What I Read This Week

The Atom And Hawkman #46 -- The newest member of the Indigo Tribe, Ray Palmer, may not survive the Blackest Night if his old pal Hawkman has anything to say about it!  The Atom's journey from Sword of the Atom through Identity Crisis through today is covered as Geoff Johns delivers a tale which sets the ball rolling to rectify Ray's personal demons and begin the healing process.  Sook and Pasarin split the art duties, and while the split is somewhat noticeable, I dig both of their styles so I am more than okay with.  Would I have liked more Hawkman?  Yes, but this is one heck of an Atom story and hopefully Johns has more in store for both the Titan and the Fury.

Blackest Night: JSA #2 -- As Mr. Terrific tries to figure out a way to shut down the Black Lanterns, outside the brownstone things are getting worse and worse.  And has Damage decided to switch sides?  Strong middle chapter in the tie-in, as the devious nature of the Black Lanterns comes to the forefront.  Plus we get to see some good character bits with Jesse and Johnny Quick, Power Girl and Earth-2 Lois Lane, and Damage, Atom Smasher, and Judomaster.  Very enjoyable comic.

Justice League: Cry For Justice #6 -- The attacker from last issue stands revealed... and there's nothing the entire Justice League can do to stop his master plan!  I was very surprised not to see Cascioli on art considering how much this was delayed.  Scott Clark's art is alright but not as nice as Cascioli's.  Anyways, I liked this issue a lot.  Robinson does a heck of a job putting over Prometheus as the badass he was designed as, and the cliffhanger is great.  This title has a great earnestness which I am really digging.  Definitely champing at the bit for the final issue now!

The Web #5 -- John Raymond is called into action in Detroit when one of his Web Hosts turns up dead.  Then, the Hangman tangles with the Jackal!  The front end introduces the new Black Hood, and is a nice done in one fill-in by Marc Guggenheim.  I'd like to see the Black Hood pop up again.  Also a nice cameo from The Bunker from Justice League Detroit fame.  The backup is a little confusing in the details, but I am hoping the next installment will clarify things.  Solid book all told, with a new scribe (Matt Sturges) coming on for the Web next issue.

Invincible Iron Man #23 -- Tony's big master plan from last issue... doesn't work.  So now Steve Rogers brings in a "second opinion" in the form of the former Sorcerer Supreme, Stephen Strange.  Meanwhile, The Ghost makes his move!  Not much happens this time out, but hey, it's a cool guest spot from Doctor Strange (who seems to have all of his powers still, oddly).  Fraction has a problem with these filler issues, but that's a norm at Marvel these days it seems.

Iron Man vs Whiplash #3 -- Tony manages to escape from Whiplash's attack in the prison, but his problems are just starting!  This miniseries has been a breath of fresh air break from the main Fraction book.  I am getting a sort of Armor Wars II vibe from the shadowy bad guys, but the in-your-face action between Shellhead and the new Whiplash is top-notch.  Great fun.

Futurama Comics #47 -- After the Professor's land-based space ship fails to make an impression at the Berlin Air Show, he contemplates killing himself by turning Bender into a Doomsday Device.  Lesser issue, but still some good gags.

Robocop #1 -- In the near future, the Global Mega Recession has driven the worldwide economy into the ground, but Omni Consumer Products has a plan to revive Old Detroit -- a plan which involves Officer Murphy, AKA Robocop.  Ignoring Robocop 2, Robocop 3, the different TV shows and comics, this series picks up after the first film, and is a logical extension from that point.  If you are a fan of the property, like me, you are probably going to buy this no matter what I say.  I don't know if non-fans will be won over by this, but it's a strong first effort.

Re-Read Pile: The Atom And Hawkman, Cry For Justice, Invincible Iron Man, Iron Man vs Whiplash, Robocop.

The Pick Of The Pile is The Atom And Hawkman, which was a great reading experience, but Robocop made a good first impression, vs Whiplash has been fun, and Cry For Justice really made me want to read the finale.

So what did YOU read this week?