Amazing Spider-Man #615
Creative team: Story by Fred Van Lente; Art by Javier Pulido Villain to Watch: Sandman They say: A locked room mystery! A string of brutal murders! A missing girl! One of Peter Parker's closest friends on the brink of ruin! This looks like a job for the Amazing Spider-Sleuth... and all clues point to the sinister Sandman! But all of Spidey's classic villains are being reinvented as part of 'The Gauntlet', and Sandy is no different -- so nothing is what it seems! I say: There was a lot of competition to break into the "Five to Pull" column this week. I almost just chucked it all and re-named it the "Ten to Pull" column, but I'm a little obsessive-compulsive, and that would never do. So, for Amazing Spider-Man to make the cut -- and knock out some shoo-ins like Thunderbolts is a real compliment to the Gauntlet storyline. I've loved what they did with Electro, and I'm champing at the bit to see what they have planned for one of my perennial favorites Sandman. 
Dark Avengers #12
Creative team: Story by Brian Michael Bendis; Art by Mike Deodato Villain to Watch: Molecule Man They say: The Dark Avengers are pitted against a foe they cannot defeat: A man with the power over every molecule in the world! Norman can't talk his way out of this one as the world gets turned upside down and no joke...someone dies. For reelz!! I say: I've been salivating over this face-off ever since they began foreshadowing it. Molecule Man is a tremendous Marvel bad guy in the truest tradition of the term -- amazingly powerful, conflicted and a little bit insane. The stakes are getting very high for Norman, and it's just a matter of time before his house of cards begins to fall. Molecule Man just might be the ace that starts the chain reaction. As for the death that they're teasing, my money, unfortunately, is Moonstone. She's been declawed by Ms. Marvel, and she's the most likely to be removed from continuity until some future writer decides to re-imagine her character. And that's a shame, because this latest incarnation of Moonstone was awesome. Hopefully, I'm wrong. 
Power Girl #7
Creative team: Story by Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray; Art by Amanda Conner Villain to Watch: Vartox They say: A blast from the past! The alien Vartox has come to Earth to claim a wife-and her name is Power Girl! PG may have wanted a boyfriend, but not quite like this! I say: This is an automatic pull. The storytelling has been solid and Amanda's art is among the finest being published in comics today. According to Wikipedia, Vartox... ...is from Valeron, in the "Sombrero Hat" Galaxy. Vartox is a friend and equal to Superman and the two have shared many adventures together. In a later stroyline Vartox, like Superman, loses his homeworld and adopts a new world which he is sworn to protect. He is older than Superman who described him as "a force for good in the universe when I was still a super-tot" (Superman #375, September 1982: "The Stoning of Lana Lang"). Vartox described himself as "far more experienced" than Superman(Superman #281, November 1974: "Mystery Mission to Metropolis"). Vartox is in love with Lana Lang and has shared a rivalry with Superman for her affections. His Post-Crisis history: In 1999 a post-Crisis version of Vartox was introduced by Dan Jurgens and Steve Epting. He makes his debut in Superman vol.2 #148, alongside two other aliens named Vestion and Paz. This version has significantly reduced powers, apparently slightly less than the post-crisis Superman, and a revised costume. A brief mention of Vartox's homeworld Valeron is mentioned in 'Team Superman #1,' at that time it had a super-champion called Ontor who claimed he was "the only sentient wearing a cape for thirty-eight light years in every direction." In this appearance, he will try to claim Power Girl as his wife. I'm in. 
Deadpool Merc with a Mouth #6
Creative team: Story by Victor Gischlet; Art by Bong Dazo Villain to Watch: A.I.M. They say: Space, the Final Frontier. O-ver-ra-ted. Wade, the severed Zombie Deadpool head and Dr. Betty find themselves back on good old Earth, knee-deep in swampy goodness. Seems like Headpool is a little homesick, and everyone agrees the zombie virus should be put safely back into its own dimension. All they've got to do is find that damn dimensional portal. Anyway, you don't think A.I.M, is gonna give up that easy, do you? No way. Just because their space station got itself all blown up doesn't mean they're out of the game. But wait -- who's this surprise guest star? Is it a man? Is it a thing? Well, you see where this is going ... Is this enough preview copy to get you to buy the damn book...because I can go on all night?! I say: Of the many, many Deadpool-related titles being offered by the House of Ideas, I look forward to this one the most. The art is eye-popping and gorgeous (and so is Dr. Betty). I love the zombie head. And the writing has been among the very best handlings of the Deadpool character being done today. It's interesting that Man-Thing is being teased as a guest star, since the last time we saw him, he was being felled by Ares in Dark Avengers #10. He must have gotten one heck of a graft. 
Green Lantern Corps #43
Creative team: Story by Peter J. Tomasi; Art by Pat Gleason and Rebecca Buchman Villain to Watch: Red Lantern Guy Gardner They say: Red rain falls! As the Black Lanterns continue their reign of terror and chaos on Oa, things go from bad to worse when a horrible loss for the Green Lantern Corps results in Guy Gardner becoming so enraged that he becomes a Red Lantern! And hell breaks loose as the Central Power Battery faces an attack from the newly arrived Black Lantern Corphans! I say: I'm still wondering whether Green Lantern Corps still belongs here. The Black Lantern saga is dragging a bit, and this book seems to have taken a back seat in the significant action. Buy Guy Gardner. Red Lantern Guy Gardner. I gotta tell you, that's one heck of an engaging thought. Strong enough to power through one heck of a tough field to make the list. Honorable Mentions:Hulk #18, Mighty Avengers #32, Justice League of America #40, Thunderbolts #139. And One to Pass
Amazing Spider-Man Presents Anti-Venom #3
Creative team: Story by Zeb Wells; Art by Paulo Siqueira Villain to Watch: Anti-Venom They say: It's Anti-Venom and Punisher vs. one of the largest, most powerful and most ruthless drug cartels on the planet. Our money's on the guys with the biggest guns...and the skulls on their chests. I say: Anti-Venom really missed the mark with me in terms of its story and direction. I've had a lukewarm on it from its start. Throw in the Punisher, a character that I've just never warmed to, and you have the perfect recipe for Pass. Dishonorable Mentions:Dr. Voodoo: Avenger of the Supernatural #3. |
POLL: The title I'm most looking forward to is...
| 11% (12) | Amazing Spider-Man #615 | |
| 16% (18) | Dark Avengers #12 | |
| 16% (18) | Power Girl #7 | |
| 21% (23) | Deadpool Merc with a Mouth #6 | |
| 29% (31) | Green Lantern Corps #43 | |
| 3% (4) | Amazing Spider-Man Presents Anti-Venom #3 |
106 people have voted in this poll. (This poll is not active.)
