It’s a nice mix of books this week.  Second Coming is putting out weekly installments but not overwhelming, the first issue of Brightest Day hits as well as the first issue of the event War of the Supermen.  How do all of these stack up?  Check out below and find out.

Monthly Comics

Astonishing Spider-man & Wolverine #1 – Marvel has stated they want the “Astonishing” line is meant to be an easy point for folks to hop on and just pick up a comic book and read.  You don’t need a lot of background, it’s just stories about characters you might be aware of.  Most importantly it’s supposed to be entertaining, and a gateway to get you to come back for me.  And they succeed.  This first issue of the revamped line is fun, original, entertaining and makes me look forward to what’s next.  Jasaon Aaron and Adam Kubert knock it out of the park on this one.  The downside might be they set the bar so high for what else is to come, but it’s great to have at least one entry that’s so good.

Story: 9.25 Art: 9 Overall: 9.25

Brightest Day #1 – After Blackest Night comes to the Brightest Day, in which the returned heroes and villains must deal with their return.  While the story is cool and the mysteries set up have potential, I find that the lack of characters really reflecting on their return stands out.  Other than Deadman who must deal with his new white ring, there’s very little reflection in the how or why.  The story is entertaining enough and the series is either going to be fantastic or utter rubbish.  But this first issue leans towards the former and thankfully not the latter.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

Captain America/Black Panther: Flags of Our Fathers #2 – The second issue in the four issue limited series sees Captain America and Black Panther’s relationship grow a bit more.  The series is brutal and honest skipping the pc rewriting of history and the way some things were.  It’s a great series and totally unexpected in the quality.

Story: 9 Art: 8.75 Overall: 9

Demo #4 – In this latest issue that looks at a slice of life focuses on an individual who can breathe under water.  It’s a solid issue, but I can’t help feel like I’m missing some deeper meaning.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25

Irredeemable #13 – Bette confesses her sins to her father as to why she’s responsible for the deaths of millions.  Mark Waid as usual puts out a solid comic book.  We have one from the perspective of heroes, one from the perspective of a villain, will we get one from the perspective of a civilian?

Story: 8.25 Art: 7.75 Overall: 8

iZombie #1 – An interesting new entry into the Vertigo line from Chris Roberson and Mike Allred.  The series is quirky pseudo horror story involves a zombie, were-terrier and ghost.  It was totally odd and very fun.  The debut issue is only a $1, so there’s no reason you shouldn’t check it out for yourself.  It’s what got me to pick up a copy and I’m very happy I did.

Story: 8.75 Art: 8.75 Overall: 8.75

Realm of Kings: Son of Hulk #4 – I definitely feel like I missed something here.  I know nothing about the Microverse or the Enigma Force and without that knowledge there’s just something missing.  Also what did this have to do with the Realm of Kings storyline at all?  It’s been four issues that have gone clearly over my head.

Story: 6.5 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7

Secret Six #21 – Catman continues the search for his son as the present day is mixed with some of his history.  Such a solid and fantastic issue.  When you think it can’t get any better, it somehow tops itself.

Story: 9.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 9.25

Stumptown #3 – Greg Rucka can write strong women protagonists.  The latest issue of the noir series sees nothing going right for Dex as she continues to figure out what exactly is going on.  It’s a fantastic series and one you should definitely be reading.

Story: 9.5 Art: 9.25 Overall: 9.5

Superman: War of the Supermen #1 – I haven’t read a Superman comic in a long time and no next to nothing as to what’s been going on but the Free Comic Book Day teaser issue got me interested enough to check out this first issue, and I’m glad I did.  The invasion is on as New Krypton prepares it’s assault on Earth.  There’s a moment in here I wasn’t expecting at all.  Here’s hoping that all four issues are this good.

Story: 9 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.75

Uncanny X-Men #524 – The team has gathered to bury a friend as faith is discussed in both a spiritual sense as well as faith in a possible savior.  It’s a very touching issue and a break in the fast paced Second Coming crossover.

Story: 8.75 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.75

Vengeance of the Moon Knight #8 – It’s Moon Knight versus Deadpool, for pretty much the entire issue.  It’s one long fight, and that’s about it.  The crazy isn’t played up enough, and the fight was rather pointless.

Story: 6.75 Art: 8 Overall: 7

X-Men Second Coming Revelations Hellbound #1 – The quest to get Magik back is on as a team is put together to get her from Limbo.  Also the first issue for the limited edition Magik series is included.  It’s a solid entry from a very solid “X” event.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8 Overall: 8.25