Jono's Books:

Everybody's Dead #1

As I've said in the past, reviewing first issues is tough due to the slow build up before the story truly begins. The same applies here in Everybody's dead, except that the stylized art (courtesy of Dave Crosland) works incredibly well and helps maintain interest in the set up. David Lynch (Angel: After the Fall) maintains a quick pace, but not quick enough to get to the titular situation at hand by the end of issue #1. The art is the definite highlight of this issue, as Lynch spends the majority of the story introducing the (at this point) bland cast of unlikely survivors of a hasn't-happened-yet apocalypse. Because it is a first issue, and I see the potential of where the story can go, my final verdict is: read it.

Read It (mmm...zombies)

New World Order #2

No, just no. After a horribly executed, directionless first issue, I thought that issue 2 would learn its lesson and get its act together. Unfortunately, we still have a bazillion incomprehensible plot points and no real main character and get this: this is issue 2 of 3. It's like writer Gustavo Higuera set out to write a story about an idea, and that's it. In this case, that idea (which is pounded over the reader's head over and over) is that there's an alien race out that wants to prevent Native Americans from gathering tools to see the future whilst dealing with a white calf that's a prophecy of doom...actually never mind. This is just bad, bad, bad storytelling. Go read the Da Vinci Code in paperback...it's cheaper (than the collected series) and has a better pay off.

Skip It (bordering on Burn It, but I've seen worse)

Bodha Te #1

What the F@#$ ?! A singing, moldable pile of poo and the dead girl that eats it (!)...an angry robot disheartened at the state of the world via what was presented to him in talk shows on TV...a super powered cursing monkey with Turrets'...a giant squid and a sea captain caught in an everlasting battle...and a cat that has tentacles flying out of its mouth. This book has so many things going on, it was a little difficult keeping up at first. Know what though? This is by far one of the most hilarious and entertaining books I've read in a while. It's Happy Tree Friends meets Scary Movie (the funny first two) meets Saladfingers and you'll be amazed at how many times you'll find yourself laughing at Jamie Smart's incredibly funny, odd, and at times, surprisingly poignant world. This cannot receive a higher recommendation from me.

Buy It

Piper #1

See what I wrote about Everybody's Dead #1 and apply it here: interesting premise, slow set-up, little pay-off. This mini-series, spinning out of main series Grimm's Fairy Tales, takes a horror approach to the Pied Piper fairy tale as disgruntled 21st century teen Sean finds out that he may be somehow related to the legendary Pied Piper. Will he use his abilities for good, or will he use it for evil? Come on, it's a horror title, what do you expect is going to happen? The art is not as neat as in Everybody's Dead, which is why it gets a downgrade in its final rating.

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Goblin's Books:

Captain Marvel #4 (of 5)

Well, finally! After a completely botched comeback in Civil War: The Return, Mar-Vell is finally becoming interesting. There is now doubt as to whether this really is Mar-Vell or a Skrull sleeper agent who is so deep undercover that he's forgotten he's a Skrull. It's actually a great twist and finally makes his presence here worthwhile. It's not great that it took four issues of this book (plus The Return) to make him interesting again, but that's not bad for a character that most people reading today had never seen outside of reprints of his death. And now we have Ms. Marvel as a turncoat as she conspires with Stark and S.H.I.E.L.D. to send Mar-Vell back, but what happens when something goes wrong? Find out where Mar-Vell is sent and get in on the ground floor of Secret Invasion as I'm sure this will be one of the key building blocks.

Buy It

The Incredible Hercules #115

How the hell did Hercules become one of the best books Marvel publishes? I mean, come on. It's freakin' Hercules. But his adventures with Amadeus Cho really are fantastic in every way. As Cho's vendetta against S.H.I.E.L.D. comes to an end, Hercules describes why he switched to the Romanized version of his name and lays down one hell of a parental speech. There's also a drag-out, balls to the wall fight with Ares atop the Helicarrier that reveals a tidbit about Ares that makes him more interesting. I actually hope he sticks around and comes back to the book as I'm getting to like the old god of war. As Hercules and Cho show up at another god's house (with a hilarious introduction by Hercules), it would appear we're being set up for a Secret Invasion tie-in. I have a feeling I'll e saying that quite a bit in the near future.

Buy It

Captain America #36

What more can be said of Brubaker's run on Cap? If you've read any part of it, you know it's espionage/thriller at its best with some superhero thrown in. Even since Bucky took up the mantle of Captain America, the book has delivered on every beat needed to keep your interest and make you crave the next issue. This month we get some Cap action as he beats the hell out of the Skull's daughter and her cronies while Crossbones is back and gets the full fury of Cap's gun - but can Captain America kill? Read to find out. The Skull and Faustus continue their scheme, but what's intriguing is what Sharon Carter finds on the last page. I'm sure it's a fake of some sort and that all will be revealed, but I'm interested to see where it leads.

Buy It(Just go out and buy this entire volume of Captain America and keep going)

The Immortal Iron Fist #13

Why in God's name are you not buying this book? Hercules is great and Captain America is one of the best runs in the title's history, but Iron Fist is hands down the best book Marvel publishes. Yes, you read that right. IRON FIST is the best book Marvel publishes. I truly never thought I'd ever say that, but it's a testament to the fact that the right creative team can truly make any character worthwhile. In the sixth round of "The 7 Capital Cities of Heaven" we see Danny meet Orson for the first time after facing the dragon, the Immortal Weapons all joining together for a cause, Xao making his strike on K'un L'un and Nu'An not only being found out, but sending in his Terror Priests (best name ever) to destroy the Randall Gate! There is so much going on here you'd expect to be lost and shaking your head, but Matt Fraction and Ed Brubaker (there's that Bru again) really weave the different time periods masterfully and pick some of the best artists to accompany David Aja for the flashbacks. I love Aja's art, but it's very cool to see the different time periods of Orson's life drawn in different styles. If for no other reason, you must get this book for the last page splash as Iron Fist and the Immortal Weapons are ready to put some serious hurt on Xao. Next issue promises to be a big payoff for the past six issues of story build-up.

Buy It Twice(Because sales are dropping on this unimaginably great title and if it gets canceled I will be VERY pissed off at you ... yes you!)

Oraclechele's Books:

Birds of Prey #116

The loss of long time Birds of Prey writer Gail Simone was hard on diehard BOP fans so when I saw her name on the cover of issue #116 I thought I missed a press release. Alas, it seems to be an error as writer Sean McKeever's is properly credited within the book. Talk about a giant tease and a huge editing mistake.

Oracle and company pick right up where last month left off. Huntress and Lady Blackhawk dominate the story. Blackhawk is still under the chemical effects of a serum that brainwashes her into thinking she is Queen Killer Shark. Huntress is trying to bring her back. Old pals are therefore pummeling each other.

Meanwhile back at 'headquarters' Misfit and Black Alice are - say it with me - pummeling each other.

Where this series soars is when the characters are involved in well-plotted mysteries that require each of their unique talents to solve them. It also helps when the villains aren't cookie cutter. These points are why this arc falters. The grandson of Killer Shark, who
has taken on the mantle, is revealed to be a whiny mental case and you never once think he will win.

The plot might fail but the art in the book is another thing entirely. Once again this issue is beautiful. The movement within the panels carry the action and in the still moments the characters' emotions are there for all to see.

Skip It

Sgt. Sausagepant's Books

Justice League of America #19

Justice League ended up being the only book I purchased this week, and to be honest, I might have skipped it, I wouldn't have missed much. The current "What the hell is going on with Vixen" story arc is drawn out AGAIN, and we get a minor story about some prison planet the government has been sending villains to (they never get there, of course, they are intercepted). It all feels like filler until they finally get around to the big reveal that *SPOILER* Vixen has been replaced by an Amazo or something.

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Justice League of America #19 (second opinion)

JLA's "Salvation" storyline comes to a close without ever actually affecting or being affected by the Salvation Run series itself. Instead, when the League is transported to the aptly named "prison planet", they arrive only to discover that the supervillains they're looking for are in fact on another planet, after all. And Kanjar Ro is there for some reason. As a result, JLA #19 is better as an enjoyable throwaway story for a single issue than as its actuality of a forgettable conclusion to a storyline not tied to anything thoroughly significant. The series is usually one of DC's never-miss titles, but "Salvation", especially with this concluding issue, has been the least captivating storyline since JLA debuted last year.

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Tangent Comics: Superman's Reign #1

The first issue highlghting that late '90s phenomenon, DC's Tangent Comics (now the reality known as Earth-9), shows a lot of promise, especially for a multiverse storyline. The miniseries picks up after JLA's issue #16, just preceding the "Salvation" arc described (rather unfavorably) above. The introduction of Earth-9 in the first few pages, a portrait of a dark, dystopian city ruled by an oppressive Superman, is enough to make this universe seem more interesting than the majority of the parallel realities encountered in Countdown or its many spin-offs. The first issue reveals a quick who's who of important names on this particular Earth, including Earth-9's Flash, Green Lantern, Manhunter, Joker, Spectre, and Atom. And to further avoid any confusion and keep all Tangent newcomers interested, the issue concludes with "chapter one" of a synopsis of the history of the Earth-9, the world that possibly may be the most interesting and varied in all the new multiverse.

Buy It

Countdown to Final Crisis #6

I'm not personally so sure if Countdown #6 is rather good or irreperably bad, but I've come to a sort of conclusion that while it feels crucial, it's still really boring. The issue itself is narrated in the form of a journal entry, specifically one belonging to OMAC staple Buddy Blank; while this narrative choice sometimes works flawlessly, in this instance it really just weighs down a story that is, after all, supposed to be reaching awhat one would imagine to be an action-packed climax pretty soon. Nevertheless, the focus on Buddy Blank and the illustration of an apparent plague sweeping the planet is essential to understand what's going on in Countdown (and in turn, Final Crisis), so it shouldn't be skipped.

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