Amazing Spider-Man #614
Creative team: Story by Mark Waid; Art by Paul Azaceta

Villain to Watch: Electro

They say: Spidey and Mayor Jameson have to put their differences aside to pull the plug on the supercharged Electro once and for all--but at the cost of one of the best-known and most beloved landmarks in the Marvel Universe as The Gauntlet continues to rock Spidey's world!

I say: I'm back to pulling this title (I had to shun it during the time they revisited that Clone nonsense). And the new arc -- The Gauntlet -- has some real strong legs.

Writer Mark Waid has given Electro a much-needed recharge. And I'm champing at the bit to see what he has in mind for other slightly rusty Spidey stand-bys like the Rhino.

That doesn't mean I'm going to pick up the copy of Web of Spider-Man that's gonna re-hash Rhino's history, mind you. Bust I'm definitely pulling ASM for the foreseeable future.


Deadpool #18
Creative team: Story by Daniel Way; Art by Paco Medina

Villain to Watch: Deadpool

They say: Cyclops thought he knew how volatile, unpredictable and ultimately destructive Deadpool could be.

That's why, rather than allowing him to enter Utopia, he instead assigned Domino to monitor the would-be X-Man's actions in San Francisco -- keep him close, but at a safe distance.

But with Deadpool, there's no such thing as a 'safe distance'...and Cyclops is about to find out that Deadpool has a plan to do something so heinous that it could destroy all of Utopia!

I say: Whodathunk Deadpool would be this freaking interesting?

And I don't know who I like him played off better -- Dr. Betty or Domino. Or Cyclops. Or the Deadpool zombie head from a parallel dimension.I said it last week, and I'll say it again.

If DC were smart they'd realize that Plastic Man is their Deadpool.


Spider-Man and the Secret Wars #1
Creative team: Story by Paul Tobin; Art by Patrick Scherberger

Villain to Watch: Dr. Doom

They say: How do ten heroes end up buried alive beneath one hundred and fifty BILLION tons of rock? And is the Hulk mad enough to do anything about it? What were the events that led up to this catastrophe? What are the heroes thinking? And with the weight of an entire mountain range above them, how do they go about their desperate fight for survival?

All the answers are in the first issue of the series that takes you deeper into the classic events of the Secret Wars, and pulls the lid off stories that were left untold!

I say: I've been looking forward to this series ever since they announced it several months ago.

Scherberger's art looks fantastic and the concept is pure genius. They're going to go back to one of the best-ever blockbuster events -- Secret Wars -- and tell some of the untold stories. And I, for one, am in the mood for a little nostalgic fun.


New Avengers Annual #3
Creative team: Story by Brian Michael Bendis; Art by Mike Mayhew

Villain to Watch: Norman Osborn

They say: Clint Barton is in custody and that leaves not only Barton's life in severe jeopardy but all the New Avengers are at serious risk.

So the ladies of the Avengers ban together to do what they have to do in a double-sized blockbuster Avengers story with a startling new chapter in the life of Jessica Jones.

I say: Hey, I've been wondering how long it would take before somebody remembered that poor Clint Barton was badly in need of a little rescuing. Now that they're sprung Luke Cage, it looks as if they have time for the amorous archer.

And, not coincidentally, the members his calvary seem to have something in common. It really does pay to be a ladies' man in the Marvel Universe, doesn't it?


What If World War Hulk #1
Creative team: Story by Mike Raicht and Michael Gallagher; Art by Lucio Parrillo and Patrick Spaziante

Villain to Watch: Whomever approved the "Say What?" feature in this title.

They say: Erupting out of what could have been in the pages of World War Hulk, a double trouble of stories! Writer Mike Raicht and artist Lucio Parrillo illustrate the Hulk's war against the Illuminati and the resulting disaster that leaves Earth without its mightiest heroes. Who could possibly benefit from such a catastrophe?

We'll give you a hint, it's not the Hulk... but they're green, too.

In the second feature, a vengeful Hulk and his Warbound began routing Earth's super heroes, confident no one could stop him from dispensing his gladiatorial brand of justice. But in this alternate telling of the story, the recently returned God of Thunder hammers out a different conclusion.

Plus a 'Say What?' comedy strip by Mike Gallagher and Dave Manak.

I say: I love that Marvel seems to be ready to bring back the What If series. I remember those comics from my youth, and they were always some of the most imaginative, mind-blowing stories. The writing in the "Say What?" feature left me cold -- really cold -- in the Secret Invasion What-If, but I'm willing to give it another shot. So keep printing 'em, Marvel, and I'll keep pulling 'em.

Honorable Mention: Batgirl #5

Trading Up

Terra
Creative team: Story by Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray; Art by Amanda Conner

They say: The miniseries from the hit creative team behind the new Power Girl monthly is collected. Don't miss the fast-paced adventure! Guest-starring Supergirl.

I say: Palmiotti, Gray and Conner do Power Girl and Terra. You need more reason than that?






DC Holiday Special 2009
Creative team: Story by Scott Kolins, Sterling gates, Fred Van Lente, et al.; Art by Jeff Lemire, Daniel Liester et al.

They say: You can't miss your favorite characters bringing good cheer to all. Even Deadman and B'wana Beast find ways to celebrate the spirit of the season!

I say: Ohhhhhh no you don't, DC. You totally roped me in with your Halloween special -- which was unreadable -- and now you're gonna try the same with Christmas? Guys. Halloween is tailor-made for great comic-book stories, and you screwed that up. How am I supposed to trust you to do Christmas stories well. Pass.

	6% (7)	Amazing Spider-Man #614
	32% (33)	Deadpool #18
	10% (11)	Spider-Man and the Secret Wars #1
	7% (8)	New Avengers Annual #3
	16% (17)	What If: World War Hulk #1
	11% (12)	Terra (trade paperback)
	13% (14)	DC Holiday Special 2009