Week of February 1st

Honorable Mention

Batwing # 6 (DC Comics)

Irredeemable # 34 (Boom Studios)

Kirby: Genesis - Captain Victory # 3 (Dynamite Entertainment)

X-Factor # 231 (Marvel)

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

The Boys # 63

Company: Dynamite Entertainment

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Garth Ennis, Artist: Russ Braun, Letterer: Simon Bowland, Colorist: Tony Avina, Editor: Joseph Rybandt

All-Star Summary for Choice: I’ve been reading this book since the first issue and although some issues are more shocking than others...I’m happy to report that not only was this issue one of the shockers, but the story is coming full circle from the first issue. There are characters in this book that have been a regular part of the scenery...that will no longer be seen. There is no better description to sum up the story than “the beginning of the end.”

The art is fabulous, but prepare yourself...it’s graphic. I think this book would lose much of the punch it packs if not for the graphic nature of the art to convey emotion and showcase the shocking moments of gratuitous violence. A new reader will be compelled to hunt down the other sixty-two issues to understand just how everything got to where it is...and be biting their nails to the cuticle with anticipation for issue sixty-four!

All-Star Quote of the Book: “Stand Down. Now.”


NOTE: Contains graphic violence and adult language.

Avengers Sanction # 3

Company: Marvel

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Jeph Loeb, Artist: Ed McGuinness, Colorist: Morry Hollowell, Inker: Dexter Vines, Letterer: Comicraft’s A. Deschesne, Editor: Tom Brevoort

All-Star Summary for Choice: Just when you thought Cable versus Captain America was as good as it gets. Just when you thought Cable trouncing Iron Man pushed the boundaries of “whoa.” In comes the Red Hulk...and Cable must face him alone. Well, that’s not entirely true, Blaquesmith jumps in as “Plan B”, but against the Red Hulk, it isn’t really a plan at all...just a delaying tactic for the inevitable.

The brilliant artwork brings this fight right into your brain via the express train to awesome. Ed McGuinness has always been good, but he just keeps getting better and better and this book clearly shows how great he’s become. Facing off against the Red Hulk, Cable ponders having to do the unthinkable...then he does it! Don’t miss this one!

All-Star Quote of the Book: “Trust me. By killing you...I’m doing you a favor.”

Invincible # 88

Company: Image Comics, Inc

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

All-Star Summary for Choice: Viltrumites. Learn the word, fear the race. There are only thirty of them left and they are supposedly on Earth. The Galactic Coalition’s leader, Allen, seeks to make this dangerous race extinct by killing all six billion people on the planet, if needed, by releasing a perfect strain of the Scourge Virus...the only other way than applying greater physical force, to kill a Viltrumite. Killing six billion to kill thirty is a fair trade? You betcha...if those thirty are...Viltrumites.

I’ve always been a fan of the idea of the Superman archetype going bad, or being ruthless to the core, and the dilemma that causes other heroes, and/or villains, to stop them. The Image Universe, as seen in Invincible, has taken this idea and applied it on a grand scale with excellent storytelling and fabulous artwork...and have presented it to us in one word: Viltrumites. I don’t collect Invincible regularly, but when I do read it...and the books I do own have one thing in common: Viltrumites. Get it?

All-Star Quote of the Book: “I’m so totally unprepared for crazy right now.”

The Punisher # 8

Company: Marvel

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Greg Rucka, Artist: Marco Checchetto, Letterer: Joe Caramagna, Colorist: Matt Hollingworth, Editor: Stephen Wacker

All-Star Summary for Choice: The presentation of this issue is fabulous. Not a single word is uttered until the fourth page...and only then, at gunpoint. The fabulous artwork of this book brings it to another level. Kudos to the writing as this book has a good deal of dialogue (starting really on page eight) that enhances the tension of the book with a level of intrigue that is missing from most of the comics on the shelf these days.

We have the opportunity to experience the book from the bad guys perspective while also getting another taste from the perspective of our investigating detectives. All the while it seems like our hero and his assumed partner (uh-oh...) are caught in the middle of rush hour traffic, directing it at gunpoint with a laser-sighted scope. Misdirection is the game of this issue...on every level.

All-Star Quote of the Book: “Blue on blue”

The Twelve # 9 (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:  J. Michael Straczynski is arguably one of the greatest writers of science fiction fantasy...ever. Writer of the Babylon 5 television series, easily among the top five best science fiction series...ever, he brings all that talent to this comic book. The art of Chris Weston perfectly compliments the awesome writing of Straczynski. It is clear, crisp and vibrant with great detail and perspective.

The Twelve are heroes from the 1940’s that were frozen and brought back to the world of the living in the year 2008. This is not only a story of their adjustment, but a deeper look at how secrets, no matter how old, have a way of coming to light...with deadly and drastic consequences! The Blue Blade takes center stage (pun intended) in this issue and it’s truly a story to die for.

All-Star Quote of the Book: “I let a good man die so I could have his power.”