Must... Finish... 5/29...

So, to wrap up last week's offerings:

Thor #9 came out. It's really wordy. And only kind of makes sense. And barely has Thor. So...

Ultimate Spider-Man #122 was really good. Every now and then, this book slips a couple of notches and makes bone-headed moves (like Venom, or Carnage), but I have liked every issue since Stuart Immonen took over. And this one is a nice little "done in one" story that gives Ultimate Shocker some context and background.

Uncanny X-Men #498 was good. I'm sure there was supposed to be a shocking reveal of who the mutant causing all these problems was, but I got nothing. Still, I've been enjoying this arc, so far better than Brubaker's previous efforts on the title.

X-Force #4 was bad. I can't believe I (or anyone else) actually reads this stuff. It just kind of meanders, resurrecting odd bits of 90's continuity and ignoring others and generally not fitting in. Plus, Clayton Crain's digital art does not fit. I'd much prefer his pre-Ghost Rider "Top Cow" style on this book, especially given the 90's-love the book unloads on us. HOWEVER, the reprint of issues 1-3 is worth buying because of the cover, which is simply the best cover of any gore-filled, over-the-top X-Men comic featuring killlers with mad bloodlust EVER!

X-Men Legacy #212 came out, too. Which makes a lot of X-Men for one week. It was pretty good. Gambit returns, and over 90% of his dialogue lacks ridiculous, over-the-top "cajunification". And, unlike X-Force, Mike Carey is able to fold bits of 90's X-Men into his books effectively and not make you wonder, "Why would they bring Archangel back if there is an Angel miniseries beginning THE SAME WEEK?" Anyway, spoiler. Also, X-Men Legacy continues to be a pretty good (if not thrilling) title.

Young Avengers #5 made no sense. Even in the context of the "mini-series", it made no sense. I understand that each issue is by a different author and artist, but come on. At least pay attention to what the others have written. Again, spoiler (I guess), but if Cassie pretty much hates the other Young Avengers in the first 4 issues of the series, why would she be all BFF with them this issue? I know, because it's a terrible issue. But still, at least some editorial supervision would be nice. Also, why would a bunch of rebel teen superheroes who defied the government and refused to join SHIELD be excited to watch, essentially, an ultra-conservative almost-superhero who DID become a government shill super-agent on 24 is beyond me. But, again, this is just really bad, so the writer probably didn't care enough to think about that.

And that's it for Marvel.

Fables #73 was more Fables goodness. I just like Fables so much. I take it for granted that this book has made it 73 issues and has only one or two missteps.

Northlanders #6 is the best issue yet. I've been on the fence with this book because, c'mon, Emo Conan? But it's been pretty good up til now, but this issue gets bumped up to Very Good. And, it is Brian Wood's best comic right now. It's a readable book, unlike DMZ, and you can appreciate it instantly, not when you think back on it a day later. And, despite the lead being a d---, you actually do care about the characters, in stark contrast to Local whose lead really needs to stop. And those are both books I like.

And finally, Dan Dare #6 came out this week. Now, my previous knowledge of Dan Dare was the three issue Grant Morrison-Rian Hughes mini "Dare" (reprinted in Yesterday's Tomorrows and worth the price of admission alone), so I am coming to this with zero prior knowledge. And it doesn't matter. The whole thing is compelling enough: Garth Ennis writes a war comic in space. That's it. The art is nice, Gary Erskine doing his more-Chris-Weston-than-Chris-Weston imitation. All in all, a solid, readable effort. Though, the way the are putting this book in trade is all messed up: they are putting issues 1-3 (that's $9 worth of comics) in a $15 hardcover, with a second hardcover collecting 4-7 ($13 in singles) for probably $16 or $17. Then, they're putting out a $30 hardcover of all 7 issues ($22 if purchased singly) in October or November. See, messed up. Not even DC would do that.

And that is the week that was.