As you read here first, Marvel's offering a villain-themed series this year: Dr. Doom and the Masters of Evil. Newsarama has a preview.

[NEWSARAMA]: Marvel has released a preview of Doctor Doom and the Masters of Evil #1. The solicitation for the issue reads: You've gotta ask yourself: If Doctor Doom's the most evil guy ever, how much more evil's it gonna get when he puts a whole team of villains to work? It's the series where the bad guys get their say, and the Sinister Six are saying they aren't sinister enough! So, what's the solution? How about Kraven stealing a vibranium staff from the Louvre? And how about Electro designs a new suit to better channel his powers? And how about ramping up Mysterio's powers by breaking into Stark Industries to steal a miniaturized super-component, battling both Iron Man and Dr. Strange in the process?

Despite the hyper-annoying promo copy, the preview looks promising. The art is emotive and sharp, and the dialogue looks to be on-target. This might actually get the taste of Faces of Evil out of my mouth. (More on that later.)

	12% (6)	One finger-blaster: Awful
	22% (11)	Two finger-blasters: Needs work
	38% (19)	Three finger-blasters: Pretty good
	26% (13)	Four finger-blasters: Awesome!

There's been something bothering me about Batman: Cacophony #2 ever since I first read it. The hook is solid, the art is great, and I'm fully invested in the story.

But... well, check out these excerpts from two-and-a-half pages of Alfred and Bruce Wayne in the Batcave.

Alfred: If you ever wanted to triple the Wayne fortune, Master Bruce... All you'd need to do is invest in a suture manufacturer.

Bruce: ...Further proof no Leaguer should ever let someone else assume their mantle.
Alfred: I'm sure Jean Paul Valley would be heartbroken to hear you say that, sir.

Bruce: I liberated them from Star City General Hospital shortly after the incident.
Alfred: you most definitely need a hobby, Master Bruce.

Bruce: What do Virago, Buckeye, Green Arrow and I have in common?
Alfred: Minor psychoses and god complexes, sir?.

Here's the thing: What makes Alfred a stellar character is that he's from the David Niven school of humor -- ultra dry and delivered with a sly smile that never veers into a smirk. This didn't read so much as David Niven to me. It was more like Henny Youngman.

But I still love this series. Smith had me hooked in Issue One when the Joker dropped trou' for Onomatopoeia. It takes a bit to make my jaw drop, and this one had me staring and re-reading in disbelief.

	23% (16)	One bat: This stinks
	7% (5)	Two bats: I may not hang out for #3
	16% (11)	Three bats: Pretty mediocre
	37% (25)	Four bats: Not bad. I'm hanging in there
	14% (10)	Five bats: Great stuff! Love it!