Weekly Crisis Comic Book Reviews for 09/26/07 - Updated

The Weekly Crisis is back this week to solve your weekly comic book purchasing crisis with Weekly Crisis Comic Book Reviews! Lot of great comics out this week with a lot of my personal favourites, such as Immortal Iron Fist, Starlord and a whole lot more. This update will be about 10 comics, but check back again later tonight for the rest of the comic book reviews. If you need something to pass the time between updates, check out my Superman: Doomsday movie review or the JLA: The New Frontier comic book review / movie preview.

Remember, comments are always welcome and require no registration, so let me know what you think of this week's books or anything that strikes your fancy. If you've got a specific moment from one of your books in mind, let me know and I'll check it out and possibly add it to this week's Comic Book Moments of the Week. When you're ready for this weeks reviews, buckle up and hit the jump.

UPDATE #1 - Added Teen Titans #51 to the reviews. Working my way through couple more books as well. Hopefully have the rest up tonight or early tomorrow.

UPDATE #2 - Sorry for the delay. I hate making excuses, but it was my mother's birthday and we all got together and went took her out for supper. Some relatives came home today as well and we all caught up with each other and I had left my updates go too long. Again, my apologies for the wait. For those still interested, here's Blue Beetle #19, Ultimate Spider-Man #114 and Justice League of America #13 for your reading pleasure. Green Lantern Corps was quietly delayed to next week according to Diamond, so no go on that review if you were wondering where it went. New reviews are at the bottom of the post for convience.

Comic Book Of The Week

TEEN TITANS #51
Written by Sean McKeever
Art by Alé Garza & Marlo Alquiza

After reading this issue, I had to bump STARLORD off the Book of the Week spot. This issue was just too good not to give that honour to.

Lots of great interactions between the future versions and their younger selves. Last issue they captured all the heavy hitters from the Justice League and this issue they tell their younger selves that a Starro invasion is coming and they have to stop it. Any attempt to free the JLA will result in the Leaguers dying.

Rose was excellent this issue. I love her character and she's a perfect fit in this issue. The snide comments and funny reactions to things like finding out future Conner tortured her father Deathstroke are some of my favourite parts of this book.

The return of Bart is explained as Tim having perfected the cloning of Conner and used it to bring back Bart as well. I was hoping it would lead to a easy retcon for Bart possibly returning to the present day, but looks like they cut that option off. Surprised they made him hate Rose in this storyline, as he loved her in the future, even when she was on the East team. The future did change by the team coming back in time and knowing about their future selves, but I figured that would have stayed the same.

Great issue, lots of interesting dialogue with their future selves and a great finish with the Prometheus / Robin fight that lead to a dramatic ending. But I honestly don't think anyone believes Tim would kill himself in an attempt to change the future. Still, great outing from McKeever. Can't wait for next issue.


ANNIHILATION: CONQUEST - STARLORD #3 (of 4)
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Timothy Green III

Annihilation: Conquest marches on and Starlord continues to impress with another solid offering this week. Giffen shifted gears this issue and scaled things back after the action packed issue last month.

The time frame jumps ahead a few days this issue and has Starlord looking for the supposed Phalanx reproduction facility. Mantis' theory is that the advanced Phalanx have developed a miniaturized facility or delivery system for the new facility. Peter confirms this by accessing the Kree terminal with his old access codes and finds out they are using the Kree people, who are free to walk around under Phalanx supervision, as hosts for nanobot reproduction organisms.


With the new found knowledge, Peter returns to his ragtag band of followers, who are dealing with the fallout of last issue's battle. During this time, Groot, who stayed behind last issue and apparently died shows up alive and well, although much smaller, roughly a few inches high. Apparently the plant-like Groot regrew from a sprig offshoot. It was explained quite well in the book and I'm glad to see him back. He takes up residence on Rocket Racoon's shoulder in a comical reversal for the two companions.

The reunion is cut short as the team is forced from the sub-levels by a Phalanx clean-up crew in the form of mechanical rat-like creatures flooding the tunnels, killing all life they find. The team does their best to escape, fleeing to the upper levels of the complex. In the end, Captain Universe is forced to stay behind and buy them time to make their escape. The Uni-Force reveals to Gabe that he is infected by the airborne Phalanx nano virus and that the rest of the team is most likely infected as well.

The team makes it, minus Gabe, to the upper levels where they are quickly surrounded by the Phalanx drones, which monitor the Kree population. Starlord orders they surrender, as they would just end up killing the Kree in the ensuing fire fight with the Phalanx. Groot protests to hilarious affect. Mantis, being the Celestial Mondonna, can apparently evade all scans by the Phalanx and avoids capture. The issue ends with Mantis explaining that Gabriel of the Uni-Force is our only hope while Gabe is shown battered and bloodied after destroying all the sub-level Phalanx attackers in a great pose reminiscent of the 'Wolverine in the sewers' image during the original Hellfire Club story back during the Phoenix Saga.

This issue was excellent all around. While not as action packed as last issue, it delivered lots of story and some great moments from most of the characters. I'm loving Mantis and her dialogue is some of my favourite from any character in any comic. It's great to see Groot survive and his and Rocket's interactions are always funny. Next issue looks to be an explosive conclusion and my only hope is that all these characters survive as I am loving each and every one of them.


THE ORDER #3
Written by Matt Fraction
Art by Barry Kitson

Three issues in and this series is doing its best to draw me in, but I still feel like I don't know these people and just don't care. It seems Fraction is going with a 'one character per story' introduction for each member of the team and, while it works for some, not everyone connects with every character.So, while he's giving us nice build up for individual characters, if you don't like that character featured you are immediately turned off from the book.

This issue's spotlight on Calamity did a good job showing his original interview to join the team and outlining his past where he lost his legs to a drunk driver. The ending of this issue was a real payoff as well as Calamity, who was benched from team duty so he can sort through the events of last issue and the opening of this one, decides to pay the man that took his legs and former life away from him a visit with a baseball bat. I'm very interested in seeing next issue's reaction to these events and Fraction is lucky Calamity and the little bit of insight into Moholland were enough to make me stick with this book for another go.

Next issue looks like it might focus more on Moholland, at least based on what occurred this issue and previous issues indications. She has one of the more interesting power sets and it should be a good issue. However, it's like we find out about someone and then Fraction forgets about them. No new developments from any of the characters featured in the previous issues and it looks like it will be similar treatment for every issue for the foreseeable future. I'll stick with this for the first six issues, but this book is on the chopping block at this point. Not because it is overly bad or has poor art, but because it fails at the one thing stories shouldn't. It does not engage me and I have no reason to care for the characters or events happening to them.


X-MEN #203
Written by Mike Carey
Art by Humberto Ramos

This issue was all over the place. I'm not sure what to think to be honest. Apparently Emma had a secret plan for the diaries put in place just in case an event like the previous issue occurred. She put mental blocks in everybody's minds so they believed the blank books were the actual diaries while also implanting a mental 'key word' that unlocked the secret location they hid the real ones at. Even Emma had the information blocked, which begs the question of how she remembered she blocked them out in the first place.

It's like Carey is retconning in the diary explanation to a story he's been building up to and wrote. He's been on the book for a year or more now, couldn't he have shoe horned the whole secret diary thing in earlier in his run? Completely contrived explanation in my opinion.

Meanwhile, the events that play out with Cannonball and Iceman finding the actual locations of the diary once Emma unlocked the information still make little to no sense. They hid the diary in a decrepit building that apparently collapsed on top of it? And inside a big red plastic case with an X on it? And the villains that dominated the entire X-team can't even compete with two of them here?

It took Mr Sinister himself to come in all deus-ex-machina-like and stop Iceman and Cannonball from mopping the floor with the entire Marauder team. And what do they do with the captured heroes? They apparently let Gambit try to kill one, resulting in the diaries being destroyed. Sinister then mind wipes Cannonball to show the X-Men what happens when they mess with him. He leaves Mystique handle Iceman on her own away from the entire team where she promptly lets him go unharmed.

It did, however, look like Mystique might be under someone else's control or possibly forced to work with Sinister in some way which explains her actions for the most part and some of the retarded decisions regarding how to finish off X-Men in the last few issues.

The issue wasn't terrible, but there are way too many contrived explanations made for this issues 'big scenes' and odd choices by the villains in regards to attacking or disabling the heroes. Add in little to no answers in regards to Sinister's motives or what this storyline is building to and it adds up to a barely average book. This story arc started with a bang, but with the last two issues, it's been a ship without a rudder.

On the Endangered Species side of things, Beast takes the moral high ground again and puts a stop to Dark Beast's attempt at experimenting on the young boy from last week's chapter. They basically just have a little fight, much like every other argument they've had. Once Dark Beast is down, Beast gets to work trying to help the boy stabilize. Don't bother with this book if you are only looking for Endangered Species developments. Nothing to see here.


SUB-MARINER #4 (of 6)
Written by Matt Cherniss & Peter Johnson
Art by Phil Briones

After the fun, fight-filled last issue, which saw Namor lay a beat down on Wolverine before getting jumped by Venom, and promptly have his little wings on his feet ripped off, this issue brings us a quick wrap up to that Venom fight and a lot of dull exposition with a noticeable dip in the quality of the interior art.

As I said, the fight with Venom ended rather abruptly. While it looked like Namor was down for the count, he just gets up as if nothing happened and proceeds to take down Venom in seconds, which is equivalent to what should happen with the differences in the two characters' powers. It ends with Namor ripping out Venom's tongue, which the artist or writer seems to think is a physical attachment that would bleed when torn out instead of being an extension of the symbiote and not a real tongue per se. It made for a nice image, but not much sense.

The remainder of the issue sees Namor seek out Sue Richards, of the Fantastic Four, for help in tracking down the terrorist cell in Seattle. With his wings damaged, he can barely fly and needs help reaching Seattle in time. Sue refuses to help him due to the use of his terrorist cells in US, but offers him the Fantiscar out of friendship and debt for the Civil War aid he offered. Issue ends with Namor arriving in time to try and stop the Atlantean terrorists, but not before his son is revealed as the one leading the cell. Combined with Reed and Tony discussing a variation in the skeleton of Namor they find in the future panels, it looks like the son dies in upcoming issues and that is what the Namor skeleton will be revealed as.

Was hoping for a fun, action packed issue again, but this one really let me down with a quick, couple page finish to the Venom fight and then nothing for the rest of the issue.


52 AFTERMATH: THE FOUR HORSEMEN #2 (of 6)
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Pat Olliffe & John Stanisci
Cover by Ethan Van Sciver

This was another disappointing issue that felt like nothing more than filler. Dead rising, Wonder Woman meets up with Bats and Supes, Four Horsemen are remaking themselves and even in their weakened state, they pose a threat to our heroes. All good and fine except we know this from last issue. No need to beat us over the head with it. The only really entertaining parts of this issue are with Batman and Mr Terrific bickering and trying to one up each other showing off their intelligence.

Ignore this mini-series for another month. Maybe issue #3 will pick up the pace a little and give us something worth it to spend our money on.


AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE #6
Written by Dan Slott
Art by Steve Uy

This issue was the long awaited Gauntlet beat-down issue. I'll be spoiling the mystery behind this, so if you want to avoid knowing who the assailant was, skip to the next review.

My first impression is the art and it is such a drastic change from this issue's cover and regular artist, Stefano Caselli's work. It's not that it is overly bad. It has an odd stylized look to it, but it does not fit this series or the tone of the book and really detracted from my enjoyment of it. For such a high profile issue, one that's been advertised quite a bit for the New Warriors ties, I was surprised at the guest artist and disappointed as well.

The story itself was quite good though. They did a good job building up the suspense and mystery around the attack on Gauntlet and I enjoyed Gyrich's attempts to cover up the going ons at the camp while the military police were there. The prime suspects are basically the ex-New Warriors and the people that went rogue during WWH, like Rage and Slapstick. Pym and Gyrich keep the people with knowledge of MVP out of it so they can't reveal anything to Stark's military police. Even Justice was placed in jail based after an altercation with Gauntlet, as seen in flashback panels.

Later, it appears Hardball is the one that attacked Gauntlet, as he is revealed to be following the MPs and communicating with someone named "HH" on a PDA. They find the cape killer armour Hardball wore near where Gauntlet is attacked though and that ends up being what he is following them for - to cover up his break-in during World War Hulk. He covers up his tracks and leads the MPs back to Pym's lab with some easy to follow clues. Gyrich, not wanting the death of MVP or other secrets revealed, quickly opts to use drugs to pull Gauntlet out of his coma, regardless of the fact it might kill him. Gauntlet reveals his assailant as being one of Iron Man's old enemies, The Ghost, and Gyrich promptly accepts that and kicks the MPs off the base with the mystery solved.

The issue ends with a very freaky looking Slapstick recalling how he beat Gauntlet half to death in one of the coolest, and most disturbing, scenes I've seen in a while. I never took Slapstick seriously before, but damn this was a cool scene. Look for it in the Comic Book Moments of the Week on Friday.


IRON MAN: DIRECTOR OF SHIELD #22
Written by Daniel & Charles Knauf
Art by Roberto De La Torre

Captain America and Iron Man are probably the only books that depict the real Tony Stark in the Marvel Universe and I enjoy that part of it. He's a man put in a tough situation and forced to make tough choices. He's not the nazi-Tony that JMS and other writers depict him as and I'm happy to see at least some people know this.

This issue follows up the murder of Gadget from last issue by Graviton. I enjoyed this little murder mystery and this issue concludes it in a very nice way while still leaving some questions and progressing the Mandarin plot. I also enjoyed the comments by Maria Hill and Dugan concerning Tony's wearing the Iron Man armour more often, to the point of being in it all the time, regardless of whether he needs it or not. Shows the stress of the job and how Tony is retreating into the armour to probably get away from it all.

This is an excellent title that I think most people will enjoy. It is not the best, but definitely worth a look if you have a little extra cash to try out other titles. Consistently good and very few 'bad' issues makes this a great performer. I expect big things with the return of the Mandarin coming up and that arc could push Iron Man up into a 'Must Buy' title for me. Grab last month's issue and give this book a try, it's definitely worth a look.


COUNTDOWN #31
Story by Paul Dini
Breakdowns by Keith Giffen
Script by Sean McKeever
Art by Manuel Garcia

This might sound crazy, but I think I might have enjoyed this issue of Countdown. I'm not sure if it's the new pills I'm on or what, but the entire Crime Society fight was pretty good. Not only that, but most of the storylines featured here progressed a bit this week and they even had time for some new developments with Mr Mxyzptlk which seemed interesting. I'm not sure if the Monitor's grabbed him or if it was Monarch.

Speaking of Monarch, seems he added the entire Crime Society to his growing army. Considering the Monitor's were just watching the 'anomalies' fighting the Society, I wonder if they bothered to check on Monarch recruiting them. Makes me wonder if he has a Monitor on the inside or something all things considered.

No Rogues this week in favour of Harley and Holly's story. For being missing for so long, I don't miss this story. With them off to Paradise Island, I wonder if Granny Goodness will be revealed in Countdown soon as she was revealed to be Athena in Amazons Attack.

Jimmy's powers went haywire again while being tested and he seems to be activating all of his powers at once and Karate Kid returned this issue to meet up with Buddy Blank in a page or two just to let us know he's still alive and a part of Countdown.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but this was probably the best issue of Countdown so far and an actual, good comic. I don't know if it has to do with McKeever writing this issue or just the return of the Crime Syndicate / Society or the feeling that these stories are actually going somewhere finally, but Countdown finally lived up to its potential. Now, if only they can keep this good fortune going with the next few issues.


THE IMMORTAL IRON FIST #9
Written by Matt Fraction & Ed Brubaker
Art by David Aja

Immortal Iron Fist delivers the goods again this month with another excellent offering. It's hard to write reviews for a book like this since it almost always ends up being nothing but praise. It's much easier when it's a flawed book that you can point out good and bad parts.

This issue featured the first round of the tournament and the stunning fight with Fat Cobra. The issue was framed against several flashbacks to Wendell Rand's training and how he first met Davos, which mirrored the events that took place with the Fat Cobra fight. The blue eyed servant girl from last issue reveals herself to Danny and informs him he must lose to Fat Cobra in the first round and he must go on a journey to the outside world if he is to find the answers to what is really going on at this tournament.

While Danny refused to throw the fight, it seems Fat Cobra gives him little choice. After an incredible battle, Fat Cobra pounds on Iron Fist, similar to events in the past where Wendell beat on Davos. The difference is Danny yields and loses while Davos refused and took further beating before he was rendered unconscious. This loss does not eliminate Danny from the tournament, but makes it much more difficult for him. He will have another chance during the battle royale.

While Danny heals himself with his chi, he ponders whether he let himself lose on purpose or not. Before he can dwell on it too much, the servant girl interrupts him and reveals he must leave quickly for the real world. It is here she is revealed as the daughter of Orson Randall and, for her father's crimes, she is forced to look after the ancient, secret teleporter, which she informs Danny he must use to seek out her father's biographer, Ernst Erskine and find out all the secrets of Orson Randall.

The book ends in a comical scene of Luke Cage, Misty Knight and Colleen walking through a snowy village looking for Danny's friend Jeryn, who was kidnapped earlier in the series. Danny spots them in this village, but decides not to involve them as he has to leave quickly and find this Ernst Erskine, which takes place in this week's Iron Fist Annual.

It was another great offering from Brubaker and Fraction with plenty of twists and unexpected turns that keeps me wanting more of this great book. Excellent fights, plenty of action and enough story progression and mysteries to keep me coming back for more. Definitely a great issue and one of my favourite books month in, month out.


THE IMMORTAL IRON FIST ANNUAL #1
Written by Ed Brubaker & Matt Fraction
Art by Dan Brereton & Howard Chaykin

I was excited to have two issues of Iron Fist this week, but this issue shows how big a part Aja is to the main series as the art in this issue pales in comparison. It's actually some of the worst art I've seen and Countdown-level art which really hurts the overall presentation of the book and is the main reason I hated annuals in the past.

Basic story continues from this week's Iron Fist, so obviously read issue 9 of this series before this one or you'll be confused at the order of events. We get a nice flashback at the life of Orson Randall here, but, aside from it being about a former Iron Fist user, I see no reason why this was so vital that Danny had to lose the first round and come all the way to France to hear the tale. Then, there's the random Hydra attack stuck in the issue for no reason that I can think of except just to remind us that Hydra was working for Davos earlier in the series or that Orson probably made enemies when he was younger. I'm not really sure why they're here.

While a fun look back at the life of Orson Randall, it offered no major developments and does not seem to have any impact on current events or the tournament currently going on in the regular series. Iron Fist fans will enjoy this issue, but everyone else should just stick with the main book. This barely compares to the excellent issue #7 flashback story and I'm kind of let down by what I got here. I guess too much of a good thing is an apt saying for two Iron Fist issues this week.


COUNTDOWN TO ADVENTURE #2 (of 8)
Written by Adam Beechen and Justin Gray
Art by Eddy Barrows & Julio Ferrera and Fabrizio Fiorentino
Cover by Ivan Reis & Oclair Albert

Another solid outing from a Countdown-related book this week with the second issue of Countdown To Adventure. On top of that, both halves of this comic were good. I'm more interested in the Forerunner and Monarch story, but the Animal Man / Strange / Starfire story is quite good as well.

The first part expands on Animal Man's power problems and confirms my suspicions about the strange outbursts by Champ and Animal Man's son last issue. This disease has spread throughout most of Rann and is affecting people that come in contact with either Animal Man or Starfire on Earth. As Champ didn't start acting that way until after he met Animal Man, I'm picking him as the carrier, espcially since this issue has his mailman affected as well. This seems to be tying back to what happened with the trio in 52 and looks like it could end up a decent little adventure by the end of all this.

The Forerunner story really impressed me this issue. It probably had more to do with the Nazi version of the JLA and my love of alternate reality re-imagined characters, but that doesn't take away from my enjoying the issue. This story also touched on the Monitors and dealt with my complaint from Countdown earlier about why they don't stop Monarch, which was a nice touch, but the main series should deal with it as well. I don't want it to feel like I'm forced to buy the superior tie-in mini-series. It's interesting that the Monitors are afraid Monarch might recruit Prime, as in Superboy Prime I assume, to the cause and I liked the mention of how they fear the previous Crisis happening again if they form an army or have a war with Monarch. Another odd thing is how we found out more about the enemy chasing the Challengers in this story than we did in the actual Search For Ray Palmer book.

Countdown was 2 for 2 this week. While neither are close to Book of the Week status, they were both entertaining reads for once and things are looking up.


JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #13
Written by Dwayne McDuffie
Art by Joe Benitez & Victor Llamas
Cover by Ian Churchill

McDuffie continues his Injustice League story, which started in the JLA Wedding Special, and he doesn't hold back with his debut on the official book. I have some complaints with the book, but nothing that stopped me from enjoying it.

First thing that strikes me is the cover. About 6 of those villains show up in this book and many of them are not even a part of the Injustice League. People like Black Adam or Granny Goodness and many of the Rogues are just not in here. They make a striking image for a cover, but I hate the false advertising and fake out such a cover gives the book.

Another problem lies in the motivations of the people involved. I haven't kept fully up to date with Superman, mostly just the Donner/Johns run, but not too long ago Lex Luthor was nothing like the one in this and the Wedding Special. He's now reverted to a Silver Age style character that wants to create an entire country built around crime and injustice. Say what? This isn't the same guy that was President not too long ago and acts nothing like the 52 version of Lex or the one at the end of Infinite Crisis.

And why would many of these villains care about such a society? Surely they can't be motivated simply by revenge or helping to kill the heroes. Fatality only cares about killing Green Lanterns. Gorilla Grodd has tried to wipe out mankind and rule an ape civilization numerous times. Why would he care about building Lex a crime-based society in America? Poison Ivy was just in Countdown and wanted nothing but to be left alone in her garden and helping Deathstroke, yet is here in the Injustice League. She's mostly been about her plants and wanting to be left alone to her garden. I guess my complaint here is that this is a Silver Age depiction of these characters in the modern times. They're villains for the sake of being villains and teamed up for the sake of being bad guys. I'm enjoying the story, but if I think about the reasons for this Injustice League and things quickly start falling apart under any kind of microscope.

John Stewert was great in this issue and it definitely shows that McDuffie loves him as Green Lantern. Some memorable dialogue with Black Lightning discussing hairstyles. Look for that Friday in the Moments of the Week. However, I found it odd he used Poison Ivy to take him down. These GL's live and breath in space. Nothing gets in, especially random poisonous pollens, and it just seemed out of place. McDuffie jobbed Fatality, who is apparently a Sinestro Corps member which is news to me, but then lets John lose to Ivy? Should have reversed those roles for this fight and let him take out Ivy while Fatality took him out. Would have flowed better and made more sense.

Despite these complaints, I really did enjoy the issue. It was fun and entertained me from start to finish and that's all that matters to me in a comic book. Dinah actually acted like a team leader for a change, assigning teams and roles, and it made me kind of wonder when this takes place in relation to her wedding since Ollie was here as well. Definitely check this book out. I'm sure you'll enjoy it and it is definitely a step above the jumble of multi-coloured thought boxes of Meltzer's run.


BLUE BEETLE #19
Written by John Rogers
Art by Rafael Albuquerque & David Baldeon
Cover by Cully Hamner

Great outing by the Blue Beetle crew with this month's issue. Hopefully the Teen Titans fans that picked up last month's issue found something they liked and came back for more of one of my favourite books. If you haven't checked it out yet, check out my Crisis of Faith Blue Beetle series review. It'll give you a nice overview of the series and get you primed to jump into this great book.

This is a great one shot issue that focuses on Brenda's relationship with her aunt, who, up until this issue, she did not know was a crime boss and major criminal. As you can see from the cover, Gigantia shows up to pay La Dama a visit and the proverbial cat is out of the bag as this leads to Brenda's discovering her aunt's secret life.

Rogers does an excellent job with the fight scene and I loved the mid-fight call to Jaime's sort of girlfriend, Traci 13. It was handled really well and was quite fun to read. The fight, itself, was great. All the major players in Jaime's life had a part in defeating her and it made it feel like everyone mattered and weren't just random people in Jaime's life for no reason. Good job spreading the face time and doing what this book does best - strong characterization and excellent dialogue and interations with said characters.

The ending was a great finish to the book with Brenda and Jaime's mom in a touching and heartfelt moment. After the rollercoaster ride of an issue, the ending really packs a punch and drives home the emotions of that final page. Excellent comic and shame on you guys if you aren't reading it.


ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #114
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Art by Stuart Immonen

Another strong showing from Stuart Immonen in the wake of Bagley's departure. As a huge fan of Nextwave, I've loved his art for a while and it was a major factor in my picking up MCP #1 last week, despite him only doing a couple pages. I didn't get a review out for that book, but it was definitely worth checking out for any readers that still haven't picked it up. I could see a weekly style format fitting it perfectly if Marvel chose to go that way.

Enough with MCP talk though, this review is about Ultimate Spider-Man. This was a great continuation of last issue's Norman Osborn-centric tale. Here, we get Peter's reactions and the excellent scenes with MJ and May. Those personal touches have been the best part of this series and one of the main reasons Bendis' Spider-Man is so much better than the 616 counterpart. He gets that Spider-Man is about Peter Parker and his family and friends, not just a guy in a suit with powers. If people wrote the 616 version like this, we wouldn't even need One More Day or other retcons.

Back on topic from another tangent, the fight with Electro is perfect and Spidey is at his best. Electro is naked here and not even trying to fight Peter. He just wants to get away and this, combined with his nakedness, makes for some great laughs with the talkative Spidey throwing out the quips.

Bendis seems completely re-energized after the Ultimate Clone Saga and USM is firing on all cylinders these days. With the fresh new pencils from Immonen, this book is back to its former glory and I'm loving it.

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