I got the least amount of comics last week after splurging on X-Men: Messiah Complex and a couple others - and got the most enjoyment out of them.

First, my hands-down favorite is Salvation Run #1. Written by Bill Willingham (Fables, Shadowpact), the story goes that the government is washing their hands of rogue supervillains by dropping them on a far-away planet. Unfortunately, some evil genius (my guess: Lex Luthor) has laid this planet with death-traps, and the villains now have to fight to survive. Enter the Flash rouges - Captain Cold, Mirror Master, Heat Wave, Abracadarba and Weather Wizard, who have been there for weeks after killing Bart Allen. The ultimate blue collar villains, the group survives on the planet by never letting their guard down and always watching each other’s back - but things get interesting when the Joker and the wedding crashers from Black Canary/Green Arrow’s wedding arrive planetside.  I see now why Willingham left Shadowpact - he’s gone on to write this - and it is good.

Though I’m not going to further splurge picking up every one of their many, many, many crossover, I do like the Challengers of Beyond, which consist of Kyle Rayner, Donna Troy, Jason Todd and Bob the Monitor, all searching for Ray Palmer, the former Atom who disappeared after Identity Crisis.  I just picked up their Wildstorm crossover, which features the team’s reaction to the anything-goes Authority, as well as cameos from Gen13, Grifter and Wetworks. Really, they could - and maybe should - have done a whole four issue mini-series with this premise, as none of the above characters get their due. The best part - Kyle’s reaction to the cryptic and creepy as hell hero formerly known as Captain Atom - and now calling himself “The Monarch.” - “Wow. That guy picked up a big dose of crazy and then got back in line for seconds.”

Despite shooting itself in the foot any number of times, “The New Avengers #36″ was actually pretty good. The beginning sucks because it manages to gloss over - and resolve - the current symbiote-centric story in the Mighty Avengers in six or seven pages, thereby ruining the ending. You also get very little Skrull action to boot. However, Wolverine’s confrontation of Jessica Drew in the shower of Stark Towers along with the jaw-dropping team-up on the last page make this well-worth the money - just don’t screw it up, Bendis!

“The Order”, which focuses on a new chapter of Stark-sponsored LA superheroes, was interesting, but still not making the strides of the prior series. Though the characters are well-rounded, the comic itself gets a bit too wordy, and there’s very little action to boot. Still, its a good team, and the premise - of people who get to be superheroes for 1 year only - is up and running with great effect.

Though its getting applause up the whazoo, I still don’t see Marvel’s Wraith being superior or equal to other Annihilation: Conquest tie-in’s such as Nova. Granted, I picked the worst team to get into the book - the 4th issue mini-series ender is overly wrought with exposition, but I do look forward to seeing this cosmic Man with No Man in other books throughout Marvel - but the forth and final issue of his titular mini-series seemed kind of drag in comparison to the major hype surrounding it. Then again, this character will probably get lots of play in the regular Annihilation: Conquest series.

Missed out on Messiah Complex Chapter 3: X-Factor, so don’t ask my thoughts - its still on layaway in my local comic book store. The fourth chapter is available in New X-Men #44.

Been really meaning to check out Captain America since his death put the spotlight on his supporting cast - the story continues in #32. There’s also Captain America: The Chosen #4 by Rambo: First Blood writer David Morrell - I flipped through one of the issues at my local drug store, and though it doesn’t take place in current continuity (I’m not sure if its simply out of continuity or just before Cap’s death), it does center around a soldier’s experience in Afghanistan. The art looks pretty serious - check it out.

On the DC Side, there’s Countdown to Mystery #3, which has done a pretty good job so far highlighting the trials and tribulations of the new Doctor Fate, and on a depressing side note, Eclipso’s quest to corrupt the heroes of the DCU. It looked like the Creeper was next on her list . . .

Justice League of America #15 calls itself the brawl of the century, but now its DC’s turn to shoot itself in the foot - we know all or most of the Injustice League is going to lend on Salvation’s Run, so the outcome is pretty much assured.

That’s it for this week. Not sure when I’ll run to the comic store next with Thanksgiving in all, but I’ll bring another update to your tomorrow - have a happy holiday!

If you liked that, try...

1. Comic Rundown: Marriage is A Knife to the Throat
2. Comic Rundown: Skrulls Down Right
3. Comic Rundown: Cliffhanger Culture
4. Comic Rundown: Peter Parker, Paparzzi?
5. Comic Rundown: Tin Soldiers And Super Soldiers

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