Post-Crisis Comic Book Previews for 03/18/09

Light reading week for me that might see me picking up some random books I hadn't planned on, such as Azrael: Death's Dark Knight or Supergirl. I've included them alongside the rest of the previews, but it'll come down to how they look after a quick flip through at the shop on Wednesday. Hit the jump for the previews.

AZRAEL: DEATH'S DARK KNIGHT #1
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Frazer Irving

He was a husband and a father. A brother and a friend. A cop and a dark knight. But he had all that taken away. And in return, he was given a suit of sorrows, a quest for redemption and a new name. He is Azrael, avenging angel for the Order of Purity and a new protector for Gotham City's troubled times. But who will protect the citizens from him?

Guest-starring Robin, Nightwing, Talia and the League of Assassins, this miniseries runs alongside BATTLE FOR THE COWL and features the dramatic presence of a strangely familiar, troubled hero with two things on his mind: crazed vengeance for the wrongs he has suffered and salvation for the sins he continues to commit!

Kirk Says: As I said in the intro, this will be a game day decision. I liked Azrael when his original series was running (it went to hell near the end, but first couple of years was fine), but I don't think this version has anything to do with Jean Paul Valley's iteration, so mileage may vary. I do like the fact Fabian Nicieza is involved, though. Capable writer that's done some great things with other Bat-books lately. As it's only a three issue mini, there's a good chance I might pick this one up.


DARK AVENGERS #3
Written by Brian Bendis
Art by Mike Deodato

The phenom that is the Dark Avengers continues. BATTLEGROUND LATVERIA as Morgana Le Fey attacks with all the power at her disposal. Meanwhile these new Avengers discover all the dirt and hidden secrets of their notorious pasts.

Kirk Says: Sentry ripped Morgana's head off last month, but it was just a magical projection through time, not actually Morgana. In retaliation, she blew Sentry up. He's obviously not dead after that, so I'm kind of curious to see how uber hax the Sentry's powers are going to be to survive that.





SUPERGIRL #39
Written by Sterling Gates
Art by Jamal Igle and Keith Champagne

"Who is Superwoman?" part 3! Supergirl continues her manhunt for Reactron, determined to bring him to justice for the heinous crimes he committed in "New Krypton"!

Meanwhile, Lois Lane and Inspector Mike Henderson investigate the appearance of a dead body in Metropolis Harbor. Whose body is it and what could it have to do with the new Woman of Steel? Find out as the big mystery of 2009 continues!

Kirk Says: Another book I'm contemplating picking up to fill out the order this week based solely on the strength of World of New Krypton and Rucka's debut on Action Comics last week. I've kept up on the basics of the Supergirl book and the Superwoman mystery, so I don't think I'll be too lost going in on a part three. We'll see how it looks at the shop.


THUNDERBOLTS #130
Written by Andy Diggle
Art by Bong Dazo

“MAGNUM OPUS,” PART 2 OF 4 -- CROSSOVER WITH DEADPOOL
Everyone’s favorite Merc with a Mouth has the Thunderbolts in his crosshairs – but don’t expect this murderer’s row of butt-kickers to lay down! The nastiest fight of ’09 has begun, and you’ve got the front row seat for all the ultra violence that Andy Diggle (DARK REIGN: HAWKEYE) and red-hot artist Bong Dazo can dish up!

Kirk Says: Where I might be picking up a couple of new books this week, I might actually be dropping Thunderbolts in their stead. They've switched artists and broken up Diggle's entertaining run with this Deadpool crossover and, while I didn't review that issue of Deadpool, I was not impressed with the first part of this storyline. Might just resume when we're back to our regularly scheduled comic in a few months time.


WOLVERINE #71
Written by Mark Millar
Art by Steve McNiven

“OLD MAN LOGAN”
Now we know what happened fifty years ago, the day the super heroes were slaughtered. We know how Logan managed to survived. We know why WOLVERINE didn’t. But that’s nothing compared to what happens next, as Logan and Hawkeye reach New Babylon to deliver their mysterious cargo. But before they get there—they’ll have to face their toughest challenge to date: a Venom Tyrannosaurus Rex! MARK MILLAR and STEVE MCNIVEN continue the career-defining epic that will have fans talking for years to come! Part 6 (of 8).

Kirk Says: What's with the delays on this title? McNiven was never this slow on his previous works and only other time he was delayed was due to Millar's hospitalization and his own bout with the flu during Civil War. He's actually going slower than Bryan Hitch, who's currently doing Fantastic Four with Millar, which is pretty damn slow by any scale you're using. Is it just Millar? Even Kick-Ass has dropped off the radar with the machin, JRJR, on art, so maybe it's Millar's fault?

I'm also confused by the Venom T-Rex. I know it's an awesome concept, but it's just so rare to see someone 'borrowing' an idea from a Cable/Deadpool (C/D #50 to be exact) comic. Ah well, can't complain too much. I've enjoyed most every issue of this story and am not regretting my picking it up in monthly format, even with delays.


X-FACTOR #41
Written by Peter David
Art by Valentine de Landro

Maru. Mr. Tryp. X-Cell. The Isolationist. Madrox has gone against his fair share of unseemly and unfamiliar antagonists of late, but some villains never go out of style. Like Sentinels. Big, honking Sentinels. Oh yes, this is going to be fun!

Kirk Says: After all the noise about Scans_Daily and PAD's insistence that the internet is the devil for spoiling his comics, I'm actually picking this book up again for those very reasons PAD was complaining. Anyone else jumping back on X-Factor after reading about the spoilers from the last couple of issues?





X-FORCE #13
Written by Chris Yost & Craig Kyle
Art by Clayton Crain

PRELUDE TO WAR! The Leper Queen is creating weapons out of mutants, and using them against humanity to stir the fires of hate against mutants. But as X-Force tracks her down, they don’t realize how close to home she’s struck. Meanwhile, Wolfsbane is still dealing with the return of , and Cyclops prepares to send X-Force on the most important mission of their lives...whether they like it or not. You MUST NOT miss this ending, leading directly into X-FORCE/CABLE: MESSIAH WAR .

Kirk Says: I have no intention of picking up Messiah War, so I'll more than likely be dropping this title once this arc plays out. Enjoy this title and the return of many of the 90's aspects Yost and Kyle have adapted for the book, but just can't stand the current Cable title or the forced progression of Bishop's character. Maybe if I hear good things about it, I'll jump back in, but only a couple of issues left on this book for me as of this writing.

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