini-series and it's time for everyone to catch up on this book while they still can.

Don't let Annihilator pass you by. It's a hell of a comic and earns an enthusiastic must-buy every time a new issue hits.

Okay, a comic about a maximum security prison island for giant monsters should not be as emotionally devastating as Zander Cannon's Kaijumax, debuting this week from Oni Press. What could easily be a light, wacky book is instead, under the deft hand of Cannon, a compelling prison story with a tremendous amount of heart.

It will surprise nobody at all if this story becomes Image's next big thing. It should. The Fade Out is vintage Brubaker/Phillips and sets the stage for a dirty, ugly mystery with style and grace. Don't miss this one.

Is there a comic on the stands today with joy and energy that surpasses that which is on display in Lumberjanes? Issue 8 makes it abundantly clear that the answer is no.

If you've been reading the series to date, you don't need someone to tell you this, but if you haven't: Lumberjanes, as per usual, has more heart and spunk than just about any book on the stands these days. It's an absolute delight to read. Issue #10 is no exception.

Reviewing Lumberjanes is hard because all that really needs to be said is that you need to set aside whatever excuse you've made for NOT reading it and just read it.

The Lumberjanes crew drops what might be their best issue yet this week. Lumberjanes #13 is something of a done-in-one origin story for the characters that have now been entertaining readers for over a year. It's expertly plotted and paced, showing each camper's arrival and integration into the group.

Lapham is one of the best storytellers in comics and the first issue of Stray Bullets: Sunshine and Rainbows doesn't tarnish that reputation in the slightest. It's a great read and not to be missed

This arc may not be quite as engaging or exciting as Killers, but it's still a blast of a comic that serves as an excellent reminder of how incredible comics can be.

The Ultra is Grant Morrison at his best, questioning the structures of fiction and comics as a whole without forgetting to take the reader on a ride they'll enjoy as he does it. It's about as perfect as DC comics get these days.

Admittedly, Guidebook is nowhere near as approachable or standalone as previous entries like The Just or Thunderworld. But close readers will be rewarded for their patience and time with a multitude of information and allusions to previous issues of the series.

From the opening page depicting Hitler on the toilet reading a Superman comic to the utter insanity that follows, Mastermen is a wild comic with some of Jim Lee's best art in years. It's sick and demented, but also kind of brilliant.

Simply put, it's a delight. Whether you're a longtime fan of Powell's or want to dip your toes into his dark and gruesome waters for the first time, Big Man Plans is a must-read.

With so many high-profile releases coming out this week, a little book like Cluster can easily slip under the radar. Which is a shame, because Cluster is a gem. It's difficult for a comic to live up to the sheer coolness of its James Stokoe cover, and yet, that's exactly what the book does.

Kindt characterizes Rai quite well in this book. He's a loyal soldier who is being forced to question everything he stands for. If this narrative plays out as strongly as it does in this issue, the entire series could be something special. And it's impossible to overstate how great Crain's work is here. The design of this world is awe-inspiring and his color work is a sight to behold.

It's distinct, weird, and kinetic in a way that few artists today can touch. It's difficult to say what the book is about or where it's going, and this seems very intentional. Rumble is unpredictable. And that's a good thing.

We need more books like Space Riders; we need more books willing to just go to weird places and never take their foot off of the gas pedal. Don't miss it.

If you don't already think Ramon Perez is the best artist on Marvel's roster these days, you oughta check out All-New Hawkeye #2. Perez's watercolored pages are a revelation, just absolutely gorgeous beyond belief.

The issue is almost completely silent, telling its story visually in lieu of through exposition. It's a bold move from a bold creative team, and they stick the landing in great form.

Jay Faerber and Scott Godlewski have managed to create a space western that doesn't feel like a blatant ripoff of its predecessors. They create a great sense of who the protagonist is as well as a great sense of the world she occupies. They keep the latter close to the chest, though. There's clearly intent to allow the readers discover this world more and more with each issue.

D4VE is a great protagonist and his world is rendered in all of its grimy glory through Ramon's excellent art. It also merits mentioning that this book is funny. Not chuckle-quietly-to-yourself funny, actual laughing-out-loud-in-public funny. D4VE isn't a book you should miss this week by any means.

D4VE is a special book that everyone who's ever been stuck in a job they hated, longing for their better days, should give a read.

Seeing tie-in issues like this is a real treat and you'd be remiss to not check out Gotham Academy's this week.

Men of Wrath is some can't-miss comics. You just might not want to eat before reading it.

It's a mean, nasty book about mean, nasty people. And you're probably gonna love it anyway.

Some comics are just plain cool. There's no way to describe exactly what it is that makes them this way. They're just cool. Michael Moreci and Vic Malhotra's Roche Limit is one of those books.

Eight years may be a long time to wait, but Lapham has made sure that these first two issues are more than worth it.

David Lapham's Stray Bullets is a monthly reminder of the fact that comics are capable of great things. Each new issue has been incredible in its own unique way. While the third issue doesn't quite reach the beautiful heights the second did, it still lives up to the series' reputation.

Issue six isn't necessarily a step down in quality from the previous issues. It's a wholly necessary interlude of sorts, setting the stage for what's to come. But even in an interlude issue, Lapham on Stray Bullets is a creator unparalleled in terms of mastery of craft.

If you aren't on board with Stray Bullets at this point, it's time to play catchup. A hell of a storm is brewing and you don't want to miss it when it finally hits.

As always, Lapham's art and story are merged seamlessly, creating some of the best sequential storytelling in the field today.

It's probably too soon to say if the newest series is "better than ever", but it's definitely safe to say that Casanova is capital-B Back.

If you've ever found yourself thinking, "Man, I sure wish there were some comic out there that flawlessly combined talking animal alien space warriors, astro farmers, true romance, and beastiality." I have some very good news for you: God Hates Astronauts has arrived.

One doesn't see risks like this in superhero comics often. And whether it's a perfect issue like Hawkeye #11 or one that falls slightly short like #19, it's always good to see something new and daring on the stands. On that front, Hawkeye always hits the bullseye.

eturn to Slumberland is the perfect Little Nemo entry point for a generation of new readers.

Low is going places. Its first issue takes a multitude of exposition and character building and organically fits it into a tight, efficient single issue. It's too soon to tell, but Low could end up being Remender's best Image work yet. And considering the roll he's been on lately, that's no small statement.

Paired with Remender's confident scripting and pacing, Low is nothing short of wonderful. It's tough to imagine this book not becoming Image's next big hit. If it somehow doesn't, it will be no fault of the creators. Low is everything great about Image's current initiative in one beautiful comic.

If you can get over the somewhat-ridiculous premise, Memetic is sure to deliver plenty of chills just in time for Halloween.

Sometimes you look at a comic and get everything you need to know about it from the cover. Teen Dog is one of those comics.

Teen Dog is a tremendously special book that hits home like no other. If you haven't caught up on it, now's the perfect time.

As always, Teen Dog is wacky, irreverent fun in the purest, most satisfying way.

It's no secret at this point that Teen Dog is something of a favorite here at IGN. There are few pleasures in comics these days like getting to read new stories about the raddest dog in the whole dang world. Issue six comes out this week and while it's not the series's strongest, it's still an absolute blast.

It's awesome to see Image taking a chance on a weird book like this one and you definitely don't want to miss it among all the other great books out this week.

But that's the strength of McKeever's newest debut. He doesn't have to tell you everything with this first issue. He knows that you'll be hooked regardless.

All things considered, Tiny Titans: Return to the Treehouse is one of the most enjoyable comic DC has published in a good while.

In the case of Tiny Titans, consistency is a good thing. The series' triumphant return has kept steady the fun, good-natured humor of the original run paired with its wonderful character moments. It's easily the most out-and-out enjoyable book DC is putting out these days

Marceline fans won't be disappointed, and they'll be even more curious to see where this series goes from here.

There aren't many Adventure Time comics like this one and it's officially a can't-miss for fans of the series.

The book practically radiates urgency and tension and readers are sure to love it. It's just a good, simple story told by great storytellers.

Silk #1 might slip under your radar this week. Don't let it. This book is entirely deserving of a wide audience. Help give it one.

Of all the debuts out this Wednesday, Bodies is one of the ones you'll be kicking yourself for not picking up if you miss it.

Si Spurrier's Bodies has been one of the most intriguing books on the stands since its debut, and issue three is no exception. Telling the story of the same dead body found at four different points in time, Bodies is an exercise in atmosphere, nonlinear storytelling, and tension in comics. It delivers on all fronts.

Usagi Yojimbo is back with a vengeance this week. Seeing the return of a series as great as this is always special. Senso #1 is the beginning of a new Stan Sakai epic. Make sure to pick up the first issue so you can say you were there when it began.

This issue brings about some interesting plot turns and certainly keeps the reader guessing.Longtime Usagi fans and new readers alike are sure to get a kick out of Senso.

Gotham By Midnight is a creepy, crazy take on what happens in Batman's city after the sun goes down. Don't miss it.

Gotham By Midnight isn't your typical Batman comic, but it's certainly the most unique and interesting in the Batman line.

That a book like Gotham by Midnight exists is something of a blessing. It's a delightfully weird book with a delightfully off-kilter creative team. And that creative team knocks it out of the park once again this week in the series's fourth issue.

Issue five, which is centered on a conflict involving The Spectre, is one of the best of the series so far. Fans of horror and Gotham alike are sure to love Gotham By Midnight.

This is a comic with interiors by Art Adams, so first of all, yes, you do need to buy it. Let's just get that out of the way now. Art Adams is, rightfully, a comics legend and it's great to see him on book interiors for the first time in what feels like forever.

Nothing you'd think would happen in this book does, and it's all the better for it. Its self-contained nature also makes it an easy jumping-on point for new readers (which is absolutely advised, as the series as a whole has been great). Look past the gimmick and give this one a shot " it's worth it.

Skottie Young's Rocket Raccoon is irreverent, meta-aware, and probably the most fun book Marvel has on the stands these days.

Skottie Young's Rocket Raccoon book is everything a comic about an anthropomorphic gun-savvy rodent should be. It's wildly fun and tremendously imaginative. It's no leap to say that Rocket Raccoon may be the most unique Marvel book out there these days.

Both of the stories are great, and the reader's preference will depend entirely on their taste. The fact of the matter is that with two really good stories, you really can't lose with purchasing Sensation Comics #6.

There aren't many characters like The Goon in comics and there aren't many creators as unique and enjoyable as Eric Powell. It's a thrill to have both of them back, especially in a comic as great as this one.

The series isn't going to draw in anybody not already sold on the concept or Scioli's work but for anyone already interested in either, it's the perfect comic. Reading this book is the best possible reminder of how much fun it was to play with your toys as a kid.

It's one of the best books Image is putting out today and that's saying something.

Road Warrior is a fun entry in Waid's Daredevil story, though you shouldn't lose any sleep over missing it if you must.

Mark Waid and Chris Samnee's Daredevil is rarely anything less than a pleasure. Issue 2 keeps that track record in tact in spectacular fashion.

t's no secret at this point that Mark Waid and Chris Samnee's Daredevil is one of the best comics, superhero or not, on the stands. So to say that this fourth issue is the best since its relaunch is no small statement.

This issue is a masterful look at what depression can do to those who suffer from it. Waid and Samnee utilize the look and feel of the world they've created over the course of the run to expertly portray Matt's symptoms and mental state. It's really special stuff.

While it may not hit home for those unfamiliar with the movie the way it does with diehard fans, readers are sure to fall in love with Edward all over again in his new adventures.

A gorgeous cover by Kevin Wada makes this book a must-buy for any Scissorhands fans out there. Grab this book and get your goth on.

If you enjoyed Original Sin and want to explore that story further, this book's creative team has put together a great read that you'd be remiss to not pick up.

On the subject of this book's art, colorist Dave McCraig works absolute wonders for Rafael Albuquerque's art, creating a rustic, blazing portrait of the American west. This issue also reveals what will likely be the continuing plot of the entire second half of the series, and folks, it's a doozy. The reveal is handled through an excellently executed chaotic sequence that is almost worth the cover price alone. Despite a slow start, this is a super solid issue that cements the series' return to form.

It's great to see American Vampire firing on all cylinders, and fans of the series are sure to love this installment.

Batman/Superman #9 is a great entry in one of DC's better books these days.

Writers Becky Cloonan and Brendan Fletcher have crafted two absolutely unforgettable characters in their protagonists and readers young and old are sure to love them. Similarly, Karl Kerschl's art suits the book perfectly and is a pure visual pleasure. Gotham Academy remains one of the most intriguing corners of the Batman universe.

Issue six is an excellent example of everything great about the series. You should absolutely check it out for yourself.

You've probably heard plenty of praise about this book over the course of the last year. It's all warranted. Ms. Marvel is a very special book and issue 10 is no exception.

It's easy to see Hastings and Sterling as a creative team on this book lasting a good long while. Their debut isn't perfect, but it's absolutely enough to convince readers that they're the right guys for the job.

If there was any hesitation as to whether Adventure Time would remain a high-quality book after the departing of writer Ryan North, new scribe Christopher Hastings has to have set all of those concerns at ease by now.

Admittedly, old-school writers coming back to their old characters doesn't always work out great. But it's actually wild just how seamless Conway's return feels. He's adjusted his writing style according to the times and does a great job here

Going back down to a street-level crime story is a great take, and the creative team handles it very well. Spider-Man fans won't want to miss Spiral this week.

Jurgens has an excellent grasp on writing Clark, and Weeks is honestly one of the most underrated comic artists of all time. While the story is good, his art is flat-out great. Superman's Convergence book definitely isn't one you want to miss this week.

Justice League United is great fun. Lemire solidifies himself as the high bar of DC's writer roster and McKone is in fine form here. It's a good time and comes highly recommended.

If you're willing to put the effort into breaching its dense universe, Tooth & Claw is absolutely worth picking up.

It's a great debut and has potential to be Boom's next big hit.

The story doesn't reinvent the wheel by any means but it's a fun romp with some stellar art.

Man, sometimes all you need is a good old-fashioned Superman story. And that's what Adventures of Superman has consistently delivered since its inception: fun, well-crafted stories about Truth, Justice, and The American Way.

Aliens: Fire and Stone is a very solid continuation of the story Dark Horse's new creative brain trust has put together and is totally worth picking up this week.

Two issues in and the new Captain America run is off to a roaring start.

Man, does anyone draw straight-up superhero comics as well as Stuart Immonen? All-New Captain America makes a pretty solid case for the answer being "no."

Arkham Manor is a must-buy for any Bat fans looking for something new.

Convergence: The Flash is, at this point, definitely standing as one of the events' finer moments.

As a whole though, Curb Stomp is a wholly unique read and absolutely worth your money this week. Check it out. This is gonna be one to watch in the future.

Under the command of new writers Michael Moreci and Steve Seeley as well as artist Emilio Laiso, Cassie Hack makes her return in a book that feels distinct from the original series while maintaining the same spirit.

Hexed is engaging, intriguing, and most of all, fun. Definitely check this one out.

On a closing note, Howard the Duck #2 is worth buying if only for it featuring one of the most memorable closing cliffhanger pages of all time. You guys aren't going to want to miss that.

Much like the rest of Archaia's Jim Henson books, Matthew Dow Smith's entry in Witches is a hit.

As a whole though, Legendary Star-Lord is a joyous interstellar romp and absolutely worth adding to your pull list.

So make no mistake: Nova #29 does not suck. It's a fun romp through space with a lot of heart, and fans of the series are sure to love it.

Every few weeks, a new comic drops that just knocks the reader dead in terms of its sheer audacity and weirdness. This week, Swifty Lang and Skuds McKinley's Plunder joins that special shelf. Telling a tale of strange horror on the high seas, it's a hell of a book with a hell of a bite.

It's not entirely clear where the series is going, and that's could potentially turn a lot of readers off. That said, there's some lovely art and very cool storytelling at play here. If you're willing to give a well-crafted book with an ambiguous premise a shot, Rasputin is worth a look.

This issue does its job for the most part and ends on a hook that certainly makes the second issue worth checking out.

Overall though, the debut of Strange Sports Stories is a lot of fun, with a great Paul Pope cover to seal the deal.

The last year has been filled with some exceptionally memorable Image debuts. Some have stood out more than others, though. While there's no telling where the series is going from here, it's safe to say that The Wicked and the Divine is among the strongest Image debuts of recent memory. This book is absolutely worth checking out this week.

It's criminal that more people aren't talking about Undertow. But make no mistake: Undertow deserves your attention. It reads like Game of Thrones set in Atlantis, full of political intrigue, great character work, and violence.

Overall though, Spider-Gwen remains a very good book that deserves every bit of praise it's been receiving.

A good Jason Aaron Thor comic instead of great is still better than no Thor comic, and fans are sure to love the third issue of the God of Thunder's new series.

One would think that in a book about the future, these new characters would be given more focus. Instead they're background characters that take a backseat to bringing back the original Fantastic Four. To be fair, the story will continue in the Guardians of the Galaxy 100th Anniversary special. Maybe they'll be expanded upon in that book. However, it still would have been nice to get a better look at the new team in a book that presumably should be all about them.

While it's not the series' strongest chapter, Batman Eternal #32 keeps the ball rolling on the most engaging Batman event in a while.

Nonetheless, this is a heck of an issue of Batman Eternal. If you've been keeping up with the book, there are twists in this issue that you simply can't miss. And twists aside, it's a really good comic in its own right.

It's safe to say that LaFuente's issue stands up there with Joe Quinones and RM Guera's issues as a series high point. Batman Eternal has been on a real hot streak lately, and this week's issue keeps that streak going strong.

While it's not a high point for the series, this week's Batman Eternal is still a very solid installment in DC's best weekly comic in ages.

The issue as a whole, especially the opening, is a great read. It continues what has to be a six-week hot streak for Batman Eternal at this point. Hop on this train, guys. It's quite the ride.

It may not be time to write Batman Eternal's hot streak off, but this week is the first not-great issue of the weekly series in quite some time. It's not that it's bad so much as it's inconsistent.

Issue 47 is far from the series's worst. It just isn't anywhere close to its best.

The book is just gorgeous. It's great to see the title upping its quality in its last few issues, and if Batman Eternal 48 is any indication, the series is about to go out with a bang.

The recent industry trend in putting serious creative talent on licensed adaptation comics continues to pay off in Eric Powell and Brian Churilla's debut issue of Big Trouble in Little China.

Al Ewing is doing a truly wonderful job of crafting a superhero comic that happens to be fun without writing a Fun Superhero Comic in the vein of Batgirl or Hawkeye. There's certainly nothing wrong with books like those (on the contrary, they tend to be pretty great). But it's so rare to find a book that feels like a traditional superhero comic that just happens to have some more lighthearted moments.

Image's latest out-of-nowhere smash hit debuted last month in the form of Goners, a fun, rampant romp of a family horror story by writer Joseph Semahn and artist Jorge Corona. The follow-up issue is, as its predecessor, a whole lot of fun. The entire book is essentially one extended action sequence filled with some really wonderful staging.

The comic asks the question of what would happen if a bigger cosmic event than The Big Bang created a single lifeform: the clear Superman analogue Cosmos. Kirkbride's writing is magnificently Kirby-esque. It's very exclamatory and poetic in a clearly intentional over-the-top manner. Overall, it's a lot of fun to read.

As a whole, the anthology serves as a very appropriate tribute to 75 years of Marvel history. Some shorts, however, are stronger than others. The standout, shockingly, is not Timm's short, but the collaboration between writer James Robinson, artist Chris Samnee, and colorist Jordie Bellaire.

Alisa Kwitney and Rick Leonardi's outing here is mostly stellar for the excellent character work at play here. Kwitney's grasp on the voices of Stephanie, Tim Drake, and Cassandra Cain is fantastic and immensely natural. Less excellent is her interactions between Batgirl and Catman, which has an uncomfortable edge to it that comes across as more clumsy than menacing.

All in all, Edge of Spider-Verse #2 is a can't-miss. Hopefully it won't be the last we see of Spider-Gwen.

The problem lies in Weaver's lack of experience as a writer. The raw talent is certainly there. Aikman and his supporting cast are interesting characters and the story itself is a good one. Unfortunately, Weaver's lack of writing experience leads to a LOT of exposition and a good deal of telling rather than showing.

This book isn't the strongest in the Edge of Spider-Verse series, but it's still a pretty fun pre-Halloween scarefest.

The book closes with a call back to the first team to bear the moniker of the Guardians of the Galaxy. Dan Abnett crafts a pretty run-of-the-mill but nonetheless fun tale of the original team recruiting a new member. The standout here (and perhaps the standout of the entire book) is the duo of artist Gerardo Sandoval and colorist Rachelle Rosenberg. Their work is kinetic and dynamic, especially during their ridiculously cool action sequences. These two need to be on an ongoing book as soon as possible. The short implies that this won't be the last we see of this Guardians lineup, which is great news. If their future adventures are as fun as this one, readers will be in for a treat.

Brian Michael Bendis finally addresses Peter Quill's escape from the Cancerverse in this week's installment of Guardians. Long story short, it's an issue that is worth the long wait.

All-New Ghost Rider is the weirdest superhero comic on the stands right now, and that's a good thing. In this issue alone, the reader is given gang violence, muscle cars, murder, body horror, great character work, and demons of vengeance. It's awesome.

The appearance of guest star Johnny Blaze (the original Ghost Rider) elevates the quality of the story hugely, his clash with Robbie being the absolute highlight of the book (and probably one of the coolest moments of the series so far).

It's not a total disaster, but it's also not All-New Ghost Rider's finest hour.

Rudy's art is the selling point of this book in a big way. Filter Alex Ross through hallucination-filled fever dreams and you've got his style. He renders the world beautifully.

Justin Jordan and Ariela Kristiantina's debut title from Boom! Studios this week has all the promise of a great series. Essentially taking on the premise of Mulder and Scully working for the bad guys, the series' first issue is a dark and grim " but very engaging " read.

While it isn't the best Godzilla debut, Cataclysm is an engaging debut to IDW's newest Godzilla series.

Ales Kot and Michael Walsh's Secret Avengers is fun. There's no other way to put it. The creators of this book seem to be dead-set on making the most crazy/smile-inducing comic on the stands, and their efforts aren't futile.

While the new issue is still pretty solid, it does lean a little too heavy on the legal side of She-Hulk's life. Don't read that wrong; it's extremely interesting stuff. It just drags a little bit and feels like it runs a bit too long.

If you can take a chance on a book you wouldn't usually pick up this week, Star-Spangled War Stories is definitely worth considering.

Baltimore's the book for you if you're feeling the need for a good, creepy comic this week.

While the first issue doesn't bring the scares quite like one might prefer, it's still a solid debut for Mignola and company this week.

The book isn't perfect; the writing seems slightly out of place in a modern event series and it's a bit exposition heavy. But it's always a pleasure to read Wolfman writing these characters, especially with someone as talented as Nicola Scott drawing them.

Overall, Logan Legacy #2 is an interesting look into the life of one of the more underutilized members of the X-Men family.

Seeley's outing, drawn by Emilio Laiso, is the much better bout. It's easy to forget just how well-written Seeley's creations were in their original run, and it's great to see him handling them again (Nobody writes Vlad like Seeley and it's especially wonderful to see him back in the hands of his creator). Williamson's suffers from seemingly not utilizing this crossover to its fullest potential.

Adventures of Superman might not be the best Convergence tie-in, but you could certainly do worse.

Kindt and Hairsine have crafted an intriguing first issue that, if anything, is bound to make the reader at least a little bit curious as to where Divinity is going next.

Fawkes art is ethereal and haunting, painting a turbulent dreamscape with an eye few in the industry these days possess. While Intersect is far from unreadable though, the art is clearly stronger than the writing.

Their story feels like it's cut from the same cloth as other great fantasy books like Lucifer and Fables and reads all the stronger for it. That said, it doesn't quite live up to the standards of the books by which it's influenced.

All things considered, New Avengers has remained one of Marvel's strongest books since its debut. Even its most repetitive issues are chock full of great character moments and brilliant concepts.

However, all things considered, it's clear that a great deal of craft and research has been put into the creation of this comic. The result is far from perfect, but it's still a welcome return to a truly interesting universe.

Ragnarok is fun. It's nothing that reinvents the wheel in terms of the medium and it's far from Simonson's most memorable work. But it's gorgeous and, if read with your brain turned off and your favorite metal band turned on in the background, it's a whole lot of fun.

Make no mistake, RUNLOVEKILL is a gorgeous comic. Eric Canete is easily one of the best illustrators working in comics and animation today and the fact that we don't see his work on the shelves more regularly is a shame. He's back in great form in this debut, though. Kinetic and beautifully colored, his art is not to be missed. The problem seems to be that RUNLOVEKILL is something of a run-of-the-mill story.

It's not must-buy material, but you can certainly do a lot worse than Scarlet Spiders this week.

The second issue featuring everyone's favorite web-slinger of the future isn't quite a sophomore slump, but it's certainly a bit of a step down in quality. It's safe to say that Peter David is at a point where he could write a comic in his sleep and it'd probably be readable at the very least. And while reading this book certainly isn't a chore, it's not exactly a thrill ride.

Some excellent work from Jock, Joe Keatinge, and Fabio Moon make this anthology well worth picking up, even if the other pieces fall a bit short. But at the end of the day, Vertigo Quarterly is a great indicator of the new direction this publisher is taking.

There are still three issues left in this limited series, but right now, Winter Soldier: The Bitter March is a good bit better than it should be.

The Names is a fun, tense romp. Milligan is an industry veteran still at the top of his game and his partnership with Fernandez is relatively seamless. If you can get past a creative team beating you over the head with a story a bit, The Names is sure to please.

The bulk of the book consists of a large battle sequence. While it has its moments, as a whole it's a bit too confusing. Pinna's art is occasionally too stiff to convey the intended kinetic nature of the sequence. Fiffe's characterization of the team in the latter half of the book is solid, though.

If anything, Neverboy is interesting. It's not a must-buy, but it's not a must-avoid, either.

It doesn't scream smash hit, but the kids are sure to love it and you won't be outright disappointed if you pick it up.

While first-time readers may not fall in love with this book, fans of Edward Gray and the Mignola-verse will likely find it acceptable.

There's nothing blatantly bad about Amazing X-Men's inaugural annual. That said, there's nothing particularly stunning about it, either. In fact, aside from a hysterically-written and composed news headline, it's a pretty run-of-the-mill story.

This probably isn't the book for a casual X-Men fan, but Nightcrawler die-hards will have some fun with it.

It's probably telling that the cover to SHIELD #2 features Ms. Marvel, a guest star in this issue, rather than any of the book's primary characters. The fact of the matter is that, while Agents of SHIELD may be a popular show, Agents Coulson and Simmons aren't able to sustain a book on their names alone.

The first issue of Anderson: Psi-Division #1 is a great example of solid art saving a mediocre story.

Ellis is, wisely, taking a completely fresh and new approach to the Supreme universe. The problem with this issue is that it's all setup. This may be necessary in the long run. Unfortunately, it makes for an interesting but not entirely engaging first issue.

But despite those negatives, this issue does succeed on some basic levels. It actually functions fairly well as a first issue, with a good mix of current story and origin exposition. If this ends up being a reader's first Hulk comic, they could honestly do a lot worse and it wouldn't turn them off of the character forever. Unfortunately, some mediocre art and slightly-less-than-stellar writing makes this one of All New Marvel NOW!'s lesser debuts.

For a book about a time-displaced space drifter that fights giant monsters, Drifter sure is a grim read. Honestly, it's tough to think of another comic Image is putting out these days that puts so much effort into reminding the reader that it's A Very Important And Serious Comic Book.

Jim Zub and Steve Cummings' Wayward #1 is an extremely interesting premise that, at least in its first issue, doesn't quite find confident footing. Everything, from the writing to the art to the coloring, is almost good, almost engaging.

Let's get this out of the way first: Deep Gravity is not a complete disaster. It sets up its story as a first issue should and is far from the worst thing on the stands this week. The biggest problem with Deep Gravity lies in the way its protagonist is written. It's kind of difficult to sympathize with a guy that flew all the way across the galaxy (a THREE YEAR JOURNEY) essentially to bug his ex-girlfriend.

From a writing standpoint, this book is what the debut issue of a beloved action franchise should never be: boring.

It's amazing that a comic that includes robots, aliens, and futuristic samurai can be so lifeless. Yet here 7th Sword stands, duller than it ought to be.

Latour has proven himself an exceptional writer in the past. His creator-owned book Loose Ends is killer and his tragically-short Winter Soldier run was great fun. It would be nice to see him try to make this book his own, but right now it feels too much like a lesser imitation of the previous run.

The writing in this comic works for what it is. The art from Jesus Merino is also pretty solid. There's nothing technically wrong with this comic. It just leaves a bad taste in your mouth. There's nothing optimistic, inspiring, or emotional in this book short of words said in respect for a beloved character who is, as previously mentioned, already dead. There's great talent on this book. Let's see them churn out the superhero epic they're capable of.

The creators behind this series are capable of so much better than Future's End #38. And knowing that makes it all the more difficult to reconcile its quality.

While the initial premise is strong and Costa's dialoguing and characterization are pretty good, there's just no getting around the fact that this reads like a run-of-the-mill movie tie-in comic, and not a particularly good one.

While the ambitious structure is admirable, if the book were more digestible on more basic levels it would likely succeed in what it sets out to do. The creative team behind the Grayson series has been doing very interesting things with the character lately. This Futures End installment unfortunately does not live up to its predecessors.

It's quite possible that Superior Iron Man is tackling some very serious subject matter. It's just hard to tell given that the book is ultimately okay at best.

Dream Police makes sense on a basic level, and there's even an interesting story in there. It's just too bad the delivery of that story is hindered by so many pitfalls that it's not something we would recommend.

Jack Kraken is a functional comic book. Unfortunately, there's not much to say for it past that.

It'd be a disservice to say that there's not much this comic does right, because the fact of the matter is that there's not much it does, period. It's all setup and no story.