A large week of releases this week, with the quality of the week surprisingly high. While some titles disappointed (Thunderbolts comes to mind, though maybe that was due to the expectations from the previous past few months quality releases), most books were genuinely enjoyable. But, while there were so many good releases, only one rose to the top of the list after reading it. So without further ado, here you go.
The pick for this week is New Avengers #51. While the title was getting a bit on the stale side during the Secret Invasion crossover, it certainly seems reinvigorated now during Dark Reign. This new story focuses on Doctor Strange’s search for a new Sorceror Surpreme, and while that is definitely a story that has been brewing since World War Hulk and pre-Secret Invasion, that isn’t what got it noticed. Instead, the parts of this issue that make it stand out are it’s quiter moments, ones focusing on Clint Barton (I refuse to call him Ronin at the moment, forgive my old-fashionedness) and Spider-Man’s interactions with this newish group of Avengers. Things like Jessica Jones history with Peter Parker from the old Alias series to Clint taking charge of things all make the issue shine. I truly am enjoying the direction the story is taking, and after being a bit on the fence a few months ago, that says quite a lot. With two artists doing the art chores here, Billy Tan on the Avenger parts, and Chris Bachalo on the Doctor Strange bits, there is a different feel to the book, but it works. Tan, while improving, still needs a bit of work, but gets the job done. Bachalo does his usual here, and his style pulls his parts off in spectacular fashion. All and all, a great issue, and one that seems to be pointing the book back to toward the top of the reading list.
Well, there you are folks, your pick for the week. We’ll see you back here next week, same time, same channel.