Post-Crisis Comic Book Previews for 09/29/10

Light week for comics, but a couple of key releases for me with Paul Cornell's Lex Luthor centric Action Comics and Jonathan Hickman's Secret Warriors on tap.  Hit the jump to see what else Ryan and I are getting this week.

ACTION COMICS #893
Written by Paul Cornell and Nick Spencer
Art by Pete Woods and R.B. Silva

Lex Luthor is a pro at breaking man's laws, but when he leads a raid on one of Gorilla Grodd’s bases and breaks The Law of the Jungle – ""Don't Mess with Grodd"" – can he make it out alive? Or will he become Grodd's latest meal?
Plus, this issue kicks off an exciting new co-feature starring Jimmy Olsen by up-and comers Nick Spencer (Existence 3.0, Morning Glories) and R.B. Silva (SECRET SIX)! Get ready for an entirely different look at Metropolis – courtesy of Superman's pal!

Ryan: While I wasn’t exactly hooked on the first Lex Luthor issue of Action Comics (and haven’t picked up any issues since), I’ve been coaxed back to the series by the awesomeness of the Nick Spencer and R.B. Silva’s Jimmy Olsen backup. After the full first chapter was posted on Comixology last week, the story made the rounds on the internet, and generated a huge amount of buzz. I’ve never been a huge Jimmy Olsen fan, but this story was strong enough to convince me that I need to start picking up this title again.

Kirk: The Jimmy Olsen back-up is just going to add even more value to easily one of DC's best titles since Cornell took over.  


ARTIFACTS #2
Written by Ron Marz
Art by Michael Broussard

The Event FIVE Years in the Making! Thirteen mystical Artifacts will guide the fate of the world. Thirteen Artifacts will destroy the world. A mysterious being has taken Hope, the daughter of Sara Pezzini, the Witchblade bearer, and Jackie Estacado, the Darkness bearer; but his intent remains in shadow. As the two frantic parents search for their missing child, other players including Dani Baptiste, the Angelus bearer, Tom Judge, Magdalena and others are brought onto the board.

Ryan: The kind folks at Top Cow treat reviewers quite well and usually hook us up with review copies of their marquee titles. Despite having almost not experience with Top Cow’s properties prior to Artifacts, the strong mystery that Ron Marz is building and the shocking abduction of the daughter of Witchblade and Darkness hooked me in last issue. As long as this issue remains as new-reader friendly as the last was and can keep that momentum going, this should be awesome.


ASSET #1 (PILOT SEASON)
Written by Filip Sablik
Art by David Marquez

Finding that someone special in the modern age isn't easy; but online dating sites promise matches based on multi-faceted personality profiles. So what happens when you meet the woman of your dreams but she turns out to be more than what she seems? Madeline would be the perfect girlfriend if it wasn’t for the fact that she's trying to get Doug killed.
Created and written by Top Cow Publisher Filip Sablik (Black Diamond) and debuting up-and-coming artist David Marquez (Syndrome) along with a cover by Jenny Frison (Angel), The Asset redefines the femme fatale for the digital age.

Ryan: While I wasn’t exactly blown away by last week’s Pilot Season offering, 39 Minutes, I was very intrigued by the preview for this week’s Asset in the back of that issue. This story appears to be going in a different direction that most comics I’ve seen from Top Cow and the craftsmanship looks to be pretty solid. I’m looking forward to digging into this.


GI JOE: COBRA SPECIAL #2
Written by Mike Costa
Art by Antonio Fuso

Her name is Chameleon, and she is the JOE's newest recruit in COBRA II. Now we see the rest of her story—her recruitment, her first mission, and her mysterious connection to...well, you only THINK you know who we're talking about, as Mike Costa and Antonio Fuso attempt to outdo their previous, critically celebrated Special. This extra-length Special features an all-new G.I. Joe prose story from the upcoming G.I. Joe: The Cobra War prose anthology!

Ryan: While I am considering dropping GI Joe: Cobra because of its reliance on heavy exposition and the majorly disappointing art of Sergio Carrera, I’m going to give it a reprieve fro this special issue. Chameleon was pretty awesome in the first storyarc of this series and bringing Antonio Fuso back on art is a step in the right direction. Now if only the main series could go this route…


GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #16
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Andres Guinaldo

Secrets involving the ""Return of Bruce Wayne"" affect all three Sirens and set the girls against each other in a brutal display of their villainous roots! Guest-starring Zatanna and Talia al Ghul.

Ryan: This is going to be an in-shop decision. I really loved Gotham City Sirens when it launched as Paul Dini and Guillem March were putting together some really great stories. Unfortunately, I’m just not as impressed with the Tony Bedard fill-ins (though it looks like he’ll be taking over full-time now). The solicitation sounds pretty interesting, but I’m really tired of being disappointed by this once-great comic.



GREEN ARROW #4
Written by J.T. Krul
Art by Diogenes Neves

From the pages of BRIGHTEST DAY comes Martian Manhunter! His White Lantern vision has led him to the Emerald Archer's mystical forest. Is he there to save it – or destroy it? Can Oliver stop his former ally?

Ryan: Remember how the first few issues of this book worked really well when it remained very grounded and stayed away from the mystical mumbo jumbo? Yeah, that probably won’t be happening here. I will admit that my lack of interest in Brightest Day is definitely going to taint my interest in this issue. JT Krul has been doing a great job with this series when he sticks to a street-level approach; hopefully he can bring some of that magic to this issue when he moves out of that realm.


SECRET WARRIORS #20
Written by Jonathan Hickman
Art by Alessandro Vitti

"Night", the new story arc of SECRET WARRIORS begins here! After the devastating events of "The Last Ride of the Howling Commandos", an even more determined Nick Fury sets his endgame in motion. Join us as Jonathan Hickman begins to bring all his mad plans to fruition and we rocket towards the jaw-dropping conclusion of what ComicBookResources.com calls "a great, anything-goes series!"

Kirk: Wasn't aware the series was "rocketing toward the jaw-dropping conclusion" just yet.  Feels like we have a lot of work to do before we get to that, but maybe this issue sets the entire endgame in motion.  




VALKYRIE #1
Written by Bryan J.L. Glass
Art by Phil Winslade

From the pages of SECRET AVENGERS—the untold story of the rebirth of Valkyrie! In AVENGERS DISASSEMBLED, Ragnarok claimed the lives of the Asgardians, until they were reborn along with Thor himself...but when and how did the legendary shield maiden Brunhilde return? How does a murder mystery hold all the answers? And how can Valkyrie solve the riddle of her own death? Dare a glimpse into the soul of Marvel's most misunderstood heroine, and witness her transformation from myth to Defender to Avenger! Featuring the Marvel Universe writing debut of acclaimed writer Bryan J.L. Glass (The Mice Templar), and the stunning pencils of Phil Winslade (Wonder Woman)!

Ryan: I seriously know absolutely nothing about Valkyrie other than her very minor role in Secret Avengers before I dropped it and her guest appearance in Avengers Academy earlier this year. Normally that means I’d skip this one-shot, but with Bryan J.L. Glass writing it, there is no way that I’m going to miss it. I really have no idea what to expect from this issue, but that doesn’t stop me from being excited about it!


WONDER WOMAN #603
Written by J. Michael Straczynski
Art by Don Kramer

Diana discovers that the men out to kill her and the other surviving Amazons are only the tip of the iceberg...but can even Wonder Woman survive her battle with the horrific creatures called the Keres?

Ryan: I’ve been pleasantly surprised with J. Michael Straczynki’s run on Wonder Woman, especially considering the bold new direction he is taking the title in. The shockingly violent end to last issue raised a lot of questions that I hope JMS addresses here as Wonder Woman continues to search for meaning and purpose in the world.

Kirk: I, too, am quite pleased with JMS's Wonder Woman.  Didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I am.


X-MEN: LEGACY #240
Written by Mike Carey
Art by Clay Mann

The city of Mumbai is coming apart at the seams, torn asunder by freak energy storms...and Rogue and Magneto have finally discovered their source: The Children of the Vault have returned. And the X-Men may not be enough to stop them. But might their ""new mutant"" tip the scales in their favor?

Ryan: After a few disappointing issues, the surprising return of the Children of the Vault put this book back on track last issue. I’m still not terribly impressed with the superficial portrayal of India in this storyline, but I’m hoping that the inevitable action of this issue will be a nice distraction from the poor stereotypes and unbalanced characterization.

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