The Pull List! Week of May 13, 2009

Well, its a huge week for comics this week. Azrael: Death’s Dark Knight and Oracle: The Cure both end their mini series, signaling the end of Battle For The Cowl is near (next week, to be exact). Meanwhile, Marvel has pushed back the conclusion of Old Man Logan, while Punisher: Frank Castle wraps up its initial arc, and we get some fun with the pet sidekicks of Marvel characters. So, let’s dive in to this week’s Pull List! And remember, just because it isn’t on the list doesn’t mean it isn’t good.

SHIPPING THIS WEEK FROM DC COMICS

For more information, visit this publisher at http://www.dccomics.com/

Action Comics #877

Why You Should Read It: The continuing adventures of Nightwing and Flamebird as they try to capture Kryptonian Sleeper Agents before a war starts with New Krypton!

What You Need To Know: Tortured by his birth mother, Ursa, and mutated by the Phantom Zone, Christopher Kent has been freed from the Phantom Zone by Thara Ak-Var, Kryptonian Chief of Security and childhood friend of Kara Zor-El/Supergirl. The two have taken to Earth as the new Nightwing and Flamebird, seeking out Kryptonian sleeper agents who intend to start war with Earth! Beaten and bloodied by Ursa and with the Fortress of Solitude destroyed, Christopher has gone to the only woman he can trust to try and save Flamebird…his Earth mother, Lois Lane.

Official Solicitation: “Nightwing and Flamebird have beaten back Ursa’s first assault. But Round Two is about to begin! Forget brutal – now it gets personal.”

Azrael: Death’s Dark Knight #3 (of 3)

Why You Should Read It: An exploration of life and death, as the new Azrael is introduced to the DC Universe.

What You Need To Know: Michael Washington Lane, his life surrounded in tragedy and his mind shattered by the psychotic Dr. Hurt, has taken on the Suit of Sorrows and become the new Azrael. Talia al Ghul and Nightwing want the suit back, while Lane wants to use the Azrael identity and suit as a means of redeeming his own tortured soul.

Official Solicitation: “If murder and suicide are sins before God, then what if you were asked to kill in the name of God and by doing so, it would ultimately kill you? To reclaim his damaged soul, to redeem the mistakes of his past and to make a difference in a Gotham City that has been torn apart by the death of The Dark Knight, Azrael must make a fateful decision – become a hero and die, serving in Heaven or reject the opportunity and live, damned to suffer in Hell.

And while large issues of life and death, morality and eternal salvation are weighed, Azrael must also confront the two parties interested in regaining the Suit of Sorrows: Talia al Ghul and Nightwing!”

Oracle: The Cure #3 (of 3)

Why You Should Read It: There’s a new Batgirl on the horizon, but who will it be? The identity may be a mystery, but its a given that Barbara Gordon will play a role in it, and her story ends here…but will it end for good?

What You Need To Know: As the Calculator’s daughter lies dying, he scrambles to discover the missing pieces of the Anti-Life Equation so he can save her life. When his quest starts killing players in a virtual game, he attracts the attention of Oracle, but can she stop him before more lives are taken?

Official Solicitation: “The remnants of Anti-Life are within the Calculator’s grasp, and he will kill anyone who stands in his way! Will the Calculator be able to save the life of his daughter? Or will Oracle stop him from killing more Internet hackers? Either way, someone dies and someone gains ultimate knowledge…but at what price? Be here for the stunning conclusion that will change Oracle and the Birds of Prey forever!”

Also shipping this week from DC Comics…

Batman Confidential #29 – Batman must stop a cop whose mind was destroyed by the Joker.

Booster Gold #20 – Booster Gold steps into the Cold War to save a team of cosmonauts.

Final Crisis Aftermath: Escape #1 (of 6) – When Nemesis is held captive, he must find a way to escape!

Green Lantern Corps #36 – What sacrifice must Sodam Yat, the Lantern now known as Ion, make to save his homeworld of Daxam?

Titans #13 — “Deathtrap” Part 4! The Titans, Teen Titans, and Vigilante must find a way to stop Jericho.

SHIPPING THIS WEEK FROM MARVEL COMICS

For more information, visit this publisher at http://www.marvel.com/

Dark Reign: Hawkeye #2

Why You Should Read It: The continuing adventures (or mis-adventures) of Bullseye, now disguised as Hawkeye!

What You Need To Know: When Norman Osborn saved the world from the Skrull Invasion, he became the world’s savior, replacing Tony Stark and turning his own Thunderbolts into the new Avengers. Bullseye has taken on the guise of Hawkeye, but the cracks are starting to show, as he becomes more and more unstable.

Official Solicitation: “Bullseye cuts loose in this DARK REIGN tie-in! Reporter Ben Urich investigates a brutal massacre that has all the hallmarks of the notorious assassin Bullseye. But can Urich connect the murders to the Dark Avenger known as Hawkeye? Norman Osborn must bring H.A.M.M.E.R. down to hide the awful truth before it tears the team apart-and poisons the Avengers’ noble legacy forever! The killer creative team of Andy Diggle (THUNDERBOLTS) and Tom Raney (SECRET INVASION: INHUMANS) spins the spotlight on one of Marvel’s most controversial characters!”

Deadpool: Suicide Kings #2

Why You Should Read It: Its Deadpool doing what he does best, making a mess and cracking wise as the body count rises and all hell breaks loose!

What You Need To Know: The Merc with a Mouth was hired for an assassination, only to be set up for a murder he didn’t commit! Now the whole world is out to get Deadpool, starting with The Punisher!

Official Solicitation: “”SUICIDE KINGS,” PART 2: DEAD MAN’S HAND
Deadpool’s latest job has gotten him into a world of trouble. Someone’s framed Deadpool, and it just might be the same guy who hired him in the first place, a guy who just might be using the mouthy merc as a wild card in a twisted wager. If Wade’s going to clear his name and serve up some revenge, first he’s got to avoid getting killed by the force of nature known as the Punisher. That’s right: It’s Wade versus Frank round, like, whatever…and the only way Deadpool’s going to survive is with a little help from a certain Man Without Fear.”

Lockjaw And The Pet Avengers #1

Why You Should Read It: Pet. Avengers. ’nuff said.

What You Need To Know: The pet sidekicks and friends of Marvel’s greatest heroes are united to stop evil and just generally be awesome, in a comic that can only be described as “for the ages”.

Official Solicitation: And there came a day, a day unlike any other, when Earth’s mightiest heroes were unaware of a threat greater than all of them could handle. And on that day, a teleporting puppy scoured the world to assemble a team of animals to fight the foes no single beast could withstand! Strap on your collar and hop on-board the adventures of LOCKJAW, LOCKHEED, REDWING, HAIRBALL, and an all-new FROG THOR! Written by Eisner-nominee CHRIS ELIOPOULOS with art by fan-favorite IG GUARA, color by INCREDIBLE HULK colorist CHRIS SOTOMAYOR and variant covers by PRIDE OF BAGHDAD artist NIKO HENRICHON!”

Also shipping this week from Marvel Comics…

Black Panther #4 – The new Black Panther must earn the approval of the Panther God!

Captain Britain and MI13 #13 – Who is the traitor among MI13?

Dark Reign: Young Avengers #1 – There’s a new team of Young Avengers in town, and the original team of Young Avengers may have something to say about that!

Punisher: Frank Castle #70 – The conclusion of “Six Hours To Kill”! Can Punisher find a cure, or is he doomed to die in the streets of Philadelphia?

Secret Warriors #4 – Find out what happened to the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.!

Ultimate Spider-Man #132 – Spider-Man is missing, as Mary Jane and Kitty Pryde fight it out!

War of Kings: Ascension #2 — Who are the Raptors, and is this the end of Darkhawk?

Wolverine #73 – Two epic tales begin here and in next month! (Note: “Old Man Logan” is slated to conclude at a later date)

X-Factor #43 – Who is targeting mutants for extinction?