Week of January 11th

It seems there will be many weeks wherein there are a number of great books to chose from...so, I guess I’ll start an “Honorable Mention” section before the All-Star posts.

Honorable Mention

Grifter # 5 (DC Comics)

Invincible #87 (Image Comics, Inc)

The Shade # 4 (DC Comics)

X-Factor # 230 (Marvel)

Wolverine # 300 (Marvel)

...and now for this weeks All-Stars!

The Last of the Greats # 4

Company: Image Comics, Inc

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Joshua Hale Fialkov, Artist: Brent Peeples, Colorist: Eddy Swan, Inker: Nick Nix, Letterer: Troy Peteri, Editor: Rob Levin

All-Star Summary for Choice: The plot thickens as we find out that the Last is not in complete control of himself. Seems that the absorbing of the essence of his race has come with a minor price...resulting in a major fit of rage by the Last.

There are books that come along that provoke a profound reaction from the reader. Then there are books that are so shocking and...dare I say, disturbing, that the effects have a lasting impression...possibly even invading the readers dreams. This book is THAT book. This issue isn’t for everyone...but I can say with certainty that it will not be forgotten by anyone that reads it.

All-Star Quote of the Book: “I love you so much Charles”

NOTE: This book has sexual themes and adult language.

Magneto: Not A Hero # 3 (of 4)

Company: Marvel

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Scotti Young, Artist: Clay Mann, Inker: Seth Mann, Colorist: David Curiel, Letterer: Chris Eliopoulos, Editor: Nick Lowe.

All-Star Summary for Choice: Joseph is back! Surely you remember Joseph...Magneto’s clone, and he hasn’t come back alone. He’s brought the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants with him...well, their clones anyway. Some balk when they even here the word “clone” (thanks Spider-Man), but the battle between Magneto and the Brotherhood is brilliant and refreshingly reminiscent of the way Erik used his power in X-Men: First Class.

The story has been steadily building to this point and, as expected from a limited series, things have just about reached the apex. Joseph has a master plan, but Magneto has resources now that he’s hooked up with the X-Men. The opening sequence hooked me and the continued build up for the last issue has me waiting in anticipation.

All-Star Quote of the Book: “I knew you were still in there, Erik. You just needed a little inspiration.”

New Avengers # 20

Company: Marvel

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Brian Michael Bendis, Artist: Mike Deodato, Colorist: Rain Beredo, Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna, Editor: Tom Brevoort.

All-Star Summary for Choice: Remember when I said I have a passion for books with cover-to-cover combat? Well, grab some popcorn and enjoy the show! It’s the New Avengers versus the Dark Avengers and expect to be surprised and entertained when this group of heroes faces off against this group of villains...dressed as heroes.

I’m very much impressed with the art and wish that the pattern holds true for any future Avengers movie with Harry Osborn in it. Don’t know what I’m talking about? The Ultimates comic had Nick Fury drawn to resemble Samuel L. Jackson...so somebody should check Tommy Lee Jones schedule should Harry Osborn turn up in the next Avengers movie script!

All-Star Quote of the Book: “Always wondered what would happen if I Iron-Fisted a Hulk.”

Punisher Max # 21

Company: Marvel

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

All-Star Summary for Choice: This is it!!! The Punisher versus the Kingpin...and it’s brutal, bloody, and full of jaw-dropping imagery that stays with you long after you put the book down. After walking right into a trap, the Punisher simply refuses to go down and insists the Kingpin’s men precede him into the afterlife. Once they’re dispatched....Wilson Fisk and Frank castle pull out all the stops on each other.

The art of Steve Dillon is...expected, but still brilliant. I say “expected” because there is little variation from one character to the next...at least it seems that way since he has a very distinctive style, especially with faces. However, it’s brilliant because he conveys emotion through expression flawlessly...and is a master at rendering crisp and clean-lined graphic scenes making them...more graphic!

All-Star Quote of the Book: “Your city. My world.”

NOTE: This book contains profanity and EXTREME VIOLENCE.

Suicide Squad # 5

Company: DC Comics

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Adam Glass, Artist: Federico Dallocchio, Colorist: Val Staples, Letterer: Jared K. Fletcher, Editor: Pat McCallum

All-Star Summary for Choice: The Squad must stop a prison riot in twelve minutes...where every tenth prisoner has metahuman powers. With a micro-explosive implanted in their skulls set to explode in the event of failure or non-compliance...this mission sounds like suicide to me. To make matters worse, the Squad isn’t together, they are in different areas of the prison when all hell breaks loose.

The visuals are excellent and this issue delivers some of the recipe of earlier Suicide Squad stories as one member...won’t be going on any more missions due to a severe...extremely severe, case of death!

All-Star Quote of the Book: “I’m gonna need more bullets.”