This week is full of goodies on the Buzzfocus Pull List. The most noticeable titles are Secret Invasion #5, BATMAN #679 (Batman R.I.P. Part 4), and ACTION COMICS #868. Why Action Comics? If you haven’t been reading Geoff Johns is preparing to change the world of the Man of Steel in this story arc, and he’s initiating that change through Brainiac. So, definitely get to your comic store and check the back issue boxes for the “”Brainiac” parts 1 & 2.
There are several Secret Invasion #1 issue tie-ins this week from Thor to the Inhumans to the X-Men, so choose wisely.
Also, the Amazing Spider-Man has made the pull list. Now, I’m not advocating buying Amazing Spider-Man #567, I simply find it humorous that the plot line says,” the Brand New is close to the greatest victory of all – the unmasking and death of Spider-Man.” And, here I was thinking he was already unmasked? They could have waited at least another year before jumping right back into an unmasking story arc.
Marvel Comics
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN # 567
The Story: With Spider-Man in her grasp, the Brand New is close to the greatest victory of all – the unmasking and death of Spider-Man. Can DAREDEVIL rescue him in time? Ummm…doesn’t look that way, does it? Also, Vin Gonzales’s life is on the line – can his roommate Peter Parker beat the odds? Marc Guggenheim and Phil Jimenez bring you the pulse-pounding conclusion to the introduction of the New (but really, look at the cover, Spidey-Fan – can’t ya figure out who she is?!)
ASTONISHING X-MEN # 26
The Story: The superstar team of Warren Ellis and Simone Bianchi take the X-Men to the “Second Stage”!
“Messiah Complex” pulled the X-Men team together, “Divided We Stand” tore them apart. Now the X-Men are back to business — with a new look, a new base of operations, and a mystery to solve that will take them into previously uncharted territory and test them to their core. It all starts on a spaceship hovering 300 hundred feet above the twisted wreckage of
Chaparanga Beach. Its sole inhabitant: the mysterious Subject X. Five minutes — just five minutes is all he needs, all he’s asking for.
SECRET INVASION # 5
The Story: Embrace change. With these two words the Skrull Empire declares their intentions to the entire Marvel Universe.
Embrace change. With these two words thousands and thousands of comic fans who have declared Secret Invasion the comic book blockbuster of the summer brace themselves for the shocking changes that are about to happen to their favorite characters and institutions. Embrace change, True Believer, because change is coming!
SECRET INVASION: INHUMANS # 1
The Story: Spinning directly out of SECRET INVASION – the hunt for Black Bolt begins! You learned that he was replaced by the Skrulls in New Avengers: Illuminati, now it’s time to find out if the Inhumans’ former king is dead or alive! How will the loss of their leader tear apart the Royal Family? Can the mighty monarch recover from this personal blow – that is, if he’s even still living? And how far will Medusa, Crystal, Triton, Karnak and Gorgon go to find their disposed king? Writer Joe Pokaski (TV’s Heroes) and artist Tom Raney (Annihilation: Conquest) unite for an adventure that not only expands the events of this year’s biggest story, but will lead to huge events in 2009!
SECRET INVASION: THOR # 1
The Story: The Skrulls are coming for Asgard, and they’ve got the gods in their sights! But it’s not just the pantheon who stand to suffer the repercussions of the aliens’ secret invasion — the citizens of small-town Broxton, Oklahoma are about to become collateral damage in the attack…and the God of Thunder must defend two cites at once! For a job this big, Thor will have to turn to one of his oldest and closest allies…Beta Ray Bill!
SECRET INVASION: X-MEN # 1
The Story: It’s aliens vs. mutants as the Skrull Invasion hits the West Coast! X-Scribe Mike Carey and super-hot artist Cary Nord (ULTIMATE HUMAN) bring you a story that will shock X-Fans and have everyone talking for years to come. The Skrulls don’t expect the X-Men when they hit San Francisco, but don’t think they don’t have something very special prepared for Cyclops and his army when they find them at their new home. STARRING: ALL THE X-MEN. YUP. ALL OF THEM.
X-MEN ORIGIN: JEAN GREY # 1
The Story: From the moment Professor Xavier arrived on her doorstep, young Jean Grey knew things would change forever. But she was never prepared for how strange life at the Xavier Institute could be - or just how dangerous she truly was. Will she be able to harness her budding powers in time to prove herself a hero? Or will the ghosts of her past haunt her forever? Sean McKeever and Mike Mayhew bring you the first adventure of the X-Men’s mightiest mutant. Guest starring the original X-Men!
DC Comics
ACTION COMICS #868
“Brainiac” part 3 of 5! The frightening storyline that sets the stage for the SUPERMAN event of 2008 continues. Against everyone’s advice, Superman has journeyed to the deepest reaches of space to initiate contact with an alien being he thought he knew: Brainiac. But after learning about the truth behind Brainiac’s existence and his plans for Earth, Superman may regret his decision.
BATMAN #679
“Batman R.I.P.” — Part 4! Robin and Damian team up — yes, you read that right — to search for the missing Batman. Meanwhile, the Club of Villains — The Hunchback, Pierrot Lunaire, King Kraken, Charlie Caligula, Scorpiana and El Sombrero — rampage through Gotham City! This incredible fourth chapter of “Batman R.I.P.” ends with the surprising return of a character you never thought!
FINAL CRISIS: REVELATIONS #1 (OF 5)
Greg Rucka (52, Whiteout, THE QUESTION: THE FIVE BOOKS OF BLOOD) and rising superstar Philip Tan unleash the wrath of God in this FINAL CRISIS tie-in!
With the end of creation nigh, Crispus Allen must embrace his role as The Spectre by exacting God’s vengeance on some of the DC Universe’s most vile sinners. But even as Allen struggles with his duty, a new threat is arising – one that only his former partner, Renee Montoya, a.k.a. The Question, can help him fight!
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #27
Witness the grand opening of the new Warriors bar! Then, meet a mysterious new Lantern by the name of Saarek,who can hear the dead. What brings him to Oa – and why are the dead growing restless?
