It’s great that we have The Dark Knight and Iron Man to look forward to this year - it makes all the dredge of the winter season bearable in movies. But not the same is true in comics. I’m only cautiously optimistic about Marvel’s Secret Invasion and even with Grant Morrison at the wheel, I’m just not ready for another Crisis, especially after 52 last summer and Infinite Crisis the one before.

Spending holiday gift cards left and right last week, neither were many of the current comics anything special. Though I ate up the last three issues of New Warriors, Grevioux’s current edition is too rooted in obscure NW history - and looks to only get worst - as the team itself is shunted to the background.

I continue to think Ray Harryhausen’s Sinbad, Rogue of Mars is awesome - despite a cover for once which hides some truly great interior artwork - and can’t wait for issue #2 or the next “Wrath of the Titans.” However, “20 Million Miles More”, featuring the ever-growing reptilian Ymir was truly underwhelming, as it features barely a shred of the trademark monster and a whole lot of corporate cliche villains in its wake.

On the good side, Cable and Deadpool’s third-to-last issue featuring Brother Voodoo was, as always, hilarious, even if Cable is off fighting the effects of Messiah Complex somewhere else. And finally, Countdown to Mystery #4 opens with a rematch between the Spectre and the Eclipso, and for once, the goateed Spectre really pull its weight. Go Goatee Spectre go!

This week, we’ve got Green Arrow/Black Canary #4 hit the stands. I’m sort of creeped out by this whole affair - last issue showed Connor taking a bullet to the chest after rescuing his dad from the Amazons. His condition remains a mystery, but on the solicitations cover here, we see the body still whited out, making me wonder if it’s even Connor at all or a even a bigger blow to the Green Archer. Definitely one to pick up!

Salvation Run also debuts it’s third issue with Grodd and Luthor controlling many of the villains hold up on a deserted alien planet. Written by Bill Willingham (Fables, Shadowpact), this one gets sold out very quickly - at least at my store - so definitely pick it up. It’s probably the most excited Crisis tie-in out there right now.

And Wonder Woman #16 adds the third issue of Gail Simone’s run on the character. Honestly, I haven’t been disappointed yet, especially with Grodd’s gorilla henchmen now serving WW! With gorgeous art by the Dodsons and witty writing Simone, this is Wonder Woman finally back where she belongs - in the top tier along with Batman and Superman.

On the Marvel side, we have Amazing Spider-Man #546 starting up Brand New Day. First off, a round of applause for Joe Q and JMS. He’s finally managed to break up the Parkers and all he had to do was shoot Aunt May and through in an ill-advised Faustian Pact somewhere. Wow, that takes class. Honestly, though, I’ll bite. The last pages of One More Day ended with Mephisto’s altering of reality leaving MJ and Peter broken up and unmarried, as well as the old gang back together - including Flash Thompson and Harry Osborn (!!!!!). This is actually a good thing because it beats the time Marvel tried to kill MJ off and just replace the old supporting cast. On the other hand though, it’s back to the 80’s for the webslinger - like the entire 90’s and 2000’s never happened, and while that might be such a bad thing, some really good stories (like Harry’s heroic death) are getting pissed on. Okay, Joe Q - you’ve got our attention, but don’t think you’re getting off light. I like Dan Slott (She-Hulk), so we’ll see what magic he can work for the webslinger here.

And if this week isn’t big enough for Marvel with Brand New Day, we also have Hulk #1 featuring . . . wait for it . . . RED HULK! A collective ughs are escaping Marvel Zombies - living, dead, or both - everywhere. However, I give this one the benefit of the doubt - it’s written by Jeph Leob, whose certainly made quite a lot fly on the last half-season of Heroes. With art by Ed McGuiness, it can’t be all bad . . . right?

Mighty Avengers #7 also unleashes a virus which turns all infected into Venoms! Good story except a) Spider-Man 3 is really old news and b) we already saw this story play out in New Avengers!

My money is on Nova #10. I just can’t get enough of this book. It’s like a Marvel Green Lantern on acid. The best books in either company are on the fringe, and Nova is set to the farthest corners of the galaxy as you can get. With pulse-pounding humor, action and dogs in spacesuits, what more could you ask for?

X-Factor #27 also opens with the death of an X-Man in the Messiah Complex. With the traitor apparently revealed to be Bishop, I shudder to think what this bodes for the unfortunate X-Man - it could be just about anyone!

That’s it for this week - see you all next week!

If you liked that, try...

1. Comic Rundown: Mr. Freeze Strikes Midwest
2. Comic Rundown: Colbert Vampire Skrulls
3. Comic Book Rundown:
4. Comic Book Rundown for May 1st
5. Comic Rundown: Marvel Monkeys Around

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