1. DAREDEVIL #15
Surprised that
Avengers Vs. X-Men #8 isn't at the top of the list? Well, how can any title other than the now Eisner Award winning series NOT be this week's most essential read? Writer Mark Waid (who also won an Eisner Award this past weekend for this work on
Daredevil) has left the Man Without Fear stranded in Latveria not only blind, but without the rest of his senses as well! This is a terrifying and unusual situation for Matt Murdock to find himself in, and the plot also continues to thicken back in Hell's Kitchen. What exactly did Foggy find in Matt's desk to make him decide that he no longer wishes to work with him? As good as the story being told is, new series artist Chris Samnee also impresses with his eye-catching and colourful artwork. Buy it!
2. AVENGERS VS. X-MEN #8
The Avengers and X-Men may be at war, but
Avengers Vs. X-Men #8 may reveal some serious issues between the members of the Phoenix Five after the last issue saw a duplicitous Emma Frost goad Namor into attacking Wakanda. Previews have shown him doing exactly that, destroying the city and leaving the Avengers under the assumption that this is all Scott Summers' doing. Brian Michael Bendis writes this instalment as Adam Kubert takes over on art duties. The event hasn't been perfect so far, but it HAS made for a far more enjoyable read than the past few from Marvel such as
Siege and
Fear Itself. There are just four issues to go after this one, so expect the pace to really pick up as
Avengers Vs. X-Men rockets towards its conclusion.
3. CAPTAIN MARVEL #1
This week is clearly a great one for Marvel as they also take the #3 spot on the list with Kelly Sue DeConnick's
Captain Marvel #1. The publisher doesn't have any major titles with leading female characters, so this will likely be a welcome addition to many readers and Ms. Marvel fans will surely be glad to have her back in the spotlight. If last week's
Avenging Spider-Man #9 is anything to go by, DeConnick has a fantastic handle on Carol Danvers and this new series has an awful lot of promise. With stunning and unique artwork from Dexter Soy, there's no doubting that it's a visually stunning book, so here's hoping that the new look and attitude for
Captain Marvel will result in a brand new flagship title for Marvel. Definitely worth checking out for new and old fans alike if recent previews are anything to go by.
4. JUSTICE LEAGUE #11
It may be a fairly quiet week for DC, but their flagship book from Geoff Johns and Jim Lee continues to impress. The last issue saw the team at the mercy of new villain David Graves, while the solicitation for
Justice League #11 promises "The New 52" debut of Element Woman. As many Avengers titles as Marvel currently has, none of them quite match the storytelling and character dynamics of this title. Of course, while the main story will more than likely continue to deliver, let us not forget the brilliant back-up tale by Johns and Gary Frank featuring the origin story of this version of Shazam, Billy Batson. So far, the story has made for an engrossing read, and the perfect introduction to those unfamiliar with the character. This is all leading to his full debut in
Justice League #0 before Shazam joins the ranks of the team next year.
5. UNCANNY X-MEN #16
Kieron Gillen's
Uncanny X-Men has been one of Marvel's best titles since it was relaunched with a new #1 issue following the events of Schism. In fact, the writer is responsible for a lot of their best books (seriously, go and read
Journey Into Mystery) and it's a great shame that he wasn't given a role in the core
Avengers Vs. X-Men series. However, the writer uses this book to flesh out the event and characters, and the Phoenix Five's attack on Mr. Sinister's subterranean city promises to make for a very interesting read. Sinister clearly has his own plans for the Phoenix with his Madelyne Pryor clones, and with the brilliant Daniel Acuna on art, this is one damn good looking comic book. With rumours indicating that the writer will be moving on to a new
Iron Man series in October, enjoy his X-Men tales while you still can...
THE BEST OF THE REST...
6. THE SECRET SERVICE #5
7. NIGHTWING #11
8. BEFORE WATCHMEN: SILK SPECTRE #2
9. INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #521
10.GREEN LANTERN CORPS #11