New Comics For August 23, 2006

DC COMICS

52 WEEK #16
BATMAN #656
FLASH THE FASTEST MAN ALIVE #3
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #1
SUPERGIRL AND THE LEGION OF SUPER HEROES #21
WONDER WOMAN #2

MARVEL COMICS

ASTONISHING X-MEN #16
DAREDEVIL #88
ETERNALS #3
HEROES FOR HIRE #1
NEW AVENGERS #23
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #99
WOLVERINE #45

MANGA

BLACK CAT VOL 4
DEATH NOTE VOL 7
HUNTER X HUNTER VOL 10
JOJOS BIZARRE ADVENTURE VOL 5
KNIGHTS OF THE ZODIAC VOL 17
ULTIMATE MUSCLE VOL 14
ZOMBIE POWDER VOL 1

Now that is a good sized week of comics! I will tell everyone right now, there is absolutely no way I am going to be able to post reviews on all 13 comic books that I am getting tomorrow. I do have a job that precludes me from staying in the Bunker 24/7 trying to crank out all of these reviews. So, I’ll have to pick and choose which issues I feel are worthy of a review.

Now, which DC title am I most looking forward to reading? That one is so easy. Justice League of America #1. Period. No doubt about it. I am really excited about this re-launch and I have high hopes for Meltzer’s run on this title. I’m also looking forward to reading Batman #656. I think Grant Morrison turned in an excellent debut issue and this is going to end up being one of my favorite titles.

Which DC title am I least looking forward to reading? Flash #3. I am simply not a Bart fan, so this title has an extreme uphill battle to win me over. On top of that, I find the story less than impressive. It isn’t very focused and well plotted. The dialogue is average at best. The entire storyline seems rather uninspired. There isn’t a single character or plotline that particularly interests me. I have a feeling that the axe is going to fall on the Flash after issue #3.

Which Marvel title am I most looking forward to reading? Astonishing X-Men #16. Whedon has made this title an absolute must read. Consistently good since the beginning, Astonishing X-Men always delivers the goods. Whedon is crafting a story that evokes the same feelings in me that the X-Men issues in the 80’s did.

I’m also very exited to read Daredevil #88. After Brubaker’s shocking ending of last issue, I can’t wait to read more about what Foggy has been up to. I also am interested in Ultimate Spider-Man #99 which also had numerous shocking revelations including the return of Gwen Stacy! This should be a very exciting issue.

Which Marvel title am I least looking forward to reading? Wolverine #45 and New Avengers #23. I just haven’t been won over by the current creative team on Wolverine. The stories have been average and the artwork slightly less than average. The New Avengers Civil War tie-in issues have been an absolute waste of paper. I know I’m in the extreme minority, but I find these tie-in stories to be a waste of my time.

I am curious about Heroes for Hire #1. I have serious reservations about this title. On the surface, it appears to have the potential to be a real stinker. It may end up being Marvel’s version of Birds_of_Prey, only not as good. However, I have really enjoyed Palmiotti and Gray’s work on Battle For Bludhaven and Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters, so I’m willing to give this title a chance.