.

Avengers Initiative #22 - The powerful Thor clone, Clor (of Ox), now known as Ragnarok, has been unleashed as part of a Skrull contingency plan! Can the cadets, teachers, and the New Warriors (many who will die), stop his attack or is this literally the end of the Initiative program?

Captain Faux America #47 - The Winter Soldier is back for a special mission that will turn back the layers on a decades old mystery as it's revealed Bucky is from an alternate universe. Guest-starring the Sub-mariner, Black Widow and Jim "The Original Human Torch" Hammond (tho, sadly, he's a fried corpse).

Dark Reign Files - What information does Norman Osborn have on Marvel's heroes and villains, besides the fact Bucky is not from the same universe? Is the enemy of his enemy his friend?

Dr Doom & The Masters Of Evil #2 (of 4) - The title says it all.

Fantastic Four #564 - Its the Christmas issue, in Febuary. Talk about timing.

The Incredible (non-edible) Hulk #10 - Meet the Offenders. No, not Jeph Loeb, Bendis and Joephisto. The original Defenders face off against Baron Mordo, Tiger Shark, Terrax, and the Red Hulk... Tho, Loeb does write this stuff.

The Incredible Hercules #126 - The origin of (Marvel Comic's) Hercules. Plus, the hunt for Amadeus Cho's real Coyote Kirby begins here.

Mighty Avengers #22 - The Scarlet Witch has pulled together a ragtag team of Avengers to defeat an elder god of chaos who is once again trying to gain a foothold on Earth. Can Hank Pym lead this unlikely group against Chthon who has possessed one of the most powerful Avengers? Of all people to choose to lead the team, they pick him? Dan Slutt wrote this.

Ms Marvel #36 - Dark Reign - Norman Osborn has allowed a dangerous weapon to fall into the wrong hands and its up to Carol to retrieve it. But something is going on with Ms. Marvel that will have huge repercussions for Marvel's premiere female super hero as she starts going thru menopause. And it ain't pretty. This all sets up for the switch from Carol Danvers to Karla Sofen, who will be taking over the role and this book very shortly.

New Avengers #50 - Dark Reign - The New Avengers have just become aware of Norman Osborn's Avengers and they intend to shut it down immediately. Unfortunately, there are going to be many obstacles in-between them and their goal.

Nova #22 - The Worldmind is building a massive new Nova Corps using humans from Earth. If he comes calling and you're not with him, you are against him and you will die a slow painful death. This means you! Can Richard do anything to stop this without becoming an enemy to the Nova Corps himself? Nope. So, he must die.

She-Hulk 2 #38 - Final Issue - She's been a savage, she's been an Avenger, she's been a lawyer, a male prostitute and a bounty hunter. What's next for She Hulk? Perhaps a color change from green to red is in order?

Skaar Son Of Hulk #8 - The Silver Surfer has returned to Sakaar and Galactus is not far behind. Can Skaar do anything to save his world, is it even worth saving? Watch as Skaar gets devoured by Galactus.

Thunderbolts #129 - Dark Reign - Norman Osborn seemed to be successfully escaping his legacy as the Green Goblin despite Doc Samson's best efforts. Now Airforce One is under attack by the Green Goblin. Part 2 of "Hammer Down.

Ultimate Spider-Man #131- Ultimatum - The city is trying to recover from the deadly flooding, Spider-man is trying to save anyone he can, and now he is standing face-to-face with the Hulk. Other heroes get involved, and Spider-Man dies horribly.

War Machine #3 - Dark Reign - Rhodey's actions abroad have not gone unnoticed and Norman Osborn dispatches the mighty Ares to the scene! Does War Machine have any hope of a chance against the god of war?

Wolverine Origins #33 - Dark Reign - The Weapon XI storyline begins. Daken is the Dark Avenger's "Ben-verine" and Nick Fury needs answers from Logan. What Logan needs is information on the deadly and mysterious mastermind who has plagued Wolverine's life from behind the scenes for decades, Romulus.

X-Force #12 - Cyclops and Wolverine continue to strike hard and definatively at each other's backsides and at threats to mutants, while still keeping the existance and purpose of X-force a secret even to the other X-men. But now the deadly actions of a lone mutant will tip the delicate balance with humans in a bad direction. This is a prelude to Messiah War.

TPBs

Runaways/Young Avengers - Secret Invasion - Hulkling is the son of Princess Anelle and Mar-vell and should be a very important figure to the Skrulls. Unfortunately, these Skrulls need him dead. And Xavin will have to make a choice between his mentor and his human allies. Collects Young Avengers/ Runaways #1-3 and comes with comprehesive handbook files.

X-Men Legacy - Sins Of The Father - Collects X-men Legacy #213-216, plus The Unlikely Saga of Xavier, Magneto and Stan The Man himself (written by Stan Lee, too), and the X-men: Odd Men Out special.

Picked up Avengers Initiative and Thunderbolts.

Initiative was OK, I guess. Slow issue, and besides another Scarlet Spider eating the big one, nothing much happened. The fight against Clor was anti-climactic.

Thunderbolts, on the other hand, was great. We meet most of the rest of the team, we see the Thunderbolts' next target (Deadpool!) and we're treated to a great surprise appearance near the end of the issue.


JTR, please tell me they're not really killing Spider-Man in Ultimatum. Please.

Well they didn't kill Spiderman in the Ultimate issue, but Ultimate Daredevil bit the big one. It looks like Dr. Strange may be dead (or incapacitated). Next up Ultimate Hulk asks Spiderman to kill him!! Let's see who else gets crossed off the list next ultimate book!

Initiative was okay. I liked how hardball makes an appearance allied with Madame Hydra. I wasn't happy about killing off another Iron Spidey. I liked the 2 characters working together, but I guess it was for the Ben Reilly sympathizers. he may not be actually Ben, but hes kinda like ben and is a clone...with Spiderpowers......yeah....totally Patrick Reilly.

So Clint Barton still holds a grudge with the whole I'm not Captain America business. Calling Bucky "fake Cap" was really not needed. (Kinda get that from JTR) Still, it was a great book that had the New Avengers running away yet again from Hood's gang. Thanks to Ms. Marvel's quick thinking they manage to escape and a very pissed off Clint addresses Norman's Avengers on air on the News Chanel. Things are about to heat up....

what?! what happened with the FIRST Marvel character? The Original Human Torch?? when he die??

He overloaded and exploded see HERE.

He actually got to have a heroic death saving the world from the Red Skull during the most recent Invaders series.

Unlike Cap.

Nova was excellent, as usual. Incredible Herc was glorious, as usual.

X-Force was... um, meh.

And Captain America was nifty. Didn't get New Avengers, the shop was out and I don't have it on the hold.

No, he didn't die, but rumours were he would. And there's always next issue.

But, his remains were recently found and since he's actually not human, and as people used to point out about the Vision, no robot can really die unless he/she/it is atomized. I'm sure there must be a way to bring him back. They can always rebuild his body from spare parts and have the time-displaced Torch seen in the "Avengers/Invaders" mini donate his own memories to the cause.

Clint had his shot, he turned Stark down for the role.

Runaways was really great this week, though that may have something with regular fill in artist Takeshi Miyazawa doing great work as always. It seems like a lot more fun than the last issue.

thank you! and yes Maniac and Mr_JTR, they can rebuild him, they have the tecnology. I'm happy to hear that at least Marvel have some respect for the character.

I loved the Plot Twist in Captain America.

Who, of course, got shot to death by his pregnant off-on girlfriend.

I get a feeling she's using Faustus as an excuse, but, she really just wanted to kill Steve for knocking her up.