 Amazing Spider-Man #617
Creative team: Story by Joe Kelly; Art by Max Fiumara Villain to Watch: Rhino They say: The Gauntlet continues to close around Spider-Man in this heartbreaking story of love, loss and lust for power as the Rhino charges into Spider-Man's life, out to make a name for himself...by killing the Rhino? I say: Kelly has yet to miss a beat with The Gauntlet. His characterizations of Electro and Sandman have made for fascinating reading. These sub-plots have showed new sides of some very storied Marvel villains. The Rhino has been kind of a one-dimensional heavy for a long time. The Twilight Zone solicit promises that this issue is going to continue the remarkable precedent that this storyline has become known for.  Batman #695
Creative team: Story by Tony Daniel; Art by Sandu Florea Villain to Watch: Penguin and Black Mask They say: The unthinkable happens when Batman and the Penguin join forces to thwart the mass murder and mayhem of their common foe, the Black Mask. Plus, Batman confronts an adversary from days past who has a score to settle with The Dark Knight. I say: Wanna know how to get me hooked on a title with little-or-no hesitation? It's the old hero/vollain team-up. I can't get enough of that enemy-of-my-enemy-is-my-ally hook. The Penguin has been re-cast as a kind of mob underboss figure. I have high hopes that this issue brings back a little bit of what makes the Penguin great: A deceptively docile figure with a vicious bite.  Batman Widening Gyre #4
Creative team: Story by Kevin Smith; Art by Walter Flanagan Villain to Watch: TBA They say: As Batman and his mysterious new partner-against-crime successfully tackle the streets of Gotham City, Bruce Wayne's personal world takes a step to the side as the women in his life force him into an awkward position. Guest-starring Silver St. Cloud, Nightwing, Catwoman and the Outsiders! I say: Still hanging with the latest Kevin Smith tilt at Batman mythology. The series has been very good, but for some reason it feels like ages since the previous installment. I'm still having problems accepting the Dick Grayson Batman, so being able to reach out to this Bruce Wayne Batman has been comforting. And the story itself has been well worth following. I'm happy to have this one on my radar.  Secret Six #17
Creative team: Story by John Ostrander and Gail Simone; Art by J. Calafiore Villain to Watch: Deadshot They say: John Ostrander and Gail Simone continue their epic team-up that begins in Suicide Squad #67! Suicide Squad has taken capture of Deadshot, forcing him to rejoin their ranks. But the Secret Six doesn't see that happening any time soon! I say: Red Rover, Red Rover, let Deadshot come over! If I get the concept, two super-villain teams are battling over Deadshot. I really like that idea. You can be sure that when groups like this have bidding wars, there are actual weapons in play.  Spider-Man and the Secret Wars #2
Creative team: Story by Paul Tobin; Art by Patrick Scherberger Villain to Watch: Dr. Doom They say: When the Beyonder created Battleworld, he stocked it with far more than Earth's greatest heroes and worst villains. Now, two of these other elements, the city of Denver, Colorado and a warlike alien race known as the Spindlies, are on major collision course. With the other heroes occupied elsewhere, it's up to Ben Grimm and the amazing Spider-Man to stand or fall with the city. But who will save them from their powerful on-again, off-again, ally...Doctor Doom? I say: I was hooked with the first issue of this book, and I've been anxiously awaiting the next installment. Scherberger's art is the perfect conduit for Tobin's skillful writing. I'm really enjoying re-living this story from my younger days in comics fandom. I gotta figure it's only a matter of time before DC launches the lighter side of Crisis on Infinite Earths. (Wait. That's an awesome idea. DIBS!) Honorable mentions: Batgirl #6, Marvel Adventures Super Heroes #19, Strange #3, Weekly World News #1. ...And One To Pass... Die Hard Year One #4
Creative team: Story by Howard Chaykin; Art by Stephen Thompson Villain to Watch: Eco-terrorists! They say: The conclusion of the first Die Hard arc! It's 1976, the Bicentennial in NYC. John McClane's on a luxury boat that's targeted by eco-terrorists! McClane has to take out the villains and save everyone, for the first time in his life! Think his luck will get better in the future? I say: I was going to make a snide Yippe Ki Yay remark, then I saw that they did that themselves in a variant cover. Dishonorable mentions: Booster Gold #28. |
POLL: The title I'm most looking forward to this week is...
| 17% (13) | Amazing Spider-Man #617 | |
| 12% (9) | Batman #695 | |
| 6% (5) | Batman Widening Gyre #4 | |
| 16% (12) | Secret Six #17 | |
| 8% (6) | Spider-Man and the Secret Wars #2 | |
| 14% (11) | Batgirl #6 | |
| 0% (0) | Marvel Adventures Super Heroes #19 | |
| 6% (5) | Strange #3 | |
| 0% (0) | Weekly World News #1 | |
| 6% (5) | Die Hard Year One #4 | |
| 10% (8) | Booster Gold #28 |
74 people have voted in this poll. (This poll is not active.)