Another week, another stack. The comics never stop. And what would I do if they did? Best not to think about it. So without further ado, here’s what I thought of last week’s stuff, followed by what I’m looking forward to for this week.

I came home with a big haul last Wednesday, but I won’t belabor the review process: nothing was all that great. My favorites were definitely The Twelve, which continues to offer a fine balance of quality narrative and visuals…good storytelling all around; and Amazing Spider-Man. Apprehensive as I was about this new arc, I really enjoyed the first issue. And Salvador Larrocca’s pencils, which I’ve had problems with in the past, seem to work very well here, especially when Peter’s got his Spidey suit on. Good stuff, folks.

Omega the Unknown continued its strange journey into off-kilter semi-superhero territory, kind of a small, quaint read but still enjoyable. As a single graphic novel these (eventual) ten issues would play even better. That’s what trades are for (cue that one Dionne Warwick song here).

Moon Knight was OK. It didn’t reach out and grab me. Nice cover, though.

Teen Titans:Year One still has me art-wise, but I might drop this book. It doesn’t seem like anything significant is gonna happen here in terms of high-end storytelling. And that’s what I’m in it for.

Justice Society of America was decent if relatively uneventful. This story is losing steam for me. I can’t tell what’s going really on here, what the big picture is, but it seems like it’s gonna tie in to another DC title soon (this issue intersects with Death of the New Gods, it would seem, and I ain’t readin’ that)…now I’m worried.

Northlanders and Fables were both decent, typical Vertigo fare. The former had some good Viking dismemberments, the latter finally tied up an arc that’s been going on too long (although I wouldn’t say that if I’d read it collected, as I did so many other Fables arcs…pacing isn’t a problem when you race through a book in a single sitting). Here’s hoping the next arc is a return to form for one of the best books being made today.

I also bought Clandestine (didn’t care for it) and Battlestar Galactica: Origins, which is not as good as the Battlestar Galactic: Season Zero series. But is is about notorious cretin Gaius Baltar, so it’s at least interesting. Don’t know about that art, though. By the way, if you want a sleeper TV show, try out BSG. I got hooked and watched three seasons in a month. All those articles a while back in Rolling Stone and such that said it was the best show on TV weren’t just blowing hot air. That shit is good. Edward James Olmos, that chick from Dances With Wolves, sexy killer robots…hell yeah. And speaking of sexy killer robots, that weird lookin’ Terminator chick on the Sarah Connor Chronicles is…but I digress.

So what’s coming our way this week? Here’s what I’ll be eyeing.

Amazing Spider-Man #550 picks up where last week’s began, and I hope it’s just as good.

Captain Marvel #3 continues the tale of our out-of-time hero and his respite from the Reaper. It may also have Secret Invasion ties, so I’m there.

Like everyone else who reads comics, I’ll be jumping on board Fantastic Four for #554 as Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch take the reins. These guys knocked it out of the park with Ultimates 1 and 2, and they promise exciting things for Marvel’s First Family– including the terrifying spectre of Doom. The Doctor is in.

New Avengers #38 is on its way with more of my favorite team du jour. Plus it’s a Secret Invasion piece. If you haven’t read the first 37 issues, check ‘em out. A rollicking ride, for sure.

Lovable drunk Tony Stark shows his Ultimate face again this week in Ultimate Iron Man II #3, although I don’t think he’s a drunk yet here. Last issue had some really confusing panels, but I still enjoyed it. Ring it up.

Wolverine #62 looks to be a continuation of the events in Messiah Complex. I didn’t read that. But I always get Wolverine, so I’ll try to puzzle it out. This arc is written by Jason Aaron, who writes Scalped for Vertigo. If you like gritty crime dramas, I highly recommend Scalped. It’s been described as the Sopranos on an Indian reservation…and while the protagonist works within the law rather than without, that’s not too far off. Checkit. (Also in the gritty crime/modern noir genre, Ed Brubaker’s ongoing Criminal series is terrific…two trades are currently available.)

Lastly, I’ll be picking up X-Force #1 because I’m interested in the main concept. The tagline was something like “X-Men don’t kill. These aren’t the X-Men.” I’m down with that. It’s appears to be an “all-claws” team, although Cyclops may not count (but look at those blades!). We made a lot of jokes around the shop about what would happen if one of these characters got something stuck in their eye…the team would be powerless to help. Still, it looks cool. That’s what it’s all about, right?

Alrighty then. I’m out. Remember to stay in school. Knowing is half the battle. The first half, I think — “BAT”. I don’t know what the other half of the battle is. Doing? Anyway…

Bagged and boarded,

Grip