One more week down.  Hoping to get three weeks of reviews done.

All-Star Western #5 – The back-up story is ok, but uneccessary (I’d go with $1 less without it), but the Hex story is entertaining.  Both Hex and Arkham have to climb their way out of a hole after being beaten to a pulp.  The series is great, giving some history to modern Gotham that gets referenced here and there in the Batman books.  It really plays off the shared universe really well.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25

Alpha Flight #8 – Hmm, lots of fighting and much better than the previous issues, but so many questions left unanswered.  How did the Master of the World take so much control?  What was up with the four toes?  Why did Heather turn?  Not a bad final issue, but overall it was clear the series was never quite up to monthly status.

Story: 7.25 Art: 7.25 Overall: 7.25

American Vampire #23 – And that’s how this latest arc ties back.  It’s so good as we get a lot of build up to the current action.  Some great writing as far as inner monologue and fantastic action.  All tied together with great art.  We might be in the 50s (or so), but the story and series continues to be fantastic with a setting you rarely see for a vampire series.  Scott Snyder and Rafael Albuquerque keep putting out a series that only seems to get better and better.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

Aquaman #5 – Wow what a solid issue.  Aquaman is in a desert and while he struggles an interesting mystery surrounding Atlantis is set up.  Also the status of what people think of Aquaman is played up really well.  This is one of the best series to come out of DC’s reboot and it alone made the mess worth it.

Story: 8.75 Art: 8.75 Overall: 8.75

Astonishing X-Men #46 – Cyclops and others deal with this alternate world, I wonder what the point is…. The series needs to find it’s footing and place in the overall “X” structure and give me a reason it should exist.  It isn’t doing that right now.

Story: 7.5 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.5

Batman: The Dark Knight #5 – Um… Batman fights Scarecrow and then Superman shows up.  Then Batman fights Superman, mmm k… The dialogue is off for Supes, but Batman is decent.  Overall the issue is a mess I think.

Story: 6.75 Art: 8.25 Overall: 6.75

Captain America & Bucky #626 – Lots going on here as Cap chases a Bucky and some interesting history is dredged up.  Not as solid as it’s been in the past, but still pretty decent.

Story: 7.5 Art: 8 Overall: 7.5

Daken: Dark Wolverine #20 – Daken is still on a mission to become the kingpin of LA and he has to take on Count Nefaria.  Then there’s the FBI agent who can’t decide if she wants to kill, arrest or date Daken.  There’s some great moments here and then some crap as well.

Story: 7.5 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.5

Fantastic Four #602 – The battle against the Kree isn’t going well and Reed and Susan do something pretty crazy to win, but there’s something bigger brewing.  I’m interested in how this ties into events in the recent X-Men comics…  Hickman continues his fantastic epic.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.5

FF #14 – We catch another glimpse of Hickman’s story and the Celestials arriving.  I can’t say I totally get everything that’s going on, but it’s an interesting piece of the bigger puzzle.  But on it’s own the issue can’t stand.  Still interesting in how it all ties together.

Story: 8 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.75

the Flash #5 – The Mob Rule storyline is over, thank god.  Not the strongest Flash storyline, but a lot was laid out there for future stories.  The overall plot was ok, but the groundwork it lays is the important thing.  Not bad though.

Story: 7.5 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7.75

Green Lantern: New Guardians #5 – The Lanterns check out the large vessel before them and some interesting stuff is hinted at.  There’s a decent amount going on as far as characters and all are given their fair shake as far as time.  The concepts presented are new which is cool.  Overall, pretty interesting stuff.

Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75

I, Vampire #5 – The vampires have headed to Gotham and that just means Batman is getting involved.  The writing and art is top notch and the interaction between everyone is great too.  Fialkov just does the mood right and with his artist the comic is a perfect team.  This is one of the best comics to come out of the DC shuffle.

Story: 8.75 Art: 8.75 Overall: 8.75

Justice League #5 – The first story arc of the series reads like a big budget action movie with no depth other than those “kick ass” moments and the “witty banter.”  This is a comic of the 90s, all flash and no substance.  For being the flagship of DC I expect more and this is a missed opportunity that comics can be so much more than what’s presented.

Story: 6.75 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7.5

The Mighty Thor #10 – Thor begins to figure out who he is as moves against the All Mother continues.  There’s a lot going on here that might be a bit much for new fans.  There’s just something I feel like I’m missing, but it’s still an entertaining read.

Story: 7.75 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7.75

Secret Avengers #21.1 – An ok issue having Captain America testing Hawkeye if he should be the next leader of the Secret Avengers.  Overall an ok issue, but not enough to hook a new reader and the story could have been told in a much more interesting way.

Story: 7 Art: 7.25 Overall: 7

Teen Titans #5 – Superboy fights the team and of course whips up on them.  There’s a bunch of moments that don’t make too much sense and of course Superboy sees the error of his ways.  There was a big build up to this moment and it’s a bit of a let down.

Story: 7 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #6 – There seems to be a third faction that has to do with French martial arts as the series deepens its mythology and has yet another thing that’ll be familiar to fans at the end.  The series is fantastic with a lot of nods to long time fans and easy to understand for folks new to TMNT.

Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8

Ultimate Comics the Ultimates #6 – Nick Fury assesses the situation and where they go from here.  Everything looks bleak and this is that quiet moment in the movie where you’re not quite sure if the good guys will pull it off and win in the end.  The series has slowed down but still solid.  My only complaint is there’s a lot of references to the continuity which I know nothing about.

Story: 7.25 Art: 8 Overall: 7.5

Voodoo #5 – Wait, what?  This information conveniently hasn’t been around for four issues?!  With Marz out as writer, I’m out as a reader.  I dug his mix of spy/super hero comic, this on the other hand is crap.

Story: 6.25 Art: 7.5 Overall: 6.5

The Walking Dead #93 – Is there another threat out there or do these new visitors really mean peace?  Rick decides to go all crazy and see what they’re up against with a lot of debate and chatter.  It’s an interesting plot, but rather slow paced.

Story: 8 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8

X-Men: Legacy #261 – Exodus comes a calling and I yawn.  There’s some attempts at making the characters human and focus on their personal lives post split but it’s all rather 90210 for me.  Yawn.

Story: 7 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7