You may or may not have noticed that Thunderbolts is now being released under the title of Dark Avengers. Don’t think about it too hard. They don’t. (Remember Deadpool #1000?) It started with last month’s issue #175 and DARK AVENGERS #176 came out this week. No Dark Avengers appeared in this issue. Remember that "don’t think about it too hard" part. The Thunderbolts have now traveled so far back in time that they now have reached the point where all life originated! And lo and behold the Man-Thing has returned! Only to speak… yes, he now speaks. And the first words spoken by the newly reborn Man-Thing? The immortal phase which will go down in comic book history? Well, that would simply be, “What up?” Seems he’s a Man-Thing of few words.

I will be keeping it a little shorter today. Andy is going on a quick vacation. He will be back on Monday. Does mean I will be bringing you the Best Book of the Week poll tomorrow. Your nominations are welcome. I’ll list as many as you want! Bring on your nominees! Here’s lucky number thirteen of my own.

AVENGERS VS X-MEN #6 (OF 12) – Really liked what Beast had to say. Really liked what Black Panther had to say. Really liked the ZZZAX agreeing to function as the power grid for Eastern Europe. And I loved that Wanda finally got involved. Hated those Avengers "Halo" uniforms. 

BEFORE WATCHMEN COMEDIAN #1 (OF 6) – Brian Azzarello and J.G. Jones’ turn! Still good but rests in third place. Not a big Kennedy fan. Nothing to do with politics. Just don’t have any interest in the “family.” This was very Kennedy-heavy. And the President’s death is going to drive the Comedian over the edge. Trying to remember my Watchmen history. Seem to vaguely recall a Kennedy angle and I assume it’s consistent with what went on before (or is that now after) but I would have to look. Maybe we should just do a Watchmen Whiz Bang? Stay tuned…

CHEW #27 2ND HELPING ED – Did not read Chew #27 this week. Read it a year ago. Read it a couple weeks ago after issue #26 came out. It fits right into the story. And is awesome as usual no matter when you read it. 

DAREDEVIL #14 – The last page was hilarious! Daredevil has been captured by Doom’s minions. His powers have been all but taken away. I can still barely sense the train. I’m gonna escape. I made it. I’m free! Ahhh… not quite. 

FABLES #118 – Now that’s a twist! The hobby horse. "My child got tangled and strangled on my reins." The airplane. "Young Jacob fell off the roof. Climbed up there to make me fly." The pedal car. "Luke rode me into the pool and drowned." The island of misfit toys are killers! Plus a hellacious giant stuffed teddy bear vs. robot tiger fight! 

GREEN LANTERN CORPS #10 – Thought was real good. Jon Stewart is guilty! And taking it like the honorable man he is. Liked how the Alpha Lanterns after passing judgement, tried to pass off execution, but no one was having it! You kill him! And of course Guy Gardner, who was eerily calm for virtually the entire issue, could not make it all the way to the end. Jail Break! 

JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #640 – Not everything is as it seems. With Loki in the book you always expect that, but Loki was the one surprised this time around! We’re on the wrong side! 

NEW AVENGERS #27 AVX – Still diggin’ anything to do with K’un Lun and Iron Fist. Which was all this issue was about. Hope does end up in K’un Lun after being whisked away by Wanda in AVX #6. A mystical water globe reveals that a Spider must help her. Say what! 

NIGHTWING #10 – Kyle Higgins is doing a great job with Nightwing. Like the transform the Amusement Park idea. Like that Sonia Branch/Zucco is involved. Like the bad cop is framing Nightwing bits. There are multiple plots and they all fit together so nicely. And to top it off, we even get a new villain this issue, The Paragon! 

RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #10 – Was so funny. And the pace was fantastic. Switched it up as the Outlaws head into space. Tamaran is in trouble and only Starfire can save her homeworld from the Blight! Really enjoyed.

SAGA #4 – Welcome to Sextillion! Lots of people who don’t normally read "indies" have been picking it up. We are selling tons. It’s been great. This issue was great. But I wonder if Sextillion just might have been a tad too much for some. And the bounty hunter, smushing that guys head Hulk style, was also great! 

WALKING DEAD #99 – In no other comic do you get this conversation. Andrea and Rick. "I think I’m going to want to bring my bed over. It’s better than this one." "Really? I like this one all right." It’s the Walking Dead! And I love it! And you better be on the bus or you’re in a load of trouble. Good luck, Andrea! I’m rooting for you! Issue #100 is gonna be a killer! 

WINTER SOLDIER #7 – Action and adventure galore! They do not talk about beds. Bucky drives his bus, loaded with dynamite, off a cliff! And it’s all plans within plans within plans. If that sleeper agent survives this arc, Mark Millar should sign him up for his next Nemesis story.

Best Book of the Week? Gotta go with Saga #4. Saga has quickly established itself as one of the best books coming out today and it’s not too late for you to jump on board. Beware (or Enjoy) Sextillion!

See ya!

Rusty

PS – The above was written around 36 hours ago and I have learned two things since. The Comedian may not have been consistent with the original Watchmen story. Which if true is either laziness or indifference on DC’s part. Neither of which is good. And Chew #27 may just have to be the Best Book of the Week. It’s so good virtually everyone decided they needed to buy it again!