Books of Doom #5 
Marvel Comics
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artists: Raimondi, Hennessy & Riggs, Reber
This miniseries only has one real modern counterpart, Frank Miller’s The Man Without Fear from 1993. Both tales covered the origins of their subjects in more detail than had ever been seen before. Both writers nailed the “voice” of their subject completely. Both stories had art teams that enhanced the story with moody realistic landscapes and fantastic character renditions. There is literally no decent reason not to be reading this story. This installment is as good as the four previous ones, with the added bonus of seeing not-so-modern anymore Doom technology (his jetpack, his earliest suit of armor) used to excellent dramatic effect.
Score: A
X-Statix Presents Dead Girl #3
Marvel Knights
Writer: Peter Milligan
Artists: Nick Dragotta and Mike Allred
Some things have to be seen to be believed. The current president hides behind a rubber ducky. Harry Osborn works as an elevator operator in hell. Dead heroes menace Wall Street and Yankee Stadium. This book is both a laugh riot as well as an exciting romp. The oddball mismatched would-be romances (Dead Girl/Doctor Strange, The Anarchist/Miss America) are the icing on this loony cake. Wrap it all up in the ginchy Allred art, and this book is pure fun. Lovers of satire, as well as old school Marvel comics really ought to check this book out.
Score: A
Blue Beetle #1
DC Comics
Writer: Keith Giffen and Johns Rogers
Artist: Cully Hamner
This book is about uneven as a MLB/college freshman team scrimmage. There’s just no sustained momentum. There is a battle, but one contestant is written out of character and the other is simply confused and terrified. There is intrigue, but it’s so muddled and jumbled that there’s more confusion than tease. There is a supporting cast, but they don’t really get a chance to shine, just give their motivational cliff notes. And let’s not forget that this issue was released before the end of the OMAC aspect of Infinite Crisis which means even the readers can’t know the events leading up to it. The art is generally cartoony fun, and the setting of El Paso as opposed to so many more common DCU cities is an interesting choice, but that can’t save the unfocused narrative.
Score: C
