I’m just going to get right to it; you know: give you what you want.

• Green Arrow #35 (DC): I’ve given each creative team at least one issue since the New 52 misfired with J.T. Krul, who seemed to quiver under the pressure of the big launch.  Kinda smart to bring the TV team to the book.  Definitely worth a look.

• Wonder Woman #34 (DC): Azzarello’s godlike run is almost done.  Not gonna lie: I’m getting a little weepy about it–because with #35, I’m done, too.  That’ll bring to an end an equally epic run: WW‘s the only New 52 title I’ve stuck with from #1.
• The Squidder #4 (IDW): I’ve enjoyed Templesmith’s wild, post-cepholopocalyptic world and am sad that it ends here.  Gosh, if I had ten arms, I’d wrap ’em all around The Squidder and wouldn’t let go for anything!  Clearly, my measly two just ain’t gonna cut it–especially since I need to keep one free for all the scratching.  Yeah, I’m super itchy as a rule.

• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #38 (IDW): OK, so I think the glamour is starting to wear off.  It’s been a few months now; I’m just not as psyched about it as I had been.  Definitely sad about that.
• Alex + Ada #9 (Image): Ain’t nothin’ to be sad about here.  Well, maybe there is–but it’s for all the right reasons.  (I mean, come on: the cover’s even got rain falling like tears–presaging my own, perhaps?)  Ada’s walking out the front door at the end of #8 offers up so many possibilities–and many of them crappy for her and Alex.  It’s a familiar story, right: the naïve girl from Kansas steps off the bus and the big city smells her innocence and pounces.  I’m nervous for her–and kinda excited.

• The Fade Out #2 (Image): It’s Brubaker and Phillips very own Satellite Sam!  Felt like Fatale, too, which is fine by me.
• Rat Queens #8 (Image): Can’t imagine I’ll be sticking around much longer.  I mean, come on: it wasn’t ever going to be a long term relationship, was it?  Nah.  Things have already gotten stale; the Queens’ crowns have tarnished.
• Bucky Barnes: Winter Soldier #1 (Marvel): Ales Kot and Marco Rudy?  Would be stupid not to try one, right?  Thing is, Kot’s struggled with his hero books.  Says a lot that I know that: I’m willing to give him a shot no matter what he’s on because he’s got a strong voice.  And I don’t want to miss it when it finally sounds super in spandex.

• Captain America 25 (Marvel): Oh, why not?  Seriously.  I can’t really Remender why not.  Someone remind me!  Please!
• Miracleman#11 (Marvel): OK, so, the best book on the shelf is one that’s thirty years old.  Considering the number of quality books being pumped out on a monthly basis by big and small publishers alike, that’s damn impressive.

• Moon Knight #8 (Marvel): Warren Ellis and Declan Shalvey are gone–and no doubt will be missed.  Maybe not too much, however–especially if Brian Wood and Greg Smallwood continue to carve out their own little moon kniche as they have with a confident first issue.  Certainly woodn’t have been as effective an issue if they had tried to simply ape the previous cycle.  Nah.  Wood has already chipped away at Moon Knight’s perfection; and Smallwood–who amazed us on Dream Thief–offered up some sick paneling.  Yeah, gimme more!
• Silver Surfer #6 (Marvel): Doesn’t get more fun than what Slott and Allred are doin’ here.  Easily one of our favorite titles of the year.
• Thor #1 (Marvel): Thor’s a woman!  I say thee okay.  I’ll try it.  We’ll see how Aaron and Dauterman hammer out the most heavily hyped sex change in comic book history!
• Cloaks #2 (BOOM!): Looking forward to this.  I liked #1 a lot.  Put creators Caleb Monroe and Mariano Navarro on my radar.  It was plenty fun, nice to look at, and certainly “[left] me wanting more.”

• Brides of Helheim #1 (Oni): Helheim didn’t blow me away like I hoped it would.  I make this vow: if Bunn doesn’t propose something magical here in the first issue, I’m going to divorce myself from all things Helheim.
• The Damnation of Charlie Wormwood #1 (Dynamite): I’m doubly damned: I’m drawn to the title–and the Francavilla cover.

• Holmes vs. Houdini #1 (Dynamite): Aw, hell: how can I pass this up?  It’s no mystery; it ain’t magic: it’s mystery and magic!  Doesn’t hurt that a similar note has been struck in the terrific The Last Broadcast from Archaia.
• Über #18 (Avatar): Gillen’s still killin’ it.  It’s Überlicious!

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott