Daredevil #83: There was a time when I used to follow Daredevil religiously, jumping on the latest issue as soon as it got off the presses. However, as with quite a few Marvel series, I am coming to rely more and more on TPBs than on separate issues. This is because, while the whole story may have a point and be a worthwhile read, the singles come across as if they are trudging along by dragging their a$$es on the ground….as here. We have more of Matt and the hellhole that his life has become. Foggy’s dead, he has his funeral, Matt gets another court appearance, another introspective ‘talk’, and breaks a few more bones and teeth. That about sums it up. And oh, just to give some suspense, lets just throw in a new ‘still unknown’ Daredevil in there. I got the last issue and this one. Will wait for the TPB for the rest of the story….or just do another ‘on the sly’ read at the book shop itself.

Conclusion: Uh….Matty can still give a serious butt kicking.

Rating: 6.5/10 (almost 7)

HAWKGIRL #50: The only reason I am reviewing this issue is because it’s an OYL one and although I didn’t get to Aquaman and Blood of the Demon in time, I decided to devote some time to this one…but only for a quickie. I was never a big fan of Hawkman, and I don’t know this Hawkgirl all that much, but from what little I did see in this issue, it didn’t hold me…let alone captivate me to come back for a repeat anytime soon. One word for this issue. Slow. Its so slow that the skeletal-hawks seem faster than Kendra, the supporting characters and their story. What made it even worse was not a fault of this issue, but of the other surprise that I got this week….Manhunter, but more on that in its review.

Conclusion: Half way through the issue, my interest sprouted wings and flew away to Manhunter.

Rating: 5/10

Incredible Hulk #93: ‘Planet Hulk’. No. How about ‘Planet Gladiator-Spartacus’? Yup, that sounds better, cause that is what this (and the previous issue) are. We have more of the ‘smashing’ Jade Giant. He does what he does best. Show everyone that he is the strongest one out there, and not a wimp like ‘puny’ Banner and the other conniving humans. I would be more into this ‘epic story’ if the timing hadn’t been one to show that instead of taking the trouble of writing the Hulk (and his alter ego’s) P.O.V. in the upcoming Civil War, the TPTB at Marvel took the easy way out and ‘launched’ him away. And with the 14 issue ‘Planet Hulk’, ensuring that not only would he be absent for the complete period of their event, he would be absent from its fall out too, only returning once things had settled down….again. Nevertheless, taken by itself….well, read the conclusion.

Conclusion: Not a waste of time or money.

Rating: 7.5/10

Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane #4: This series is not a ‘traditional’ Spider-Man series per say, in the way that there aren’t the obligatory six-seven fight shots per issue, and it more about the second name in the title….Mary Jane. If you haven’t read at least one of this issue far, I’d suggest trying it out with this one. The storyline is pretty easy to understand, but yet interesting, art is good, quite suited to the age group it depicts (and is aimed at) but without be overtly manga-ed. Taking up from the last issue, Mary Jane is waiting/preparing/looking forward to her date with a certain web-slinger who will remain nameless here, all the while continuing her daily (school) life including (repairing) her camaraderie/friendship with her best-friend Liz, and also with the nerd-on-the-block, her algebra study-mate/tutor Peter. Everyone is spot on…with the exception of a (sometimes) over-the-top Parker dialogues.

Conclusion: Nice read, if a bit of the beaten track…i.e. no pummeling.

Rating: 7.5/10

The New Avengers #17: After last month’s mediocre issue I was really looking forward to some proper and worthwhile revelation in this one. Sadly, that particular hope seems to lofty…especially given’s Marvel’s ‘fetish’ with TPBs. When taken as a whole (the arc), you would get the story, but taken independently, the single issues come across as half-issues than anything else. In this one, we have the obligatory, helping the community, standing around looking impressive, scrambling at a call from SHIELD, and then arguing on the way. What is left is about five pages in which we actually get some work/action done. As for the shortcomings, Captain American comes across as a vigilante in supporting and participating ‘policing’ without any thought to the laws, Spider-man (with that horrible costume) seems to have exchanged his ‘independent thinking’ when he took on Iron Man's colors, and Ms. Marvel’s (the guest star) ‘hands on’ display complete negates her military training and experience.

Conclusion: Mediocre….and this is me being lenient. Artwork is good though.

Rating: 6/10

X-Men #184: Are these (and generally all of them) X-Men the same ones that were starring in other x-titles until sometime ago, (e.g. Rogue, Gambit in XXM) or are these an utterly and completely new, inexperienced group of incompetent nincompoops? ‘Cause that’s what the signal that seems to be coming through. Its either that or be depicted as conniving, duping, not to trusted (case in point, Xavier, Emma). Well, what do we have here? More of Apocalypse and his ‘scribe’ (don’t expect me to write out his name here), more of the outdoor resident/inmates (the 198), more Mystique and her ‘golden boy’ Augustus *Spineless-Gutless* Pulse and just more standing around arguing with each other. Even when they make their move, its so clear that they are going to get caught that even a five year old could see and not do it. Also, is it just me or is the ‘Pulse’ (Augustus) angle eerily reminiscent of the Apocalypse saga/arc from the X-Men: Evolution cartoon series.

Conclusion: Just going through to the paces to complete the arc and dropping title after it ends.

Rating: 5.5/10