August 18 releases

Atlas #4 (Parker/Hardman/Rosanas)

Another good issue in Parker's 3D Man story, with some brilliant art by Hardman, particularly his depiction of the dragon Lao entering, and with his fire breath ending, the fight against the Echo people. Silver

Avengers Academy #3 (Gage/McKone)

This series continues at the very high quality of story and art it has started with. Valkyrie makes a brilliant guest appearance before Hazmat, whose origin is shown here, leads some of the team in a bid for revenge against Norman Osborn during the youngsters' visit to the Raft. Gold

New Mutants #16 (Wells/Kirk)

While this issue doesn't actually feature the team of the title it features an interesting look at the background of their current adversaries. Leonard Kirk's art is the best thing about this issue as he provides brilliant depictions of Limbo and its denizens. Silver

Secret Avengers #4 (Brubaker/Deodato)

The opening arc of Brubaker's Avengers comes to a close with this issue, which unfortunately is quite confusing and doesn't quite satisfactorily wrap up the mystery (though perhaps more of that will be in the next issue). While some of the team members, such as Ant-Man and Steve Rogers, get a lot of focus and that is done well, other characters are largely ignored or get short shrift. As a big fan of Nova it seems like Brubaker hasn't really taken into account all of the development of the character by Abnett and Lanning. The ease with which Steve Rogers takes over the Nova force, even disregarding Worldmind's offer of assistance, jars with me and doesn't seem to give the character the proper respect he should have after saving the universe a few times. Bronze

Thunderbolts #147 (Parker/Walker)

Though only loosely crossing-over with Avengers Academy, this is a really great issue continuing the new direction of the title. After wrapping up the team's previous mission most of the action takes place back on the Raft, coinciding with the "scared straight" visit by the Avengers students and the ensuing breakout. Walker's art in the extended triple fight sequence showing the Warden, Songbird and Luke Cage dealing with the outbreak of prisoners, ending with Cage's charged confrontation with Purple Man, is simply sublime. Gold

Wolverine Weapon X #16 (Aaron/Gianfelice)

This is the last issue of this current Wolverine ongoing, though Aaron is launching a new series next month, so it's a bit of a pointless marketing exercise. However, this issue is more of a send-off for the late Nightcrawler, who died in the Second Coming event, and while there was time for a funeral in the midst of the crossover, this is a fitting and very well done tribute to the character and his unlikely friendship with Wolverine. At least that's true of the writing, as the quality of the art really and unfortunately doesn't match that of the story, otherwise this would be an even higher rated issue. Silver

August 11 releases

The Thanos Imperative #3 (Abnett/Lanning/Sepulveda)

Yet another great cosmic issue from DnA, very ably assisted by Sepulveda. Events in the war on both sides of the Fault move up in intensity, with Nova forming a very interesting strike team while the tension between Drax and Thanos boils over. Gold

July releases

X-Force #28 (Kyle/Yost/Choi/Oback)

Second Coming Chapter 13: The fight against Bastion reaches its end with Hope finally manifesting her powers, seemingly confirming her status as mutant messiah just as she loses her father figure Cable. A good issue with good art, though the threat does end rather abruptly. Silver

Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine (Aaron/Kubert)

Aaron continues to show that he can write Spider-Man as well as he can Wolverine, with an interesting story coupled with great art from Kubert. Plus, Doom the Living Planet! Gold

Avengers Academy #2 (Gage/McKone)

This great second issue of the new series focuses mainly on Finesse, as well as providing character development for Pym and Quicksilver. McKone's art is a brilliant complement to the story. Gold

The Thanos Imperative #2 (Abnett/Lanning/Sepulveda)

The newest cosmic story gets even bigger in scale as Galactus and other abstracts join in the fight against the Cancerverse incursion while Thanos illustrates his key role in the fight. Sepulveda's art is suitably epic. Gold

Second Coming #2 (Various)

While quite a good epilogue to Second Coming, the threat of mutant extinction posed by Bastion has ended very quickly and rather cleanly, with only three deaths (though Ariel is not mentioned at all once again). It remains to be seen just how interesting the new status quo following the event actually is. Esad Ribic contributes the best art, while the worst comes predictably from Greg Land. Bronze

Atlas #3 (Parker/Hardman/Rosanas)

A shame that this latest series of Atlas is going to be cancelled, but not much of a surprise. While this arc hasn't turned out to be the most interesting so far, Gabriel Hardman's art has been absolutely fantastic and he keeps up the good work here, plus Ramon Rosanas contributes more good art in the M-11 focused second story. Silver

Marvel Zombies 5 #5 (Van Lente/Blanco)

This fun series ends with a trip to the real world. While the main characters, Machine Man, Howard the Duck and Jacali Kane don't appear much in this issue, which is disappointing, it is still a fun little tongue-in-cheek exploration of an extreme Marvel fanboy facing up to zombiehood. Silver

New Mutants #15 (Wells/Kirk)

Following their difficult time during Second Coming, the New Mutants team goes to the middle of nowhere to regroup, while Leonard Kirk takes over on art and does not disappoint. The character work and team interplay have been the best things about this series and Wells continues to develop his cast. The story is intriguing though nothing has really been revealed yet. Gold

Heroic Age: Prince of Power #3 (Pak/Van Lente/Brown/Howard)

The antagonistic relationship between Thor and Amadeus more than makes up for the lack of Hercules, while the ancient Egyptian setting of this particular issue naturally appeals to me as an ancient historian. Meanwhile back in the Olympus Group headquarters Delphyne starts to fight back against the Pantheon (EXPRESSION! WORTHY! OF DEATH SCRUNCHIE!). And of course great art from Reilly Brown. Gold

Thunderbolts #146 (Parker/Walker)

Though Parker seems to be moving the team very quickly from one mission to the other, he continues his good work with the characters, very ably assisted by Kev Walker's great new art style, though his Valkyrie design is perhaps a bit weird looking. Gold

X-Factor #207 (David/Fiumara)

X-Factor moves on from the Second Coming tie-in with a great issue with some of the best art the series has had. The team takes on a new job from Hela which involves Pip the troll, while Rictor and Shatterstar get some together time which is rather abruptly interrupted. Gold

Secret Avengers #3 (Brubaker/Deodato)

Though there is a lot of talking and exposition in this third issue, there are also a couple of good bits of action involving the possessed Nova and Deodato gets a chance to show off his art. Silver

Wolverine: Weapon X #15 (Aaron/Garney)

Unfortunately the plot of this latest arc has become a bit confusing and muddled, not really up to the standard Aaron had previously set. However, the good bits of this issue are still very good and Garney's art for the most part is top-notch once more. Silver

X-Men Legacy #238 (Carey/Mann)

Another book coming out of the Second Coming crossover, Legacy heads out on its own path separate to the other X-Men titles, still focusing on Rogue and some of the younger mutants. The character-focused writing is great and the trip to Mumbai allows for a needed change of scenery from Utopia. Clay Mann's is back on art and does quite well, showing that he would have been a much better pick for the Second Coming issues than Greg Land. Silver

June 30 releases

Marvel Zombies 5 #4 (Van Lente/Blanco/Ruiz)

Though the two art styles used in this issue jar, this is a very good issue from van Lente. Silver

Secret Avengers #2 (Brubaker/Deodato)

The second issue of Brubaker's espionage themed new Avengers series continues well. Though not all of the characters receive much attention, those that do are dealt with well. Gold

June 23 releases

Thunderbolts #145 (Parker/Walker)

Luke Cage imposes his authority on the new and interesting Thunderbolts team in a great second issue with brilliant art. Gold

Wolverine Weapon X #14 (Aaron/Garney)

Certainly the weakest issue of "Tomorrow Dies Today" so far, but still enjoyable enough with more great art. Silver

X-Factor #206 (David/De Landro)

Second Coming Revelations: The X-Factor team's enjoyable tie-in to the crossover ends well, with Shatterstar stealing the scene. Silver

X-Men Legacy #237 (Carey/Land)

Second Coming Chapter 12: Well, Greg Land spoils this issue again, but otherwise the story is good, though the Nimrod threat comes to a very abrupt end. Bronze

June 16 releases

Atlas #2 (Parker/Hardman/Rosanas)

Doesn't quite move the momentum forward from the brilliant first issue with more exposition an action scene that is a bit of a detour from the main plot, but still a well above average issue, with very good art. Gold

New Mutants #14 (Wells/Roberson/Medina/Fox)

Second Coming Chapter 11: Wells introduces Legion and showcases Cypher's new abilities brilliantly. The use of a different artist to depict the scenes inside Legion's mind is a great idea, though the main art by Roberson is not the best. The issue ends with Magneto ready to fight the encroaching Nimrods, but unfortunately the next issue will be greatly held back by Greg Land... Gold

June 9 releases

Avengers Academy #1 (Gage/McKone)

An interesting introduction to the new young superhuman team and their instructors with a promising twist of the concept at the end. The art is clean and expressive, making the characters distinctive. Silver

The Heroic Age: Prince of Power #2 (Pak/Van Lente/Brown)

Another story and action-packed issue of what is still, despite the change of name and focus, one of Marvel's best series. More of the same high standard from Brown, and a lot of silly sound effects to round off. Gold

Uncanny X-Men #525 (Fraction/Dodson)

Second Coming Chapter 10: The crossover really starts to ramp back up to full pace with this good issue which features X-Force arriving in the Days of Future Past timeline and the MU's best and brightest attempting to help the X-Men. Silver

June 3 releases

Serenity: Float Out #1 (Oswalt/Reynolds)

As I'd recently re-watched Firefly and Serenity and cemented my recently acquired love for the 'verse, I decided to get this one-shot, which was enjoyable, though didn't feature Wash as much as might be expected. It ends with an interesting reveal that hopefully means more stories will be coming. Bronze

The Thanos Imperative #1 (Abnett/Lanning/Sepulveda)

The event really kicks off, showing signs of being as epic in scale and execution as Annihilation. DnA manage to include and do justice to a great number of characters, Rocket Raccoon, Thanos and Drax particularly getting great moments. Sepulveda's art is great, but unfortunately the colouring style doesn't seem to do it justice, when compared to the black and white previews in the back. Gold

May 26 releases

Marvel Zombies 5 #3 (Van Lente/Kaluta/Kano/Palmer/Ruiz)

Though the changes in artists does jar a little, overall this is another good issue. Silver

Secret Avengers #1 (Brubaker/Deodato)

A very good first issue that sets up an interesting team dynamic despite the idiosyncratic nature of many team members. Gold

The Thanos Imperative: Ignition #1 (Abnett/Lanning/Walker)

Not DnA's best issue recently but brings all the pieces of the Thanos Imperative event together well, with an interesting twist at the end. Walker continues to provide great art. Silver

Thunderbolts #144 (Parker/Walker)

The new direction for Thunderbolts begins very well, Kev Walker's new art style looks great. The Man-Thing scene is particularly brilliant on both counts. Gold

Wolverine Weapon X #13 (Aaron/Garney)

The time-travelling Deathlok storyline continues with appearances from future-Peter Parker and present Avengers. The interplay between Spider-Man and the Thing is fantastic. Silver

X-Force #27 (Kyle/Yost/Choi/Oback)

Second Coming Chapter 9: Though the art team does brilliant work in this issue, the long silent series of panels throws off the issue's pace, though the crossover does get back in gear. Silver

May 19 releases

Atlas #1 (Parker/Hardman/Rosanas)

This Heroic Age relaunch of the Agents of Atlas focuses mainly on 3D Man, a character I have no previous experience of but Parker very quickly gets me interested in. Hardman continues to provide great art and Rosanas does well in the second story. Gold

X-Men Legacy #236 (Carey/Land)

Second Coming Chapter 8: This issue is let down by some awful 'art' by Land, more so than the last Legacy chapter. The crossover is yet to pick up from its current low though signs are it should. Bronze

X-Factor #205 (David/De Landro)

Second Coming Revelations: Great tie-in issue that showcases the X-Factor team and where David makes great use of the crossover without losing his own voice. Gold