R.E.B.E.L.S. #12 (DC): I’m shocked, amazed, and delighted that Tony Bedard has not only kept the quality running high for this title through twelve issues and an annual, but has managed to sustain an ongoing story that doesn’t feel decompressed. Every issue, big stuff happens, character relationships deepen, and things continue to twist and turn in surprising directions. This issue, we see the aftermath of the Blackest Night crossover; find out what’s going on with Despero’s severed head; and our anti-heroes start to take the fight back to Starro the Conqueror. Considering I could have cared less about both Starro, and DC’s space-set heroes before this title; and knew nothing about L.E.G.I.O.N., or most of these characters, Bedard has done a fabulous job balancing the cast and the plot, and allowing new readers an easy entry point in every issue. One of the best, most fun books DC is publishing today.

SECRET SIX #17 (DC): Is it any surprise that a cross-over (well, technically a crossover) between the Suicide Squad, and the Secret Six is a diabolically gratifying read? Especially with Gail Simone and John Ostrander collaborating, with artist Jim Calafiore on pencils, this is a must read issue in my book. The only downside is that I’d love to have seen the two teams clash without the Deus Ex Machina of the Black Lanterns, though even that element is fun to read. The real centerpiece of the issue, though, is the fight between Catman and Tigerface (no, I’m not going to look up his real name), which is as intense and flesh ripping as you’d want it to be. Plus, I had no idea that dude was just wearing a tiger head. Why would you wear a tiger head when you fight for a living anyway? Having worn animal costumes on occasion (calm down, it was just for this sex thing one time), I can tell you that the heads are heavy, hot, and hard to keep on. Makes no sense. That aside, a great issue as usual, and I can’t wait for the conclusion to this arc.

ADVENTURE COMICS #6 (DC): In retrospect, I wish this was a Superboy mini-series, as the team of Geoff Johns and Francis Manapul lasted only six issues (not even that… I guess only four or five?); and while I liked the Legion back-ups, I LOVED this Superboy story, it was a great way to bring Connor back into the DC Universe. This last issue is emotionally manipulative, but let me tell you: it manipulated my emotions. The ending may have felt a little rushed, or at least dangling, as it sets up plot threads Johns will most likely follow up elsewhere, but this is one story I can’t wait to read in a trade. Hopefully DC will do the right thing and release this as Superboy: Identity Crisis or something like that, rather than the Adventure Comics label. I’m eagerly awaiting what these guys are going to do with the Flash.

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #31 (DARK HORSE): With all the hoopla about revealing the identity of the Big Bad this week, it’s easy to forget that there’s actually a Buffy comic book. And while knowing the identity (believe me, I tried to avoid it, but that didn’t work) is very, very distracting, that doesn’t take away from this being the best issue of this series in a good long while, and the best single issue Joss Whedon has written in a good long while. It brims with the trademark action and humor, and while this is the minor rest stop between arcs, it moves the characters forward like any good episode of Buffy would. I’m curious how well Brad Meltzer is going to fit into this tone, but for now, let’s feel good about a solid, enjoyable issue of Buffy, the way it used to be.

ANGEL #29 (IDW): With all the hoopla about the… Yeah, yeah, you know the drill. Anyway, most of this issue is far better than the first. Bill Willingham still has not quite captured the voices of the characters; they feel like things the Angel cast might say, filtered through Willingham-speak. But I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, that he’ll forge his own way once he gets the swing of things. And there’s at least one scene that’s nothing but talking heads… Fine for a TV show, not so fine for a comic book. However, those are smaller parts of the issue, which is filled with dark humor, and good action sequences. It may not be perfect, but it might get there. I’m sticking around to find out.

CATWOMAN #83 (DC): Tony Bedard writes a solid issue of a resurrected Catwoman, pitting Selina against the Black Mask, the one man she ever killed. The solution to defeating the Black Lantern is smart, and the issue ends on a menacing note, but definitely not the most essential of tie-ins. This is well done, but unless you’re a Catwoman superfan, you’re not going to miss anything by not picking up this issue (note: I am a Catwoman super-fan).

RED HERRING #6 (WILDSTORM): This series, which sadly ends with this issue, was as cool as slow jazz. Multiple plot-lines and elements flowed through each issue, intertwining, but never quite meeting. Narration flitted in and out, changing points of view whenever necessary. And just like the title implied, the thing you thought was important definitely was not, and only distracted from the items of real importance. David Tischman wrote a series that demands to be read at least twice, so you can sort everything out (if there’s really any sorting to do), and Philip Bond’s pencils are cartoony and expressive, perfectly matching the Dr. Strangelove meets X-Files vibe of the book. For anyone who’s ever considered that a conspiracy theory might be true, this book deserves a read… Because you’ll learn that they are all, most definitively not true… And also true. At the same time. Hey, it’s just that kind of series. Pick it up, and you’ll see.