Post-Crisis Comic Book Previews for 03/17/10

Ah, Mondays, the crisp air, the promise of another week filled with comics and with it, our Post-Crisis Previews. Ryan and I have drafted up our pull lists for this week and thrown out our comments and expectations on each solicit. What are we picking up this week? Hit the jump to find out.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #625

Written by Joe Kelly

Art by Max Fiumara

Deep within the fires of the gauntlet It’s Rhino vs. Rhino – with Spidey caught in the middle! When the young, teched-out upstart who’s taken the Rhino mantle refuses to leave the original Rhino, Aleski Systevich in peace, he forces Systevic to make a stand…and the tragic result s will be felt in Spidey’s life for months to come. Witness THE LAST STAND OF THE RHINO!

Kirk: Last issue (well,t he entire arc) was terrible. I'm still trying to forget that Photoshop/firing hack job, but have been enjoying Amazing for the most part lately, so will shoulder on. Joe Kelly back with a follow-up to the Rhino storyline should help cleanse the pallet. I hope.

BATMAN #697

Written by Tony Daniel

Art by Tony Daniel

Who wears the Black Mask? The true identity of Gotham City's new crimelord is finally revealed and that identity will surprise everybody – especially Batman! And after the final showdown between Black Mask and The Dark Knight, will things ever be the same for Kittyhawk and the Reaper?

Ryan: The best way to describe Tony Daniel’s tenure as the writer and artist of Batman is to say that it has been uneven. For ever step forward, there is another step back. The way he handles the reveal of Black Mask’s identity is probably going to be the tipping point either way. This is going to be interesting to say the least.

BOOSTER GOLD #30

Written by Dan Jurgens

Art by Dan Jurgens

When Booster Gold rescues his sister from the timestream – saving her from imminent death – he soon realizes that the sister he saved is not the same girl he remembers. Will the two be reunited as Booster Gold and Goldstar – or will Michele disappear into the timestream forever? And what will become of Rip Hunter? Be here to find out!

Ryan: I am really on the fence about this one. I really lost interest in this title after Geoff Johns left it, but was sucked back in with the Blue Beetle back-up stories. Now that those are over, I’m a little curious about how Booster Gold handles this Coast City situation, but there are a lot of other comics out there that might be more deserving of my cash. What to do?!

DEAD @17: WITCH QUEEN #1

Written by Josh Howard

Art by Josh Howard

DEAD @ 17's PENULTIMATE CHAPTER BEGINS HERE! After being forced to kill her closest friend, Nara found herself banished to Purgatory by the Beast from the Abyss. Doomed to wander a hostile and timeless wasteland ruled by the mysterious Witch Queen, Nara has accepted her fate as penance for her actions. Haunted by her past, she faces her greatest challenge as she confronts who she's been and what she will become.

Ryan: Despite being a big fan of Josh Howard’s Dead @17 series from its inception with Viper Comics, I was really hard on the last miniseries, Afterbirth, because it was so inaccessible to new readers despite being the franchise’s first outing at Image Comics. Now that we are done with introductions and Howard kicks off the beginning of the end for this epic story, I look forward to seeing where this story goes as I try to approach it with as little baggage as possible.

DOOMWAR #2

Written by Jonathan Maberry

Art by Scot Eaton

Doctor Doom's latest power play has the Marvel Universe up in arms. Wakanda has been conquered and Storm faces execution in the next 48 hours -- unless the X-Men, the Fantastic Four and the two Black Panthers can rally to the rescue! With Doom only minutes away from stealing enough Vibranium to help him conquer the world, T’Challa faces the most dreadful decision possible: let Doom win…or let Storm die!

Kirk: I didn't manage to review the first issue of this event, but after seeing some scans, liking them and going back to the shop to get this issue - as detailed in the Moments of the Week for that week - it was inevitable that it would be added to the pull list. Hopefully it maintains the promise of that strong opening issue.

GREEN ARROW #31

Written by JT Krul

Art by Diogenes Neves

"The Fall of Green Arrow" begins here! Spinning out of the shocking events of JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRY FOR JUSTICE and JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE RISE AND FALL SPECIAL #1 comes the destruction of Green Arrow. As Oliver Queen's inner turmoil and guilt overwhelms him, secrets are revealed that will tear him asunder. What will the Emerald Archer reveal to the world that will change his life and the lives of the people around him forever? And why are Hal Jordan (Green Lantern), Barry Allen (The Flash) and the rest of the Justice League hunting him?"

Ryan: I was pretty blunt about how I feel about this storyline when reviewing the Justice League: Rise and Fall Special last week. If I wanted to read a Punisher story, I’d buy a Punisher comic. I don’t like what is being done with Oliver Queen and, while I’m excited to see JT Krul at the helm, I’m really not sure if there is anything that can be done to bring me on board willingly. I’ll give this storyline a shot, but this issue needs to turn things around quickly or I’m gone.

GREEN LANTERN CORPS #46

Written by Peter Tomasi

Art by Pat Gleason

The storyline tying in with Blackest Night comes to its epic and stunning conclusion in this over-sized issue as the Green Lantern Corps descends on Earth to make their final stand against Nekron and the Black Lanterns!

Ryan: The Blackest Night tie-in stories for this series have covered a wide range of quality, from the absolutely phenomenal to the absolutely mediocre. With this being an oversized issue, Tomasi has room to wrap this up in style, which keeps me from being too pessimistic about it. Plus, an oversized issue means more Pat Gleason artwork and how can I argue with that?

Kirk: Forgot to double check Diamond listings and had this issue in last week's previews. Here's what I said: "GLC has been the best Blackest Night title in my opinion, just barely edging out Green Lantern, so I can't wait to get my orange ring clad hands on this one."

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #24

Written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning

Art by Wes Craig

A REALM OF KINGS ISSUE! The universe faces one of its greatest evils—and no one can see it coming! The Magus, the necromantic shadow-half of Adam Warlock, is not dead after all...and only a small and hapless band of heroes—heroes who should be dead, too—can stop him! Are they back from the grave permanently, and what will we finally see emerge from the enigmatic cocoon?

Ryan: It’s Guardians of the Galaxy, which means it is going to be awesome. The only thing that is going to hold this issue back could be the art by Wes Craig, though he really stepped up his efforts last issue and made up for some pretty horrid work that we had seen from him previously. This is the issue to beat this week.

Kirk: Thanos? He's supposed to be showing up soon and this seems like the only spot he could be "reborn". Either way, Guardians has been the best cosmic book on the Marvel side of things lately. I'm always anticipating a new issue of this lately.

HERCULES: FALL OF AN AVENGER #1

Written by Greg Pak, Fred Van Lente & Jeff Parker

Art by Reilly Brown & Ariel Olivetti

When the most beloved Olympian of all time falls, who will mourn him? Acclaimed INCREDIBLE HULK artist Ariel Olivetti joins writers Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente for a two-part mini-epic that marks the end of an era and the beginning of something utterly unexpected for Hercules, the Lion of Olympus. Bring your hankies -- and your golden adamantine maces -- as an all-star cast including Thor, Namor, Namora, Snowbird, Alflyse, Bruce Banner, and of course, Amadeus Cho send off the Son of Zeus with shocking tales, smash-tastic action, bawdy tomfoolery, and heart-rending drama that will change the course of Marvel's marvelous mythological milieu... forever! Plus: There are some missions that require a woman's touch- so the rest of the Agents of Atlas hang back and let Venus and Namora go out and show their stuff!

Kirk: I miss Herc already. =(

INCREDIBLE HULK #608

Written by Greg Pak and Harrison Wilcox

Art by Paul Pelletier and Ryan Stegman

FALL OF THE HULKS Conclusion! Years ago, the Hulk helped found the Avengers -- and then almost immediately smashed his way into becoming one of the Avengers' greatest nemesis. Now in the wake of the Intelligencia's crippling attack on the World's Mightiest Heroes, Bruce Banner's actually leading a group of Avengers -- but can he be trusted any more than his big green alter ego was back in the day? Plus, the reveal of the master plan of the Leader and M.O.D.O.K. and the true motivations of Skaar, Son of Hulk, in the stunning conclusion of the "Fall of the Hulks" and the shocking kickoff to the upcoming "World War Hulks" blockbuster! Plus: the conclusion of the Red She-Hulk backup story behind her first appearance!

Ryan: In a week where I’m making hard decisions about what comics not to pick up, it is hard to pick up an issue simply for the back-up material like I have been for Incredible Hulk (what can I say, I’m a sucker for Ryan Stegman’s art). The main story got considerably better last issue over the one previous, which means I could be taking this one home this week. If not, I might have to check it out as a back issue on a lighter week. Hmm…

NOVA #35

Written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning

Art by Mahmud A. Asrar

A REALM OF KINGS ISSUE! In The Fault, where anything is possible and cosmic terrors are born, two eternal forces meet in shattering conflict—and Nova is caught right in the middle! With a fabulous cast of guest stars—including Mr. Fantastic, Black Bolt and some jaw-dropping foes—the time-slipping saga of the Sphinx comes to its galaxy-shaking conclusion!

Ryan: Nova + Mahmud Asrar = Win.

Kirk: I think I've said this for every issue of this arc, but I'm not sure what the hell is going on in this story and am perfectly fine with that. It's still a good book, but it almost feels like filler compared to Guardians of the Galaxy, which is cover to cover action and is dealing with the fall out of War of Kings, all the Realm of Kings/Fault goodness and even has Magus and Thanos in it. In comparison, Nova is like that recent Red Hulk Defenders/Offenders storyarc with people pulled from out of time. Just, you know, good instead of terrible like Hulk was.

REALM OF KINGS: IMPERIAL GUARD #5

Written by Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning

Art by Kev Walker

Deep in the unknown territories of The Fault, the Imperial Guard and their reluctant allies the Starjammers fight for their lives—and glimpse the true cosmic horror growing in the heart of this deadly new territory! Can they get out alive with a warning for the rest of the Marvel Universe? This sounds like a job for...Gladiator!

Kirk: This series really hit its stride last month. I was completely unsold on the concept when it started, but the slow burn is paying off now. Actually looking forward to this one for a change.

SIEGE #3

Written by Brian Michael Bendis

Art by Olivier Coipel

THE MARVEL BLOCKBUSTER OF THE YEAR!! In the halls of Asgard and on the streets of small town America the entire Universe is gripped in the greatest battle ever seen: SIEGE!! Lives have been lost! Lines have been drawn! And the battle for Asgard is in full force. The moment for revelations and life-changing moves is here, and for some, this will be the last choice they ever make in this world. What happens next is so epic, so historic, that it changes the entire dynamic of the Marvel Universe. You're gonna want to be there for this one...trust us.

Ryan: After being seriously disappointed by the first two issues of Siege, I’m really not sure why I’m picking this one up. I consider Big Event books to be required reading as a reviewer, but Marvel hasn’t really given me many reasons to stay interested in this story. I didn’t have the willpower to stop reading the abysmal Final Crisis, so I doubt I’ll be able to drop this one either.

Kirk: I'm also not sure why I'm sticking with it. I guess the four issue format makes it easier to justify not dropping it halfway through. Based on the previews for this, it looks like pin-up splashpages that don't really tell a story in the least. Just people posing inexplicably in midair and other nonsense. Looks cool and I'd love to own the art, but terrible for telling a story.

SUPERGIRL #51

Written by Sterling Gates

Art by Jamal Igle

"Brainiac & The Legion of Super-Heroes"" Part 2! Amidst Brainiac's assault on New Krypton, General Zod has brandished the Legion of Super-Heroes terrorists and imprisoned them! Superboy will do his best to free them, but he’ll have to go through Supergirl first! That's right, it's the Super-battle of the sexes you've been waiting for! Poor Ma Kent is going to be so disappointed in them...

Ryan: Dear DC’s Superman Editorial,

I purchase the Supergirl title by the regular creative team of Sterling Gates and Jamal Igle because I really like the character and these fine fellows have done a great job of making this one of the strongest comics in your catalogue. I don’t read any of the other Superman Family Titles and I don’t really have any interest in doing so. I’d really appreciate it if you would stop having line-wide crossovers involving Supergirl and the aforementioned Superman titles that I don’t read. Seriously, once every few years is more than enough. Four or five crossovers in a year is simply ridiculous.

Your friend,

Ryan the Iowan

X-23 #1

Written by Marjorie Liu

Art by Filipe Andrade & Nuno Plati

X-23 has spent her short life being used by those in power, from the military to the X-Men. But when she is forced to confront a being who can control her life with nothing but a thought, will X-23 finally learn how to fight -- not for others, but herself? Guest-starring NYX!

Kirk: I've always liked X-23. If Marvel wants to give me a comic featuring her AND written by Marjorie Liu, I'll gladly buy it.