Good lord! Marvel comics must be hemorrhaging money. In addition to having three times as many titles as DC does on this week’s Pull List, over a quarter of those titles are new releases or title changes related to the “Dark Reign” event that, let’s face it, most people wish would end! Its a pretty big list this week, Marvel comes in on top with 30 titles, while DC puts out 11 titles. Hey, quality over quantity folks. Don’t forget: just because it isn’t on the list doesn’t mean it isn’t good.
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #598 MARVEL
Why You Should Read It: The “American Son” arc picked up steam last week as a Venom disguised Spider-Man infiltrated the Osborn-run Avengers Tower, only to be sold out by Harry Osborn. With the impending birth of the child of Harry Osborn and Lily and the upcoming “Red Headed Stranger” arc promising to return Mary Jane to the core Spider-Man universe, its a safe bet that the repercussions of these arcs may be felt for some time.
Official Solicitation: “That cover pretty much tells you what you need to know. Is there an evil obstetrician in the house?!?”
DARK AVENGERS/UNCANNY X-MEN: UTOPIA #1 MARVEL
Why You Should Read It: Sure, the Dark Reign has been a bloated disaster, but the fallout has been enjoyable at least. But the one question that’s been on everyone’s lips: how does the Dark Reign affect the newly San Francisco based X-Men? If the cover art is any indication, not well…
Official Solicitation: “The Dark Avengers take on the Uncanny X-Men! Kicking off the 6-part crossover event, rising star Matt Fraction (UNCANNY X-MEN, INVINCIBLE IRON MAN) is joined by X-artist supreme Marc Silvestri (X-MEN: MESSIAH COMPLEX, CIVIL WAR: THE INITIATIVE ONE-SHOT) to bring you a story that shakes the foundations of the Marvel Universe. When mutant riots break out in San Francisco, Norman Osborn declares martial law and sends the Dark Avengers in to quell the riots and take down the X-Men. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Don’t miss the first Avengers/X-Men crossover in over 15 years!”
DETECTIVE COMICS #854 DC
Why You Should Read It: Easily the most anticipated part of the “Batman Reborn” crossover, the reins of Detective Comics have been handed over to “52”‘s Batwoman/Kate Kane. The JH Williams drawn and Greg Rucka penned series is already turning heads, so what could possibly make it better? How about the Rucka written/Cully Hamner illustrated second feature starring Kate’s ex-lover, Renee Montoya/The Question!?
Official Solicitation: “”Elegy” part 1 of 4! A new era in the history of DETECTIVE COMICS begins as Batwoman is unleashed on Gotham City! Marked by the blood-red bat, Kate Kane is a soldier fighting her own private war – one that began years ago and haunts her every waking moment. With a script by Greg Rucka and breath-taking art by JH Williams III, you’ve never seen anything like this!
Featuring the debut of a new co-feature starring The Question written by Rucka! Odds against you? Alone and nowhere to turn? Willing to fight, but you don’t know how? When you’re searching everywhere for an answer, sometimes all you need to do is ask the right Question. Renee Montoya again dons the faceless mask to help those in need, all the while searching for her own answers in this new adventure with art by Cully Hamner (BLUE BEETLE).”
GREEN LANTERN #42 DC
Why You Should Read It: The Blackest Night starts next month, and the final fate of the Orange Lantern is here! How will Hal cope with losing his hand last issue to Larfleeze’s attack? Will Larfleeze wield the power of the Blue Lantern? And what exactly is the power of the Orange Lantern worth?
Official Solicitation: “The conclusion to “Agent Orange”! Hal battles the leader of the Orange Lanterns in a bizarre confrontation between will and avarice! But what is the true secret behind the power of the Orange Light? And what value does it hold for the other Corps?”
NEW AVENGERS #54 MARVEL
Why You Should Read It: Last month, the Eye of Agamotto made its decision and found the new Sorcerer Supreme in Brother Voodoo. This month, he must defend his new title as the New Avengers face The Hood! Will everyone walk out alive? Its all leading up to Marvel’s upcoming “Doctor Voodoo: Avenger of Magic”, or is there another twist hidden somewhere inside this book?
Official Solicitation: “A Sorcerer Supreme is chosen! Be witness to a very important chapter in Avengers history and the lore of Marvel magic! Plus, the Avengers finally have a big showdown with the Hood and not everyone walks away from it unharmed!”
THE LAST DAYS OF ANIMAL MAN #2 DC
Why You Should Read It: Legendary comic writer Gerry Conway tells the What If final tale of Buddy Baker, his powers weakening and fluctuating. This issue picks up with Buddy in freefall, and promises appearances from the Mirror Master’s daughter and more.
Official Solicitation: “Buddy Baker’s powers have picked the wrong time to desert him – a thousand feet above the San Diego skyline! He’ll have to rely on the help of a most unlikely ally if he wants to survive his rematch with Bloodrage. But there’s more than one homicidal maniac out there with designs on his life, and the Mirror Master’s daughter won’t settle for the scraps Bloodrage plans on leaving behind!”
Also on sale this week…
ASTONISHING X-MEN #30 MARVEL
AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE #25 MARVEL
AVENGERS/INVADERS #12 MARVEL
DAREDEVIL #119 MARVEL
DARK AVENGERS #6 MARVEL
DARK REIGN: ELEKTRA #4 MARVEL
DARK REIGN: LETHAL LEGION #1 MARVEL
DARK REIGN: THE HOOD #2 MARVEL
DARK REIGN: THE SINISTER SPIDER-MAN #1 MARVEL
DARK REIGN: ZODIAC #1 MARVEL
DARK WOLVERINE #75 MARVEL
FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH: INK #2 DC
GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #1 DC
IMMORTAL IRON FIST #27 MARVEL
INCREDIBLE HERCULES #130 MARVEL
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #34 DC
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #28 DC
MS. MARVEL #40 MARVEL
NOVA #26 MARVEL
RUNAWAYS #11 MARVEL
SECRET WARRIORS #5 MARVEL
SUPERMAN #689 DC
TEEN TITANS #72 DC
THE SPIRIT #30 DC
THOR #602 MARVEL
THUNDERBOLTS #132 MARVEL
TIMESTORM 2009/2099: X-MEN #1 MARVEL
UNCANNY X-MEN #512 MARVEL
WOLVERINE NOIR #3 MARVEL
WOLVERINE: FIRST CLASS #15 MARVEL
WOLVERINE: WEAPON X #3 MARVEL
WONDER WOMAN #33 DC
X-FACTOR #45 MARVEL
X-FORCE #16 MARVEL
X-MEN FOREVER #2 MARVEL
Too much Dark Reign. Damn you, Marvel.
Yeah, its starting to get ridiculous. And the Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men could have just as easily been a crossover between their titles as it is a separate mini-series.
I wish I could afford to buy all of these!!! I hate being dependent on GN’s from the local Library. It always means I’m juuuust a bit behind. Great picks!
Mmeh, I hate to admit, but you’re not missing much on Marvel’s front. American Son is good, but it’ll be out in trade in six months. DC, on the other hand, is really turning heads. I for one am really looking forward to the revamped Detective Comics.
By the way? This whole Brother Voodoo as the new Sorcerer Supreme thing better be a big cop-out like the whole Captain America thing, and Stephen Strange better be back to his status as Sorcerer Supreme within two years.
They’re actually going to put out a new Dr. Strange mini soon, and have stated that despite losing the title of Sorcerer Supreme, Stephen Strange will still be active in the Marvel universe.
That said, God yes, end this Doctor Voodoo travesty now. It feels like a bad joke.