Mike Buzzelli’s reviews:

Incredible Hulk #608

Everything is green on St. Patrick’s Day. It’s only fitting “Fall of the Hulks” storyline concludes on March 17 (sort of). The table is set for the “World War Hulks” next month. Banner and his team of misfits – Spider-Man, Namor, Wolverine, and A-Bomb – attack the Hellcarrier, the Leader and MODOK’s base of operations. They are there to rescue Betty, but she doesn’t want Bruce’s help. There are some nice surprises in this book, and Greg Pak packs a helluva last page punch (Bobby Ewing shower scene moment). Once again, Pelletier’s art is fantastic.
Grade: B+

Siege #3

Brian Michael Bendis has been the king of the decompressed storylines. He usually likes to take the long road for the scenery, rather than take the short cut and get to the point. The Siege story is not like his others. A lot is going on in this four issue miniseries; it’s vastly superior to its Skrull Invasion predecessor. Osborn falls. Asgard falls (oh, like you didn’t know). The Sentry makes his final foray into battle. Here’s hoping the heroes take him out once and for all. Sentry, you could have been somebody. You could have been a contender, but no…you were a lousy punk (It’s not his fault, he had some suck ass writers steering him into some pretty dark corners).
Grade: B

Guardians of the Galaxy #24

Phyla-Vell, Martyr, and her fellow Guardians, Mantis, Gamora, Major Victory (lame ass name) and Cosmo try to escape the clutches of the Magus, the evil Adam Warlock. Meanwhile, Star-Lord, Rocket Raccoon, Drax, Jack Flag, Groot, and Moondragon stop an assassination attempt on Blastaar, the living Bomb Burst and ruler of the Negative Zone. Phyla –Vell finds a mysterious cocoon and it’s definitely not making Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn any younger. Abnet and Lanning continue their excellent run on this surprising title. Unfortunately, Wes Craig’s artwork is a little too cartoony for the serious repercussions in this ish.
Grade: B –

Doomwar #2

I want to love it. I really do. But Doctor Doom is pointing a gun at T’Challa’s stepmom and telling Storm to help him into the Vibranium vault or the old lady gets it. Doctor Doom behaving like a common thug doesn’t sit right. Doom threatens but doesn’t follow through making him a big blowhard. Also, in the Black Panther’s own book leading up to Doomwar, the Fantastic Four and Namor allied with Shuri and T’Challa, but only the X-Men show up to aid their friend. What happened between the Black Panther series and this miniseries? Oddly, both are written by Jonathan Maberry. Go figure.
Grade: C -

Tim’s reviews:

Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #5

I’m not sure this was absolutely essential, but it sure was fun. DnA really run with the concept that the Imperial Guard is made up of multiple people occupying the same roles. I think four guardsmen get killed or taken out this issue. I think Mentor goes out the worst, he doesn’t actually die, but he gets taken off the board in a way that actually strengthens the enemies of the Shi’ar. It’s quite clever, and it adds nicely to the mythology of the Shi’ar that DnA have established. Gladiator’s rescue mission is pretty exciting, but I like that the two remaining Starjammers get to wrap up the current threat. (Although I have to say, combining a ship-sized telepath with a venom-symbiote doesn’t seem like a long-term good idea.)

The closing page was powerful, even though the team members who fell are already replaced. The huge mausoleum of fallen guardsmen is a scary promise for each new member that joins up with Gladiator to defend the Imperium. I’m just hoping Quasar gets to help out! (I don’t want him to join the guard though.)

Kev Walker’s pencils looks a bit sketchy at times, I wonder if he was having a hard time meeting his deadlines. The most important panels look fine, but background characters look a bit blobby. I do like his designs for the new Raptors, they maintain the overall look while remaining unique.
Grade: B

Siege #3

I’ll give it to Bendis, he’s delivering a fun little mini. There are some details I’m not fond of (Cap not remembering Taskmaster and the Mighty Avengers being absent) but overall, this is pretty fun.

With the arrival of Cap and the Avengers, the US Government decides to throw in with the real Avengers and dedicates the military to taking out HAMMER. This has been a long time coming, but man, it is nice to see. The other great reveal involves the unmasking of the Iron Patriot. Naturally, Iron Man had failsafes built in, so Osborn doesn’t get to keep his armor much past Tony Stark’s arrival on site. The cool part is Osborn’s war paint. He’s got his face slathered up to look like the Green Goblin, showing just how crazy he is. Cap, Iron Man, and most importantly, Spider-Man gets to each have a nice little moment taking down Osborn. But Osborn may get the last laugh, since he reveals the Sentry to be some horrific, tentacled being. I never thought the Initiative was tough enough to be the main oppenent for this mini, and it turns out the big bad is not Osborn, it is the Sentry. I’m looking forward to a big knockdown, especially seeing how easily he knocked around Thor this issue.

Olivier Coipel draws some great, dramatic panels. Cap looks great, Sentry looks horrific, and Spidey looks like he’s having a great time. This isn’t getting as much press as Secret Invasion, but it is a heck of a lot more satisfying (in about half the time!)
Grade: B+