AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #618: I think my two favorite artists currently working for Marvel are Marcos Martin, and David LaFuente. Lucky me, they’re both working on Spider-Man, and making L’il Pete look just as good as he should. This issue reunites Martin with Dan Slott, who put together the Paper Doll arc, one of my favorite Spider-Man stories of the past few years. While this isn’t yet reaching those graphically creative heights, it is playing on one of my favorite Spider-Man tropes, the mob war… Bringing a few percolating storylines to a head, and bringing back one of my favorite, ridiculous Spidey villains (nope, not Mysterio, though he is the main villain for this arc). The issue is fun, had a few moments that made me smile, and I’m looking forward to the next. Can’t ask for much more from a comic.

AVENGERS VS. ATLAS #1: Well, this kicks arse. Writer Jeff Parker is clearly in his element here, writing the Agents as the over-the-top science-fiction heroes they should be. The enemies they go up against are as creative as the best Atlas stories, and the twist at the end is a ton of fun. If you’ve never read an Atlas book before, this is a great place to start.

CAPTAIN AMERICA #602: Ahhhhhhhh. If you’re wondering what that means, that’s a big, happy sigh, a release from the clenched breath I’ve had while reading Captain America stories lately. Whatever you think about Reborn, whatever you think about the multiple appearances a certain Mr. Rogers (no, the other one) has made in various titles, and whatever you thought about the various one-shots, apologies, and spoilers: this is Captain America the way we like it, Ed Brubaker style. It’s a great cap story, tied into the intricate continuity Brubaker has set up, but eminently accessible. And, like all the good stories Bru has been telling, it’s reflective of the world around us. If you’ve been sitting out the capital letters Big Events happening in Cap, come on back for this issue.

DARK AVENGERS #13: Don’t let anyone tell you that Brian Michael Bendis doesn’t have balls. The beginning and ending of this issue are practically Bendis poking the collective fan community in the shoulder, daring them to complain about the plot in this issue. And as pissed off as it made me, I think that’s the point; and I kind of love him for that. The Sentry, since his creation, has been a way of playing with fan expectations of superheroes. Every mini-series he’s been in, from Paul Jenkins original, to the excellent Age of the Sentry, has posited an entirely new origin for the character, an entirely new set of rules for his powers.

The only constant is, there’s Robert Reynolds (The Sentry), and The Void (his exact opposite). From there, it’s really just how the author wants to use him. So reading this issue, and reading the new info Bendis “reveals” about Mr. Power-Of-A-Million-Exploding-Suns, as inflammatory as it may be, might be equally untrue. Or at least, easily overturned the next time someone else tries to explain away the character. Heck, Bendis has even gone over The Sentry’s origin himself once in an earlier Avengers issue. It’s the biggest joy, for me, of the character, and I think the thing that’s most infuriating to comics readers.

The majority of comics (in continuity ones, at least), is explanation and rectification of prior continuity. The fact that writers of The Sentry not only purposely ignore anything that’s previously happened to him, but also seek to contradict it must drive continuity lovers* mad. So why not, if you’re going to go for it, go as insanely over the top as Bendis does in this issue? And why not have Mike Deodato draw insane two panel spreads filled with intense violence and gorgeously rendered action?

Point is, it might make you angry, but at least its getting a reaction out of you. That’s what, whether you like it or not, good art does.

DARK WOLVERINE #82: I have no idea of what Daken’s status quo will be post Siege, or what the future prospects for this title are, but Way and Liu are riding it out for all its worth, letting Daken play all allegiances against each other, and bringing to a head relationships and plot lines that have played out since this title changed, er, titles. There’s a huge moment towards the end of this issue that I’m shocked didn’t play out in Siege itself, and some god related craziness thrown into the mix that I’m not quite sold on; but I’m definitely on board to see how this all turns out.

DEADPOOL: MERC WITH A MOUTH #7: The Gisch is really starting to get into a groove with this title… While Daniel Way’s Deadpool is more grounded (if that’s possible), Merc With a Mouth works best the more insane it gets. And this issue is pretty insane, as Wade jumps from dimension to dimension, encountering alternate versions of himself along the way. I’m always a sucker for parallel universes drawn by different artists, and its a kick to see Rob Liefeld and Kyle Baker (among others) taking their own stabs at other Deadpools. This issue isn’t going to change the world, but its a fun almost one-shot, with some good art and silly jokes.

HULK #19: Okay, that’s now five issues in a row that Jeph Loeb has consistently delivered a fun story mixed with actual character development. It’s probably a little too early to declare that Mr. Loeb has gotten his groove back, but he’s certainly bringing a clarity and focus to the character of Red Hulk that hasn’t existed for the first twelve or so issues. Like the character himself, Loeb has stoped puffing up his chest and trying to show us how awesome he is, punching out Watchers and breaking cool s**t just to see what happens. Loeb, and by extension Rulk, have stopped being the high school bully, and instead are growing up into what that bully usually becomes: a businessman. Well, or the town drunk. Lucky for us, Loeb is setting Rulk up as a master strategist, and its paying off with a lot of fun. My big caveat here: Loeb is great at the set-up, and only about 50/50 on delivering. Here’s hoping with Greg Pak et al on board for this Fall of the Hulks event, the whole thing’ll pay off.

INCREDIBLE HERCULES #140: My guess is, this is the awesome, fun, actiony issue, before next issues heart-breaker. Regardless, I’ll keep saying it, until you start buying it: every issue of this series is great. If you like good stories, fun characters, and comics that you’ll enjoy reading (again), pick up Incredible Hercules.

INCREDIBLE HULK #606: Greg Pak and Paul Pelletier are the perfect team on Hulk. Never, ever let them stop doing this title. That little bit out of the way, once again, Pak turns in a near perfect issue of the Hulk, mixing all the drama and pathos we expect from a Banner-centric title, with plenty of humor and big, bold set pieces. The question of whether Bruce Banner is a hero or a villain continues, and perfectly parallels with Skaar’s similar journey. This is quickly becoming my favorite title at Marvel after Incredible Herc. Oh, and a little note about the Fall of the Hulks storyline: I wasn’t totally sold on the idea in advance, but this issue, and Hulk #19 have amped up the danger and intrigue enough that I’m dying to know what happens next. Here’s hoping the later chapters pay off on that promise.

MIGHTY AVENGERS #33: With comic book in-jokes a-plenty, strong ties to continuity, and big Avengery moments, I’m hoping this title – and team – come back after the Avengers “cancellation” in April. Tying up the Cosmic Cube two-parter with panache, the team of Dan Slott and Khoi Pham prove that even with Dark Avengers, your comic doesn’t need to be dark. Fingers crossed, the Heroic Age looks a lot like this issue.

SPIDER-WOMAN #5: Bendis and Maleev writing a female super-hero in Noir-ish style? You kind of can’t go wrong there. There’s a bit of a continuity hiccup at the end of the issue, but getting past that, and the slight lack of skrull fightin’ going on, you have another solid issue that plays better in comic form than motion comic form. Hopefully, this gets to be an ongoing.

THUNDERBOLTS #140: Jeff Parker’s first arc ends with a bang, quite literally, as we get one of the more shocking moments in this title in a while. There’s also some good creative solutions to problems going on (but, you know, more fun than that phrase makes ‘em sound), and solid character moments throughout. But it still feels a little like we’re treading water until we get to the next, post-Siege status quo. On another note, anyone else feel like Ghost is the next break-through character at Marvel, that he’s really stepping it up as a uniquely creepy villain? I’m hoping he doesn’t get TOO popular though, or we’ll just get another anti-hero title. Additionally: I realize Ghost is not a real person, though the last two sentences may not convey that.

UNCANNY X-MEN #520: Is X-Men coming out every week now or something? I feel like I just read the last two issues… Regardless (and I kind of hope that’s true), Matt Fraction continues to write his X-Men in broad strokes, with action movie flourishes. Three fan-fave X-Men head to New York to trail down the last Predator X (mutant eating beastie), while back on Utopia, Magneto just wants to help out the only way he knows how: by taking charge. I know a lot of people aren’t fans of Fraction’s run on this, but I’m really enjoying this cinema-esque approach to the team, especially with (and here is where I loose all credibility) with Greg Land on board. Fraction’s script perfectly compliments Land’s glossy art. It’s big, and loud, and fun, and I’m enjoying the heck out of it. Is it Claremont’s sad, soap opera X-Men, mixing angst with action? Heck no. But every writer has to forge his own take on the group, and Fraction’s X-Men are slick, modern, and fun, all catch-phrases and quips. I like it.

WOLVERINE WEAPON X #9: See, now that’s how you make a new villain. There’s not as much explanation, or story, as I might like in the last chapter of “Insane in the Brain,” but there’s more than enough, well, insanity, to keep Jason Aaron fans satisfied. Plus, Dr. Rot is a great new adversary for Wolverine to deal with, and honestly, I’d rather have less “my claws are bigger than your claws” enemies for Mr. Howlett, and more intelligent maniacs like this.

*Someone please get me one of those Continuity Lovers pizzas from Dominos, stat.