Week of February 29th

Honorable Mention

Astonishing X-Men # 47 (Marvel)

   Charles Xavier must be defeated in order to save the world!

Bionic Man # 7 (Dynamite Entertainment)

   The origin of Colonel Avery Hull...the first Bionic Man!

New Avengers # 22 (Marvel)

   The New Avengers are hunted and on the run...from the Federal Governmet!

The Shade # 5 (DC Comics)

   Battles Vampires on the high seas for the life of a baby!

T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents # 6 (DC Comics)

   Could this be the last run for Lightning?

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

Avengers # 23

Company: Marvel

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


All-Star Summary for Choice: Captain America has been captured and become a pawn in terrorist negotiations...and then is forced to watch good soldiers ripped apart by hulked out H.A.M.M.E.R agents. The Vision is trounced in melee combat by...Norman Osborn??  This book continues to twist and turn at the tune of the master plans of Norman Osborne to the point that every small victory is looked at with skepticism. When the heroes win, but you just can't bring yourself to believe it, that’s a reflection of some good storytelling.

The good art and surprise and intense action just continues to get the blood pumping. The bad guys are still winning and even a ray of hope can’t be counted on when Osborne is plotting against the good guys. Hail H.A.M.M.E.R.! 

All-Star Quote of the Book: “Please, I beg you, resist my authority.”

Invincible # 89

Company: Image Comics, Inc

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Robert Kirkman, Artist: Ryan Ottley, Inker: Ryan Ottley, Letterer: Rus Wooton, Colorist: John Rauch, Editor: Sina Grace


All-Star Summary for Choice: Invincible is laid low by a newer and stronger strain of the Scourge Virus...the only thing known that can kill Viltrimites...and being half Viltrimite hasn’t done Invincible any favors. Grand Regent Thragg has his top scientist trying to find a cure because if Invincible dies, so does the Viltrimite/Earth agreement he made...and so might everyone on Earth soon after! Even the genius Dinosaurus has come to the aid of his former foe. Everything is on the brink...so what better time to make a discovery that’s worth killing for? Make way...Invincible is stepping up to the plate...but who is he?

Besides the art being great, the story draws me in...and it’s not just the overall big picture, but the small details dedicated to the great dialogue that gives all these characters a senses of realism and larger than life personality. I find any book that can enthrall like this without having to resort to gratuitous violence is simply a masterpiece. Of course though...what would any book be without some gratuitous violence...?

All-Star Quote of the Book: “Grand Regent Thragg, I have discovered something...extraordinary.”

Justice League # 6

Company: DC Comics

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Geoff Johns, Artist: Jim Lee, Inkers: Scott Williams, Sandra Hope, Batt & Mark Irwin, Letterer: Patrick Brosseau, Colorists: Alex Sinclair with Tony Avina & Hi-Fi, Editor: Brian Cunningham


All-Star Summary for Choice: The Justice League are fighting for their lives against Darkseid...without their two biggest assets, Superman and Batman! I’ve seen many battles in my day between these two forces (yes, Darkseid can only be described as such you blithering fool!), but this one was particularly brutal. Perhaps it’s because the Justice League really doesn’t stand a chance? But don’t tell that to Wonder Woman or Aquaman who take it to the big guy in hopes that he “sees their point.”

Despite the epic battle and the Flash naming the team the Super Seven, the most interesting portion of the book for me was the end...a confrontation between the Phantom Stranger (yaaay! he’s back!) and a mysterious woman named Pandora whom he charges with  being “...a foolish girl whose curiosity cursed the world.” They go in to talk about the “Third Sinner” still being loose in the world. Mark this post folks...I predict Pandora is none other than Eve...as in, might the Phantom Stranger be Adam?

All-Star Quote of the Book: “A sword and a trident through his eyes and he’s still standing? What else can we do?”

Kirby Genesis - Dragonsbane # 2

Company: Dynamite Entertainment

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writers: Robert Rodi & Alex Ross, Artist: Fritz Casas, Colorist: Salvatore Aiala, Letterer: Simon Bowland, Editor: Joseph Rybandt


All-Star Summary for Choice:. Sigurd Dragonsbane, Balduur, Heimdall and Honir have all been turned into pigs by Circe. No surprise, she does things like that. The surprise comes when our adventurers are saved, and then their quest joined....by none other than Ulysses! King of Ithaca and hero of the Trojan War, I don’t believe this character has ever been used in comics in the mythological sense that we see Thor, Hercules, or even most recently, Achilles in the pages of Wonder Woman prior to the New 52. This book is shattering the mythic hero ceiling long held by Thor in my opinion....and it’s only on issue number two!

The art is excellent and as I’ve mentioned before, setting of all the mythologies as being simply the land next door is an interesting perspective that is paying off with every issue. When our heroes are besieged by a Cyclops and Balduur is forced to summon a Frost Giant to combat it...that encounter itself speaks volumes to where this book is going...somewhere we have never been before!

All-Star Quote of the Book: “By Hagbar’s hairy chin, that swing struck true!”

The Twelve # 10 (of 12)

Company: Marvel

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writers: J. Michael Straczynski, Artist: Chris Weston, Letterer: Comicraft’s Jimmy Betancourt, Colorist: Chris Chuckry, Editor: Tom Brevoort


All-Star Summary for Choice:  Writer of the Babylon 5 television series, J. Michael Straczynski is arguably one of the greatest writers of science fiction fantasy...ever. The art of Chris Weston is awesome because it’s clear, crisp and vibrant with great detail to facial expression and nice perspective for diversity as you go from one panel to another.

The Twelve are heroes from the 1940’s that were frozen and brought back to the world of the living in the year 2008. One of them has been mysteriously murdered by another among them. This book is an episode of “Clue”...on steroids! I’m a pretty good detective...and although I figured out who the murderer was, I was totally blindsided as to why...and then laid out upon discovering that guilty person wasn’t at all what probably everyone had been thinking they were. The writing of this book, and this particular issue...is simply brilliant!

Don’t let the cover fool you...besides, you shouldn’t be judging a book by the cover anyway, because this has been one of the best books I’ve ever read...period.

All-Star Quote of the Book: “I’m the Man of the Future! And I’m going to kill...every...last...one of you.”

Week of February 22nd

Honorable Mention

Aquaman # 6 (DC Comics)

   Mera cuts loose!

Batman the Dark Knight # 6 (DC Comics)

   Bane is back with a vengeance!

The Flash # 6 (DC Comics)

   Captain Cold is back and more powerful than ever!

Green Lantern: New Guardians # 6 (DC Comics)

---Invictus has arrived and the New Guardians don’t stand a chance!

Voodoo # 6 (DC Comics)

   Voodoo is on the move, looking for answers and she won’t be denied!

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

Fantastic Four # 603

Company: Marvel

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Jonathan Hickman, Artist: Barry Kitson, Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles, Colorist: Paul Mounts, Editor: Tom Brevoort

All-Star Summary for Choice: There are many adjectives I could use to describe this book....and none of them would do it justice. It really is a book that must be read to fully experience what I’m trying to convey...but I’ll do my best anyway.

Adventures in space is an element that is missing from comics today, fortunately it isn’t missing from this book. The Kree have come to Earth to conquer and the Fantastic Four...alongside the Inhumans and the Annihilation Wave, under the command of Johnny Storm, have interceded to stop them. As if the situation isn’t bad enough, the Mad Celestials have arrived to destroy everything...but they are opposed by non other than Galactus. What happens next will be talked about in comics for a long time.

The art of this book is astounding and really brings the great space adventure to life. It’s gratifying to see such an epic event in this book presented with such vibrant clarity...making this a book that has a lot of re-read value!

All-Star Quote of the Book: “It knows! It knows! Destroy/ Obliterate/ Eliminate!”

The Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Man # 6

Company: DC Comics

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Gail Simone, Artist: Yildiray Cinar, Inker: Norm Rapmund, Letterer: Travis Lanham, Colorist: Hi-fi, Editor: Rachel Gluckstern

All-Star Summary for Choice: Firestorm has always been one of my favorite characters. I remember my shock in my youth at the only hero in books that were two people formed into one. This caveat of the character hasn’t left, it’s just taken a different form...as has the who idea of “firestorm.” Now, anyone can become a Firestorm if you have the formula and know the process. However, this power isn’t for anyone, and the Firestorm hunter makes sure that few have it!

Ronald Raymond and Jason Rusch are Firestorm...or I should say, Firestorms. Both wield the power, and when a stadium of two-thousand people is vaporized, we get to see the different reactions of each under duress of the awesome responsibility of wielding this power. The writing of these two personalities is excellent. We also get to see what happens when Pozhar, the Firestorm Hunter catches up with these two!

Great vibrant colors bring these fiery pages to life and solid character writing cements this issue as something hot.

All-Star Quote of the Book: “I burned the lake down. How the hell do you burn a lake down?”

Magneto: Not A Hero # 4 (of 4)

Company: Marvel

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

All-Star Summary for Choice: Joseph, Magneto’s clone wants to slaughter thousands so that the humans will, once again, fear his name. It’s not too ambitious as far as grandeur goes, but at least he has a focus. Of course, the real Magneto can’t allow Joseph to sully his good name...well, “good” may be stretching it a bit...but at least it’s steadily improving with each act of heroism, and this would certainly be a set back.

What isn’t a set back is the fight between these two masters of magnetism. Any fanboy that likes to see great power wielded and the fight go “large” will love this one! The art is excellent, with every act of magnetism carrying a hefty impact as two of the most powerful mutants in the world tear into each other with abandon...some of it reckless! This is certainly a book that should not be missed.

All-Star Quote of the Book: “The thing none of you will ever understand is that there are no sides. There’s no heroes or villains. There’s just what I want and how I’ll get it.”

The Ray # 3 (of 4)

Company: DC Comics

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writers: Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray, Artists: jamal igle, Inker: Rich Perrota, Colorist: Guy Major, Letterer: Dave Sharpe, Editor: Kwanza Johnson.

All-Star Summary for Choice: The things we do for the love of a woman. The things the Ray is getting into to protect the woman he loves. Unfortunately, it isn’t going to be easy with a maniac out to get you with the power to do...well, anything he can think of. Even harnessing the power of light is small time compared to that!

This book has so many good points and points of interest I hardly know where to start. The artwork is fabulous, with clear lines and great attention to details. I think the Ray is the first featured character of Korean descent to headline a comic for a major company. To add to that, his girlfriend is Indian...making this book a social melting pot. To top all that off...his costume is super cool with loads of potential since it’s made of light and he can change it as well as his own physical appearance.

I see a tremendous amount of potential for this character and this book just tops the iceberg of how great it can really be. By the end of the book, the “whoa” meter is redlining!

All-Star Quote of the Book: “People? I don’t care about people. I care about art. The world is my canvas and my audience.”

X-Men # 25

Company: Marvel

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Victor Gischler, Artists: Jorge Molina, Colorist: Guru EFX, Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna, Editor: Jeanie Schaeffer.

All-Star Summary for Choice: Jubilee is missing and the X-Men have set out on a mission to find her. As hard as that would be under normal conditions, it’s made all the more harder because Jubilee is now a vampire...and you have to look where vampires are at, to find the one you want.

It’s the X-Men versus The Forgiven...a group of vampires that have shunned the way of their kind and choose to live with their curse as best they can while doing what good they can do. The fabulous artwork of this book just makes this match up look more intense with each turning of the page. After weeks of searching for Jubilee on three continents and leaving a countless trail of bodies in their wake...the X-Men aren’t giving any quarter...and aren’t hearing anything contrary to “here she is.”

Think that sounds intense? That’s just the beginning...because a HUGE bounty has been placed on the head of the Forgiven leader, Raizo Kodo, and it’s brought the best mercenaries from all over the world to their doorstep. Good thing the X-Men are there...or is it?

All-Star Quote of the Book: “Okay, now I bring the hurt.”

Week of February 15th

Honorable Mention

Avengers # 22 (Marvel)

Daredevil # 9 (Marvel)

Legion of Super-Heroes # 6 (DC Comics)

Planet of the Apes # 11 (Boom Studios)

X-Factor # 232 (Marvel)

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

Avenging Spider-Man # 4

Company: Marvel

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Zeb Wells, Artist: Greg Land, Inker:  Jay Leisten, Colorist: Wil Quintana, Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna, Editor: Stephen Wacker

All-Star Summary for Choice: I’m not a Spider-Man fan. I think he is one of the most overused characters in comics today and I was saturated with him a long time ago. So...why has this book made the All-Star cut? Why am I even reading it when I have such a distaste for the character? Because the book is awesome...that’s why. The presentation of Spider-Man in this book is a lot less of an idiotic wise guy and more of a mature hero with a good sense of humor.

The issues before this featured the Red Hulk, and they made for a great story. This issue features Hawkeye and the interaction between him and Spider-Man is absolutely superb. I’ve learned more about the inner thoughts of Hawkeye in this book than I have in all the other stuff I’ve read with him in it. The fact that all this is pivotal to the action in the book just bumps this book up a notch. The expressive art of Greg Land accents the story masterfully and makes this issue a seriously good read!

All-Star Quote of the Book: “It’s me I don’t miss.”

Batman # 6

Company: DC Comics

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Scott Snyder, Artist: Greg Capullo, Inker: Jonathan Glapion, Colorist: FCO, Letterer: Richard Starkings, Editor: Mike Marts

All-Star Summary for Choice: The final splash page of issue number five is where this book starts off...and the ride just gets wild from there! This book drives home why Batman is such a dangerous character. After eight days of captivity consisting of sleep depravation, starvation, and drugged water...the Owl comes to finish the job. A gaunt and emaciated Batman doesn’t stand a chance against him...or does he?

Batman has been planning and assessed how to overcome his situation the whole time in captivity. The final piece of the plan is to get torn to pieces by the Owl...just enough to have enough. This issue gives new meaning to the word punishment and exemplifies the word endurance. The artwork and writing set a tone for the book that make it very hard to put down once reading has started. In fact, I recommend not putting it down...and reading it twice!

All-Star Quote of the Book: “Batman, the Court of Owls has sentenced you to die.”

New Avengers # 20

Company: Marvel

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

All-Star Summary for Choice: It’s Ragnarok versus the New Avengers! For those unfamiliar of forgetful of who Ragnarok is, he’s the Thor clone from the Civil War storyline that killed Goliath. He’s mean, deadly...and nothing like the real Thor...except for the fact that he has tremendous strength, wields a hammer...oh, and can call down lightning from the sky. Ok, he’s just like Thor...but Thor is the New Avengers friend, Ragnarok is trying to kill them!

Norman Osborne’s plan has come together without a hitch, and the New Avengers are coming up smelling like sewer water in the eyes of the public...and the government. The artwork of Mike Deodato is very nice and his presentation of Wolverine and Luke Cage getting...uh, hammered, by Ragnarok, is one for the ages!

All-Star Quote of the Book: “Fist him!”

Star Trek/ Legion of Super-Heroes # 5

Companies: IDW/ DC Comics

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Chris Roberson, Artists: Jeffrey Moy, Inker: Philip Moy, Colorist: Romulo Fajardo, Letterer: Shawn Lee, Editor: Chris Ryall.

All-Star Summary for Choice: I was loving this issue right from the cover. It pays homage to all the classic “Trek” lore in so many subtle ways, that if you’re a fan like me...it’s simply fantastic. The cover with Captain Kirk surrounded by all the women from the Legion of Super-Heroes just speaks volumes about how much fun this book really is.

The Legion and the Enterprise crew have teamed up and split up, with one team going back to the past and the other team trying to figure out the present. Both teams are trapped in a universe that is neither of theirs...but both of theirs meshed together. The immortal Flint and Vandal Savage are the same person...and it just gets better from there.

In true science fiction fashion, we are treated to a splash page of all the artifacts of the time travelers Flint/ Vandal has interrogated and disposed of. I spent my time on these two pages...especially when I spotted the Tardis, a Stargate, the Cosmic Treadmill, the Time Machine and the DeLorean...among other devices. Not to be outdone, the end of the book presents an even bigger surprise!

If you’re a fan of the Legion and Star Trek...and you’re not reading this book, you’re going to be angry with yourself when you finally do...for waiting so long to have such a good time.

All-Star Quote of the Book: “Forget it Captain. It is not going to happen.”

Wolverine # 301

Company: Marvel

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Jason Aaron, Artists: Billy Tan, Jason Keith, Steve Sanders and Sotocolor, Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit, Editor: Jeanine Schaefer.

All-Star Summary for Choice: This book has it all. The Yakuza versus The Hand...and Wolverine is caught in the middle trying to save his daughter. Add Sabertooth and the new Silver Samurai to the mix...and you have a kaleidoscope of blood and body parts.

It’s always a treat to see Wolverine fight Sabertooth, more so when the art and action is so clean...and those handy healing factor’s keep the action going. The Wolverine versus Silver Samurai segment of the book is a great battle that displays the power of the new Silver Samurai, and the endurance of Wolverine.

The skill of Wolverine is shown in the last segment wherein he has a sword duel with an honorable ninja and without either of them moving, wins the fight in 487 moves...that weren’t moves...except they were. Trust me...it’s one of those things you have to see for your self to appreciate.

All-Star Quote of the Book: “Go ahead and finish your screaming. We’ll talk more when you’re done.”

Week of February 8th

Honorable Mention

Deathstroke # 6 (DC Comics)

Legion Lost # 6 (DC Comics)

Punisher Max # 22 (Marvel)

Suicide Squad # 6 (DC Comics)

Superboy # 6 (DC Comics)

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

Artifacts # 14

Company: Image/ Top Cow Productions

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Ron Marz, Artist: Stjepan Sejic, Letterer: Troy Peteri, Editor: Filip Sablik

All-Star Summary for Choice: There are thirteen artifacts of supernatural power that, when brought together, can destroy the world. Thirteen people are given the task of safeguarding these artifacts...well, that’s not true. It’s more accurate to say that they have them since anyone around these people are anything but safe. If all should be brought together, the world would end...be destroyed. Well, they were brought together, but they didn’t destroy the world...they made a new one. Similar to the world that existed before, but with some slight differences. This issue is the perfect jump-on point for any new reader...and I encourage everyone to start reading this book. 

Stjepan Sejic is a phenomenal artist. When I opened this book, I was blown away by the sheer beauty of it. To be fair, the inking and colors make the art that much more tremendous and I found it a great fit for the new beginning the direction of the book is taking. I’m excited to be exploring the new roles these established characters are now in and am intrigued by what will happen next as they begin to realize that everything has changed.

All-Star Quote of the Book: “I had to tell someone...and you won’t live long enough to repeat any of it.”

Batman and Robin # 6 

Company: DC Comics

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writers: Peter J. Tomasi, Artist: Patrick Gleason, Inker: Mike Gray, Colorist: John Kalisz,  Letterer: Pat Brosseau, Editor: Mike Marts.

All-Star Summary for Choice:  Damian has left Bruce and has thrown his lot in with Ducard. Without a way to track him effectively, Batman is scouring Gotham City, desperately trying to find his son. In the meantime, Ducard and Damian capture the Ragandian Ambassador intent on making him give up his human trafficking ring. Deception is a staple in this book, and this story is no exception as everything isn’t quite what it appears to be.

The back story of the history between Bruce and Ducard is also engaging and masterfully woven into the book as a great supplemental break to the main action. As much history as there is with the Batman character, it’s refreshing to discover something we’ve never known before...especially when it has so much relevance to the current characters Batman and Robin have been made into.

All-Star Quote of the Book: “I’d like to take full advantage of this G.P.S’s capability to transmit sound, so listen closely...because these next noises you hear will be your son breaking.”

The Bionic Man # 6

Company: Dynamite Entertainment

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

All-Star Summary for Choice: I loved watching the Six Million Dollar Man as a child. I know I’ve said that already, but it just needed to be said again. Steve has met his match...or more accurately, a superior model, and the fight that ensues...for the entire book, is epic. The strength, capabilities and punishment these two exhibit is way beyond anything that was ever presented on the show. Kudos to writers Kevin Smith and Paul Hester for bringing this character into the 21st century with such style.

The interior are is good and although, not in the top tier of the best out today, does the book justice, especially with all the interesting angles and perspective shown throughout the battle. Of course, it’s always a plus to have the cover painted by one of the great artists of our time...Alex Ross!

All-Star Quote of the Book: “Come now. You didn’t think you were the first toy of the assembly line, did you?”

NOTE: This book has profanity.

Ferals # 2

Company: Avatar Press

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: David Lapham, Artist: Gabriel Andrade, Colorists: Digikore Studios.

All-Star Summary for Choice: I’ve been reading comic books a long time and have learned to at least give a look at a lot of different stuff. Sometimes I like it, and sometimes I don’t. I’m glad I gave a look at this book! I missed issue one last month, for it would have surely made the All-Star list just as issue two is here this month.

The first striking thing about this book is the art. I opened the cover and said “whoa”...literally. Yep, the art was just that good. As I progressed through the pages...and bad stuff started to happen to all kinds of people, I was amazed and how...um, good? it looked. Yeah...I got issues.

If you like the Underworld or the Twilight movies...for the Werewolves, then you’ll love this book.

All-Star Quote of the Book: “Give me a gun, Joe! Give me a goddamn gun!”

NOTE: This book contains profanity, nudity and EXTREME VIOLENCE & GORE

The Last of the Greats # 5

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 Greats are returning...and that isn’t a good thing. The Last is facing his first real challenge as he’s forced to go toe-to-toe with the offspring of a Great and human union. The battle reveals that the Greats are not prisoners of their exiled realm, The Garden...and that they are much more powerful than the Superman archetype we are all familiar with.

After the shocking events of last issue, the book keeps up it;s momentum by delivering a cover-to-cover battle that creates more questions about who they really are, what they can really do...and what it all means for the inhabitants of Earth.

All-Star Quote of the Book: “Hey mom.Look at me. I’m all growed up.”

NOTE: This book has adult language.