Last week set a high bar: a lot of stand-out books–some confidently staking their claims as Top 5 material.  I don’t see this week topping it, but, no doubt, there’ll be plenty to talk about.

• Breath of Bones #1 (Dark Horse): Steve Niles?  Yes, please.

• X #2 (Dark Horse): I like a bad-ass vigilante as much as the next guy.  I want to love this, I really do.  I’m gonna give X–and hotshot scribe Duane Swierczynski– another shot at my heart.
• American Vampire: The Long Road to Hell (DC): Well, well, hell.  The beginning of a big week for Scott Snyder–this one, with a big price tag, by the way.  I’ve really enjoyed American Vampire–which I’ve read in trades through Vol. 4–and am pretty sure I’ll enjoy this all the same.  I know I’ve been somewhat tough on Mr. Snyder of late–specifically for the late Death of the Family–but on AV, Snyder has been epically horrifying.

• Batman #21 (DC): Unless you’ve been under a rock–or in a cave–you know all about this one: Snyder and Greg Capullo’s next big storyline: Zero Year.

• Superman Unchained #1 (DC): Hype very well could be Snyder’s kryptonite.
• Suicide Squad #21 (DC): Ales Kot talked the Squad off the ledge and then drove ’em right the heck back up there–necessarily–with self-immolation on the brain.
• The Manhattan Projects #12 (Image): M.I.A. in M.A.Y.  Glad it’s back: it’s easily one of the best books around.
• Harbinger Wars #3 (Valiant): It’s been OK.  Not as strong as I thought it’d be; but that’s their own fault, really.  Valiant’s been pretty awesome overall.
• Helheim #4 (Oni): Not quite there yet.  Still willing to wait on it because of my love for The Sixth Gun.
• Six-Gun Gorilla #1 (BOOM!): A gorilla with a gun.  ‘Nuff said.

• Half Past Danger #2 (IDW): I liked #1 enough–especially toward the end–to give it another go-round.
• Thumbprint #1 (IDW): Will probably thumb through it.  Fitting, I know.

Did I miss anything?

Turning pages,

Scott