Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Alan Moore Art: Rick Veitch/John Ridgway/Steve Oliff
Back-Up Reprint: Mick Anglo
Rating: 3.8/5

Well…that was all kind of weird to type out. So, another issue from the “Original Writer” (please don’t place a voodoo curse on me, Mr. Moore). We get development on poor Johnny Bates, there are clearly other powers at play in the ongoing Miracleman transformative universe, and Miracleman’s daughter is a Miraclebaby.

This is what I always heard it was. I feel the chaos and destruction train a coming…

Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Nick Spencer Art: Steve Lieber/Rachelle Rosenberg
Rating: 3.9/5

I’m going to miss this comic so hard when it’s gone. I love Shocker (I don’t know why, I blame the 90s Spider-Man cartoon). I love Tombstone (ditto). I love Silvermane (hmmm…noticing a theme). And Hammerhead rules. I love super-villains not always being cackling megalomaniacal  geniuses that want to ruin the world, “because EVIL!” I like seeing some crooks as just poor shlubs that really can’t do any better.

But more importantly, I just realized Nick Spencer must have loved the 90s Spider-Man cartoon!

If only Rhino could show up…

Publisher: Avatar
Writer: Kieron Gillen Art: Daniel Gete/Digikore Studios
Rating: 3.7/5

I’ve been enjoying the series from the start. And in this issue, Kieron gives the first substantial Allied victory, a reason why the Axis powers are doing so well as well as teases us with the Manhattan Projects.

And Uberverse Manhattan Projects is exactly what I’ve been waiting for!

Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Brian Wood Art: Greg Smallwood/Jordie Bellaire
Rating: 3.5/5

Brian Wood’s first issue following Warren Ellis’ six issue stint. And it’s clearly that they are going to use Ellis as a launching pad. Much of the tone and characterization that Ellis introduced is continuing to be used. As well, Greg Smallwood is his own artist, but he is reminiscent enough of Shalvey that this feels like the same title.

And it’s a nice little issue of Moon Knight pursuing a soldier with some advanced hardware across New York. But that last page is where the book shifts. As it is  made apparent these are not going to be done in ones anymore and we’re back to standard trade writing Marvel.

So, we’ll see how that goes.

Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Skottie Young Art: Skottie Young/Jean-Francois Beaulieu
Rating: 3.3/5

A bit more rough and tumble from Rocket, showing why he’s as dangerous as he is. And even though it seems to have taken 4 issues, it looks like Rocket is going to face his evil doppelganger finally. Still not sure if I’m on board for the long run, but I haven’t regretted these first few issues.

Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Jason Aaron Art: Mike Deodato/Frank Martin
Rating: 2.3/5

The key to a good murder mystery is to have somewhere to go after the reveal of the killer. With the reveal is supposed to come the reveal of the motive and then, some form of resolution.

Jason Aaron tried to work this as a murder mystery. And a lot of the pieces were lined up. And then…he had no where to go after the reveal. Eight issues in, we find out who killed the Watcher. But not why.

We have two characters swapping roles with other characters. But not why.

And we still have Thor fighting his hammer on the moon. But. Not. Why.

It was all build up and no pay off. Treating this as an eight issue mini, this issue would have been a fantastic issue 5. Giving two more issues to explore the why and whereto, with one issue to clean up. With that slight shift, this issue and mini would have been easily ten times better.

Instead, I’m sitting here just going, “why?”