Comics Briefly: American Vampire #29, The Legend of Oz: The Wicked West #5, Superman Family Adventures #3, Wolverine and the X-Men #14, X-Treme X-Men #1

I'm trying out a new Marvel title this week, and it might be my favorite pick from this group.

All titles new in stores on 7/25/12
(One fewer title than planned this week: DC has pushed back the release of Batman Inc. #3 due to the tragedy in Aurora.)


American Vampire #29 (The Blacklist, Part Two)
Writer: Scott Snyder, Artist: Rafael Albuqueque, Colors: Dave McCaig

Oh, having Pearl and Skinner on panel together again is so nice. They have so much history at this point, and whether they’re working together or fighting each other, sparks fly. I enjoyed this issue quite a bit, and this plotline promises to be very interesting. The Vassals continue to be sketchy, and Pearl keeps her own counsel.


The Legend of Oz: The Wicked West #5
WriterL Tom Hutchison, Artist: Alison Borges, Color: Kate Finnegan

This title continues to be good enough, without really having anything amazing. It’s following the Wizard of Oz story a bit closer for this issue, which makes it less interesting than previous issues. The pictures are still mighty purty, though.


Superman Family Adventures #3
By Art Baltazar and Franco

Started a little slow, but I loved the last story. Plenty of giggles to be had when Clark tried to convince Lois he’s not Superman with a Superman robot, or two.


Wolverine and the X-Men #14
Wrier: Jason Aaron, Penciler: Jorge Molina, Inker: Norman Lee, Colorist: Morry Hollowell

There's a new art team on this issue, and they don’t do a bad job, except that Kitty looks too young. This is more or less a sub-chapter of the AvX crossover, in which a bunch of the minor X-Men decide the Phoenix X-Men are really scary. No duh, guys. It's not a bad issue, and some of the interplay between Kitty and Colossus is great. I’ll be glad when this event is over, though.


X-Treme X-Men #1
By: Greg Pak & Stephen Segovia, Inks: Dennis Christomo, Colors: Jessica Kholinne

This is an extraordinarily zany little book, which is exactly why I picked it up. It’s a multi-alternate-universe team up with a mission that has to be seen to be believed. It’s ction packed and just the kind of superheroic blend of plot insanity and winning characters that I love. The character from our familiar Marvel U? Dazzler. DAZZLER! :) Described in her intro panel as: “Pop Star, Mutant Transducer of Sound into Light, X-Man, Awesome.” I can get behind that.