Week of May 2nd

Honorable Mention

Age of Apocalypse # 3 (Marvel)

The Celestial Pods are being used to bring back the dead Prelates...the worst of the mutant oppressors. Havok, Emplate, Abyss...all given a second chance at exterminating the humans. Their return doesn’t bode well for Sebastian Shaw either...and could mean the end for one of the X-Terminated.

Invincible Iron Man # 516 (Marvel)

Firebrand and Crimson Dynamo start with Iron Man...but the Detroit Steel Corps finishes, leaving Tony holding the bag. On the outs with the Avengers...and not being in control of the Iron Man armor leaves Tony to make the only decision he can and come to the realization that “they” have won.

Justice League International # 9 (DC Comics)

It’s action galore as Omac steps on the scene looking for Batman...and has no problem (literally) ripping through the entire team to find him. After the loss of Rocket Red, this is not what this team needs right now...but maybe Batman can pull a miracle out of his cowl, and make the Omac situation into something positive.

Worlds Finest # 1 (DC Comics)

The Huntress and Power Girl. Best friends...and so much more. Who are they really? Where are they from? Feast your eyes on the tremendous work of George Perez and Kevin Maguire...and explore the true origins of these two characters in the New 52. 

X-Men # 28 (Marvel)

Pixie is kidnapped by a stranded Skrull unit left behind after their defeat and failed invasion attempt. All they want to do is find one of their stashed ships and go home. Yeah...right, well...that’s not “all” they want. With appearances by Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four, the action just keeps rolling...

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

Avengers vs. X-Men # 3

Company: Marvel

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writers: Brian Michael Bendis, Jason Aaron, Ed Brubaker, Jonathan Hickman and Matt Fraction, Artist: John Romita Jr., Inker: Scott Hanna, Color Art: Laura Martin, Letterer: Chris Eliopoulos, Editor: Tom Brevoort

All-Star Summary for Choice: Hope is gone...and now it’s a race to see who will find her first, the X-Men or the Avengers. The real story here though, is Wolverine. The only way to stop the Phoenix, is to kill Hope. At, least. that’s the only way he sees it going down. Unfortunately for him...nobody agrees with him. The X-Men don’t agree, the Avengers don’t agree...but more to the point of this issue, Captain America doesn’t agree.

   Trying to talk to Logan is always worth a shot, since the alternative is to use force...and he kinda has a pretty good handle in that department. Never let it be said that Captain America is above using reason...however, he also will use force. I’m happy he does because the Captain America versus Wolverine fight is awesome! No doubt many will envision Wolverine the clear winner in such a contest...but they’d be forgetting a few important things. Captain America...is, well...Captain America, and he can always count on a little help from his friends.

   John Romita Jr.’s art is excellent, as always...and the way he lays this fight out is excellent. With a story like tis, there’s just no telling what is going to happen next.

All-Star Quote of the Book: “You seriously think you can take me?”

Earth 2 # 1

Company: DC Comics

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: James Robinson, Artist: Nicola Scott, Inker: Trevor Scott, Letterer: Dezi Sienty, Colorist: Alex Sinclair, Editor: Pat McCallum

All-Star Summary for Choice: Earth 2 hit the shelves with mixed reviews. I listened to all the different opinions, especially the dissenting ones...and have dismissed them as coming from people that simply don’t share my vision, or those of the writer of this awesome book. I heard one complaint that there wasn’t enough background information given about the characters. Forgive me, but if you’re a comic book reader and you’re not familiar with Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman...then I suggest taking up a new hobby...perhaps golf? I even read a criticism about the artwork...which shocked me since this isn’t one of those books that makes your eyes bleed. The artwork is actually very good.

   The Earth has been invaded by the hordes from Apokolips. There are Parademons everywhere. Yup...we’ve seen this before. Metropolis is destroyed, Lois is dead, the Amazons are dead, whole countries destroyed and enslaved...and the big three, Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman, only have one shot at ending the Apokolips War. Seeing the war through their own personal viewpoints and thoughts only heightens the tension of the story...as well as fills in the nuggets we need to understand why these heroes aren't the ones we're used to, while still making us care about them.

   I like a book that shocks me...and this book had plenty of that. Steppenwolf is laying waste to the Earth...and nobody has seen, or even has a hint of his dark master. I have a hunch though, since Mercury appears with a very clear message: The Gods are being toasted by the forces of Apokolips...and man is the only hope. This after Diana has asked them for help in the war? If the Gods can’t help you...you’re having a REALLY bad day! The beauty of this book is that as bad as the day is...it’s about to get a whole lot worse for our heroes!

All-Star Quote of the Book: “Kal, Diana, I have the answer, finally. I know how we can end the war.”

Epic Kill # 1 (of 5)

Company: Image Comics, Inc

All-Star Presenter: Created, Written and Drawn: Raffaele Ienco

All-Star Summary for Choice: This book is...(wait for it)...epic! This book exemplifies the beauty of Image Comics. A man can create, write and draw his own book...and if done well (like this book is), it will be something special that everyone should be reading.

   Song is the main character...and calling here deadly is like calling a hurricane an afternoon shower. Her training has made her into the perfect killer...or perhaps just unlocked her natural born talent. One the killing begins, there is nothing else coming down the pike except more bodies...and Matrix-like feats of evasion. I have no doubt that movie had an influence on this book, but it was a good influence as the writer has made it his own...and drawn it with care.

   As I read this book, it’s like watching the next summer blockbuster. Huge explosions, awesome stunts...and an endless flow from one precarious situation to the next. Song has a target...and he just enacted an Executive Order to make sure she never finds her mark. I can’t wait for the next issue.

All-Star Quote of the Book: “Your friends are dead. Don’t fool yourself, there is no escape, no hope. With four simple blows I can make you suffer for hours until your heart finally explodes. Now, answer my questions.”

NOTE: This book contains profanity.

Stormwatch # 9

Company: DC Comics

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer:Peter Milligan, Artists: Miguel Sepulveda, Colorist: Allex Sinclair, Letterer: Dave Sharp, Editor: Pat McCallum.

All-Star Summary for Choice: Awesome artwork brings this story to life in vibrant color and clear images of power and mayhem. There are two stories happening here...and both are equally entertaining...but in different ways.

   Martian Manhunter, Jenny Quantum and Jack Hawksmoor must confront the Vitruvian Man...a man over five hundred years old with incredible telekinetic power, that isn’t very happy about the way he has been treated by the mysterious benefactors of Stormwatch. This opens the door to further questions about the mysterious Shadow Lords (mysterious benefactors of Stormwatch). At the very least, it’s revealed they’ve been around a very long time.

   Meanwhile, Apollo and Midnighter face off against a Red Lantern! Epic in conception, the fight is awesome and soon becomes Midnighter versus a Red Lantern...and forces him to cut things short if survival is the goal. Stormwatch tout themselves as the ultimate authority in the universe...and keep producing examples of why this might very well be true.

All-Star Quote of the Book: “Remarkable. My boy hits you on the button...and you’re still alive. You’re as tough as you look.”

X-O Manowar # 1

Company: Valiant Comics

All-Star Crew of Presenters: Writer: Robert Venditti, Artist: Cary Nord, Inker: Stefano Gaudiano,  Letterer: Dave Lanphear, Colorist: Moose Baumann, Editor: Warren Simons

All-Star Summary for Choice: I have been an X-O fan since the book began many, many years ago. The very idea of a man in a suit of armor was a cool one, made so by Iron Man. X-O was a different take on this...a better one in my opinion. A Visigoth barbarian with a suit of armor that was sentient. Not only that...but a man misplaced in time due to the circumstances of his adventures. I’m glad to see a new take, on a classic tale.

   The artwork in this book is rich and vibrant...and being a fan of all the recent ancient period movies geared at warfare, the opening of this book was a pleasure. The Visigoths are at war with the Roman Empire. Well, war isn’t really the world...they are being conquered. Except...Aric is a warrior that won’t accept this reality. Unfortunately (or fortunately for him), he won’t get the chance to exact his revenge upon the Romans as he is captured by the Spider Aliens...and taken prisoner...for an unknown purpose.

   The Spider Aliens are on Earth, but the question of why has yet to be answered. They are swapping out their young for the babies of Earth children...and altering their appearance to look human. If I had to hazard a guess, I’d say this was one elaborate invasion plan that once sprung, would be already won. Except...Aric has other plans...that include escape and revenge...and getting his hands on a mysterious weapon, known to us as the X-O  armor!

All-Star Quote of the Book: “The time for talk has passed. It is time to fight!”