 A weekly column from BleepingGeek.com that covers the comic book releases for the week (well, just the ones we like to read, that is).
This week we see some Brian K. Vaughan goodness, an Avengers book that doesn't dissapoint (I'm glaring in your direction Mighty Avengers), a "my war was harder than your war" pissing match between Nova and Iron Man, and possibly the coolest use of spidersense yet.
Ooh, and Brother Voodoo!
This week's comics:
 | Amazing Spider-Man 540: "BACK IN BLACK" PART 2: No one’s paid the price for Civil War more than Peter Parker. Now, one of his worst fears has been realized. A tragedy from which he might never recover. And if that weren’t enough: he’s a fugitive, hunted, on the run. Black isn’t just the color of his costume: it’s a state of mind.
Pete says: This is what a Spiderman book should be. The art is incredible, the story is dark, and the artist does a great job making Spiderman in his black suit look truly frightening. Peter Parker goes on a Batman-ish spree of violence and intimidation in order to track down the person who shot Aunt May, leading to a confrontation with her attacker in the middle of Grand Central Station, where Spiderman uses his spidersense to identify the unknown assassin solely by his reaction to seeing Spiderman. Definitely the kind of story we read Spiderman for. |  | | |  | Battle Pope Color #14: Battle Pope vs. God - THE CONCLUSION!
Pete says: I love Battle Pope. There's just something about a skirtchasing musclebound pope battling demons from the underworld and drinking beer. Mmmm, sacri-licious. In it's concluding issue, Battle Pope and God finally come to terms with B.P. and Mary's love thang. Meanwhile, Jesus and Santa try their best to not totally suck. | | | | |  | Black Panther #27: When Black Panther and Storm accepted an invitation to join the Fantastic Four, little did they know that they would not be the only new "guests" at the Fantastic Four's headquarters. (cue ominous music)
Pete says: The entire point of a crossover like this one (Black Panther joining the Fantastic Four) is to get double the story in each book. Instead, since Black Panther comes out earlier in the month and references things that happen in a Fantastic Four that doesn't come out until later in the month, I'm left with a constant sense of "what is that supposed to mean?" and "what's with the magical frog"? That aside, the book is entertaining, well written (moreso than FF), and they even managed to work the ever-popular Marvel Zombies into their story. Does that make it a 3way crossover? |  | | |  | Blade #09: Blade came to England for answers regarding his mysterious past, but all he's gotten is trouble, so now somebody's gonna pay! Guest staring Union Jack.
Regardless of the character's less-than-stellar past, this series hits a new alltime low. It's only the ninth issue and already Blade has lost a hand, found out that he's half white, been killed, and forced to recruit Hannibal King to help his sorry vampiritic butt out. Ryan Reynolds, where are you when we need you? |  | | |  | DC Countdown, Week 51: The event of the year is here! This brand-new, year-long weekly series features a cast of hundreds where anything goes! With head writer Paul Dini and a rotating team of some of the industry's best writers and artists, COUNTDOWN will serve as the backbone of the DCU in 2007. When a character dies in COUNTDOWN 51, it sets off an unexpected ripple that will touch virtually every character in the DC Universe.
Pete says: So we get a vague intro, a mysterious death, and a veiled message about the destruction of the multiverse. Yup, it's another yearlong DC event in the making! |  | | |  | Ghost Rider #11 It's pumpkin smashing time, and the Ghost Rider's ready to get his boots dirty. But with a zombie army in tow and an arsenal of concealed weapons, the possessed Jack O'Lantern appears to be holding all the cards in his deadly game with the Ghost Rider. To prevent the destruction of Sleepy Hollow, the Spirit of Vengeance will need a little help from an unlikely ally who may be able to turn the tables on Jack's fun.
Pete says: Although I don't really dig Ghost Rider (1987 called, it wants it's leatherdaddy look back), I have to admit that it's awesome watching two characters with fire shooting out of their heads go toe-to-toe. Too bad the finale is a major letdown. | | | | |  | Green Arrow #74: All of Green Arrow's secrets have been revealed to the citizens of Star City, threatening his tenure as mayor! Black Canary stops by for a booty call that turns into something much, much bigger.
Pete says: I officially know waaay too much about GA and Black Canary's lovelife now. Yikes. This is always one of the wittier series of the month, and this issue doesn't dissapoint. It also doesn't hurt that Scott McDaniels is penciling. Woot! | | | | |  | Midnighter #7: Writer Brian K. Vaughan (Ex Machina, Pride of BagHdad), and guest artist Darick Robertson (Transmetropolitan) deliver an all-out action issue examining the Midnighter's abilities from a unique perspective. He's the man who can anticipate any move to the nth degree - now we get an idea of what that means.
Pete says: Uh, doy. It's a Brian K. Vaughan book. The series isn't so much, but this issue is "teh roXXorZ", as they say. | | | | |  | New Avengers #30: The New Avengers versus the Hand!! AND the New Avengers versus the Mighty Avengers!! AND the identity of the new Ronin revealed!! Who is the new mystery player in the New Avengers? Find out here!! Guest-starring the Mighty Avengers and... wait for it... BROTHER VOODOO!!
Pete says: "Capt America is still alive!" is the new "Grassy Knoll". In this book, one of the threads is cut as it's revealed that the new Ronin is not Captain America, but rather Clint Barton, previously known as Hawkeye. This also puts a damper on the rumors that Barton was to don a new Capt. America suit, as the previous Ronin is probably not taking the suit back (read the book to find out why). One of the signs of a good team book is the quality of banter between members. This book knows what makes entertaining dialog, and makes a compelling case for a Luke Cage/Spiderman buddy comedy (cough, cough, Ving Rhames). Oh yeah, and Brother Voodoo makes an appearance. Who, you ask? That's right. I don't know either. | | | | |  | Nightwing #132: Three friends are dead, and as Nightwing's thirst for revenge grows, he finds himself having to choose a path that could alter his future forever. Also, 300 hundred years ago an evil was born, and now, to survive, it is ready to destroy in the conclusion of 'Bride & Groom.'
Pete says: Nightwing gets a bunch of scumsuckers together to battle the worst villains I've ever seen in a comic since the cocaine-fueled frenzy of the early 80s. Pass. |  | | |  | Nova #02: Helmet-to-helmet with Iron Man! After facing the horrors of the Annihilation War, can Richard Rider fit in back on Earth? Everyone used to treat him like a joke, but now that he's one of the most powerful heroes in the Marvel Universe, does Nova have to take it anymore? One thing is certain, when S.H.I.E.L.D. moves in to investigate his sudden re-appearance, the Human Rocket will be aimed directly at Iron Man!
Pete says: This is going to be a series to keep an eye on. Nova has moved from geeky kid hero to fullscale intergalactic champion since his New Warriors days, and it shows here. Tony Starks arrogance really shows in this issue as he tries to convince Nova that the Civil War was hard to get through. That's right, Iron Man. Tell it to someone who didn't just singlehandedly save the entire universe from total and utter destruction at the hands of an invading alien force that even conquered Galactus. Mmmhmm. Yeah. This issue gets bumped from a 4 to a solid 5 for having the Thunderbolts make an appearance at the end. I can't wait to see how Nova deals with all the changes that Robby Baldwin (Penance, used to be Speedball) has been through and vice versa. | | | | |  | Outsiders #47: Part 2 of "CheckOut", the crossover with CHECKMATE! The prison hasn't been built that can hold the Outsiders for long - and that includes Checkmate's Alpine HQ, as Nightwing leads an attempt to break free from house arrest!
Pete says:If you read this column regularly, I've made it no secret that I love this series. This issue continues the crossover with Checkmate with Nightwing infiltrating their compound to rescue his teammates. The issue is a good one, and includes my favorite cheesy line of the week. After being semi-blackmailed into helping Checkmate with a mission, Nightwing asks "when do I get my kiss?" What? "It's just that I like to be kissed when I'm getting screwed." Nightwing is also, apparently, out of bubblegum. | | | | |  | Punisher War Journal #07: BLOOD AND SAND, Part 2: "I want Frank Castle -- the scourge of the underworld -- to die in the Sonoma desert playing dress-up." With that line, the all-new Hate Monger begins the execution ceremony of the Punisher -- and nothing will ever be the same. Massacre after brutal massacre along the border brought Frank to the desert, but what horrible things does he find hiding behind the killings? What atrocities could possibly drive Frank to don a new costume? And how could it all go so terribly wrong? The American dream continues to become an unholy nightmare for Frank and everybody else in his orbit.
Pete says: I don't know what they're doing with this series. It was great until Captain America's death, and now it's turned into "Punisher luvs Cap" miniseries. The Captain Punisher outfit as I've deemed it, is ridiculous and makes no sense storywise. Instead of covering new ground here, they're just flaunting the whole "Who's going to take Cap's job" angle to sell books. As for me? Not buying. | | | | |  | Star Wars Legacy #11: Cade Skywalker takes up a lightsaber once again--but not for the reason the Jedi had hoped! In fact, some among the Jedi are becoming suspicious of Cade and his undisciplined power. Haunted by the tragedies of his own life and the actions of his ancestors, Cade's denial of the past could be laying the seeds for a terrifying future. Amidst the ruins of his childhood, a decision will lead to a discovery, bringing Cade that much closer to his destiny.
Pete says: Cade needs to suck it up, knock off the emo attitude and start kicking some Sith derriere before I stop reading this book permanently. This is supposed to be the launching point for the next generation of Star Wars literature, but instead we just seem to watch Cade lament about his destiny on every page. | | | | |  | Thunderbolts #114: A mission to capture the Steel Spider goes awry when two other rogue heroes accidentally cross the Thunderbolts' path. Do the likes of Sepulchre and American Eagle even stand a chance?
Pete says: American Who and Who? This series has started a whole new precedent. It takes all of the lame, strange, horrible, poorly conceived superheroes and villains in the Marvel Universe and sics the new, even more dangerous Thunderbolts on them. Does anyone even remember American Eagle? Better yet: does anyone care when the Thunderbolts paint the asphalt with his brains? Yes. Yes, I do. I have to admit, for someone who only started reading this series because of Penance, this is quickly becoming one of my favorite books each month. | | | | |  | Wolverine Origins #14: Swift and Terrible: Part 4 (of 5): The origin of Cyber revealed! Struggling to maintain consciousness after his first blood-soaked confrontation with his vicious offspring Daken, Wolverine is forced to turn to the one man whom he can never trust for help: Cyber! How does the man once known as Silas Burr factor into Wolverine's past... and his future?
Pete says: Lame with a capital LaaHooo... SaHerrrrr. The original Origin was a comic book event. This offshoot series is just an excuse for Marvel to tack on a bunch of useless characters. Wolverine has a son? Lame. Between Daken and X-23 in New XMen, we have a right little feral family sprouting up around here. Maybe in the next issue they can all get together around a campfire and share decapitation stories. | | | | |  | Y the Last Man #56: "Whys and Wherefores," Part 2 of 5. As the last man and Agent 355 race toward Paris, the group of women protecting the daughter Yorick never even knew he sired continues to flee the Israeli soldiers led by Alter. Will anyone survive the inevitable collision of these three groups?
Pete says: Yet another groundbreaking series that is slowly gliding to an end. Yorick and 355 continue their "love you, hate you" relationship and go their seperate ways as 355 finally tracks down Beth on the streets of Paris. The heartwrenching dialog between the Yorick and 355 as they part is a tribute to the power and beauty of good storytelling. | | | | |
See you next week!
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