Another Wednesday, another large pile of comics to read!

This week, comics taught me that it's ok to make mistakes as long as you can spin it positively, going through time and space with a doctor can suck, if you're in a band don't forget to play music, my fights with my brother weren't anything, no matter the circumstances avoid Frank Castle's family and Daredevil's mind is just as tough to read as Thor's.

This week we review Before Watchmen: Minutemen #2, Fantastic Four Annual #33, Marceline and the Scream Queens #1, Batman #11, Space Punisher #1 and Avengers vs. X-Men Versus #4.

If anyone has any specific titles you'd like me to review here, sound off in the comments. I'll try to get to all I can!

POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD!



If you thought last issue, being primarily set up, was boring this issue may be more to your liking.

Now that we don't have to be introduced, or re-introduced, to these characters we now get to see them in action. They are shown how effective they can be, not just in regards to their crime fighting but in their control of their own media presence.

After a meeting at the HQ the group goes their separate ways. Some follow up on a kid kidnapping ring while others go off to pursue their, uh, relationships.

There are lots of great character moments and while it's good fun most of the time, it never shies away from very adult and disturbing scenes.



Thing and Human Torch go on an adventure through time and space assisted by a strange doctor.

Reed, Sue and the kids are on vacation leaving Johnny and Ben behind to man the Baxter Building. What could go wrong? Well some unknown energy signature almost immediately sending all their equipment in a tizzy for one.

With the help of Dr. Strange the boys travel to England and what starts is a very confusing adventure. A boy born with magical powers summons them as elementals throughout the course of his life.

It really feels like a jumbled incomplete mess, which is made even more obvious when you see the solits page in the back claiming to get to the whole story you also need to buy Daredevil Annual #1 and Wolverine Annual #1 in August.

At $4.99 I recommend skipping this.



What time is it? Spin-off time!

The short review here is that if you're a fan of the show, there's no reason you wouldn't like this.

The long review is the Marceline's bad is going out on tour and Princess Bubblegum is going to be band manager. Two diametrically different personalities on a road trip, fraught with self discovery? The dickens you say!

This issue is primarily set up and will probably be the weakest in the series. The trouble is it's a boring. There aren't many jokes and while Marceline's performance look epic there's no sound effects or lyrics sung, so you get absolutely no idea how it's supposed to sound.

Comics are purely a visual medium, and you need something to indicate sound. Although I guess I could just play some Iron Maiden on my iPod as I read that scene.

That all said I do have some hope for the rest of this mini-series.



Following up on last issue's craziness, it's all out war between Batman and the new Owlman.

If you still haven't caught up on the new Batman there will be some spoilers here. You've been warned.

The fight between the two brothers spans across much of Gotham as Bruce is really put through the ringer. Lincoln March pretty thoroughly dishes out the punishment since he now has the Talon formula pumping through his veins and can recover from pretty much any injury.

While Batman is obviously able to survive the encounter but he's not unscathed, physically and mentally. There's a nice scene with him and Dick at the end, where they discuss the possibilities of Lincoln March's heritage. It really shows the love these characters have for each other.

Another great addition to the Batman series as the Court of Owls story is finally put to rest. For now.



In space, no one can hear you punish.

If you think this book looks ridiculus that's only because it is. The Marvel universe is re-imagined as Heavy Metal meets Star Wars pulp sci fi universe.

In this strange new place, Frank Castle's family was still killed by a shadowy mob. This time is scape versions of many familiar Marvel characters, Doctor Octopus, Green Goblin, Magneto, Red Skull, Ultron and the Sym-brood-ant Queen. The last of which is a Brood Queen to a colony that's all infected with Venom symbiotes.

What follows is a Kill Bill style revenge hit list the Punisher must go down to avenge his family.

The story takes itself a little too seriously. This should have been a bit more schlocky. It's called Space Punisher for crying out loud! But this is still an entertaining book and the art really encapsulates the style of the genre they're going for.



Matt Murdock is looking to give some blind justice to Betsy Braddock in a super powered ninjutsu showdown. It's the man without fear Daredevil vs. the purple pugilist Psylocke!

As they constantly try to out ninja one another, striking from the shadows and what not, ol' hornhead uses his most persuasive lawyering arguments to undermine Psylocke's conviction in the fight resulting in a a draw.

The draw makes me really mad actually. Not because there even was a draw but because there were a few fights before this that were clearly draws but a victor was still declared. What were you watching, Ref?!

And in the main event, in this corner, weighing in at 640lbs, from Asgard, the mighty THOR! And in the other corner, wearing barely anything, weighing either 144 lbs or 436 lbs, the white queen, EMMA FROST! It's the rainstorm vs. the brainstorm here tonight folks!

Thor is a powerful guy. No one is going to debate that. But Emma Frost is also extremely powerful and now she also has the dreaded Phoenix Force as well. This wound up being pretty one sided.