This weekend saw the annual Free Comic Book Day event, so on top of the massive pile of regular new releases we have a pretty thick pile of free comic books to go through.  You’ll find those in another review.

Monthly Comics

Captain America #605 – A fitting conclusion to the controversial Two America’s arc.  Bucky confronts Captain UnAmerican and has to defeat his plan.  A nice wrap up of what has been a top notch story.

Story: 8.75 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.75

Fantastic Four #578 – For the last few issues we’ve seen a resurgence in the Fantastic Four, where they’ve lived up to their name.  However this issue doesn’t quite live up to what we’ve come to expect.  The issue is a simple bridge in the four cities storyline as the Negative Zone comes into play.   As part of the greater arc I’m sure the issue is fine, but on it’s own, it just doesn’t hold up.

Story: 6.75 Art: 8 Overall: 7.25

Deadpool #22 – Deadpool has a goal and that’s to see what it’s like to be a hero.  And in that quest he sees himself dealing with some crooked cops in Georgia.  The issue doesn’t have the usual humor or action, but it’s still entertaining enough.

Story: 7.5 Art: 8 Overall: 7.75

Green Hornet #3 – Envisioned as a movie by writer and director Kevin Smith the series works both as a comic book and would of worked as a movie too.  The series moves on the next generation of Green Hornet at Kato tying nicely in with the rich history and laying the ground for new stories and a new direction.  This issue passes to torch from one generation to the next.  It’s worth the read and is fantastic action.  I’ve never been a Green Hornet fan, but count me as hooked for this comic.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

Green Lantern Corps. #47 – The DC universe seemed to transition pretty quickly from Blackest Night to Brightest Day without much reflection.  This issue breaks that trend and is completely focused on reflecting on what’s come before and setting up what’s to come in this series and the new Green Lantern series Emerald Warriors.

Story: 8.75 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.75

Incorruptible #5 – Mark Waid started his deconstruction of the super hero mythos with Irredeemable and in this series the focus is the other side of the same coin.  Instead this series focus is on Max Damage who in this issue completes his journey to the side of good as he must deal with his sidekick Jailbait who’s gone missing.

Story: 8.25 Art: 7.75 Overall: 8

the Invincible Iron Man #25 – Tony Stark is back, with his memory full of gaps.  But what does he do now?  His armor is destroyed, company crumbled, what’s next for him?  It all begins here and I’m looking forward for another twenty five issues if this one is any indication.

Story: 9 Art: 8.75 Overall: 9

The Last Days of American Crime #2 – It’s a heist/noir story set in a dystopian America.  Add in some politics and philosophy and it’s a must read comic.  It’s the second issue with one more to go and I can’t wait to see the big screen adaptation that’s in the works.  So good, words just doesn’t do it justice.

Story: 9.75 Art: 9.25 Overall: 9.5

Mighty Avengers #36 – Most of the Siege tie-ins focused on the various teams fighting in Asgard, and this series took a different route.  Instead we were treated to Hank Pym versus Ultron.  The arc was slightly off, but had a nice throwback feel to it.  The biggest shame was a bit of a spoiler to Siege #4 at the end.

Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75

New Avengers #64 – We get to see what the Hood received by going along with Osborn’s plan.  Also there’s an excellent scene comparing the Hood and Madame Masque’s relationship and Ronin and Mockingbirds’.  That scene alone raised the quality of this issue.

Story: 8.25 Art: 7.75 Overall: 8

Punisher #16 – I haven’t been the biggest fan of the Frankencastle storyline and I definitely miss the traditional Punisher.  This seems to be the end of the current monster hunting arc and I’m baffled as to what comes next.  I’m just crossing my fingers we’ll see good ole Frank Castle back soon.

Story: 7 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.25

Secret Warriors #15 – The team must deal with the firing of a team member as Nick Fury deals with Contessa.  Also, Hydra and Leviathan come closer to clashing.  This series is one long drawn out story.  Each issue just teases a bit of new facts mixed with action that pushes the plot forward.  It’s a pleasant change from the short arcs we’re used to.

Story: 8.75 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.75

Siege: Secret Warriors – Most of the one shots haven’t quite been up to the quality we’d hope for, but this one stands out.  It’s focus is Phobos who’s on a mission for the man he feels is responsible for the death of his father Ares, President Barack Obama.  It’s an unexpected issue and plot and is quite good.

Story: 8.75 Art: 8 Overall: 8.5

Thor #609 – Loki comes clean about his hand in the plot and Balder must step up to lead his people against Osborn.  It’s a decent issue, but doesn’t stand out as anything spectacular.

Story: 8 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.25

Thunderbolts #143 – The issue wraps up the Thunderbolts’ part in Siege.  We also get a peak of what we can expect when the team comes under Luke Cage’s leadership in the next issue.  It does a decent job of ending the arc but not ruining the greater story.

Story: 7.75 Art: 8 Overall: 7.75

Unknown Soldier #19 – Unknown Soldier is a thinking person’s comic book.  Throughout the action and amazing characterization is the greater political conflict it’s set upon.  The series has it all and is truly candy for your brain.  This should be on everyone’s pull list.

Story: 9.5 Art: 8.75 Overall: 9.25

The Walking Dead #71 – Is the series writer Kirkman going where I think he is?  The group must deal with their new surroundings and get used to “normal” life.  Is everything good now?  Or, is something up indeed?

Story: 9 Art: 8.5 Overall: 9

X-Force #26 – First let me say the art of this issue is fantastic, it’s beautiful to look at.  Something really clicks there.  The teams are dealing with the chaos of the last few parts of Second Coming.  This event is one giant action movie in comic book form and that’s not a bad thing.  The plot is moving at an amazing pace and up against all odds one X-man loses his life in the defense of Hope.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5