A thick stack of books this week.  The Age of Heroes has officially kicked off with the relaunch of the Avengers.  Does the new direction work or does it fall flat?  Which other comics stick out and which fail to impress?  Find out below!

Monthly Comics

Age of Heroes #1 – Four short stories focusing on some of the lesser goings on in the new Marvel age.  The first one focused on Mayor Jameson makes me think a series focused completely on him would be great.  The Doctor Voodoo one picks up right where his series ended.  The Captain Britain one is all a lead up to something bigger and there’s a one page Spider-Man short that’s somewhat entertaining.  A decent read.

Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8

American Vampire #3 – I was definitely down on this series when it first debuted, but it’s quickly grown on me.  The setting, hints at politics and now some action are entertaining.  The issue continues to tell two tales both revolving around Skinner Sweet.  If you like westerns or vampires, then this series will be right up your lane.

Story: 8 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8

Atlas #1 – In all likelihood the relaunched series will suffer a similar fate as it’s predecessor.  A critically acclaimed series that never finds commercial success.  Well, it’s worth picking up.  Someone has it in for 3-D Man and he’s having dreams about Atlas.  In a pretty impressive story telling twist the first issue squarely focuses on 3-D Man with Atlas only seen in fleeting glimpses.  It’s quality, this is a series to start reading and you’re doing yourself a disservice by not.

Story: 8.75 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.75

The Avengers #1 – It’s a new era and fresh start as Steve Rogers gathers Earth’s mightiest to reform the Avengers.  Who will make the team and who will turn it down?  Also what does Kang have up his sleeve?  It’s a great start to the series with fantastic dialogue and character interaction and prefect set up.  Avengers Assemble!

Story: 9 Art: 8.75 Overall: 9

Avengers Assemble – More of a handbook than a comic, it’s a great guide for folks who want to get caught up on a lot of Avenger’s history and the who’s who.

Story: N/A Art: N/A Overall: N/A

Brightest Day #2 – The troubles for the returned continues as it’s not going well for all of them.  And why does Deadman have a white lantern ring!?  The mysteries continue as everyone must deal with their new and returned lives.

Story: 8 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.25

Daytripper #6 – Fábio Moon and Gabriel Bá’s amazing series that reflects on life, loss and the comfort in between.  This is a must read series, it’s haunting, unforgettable and shows off how powerful the comic medium can be.

Story: 9.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 9.25

Deadpool #23 – Deadpool continues his quest to be a hero as he heads to Vegas to deal with someone who’s defamed him on television and bumps into an old friend.  As always a perfect balance of humor and action.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

Deathlock the Demolisher #7 – Deathlok and Godwulf continue their separate assaults on Roxxon with two very different results.  And thus ends the mini series.  You definitely should pick up the eventual trade when it comes out.  Also, I know I’d love to see a follow up that focuses on the new dynamic of NYS.

Story: 8 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8

Enter The Heroic Age #1 – Short stories leading up to the various series spinning out of the Heroic Age including Avengers Academy, Black Widow, Hawkeye & Mockingbird and Thunderbolts.  It’s well worth the pick up and read.  All the stories are very entertaining and the art is great too.

Story: 8.75 Art: 8.75 Overall: 8.75

Ex Machina #49 – It’s the Great Machine versus Suzanne as we get a glimpse as to what’s on the other side and wants to come through.  Such a brilliant and amazing series.

Story: 8.75 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.75

Girl Comics #2 – Girl Comics was conceived as a way to highlight female talent in the industry.  The first issue had some great art in some of the stories but overall it was forgettable.  This second issue is similar.  There’s just nothing entertaining about it.  Some stories are a bit fun, but everything is forgotten minutes later.  I think the most egregious error is that many of the stories focus on stereotypical gender roles.  Mary Jane Watson contemplating dating and boys, a female super hero working in a hair salon.  This isn’t the way to show off the numerous female talent in the industry.  Fail!

Story: 5.75 Art: 7 Overall: 6.25

The Invincible Iron Man #26 – Tony Stark continues to struggle with his legacy as forces conspire against him.  A perfect starting point for people new to Iron Man.  Matt Fraction is a brilliant writer and you won’t be dissapointed.

Story: 9 Art: 9 Overall: 9

Joe the Barbarian #5 – Grant Morrison continues his homage to all the fantasy stories that have come before as Joe continues his journey and reality and fantasy continue to clash together.  This is a modern day fantasy classic.

Story: 8.75 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.75

The Marvelous Land of Oz #6 – Still not caught up.

Story: ? Art: ? Overall: ?

Superman: War of the Supermen #3 – With the sun glowing red Kryptonians are dying and someone will have to make a sacrifice to help them out.  I’ve never been the biggest fan of Superman and usually only read it during events, usually walking away disappointed.  This four issue mini series stands out as just pure entertainment and I look forward to seeing how it ends.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25

The Walking Dead #72 – Robert Kirkman continues his exploration of good and evil as roles are reversed and we don’t know who we can and can’t trust.  The survivors still attempt to adjust to their situation and new surroundings.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

Wolverine #900 – This one’s a little late due to damage in the initial shipment but a thick collection of short stories staring Wolverine by various writers and artists.  It’s well worth the purchase and pick up, pure quality.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

X-Factor #205 – Usually when it comes to event tie-ins the quality is rarely up to snuff and the series suffers.  Peter David has shown that doesn’t have to be the case as Bastion’s plan to take X-Factor out of the equation isn’t going as well as he’d hoped.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.5

X-Men: Legacy #236 – Bastion’s plan continues as he traps the X-Men on Utopia.  The Avengers show up to help out to no avail as the X-Club do their best to defeat Bastion’s plan.  Plus Hope must decide if she’ll stay or go into the future for the better of the mutant race.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

Graphic Novels

The Executor – A very adult crime novel with a touchy subject matter John Evans has crafted a fantastic story and engrossing read.  Andrea Mutti provides fantastic artwork.  If you enjoy crime stories, this, much like most of the Vertigo Crime imprint, are must reads.

Story: 9.25 Art: 8.5 Overall: 9.25