Looking At Marvel’s July 2011 Releases Part Three

Features, Top Story

imageULTIMATE COMICS AVENGERS VS. NEW ULTIMATES #6 (of 6)
Written by MARK MILLAR
Pencils by LEINIL FRANCIS YU & STEPHEN SEGOVIA
Cover by LEINIL FRANCIS YU
Variant Cover by BRYAN HITCH
THE LAST CHAPTER!

The explosive battle between the Ultimate Universe’s most powerful super hero groups comes to a close…but who will be left standing?
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

GREY SCHERL:This might be one of the last Millar written stories for Marvel, outside of his creator owned stuff

AARON GLAZER:
It’s been bad. Just thought I’d throw that out there. I’ve accidentally bought half of this because I get a huge stack and my guy keeps giving it to me because I read Ultimate Spider-Man.

AARON GLAZER:
And while Millar has done fun and successful stuff for Marvel, not since… shit… Ultimates 2 has it been good.

GREY SCHERL:
Ultimate Avengers 3 was fun, the vampires, any book where a Giant Man stakes a Vampire Giant Man with a 747 gets points in my book

AARON GLAZER:
Yeah, I said fun, but not good.

imageULTIMATE FALLOUT #1-3 (OF 6)
Written by Brian Michael Bendis, Jonathan Hickman & Nick Spencer
Art by by MARK BAGLEY, SARA PICHELLI & MORE
Issue #1 Cover by MARK BAGLEY
Issue #2 Cover by Bryan Hitch
Issue #3 Cover by ED McGUINNESS
Issue #1-6 Variant Covers by MARKO DJURDJEVIC

The End before The Beginning.
32 PGS./Rated T+…$3.99

GREY SCHERL:So, you want to be sold a book based on creative teams only?

AARON GLAZER:
So, I’m just saying. I’m there.

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AARON GLAZER:
I don’t like Bendis so much, but, Ultimate Spidey never got bad. Hickman is my favorite writer. Spencer I have a crush on second only to Snyder.
I’m there.

GREY SCHERL:
I’d argue that Ultimate Spidey never got bad, as I kept dropping it for a reason

AARON GLAZER:
Events kept annoyingly effecting it, but I always enjoyed it.

imageCAPTAIN AMERICA #1
Written by ED BRUBAKER
Pencils & Cover by STEVE MCNIVEN
Cover by STEVE MCNIVEN
Variant Cover by OLIVIER COIPEL
Variant Cover by JOHN ROMITA SR.
Variant Cover by NEAL ADAMS
Movie Variant Cover also available
Blank Variant Cover also available

Bestselling Cap writer Ed Brubaker and superstar artist Steve McNiven bring you the next huge chapter in Steve Rogers life, and it’s a perfect jumping-on point for fans of the Cap movie. A funeral for a fallen friend turns into a race against time as the original Captain America makes his explosive return!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

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AARON GLAZER:
I’m done with Bru’s Cap.

GREY SCHERL:
Bru needs to walk away from Cap unless his return to Steve is like his debut on Steve, and not his last few years.

AARON GLAZER:
Want to explain why for the nice readers?

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GREY SCHERL:
Brubaker has phoned in all of his Marvel work since Cap Reborn, and despite a few years of Bucky Cap it felt like an extended stop gap between Steve runs/

GREY SCHERL:
Sound right?

AARON GLAZER:
Hey! Criminal is for Marvel!
But besides that, yep, pretty good.

GREY SCHERL:
it’s Icon, Icon doesn’t count

imageCAPTAIN AMERICA CORPS #2 (of 5)
Written by ROGER STERN
Penciled by PHILIPPE BRIONES
Cover by PHIL JIMENEZ
TWO CAPTAIN AMERICAS LEAD A TIME-TRAVELING

PATRIOTIC SQUAD TO RESTORE LIBERTY! Steve Rogers and Jim Barnes – joined by US Agent, American Dream and Commander A — now they find themselves in a dystopic America — and branded as traitors. Can they survive in a nation that has surrendered its soul to the mysterious AMERICOMMAND? Roger Stern (CAPTAIN AMERICA: WAR & REMEMBRANCE) and Philippe Briones (IRON MAN: LEGACY) will show you a world where the Captains America have been declared ENEMIES OF THE STATE!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

GREY SCHERL:
This actually sounds kinda cool, it’s Roger Stern!

AARON GLAZER:
Yeah… you have fun with that.
I don’t need every damn book to have its own Corps.

GREY SCHERL:
This is something I am totally getting in trade

AARON GLAZER:
Have fun with that. At least it’s $2.99

imageCAPTAIN AMERICA AND BUCKY #620
Written by ED BRUBAKER & MARK ANDREYKO
Penciled by CHRIS SAMNEE
Cover by ED MCGUINNESS
Variant Cover by TBA

Think you know the story of Cap and Bucky’s origins? Well, think again. The secret story of the early days of Captain America, told from Bucky Barnes’s point of view. From co-writers Ed Brubaker and Marc Andreyko with artist Chris Samnee (Thor: The Mighty Avenger).
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

GREY SCHERL:
Andreyko is the selling point for this title for me, but I still probably won’t buy it

AARON GLAZER:
Samnee drawing almost has me there.
If it weren’t another re-do of an origin story, it’d have sold me

GREY SCHERL:
Why can’t they just do a period piece in World War 2? How many new takes on the origin do we need?

AARON GLAZER:
I’m sick of WW2 stories. Can Cap deal with one issue that isn’t from 70 years ago?

imageALL-WINNERS SQUAD: BAND OF HEROES #2 (of 8)
Written by PAUL JENKINS
Art by CARMINE DI GIANDOMENICO
Cover by MICO SUAYAN

The super-powered veterans of World War II are facing a deadly mystery…and it goes all the way back to the top-secret missions they ran behind enemy lines under Captain America’s command! Help in unraveling the mystery will come from a very tricky source – and nothing is what it seems!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

GREY SCHERL:
This actually has an interesting creative team…still not buying it

AARON GLAZER:
I don’t like Jenkins at all. and hey, more WW2 shit.

GREY SCHERL:
I think Jenkins will do fine with Deadman and DC Universe Presents…but this is Marvel, so that doesn’t matter here
But speaking of World War 2 shit…

imageRED SKULL #1 (of 5)
Written by GREG PAK
Art by MIRKO COLAK
Cover by DAVID AJA

Witness the chilling creation of Marvel’s greatest monster, and liberty’s greatest enemy. As Berlin descends into chaos and ruin, sinister forces are on the rise…and the men who will form the Nazi Party ascend to power. Against this tragic backdrop of history, a boy comes of age…Johann Schmidt. orphan, thug, urchin – Johann has nothing…and how far he would go for power will change the world…Greg Pak, the writer of X-MEN: MAGNETO – TESTAMENT, and breakout Mirko Colak (SECRET WARRIORS) bring to life the twisted birth of the Red Skull.
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$2.99

GREY SCHERL:
So I guess the Red Skull is coming back soon

AARON GLAZER:
Snore. You see, there’s a movie, so we must flood the market with shit no one will buy because like 2 people who see the fucking movie bother with comics.

GREY SCHERL:
Movies don’t draw extended audiences to the books, and Marvel loves to flood.

imageAMAZING SPIDER-MAN #665
Written by DAN SLOTT
Penciled by RYAN STEGMAN
Cover by Paolo Rivera
Infested backup by Dan Slott & Giuseppe Cammuncolli
I AM CAPTAIN AMERICA VARIANT BY Michael Lark
“INFESTED” ENDS WITH SPIDEY AT THE “CROSSROADS”

As Spider-Man, he’s a member of the FF and TWO different Avengers teams. As Peter Parker, he works all hours on his dream job at Horizon Labs. That doesn’t leave him with much time for anything or anyone else. This is where he pays the price. In this landmark issue, one of Peter’s greatest sins– comes back to haunt him. And the life of someone dear to him hangs in the balance. Plus: With New York’s Infestation complete, the run-up to Spider-Island is over. Prepare for hell to break loose.
40 PGS./Rated A …$3.99

GREY SCHERL:
Something about Spider-Island is drawing me in…it might be the use of The Jackal

AARON GLAZER:
I don’t care for Spider-Island at all, but are they teasing Mephisto?

GREY SCHERL:
Probably something to do with Gwen, again Jackal…you know how to make this book awesome? Bring back Ben Reilly

imageVENOM #5 Written by RICK REMENDER
Penciled by TONY MOORE & TOM FOWLER
Cover by TONY MOORE
THE HOTTEST NEW BOOK IN COMICS IS BACK WITH A SPIDER-ISLAND PRELUDE!

Can the new Venom and Peter Parker (The Amazing Spider-Man) put aside their differences to help save a man from himself? Plus Betty Brant, crusading blogger and gal pal to Flash Thompson may be onto the secrets behind the infestation kicking off this summer’s Spider-Blockbuster! Rick Remender (X-FORCE) joins Tony Moore (FRANKEN-CASTLE) and Tom Fowler (I AM AN AVENGER) for the next crucial chapter in the life of Flash Thompson!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

AARON GLAZER:
I like this book.
I know, but I do

GREY SCHERL:
I read the first issue and was really disappointed, letting Slott do the prelude ruined this book for me by building up expectations to never be met with Flash as James Bond

AARON GLAZER:
The book isn’t remotely like that, but it’s a fun book.

GREY SCHERL:
I know, that’s why it kills me, they sold the book to me with Slott’s take and then delivered something completely different, it wasn’t bad but the bait and switch left a bad taste in my mouth

AARON GLAZER:
Fair enough. I dig Remender, and it wasn’t his fault.

GREY SCHERL:
Yeah, I’m not knocking Remender or the book, just saying Marvel completely screwed up with the teaser

AARON GLAZER:
Fair enough.

imageVENOM: FLASHPOINT #1
Collecting AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (1963) #654.1 and material from #654, and VENOM (2011) #1.
56 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99

GREY SCHERL:
I’m putting this up for the obvious "Hey look, Marvel is trying to sell a book with a confusing name again", Identity Disk to Identity Crisis, and now Venom gets his own Flashpoint

AARON GLAZER:
Well, DC did re-release Invasion! during Secret Invasion. Comics are stupid.
Marvel and DC need to realize it’s not a competition and they probably need one another to survive.

GREY SCHERL:
They really do

imageAMAZING SPIDER-MAN #666
Written by DAN SLOTT
Penciled by STEFANO CASELLI
Cover by Mike Del Mundo
Variant Cover by Humberto Ramos
Special Comic Shop Variant also available (more details to follow)
THE SPIDER-MAN STORY OF THE DECADE BEGINS WITH THS “SPIDER-ISLAND: PRELUDE”

Super-star writer Dan Slott and fan-favorite Spidey artist Stefano Caselli are back! New York has been INFESTED and the web grows as it gets ready to explode into SPIDER-ISLAND! Normal people are getting Spider-Powers! But not all of them
realize that with great power must also come ….you know the rest. Okay, sure we often say Peter Parker’s life will never be the same. But listen, pal, we’ve never been more serious. Heroes and villains are crawling all over Manahttan and no one knows why. This will change everything for Pete, for Spidey…and possibly for YOU! Look at it this way…If EVERYONE’S a Spider-Man…
then no one is.
40 PGS./Rated A …$3.99

GREY SCHERL:
I’m in for this out of my love for the Clone Saga and the Jackal involvement

AARON GLAZER:
You have fun with your horrible mess of a character. I’ll enjoy him in small doses in team books. If anyone in comics needs Flashpoint’s reset, it’s Peter Parker.

GREY SCHERL:
He needs the reboot that 90% of the DC Universe isn’t getting

AARON GLAZER:
Ha, sure they aren’t.

GREY SCHERL:
If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it, but Spider-Man is horribly broken so someone please fix it

AARON GLAZER:
I know. Then again, that plea is how we got Mephisto…

image15-LOVE #2 (of 3)
Written by ANDI WATSON
Penciled by TOMMY OHTSUKA
Cover by SHO MURASE

Millie Collins is finding that her dream of playing tennis is not as easy as she’s thought. Her new coach, Walt, has her working day and night, training to get her off the bottom of the Wayde Tennis Academy’s ranking. But when a photographer takes an interest in Mill, a whole new wrinkle is added into her life. Can she make time for modeling and still save herself from being expelled?
48 PGS./Rated A …$4.99

GREY SCHERL:
Umm…what?

AARON GLAZER:
I have no idea what 15 love is.

GREY SCHERL:
There’s a tennis book? What?

imageTHE MIGHTY THOR #4
Written by MATT FRACTION
Pencils & Cover by OLIVIER COIPEL
ASGARD RISES AGAINST GALACTUS!

The World Eater has come for something buried deep within the heart of Fallen Asgard. As Odin leads an assault wave of gods against Galactus, a wounded Thor must contend with the Silver Surfer once more! All of which leaves Volstagg and Kid Loki in charge of the Shining City for an afternoon. What could possibly go wrong?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

GREY SCHERL:
Thor vs Galactus does nothing for me, at all

AARON GLAZER:
Why would it? There isn’t even a decent thematic link.

GREY SCHERL:
This book is just…it’s big concept without purpose or execution, and knowledge that the Big G isn’t big concept

AARON GLAZER:
Sigh. Moving on.

imageASTONISHING THOR #5 (of 5)
Written by ROB RODI
Pencils & Cover by MIKE CHOI

The epic conclusion of "Planetfall." Worlds collide—literally—as living planets Ego and Alter-Ego tear into each other…with Earth as collateral damage! Can the god of thunder halt the global-scale mayhem before all three planets are atomized—or is one world destined for destruction? Plus: The Stranger! The Collector! Zephyr! Black holes and dream realities! This one’s got it all.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

GREY SCHERL:
I forgot this mini was coming out

AARON GLAZER:
I never cared. They cancelled my Thor title already.

imageTHOR: HEAVEN & EARTH #1 (of 4)
Written by PAUL JENKINS
Art & Cover by Ariel Olivetti

In the days before the terrible events of Ragnarok, the Gods of Asgard stare across the ramparts of their city towards a massive, demonic army massed at the gates — the prophesied End of All Days is about to begin. As the armies of darkness begin their initial attacks, Thor confronts Loki, who is destined to usher in the fall of Asgard. But what he learns from the Loki may change the way he sees his treacherous half-brother. For perhaps this terrible event is a time also of renewal. Perhaps in this desperate hour even the God of Lies has a purpose.
32 PGS./All Ages …$2.99

GREY SCHERL:
I think someone at Marvel forgot that Thor was in May and Captain America is in July
Why else is there a Jenkins mini?

AARON GLAZER:
There are fifteen Thor books, yet I couldn’t keep Mighty Avenger.

imageCAP AND THOR! AVENGERS
Written by FRED VAN LENTE
Art & Cover by RON LIM

This summer, Marvel Studios is bringing to life two of the AVENGERS in THOR and CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER. But their adventures don’t end on the silver screen. Pick up this 48-page book for two whole new stories starring Thor, Cap, and all your favorite characters from the films! Citadel of Spires: When Fandral—one of the Warriors Three—is taken captive, it’s up to Thor, Sif and Loki to get him back… despite going up against one of the fiercest creatures in the nine realms! U-Base: When Hydra’s U-Boats take out an Allied target, it’s up to CAPTAIN AMERICA and his HOWLING COMMANDOS to strike back! The heroes sneak in to a Hydra U-Base, but there they find that the tentacles in the Hydra logo might not be simply symbolize! From FRED VAN LENTE (Amazing Spider-Man, Incredible Hercules) and RON LIM (Silver Surfer, Infinity Gauntlet) comes a duo of Adventures from this
summer’s hottest heroes!
48 PGS./All Ages …$4.99

GREY SCHERL:
This will probably be the best Thor or Captain America title out in July
Take that however you will

AARON GLAZER:
I like Van Lente. I still won’t buy it. I want my motherfucking Thor: Mighty Avenger. Langridge couldn’t write another awesome Thor/Cap mini? FFS, I hate you, Marvel.

imageINCREDIBLE HULKS #632 & 633
Written by GREG PAK
Pencils & Covers by PAUL PELLETIER
I AM CAPTAIN AMERICA VARIANT BY TBA

“Planet Hulk” and “World War Hulk” writer Greg Pak ends his legendary “Incredible Hulk” run with his most explosive, unpredictable and revelation-packed story to date! For the past year, Bruce Banner has fought gods and monsters to protect his family and everything he holds dear, but now he’s up against the toughest foe the angriest man on the planet has ever faced – his own shocking desires. When a genuine wishing well is unleashed upon the Marvel Universe, everyone’s true yearnings are fulfilled. But between what we think we want and what we truly desire may lie a terrifying chasm – made all the more dangerous by Umar of the Dark Dimension and Armageddon, Warlord of the Troyjan!
32 PGS. (each)/Rated A …$2.99 (each)

GREY SCHERL:
Pak is done on Hulk? Is it for realz this time?

AARON GLAZER:
Hope so. His first run rocked. This one? Not so much.

GREY SCHERL:
Planet Hulk was awesome, but it’s been downhill from there

AARON GLAZER:
I liked World War Hulk.

GREY SCHERL:
I didn’t think it lived up to the Planet Hulk hype engine

AARON GLAZER:
I’m not big on hype. It was a fun story.

GREY SCHERL:
I’ll give it to you

imageHULK #36
Written by JEFF PARKER
Pencils & Cover by PATRICK ZIRCHER
I AM CAPTAIN AMERICA VARIANT BY John Tyler Christopher

Why is Red Hulk dreaming of people dying- and how does this vision lead tothe all-new, all-improved M.O.D.O.K.? Fortunately for Red Hulk, part of M.O.D.O.K.’s new M.O. is a more non-confrontational personal approach to villainy. Unfortunately for Red Hulk, although M.O.D.O.K. desires to keep his own hands clean, he feels no such need to reign in his newest ally, the electrifying Zzzax!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

AARON GLAZER:
Two issues this month?
I can live with this. I think I’m pulling this book. MODOK rocks,and Zzzax is fun.

GREY SCHERL:
The odd part is it’s two issues solicited separately, Uncanny and Incredible Hulks were two issues in one solicit

AARON GLAZER:
Right, true.

GREY SCHERL:
At least it isn’t Fear Itself

AARON GLAZER:
Well, I know why. The other ones were Fear Itself tie ins, this isn’t.

GREY SCHERL:
We should start quoting Steve Austin shirts and "Fuck Fear"

AARON GLAZER:
Ha damn right.

imageSPIDER-MAN #16
Written by PAUL TOBIN
Penciled by MATTEO LOLLI
Cover by ALE GARZA
THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN TEAMS WITH THE SORCERER SUPREME!

Climbing on walls doesn’t do a lot of good when you’re fighting an enemy that can fire magical bolts and summon demons, so when Baron Mordo takes over New York City’s entire population, Spider-Man calls upon the help of Dr. Strange!
32 PGS./All Ages …$2.99

GREY SCHERL:
I wonder how many people buy this book not realizing it’s Marvel Age

AARON GLAZER:
I buy it.

AARON GLAZER:
It’s a lot of fun.

imageVENGEANCE #1 (of 6)
Written by JOE CASEY
Penciled by NICK DRAGOTTA
Cover by GABRIELE DELL’OTTO
Villain Variant Cover by TBA
A MOST EPIC EVIL EXPLORATION OF THE MARVEL U!

When MAGNETO of the X-Men tries to rescue a young Mutant on the run, he accidently kicks off a series of events that will shake the very Marvel Universe to it’s core! Who are the new TEEN BRIGADE?! Who are the Brotherhood and what do they want with the YOUNG MASTERS OF EVIL?! And how is the RED SKULL pulling the strings from beyond the grave? Joe Casey (AVENGERS: EARTH’S MIGHTIEST) joins Nick Dragotta (FANTASTIC FOUR) for some major acts of VENGEANCE!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

GREY SCHERL:
This intrigues me for some reason

AARON GLAZER:
I know why.

GREY SCHERL:
Joe Casey can be really awesome?

AARON GLAZER:
That’s it. I’m considering it, but $3.99 is a turn off.

GREY SCHERL:
This is definitely worth the read, but it’s going to depend on how big the week it comes out in is. Otherwise it might wind up in trade for me.

AARON GLAZER:
Same idea.

imageDEFENDERS: FROM THE MARVEL VAULT #1
Written by FABIAN NICIEZA & KURT BUSIEK
Pencils & Cover by MARK BAGLEY

A Marvel Masterpiece from deep inside the treasure vaults can now be told!
The original team of Doctor Strange, The Hulk, Silver Surfer and Namor are together again for a hidden adventure! But why was this tale lost? What happens in other dimensions stays in other dimensions, so what unspeakable secrets of the The Defenders are to be revealed? Find out at last in these pages with the illustrious words of Kurt Busiek
(THE DEFENDERS, MARVELS) and the incomparable artwork
of artist Mark Bagley (ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN)!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

GREY SCHERL:
I might get this, From the Vault is kinda awesome

AARON GLAZER:
I.E. Marvel just realized they had this sitting in a desk.

GREY SCHERL:
Yup, they did the same with that Thunderbolts issue a month or two ago, loved it

imageTHE IRON AGE #2 (of 3)
Written by JEN VAN METER & ELLIOTT KALAN
Penciled by NICK DRAGOTTA & RON FRENZ
Power Man and Iron Fist Variant by MICHAEL LARK
Fantastic Four Variant by RON FRENZ
CAN IRON MAN SAVE JOHNNY STORM’S LIFE?!

Trapped in the past, Iron Man must team with The Human Torch to get back to the future – but DOCTOR DOOM stands in their way! IF they survive, can Stark warn Johnny of his eventual demise? SHOULD he? Killer Robots! Broken Hearts! The Battle of Gettysburg! This one’s got it all! Writer Elliott Kalan (AGE OF HEROES) joins the legendary team of Ron Frenz (SPIDER-GIRL) and Sal Buscema (SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN) in JOHNNY STORM: SUPER STAR! BUT FIRST! Can the combined muscle of POWER MAN & IRON FIST help Iron Man get back to the present and save our world from the PHOENIX? Jen Van Meter (THE BLACK CAT) joins Nick Dragotta (FANTASTIC FOUR) to bring you GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS PAST!
48 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99

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AARON GLAZER:
No thanks.

GREY SCHERL:
I feel like this book could be cool if it mattered

AARON GLAZER:
Mattering doesn’t matter to me. I just want good stories.

GREY SCHERL:
Yeah, but if it mattered then it would probably get more attention and feel less like filler

AARON GLAZER:
fair enough.

imageMARVEL ZOMBIES CHRISTMAS CAROL #4 (of 5)
Written by JIM McCANN
Penciled by DAVID BALDEON
Cover by MICHAEL WM KALUTA

He’s faced the past and his role in the origin of the plague sweeping the land. The present is wrought with the Hungry Dead. And now, the worst stands at Scrooge’s doorstep- the Spirit of Christmas Yet To Come. What horrific visions does this
specter hold and is there any hope for mankind short of Scrooge sacrificing himself? Zombies and ghosts collide around the man known as Ebeneezer Scrooge, the deadliest man in town.
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

 

GREY SCHERL:
Way to go Marvel, you’re making me sick of Zombies, thanks

AARON GLAZER:
It’s your boy McCann, too.

GREY SCHERL:
I wound up checking out after Hawkeye and Mockingbird

AARON GLAZER:
That sucks, I liked him, but he hasn’t gotten a book that interests me.

imageFF #6 & #7
Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN
Pencils by GREG TOCCHINI
Covers by MARK BAGLEY

The Return of the King.
Black Bolt is back and is determined to reclaim his throne.
32 PGS. (each)/Rated T+ $2.99 (each)

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GREY SCHERL:
Nice, simple, to the point, I wish we had a non-Tocchini artist

AARON GLAZER:
It’ll be great. I’m cool. This is my favorite book.

GREY SCHERL:
I’m buying it, I just haven’t liked the recent Tocchini stuff I’ve seen

A lifelong reader and self proclaimed continuity guru, Grey is the Editor in Chief of Comics Nexus. Known for his love of Booster Gold, Spider-Girl (the real one), Stephanie Brown, and The Boys. Don't miss The Gold Standard.