It’s a very small stack of books this week, but we also picked up some graphic novels to pick up the slack.  Is any of it worth it?  What should you spend your hard earned dollars on?  Find out our thoughts below in this week’s edition of weekly reviews.

Monthly Comics

Brightest Day #19 – The mini-event has kicked up a notch and this issue moves it along more and throwing in enough moments that I now have no idea what to expect over it’s final issues.  We learn the mission of the White Lantern and what it’s nemesis is as enough shocking moments make you realize anything can happen.

Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8

Daken: Dark Wolverine #5 – I’ve been talking up this series as I think it’s easily the best of the “Wolverine” series of books.  Daken is an under appreciated character with tons of potential.  The series is all about defining this character on his own and I think the quality is subtle, but there.  Small comments and moments are what this series is about, a much more subtler psychological action series as opposed to the other’s over the top action.

Story: 8.5 Art: 7.75 Overall: 8.25

Deadpool/Cable #26 – This comic which I was baffled to see on the release schedule isn’t needed as I expected and pretty piss poor.  The story has Deadpool attempting to honor his fallen friend Cable (didn’t that happen months ago!?).  The usual craziness ensues and there’s no movement in story or character.  Why this was needed is beyond me, but save your $4.

Story: 5 Art: 6.5 Overall: 5.5

The Invincible Iron Man #500.1 – The “Point One” initiative is an attempt by Marvel to create jumping on points for new readers as well as show off the quality writing of these series.  What it really comes down to is an Annual by another name.  But, no matter, this issue is pure quality.  A simple tale of Tony Stark at an alcoholics anonymous meeting where he tells his tale to the other members of the group.  It’s fantastic writing and some solid art.  While it isn’t exactly what I thought it’d be, it succeeds in showing off why folks should be checking out the series.

Story: 8.75 Art: 8 Overall: 8.5

Iron Man: Legacy #11 – This final chapter of the “Industrial Revolution” story arc is rather weak story wise, but even worse is really inconsistent art that seems to change styles around three times throughout the issue.  It’s one thing to use different artists, but this is jarring and doesn’t improve it at all.

Story: 7 Art: 6.5 Overall: 6.75

Irredeemable #22 – With it’s main character of Plutonian captured by aliens where does this series go?  Mark Waid continues to plot the course taking us in directions I’ve never expected including further exploring the relationship between Plutonian and his main villain.  It’s a fascinating series that continues to improve with each issue.

Story: 8.25 Art: 7.5 Overall: 8.25

Secret Six #30 – Another multi-part story that takes place in this series but also attempts to get us to purchase another.  This is the second story in a row to do that and I’m not taking the bait.  While this issue starts off great, it quickly devolves into something that’s just not entertaining.  Something was off in this issue, and I’m not quite sure what it is.  I’d probably wait for the next issue and skip this one.

Story: 7 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7

Graphic Novels/Trade Paperbacks

Stigmata – Lorenzo Mattotti and Claudio Piersanti’s tale about a broken man who suddenly finds the mark of stigmata.  We’ll have an expanded review coming later.

Vietnamerica – GB Tran’s tale of his family’s journey from Vietnam to America.  It’s a memoir in graphic novel form.  We’ll have an expanded review coming later.