It’s a very small batch of books out this week, but we finally have 27 #1 in our hands (yay!).  There’s not many books, but we’ll let you know what’d make some great holiday presents.

Monthly Comics

Fables #100 – A seriously thick 100th issue with a whopping $10 price tag and 103 pages.  It’s what you’d expect with numerous stories, all to the normal quality from this series.  Fantastic stuff as always, here’s to 100 more!

Story: 9 Art: 8.5 Overall: 9

The Flash #7 – I’ve really enjoyed the new Flash series so far, though the ending to the last arc was a bit underwhelming.  This issue takes a step back to give us the history and motivation for Captain Boomerang.  In one issue a character is fleshed out, given reason behind his actions and a bit sympathetic.  It’s a solid issue that stands on it’s own.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

Lady Mechanika #1 – Such a fun new series.  I can see steampunk becoming the next big genre and this comic book will be leading the way.  There’s a bit of mystery, fantastic world, just so much to work with.  I’m sure this series will fly under the radar, but it’s one that deserves to be checked out.

Story: 8.75 Art: 9 Overall: 8.75

The New Avengers #7 – They finished saving the world and it’s down time to get everything in order.  This issue is hilarious as the team debates getting a paycheck, fixing the mansion, a new team member, some hired help and a nanny.  I was laughing out loud numerous times in a very entertaining issue that put a smile on my face.

Story: 9 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.75

Thor #618 – I’ve generally been enjoying Matt Fraction’s take on Thor and the direction the series has been going in and the art’s been growing on me.  But, something is missing and I can’t quite put my finger on it.  I have a feeling the pay off will be worth it, but I can only recommend this to the hardcore Thor fans.

Story: 7 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.25

Thor: The Mighty Avenger #7 – It’s the second last issue and it’s sad to see a quality series such as this come to an end.  Comics like this deserve and audience and the audience deserves comics like this.

Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8

27 #1 – Charles Soule’s comic about a guitar god who falls hard and has to make a hard decision to get back on top.  The comic is what I expected with amazing visuals that fits the rock and roll story.  This first issue is all set up with a great concept that’s open to go in so many directions.  We have no idea what to expect and where this is going but I can’t wait to read issue two.

Story: 9.5 Art: 10 Overall: 9.75

Widowmaker #1 – I had some high hopes for this meeting of Hawkeye, Mockingbird and Black Widow.  Someone is knocking off spies, but who’s behind it all?  The mini-series has a lot of promise, but it doesn’t quite reach to the level I was hoping for.  I’m impressed that the comic reaches back to items in the early days of New Avengers and Hawkeye’s return, but overall, it doesn’t quite reach the level I hoped.

Story: 7 Art: 6.75 Overall: 7

Graphic Novels/Trade Paperbacks

Transformers Volume 2: International Incident – Expect a longer review later in the week.

20th Century Boys Volume 1 – Folks have told me over and over that this Manga series is one I have to read.  In this first volume I can get a sense of how good it is and that it does live up to the hype, but at the same time it’s 100 plus pages of set up and mystery.  There’s an apocalypse coming and a mystery involving child hood friends is somehow involved.  It’s quite a set up mixing The Stand, Lost and so much more.  I’ll absolutely be reading the full series, but so far so good.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5