Which Comics To Grab This Week

Editorial by Mike Heronime
Descriptions by Midtown Comics

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #551
Writer: Marc Guggenheim

Artist:Salvador Larroca

Manufacturer / Publisher: Marvel

Description: "Jackpot! Spidey vs. the Police! Menace! Triumphs, twists, turns and tragedy pack these two issues by Marc Guggenheim and Salvador Larrocca. And would you believe...Spider-Man sued? (Hey, that's what we get for having a former lawyer write these things...)"

Editorial: I really like being able to read these Spider-Man stories each week.  This is very cool.  Right now Spider-Man is having to tussle with The Menace.  A new Green Goblin looking character.  And Jackpot, who appears to be Mary Jane in costume, is running around with old web head.  It's good stuff.  And so far, I'd have to say Quesada's decision to turn Spidey's world upside down has been a good one.  It's not really going backward.  It's going forward.  It will be interesting to see how they will ultimately resolve this detour on the road of Spider-Man.

HULK #2

Writer: Jeph Loeb
Artist:Ed McGuinness
Manufacturer / Publisher: Marvel
Description: "After last issue's shocking murder, there's evidence on the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier that will bring down the killer. So...The Hulk is going after it � and might bring down the Helicarrier instead! The one person standing in the Hulk's path � Iron Man! Also, the return of the LAST person you ever expected to see! Game on! "

Editorial: So the big mystery at the end of Hulk #1 according to Wizard magazine was the identity of the Red Hulk.  Is it Banner, Rick Jones, Doc Samson? I didn't think it was much of a mystery.  It seemed obvious to me that it's Rick Jones.  But now, how can I be sure.  I guess I'll have to pick up this issue to find out. 

IMMORTAL IRON FIST ONE-SHOT GREEN MIST DEATH

Writer: Matt Fraction

Artist:Various

Manufacturer / Publisher: Marvel

Description: "Mothers, lock up your daughters when we revisit the continuing adventures of that dashing rogue, Orson Randall, the Golden Age Iron Fist! The last time we flashed back to the life and times of Orson Randall, in the much fan-loved and critically acclaimed IMMORTAL IRON FIST ANNUAL, readers unlocked several secrets affecting Danny Rand, the Iron Fist of today. Now get ready for more! We promise you spine-tingling chills, ass-kicking action and pulp-fiction adventure like you�ve never seen, featuring gorgeous flashback art by Mitch Breitweiser, Chris Brunner, Russ Heath and Lewis LaRosa! Orson Randall goes head-to-head again and again versus none other than�the endlessly mystifying and unstoppably powerful Prince of Orphans! How will their battle through the ages echo in the life of Danny Rand?! You bet your kicked butt it has everything to do with the kung fu tournament of death unfolding in the pages of IMMORTAL IRON FIST!!"

Editorial: So Ed Brubaker and Matt Fraction have turned me into a huge Iron Fist fan.  The current story arc has Iron Fist trying to stop the bad guys from blowing up a mystical city where the biggest martial arts tournament in history is taking place.  If this One-Shot has anything to do with this story, I've got to have it.

INCREDIBLE HERCULES #114

Writer: Greg Pak

Artist:Khoi Pham

Manufacturer / Publisher: Marvel

Description: "In the wake of WORLD WAR HULK, the Mighty Avengers are hot on the heels of unrepentant renegades Hercules and Amadeus Cho. Driven into a mindless berserker rage by Ares, Herc has become the critical piece of Cho's plan to utterly destroy S.H.I.E.L.D. What is Cho's master plan to wipe out the spy agency...and is he willing to get Herc killed to do it? Guest-starring the Champions of Los Angeles! Yes, seriously. "

Editorial: The Hulk is gone (yeah, right) so Hercules has been tapped as the substitute teacher for the Hulk's Incredible title.  The logic behind all of this hasn't really made any sense to me.  But the story and art have been really good.  So I'm going along for the ride.  Truth be told, the Planet Hulk/World War Hulk story has produced the absolute best Hulk comics ever. And now, with the Red Hulk and the upcoming Son of Sakaar stories, I am  loathe to miss any of the current Hulk brilliance.  Even if that means following Hercules around for awhile.

PROGRAMME #8

Writer: Peter Milligan

Artist:C.P. Smith

Manufacturer / Publisher: DC/Wildstorm

Description: "Max�s attempt at tackling the Soviet super-humans head-on meets with disastrous results as the Dolls prepare for their next strike on American soil. The chaos of their assault is starting to spread through the country, as a race war in the South is about to ignite. Will the presence of Senator Joe further complicate things?"

Editorial: Little did we know that the Cold War included the stockpiling of Metahuman weapons.  Now those weapons have all broken out on their own and are having a huge showdown in the good ol' USA.  This story has been very exciting.  It has the gritty realism of The Authority and the Squadron Supreme but in this case, the art style seems to make it feel even more real.  Although, the heavy use of photos as reference for art sometimes makes it difficult to follow things visually.  It's a cool effect that can really limit the artist's ability to convey specific points in the action.  Overall though, it's not too much of a problem.

RUNAWAYS #29

Writer: Joss Whedon

Artist:Michael Ryan

Manufacturer / Publisher: Marvel

Description: "The Runaways find themselves in the middle of a super-powered gang war in 1907! To make matters worse, two figures from the Runaways� past show their faces. Mr. and Mrs. Yorkes don�t believe that the Runaways played such an innocent role in their daughter�s death. Heads will roll! Part 5 (of 6)"

Editorial: It's been so long since I read the last issue, I'm afraid I missed one.  But Whedon's writing this stuff, so I won't miss an issue if I can help it.  I don't remember if it's this issue or the next one.  But one or the other is Whedon's last issue of Runaways.  It won't be the same once he's gone.  Sad.

SPIRIT #14

Writer: Sergio Aragones - Mark Evanier

Artist:Mike Ploog

Manufacturer / Publisher: DC

Description: Join the new SPIRIT creative team of writers Sergio Aragones & Mark Evanier (Groo the Wanderer) and Mike Ploog (Abadazad) for a case of murder! A string of killings is plaguing Central City�and the Spirit � with Commissioner Dolan � is on the case!

Editorial: When Darwyn Cooke relaunched this title, it was a shining moment for comics.  Every issue was as much a creative tribute to Will Eisner as it was to the comic book form in general.  Each issue was bold, new experiment with sequential art storytelling.  Then there was the one issue not drawn by Darwyn Cook.  And then the last issue, which was a holiday issue that came out in late January.  It too wasn't drawn by Cooke.  But this time, there were some pretty good stories that would prove that the bar had been raised by Cooke but not too high for other creatives to play along as well.  This month's issue has teamed up some guys from the old school, namely Sergio Aragones and Mike Ploog which I rmember from back in the day when they did Plop! and Werewolf by Night, respectively.  Should be interesting.

ULTIMATE HUMAN #2

Writer: Warren Ellis

Artist:Cary Nord

Manufacturer / Publisher: Marvel

Description: "Continuing the ultimate clash between Iron Man and the Hulk! The grey goliath is in full smash mode as he rampages through a Stark facility designed specifically to hold him—and all that stands between him and total destruction is the gleaming gladiator called Iron Man! Unfortunately, in the mad rush to stop the Hulk, Tony Stark has jumped into a suit of armor that happens to have no weapons systems! That’s bad news for Tony—and worse news for the world! The dream team of writer Warren Ellis and artist Cary Nord unleash the no-holds-barred fight between machine and monster!"

Editorial: Warren Ellis and Cary Nord.  Come on!  This should be great.  But the first issue didn't grab me like I hoped.  I'm picking up this issue to see if it starts to happen.  Might be the last issue of this series for me.

UMBRELLA ACADEMY APOCALYPSE SUITE #6

Writer: Gerard Way

Artist:Gabriel Ba

Manufacturer / Publisher: Dark Horse

Description: "Welcome to the jaw-dropping, action-packed, dramatic conclusion to The Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite. As the world lingers on the brink of complete annihilation, this dysfunctional fighting team must put their issues aside as they attempt to save planet Earth."

Editorial: This series has been such a huge surprise.  And a total blast to read.  There is no way I'm going to miss the conclusion to this kickass series.