AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE #30: Despite some great character moments with Penance and Trauma, this is not my favorite issue of this series ever. It’s VERY texty, to a fault, especially considering there’s some great action set pieces. And it feels like the title is in a holding pattern until the next status quo, when previously, it was almost the backbone of the Marvel U. Too bad. If you’re a fan of the series, pick ‘er up, but otherwise not the best point to jump on board.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #613: Paul Azaceta’s art, once again, fits perfectly with the electrical (Electro is the villain, natch) nature of this storyline, with his jagged art, and thick lines. Mark Waid also turns in a solid script, though there’s a few too many “Whoops, the villain disappeared, guess we’re done with him forever!” moments for my liking. Spider-Man continues to be a solid read, though, week after week, and not many comics can say that.

DARK AVENGERS: ARES #2: Last issue, I said I loved what writer Kieron Gillen was doing up until the end. Oops! I was wrong! There’s a great twist in here that completely forgives the ending of this issue, and proves Gillen has a well thought out series. Fans of Incredible Hercules, in particular, will appreciate this as the more serious, hardcore action piece to that series’ emotion and humor. I’d love to see Gillen on an Ares ongoing, dovetailing with Hercules as both Greek Gods continue, creating their own mini universe. But maybe that’s just me.

SECRET WARRIORS #10: Jonathan Hickman proves, once again, that he remembers just as much about the Secret Warriors as the rest of us do – which is to say, not at all. Other than Phobos and Nick Fury, none of ‘em appear in this issue, and that’s a great thing. A character piece focused on the relationship between Phobos and his father Ares, with a little Fury thrown in for good measure, it works to further deepen the relationship between father and son. I’m honestly at a bit of a loss with this title, in general. Some excellent art; as mentioned, great character work by Hickman; but no one has any idea who any of the characters are, and it doesn’t seem to have a purpose. If you want a Nick Fury book, I’m totally behind you. If you want an Ares & Son book, I’m cool with that, too. But the team Secret Warriors doesn’t seem to be working. Maybe it’s the title? Maybe Secret Warriors sells more than Nick Fury and His Amazing Friends? I dunknow. Whatever it is, there’s something off about this, and it needs to be fixed… Even with the good quality of this issue (and most issues) as a whole. Weird, right? Anyway, hopefully his upcoming S.H.I.E.L.D. mini-series will address these concerns.

INCREDIBLE HERCULES #138: Every issue of this is perfect. Why aren’t you reading it? You should be reading it. Good, glad we settled that.

FANTASTIC FOUR #573: In one issue, Jonathan Hickman completely dumps everything in the first half of Mark Millar’s run, and all of Fantastic Force. Hey, I didn’t say this was a bad thing, it’s just surprising that it happened so quickly. As is, I still like but don’t love this series. But! Franklin’s birthday party in the next issue should, I think, kick it up that extra notch. We shall see…

MS. MARVEL #47: I wish this was a LITTLE more fun. Brian Reed has shown that he knows how to write Spider-Man, in, you know… Spider-Man. And he knows what to do with Ms. Marvel. But this issue paints Peter as a slob, which is a little too broad, I think. And we don’t really learn anything necessary, other than a tidbit that sets up the next (and last) arc of the series. Too bad, as there’s a lot of great comic and emotional possibilities, which, other than a few exceptions, aren’t present in this issue. Not bad, but not my favorite issue of this series so far.

DARK WOLVERINE #80: Daniel Way and Marjorie Liu are doing a splendid job fleshing out Daken’s character in this series, and actually making him someone I would want to read more about. While this arc isn’t quite as successful as the first (the motivations are even murkier, as are the antagonists), I’m eagerly awaiting whatever comes next.

WEB OF SPIDER-MAN #2: There’s a fun surprise guest in the too-short Electro origin story in this issue that, nevertheless, makes it worth a pick-up. And the Jonah Jameson story in the back is a delight. Spider-Girl, I know, is good, but its so dense it makes my head hurt I’M SO SORRY.

SON OF HULK #17: With the last issue of this series, I have a far better idea of who Hiro-Kala is, and where he’s going than when we started, and that’s a good thing. Though I don’t think he can support his own series, I’m looking forward to the next appearance of this addition to the Marvel Cosmic Universe. Which is kind of a repetitive name.

THOR GIANT SIZE FINALE #1: Sigh. It’s solid enough, and has some great Warriors Three moments, but the steam has gone out of JMS’ run with this issue. You can almost feel him turning the script in because he had to. I don’t blame Marvel for this, they did give him amazing latitude for a main Marvel character, I just wish he had gotten to finish the story he was telling. Maybe someday will get an out of continuity finish the way he wanted to do it? Regardless, I’m looking forward to Gillen’s run and seeing what he does with good ol’ Hammer-Master. That’s my name for Thor.

NEW MUTANTS #7: I’m sorry. You bring Douglock into the equation, and I just can’t properly review a title. I’m sure it’s good or something, but you’re not going to win my over with flashing back to Fall of the Mutants, the most seminal story for Dougheads (you know, Doug Ramsey fans), Zeb Wells. You won’t win me over. Never. Maybe.

POWERS #1: I love that Powers is back, and it’s great to see Mike Oeming and Brian Michael Bendis back as a team; they perfectly compliment each other. If you haven’t previously read the series… Well, first, what’s wrong with you? Second, this is not the BEST jumping on point, but its as good as any other for a series that alternates between easy to follow to mysteries, and dense character continuity. Pick ‘er up.

HULK #17: …And we’re back. Sigh. This arc went one issue too long, and a few too many angsty Rulk lines to be believable. It’s still silly fun, and I would argue probably one of the more classically structured comic books Marvel is publishing. But with the copious unnecessary nudity, and grim and gritty dialogue, ya lost me. And just when I was starting to get into the character. Ah well. Anyway, Fall of the Hulks should be fun.

ULTIMATE COMICS AVENGERS #4: Given the amount of Ultimates stories where the Avengers try to take down one of their own, before teaming up to beat the big baddie, you’d think I’d be tired of it. And yet…

UNCANNY X-MEN #517: It’s pretty clear that Matt Fraction is channeling an action movie for his run here on X-Men, and whether you like it or not if pretty dependent on whether you like your X-Men big and broad, or angsty and playing baseball. Me? I like it, its big and fun and though the cast is huge, its easy to keep track of. But Claremont era fans might be bristling in their juices right now.