Dean’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Uncanny X-Men #1 – One of the problems the X-books have faced over the last few years was that there were LOTS of books, but they all seemed kinda the same: similar characters on the teams, similar types of stories, etc.  Kieron Gillen has made two big things happen in this issue.  First, he has given his X-Men a purpose: to be heroes, but to also act as a deterrent to anyone in the world who would oppress mutants.  The other is that he’s given them a distinct team.  I want the X-Men to have TEAMS….not just random assemblages of whoever was loitering in the lobby when danger strikes.  I want to be able to appreciate the drama when someone quits or is kicked off the team OR the excitement when someone new joins and we have to wonder how poor little ______ will hack it next to Namor and Magneto.

Most Anticipated This Week: Loose Ends #3 – The first two issues (#1 and #2) of this modern, southern crime drama have been HOT.  Jason Latour is writing a story that has Scalped-level grittiness to it and the art team of Chris Brunner and Rico Renzi is just on fire.  This is one of my favorite series right now.  If you doubt me, google it… I’m hardly the only one who thinks it is hot stuff.  Even if your local shop doesn’t have a copy, you can order them off the 12 Gauge Comics website.

Other Picks: Batwoman #3, Unwritten #31, Avenging Spider-Man #1, Point One #1, Uncanny X-Force #17, Rachel Rising #3