4) Rest of Ultimates series: Having fun re-reading the series again…mostly for fun but partially to remember what happened back in 2005 when the previous one came out (or was it last year? Can’t remember).
5) Mouse Guard: I have the original run and didn’t pick up the HC but seeing the HC in the store made me want to read through it again. Great series (and I think another book I picked up only after reading about it on here, I think).

Ultimates #13 is about 8 months late, so #12 was out last year. As far as the Mouse Guard Hardcover goes, it’s beautiful, and includes a brand-new epilogue. Plus, with the issues being such an odd size, they don’t fit in standard bags, so keeping them from getting messed up is a pain. I just gave my issues to a friend’s son and bought the HC, which will hold up much better.

Satan’s Baby is in the post Wednesday’s Number Ones. I am going to have to get Plain Janes… along with the First Class Special. These seem to be two not to miss.

Yup, both were excellent. If you like Plain Janes, you may want to track down Christine Norrie’s recent graphic novel Breaking Up. It is also aimed at teenage girls, but like Plain Janes, has universal appeal, and Norrie’s art is top notch. She’s only getting better with each new project.

I am sure in a year (I would guess by release of new Iron Man movie, at the latest) we will have the MU return to the old days of vigilantes fighting without permission of the government and Tony will be reformed. Which is too bad, because even with the lateness of the book, Millar already did it with his series, essentially starting with the government run team and taking it to the conclusion that it is a bad idea to do that. Sweet.

But it was a fun book and a great run overall. The center fold out…that kept on folding out…was great, too. What a fun, over-the-top book.

My Five:

1) Ultimates #13 (and NOW I can read the annual that comes after it in story but came out a year before it in release time…grrr…).
2) X-Factor: Agreed, not best looking art but good story.
3) Fables: Wow. Great stuff all around. I was dreading after last issue that we would have a three-peat with yet another excursion to the Homelands after Blue and Bigby did theirs but this one is going in a completely different direction. I still love that Beast, Charming and team aren’t a bunch of losers in their positions (as I thought they would be when they got their jobs).
4) Rest of Ultimates series: Having fun re-reading the series again…mostly for fun but partially to remember what happened back in 2005 when the previous one came out (or was it last year? Can’t remember).
5) Mouse Guard: I have the original run and didn’t pick up the HC but seeing the HC in the store made me want to read through it again. Great series (and I think another book I picked up only after reading about it on here, I think).

“5. All-Star Batman & Robin (So bad it’s good)”

Amen to that!

Had to give it a nod. I had more fun reading it than any other book this week. Only because I was laughing so hard at it… but still, the funnest book of the week for me.

Actually, that’s saying a lot with the X-Men First Class Special and Satan’s Baby in the same week. Still only #5 though; couldn’t stomach placing it any higher.

Amen to that!

2- Thunderbolts: Due to an aforementioned “shipping delay” last week, had two weeks worth of books this week. This was the best of last weeks bunch, Ellis is really cranking things up now and Deodato is providing his best work since his return to Marvel a few years ago.

3- Fallen Son: This was surprisingly good. The series has been getting better as it’s progressed and to be honest the fact that John Romita Jr was on art duties meant it was probably gonnna be in the my top 5 this week regardless of the plot! Some nice interplay between Iron Man and Hawkeye and Hawkeye taking up the shield, however briefly, somehow made sense in a strange way (I’m sure I’ll get annihilated for that!). It was good to see him meeting the new Hawkeye too. One gripe, this should’ve been put out before last week’s New Avengers #30. Hawkeye’s decision in that would’ve made a lot more sense in light of this.

4- Ultimates: Delays be damned, this was a gorgeous piece of work. The character moments after the battle (which proved that Millar should be writing Thor, not JMS) were the best part, especially the Hawkeye part. Can’t get enough of the guy this week!

5- Batman: What happened here? Morrison finally delivers with Batman kicking some serious behind, Robin stepping up, an interesting mystery and the “Black Casebook” is a fantastic idea well worth exploring. Can’t wait now for JH Williams to come on board

Random Thoughts: Ex Machina really felt like Vaughn is beginning to pad out his arcs, to be honest he could’ve gotten to the last page of this issue in two, not three, issues. I know he’s committed to 50 issues and probably has it planned but I’d much prefer a few less issues if it meant a proper and satisfying conclusion. And by satisfying, I mean quicker

X-Factor was solid again but really not liking the art.

Iron Fist would’ve made the top five last week too.

And the new Transformers trailer has made me really excited to see it despite my disappointment with Spider-Man 3

I was also impressed with Left on Mission. A good solid start. Catwoman was also really well done this week. It seems Selina’s world is about to be turned upside down.