It’s a double dose of reviews this weekend as we ran last week’s reviews yesterday.  But here’s this week’s reviews which catches us all up!  What’s worth reading and what should you skip?  Find out below!

Monthly Comics

Astonishing Spider-Man & Wolverine #3 – It’s Wolverine versus Doom the size of a planet with one fold out page that’s beyond amazing.  This series is fun, entertaining, creative and a must read!

Story: 9 Art: 9 Overall: 9

Brightest Day #10 – We learn the secret behind Aqualad as well as a bit more about Firestorm.  I’m still shocked by how much I’ve enjoyed this event.  It’s been a lot of fun to read and see where it goes.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25

Captain America: Patriot #1 – The first issue in a four issue limited series that focuses on the man who became the Patriot and eventually took up the mantel of Captain America.  The issue is so, so good.  Words just don’t do it justice.  The art is top notch and story is fantastic.  This is easily the pick of the week.

Story: 9.5 Art: 9 Overall: 9.25

Deadpool #27 – An Arab as a terrorist, how original.  I can’t quite decide if the issue is racist or just really not politically correct.  But, no matter, the issue is entertaining and really fun to read.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.5

DMZ #57 – A tale of a woman and a baby in a warzone.  A very powerful story and the usual quality you’d expect from Brian Wood.  DMZ is one of the best comic books on the market and one you should be reading every month.

Story: 9.25 Art: 8.5 Overall: 9

Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #2 – Guy Gardner gathers his team as he begins to head out to the unknown sectors, but first there’s something he must take care of.  The story and series so far is decent, but there’s barely a need for it.

Story: 7.5 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7.75

Joe the Barbarian #7 – It’s the second last issue of this Grant Morrison limited series.  Joe must decide what he wants to do, save his fantasy world or save himself.  The series has been enjoyable, but will definitely benefit by reading it as a trade instead of individual issues.

Story: 8 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8

Marvel Universe vs. The Punisher #4 – It’s the end of the limited series as the Punisher must deal with the Kingpin and his tribe.  The final issue touched on a little more, but I was definitely expecting more of a comparison as to what defines a monster.  It’s very subtle and it’s done, but I really wanted more of it, along with the deep psychological issues the Punisher has.  Still the limited series is entertaining.

Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75

New Mutants #17 – Wow, something is just so off with this issue.  The last couple of issues have been decent, but the stories pacing is really uneven and the art, not quite as good as it has been.  The issue is just bad.

Story: 5 Art: 6.75 Overall: 5.5

1 Month 2 Live #3 – It’s the third issue as the clock ticks down for Dennis.  He’s swept away by the Fantastic Four to deal with Ego the Living Planet.  The issue has a retro feel to it, but overall it’s a big meh.

Story: 6.5 Art: 6.5 Overall: 6.5

Shadowland: Ghost Rider – This one shot looks at Ghost Rider’s mission for the Kingpin after the jailbreak in Shadowland.  The story is pretty decent and art is very solid.  It’s a simple chapter but potentially has a lot of impact on the story and Ghost Rider.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.75 Overall: 8.5

Shadowland: Power Man #2 – This attempt at a blaxploitation movie in comic form comes close to pulling it off.  But instead at times it feels like the worst of 70’s Marvel comics.  But I really appreciate the Warriors riff.  Can you dig it!?

Story: 7 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.25

Steve Rogers: Super Soldier #3 – The comic is fun as Rogers deals with being de-powered.  It continues it’s pulp throwback feel to it, but this issue, along with the last, don’t quite hold up to the promise of the first.

Story: 7.5 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.5

Thor: First Thunder #1 – This is the tipping point for me.  One mini-series too many surrounding one character who’s movie is roughly a year away.  This is another re-imagining of Thor’s origin.  Nothing really original, and completely unnecessary.

Story: 6.25 Art: 7 Overall: 6.5

Thor: For Asgard #2 – The second issue reads much better than the first, but still, other than the art, I just don’t see the point in the series.  Much like’s been done with Deadpool and Wolverine, Thor is quickly being exploited due to the upcoming movie.  Captain America overload should begin in 3…2…1…

Story: 7.5 Art: 9.5 Overall: 8

Thunderbolts #148 – Luke Cage decides to use the team for some personal business as he sends them into the depths of Shadowland to find some missing cops.  The dynamic between the members is the best and the series is still picking up all the small interactions and personality conflicts.  A decent tie-in to the event.

Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75

the Unwritten #17 – In a rather brilliant idea, we’re presented the various lives of Lizzie Hexam, where we the reader can choose the path she takes.  It’s choose your own adventure time in this very brilliant issue.

Story: 9.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 9.25

Wolverine: Road to Hell – Three stories leading up to three of the four “Wolverine” comic book series.  Two of the three really give no insight, but the Uncanny X-Force story gives me a lot of hope for that series.  I really like the group dynamic shown.  But overall, there’s no need for the comic.

Story: 7 Art: 8 Overall: 7

X-Factor #209 – The team hits Las Vegas, and the issue is full of humor and it’s fun, but it’s just not the usual quality I expect from this series.

Story: 7 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7

X-23 #1 – Definitely the strongest of the three “Wolverine” titles.  This one totally focuses on Laura/x-23 and really plays off the fact she’s done all these horrible things and has her childhood denied.  There’s a lot of potential here, and I really enjoyed the first issue.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5