Lucifer #50:
Mike Carey steps back in biblical history to look at the origin of Mazikeen and the Lilim. It took me a couple of pages to remember that last issue ended with Mazikeen confronting her mother, Lilith (Adam's original bride before Eve came along). Lilith's goals seem to have been convenient for the title character some aeons ago, and in some ways she fomented the seeds of rebellion which led the Morningstar to turn against his father's realm. Reading this issue makes her popping up in his creation make a great deal of sense, and this extra sized issue (forty pages of story content, woo hoo) delves deep into the title character's development and further explains Mazikeen's devotion to him. If this was my first issue of Lucifer and I knew anything about Judaeo-Christian myth, I'd be riveted. As a long-time fan, this is a stellar issue that casts new light on events from months back, as well as makes Mazikeen's mission (which will probably be returned to next month) to remove all immortals from Lucifer's realm much more emotional, as it forces her to decide between her loyalties (to mother and functional love interest, respectively). Mike Carey has done it aain. Perhaps my only complaint is that P. Craig Russell's classical angels were sometimes hard to tell apart.

Grendel: Devil's Reign #1:
When I saw the cover, saying that it was Matt Wagner and Tim Sale, this immediately jumped from the Read Pile. Now, it should be said that I am a huge fan of the Grendel mythos, so this fills in crucial gaps in my informational meta-structure. I'm not sure how a neophyte would approach this material. Nevertheless, the fourteen page lead story manages to be jam packed with raw data and nuance in creating the character of Orion Assante (and to a lesser degree Sherri Caniff). Again, I bought this for more sentimental reasons, but I cannot in good conscience recommend this issue for anyone who's not already a fan of the property.

Human Target #10:
Fun. This was a done-in-one story that's simply confectionary, with a delightful and surprising twist at the end, tons of great action, inspired artwork by Cliff Chiang and lead character Christopher Chance get to actually be happy for a change. I really super enjoyed this issue. I started buying this series due to a simple philosophy: support smart comics as much as I can. This issue is why that philosophy is a good idea. Fine, fine work.

Captain Marvel #23:
On a crazy scale of one to ten, this issue is just a five, whereas the series normally runs about eight. That's not a bad thing. It's just different. Rick Jones is flung even farther into the future than he could have ever wanted to be, which leads to a really funny bit that made me personally very happy, for reasons anybody who knows me would immediately recognize. Likewise, there's a somewhat kooky bit with a subplot, an old villain, and Marlo continually stays mixed up in some crazy, crazy things. A good issue, but I'm sad to realize this ride is almost over. Sure, there's a new Multiple Man mini in the works, but there may never be another title as determined to be crazy as this one. I'm gonna miss that. Anyway, good if not great work here.

Wonder Woman #204:
There's a cool bit of mixing philosophies on the cover -- a simple "poster" styled image combined with a simple "Guest Starring" with a logo of the Bat. In a case of "going with your strengths," Diana wisely lets a certain psychopath billionaire pin down a lot of hidden data on the mystery that's plagued Themyscria's Finest, and she manages to worm her way into the camp of her newest (still hidden) arch-enemy. Rucka's intricate plot almost shook me for a minute, but I managed to keep up. I will say Drew Johnson is fast becoming one of my favorite pencilers (with very solid finishes by Ray Snyder here), doing some very solid work with subtlety and grace. I also rarely notice colors, but the contrasts between the world of Themyscria, the brightness of the embassy, and the shadows in which the story's meat really take place are all managed flawlessly by Richard and Tonya Horie. Anyhoo, I liked this issue but found it slightly muddled plot wise. Still worth recommending, but not the finest moment in Rucka's run.

Birds of Prey #67:
A big finish for a lengthy storyline, and Simone and Benes satisfy. The girls of Birds of Prey come together to save Oracle and stomp the bad guys (and one bad girl) in an entertaining, wholly confectionary romp of superhero smackdown. Like a Krispy Kreme cinnamon bun, sweet and bad for me probably, but I enjoyed it anyway.

Buy Pile Breakdown: Not a dollar mis-spent, even after picking up all four issues of Superman: Secret Identity (which I haven't read yet). Yay!

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

Seaguy #1:
Do you remember when Tracy Morgan was on Saturday Night Live and did a character called "Astronaut Jones?" Seaguy reads like Astronaut Jones on acid. As well, on page four there was a bit that claimed that color blind people can't tell the difference between black and white, which is just plain wrong. Red and green, no. Black and white can only not be deciphered by wholly blind people. My infuriation over that aside (five seconds on Google could have told Morrison this), this issue was not completely decipherable, and kind of endearing in a goofy, drunken way. If that's your bag, fine, but I didn't buy it.

Captain America #26:
I set this issue down and said, "wow." Robert Morales tells a story about Cap's relationship with Bucky in a way that I can only consider fascinating. The best part about the characterization of Cap here is his iron-clad confidence and his crisp demeanor. I'm very sorry to see Morales leaving this title, as I haven't been this interested in reading Captain America in years, maybe ever.

Authority #12:
A grim but ultimately laughable story centering on Jenny Quantum, the spirit of the 21st century. The central antagonist is so ridiculous, conceptually, that it makes the entire issue preposterous and devoid of joy. Can we call Brubaker and get him in here any earlier? He's gotta be better than this -- after Kev, now the Authority is fighting (and this is only a minor spoiler) cosmic babies. Urf.

Daredevil #60:
"Superhero smackdown" indeed -- Daredevil, Iron Fist, Spider-Man and Luke Cage whomp the hell out of the Yakuza. Spidey and Cage get a great exchange in one panel which sums up Cage's mystique, and Matt gets a surprise when he gets home. While still having a touch of Dr. Phil, this issue didn't disappoint action junkies nor fans of Bendis' always fascinating dialogue. Likewise, the dim, almost Jae Lee-esque art stylings (more precise than that, but the same philosophy) do the trick. My only reason for not buying it is that the conclusion is never in doubt, and there's no moment where I'm looking ahead with anything less that certainty at how the meta-storyline will play out.

G.I. Joe: Master & Apprentice #1:
Dredging up a bit of old Hama continuity is always a way to make me smile, but this disturbing tale of workaholism and fanaticism to duty just didn't sell me. Scarlett remains a pining damsel in distress while Snake Eyes cements his rep while giving up virtually everything else. I guess the reason I left it in the store was because it was too much like many real situations I've seen that have less than pleasant endings.

Fantastic Four #513:
Spidey and Johnny Storm versus Hydro Man in a water park. No guffaws, but cute, harmless stuff that leaves a nice static status quo and provides a chance for Ben to get in a great one liner. As much as I enjoy an occasional confectionary comic, this one was a bit too saccharine for my sweet tooth to handle.

Invincible #12:
The cover says it all -- the title character catches twenty pounds of beat down in a ten pound bag. Ow. Kirkman's big reveal is just starting to push the snowball down the hill here, and I'm now riveted to see where this is going. "But you didn't buy it, Hannibal?" True, because this was really one long fight scene. Just a smidge too little story for my tastes, but an interesting overarching plot.

Rose & Thorn #6:
Oh -- this was a mini series? Okay. Well, I found its Lifetime Movie rhythms not really satisfying, the "surprise" here was nothing special to me (nor anybody who's read Who's Who in the DC Universe), and while the psycho cheesecake artwork did give me some pleasant memories of this one Buddhist ex girlfriend of mine, it did nothing to make me wanna buy the book.

Iron Man #82:
Whereas I often complain there's too little going on, this issue tries really hard -- with mildly overarticulated inking and pages jam packed with craziness -- to do too much. There's a botched storytelling exercise, flipping backwards in time that didn't resolve clearly for me. The secondary antagonist issue was resolved in a way I just found dumb. Whereas this was becoming one of the smartest series at Marvel, it's now devolved back into some "Hogan Potts" madness that doesn't catch my interest at all.

Masters of the Universe Volume 3 #2
My notes say "whiny," as Prince Adam mopes around about something that happened last issue for virtually the entire book. Meanwhile, other people gesticulate wildly and talk a lot. Right. Let's move on ...

Outsiders #12:
The title says it all -- "out with the new, in with the old." That's not a good thing -- there's a reason we moved on. This issue tired me, as the whole "slightly edgier Teen Titans" shtick was very apparent (Arsenal's romantic prowess is becoming a real one-note gag) and aside from some cute panels here and there, this issue just doesn't cut the mustard.

Runaways #15:
Okay, this series is literally one surprise away from becoming a Buy Pile title. Alex is emerging as a Scott Summers-styled leader, the "team" has their archetypes forming nicely around contemporary pop culture referenced (the careless hothead, the thoughtful quiet one, etc.), the families are doing their best Dynasty impression, and the world of New York superheroes may as well be on another planet for all the good it does the city of Los Angeles. Consistently good.

Robin #126:
I was stunned at this corny issue, which feels like it went by in about six minutes. Batman's rationale for "the girl wonder" (which is no spoiler, pardon the pun, as that's on the cover) is just goofy and out of character. Tim Drake seems to have gotten really stupid in the space of the last issue (although his "mistake" providing motivation for his girlfriend to go after his job was kind of clever), and all around it feels too easy. Not what I expected at all.

Excalibur #1:
The last page of this issue literally made me throw it away from me in disgust. The doors of Marvel's afterlife must need a lot of lubricant, because the constant revolving has to be a beyotch for maintenance. Not to mention that Chuck Xavier spends most of the issue hallucinating, in another issue on stands this week Chuck (or his mental image of himself) can walk. Then I look on the credits and see the problem -- Chris Claremont. The guy who bored me endlessly on X-Treme X-Men, the guy who somehow made Superman even stupider than he has been for years in JLA, and a man who clearly has not realized it's no longer the early '90s. This comic should be passed out in bars, because it can clearly drive sane people to drink.

Fraction #2:
The Focus books are boring and have bad coloring. That's basically what each review of them amounts to, and this one is no different. I'm gonna stop reading these things.

Cable/Deadpool #3:
While Nicieza sometimes lets the plot meander, this issue had some good moments and lands solidly in the "acceptable" range. I like the art, I'm enjoying the power advancement on Cable (and maybe a nice twist in his thinking, with the aforementioned ambulatory Chuck Xavier), and to be honest I could go for a little more "funny" from Deadpool. Not bad, in the final analysis.

Superman/Batman #10:
This is like watching a clumsy chess game -- Loeb simply needs to move set pieces (characters, perhaps, even when they act out of character) from point to point in the pedantic and somewhat meandering plot. Kara is headed to Apokolips, which anybody who reads Previews could tell you. Weird for me, a man who bought Crisis on Infinite Earths as single issues when it first came out, was watching freakin' Harbinger cheering for Kara's training (did she forget the whole Crisis? Does that mean Barry's on his way back to remake the "Thriller" video? Gah ...). She gets there, and some largely uninteresting stuff happens in between that point. The somewhat homo-erotic bickering in captions between the title characters continues, despite its insistent irritation for me. Sadly, this is a best selling title. Maybe I will have that drink ...

New X-Men: Academy X #1:
In a cute Danger Room-centered story (the holodeck of the X-universe), the cast is "re-introduced" (for all but the six people who were reading New Mutants) and teenaged hijinks go down as Scott goes back to his stuffed shirt ways and Emma Frost is somehow the cool teacher. This could almost be a show on the WB. I say that in the bad Dawson's Creek or One Tree Hill way, not the good Smallville way. It could reach "adequate" from here, but it's not standing on the line just yet.

Adventures of Superman #628:
I see what the Super-office has done -- they've removed all the things I can't stand about Superman and shoved them into the Clark Kent persona. Insecurity. Nebbishness. Lack of focus. Rucka's Superman was reading some of the pages from Prince Adam's script, but still managed to be OK (and they did that "logo guest star" shtick on this cover also, which I kind of liked). I can't believe I'm typing this, but Austen's Superman is more interesting than Rucka's. I'm gonna go lay down for a while.

Read Pile Roundup: I'm gonna call it a wash, because the stuff that was good (for the most part) really kicked butt, and the stuff that sucked did so in an egregious and overly enthusiastic fashion.

So, How Was It This Week? Good buys and an even, fairly quick week of reads make it a marginal thumbs up.

The Buy Pile is a weekly collection of comic reviews done by Hannibal Tabu (www.operative.net)