American Vampire #8
I'm really enjoying this Vertigo title, especially as things are picking up with this new storyline. I just wish DC didn't charge $3.99 still..even though readers are paying the same amount, but getting 10 less pages each month. Thankfully, it will drop in price in a couple months...but, I wonder how many readers they've lost due to this higher price. Also, as we meet new characters, along with some of the older ones, this isn't exactly a title that someone can pick up at any time.
I Am An Avenger #3
Am I the only person who had a difficult time with the first story that takes up half of this comic? I mean, it's a bit distracting having a Spidey team-up tale when the team up is with Nova...and, this week we're suppose to believe that Nova bit the dust. (With all that Nova had been doing before, when did he have a convenient time to pop back to Earth?)
Anyway, that first story was only ok. It really didn't do much for me, and it ended rather quickly. I much more liked the second part of the Firestar and Justice story. I still miss the old New Warriors; and, even though Loki is starting to suffer from "Marvel character overload," I didn't mind.
The next two are hardly worth mentioning. The one-page Hulk was worthy of a chuckle; but, the Stingray two-pager just made me wish we got more of a story.

for the overall; but, I would give Firestar and Justice a smiley face.
Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes #1
This is just a promotional book for the new cartoon coming to Disney XD. Also, even though the main story takes place in "present day," it's about three months after Captain America gets awakened from the block of ice by the Avengers. The villian is Super Adaptoid, and it's a cute enough story; but, by now, Marvel has done sooo many different versions of the Avengers that I'm a bit tired of it all.
The second story, featuring Hawkeye and Black Panther vs. Lady Whiplash, was more enjoyable. (This story even seems to take place in the 616 Universe, as it mentions how Black Panther spied on the Avengers in the past.) I give this book a mild

.
New Avengers #6
This came out last week, right? I think it did...and, I have to say I'm unimpressed with the ending to this first storyline. It comes as no surprise as to who bites it in the end. (I called it last month.) Maybe the only surprise would be Brother Voodoo's brother coming back to life when all is said and done. (That IS Brother Voodoo's brother, right? Who was a spirit before?? Did Bendis even explain how that came to happen?? And, why nobody really seems that surprised by it???)
Ultimate Thor #2
I'm enjoying this title. It's told from three perspectives: Long ago in the land of Asgard, Nazi Germany in 1939, and the present day, where Thor is locked up and being investigated for his claims that he's a Norse god. Most of this story's interest comes from the Nazis trying to get the power of the Norse gods, and we learn this issue how the Frost Giants betrayed Asgard and let the Nazi's have access to that realm. The ending, revealing who Baron Zemo is, surprised me; and, the death of Heimdall was a shock to see.

Captain America: Forever Allies #4
This was a nice mini, featuring Cap-Bucky, as we saw his past exploits with the Young Allies and his current adventure of trying to capture Lady Lotus. In fact, I enjoyed this mini more than I have most of Bucky's current adventures that have been written by Brubaker.

Red Robin #17
I don't know about this book. I cancelled it a couple months ago; but, I wanted to see where it was going after Batman, Inc. was announced in The Road Home. It still does very little for me. I can see that Lynx is Red Robin's version of Catwoman...of which gets acknowledged in the last few pages by Batman; and, what this issue does well is get new readers up-to-date on what's happened previously and what to expect in the future. (For old readers, though, we don't get much new...except seeing Tim break Lynx out of custody.)
Still not sold, and won't be adding it back to my list. (Doesn't mean I won't still grab the next issue off the shelf, hoping things improve for me.)
Thunder Agents #1
I took a chance on this book, as the solicitation seemed rather interesting; and, boy, am I glad I did. Sure, I was confused as hell much of the time reading this book; and, we don't really learn a darn thing about any of the team members...but, it sure grabbed me and made me want to pick up the second issue. (Too bad DC is charging $3.99, though. This book could use a larger readership, and the price and unknown element of the book might throw many off.)
I highly recommend this issue, though! It's what I wanted from that first issue of Superboy. It's new and fresh...even if the concept might not be. Heck, I might even consider it my Pick Of The Week. (That could be ASM...but, really, I was expecting Dan Slott to be brilliant on his first issue...this one came out of nowhere.)

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