Every week I go to the comic book store (Comics Ink in Culver City, CA, hey Steve and Jason!) and grab a lot of comics. I sort these into two piles -- the "buy" pile (things I intend to spend money on, most often a small pile) and the "read" pile (often huge, including lots of stuff I don't actually like but wanna stay well informed about). In no particular order, here's some thoughts about all that.

Formerly Known as the Justice League #3:
Old time JLI fans will remember how a good goofy run would be jolted by a moment of severity and pathos, adding to the real fun of the book and making it more than just cheap laughs. That moment is here -- a goofy start that elicited a number of "bwahahaha" and "haw haw haw" laughs got grim fast, and Mary Marvel showed why she's one of the most underrated heroines in the DCU (although I'd have thought the wisdom of Minerva would have made her immune to mind control). I've so missed Booster and Beetle, that their interaction is both funny and poignant, reminding me of the glorious days of Justice League Antarctica and the like. JSA villainess Roulette is back to provide the gravitas, and I like this issue a lot, as I've been enjoying the whole resurrection. Who wouldn't like more L-Ron, though? Ah well ...

Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #5:
Shockwave. Reflector. Raindance. The Protectobots. Good googa mooga, this is freakin' geek heaven. The entry on Blades is a real accomplishment in characterization, and at numerous points I was really staggered. Then again, there's about twenty grillion Micromasters, some of whom are interesting and some of whom start to seem repetitive. Another strong one. Another gung-ho one. Big whoop. I like the expanded sections on popular ones -- I reread the Scorponok one twice -- but I wonder if the likes of Rad, Roadburner, Nautilor or Rewind could have made due with a half-page entry. I mean, this issue cut just a bit before Starscream, Skywarp and Sunstreaker (some of my favorites) but got Red Alert and Sideswipe (I have a thing for Lamborghinis, sue me). I know a huge hardcover will probably be on the way, but I can't wait that long, and some of the choices (one page for Roadbuster, two for Roadblock -- what the hell?) seem offbeat to me. Then again, I don't have the license ... a recommended read, but a frustrating one sometimes.

Hawkman #19:
If Black Adam weren't on the cover (I have a Black Adam idea percolating in the back of my head), I'd have never picked this up. To find out the revelation about the Egyptian-themed darker Hawkman was a real bonus, although the opening pages were a yawn. Black Adam is moving around in the shadows, and I know Johns has a plan for him, but with the lackluster qualities of Johns of late, I worry that they'll fall flat at Black Adam will fall into limbo for another few years. Honestly, I hope Hawkman joins Adam's new "concern," as it fits his modus operandi much better than the uptight JSA.

Daredevil #51:
I don't regularly buy Daredevil. I read the book regularly, but it's not a Buy Pile regular. So when my comics pusher Steve walks up and hands me an issue, and just says, "Just buy it, trust me," I do so. I'm pleased that I did. David Mack is a real master -- his layered storytelling incorporating a whole visual montage is simply amazing. He incorporates at least six artistic styles -- from hyper realistic line renderings to goofy kid's drawings -- in making a real work of art. I am very happy to own this issue.

Transformers:/G.I. Joe #1
I expected to hate this. I was wrong. Reiber's grim tone matches the world at war very well, Cobra fits into the Nazi shoes with surprising ease (Destro, Bludd and the Baroness seemed right at home as conquering European tyrants, and Stormshadow made a lot of sense as well), and I was able to miss the jarring inclusion of Black soldiers integrating the unit (without any of the era's notorious prejudices at play) by Jae Lee's dark vision of the time. By keeping the Transformers mostly in shadows, they become the "urban legend" threat of Batman, a menace too horrible to see in the light of day, too fast to perceive before it tears you apart. I particularly liked that treatment as applied to Snake-Eyes, who I've always felt was overexposed (him and Wolverine did too many appearances in the 80s, I believe). It also filled in Laserbeak's characterization perfectly. I was very pleasantly surprised to see this make the jump from the Read PIle, and I'll be watching to see if they can keep up this tightwire act.

The Sandman Endless Nights Special:
Another surprise bounce from the Read Pile. The short story served as an ad for the upcoming project, and I enjoyed the story a lot ("Sol" kills me). I think I rather enjoy the earlier Endless, with Destruction and Delight. A quiet, thoughtful moment in time.

Buy Pile Breakdown: Multiple surprises from the Read Pile make this a good week for purchases.

Then there's the stuff on the "read pile" that I don't bring home ...

Authority Volume 2 #5:
Urf. Giving the antics and horrors of the Authority a real sense of gravitas makes this title about as entertaining as punching myself in the face repeatedly. I do not like Morrison's take on the team, and I look forward to a day when he's gone.

Thor #68:
My notes say "holy sh*t" -- taking a note from Black Panther's "Enemy of the State II," an Odin Powered Thor has set down the hammer and taken over the world (only in this title, there is no continuity, we've always been at war with Eurasia). The Avengers? Stomped flat. New York? A smoking crater. Loki and Amora? Thor's trusted advisors. The Au"Thor"ity has now made the Norse gods his own Squadron Supreme. I don't know where Jurgens is going with this (even as my personal continuity demons scream for justice), but I'm enjoying it, and I'm reading it. It's fascinating in the way a slow motion car wreck is -- you know it can't end well, but you can't look away.

JLA/Avengers #1:
From a writing standpoint, it's not terribly interesting. If you like Easter egg-style in-jokes and are a long time comics fan, you'll get some good laughs. Comparing the JLA to Squadron Supreme was funny, as were the interesting perspectives Supes and Cap had on each other's world (Supes finds the Marvel U depraved, Cap figures that the JLA are fascists who demand worship, an interesting take on the personalities of each universe). However, at six bucks, I left it on the shelf. It wasn't that funny.

Savage Dragon #110:
I kept looking back at the cover to make sure I was reading a current issue and not one from years past -- Erik Larsen has all the referential fun of the early 90s (pre boom) and all the snark of the 21st century tied up in one title. If I voted, my gubernatorial candidate would be Mr. Grumpy. A very enjoyable issue.

New X-Men #145:
Captain America is not Weapon I. At best, he'd be weapon IV or V (Protocide, remember?). That notwithstanding, there's a whole lotta crazy going on, and I never felt this title was as good as people say it is. Plus, with Morrison as a short timer, you just kind of keep looking at your watch, as these things cannot remain. Weapon XV. C'mon. Blah.

Negation #21:
A key character dies and a very tricky plot device is handled smoothly, in an issue that kills a Lawbringer (and Evinlea is not even involved) and really expands on characterization. This was surprisingly poignant (it's Poignant Week, get your shirts now!) and really served to add some consequences to the title. Finely done work on one of CG's shining stars.

Trouble #3:
I actually got uncomfortable reading this. I mean, the sort of thing that happens here is not uncommon, has even happened in my circle of friends, but when you think about who these people are ... it just kinda makes your skin crawl. Yowza. Creepy stuff for any comics fan, just kind of puffy pap for anybody "normal."

Elektra #27:
A solid ending to the Power Play story arc, packed with action and a satisfying ending. Rodi may actually work out after all. Who knew?

Superman Birthright #3:
Feeling like a bridge between Smallville and the comic series, this was basic "Ooh, let's make a costume" stuff for most of the issue, with some interesting character balance with Jonathan and Clark along the way. It's solidly "okay," but not worth my money.

Street Fighter #1:
My notes say "simple and unimposing," and I don't suppose it's much better than the stuff I saw after winning the game with any one character. The art's cute. Nothing to really recommend, though.

Alias #26:
Bendis is sick. Wow. Icky stuff here -- not Trouble icky, but still, tough to handle. My notes say, "ow, Avengers smackdown," and Jessica Jones is one of the best developed characters I've seen in years from comics (all the while disturbing me). A guilty pleasure indeed.

Masters of the Universe Icons of Evil: Trap Jaw:
Plot driven and like an episode of the show. I still know nothing about Trap Jaw as a character. The Beast Man one was better than this. Nothing to see here.

Born #3:
This is the Ennis Punisher I like to see. Very entertaining, and a pointed look at both US involvement in Vietnam and western society's ability to breed killers.

Voltron #4:
"Quick and sugary," my notes say. I don't even know if this would have filled a whole episode of a cartoon. You just keep looking around like, "okay, let's get down to it and see Voltron, already," like waiting for Big Green in the Hulk movie. Blah.

Crimson Dynamo #1:
I am very surprised to say this is a complex, well thought out, very entertaining comic book. Well researched, well written, layered, and fun. Impressive.

Sigil #39:
Notes: "It's a bad day to be a Saurian." The Negation comes knocking, and they're not happy. The Saurians catch the hammer and lose a whole system. Bad things happening, not as much fun as some other issues, but still solid work.

Silken Ghost #4:
I can't wait to pick up the collection of this -- it's like a Saturday afternoon kung fu movie in print. I like this book a lot.

Robotech Love & War #4:
I feel like this story is being told by rote. There's no passion to it, no fun, no ... spirit. I so wanna love these books, but I so don't, and as a hard core Robotech fan, that's a bitter pill to swallow.

New Mutants #4:
Bo. Ring. I can't believe I stayed awake through the whole issue.

G.I. Joe Frontline #14:
The story was interesting, but the last four pages got screwy -- I have no idea how the resolution came about, and I have no idea what really happened on that plane. I dunno if it's confusing artwork or slipped scripting. I was disappointed, especially after Jerwa's first two great issues on Frontline.

Read Pile Roundup: Some books jumped to the Buy Pile while some jumped the shark and some couldn't jump at all. A real mixed bag.

When books make the cut, we're happy, so we'll call it a good week with lots of entertainment all around.