Every week I go to the comic book store (Comics Ink at Overland and Braddock 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.

Wonder Woman #198:
The West Wing analogies can continue as Greg Rucka takes the high road on this title. Forces from Olympus to Wall Street are poring over Diana's book, looking for ways to tear down Themyscria's Finest. Ancient curses are repealed, Ares plots cautiously behind the scenes, and an old friend is being prepared as an old enemy. Rucka keeps a number of plates spinning simultaneously, and the effects is great, especially combined with Drew Johnson and Ray Snyder's mostly crisp art (there are a few places where characters are hard to distinguish). I especially liked their take on Eros, and the dialogue literally levitates off the page.

Transformers/G.I. Joe #3:
You can tell that time is becoming an issue, as this month's installment is jam packed with plot developments and fight scenes. The Snake-Eyes/Ravage conflict seemed very unclear to me, I'm not exactly sure what happened there, but when Zartan again shows why he's the best there is at what he does, I was pleased. The more I see, the more I like the dim, heavily shadowed art, which gives the Transformers themselves a sense of menace and power that their normal brightly-colored adventures somehow lack. Likewise, when an old favorite shows up in a Cobra uniform and trenchcoat near the end, I practically giggled with glee. The action and transitions are a little jumbled, and the story seems to have stalled a bit, but I'm still enjoying what I see.

Lucifer #44:
When everything you do can be considered "deus ex machina," the real grace comes from how it's employed. Again the Morningstar plays chess with stakes as high as the heights of heaven itself, outwitting the titan brothers who sought the throne of the presence (as you knew he would, even though he takes some lumps in the process). A satisfying ending to a largely funny story, and one which does nothing to restore the luster of the Silver City.

Daredevil #54:
Wolverine Guest Stars! Sort of! Or does he? It's hard to tell, as a vision-questing Echo talks to man or beast, even she can't tell, under a crying sky that punches her with thunder. The ending is abrupt and the issue's story is less than thrilling, and I even thought that the conversation (which took the same piece of art and overlaid it with new lettering) was off it's game. Mmm, maybe next issue will get its groove back, as this doesn't feel like Mack's best effort.

Human Target #4:
Christopher Chance gets taken out to the ball game, as crime and pro sports go head to head. The way that Milligan mixes so many emotions and threads of characterization in such short amounts of panel space is really fine, with always solid art by Javier Pulido.

Grendel: God & the Devil #9:
The penultimate chapter of this mini looks behind the curtain at the workings of Grendel, as everybody else gets a sudden desire for snacks. "All hell" is about to meet "breaking loose," and my biggest question is, "whither Orion Assante?"

Legion Secret Files 3003:
No character breakdowns, just a long narrative story done by a TV reporter, looking at the Legion. This was done way back in Who's Who in the Legion of Superheroes, and holds up well here. I like the inclusion of Kon-el into this Legion, as his "imperfect" Superboy is as much of a catalyst for things as the Silver Age's flawless incarnation. Plus, he never seemed made for the twentieth century (and with the vagaries of time travel, he can also appear in Teen Titans without anybody saying "boo" -- Hypertime!). I'm interested to see what's wrong with Kid Quantum, I'm finding the characterization of Cosmic Boy really good, and this large cast balance is starting to work out. It's almost like the good old days (especially with the first and last pages, straight out of the Giffen/Levitz playbook).

Wildguard #3:
Todd Nauck is keeping it simple with a big rescue mission and some nice characterizations. With another large-cast balancing act, Strong-Bot has his secret revealed, Red Rover plays hurt, Toughlon isn't as funny as he thinks he is, and Four takes the floor. Every page is interesting and keeps my attention, and I find myself enjoying this much like I enjoy Savage Dragon (which, oddly enough, I don't buy), for its simple charms.

Captain Marvel #16:
When asked about this title, I said, "I turn the page and never know what mad idea I will see next." Resurrections, Starfox acting serious, and, in the words of Darth Vader, "... sister ..." David keeps pouring it on in what could be the most outrageous work of his career (and given that Hulk issue playing baseball, that's going a long way). I did feel Paul Azaceta's art was less than finished -- there's a panel about half way through the book where half the faces have no features, including the spoilerish first surprise character, and the colors seem washed out throughout. Production values notwithstanding, I am still amazed at everything, every "what will he do next?" step, which clearly is in a mad universe all its own, making it somehow all the more charming.

Buy Pile Breakdown: With the exception of the art on Captain Marvel and the less-than-full-powered Daredevil,, it was an okay -- if full -- week of purchases. Wallet says "ow!"

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

Hawkeye #2:
Better than the last issue, but still dull. It somehow feels like an episode of Fastlane. Not in a good way.

Crux #32:
Fight fight fight. Okay.

Hulk: Grey #3:
I found one assertation -- that early Hulk appearances never killed anybody -- pretty goofy. Other than that, it's just nostalgic ponderings.

Outsiders #6
Green Arrow (two of them) guest stars! This cute but ultimately vapid issue gets as gritty as most mainstream DC books can get, with Brother Blood and the new Antarctic Slab going hog wild. Psimon seemed strangely out of character, and the setup for Brother Blood's whole plan smacked of an Adam West nemesis. Eh.

Sojourn #29:
Mmm, cheesecakey. Another sword-and-sorcery reveal which goes badly for our eyepatched friend, this book has strayed a long way from its quest, but I think it's gonna get cancelled soon, so it doesn't really matter.

Thor #71:
I am now only reading to find out "when" this will all get retconned back to the status quo. The story of a future society ruled by Asgard ... less than interesting. The rise to power had its moments, but "The Reigning" itself seems dry.

Way of the Rat #19:
The Jade Rat and the Silken Ghost? Mmmm! Otherwise, a pretty padded issue with not a lot happening.

Spawn #130:
In an effort to become more informed, I read this. It was too boring and unimportant to be bad. That's ... sad in a way. I guess.

Masters of the Universe: Rise of the Snake Men #2:
Again, episodic in the bad way, on a bad day to be a good guy (as they get their asses handed to them). The Zodac/He-Man fight scene is embarrasing on a number of levels, including making He-Man himself much less of a power. The horde of Snake Men seemed easy (and easily dispatched, really), and again it's like looking at the clock and seeing, "ooh, fifteen minutes til the show's over, here comes the big fight!" Blah.

Wolverine #8:
Detective Logan. Next!

JLA: Liberty & Justice:
A book sized full story from Dini and Ross. It's actually pretty good (although, like seeing Zatanna at the UN, you could see Ross took some shortcuts on the art in places), with an involved story and a complicated struggle. I rather liked it. Just not for ten freakin' bucks.

Lobo Unbound #4:
Ambush Bug is a lot less wonderful than I remember him. That makes me sad. Not funny at all, and in trying to annoy "fanboys," it's just ... pathetic, really.

Street Fighter #3:
Vega vs. Ken, then Zangief vs. Ken. I like this book's format, but the lead was a lot stronger (if not as well drawn) as the backup.

Runaways #8:
"... and tonight on an all new Runaways, part of the WB's Big Sunday ..."

Read Pile Roundup: A short stack, no jumps, nothing really horrible, nothing really great.

It was one of those "74 degrees and mild" kind of days for books. Nothing to really sing about anywhere.