OK, so my trip to Boston  (which was fantastic, by the way) and the resulting recovering kinda derailed my plans to hammer out a new edition of Reading ALL The Comics when I got home, so you get TWO weeks back to back here. Aren’t you lucky?

New Avengers vs. X-Men, lots of Spider-Man action, and Batman is all kinds of armored up and pissed. It’s a good two week of comics. But what did I think? READ ON OH LOYAL READER!

May 2nd, 2012

Action Comics #9 Story by Grant Morrison & Sholly Fisch, Art by Gene Ha & Cully Hamner

This one kinda threw me for a loop, but I suppose that’s to be expected from Morrison.  From the basic look of things, seeing this new Superman of Earth 23 makes you think that the book will be a basic Obama analogue, and while some of that is there (also, a slight nod to many 70s books in the look and feel of this Superman’s Krypton), the story is much bigger.  In a ballsy move, this issue of Action Comics is all a giant allegory for creators rights.  I’m left wondering if Morrison pulled a fast one on the editors, or if this really was being published as some sort of penance for how Shuster and Segel have been treated and the forthcoming Before Watchmen.  Food for thought, and that’s just how Grant Morrison likes it.

Amazing Spider-Man #685 Story by Dan Slott, Art by Humberto Ramos & Victor Olazaba

The “Ends of the Earth” storyline continues as the odds stack up against Spidey and Doc Ocks truly evil plan is revealed.  I have to say, I really liked the banter between Mysterio and Chameleon here, and as a born and bred late 80s-early 90s comic nerd, seeing Silver Sable back in the mix is nice.  Oh, and I love the “Island of International Mistfit Toys” that Spider-Man has decided to bring together here. As we head to the finish, I hope Slott can deliver on everything he’s laid out here, as it’d be a nice companion to the “Big Time” and “Spider Island” storylines.

Animal Man #9 Story by Jeff Lemire, Art by Steve Pugh

Animal Man kicks off a brand new arc, and things are looking grim for the Baker family from the word go.  Again, detailed writing (loved the shout out to the Morrison run) is met adeptly with detailed yet gruesome artwork, and considering I had never once interested the idea of grabbing Animal Man, yet this has me on edge with every page, shows how great a job Lemire has done in putting together this book.  I do like the way this is going, with “the Red” becoming one of the creepiest forces in comics, and I look forward to seeing how the darker mythologies of the DCU get laid out from here.

Avengers vs. X-Men #3 Story by Ed Brubaker, Art by John Romita Jr.

The action of the first two issues slows down a bit here, as the Avengers seem to have the upper hand going into issue three (of twelve, mind you).  Of course, not everything is as its seems, and the girl who may destroy the world, potential Phoenix Hope Summers, is now all kinds of disappeared and out on her own.  I will say, I feel like this storyline is pushing Captain America to the brink, as I can’t recall the last time he was this much of a prick. One thing is for sure though, Wolverine might take a while before he can forgive Cap for what happens at the end of this issue.

Daredevil #12 Story by Mark Waid, Art by Chris Samnee

After the three part DD/Spider-Man/Punisher arc, Mark Waid decides to slow it down a bit and give us a really enjoyable and charming single issue that not only sees Matt Murdock on a date, but throws us back to when he and Foggy were in law school.  I’m very much starting to be charmed by the entire cast of this book, and I’m left wondering why it took me so long to enjoy Daredevil as a character. Great stuff.

Invincible Iron Man #516 Story by Matt Fraction, Art by Salvador Larroca

Kicking off the new “Long Way Down” arc, Matt Fraction takes no prisoners in this story, as not only do we find out the mole in Stark Resilient (a surprise reveal for me) in the most brutal and depressing way possible, Tony Stark makes a move at the end of the book that I was not expecting.  It’s clear from the future solicitations that big changes are in for this comic, and it’s obvious that Fraction isn’t afraid to push the Iron Man universe forward. Gutsy stuff here.

Sweet Tooth #33 Story and Art by Jeff Lemire

Sweet Tooth heads towards the end (issue 40 will be the last) as Lemire takes some interesting risks for the average reader, playing with the standard comics format by having the entire book printed sideways, and going with an almost storybook approach to telling this part of the tale.  It’s clear from the end that we are heading towards a huge conclusion, but I feel like all of the love and caring we’ve built up for Gus and crew throughout is about to end in a very bleak way. Get ready to cry.

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #10 Story by Brian Michael Bendis, Art by David Marquez

When Brian Michael Bendis takes the time to give readers an issue which consists of simply a conversation, he truly finds a way to make it work better than some of the most action packed comics on the stands today.  That’s what happens here, as we are given a rooftop conversation between the new Spider-Man, Miles Morales, and his Uncle, who is also the super villain known as the Prowler.  Ten issues of setup have lead up to this moment, and every page, every panel is a joy to read.  I was worried for a bit if Ultimate Comics Spider-Man was running a bit slow, but this issue just made it all worth it. My pick of the week.

X-O Manowar #1 Story by Robert Venditti, Art by Cary Nord

Holy flashback! Valiant Comics has returned from the gave (also known as bankruptcy), and they’re bringing back all of their classic heroes.  I only have vague memories behind the Valiant Comics days, including a bunch of foil covers and a much delayed crossover with Image Comics, but I figured I should give this a shot.  For those unaware, X-O Manowar is essentially a what if of “What if Braveheart ended up on an alien planet and got a sweet suit of armor?”  This issue basically establishes that setup, but with competent writing and solid art, this could end up being a very cool read.  We’ll see if the Valiant Comics reboot is just nostalgia, or winds up being a decent read over future issues.

My reviews for May 9th, 2012 appear under the cut! Keep on reading!

May 9th, 2012

Avenging Spider-Man #7 Story by Kathryn Immonen, Art by Stuart Immonen & Wade Von Grawbadger

I love the work that the Immonens do.  This husband and wife duo almost always knock it out of the park with a book that is fun and leaves a smile on your face, and with a team up that places Spider-Man alongside She-Hulk, a bunch of cats, and even an ancient cat god, it’s hard to not enjoy it.  Avenging Spider-Man continues its run as the most relaxed and fun book that Marvel is publishing, and I hope that every creative team that ends up on it continues the trend. So, so good.

Batman #9 Written by Scott Snyder & James T Tynion IV, Pencilled by Greg Capullo & Rafael Albuquerque

Night of Owls continues here, as Snyder and Capullo continue an awesome run with an issue full of “HELL YEAH BATMAN!” moments.  The Court continues their assault on Wayne, Batman and Gotham proper, and the story gets a very interesting new wrinkle in the backstory.  Could the Court have killed Bruce’s parents in the first place? VERY interesting.  Always a hell of a read. My pick of the week.

Invincible #91 Story by Robert Kirkman, Art by Ryan Ottley & John Rauch

Can things go well for Mark? Our lead hero isn’t having a great time.  He’s risked his life to save Dinosaurus, he’s contracted a virus meant to wipe his kind out, and none of his super colleagues believe in his current cause.  And then the last page happens to him.  Really an eye opening twist as the next phase of Kirkman’s superhero saga rolls on. An aside, is it just me, or were the colors this issue really beautiful?

Scarlet Spider #5 Story by Chris Yost, Art by Neil Edwards & Karl Kesel

The grimmer and grittier version of Spider-Man based in Houston finally gets a foe as messed up with him, as in this issue he deals with a cult organization and dirty bombs. It’s clear that Kaine is no Peter Parker with how he handles the bads, and his extended selection of powers come into key play here.  Yost and Edwards aren’t at the top tier of creators yet, but its clear that they will reach the top soon.  Scarlet Spider might be one of the better Marvel books people are sleeping on.

Skullkickers #14 Story by Jim Zub, Art by Edwin Huang

A very big issue for Skullkickers fans, as not only do we find out how a gun wound up in the fantasy world of the comic, but our large, bald-headed hero finally gets a name! Yep, waiting 14 issues to give a lead a proper name is just one of the many conventions this series bucks. See the bizarre editors note on the first page for more of that level of fun.  Now that we have the setup in this issue, I look forward to seeing how Zub makes the whole arc work without throwing out so many rules of his universe.

Spider-Man: Season One Story by Cullen Bunn, Art by Neil Edwards

I’ve gone on record as absolutely loving the Marvel Season One books thus far. And I was really hoping to say the same here. But Spider-Man: Season One appears to be the first in the series to do little for me. Maybe I’m reading a bit too much Spider-Man, but this did little for me, and I’m a big Spider-Man guy (he is, of course, my first and most favorite hero).  There are a bunch of small changes to the origin that bug me, like the lack of the pro-wrestling angle (changed to an off camera MMA fight) or the fact that it’s the smear press from the Daily Bugle that puts Peter on the road to fighting crime instead of Uncle Ben’s death (Ben still dies, but there’s a time between that and Peter’s acceptance of his fate), and overall Bunn’s work didn’t go as well for me as the other 3 volumes so far.  I may re-read this later and love it, but I was just disappointed.  Also, does Neil Edwards always draw such derby faces?

Ultimate Comics The Ultimates #10 Story by Sam Humphries & Jonathan Hickman, Art by Luke Ross

The Ultimates get a new writer and artist duo in time for ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING to go wrong for the team.  You’d think that maybe since the Avengers movie is out now, they’d clean some things up for the team, but no, things are getting all over bad. Washington DC is wiped off the map, the Ultimates are fugitives, and the world is on the edge of peril.  My only questions: when will the bleakness seen here get noticed in the rest of the Ultimate Universe, and will things ever get better for the Ultimates?

The Walking Dead #97 Story by Robert Kirkman, Art by Charlie Adlard & Cliff Rathburn

After 96 issues of kicking ass and taking names (and losing friends and hands), it seems that Rick has finally decided that the smart move is to start lending himself out in the protection business for other societies in this post-zombie world.  As the kick off to “Something to Fear”, this lays down some interesting groundwork heading into the big 100th issue, and it’s quite clear that again, things are going to get bad for our team of survivors.  I am starting to wonder if trade waiting is the better move for this series, though.

Wolverine And The X-Men #10 Story by Jason Aaron, Art by Chris Bachalo, Tim Townsend, Jaime Mendoza, Al Vey, & Victor Olazaba

While not as seamless a tie-in to the Avengers vs. X-Men crossover, this issue certainly gives you the perspective of every character on the Jean Grey School campus, including a look at the mutant divide between Cyclops and Wolverine on the matter of the future of Hope.  It’s clear that there is another schism between mutants here, but who will be right seems to be a question that no one can answer.  I’ve really grown to love the Jean Grey School dynamic established in the first 8 issues, and I hope that whatever occurs in AvX, that returns to this book whenever it wraps up.

Due up next week, May 16th, 2012…

• Adventure Time #4
• Avengers vs. X-Men #4
• AvX Vs #2
• Atomic Robo: Real Science Adventures #2
• Batwoman #9
• Daredevil #13
• Invincible Iron Man #517
• Saga #3