Or at least that's what I think. Spoilers (and w00tness, actually) abound for all books involved. You've been warned.
And no Elephantmen or BtVS S8 this time around, dangit!
Marvel Comics
Astonishing X-Men #22 - Cyke is in yer space, savin' his d00dz. And Danger looks like Chiyo from Naruto. Kind of a non-issue issue, but enjoyable nonetheless. Though I'm getting tired of it now., End the run already, Joss.
New Avengers: Illuminati #4 - This was a GREAT issue. If only because we saw the Illuminati talk amongst themselves like normal people. They weren't shooting Hulk into space, not gathering the Infinity Gems, just sitting around a table talking about women. It was hilarious.
Well, for the first few pages, then they went on to deal with Marvel Boy. I guess that sets up his appearance in Young Avengers/Runaways a while back, or this is a fallout from that. I dunno.
She-Hulk #20 - Pretty decent attempt at a wrap-up issue, though Slott's got one more issue to go before his run ends. I'd imagine that one will cover Pug's re-appearance with his funky hairdo.
DC Comics
Booster Gold #1 - Anyone else notice that the Os in the title form the symbol for infinity? Well, this was a pretty cool issue, shows that deep down Booster is a good person, and does actually want to help people, even if he never gets the credit. Though I'm sure once in a while he might get a little bit.
Detective Comics #835 - Finally, A non-Dini story that's pretty good! This one focuses on Scarecrow, and how he's becoming a "new" villain, one that Batman can't predict, and is working off of actual fear and panic, instead of Fear Gas. He's turned into a serial killer of the worst kind, seemingly random acts of violence all throughout Gotham. There's also a love interest in the form of Kay Scott, though I'm sure she's just there for the arc. We get to see Bruce Wayne more through her, and how the normal Gothamite is dealing with the Scarecrow's new tactics.
Of course it's not a solo issue, so I gotta wait (aw, man...) until next month to see how it ends.
Legion of Super-Heroes in the 31st Century #5 - Lightning Lad's all mad that Superman is better than him at nearly everything. It's funny because LL think this will kill any chance he has with Saturn Girl... not that he'd actually say that, though. Of course, in the end, Lightning Lad ends up collapsed in Saturn Girl's arms, so I'd say it's a "win" for him. Heh.
Gen13 #11 - Seriously, this book is awesome. Not only are we getting a Simone-written Gen13 team, but it crosses over with the Liberty Snots AND we get a cameo by the Authoriteens all in the same issue!
Left to right: Kid Apollo, The Intern, Contractor, Daybreaker, Nestling, and Jack Hatfield. Junior versions of The Authority, though they're not exactly from around here... sorry, I'm not spoiling THAT.
Supergirl #20 - Supergirl's trying to do the right thing, yay! She's failing at it, boo! This book is actually on the verge of getting dropped. Sure, I want to like her, but the writing is just so... lackluster. I mean, I'm glad she's not pouty jailbait anymore, but it just feels like they're not doing anything with her specifically. Kara's just getting shuttled off into the Events with no real emotional attachment for the reader.
And seriously, either pair her with Wonder Girl or GTFO. The two of them just feel very "couple-ish" in my mind, with the way they've been acting towards one another since the NuCrisis. Weird, I know. Especially with the Tim-Cassie thing over in Teen Titans.
The Exterminators #20 - We're f*cked. Mayan Hissers that are the size of cats and dogs with "reinforced shells"? Check, please... I'm taking the next shuttle off this planet.
Checkmate #17 - We get to see "The Jailer" or if you want to use the official title, "Castellan" of Checkmate HQ. Or rather, Carl Draper's audition for the spot. If the name sounds familiar (or not), it's because he's also been known as Deathtrap, Locksmith, and Master Jailer. Basically a 1.0 version of Sasha, a "regular" guy sporting a computer for a brain. Though I thought the guy with the multiple arms on the cover was the actual Castellan, turns out he was just someone trying to break in.
Doing a pretty good job as well, until Draper took him out with a pretty interesting use of a Boom Tube. The short version is that Draper passed, but found out there's a single person behind the most recent wave of attacks on Checkmate. His daughter.
Indies
Aspen Splash: 2007 Swimsuit Spectacular - They put in in my box without asking, I swear! Let's just forget the fact that I didn't actually have to buy it, 'kay?
Fun-ish ish. No story to speak of, and some of the eye candy looked 'off' or was jailbait, but overall it wasn't bad. A typical swimsuit issue for comic book characters. To be hinest, something I wouldn't mind seeing more of in other companies. Marvel used to do it, too.
Of course, on a final note:
