Avengers/Invaders #8 of 12 – The main plot of the series thus far- the Cosmic Cube having brought the Invaders to the pre-Secret Invasion Marvel Universe- is resolved here with some really cool Rogers Cap and Bucky Cap scenes, a great torch scene and more. The “plan” at the start that’ll “never work” isn’t explained and doesn’t even seem difficult before it’s pulled off, so that’s jarring, but the rest is a good action comic with a new twist added at the end that should carry the last four issues. 6/10 – Solid
Batman #686 – Welcome to “Whatever happened to the Caped-Crusader?” This is Neil Gaiman’s big return to DC and he doesn’t disappoint. Gaiman does a big funeral for Batman with different versions of all his allies and enemies. This issue Catwoman and Alfred tell a story where each is responsible for Batman’s death. Bruce’s spirit and a mystery person watch and we are invited to play detective with Bruce to figure this all out. My guess is the Black Glove who turns out to be the devil, wrapping up Grant Morrison’s run with a proper mystery story that harkens back to Gaiman’s classic Sandman trade “the Wake.” Whatever works out, this type of surrealism is done by no one quite like Gaiman and I’m very intrigued. 9/10 – Excellent
Batman and the Outsiders Special 1 – This has the best scene this week in any comic as Alfred views Bruce’s goodbye recording for him. I teared up. The rest of the issue is Alfred gathering the new Outsiders, who are basically the old Black Lightning, Halo, Geo Force, etc. Outsiders again. That’s fine so long as we keep getting scenes like that first big one. 7/10 – Good
Fables #81 – And Boy Blue dies not a hero, but a musician and clerk. Easily makes all the crap since the end of the war worth it. 10/10 – Classic
Green Lantern Corps #33 – I love Peter Tomasi. Immediately upon opening the book I’m treated to Mongul quoting “Sympathy for the Devil,” thus guaranteeing this book at least a “Good” rating. That Raynor and Soranik begin to explore a relationship, while Arkillo and Mogul have a brawl to be in charge merely bump this up. This book never fails to deliver. 8/10 – Great
Incognito #2 – Our, ahem, hero here is a former supervillian who takes up being a hero because he’s bored being in the witness protection program. Of course, this lets his betrayed boss know that he’s alive and start looking for him… meaning he’s screwed. Well, as a noir “hero” that was bound to happen. We already have a femme fatale who only likes him in mask and a sociopath best friend… this is trotting out many of the same clichés as Criminal regularly does, but in a superhero setting, it’s not coming off as well due to the overwhelming darkness of every major character. This is way beyond Brubaker and Phillips usual output. 4/10 – Average
Nightwing #153 – This is the final issue of the book and a perfect wrap to Tomasi’s run. We get Dick saying goodbye to New York for a return to Gotham for the “Battle for the Cowl” along with great character work on how he, Tim, and Alfred are dealing with the loss of Batman and his legacy. I’m really going to miss this book. If you like Nightwing, get the “Freefall” trade where he becomes one of the most likable characters in comics. 8/10 – Great
R.E.B.E.L.S. #1 – Brainiac 2 is on the run from those who usurped his L.E.G.I.O.N. space police and finds Supergirl who had a subconscious message from Braniac 5 from the Legion of Superheroes from when she was in the future… however I’m not sure why I should care. Bedard gives Brainiac a bit of personality, but he’s hardly sympathetic and since I’ve never read a L.E.G.I.O.N. book before, the random chasing does nothing to engage my curiosity. If you already care, you’ll already get this, but if you expect this to be a jumping on point for interest in new characters, you’ll either be disappointed or need more patience. 4/10 – Below Average
Thor #600 – This is a huge milestone issue, so Marvel slapped a $5 price tag and put three stories in it, along with one reprint of an old issue. The first continues the main plot as Thor, betrayed by Loki again, battles Bor father of Odin, only to kill him and be forced to suffer the consequences. This was a great fight and the consequences really feel important to the issue at hand. I couldn’t be happier with this part of the story. The Stan Lee new backup is nice for nostalgia, but really irrelevant and written as a throwaway. Chris Guarrusso has a mini-Marvels story of Thor’s resurrection thus far and that’s a really cute recap. They stuffed this and the main story is definitely worth reading, but I’d have preferred this at normal price with just that….oh well. 8/10 – Great
Walking Dead #58 – In which Rick and Abraham discuss the horrors they’ve committed, as does Carl and it’s chilling. We’ve come a long way from issue #1. This is the best comic on the market. Get the issue, get the trades. 10/10 – Classic
