**AS ALWAYS BE MINDFUL THAT THERE WELL BE SLIGHT SPOILERS, READ AT YOUR OWN PERIL!!**

Superior Spider-man 6

WRITER: Dan Slott

PENCILER: Humberto Ramos

INKER: Victor Olazaba

COLOR ART: Edgar Delgado

YAAAAAAAAAY    RAMOS IS BACK!!!!!!

Dude seriously, if you have skipped SS-M because you hated the idea of Otto in Peter’s body, you are slipping.  Dan Slott really gave us an idea of how parallel Otto and Peter’s lives are in one aspect: bullies.

Initially the idea of Screwball and Jester appearing in this issue seemed a bit off considering the fact that Spidey kinda sorta killed someone last issue but that really didn’t go unnoticed. What did get picked up on is Otto Parker’s building friendship with Anna Maria Marconi and how in his misjudgment of her and how she handles herself with bullies’ he gets a mirror into his own life and the powerlessness he had with coping.  On the second read through there is something  that seemingly builds up throughout that reminds Otto that he can take control and ‘help the helpless’ against bullies. It all builds up with the nutshot hear ‘round the world that sets Otto  Parker off and in front of the whole world everybody is beginning to realize that there is something not quite right with their beloved hero.  A must read this week.

5 out of 5.

Star Wars Legacy: Solo

Writer: Corinna Bechko, Gabriel Hardman

Artist: Gabriel Hardman

Colorist: Rachelle Rosenberg

Cover Artist: Dave Wilkins

Star Wars under Dark Horse has needed some new life breathed into it as they have been putting out quite a few miniseries over the past year or so. Brian Wood’s Star Wars is covering new ground from an old era and it was only a matter of time before someone would go back to the Legacy universe for some more goodies.  Enter Ania Solo (Han and Leia for the short bus ones) who not too unlike Cade Skywalker is living on the seedier side of life, didn’t get the ‘benefits’ of learning to become a Jedi nor really thrust into the Krayt’s Sith War.  She scrapes a living as a junkyard owner and has no idea how a mysterious object that comes into her possession may pave the way for her to play a pivotal role in the new Triumvirate government. Her story takes place after the defeat of Krayt as the galaxy is still a frgile place (as always right?) and we find that there are still a few Sith running about and not everything is as it seems.  Bechko and Hardman both do a good job at setting the table in this first issue, and to a point I honestly have to say I miss some of Dan Parson’s artwork but for the grittiness that tale seems to be, I think this will work.  Already so many questions have arisen like if Ania will run across Cade and how much about her ancestors does she truly know, but you won’t know unless you pick up this book.

3 out of 5 stars

Justice League 18

Written by: Geoff Johns

Art by: Ivan Reis, Joe Prado

Backup Art by: Gary Frank

Cover by: Ivan Reis,J oe Prado

and Justice League of America’s Vibe #2

Written by: Geoff Johns

Backup Written by: Geoff Johns, Matt Kindt

Art by: David Finch

Backup Art by: Scott Clark

Cover by: David Finch

I am tackling them both simultaneously because if you read them together, although a bit awkwardly, they fit. Justice League was a bit of a snoozer but after a ‘big event’ (see the last issue) there seems to always be that ‘let’s cool down and re-evaluate’ issue.  This was it. The Justice League realizes that they need to expand and they have a mixer (yes, that happened) to assess some of the potential members.

One thing that got me that was pointed out in other reviews was Aquaman was still around when clearly after things were done had decided to go back to Atlantis but hey who am I to complain about continuity?  What was interesting was that Batman was trying to recruit Black Lightning and Nightwing and both appeared standoffish about the whole thing. A few others showed up in this issue such as Vixen (who never in my opinion is an under rated asset), Firestorm, Element Woman who comes off as a bit too pushy and Platinum who…well let’s just say “That’s how the fight got started.” Overall a fun issue with a cool Shazam story following it.

But meanwhile over in Vibe  (in my Ted Knight Super-friends voice), Vibe is front and center in this issue and is being brought in to meet the rest of the JLA.  Nope, there is no mixer although a fight got started.  Truthfully, I missed out on Viba years ago so yes, his character is new to me and if your only exposure to him has been what the DC nation has put on TV recently, you are missing so much with him in this comic. Here is a young kid who has a new power that Amanda Weller wants to take advantage of and he is caught in having to try to help her and hide the secret of who he is and the only person who knows is his brother and even he isn’t supposed to know.  He lives in a rough neighborhood with a dad who is trying to make ends meet. What’s nice about his story is that you can feel the anxiousness of how he is dealing with his situation and at the same time how he feels he can do some good. Also you get a sense that he has been a joke for some years, finally Geoff Johns is doing for him like he has done for Aquaman and trying to build up a credible character. Whether or not he can carry a comic is still unknown but as long as this book doesn’t bleed over too much into JLA, it will do well.  Let’s just  hope other readers go along with the Vibe.

Both comics get a 3.5 out of 5

STORY BY: Brian Michael Bendis

ART BY: David Marquez

COLORS BY: Marte Gracia

COVER BY:Stuart Immonen, Wade Von Grawbadger, Marte Gracia

Out of all the Marvel NOW comics, this has by far quickly grown to be one of my favorites. One of the biggest issues to me is that 9 issues in, the table and pieces are still being set up however that may soon change.  The opening pages were almost classic as you have the X-men battling Sentinels in downtown NYC (with a great 2 page spread might I add) which only to find out was a training session to teach them about leadership, priorities and teamwork.  Again, you have members who are still figuring out their powers and also still questioning their roles in this future where a Mutant revolution is imminent. We also have an appearance from Mystique as she is up to no good as always and by the end of the book, if all is to believed, we may finally get the pieces on the board in motion.

3 out of 5 stars.

By the way, if you haven’t already, pick up the latest issues of Batman and Batman and Robin!