I didn’t get to read any comics last Thursday because of a long visit from a dear old friend that I haven’t seen years. It was great catching up about family. Friday was a wash because Penny heard a critter up in the attic. I climbed up there and saw that something had ripped off one of the roof vent covers to get inside. The next three hours were spent running up and down from attic to basement to cut a piece of wood to cover the hole so the critter couldn’t get back in. A pro could have done it from the roof in about thirty minutes but I didn’t have a ladder long enough to get up there plus I’m afraid of heights. Super powers would have come in handy there.

I went fishing by myself on Sunday and discovered that one of my boat trailer wheels was wonky when I got up to the lake. It held together for my trip home afterwards and I’m taking it in to get fixed this morning.

Penny is up at Round Lake Resort for her annual cottage fix so I did most of my reading yesterday.

Victories #1 – W&A-Michael “ding dong” Avon Oeming does his own version of misfit super heroes in this 5-issue mini for Dark Horse. Sure, it looks like Powers and it even has some snappy Bendis-like patter but it’s unique enough to set it apart from that long running series. The two “heroes” introduced in this issue, the Jackal and Faustus, are not very appealing but I am hoping other characters with some redeeming qualities show up.

AVX #10 – “To be continued in 4 weeks”...what the heck? Here we’ve got this terrific story unfolding every two weeks and just when things get super interesting Marvel makes us wait a whole month for the next issue. That is cruel and unusual. This whole Phoenix Force fiasco is all coming down to “power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely”, the opposite of “With great power comes great responsibility”.

Zorro Rides Again #11 – Don Diego finally tracks down the vengeful Lady Zorro and tries to set her on a different path. She may not have a chance at redemption in next issues thrilling conclusion.

Saga #6 – This was hands down the best comic book I’ve read this week. I know I’ve only read four so far but I will be utterly surprised and gobsmacked if another comic book makes me laugh as loud and hearty as this one did when I got to the last page. W-Brian K. Vaughan and A-Fiona Staples finish the first story arc and now we patiently wait two months for the story to continue. I would suggest picking up the first trade collecting the first six issues and enjoy reading them again to hold you over until issue #7 hits the racks. I’m buying one for Penny.

Revival #2 – You would expect from the cover that there would be a skidoo riding exorcist in this issue. You won’t be disappointed. W-Tim Seeley comes up with some warped stuff.

Before Watchmen: Rorschach #1 – He is arguably the favourite character of many fans of both the comic book and the movie, so a lot of people were looking forward to this 4-issue mini by W-Brian Azzarello and A-Lee Bermejo. I’m glad they kept the dark obsessive qualities that made Rorschach such a memorable crime fighter. I can’t wait for them to connect Rorschach with the serial killer.

Daredevil #17 – The aftermath of the break up of Nelson and Murdock is a nice issue for As-Michael and Laura Allred to draw since their style suits the hip flashback story so well.

Captain Marvel #2 – Aw no, two issues in and what does W-Kelly Sue DeConnick do? She throws Carol back in time to World War II. I generally don’t like time travel stories but I’m going to stick with this because it’s fairly new and I like how she’s writing the character. I sure would like to see the art team that does the covers do the insides too.

X-Factor #242 – The search for Rahne’s son continues and I don’t foresee a happily ever after. I was happy to see Darwin back in the book.

New Avengers #29 – I hope no one complains that there isn’t a big huge super hero fight in this Illuminati issue because this is one of the best AVX issues I’ve read. The debate over who’s right and who’s wrong is very thought provoking. I don’t remember Cap being a member but I guess he is now.

Avengers #29 – This AVX thing is starting to get on my nerves. Last week’s New Avengers #29 had Professor X in it as does this issue. I don’t like that Charles mind wipes everyone here to basically make this issue pretty well meaningless. I could have skipped reading this and it wouldn’t have mattered. I hate that.

Amazing Spider-Man #691 – I got the feeling that the wheels are falling off of W-Dan Slott’s wagon here. Yeah, the Lizard story comes to a conclusion but I found the resolution kind of weak. Then I see Deathstroke at the end and thought I was reading a DC comic. Devil Spider? Please give me a break. I haven’t felt this bad since the whole Clone Saga debacle.

Batman #12 – Meet Harper Row. I like her. She’s feisty and smart. DC really shook things up this issue by having A-Becky Cloonan draw most of it. I really liked her stint on Conan but it seems that Batfans are not too fond of her work because we’ve got a bunch of copies left over. Their loss. Scott Snyder’s writing is as good as ever and the fans that passed on this issue will be missing out on the introduction of a great new character.

Wolverine #311 – For those of you who can’t get enough of Wolverine versus Sabretooth, this issue is for you. I like it for the redhead who has even freakier hair than Medusa.

Jennifer Blood #15 – Not a book that I’m proud to say that I read but I find its twisted cold-blooded lead creepily appealing.

Fatale #7 – More tantalizing clues are revealed as to who and what Josephine is.

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