 A new segment from BleepingGeek.com that covers the comic book releases for the week (well, just the ones I like to read, that is).
This week we cower before the mighty writing fury that is Joss Whedon, see more than our fair share of comic book boot knockin', and watch the Punisher get his butt handed to him by five whiny women and one very tiny little girl.
Sorry, Punisher. Looks like you're in for a bad week.
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| American Virgin 14:
Story: Adam continues the search for his mystery girl and discovers some interesting information about someone close to him. Meanwhile, Cyndi and Mel have a discussion about last issues major revelation. I'll give you a hint: Crying Game, baby. Crying Game.
Woot: This is one of my new favorites due to it's intelligent discussion on religion, as well as showing just how far someone will go to avenge the person they love. It's quirky, provocative, and fun.
Boo: The series has gotten away from the vengeance kick it began with, and I miss it. With Adam deciding that "it's time to live" this issue, I'm almost sure we're in for more action in the coming months.
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| Astonishing X-Men 21:
Story: The alien planet of Breakworld is still trying to kill Colossus before he can fulfill their prophecy and destroy their world. After finding some damning evidence in the last issue, the rest of the X-Men are having second thoughts about whether or not they should be there.
Woot: Joss Whedon. The writing is excellent here, as Whedon knows exactly how to make unusual relationships work. Colossus and Kitty Pryde are the new Scott and Jean (not to mention I always enjoy a little slap and tickle in my comics), and the mentor/student relationship between Wolverine and Armor is outstanding. He backs her up one minute to show his respect, picks on her the next so that she knows who's in charge. Well done.
Boo: Nada. Just like the T-Shirt says.
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| Avengers: The Initiative 02:
Story: After the sudden loss of MVP last issue the cadets face more training and a taste of the future when they are called into battle to fight the forces of Hydra.
Woot:This is actually shaping up to be a decent book. I like the interplay between characters and the art is good. I'm very interested in finding out who the mysterious de-powered mutant "tutor" is in the next ish.
Boo: I'm a little uninterested in another superhero group book. I hope that they continue to add new characters and have some graduate up to the bigger teams because let's face it: these kids are no New Avengers. Heck, they're not even X-Men status yet.
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| Buffy the Vampire Season 8 03:
Story: Amy and Willow duke it out witch style while Buffy deals with some freaky dreams, Xander deals with Buffy, and the rest of the world tries to figure out how to destroy them all.
Woot: Part two of the Joss Whedon Comic-a-thon continues here, and this is yet another great book. The writing is sharp as a tack, the action intense. Dawn as a giant is a brilliant touch and she gets to kick a little arse this issue to boot (pun intended).
Boo: Just like the series, this book needs to focus more on the plot, and less on "who-has-a-crush-on-who".
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| Checkmate 13:
Story: The "CheckOut" crossover storyline begins here with the forces of checkmate tasked with a simple mission: bring in the Outsiders.
Woot: Love the Outsiders. This book means I get more of them, which makes my happy happy.
Boo: Joe Bennett's pencils leave something to be desired. Boomer looks like Conan O'Brien with a bad goatee, Metamorpho looks like some weird alien thing, and Nightwing looks like Corey Haim mated with Chad Michael Murray. Boooooooo.
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| DC 52, week 52:
Story: The year long crossover event that led us through DC Comics missing year comes to a close this week. Much more whimper than bang, unfortunately.
Woot: This was a crazy ride, and I'm definitely picking up the TPB when it's released. Best moments of the year? Sobek using Osiris as a late night snack, the return of Lobo to the DC scene (series please!), the "rain of the supermen", pretty much every scene with Ralph Dibney, the chalkboard... on second thought, the whole series was awesome.
Boo: Um, so we go through all of that just to have everything put back together at the end. Personally, I could do without the Multiverse completely, let alone a brand spanking new one that I'm sure they'll exploit every chance they get.
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| Friendly Neighborhood Spiderman 20:
Story: The events of "the Other" storyline continue here with Peter Parker going up against his exact opposite number, Ero. Of course, it would be easier if she wasn't trying to forcibly hump up Flash Thompson.
Woot: I want to see where they head with this one before I start raving. Could be good, could be lame. At least we're not dealing with alternate universe Ben Parkers and cybernetic future Spidey helmets anymore.
Boo: The writing on this series is a little weak. It relies heavily on cliche'd material and standard jokes. This wouldn't be so bad, but Peter Parker is dealing with Aunt May's imminent death here people! He should be cracking up, not cracking wise.
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|  Hellboy: Darkness Calls 01:
Story: Hellboy heads into another encounter with Hecate and... c'mon, it's a friggin' Hellboy comic! Why are you still reading this? Go pick it up already!
Woot: Everything. Mignola's art rockles my cockles.
Boo: Nothing. Love it, love the books, love the character. Buy this already, wouldya?!
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| Incredible Hulk 103:
Story: We prepare for World War Hulk (Marvels big comic event this season) in this issue when Jen Walters (aka SheHulk) learns the truth about how the Hulk got shot out into space, and receives some serious help in the form of Amadeus Cho, boy genius.
Woot: The writing is friggin' awesome this ish! I really love how smart Amadeus Cho is, and how he always seems to be ten steps ahead of everyone else, no matter what happens. World War Hulk is going to be a huge event, and if this is a glimpse of things to come, then by all means, bring it on.
Boo: You get booed for kicking Jen Walters out of SHIELD without so much as a comment about how she boffed Tony Stark. Booo.
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| Justice 11:
Story: The supervillians have come together to take out the good guys, the good guys fight back. Pretty much your usual fare.
Woot: I like that they have tried to make Aquaman more interesting in this series. It's noble, guys. Pointless, but noble. Also, I will read anything that has Alex Ross art in it. The Green Lantern gets the spotlight this week as he takes on Sinestro and helps break the illusion that Brainiac is holding over the villains.
Boo: As mentioned above, it's still your basic bad guys vs. good guys brawl.
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| Ms. Marvel 15:
Story: Ms. Marvel saves the world, tries to score with the new man in her life, has a territorial cat fight with Maria Hill, battles AIM, and runs into M.O.D.O.K. Did I mention she does most of this while in supersexy spandex?
Woot: I love the way Aaron Lopresti draws Carol Danvers, and he even manages to make a feeb like Wonder Man look cool.
Boo: Ok, let me be serious here for a second. Marvel? You need to fire Greg Horn already. His covers are terrible and if I didn't already know the interior art was good, I'd never pick up the book. And Greg Horn? Put that "learn Photoshop in 21 days" book away and don't ever draw again. Ever. Period, end of sentence, the end. If I ever see you at a comiccon I'm going to slap you right in your hack face, and I have a feeling that every other artist in the world who ISN'T working for Marvel will back me up on this. Good day.
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| Omega Flight 02:
Story: Canada's new superhero team starts to fall into place as Talisman joins the team and we meet the new Vindicator (or whatever they plan on calling the teamkilling FTard in the suit).
Woot: I dunno. The book seems like it's doomed to failure. The art is generally OK, if not a little cluttered and hard to read at times. The writing is kinda meh. I'm going to give this one another issue or two before I decide whether to leave it on my list or not.
Boo: The guy who killed Vindicator is the new Vindicator. Lame. Also, USAgent leading the team? You're joking right? Seriously?
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| Powers 24:
Story: The cats out of the bag now that Deena knows about Walkers superpowers, but that doesn't stop him from tracking down Queen Noir and taking a little revenge on one of "Satan's" sons.
Woot: Another great tale by Bendis, and more awesome art from Michael Oeming. It's a good 1-2 punch that continually delivers. Plus, kudos to you Christian Walker: not just everybody can talk someone else into killing themselves. Trust me, I've tried to do it, and it's harder than it looks.
Boo: You have Deena find out Walker's secret and then have her disappear for the entire issue? Tsk, tsk.
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| Punisher 47:
Story: After nearing have his ticket punched by a group of women (yeah, you read that right), the Punisher recouperates and learns more about the gritty woman who saved him.
Woot: It's a MAX book. If it's a MAX book and it contains swearing, violence, nudity, sex, explosions, or excessive gore, SIGN ME UP. This issue starts out hardcore with a capital Huh.. huh.. huh.. holy hell.
Boo: He's still fighting five chicks. They're not even trained assassins or superpowered or anything. Just five whining chicks.
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| Runaways 26:
Story: After retrieving the item for the Kingpin, the kids still have to do battle with the Punisher, the Kingpin, and a bunch of ninjas. Oh, and they go back in time.
Woot: Part 3 of the Joss Whedon Supremacy is right here baby, and it's the best of the bunch. I have no idea how he consistently puts out this much good writing, but I can only assume it has something to do with a shadowy pact between him and the devil. When he's not commenting on the Kingpins love of chocolate, he's kicking ass and taking names.
Boo: Do I need to even say anything at this point? No, nothing. No boos for Joss.
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| Sensational Spiderman Annual 01:
Story: In the first annual for the series, we're treated to a look back at Peter and MJ's early relationship set against a current day tale of loyalty and love. Awwwwwwww. My heart just peed it's pants in glee.
Woot: This was an excellent annual. In the past, we get to see the same scenes of Peter and MJ, but in their own different point of views. It was thoughtfully done, and wonderfully executed. In the present, we see an old fling of MJ's rear his ugly SHIELD-badge-wearing head and try to take down Spiderman (with Mary Jane's help, of course). Mary Jane proves herself every bit the badass that we know and love by stalling by telling the story of Pete and MJ's early love, all the while waiting for Peter to show up and kick some federal butt. Which, by the way, he does and then some. This would have gotten my pick of the week had Runaways not been released, or Mike Mignola been born.
Boo: Peter Parker's a bit of a "sissy lala" in this one, instead of the stand-there-and-take-it kinda guy we've seen him become over the course of the Civil War.
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| Silent War 04:
Story: In the wake of their confrontation with Quiksilver, Black Bolt and Medusa return to Attilan, their relationship strained. Things only worsen when Medusa admits to having paid visits to their son and Black Bolt's brother, Maximus the Mad. The final straw comes when Medusa again returns to see Maximus, and things get a little um... heated.
Woot: I love the art in this book by Frazer Irving, and it's proof that not all comics have to be penciled and inked to be good. This is an insane storyline, and between the writing and the art it is laden with sexual innuendo. Medusa kneeling in front of Maximus at his cell, his hands twirling her hair, that subtle smile, the evil grin when he knows that Black Bolt sees them. Or maybe it's just been a slow month for me.
Boo: Half of the facial expressions in this book are great and perfectly rendered. The other half look ridiculous, like a silly caricature. Then again, maybe that's a style thing. I dunno.
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| Strangers in Paradise 89:
Story: With only 1 issue to go, we see how the girls are getting along after David's tragic death. Oh yeah, and we get some nekkid Francine action. Woo!
Woot: See above. I'm glad to see Francine and Katchoo back together.
Boo: David's dead, and I only get one more issue. Comic withdrawal incoming...
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| Witchblade 105:
Story: Sara Pezzini takes some time to rump up her partner and fight a demon to keep him from regaining his phallus. Yup, that's actually the plotline. And people say that comics are all just sex and violence nowadays.
Woot: The "rump up her partner" part
Boo: The "demon's phallus" part. At least it was tastefully hidden inside a huge phallus shaped gold box.
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| World War Hulk - Prologue
Story: It's a prologue to World War Hulk. Try and pay attention here, mmkay?
Woot: Whoever it was at Marvel that decided to send Hulk off to that planet should get a gold medal. We've seen him turn from a wimpy Man vs. His Inner Rage comic into a Man Conquers Inner Rage comic into a Man Accepts Inner Rage comic. This arc has done wonders for a waning title. It continues here, as we see Hulk take some good advice and channel his endless anger into a finely honed skill. He's focused, he's powerful, and he's mad as hell. I expect some epic battles to emerge as World War Hulk continues.
Boo: No more anime-ish Amadeus Cho stories please.
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