I’m surprised you like the latest issue of Spirit, Randy. Some of violence was way over the top. While, I don’t mind it when reading a Vertigo or MAX series, but it just doesn’t feel right for this series.

Honestly, The Spirit is such a pulp/crime character, I don’t mind it having a little more edge. And I didn’t think the violence was all that extreme, honestly. It certainly didn’t jump out at me as being tonally inconsistent the way that Identity Crisis or Infinite Crisis or Civil War did.

As for Morrison’s Batman, I’m afraid I’m a non-believer. I gave it a shot early on, was actually quite excited by it, but couldn’t get into it at all. The last few issues have been better, certainly, but I still found myself skim-reading at best.

I’m ready for Morrison to move on to a new Vertigo project or something. Final Crisis is not the project I’d have had in mind as a dream project for the Morrison/JG Jones team.

8. Spirit - Cooke begins to wrap up, beginning the tale of El Morte, the “evil opposite” of The Spirit that he introduced way back when. Good villain origin, great use of supporting cast, amazing cartooning by Cooke and J. Bone.

I’m surprised you like the latest issue of Spirit, Randy. Some of violence was way over the top. While, I don’t mind it when reading a Vertigo or MAX series, but it just doesn’t feel right for this series.

1. The Spirit
2. Batman
3. Immortal Iron Fist
4. Thunderbolts
5. Astonishing X-Men

Still haven’t read the latest issues of the Order, X-Men First Class & Green Arrow Year One yet

1. Batman - I’ve found that whenever Morrison goes for these extreme formats, it’s the second issue that really hooks me because I’m more in tune with what he’s doing by then. And man, is Grant humming a sweet tune this time. Assuming the whole Club isn’t dead by the end of this, Grant and JH should make an Annual habit of Club meetings, the Batman version of the JLA/JSA meetings.

2. MA: Avengers - Jeff Parker does Simonson. SOLD!

3. X-Men - Carey just keeps making this story better and better. Strangely enough, he does it while bringing in crappier and crappier villains, and while Ramos gets weirder and weirder. I can just see the next issue: Dali-esque battle between Jubilee and the Neo, and it will be AWESOME. (I can’t believe I’m saying this but) I can’t wait until Messiah Complex.

4. X-Men: First Class - See? I TOLD you guys that Roger Cruz was perfect for this book! Of course, now that I’ve seen Colleen Coover, I might have to re-evaluate (she’s like the MA version of Darwyn Cooke!). Sooner or later, Jeff Parker will write something SOMEWHERE that sucks.

5. Starlord - Y’know, the plot isn’t all that spectacular, the characters aren’t that compelling, and it’s not even that funny. And STILL Giffen produces a book I can’t wait to read. He makes it shine where it counts.

6. Superman - Walt Simonson does Simonson. SOLD! It’s all so wrong and absolutely ass-kicking. Super-SPIT? Just…dude…

7. Mystic Arcana: Scarlet Witch - Nope, Parker still doesn’t suck. Howzabout Marvel try HIS Wanda for a while? A story involving Margali Szardos, the Werewolf, Set, the Serpent Crown, Brother Voodoo, Damballah, demonic forces, and Chthon, that’s fun and easy to follow? As Batman would say: “Hh.” Plus, David Sexton continues the greatest No-Prize ever attempted by making sense out of the mystical history of Marvel Earth and still getting a decent story out of it. Roy Thomas must be proud.

I’d argue Empire stands out as the best work of Kitson’s career thus far. But his work on The Order is great.

I just read Walking Dead #40, and it was a very slow issue, a breather issue between stories. So little happened that I shouldnt put in in my top Five…. but I will anyway.

It was a breather, but after a great, intense #39, and so it was well-deserved. And #41 is coming out next week (!), which means we won’t have to wait long for some meatier moments.

C’mon, how great was The Order #2? Fraction’s script is a fantastic commentary on our media-driven culture, and he manages to craft some strong, well-realized characters to boot.

I think The Order, even moreso than Iron Fist and Punisher War Journal, is pointing the way towards Fraction becoming one of the big new voices in mainstream comics. He’s got an original voice that nobody else does… it has elements of influence from Warren Ellis, Brian Bendis, Mark Millar, but it’s recognizably not them. And the characters, the writing structure, the overall style of the book, reminds me of the originality and fun that I found in Runaways when it first came out.

Oh, and Barry Kitson, doing the best art of his impressive career, doesn’t hurt.

2. The Order - If we had to go through Civil War to get The Order then maybe it was worth it after all.

I agree, Justin. Actually, I’d almost extend that to the Initiative status quo. Look how good Thunderbolts is, for example. Or New Warriors, even if it’s not quite in the same ballpark as The Order and Thunderbolts.

For me, this was one of the best weeks in a while. I could have easily dropped my entire top five and had another top five I was entirely happy with. Hell, I’ve got more of a Top 12 going, and that’s not even counting most of the trades I bought and haven’t had a chance to read yet.

1. Mouse Guard: Winter 1152 - That fight with the Owl pretty much sold me, but I also love that the conflict is about survival and struggle vs. nature, a rarity in fantasy stories and comics in general. And while I can agree with Dave F. on the mice sometimes being hard to instantly distinguish (that’s why they have different colored capes, though!), I disagree about the dour tone. It does get a little lightened up with the over-exuberance towards fighting and a tiny bit of mouse banter. Could it use a little more zip, dialogue-wise? Sure, but I do think there are touches of fun and lightness there, even in such dire circumstances.

2. Immortal Iron Fist - The book started off strong, but these last two issues… wow. Pirate Queen issue was fantastic, and the start of the tournament, introducing this whole new super martial arts mythos and winding up with fight brackets? Fun, cool, utterly unashamed of its influences, and has great art.

3. The Order - The only reason this doesn’t outrank Iron Fist is because it’s too early to tell whether it’s going to continue to be this great. But if I were a betting man, as long as Fraction and Kitson stick around, I’d bet it will. They’re taking their time introducing the cast, but at the same time, giving up plenty of story in each issue. Fun, clever, well-observed culture stuff and classic superhero genre stuff as well.

4. Toupydoops - Been awhile since we last saw this one, but it was fun to see the role reversal of who gets the girl and who doesn’t, and it was very funny, as always. I feel like this book is flying way under the radar for most people, and I really think it’s one of those indy gems folks would like if they only knew more about what it was about and would give it a shot.

5. X-Men First Class - Worth it for just the Parker/Colleen Coover Scarlet Witch/Jean Grey short at the end, but the main story is also a ton of fun. Remember when the X-Men used to be fun? I think it was back about 1985 or so? This is as good an X-Men book as Marvel Adventures Avengers is an Avengers book. And Roger Cruz, who I was at first lukewarm on, has now become an indispensable, perfect artistic fit.

6. Invincible - Huge plot developments here, as the Viltrumites get to look really scary, Allen the Alien gets to be a badass (and a smart planner) and there’s some good subplot development going on too.

7. Thunderbolts - Seriously, Ellis and Deodato created a story wherein Penance comes off as kind of an interesting character. That’s the comic book equivalent of successful quadruple-bypass surgery with a blindfold on, wielding only a dirty spork.

8. Spirit - Cooke begins to wrap up, beginning the tale of El Morte, the “evil opposite” of The Spirit that he introduced way back when. Good villain origin, great use of supporting cast, amazing cartooning by Cooke and J. Bone.

9. Marvel Adventures Avengers - Terrific use of classic Thor friends and foes. Why couldn’t *this* be the New Avengers? No skrulls, no Elektra vaginal kicks, no creepy Avengers coming to the ghetto and threatening people, no Alpha Flight wiped out off-panel, none of the shit I’ve been exposed to when Dave puts the book in front of my face and shows me the atrocities I’m trying to avoid by not reading the damn thing. Just fun, great art (by Cafu this issue), terrific use of A-listers and B-listers alike, and done in one stories to boot. *And* using Spider-Man and Wolverine without it feeling wrong to me.

10. Annihilation Conquest Star-Lord - Dirty Dozen in space! The first casualty, done really well! Great interaction between the cast members! Terrific art by Timothy Green! Quite possibly my favorite of the Annihilaton Conquest miniseries.

11. Walking Dead - A breather issue, but a good one, and this book is really impressing again after a worrying few issues where I thought I might give up on it.

12. Ultimate Spider-Man 100 Covers - Or whatever it’s called. The HERO Initiative book that reprints the variant covers for Ultimate Spidey #100. Some great work in here, from a lot of guys you might not suspect (vet inker Al Milgrom turns in one of the most impressive ones), and it’s only $10, which goes to a good cause.

13. Scrap Mettle - Huge, hardcover Scott Morse book. I’ve only scanned through it a little thus far, but it looks great.

14. Tellos Colossal HC - Still in the shrinkwrap, honestly… but very much looking forward to it.

15. Naoki Urusawa’s Monster Vol. 10 - Haven’t had a chance to read this one yet either, but I’m quite sure I’ll have the same reaction Dan G. did.

Haven’t had a chance to read Repo #3 or Death by Chocolate Redux yet, but I’m pretty sure both of those are Top 5 worthy as well. Hell of a great week for comics.

Screw every other book that came out this week from anybody. Nothing tops Mouse Guard. Period.

You’re certainly entitled to your opinion. But have you actually read any of these other books? I’ve read a bunch, and to be honest, I’m just not feeling the Mouse Guard love. But that’s just MY opinion …

Well Iron Fist I read at at my store it was alright. I was really excitied for this book when it first came out and it’s just not doing much for me and I really like Iron Fist. I’m glad to see most everybody else digging it though. I will say I think Thunderbolts is quite good. I was a little sad with how Bullseye was handled at the end of the last arc and is sort of on the shelf now. The Spirit as always is quite good. I’m just gonna be sad when Cooke is off the book. X-Men First Class just hasn’t done anything for me at all and I like the idea of the book.

Black Summer, The Spirit, Walking Dead, Invincible, X-Men,and Astonishing X-Men all get honorable mentions. I’d recommend checking out Crossing Midnight if you haven’t already, it’s been getting better with each issue.

1. Naoki Urasawa’s Monster

Volume 10 (of 18, I think) and I’ve yet to feel like this was dragging at all. Every volume takes me somewhere different, surprises me somehow, and makes me wonder even more just what the hell is going on as each secret is revealed.

2. The Order

A book I thought I was going to hate, honestly, this one surprised the hell out of me by being so good. Fraction’s look at heroes as people, with flaws and strengths that are believable, is something I really dig.

3. Invincible

Continues to be one of the best superhero books out there.

4. Annihilation Conquest: Star Lord

My current favorite of the Annihilation books. Art is fantastic, European stylee, and the story is fun as hell.

5. Arsenic Lullaby Pulp Edition

Just plain funny. I like my humor like I like my women- disturbing and biannual. ;0

Also of note this week for me were X-Men First Class (especially Colleen Coover’s back-up), Thunderbolts, Marvel Adventures: Avengers, and Thor Visionaries: Walt Simonson V.4. Though, really, given that the first volume was Visionaries and the second and third volumes were Legends, this is really the second Visionaries volume. Confusing.

2. Good as Lily- the Minx line is quietly becoming one of comics’ best kept secrets and this may be the most enjoyable book yet.

3. Batman- Just the right combination of story and art here. Read each issue of this arc twice now and it’s even better the second time (I was JUST about to drop this title, too).

4. Hellblazer- Like the Boys, I kind of go back and forth on this title but it’s always the first thing I read when I buy it. There’s a nice British X-Files vibe going on with Diggle’s run.

I don’t have a #5. Despite being a fantasy fan and a fan of animal books I really don’t like Mouse Guard, I’m really ready for Whedon to wrap up this Astonishing run, and I haven’t read the latest issue of Spirit yet (but it looks good).

1) Mouse Guard: Winter 1152 - Awesome first issue that more than lived up to the level of fun that the original series contained. Petersen’s art is gorgeous in just about every respect. Can’t wait to see what happens next.

2)X-Men First Class - I think my review says why I picked this one, so all I’ll say is that you can never go wrong with a Jeff Parker book.

3)Batman - Loving this story arc so far. It’s like Clue with superheroes and that’s a concept that you really can’t go wrong with when Morrison is involved. Also JH Williams art and his panel layouts are simply fantastic.

4)Immortal Iron Fist - Great issue. Great series. A must read book if there ever was one.

5)Tellos: Colossal HC - I’ve been in the mood for a fantasy story and the one I got from Tellos was a really enjoyable one. That and having Mike Wieringo’s art published in super-oversized format is a nice bonus too.

6)Thunderbolts - Loving Ellis take on these characters and Deodato’s art continues to shine.

7)Fantastic Four HC Vol. 1 - Yeah, I know, this came out a couple of years ago but I finally got around to reading it this week and I really dug it. Waid and Wieringo’s take on the FF was perfect, and though it did stray into the dark and depressing a few times, it always ended on a high note.

8)Annihilation Conquest: Star-Lord - This is probably my favorite Annihilation mini right now. I’m still digging the Dirty Dozen vibe and Timothy Green’s art is top-notch.

What a strange list for me, almost all Marvel. That shows that right now DC is doing very little that I like, besides Mark Waid on Flash and Grant Morrison’s Batman, which I havent loved.

I just read Walking Dead #40, and it was a very slow issue, a breather issue between stories. So little happened that I shouldnt put in in my top Five…. but I will anyway.

I also really, really liked Mike Carey’s X-Men, and Cable & Deadpool. Nicenza’s Deadpool is a guilty pleasure, a book that I find genuinely funny.

1. The Order
2. The Immortal Iron Fist
3. Thunderbolts
4. Annihilation Conquest: Starlord
5. Mouse Guard: Winter 1152

6. Batman
7. Green Lantern Corps
8. Marvel Adventures: Avengers

Screw every other book that came out this week from anybody. Nothing tops Mouse Guard. Period.

You’re certainly entitled to your opinion. But have you actually read any of these other books? I’ve read a bunch, and to be honest, I’m just not feeling the Mouse Guard love. But that’s just MY opinion …

I thought Mouse Guard was top notch and just as good as the first mini; it could have easily been my pick in most any other week. There was a metric ton of high quality books this week, Mouse Guard included.

Screw every other book that came out this week from anybody. Nothing tops Mouse Guard. Period.

You’re certainly entitled to your opinion. But have you actually read any of these other books? I’ve read a bunch, and to be honest, I’m just not feeling the Mouse Guard love. But that’s just MY opinion …