Caper #4:
There's rarely a happy ending for pistoliers, and this issue, closing the opening arc of this mini, is no different. Jacob and Isadore Weiss are considerably better assassins than plotters, and that deficit comes to light. Things proceed with grim efficiency in this issue, and pretty much nobody ends up happy with the way things play out, but it's a damned entertaining ride getting there. Now that I realize (given the "next issue" blurb) that it's gonna follow the Weiss bloodline into the '70s, I'm curious what era the third quartet of issues will take on, and if it can maintain the level of unflinching integrity the first four issues have shown. In the mean time, if Caper were a four issue mini, I'd be happy with this ending to a really good story.

Captain Marvel #19:
In classical terms, "bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha!" The "newly sane" Captain Marvel has hung out an intergalactic hero-for-hire shingle while Rick has rekindled his musical career (again) by penning an emotional paean to his estranged wife Marlo. Of course that ends badly (if she leaves you, for the love of god, move on). The madness involved time travel, Genis' time-tossed sister Phyla (who I'm not really liking, and I hope meets a very unpleasant death, for some reason I can't really grasp) and of course ridiculous violence and blasts of cosmic energy. As Captain Marvel issues go, it's merely adequate, but compared to a lot of titles, that's a major accomplishment.

Global Frequency #11:
The best thing about this as a series (which has never disappointed me nor changed since its inception) is that every self-contained issue is an action ride that you can set down and say, "yeah, that was fun" when you're finished. This issue is no different. When mystery forces invade the hidden headquarters of Global Frequency, they endanger the life of Aleph, the "Oracle" of the setup who coordinates all 1,001 field agents. This in turns terrifies and then infuriates the panty-clad, mohawked techie, who responds unpleasantly. It's a simple set up, a simple execution, and simply enjoyable. I can see why this series has been fast tracked for translation to television. It's an episodic dream -- almost a shame creator Warren Ellis will only do twelve issues for the comic market. Fine work.

Wildguard Casting Call #5:
The first cut is the deepest, taking eight of the hopefuls out (some I was a little surprised at, some I expected), and hits all the "reality show" rhythms flawlessly. This is a fun, confectionary issue in a series that's been nothing but fun and confectionary, twisting ideas into an interesting package. I really admire that Todd Nauck is able to rock on both writing and art, and his singular vision is one of the more enjoyable reads I have every month.

Wildcats 3.0 #18:
The feds get their first taste of how Halo does business. Jack Marlowe (otherwise known as the lunatic extraterrestrial android warrior-turned-CEO Spartan) starts to hear whispers that the old economy is none too happy with his efforts at making a finer world through high commerce. So, as is his wont, he goes in to make an offer. I really admire this title a great deal, and this issue made me gasp and claim, "That's nuckin' futs!" at least three times (not to mention Grifter is wearing the body of a mad female cyborg, and they left her demented digital consciousness in the company's mainframe somewhere). Casey's finest work, in my not-so-humble-opinion. I keep reading every month (what's with the two month lag for "Coup D'etat?" That ain't right) just to see how crazy things will get.

G.I. Joe: Cobra Reborn #1:
Ooooh. Destro in a bow tie and tux. Storm Shadow re-imagined as a young Jet Li. Cobra Commander much more convincing and menacing and less goofy than ever. This ain't your father's Cobra, by a long shot, and it made the jump from the Read Pile on the stregth of Paul Jenkins really taking things seriously, thinking them out, and delivering. Fine work by a big art team, comprised of Eddy Barrows, Renato Arlem, Moises Damasceno, Jack Jadson, Wellington Dias and fave Andrew Pepoy (whew!). After this, I'm interested in seeing what "upgrades" G.I. Joe will get when they get "Reloaded."

Wonder Woman #200:
Uh ... wow. Ares, in his new gig as "god of conflict" (which is a careful dodge of taking over his daughter's gig, running discord), basically nudges Hera and Zeus into a fight that ends up involving Themyscria. As well, the forces aligned against Diana ply pressure outside and inside the embassy, with lots of hitting and smashing and the like. Continued crisp, interesting art and visual storytelling by Drew Johnson. The four backup features -- two written in the style of their eras -- are also pretty darned entertaining (I loved Ferdinand kibbutzing on the tale of Perseus, but why was Golden Age Wonder Woman in biker pants?), for one damned entertaining double sized issue.

Star Wars Empire #16:
I was so surprised to read an issue about actual Imperial forces, this issue almost jumped on the Buy Pile of its own volition. Showing the conflict of classes within Imperial forces and the everyday struggle against corruption and nepotism made this a great read, even though (art wise) I couldn't tell some of the characters apart sometimes. I like the grit and general interest of many of the Imperial characters -- a desire to maintain and establish order in the galaxy -- which doesn't so far differ from the "heroic" Rebel Alliance they struggle against. A great analysis of Imperial thought set against a tense action story.

Buy Pile Breakdown: I'm not used to being this positive -- I am extremely happy with this week's batch of books, especially with two jumps from the Read Pile and a gift certificate to my retailer (birthday present) which made this a free day of comics for me! Yay!

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

Punisher #2:
Remember how I was ranting about Diamond screwing up shipping in Los Angeles? More of the same. Punisher #2 will get to my favorite store on Thursday. Big whoop. I'm sorry to not review it for ya (I'd like to say I'll go, read and evaluate it, and report back, but honestly I have stuff to do), but that's how the cookie gets stomped on and completely obliterated. Moving on ...

Batman #623:
I'm getting a little bit of an understanding why Brian Azzarello's "100 Batarangs," uh, sorry, "Broken City" storyline isn't working. He's got a fantastic grasp on the seamy underbelly of Gotham City, true. He's got an interesting take on the Bat, injecting some grim humor and quips. However, this take is like a talented band of musicians who have learned the notes to a song, who can play it with skill, but who just don't have the ability to make it swing. Azzarello has said as much himself -- he has little interest in superhero comics, and makes no bones about having no plans on returning after he's done with this and the Boy Scout. It's not a bad book, but it's just serviceable. Just okay.

Ultimate Fantastic Four #2:
The new approach to why (and how) the four adventurers gain their powers is pretty much laid out here ("Only three issues!" somebody cried out at the store. "Took Ultimate Spidey, what, six issues?"), as the Victor von Doom interaction is made in an interesting fashion, and the Sue and Reed relationship takes on additional shades and nuances. Normally I pooh-pooh Ultimizations (on the other hand, I don't like normal Spider-Man and I don't like Ultimate Spider-Man, so at least I'm consistent) but I have to admit I've not been this interested in the FF for a long time. This book? Not too shabby.

Flash #206:
Linda's characterization was dumb. Wally was goofy. If Johns is trying to come back from some months of not handling business, he hasn't brought that newfound inspiration to this drably colored, dull book.

Mystique #10:
Dammit. I'm gonna start buying this title next issue. Brian Vaughn throws some serious surprises at the end of an action packed, interesting storyline. The art is solid, the writing is perfect for the style of book here ... I'm surprised to be this pleased, because I haven't regularly bought an X-Book in a loooooong time. It was so good that, for a few minutes, I had all four issues of this storyline on my Buy Pile, ready to walk out with 'em. A bigger gift certificate woulda gotten these outta the store too, I tell ya ...

Hawkman #24:
Hawkman gets a nasty surprise when an unexpected old friend shows up ... on Black Adam's side. The JSA aren't doing too well, and both physically and ideologically Black Adam is winning the war. Which, honestly, I like a great deal -- I've always thought he was vastly under utilized and misunderstood. The weird part for me is being reminded of how dumb Billy Batson apparently is, as Captain Marvel got the spit beaten out of him with alarming ease. The citizens of Kahndaq (which is Adam's nation of origin, it seems) are none too happy with the gaudily dressed Caucasians coming in and telling the other gaudily dressed Caucasians not to stop them from being killed horribly. Murky, interesting stuff.

Powers #36:
Moving right up to the present (all the way on to the back cover), Christian Walker settles some old debts and loses his powers forever. This long history lesson was one long origin story, which effectively explains a great deal of things about Walker's character (his indifference, his taciturn nature) while clearing up a lot of things about relationships within the Powers extrahuman community. Good ... but probably a lot better, collected.

JLA #92:
The JLA is too stupid here to be considered. Denny O'Neill, I'm disappointed in you, babe.

Silver Surfer #5:
I finally understand some of the motivations of the Surfer here (which, oddly enough, are similar to stuff done by the HIgh Evolutionary years ago -- those who forget history, and all that ...) but I don't care. None of the characters are sympathetic (some are just plain pathetic), and the art, while good, is not evocative nor inspirational (as the story's scope would require). Eh.

Legion #29
Now that's the Legion. In what I'm still calling the "Not-So-Great-Darkness-Saga," it's Darkseid vs. Darkseid in one of the most interesting (in my head anyway) fight scenes I've seen in a long time. Kon-el (has anybody addressed how he's here and in the Titans and in a "time trapped" Metropolis at the same "time?") manages to evoke some of the spirit of the good ol' Silver Age Superboy, Garth gets a shot to prove he's not the monster that his face implies, and the mad eradication of billions of years of history is put at risk by a quartet of spirited youngsters. Just like it used to be in the old days. This issue most invoked the energies I used to love about the Legion, more than any issue since #25, and surely a long time before that. Shame it's not more consistent at it.

Wanted #2:
Not as good as last issue, but pretty good. That's all I have to say about this.

Superman #201:
I'm shocked and staggered to report to you that this (and last week's DnA-written issue of whatever Super-title came out) are ... good. I spent much of the last two years, lambasting the Super-titles for how badly and how consistently they sucked (don't worry, the Smackdown Awards are coming soon, I'm just hella busy), so it's possible that by achieving anything that's not complete suckage, I may be experiencing an overreaction ... but Majestic is well done (much like I remember him), the Metropolis characters make interesting moves, and a very Mr. Majestic-level threat is handled with Mr. Majestic-level results. I'm interested to keep seeing where this storyline heads, after a very rocky and boring start.

Ultimate Six #6:
My favorite moment in this issue was Peter Parker, in uniform sans mask, standing on the White House lawn in the middle of a huge fight scene, looking amazed and terrified. This issue brought the pain, smashed up a lotta stuff, and was enjoyable for an issue-long fight scene.

Star Wars Infinities: Return of the Jedi #2:
Less than compelling results, as things seem (largely) to be proceeding very similar to the way the movie went. Eh.

Two Step #2:
I didn't like the first issue, but I enjoyed this one. Cam Girl and her Zen assassin buddy have far better chemistry here, the zany art works well, and the "Transmetropolitan"-esque dialogue works better. Warren Ellis works a nice narrative trick with a book quote, which also helps the issue move along. Only a three issue mini, with fifty percent shooting so far.

Read Pile Roundup: What's with me being happy about so much stuff? This was a good pile for the most part as well, save that crappy Flash issue in there.

So, How Was It This Week? I can't complain ... and that's very strange to say.

The Buy Pile is a weekly collection of comic reviews done by Hannibal Tabu (www.operative.net), originally published at UGO.com