HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK
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AGE OF SENTRY #1 (OF 6), $2.99, 32 Pages, Marvel Comics
Written by Jeff Parker and Paul Tobin, Art by Nick Dragotta and Ramon Rosanas

The very definition of retcon, this series takes us all the way back to the Silver Age for two brand new “classic” Sentry stories that will explore his origins. Adding a little lore will help Sentry as a character overall, so this isn’t a terrible idea. Plus Jeff Parker’s style is very much “new classic” - he has demonstrated many times that he can write classic characters in a way that feels like the original, yet is more suited to today’s audience. He is a really good fit for this kind of story, and is worth checking out because of his involvement alone. Should be interesting.

BATGIRL #2, $2.99, 32 Pages, DC Comics
Written by Adam Beechen; Art by Jim Calafiore and Mark McKenna

Two issues down, and this one is starting to look a little more promising.

This arc still has the feeling of a massive apology - though a much needed apology to be sure. But beyond the apology, there is the start of a strong foundation here for Batgirl. Beechen is doing a great job of blending the recovery of the mistake of her previous direction with the original core of the character, thus making her foundation that much stronger. Ultimately, we began with Cassandra Cain seeing how a girl trained to kill would adapt to an environment where killing was the last thing she could allow herself to do. Here we are seeing that conflict renewed and reinforced, resulting in a generally positive story.

This title looks like it might be worth keeping an eye on.

CAPTAIN AMERICA TP VOL 02 DEATH OF CAPTAIN AMERICA, $14.99, 160 Pages, Marvel Comics
Written by Ed Brubaker, Art by Steve Epting and Butch Guice

This was the arc that really explained why The Winter Soldier was such a big part of most of this title’s run. Collecting issues #31-36, this story starts a full six issues after the death of Steve Rogers in issue #25. At this point, many were asking how a title could continue for so long without the titular character. But this arc answered that question as Bucky finally assumed the mantle in issue #34 (as so many expected he would).

The whole Death of Captain America arc has been decent. A little drawn out at times, but Brubaker is an excellent writer, and it is clear that he is not writing by the seat of his pants here. The rise of the new Captain America is a collection worth picking up.

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #5, $2.99, 32 Pages, Marvel Comics (MONKEY VARIANT)
Written by Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning, Art by Paul Pelletier

This series really keeps getting better. The only bad thing about this arc is that it looks like the team is going to be shaken up a bit… the changes are mostly ok, but it looks like Gamora is off the team. This is kind of a shame, since she actually had some potential for growth. Hopefully this isn’t the last we have seen of her.

This story itself has a lot of great story elements - bits of Secret Invasion, a little “Identity Crisis” (Mental manipulation to join the team and be “good guys.”), and of course the best bits of Annihilation. You really can’t say enough about this title - combined with Nova, DnA have definitely made Marvel’s cosmic universe their very own, which has resulted in two of the best books Marvel has on the stands right now.

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA TP VOL 01 TORNADOS PATH, $17.99, 224 Pages, DC Comics
Written by Brad Meltzer; Art by Ed Benes and Sandra Hope; Cover by Michael Turner

A good buy for the Justice League fan, or someone who hasn’t yet tried out the new series, and is considering it. This trade collects the first seven issues of Justice League of America (though, not issue #0, strangely enough) along with a few extras thrown in. This latest Justice League incarnation isn’t too bad - the pacing is a little slow and the stories haven’t yet been quite as good as classics from the past, but it there is a pretty firm foundation here, and the real highlights of the story have been characters other than Superman, Batman, or Wonder Woman - something that was a little unexpected and ultimately to the benefit of the title’s quality on the whole. Trades are usually a great way to get caught up on a title … this one merits a look.

UNCANNY X-MEN #502, $2.99, 32Pages, Marvel Comics
Written by Matt Fraction and Ed Brubaker, Art by Greg Land, Jay Leisten, and Justin Ponsor

The X-Men books (Uncanny and Legacy) could be a better, but it has been a really long time since they have been this consistently good. Brubaker has been a lifesaver for this title, and Matt Fraction is the ideal guy to carry the torch. I am a big fan of the move to San Francisco - the Marvel Universe has been way too New York-centric, and this move seems a little more realistic.

#500 really did look like the beginning of a new “era” - something we often hear, but rarely ever see. The X-Men seem to be in good hands, and the new direction could mean good things all around for Marvel’s mutants. It is about time.

YOUNG X-MEN #6, $2.99, 32 Pages, Marvel Comics
Written by Marc Guggenheim, Art by Yanick Paquette

This really is a strong start for this title. It isn’t quite as good as New X-Men was at the beginning of its last run, but it is close, and there is potential for it to get better.

This title, like New X-Men before it (when it was written well), this book really captures some of the best aspects of the X-Men. The original X-Men (and the second team) were so good because they were a group of young, inexperienced students trying to make their way in the world. You definitely get that sense here - and in the aftermath of the last few stories, you can add that “In a world that hates them” to the description as well. The world isn’t full of mutants anymore, they are alone, the world hates and fears them, and they have to fight their own as much as they have to defend themselves. That is what X-Men is all about. Sure, Uncanny and Legacy are decent books, but those characters are all old grizzled veterans now, and their stories are kind of played out. These characters have so much room to grow, and that makes them more appealing.

SPOTLIGHT PICK OF THE WEEK

ALL STAR SUPERMAN #12, $2.99, 32 Pages, DC Comics
Written by Grant Morrison; Art by Frank Quitely and Jamie Grant; Cover by Frank Quitely

Superman holding a gun… that just looks weird.

Cover strangeness aside, this is the very last issue of the highly acclaimed All Star Superman series. Unlike the All Star Batman book, this title was arguably the best Superman title being printed throughout the course of its run. In fact, the only real weakness it had was its incredibly slow shipping schedule. It would have almost been worth holding this title until the script and art were mostly finished, but it is too late for all of that now.

Morrison did a good job of making each issue of All Star Superman accessible, so if you haven’t read this title yet, this issue is still a good one to try out. And if you like it, there is already a trade available - and you can bet the second trade and probably a hardcover are soon to follow.

DARK HORSE COMICS

INDIANA JONES & TOMB OF THE GODS #2 $2.99 Now: $2.69

DC COMICS

ALL STAR SUPERMAN #12 $2.99 Now: $2.59
BILLY BATSON AND THE MAGIC OF SHAZAM #2 $2.25 Now: $1.99
BRAVE AND THE BOLD #17 $2.99 Now: $2.69
CHECKMATE #30 $2.99 Now: $2.79
FLASH #244 $2.99 Now: $2.79
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA TP VOL 01 TORNADOS PATH $17.99 Now: $14.99
RANN THANAGAR HOLY WAR #5 (OF 8) $3.50 Now: $2.99
STORMWATCH PHD #14 $2.99 Now: $2.69
TANGENT SUPERMANS REIGN #7 (OF 12) $2.99 Now: $2.69
TINY TITANS #8 $2.25 Now: $1.99
TITANS #5 $2.99 Now: $2.79

IDW

SPIKE AFTER THE FALL #3 (OF 4) $3.99 Now: $3.49

MARVEL COMICS

AGE OF SENTRY #1 (OF 6) $2.99 Now: $2.69
CAPTAIN AMERICA TP VOL 02 DEATH OF CAPTAIN AMERICA $19.99 Now: $14.99
CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI 13 #5 MONKEY VARIANT $8.99
ESSENTIAL OFF HB MARVEL UNIV MASTER ED TP VOL 03 $16.99 Now: $13.99
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #5 MONKEY VARIANT $8.99
INCREDIBLE HERCULES #121 MONKEY VARIANT $8.99
MIGHTY AVENGERS #18 $2.99 Now: $2.69
SECRET INVASION #6 (OF 8) $3.99 Now: $3.49
SQUADRON SUPREME 2 #3 $2.99 MONKEY VARIANT $8.99
UNCANNY X-MEN #502 $2.99 Now: $2.69
X-FACTOR #35 $2.99 Now: $2.69
X-MEN FIRST CLASS VOL 2 #16 $2.99 Now: $2.59
YOUNG X-MEN #6 $2.99 Now: $2.69

The opinions in this article are the writer’s alone, and no not necessarily reflect the views of X-World Comics or comiXtreme.com.

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