I know I say it every week, but damn did I have a lot of fun reading comics this week. What a week it was too, I couldn’t get out of my shop with less than 10 books. Like last week, some big events have kicked off with Green Lantern and Ultimate Spider-man and I’m getting sucked right into them. Unfortunately I didn’t get my Batman Inc. #4 since my shop had a shipping problem, but look forward to my review next week. On the same page I got my Amazing Spider-man #656 this week so you’ll find my review for that book at the bottom.
And don’t forget to come back for this week’s Comic Issues Podcast. Andrew and I will talk about Anime Conji, and the gang will be talking about some of the new and old releases from both DC and Marvel’s animation departments.
Top Pick: Ultimate Spider-man # 156 Creative team Bendis (writer) Bagley (pencils) Laning (inks) Ponsor (colors)
The Death of Spider-man truly begins with this issue as Osborne, Electro, Kraven, Sandman, Dr. Octopus and Vulture have escaped from a S.H.E.I.L.D. Containment Facility and are on the move to find Peter Parker and end his web-slinging days for good. If that’s not enough for you Nick Fury and his black ops Avengers are in town also causing a ruckus. After the last issue leaving readers on a happy note this issue sets the real tone for this big event arc.
Damn I think I nearly forgot how much I loved Bagley’s work in Ult. Spider-man. I’ve definitely enjoyed a lot of the artists that have followed him but it just feels right to see his work back on these pages. The two page spread of Spider-man’s rogues gallery breaking out of S.H.I.E.L.D. looks awesome and I can’t wait to see more.
Runner Up: Uncanny X-Force # 6 Creative team Remender (writer) Ribic (pencils) Lucas (inks) Wilson (colors)
Deathlok Nation continues as Fantomex is on the run from futuristic Deathlok versions of Earth’s mightiest heroes. One of the highlights of this book has been Ribic’s art, he’s managed to give readers lots of action and mood and with this issues a hilarious Captain Britain with a stunned face. Remender is still on a roll as this story continues down Uncanny X-Force’s dark path with a grim look at a possible future where the world is at peace, but at a very personal cost.
Also this week:
Green Lantern #64 — Hal’s a fugitive on the run and it’s his own Green Lantern Corpsmen that are on his trail. If that’s not bad enough Krona has come home to Oa to visit his old friends while bringing his new friends with him.
FF # 1 — The Fantastic Four are gone but from their ashes the Future Foundation has risen. With Spider-man rounding out their ranks the FF isn’t just a bunch of heroes saving the world, they’re looking to improve it.
Wolverine and Jubilee # 3 — Jubes is trapped and it’s up to Wolive to save her, but when you make deals with a vampire, then you’re always on the losing end. Noto’s work in this book is awesome and well worth the price of admission.
New Mutants # 23 — We fall deeper down the rabbit hole as Age of X continues. The death of Legacy (Rogue) and Gambit turns out to be a ruse as Magneto pays the two a visit deep below the Fortress. He has a suspicion that something is not right in the last mutant sanctuary and he wants Rogue and Gambit to find out what it is.
X-Men # 9 — Storm and her team are hot on the trail of the Lizard with Spider-man helping out, but they’ll soon find that it’s not the Lizard they need to worry about. An old villain from the past (or an alt. future) is back and causing trouble beneath New York.
Hulk # 31 — Ross (Red Hulk) is out on his own and on the run, incapable of turning back to his former self. If that’s not enough, a new baddie is rising up to take on the Rulk and take him down.
Deadpool # 34 — I know there’s a lot of hate for Deadpool and I’ll admit that he’s often not written very well, but Daniel Way knows how to write the Merc with the Mouth. This series has been a lot of fun since I picked it up, I only worry about the day that Way leaves.
Late Arrival: Amazing Spider-man # 656 — Spidey is struggling without his spider sense and now nothing is working out right. After getting shot Spidey’s inspired to make a new armored costume to keep him safe, but as he’s trying to save lives J.J. is out to murder the murderers.
That’s gonna bring us to a close again my friends. Thanks for tuning in and be sure to check back next week for my top picks and always come back every Wednesday for more Comic Issues fun with the gang.