We were traveling this past weekend so we’re a bit late in out weekly review.  This week it’ll be replacing our normal Tuesday Twitter Fun.  It’s the end of Blackest Night but the beginning of Second Coming.  Was DC’s event worth it?  And how is Marvel’s next event shaping up?

Monthly Comics

Blackest Night #8 – It’s the end of the Green Lantern’s major event, but was it worth it?  While the art was amazing, the story itself feels it comes off as an attempt by DC to reset characters they regret killing off.  The resurrection of so many makes their deaths hallow and the shock of some of them diminishes now.  Was this all a ploy to reboot stale characters?  We’ll see.  With the Brightest Day right around the corner we’d hope we’ll see a reflection on what the return of so many means and there better be some inner struggle with it.  DC has the opportunity to really examine life and death, lets hope they take the better road and mine that deep material instead of just throwing the returned heroes and villains into stories as if their death and return never happened.

Story: 7.75 Art: 9 Overall: 8.25

Cloak and Dagger #1 – I wasn’t expecting much from this one shot but was pleasantly surprised.  This one shot focuses in on the twosome and their unexpected inclusion into the “X” universe.  The one shot focuses on Cloak and his returning to his home town and Dagger’s reaction to his recent travels.  It’s pretty decent and the art is impressive.  I guess we’ll have to wait to see if Marvel uses these two for their potential.

Story: 7.75 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8

Fantastic Four #577 – Jonathan Hickman continues to show us what we’ve been missing when it comes to Marvel’s first family.  We keep saying it but the “fantastic” has returned to this series.  We’re introduced to another city of what we’re sure is making up the four cities storyline.  We love these latest issues and looking forward to seeing where Hickman takes us.  We’re on board.

Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8

Green Hornet #2 – Kevin Smith continues his amazing Green Hornet series.  It’s a shame this wasn’t made into a movie.  Great dialogue, characters and plot make this one our favorite comics of the week.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

Incorruptible #4 – Mark Waid continues his look at the super villain in a world turned upside down.  Why would the world’s greatest villain become a hero?  What did Max Damage witness that’d make him try the other side of the law?

Story: 8 Art: 7.75 Overall: 8

New Mutants #11 – I guess you have to do something while waiting for the next “X” event, and why would you spend that building on interesting plot threads started when this series isn’t being bogged down by crossovers.  This issue sees Valkyrie repaying her debt to Hela in this Siege tie-in.

Story: 7 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.25

Prelude to the Deadpool Corps. #5 – The end of the mini series that introduces us to the protectors of the universe.  An ongoing series begins this week, so we’re left scratching our heads as to why there was a need for the series instead of making this it.  It’s been a fun ride but as far as we’re concerned Deadpool’s jumped the shark and we’re a bit tired of him in anything other than his main series.

Story: 7.75 Art: 8 Overall: 7.75

Punisher #15 – We’re torn on the Frankencastle storyline as we’re a bit more traditionalist when it comes to our Punisher.  We’re hoping this is a diversion until our regular Frank programming comes back.  The Punisher goes after the army hunting monsters, that’s about it.

Story: 7 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.25

Realm of Kings: Inhumans #5 – It’s the final issue of this limited series as the Inhumans must deal with what’s returned from the fault.  We also learn more about Medusa’s rule and her motivations in her actions.  Bring on Thanos!

Story: 7.5 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.5

Unknown Soldier #18 – Just when you thought you were out they bring you back in.  Moses must deal with his slipping into madness and the actions he’s recently taken.  Easily one of the best comics on the market and one you should be looking forward to every month.  An amazing examination of sanity and the conflict in Africa.

Story: 9 Art: 8.5 Overall: 9

Dark Wolverine #84 – A Siege tie-in that continues to follow Daken’s role in the event.  It also has what might be one of the most shocking moments of the year (yes even more shocking than Ares being torn in half).

Story: 7.5 Art: 8 Overall: 7.75

X-Force #25 – What a horrible and predictable ending to what has been a crappy event.  It started off with promise and a bang and definitely ended as a whimper.  X-Force takes on Selene and her army of “undead.”  All I can say is thank god it’s over, cause this crossover has been dogshit for a while.

Story: 6.75 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7

X-Men: Second Coming – We’re holding out hope for this “X” event.  Cable and Hope are back in the present and Bastion and his army are on the move to take them out of action.  It’s full of action and very cool moments (the car chase anyone?).  This is Michael Bay directing an installment of an”X” event, and that’s a good thing.  It doesn’t hurt the art is impressive as well.  The issue isn’t deep, just a lot of fun and action.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.75 Overall: 8.75