From a monster week of books (a mixed bag, at best) to a monster storm (needed a shovel-toting podiatrist to clear feet of snow from my driveway!) to another–yes, another–monster week of books!  You know what that means: I’ll be digging my way out of a packed paper bag come Wednesday.  Here’s the forecast:

100% Chance of Snow

• Batman #17 (DC): The finale of Death of the Family.  Snyder’s track record with finales hasn’t been great of late.  (See: The Court of Owls and the still developing finale of Rotworld.)  Last issue was a bit of a bust; so my expectations are pretty low–low enough for me to see this issue as my last.  That would leave me with one Batbook: Batwoman.  And that one is only a must buy as long as J.H. Williams III is doing his magic.  That’s not what I was hoping for when I was drawn back into comics–after a long break–by the New 52.
• Battlefields: Fall and Rise of Anna Kharkova #4 (Dynamite): Garth Ennis. ‘Nuff said.
• Bedlam #4 (Image): Last issue ticked me off.  Final Destination: The Comic.  Really?  Short leash.
• Change #3 (Image): Loved #2–until a questionable ending.  We’ll see.

• Clone #4 (Image): Ugh.  I’m not in love with this series.  This might be it.
• Fatale #12 (Image): The last issue was sooooooo good.  Brubaker and Phillips are killing it here and are setting some serious trends in other books.  Just look around.

• Fury: My War Gone By #9 (Marvel): A double-shot of Ennis?  I’m spinning already!  If you’ve been reading along, you know how I feel about this title.

• Archer & Armstrong #7 (Valiant): Tight story-telling and brash fun.  This book is a reliable palate cleanser.  I’ll probably read it directly after Batman.
• Bloodshot #8 (Valiant): Back to now after a trip-hop-skip to the past.  While I’ve been enjoying what Swierczynski’s been doing of late, I can’t wait till Harbinger Wars.  Sounds like a crossover that’s actually going to work; one that has value and isn’t just an event for the sake of having an event.
• Comedian #5 (DC): Yeah, I’m getting it.  Someone somewhere is laughing at me.

Fog.  Just Fog.

• Todd the Ugliest Kid on Earth #2 (Image): Not as clever as it thought it was, but it had its moments.  Quirky enough to go for two.
• Uncanny X-Men #1 (Marvel): Bachalo and Bendis: worth a try, no?  but worth an investment?  I don’t know.  I mean, how long with Bachalo be on the book?  Three issues?
• Secret Avengers #1 (Marvel): Winter Soldier may be enough of a draw.  Plus, I’ve enjoyed Nick Spencer over on Bedlam.

Increasing Temperatures

• The Initiates: I’ve developed a bit of a crush on this graphic novel by Etienne Davodeau.  May have to Amazon it.

That’s what’s headed my way.  What are you looking forward to tomorrow?

Turning pages,

Scott