Beta Ray Bill: Godhunter #2 (of 3) (Marvel Comics)

In this issue, Beta Ray Bill is continuing his efforts to starve Galactus, and he runs across a race of aliens who don’t like his plan of having them all evacuate and then blowing up the planet, they want to fight back. In the past these aliens bio-engineered their aggression out, and have to wear special helmets that let them fight….yeah, it was just as terrible on the page as you think. Bill takes advice from a prisoner on his ship, Scuttlebutt, who tells Bill to unleash a nano-virus onto these people, and he not to give them the antidote until they leave the planet….yeah, again, just as dumb on the page. In the end Bill can’t lift his hammer any more because it wasn’t a noble act. Uh, DUH, of course it’s not! This was a terrible comic, and I had high hopes after the first issue. Man, issue #3 better be AMAZING. Not recommended!

Amazing Spider-Man #599 (Marvel Comics)

The thrilling conclusion to the American Son five part arc! Norman and Harry go at it pretty hardcore, and since they hate each other like only a father and son can, it’s a pretty good fight. Normal calls of H.A.M.M.E.R. and the “Avengers” so he and Harry and duke it out alone, and even Spidey can’t help because he’s pretty jacked up. Harry could have seen Peter’s face, but he chose not to, stating he “doesn’t care who he really is.” Harry beats Norman, and has the chance to hill him but Peter talks him out of it in a pretty awesome scene. In the end, they allude to Harry falling off the wagon, which I hope doesn’t happen. Recommended!

Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps #1 (of 3) (DC Comics)

I like getting to know some of the other colored Lanterns, and the Blue Lantern’s story was the best of the ones presented here, although the Yellow Lantern Mongul’s was pretty interesting too. I don’t get the Indigo Tribe at all, and this didn’t help that situation at all. Recommended for Lantern fans.

Deadpool #12 (Marvel Comics)

This book was an awesome conclusion to the Bullseye/Hawkeye vs Deadpool conflict of the past few issues. Bullseye/Hawkeye’s recovery dream was awesome, with he and Wade teaming up to blow up a school together as kids. Once he wakes up, he realizes that after he took the meat-hook to the chest last issue, Deadpool actually brought him to a civilian hospital because he didn’t want their “game” to end. Deadpool explains the how the game kill is everything to him, and he just lets his payments rack up in an off-shore bank account. He plans to do nothing, and let Deadpool go stir-crazy in anticipation. When he does finally go after Deadpool, he manages to run Bullseye/Hawkeye over with a large pickup truck. Bullseye/Hawkeye tells Deadpool that Norman Osborn wants to bribe him, when it’s actually Bulleye/Hawkeye that wants to escape with his life. The end of the issue is a pretty cool scene, so I’m not gonna ruin it here. Highly Recommended, Book of the Week!

Dark Reign: Mr. Negative #2 (of 3) (Marvel Comics)

This issue suprised me at how good it was. This is a very good “What If? Spider-Man Was a Villian” type book, but withing the constraints of the current universe. Mr. Negative explains how his power makes someone as bad as they are good, and in this case that makes Spider-Man very, very bad. He decimates the villians set out to kill Mr. Negative in a variety of awesome ways, and the best part is that they show his new thoughts about why he is doing what hes’s doiong, and it’s very well written.  He is then told by Mr. Negative to kill Betty Brant, which Spidey gleefully sets out to do at the end of the issue. We all know it won’t happen ad Spider-Man will regain control of himself in issue #3, but I am looking forward to seeing how it happens. Recommended!

Agents of Atlas #8 (Marvel Comics)

Atlas leader Jimmy Woo leaves on a personal mission with the robot M-11, and the rest of the team investigate a distrurbance at one of the Atlas facilities they haven’t investigated and mothballed yet. When they get to the base, they discover it was being used to perform experiments on drifters found in the desert! The abductors got more than they barganed for when their recent price was Bruce Banner, A.K.A. the Hulk, who is apparently stupid again or something. I never know what’s up with the Hulk these days. Overall, a pretty boring issue with a standard Hulk as an enemy trope. Dissapointing, not recommended.

Punisher #7 (Marvel Comics)

I really like the fact that this issue felt more mature than the previous issues of this non-Max run, with Frank being offered a chance to have his family brought back from the dead by the Hood. Sadly, this is countered by a horrible story about the villans brought back to life fighing amongst themselves, which dragged the issue down. Recommended to Punisher fans.

Captain America #601 (Marvel Comics)

The issue was drawn by Gene Colan, who is 82. This is really impressive given the quality of this double size issue, but I’m SO over these flashbacks to Nazi-era cap. At least this was Cap vs. Vampires, which was slightly more interesting than the regular Red Skull battles. Recommended for Nazi-fighting Cap lovers.

Dark Avengers #7 (Marvel Comics)

X-men, mutants, public nuicense, locked up for their own good, blah blah blah. Skip it, X-men should stay out of crossovers.

Blackest Night #1 (of DC Comics

As much as last week’s Prologue issue bored me, this OWNED MY FACE. I was pretty suprised as how much I liked this, and I think it’s because it’s not just a Green Lantern thing like I was expecting. I don’t want to spoil to much, but I gotta say, right now DC might do better zombie supes than Marvel ever did. Highly Recommended!

The Walking Dead #63

This was an interesting issue. It seems that the undead are starting to weaken and lose control of their functions. No idea why this is happening, but this could mean hope for the survivors. They discover this while looking for Dale, who has been taken captive by “The Hunters,” who sadly, are hunting humans for pretty much the reason you’d expect from Kirkman. I like the Preacher character a lot, and hiding out in the church could be interesting. This issue also comes with the first issue of Chew flipped on the back, which is an interesting little Image comic. Can’t beat a free comic! Recommended!

Fables #86 (DC Comics – Vertigo)

FINALLY a decent issue of Fables! I’ve been feeling that the book has lost it’s way, but this was an excellent exploration into the past of Mister Dark, the newest (and oldest) Fable villain on the block. He was presented rather creepily, especially the last few pages of the issue. I’m actually looking forward to reading Fables again, which is pretty nice! Recommended to Fables fans!

Ugh, really? MORE Marvel Zombies? Well, apparently the zombies keep making money, because Marvel just keeps pumping out more and more comics about them! Luckily, this series actually sounds rather interesting!

This September we’ll be seeing a five week, even featuring the following titles: Marvel Zombies Return: Spider-Man,  Marvel Zombies Return: Avengers, Marvel Zombies Return: Iron Man, Marvel Zombies Return: Wolverine, and FINALLY Marvel Zombies Return: Hulk. Because this is covering the original crew of zombies, I can only hope for it not to be quite as uninspired as Marvel Zombies 3 and 4. David Wellington is writing the Iron Man book, and I really liked his Monster series of zombie books….I guess we’ll see!

If you read Captain America #600 (or at least my review of it) you’ll remember Rikki Barnes, the other-dimensional sidekick to Captain America. Well, looks like she’s getting her own series in penned by Sean McKeever entitled Nomad: Girl Without a World. McKeever says about the comic: “What we’re trying to go for is really Young Avengers by way of Captain America. That means maintaining that tone that Brubaker has created so well in his Cap run – to completely ground it in reality with a bit of grit and a strong sense of internal narrative. That’s what I’m going for with ‘Nomad,’ but we’re dealing with a teenage girl instead of of 30-something man.” Sounds interesting! Release date and art team TBD.

That’s it for now! I’ll see you again on Friday for more news!

Captain America #600 (Marvel Comics)

This comic asks, “Where Were You When Captain America Died?”, putting us one year after his passing. I really, really liked this issue. It has a number of stories in it, starting with a recap of Cap’s origin. Next, we have a story about Sharon Carter finding the man who assisted her in what she did (don’t want to spoil this for any new Cap readers!) and finding out that Cap might be alive still, followed by a really neat story about the “other” Captain America. In another story, Rikki Barnes, a sidekick to a Cap in a different universe, huts down Patriot (of the Young Avengers) to talk to him about Cap. Crossbones and Sin make an appearance in the weakest story of the bunch, and then Bucky and the rest of the Avengers are going to a rally to remember Cap, and need to hid from the Dark Avengers. Finally, the book finishes with a reprint of “Red Skull’s Deadly Revenge” from Captain America Comics #16 from 1942.

Obviously, this issue is jam packed with Captain America related goodness, and it is honestly worth the $4.99 cover price. Say what you will about the Monday release tactic Marvel employed, the comic is really really good. Recommended for any Cap fan!

Jack of Fables #35 (DC Comics, Vertigo Imprint)

Yeah, yeah, I know, I don’t know why I’m reading this either. The only redeeming factor to this issue was Bigsby Wolf, currently in the form of a little girl (see cover) MURDERS the entire Genres force put against the fables in terrible ways. Those three pages were awesome, the rest of the book was not. Avoid!

Dark Reign: Mister Negative #1 (of 3) (Marvel Comics)

Mr. Negative is a new villain in Spider-Man’s Rogue’s Gallery, and in my opinion, he’s the best one in a while. A Chinese immigrant who rose to power in the underworld and in the financial world, he has the power to control the mind of anyone he comes in contact with. I found his story to be pretty interesting, and the ending was completely bad ass. Recommended if you’re a Spidey fan!

Herogasm #2 (Dynamite Comics)

Herogasm is a spin-off of the Garth Ennis penned The Boys, and is basically about a resort all the super-heroes go to every year to get crazy drunk, high, and then screw like rabbits. All the heroes basically come together, say they have to fly into space and fight aliens, but they really go to this giant party. This book is basically the flip-side to The Boys, and it shows WHY The Boys are needed to control the super hero population. Recommended if you like drawn boobs and read The Boys.

Punisher  #6 (Marvel Comics)

I admitted am a fan of the Punisher, but this issue was a little weak. I like the fact that there are a bunch of old villains on the hunt for Frank, but I hate how the the regular Marvel Universe Punisher is ALWAYS fighting super villains. Frank should be, in my opinion, removed from the normal Marvel U and kept in the Max Universe. Recommended if you are a hard-core Punisher fan.

Captain Britain and MI 13 #14 (Marvel Comics)

Sadly, this is the second to last issue in the series, because EVERYONE WHO DIDN’T READ IT SUCKS! YOU SUCK YOU SUCKING SUCKERS! …anyways, this issue it’s revealed that MI 13 was working with the demon Plotka (see the Annual) to stick Dracula into a perfect world, basically the last issue was a dream! I loved Blade’s reaction to the dream (MI 13 was able to observe), where it was revealed that Dracula LIKES fighting Blade! The twist to the issue was very well played, and this makes me even more sad that the series is ending. Recommended!

Dark Reign: Hawkeye #3 (of 5) (Marvel Comics)

My favorite thing about the Dark Reign storyline has been Bullseye impersonating Hawkeye, hands down. In this issue, “Hawkeye” is confronted by a person dressed in a Bullseye costume. Thinking he’s going even more insane, or “Norman Osborne-crazy”, he is haunted by this Bulleye that no one else sees. He eventually chases one through New York, and the ending two pages are AWESOME. Recommended if you like murdering psychopaths.

Dark Reign – Young Avengers #2 (of 5) (Marvel Comics)

Man, what a bland issue. I found nothing in this comic was interested, and I LIKE the “current” Young Avengers team. Nothing happened in this issue except for me wanting to nod off half-way through. Skip it!

Marvel Zombies 4 #3 (of 4) (Marvel Comics)

This was an OK issue. I’m a pretty huge zombie fan, but the Marvel Zombies idea is really getting played out. The best part of this issue are the pages with Man-Thing and the last two pages. That’s pretty much it.  Skip it!

All-New Savage She-Hulk #3 (of 4) (Marvel Comics)

I like the original She-Hulk, who does make an appearance here, but she is not the titular character and the She-Hulk that is…well, she’s boring and has aboring back plot. The ending twist of the issue was kind of cool, but honestly it took three issues to get there and it’s just not worth it. Skip it!

Olympus #2 (of 4) (Image Comics)

GORGEOUS ART is the first thing that comes to mind when you pick this issue up. I am enthralled with the art, and I will be buying this comic based on that alone, because the story is simply average. I like the idea of modern Greek-gods, but that story has been done so much I’m not feeling anything fresh, But the art! My god the art! Recommended if you like awesomely odd stylized art.

Invincible #63 (Image Comics)

Robert Kirman, my personal man-god, HATES his characters. He must, because each of his characters go through a living nightmare every few issues. This, my friends, is THE issue where Invincible’s world is torn apart even more. This issue made me hope, for the only time EVER, that it will all turn out to be a simulation/dream/magic/all in his head. This issue is hyper-violent, blood soaked, and incredibly sad if you are a fan of the book. Recommended as highly as I can, BOOK OF THE WEEK!

Let’s begin, shall we?

Deadpool #11 (Marvel Comics)

Continuing were we left off, Deadpool is waking up from having an arrow shot through his brain by Bullseye (now impersonating Hawkeye, see Dark Avengers), and it is HILARIOUS. Deadpool is crazy enough, but as his brain reboots his normal funny internal commentary gets even better. Deadpool and7 Bullseye’s flashbacks to elementary school are also priceless, as is Deadpools solution to fighting without weapons. An absolute MUST read! Book of the Week!

The Walking Dead #62 (Image Comics)

More fallout from the events of issue #61, whereas Rick’s son Carl says what everyone’s thinking, and Michonne thinks about opening up to one of the new members of the survivors. Also, the group has their first run in with a strange new group of heavily armed survivors, and first contact isn’t what you would expect. Not much happened in this issue until the end, and I’m thinking this will be another amazing storyline when it all plays out. Almost my pick of the week, but just not enough happened.

Beta Ray Bill: Godhunter #1 of 3 (Marvel Comics)

Beta comes to Earth to enlist Thor in his cause to hunt down and destroy Galactus. Thor refuses, and knowing he can’t destroy Galactus in combat, he sets out to destroy each world Galactus chooses to feed on! I’m a fan of Beta Ray Bill, and if you are too this will really hit the spot.

Frank Castle is the Punisher #71 (Marvel Comics)

A new story starts here, with Frank driving “cargo” from Houston to New Orleans on the back roads. He runs into a group of Spring Breakers on the back roads (the girls flash Mr. Castle), and who talk to him at a gas station. Frank turns down their offer to have a beer with them, and they part ways with Frank leaving first. Down the road a bit, Frank notices that he hasn’t seen them yet, and pulls over. After they don’t come, Frank turns around because he’s got a bad feeling. In the meantime, his feeling is correct because some bad shit is happening. This has a very “House of 1000 Corpses” vibe, I’m looking forward to #72 to see what kind of shit Frank gets into. Must buy for Punisher fans!

Fables #85 (DC Comics, Vertigo Imprint)

Part 7 of the 9 part “Great Fables Crossover” running through Fables, Jack of Fables, and the Literals. I just….I just can’t get into the art on this, it’s really distracting me from the story. Also, I’m REALLY not a fan of Jack, and it was the best thing for Fables when he was exiled. Overall, this storyline has been, in my opinion, a bowl of shit. It’s all based off stuff that happened in Jack of Fables, which I don’t read, and I’m not enjoying the stuff I’m seeing in the Literals. I’ll finish up the crossover, but I damn well know I won’t continue Jack of Fables or the Literals. Skip it!

Street Fighter Legends: Chun-Li #3 (Udon Comics)

The Udon comics are a guilty pleasure of mine. I like the Udon art style, and they stories are pretty fun, lightweight stuff. Understandably, if you don’t like Street Fighter, you won’t like this. I can recommend it if you’re a SF fan, but that’s pretty much it. This has nothing to do with the Chun-Li movie!

Amazing Spider-Man #597 (Marvel Comics)

Peter continues his infiltration of the Dark Avengers while posing as Venom, while Norman Osborn walks the Dark Avengers through his “American Son” project. Harry deals with his girlfriends combo of “I used the goblin serum and I’m full of your baby” (talk about baggage!), and at the end Wolverine’s son and Spider-Man get into it, and Harry sells Spidey out to his dad. I’m looking forward to the next issue, as the last page was pretty messed up! Recommended!

Booster Gold #21 (DC Comics)

I really do like Booster Gold a great deal, both the series and the character. In this issue, he’s drug into the Battle for the Cowl story and a confrontation with the Black Beetle, who is altering the time stream. While a solid start to a new story arc (and thus being a great time to jump onto the book) the best surprise of the book was a backup story featuring the current Blue Beetle! It was a damn shame when that book ended and I’m glad to see more of him. Recommended!

Red Robin #01 (DC Comics)

So far, this is the best thing to come out of the Battle for the Cowl storyline. Tim Drake is a man who’s world was rocked when Batman, his adopted father, died. After Dick Grayson took over the mantle of Batman, Tim stepped aside for Damien, who doesn’t let him forget it in this issue. Tim, who cannot be Robin any more, takes on the mantle of Red Robin, crossing the lines by wearing a costume (in his mind) already tainted. He sets his mind to the fact that Bruce must still be alive, and sets off to find him. I’ve always liked Tim, and I’m interested in seeing how this darker edge will play out. Recommended!