Thursday Morning Superhero

This weekend marks the the 2016 In-Store Convention Kick-off.  The event provides you a convention experience from the comfort of your local comic book store.  Special guests include Jim Lee, Nathan Fillion, Matt Fraction, and more!  To find out if your LCS is participating and for a schedule of events check it out here.  Really impressive that should be a lot of fun to experience with some local nerds.

Pick of the Week:
Black Widow #1 - When I learned Mark Waid was penning a new Black Widow series I was excited and am happy to report that he did not disappoint.  The series opens with an announcement that Black Widow, aka Natasha Romanov, is now an enemy of S.H.I.E.L.D. and is to be stopped at any cost.  Following this announcement, we are treated to an epic chase scene that is straight out of a classic John Woo flick.  Not Face/Off or Paycheck, but more in the vein of The Killer or Hard Boiled.  All we learn from this debut is that Romanov is not to be messed with and she must have swiped something pretty valuable given the efforts made to take her down.  Color me intrigued.

The Rest:
The Walking Dead #152 - Rick is gearing up his people for an attack on the whispers.  In order to get them to agree with attacking the living, he is trying to build up hate with a wave of propaganda.  A major bomb drops at the end of this issue, but I don't want to spoil anything.  It seems that the biggest threat to Rick and his crew is real and they should be very, very afraid.  While I feel this series has had its ups and downs, I have really been enjoying the current arc and am anxiously awaiting what is going to happen in the next issue.




Old Man Logan #3 - Logan is recovering from his shock to discover that he is enlisting the help of Kate Bishop, not Clint Barton, in his quest to take care of his list to set things right in the future.  She wants to help him take down Mysterio, but Wolverine prefers to work alone and they run into some issues with how Logan likes to obtain information.  I am still on the fence with this title, but the hook at the end speaks directly to me.  I am on board for an old man fight of epic proportions with the next title.

Darth Vader #17 - Vader once again demonstrates his power and rage.  We get to witness a submersible spaceship surprise his camp by emerging from lava.  Vader, not one to back down, leaps into the ship and along with the help of the twins, slices holes throughout the vessel causing it to fill with lava and sink.  It is a powerful moment, but one that demonstrates that Vader tries to make himself bigger than the Empire and his ego is going to get him in trouble.





POSTED BY MIKE N. aka Victor Domashev -- comic guy, proudly raising nerdy kids, and Nerds of a Feather contributor since 2012.   

Thursday Morning Superhero

San Diego Comic Con is still quite a ways off, but the nerds are already raging.  Ace Parking released its parking passes for the Con and true to SDCC fashion the fans crashed the site and were quite upset.  As a father I try to teach my kids not to get upset over things that are out of your control and to find the positive in the situation.  So you couldn't get parking despite trying your best.  San Diego is a big city with ample parking.  Sure it might not be the most convenient, but try to remember that you are lucky enough to be attending SDCC in the first place.  Sorry you had a rough go Ace Parking.  I thought you did alright.

Pick of the Week:
Saga #19 - This comic isn't fair to the other books on the market and Fiona Staples is a saint for the work she does on this series.  The opening panel is both shocking and beautiful and I love how this series is pushing the envelope.  Getting a peek into The Robot Kingdom at the start of the book was a treat and made me sympathize with a group of aliens that were initially portrayed as villains.  A spin-off that focused on the life of Princess Robot and her child would make a compelling series of its own. The subtle humor mixed in with a compelling drama and a cast of characters that have such depth and complexity.  A lot happened in an issue that felt both light and brief.  Not sure how Brian K. Vaughan does it, but I have a hankering to go read Y: The Last Man again.

The Rest:
Axe Cop: The American Choppers #1 - It brings me great pleasure to see Axe Cop return to print form.  What could possibly make Axe Cop even better?  A team up featuring some of the best axe (not chainsaw) wielding superheroes that have ever graced the pages of a comic book.  This new miniseries from Dark Horse stays true to Axe Cop form and is an absolute delight to read.  As the parent of a soon to be 7-year old I can truly relate with the wonderful imagination of Malachai Nicolle.  I should also admit that I would love to see a Captain Planet (the planet from which all captains are from) spin-off.




Daredevil #3 - Daredevil is still adjusting to his new San Francisco digs and is up against a formidable foe in the Owl.  Mark Waid steps up the funny for this issue as his run with Daredevil continues to be plain fun.  Waid also is great with mixing in real drama and fear with his humor.  The book remains light, but it seems like Waid has big plans for Daredevil in San Francisco.  Nothing beats Daredevil acting tough and dropping a Lying Cat reference.  "BZZT. Lying Cat says 'Lying.'".  It's funny because it's true.  That is something that Lying Cat would totally say upon hearing the lies of Shadow Man.


Original Sin #2 - The hunt for the murderer of the Watcher continues as the holder of the eye is finally revealed.  While I enjoyed the action on the surface, the detective work that was taking place underground was the highlight of this issue.  So far one of the more compelling Marvel events by a long shot.  When the bomb drops I truly hope this series lives up to the hype.

POSTED BY MIKE N. -- comic guy, proudly raising nerdy kids, and Nerds of a Feather contributor since 2012.

Thursday Morning Superhero

It may seem as if it is a long way out, but SDCC and the Nerd HQ are rapidly approaching.  The Nerd HQ is reaching out to its nerd army to provide funding of what is an increasingly impressive event.  You can give as I have at www.iwantmynerdhq.com and make SDCC more inclusive.  You don't need a badge, a Comic Con ID, or jump through any hoops to attend the Nerd HQ.  On top of that, all of the proceeds go to charity!  Every dollar helps and no donation is too small.  I shall step down from my soap box and move on to this week's books!

Pick of the Week:
American Vampire: Second Cycle #1 - What a joy it is to revisit the world that Scott Snyder and Rafael Albuquerque have created.  I was a fan of the original series, but ended up being sidetracked by other books and shiny things and never was able to rejoin this franchise.  Thankfully, the duo took a break from the series and have created a new leaping on point.  What is a little frustrating is that now I want to go back and read everything that has happened to Skinner Sweet and Pearl Jones.  Snyder and Albuquerque deliver an action packed issue that updates fans, or introduces fans, to what Skinner and Pearl are currently up to.  I am most intrigued by the halfway house that Pearl has set up for lost vampires, but also worried about the new terror that is known as the "Gray Trader".  Not sure if that is who Skinner is dealing with, but he seems like a formidable opponent.  So happy to be back in this universe.

The Rest:
The Sixth Gun #39 - The battle of Brimstone reaches its epic conclusion in the latest issue of Cullen Bunn's epic horror/western.  One thing I loved with this week's issue is that I am reminded how powerful the fifth gun is and why the widow Hume was such a powerful foe.  Drake and company still seek out what may be the most difficult gun to obtain.  This series is leading up to an amazing conclusion and I am happy that I have been along for the ride.  It is somewhat embarrassing to admit that my older brother is the one who introduced me to this amazing series.


Ghosted #8 - Jackson and his rag tag group of ghost thieves continue their quest to rescue Nina. Anderson continues to haunt Jackson and he continues to seek his release from this endless life and attain peace at last. We learn in this bungling attempt to rescue Nina, that, in addition to running a brothel full of possessed women, this group is using the possessed to write books akin to the Necronomicon.  I don't want to divulge too much, but Joshua Williamson sure delivers a fun ride.  This series is a sleeper that you should jump on early so you can claim you were a fan before it was cool.  Hipster respect to Ghosted.

Daredevil #1 - Mark Waid has moved Daredevil from Hell's Kitchen in New York all the way across the USA to San Francisco.  Part of Marvel Now!, Daredevil #1 is a logical jumping on point that I highly recommend.  Waid does a nice job introducing some of the new situations that Daredevil encounters in a city that is vastly different than New York.  This issue was a lot of fun and serves as a nice palette cleanser for this week's stack.

POSTED BY MIKE N. -- comic guy, proudly raising nerdy kids, and Nerds of a Feather contributor since 2012.

Thursday Morning Superhero

I am proud to report that Abraham's Army has raised over $2,400 for the month of Movember! To check in on my sad mustache or to contribute to the cause, click here.  Not a lot of books on my pull list this week, but very pleased with the titles I picked up.  The Wake from Scott Snyder and Sean Murphy was outstanding and a new Star Wars title from Dark Horse examines the life of Han and Leia's daughter.

Pick of the Week:
The Wake #5 - Scott Snyder and Sean Murphy should work on more projects together.  Murphy's ability to elicit emotion and horror pair perfectly with the heart-filled, dark stylings of Snyder.  This was a huge turning point in the arc that delivered on all levels.  It was exciting, terrifying, emotional, and surprising.   We learn that the rig was never the target, but that the mainland is what is at stake.  An all out charge is unleashed and our group of heroes make one last ditch effort to save the world.  It sounds cliche, but this story is anything but.  An absolute gem of an issue.

The Rest:
Star Wars: Legacy #1 - Taking place 138 years after A New Hope, Star Wars Legacy looks at the Star Wars Universe through the eyes of Ania Solo, daughter of Han and Leia.  She is a scapper who stumbles upon a communications droid that is carrying some valuable information for the Empire.  The first issue sets the stage nicely as the Jedi don't swear loyalty to the new Empire and the Sith seek to regain control.  It was confusing to think of the Empire as the good guys, but something tells me that power still corrupts.  Good debut for a series I will continue to read.

Daredevil #33 - Daredevils dance with the occult continued in this issue as he sought to gain some pages from the Darkhold, a mystical book.  While I enjoyed how light and fun this issue was, the monsters post-Halloween lacked their initial appeal.  It was a fine issue with a nice ending, but the monsters seemed out of place in a Daredevil comic.

Thursday Morning Superhero

I am not sure how to open this week's post.  There was a really impressive group of comics this week, but one stood above the rest.  The simple idea of a superhero gaining power by being drunk or on drugs has such a wealth of opportunity I am stunned nobody has come up with the concept.  Buzzkill has me excited on so many levels I just want to jump into this week's books.

Pick of the Week:
Buzzkill #1 - The concept is so simple it's brilliant and Mark Waid's quote on the cover is classic.  "God, I wish I'd thought of this."  Rueben, the name he gives his AA group, is an alcoholic superhero.  When he drinks and does drugs he gets superpowers and he is seeking to clean up his act.  In the AA group he recounts some stories on how he found out what powers he has and the moment that caused him to seek help.  I guess when you seemingly destroy a town and have no memory of it because you were so drunk you blacked out it might take a toll on you.  To say the least, the superheroes are not too pleased about his treatment, but the villains are celebrating the demise of a formidable foe.  It is currently billed as a four-issue miniseries, I am hopeful that staying power to be an ongoing title.  Can't recommend this one enough.

The Rest:
Sixth Gun #34 - Becky's journey in the dream world continues as she unknowingly assists Gord, Kirby, and Asher's attempt to save her by wielding the gun in Hume's twisted world.  Drake is able to communicate to Becky and send her hopefully in the right direction as she seeks to leave the dream world and awaken.  She is confronted with a world that she did not expect to see that may leave her not wanting to wake up.  Another great issue from Cullen Bunn.

Daredevil #31 - I think Mark Waid enjoys tormenting poor Matt Murdock.  After all that Matt has been through lately, the final panel in this issue is infuriating and I love it.  The D.A. is in trouble after he seemingly released the names, faces, and addresses of a jury of 12 that rendered a not guilty verdict in an obvious nod to the George Zimmerman case.  Chaos ensues as Daredevil believes the Jester is behind it, but needs help calming a riot.  Hank Pym lends a hand as an army of tiny ants, in a beautiful series of panels, seed the clouds to bring down a downpour.  The pacing is quick and the hook at the end of the book is quite nice.  I am still really enjoying Waid's Daredevil and will continue to purchase it.

Infinity #3 - Things begin to look positive as the fate of the universe lays in the hands of the Avengers battling the builders and the crew left on earth stopping the mad Titan Thanos.  Some hacking comes in handy and turns the builders weapons on themselves and Blackbolt spoils Thanos' trip to earth.  This series continues to be good, but not sure if I will stick with it.  I am intrigued, but nothing is jumping out at me that tells me this series is special.  I am guessing I will be on board for the next issue as I love me some Thanos.

Zero #1 - This debut issue from Image Comics had my eyes peeled to the book.  A former soldier is recounting his life stories to a child and the first story involves a secret mission to extract technology from a biomodified Palestinian terrorist.  Zero stumbles into a brutal brawl between the Palestinian and an Israeli soldier that has also utilizing this technology.  The fight between the two doped up soldiers is horrifying and Zero is willing to add to the body count in the process of completing his mission.  I couldn't read this title quick enough and am excited about the next issue.  Fast paced, fun, brutal, and very intriguing.  Image is quickly becoming my favorite publisher.

What I should have read:
The Dark Knight #23.3 featuring Clayface - As a Batman and John Layman fan I came very close to picking this issue up, but passed on it to save some cash.  From what I have read, if you are a fan of Clayface then you should pick up this issue.  Might be one I try to scoop on sale.

Thursday Morning Superhero

There is no better way to recover from Gen Con then sitting down with some good comics.  I found this week to be a little slow, but enjoyed the books I picked up.  On a side note, I learned from meeting Cullen Bunn at Gen Con this weekend that there is a planned end to the Sixth Gun.  It made me happy and sad at the same time.  I often feel comics go on too long and that titles with planned endings are much more enjoyable, but I am not ready to say goodbye to Drake or Becky just yet.

Pick of the Week:

Sixth Gun #33 - Becky's Ghost Dance continues as she joins General Hume in a world he created.  Drake is dead in this world, Hume remains in possession of his gun, and his mother explains how this is the reality that Hume would have created had he opened the seal. Meanwhile, Gord, Kirby, and Asher attempt to rescue Becky from the real world by stopping the widow Hume and her group of skinwalkers.  In an issue that features stunning magic and a issue ending twist that I want to spoil so bad.

The Rest:
Daredevil #30 - Silver Surfer pays Daredevil a visit in a fun issue that felt like a standalone until a last panel that spoke volumes.  Kirsten McDuffie is helping out in Foggy's absence and a Ru'ach seeks Murdock's help when Silver Surfer spoils the party.  We learn that the Ru'ach are unable of telling lies and use their power of persuasion to influence others.  The simple truth that it speaks to Murdock is worth the purchase alone.  Mark Waid's run on Daredevil is simply fantastic.

Fables #132 - I am on the fence with each new issue of Fables, but am happy I picked up this issue.  Rose is assembling her own Knights of the Roundtable in preparation of an upcoming battle and Prince Brandish, whose story I missed and I assume is not the nicest of individuals, has risen from the dead due to an operation in which he keeps his heart safe somewhere else.   An intriguing character is found in the cloud kingdom and recruited to join Red and she takes a break to visit Prince Brandish. Bill Willingham has my attention again.

X-Men #4 - In a nice standalone issue, Wolverine accompanies Jubilee and her newly adopted son, Shogu, in as she revisits her youth and prepares to take on her new role of a mother.  The X-Men are facing some internal tension as the majority don't agree with Storm's decision to consider killing Karima in order to end the threat that was Sublime.  While Karima was spared, it causes the other members to question her as she tries to assume the role of leader of the X-Men.  Good drama and tension in this enjoyable series.

What I Should have Read:
Thief of Thieves #16 - Andy Diggle is at the helm of this title and somehow that slipped by me.  I have enjoyed what I read of Thief of Thieves and enjoy almost everything from Diggle.  In a book that got great reviews and sets the stage for the Venice heist.

Thursday Morning Superhero

Talk about an incredible week of comics.  I don't even know where to begin.  The first thing I will tell you is to go to ComiXology and take advantage of their Fatale sale.  You can get back issues for as low as 99 cents and collections for $4.99.  Time for me to get caught up with this stellar series.  On top of the second Cow Boy book has a release date of September!  If you are curious why that is important read this.  If you have been reading up on my blog I don't hide the fact that I love Daredevil, Sixth Gun, and Mind MGMT.  All three dropped new issues this week and all were absolutely incredible.  It was very difficult to rank one as my pick of the week but here goes nothing.

Pick of the Week:

Drake Sinclair!!!

Mind MGMT #11 - Things are about to get serious as Henry Lyme and his crew bring their attack to Shangri-La.  Meru is really the star of this issue and it served the series well.  She is able to convince Duncan to join the mission and really grows from a journalist trying to write another book to a character with a past that may come to haunt Lyme and company.  I have a few theories as to who she really is, but Matt Kindt has a way to steer you, almost at his will, in whatever direction he chooses.  With impending doom and the maturity of Meru, this issue is amazing.  My favorite moment in the book was the reveal that Drake Sinclair, from the Sixth Gun, was actually a rouge Mind MGMT agent!  It seems that Kindt and Cullen Bunn have crossed paths again (go buy The Tooth).  Mind blown.

The Rest:
Sixth Gun #31 - We were left with Becky Moncrief trapped in a spirit world, her spirit guide shot and killed, being pursued by enemies.  In this issue, when all hope appeared to be lost, she is saved by a mysterious individual who is wielding the second gun in axe format.  If you have been reading the series you will recall that the six have taken various shapes over time.  In the issues to come, it appears, we are going to learn a lot about the origin of the six guns.  I think my favorite moment in this issue was when Drake, despite being in charge of Becky's safety, left her with the tribe to avoid the temptation to gain control over the sixth gun and be one step close to, according to this week's Mind MGMT, destroy the world.  Mind blown again.

Daredevil #26 - We finally learn who has been hatching all of these plots to mess with Matt Murdock.  He was left beaten within an inch of life in the last issue and given how much he has put up with, it is not surprising that he finally snaps.  Watching Murdock unhinge at the end of this issue put this issue over the top.  The raw emotion pouring out of him as eluded his assassin to confront who had been behind everything is palpable is one of the reasons why Mark Waid is writing on a whole other level.  Mind blown yet again.

The Bounce #1 - At the urging of a staff pick from my LCS I picked up this title and was happy to have done so.  The Bounce features a slacker hero who exists in a world that is just now experiencing the evolution of costumed villains and heros. While not an entirely original idea, it feels fresh given the writing and the main character.  His special ability is that he can roll up into a ball and bounce around.  Great writing, strong art to support it, and a new world to explore.  Mind not blown, but intrigued.

Thursday Morning Superhero

Another Thursday is upon us and I am going to try something new this week.  The pick of the week will be graced with an in-depth review and the rest get one sentence.  I thought it was time to mix things up a bit so here we go with a new format.  Let me know what you think. 

Pick of the Week:
Daredevil #23 - Mark Waid's run on Daredevil is nothing short of phenomenal.  Between issues I forget how much I have enjoyed him at the helm and how much raw emotion is at the heart of the Daredevil story.

The issue opens lightly with Daredevil treating Foggy to a night of whatever he wishes.  In a scene that makes you feel fuzzy, because it is what any of us would do, Foggy asks Daredevil to swing him around town.  We are treated to some humorous shots of Foggy clinging on to Daredevil and they swing around.

At the core of this issue is Foggy's current medical problems.  He is having a lot of symptoms that sound like cancer and he is looking to his old friend Matt Murdock for support.  The problem is that Murdock has been less than reliable causing Foggy to brave all of this on his own.

The side plot to this story is one that fascinates me because it reminds me of my son.  Whenever he hears of a hero's origin (Flash getting struck by lightning, Spider-man and the infamous spider bite, etc.) he always secretly hopes that will happen to him.  "Daddy, if I get struck by lightning will I be fast like the Flash?"  I think we are all a little guilty of this at one point or another, and a sinister force in New York has the same thought.  As circumstances always have to be perfect, this individual is conducting trials of prisoners going through Daredevil's origin to see if they can gain his radar ability.  The image of the hooded prisoners waiting their turn to save someone from being hit by a truck only to be covered in chemicals and have their eyes burned depicts this as a gruesome reality and not a childhood fantasy. 

This distracts the reader and you are left thinking that Murdock let down his friend once again as he is dealing with an army of Daredevil-esque thugs.  To remain spoiler free I am going to wrap things up here.  Go read Daredevil.  If you missed Waid's current run pick up the trades or get the back issues on ComiXology.  You won't be disappointed. 

The Rest:
Saga #10 - Brian K. Vaughan remains the master of creating bizarre and fascinating creatures and Fiona Staples remains the only artist who can do them justice.

Deadpool #5 - Deadpool stabs zombie Regan in the belly in outer space to which Regan says, "Mommy, my tummy is a boo-boo!"

Mind MGMT #8 - Henry Lyme is rounding up ex-Management agents (including a twin who shares power with her sister and a musician who can back up his files on demo tapes) as he tries to prevent the reformation of Management before the Eraser strikes.

Thursday Morning Superhero

If you haven't jumped on either the Saga or the Scott Snyder bandwagon then I don't know if I can really consider you a friend.  I am a small voice out of many that have championed both dynamic duos who have crafted such lovely tales.  Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples for Saga and Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo for Batman.  Happy Thursday everyone.

Pick of the Week: Saga #9 by Brian K. Vaughan
In an issue that doesn't feature Marko or Alana, Vaughan added layers of depth to his world and some key characters that will most likely prove to be quite important as this tale of star crossed lovers continues to unfold.

I for one was quite pleased that this issue focused primarily on The Will and his moral obligation he feels to save the sex slave from Sextillion.  A character who started out as a freelance bounty hunter with a cat that is a walking lie detector, The Will has transformed throughout this series to be an increasingly complex character.  He growth continued in this issue as he deals with heartbreak, and his conflict with his moral code and what he does.

The Will partners with an unlikely partner, Marko's ex-fiance Gwendolyn, and the two quickly realize that despite their differences, it will be mutually beneficial for them to team up.  In what made both The Will and me incredibly happy, the slave girl was freed from the arm of Sextillion and is in the custody of The Will and Gwendolyn.

I am going to stop there in hopes that I don't spoil too much and you finally cave and pick up this book that I and many others have been urging you to do so.  Fiona Staples remains one of my favorite artists and I am tempted to rip out and frame any panel featuring The Stalk.  The combination of Vaughan's characters and the ability for Staples to be both whimsical and incredibly violent in the same panel has this book poised to be remembered fondly for years to come.

Runner-up: Batman #16 by Scott Snyder
If you were wondering how Scott Snyder would follow up the amazing Court of Owls arc, rest assured that the Death of the Family arc is equally as stunning and shocking.  While I love Snyder, he is often outdone by the art from Greg Capullo.  His take on the Dark Knight sets a tone for the book that is dark, but human.  It has a certain realism to it and his ability to show tortured expressions is uncanny.  Capullo's Joker is one of the most terrifying villains that have ever been inked.

In this issue Batman is still coming to grips with the events that concluded issue #15 and is pursuing Joker who has taken over Arkham.  Joker is a sick, sadistic individual who has laid down quite the gauntlet for Batman.

The lengths that Joker goes to in order to torment Batman are present throughout this issue and we are once again reminded why he is Batman's primary foe.  In an issue that features the majority of the main Batman villains, we are left with and unconscious Batman with a mysterious dish placed on his lap.  It doesn't look well for Batman, but that is typically the case throughout 90% of Snyder's run.

The rest:

Hoax Hunters #6 - This is only the second issue of Hoax Hunters that I have read but the concept of using a reality show to debunk urban legends that Michael Moreci and Steve Seeley created is not only fun, but is growing as it develops its cast of characters more with each issue.  A slow start to this book, but an ending that is horrifying and will have me back next month.

Daredevil #22 - Superior Spider-man makes an appearance and Matt Murdock suspects something is off with Spidey.  Mark Waid brings back Stiltman for the second time in his run, but it looks like some of Doc Oc's old pals are selling off his goods as Stiltman was quite upgraded.  Felt more like a standalone issue, but a fun one at that.

Captain America #3 - It pains me to say that I can't get on board with Rick Remender's Captain America.  Cap is one of my all time favorites, but what is happening in Dimension Z with the Phrox just does nothing for me.  Some interesting twists, but I will wait for Steve to return to his own dimension.

Thursday Morning Superhero

I know that it is Friday, but we decided to give everyone a chance to give thanks for comics for a full day before diving into this week's offerings.  Hopefully you aren't caught up in too much Black Friday madness to sit back and enjoy some good comics.  I also encourage everyone to hit up their local comic book store for their Black Friday deals.  I play on hitting mine up to see what trades they have marked down.

Pick of the Week:
Fables #123 - Bill Willingham crafts the thoughtful conclusion to his two-part side story The Destiny Game.  In this stand alone story between main arcs Willingham demonstrates why he is the master of non-superhero comics.  Bigby's tale of correcting his fate is brought to an epic conclusion that is befitting the true beast he is.  It is easy to forget the terrible past that once haunted this beloved character, and asides like this really portray the complex characters that Willingham has created in his Fables world.  If you haven't been reading this then you owe it to yourself to start at issue #1 and enjoy the over 100 issues of comic mastery.

Runner-up:

Daredevil #20 - Mark Waid's Eisner winning run on Daredevil continues to dazzle.  Daredevil finally learns who has been causing him to question his sanity, only to be trapped by the Spot separated from his own head.  We learn that the Spot has been involved in assisting terrorist organizations, smuggling drugs and human trafficking.  Not only does Daredevil need to thwart the Spot for these crimes and free the hundreds of other captives who are separated from their heads, but he needs to know who hired the Spot for the job on him.  This arc concludes next issue and I am looking forward to it.

The Not So Good: 
Clone #1 - A new offering from Robert Kirman's Skybound label, I had high expectations for Clone.  Dr. Luke Taylor is coming to grips with his own runaway father as his wife is expecting their daughter to be born soon.  Come to learn the reason he didn't have a father is that he is a clone, and for some reason, other clones are being murdered.  His wife is abducted and he has a lot of questions.  Intriguing premise, but the story felt very generic and I never really took to it.  If I hear good things about subsequent issues I might be back for more.

The Rest:

Deadpool #2 - While lacking the charm of the first issue, this one still delivers some good laughs courtesy of zombie former presidents.  Theodore Roosevelt uppercuts a bear at the zoo, Kennedy is still a womanizer and has quite the mouth on him, and Deadpool is helped by the ghost of Benjamin Franklin.  As I stated in my review of the first issue, with Brain Posehn and Gerry Duggan at the helm, Deadpool is in good hands.  I think what I love best is that mixed in with the innuendo, the crass jokes, and the cheap laughs are some really intelligent gaffes.  Good combo of truly low brow and high brow humor.

Captain America #1 - Rick Remender has the daunting task of following up Ed Brubaker on Captain America.  Remender delivers a solid first issue, giving fans a little bit of Steve Rogers childhood and introduces the villain of the first arc.  Arnim Zola has abducted Captain America in the hopes of utilizing his DNA to aid in the creation of his own super soldier son.  With a decent twist at the end it appears that Cap may be in good hands.

Hawkeye #4 - Matt Fraction continues his enjoyable run with Hawkeye in part one of two in a short story involving a tape that compromises Clint Barton as an Avenger.  In this issue Fraction continues his light hearted approach as we enjoy Barton as a cabbie in Madripoor, and learn of an unfortunate hiding place of his Avengers Amex Black credit card. This is a fun book worth checking out.

Judge Dredd #1 - If you are looking for a toungue in cheek comic based in the Judge Dredd universe then this is your title.  While it was nothing ground breaking, it was appropriate to its subject and proved to be a decent book.  Don't think I will continue it, but not unhappy to have read issue #1.