Post-Crisis Comic Book Previews for 08/31/11

Welcome back to the Post-Crisis Previews! We find ourselves in one of those wacky 5 week months, so there aren't as many comics as usual coming out this week. Marvel's got a handful dropping, DC only has 2, and there's a smattering of books from everyone else. Hit the jump to see what I'll be picking up this week and why.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #668

Written by Dan Slott

Art by Humberto Ramos

Spider-powered New York citizens! Spider-powered criminals! And Peter Parker fighting alongside Manhattan biggest super heroes—as Peter Parker? The most sensational spider-ific summer event continues!

Grant: Despite my apprehension at its price point, Amazing Spider-Man continues to be really, really good. Dan Slott's Spider-Man feels as natural as breathing. The man knows how to pen that wonderful webhead like you wouldn't believe. Humberto Ramos is doing the same thing on art duties. Slott has been throwing out all kinds of crazy scenes, and Ramso has nailed each and every one. Above all, this book - and series - has been a ton of fun. As much as I'm not entirely happy about its current page per dollar ratio, I'm hard pressed to argue with the book's quality.

BUTCHER BAKER, THE RIGHTEOUS MAKER #6

Written by Joe Casey

Art by Mike Huddleston

Think we’ve pushed the envelope in this series so far? Well, this issue goes all the way! Learn the hidden secret of Jihad Jones! Discover Butcher Baker’s happy place! And Arnie B. Willard is still in hot pursuit! Do you need to read this comicbook? Absolutely!

Grant: I always look forward to the newest issue of Butcher Baker. Joe Casey's subversive take on the superhero genre, combined with Mike Huddleston's absolutely gorgeous and category-defying art, have grabbed onto me and just won't let go. Fortunately, I wouldn't want it to, because there is nothing else on stands right now that I'm aware of that is even remotely like this title. It's original, in-your-face, and unapologetic as all hell, and that's just the way I like it.

FLASHPOINT #5

Written by Geoff Johns

Art by Andy Kubert & Sandra Hope

FLASH FACT: The war between the Amazons and the Atlantians has arrived. The battle between Diana of Themyscira and Emperor Aquaman will tear this world apart – unless The Flash can fix it!

Grant: I was really excited when Flashpoint was first announced, those many months ago, but its execution has left me wanting. The title seems to somehow manage to have lots going on without any of it feeling worthwhile or being all that interesting. Saying that the book has been uneven is putting it politely. For all that, I've heard that Flashpoint #5 somehow manages to wrap everything up in a satisfying manner. It's perhaps a little hard to believe at this point, but Gates of Gotham #5 surprised me last week, so why not this book? I want to like Flashpoint, but Johns and Kubert have been making it hard to do. Hopefully they can turn it around.

INVINCIBLE #82

Written by Robert Kirkman

Art by Ryan Ottley

Face-to-face with Universa. She came from a distant planet, wielding unimaginable power, seeking to drain our planet dry of all energy. Invincible was able to stop her. But how long can she be contained...and what can be done with her?

Grant: Part of reading stories is seeing how characters grow and evolve over the course of a narrative. That is what Invincible has been about for the entirety of its existence. Every character has changed in one way or another over the course of the book's run, none more so than Mark Grayson, who has grown by leaps and bounds since the first issue. It looks like we'll get to see some more of that evolution this issue, and I'm intrigued to see how he deals with Universa after her brutal and unprovoked attack from last time. Should be good.

JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #626.1

Written by Rob Rodi

Art by Pasqual Ferry

Young Loki is at a severe disadvantage: everyone in Asgard remembers him from his previous life—but they're all strangers to him, and they fully intend to keep it that way. Desperate, Loki conjures up a mystical means of eavesdropping on their private thoughts; and what he learns doesn't make him happy. Even worse, the lesson itself may just cost him his life! A perfect jumping-on point, showcasing Loki's relationships with Asgard's movers and shakers, and setting the stage for the choices he makes in the months to come.

Grant: After so many people telling me to give this series a chance earlier this month, I figured I might as well make use of Marvel's Point One initiative to do so. I'm interested to see what the fuss is all about, but I'm also a little apprehensive, since Journey Into Mystery #626.1 isn't actually being done by Kieron Gillen and Doug Braithwaite, the book's regular creators. Instead, it's an issue done by Rob Rodi and Pasqual Ferry, which may or may not be representative of what the actual book is like. So this one is definitely a leap of faith, because even if I like it, it might be completely different than the normal book. We'll see, I guess.

JUSTICE LEAGUE #1

Written by Geoff Johns

Art by Jim Lee

Comics superstars Geoff Johns and Jim Lee make history! In a universe where super heroes are strange and new, Batman has discovered a dark evil that requires him to unite the World Greatest Heroes!

Grant: How can I say no to a Justice League title written by Geoff Johns and drawn by Jim Lee? When these creators are at their best, they have made for some pretty memorable comic books. I didn't really expect to find them working together anytime soon, so I'm interested in seeing what they can do. Especially since they're collaborating for DC's biggest team. Despite all the talk about the DCnU, it's still pretty vague what the whole thing will be about, so I'm looking forward to seeing if Justice League can shed any light on the question.

SECRET AVENGERS #16
Written by Warren Ellis
Art by Jamie McKelvie

RUN THE MISSION! DON'T GET SEEN! SAVE THE WORLD!
A secret city buried one mile under American soil is discovered through the leakage of Von Doom radiation – a type of energy emitted only by time-travel devices. So the Secret Avengers head underground to a weird metropolis forgotten about for decades, because a time machine in the wrong hands is the worst kind of WMD imaginable. Master storyteller Warren Ellis begins his tenure on Earth's Mightiest Clandestine Super-Team, illustrated by Eagle Award-winning Jamie McKelvie.

Grant: I've been waiting for this comic since I heard back in April that Warren Ellis was taking over the series from issue #16. However, that being so long ago, I actually forgot that I was excited for this issue. Fortunately, I follow Warren Ellis on the Twitters and happened across one of his tweets reminding readers that this was happening. Consider yourself reminded, as well. Any book that has the man who gave the world Nextwave: Agents of H.A.T.E. has my money. The fact that this title has Jamie McKelvie doing the drawings is an added bonus. Don't make the mistake I almost did, give this one a look.

SKULLKICKERS #10

Written by Jim Zub

Art by Edwin Huang & Misty Coats

"FIVE FUNERALS AND A BUCKET OF BLOOD," Part Four

This issue has it all: A cover, printed pages, comic panels in sequential order and staples! You heard that right-- staples! Okay, now that we’re past that stuff--does anyone read this info? Do you? Let us know at www.skullkickers.com. PS: We now have more issues than BATTLE CHASERS.

Grant: This solicitation is part of the reason why I buy this series. Skullkickers is a great fantasy book of high adventure. The challenges facing the book's two heroes are always interesting, and the book always brings the funny. Zub and Huang have been dropping some great comics on the market for the past year, with every single issue being worth reading. I don't know how long this title will be around for, but I'll be there every month, ready to see what comes next.

What about you, dear reader? Are you pumped for Flashpoint #5? Ready for the DCnU? Following Spider-Island? Or are there other books coming out at the end of this month that you're more interested in? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!