BLUE BEETLE #36 (DC): The last issue of the series this installment of Blue Beetle also gets the dubious honour of scoring among the bottom three (least liked) of the series’ 36 issue run. Why? For one simple reason. Even though it’s had its dark moments nowhere did they feel as forced, as ‘only-for-cheap-shock’ as the character death here. To make matters worse is the character in question was such a close positive member of the Blue Beetle team/family. And the fallout of it, it’s just going to come and bite Jaime in his latino behind whenever another writers drags it out a villain for the Jaime and/or his alter ego. Even with the interesting development/take on the scarab and other (good) moments from the issue, the death was just too big of a dark dampener cloud. (5.5/10)

ROBIN #183 (DC): I haven’t really enjoyed this series since the abrupt departure of its creator (and savior) Chuck Dixon. Not to take anything away from the current scribe but even with the odd bright moment it just wasn’t clicking. It seems both Robin and Tim Drake were being written less as a teenager and more as a Batman Jr. This issue is no different. However, it does seem more cohesive and maybe it is due to the slight ray of positive outlook on Robin’s behalf but it gave him a glimpse of the Tim of yore…and made me miss him even more so. With the series wrapping up and given the direction that DC’s editorial is set for this character, I for one hope that whenever there is a management change that (at least) some of his “development” is undone. As for the artwork, this is probably Freddie Williams III’s best work so far. (7.5/10)

STORMWATCH: PHD #18: As the cover portends this issue has Stormwatch finally meets up with the Authority in the Post-Armageddon WSU. As revealed Battalion a mole in the carrier, something which on coming out does not go down well with his wife. She then takes the lead to open up a channel of conversation between the two groups. This leads to sharing of resources between the two, part of which is getting some much-needed power to the carrier. This powering up however draws the attention of the nasties who in turn mount on attack on the carrier and its (current) inhabitants. Look to the next issue for the battle to continue, as also what happens to the (possibly fatally) injured Fuji. (7/10)

TEEN TITANS #68 (DC): Going through another team shuffle this issue sees the forming of another trinity (of sorts) between Wonder Girl, Blue Beetle and Kid/Red Devil. However, that isn’t the main focus. That honour goes to the Hellish (literally) road trip of Kid/Red Devil and Kid Eternity. En route there is a quick recap as to just how these two came to be the way they are i.e. their powers and their association with hell. Overall a kinda average read though (once again) visualized by the always excellent and expressive Eddy Barrows. (7/10)

THE WARRIORS #1 (Dabel Brothers): Having picked up this issue purely on a lark I can safely (and surely) say that I won’t be continuing with comic adaptation of the movie of the same name. For one, I haven’t seen the movie and having read about it (Google and IMDB-ing after reading the comic). Two, having read about the movie plot/synopsis, I am not at all titillated to check it out. I am not a fan of the genre. And last of all, one of the reasons why I did check out about the movie itself is that the comic alone left me more bored than intrigued. Good artwork aside the only memorable bit that I will take away from my reading of The Warriors #1 is, well what else but – “Can you dig it?!” (6/10)

WOLVERINE: FIRST CLASS #12 (Marvel): As with most (not all?) issues of this series this tale of Wolverine: First Class is more about Kitty Pryde than her burly mentor. Sharing the screen time, once again, are their fellow X-Men with a freshly returned Cyclops getting higher bidding than Ol’ Wolvie himself. As for the villain, although not quite as forgettable as the pack-o’-werewolves from the previous story arc the alien-y demon-y being would be more suited to a Hellboy and/or Chuthlu story than here. Then again, given the target demographic of this series Mr. Grabby Tentacles serves his purpose quite well. (7.5/10)