It’s a relatively thick stack of books this week.  There’s some big releases including Flashpoint and Mega Man.  Were they worthy the wait?  Find out in the reviews below!

Monthly Comics

Astonishing X-Men #37 – The team continues to fight monsters in Japan as Armor must decide if she wants to stand with her family or the X-Men.  Meanwhile, Mentallo attempts to toy with Roxxon.  It’s interesting to see Roxxon involved, but I can’t say this “X” series is really needed.  It’s ok, but nothing special.

Story: 7.5 Art: 8 Overall: 7.5

Black Panther: The Man Without Fear #518 – The first story arc comes to a close as the Panther confronts Vlad with the usual fight  The overall arc is pretty solid, but definitely slid a bit in quality over the issues.  It’s still an entertaining read.

Story: 7.75 Art: 8 Overall: 7.75

Chew #27 – The series jumps ahead a few issues to focus on Agent Chu’s sister Toni.  As usual, the series packs the entertainment and laughs.  This series is consistently one of the best on the market.  This should absolutely be on everyone’s pull list.

Story: 8.75 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.75

Cinderella: Fables are Forever #4 – Cinderella continues her pursuit of Dorothy Gale as she goes over their encounters over the years.  The series is at the point it’s dragging just a bit, but it’s still a hell of a lot of fun.

Story: 7.75 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7.75

Daken: Dark Wolverine #9 – The Daken/X-23 crossover comes to an end as we see the potential of what the series could have been.  Between the two a great discussion about potential and limits, it would have been great to see this sort of discussion throughout the mini-event.  I keep saying this series has potential, and here we get a glimpse of it.

Story: 7.5 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7.5

Daredevil: Reborn #4 – Daredevil needed to go through something to get back to basics and this series was an attempt to do it.  The first issue was solid and the next three just slipped from there in quality.  By the end, it was ok, but really not enough to get Daredevil back to where he should be or to wipe out the past year.

Story: 6.75 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7

Fear Itself: Youth in Revolt #1 – While the heavy hitters take on the hammers that have fallen the “B” and “C” listers are gathered to take care of the domestic issues.  There’s some good moments, like discussion of past events, but there’s not enough of them to make this not a disappointment like the main series.

Story: 7 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7

FF #3 – One Reed Richards is trouble enough, but what will multiple Reeds do on Earth?  Hickman continues his epic weave of a tail.  Villains are brought together to take on the Reeds.  It’s an interesting concept, and I definitely want to see where he goes with it.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25

The Flash #12 – This has all been a build up to Flashpoint, and that series will determine if it was worth it.  This final issue didn’t quite hype it enough to get me excited.

Story: 7.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 7.5

Flashpoint #1 – DC and The Flash has been building up to this for months and it pays off quite well.  This is definitely DC’s version of the Age of Apocalypse.  However, we’ve seen lately first issues that are amazing and the follow up that quickly derails.  I have my fingers crossed and hopes up.

Story: 9 Art: 9 Overall: 9

G.I. Joe #1 – I haven’t picked up a G.I. Joe comic in a while and it looks like I’ve been missing something solid.  Cobra Commander is dead and the race is on for his replacement.  It’s the first entry in the Cobra Civil War storyline and its’ solid enough I need to go back and see what I’ve been missing.

Story: 8.75 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.75

Jennifer Blood #3 – We get a better idea as to what this vendetta is all about as Jennifer must balance a domestic life with her after hour activities.  There’s something so subversive about this series that makes it fun.

Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8

Journey Into Mystery #623 – The series is a mystery so far, fitting for it’s name.  Loki continues to unravel exactly what Odin is up to and decides to act.  But, since it’s Loki, the readers are left to wonder if what he plans on doing is actually for the better.  The series is interesting so far and out of all of the Fear Itself tie-ins, it’s the best of the bunch.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25

Mega Man #1 – I’ve been waiting for this first issue and it’s everything I’d hoped for.  This is the original video game series in comic book form.  The memories rushed back and I can’t wait to pick up the second issue.  So much fun for all ages.

Story: 8.75 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.75

The New Avengers #12 – Two stories weave through this issue.  One is solid and the other has a lot left to be desired.  In the modern day Bobbi hangs on after being shot and Clint Barton is pissed.  As H.A.M.M.E.R. begins to reorganize, we get a taste of more than we’ve been let on.  In the past Fury and his team go after the Red Skull in the story that’s missing bits to make it totally coherent and some art that’s not quite up to snuff.  Why the past stuff, I just don’t know yet, but it definitely dropped the quality of the issue.

Story: 7.25 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.25

New Mutants #25 – When a series must claim “new direction” that’s a sign the past wasn’t so solid.  The issue seems like a scolding and apology for what’s come before.  A lead up to this I wasn’t too keen on.  This new direction doesn’t seem that bold either.  Instead we get an “X-Men” junior team picking up the scraps.  Sadly, it has so much more potential that’s hopefully seen under this creative team.

Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7

the Unwritten #25 – Tom Taylor is back after his journey through books.  The source of all of the magic is somewhat revealed and there’s a heist.  The issue isn’t quite as good as the recent ones, but it’s much more straightforward.

Story: 7.5 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7.75

X-Men #11 – And this is what’s known as filler.  A flashback story of Xavier meeting a vampire.  The story isn’t particularly good and the art takes a dip.  I doubt it’ll have any long term impact or significance.

Story: 6.75 Art: 6.75 Overall: 6.75

X-Men: Legacy #248 – It’s post Age of X and the residents of Utopia are dealing with the ramifications.  It’s an interesting way to set up a whole lot of new plot possibilities and there’s some foreshadowing here that looks like it’ll lead to the return of some space faring mutants we haven’t seen in a while.

Story: 8 Art: 7.5 Overall:8