Post-Crisis Comic Book Previews for 05/13/09

I actually sat down to write these last night and ended up writing a post on the new Captain America #600 teaser image instead. As I'm easily distracted, I hit publish and went about my business without ever actually writing the previews I originally set out to do.

While no major event books, like War of Kings or Flash: Rebirth from last week, there are still some excellent books on tap for the upcoming week, including some of my favourite titles, such as Green Lantern Corps, Captain Britain and MI13 and Secret Six. Only title I'm weary of is the Dark Reign: Young Avengers, which I'm only picking up on the strength of Paul Cornell's writing on Captain Britain.

For trade releases, while no major releases, I highly recommend getting Joe Kelly's and JM Ken Nimura's I Kill Giants. It's only $10 on Amazon and walked away with numerous awards and nominations for best indie book and miniseries from last year. If you missed it for whatever reason, definitely consider picking up a copy. There's also the Secret Wars II Omnibus for those looking for the more standard super hero trade.

ACTION COMICS #877
Written by Greg Rucka
Art by Eddy Barrows and Ruy José

Nightwing and Flamebird have beaten back Ursa's first assault. But Round Two is about to begin! Forget brutal – now it gets personal.

Kirk: Greg Rucka's run on Action Comics sans Superman has been pretty decent so far. I have my concerns, but I'm still enjoying what's being offered and believe the book can and will get better as time goes on.







CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI13 #13
Written by Paul Cornell
Art by Leonard Kirk

Betrayal runs rampant! Spitfire is offered a high rank in the vampire state—will she take it? Does she have a chance? A traitor is discovered in the ranks of British Intelligence. But what are the chances that he’s the only one. Pete Wisdom’s main concern is keeping his people alive, but with his track record and who they’re up against, it’s not looking good.

Kirk: A good candidate for my book of the week. Who knew a book featuring characters I have no affinity for, has Dracula as the main villain for this arc and is written and drawn by two relatively less known creators could be so damned good?




DARK REIGN: YOUNG AVENGERS #1
Written by Paul Cornell
Art by Mark Brooks

The Melter; The Executioner; The Enchantress; Egghead; Big Zero and Coat of Arms: they call themselves the Young Avengers, teenage rebels, on the run from the authorities, hated and feared by a world they've sworn to protect. Their interests include interspecies romance, modern art and bloody murder. Everything is permitted, and so are they. Until they meet the original Young Avengers. And then their grey areas will come home to roost.

Kirk: Cornell has impressed the hell out of me on Captain Britain and MI:13, so I'm willing to bite the bullet and give this book a try against my better judgement.




GREEN LANTERN CORPS #36
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Art by Patrick Gleason and Rebecca Buchman

Prelude to BLACKEST NIGHT! The penultimate chapter of "Emerald Eclipse" arrives as the sciencell riot runs rampant. Oa burns as the War of Lights rages within. Many sectors away, Sodam Yat must make the ultimate sacrifice as he attempts to save the xenophobic people of his native world Daxam.

Kirk: Broke down and checked out previews for this issue, which I rarely, if ever, do simply because this book is so damned good and I couldn't wait until Wednesday. The whole Sinestro's daughter thing still rubs me the wrong way, but it's something I can get over.




SECRET SIX #9
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Nicola Scott and Doug Hazlewood

Not one, but two members of the Secret Six feel they deserve to wear Batman's cowl, and they return to Gotham City with a semi-delusional Ragdoll determined to be the new Boy Wonder! Unfortunately, everybody in Gotham has other plans!

Kirk: Bane and Catman dealing with Batman's "death"? Ragdoll wanting to be the new Robin? This is going to be good.








SECRET WARRIORS #4
Written by Jonathan Hickman
Art by Stefano Caselli

The most talked about new Marvel series rolls on as we find out the answer to the question: What happened to all the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.?

Plus, Daisy Johnson recruits a new member to replace a fallen comrade, the kids spy on Nick Fury and we follow the Colonel as he starts his one man war against the endless hordes of HYDRA.

Kirk: Looking forward to seeing the return of Nick's Howling Commandos. Actually, looking forward to just about everything with this issue. Hickman's writing is superb and I can see him headlining some of the bigger books or events in a few years time. Caselli's art has been some of the best of his career on this title, too.


ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #132
Written by Brian Bendis
Art by Stuart Immonen

ULTIMATUM HAS TAKEN OVER THE WORLD!! SPIDER-MAN IS MISSING!! Friends are enemies and enemies are friends as tensions mount to insane proportions. And yes, your eyes do not deceive you: MJ versus Kitty... to the death!!! (well, they slap each other a little)

Kirk: Wow, I can't recall there ever being a delay for Ultimate Spider-Man or the feeling that I could not remember, or care, what happened in the last issue. It's a telling sign of just how bad Ultimatum really is that it's affecting enjoyment on what I once considered an untouchable book in my pull list. I'll probably finish this run out, but my interest in Ultimate Spider-Man has never been lower, not even when I originally heard of the project and just assumed another Chapter One reboot.


WAR OF KINGS: ASCENSION #2
Written by Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Art by Wellinton Alves

Who are the Raptors? What have they done to Darkhawk? What is their connection to the Shi’Ar and the larger Marvel cosmos? The acclaimed creative team behind NOVA unveils more secrets and revelations about characters that will play key roles in WAR OF KINGS!

Kirk: The ending to last issue and promise that the Darkhawks will play a part in War of Kings is the only thing really compelling me to pick up this issue. The last issue was fairly uneventful and immediately forgettable. If it doesn't change here, I might just drop this title and focus on the main War of Kings event book and the Nova and Guardians of the Galaxy tie-ins.


WOLVERINE #73
Written by Jason Aaron & Daniel Way
Art by Adam Kubert & Tommy Lee Edwards

TWO STORIES over TWO ISSUES! Each tale begins in WOLVERINE #73 and concludes in #74…as the WOLVERINE comic book makes a change you won’t believe…

“A DAY IN THE LIFE” PART 1
Superstar WOLVERINE artist ADAM KUBERT returns, joined by superstar WOLVERINE writer JASON AARON! Experience a day in the life for America’s favorite mutant—a day packed with action, women, villains, costume changes and beer. Ever wonder why Logan keeps himself so busy these days? The answer lies within.
“ONE PERCENTER” PART 1

Meanwhile, WOLVERINE: ORIGINS writer DANIEL WAY is joined by MARVEL 1985’s TOMMY LEE EDWARDS in a prelude to DARK WOLVERINE! Logan wants to get the hell out of New York, and he’s in no hurry to get back to San Francisco, either. So he gets on a motorcycle and takes the long way home. But home for Logan isn’t in a secret underground headquarters—it’s in a fight, with his hands wrapped around the neck of somebody who’s got it coming.

Kirk: Jason Aaron, Adam Kubert and Tommy Lee Edwards? Sounds great. Daniel Way? Not so much. I suppose three out of four ain't bad and I'm probably a little harder on Way than I should be, but his Wolverine work, moreso than anything else he's done, has been terrible.


X-FACTOR #43
Written by Peter David
Art by Valentine De Landro

X-Factor draws one step closer to determining who is
targeting former mutants for death...but the answer may wind up hitting too close to home. Meanwhile, Cyclops has a very
particular mission that could spell the end for Madrox and his new partner. And Rictor finds himself in a battle to the death with...nah. Why ruin the surprise?

Kirk: All you really need to know is that X-Factor is finally good again and it's safe to start reading it again. Although, the idea of Madrox and grown up future Layla making out, as the cover shows, is a little creepy, all things considered.

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