Post-Crisis Comic Book Previews for 11/18/09

Time for another round of our weekly Post-Crisis Previews, which is simply a compilation of the books Ryan and I will be buying for the upcoming week and our thoughts/impressions/expectations for them.  As always, feel free to let us know what you think of our thoughts or tell us what books you'll be purchasing and, in general, discuss the coming week's comics.

On a personal note, things have been hectic and, as many noticed, the Moments of the Week didn't go live last week.  Tried to get them done today, but time was not on my side.  I'll have them up tomorrow at some point.  And for those that recommended REBELS to me all those times (feel free to recommend us books at any time, we're always open to suggestions, though we can't always pick up every book people ask us to), I did pick it up and I'll try to get a review of it and a couple other books from last week that eluded me for tomorrow as well if things go well.

That said, hit the jump for our previews!

ADVENTURE COMICS #4

Written by Geoff Johns and Michael Shoemaker

Art by Jerry Ordway and Clayton Henry

The return of Superboy! Superboy-Prime, that is! The grasp of BLACKEST NIGHT knows no bounds, and it is now at the doorstep of Superboy-Prime. Believe it or not, Prime has met his match. The Black Lanterns know his deepest, darkest secrets and force Prime to feel emotions he's long discarded. Plus, in the Legion of Super-Heroes co-feature, Dawnstar is on the trail of the person – or people – who have been causing so much trouble for the Legion. But does she get too close to the truth? Her Legion teammate Wildfire comes to her rescue, but are the duo able to discover just who is behind this villainous plot to destroy the known universe?

Ryan: After it was established that Superboy-Prime was now living in “our world” and his power were reduced to complaining on message boards, I have no idea how this story is going to work without massive retcons—which would be odd since Johns himself is responsible for putting Prime in that position. I’m only buying this one to complete my ring collection (I know, I’m a sucker), but I’m not expecting to get much more out of it unless there is a damn clever twist.

Kirk: Technically, Ryan, he was shown with his eyes glowing.  We're never really told why he's reduced to living in his parents' basement or if he has powers or not.  Still, I'm not thrilled with his return or any possibility of it.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #612

Written by Mark Waid

Art by J.K. Niimura

They’re Hunting Spiders...THE GAUNTLET begins here! The event that redefines Spider-Man's classic arch-enemies one by one starts with one of his deadliest — Electro! Destitute and desperate, conned out of his life's meaning and worth — Max Dillon becomes the voice of the common man against the brutal injustice of a system overloaded by greed. With Spider-Man already looking over his shoulder. Mark Waid and Paul Azaceta bring you the story of a hero with everything to lose against a man with nothing left to gain. Prepare for death’s short, sharp shock. Prepare for Electro.

Ryan: We’ve been seeing the seeds of this story for sometime now with all of the cameo’s by the new Kraven and her mother, which was a pretty cool way to build up excitement. I haven’t been a huge fan of Mark Waid’s work since he left DC, but this story has some great potential—as long as he doesn’t write the new Kraven as a whiney adolescent brat like Joe Kelly did in last week’s issue. Sheeesh!

Kirk: Never been a fan of Electro.  I can't say I've read a single story arc with him as the main bad guy that really holds water.  He sort of just fills out the Sinister Six as a background player to throw out Spidey.  Just never really found him all that compelling to read about.  This Gauntlet story seems like it will be a Sinister Six-like throwback, so I'm hoping I won't be too disappointed with his inclusion.

BATMAN: STREETS OF GOTHAM #6

Written by Chris Yost and Marc Andreyko

Art by Dustin Nguyen and Jeremy Haun

Huntress and Man-Bat are held captive by a priest driven to the edge of sanity by Gotham City itself! It's everything Huntress can do to keep the madman from killing them both, because that's exactly what he believes the voice of God is telling him to do in the conclusion of the 2-part “Leviathan.”

And in the Manhunter co-feature, Kate's hot on the trail of Two-Face, but her dear old friend Dylan is caught right in the middle. Can she apprehend Two-Face before Dylan gets caught in the crossfire? And what exactly is Dylan up to?

Ryan: The quality of this series jumped up in a big way with the first part of the Chris Yost-penned fill-in story featuring Man-Bat and Huntress. As long as he can hold on to that momentum and the Manhunter co-feature continues its winning ways this could be a really great issue.

Kirk: I found Yost's fill-in issue to be a serviceable Huntress tale, but it was a bit jarring in how abrupt the story and focus shifted to her.  We were just getting places with Hush and the other storylines with Dini and got shunted off to a filler arc.  It was a good story, but could have been a bit more organic or at least tried to tie back into what Dini was doing.

DARK AVENGERS #11

Written by Brian Bendis

Art by Mike Deodato

The explosive smash hit series from Brian Bendis and Mike Deodato continues!! The Dark Avengers are pitted against a foe they cannot defeat: A man with the power over every molecule in the world! Norman can't talk his way out of this one as the world gets turned upside down and no joke...someone dies. For reelz!!

Kirk: Someone dying in my comic books?  No way. Nice cover though.  For reelz!!

DARK REIGN: THE LIST - AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1

Written by Dan Slott

Art by Adam Kubert

Norman Osborn has saved the best for last as he takes on the most personal item on his evil To-Do list. The violent tension between Spider-Man and Norman has grown for years and has been building to a boil for the last few months after Osborn’s last defeat at Spidey’s hands at the end of America Son. Norman can no longer put off what needs to be done. Plus, the story from Pulse #5 outing Norman Osborn as the Green Goblin to the world.

Kirk: Punisher filled the death quota for The List series of one-shots, so I seriously doubt Spider-Man is in any trouble here, but I've enjoyed all of The List issues I've read, so have no reason not to pick this up.  Worst case scenario, pretty pictures of Spider-Man by Adam Kubert.  

DR HORRIBLE ONE-SHOT

Written by Zack Whedon

Art by Joelle Jones

From the Joss Whedon-helmed webmovie Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog comes the origin story of the next greatest supervillain of all time... DR. HORRIBLE!

In this one-shot comic, Zack Whedon and artist Joëlle Jones (Token) establish how a young, impressionable, but brilliant Dr. Horrible was drawn into a world of crime. Readers are reacquainted with the charming, brawny, crime-fighting superhero extraordinaire Captain Hammer when Dr. Horrible crosses paths with his greatest enemy in an all-out showdown of immeasurable proportions. Special guest appearances include Dr. Horrible’s love interest, Penny; his sidekick, Moist; and a meter man.

Fans of Joss Whedon and the smash-hit musical Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog will not want to miss this! Includes two alternate covers by artist Kristian Donaldson (DMZ, Supermarket) and a pin-up from superstar artist Gene Ha (The 49ers).

Ryan: Joss Whedon’s Dr. Horrible was one of the funniest and most intriguing DVD’s I’ve watched so far this year, but I’m a little worried about how well the charm of the musical will translate into a comic. I expect they’ll play up the humor, though I hope they don’t go overboard with it as that could quickly take the life out of the concept.

MIGHTY AVENGERS #31

Written by Dan Slott and Christos Gage

Art by Sean Chen

The epic conclusion! The MIGHTY AVENGERS and members of the NEW AVENGERS, YOUNG AVENGERS and the AVENGERS RESISTANCE assemble against the incalculable might of THE UNSPOKEN! Plus QUICKSILVER is reunited with the INHUMANS...now what will they do with him? All this and the strange secret of the Infinite Avengers Mansion stands revealed! This one's got it all!

Ryan: This story has been building since Dan Slott took over the writing duties and I look forward to seeing how it is going to pay off in this issue. I’ve got faith that Slott and Christos Gage can bring a ton of personality to the characters though a lot of the issue’s success is going to hinge on how Sean Chen handles the major action that is sure to be a huge part of the story.

OUTSIDERS #24

Written by Peter J. Tomasi

Art by Fernando Pasarin

Prepare for another mind-blowing BLACKEST NIGHT tie-in. Spinning out of BLACKEST NIGHT: TITANS, the dead rise to dine on the flesh of the living! It’s brother vs. undead sister when Black Lantern Terra comes to claim the still-beating hearts of Geo-Force and the rest of the Outsiders!

Ryan: I was really enjoying Peter Tomasi’s Outsiders series, but dropped it to cut some costs off my pull list, so I look forward to jumping back into it as I get suckered into buying another book just for a Blackest Night promotional ring. After seeing Terra already in Blackest Night: Titans, I wish they would go a different route, but there is definitely an interesting story to be told here.

REALM OF KINGS #1

Written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning

Art by Leonardo Manco and Mahmud Asrar

Exploding out of WAR OF KINGS, what lies in the REALM OF KINGS? The shocking showdown between Black Bolt and Vulcan has created The Fault, a vast tear through time and space through which almost anything can charge into our universe. What secrets does it hold? What dangers lurk within? Will it reintroduce forgotten allies...or unleash ancient enemies?

Ryan: Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning + Marvel’s cosmic characters + Mahumd Asrar = Pure Awesomeness—‘nuff said.

Kirk: I have a feeling this should have come out last week instead of the Imperial Guard issue.  This will likely have all the good bits I was hoping to see followed up on from War of Kings that would have got me pumped for that relatively light Imperial Guard read.  

REALM OF KINGS: INHUMANS #1

Written by Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning

Art by Pablo Raimondi

A REALM OF KINGS series! Now led by Queen Medusa, the battered and bruised Inhuman royal family struggles to maintain their grip on the reigns of power over the Kree empire. Courtly intrigues and external threats are beginning to erode their rule--but the biggest threat may lurk within the family itself! WAR OF KINGS’ Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning unite with Pablo Raimondi (X-FACTOR) for the next chapter in the lives of these classic Marvel characters!

Kirk: If anything, Abnett and Lanning handled the Inhuman royal family perfectly in War of Kings and fleshed out some of these characters more than they had been in years.  Here's hoping Crystal shows up as the main focus for this one.

SUPERGIRL #47

Written by Sterling Gates

Art by Jamal Igle

Supergirl has finally brought Reactron back to New Krypton so he can be held accountable for murdering her father, Zor-El. While the debate about what to do with him rages among the people of New Krypton, the planet’s ruler – and Supergirl’s mother – remains unsure. Should Alura have Reactron executed? And will Supergirl allow it to happen if her mother decides to go that route?

Ryan: All of the recent crossover this title has been a part of has really thrown me for a loop. I’m hoping that Sterling Gates and Jamal Igle can return focus to the series with this issue—even if it means yet another issue about Reactron. Blech. At least with Igle on art, we know it will be great to look at!

TINY TITANS #22

Written by Art Baltazar and Franco

Art by Art Baltazar

How many stretchy Super Heroes can you fit in the Tiny Titans treehouse? As many as you like – until they get tangled into knots! Join the search when The Atom’s family lose their tiny bouncy ball. Also, there’s a new janitor at the school, and it’s not who you think! Plus, the Bird Scouts welcome a shiny gold new member!

Ryan: In a month filled with grim Blackest Night tie-ins and people being oppressed by Norman Osborn, we need the sheer hilarity of Tiny Titans now more than ever. Awww yeah, breath of fresh air!

WOLVERINE: WEAPON X #7

Written by Jason Aaron

Art by Yanick Paquette

The weirdest Wolverine story in recent memory continues, as Logan learns more about his current residence, the Dunwich Sanitorium, and the bizarre man in charge, Dr. Algernon J. Rottwell. The good Dr. Rot seems to enjoy removing people's brains and... doing things with them. And now he has his eyes on Wolverine's noggin. If only Logan could remember how he got here. Or who he is. Or how these claws of his work...

Kirk: First part of this new story arc was slow and left us asking a lot of questions about how Wolverine got into this situation.  I enjoyed it, but things need to start moving with this second part or it'll risk killing any interest in the 'mystery' behind this asylum.

X-MEN: LEGACY #229

Written by Mike Carey

Art by Ibraim Roberson and Daniel Acuna

As Rogue continues her mission, Gambit goes on one of his own. His mission will push him down a dark road that will shock X-Fans everywhere!

Ryan: Is there really anything that can shock X-Fans anymore? We’ve seen more teenagers die than any other comic fans. Planets blown up? Seen it. What about zombie mutants? Oh yeah. Massive attempts at genocide? More times than you can count. My guess is that they are going to send Gambit back towards Apocalypse, which was a stupid idea in the first place. If they go back that route one more time, my newfound love for this title will be long gone.

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