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[Wolfsbane]

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles # 7 - If you ever loved the Turtles, this is a book you should be checking out. This is a TMNT book for adults, specifically for the adults who grew up watching the cartoon, playing with the toys, and now have slightly more mature sensibilities.

And this issue's got it all. More about the mysterious General Krang, who he is, where he's from, with a pleasant reveal for those of us who've been on board for a long time. More on the relationship between Krang and Baxter Stockman, and some curiosity about how The Foot Clan comes into the picture. Are they allied with Krang? Opposed to him? What about The Shredder? Does he even exist in this day and age? We don't know yet, and the ambiguity is exciting.

While Michaelangelo and Raphael go get some food from a sympathetic guy on the topside, Leonardo and Donatello ponder revelations given to them by Splinter - a debate of faith vs. research that is compelling stuff.

When boom! A threat. One that has historically been more of a joke, a feeble opponent meant to allow the Turtles to use their weapons while getting past network censors is now seriously dangerous and creepy.

Will our heroes get out of this one? Stay tuned!

Secret Avengers # 23 - As we delve further into the mysteries of the cyborg villains our heroes square off against, character-laden issues raise their heads. Hawkeye butting heads with Captain America over a new team member (spoiler, he's front and center on the cover), the two Science Hanks, McCoy and Pym, engaging in friendly banter and squabbling, while Ant-Man continues to debate with himself over his own innate heroism or lack thereof.

Yeah, this title's worth reading again, thanks to Rick Remender and his new engaging cast of characters.

Magneto - Not a Hero # 4 - Magneto is not a hero, and thus does not behave like one. Gasp! Shock! And the final battle between Eric or Max or whatever he calls himself these days and Joseph is big, kinetic, and powerful.

Things wrap up nice and tidy, but unremarkably. This was a fun mini-series, but it wasn't a particularly great one. I'm glad I was only paying $2.99 per issue here.

New Mutants # 38 Finally, FINALLY, Doug starts to actually address the fact that he freakin' died and came back to life. He's not feeling himself. He feels... empty, unable to express emotion. Like perhaps, just maybe, not all of him came back? That's my theory. Now if only the characters who were most impacted by his death could have something to do with his resurrection too, all would be well.

To the end that Doug needs to deal with his death and resurrection, the team goes to Paradise Island, the place he died - the place that... is not nearly so paradisical anymore. It's... kinda grody. Kinda dead.

A confrontation with an old ally proves dangerous, and reveals a horrible secret that I don't really think I should get into here without spoiling things.

And I must say - Leandro Fernandez - huge step up on the artwork. Reminiscent of Duncan Fegredo's artwork on the Hellboy books. Huge step up here, New Mutants. After being willing to write you off after the Blink arc, you churn out two top-notch issues in a row. Impressive.

Avengers Academy # 26 - Despite one hell of a cover from cover artist extraordinaire David Yardin (of X-Factor fame), the issue within is kinda... meh.

Jocasta, Veil, and Jeremy Briggs show up to take turns lecturing the school on why sticking with Hank Pym is a bad idea and the whole issue is one series of lectures after another after another. Some choose to leave, some choose to stay, and none of it is particularly fun to read.

Oh, and more stuff happens with the Future Academy Kids, but it's still unremarkable.

[Wiccan]

Fantastic Four -603- - It would probably have helped if Id picked up this series before issue 600, but what can I say I like my FF to actually be the FF (I shunned the book when Johnny died). Anyway from what I gather a lot of crap is going down, end of the world stuff that really falls a little flat. Endings kinda okay if you stick around for it. Me, I'm gonna have to back read to grasp the importance of the arc but at least the FF is the FF again and that's something worth celebrating.