Post-Crisis Comic Book Previews for 03/03/10

Very little on tap for this week comicwise. However, the week is punctuated with the release of Girl Comics, the awkwardly named though still much anticipated Marvel anthology featuring a veritable who's who of female comic book creators pitching in on what should be a spectacular read. Ryan will be covering DC's big alternative push with First Wave #1, their new pulp line initiative. Other than that, there's a handful of issues to pick from. Hit the jump to see what we're picking up and what we expect from each.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #623

Written by Mark Waid & Tom Peyer

Art by Paul Azaceta

The Gauntlet grows deadlier! It's Spider-Man versus Peter Parker when the two sides of Spidey go to war! Pete's a sworn defender of the freedom of the press--but the Web-Slinger needs to contain a certain news item about the new Vulture that could blow the city apart!

Kirk: I've actually read the earlier Vulture appearances and didn't much care for the new version. Can't say I'm looking forward to seeing more of him, but typically enjoy Mark Waid's writing, so with holding judgement until I read the issue.

DETECTIVE COMICS #862

Written by Greg Rucka

Art by Jock

Co-feature art by Cully Hamner

Two mystery cases collide, as Batman gets closer to finding a missing socialite while Batwoman uncovers a gruesome new villain who has grafted knives onto his skin. There will be blood – and souvenirs of victims' flesh – in "Cutter" part 2!

And in The Question's co-feature, the unknown mastermind behind the gun-running scheme hires a professional killer to take care of some unwanted female companionship. When Zeiss sets his sights on Huntress and The Question, bullets will fly and blood will run!

Kirk: I'm not sure if it was the lack of JH Williams' art or just a weak story, but I didn't take to the last issue nearly as much as the opening arcs on Greg Rucka's Batwoman-centric Detective Comics. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't as powerful as those earlier issues. Let's see if it picks up this month.

FIRST WAVE #1

Written by Brian Azzarello

Art by Rags Morales

DC's shocking new pulp universe is finally unveiled! In the shadows of the War, the roots of the Golden Tree cabal grew deep into the heart of a fallen world...and the leaders at the heart of this secret organization see no place in their utopia for heroism. Doc Savage, struggling with the loss of his father, has been blind to their advance – until now. Central City's mysterious Spirit has caught wind of their plans as well. But whose side have the Blackhawks chosen? What is the Red Right Hand? And where is the Batman?

Eisner Award winner Brian Azzarello (100 BULLETS, JOKER) and superstar Rags Morales (IDENTITY CRISIS) craft a DC universe like you've never seen before! It's a world with no supermen, only mortal men... Death can come at any moment, and adventure can still be found at every corner of the map! Will Doc Savage be the first to lead the coming world or the last to be crushed under its heel?

Ryan: I’ve been chomping at the bit for DC’s pulp universe ever since it was announced last year. Not only do the characters sound incredibly interesting, but the creative team is absolutely stellar. I may not be Azzarello’s #1 fan personally, but his writing is amongst the strongest in DC’s stable. When you add in the stellar work of Rags Morales, this could definitely be one of the best books of the year. I can’t wait!

GI JOE #15

Written by Chuck Dixon

Art by Robert Atkins

The M.A.S.S. Device is activated and COBRA’s got it! A world-wide crime spree ensues as COBRA can send killers, thieves and spies anywhere in the world in an instant. No place on the planet is safe from their influence. Also, Duke and Scarlett are under arrest and another Joe is in a body bag!

Ryan: It is so weird that this is the only issue that is on my regular pull list that I’ll be picking up this week—everything else is either a special or a miniseries that I’m willing to try out the first issue. It looks like this one could be a good one, especially not that Cobra is finally stepping up their game! After fifteen issues, it is about time!

GIRL COMICS #1

Written by Various

Art by Various

With the most controversial question in the Marvel Universe finally answered right on the cover, Marvel is proud to bring you a celebration of amazing women in comics with the first of a three issue anthology entirely created by the most talented and exciting women working in comics today, including Ann Nocenti (DAREDEVIL), Amanda Conner (Power Girl), Laura Martin (SECRET INVASION), G. Willow Wilson (Air), Devin Grayson (Nightwing), Stephanie Buscema (WEB OF SPIDER-MAN), and more! With stories featuring your favorite Marvel characters, from the Punisher to Mary Jane, don't miss what will be the one of the most talked about series of the year! (Please note: She-Hulk would totally win).

Ryan: The title of this anthology may still be stupid and the high price point ($4.99) may discourage a lot of casual readers, but I’m really excited for this one. The creators involved are amongst some of the best in the industry and, in many cases, some of the most underrated. As much as I wish we wouldn’t have to have anthologies like this to spotlight top female creators (to me a good writer or artist is a good writer or artist regardless of their sex), this should still be an exciting read. Plus it is so awesome to see Devin Grayson coming back to comics!

Kirk: As Matt's earlier post indicated, we'll be covering a variety of female oriented initiatives this month. Matt will likely have his own review of this issue, but I'll be picking it up as well. I actually spoke at length about it when it was first announced and my opinion on the title has not changed since then. A lot of my favourite creators are working on this anthology and I'm expecting some great stories to come out of it.

WOLVERINE: WEAPON X #11

Written by Jason Aaron

Art by Ron Garney

"TOMORROW DIES TODAY" PART ONE Beginning an epic, action-packed arc featuring the debut of an all-new, all-different Deathlok. Killer cyborgs have come from the future to kill the heroes of today, while Wolverine embarks on an international pub crawl with a certain recently reborn Sentinel of Liberty. Beer and bullets galore!

Kirk: Wolverine: Weapon X is a Wolverine comic (duh). While many people seem to hate anything with Wolverine's name on it out of principle these days (I ignored much of Marvel's output with his name on it for similar reasoning and dubious quality/cashing in over the years), I implore you to reconsider your stance and give Weapon X a try. There are no crossovers, no linewide events, no fluff or filler - just Wolverine stories distilled down to what made the character popular in the first place. It's also one of the best titles put out by Marvel and this new arc with Ron Garney reunited with Jason Aaron should another standout story for the book.

X-MEN: HOPE #1

Written by Duane Swierczynski

Art by Steve Dillon

Hope Summers could be the much-heralded ""messiah"" who will save mutantkind from extinction...or she could just be some poor kid, caught in the wrong place at the wrong time(s). Either way, since her infancy she's been raised by mutant soldier Cable in a hostile, dying future Earth--and she's had to learn some hard lessons along the way. Now, Duane Swierczynski and Steve Dillon bring you four thrilling, untold tales from Hope's future past as she grapples with vicious snipers, robot wolf packs, mutant rats, and even Cable himself. This is the place to start if you want to know what the X-Men's future ""messiah"" is made of.

Ryan: The Messiah CompleX crossover from a few years back was one of my favorite X-Men stories in a long time, but sadly the lackluster and wildly uneven output from the X-Franchise since then killed all interest I had in the X-books. I’m really hoping that Second Coming can jump start this once stellar line of books, so I’m jumping back on with this issue that collects the Hope back-up stories from various X-titles that will be leading into the next big story. I’m excited, but I’m approaching it with caution.