SHIPPING LIST: APRIL 29, 2009
You can probably find complete shipping list updates on most major comics sites. Consider this an opportunity to either do all your info-shopping in the one place, or get a speculative perspective on what might be worth checking out. These are untested reads. Secret Wars on Infinite Earths can offer no guarantee or endorsement of quality. These are simply titles that may be of potential interest. Some items may ship late.

The Infinite Wars now has a gift shop!
Now you'll find Amazon purchase links to hardcovers, trade paperbacks, and other collections, not only on regular entries -- but also new releases at the bottom of the Shipping List, and now a whole catalogue of potential purchases via the Infinite Wars: Amazonian Gift Shop. [Men are also welcome!] By shopping with Amazon via our purchase links, you not only find yourself a great deal, but also sponsor future entries on the Infinite Wars.

Advertise here! Contact for more!
The Independents...
FEB094434 2000 AD #1629 $4.50
FEB094435 2000 AD #1630 $4.50
JAN094408 ABC WARRIORS SHADOW WARRIORS GN $17.99
FEB094390 ADV OF TINTIN NEW ED HC VOL 01 $18.99
FEB092414 AMBER ATOMS #3 $3.50
FEB092387 APES & BABES ART OF FRANK CHO HC (MR) $29.99
FEB092394 ASTOUNDING WOLF MAN TP VOL 02 $14.99
FEB092415 ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN #15 $2.99
JAN090094 LITTLE LULU TP VOL 19 ALAMO & OTHER STORIES $14.95
FEB092426 MADMAN ATOMIC COMICS #15 (RES) $3.50
FEB092384 MR UNIVERSE (ONE SHOT) (RES) $3.50
MAR094279 PEDRO & ME TP NEW ED $16.99
NOV082266 PHONOGRAM 2 #2 (OF 7) SINGLES CLUB $3.50
MAR094180 PROJECT SUPERPOWERS TP VOL 01 $19.99
JAN092432 RISING STARS COMPENDIUM TP $59.99
FEB092432 SPAWN #191 $2.95

The Corporates...
FEB092527 AVENGERS INVADERS #10 (OF 12) $2.99
FEB090163 BATMAN GOTHAM AFTER MIDNIGHT #12 (OF 12) $2.99
FEB092496 DARK AVENGERS #4 $3.99
FEB092491 DR DOOM MASTERS OF EVIL #4 (OF 4) $2.99
FEB098640 GREEN LANTERN CORPS #35 CORRECTED COPY $2.99
FEB090183 JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #26 COVER A $2.99
FEB090251 LITERALS #1 (OF 3) (MR) $2.99
FEB092549 MARVEL ADVENTURES AVENGERS #35 $2.99
FEB092509 MS MARVEL #38 DKR $2.99
FEB092567 NOVA #24 $2.99
FEB090168 SUPERMAN #687 $2.99
FEB090171 SUPERMAN BATMAN #59 $2.99
FEB092521 THUNDERBOLTS #131 DKR $2.99
FEB092480 ULTIMATE WOLVERINE VS HULK #5 (OF 6) $2.99
FEB092574 UNCANNY X-MEN #509 $2.99
FEB090261 UNKNOWN SOLDIER #7 (MR) $2.99
FEB090199 WONDER WOMAN #31 $2.99

The Spotlight...
- FEB090159 BATMAN BATTLE FOR THE COWL THE UNDERGROUND #1 $2.99
When Batman's away, the maniacs will play!
The Battle for the Cowl tie-ins continue as Gotham City descends into chaos, unaware that the caped crusader's sacrifice in Final Crisis resulted in something much more bizarre than death! "Underground" serves up the action on the street, delving into life on the streets of Gotham City, where any nightmarish possibility is sure to be played out if not for the intervention of few. Hard to expect a lot based on the previous tie-ins, but any insight into the Gotham rogues is usually sure to provide moments of intrigue.

- FEB092492 DARK REIGN CABAL DKR $3.99
The Cabal (formerly known as the "Dark Illuminati") is the driving force between Marvel's banner inclusive shift in status quo, Dark Reign. Led by Norman Osborn, the group consisting of Dr. Doom, Sub-Mariner, Loki, The Hood, and Emma Frost, are one of the more intriguing developments in recent Marvel Universe activity. This anthology special gives unfamiliar fans a chance to overspend on an additional liason with the villains, meeting each on their own terms in a series of anthological shorts. Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction, and other contributors are sure to move issues, but honestly, I wouldn't expect much. Non-essential reading from Marvel's newest approach to crossover events -- an entire line of tie-ins.

- OCT080095 FINAL CRISIS LEGION OF THREE WORLDS #4 (OF 5) $3.99
The long, long, loooooong awaited, second-to-last issue of the last peripheral Final Crisis tie-in is finally here! Like most of the '08/'09 event; Legion of Three Worlds is positively begging to be featured on the Infinite Wars. Packing in as many characters as he can; Geoff Johns is up to his old tricks, consolidating the varying approaches to the Legion of Superheroes in a way that makes the group seem so much more accessible than ever before. Part of bridging the gap to the heroes of the thirty-first century comes from the appearance of much-loved (and previously absent) heroes, including now resurrected Bart Allen and Superboy, as well as the bridging star, Superman, whose adventures with the group in Johns' recent Action Comics stint provide additional connective tissue. This really has been a spectacular series, and despite a heavy pricetag and lengthy delays, has been well worth it. Colour me converted! Fans of Green Lantern, Adventure Comics, and Blackest Night, might also like to take a peek at the series for a few extra (subtle) bonuses to those series! PLUS -- Superboy-Prime plot twists!

- JAN090203 GREEN LANTERN #40 $2.99
The War of Light heats up with the introduction of the untapped power of the Orange spectrum -- avarice! Commanding the power of greed is a creature powerful enough to have once quarantined an entire sector of space! Geoff Johns continues his midas run, building the mythology of the light spectrum without any of the worrying pitfalls of a repetitive and weakened mythology. Larfleeze, the titular "Agent Orange," has been revealed as the sole Orange Lantern, commanding a Corps made up of construct doppelgangers of the victims whose life and identity he has stolen. The most intriguing part of this story won't just be the consequences of aggression expressed by the Guardians of the Universe, but how Hal Jordan's inevitable possession of an (the only?) Orange ring will come to fruition!

READ THE PREVIEW - VISIT THE SITE - BUY THE COMIC
Know Your Trade...
JAN094408 ABC WARRIORS SHADOW WARRIORS GN $17.99
DEC080161 ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN FOR TOMORROW HC $75.00
FEB094390 ADV OF TINTIN NEW ED HC VOL 01 $18.99
FEB092387 APES & BABES ART OF FRANK CHO HC (MR) $29.99
FEB092394 ASTOUNDING WOLF MAN TP VOL 02 $14.99
JAN090229 GREEN LANTERN CHRONICLES TP VOL 01 $14.99
DEC082434 GUARDIANS OF GALAXY PREM HC EARTH SHALL OVERCOME $24.99
FEB092643 HOUSE OF M TP CIVIL WAR $14.99
JUN082228 INVINCIBLE HC VOL 04 ULTIMATE COLL $34.99
JAN090094 LITTLE LULU TP VOL 19 ALAMO & OTHER STORIES $14.95
JAN090234 MANHUNTER TP VOL 05 FORGOTTEN $17.99
JAN092442 MARVEL 70TH ANNIV CELEBRATION $9.99
FEB092602 MMW AVENGERS TP VOL 01 $24.99
NOV082432 MMW HUMAN TORCH HC VOL 02 $54.99
MAR094279 PEDRO & ME TP NEW ED $16.99
MAR094180 PROJECT SUPERPOWERS TP VOL 01 $19.99
JAN092432 RISING STARS COMPENDIUM TP $59.99
NOV082453 X-MEN PREM HC PROTEUS $19.99

AVENGERS versus OLYMPUS GROUP
Gauntlet (Marvel)
Where: Incredible Hercules #128 When: June 2009
Why: Greg Pak & Fred Van Lente How: Dietrich Smith

The Story So Far...
Rising to power off the back of a smear campaign against former Director of SHIELD, Tony Stark; Norman Osborn becomes the new lynchpin of an American whose trust in heroes has been replaced by paranoia and fear. Pursuing his own sinister lust for power, Osborn recreates himself as the Iron Pariot to lead a team of Dark Avengers against the very evil he was once, and still is, a part of.

After seizing control of Olympus Group - the corporate identity of the gods - from Zeus; Hera earns the attentions of Osborn, and his agents of HAMMER, with a product called Continuum®. Despite the makings of a perfect match, the two powers are unable to reach a mutually beneficial business agreement, leading their respective groups into a head-long collision!

The events turn Athena, Hercules, and Amadeus Cho into unlikely allies of the Olympus Group, despite Hera's bitter jealousy over a prophecy of Athena's ascension to greatness, and her disdain for Zeus' son. Thus, the great heroes join Olympus Group in a battle against the Dark Avengers!

Tale of the Tape...
Strength: Sentry 6 (Invincible)
Intelligence: Iron Patriot 5 (Professor)
Speed: Sentry 6 (Superhuman)
Stamina: Pluto 7 (Unstoppable)
Agility: Captain Marvel 5 (Cat-like)
Fighting: Ares 7 (Living Weapon)
Energy: Sentry 7 (Cosmic)


- The Dark Avengers are: Iron Patriot, Ms. Marvel, Ares, Sentry, Captain Marvel, Hawkeye, Wolverine, and Spider-man.

When several individuals within the superhero community were revealed as Skrull impostors, a battle of paranoia forced heroes previously divided by their own civil war, to battle together against a Secret Invasion. Though the heroes emerged victorious, the mass corruption incurred within SHIELD allowed then Director for the Commission on Superhuman Activities, Norman Osborn, to stage a coup.

After branding Tony Stark a traitor and coward, Osborn set about rearranging his world as a dark reflection of Stark's. His reign quickly began with the disbanding of SHIELD, in favour of his own organization, HAMMER, before attentions were turned to the Avengers. Incorporating members of his Thunderbolts team, Osborn reimagines their public face as palatable identities associated with heroics.

Mac Gargan becomes Spider-man; Daken adopts Wolverine; Bullseye is Hawkeye; Noh-Varr upgrades to Captain Marvel; Moonstone becomes Ms. Marvel; and Osborn himself creates an iconic identity to fill the void typically filled by a symbol, utilizing Stark's armor designs and a motiff inspired by Captain America, to become the Iron Patriot. Existing members of the team, Ares and Sentry, remain on this newly formed incarnation of Dark Avengers.

- The Olympus Group are: Hera, Typhon, Pluto, and Delphyne Gorgon, who are accompanied by Hercules, Amadeus Cho, and Athena.

Founded by Zeus; the Olympus Group was designed to maintain contact between the gods of Olympus, and the human world. The corporation represents a modern redefinition of the power and influence of the gods. Prominent membership is held by Hebe, Huntsman, Typhon, Pluto, and Hera, who usurped control of the corporation upon Zeus' death. She manipulates the group to her own ends, in particular, in pursuit of her son by marriage to Zeus, Hercules.

Hercules is the demigod spawn of king of the Olympian gods, Zeus, and Alcmena; the mortal daughter of the king of Mycenae. Despite a conspiracy perpetrated by Hera and Luciana to prevent the birth; Hercules was born after seven days of labor, to rule those around him, by the decree of Zeus. The mammoth child would indeed traverse many perils to grow into a mighty leader of men, whose strength became the stuff of legends.

Math: Dark Avengers Ranking: The Sentry (#91)

What Went Down...
When the Dark Avengers descend upon the Olympus Group, Hercules and his fellows become unlikely allies to their godly enemies. They have little choice, quickly thrown into the fray against their Dark Avengers counterparts.

Confronted by the on-coming blur of the Sentry, Hercules is quick to enact an offensive-defensive by catching his opponent's cape on the fly-by, only to toss him through the levels above like a blonde olympic hammer!

Ares; half-brother to Hercules and god of war; enters the battle to defeat his brother, disappointed to unexpectedly find Olympus Group alongside his familial nemesis. With promise of reprimand for his deceptive team leader, Ares topples Hercules and Athena with a grenade, unaware of Typhon's looming presence.

The giant clutches Ares by the skull amidst a swarm of serpents.
Remembering his slain brethren from ancient battles waged by Olympus, Typhon vengefully dominates the god of war, driving his head into the Earth beneath.

Meanwhile, Typhon's ally and Olympian god of the Underworld, Pluto, descends upon the impostor Wolverine with a macabre glee. He taunts the clawed mutant with "December 27th," a unique insight into the destined date of Daken's death. In retaliation, he drives his claws through Pluto's body, successful in amusing the immortal god. The dead rise at Pluto's command to join the fight on his behalf.

Pluto's presence stirs a plot in wise Athena, who recognises an opportunity to obtain power to rival Hera in her uncle's absence from the Underworld. While Hercules sends Noh-Varr flying with a left hook, she beckons for a strategic retreat, made difficult by a spray of webbing from the symbiote Spider-man.

While Athena grapples with the tangled goop, Hercules snatches who he believes to be his former ally. Sending his fist toward the web-slinger's face, he soon learns the truth as Venom manifests a familiar toothy gape to catch the punch.

When the Sentry attempts to reenter the fight, the symbiote's unwieldy grip gives the prince of power a convenient weapon to defeat two Avengers with one blow. He clubs the Sentry out of the air, following with a devestating uppercut through Venom's skull to Sentry's!

Across the warehouse, Delphyne Gorgon battles valiantly against the phony Ms. Marvel with a machine gun. The weapon proves useless against the powers of a Kree Moonstone that deflects the bullets and retorts with a powerful energy blast. Concerned for his crush's safety, Amadeus Cho retrieves the enchanted Aegis chestplate from Athena's recently deceased warrior, Trey Rollins.

Descending to finish the job, Ms. Marvel failed to notice Amadeus sneaking up behind her. With the chestplate clasped to her body, the Kree gravity stone causes a massive feedback of energy.

Cho failed to receive the kudos he might have anticipated, but while he and Delphyne are able to share a moment, it's quickly cut short by the arrival of "Hawkeye."

Summoned to retreat by Athena, the boy genius leaves his Amazon girlfriend to fight her own battle. The gorgon succeeds in cutting Bullseye's arrow from the air, finding opportunity for a close quarters exchange with the range marksman.

Outside the warehouse, Hercules continues his battle with Sentry and Venom.
The symbiote chomps the top of his head, while Sentry sends the trio airborne with a flying tackle. Driving Hercules into the ground, he inadvertently frees the prince of power of Venom's mouth whilst doing his damage.

The Olympian enters into a test of wills with Sentry, grappling with "the power of a million exploding suns." Hercules succeeds in breaking the stalemate with a swift knee to Sentry's groin, giving him the edge necessary to toss Sentry into a collision course with the airborne Venom!

Amadeus Cho reconvenes with his partner in adventure, delivering Athena's plan for evacuation to the reticent warrior. Despite his objections, Hercules sees reason in their plan, agreeing to leap into the surrounding waters with the intent of sinking a nearby ship. It is a feat all too easy for the Olympian powerhouse.

In the Olympus Group warehouse, the tides begin to turn when Hera uses her magics to restrain Typhon who is still grappling with her son, Ares. Norman Osborn seizes the opportunity, swooping in to fire Iron Man-esque plasts into the unsuspecting woman's back. Despite impending victory, the cries of innocent citizens draw Osborn's attention, forcing him to live up to the Iron Patriot ID.

In the interest of maintaining their public facade, Iron Patriot orders the other members of his "Avengers" to assemble to rescue the drowning patrons. While the Avengers earn their promotional support, Ares negotiates a truce between the two groups he holds allegiance to. It's an offer Osborn cannot refuse as the god of war threatens to join his mother should the battle continue.

The Hammer...
The only conundrum bigger than deciding what tense I'm writing in, is the question of who emerged victorious in this issue! It gets a little tricky when the context of these reviews becomes about the efforts of a team. Sentry and Venom certainly weren't particularly successful against Hercules, but then, the Avengers did redeem themselves toward the end of the fight.

To avoid complication, I think the best interpretation for our much beloved records is the literal conclusion of a draw.

Despite recently making some ground in our updating deficit, we're once again falling spectacularly behind schedule.
After enthusiastically choosing Incredible Herc' over a couple of other options, I thought we might've been on a role, but on reflection, I suppose there's a comment in these recent delays.

Hercules fell unfortunately under represented in last year's competition, failing to accurately capture the exciting rise of both the character and his titular role as usurper of Incredible Hulk, in 2008.

This late visitation to the series really doesn't adequately represent what made it great in the last year. Ironically, since deviating into more specific storyarcs, the title appears to have lost some of it's fun-loving lustre, pursuing structural concepts that threaten to bog Hercules down in tiresome mythology derivations, over the more accessible format of superhero fisticuffs. I say that with a hint of reserve, not wanting to be mischaracterized as a foam drooling neanderthal interested exclusively in the violence central to the site concept.

I think it could be debated as fact that literal mythology has often dragged superhero comics into low selling ruts. My best guess, there's just something about two rights making a wrong. As any mainstream apologist will gladly tell you, these superheroes we flock to are effectively the modern equivalency of the gods and heroes of ancient civilization. It's a fair comparison given the winding fates of individuals well known for their unique abilities, or iconic dressing.

It's a compromise of knowing irony to celebrate Hercules as a Marvel character, while denouncing the surrounding components of his mythology. Perhaps it's the modern familiarity of the character, through television and cinema, that makes Hercules a more palatable facet of the Greek epics. Or, perhaps, it's the ease through which Hercules makes a natural transition into the [now] traditional, simplistic, modern construction of a "superhero," that makes him more successful than more complex legends associated with higher ideals.

What ever the reason for friction between superheroes and mythology, it certainly feels evident here. Despite their distortion through the conventions of the Marvel universe, the other gods feel somehow generic and under developed in this colourful issue. The real attraction is undoubtedly the first opportunity to get the Dark Avengers onto the Infinite Wars -- something important to 2009!

As many of us anticipated, the Dark Avengers stemmed directly from the same concept that gave us the Thunderbolts. In fact, it wouldn't be unreasonable to describe the group as the last crop of T-bolts ('Faith in Monsters') promoted.

It was in 1997 that we were first introduced to this version of the concept of villains diguised as heroes [Incredible Hulk #449]. It began as a plot hatched by Baron Zemo and the former Masters of Evil, coinciding with the apparent deaths of the Avengers and Fantastic Four (via Heroes Reborn), but ended with success enough to propel several pretenders into legitimate heroic roles, and spawned other reinterpretations of the team and it's duplicitous line-up.

It'd be nice to believe the "Dark Reign" "status quo," introduced line-wide by Marvel comics, might actually have some staying power, but one tends to be validated in feeling jaded toward these gimmick-laden high concepts. Just like Tony Stark's stay at the top was ultimately brief, so too does it seem inevitable than the mentally unhinged lynchpin, Norman Osborn, will be overthrown from his position as supreme commander of international intelligence and heroics.

It's not what I'd call a delicate concept, but it has a simplistic brilliance that makes all of these inevitable guest appearances so delicious. It's wonderful to see how these established characters can react en masse to the introduction of new(ish) concepts more forthcoming in-fiction than Thunderbolts.
Pak and Van Lente clearly aren't given a lot of room to contribute to the building mythology of the Dark Avengers, but they play with some enjoyable moments, particularly Hercules' overstated reaction to the villainous turn of the likes of Spider-man (whose true identity, as already noted, is soon revealed).

It's a much more subdued affair than Pak's epic battle in World War Hulk [#5], but there's also the fanboy moment of another heavyhitter clashing with Sentry. It suffers from the typical symptoms of a corporate shared universe, but it's worthy of note, even if only for the inevitable confusion over exactly where the boundaries of Sentry's powers lie. Unrelated, but similarly abbreviated, is Hercules' brief encounter with Ares, who has been a regular sparring partner not just in recent Marvel appearances, but throughout legend (and Kevin Sorbo).

A critical eye could easily look at this issue as an unnecessary deviation.
Honestly, on-going plot progresses at an absolute minimum, stopping briefly to close out tangential sub-plots connecting Olympus Group to the central premise of HAMMER (and Norman Osborn), and offering brief character beats. The big benefit to Incredible Hercules is a set-up for a trip to the Underworld in the next issue. Personally, I think the roadtrip adventuring that led the series through a fun packed series of character-spots and fights, was actually a strength.

The Dark Avengers might be primed for a catalogue of intrusions into other series over the next few months, but the bigger picture is more forgiving. One of the all too often forgotten joys of modern superhero comics is the indulgence in concepts across multiple stages. While we learn very little about the group in this issue, it's none-the-less valuable in building context for their prevelance. You might call it an exercise in economy of reputation, space, and time.

Writing doesn't feel as fluid as it did under the exclusive scripting of Greg Pak, and the art is decidedly less attractive than the likes of Clayton Henry or Jim Cheung. Never the less, it seems this is still a title worth checking out, even if only to make up your own mind. Upcoming storylines promise to entertain a variety of high concept pitches, including what appears to be a Thor-empowered Hercules.
Sure to be an interesting twist on the old rivalry.

The Fight: 4.5 The Issue: 4

While the Infinite Wars plays catch-up, why not find yourself some reading material to keep you busy between updates? The Infinite Wars Amazonian Gift Shoppe contains collections featuring most issues reviewed in the Secret Archives, including issues like Incredible Hercules #128, which is too present to be available at the time of this posting. By using purchase links provided anywhere on the site, you help sponsor future entries, whilst benefitting from the price and service associated with the Amazon name. Not quite a Herculean task!

SHIPPING LIST: APRIL 22, 2009
You can probably find complete shipping list updates on most major comics sites. Consider this an opportunity to either do all your info-shopping in the one place, or get a speculative perspective on what might be worth checking out. These are untested reads. Secret Wars on Infinite Earths can offer no guarantee or endorsement of quality. These are simply titles that may be of potential interest. Some items may ship late.

The Infinite Wars now has a gift shop!
Now you'll find Amazon purchase links to hardcovers, trade paperbacks, and other collections, not only on regular entries -- but also new releases at the bottom of the Shipping List, and now a whole catalogue of potential purchases via the Infinite Wars: Amazonian Gift Shop. [Men are also welcome!] By shopping with Amazon via our purchase links, you not only find yourself a great deal, but also sponsor future entries on the Infinite Wars.

Advertise here! Contact for more!
The Independents...
FEB094055 BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #170 $3.99
JAN090111 BPRD TP VOL 10 THE WARNING $17.95
JAN092392 DYNAMO 5 #21 (NOTE PRICE) $3.50
FEB092418 ELEPHANTMEN #18 (RES) $3.50
DEC080042 GHOST OMNIBUS TP VOL 02 $24.95
FEB092421 INVINCIBLE #61 $2.99
FEB092430 SAVAGE DRAGON #147 $3.50
FEB094477 STREET FIGHTER IV #2 (OF 4) TSNAG CVR A $3.95
JAN094226 TALES DESIGNED TO THRIZZLE #5 (MR) $4.50

The Corporates...
FEB092488 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #592 $2.99
FEB090160 AZRAEL DEATHS DARK KNIGHT #2 (OF 3) $2.99
FEB090158 BATMAN BATTLE FOR THE COWL ARKHAM #1 $2.99
FEB092535 FANTASTIC FORCE #1 (OF 5) $3.99
FEB092531 GHOST RIDER #34 $2.99
FEB092568 GUARDIANS OF GALAXY #13 $2.99
FEB092538 HULK #11 $3.99
FEB092541 IMMORTAL IRON FIST #25 $2.99
FEB090182 JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #32 $2.99
JUN082405 KICK ASS #6 (MR) $2.99
FEB092547 MARVEL ADVENTURES FANTASTIC FOUR #47 $2.99
FEB090164 OUTSIDERS #17 $2.99
FEB092517 SKRULL KILL KREW #1 (OF 5) DKR $3.99
FEB090233 WILDCATS #10 $2.99
FEB092586 X-FORCE #14 XMW $2.99

The Spotlight...
- FEB090220 BATMAN THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #4 $2.50
Here on the Infinite Wars we often like to blow hot air about which characters need fixing, and how one might go about doing that. Hey, let's face it, most of us have had a run at Aquaman, even if solutions were drowned out in a sea of laughs. Fortunately for us, it seems the deliciously referencial Brave and the Bold animated series has been able to actually put a solution into action! Sure, it's not your father's Aquaman, but in the retro-inspired 'toon, Aquaman is a confident and slightly dimwitted powerman always ready for a proclamation and a fight. This time around he and Batman have been stranded in time by Rip Hunter! At $2.50, I think it's about time we all started thinking about buying this comic!

- FEB092533 DAREDEVIL #118 $2.99
Return of the King continues as Daredevil and Kingpin officially enter into a reluctant truce to take down the meddlesome forces of Lady Bullseye and the ninja clan, The Hand! The countdown toward the reverted five hundredth issue continues with what's sure to be an action packed issue, one of the last under the watchful eye of writer, Ed Brubaker, who has really hit his stride on the way out! With a major shocker promised in the hand over to Andy Diggle, you'd have to be criminally insane to pass this series up!

- DEC080107 DETECTIVE COMICS #853 (NOTE PRICE) $3.99
The long awaited second part to Neil Gaiman and Andy Kubert's bizarre Bat-eulogy, Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?, wraps up! Batman watches on as his greatest friends and foes remember a multitude of adventures that never were, but who is the mysterious presence that stands beside him, and will this have any baring on the future of the original Dark Knight Detective? Honestly, I'm not sure, but if it's answers you're looking for, then you might want to save your $3.99 for the final issue of Battle for the Cowl, or the first of one of the new launch books. For the cost of admission, this isn't the spectacle you might otherwise be led to believe it is.

- FEB092511 INCREDIBLE HERCULES #128 DKR $2.99
It's been a while since I've been compelled to spotlight the once sublime exploits of Incredible Hercules, but fortunately for me, Dark Reign has served up a pretty good reason! Hercules and his God Squad will get a run for their money when they come face-to-face with Iron Patriot and the Dark Avengers! It promises to be a clash of the heavyweights as Herc' faces off against not just his brother, Ares, but also Sentry, Daken, Venom, and Moonstone!

- FEB092493 NEW AVENGERS #52 DKR $3.99
In true Brian Bendis style, New Avengers delivers the fight you might've hoped to have seen last issue -- The Hood versus Dr. Strange! That's right, the Doc has lost his title as Sorcerer Supreme, and now it's an all-out magic royale as The Hood vies for the opportunity to succeed him in the prestigious role before anyone else can! With the Young Avenger, Wiccan, forced to watch in awe, we already know Dr. Strange comes out of this a little worse for wear, but when the magic dust settles, will the Secret Avengers be able to help their resident magicman battle the overwhelming odds?!

- FEB094477 STREET FIGHTER IV #2 (OF 4) TSNAG CVR A $3.95
If we're going to be critical of rising prices in comics, then Street Fighter really can't get a free ride. Much as I love seeing these vivid icons brought to life in story, there simply isn't any tangible justification for the high price. As an independent art studio turned publisher, UDON probably shares similar costs as Image or Dark Horse, but for the quality of the material, I'm very reluctant to endorse these stories. That said, SFIV, which ties in to the backstory of the game, actually shows noted signs of improvement. I still feel Ken Siu-Chong isn't the man to be writing all of these stories, but at this point, it's all we're going to get.

- FEB092590 WOLVERINE FIRST CLASS #14 $2.99
With the movie only a couple of weeks away, it's not at all surprising to see Marvel positively shovelling crap out with Wolverine's face on it. The "art appreciation" alternate covers that have splashed all over major Marvel series are almost enough to get me to skip the whole lot, but sickened though I might be by the glut, it's nice to see something positive come out of it all. What is that something positive, you ask? How about Kitty Pryde, Daredevil, Elektra, and a battle with The Hand? Nice!

READ THE PREVIEW - VISIT THE SITE - BUY THE COMIC
Know Your Trade...
JAN090224 BLUE BEETLE BOUNDARIES TP $14.99
JAN090111 BPRD TP VOL 10 THE WARNING $17.95
DEC080153 DC LIBRARY BATMAN THE ANNUALS HC $39.99
FEB092642 GAMBIT CLASSIC TP VOL 01 $24.99
DEC080042 GHOST OMNIBUS TP VOL 02 $24.95
FEB092623 MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN TP VOL 12 JUMPING DIGEST $9.99
FEB092649 NOVA TP VOL 04 NOVA CORPS $14.99
JAN090235 QUESTION TP VOL 04 WELCOME TO OZ $19.99
JAN090237 SHOWCASE PRESENTS LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES TP VOL 03 $16.99
FEB092652 SPIDER-MAN 2099 TP VOL 01 $29.99
AUG072053 WITCHBLADE COMPENDIUM ED VOL 2 TP $59.99
NOV082436 X-MEN OMNIBUS HC VOL 01 $99.99

THE SOCIETY versus
MARTIAN MANHUNTER
Caretakers of Mars (DC)
Where: Final Crisis: Requiem #1 When: September 2008 Why: Peter J. Tomasi How: Doug Mahnke

The Story So Far...
When an abusive childhood ended with his father's accidental death, Justin Ballantine accepted the value of balance in all things across the universe.
His cosmic philosophy, and aspirations of godhood, would lead him to accept employment as an adult to form a group called the Injustice Gang, and attempt to construct a weapon based upon the cosmic rod of Ted Knight.

His resulting "Transmortifier" proved capable of stealing a portion of energy from it's target, making a valuable weapon when turned against the superhuman might of the Justice League. As Libra, Ballantine received the powers of the combined JLA, before turning his weapon on the cosmos itself. The resulting influx of power seemingly destroyed his physical form, but Libra was reconceived on the planet Apokolips by his mystery benefactor, Glorious Godfrey.

As a prophet of Darkseid; Libra returned to Earth after the Death of the New Gods, promising to lead evil to salvation if The Society would entrust in him their leadership. Requiring the organized hordes for his own malicious ends, Libra set about bringing doom to the Earth as part of Darkseid's plot to create the Fifth World upon his resurrection as man. To distract the Society from the detail of his goals, he offers an act of good faith to one of their lowliest number. Thus, at the request of the Human Flame, Libra promises the death of Martian Manhunter...

Tale of the Tape...
Strength: M. Manhunter 6 (Invincible)
Intelligence: Lex Luthor 6 (Genius)
Speed: M. Manhunter 4 (Olympian)
Stamina: Vandal Savage 5 (Marathon)
Agility: Gorilla Grodd 4 (Gymnast)
Fighting: Talia al Ghul 5 (Martial Arts)
Energy: Libra 6 (Mass Destruction)


- The Society are: Libra, Lex Luthor, Dr. Light, Effigy, Dr. Sivana, Vandal Savage, Gorilla Grodd, Talia al Ghul, Ocean Master, & Human Flame.

The first incarnation of self-confessed "Super Villains" was gathered by the evil New God, Darkseid, in an effort to pool the group's efforts against their mutual heroic enemies. Typically rife with internal conflict, the collective rarely achieved any success in their battles with their counterparts in the Justice League.

When the revelation of a history of mind-altering intrusions perpetrated by by the JLA was uncovered, the strength of the criminal community was galvanized under the leadership of Crisis on Infinite Earths survivor Alexander Luthor Jr, who was disguised as the version of this universe's version of his father, Lex. Luthor Jr succeeded in unionizing all but a select few criminals, organizing their efforts to further his own reality-altering goals. Upon his death, members of the Society operated in smaller groups, such as the Injustice League, before the mysterious villain Libra sought leadership during the return of the New Gods on Earth and Darkseid's attempt to created the Fifth World [Final Crisis].

- Experiments with teleportation technology developed by one Dr. Erdel were, by accident, responsible for plucking J'onn J'onnz from his home on Mars. Traversing the gulf of space by unknown means, the unannounced arrival of a lurching Martian figure was enough to startle the aging scientist to his death. Alone in a strange world, the accident forced the Martian to at first adopt the scientist's identity by means of shapeshifting, before he absorbed enough understanding through the observation of television programming to assume his own identity.

Finding aspirational figures in the gumshoe detectives popular on television, the Martian adopts the fictitious identity of Detective John Jones. For a time he was to do as he had on Mars, delivering justice with unwavering moral and character, but eventually circumstances would force a reveal upon the Martian Manhunter.

Though resistant at first to expose himself to humanity's judgment, his unique Martian abilities quickly earned him status with the Justice League of America.
Along with the ability to transform his appearance and form, J'onn J'onnz also possesses fantastic super-human strength, speed, durability, energy vision, vast telepathic skill, and the ability to become invisible and intangible. While these many abilities quickly rank him among the most powerful figures in the DCU, the sole survivor of catastrophe on Mars has a single mundane weakness -- fire!

Math: The Society (Ttl) Martian Manhunter (Avg)
Ranking: Martian Manhunter (#32)

What Went Down...
The Martian Manhunter's initial defeat comes at the hands of Dr. Light and Effigy, who are deployed by Libra to retrieve their target. Specially designed "pyro-tranq darts" conceived by the mad Dr. Sivana pump the Martian's body full of paralyzing agent, while Effigy's mastery of flame ensures he remains subdued.

The dastardly duo drag the Martian's body to an elevator that takes them upstairs to their waiting master. The gathered inner-circle of the Society watch as their pledging leader, Libra, lords over the weakened hero. Noting no desire to battle the Martian in a fair fight, Libra plunges his spiked staff through the alien's chest, bathing the hero in flames once more.

The pain of the blow shocks the Martian out of his stunned state, resulting in a squirm and bending flailing of transforming limbs. He tosses Libra across the room into an abandoned bar, contorting to pull the impalement from his chest!

The Martian Manhunter's explosive atomic vision blasts the opposing villains, before he lunges at them with the strength of a madman!

He clutches Light by the throat while Gorrilla Grodd takes the brunt of his Martian vision blasts, and Sivana inconsequentially swings off of his free arm. Talia al Ghul lurks with a blade drawn while the two fire wielding villains attempt to quash the Martian's rage, but their numerical superiority inspires a challenge.

The Justice League appears to crash through the ceiling to come to their teammate's aid, a member for every villainous counterpart!

Superman drives his fist into Lex Luthor's heart; the Green Lantern encases Effigy in a liquid filled energy construct; Flash vibrates his way through Gorilla Grodd's skull; Captain Marvel crams worms into Dr. Sivana's mouth; Batman silences Talia al Ghul with a kiss and embrace; Aquaman drives Ocean Master's own trident into his chest; and Elongated Man wraps around Dr. Light's body, promising revenge for the crimes he committed against his deceased wife.

Just as the tide appears to be taking a nightmarish turn for the villains, Libra's word clears the confused minds of his Society fellows. With his staff again driven through the Martian Manhunter's gut, he pins the hero to the ground, forcing his telepathic crusade into remission.

Clinging to the staff as desperately as he does to life, the Martian Manhunter defiantly pulls himself toward Libra. Through grit teeth he maintains a brave face, even as Effigy and Dr. Light descend upon him in a swirl of flame.

His body smouldering, the defeated Martian makes a final prophecy of doom for the forces of evil. As the Society gathers in a circle around him, J'onn J'onnz sends out a final telepathic cry to the real League, giving each an opportunity to glimpse the sprawling story. It is not enough to protect them from the crisis to come, but when the heroes of Earth return J'onn J'onnz to the barren soil of Mars, they remember him fondly.

The Hammer...
Led by Libra, The Society emerge with one of the defining victories that led to the day that "evil won." Effigy and Dr. Light should be included in the win stats, for anybody playing at home.

One of the few drawbacks of focusing on the releases of the week is the many stories that are overlooked, or forgotten. Final Crisis; a story that thrilled in the early parts of the year; is a prime example of this loss. Fortunately, a slow week and impending significance grants us reprieve to go back to the event that changed the way we look at the DCU.

Martian Manhunter was a character dangling over the comics dead pool for quite some time. Though beloved as a stalwart of the JLA, the character had struggled to sustain any viability as a solo or headlining property, making him the perfect balancing act of significance and expendability in a corporate structure. Or at least, that's one interpretation of a story that managed to have much more soul than many of the recent deaths that have plagued superhero comics.

First confirmation of the death came from a brief sequence in the now classic first issue of Final Crisis. There; JG Jones (and Grant Morrison) merely confirmed the kill, alluded to with a single shot of the impaled and burning figure. Requiem, as you might have gathered, elaborates on the final plot against Martian Manhunter and the way in which the heroes mourn and remember him.

As a tie-in with an obvious purpose, Requiem excells not just for elaborating on details from the core-series, but also telling a startlingly powerful tale. Despite the bravado of the Martian Manhunter character, his death lingers as a pathetic final moment for such a powerful character. The famous fire weakness has always lent itself to this, most recently recognised for it's recent reference as a threat in DC: The New Frontier, delivered by Batman to MM's alias, Det. John Jones.

A less romantic examination of the Martian Manhunter death reveals a beloved character desperately attempting to overcome the inevitable in an effort to cling to life a little longer. His telepathic resistance is a feeble attempt against the overwhelming odds posed by The Society's powerful number -- Human Flame and Effigy qualified to rival the hero solo, let alone in the company of powerhouses like Gorilla Grodd, Lex Luthor, and Vandal Savage. Even in his final moments, Martian Manhunter tries to turn Libra's condemnation against him, "It is you... that will no longer pose a viable threat." (I know you are, but what am I?)

Granted, the latter example could be interpreted several ways, more positively as in our previous summary section as a foreboding moment of satisfaction for a character telepathically reaching out to his fellows. Ultimately, no substantial warning appears to be delivered, certainly nothing sufficient enough to inform the heroes of the coming destruction wrought by the Society and Darkseid's New Gods reborn on Earth.

This mixed interpretation shouldn't be mistaken for weakness in the writing, as Peter Tomasi delivers a respectful eulogy for the character often described as the soul of the Justice League. It might not have been the moment fans wanted to be the character's last, but that is the nature of the lives delt to men and women who choose to put themselves in the line of danger in the name of justice.

Doug Mahnke handles the action superbly, but it's his treatment of the emotional second half of the story that emphasises why he's one of the Infinite Wars' favourite artists in superhero comics. A scene featuring a mourning Hal Jordan, and Oliver Queen, maskless, is of particular sentimentality, expertly exuding the gammut of emotions, positive and negative, expressed by the pair.

The story does particularly well to deliver a brief tour through the most recent incarnations of Martian Manhunter's complicated backstory. Longtime fans might notice the glaring absence of their own favourite moments, but as a moment of sentimentality and functionality, it's a great way to induct the uninformed into some of the details that defined the otherwise undeveloped supporting character.

In a moment typically overlooked in comics, J'onn J'onnz is privvy to a funeral tailored to his unique character. Ferried by all four human Green Lanterns, almost the entire recnognisable superhero community join the core Justice League for a ceremony on Mars, complete with relocated artifacts from Martian society that had been rematerialized on Earth by the Spectre (in a previous story).

It would be hard to imagine the moxxy of the story being lost, even on the most uninitiated fan. After fifty years of publication, it's sad to say that this might just about be the most definitive publication in the character's long history.
Maybe a little sadder is that such a poignant tale will be essentially undone when the Martian Manhunter returns from the grave as one of the first confirmed Black Lanterns in Geoff Johns' upcoming space epic, Blackest Night. For critics, however, it is important to remember the machinery of the superhero universe, not just for it's creative and corporate cogs, but the in-fiction plausibility of it's constant flux. Like the ominous reference in Final Crisis to the heroes praying for a resurrection for their friend, we should appreciate the grander picture of the Black Lanterns, rather than dwelling on the moments perceived as being undone.

Confirmed thus far for the Black Lantern Corps are also deceased heroes; Earth-2 Superman, Aquaman, and former-Firestorm, Ronnie Raymond. Possible allusions also include Superboy, Mirror Master, Blue Beetle, Sue Dibny, Elongated Man, and Dr. Light, but these would only be guesses based on recently release promotional art [via DC: The Source]. For some of our early predictions (some right), check out our predictions entry from October 2008!

For more on the Martian Manhunter and his wonderful history, also consider checking out our previous Double Feature entry, Men are from Mars!

The Fight: 4.5 The Issue: 6.5

If somehow you missed out on the Final Crisis epic, you'll be able to catch-up in one fowl swoop with the complete collected edition. For more of the story, including Final Crisis: Requiem, you'll also want to pick-up the Final Crisis Companion, which features various connected tie-ins. Some of the best examples of tie-in issues by any company in recent years! PLUS -- by using purchase links provided on the Infinite Wars, you help sponsor future entries! You'll find plenty more on offer in the Amazon Gift Shoppe, including collections featuring most single issues reviewed in the Secret Archives!