Mike Buzzelli’s reviews:

Dark Avengers #13

Author Brian Bendis promises to answer everyone’s questions about the Sentry and fails miserably. Bendis adds insult to injury by linking the Sentry’s drug-addled abilities to God. Like, The God. Not the Asgardians, the Olympians, no, the star of testaments both old and new. Hello, blasphemy! The Pope is going to be so pissed (just think… “Avatar” riled the old Nazi; this is going to put him over). Moreover, the issue carries a Siege banner, but does not forward the Siege storyline one iota. How does someone write such drivel and still have a top-selling book? Only God knows. Deodato tries to save the book with beautiful renderings of the pseudo-superhero, but it’s just not worth your hard-earned sheckles.
Grade: D

Mighty Avengers # 33

Longtime Avengers’ foe Crusher Creel, the Absorbing Man, is imbued with the powers of the Cosmic Cube, and it’s going to take two teams of Avengers, both Mighty and Dark, to stop him. Author Dan Slott gives each Mighty Avenger a moment in the sun, but some shine brighter than others. Hercules and Quicksilver get some terrific character based jokes, and Stature gets stuck in a moral quandary. Maybe the Scarlet Witch/Loki thing has gone on too long, maybe Slott’s love affair with Hank Pym has exalted the character to ridiculous heights, maybe it’s because the team is missing some of the more iconic characters, but something is slightly wrong with The Mighty Avengers.
Grade: C +

Nova # 33

Authors Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning are at it again. They are putting out Marvel’s best and most consistent space hero books. In issue #33, Nova’s arch-nemesis, the Sphinx, grabs Nova, Darkhawk, and a disparate group of superheroes from different points in time(Reed Richards, the missing Black Bolt, and the deceased super-heroine Namorita) and uses them to battle a powerful enemy. Who is more powerful than the Sphinx? (Spoiler Alert coming – avert your eyes) How about the Sphinx? Yes, it’s Sphinx vs. Sphinx high jinks with our intrepid hero caught in the middle. Literally, the issue is a blast from the past. Awesome Andrea DiVito artwork included!
Grade: A

Avengers vs. Atlas #1

The Agents of Atlas investigate a temporal disturbance and end up on the New Avengers Whoop-Ass List. Some weird time flux changes/replaces Spider-Man, Ms. Marvel, Luke Cage, Bucky-Cap, and Wolverine into Avenger Throwbacks; Iron Man, the Wasp, Thor, The Real Captain America, and Giant Man. Author Jeff Parker sizzles with fresh ideas on a old super-hero trope (the old two-super-hero-teams-meet-up-and-battle-it-out-before-realizing-they’re-on-the-same-side ploy. Second time I fell for it this week).
Grade: A

Incredible Hulk # 606

How many Hulks does it take to foil the Leader? A heckuva lot. There’s Red Hulk, She-Hulk, Son of Hulk, Red She-Hulk, the all-new Savage She-Hulk from the future. Yikes. Yet plain old Bruce Banner (the original Hulk in his mortal guise) is proving to be the Leader’s toughest adversary. The Leader and his gang of Smarties, the Intelligencia, are going after the top eight smartest humans in the world. Banner and son, Skaar, go up against a cosmic-powered robot Hulk (Just what we needed…another one), but Banner’s motives are unclear. Is he there to save the Latverian leader or is he working with the Intelligencia? Scribe Greg Pak spins a wicked yarn with beautiful artwork by Paul Pelletier. If you’re rejoining The Incredible Hulk after a long absence, you’ll need a Wikipedia guide to the characters. It’s worth the research. Pelletier’s artwork and Pak’s dynamic script make this book one to watch.
Grade: A

Sean’s reviews:

Green Lantern Corps #44

Normally, i hate deus ex machina because it’s a cheap escape from a dramatic problem: the universe steps in and says, “No more. It’s done.” which leaves characters (and viewers) unsatisfied because it shows that we’re at the mercy of powers greater than ourselves, and free will is a slogan like “life should be fair.” That being said, I LOVED GLC’s method of disposing of the Black Lanterns: Mogo. It seems fair in some way, especially because Xanshi in its entirety came back, to say nothing of the rest of the universe’s re-animated dead. God doesn’t come down and declare that “Enough is enough. Go home.” No, no. God comes down with some righteous smiting, and it looks great ion a page. Is there a counterpoint to deux ex machina? If so, that’s what Peter Tomasi has created in this issue.
Grade: A

Uncanny X-Men #520

When sitting down to write this review, I had to pick the issue back up again because I had no recollection of what had happened. Then I saw the cover and remembered that Wolverine and Psylocke were out and about looking for someone for some reason. Then it occurred to me that I had liked Magneto because he was being misunderstood (Scott, of course, was a controlling bitch to him) and noble (poor guy couldn’t catch a break even when being helpful). In general, the issue was half-forgettable and half-sorta interesting.
Grade: C-

Steve’s reviews:

G. I. Joe #14

Well here we are a little over a year into IDW’s relaunch of the G.I. Joe franchise and i have to say WOW! Chuck dixone is doing just one hell of a job with writing this title. I have to admit that I was never really a fan of the cartoon or the Marvel Comics version. I started reading it with Devil’s Due and really rather enjoyed that but now i think it’s even better. Why because it feels more like an action adventure notvel than a tradtitional comic book that’s why. Also because this is leiterally a fresh start, they have just discovered that Cobra exists and has yet to face them and become adversaries. This is from the ground up reconstruction and you don’t need to know anything from the past. It is fascinating to see how the group is forming and what role each of them is supposed to play and how they interact with one another. It really is fresh and exciting these days.

OK, let’s talk about the current issue shall we. So far we learned that Snake Eye’s went “rogue” and Scarlett was in on it. They were after proof that Cobra does indeed exist and they convinced Duke and the rest that this organization is real. Ok so Snake Eye’s was pretty banged up in his previous battle and has decided to visit with his former sensei to recuperate. It really is amazing that a character who doesn’t speak is able to conveyso much through those around him. While his head wasn’t covered it was concealed in shadow so we still don’t get a look at his face. This was a fantastic tease too cause i’m dying to see what he actually looks like and i doubt that anyone will ever really know. Still the whole story line with Snake and the Sensei is really a highlight into leaning more about one of comics most iconic characters. Oh and i have i mentioned that in almost every scene Snake is being tested and we see just what kind of reflexes and skill he has.

Now on to the other Joe’s who are int he Pit, their underground secret base. now that they know Cobra is real they ahve some catching up to do and they are trying to start in earnest. So Scarlett, Duke and Bazooka are going undercover to get to a scientist they believe is going to be a target. They actually did the research on this scientist and it’s presented that he is a logical candidate for abduction by Cobra. This is the kind of thing i am talking about, they don’t just go ffrom one scene to the next but it’s actually done in a way that is plausible and thought out. So off to a college campus the trio go and what do you know they find that Cobra is actually giong to try to abduct him. While I don’t know who the these people working for Cobra are they are wearing animal masks and i am hoping that we get to see more of them in the future. That and I hope we get to learn what kind of armor they were wearing so that Bazooka’s bullets didn’t even phase the one in the wolf mask. I also really liked that the Joe’s didn’t save this scientist. He was indeed captured by these “agents” who also reported back that they encountered some unknown agents in the process. So now Cobra is more aware of the Joe’s and i am looking forward to seeing how they react in the coming months.

Destro is not really in with Cobra at this time, he is more a prisoner of the Baroness right now. So i am enjoying seeing how he becomes and integral part of that organization. Also I like that it’s been shortly over a year and were still in a building phase. They have yet to become the adversaries we know them to be and we are getting characterization out the whazzoo and honestly it’s fantastic! mainly because we see the trials and tribulations from both sides as they try to establish their respective organizations. Though we have yet to see Cobra Commander anywhere. This includes the normal growing pains as well as seeing them in action as they learn to work with one another. This book really is truly one of the best on the market today. I haven’t even talked about the art work in this book yet either. It is really a compliment to the writing. It is actually very normal human-esque (if that’s even a phrase). Still overall this from me gets a five star rating and if you haven’t checked it out yet then i think you should pick up a trade and give it a shot. I can’t guarantee you won’t be disappointed but you will definitely be entertained.
Grade: A

Incorruptible #2

With the success of Mark Waid’s Irredeemable we are now privileged to see the complete opposite in Incorruptible. Max Damage sits atop the FBI’s most wanted list and yet after watching the Plutonian go ballistic he decides that someone needs to stand up against him and that it has to be himself. So far as this is only the second issue I think this is much more entertaining than it’s counterparts title. He’s really taking this reforming thing to heart and won’t even continue to sleep with his sidekick Jailbait, who so far seems to have no real powers other than to just re-enforce that he is changing his ways. Oh! And her moniker is actually nail on the head wording as she is under-aged.

Oh, yes, she is tagging along while he is trying to be a hero, and she is off in another room trying to loot the joint. She has no real redeeming qualities to her and she is constantly trying to seduce Max and return him to his evil ways. I also like that so far he is having trouble being a hero in the sense that his success rate isn’t that good yet and that local law enforcement want to arrest him still. This is a learning process and i like that it is being portrayed as just that. It helps that those around him think he’s nuts for trying to turn over a new leaf. Also introduced here can be his one time “friend” now enemy Origin, who is charging outrageous prices to give out super-powers that don’t really work. I love that he was described as “a biochemical engineer with the ethics of a chain saw”, it was truly a make you smile moment.

To be honest, I do really like the premise of the book. All too often we see these types of transformations of characters in comic books but we don’t get to really see the process. Yes there is an event that provokes the change but all too often it whammo and the change has occurred seemingly overnight. This is a detailed process about how he came to this conclusion and how he is going about it, plus the consequences of that decision. It requires thoughtful planning and good execution and if mark can keep this going at this rate this will be a top notch story.

Boom Studio’s is definitely pushing the envelope on the quality of their sotry telling, going for things that are outside the norm and making a huge impact on the industry. I only wish that the quality of the visuals matched the quality of the words. Not to take away from Jean Diaz’s talent as an artist however i do feel that it looks somewhat amateurish right now. There are times when the faces of the main characters change from page to page and it almost looks like they are separate people altogether. With time this could change and hopefully this is the case as Jean has time to practice and get more comfortable doing a monthly book. Also Jailbait is supposed to be under 18 years of age, what exactly her age is isn’t currently known but all too often she comes across as someone in her mid to late 20′s and not as a teenage bad girl. I know that could be subjective but that’s how i see it. Still this is me nitpicking I suppose yet it still detracts from the overall quality of the book at times (well, for me). With a new series there will be growing pains that can be ironed out and i guess as the series progresses we will see how things go.
Grade: B-

Star Wars: Dark Times #15

First of all, let me say that the most wonderful thing about this book is Douglas Wheatley’s art. This is absolutely the most beautiful work i have ever seen in a comic book in my life. He was the reason I picked this title up in the first place. So this current story arc is a pure joy for me since it’s heralded his return to the series.

To be honest i am not one of those “Star Wars” fans who knows the movies inside and out or watching “The Clone Wars” on Cartoon Network so my knowledge of the Star Wars universe is limited to what I can remember from the movies. However Mick Harrison has completely won me over with this talent at telling the story. His characters have depth of emotion, passions and a sense of real drama in their lives. He has done a magnificent job at making you care about these “people” and wanting to see how things in their lives unfold. Even when the focus is on Darth Vader you find yourself being unable to hate him as you learn even he has troubles himself.

On to part three of this story. Fallen Jedi in hiding Dass Jennir has met with the slavers and basically told them where to go. That he cannot find it within himself to deal in slavery and has declined the invitation to join them, this of course happens after he demonstrates his skill with the sword. Mind you the sword is quite different from the lightsaber which he is used to dealing with but the basic skills do remain the same. Plus he has the ability to use the force to aid him which makes him more than formidable. Since nothing in this little town goes unnoticed he is seen leaving the slavers headquarters by their rival the Spicers. They decide that now it’s their turn to talk to Jennir and see what is going on. It is during this we get to see that despite all appearances Jennir is not an idiot. He uses these meetings to set in motion a gang war if you will between the two factions. There is also some blatant humor injected into this in the form of H2 his newly acquired floating robot. Though why is it that the robots seem to be the comic relief in this universe is beyond me. Mind you i am not complaining.

There is still yet another factor in play for Jennir. That would be Emma who believes that in hiring him she owns him as she does her working girls. While she is in league with the Spicers she still has her own agenda and is quite unstable. What will ultimately happen with her role in all this is something I am eagerly awaiting.

For a brief shining moment we get to see what is happening to the crew of the Uhumele. While it’s only two pages I was hugely happy to see it. Still reeling from the disaster’s that have plauged them since Jennir’s departure we see Bomo confess that he misses Jennir. It was great to see this rag tag band again and hopefully this will lead to the two parties reconnecting with one another.

Honestly it may have been the artwork which led me to this book but it’s the writing which has kept me a faithful reader. Even though recently the shipping schedule has been somewhat off it is still very much worth the wait.
Grade: A

Tim’s reviews:

Mighty Avengers #33

Dan Slott teases me here. We have glimpses of modern Marvel players in their older (and in my opinion, cooler) identities. This issue has Moonstone, the Scorpion, the real Vision, Iron Lad, the Void, and the blue-mask Sentry. Knowing that things have to go back to normal, we know it can’t last, but man, there are some great costumes on display here for a bit. The bulk of the issue is the Mighty and Dark Avengers bouncing off the Absorbing Man while Hank Pym and Norman Osborn race to obtain a cosmic cube. There are multiple bits that show off Dan Slott’s mastery of the Marvel U. I loved how Hank Pym convinced Osborn that he’d already won because he’s running the show with HAMMER (“Do you honestly think any of that could’ve happened without you getting your hands on a cosmic cube?”) Quicksilver’s disdain for Venom (and therefore Spider-Man was wonderful. In fact, I think Dan Slott’s best work on this book might be with Quicksilver, not Hank Pym. The book ends with a win for the Dark Avengers and one Mighty Avenger stripped of his heroic role. I can’t imagine it will last though, there are some big baddies coming up in this title and the team will need this guy!

We get another month of good Khoi Pham. When given time, he has a great style for action in the mighty Marvel manner. I really liked his take on the original Vision and Moonstone. I will admit Norman Osborn looks a bit inhuman on that cover though.
Grade: B

Captain America #602

Yowza, this one isn’t exactly subtle. I guess the Marvel U gets right back on track, because when we first see Winter Cap this issue, Nick Fury is a spymaster again and he’s outfitting WC with a new robotic arm. Fury is handing out assignments again too, and he sends Winter Cap and Falcon out to Idaho to take on 50′s Cap and his new gang. I love that Ed Brubaker is integrating 50′s Cap into one of Mark Gruenwald’s best concepts, the Watchdogs. But that’s where things get political. Brubaker really ties the Watchdogs to the whole Tea Party movement, and then it is only a hop, skip, and a jump from there to flat out racist accusations. To go undercover with the Watchdogs, Winter Cap stages a beat down on the Falcon, even sending him off with a “And don’t forget your briefcase, Obama!” Clearly, the real villains are the worst people we see here, the Watchdogs are intrigued by Winter Cap and immediately recruit him. But there are some clear comparisons made between that comic-book villain group and the Tea Party movement. I’m as liberal as the next guy, but man, that’s awfully political.

The normal comic stuff is handled great, as always. Brubaker is setting up the Watchdogs as a force to be reckoned with, and I love seeing Winter Cap and Falcon working together. They may end up being almost as good a pair as Falcon and the real Cap.
Grade: B

Green Lantern #44

When crap needs to get done, the Guardians call the planet with a plan. Here comes Mogo!

The Black Lanterns are still attacking the central battery and despite the mass destruction Guy Gardner is causing, the Corps is in rough shape. At least until Mogo makes his plan known to the Corps. He quickly and efficiently takes on the entire army of Black Lanterns, and deals with them in a distinctivley Mogo fashion. I really like how Peter Tomasi shifts the focus of the title. We’ve been dealing with Black Lanterns for months and months now, but that seems to be handled at the close of the issue. Now Kyle, Soranik, and the rest have to deal with a raging Guy Gardner: Red Lantern. There are some nice clues dropped here and there that Salakk and some of the other Lanterns are getting mighty fed up with the Guardians and their secret orders, so I’m expecting a big shake-up after Blackest Night.

Patrick Gleason brings an unparalleled level of detail to this book. He does it every month. The splash pages are chaotic battlegrounds of well-rendered, unique characters. The facial expressions and “acting” are top notch. The gore is splattery and fun. I love this book!
Grade: B+