Post-Crisis Comic Book Previews for 12/21/11

Some merry yuletide greetings to all and sundry as we came to our last round of Post-Crisis Previews before Christmas rears its festive head.  There isn't much in the way of books that fit within the context of the holiday season, which is regrettable, but there are a ton of books that look really good, which is always nice.  So don't just sit there, feel free to take an early peek at my gift to you: my early thoughts on the books dropping this week, including Batman Incorporated: Leviathan Strikes #1, Daredevil #7, and Justice League #4!  Hit the jump to see all these books and more!

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #676

Written by Dan Slott

Art by Humberto Ramos

RETURN OF THE SINISTER SIX!

Find out what everyone’s favorite sextet of super villains has been up to while New York was spidered out. All leading up to Doc Ock’s master plan to—well—you’ll have to wait and see as 2012 promises to be the END of Spider-Man!

Grant: I think it will come as no surprise to any of you reading at home when I say that I've really liked Dan Slott's run on Spider-Man.  Like, really, really liked.  I caught bits and pieces of The Gauntlet storyline that proceeding Slott taking over the title, but it was only with the beginning of The Big Time that I go on board for each and every issue.  Seeing the solicit for ASM #676, it's times like these that I'm excited to be following a (bi)monthly Spidey book.  The Sinister Six were one of my favourite parts of the mid-90s Spider-Man show, but I've never read their exploits in the confines of an actual comic book.  With Dan Slott at the helm and Humberto Ramos navigating, I can't think of a better creative team to introduce me to this villainous one.  Can't wait.

BATMAN #4

Written by Scott Snyder

Art by Greg Capullo & Jonathan Glapion

Shocking discoveries lead Batman deeper into the mystery of the Court of Owls and its secret and bloody ties to both Gotham City and the Wayne family. But an even deadlier threat awaits Batman: a trap set hundreds of years ago, far beneath his city. The war for Gotham’s soul begins here!

Grant: Along the same lines, my disappointment with the latest American Vampire notwithstanding, you should know that I'm rather smitten with Scott Snyder.  And I may or may not have a bit of a thing for Batman.  The two were brilliant on Snyder's run on Detective Comics earlier this year, and the magic has only gotten better since he's taken over the main title with Greg Capullo.  The Court of Owls have been a really exciting addition to Batman's already overfilled rogues gallery, and things are only getting starting.  Should be good.

BATMAN INCORPORATED: LEVIATHAN STRIKES #1

Written by Grant Morrison

Art by Chris Burnham & Cameron Stewart

In this sensational, giant-sized one-shot spinning out of BATMAN INCORPORATED, Batman realizes to his horror that he’s been outwitted as the true identity of Leviathan continues to elude him. Is his deadly adversary an old foe with a grudge to settle, a new face of evil…or something completely different? Only one thing is certain: You won’t soon forget the shocking ending!

Grant: This just might be my most anticipated comic of 2011.  Grant Morrison has been doing some rather amazing things with Batman over the past few years (to put it mildly), but just as things were picking up with his Batman Inc. idea, DC hit the reset button and we ended up with the New 52, interrupting the epic tale smack-dab in the middle.  It was kind of disappointing, to say the least, and I've been waiting with bated breath since I realized that this oversized issue would be coming out to end the first "season" of Batman Inc., as it were.  A lot of questions linger going into this, including how the hell this story fits into continuity now, and I hope Morrison will be kind enough to give us a few answers (and I'm certain he'll also manage to get in plenty more questions).

DAREDEVIL #7

Written by Mark Waid

Art by Poalo Rivera

THE MOST CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED LAUNCH OF THE YEAR CONTINUES!

Following his shocking discovery about the Marvel Universe last issue, Daredevil has a weighty decision to make, the results of which will affect his friends and enemies both! Meanwhile, the Nelson and Murdock law offices struggle to celebrate the holidays as insurmountable problems descend upon them! 

Grant: I've really been enjoying this title since it launched back in August.  Waid's take on Daredevil has made for a really fun read, which is always a good thing in my books.  I found the last arc to be a little slower than the opening one, but now that all those pieces have been moved around, I imagine that the pace will move back into high gear where it belongs.  On the plus side, even though Marcos Martin might be off the book, being left with Paolo Rivera is a pretty darn fine consolation.

JUSTICE LEAGUE #4

Written by Geoff Johns

Art by Jim Lee & Scott Williams

The superstar team of Geoff Johns and Jim Lee continue the origin of the Justice League as The World’s Greatest Heroes face the might of Apokolips – and find aid in an unlikely hero, as Cyborg is created!

Grant: I don't know what to tell you about Justice League.  DC put a lot of their marketing might behind this book, giving it a top of the line creative team and launching the entire New 52 effort behind this series' number one, but I'm still not feeling it.  Geoff Johns is doing what Geoff Johns does and Jim Lee continues to draw the heck out of each and every page, but it's not doing all that much for me.  Maybe I'm jaded, but as great as it is to meet a bunch of superheroes I'm already familiar with, I feel like this could moving a little quicker.  I recognize that I often advocate for comics to be open and approachable to readers both old and new, but I feel like Justice League is so busy trying to walk that line that it isn't appealing enough to either bracket.  But who knows?  Apparently Aquaman is showing up now, so that can only mean good things.  Right?

VENOM #11

Written by Rick Remender

Art by Ian Medina

VENOM COMES FACE TO FIST WITH JACK-O-LANTERN!

But are these archenemies about to become partners?! On the run from his own country, Flash Thompson may have no choice but to ally himself with his newest enemy as Rick Remender and Lan Medina continue building Venom’s brave new world!

Grant: I'm not wild about that cover, but the solicitation text does pique my interest.  I've been enjoying the heck out of Rick Remender's Flash Thompson as Venom, and one of my favourite additions to the world has been Venom's new enemy, Jack-o-Lantern.  He's been a ton of fun (in kind of a gross and depraved way), and giving him more of the spotlight sounds like a good thing to me.

WONDER WOMAN #4

Written by Brian Azzarello

Art by Cliff Chiang

Wonder Woman has left Paradise Island behind, but Hera is just arriving. Without the Amazons’ most powerful daughter to protect them, can they withstand the wrath of a God who once favored them? And why would Zola want Diana to march right back into the eye of the storm?

Grant: Thank you, Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang.  Thank you for your wonderful take on Wonder Woman.  Thank you for telling a story that honestly feels like mythology in comic book form.  But most of all, thank you for making a Wonder Woman book that is finally worth reading again.  There's a lot of Wonder Woman fans out there, but they rarely seem to get the book they deserve.  It's looking more and more like you two are going to be the ones to deliver.  Thanks for that too.

X-23 #19

Written by Marjorie Liu

Art by Sana Takeda

ADVENTURES IN BABYSITTING continues! What could possibly go wrong for X-23, on an already disastrous night? More dragons? Hellion and his bad mood? How about being kidnapped to another galaxy by...THE COLLECTOR?

Grant: So wait, is Hellion supposed to be Han Solo?  Once again, not exactly wild about the cover, but Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda have won me over with the content of their wonderful series about Wolverine's female clone.  Reading back that last sentence, I'm reminded why I spent so long not reading this book.  That idea has no right to be as good as Liu has made it, but here were are.  Unfortunately, I wasn't the only person scared away by such a preposterous premise, seeing as this book ends with issue #21.  I'll be sad to see it go, but I'm glad I managed to catch it before it was gone.  If you're looking to try something new without any real commitment, I'd urge you to consider X-23.

And that's that.  What are you picking up this week?  Any last-minute gifts for your friends and family?  Any last-minute gifts for yourself?  Hit up the comments to share you thoughts!

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