December has been a busy month (as evidenced by this week's Previews coming much later than usual), and yet another event pushed my trip to the comic shop back a week. Which means that this week's trip will be a huge one for me, as I have six weeks of books to looks through and buy. There's a pretty big list adding to it this week, so you get started here, and I'll be figuring out what I can afford.
Amazing Spider-Man #650
- Written by Dan Slott
- Pencils & Cover by Humberto Ramos
To face off against an amped-up HOBGOBLIN, you need an amped-up SPIDER-MAN! What's the story behind Spidey's NEW SUIT? What is it and what can it do? Meanwhile, MACH 5 (from THE THUNDERBOLTS) faces off against one of Spidey's deadliest foes! All this, and a secret side mission for THE BLACK CAT. Plus an additional 8 page story: We showed you who was behind the HOBGOBLIN'S mask last issue. But what were they up to BEFORE their startling return? Here's where you find out!
I'm hoping that when I look at everything I'll have room for these Big Time issues of Amazing Spider-Man. From what I've seen, they look good. I'm guessing the new suit (which is a nice variant on the black costume) is the result of new tech from his new job. If so, I like that — I loved the old days of Peter Parker using his scientific smarts to his advantage.
Angel #40
- Written by David Tischman & Mariah Huehner
- Art by Elena Casagrande
- Cover by Jenny Frison
Zapped...elsewhere, Angel discovers an old nemesis with a common foe, as James continues to turn L.A. into his own private demon farm. Can the enemy of his enemy be his friend, or is Angel about to get major league betrayed?
So I finally get caught up with reading Angel and I end up having to go to the comic shop two weeks late. Now I'm behind again. So I haven't seen the start of the final arc for this book. I have high hopes, though — I thought David Tischman did a good job writing the script for Bill Willingham's plotting in the final (two?) issue(s) of his run.
Chaos War #4
- Written by Fred Van Lente
- Pencils by Khoi Pham
- Cover by Dan Panosian
It’s the end of ALL things! The Marvel Universe's shattered pantheons fall from the skies! King Chaos marshals his forces for the final assault with every Marvel hero as his target! Hercules, Thor and the God Squad embark upon one last, mad scheme to save existence itself, but what terrible conflicts wrack the heroes and gods of Earth when Hercules learns the true price of their deliverance? Bonus: Hell comes to Hawaii! (Yes, Hawaii.)
Is Fred Van Lente writing this solo now, or is that a mistake in the solicit? In any case, this has, unfortunately had too little of the awesomeness that has been Incredible Hercules, et al. Let's hope they focus on what made Hercules's story great for the last two issues.
Chaos War: Thor #2
- Written by Marc Dematteis
- Pencils by Brian Ching
- Cover by Tommy Lee Edwards
Chaos King’s most powerful lieutenant, the pantheon-encompassing alien powerhouse known as Glory, has reached the Earth…and the only one who can stand in his way is the Mighty Thor! But if Donald Blake has forgotten his godly alter-ego, how can the God of Thunder possibly save the world? Legendary writer J. M. DeMatteis (Amazing Spider-Man, “Kraven’s Last Hunt”) pens a tale of what happens when a god loses faith in himself.
The first issue of this didn't sound nearly as interesting as this one does. I'm still probably not going to get it — I don't know if I can fit two extra (and extraneous) issues into this month.
Mouse Guard: The Black Axe #1
- Writing & Art by David Petersen
The Eisner Award-winning Mouse Guard returns with The Black Axe, a third volume to be told in six bi-monthly issues. Set in 1115, this prequel to Mouse Guard: Fall 1152 fulfills the promise the wise oldfur Celanawe made to Lieam the day his paw first touched the Black Axe: to tell the young warrior about the mouse who first wielded the deadly weapon.
The arrival of distant kin takes Celanawe on an adventure that will carry him across the sea to uncharted waters and lands, all while unraveling the legend of Farrer, the blacksmith who forged the mythic Black Axe.
One of the first books I got outside of Buffy was Mouse Guard. I saw the hardcover of the first volume and the concept and art sold me on the spot. I loved reading it, and even though I haven't been able to pick up the second volume yet (or Tales of the Mouse Guard), I know I will, and I'll be getting this one, too (after the hardcover comes out).
Time Masters: Vanishing Point #5
- Written by Dan Jurgens
- Art & Cover by Dan Jurgens & Norm Rapmund
None of the Time Masters' problems in the time continuum compares with what's in store for them when they cross paths with the Reverse Flash! In fact, nothing will be the same for the entire universe after this fateful meeting!
Don't miss this companion series to the best-selling "Return of Bruce Wayne" storyline!
The last couple issues were a bit slow, with little progression of the plot or characterization. The last one was better than the one before it, though, and I really enjoyed the first two issues, so I'm hoping that with things moving forward now we'll get back to the level of the first couple issues that I loved so much.
The Unwritten #20
- Written by Mike Carey
- Art by Peter Gross & Vince Locke
- Cover by Yuko Shimizu
Tom's search for the source of his father's power has been hampered by the fact that he doesn't know what it looks like or what it can do. But he's about to experience it first-hand! As the cabal unleashes a new threat and Tom's relationship with his friends goes through some more-than-unexpected changes, this may be the worst time to play with fire . . .
Another casualty of heading to the shop two weeks late, I have yet to read (or buy) #19, the start of a new chapter for this book. The issue before that was probably the weakest of the series — it mostly tied up loose ends and set up this new chapter — but that doesn't mean it was bad. Far from it. It's just that this book has been so awesome that what would be a good-to-excellent issue for most books is the weakest of the series for The Unwritten. I can't wait to see what happens.
X-Factor #212
- Written by Peter David
- Pencils by Emanuela Lupacchino
- Cover by David Yardin
It's time to Ragnarok and roll in Las Vegas, as X-Factor--teamed with everyone's favorite Thunder God--squares off in a high-stakes, winner-take-all throw down with Hela to determine the fate of Pip the Troll. And for one member of the team, it will be the beginning of the end…
Once more (but the last one, I promise) I've yet to purchase the previous issue of this because I haven't been to the store. But, I always expect (and get) great things from this book. Except for the art. That's always the wild card here, but the writing more than makes up for it.
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