Justice #10 (DC – Ross / Krueger / Braithwaite) According to an interview in Wizard magazine, Justice was the brainchild of Alex Ross trying to update the old “Challenge of the Super friends” cartoon.  It is a very involved storyline from both the hero and villain point of view.  Over ten issues, we have followed the individual path and inner dialogue of almost every possible main member of the Justice League and the “Legion of Doom”.  The story is heavy on details; whether it’s Elongated man’s jealously of Plastic man, the inner distrust of everyone by Batman or the plots within plots of Brainiac, Lex and Grodd.  The heavy-duty plot is almost overtaken by the ever-present phenomenal Ross / Braithwaite art.  The only negative to this series is the waiting, I have to admit I often have to go back and read the previous issue (which came 6-8 weeks previous) to catch up… imagine watching 24, one episode a month… it’s kind of like that.  If you haven’t been reading it, catch the trade – it will be worth it.  This issue: the Justice League fights back with the help of the Metal men and Green Arrow / Black Canary outsmarts a hypnotized Supergirl to free John Stewart.
Series: A
This Issue: A-

Marvel Zombies Vs. Army of Darkness #1 (Marvel / Dynamite Layman / Neves / Chung) Yes, I bowed to pop culture and picked up one of these franchise “vs.” books.  This issue opens up with Ash falling into an alternate Marvel universe, after supposedly dying and having something bad happen in Heaven… that something bad involving a zombie Sentry.  Ash then tried to convince the Avengers about the doom that is coming.  While not the greatest art , nor the most linear of storytelling, the bottom line it’s a fun read.  If you want to get hardcore about continuity in either the Marvel or the AOD universes, this may not be the book for you.  But, if you are hip to watching Ash mouth off to Iron man, then you might want to read this.  The first issue in this five part series shows promise, it doesn’t blow me away but it does show promise.
This issue: B

Ultimate Fantastic Four #39 (Marvel – Carey / Kolins / Brooks) The Ultimate version of comicdom’s first family certainly has had it’s ups and down over the past couple of years.  With this issue we have a new creative team and a new story arc.  Thankfully, we are done with “Godwar” storyline – introducing ultimate versions of Thanos and Ronin… boy did that non-linear oddly-drawn train wreck of story arc get long.  Sorry am I showing my spots?  I have a been a huge fan of the FF since I started collecting comics oh so long ago, and while UFF I have liked over all, the “Godwar” arc was definitely a low point for me.  This issue – part one of “Devils”, revamping the classic FF villain Diablo.  As I sat looking at the cover, before opening it, I was hoping for a breath of fresh air in this book.  After reading it, I can say my hopes were realized.  This was a great issue.  The Ultimate version of Diablo had all the classic elements while giving him a new twist, exactly what the Ultimate line is supposed to be about.  If you haven’t been reading UFF, this is a great jump on point.
Series: B+
This issue: A-