The DC solicits are up and again, I’m a bit later than usual but…
COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS #4-1 – The Great Disaster has arrived and it looks like Darkseid survived. No surprise there. Oddly, #0 doesn’t come out the week after #1…
TANGENT: SUPERMAN’S REIGN #2, DC/WILDSTORM: DREAMWAR #1 – I’m a little wary of universe crossovers these days so I’ll pass on these right now – although chances are I’ll pick up the Tangent one at some point simply because I really liked that world.
DEATH OF THE NEW GODS #8 – Finally! Love to see someone try and reconcile this with the timeline in Countdown, Superman and Action Comics…and I suspect someone will. Not me though. No, really. Maybe. God, I’m a geek.
TITANS #1 – Against my better judgment I will be picking this up. Dammit. Wait, no Tempest? Where’s the Aqualad love?
TEEN TITANS #58 – This weeks issue was a step in the right direction even if it did feel like characters were being moved around to get to where they needed to be regardless of motivation. Still, I still have hope this will improve.
BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #6 – For a book with very little to redeem it I’m still enjoying this way too much. I know its bad, but I get the feeling it does too.
BOOSTER GOLD #8 – Looks like a Max Lord-controlled Superman on the cover – see Booster? This is why you don’t screw with time travel!
SALVATION RUN #6 – Enjoying this but not sure it can be sustained for seven whole issues.
GOTHAM UNDERGROUND #7 – Another book that isn’t great but is strangely enjoyable.
SUPERMAN #675 – I’m sorry to see Kurt Busiek leave even if the current Insect Queen thing isn’t particularly enjoyable. Haven’t heard who’s taking over though?
NIGHTWING #143 – Tomasis first issue was pretty good so I may stick around a while. Maybe.
ROBIN #173 – Dixon’s first issue was a return to form for the title and it just felt…right. Hoping it keeps up.
CATWOMAN #78 – Sigh. I’m here till she gets off the Salvation Run planet…plus, that catfight cover is causing some talk…
ACTION COMICS #864 – Sounds like a downtime issue – which is great as I like the supporting cast more than the villains.
THE ALL NEW ATOM #22 – Can Rick Remender save this book from cancellation?
BLUE BEETLE #26 – All Spanish issue? Er, that may not be great for me….
BIRDS OF PREY #117 – I hope this improves, I really do. At least Manhunter’s getting some panel time. Hey, remember when she used to have her own book? And she didn’t get tied up and tortured and stuff?
THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #12 – As much as I like this book, I do feel it fails as often as it succeeds. Hope the kinks get ironed out moving forward.
THE FLASH #239 – I’m giving Tom Peyer a couple of issues but I think that the current dynamic sorely needs a shake-up.
GREEN LANTERN #30 – Great book.
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #20 – I was wondering when Flash was going to show up in here…
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #23 – Fine, the last couple of issues have hooked me. I’m in for a while…
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #15 – Gog! Told you it was Gog!
WONDER WOMAN #19 – Improved exponentially since Gail Simone took over. Good stuff!
JUSTICE VOL. 1 TP – Bah, you couldn’t release it as one volume? Guess I’ll wait for the inevitable Absolute…
BATMAN: THE JOKER’S LAST LAUGH TP - Really? Can’t imagine that this was demanded by anyone but then again there is that movie coming out…
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A little late but perusing Marvel’s April 2008 solicits, here’s what looks interesting -
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #555-557 – Wells and Bachalo take on the book with their first arc. I’m looking forward to see Bachalo’s take on Spidey, actually.
SPIDER-MAN FAMILY #8 – Glad that this book is still surviving on the qt. Basically a team-up book this time round, it’s Iron Man’s turn to guest.
ANNIHILATION: CONQUEST #6 (of 6) – This has been okay but not as engaging as the first Annihilation. Ah well, I guess there won’t be a third…
AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE #12 – Looks like War Machine’s taking Iro
n Man to task over something judging from that cover…ah, it ‘s like the 90s all over again.
CAPTAIN AMERICA #37 – Best book that I can never think of anything to say about.
CLANDESTINE #3 (of 5) – I’m still on the trades if at all for this – but that cover makes me all nostalgic…
FANTASTIC FOUR #556 – Millar and Hitch, million seller, blah blah blah, but will it be any good?
HULK #4 – Steadfastly not getting it, but I can’t believe they’re bringing regular green Hulk back so soon.
INCREDIBLE HERCULES #116 – This on the other hand is legen- wait for it-
HULK VS. HERCULES: WHEN TITANS CLASH - If its only 48 pages, how can they reprint Hulk: Hercules Unleashed?
IRON MAN: LEGACY OF DOOM #1 (of 4) – Ah, Marvel, they tempt you with David Micheline and Bob Layton’s return to Iron Man and Doom, then they slap your temptation away with Mephisto showing up, guaranteeing that the story will never have happened anyway…
SECRET INVASION #1 (of

– THE MARVEL UNIVERSE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME!! Well I for one have never heard that before. Seriously, I am looking forward to this but not to the slew of Skrull variants that are headed this way…
MIGHTY AVENGERS #12 – Yay! Nick Fury!
NEW AVENGERS #40 – Outlining the Skrull plans and how long they’ve been doing this. Wonder if it will actually hold water…
MS. MARVEL #26 – I dropped this a while back, but I do miss it a bit so I may pick this up on the pretence of it tying into Secret Invasion.
NOVA #12 – Good book but I fear for its future if Nova ends up in the new Guardians of the Galaxy roster…
YOUNG AVENGERS PRESENTS #4 (of 6) – Vision is the least interesting Young Avenger, lacking a personality as he is, so I don’t hold out a lot of hope for this.
X-MEN DIVIDED WE STAND BOOK 1 (of 2), UNCANNY X-MEN #497, X-MEN: LEGACY #210 – X-books I’m giving a chance to post-MC.
X-FACTOR #30, YOUNG X-MEN #1 , X-FORCE #3, CABLE #2 – X-books that are probably going to trade post-MC, if I’m getting them at all.
WOLVERINE #64 – May pick this up for Garney’s art.
DAREDEVIL: HELL TO PAY VOL. 2 TPB – Picking up from where I dropped the series.
PENANCE: RELENTLESS TPB – Heard surprisingly good things about this.
X-MEN: EMPEROR VULCAN TPB – Was it any good? Is it worth getting?
DEADPOOL CLASSIC VOL. 1 TPB – Heh. The title may be an oxymoron but I’m still tempted.
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Bleh. Despite the fact that there’s a lot going on in March in the books below, I have to say that I’m not…enthused about a lot of it.
In any case…
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #552 -554 – I don’t like where OMD is going – like most of the online community, obviously – but I am kind of looking forward to seeing a single Peter Parker again in spite of myself. The fact that I loved Bob Gale’s run on Daredevil a few years back doesn’t hurt either.
SPIDER-MAN: WITH GREAT POWER… #3 (of 5) – Not convinced we need to know about Spidey’s time as a wrestler but whatever…
ANNIHILATION: CONQUEST #5 (of 6) -Still going – although I don’t think Ultron has ever looked quite so bad ass.
Must be the cape…
AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE #11 – I’m still on the fence with this but having Gage come on board to help Slott is making me give at least this arc a chance. Plus, y’know, Eric O’Grady!
CAPTAIN AMERICA #36 – Okay, I do love this book and think its probably the best crafted book out there…BUT…it feels like its been treading water the past few issues a little – nothing has really moved forward. Maybe its just me.
CAPTAIN MARVEL #5 (of 5) – A book I want to like – but honestly, if this wasn’t tying into the Skrull thing after that crappy first issue I’d have dropped it like a stone.
FANTASTIC FOUR #555 – On the fence. Nothing I’ve seen is endearing me to this run. I want to like it because its the FF damn it, and if I could stay through the end of Steve Englehart’s editorially-screwed run, then I can stay through this. That’s the way I’m approaching this.
MARVEL ATLAS #2 (of 2) – Pure unadulterated awesome.
BLACK PANTHER #35 – I am not getting this issue and I am very, very happy! See ya!
HULK #3 – Maybe. But more than likely not. Loeb’s been off the boil for a while now on the comic front and I can’t remember the last time I really enjoyed his work – maybe the Marvel ‘color’ limited series (even though Hulk: Gray was kinda dull)?
INCREDIBLE HERCULES #115 – Liked the first issue a lot, even if Amadeus Cho needs a kick to the happy sack. Not overly keen on Herc speaking colloquially but he’d probably pick it up eventually.
WWH AFTERSMASH: WARBOUND #4 (of 5) – I didn’t pick up #1 so I probably won’t get this. Maybe in trade.
THE LAST DEFENDERS #1 (of 6) – Odd team, but I do like the idea of Colossus outside the X-Men so…maybe.
SECRET INVASION SAGA - Blatant cash in! They just plaster the ‘Secret Invasion’ name all over a book that’s probably a prolonged ad and expect you to buy it…what?…free? Okay then…
MIGHTY AVENGERS #10-11 – In which scheduling continues to get back on track and Sentry continues to be an annoying snotball waste of space of a character.
NEW AVENGERS #39 – I’m not a fan of David Mack so having him on an Echo issue is like a double blow to me. The downside is…I can’t believe that I’ll honestly sit there with a gap in my issues. It would kill me! So I’ll pick it up out of…fanboy completionism*.
MS. MARVEL #25 – I dropped this a while back as it was lacking something (mainly a central likeable, relatable character) but I do like
this cover.
NOVA #11 – Still a solid book, but I feel like tying it back into Annihilation Conquest may be a mistake from a creative point of view. Sidebar: more of the Russian talking dog-cop, please!
THUNDERBOLTS #120 – Losing a hell of a lot of momentum from its stoppages. Someone give Ellis a kick in the nads!
YOUNG AVENGERS PRESENTS #3 (of 6) – Every time I see Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa’s name on a book I’m filled with a curious dread these days. Will he start promisingly and trail in to the mediocre? Will he try to shoehorn this ‘mystical conspiracy’ thing he’s been adding in to every book he’s written in the past few years? With the emphasis on Scarlet Witch’s kiddies, I can’t help but feel the answer to the latter may be ‘yes’…
UNCANNY X-MEN #496 – In this issue, Cyclops and Emma head into the plot from Roger Stern’s
All-New Atom fill-in from a few months back, while Colossus, Nightcrawler and Wolverine head to Russia because every time that happens, nothing bad happens at all. Didn’t we do this whole ‘divided we stand’ thing a few years back before the clusterfuck that was
The Twelve?
X-MEN: LEGACY #
209 – The only thing that sounds vaguely interesting about these vague solicits is that its written by Mike Carey – so thats enough to keep me here a little while.
X-FORCE #2 – The cover is an improvement on the last but still doesn’t have Hepzibah on it. And after what happened to Caliban this week…
WOLVERINE: FIRST CLASS #1 – Probably won’t get this but I have to admit, Fred Van Lente on a book set in a period where the X-Men were a hell of a lot less convoluted does sound like fun.
DEAD OF NIGHT FEATURING MAN-THING #2 (of 4) -Crap, they’re using Digger and Jennifer Kale in this? Rassum-frassum…
WAR IS HELL: THE FIRST FLIGHT OF THE PHANTOM EAGLE #1 (of 5) – One for the trades, but one I’m looking forward to. Ennis does gritty like noone else.
X-FACTOR VOL. 4: HEART OF ICE TPB – picks up where I dropped the monthlies for the trades so probably on the list at some point.
X-MEN: DIE BY THE SWORD TPB – I know that almost nobody liked this – but I still kind of want to get it as I get both Exiles and Excalibur (and actually like both in spite of the flaws).
NEWUNIVERSAL: EVERYTHING WENT WHITE TPB - I need to take a look at this; I liked the original New Universe for what it was. Then again if the sequel will never come out…
PUNISHER MAX VOL. 9: LONG COLD DARK TPB - Only recently started to get into this book via the trades. Damn its good – I don’t think I’ve ever seen Frank Castle treated as an actual character and not a sketchy stereotype before. Violent, bloody, recommended.
X-MEN VS. APOCALYPSE VOL. 1: THE TWELVE TPB - For the love of god, people, do not pick this up. Ever. Your eyes will bleed and your brain will explode.
ESSENTIAL OFFICIAL HANDBOOK OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE – MASTER EDITION VOL. 1 TPB - I only have one of the preceding four Essential Handbook series…but damn if its not good.
*May not be a real word but probably should be.
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Stupidly busy and falling behind…anyway, it’s a monster month in March from DC!
COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS #8-5 – I like it and I don’t care what you think!
COUNTDOWN TO ADVENTURE #8 – This has been a great series. Lets get a full time Adam Strange/Animal Man spin off!
COUNTDOWN PRESENTS: LORD HAVOK AND THE EXTREMISTS #6 – Damn if I’m not enjoying this in spite of myself.
DEATH OF THE NEW GODS #7 – This is fun if not spectacular.
TANGENT: SUPERMAN’S REIGN #1 – I’ll probably wait for the collection but this does sound good…
TEEN TITANS: YEAR ONE #3 – The cover is phenomenal, but this is another wait for the trade.
TEEN TITANS #57 – I’m glad to see that Ravager appears to be sticking with the team, but I guess this means it’s Miss Martian that leaves. Bummer.
SALVATION RUN #5 – Yes, it’s Secret Wars-meets-42, but it’s still fun even if Willingham can’t get anyone’s voice right.
GOTHAM UNDERGROUND #6 – Surprisingly fun so far, but Question blazing away with guns in #2 just seemed like an editorial cock-up.
DC SPECIAL: RAVEN #1 – Honestly, who was asking for this? One of the dullest characters DC has, and she gets a mini? Where’s that Palmiotti-Grey-Conner Terra mini, guys?
JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE NEW FRONTIER SPECIAL - The original New Frontier is probably one of my favorite minis of the past five years, so I’m looking forward to this!
BOOSTER GOLD #7 – See, Booster? This is what happens when you mess with the timeline and save Beetle! Why do I feel like Ted will make the sacrifice himself this time out?
BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #5 – So Green Arrow and Batman are going to be butting heads? Didn’t see that coming…
ROBIN #172 – I like the new Violet costume – very 90s. And in spite of myself I do wonder if my earlier thoughts about Steph could be right.
NIGHTWING #142 – I hope Tomasi gets Dick right. And that sounds way dirtier than I
thought it did before I typed it out.
CATWOMAN #77 – Yes, you probably have me as a sucker reader through Salvation Run, but that’s it, okay?
ACTION COMICS #863 – Feels like this Legion thing is going on a while. Man, I hate six parters.
SUPERMAN #674 – Renato Guedes steps up to the big time and I couldn’t be happier.
SUPERGIRL #27 – I want to like this book, I really do, but editorial keeps making cock up after cock up with it. At least Rick Leonardi is on hand to make it pretty this ish.
THE ALL-NEW ATOM #21 – The new team of Rick Remender and Pat Oliffe comes on board, but with sales as low as they are how long will they have to play in Ryan’s world?
BIRDS OF PREY #116 – Liking the fact that Zinda seems to be more of a full fledged bird than supporting character these days.
BLUE BEETLE #25 – I love that “the World’s Greatest Heroes have his back”, but it’s Guy Gardner, Fire, Ice and Booster Gold on the cover behind him. Sounds like Jamie’s getting more than a little lecagied-up these days.
THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #11 – Superman and Ultraman may be an interesting team-up but could take place in any Super-book. Feels like a cop-out to me.
THE FLASH #238 – “Flash is pulled into an intense moral dilemma about superpowers” – and if that doesn’t sound gripping, I don’t know what does. It surprises me that Waid seems to be gone so soon, but I like Peyer as a replacement. Even so, this feels like DC just don’t know what to do with Wally now they’ve brought him back.
GREEN LANTERN #29 – Wait, so the Alpha Lanterns are going to be the Lost Lanterns? Interesting…
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #22 – I’m sticking with this a while after the War, so it looks like it did its job. Dammit.
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #19 – Sounds like the JLA are off to villain-world. I just hope its more interesting than the Injustice League…
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #14 – I still say that the Heartbreak Slayer is Gog!
THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #40 – Still looking forward to Shooter’s return but I’m now wondering if I might wait for trades or ebay or something. There’s just too much on the market right now…
WONDER WOMAN #18 – In two short issues, Gail Simone has turned this book and character round. Hope she can keep the momentum going!
JLA PRESENTS: AZTEK — THE ULTIMATE MAN TP - Loved this book when it came out and I highly recommend you pick it up. Come on, its by some guys called Millar and Morrison, how bad could it be?
JONAH HEX VOL. 4: ONLY THE GOOD DIE YOUNG TP - Just picked up volume 3 last week (fantastic as ever), so this is very timely!
THE STARMAN OMNIBUS VOL. 1 HC – Love the format, love the idea – but you can probably get the originals cheaper on ebay. I’d rather see it in Absolutes…speaking of which…
THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN: BLACK DOSSIER — THE ABSOLUTE EDITION – Because yes, what I want to do – six months after the regular edition comes out – is to buy a bigger format edition at over three times the price so I can get an LP that I can’t play because I don’t have a record player. Genius!
ABSOLUTE SANDMAN VOL. 3 - Well, at least it would be on the list if I had the first two volumes…
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I’m on a catch-up roll…
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #549 -551 – No solicit details. No idea if they’ll be out on time. Still here.
SPIDER-MAN: WITH GREAT POWER… #2 (of 5) – Spidey mini, so it means I’m there. Sucker.
SPIDER-MAN FAMILY #7 – Sounds like it’ll be good – a tour of Ringo’s favorite Marvel places with Spidey and the FF? Still difficult to believe he died so young.
ANNIHILATION: CONQUEST #4 (of 6) – Still scratching my head over Ultron.
AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE #10 – Better than it was. Looks like I’m on board through the end of the next arc at least.
BLACK PANTHER ANNUAL #1 – Won’t be getting this but the title, ‘Black to the Future’ made me chuckle. I quite like the Panther as a character but honestly I prefer him when, say, anyone at all is writing him than when Hudlin is.
CAPTAIN AMERICA #35 – Awesome in comic book form.
CAPTAIN MARVEL #4 (of 5) – First ish was kind of dull, but as this ties into Secret Invasion its kind of a no-brainer.
CLANDESTINE #1 (of 5) – Alan Davis: plus. Clandestine: minus. I’ll wait for trade or ebay thanks.
FANTASTIC FOUR #554 – Okay…this will sell ridiculous amounts of copies but that cover is just kinda…ugly.
FANTASTIC FOUR: THE LOST ADVENTURE - Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s unpublished final issue of their run? Hell yes!
INCREDIBLE HERCULES #114 – Aye, verily!
HULK #2 – Maybe. Let’s make it past #1 first…
WWH AFTERSMASH: DAMAGE CONTROL #2 (of 3) – But I don’t want a new Goliath! I was happy with the dead one!
WWH AFTERSMASH: WARBOUND #3 (of 5) – Getting it for Korg more than anything else.
MIGHTY AVENGERS #9 – I’m thinking this will be on time by this point – providing #6 has come out. And who doesn’t love DOOM?
NEW AVENGERS #38 – Wonderful. ‘The Break Up’. Sometimes this feels too soapy, and this from someone who enjoyed the Harras era Avengers. I’m just not that invested in Cage, I guess.
YOUNG AVENGERS PRESENTS #2 (of 6) – Hulking and Captain Marvel meet up. Wonder how Marv’ll react to having two gay children and one dead one?
THUNDERBOLTS: INTERNATIONAL INCIDENT - Just give Christos Gage an ongoing Thunderbolts title, will you?
NOVA ANNUAL #1 – In lieu of a regular issue, but I don’t care. This book is a constant surprise.
GIANT-SIZE ASTONISHING X-MEN #1 – Oh, Kitty it doesn’t look good, does it?
UNCANNY X-MEN #495, X-MEN: LEGACY #208, X-FORCE #1, X-FACTOR #28, WOLVERINE #62 – I know that I said Messiah Complex felt like the end for me, but after 22-plus years, its a hard habit to break. I’ll at least give the new status quos one issue. I do wonder who the traitor that Wolverine will be hunting is, though…and no New X-Men? Looks like the kids might not make it out!
HOWARD THE DUCK OMNIBUS - I have zero interest in this but I do think its kind of awesome that they’re printing it!
ONSLAUGHT REBORN HC – So do we think that #5 will be published by then?
THE ORDER VOL.1: THE NEXT RIGHT THING TPB - I liked #1 enough to pick this up.
SUPER-VILLAIN TEAM-UP:MODOK’S 11 TPB - Okay, I was kind of hoping this one would be a digest. But still…
EXILES VOL. 16: STARTING OVER TPB - I know a lot of people hate the book under Claremont but I still kind of enjoy it, even if its not what it was.
WOLVERINE: EVOLUTION TPB – But…but…it’s bollocks, innit? Please, please, please don’t buy this trade if you like coherent, well-scripted work. On the other hand, the art is spectacular.
MARVEL FANFARE VOL. 1 TPB - Seems like an odd title to collect in color reprints; why not bang the whole run in a couple of Essentials?
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And now it’s Marvel’s turn…in what’s a relatively light month by my standards.
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #549-551 – The second arc of Brand New Day kicks in. Really I don’t have much to say till I see what the status quo is – although Jackpot’s costume is really ugly.
ANNIHILATION: CONQUEST #3 – Looking forward to this. Unless the prodigal exile thing is Adam Warlock, who is the most unforgivably dull character ever.
AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE #9 – Grr. I don’t want to like this book…but then they put Eric O’Grady and Taskmaster in it. Damn you, Dan Slott!
CAPTAIN AMERICA #34 – In which nothing of consequence happens. Really.
CAPTAIN MARVEL #3 – I hadn’t been planning on picking this up, but Lee Weeks is a great artist and tying it in to the Skrull invasion is a good choice.
FANTASTIC FOUR #553 – McDuffie’s first arc fell flat at the end. Hope this fares better.
INCREDIBLE XXXX #113 (Note: Not Actual Title) – The Incredible Herc, I tell ya!
HULK #1 – I’ve become less a fan of McGuinness’ art in recent years, and Loeb really seems to have dropped the ball lately. I’ll take a look but no promises. And the red color…yeah.
WWH AFTERSMASH: WARBOUND #2 – I still quite like the idea of this.
WWH AFTERSMASH: DAMAGE CONTROL #1 – But crucially, will it be played for laughs?!?
MIGHTY AVENGERS #8 – Wherein the book gets back on schedule, hopefully.
NEW AVENGERS ANNUAL #2 – Wherein there is much talking.
YOUNG AVENGERS PRESENTS #1 (of 6) – Not sold on all these creative teams, but Bru on Patriot is a given.
NOVA #10 – Great book and one of Marvel’s better titles currently.
THUNDERBOLTS #119 – Consistently great. Where’s the next issue?
UNCANNY X-MEN #494, X-FACTOR #27, NEW X-MEN #46, X-MEN #207 – Messiah Complex wraps up – and, possibly, my time with the X-Men.
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JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #17 – Good grief I hope this improves.
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #12 – At least there’s a reliable marquee team book out there!
JLA CLASSIFIED #50-51 – I don’t normally pick this up…but Roger Stern and John Byrne may just change my mind.
LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #38 – Still torn on trades or singles for the Legion – but I’m getting it somehow.
WONDER WOMAN #16- Another one I’m torn on – but chances are I’ll give Gail a shot. I mean, I lasted through Heinberg and Picoult, right?
WILDSTORM: REVELATIONS #1-2 & THE AUTHORITY: PRIME #4 – The only thing tempting me here is Christos Gage. I’ve been burned by Wildstorm too many times so even thats probably not going to make me pick this up.