X-Factor #37

Thank god.

With the Secret Invasion crossover complete, apparently Longshot (the REAL Longshot) has joined the team to help sort out the trouble his copy caused. The issue has a good composition of action and humor, but most importantly, a new artist.

Now, I'm completely art-impaired so I can't exactly judge someone else's art style, but from a reader's perspective, the previous art style just did not mesh with the comic for me at all. I can see it working for something, just not X-factor. So I am greatly relieved to see the comic return to a more traditional style.

MUST HAVE!

Brave and the Bold #19

This issue of Brave & the Bold stars Green Lantern and the Phantom Stranger in a rather unusual pairing. While I am normally all about the GLC stories, this one is already getting predictable. Grab it if you really need a GLC fix, but otherwise it's skippable. Still, nice to see the Stranger around, he doesn't get much face time these days.

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Uncanny X-Men #504

This issue pays for itself just for the view of the inside of Scott's head as Emma goes snooping (with his permission). It may be the funniest thing I've seen in an X-book in years. 'Nuff said.

MUST HAVE!

Invincible #55

This issue starts out with Mark and Eve finally having s-Well, it seems like Allen the alien and Omni-Man have really hit it off, no? Invincible is not even seen in costume once this issue (and barely seen at all), but I find nothing wrong with that. I always love it when a book branches off from the main character, and Kirkman seems to be really good at giving depth to such a large cast. Even though it doesn't focus on Invincible, this issue sets up some VERY important groundwork for what's to come.

MUST HAVE

Deadpool #4

It seems Secret Invasion is finally over (in Deadpool's comic anyway), now Wade Wilson can get back to being a plain old merc with a mouth. This works in theory I suppose. After the last few issues, and even after the Cable/Deadpool series, something seems off here. For starters, now Wade seems to have two different types of inner monolouge out of nowhere. He seems happy to not wear the mask as much (and in each different panel his scars look way different). And the weirdest thing of all is the nonsensical mission he's currently on. The great thing about Deadpool (the character) is putting him in very serious situations and watching him make it into something wacky. But when you give him a mission that starts with zombies, and meeting a hunchback in front of a castle, I think somethings a bit off.

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Iron Man: Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. #35

I admittadly haven't been a big Iron Man fan, mostly due to Civil War, so I didn't bother picking up his new S.H.I.E.L.D. comic. Besides, how interesting does a comic called "Director of S.H.I.E.L.D." sound anyway? Now, when someone told me War Machine would be taking over during Secret Invasion, my curiosity piqued. I haven't really seen the guy that active in comics since the Force Works era (mainly because I wasn't reading Iron Man titles at the time). So, I thought some catching up was in order. Aside from Rhodey looking like a character from another comic company that shall remain nameless, it seems not much has changed. Tony's pal is still all about kicking ass and taking names, which is what I've always liked about the War Machine comics. There's not as much of that political/economical drama Tony Stark always seems to be involved in. If you're a War Machine fan at all, pick this one up, even if it's just to get ready for his upcoming solo title.

MUST HAVE

Thunderbolts #126

Warren Ellis's run is over and Christos Gage's "Secret Invasion" arc is complete. New writer Andy Diggle comes into the field by cleaning house and getting rid of some characters. Norman in D.C. and the showdown between Songbird and Bullseye promise the most interest, but there isn't too much here unless you're already invested in these characters. I have faith that this will come together, but it's groundwork and a necessary evil. If you're interested in the book (and you should be), start here. If you're not already, this won't convince you.

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Squadron Supreme #5

The Sqaudron Universe should have died after they left the MAX imprint. The book never felt the same under the Marvel Knights banner and the line was pointless with the Ultimate crossover. This is salt in the wound as Nick Fury is leading a new Squadron of boring characters. The spirit of America's soldiers is a neat idea and good visual, but if that's the best praise I can muster, what does that say about the book? Lay this franchise to rest until the next J. M. S. comes along to reinvent it.

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Firebreather #3

Phil Hester and Andy Kuhn's relaunched Image book continues to do what it does best - teen angst. It easiy stands alongside Bendis's Ultimate Spider-Man and this issue, decidedly light on action, is just as interesting as any knock 'em-sock 'em issue to date. The cliffhanger with Duncan's father could throw the series into a whole new direction, though I'm hoping it's a fakeout. If you haven't tried this book yet, grab the previous two issues and this months. You won't be disappointed.

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Rogue Fan's Reviews

Fantastic Four #561

I admit that I'm not a regular reader of Fantastic Four. I picked this book up because of the hype about this being a radical change of direction for the book. If you're considering picking up the book based on the hype, then don't. Only regular readers of FF and fans of Mark Millar's writing or Bryan Hitch's art will like this issue.

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Supergirl #35

It's the second issue with the new writer and part 5 of the New Krypton crossover. I was both excited that Sterling Gates had taken over the writing duties on Supergirl and nervous that he only had one issue to establish his story before being thrust into the middle of a crossover story. But, Gates proves that he's the right man for the job as he manages to fix all the problems that have plagued the Supergirl title within just a few pages. Now that Gates has a clean slate, I'm even more excited to see where he's taking Supergirl and her supporting cast. Jamal Igle also manages to bring us an pretty Supergirl without making her ubersexualized. Oh, and newsflash! Supergirl wears spandex shorts under that skirt of hers, so all the fanboy pervs can stop drooling over what's underneath her skirt.

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Kingdom Come Special: Magog #1

Thank god DC decided to ship out these Kingdom Come specials because the whole Kingdom Come story in JSA has been taking far too long to come to a conclusion. Thanks to the specials, we get more of the story each week which is building the momentum that this story needs for the conclusion in the next two issues of JSA. This Magog special gives us the origin of Lance Corporal David Reid, his past in the military and how he came into the powers that attracted the JSA's attention in the first place. Then, using his powers granted to him by Gog, Magog serves his own justice on Rebels in the Congo. In the back-up story, we get a re-telling of Starman's origin as well as some clues as to what is up next with the Legion of Super-heroes. As Starman's mysterious mission heats up, I'm both interested as well as frustrated because the clues don't make sense to me.

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