Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

Dean’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Strange Tales II #2 – I love anthologies and seeing a bunch of indy creators get to play with our favorite Marvel characters from different eras was a real treat.  Runners-up: Taskmaster #3 & Scarlet #3

Most Anticipated: Amazing Spider-Man #648 – This is the first issue without the rotating team of creators that have entertained us for the last several years.  It will be very interesting to see what Dan Slott will do with this title as the primary creative force.

Other picks: American Vampire #8, Unwritten #19, She-Hulks #1, Halcyon #1, Avengers Prime #3

Alex’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Superboy #1 – This week was all about Jeff Lemire, as his two ongoings were the front runners for pick of the week.  In the end though, Superboy gets it, if only for the novelty of being new.  That said, this is a great book, one that combines Lemire’s idiosyncracies and unique talents with his clear love for the DCU.  It’s a thoughtful, high-quality product, but one that’s also written by a writer whose excitement is utterly infectious.

Most Anticipated: T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #1 – I don’t know a damned thing about the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents property beyond what the solicitation text has told me about this issue.  What I do know a lot about are the creative team of Nick Spencer and CAFU, which is a ridiculously good one.  T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agent’s hook is a cool one but, more than that, I’m hoping that the fact that this is a relaunch of a long dormant property will allow Spencer and CAFU a good amount of freedom, as both are very, very good at what they do.

Other Picks: Amazing Spider-Man #648, Thor #617, Chew #15, American Vampire #8, Batman: the Return of Bruce Wayne #6, New Avengers #6, the Unwritten #19

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

DS’ Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Kato Origins #4: Way of the Ninja – As predicted, Kato Origins #4: Way of the Ninja stomped the competition. Nitz delivered a great, multi-level story that kept on surprising until the end. I’m loving Kato Origins!

Most Anticipated: Valkyrie #1 – I have been a Defenders fan pretty much since I started collecting comic books. It was a non-team of slightly odd characters with really different origins and reasons for being. Valkyrie was just another one of the characters that seemed to fit. Goddess power in a woman’s body. Then Goddess soul in woman’s body. Then finally, Goddess soul in her own body. She’s tough. She’s brave. She’s loyal. And I’m looking forward to seeing what Marvel does with her on her own.

Other Top Picks: Justice Society of America #43, Outsiders #33, Atlas #5, Avenger: Prime #3, Captain America #610

Dean’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Velocity #2 – Read my review to see how much I love Kenneth Rocafort’s artwork, but this series also has a very easy to get behind story that doesn’t require any prior knowledge of Top Cow properties.

Most Anticipated: Avengers Prime #3 – This is an amazingly light week for comics, but I’m still excited to see the next chapter of the adventures of Tony Stark, Steve Rogers & Thor.

Other picks: Amazing Spider- Man #644, Valkyrie #1, Powers #6, X-Men Legacy #240

Alex’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Thor #615– In what was an outstanding week for comics, Thor stands out from the pack as fresh, big, and very, very promising.  It’s Matt Fraction doing what he does best and I can’t wait for the next issue.

Most Anticipated: Powers #6 – Powers really takes this by the slimmest of margins over Action Comics, which sees Nick Spencer’s DC debut.  But I can’t say no to Deena Pilgrim, who is making her return this issue.  Not to mention that it’s about goddamned time this thing came out.  I’ve been aching really badly for some Powers and I finally get not only that, but also one of my favourite comic characters making a comeback.  Sweet.

Other Picks: Captain America #610, Casanova #3, Powers #6, Secret Warriors #20, Action Comics #893, Wonder Woman #603, Chew #14