Posts Tagged ‘ Dark Horse ’

Big win last night for the Giants!

If Previews is to be believed, this is what looks good that’s shipping this Wednesday – and its actually a $30 week…

All New Atom #20 – Gail Simone’s swansong on the book, and the answer to Wonder Woman’s JLA membership offer. This is a solid book but has never really stood out from the pack and with its sales numbers I can’t see it lasting too long under incoming writer Rick Remender, sadly.

Countdown to Final Crisis#12 – Darkseid steps into the spotlight (apparently) as things ramp up for the finish. Y’know, despite understanding a lot of criticism leveled at the book I am enjoying it quite a bit. I know that probably just makes me shallow but whatever.

JSA #12 – Seems like a while since this has been out. Are we still Gog-hunting?

Nightwing #141 – It seems I’ve fallen back into the book’s trap after Tomasi’s first issue. For the first time in years I’m looking forward to the next issue.

Amazing Spider-Man #549 – Marc Guggenheim and Sal Larocca take the reins. So far the BND relaunch has been pretty damn good, regardless of what came before.

Annihilation Conquest #4 – I’m kind of bored by this but feel obliged to watch it play out.

Uncanny X-Men #495 – Okay, dammit. Messiah Complex looks like its reinvigorated the X-franchise enough to make me stick around longer.

Buffy #11 – A one shot issue by some guy called Whedon.

Star Wars Legacy #19 – The conclusion of the current storyline as Darth Krayt attempts to bring Cade to the dark side. Never looking forward to it but always pleasantly surprised. Probably not the best thing I could say about a comic…

Star Wars Rebellion #11 – A new storyline starts in the post-Episode IV era. Same as above. Makes me wonder if its worth continuing, actually…

I’m off sick today so I’m blogging from the sofa watching movies. Pity I can’t do this for a living…

Anyway, here you go – and this is the week where the budget goes straight out of the window:

Action Comics #681- The LSH storyline rumbles on. Feels like its dragging a bit, to be honest.

Countdown to Adventure #6 – This, however, is running along at a great rate. Good space opera/sci fi fun.

Countdown to Final Crisis #13 – This has picked up speed remarkably in the past few weeks – good stuff.

Death of the New Gods #5 – Solid but unremarkable, truth be told. May read better all in one. And it’s irking me somewhat that it’s not linking in with Countdown a little better – but that’s the continity freak in me.

Green Lantern #27 – I don’t care how much they try to build up this Alpha Lantern stuff – it feels like a let down after the Sinestro Corps War.

Avengers The Initiative #9 – This has picked up a bit with Gage coming on board to help Slott out, and the current storyline is pretty good so far – and hey, it’s got Ant-Man!

Captain America #34 -New Cap! Looking forward to this!

Fantastic Four #553 – The end of McDuffie and Pelletier’s too-short run. Looking forward to this too.

Mighty Avengers #8 – Too bad we already know how this ends thanks to New Avengers. Otherwise I’m looking forward to this as well – and did anyone else notice who didn’t have thought balloons last issue (like, say the Wasp)? Hmm, wonder what that could mean…

New Avengers Annual #2 – The end of the Hood storyline as Tigra gets bitch-slapped around. Again.

Spider-Man: Swing Shift Director’s Cut - Kind of wish I’d been in town on FCBD so I wouldn’t have to pay for this…

Spider-Man: With Great Power #1 – Probably not getting, but thought I’d mention it anyway. Ah, who am I kidding? It’s a Spider-Man mini so chances are I’ll be getting it.

Proof #4 – Thought I’d missed this – glad I didn’t.

And holy crap, its a Star Wars-tastic week according to Dark Horse -

Star Wars: Dark Times #8 – The series continues as the remaining Jedi flee for their lives.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic #25 – The year-long Vector kicks off. And I missed #24 over Christmas. Damn.

Star Wars: Legacy #19 – Cade vs Darth Krayt – after what feels like six months of drawn-out build-up.

Star Wars: Rebellion #11 – The Rebellion’s story continues as we check back in with Luke and Leia. Where’s Han in all these post-New Hope stories eh?

In light of the new $30 per week rule, this week’s books…(except for the stuff that I missed last week, but that’s last year’s stuff…)

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #10 – I think Whedon’s back for an issue or two, isn’t he?

STAR WARS LEGACY #18 -Completely forgotten where we’re up to. I think Cade’s busy being corrupted and everyone else is trying to save him…maybe.

ALL NEW ATOM #19 – Gail Simone rounds out her run. Its been fun, actually, but I doubt the book will last much longer.

COUNTDOWN: LORD HAVOK & THE EXTREMISTS #3 – Not great, but solidly entertaining. Kind of wish it was Empire vol 2, though.

COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS #17 – Wait, Ray’s been on Earth 51 how long? Five years? How’s that work?!?

SUPERGIRL #25 – Last issue of my three issue try out of the new team and, if the past two issues are any indication, my last issue period.

TEEN TITANS YEAR ONE #1 – Actually, probably one for the trades but you have to admit the art looks sensational.

ANNIHILATION CONQUEST #3 – Hate to admit this but I am really bored with this. Just getting it to see how it ends and out of a stupid completist mentality more than anything else.

THUNDERBOLTS #118 – Finally! The last issue was months ago!

UNCANNY X-MEN #494 – If the traitor was revealed on the last page of last week’s X-Men, then I really want a good explanation. This character has been nothing but an advocate of Xavier’s dream since he showed up. That said, I guess he’s the logical choice.

…and that makes $30, give or take 10 cents – and that includes the maybe – so far, so good!

You thought I’d forgotten, didn’t you?

ALIENS OMNIBUS VOL 2 - Not picking it up this week, but no doubt I’ll get it at some point. I enjoyed the Predator one, I’m working through Aliens vs Predator, and I like the format generally.

STAR WARS DARK TIMES #7 – Following the dark turn #5 took (y’know, eating things that can ask not to be eaten – not cool, unless its Jar Jar), this has become the unexpected best read of the Star Wars books.

BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #3 – Enjoyed the first two issues. More Batman and less Winick has given the book a shot in the arm, even if its not been a smooth transition. This time out, Batgirl! Be interesting to see how Dixon handles the Batman-Batgirl relationship given the damage to her character post OYL.

BIRDS OF PREY #113 – Is Sean McKeever here yet?

CATWOMAN #74 – Maybe, maybe not. I dropped this a year ago but if its tying in to the really-rather-fun Salvation Run, I may give it another shot.

COUNTDOWN ARENA #3 (OF 4) – Against all odds, I’m really enjoying this.

COUNTDOWN RAY PALMER SUPERWOMAN BATWOMAN #1 – Last of the

COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS 19 – I like it, most seem not to. And yet it still sells upwards of 70k.

DETECTIVE COMICS #839 – Maybe the Resurrection of Ra’s Al Ghul will read better in one sitting. Maybe.

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #16 – Tangent! Always liked the Tangent U, so its good to see it back in some form or other. I’d take their GL and Flash crossing over to the DCU; they’re good characters.

SUPERMAN #671 – Insect Queen! Bet its not Lana this time round…

PROOF #3 – It’s like the X-Files. If Mulder was a bigfoot.

INCREDIBLE HERCULES#112 – The mighty one takes over – and takes on SHIELD with a barrelful of merlot. If that’s not a bucketload of awesome I don’t know what is. Maybe if Amadaeus Cho was a talking monkey.

MIGHTY AVENGERS #6 – I’ll believe it when I see it. No offense.

NEW X-MEN #45 – After a couple of good installments, last week’s Messiah Complex tie-in treaded water. Hope this one steps up a bit.

WORLD WAR HULK WARBOUND #1 (OF 5) – Possibly. I like most of the Warbound so this is tempting – but I may wait to get them on ebay or something.

ANGEL AFTER THE FALL #2 – Angel’s stuck in Wolfram & Hart’s offcies after making a bargain with the devil, LA’s gone to hell, Illyria’s absent, Wes is still dead and Gunn’s a vampire. And Spike? Spike’s hanging with a bunch of demon hos. I know who got the better end of that deal.

Last week was another huge (ie stupidly expensive) week. Wonder what this week has in store?

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #9 – The conclusion of the BKV Faith arc!

ROBERT E HOWARDS CONAN FROST GIANTS DAUGHTER ONE SHOT – So…Dark Horse are reprinting previous issues of the regular Conan book that adapt original REH stories with Frank Frazetta covers? That’s the very definition of double dipping, isn’t it? I’ll pass thanks.

ALL NEW ATOM #18 – This has been slipping a little recently – and throwing Wonder Woman in for an arc just feels like DC are trying to boost sales.

COUNTDOWN ARENA #1 (OF 4) – Please don’t hate me. I already hate myself…

COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS 21 – So they kill my second favorite Rogue and leave his corpse dragging Piper down? Nice.

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #15 – End of McDuffie’s underwhelming first arc. This should be DC’s flagship book but its becoming a punchline.

JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #11 – And something interesting had better happen here soon too. No more navel gazing, KC Supes!

ROBIN #169 – This crossover has gone from dull to just plain bad. And yet here I am…

SUPERGIRL #24 – I’m giving the new team three issues; last one was terrible so the odds aren’t looking good.

CRAWL SPACE XXXOMBIES #2 – Its seventies pornstars vs zombie apocalypse! First issue was good fun, hoping for more.

ANNIHILATION CONQUEST #2 (OF 6) – Still kinda looking forward to this but having Adam fricking Warlock in it has taken the wind out of my sails. No Nova doesn’t help either.

AVENGERS INITIATIVE ANNUAL #1 – I know, I know – I keep saying I’m dropping the book. Doesn’t look like I am, does it?

NEW EXCALIBUR TP VOL 03 BATTLE FOR ETERNITY – I’ve heard some really bad things about this but I’ve been enjoying the book in trade form.

UNCANNY X-MEN #493 – This has picked up steam, thankfully, and the last two chapters have been pretty good. And who doesn’t love Cable being all mysterious? And what’s all this ‘minutes before dawn’ stuff?

WORLD WAR HULK AFTERSMASH – For some reason I always like these after-event on-offs. Except that Decimation one, that was bollocks.

Aside from some Twittering on my cell phone, I’ve been completely absent from the internet this past weekend for reasons involving cooking, friends, drinking, recovering and generally feeling rubbish.

That aside, there is a Wednesday coming in a few days – even if there is a phenomenal amount of work that needs doing by me here in work so I’m not sure I’ll get to the store…but if I do this is what I’m getting: (of, and last week’s Thunderbolts one-shot as well, which I forgot to pick up):

STAR WARS KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC #23 – Sounds like the series could be gearing up for a big finale with #25 (not the end of the book, just the direction since #1).

BATMAN #671 – Well. This whole Ra’s thing has just turned into a gigantic big non-event, hasn’t it?

BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #2 – Unlike a few commentators, I had no problem with the first issue and Bat’s reference to Thunder and Grace’s ‘special’ relationship. And I enjoyed the issue a lot.

BLUE BEETLE #21 – Last ish was kind of dull but I have hope it’ll pick back up.

COUNTDOWN LORD HAVOK AND THE EXTREMISTS #2 – I’m surprised that I (a) picked up #1, and (b) liked it.

COUNTDOWN TO ADVENTURE #4 – Most enjoyable spin-off of them all. Just great, and I think that may purely be because of Animal Man.

COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS #22 – Its funny but this feels like a completely different series than it did a month ago. Dan Didio’s interview is especially interesting as he acknowledges that there were missteps in the first half of the book’s run. I can’t help feel that Dini was the wrong choice for the book, though.

CRIME BIBLE THE FIVE LESSONS OF BLOOD #2 – First issue was so-so, but I like the creative team (especially Mandrake) and Renee, so I’ll stick with it.

DEATH OF THE NEW GODS #3 – Still enjoying this in spite of myself.

GOTHAM UNDERGROUND #2 – First issue was pretty strong but was missing a spark. Hopefully this will resolve that.

GREEN LANTERN CORPS #18 – Wait, this is a post-GL #25 issue isn’t it? Wouldn’t it make sense to delay this?

SUPERMAN ANNUAL #13 – Really? I mean, really?!? I mean, its no Last Son, but still this Camelot Falls thing has being going on forever….

TEEN TITANS #53 – Still okay but ready for this story to be done now. Luthor’s Titans Army looks good though…

BLACK PANTHER #32 – Oh for crying out loud…let it go already! They’re out of the FF in the FF’s own book, why drag it out here?

MARVEL ATLAS #1 – Okay, so the extremely geeky side of me is really looking forward to this.

SENSATIONAL SPIDER-MAN #41 – OMD chapter three. If it ships.

SUB-MARINER #6 – This has been a good ride, the whole sterility thing aside. Ongoing, please.

X-MEN #205 – Finally, last week’s installment upped the stakes a bit and the Messiah Complex felt like it finally got going. For some reason I was reminded of the New Mutants ish where they head into the Morlock tunnels against X-Men orders back in the Mutant Massacre. Happy days…

…oh, and DAN DARE #1!

Yep, that time again.

Fourteen books on the list this week, at least one of which I’m not getting. Barring a Doktor Sleepless or Black Summer, this might be an okay week – unlike last week where I was hammered by the new League of Extraordinary Gentlemen hardcover. I opened it last night, shuddered at how much reading it seems to contain, and put it down again. Maybe tonight.

CONAN #46 – The final part of Kurt Busiek and Greg Toth’s Conan ‘origin’ story, Born on the Battlefield. I’ll miss this book when its gone – not enough to pick up its replacement in single issues, but I’ll miss it.
ACTION COMICS #859 – Superman’s stuck in the future with the Legion under a red sun so he’s essentially powerless. Its been a while since the Super-titles have been as flat-out fun as they are now, although I’m still not keen on the bumbling Clark Kent.
BIRDS OF PREY #112 – Is Sean McKeever here yet, or is this another soul-destroying fill-in? I forget.
BRAVE AND THE BOLD #8 – Well Flash and the Doom Patrol wouldn’t be my first choice for a team-up, or my eighth for that matter, if only because I find the Doom Patrol singularly dull. I know, I know, I should go read Morrison’s run…
COUNTDOWN SEARCH FOR RAY PALMER GOTHAM BY GASLIGHT #1 – Yes, people will be up in arms over the befouling of a favorite Elseworlds but I don’t much care – I’m still enjoying these one-shots.
COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS 23 – Superman Prime’s appearance in the book has raised the stakes a bit; time to wrap up a few less-interesting storylines now (Holly, I’m looking at you.)
DETECTIVE COMICS #838 – Ra’s return rumbles on. Last week’s Nightwing picked up the pace but I’m not sure it’ll be maintained here.
FLASH #234 – Last issue was a huge improvement, but now we hear that Waid may not be on the book too long? Let’s hope he makes the kids either unusable or interesting before he leaves.
CAPTAIN AMERICA #32 – Very little I can say about this that I haven’t already – consistently the best book that Marvel puts out, especially since the title character was killed. Can’t help but feel the book will start with Doctor Faustus taking a bullet.
HEROES FOR HIRE #15 – End of the line for the book, apparently, and end of the line for at least one of the team. Kind of hope its not Colleen Wing or Moon Boy…one because she’s a good character and the other because he’s a prehistoric monkey. Monkey!
INCREDIBLE HULK #111 – Not quite the Incredible Herc just yet, but the closest thing.
IRON MAN DIRECTOR OF SHIELD ANNUAL #1 – Probably not picking it up, but the idea of Christos Gage writing Stark as a superspy does have a certain appeal.
NEW X-MEN #44 – Messiah *yawn* Complex.
THUNDERBOLTS BREAKING POINT - Sure, its not the regular creative team but Gage (again) makes this worth taking a look.

Once more into the week, dear friends…

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #8 – This Faith storyline has been proceeding well – and looks like it’ll link back into Buffy’s this issue.

STAR WARS KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC #22 – Things are building to a head as all the forces converge on the planet Tarsis. Fun, if not particularly memorable.

STAR WARS LEGACY #17 – Ditto.

ALL NEW ATOM #17 – Wonder Woman guest stars in this ish. Guess it’ll give me a taste of her under Gail Simone’s pen!

COUNTDOWN SEARCH FOR RAY PALMER RED RAIN #1 – Never read the original Elseworlds, but as these issues are 1 for 2 right now, I’ll give it the benefit of the doubt!

COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS 25 – I really enjoyed last week’s pause for breath. Good stuff.

FREDDY VS JASON VS ASH #1 – Probably wait for the trade but I love this out of principle alone!

ROBIN #168 – Ra’s return continues. Or starts, if you ignore last week’s lacklustre Batman issue.

SUPERGIRL #23 – New team again. I’ll give it a shot because I like the character out of principle.

ANNIHILATION CONQUEST #1 – The main event!

ANNIHILATION CONQUEST STAR LORD #4 – And, er, the issue before the main event!

ASTONISHING X-MEN #23 – What’s astonishing me is that it’s coming out at all.

FANTASTIC FOUR #551 – Last issue was a HUGE let down. Let’s hope McDuffie pulls it back now that he’s lost Panther and Storm.

MYSTIC ARCANA SISTER GRIMM – Y’know I’d wondered what happened to this. And I’ll bet the other dozen or so people waiting for it had too.

NEW AVENGERS ILLUMINATI #5 – Issue of the week for me, which no doubt means it will be a huge let down.

UNCANNY X-MEN #492 – Messiah Complex’s kick off was a huge non-event. Hope this improves matters but I’m not wildly optimistic.

Probably the biggest Marvel week I’ve had for a while now.

Taking a look at what’s grabbing me this week…

CONAN #45 -Kurt Busiek and Greg Ruth return for the final two parts of Born on the Battlefield – this has been an excellent look at young Conan’s development. I’ll be sorry to see the book go – but chances are I’ll be on board for the relaunch one way or another.

BIRDS OF PREY #111 – Countdown impacts the Birds as Oracle and Calculator face off…again. Haven’t we been here before?

BRAVE AND THE BOLD #7 – I’m torn; I’ve enjoyed this book so far but I’m wondering if it might read better in trades. Wonder Woman and Power Girl is a tempting combo though..

COUNTDOWN #28 – I don’t care how much people gripe – I’m really enjoying this now. A few storylines could do with trimming but I get the impression that might be happening pretty soon.

DEATH OF THE NEW GODS #1 – I think that it pretty much goes without saying these days that I’m not a fan of the 4th World – although I am oddly looking forward to this.

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #14 – This on the other hand…between last week’s preview and last issue pretty much all of my hopes for McDuffie’s run have been dashed.

CAPTAIN AMERICA #31 – Bru continues to amaze with each and every issue on Cap!

MIGHTY AVENGERS #5 – I’d be a lot more enthusiastic about this if it had come out two months ago…

SPIDER-MAN FAMILY #5 – Always a fan of this book; the one shot stories plus reprints is a winning combo. To be honest, its been more enjoyable than the main books the last few months.

And that’s a wrap (short of Doktor Sleepless#3 coming out) – again, not too many Marvels. I’m sensing a trend….

To free up some time for myself I’m doing next week’s shipping list today (remember it ships Thursday…stupid holiday) – and these may, of course, be subject to change!

STAR WARS DARK TIMES #5 (OF 5) – This is a mini now? I was under the impression that it was a series of arcs, like Republic. This hasn’t been too memorable anyway.

BOOSTER GOLD #3 – Off to a great start – if the book keeps the quality of the last two issues, its a shoe in.

COUNTDOWN 29 – On a definite upswing. I’m still not sold on Mary Marvel or Holly’s stories but at least everything’s moving now.

GREEN ARROW BLACK CANARY #1 – Picking up the first issue to see if it grabs me. Having Cliff Chiang on art doesn’t hurt either.

GREEN LANTERN #24 – The War hits Earth!

SUPERMAN #668 – The search for the Third Kryptonian kicks off – looking forward to this!

WONDER WOMAN #13 – A fill-in. To be honest, I’ll probably pass this one up.

FANTASTIC FOUR #550 – I have mixed feelings about Millar taking on the book, but I’m really enjoying the current run, like I said oh…a post ago.

FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #24 – One More Day continues with the last issue of FNSM – and Dr Strange shows up.

HEROES FOR HIRE #14 – It had better not be Colleen. That’s all I’m saying.

NEW AVENGERS #35 – The Crimson Cowl Hood gathers his Masters of Evil team together and we wonder how much better this would read if Mighty Avengers had stuck to a schedule.

NOVA #7 – The Conquest tie in draws to a close; this has been pretty good but I can’t help feel it derailed the book a bit by coming so early on in the series.

SPIDER-MAN RED SONJA #3 – I’ve been trying to enjoy this but its actually fallen a bit flat. I’ll pick up the rest of the mini as we’re this far in, though.

X-MEN DIE BY THE SWORD #1 (OF 5) – Probably won’t pick it up, but Chris Claremont’s swansong on any X-books has to be worth noting if only for sentimental value.

And I’m pretty sure that at some point the next issues of Doktor Sleepless and Black Summer should be out…

Shipping Wednesday. For me it’s an unheard of Marvel week, with only one book (that has literally never happened before)…

Uncanny X-Men #491 – Like I said, the only Marvel book and – oddly enough – one that I’m not enjoying too much right now anyway. It feels like its treading water waiting for Messiah Complex to launch.

Action Comics #586 – I think this is the second part of the Eric Powell-illustrated Bizarro World story; personally I always preferred Bizarro as an imperfect clone without all the ‘World’ stuff. Maybe it’s just me.

All New Atom #16 – Roger Stern steps in to guest write a two parter – what on earth would Roger Stern know about a size-changing hero, eh? You’d think he’d had some experience or something…

Countdown #30 – This has now upgraded to the first book I read every week – so I guess its working!

Countdown: Search for Ray Palmer: Crime Society #1 – Sure, the Wildstorm issue was craptastic, but I’m hoping for more from this one. I’m an eternal optimist…

Green Lantern Corps #16 – The war continues – and I have to say that Mogo’s growing on me the more of this series I read. I always thought he was kind of useless before but actually he’s pretty damn integral to the Corps. Not sure why I’m referring to Mogo as a ‘he’ though…

JLA/Hitman #2 – Pure unadultered awesomeness.

Supergirl #22 – Not sure if I’ll continue picking up the book under the new creative team, but this interim team hasn’t been bad at all. More, please.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer #7 – If BKV can rein in his Faith-speak this could be a great arc.

Conan #44 – The end of Rogues in the House.

So what’s up this week?

STAR WARS LEGACY #16 – Last ish we found the identity of Darth Krayt. I had to go and look him up on the internet to remember who he was. Not a good sign. Still, Obi-Wan’s showing up…

STAR WARS REBELLION #10 – Urm. Secret mission. Against all odds. Vader. Sith. Jedi. Mind bomb. All I can remember.

BOOSTER GOLD #2 – first issue was fun but pretty heavy exposition-wise. I may reread before deciding to go singles or trades.

COUNTDOWN 33 -So we know that Wally is really saving Piper and Trickster, right?

GREEN LANTERN #23 – The War continues!

JLA WEDDING SPECIAL #1 – I’m kind of getting sucked into the whole wedding thing depsite my best intentions. That said, I’m looking forward to McDuffie’s JLA debut a lot!

JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #9 – Still my favorite DC team book.

SUICIDE SQUAD RAISE THE FLAG #1 – I’m torn. I want to buy this but I have absolutely zero fondness for Rick Flag. I’ll probably pass.

SUPERMAN #667 – The end of Camelot Falls finally kicks in. Had promise, but feels like its been dragged out forever.

WONDER GIRL #1 – Another one I’m torn on. I like Cassie but hated what she’s been doing over the past few months. I’ll take a look.

DAREDEVIL #100 – Not getting it. I’m not, I tell you!

HEROES FOR HIRE #13 – One of those books that I always think I don’t enjoy much till I read it and remember that it’s great fun. And this issue, somebody dies. As long as it’s not Colleen or Moon Boy, I’m cool.

NEW AVENGERS #34 – I’m hoping this comes with 98% less talking than the last two issues.

NOVA #6 -Enjoying the Conquest tie-in. This book is great.

X-MEN EMPEROR VULCAN #1 – I’ll take a look but no guarantees.

Back from vacation for a nice short work week. Coming up Thursday…

Black Canary Wedding Planner – Yes, I’m getting it. Yes, I’m a sucker.

Countdown #34 – Wally catches up with Piper and Trickster! This is going to be good…

Outsiders #50 – Probably not picking this up, but still interested enough to take a flick through it.

Supergirl #21 – Last issue was really good so I’ll stick with the book (again) at least through the creative change.

Sword of the Atom TPB - Ray Palmer in the jungle with a sword and an alien tribe of little people. What’s not to love?!??

Amazing Spider-Man #544 – So it begins!

Annihilation Conquest Wraith #3 – Pretty good so far but probably the weakest mini in the Conquest.

Incredible Hulk #110 – The last issue before the big change….

She-Hulk #21 – Dan Slott’s(and my) final issue!

Uncanny X-Men #490 – I really, really want to be loving Brubaker’s run but it just isn’t clicking, Warpath and Hepzibah aside. Also, Larocca makes formerly-hot Val Cooper look like Hilary Clinton and that’s just plain wrong.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer #6 – Brian K Vaughan takes the ropes in a Faith-led story. Incidentally, did you hear that the long-in-development Ripper on the BBC is back on? Sounds like it won’t tie into Season 8, sadly…

A decent sized week for me – with some surprise ‘maybes’…

52 Aftermath The Four Horsemen #1 – I had zero interest in this book – maybe less than zero. And then I read Keith Giffen’s interview last week on Newsarama. See now, a book about the friendship of the trinity when faced with foes that they’re susceptible to…that I might be interested in.

Action Comics #855 – This is the start of Eric Powell’s artistic run for Johns and Donner’s Bizarro World arc, right? At least it should be on time…

Amazons Attack #6 – Well thank Christ that’s over.

Batman Annual #26 – I’m hopping back on the Bat titles for the return of Ra’s and his retold origin seems a good point to start….

Countdown #35 – Getting better by the issue; I’m sure that its not coincedental that it coincides with a new editorial team and Keith Giffen taking over breakdowns.

Countdown To Adventure #1 – Again a book I was determined to avoid…but I do like Animal Man and Adam Strange…

Teen Titans #50 – Sean McKeever takes over in an anthology jam type issue. Looking forward to this!

Wonder Woman #12 – I’m only picking this up because I’m a masochist. I love the character but the whole Amazons thing, plus the scheduling thing, plus the secret agent thing…let’s just say this is the most disillusioned I’ve been with her since the latter days of Jiminez’s run.

Avengers The Initiative #5 – So-so book. At this point I feel like I’m looking for a jumping off point. Maybe I should go re-read it and see if I like it any more.

Black Panther #30 – Best the book’s been. But that’s not saying too much. Once the royal pains leave the FF, I’m done.

Cable & Deadpool Vol 7 Separation Anxiety TP - I dropped this without noticing. I kind of miss it, too, so I’ll take a look.

Essential Daredevil Vol 4 TP - I am waaay behind on my Essentials so I’m not getting this right now – but I do love the old DD stuff. Mike Murdock still kills me…

Fantastic Four #549 – Good arc; be sorry to see McDuffie & Pelletier go – and I’m kind of ambivalent about Millar and Hitch on it at this point.

Last Fantastic Four Story - This is Stan Lee and JRJR right? Sold, sold and sold!

World War Hulk X-Men #3 – This has been a fun tie-in with some nice characterization from Gage. I mean, we know it’s pointless but it’s still fun…

Conan #43 – Rogues in the House continues…with a killer gorilla!!!

Yep, that time of the week already! Wednesday’s only a couple of days away…

Amazing Spider-Man #543 – Final issue of the Back in Black storyline. This has been too long coming, both in execution and shipping. I can’t wait for Brand New Day at this point, even if it is MJ-less.

Annihilation Conquest Starlord #2 – Last ish was plainly a set-up issue, and introduced a good cast. Now I want to see Rocket Raccoon in action!

Astonishing X-Men #22 – Finally! One day I have to sit down and read this run all in one. It’ll help me to remember what came before.

Mystic Arcana Scarlet Witch – The Magik issue was okay, but the Black Knight issue was great. Too bad that I have little interest in the Ian MacNee thing at the moment…

Sensational Spider-Man #40 – Last ish of RAS’ run. Its been interesting but ultimately a little empty.

Thunderbolts #116 – New arc kicks off. Hope we’ll be seeing more of American Eagle!

World War Hulk Gamma Files $3.99 – You know me. A sucker for handbooks – and I’m still smarting on missing out on the Planet Hulk Files…

X-Men #202 – Best X-book going right now. The current game-changing attack by the Marauders is great fun!

Star Wars KOTOR #19 – You know, I love these books but I have to confess they’re blurring into one right now. For that reason alone I’m considering to switching to trades on the entire line.

Birds of Prey #109 – I think this is the fill-in with Dinah and Babs talking about the wedding. Wish I knew what DC’s plans for trading the whole wedding thing were because I’m not sure whether I want to get this or not.

Blue Beetle #18 – Taking a look but only because the Teen Titans are here!

Countdown #36 – The book’s picked up and everything’s coming along nicely now. Now where’s Eclipso?

Green Lantern Corps #15 – The War continues with the Battle of Mogo! I don’t know about you, but that just sounds cool.

Superman #666 – Supes in hell by Walt Simonson? And its not even my birthday! Or Halloween for that matter…

Monday morning means picks for the week again…

Annihilation Conquest Wraith #2 – Is it Rom? Is it really Rom?

Daredevil #99 – Possibly my last issue – this arc has bored me to tears and I think it wouldn’t have done if I’d read it in trade.

Incredible Hulk #109 – I really like the way the Hulk issues are being interweaved into the main WWH book – in fact, all the tie ins I’ve read seem like they’ve gone to great pains to get it right.

New Avengers #33 – More Skrully goodnes. Hopefully, more happens than a simple plane crash…

Nova #5 – Oh come on, Rich isn’t really dead! You don’t expect us to fall for that do you?

Omega Flight #5 – Last issue. Thank god.

Star Wars Legacy #15 – Things are kicking into high gear now as Krayt gets nearer to getting his hands on Cade.

Star Wars Rebellion #9 – Pretty good cast of characters in this one and a nice set-up.

Black Adam The Dark Age #1 – I’m not picking this up but the preview does look sweet…

Countdown 38 – Last week was great (finally) although I’m still not getting much from the Holly/Harley/Athena arc.

Green Lantern #22 – Woo hoo!

Green Lantern Corps 2nd Print #14 – I missed the first print somehow, so I’ll be snagging this.

In the past couple of months I’ve found myself in the unusual position (for me) of actually dropping books and not minding.

X-Factor, Cable & Deadpool, Ms Marvel and Red Sonja all come to mind – and there’s more to come, I’m sure.

None of these books are bad, exactly, but they just weren’t doing it for me.

The odd thing is, I haven’t really replaced them either. Sure, I’ve started picking up Atom, but I don’t see that as a stayer if only because I think that the book won’t last too much longer. And the fact that I’ve actually resisted picking stuff up seems to me an indication that maybe – maybe – I’m weaning myself off comics.

Anyway, currently on the block:

Avengers: The Initiative, Daredevil, She-Hulk, Conan (I’ll probably stay till #50 and won’t be picking up the relaunch in singles), and oddly enough all the Star Wars books are candidates for me dropping right now, and probably more I can’t think of off-hand. And the funny thing is – none of them are DC books. I already weeded them out last year.

Hmmm. This habit of mine may actually be becoming manageable.

That time of the week again (ie Monday morning…)

From Marvel…

Fantastic Four #548 – Sure, Panther’s overwritten in every book he appears in these days, but McDuffie almost makes him bearable, and Storm’s fitted in very well with Ben and Johnny – and Pelletier is on top form.

Irredeemable Ant-Man #11 – The most likable series of the past year heads towards its ::sniff:: final chapter.

Marvel Tarot – Jeez, Marvel’s killing me with the handbooks….

Ms Marvel #18 – Last issue was kind of a turnaround, so I’m sticking with it for a couple more. Still wondering who Carol’s boyfriend is though.

New Avengers Illuminati #4 – Can’t remember which event’s been totally screwed up for the sake of a retcon this issue; Atlantis Attacks? Inferno? Mutant Massacre?

She-Hulk #20 – Dan Slott’s run – and probably my collection of the book – heads towards its end. Plus, you get Leader action!

Spider-Man Fantastic Four #4 – Most fun mini of the year bar none!

Spider-Man Red Sonja #1 – Although I also have high hopes for this one!

Uncanny X-Men #489 – Not really feeling this storyline too much. Maybe Brubaker should stick to solo books?

World War Hulk #3 – Hulk smash some more!

From DC…

Action Comics #853 – It’s a Jimmy-palooza as Mr Action gets the focus in another Countdown tie-in.

All New Atom #14 – And again, Countdown makes itself known as the hunt for Ray Palmer continues. It doesn’t seem to have derailed the book too much, though, which is good to see.

Countdown #39 – This has finally picked up in the past three weeks – I suspect that Mike Carlin’s involvement may have something to do with this.

Justice Society of America #8 – Last issue was a rare misstep as Citizen Steel simply isn’t that interesting. but I’m looking forward to this as Damage and the former Jesse Quick have always been favorites of mine.

Supergirl #20 – I’m not saying I’m picking it up again, but I am willing to take a look now that the whole killing-Superman-moaning-crapola is all over.

Supernatural Origins #4 – I have a feeling I’m the only person reading this. I also have a feeling that I missed #3…

From Dark Horse…

Conan and the Midnight God #5 – The latest Conan mini wraps up; this has been a bit hit and miss for me, to be honest, but will probably read well as a trade or straight through.

It’s a big week thanks to Marvel…

But first up from Dark Horse:

CONAN #41 – I swear this has been meant to be coming out for weeks now!

And from DC:

BRAVE AND THE BOLD #4 – Lobo and Supergirl take the feature here…

COUNTDOWN 45 – I’m not feeling this book at all. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll stick with it like a good little fanboy, but they really need to pull themselves together. Fast.

FLASH THE FASTEST MAN ALIVE #13 – And speaking of fast, last issue! I wonder whether all those post #13-solicits were fake, then?

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #10 – this is the final part of the Lightning Saga, right? And it ties into Flash #13 somehow, right? And that cover from the Teen Titans solicit for September shows the JLA with a Flash in the ranks. Let’s see, who has ties to the future, is dead, could be resurrected using some kind of lightning…?

ROBIN #163 – The fun has been sapped from this book by the current pumped-up street-gangs storyline, but it’s still a pretty good read.

And now the Marvel book-a-palloza:

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #541 – With the announcement that Amazing is going thrice-monthly, I can only hope that they have it in the bag months ahead. This arc especially has been tortuously delayed – and I suspect the reasons lie with JMS, not Ron Garney. I just want it done already.

ANNIHILATION CONQUEST PROLOGUE -I’m promising myself that I’m not getting sucked in like last year. We’ll see how well that holds…

CAPTAIN AMERICA #27 – Last issue was great, and having Winter Soldier gunning for Tony Stark should make for an interesting storyline.

FALLEN SON DEATH OF CAPTAIN AMERICA SPIDER-MAN – Hit and miss mini but David Finch on Spidey has me looking forward to this issue.

HEROES FOR HIRE #11 – Cover issues aside, this is a solid book. Let’s hope it gets a numbers boost with this tie-in.

INCREDIBLE HULK #107 – Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! And some other guys too…

IRON MAN #19 – Christos Gage penned the best issue of Civil War, and some great Annihilation stuff. I’m looking forward to these tie-ins just for his writing.

MIGHTY AVENGERS MOST WANTED FILES – Stupid expensive handbooks…

MOON KNIGHT #11 – Most delayed title ever! Also remarkably incoherent. Only two more issues to go till I bail…

SENSATIONAL SPIDER-MAN #38 – I haven’t been loving this but I have been liking it. I’m hoping that this is the final Eddie Brock story, because frankly its time he took a rest. Permanently.

SPIDER-MAN FANTASTIC FOUR #3 – Amazing fun! Put Jeff Parker on the Amazing roster!

X-MEN ENDANGERED SPECIES ONE-SHOT – Looking forward to this one too!

Shipping this week (allegedly):

Avengers Classic #1 – I’ll probably give this a shot; I don’t have the original issues in color and the backups sound fun.

Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #21 – Sad to hear PAD and Todd are leaving, but I’m glad that they’re getting to wrap everything up. Now let us never speak of The Other again…

Mystic Arcana Magik – Looking forward to this; Weezie Simonson writing Illyana again? Sold! The only thing that could sweeten this pot for me was if Butch Guice or Bret Blevins were on artistic duties!

New Avengers #31 – So now we know who Ronin is, what’s the big surprise at the end of this issue? Scuttlebutt has it that it’s
the revelation that key players in the MU have been
_ _ p _ _ c _ _ /_ _/ _ _ _ _ l _ s
- and if that’s the case I guess it gives editorial an easy out for the last couple of years worth of events in the MU. Be interesting to see if its true.

New X-Men #39 – I had promised myself that I’d switch to trades for this but with the Endangered Species back ups picking up halfway through this Magik storyline, I might head back to singles for a bit. Maybe.

Nova #3 – Nova and Speedball sit down to reminisce and talk girls. Or maybe not.

Sub-Mariner #1 – I’m looking forward to this purely because it’s his royal ass-ness. Namor’s long been a favorite and I hope this can springboard him into a regular book.

World War Hulk #1 – Seems I’ve heard of this…pick of the week for me.

Conan & The Midnight God #4 – This mini started slowly but has quickly become a good read. Still, I think it’s a good thing that Dark Horse are resting the Conan minis for a while after this.

Star Wars Legacy #13 – So Cade is now aided and abetted by R2-D2? That’s…actually pretty cool.

Star Wars Rebellion #7 – Y’know, I’m sure I had these two Star Wars books as landing last week…Ah well. #6 was pretty good and served to introduce the series’ new focus – glad to see it wasn’t just Luke, Leia, Han and Chewie fighting the Empire…

Countdown #46 – Getting better finally. Is Keith Giffen back yet? Slow DC week as this is the only book I’m getting.