Book of the Week

As we get ready for this week's releases to hit shelves, here's one last piece of comic book goodness to keep your fangirl/fanboy hearts pumping. I know a lot of people will have all that stuff about creators, fans and cosplayers in mind, but let's shine some light on something fun for a bit as I highlight my book of the week.

Here's the list of books I picked up: Avengers #33, Avenging Spider-Man #14, AvX: Consequences #5, Batwing #14, Detective Comics #14, G.I. Joe #19, Iron Man #1(NOW!), New Avengers #32, Scarlet Spider #11 and X-Men #38. My favorite read of the week was X-Men #38 written by Seth Peck, drawn by Paul Azaceta, colored by Rico Renzi and lettered by Joe Caramagna.

After the events of the previous run, Domino decides to take a break from the team. I like this move because Domino's a fun character who hasn't had this much attention in quite some time. Pairing Domino and Daredevil might raise questions as to how they'd even cross each other's paths. The answer lies in the writing. Peck makes it work. An underground casino for the villainous spandex crowd? Sounds good to me. Even though they have different purposes for being there, Domino and Daredevil find themselves teaming up. Daredevil was quick to refer to it as a team-up, while Domino was quick to reject that. That's until the end of the issue at which point they discover their mission is bigger than they originally imagined.

I have to give credit to the creative team for the villain cameos. I always appreciate a Wrecking Crew appearance. They're a team of villains that should receive more attention. Cameos by Constrictor and Tigershark round out my favorite appearances.

Visually, Azaceta and Renzi provide solid work throughout the issue. The action sequences are conveyed well. There are two panels inparticular of which I took note. The first depicts DD taking out some security guards. He extends a baton to the side in both directions break the guard's visors knocking them out. This is coupled with Caramagna's sfx; a "krack" to each of the guard's heads. The second scene may be my favorite that Azaceta has drawn. He has the Wrecking Crew getting ready for action. Wrecker is up front with his trusty crowbar. Thunderball is on his right, complete with twirling wrecking ball. Off to the left sitting at the bar are Piledriver with a drink and Bulldozer cracking his knuckles.

If you've been enjoying this title, I'd recommend to keep picking it up. The set-up for the next issue should make this a fun little tale. Let the world know what you think. Thanks for looking.

Book of the Week

Welcome back comic fans. This post is going up later than usual, but blame it on the internets. Okay, just blame me. But you'll forgive me when you read my pick of the week. But first I'll tell you this was a big week of releases for me. I had 14 books waiting for me. Last week I had 10. I can't even say I'm complaining, because I like to read. But it definitely puts a hit in my wallet.

For the week I picked up: Astonishing X-Men #51, Avengers vs. X-Men #6, Avenging Spider-Man #8, Daredevil #14, Invincible Iron Man #519, New Avengers #27, Secret Avengers #28, Uncanny X-Men #14, Winter Soldier #7, Batwoman #10, Birds of Prey #10, Green Lantern Corps #10, Supergirl #10, and Ghostbusters #10. I should have had Snake Eyes & Storm Shadow #14, but it wasn't ordered. It'll be coming in soon though. Two trades I ordered came in this week too and they were Walking Dead vol. 15 and 30 Days of Night vol. 1 from the current ongoing.

When I started reading my books for the week, a feeling of bad mojo came over me because I wasn't enjoying much of what I was reading. I still had a few more to go but it just wasn't looking good. Thank the comic gods that it turned around. It's not a good sign when you're reading through 14 books and a majority of them are no good. "Zero fun sir" for those familiar with Remember the Titans.

One of those books that changed the mood is Winter Soldier #7. You should be reading this book. I like it because it deals with espionage and old war stuff. That's just fun stuff all around. If it deals with spies, secret agents, covert ops and other related subjects, I'm likely to check it out. I wish there were more comics in the genre. Perhaps there are, I should research this. I'll gladly take a look at any recommendations any of you have.

Back to Bucky. I like what Ed Brubaker has been doing with him in this series. In part two of "Broken Arrow," Barnes and Black Widow are tracking down Leo Novokov. This fella is the third soldier Barnes trained way back. He was placed in stasis to be awaken at a later date when his skills would be put to use. That date never came. And let's just say he isn't happy about that and the world he's rejoined. But that certainly hasn't stopped him from utilizing those deadly skills. He's left a trail of blood that's led to a former Soviet scientist.

This is where this issue comes in. Our favorite former Soviet operatives catch up with Leo and it's not all fun and games. But I can't spoil it because you should just read it. I'll just say it has that spy feel along with some action, flashbacks, and an ending which leaves readers asking more questions about Leo's plans.

Michael Lark's visuals are complimented by inkers Brian Thies and Stefano Gaudiano and colorist Bettie Breitweiser. Together, they set a nice visual tone that works well with this book. There are some flashback sequences where Lark changes his layout and it works to distinguish them from present events. Breitweiser adds a different touch here as her black, white, and gray are topped off with the warmer colors: brown, red, and orange.

Winter Soldier is a fun book and I definitely recommend readers to check it out. I read a ton of books and it's definitely one of the better ones hitting shelves each month.

Thoughts on this issue? Have another book in mind? Let me know. Happy reading everyone.

Avenging Spider-Man #7 Review

Avenging Spider-Man keeps rolling with a rotating partner and creative team. This month Kathryn and Stuart Immonen team-up with Wade Von Grawbadger, Matt Hollingsworth, and Joe Caramagna to pair Spidey with our favorite gamma powered lawyer, She-Hulk.

First, I'll say that I don't know much about She-Hulk. I've never had a problem with her, but I've never read much of her. But it was nice to see her appear in two books in the same week. My point in saying that was I didn't know what to expect from her character. I imagined her to be a more laid back type of person. Again, that's coming from a person with little knowledge of the character. She's very serious and certainly annoyed by Spider-Man, which honestly isn't unwarranted.

Second, the story is titled "Wadjetmacallit?!." I kid you not. Odd, right? Well it definitely fits the story. This issue starts off with our heroes teaming up to take out some sewer creature. How did they happen to team-up? I have no idea. After this they head to an Egyptian exhibit and encounter Bastet, goddess of cats. And of course, there are TONS of cats.

Spidey maintains his usual charm. And of course that means annoying She-Hulk. Stuart Immonen's visuals are what you'd expect from him. I really don't have much to say on that front. I do like his She-Hulk though.

I really wouldn't recommend this book. If you're a She-Hulk fan, you might like it. I won't guarantee that though. Seven issues and this is easily the least entertaining of the series.