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March Comics by Mike-oh
Here's a quick review of the comics I'm reading this month. Updated each week. Descriptions are pulled from Midtown Comics' web site (New York City's finest comic book shop). Editorial is what I write.

Week of March 28

52 Week #47
DC
Writer: Various
Artist: Giuseppe Camuncoli

Description:
In the month to come, death and destruction will reign supremein the DCU. Storylines will intersect with horrifying results, a main character will die, another will do something he hasn't done in years, and one will fall from grace.

Editorial:
Can you believe it? After a week and Black Adam still can't get up. Man, those Oolong Island scientists are wicked. It looks like the Bat Family are getting a turn this week. But I think I was most impressed this issue with the art. Kudos to Camuncoli

Batman #664
DC
Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: Andy Kubert

Description:
The Dark Knight discovers a cover-up that could change his relationship with the Gotham Police Department! A routine investigation into police corruption leads to a terrifying confrontation with a monstrous menace that threatens to end Batman's career!

Editorial:
You already know I wasn't a fan of Andy Kubert's first stroy arc on Batman. Frankly, I was very disappointed because I am a big fan of his. I guess he just needed a lot more time to deliver his A game. 'Cause after a couple of one offs, we're back to Morrison and Kubert and this time it's beautiful. No complaints about the art. It's some of Batman's finest moments. Bruce Wayne's too. I liked seein' Pops' contribution to the cover as well.

Pirates of Coney Island #5
Image
Writer: Rick Spears
Artist: Vasilis Lolos

Editorial:
Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. Make it stop. Oww. Jeez. It hurts. This comic hurts so good.

Sensational Spider-Man #36
Marvel
Writer: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
Artist: Angel Medina

Description:
The mystery of the multiple Spider-Men deepens. Who are these men--these boys, really--crawling around the city of New York? And where did they acquire their powers and why? And what does Peter's student Jordan Harrison have to do with it? Mad scientist Dr. Calvin Zabo may have the answers, but asking him risks the wrath of...HYDE!

Editorial:
Oops. I made a mistake. I thought JMS was writing all of the Back In Black stories as his finale on Spider-Man. But that's not the case I guess. It's not bad. It's just not a title that I've been following. And it's in the middle of some Mr Hyde story so I guess I'm passing on this.

Game Keeper #1
Virgin
Writer: Guy Ritchie, Andy Diggle
Artist: Mukesh Singh

Description:
There is no one left alive who knows the secret of Brock's dark past. Now, as the Gamekeeper of a sprawling English country estate, he quietly tends to a world where natural law presides and mankind comes only if invited. But when armed killers invade his sanctuary in search of the truth, they get more than they bargained for — and Brock finds himself forced to hunt a prey more cunning and lethal than anything in the wild.

Editorial:
If you're familiar with Guy Ritchie or Andy Diggle or John Cassaday then you need no further encouragement to pick up this comic book. If you don't know those guys then you need to watch Lock, Stock & Two Smokin Barrels and Snatch. Then pick up all of the Losers trade paperbacks. And then stock up on Astonishing X-men and the Lone Ranger.

Week of March 21

52 Week #46
DC
Writer: Various
Artist: Chris Batista

Description:
In the month to come, death and destruction will reign supreme in the DCU. Storylines will intersect with horrifying results, a main character will die, another will do something he hasn't done in years, and one will fall from grace.
A war is coming, and the end is near.

Editorial:
What's really cool about this issue is that it's not even the end of the series yet. Even though it looks like it's the end of Black Adam. Veronica Cale lets a rampaging Black Adam through the security of Oolong Island and right into the nefarious hands of I.Q., Sivana and T. O. Morrow. These guys showed more teamwork than the JLA. It's pretty scary what a band of evil scientists can accomplish when in the hands of the right creative team.

Aquaman Sword of Atlantis #50
DC
Writer: Tad Williams
Artist: Shawn McManus

Editorial:
I haven't read Aquaman since the seventies. He had short hair back then and two hands. But I noticed that Tad Williams was writing the book now so I picked up this issue. It's pretty perplexing and unless I am totally missing the story, it seems to me that they just killed Aquaman in this issue. I guess that shows you how he rates nowadays. Captain America's death gets coverage on CNN. I don't think Aquaman is even getting a Super Friends funeral. The story is entertaining, by the way. It reminds me somewhat of the first time I saw Star Wars.

The Spirit #4
DC
Writer: Darwyn Cooke
Artist: Darwyn Cooke

Description:
The Spirit is on the trail of a master criminal in a Mexican bordertown. But the tables are soon turned, and he's on the run, now chained to the seductive Silk Satin, a CIA agent also tracking the villain. Can our duo make their escape from the ever-spreading tentacles of...The Octopus?

Editorial:
I read this article in Wizard magazine about what a tough customer Darwyn Cooke is. Other creators apparently complain that he doesn't play nice or something. From what I can tell, he's earned his attitude. This issue of the Spirit, just like the others before it, takes the medium one step further with wildly blown out colors in the opening sequence that make you feel the desert heat like it's beaming at you right from the page. He builds the tension on the page up into an explosion that rattles your teeth just from looking at it. Darwyn Cooke is a true master of the medium and if you don't believe it, just pick up an issue and see for yourself.

Amazing Spider-man #539
Marvel
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Artist: Ron Garney

Description:
Look what someone found in their closet! Reeling in the aftermath of the Civil War that's wracked the Marvel Universe, Peter Parker has got plenty of reasons to consider a change of wardrobe. Black is his state of mind. But the worst is yet to come for Spider-Man. Get on board here, True Believer, as we gear up for an event that will forever change the life of your favorite web-slinger. There IS no going back.

Editorial:
Ever since she was a little girl, Aunt May has been a slave to fashion. You don't know this becasue you've only known her since she had grown old. But it's true. She was always jumping on the bandwagon, latching onto the latest trends, throwing down with whatever happened to be the most popular thing. Which explains her getting shot. Dying in comics is all the rage nowadays. Captain America, Ralph Dibney, Sue Dibney, Foggy Nelson, Aquaman, Earth 2 Superman, Superboy, Goliath, Booster Gold have all bought the farm in recent months. I imagine that Aunt May just saw this as her chance to join the in crowd. Of course nobody stays dead in comics. Just ask Foggy Nelson and Booster Gold. And I'm sure if Bucky Barnes can rejoin the land of the living after 60 years, there's always hope for his old partner, Cap as much as there is for good ol' Aunt May. Oh, and speaking of slaves to fashion, it's also a good excuse for Petey to go back to black just in time to provide some continuity with his movie screen version.

Ultimate Power #4
Marvel
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Artist: Greg Land

Description:
As the Fantastic Four's leader Reed Richards languishes in the other-dimensional home world of the Squadron Supreme, Nick Fury's not taking it lying down! He and the Ultimates plan to bring him back...by any means necessary. What could happen next?

Editorial:
Greg Land brings the blockbuster special effects to the pages of this book with an intensity hard to come by even in a good movie. That's one of the reasons why I love comics. Even with today's special effects, movie makers still struggle to produce the kind of earth shattering drama conjured up by the best artists in this biz. All hail Greg Land!

X-Factor #17
Marvel
Writer: Peter David
Artist: Pablo Raimondi

Description:
Introducing the X-Mutant Attack Division--X-MAD--a group of former mutants convinced that M-Day was a result of a government plan to destroy mutants! And when this terrorist organization launches an assault on the government and then takes refuge in Mutant Town, X-Factor finds itself caught in the middle.

Editorial:
Peter David makes X-Factor the best comic book around. I don't even care that they go through more artists than Spinal Tap does drummers. Every issue of this run has been a real treat. If I could only buy one comic book, this would be it. Well, this one, or Astonishing X-men. Or All-Star Superman. Oh... Action Comics. Um, 52? No wait, Incredible Hulk. Gah! I almost forgot Criminal. And BPRD. This is too hard. I guess I'm lucky I can buy more than one comic book.

Week of March 14

52 Week #45
DC
Writer: Various
Artist: Pat Olliffe

Description:
In the month to come, death and destruction will reign supremein the DCU. Storylines will intersect with horrifying results, a main character will die, another will do something he hasn't done in years, and one will fall from grace.

Editorial:
Black Adam buries his wife and brother-in-law and then goes on an ass-kickin' rampage. The scientists on mad science island are all freaking out. All except one. Sivana looks like he couldn't be happier. Creepy.

Tales of the Unexpected #6
DC
Writer: David Lapham, Brian Azzarello
Artist: Tom Mandrake

Editorial:
They're losing me on the Spectre. It's not bad. It's just not compelling. The air of mystery around the killer of the slumlord isn't too mysterious. It's been obvious from the second issue that everyone in the slum house is responsible for his murder. But Lapham is just dragging it out. Azzarello's Dr. 13 is just getting wierder. But in a good way. I'll keep picking up the title as long as Dr. 13 keeps kickin' it here.

Wonder Woman #5
DC
Writer: Will Pfeifer
Artist: Jean Diaz

Description:
Wonder Woman learns that a new women's movement has begun, inspired by her killing of Maxwell Lord - and leaving Diana torn between the good intentions of the movement and the validation it gives her violent act. Worse yet, she's ordered to investigate a possible connection between Wonder Woman and this movement by Sarge Steel and the department of Metahuman Affairs.

Editorial:
I think DC really painted themselves into a corner when they turned Wonder Woman into a killer. Especially considering her morally centered counterparts. Batman and Superman. It might have been the right thing to do for the story but it was the wrong thing to do for the character because now they can't seem to move the character forward without dealing with the repercussions of her actions. At first I thought that Donna Troy was going to become the new Wonder Woman, which I think is the right solution. I guess fan pressure caused DC to back off that direction. Whatever the reason, one thing is certain: WW is flailing around like a chicken with its head chopped off. And it's hard to watch.

B.P.R.D: Garden of Souls #1
Dark Horse
Writer: Mike Mignola, John Arcudi
Artist: Guy Davis

Description:
Abe Sapien's past has caught up with him, sending the B.P.R.D. to the South China Sea and into the jungles of Indonesia in this new five-part series from Hellboy creator Mike Mignola with co-writer John Arcudi and artist Guy Davis.

Editorial:
Garden of Souls begins with plenty of intrigue and a subtle joke. The opening scene is a flashback to a mummy unwinding in 1858. We'll be anxious to see what that revealed in the next issue. We get introduced to a Mr. Mahree, a big looking thug with blonde hair, extremely out f place in the streets of Indonesia, and taking an interest in Captain Daimio's picture in the papers. And then there's a bizarre scene with Daimio and an accupuncturist and a monkey in a glass jar. Like I said, bi-zarre. But that weird gets trumped by the next scene where a monkey-tiger and a fish-flamingo have their jungle stream invaded by a steam powered robot. Abe receives some cigars and a map. And the inside joke? Roger's grave is marked with a headstone sporting the name Archie Stanton (Arch Stanton was the grave next to the unmarked grave that contained the treasure sought after by the Good, The Bad and the Ugly).

Lone Ranger #5
Dynamite Entertainment
Writer: Brett Matthews
Artist: Sergio Cariello

Description:
The Lone Ranger makes himself known, hoping to draw the man behind the murders of his father, brother, and fellow Rangers out into the open. But will his frontier justice reach Black Bart in time, already a visitor in the home of the only family John Reid has left in the world?

Editorial:
It's official. He's now the Lone Ranger. He's got the mask and everything. He even beats a couple of bad guys. But this story is really going slow. Black Bart and the creepy guy with sunglasses keep showing up in such small doses, I have to wonder if they are ever going to amount to anything. I'll give this story one more issue and then move on.

The Irredeemable Ant-Man #6
Marvel
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Phil Hester

Editorial:
It's amazing how long Robert Kirkman is able to draw out this story. Every issue has a fair amount of action and plenty of flashback sequences that I keep expecting will complete this Ant-Man's backstory. But every issue, a little more is revealed and a little more is concealed. Neat trick. Good storytelling.

New Avengers #28
Marvel
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Leinil Yu

Editorial:
I picked up the issue for the Leinil Yu art. But the story is pretty amazing, too. The New Avengers find out that Cap's still alive and being treated for his wounds in secret. So Cage and crew bust in to rescue Cap and run right into a trap, no thanks to Doctor Strange who scouted the location for them. What a rookie.

Thunderbolts #112
Marvel
Writer: Warren Ellis
Artist: Mike Deodato

Description:
After a disastrous capture mission, the Thunderbolts have troubled down-time, dealing with the split between the public projection of them as heroes and the reality of their incarceration. Meanwhile, Norman Osborn is studying a list of potential new targets, and the stress seems to be getting to him.

Editorial:
I bought the first issue of this series because of Leinel Yu's fantastic cover. Him again. But the story has been great. The tension is so thick you could make mattresses out of it. And Deodato's choice of Tommy Lee Jones as Norman Osborne is inspired. The best part? Watching Ellis crack up Osborne. The guy looks totally crazy. For real.

Week of March 7

52 Week #44
DC
Writer: Various
Artist: Chris Batista

Description:
In the month to come, death and destruction will reign supremein the DCU. Storylines will intersect with horrifying results, a main character will die, another will do something he hasn't done in years, and one will fall from grace. A war is coming, and the end is near.

Editorial:
Last week ended with the death of Osiris and this one ends with the death of Isis. Things just haven't been going well for Black Adam. That will teach him to fight on the side of the angels. It's really amazing to see this book cutting loose like this. It's happening every week, even after 44 of them. Wow.

Justice League of America #6
DC
Writer: Brad Meltzer
Artist: Ed Benes

Description:
DC’s super-hit cuts loose as best-selling author Brad Meltzer and artist Ed Benes unleash an unstoppable foe on the team that will become the Justice League!

Editorial:
By the end of this story, I was left feeling a little disappointed. It wasn't nearly as mysterious or impactful as Identity Crisis. And I had every reason to expect it to be better. It just ended up being a Red Tornado story more than a Justice League story. Maybe it would have done better if it was titled the Red Tornado Returns. I was really hoping for a relaunch of the Justice League of America.

Criminal #5
Icon
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artist: Sean Phillips

Editorial:
In this final issue of Brubaker and Phillips' first story arc for Criminal, our friend Leo has his life totally messed up, and that's just on the second page. But by page six, Leo proves he's full of suprises and not one to call it quits when the going gets tough. Too bad the going gets as tough as it does by the end of the story. The good news is that Bru and Sean will be back for another tour of mayhem and mishaps.

D'Airain #1
IDW
Writer: Various
Artist: Ashley Wood

Editorial:
This was my first conscious exposure to Ashley Wood's art. It's amazing. This particular issue contains three stories: Les Mort, Black Magick and Zombies Versus Robots. The stories are all intriguing but hard to tell if they are really going anywhere amazing. But if amazing is the intended destination, the art arrived there way ahead of schedule. Not only is the choice of colors and patterns and screens and textures and brush strokes mindboggling in their total kickassness, but this issue has something other comics don't: graphic design. I'm talking fonts, logos, colors, and half panel gatefolds that hide half naked babes. All of which adds up to super cool.

Captain America #25
Marvel
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artist: Steve Epting

Editorial:
I figured this was going to be an interesting issue considering the way the Civil War ended. When I saw the issue at Zeus, the cover art of Ed McGuiness caught my eye and when I picked it up and thumbed through the pages, I knew I had to get a copy. It wasn't until I was checking out that I heard about the report on CNN and all the phone calls to all the comic shops to secure copies for fair weather fans. I don't for a minute think that Captain America is really dead, by the way.

Civil War: The Initiative #1
Marvel
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis - Warren Ellis
Artist: Marc Silvestri

Description:
The post war Marvel Universe begins here! The war is over!! Let the healing begin!! This all-new special written by Brian Bendis, especially for modern legend Marc Silvestri, debuts the all new IRON MAN, OMEGA FLIGHT, MIGHTY AVENGERS, NEW AVENGERS and with a special chapter written by Warren Ellis...THUNDERBOLTS! Each chapter is an important all-new prologue for each of these huge new series!

Editorial:
Just look at the creative team. I thought this was going to be great. But it's one of those mega ads for all of Marvel's titles. Marvel has so tightly woven cross title promoting with storytelling that they are forcing me to abandon their comics becasue I can't keep up with all of their tie-in titles.

Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born #1
Marvel
Writer: Peter David, Robin Furth
Artist: Jae Lee, Richard Isanove

Description:
Roland has incurred the wrath of the evil sorcerer Marten, and must flee his home in Gilead with two of his young friends. But arriving in the supposedly friendly town of Hambry may be no safer, for the dreaded agents of Marten are abroad — The Coffin Hunters! Though it’s not all completely bleak as Roland meets the woman who will become the love of his young life — the beautiful Susan Delgado. Plus: Learn more about the land of the Dark Tower with exclusive bonus material!

Editorial:
It's going to get pretty boring if I keep heaping praise on this comic every month. This creative team is one of those perfect combinations like Lee and Kirby, O'Neil and Adams, Whedon and Cassaday, Brubaker and Lark, or Johns, Donner and Kubert. If ou're not treating yourself to this storygasm, you're nuts.

Fantastic Four: The End #5
Marvel
Writer: Alan Davis
Artist: Alan Davis

Description:
The Mole Man! Ronan the Accuser! Diablo! The Mad Thinker! Annihilus! As the four members of the fractured family are drawn back together by a web of intrigue, these villains and more will stand against them — with the future of humanity itself at stake!

Editorial:
It's the end of The End. All that trouble being caused in outer space has ended up a side story for the Avengers and the Inhumans to deal with, neatly wrapped up by the Watcher inviting Galactus into the fray. Just like one of those convenient conclusions from the good ol' days. The real story ends with FF fighting Doom to the finish. It's not very deep but all in all, a lot of fun.

Incredible Hulk #104
Marvel
Writer: Greg Pak
Artist: Carlo Pagulayan

Editorial:
Hulk finds out the Illuminati pimped him over. But that's nothing compared to the major pimping they give him by the end of this issue. There's a particualrly cool scene of the Hulk leaping back to Sakaar from one of it's moons. It's good to be the Hulk.

Marvel Zombies VS Army of Darkness #1
Marvel/Dynamite
Writer: John Layman
Artist: Fabiano Neves

Editorial:
Well, it's not the same sick laughs induced by Kirkman but it's still pretty entertaining. It's certainly the origin of the Mavel Zombie universe, if you were wondering how it all got started.

New Universal #4
Marvel
Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist:Salvador Larroca

Description:
The White Event. The most startling celestial phenomenon ever witnessed by the human race. The phenomenon that served as the backdrop for the Latvian landslip that unearthed the very tomb archeologist Len Carson was searching for. The tomb’s discovery was such an unlikelihood that it begs the question: Was its emergence during the White Event merely a coincidence?

Editorial:
The plot thickens as a dumb redneck comes face to face with his future self and tries real hard to convince himself he's worth saving. The super powered people left in the wake of the white event are a wonderful puzzle begging to be solved. Thanks Grant.

So, what do you think? Agree? Disagree? Give us your feedback.