Week of December 21st

Avengers # 20

Company: Marvel

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Brian Michael Bendis, Artist: Daniel Acuna, Letterer: VC’s Cory Petitt, Editor: Tom Brevoort

All-Star Summary for Choice: Norman Osborn is back...and the Avengers are in a world of trouble. I love how Osborne has transformed from crazy super-villain Green Goblin into crazy, but diabolically ingenious master-manipulator. H.A.M.M.E.R. is up and  running with Hydra and A.I.M. joining...to name a few. With all the advanced tech and minds brought under the control of Osborne, and his ability to anticipate their every move...the outcome doesn’t look good. They get taken apart in this issue...absolutely hammered (pun intended), and Osborn is just getting started. Bendis is an excellent writer and this issue doesn’t disappoint!

All-Star Quote of the Book: “Hail H.A.M.M.E.R.”

The Bionic Man # 5

Company: Dynamite Entertainment

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Kevin Smith & Paul Hester, Artist: Jonathan Lau, Colorists: Ivan Nunes, Letterer: Simon Bowland

All-Star Summary for Choice: I loved watching the Six Million Dollar Man as a child. It was one of the best show’s on television at the time, so I was excited and skeptical about this title. I’m not anymore...this series is beyond excellent!. Kevin Smith has taken this character and modernized him without sacrificing the original story or direction of the character. Steve Austin is a spy...and he is more machine than man. He is hunting down an earlier illicit version of himself that may be more powerful than he is. In this book, it all hits the fan. The spy work is exciting as is the action when things inevitable degrade. Anyone that likes spies, technology and gratuitous violence all at once, will love this book.

All-Star Quote of the Book: “Sorry buddy. I know this wasn’t the date you had in mind. At least I hope it wasn’t.”

NOTE: This book has profanity.

Justice League # 4

Company: DC Comics

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Geoff Johns, Artist: Jim Lee, Inker: Scott Williams, Letterer: Patrick Brosseau, Colorists: Alex Sinclair with Gabe Eltaeb, Editor: Brian Cunningham

All-Star Summary for Choice: If you’re not reading this book, you have no idea what you’re missing...so, let me tell you. Earth is being invaded by aliens (big deal huh?). Actually, it is...cause these aliens are using Boom Tubes (uh-oh). Our heroes find themselves together fighting the good fight while Cyborg is created out of an act of love. If you think Cyborg doesn’t belong among these heroes, I think being made of Promethium changes that equation. Enter Aquaman...King of Atlantis, and one of the most underrated and disrespected heroes around...until Green Lantern opens his mouth (see below). So, what are you missing? One of the best books to hit the shelf in a long time...and the first appearance of DC Comics premier villain in the new 52 lineup!

All-Star Quote of the Book: “Superman might not say a lot, but he can fly and juggle trucks. The Flash is the fastest man alive. Wonder Woman can slice through an army, and me? I can do anything with this ring. So, really, what can you do that we can’t?”

Punisher Max # 20

Company: Marvel

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Jason Aaron, Artist: Steve Dillon, Inker: Scott Williams, Letterer: VC’s Cory Petitt, Colorist: Matt Hollingsworth, Editor: Sebastian Girner

All-Star Summary for Choice: Punisher has been after the Kingpin and has had to go through hundreds of men and even Bullseye in his quest to end Wilson Fisk. In this book, he has to face Elektra in a fight that the word “epic” just isn’t adequate to describe. The art of Steve Dillon is fantastic and the writing of Jason Aaron is magnificent. This book has me eager to read every month because I know it will deliver...every...single...time.

All-Star Quote of the Book: “Now I bet she’s got some idea.”

NOTE: Explicit Content. This book is NOT for children.

T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents # 2

Company: DC Comics

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Nick Spencer, Artists: Wes Crane and Jerry Ordway, Letterer: Jared K. Fletcher, Colorists: HI-FI and Chris Beckett, Editor: Will Moss

All-Star Summary for Choice: My only sore spot with this book is that it’s not an ongoing series. This is issue number two of a six issue series, and it is hot! The nations of the world have a secret history with a race of people from underground. Indeed, the very technology of the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents was made as a response to this threat. All has been well, except the Subterranean people have been stirred, T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents have been captured in a trap, and war has been declared once more since Demo, Subterranean mad genius, has taken control.

The story presentation is excellent, the humor is refreshing...and the ending of this book will certainly drive the point home...that this is a book you should be reading.

All-Star Quote of the Book: “Funny thing, intelligence gathering assumes a certain level of intelligence from the people gathering it.”