I read way too many comic books and couldn't wait for the next thread. Anyway, here are my thoughts on stuff I've recently read on newstands.
Amazing Spiderman: the best Spidey title by JSM, the flagship book that all others follow. Explains that he now wears the black costume to turn into a darker hero since they shot Aunt May. His focus is on getting revenge. In the other books, he still wears the dark costume only without the dark attitude.
Friendly Neighborhood Spiderman: coming off a very good Vulture storyline with a timely Sandman storyline. He has to help Sandman get his innocent father out of jail. It should be a top storyline, but Peter David muddles it by combining it with his far-out Spiderman and enemies from the future (~2211) story.
Spectacular Spiderman: vs. Mr. Hyde who turns people into imitation Spidermen. The worst of the three.
Avengers 29: Initiative - vs. Ninjas and Electra., good cast, but how much of a threat are a bunch of ninja's.
Mighty Avengers 2: Initiative - vs. Iron Man turned into a female Ultron. Unlikeable characters, slow pacing where nothing happens - even slow by Bendis standards. I’m surprised anyone buys this book.
X-Factor 18 - vs. Mutant terrorist group including the Blob. A far step down from the great X-Factor 16 featuring Reverend Maddox.
Astonishing X-Men: vs. planet that Collosus is going to destroy. Very good art with a spacey story. I’m so rooting for Collosus to follow through and crush the alien planet, just like I was rooting for the 24 president to follow through and nuke the Mideast.
U. X-Men: Shiar War (pt.8-11) The pace picked up a lot since they brought in the Starjammers with the Hitzibah catlady. Good art, but too much of a soap opera with lame characters. Vulcan must die.
DC:
52: week 50. Everybody vs. Black Adam. I always hated this series, but was told this was a must read issue starting World War 3. Each issue has 4 different writers and 2 different artists responsible which means nobody is responsible for it. A weekly rush job. I also never see how you can elevate the admitted B-listers by having them fight B-list villains. The way you elevate a B-list Mr. Miracle is by having him join the JLA and prove himself, not by beating up minor villains and calling it the B-list. If WW3 consists of everyone fighting Black Adam, then it is what it is.
Batman: vs. Joker, continues Morrison’s fine run on series.
Superman 662: vs. Amazon lady, a step down for Busiak, his first “I’m no Angel” storyline was good, this is a second filler issue running out of gas.
Superman/Batman 34: vs. Magnus and Metal Men. Another good issue, following the very good evil aliens saga. This could be the best team-up book. (I haven’t yet read the Brave & Bold - G. Perez book which could also be as good.)
Originally posted by skorpio1752: week 50. Everybody vs. Black Adam. I always hated this series, but was told this was a must read issue starting World War 3. Each issue has 4 different writers and 2 different artists responsible which means nobody is responsible for it. A weekly rush job. I also never see how you can elevate the admitted B-listers by having them fight B-list villains. The way you elevate a B-list Mr. Miracle is by having him join the JLA and prove himself, not by beating up minor villains and calling it the B-list. If WW3 consists of everyone fighting Black Adam, then it is what it is.
It is and it isn't. I read the four-issue WW3 series (released simultaneously with 52 #50) at a friend's place the other night. Much of the focus is the uber-battle with Black Adam, but even though I haven't followed it at all in the past several months (or any comics for that matter), I still got the impression that it was just a total rush job that they did when they realized there was no way they were going to deliver on some promised explanations for "One Year Later" with three issues remaining. A prime example is the two-page(?) segment where they explain why Aquaman has a Squid-face. I read that in particular and out loud said "...wait, what's this have to do with anything?"
It's FREE. I'll read it because it's free, and if it sucks, I'll delete it. That's the beauty of all of this. I actually have read the first 12 issues of Runaways.