New Comic Books

Things have gone from bad to worse: Jack's lost his wife, he's the target of a very lucky lady, and his profits are headed down the toilet. What could possibly make it worse? Mister Revise and his legion of sinister librarians, that's what.

Characters: Aubrey Billingsley, Babe, Dan Ferrell, Gary, the Pathetic Fallacy, Hillary Page, Hugo Lambert, Jack Horner, Jean-Marc Lambert, Jody, Lady Luck, Mr. Revise, Noelle, Paul Bunyan

Creators: Andrew Pepoy, Bill Willingham, James Jean, Karen Berger, Lee Loughridge, Matthew Sturges, Shelly Bond 'Roeberg', Todd Klein, Tony Akins

Gina Bad Horse and Lincoln Red Crow have a long history... and plenty of bad blood between them. After getting away with the murder of two FBI agents in '75, Red Crow has drifted farther and farther apart from his former lover and her ideals, but he feels obligated to tell her that he can't protect her from the rich men investing in his casino. She's causing too much trouble for them to overlook, and Red Crow can't stop them from trying to get to Gina. 
Meanwhile, Dashiel has been following the extremely promiscuous Carol Ellroy. His mother comes looking desperately for him to let him know that she's leaving town for awhile to see the man who took the rap for the agents' deaths in the 70's, but to no avail. Unknown to Dash, who has been ignoring every message and attempt to speak to him that Gina's made, it may be the last chance he gets to talk to his mother.

Characters: Carol Ellroy, Dashiell Bad Horse, Dino Poor Bear, Gina Bad Horse, Lawrence Belcourt, Lincoln Red Crow

Creators: Casey Seijas, Jason Aaron, Jock (Mark Simpson), Lee Loughridge, Phil Balsman, R.M. Guéra, Will Dennis

Adam Chamberlain is looking for a few good women. Six women, to be exact. A godly vision has revealed a decidedly feminine kink to Adam’s soul searching. And like Hercules before him, there’s a lot of labor involved, literally. Will his status as America’s leading virgin be upended by assisting in the birth of a child whose mother claims Adam is the father?    

Characters: Adam Chamberlain, Cyndi, Earl, Kyle Chamberlain, Mamie, Mel, Miss Soluna, Morgan, Vanessa Upton

Creators: Angela Rufino, Becky Cloonan, Hi-Fi (Brian Miller), Jared K. Fletcher, Jim Rugg, Joshua Middleton, Shelly Bond 'Roeberg', Steven T. Seagle

Overview

Zemo the Barbarian? A vicious struggle for control of the family barony is being settled through crossed swords, when Helmut Zemo is yanked through time again -- to post WWI Germany where he meets his Grandfather for the very first time...and learns of his family's involvement in a plot to assassinate Hitler! Meanwhile, in the present day, researcher/Zemo hater Wendell Volker finalizes his plans to return Helmut from his time-tossed state... and all it requires is a little Zemo blood... okay, a LOT of Zemo blood...

1879

Zemo has jumped to the time of Baron Hobart Zemo, tenth in his family lineage. This Zemo is under attack by assassination attempts. He is actually trying to find solutions the problems of the people that are trying to kill him. Zemo knows his assassination is inevitable but continues to help protect him. He knows he won't die on this date unless history got the date wrong. As he tries to shoot a killer approaching Hobart, Zemo feels himself being drawn away. History did get the date wrong.

Zemo now finds himself in 1932 by his grandfather, Baron Herman Zemo. German soldiers are fighting against the British and Union Jack (James Mongomery) is there. Zemo prevents Union Jack from striking his grandfather and soon begins trading punches with him. As Herman and his soldiers run towards them, Union Jack throws Zemo at them. Herman strikes Zemo across the face for allowing Union Jack to escape. Next they prepare to fire mustard gas on the British. Zemo begins to see his grandfather in a different light as he watches him and his soldiers celebrate their use chemical warefare.

Today

After Castle Zemo "popped out of thing air," the German authorities have quarantined it as the lawyers fight over who owns it. Wendell Volker has been given permission to tour the castle along with a local policeman and Interpol agent. Volker comments on how in all his research, he has yet to find a Zemo worth respecting. He knows that Zemo is coming back. He believes it is inevitable. When asked what his research is about, he responds that it is about power, who has it and how they wield it. He kills both the policeman and agent. He says he has to be waiting for Zemo when he comes back. He says it's all about the blood. He feels he has no choice but to do these killings. He stands among at least a dozen dead bodies.

Back in 1932, Herman is boasting about the defeat of the British. Zemo tires of listening and begins to leave. Herman notices and asks where he is going. Zemo apologizes and says he does not like to listen to tales of toxic gases and the effects they have because of what he looks like under his mask. Herman then wants to study Zemo to better understand the potential of science. Zemo is outraged and grabs him. All the soldiers' guns are on Zemo as he begins to feel a chronal pull. Knowing he cannot let anyone see him disappear (since there was no mention in his grandfather's journals), Zemo jumps out the window just in time.

Zemo now finds himself closer to "home." To his surprise, he finds Baron Heinrich Zemo and his scientists being congratulated by a visiting Adolf Hitler.

Characters: Adolf Hitler, Baron Heinrich Zemo, Union Jack

Creators: Fabian Nicieza, Gary Erskine, James Brown, Joe Caramagna, Molly Lazer, Tom Grummett

Overview

Venom is back in town, and he's on a rampage...but it has nothing to do with his vendetta against Spidey? What could be so important that Venom doesn't have the time to torture his nemesis? Peter Parker is determined to find out, but first he'll have to match journalistic wits with none other than Eddie Brock! Plus a new backup tale by Paul Benjamin & Vasilis Lolos, featuring the Lizard! And fresh from Japan…Spider-Man J! Printed for the first time in America and translated for your reading pleasure! AND…classic tales from Amazing Spider-Man #177 and #347! That enough Spidey for ya?

Venom (Eddie Brock) attempts to murder a rich businesswoman, Ione Damasco, and is stopped by Spider-Man. Rather than fight him, Venom does something different. He tells Spider-Man to mind his own business and leaves. The woman, rather than thankful for having her life saved, goes off on Spider-Man. When he tries to find out why Venom would be after her, the police arrive. Now it is Spider-Man's turn to leave.

The next morning over breakfast, Peter decides that Venom needs to be put away for good. He hates the fact that Venom has terrorized Mary Jane. He heads over to the Daily Bugle to ask Ben Urich if he knows anything about Venom's attack on the businesswoman. Ben doesn't know. When Peter asks about the names of other businessmen that was mentioned, Ben tells him that one of them could be a CEO that was suffocated in his home the past week. Peter then goes down to the Bugle's morgue to look over the paper's archives. Finally he finds an article with the three names (and others). Another businessman was mauled to death two weeks ago. Peter now wonders why Eddie Brock is after these people.

Ione is in her apartment surrounded by hired guards. When she goes to be alone in her room, she finds another guard in there. It turns out to be Brock in disguise. The next day, it's reported that she's dead. Peter returns to the Bugle to tell Ben that he's found the connection. The list of names he's compiled has over twenty names on it. Ben insists that Peter hands over the information to the police and avoid Venom at all costs.

Continuing his search for a connection with Venom and the others, Peter finally recieves a tip. Paying a visit to one of the businessmen, Spider-Man confronts him over what he's done. They were working on a hair growth drug. Pressed for time, they began testing it on unwilling transients. Because so many were killed, Venom is after them for vengeance. Finally Spider-Man asks how they were able to keep reporter Eddie Brock quiet.

Just then, Venom arrives. He tells Spider-Man that first they try a bribe. Then they say they've hired a hit man to kill your wife. The two begin to fight. As they smash around the place, an electrical fire begins. The fire causes Venom to have to flee since his symbiote hates fire. Peter saves the businessman but delivers him to the police. Ben is able to write the story (with the research notes from Eddie Brock). Venom is somewhat pleased. But he says he is not finished with Spider-Man just yet.

Dr. Curt Connors checks in on his star grad student to find out about his "secret experiment." Connors notices that the machinery he's working on is similar to a genetic replicator. The nervous student explains that it replaces genes that are switched off in one species with active ones from another. As the student rushes to the door to pay for his dinner, Curt notices lizards in a cage. Outraged, he tells the student that he has no idea what he's getting himself into. The student replies that he knows Connors' secret. Connors is baffled as to why he would continue working on an experiment that turned himself into a monster. He begins destroying the lab. The reptile cage is damaged and Connors transforms into the Lizard.

The Lizard tries to kill the student but he fights back. The student says that he won't let him destroy his work when he is so close to finding a cure. The Lizard and the student are thrown back. The student falls into the smashed replicator (that happens to have one of the lizards in it) and there is an explosion.

Curt awakes, back to normal but saddened over what has happened to his student. The paramedics arrive to take the student away who now has the mind of reptile himself. As they leave, none notices a pinned lizard amidst the wreckage that can speak and asks Dr. Connors for help.

Flash Thompson is thrown from a window by the new Green Goblin. Determined not to allow someone else close to him die, Spider-Man rushes to the window, snags Flash with a web, and puts him safely on the roof. The Goblin pushes Spider-Man out. He manages to catch the side of the building with a web and swings down to street level. He is unable to stop himself as he heads towards a driving car. He avoids causing injuries by smashing through the back doors of the car. The driver is enraged and tries to start a fight with Spider-Man. Spider-Man apologizes and leaves. As the man drives away, he smashes into another car.

Spider-Man goes back to talk to Flash and see if he's okay. Flash is stunned over the recent events. At first he thought Harry was acting out his Goblin fantasies by dressing up as him. But this time the voice was different and he was way stronger than Harry. Harry is also missing. Spider-Man has to leave as the sound of police sirens approach. Spider-Man wants Flash to continue to believe this is the case. (No one knows that this is actually another Green Goblin).

In an abandoned warehouse, the Green Goblin talks to a hooded individual that is tied up. It is his plans to become the crime boss of all of New York. He says he's covered the face of the individual because he couldn't stand to look at his snivelling face. He does thank him for their psychiatric sessions. He leaves because he has discovered a meeting that night with the top criminals in the city.

Peter visits Aunt May in the hospital. She seems to be doing better after her attack the day before. He leaves when Mary Jane and her aunt arrive to look after her.

Deep in thoughts over the Green Goblin and all the misery he's caused him, Peter stumbles across a gangland execution. The killers are all knocked out but he finds an invitation to the secret meeting after it fell out of one of their pockets. Spider-Man plans on crashing the meeting just as Aunt May has another attack in the hospital. Mary Jane tries to call him but Peter is not home.

The criminal meeting is being conducted by Silvermane. The Green Goblin crashes through the window. He says he wants control over the criminals of New York. The criminals try to stop the Goblin but he is too quick and strong for them. Once they realize they are no match, Silvermane decides to listen to the Goblin. He tells them that he can stop the one superhero that has caused them the most problems. He says he knows who Spider-Man really is. Spider-Man is listening in an air duct and knows that he is about to be finished if the Goblin reveals his identity.

Spider-Man awakes to find himself on an island with Venom. Venom says that their fights were always interrupted by outsiders. As Eddie Brock, he chartered a plane to bring him to a deserted island. There used to be a mining activity on the island but a disaster destroyed the mine and all the people eventually left. Spider-Man shoots Venom in the face with webbing and takes off.

Venom rips off the webbing, begins singing the theme to Giligan's Island, and prepares for the hunt. After swinging some ways across the island, Spider-Man stops for a drink at a pond only to discover Venom, using his chameleon powers, in the water as he pulls him under.

In Pittsburgh, Mary Jane is at her sister's wathing over her nephews. Peter sent her there to keep her safe from Venom. When she is pelted in the face by a snowball, she goes off on them but soon gathers her wits. She tries to be strong for Peter and helps her nephews with their snowman.

Back on the island, the battle continues underwater. Peter manages to grab a piece of wood and hits Venom across the face, smashing some of his teeth. This allows Peter to escape again. He finds an abandoned village near a graveyard. He tries to set a trap and waits for Venom, who has managed to sneak up on him since he doesn't trigger his spider-sense.

The snare-rope Peter rigged slows down Venom briefly. Peter falls into a mine shafts and smells gas. Peter runs again. He sets up another trap as Eddie Brock sits in front of a fire. Peter grabs a piece of flaming wood from the fire and Venom gives chase. After walking into a string of web, Venom grabs a nearby van and throws it at the flaming glow in the distance as Spider-Man tries to escpae. There is a big explosion as Venom remembers the gas. He finds the tattered remains of Spider-Man's costume on a skeleton and is pleased that Spider-Man is now dead.

Meanwhile Peter swims out to a nearby ship as Eddie decides to stay on the island now that Spider-Man is gone. He believes there is no longer a reason for Venom to exist.

A manga adventure of Spider-Man J helping SWAT Detective Flynn defeate the eveil Wasperus.

Characters: Anna May Watson, Aunt May, Ben Urich, Black Cat, Eddie Brock, Flash Thompson, Green Goblin, Gwen Stacy, Harry Osborn, Lizard, Mary Jane, Silvermane, Spider-Man, Venom

Teams: Spider-Man Family

Creators: Bob Sharen, Danny Fingeroth, David Lafuente, David Michelinie, Erik Larsen, Glynis Oliver Wein, Joe Caramagna, Kano, Len Wein, Marc Sumerak, Mark Paniccia, Mike Esposito, Nate Piekos (Blambot), Nathan Cosby, Paul Benjamin, Randy Emberlin, Ross Andru, Sean McKeever, Vasilis Lolos, Yamanaka Akira, Yuko Fukami

1689

The birth of Violetta.

1692

The townfolk claim a group of people have been bewitched as they dance in the woods unclothed around a fire. They have also been seen divining the future with "gypsy cards." When Abigail Williams is asked who put the evil into her, Violet's mother comes forward. She says the girls are not to blame, she is the witch.

Today

At the Dark Side bar in Staten Island, New York, Nightwing prepares to enter looking for information. As hard as he tries, he cannot maintain a distance to the murders that have been occuring. He's allowed it to get personal as he searches for information on Thomas and Violet. After fighting with a couple low grade thugs, he knows that everyone is telling the truth when they say they don't know anything about them. As he's about to leave, he tells them they better not think of crossing the line to becoming killers. He says the first one that gets him the information gets one free pass, a one-time offer. He plans on returning at midnight. The remainging thugs are surprised to see Nightwing behave so aggressively. A man standing in the shadows says he's seen him behave that way a "long time ago, when we were younger." He says Nightwing was good, but he was always better...

Nightwing continues his violent campaign to gather information with no luck. At the library, Bride and Groom seek to gather their own information on Nightwing. Bride is upset and wants him to suffer for their last encounter. Groom says it'd be best if they left. He says that is how they have survived for so long, avoiding confrontation. Bride says they can leave and she will become his wife after Nightwing has been destroyed.

Later, back at the Dark Side, Bride and Groom enter looking for Nightwing. They've heard that he was there looking for them. The bartender tells them that he will return at midnight. Groom notices that five of the people in the bar have the adequate auras to feed upon. They plan on getting as much energy as possible before Nightwing arrives.

After their feeding, Groom can sense Nightwing's aura getting closer. He drives his motorcycle through the window. Groom gets the upper hand and has Nightwing pinned down holding a knife to his neck. Groom tells him that he cannot resist him, no one can. Too stubborn, Nightwing manages to raise his knee, knocking back Groom's arms which causes him to slash his own throat. Bride rushes to him thankful that he is still alive. She says she cannot survive without him. Enraged at Nightwing, she shoots flames from her hand that causes the bar to go up in flames. Nightwing is left lying on the floor surrounded by fire.

Characters: Bride, Dick Grayson, Groom

Creators: Edgar Delgado, Jamal Igle, Keith Champagne, Marv Wolfman, Peter Tomasi, Rodney Ramos, Travis Lanham

Overview

"Every year I come here and bring my lover roses."

Written by Garth Ennis Art by Glenn Fabry Cover by Chris Sprouse & Karl Story

In feudal Japan, a forbidden romance sparks death and destruction in the lives of all who are touched by it. A brutal tale of honor, love and, above all, vengeance.

Flowers For The Sun does not pick up at the end of issue #5 of the series. It takes place in what may be an alternate reality or the past. No real explanation is given for the setting.

In feudal Japan, a man that seems to be a version of Midnighter sits on a hill in a dead forest. There are bones of many dead men around the base of the hill and a group of armed nobles and samurai around the bones. "Midnighter" tells them that he's invited them to listen to a story. As soon as they're ready to hear it, he tells them.

One morning, Midnighter awoke with no memory of who he was. He was wearing black armor and had two swords. People assumed he was a ronin, but Midnighter could never remember having a master or even being trained to fight. He found himself walking near a castle when he was attacked by more than 60 guards. He killed them all and, amazingly, came out untouched. The shogun, impressed by his skill, hired him to work for him.

While Midnighter worked on protecting the shogun's territories and the shogun tried to help Midnighter by uncovering his past, the shogun's senior minister plotted a way to get rid of Midnighter.

One day, the shogun and Midnighter were walking through the market when a man in white (Apollo) came into town. He was harassed by some drunk men who wanted to fight. Crying, Apollo tried to get them to leave him alone. They wouldn't, so Apollo raised his sword and killed them all in one single strike. The shogun sends Midnighter to talk to the man in white and he does. Apollo comes to work for the shogun and he and Midnighter soon fall in love. However, it's not meant to last.

Midnighter alone was a problem for the shogun's senior minister, but now with Apollo there, he wasn't getting enough attention. While Apollo and Midnighter are sleeping, he sends over 200 ninjas to kill them. The fight is long and hard but Midnighter survives. Unfortunately, Apollo does not. Midnighter tortures the only surviving ninja until he finds out who was responsible. He leaves the shogun's palace for a year to mourn and bury his love, but when he comes back, he drowns the minister in his own bath.

Back on the hill, which is also Apollo's grave, Midnighter tells the men gathered that every year he brings his lover flowers. Then he tells them to defend themselves. The fight is quick and at the end, a dozen hearts are resting on Apollo's grave.

Characters: Apollo, Midnighter

Creators: Garth Ennis, Glenn Fabry, Johnny Rench, Karl Story, Phil Balsman, Scott Dunbier

From the pages of CIVIL WAR: THE INITIATIVE comes Canada’s newest super hero team! But this is not your father’s FLIGHT. Bold and daring, OMEGA FLIGHT is the best 5-issue series you’ll EVER read. 
   
Dr. Walter Langkowski, Sasquatch, is the only survivor of Alpha Flight. He is asked to lead a new government team of heroes. Langkowski is not too eager to get back into the hero biz but with all the heroes fleeing to Canada after the Superhuman Registration Act in the United States, there is a need to govern these people. The full team hasn't even been formed. We see Talisman reject Langkowski's offer. And the Wrecking Crew tries to live up to its name.

Characters: Arachne, Beta Ray Bill, Bulldozer, Iron Man, Michael Pointer, Piledriver, Sasquatch, Talisman, Thunderball, U.S.Agent, Wrecker

Teams: Omega Flight, SHIELD, Wrecking Crew

Creators: Andy Schmidt, Brian Reber, Cory Petit, Michael Avon Oeming, Scott Kolins

Harley Quinn is in a meeting with the board at Arkham to try and get released. After they question Harley they voted and Bruce Wayne still did not give her the vote. On her way back to her cell she is kidnapped by a fake cop. She is then taken to Scarface who offers her a job that will make them rich. Harley agrees and they proceed with the plan. Harley tips off Gordon about Scarface and then she pretends to finish the job. They start fighting and Batman shows up. The girl controlling Scarface was able to get away when she threw Scarface and he exploded. Harley returns to Arkham but would soon earn another meeting with the board. Bruce Wayne has changed his vote and Harley is now free to go.

Characters: Alfred, Batman, Harley Quinn, Harvey Bullock, James Gordon, Scarface, Ventriloquist

Creators: Don Kramer, Elisabeth V. Gehrlein, John Kalisz, Paul Dini, Peter Tomasi, Simone Bianchi, Wayne Faucher

A goup of people find themself stuck in a dinner at a bus station during a zombie attack.

They make a run for it to get on a bus.

Creators: Arthur Suydam, Hugo Petrus, Ivan Nunes, John Reppion, Leah Moore, Marc Rueda, Sean Phillips, Simon Bowland

This issue provides the back story for Albion, Excalibur's latest enemy.

At the opening of the issue, Excalibur is standing around a hologram of Albion trying to figure out who he is and where he came from. The scene switches to Albion and Lionheart sparring and at the end, he tells her his history.

On another Earth, Albion was a ranger in a centuries long war that spanned the globe. When he died in battle, Merlyn and Roma came to him and offered him the choice between an amulet and a sword. Unlike 616 Captain Britain, Albion chose the sword, the tool of destruction. Roma tried to take back the sword since he wasn't supposed to have taken it, but Merlyn stopped her and they left. Albion, now empowered, destroyed all his enemies on the battlefield and eventually got around to killing his enemies all over the world, ending the war entirely. Unfortunately, the long war had ravaged his world and people were starving and dying of diseases, enemies that Albion could not fight. Instead, he found another enemy, a man named Warlord who had apparent been the cause of the war. He discovered Warlord when the man was asking pan-dimensional traders (who had already given him tremendous power) for some more tools to take over the world. While the traders tried to escape, another Captain Britain arrived and stopped them. He didn't get there fast enough though, and Albion killed Warlord even after he surrendered. The Captain and Albion fought and Albion won. With the Captain and the traders at his mercy, he made them tell him all about the Captain Britain Corps. They tell him and Albion, still mad at Roma for trying to take his sword away all those years before, killed the Captain and vowed to kill all the other Captain Britains.

Back in the present, Albion and Lionheart meet and ally with Scicluna and the evil X-Men from earlier in the series.

Characters: Albion, Angel, Beast, Captain Britain, Cyclops, Dazzler, Iceman, Jean Grey, Juggernaut, Lionheart, Merlyn, Pete Wisdom, Roma, Sage, Scicluna

Teams: Excalibur

Creators: Andrew Crossley, Andy Schmidt, Brian Reber, Chris Claremont, Dave Meikis, Joe Quesada, John Dell, Michael Ryan, Nick Lowe, Peter Pantazis, Scot Eaton, Scott Hanna, Tom Orzechowski, Tom Palmer

DANGER GIRL creator Andy Hartnell reunites with the art team of Nick Bradshaw & Jim Charalampidis (DANGER GIRL: BACK IN BLACK, ROKKIN) for an explosive new 4-issue miniseries! When mysterious forces have some of the world's greatest treasures in their greedy sights, you can count on the Danger Girls to block their fire. But what happens when a legendary assassin takes aim at the Danger Girls themselves?                        

SPOILERS

In Yokohama, Japan, Abbey is on a mission to recover a piece of weapons technology from an old friend, Mr. Naoki. As she's about to meet with him, she recieves word that a change of plans has been made and she is also to bring him along. When she lets him know that he is to go with her, his guards enter the room to deal with her threats. Grabbing Naoki, Abbey jumps out the window as the guards open fire. Using a parachute, they safely land on a waiting speed boat driven by Sydney. They ask him for the technology. He says he will be killed when "they" find out it's been taken. Then a sniper shoots and kills Naoki. The bullet hit him in the chest where he had the tech in his jacket pocket.

In Melborne, Australia, the girls are supposed to have a day off when Sydney calls Abbey asking her to go to her location. Fearing the worst, Abbey breaks down the door at a house Sydney is thinking of buying. Abbey fears that Sydney is thinking of quitting Danger Girl because of the sniper. Sydney says she just wants a place to call home when they are not on a mission. As she's about to take the house, both their beepers go off.

On the Danger Yacht, Deuce has called them in as Valerie is working on the weapon tech that had been shot. Valerie is able to digitize a replica so that she can grab some of the code that is on the disk. It turns out that the tech has the blueprints to build the Master Key. The Master Key is apparently a weapong that "every bad guy in the world has always wanted."

In the Arctic Cirlce, a nuclear sub has been accessed by an outside source. The missles have been commanded to self-detonate. The crew abandons ship asthe sub is blown up.

Now that event has happened, every nation in the world will want the Master Key. Danger Girl is given a new mission to find and destroy it.

In Madagascar, the man responsible for detonating the nuclear sub tells his computer guy to program the Master Key to destroy their next target. He is hesitant because he fears the signal will be traced to them. The man says that no one will be able to trace them to this location just as they are found by a British agent. He asks for the key as he is shot by a sniper. The same sniper that killed Naoki. The man tells her that more will most likely arrive. He gives her a picture of Abbey warning her to be careful as she is supposedly the best there is. The sniper says she looks forward to meeting her.

Characters: Abbey Chase, Deuce, Silicon Valerie, Sydney Savage

Teams: Danger Girl

Creators: Andy Hartnell, Comicraft, Jim Charalampidis, Nick Bradshaw, Scott Dunbier

Batwoman is kidnapped by Bruno Mannhiem and Whisper A'Daire at her home. Renee Montoya and Nightwing investigate in an attempt to save her. They realize when the prophecy said Batwoman and Cain were to be sacrificed, that Cain could be spelled anyway. Katherine "Kate" Kane was the Batwoman and now she is to be sacrificed. Along the way Renee questions her about herself and tries to figure herself out. Renee would eventually become the new Question as she puts on his mask. Renee finds where they are doing the ritual and is attacked. She was a little late when Batwoman gets stabbed for the ritual by Bruno. Renee distracts him and Batwoman takes out the knife and kills Bruno with it. Batwoman would lay in Renee's arms dying.

Characters: Alan Scott, Batman, Batwoman, Big Barda, Black Adam, Black Canary, Bruno Mannheim, Dick Grayson, Dr. Sivana, Egg Fu, Huntress, Kyle Abbot, Lady Blackhawk, Manhunter, Oracle, Power Girl, Renee Montoya, Superman, T.O. Morrow, Wally West, Whisper A'Daire, Wildcat, Wonder Woman

Teams: Birds Of Prey, Intergang, Justice League Of America, Religion of Crime

Creators: Alex Sinclair, Darick Robertson, David Baron, Doug Hazlewood, Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, Harvey Richards, Jared K. Fletcher, Jeanine Schaefer, J.G. Jones, Keith Giffen, Mark Waid, Michael Siglain, Nicola Scott

 
Mark Verheiden  (Battlestar Galactica, Smallville) brings you the conclusion of the epic story pitting DCU aliens against the Earth. You won't believe who the Last Son of Krypton and the Dark Knight must face in this finale!    
 
Across the world, the blackrocks fall affecting all those that come in contact with them. Batman continues to be infected, himself, fighting against Superman. Superman tries to get through to him as he takes the punches from Batman. He knows that the blackrock will release Batman if it believes it is in danger but it also knows that Superman will not kill Batman. Superman makes it clear that he does know how Batman's mind works and that he'd rather die than lose his soul. As he starts hitting back, he says he will do whatever it takes to bring him back or give him peace. The blackrock appears to believe him as it leaves Batman's body.

An infected Jimmy visits Lex Luthor. It seems the "others" want Lex but with a clear mind. They do not wish him to be infected. As he's about to be taken, he tries to bargain for his life by saying he knows how to deal with Superman, how his type think. He is soon surprised to see that Despero is also working with the others. He tells Lex that if he tells him how to kill Superman, they may let him live.

Superman and Batman regroup to prepare for a final battle. They pick up a nuclear device that Batman had liberated from the Joker to use as a last resort. Superman takes on all the infected heroes as Batman enters the others' ship. He runs into Jimmy but is still prepared to detonate the device if need be.

When Superman is faced with the others and Despero, he tries to talk things out again. He tells them that not all humans are evil and need to be wiped out. He reminds them that he was from another planet and taken in by humans. There was no personal gain for them. He's been embraced by the world as Superman. He has seen the nobility of the human spirit and wants to be part of that. He then tells them that Despero lied to them. Outraged, Despero tries to stop Superman from talking to the others. He asks Luthor how to destroy Superman. Before Lex can answer, Batman gives him a boot to the head.

The others are still unsure. The fact that they've been listening means that they are conflicted. Superman tells Batman that he has to believe in them and trust them the way he does with him. Hesitating for a second, Batman does. The conflict is over immediately. All those infected have been released. The aliens leave without a word.

Bruce Wayne now thinks over his ways. Superman saved the world because he believes in humans. Bruce realizes that he needs to try that himself. He tries to be a nicer person in his Bruce Wayne persona and reestablishes his friendship with Superman.

Characters: Alfred, Argent, Batman, Blackrock, Blue Beetle, Despero, Hal Jordan, Hawkgirl, Jimmy Olsen, Kilowog, Lex Luthor, Lobo, Lois Lane, Martian Manhunter, Power Girl, Sparx, Supergirl, Superman

Teams: Superman / Batman

Creators: Adam Schlagman, Andy Lanning, Eddie Berganza, Guy Major, Joe Benitez, Mark Verheiden, Moose Baumann, Phil Jimenez, Rob Leigh, Victor Llamas

Ast the Shuster Sports Arena in Metropolis, Wonder Woman is putting in an appearance for a fundraiser for the Jadis Foundation. The foundation helps women in different needs. Lois and Clark are in attendance to report on her public appearance. Later, the festivities continue at the Metropolis Museum of Art. There, Diana meets with Lois and Clark to do an interview. She tells them of her recent experience with a women's shelter that has opened her eyes to try to help out on a different level.

A woman smashes through a display case to take a piece she claims is hers. When Clark puts a hand on her to "talk" to her, she senses power within him. She causes his tuxedo to disintigrate revealing his Superman identity. When Diana tries to stop her, she is thrown across the room. As Diana recovers, she and Lois figure that no one was really paying attention to Clark before he was revealed. They both leave to try to figure out where he can be. After Lois access the Daily Planet's records, they realize that the woman was Khyrana the Accursed. Her story goes back to Zeus' time. When Zeus offerred to spend some time together, she refuses. Outraged, Zeus curses her with the need for the touch of others in order to live. She spent the rest of her time trying to lure others to feed on them.

Lois manages to figure out where Khyrana is staying and Wonder Woman is off to save Superman. When she arrives, she finds Superman too weak to move. Wonder Woman tries to reason with her. She tells her that if she releases Superman, they can appeal to Athena and try to find a solution to her pain and misery. Khyrana declines with a swift uppercut to Wonder Woman.

As Khyrana has Wonder Woman on the ropes, Superman manages to stand up to fight. Khyrana is surprised he is able to even move. She explains how she is outraged after seeing women broken and humiliated by men. Superman is knocked into another room. A room full of "trophies" from her past kills. As Wonder Woman tries to grab her, Khyrana begins to drain her energy too. Superman figures out that the combination of draining his solar power and Wonder Woman's magic-based power is having a weird affect on her. Khyrana begins to get dizzy despite the fact that she is still draining their power. Together, they both deliver a blow that puts her out.

Lois managed to convince the police to send in the Science Police to deal with picking up Khyrana. Wonder Woman still insists on trying to help her with her need to feed.

Returning to Lois and Clark's place, Lois decides to make some tea for the two heroes after their ordeal. She talks about the possibilities of Khyrana being stopped could have on saving lives but also creating a bad reputation of the foundation. When she comes into the living room, she finds the two fast asleep on the couch.

Characters: Lois Lane, Superman, Wonder Woman

Creators: Eduardo Barreto, Jesus Merino, Kurt Busiek, Lee Loughridge, Matt Idelson, Richard Howell, Richard Starkings

At her father's training and urging, young Kara has done appalling things. She murdered children, took the life of her own mother and now she cannot assimilate herself into Earth's societies, as a girl or as a Superhero. She's lost, hurt and confused. In the darkness, her father begins to tell her why.

She had a happy childhood with her mother and father, both of which loved her very much. She idolised her scientist father but he was ever the rival of his brother, Jor-El.

Zor-El hated the thought of what his brother had done in discovering the Phantom Zone. He was horrified at the idea of sending criminals into a place that was no better than a living death. He would rather those criminals be put to death. But the Council praised Jor-El and began using the Zone as the main form of punishment for all types of criminals.

As the Zone was utilised more frequently so Kryptonian society began to fall into degradation. Argo City, the site of the first banishment, was the worst hit by these horrors.

One night, Zor-El is leading his wife and daughter home through an area that had once been clean and safe. They're attacked by a group of muggers but when Zor-El uses the sunstone crystal that he keeps around his neck to slay them, they die. He's suddenly hit by the realisation that these men were, in fact, possessed by some kind of phantoms, infecting Krypton from the Zone.

He became obsessed with finding these creatures, working out how to kill them. He goes to his brother, begging for help against the ghosts. Jor-El has discovered that the planet is dying, being ripped apart by ground-quakes, but he denies Zor-El, saying that his rantings are madness.

As Zor-El worked on in secret, he pulled his daughter along with him. Her unwavering faith in her father was what drove him. He began to run tests on her, fusing her with the sunstone crystals. She was bullied, an outcast by her peers.

Zor-El discovered that the phantoms had started to infect children and he sent Kara out to kill them all. She slaughtered all of her friends. The family are arrested.

At the sentencing, Krypton finally begins to tear itself apart and they go free. The phantoms have revealed that the only way they will rest is if the entirety of the House of El is destroyed. Zor-El sees the light at the end of the tunnel. Just when he begins to believe that the phantoms will be gone forever, Jor-El reveals his plan to send Kal-El, his son, away in a ship. The House of El will live on.

No matter how he begs, Zor-El cannot convince his brother to change his mind. And so, just as Kara is forced to slay her mother because she has become infected by the phantoms, he sends her away. Her mission is to kill the last of the House of El and finally cleanse the universe of these phantoms.

Characters: Dick Grayson, Jor-El, Lara Lor-Van, Powerboy, Supergirl, Superman, Zor-El

Creators: Ale Garza, Eddie Berganza, Joe Kelly, Mark Sable, Marlo Alquiza, Rob Leigh, Rod Reis

The issue starts with two mysterious voices talking about The Runaways. The intro provides information about each member of the team and a brief history for new readers or old ones who've forgotten.

After the intro, the team is shown eating at a fancy restaurant in New York where they await an unnamed man who was one of the voices in the intro. The man is quickly revealed to be The Kingpin. The Runaways, claiming to be the new Pride, demand protection while they are in New York. Kingpin tells them he can have them killed, but he gives them a place to stay anyway. But only if they steal something for him.

Later, in the house that the Kingpin has given them, the Runaways discuss their new situation. Victor thinks they're turning evil by dealing with Fisk, Nico disagrees, Chase is just happy to have a place to stay, and Xavin admires the man for being a leader. Xavin praises Fisk for being a man who knows who he is and doesn't have to hide it, but turns from male to female as he does so.

The group is still unsure of what they'll do when the scene changes to show an old woman, in her house, talking to a very muscular man with lots of scars and a large sword. They talk about the Runaways and the Kingpin being oblivious to some plan the big man has concocted, but nothing specific is said.

Back at the Runaway's house, Nico and Karolina talk and Nico ends up questioning her relationship with, and the sexuality of, Xavin. Karolina gets mad and flies off and the next frame skips forward a little and shows the Runaways crashing their vehicle into a building. They've decided to work for the Kingpin and steal the artifact he asked for.

Things start off bumpy enough, with the crash landing and Xavin's difficulty of getting everyone to the right building, but it only gets worse. While most of the team in the building and Chase (and Old Lace) standing guard outside, a dark figure launches a rocket at the building. Chase is saved from a fall to his death by Old Lace, and inside, Xavin and Molly create an escape route by breaking the floor. They escape with the artifact but find themselves staring up at the guns of the Punisher. Not only that, but the mysterious man with the sword is right behind him and he looks mad.

Characters: Chase Stein, Dale Yorkes, Forget-Me-Not, Karolina Dean, Kid Twist, Kingpin, Klara Prast, Molly Hayes, Nico Minoru, Old Lace, Punisher, Stacey Yorkes, The Spieler, Tristan, Victor Mancha, Witchbreaker, Xavin

Teams: Pride, The Sinners, The Street Arabs

Creators: Christina Strain, Dan Buckley, Daniel Ketchum, Jo Chen, Joe Quesada, Joss Whedon, Michael Ryan, Nick Lowe, Randy Gentile

The Madman universe has imploded, turning itself inside out. This brand new series is going to do the same to your brain and leave you begging for more! If you've never experienced this legendary Mike Allred creation, now's the perfect time to jump on this all-new thrill ride that begins with Frank 'Madman' Einstein facing his most terrifying challenge yet, as his entire existence is in question-in fact, ALL existence!! This story will also include an innovative recap of every essential event in the Madman mythos. Future issues in the series will take you to the most wondrous places a comic book can offer. Climb aboard and dig the ride!

SPOILERS

Madman finds himself in a world where everyone is dead. Searching everywhere, he comes across Warren, one of Dr. Gillespie's helper drones. Warren says all the death is because of Madman. He tells him to go back to the beginning to recall the events that lead to this. Madman can recall when he "died" and was brought back by Dr. Gillespie and Professor Boiffard. They were the ones that rehabilitated him and gave him the name Frank Einstein. This was also when he discovered that he had psychic abilities that allowed him to know all of a person's secrets just by touching them. He immediately fell for Joe, Gillespie and Boiffard's research assistant. Soon, Frank created a new identity inspired by his childhood hero, Mr. Excitement to help his self esteem. He went on many adventures helping out Gillespie with different experiments.

Warren continues to press Madman. He thinks back to Astroman, a clone robot made from his brain cells. When Astroman was asked to reveal the memories of Frank's past life, he blew his circuits. Frank knows that he was a Tri-Eye Agent and that he wasn't a "good man." He also knows that he's been given a second chance to be a better person.

Things come crashing down and Frank can barely handle it. He is told that he is one of the four. When it is time, "the four horseman will ride." He is told that he knows a lot about life and death, heaven and hell, he has traveled through time and across dimensions. He just doesn't know anything about himself. He is told that perhaps everything that has happened is only a figment of his imagination. He is reminded of how cruel he was. How easily he could kill. Perhaps everything he remembers about trying to redeem himself never really happened. He is everything and nothing. He is all alone.

Characters: G-Men, Hellboy, It Girl, Joe, Madman, Mr. Excitement, Mr. Gum, Nexus, Savage Dragon, Superman

Teams: The Atomics

Creators: Jamie S. Rich, Laura Allred, Michael Allred, Nate Piekos (Blambot), Paul Rivoche

How will Wolverine react to the death of one the most beloved characters in the Marvel Universe? He ain't buyin' it! Join Logan as he tries to track down the truth and he's not going to be happy when he does! The secret story that will transverse the post Civil War landscape – and stars Marvel's most popular characters – begins here! How do people with amazing powers face a force that no one can fight? Who has fallen, and is more violence coming? With Wolverine on the scene, is there any question? Be there as superstar Jeph Loeb teams with the industry's top artists on a story that will have everyone talking! Loeb! Leinil! Logan!

In an abandoned barbershop in New York City, Winter Soldier and Wolverine discuss the shooting of Captain America. Wolverine doesn't believe it's true but Winter Soldier says he was there and saw it. Wolverine says that perhaps they wanted him there to witness it. Wolverine mentions that this isn't the first time the world believed Cap was dead. Winter Soldier finally figures out why Wolverine wanted to meet with him. He wants Bucky to go with him to identify the body. Winter Soldier says no because he has his own agenda.

Next Wolverine seeks out Daredevil. He tells him that his heightened senses can help identify Cap. When Daredevil asks how he plans on avoiding getting arrested, Wolverine says he's "got a guy."

10,000 feet above New York City on a S.H.I.E.L.D. helicarrier, Wolverine and Daredevil stand aside as Tony Stark and Maria Hill walk right by him. No one can see or hear them. It was Dr. Strange that allowed them to get on undetected with magic. They only have ten minutes. It turns out that Wolverine wants to talk to Crossbones instead of seeing Cap. He wants Daredevil to be his lie detector when he questions him.

In Crossbones' cell, Wolverine puts down a gun he took from a guard. Crossbones is the only one that can see and hear them. When asked if he shot Captain America, he tells them, yeah but he didn't get the kill shot. He's asked if he believes Cap is dead and Crossbones says he better be. When Wolverine asks who hired him to kill Cap, he says he doesn't remember. It seems his memory's been blocked. Wolverine taunts Crossbones into picking up the gun and shooting him. Once he does, he can attack him. He tells him he has three seconds to tell him who shot Cap and places his fist against his neck. The two outer claws are popped out. Daredevil convinces Wolverine that he doesn't know anything. Wolverine punches Crossbones out.

As their time is almost up, Wolverine tells Daredevil that he has something else to do. Down below, he opens a sealed coffin covered in an American flag. Behind him, he hears the electronic voice of Iron Man tell him, "It's him," as he looks over Steve Rogers' body. Wolverine asks Iron Man where is Cap's shield. He asks if he's going to make it that Captain America lives on while Steve is dead. Tony says that Steve was his best friend.

Wolverine turns to leave. Hank Pym puts down a giant hand and asks Wolverine if he thinks he's just going to walk out of there. Wolverine says they are going to let him walk out and give him transport too. Hank asks him if he thinks he can take on him, Iron Man, and all of S.H.I.E.L.D. Wolverine says "yep" but the reason Tony is going to let him go is to tell anyone who has hope that Steve is still alive that he isn't. He also tells Stark that if he finds out he had anything to do with Cap's death, he's going to kill him.

Characters: Bucky Barnes, Captain America, Crossbones, Daredevil, Doctor Strange, Hank Pym, Iron Man, Maria Hill, Wolverine

Teams: SHIELD

Creators: Bill Rosemann, Comicraft, Dave McCaig, Jeph Loeb, J. Michael Straczynski, Leinil Francis Yu, Michael Turner, Richard Starkings

The CIVIL WAR is over, and from now on, THIS is the new face of the MARVEL UNIVERSE—THE INITIATIVE!  Whose side were you on? Well, if you were pro-registration, then there’s one hell of a price to pay. You’re in the army now. Every last one of you. Fall in with YELLOWJACKET, WAR MACHINE, SHE-HULK, JUSTICE, and THE GAUNTLET as they train the heroes of tomorrow for the super-powered conflicts of today! Marvel’s army of super heroes has just become a super hero army! Also featuring THE MIGHTY AVENGERS and a new generation of Marvels.

Characters: Ares, Armory, Baron Von Blitzschlag, Bengal, Carmilla Black, Cloud 9, Constrictor, Criti Noll, Debrii, Gauntlet, Hardball, Henry Gyrich, Justice, Komodo, Ms. Marvel, MVP, Network, Nighthawk, Patsy Walker, Rage, Red Wolf, She-Hulk, Shooting Star, Slapstick, Stature, Stingray, Texas Twister, Thor Girl, Trauma, Triathlon, Ultimo, Ultragirl, War Machine, Wasp, Wonder Man

Teams: Mighty Avengers, The Initiative

Creators: Daniele Rudoni, Dan Slott, Jim Cheung, Joe Caramagna, Joe Quesada, John Dell, Molly Lazer, Stefano Caselli, Tom Brevoort

The Baroness continues to cut a bloody swath of revenge through the world, as the G.I. Joe team tries to gather info that will help them get a step ahead of her to stop her madness! But before they can do that, Baroness comes face-to-face with Wraith, her betrayer! The biggest Baroness story ever told continues!

full description coming

Characters: Baroness, Blackout, Cobra Commander, Destro, Duke, General Colton, Major Bludd, Roadblock, Scarlett, Shipwreck, Snake-Eyes, Sparks, Spirit, Stalker, Tomax

Teams: COBRA, G.I. Joe

Creators: Brian J. Crowley, Jean-Francois Beaulieu, Mark Powers, Mike Bear, Mike O'Sullivan

Overview

PLANET HULK CONCLUSION

Sons of Sakaar, remember their names! Korg, Miek, Hiroim, Elloe, the Brood Creature and Caiera the Oldstrong! These are the heroes of Sakaar, the Green Scar's Warbound allies and the Hulk's greatest friends. As they face the terrifying conclusion to the PLANET HULK epic, who will live? Who will die? And who will pay when the Worldbreaker reveals his true face? Don't miss the shocking end to PLANET HULK -- and the launching pad for Marvel's WORLD WAR HULK summer blockbuster.

Spoilers

A robotic creature, Arch-E-5912, ventures to the twisted woods on Sakaar to try to make piece with the Wildebots. They have aligned themselves with the former Red King's Death Head guards. Arch-E-5912 informs them that the Green Scar has sent off the Spikes and that a new age has begun with the new king.

Just then, the warp core to the ship Hulk arrived in warns that it has been compromised. As it explodes, Hulk tries to shield Caiera from the blast. She tells him not to worry and that she will never leave him.

The blast has it affect as it disintigrates everything in its path. Some resce attempts are made as the planet itself becomes unstable. Molten lava begins seeping through the surface.

Hulk is left alone with his dead wife and unborn child withing her. He blames the "stupid humans" and their "stupid shuttle" for the destruction. Hulk wants to die but the bomb has made him stronger. He shouts out, "GIVE THEM BACK!" On his knees, he asks for "her" back.

The ship that Miek and Elloe used to return the Spikes to the stars finds Hulk after saving what few they could. Hulk wants to be left alone. They tell him that they are warbound to the end. This is the end for this planet. Hulk replies that there is nothing left to smash. They have a robot on board that has a map of the entire universe in its brain. There is but one place left to go. The Hulk is returning home.

Sons of Sakaar, remember their names! Korg, Miek, Hiroim, Elloe, the Brood Creature and Caiera the Oldstrong! These are the heroes of Sakaar, the Green Scar's Warbound allies and the Hulk's greatest friends. As they face the terrifying conclusion to the PLANET HULK epic, who will live? Who will die? And who will pay when the Worldbreaker reveals his true face? Don't miss the shocking end to PLANET HULK -- and the launching pad for Marvel's WORLD WAR HULK summer blockbuster.

Characters: Arch-E-5912, Caiera, Death's Head 3.0, Elloe, Hiroim, Hulk, Korg, Miek, No-name

Teams: Warbound

Creators: Carlo Pagulayan, Chris SOTO Sotomayor, Dan Buckley, Greg Pak, Jeffrey Huet, Joe Caramagna, Joe Quesada, Jose Ladrönn, Mark Paniccia

Young Roland Deschain and friends have fled for the city of Hambry, as their home in Gilead is now too

dangerous. But, once there, Roland learns to his horror that he is no safer. Hambry’s leaders have switched allegiance and the assassins known as the Big Coffin Hunters have marked Roland and company for death! Plus articles and bonus features galore.

full description coming

Characters: Alain Johns, Arthur Eld, Clay Reynolds, Cuthbert Allgood, Eldred Jonas, Roland Deschain, Roy Depape, Susan Delgado

Teams: Big Coffin Hunters

Creators: Chris Eliopoulos, Jae Lee, John Barber, John Romita Jr, Peter David, Richard Isanove, Robin Furth, Stephen King

Overview

The destruction of Buffy's hometown, plus covert and powerful slayer "cells" around the world, add up to a new label for the Scoobies: Terrorist threat. Speaking of Sunnydale, the crater formerly known as, has opened to reveal the witch Amy, and boy is she pissed. Now: Giles, smoochies, a knife to the heart, and a big sleep. Season Eight continues.

Buffy creator Joss Whedon brings Buffy back to Dark Horse in this direct follow-up to Season Seven of the smash-hit TV series.

Characters: Amy Madison, Andrew Wells, Buffy, Dawn, Giles, Leah, Rowena, Satsu, Willow, Xander

Teams: Scooby Gang, Slayers, Twilight Group

Creators: Andy Owens, Comicraft, Dave Stewart, Georges Jeanty, Jo Chen, Joss Whedon, Richard Starkings, Scott Allie

Overview:

You are Danny Rand -- scion of a martial arts dynasty that stretches back to the dawn of time, CEO of a multibillion-dollar business conglomerate, and a recently reactivated superhero in the Marvel Universe. A plot to destroy you, your legacy, your company and your good name hatched centuries ago and now has you in its clutches -- and your only ally is a might-be-crazy former Iron Fist that somehow survived the First World War. It's your fourth issue. You are probably doomed.

Contains Spoilers:

Orson Randall tells Danny how his father and mother had crashed into K'un-Lun on the one day every ten years that it is on their plane of existance. His mother was prengant with him and he was born there. He was born there and accepted as a native son. He was trained by Lei Kung, the same master that Danny had (since he's immortal and all). Danny gives Orson a hard time since he believes in using guns. Danny calls it "gun-fu," but Orson explains how the Shou-Lao Chi can be extended into projectiles fired. They make their way to Orson's father's pneumatic subway station deep under New York City.

At the Wai-Go American headquarters, Davos appears to be training. He easily takes out two Hydra legions. He is now ready to claim the power of the Iron Fist for himself.

At the subway station, the two Iron Fist prepare to fight as it is invaded by Hydra.

Characters: Crane Mother, Iron Fist, Jeryn Hogarth, Lei Kung, Orson Randall, Steel Serpent, Xao

Teams: HYDRA

Creators: Dave Lanphear, David Aja, Derek Fridolfs, Ed Brubaker, Matt Faction, Matt Hollingsworth, Sal Buscema, Tom Palmer, Travel Foreman, Warren Simons

Spider-Man hops on Hawkeye and threatens to eat his brains if they don't give the webbed-up Ash to him. He is cautioned against that mainly because once they are zombified, they don't taste good. Spider-Man argues that he had to lug Ash around and listen to him talk nonstop. Ash tries to crawl away as they discuss this. Finally Cap says they may need Hawkeye later and allows Spider-Man to have Ash.

They swing away and once they reach a roof top and Spidey lets Ash down, Ash tries attacking him. Spider-Man quickly points out that he is still human. It seems his powers are working to keep off the affects of Colonel America's bite.

Spider-Man soon takes off when he's reminded of Aunt May and Mary Jane. Ash calls after him as the Punisher comes up behind him. As the Punisher admires Ash's chainsaw, he discovers that he's trying to save this world from the deadites. Frank tells Ash that if he helps him first, then he'll help Ash find the Necronomicon.

Frank busts in on a meeting between the Kingpin, Hammerhead and the Owl. Kingpin insists that they are now on the same side, humans versus zombie. Frank disagrees as he doesn't think Kingpin was ever human and shoots them.

As they are about to leave Fisk Tower, they see that the zombie infection is spreading. Ash sees Thunderball cornered by a bunch of super zombies. He tells Frank that he's not infected. Frank doesn't care because he's a criminal too. He goes out shooting at all of them. The bullets aren't having too much of an effect as they overcome and do away with the Punisher.

Ash decides that he works best alone. He says he doesn't need a partner until he sees Winter Soldier trying to take a bite out of Dazzler. As Winter Soldier tells Dazzler to give him "some sugar," Ash informs him that that is his line and shoots his head off. Dazzler thanks Ash as he checks out her...assets. He claims he's checking her for zombie bites.

As they walk away, Ash tells Dazzler his situation and about the Necronomicon. When she realizes they're in Greenwich Village, she takes Ash to Stephen Strange's sanctum sanctorium. Dazzler fills Ash in on who Dr. Strange is has he's grabbed from behind.

Hearing a big "crunch!" behind her, Dazzler turns to see where Ash is. She sees Ash apparently with the top of his head missing lying in the lap of a zombified Howard the Duck.

To be continued?

Characters: Ash, Black Cat, Black Widow, Blob, Bucky Barnes, Captain America, Clint Barton, Cloak, Dagger, Daredevil, Dazzler, Doctor Octopus, Elektra, Hammerhead, Howard the Duck, Iron Fist, Kingpin, Leader, Luke Cage, Ms. Marvel, Owl, Piledriver, Punisher, Pyro, Rhino, Sentry, Spider-Man, Thunderball, Toad, Wasp, Wrecker

Teams: Avengers, Marvel Zombies, Wrecking Crew

Creators: Arthur Suydam, Fabiano Neves, John Layman, June Chung, Ralph Macchio, Robert Kirkman, Rus Wooton

The Silver Surfer chases down Tenebrous and Aegis, the two cosmic power-houses who took out Galactus!

Plus, Firelord rounds up the Centurians—Annihilus’s elite force that murdered his homeworld—and takes his revenge.The fallout from ANNIHILATION continues here.

full description coming

Characters: Aegis, Antiphon the Overseer, Brio of Life, Diableri of Chaos, Firelord, Galactus, Silver Surfer, Tenebrous

Teams: Heralds of Galactus, Proemial Gods, The Centurions

Creators: Andrea Divito, Andy Schmidt, Gabriele Dell'Otto, June Chung, Keith Giffen, Paul Mounts, Scott Kolins

Flashback to Julia Carpenter's arrest after running from Ms. Marvel and Wonder Man. Her daughter, Rachel, is seen being taken away as she is sent to the prison in the Negative Zone.

Two days ago.

Carol talks to Tony Stark about wanting to do something for Julia. She feels bad that she was arrested and taken away in front of her daughter. Tony tries telling her that despite being a former Avenger, Julia is still guilty and shouldn't recieve special favors.

Now, Brooklyn, New York.

Arachne (Julia Carpenter) confronts Araña as she leaves her former job demanding to know where her daughter is. When Anya says she doesn't know, Julia then demands to know where Carol is.

Above in a minicarrier, Ms. Marvel instructs her team of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents that Julia is not one of the villains they are trying to track down. She wants to use this as a test run to see how the team works. Carol decides that she and Wonder Man need to try to take a different approach this time when confronting Julia. She soon realizes that they are close to where Anya lives. She rushes off knowing that Julia would be going after her. She finds Anya standign over an unconscious Julia.

In Anderson, Indiana, a couple of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents watch over the A.I.M. base that was taken down by Ms. Marvel and her team. Bored, they are soon taken out by surprise by two A.I.M. agents. They are there to recover a "package."

Back on the minicarrier, Julia wakes up to find herself alone in a room with Carol. Carol tells her she doesn't want to fight and that she wants to help her. Carol tells her that no one took Rachel away. She stayed with Julia's parents after she was arrested. They are no longer there. Carol tells her that she'll have her team start looking for them right away.

The psy-ops are soon able to track down Julia's parents in Ohio after her mother used a credit card to buy groceries. Julia is reunited with her daughter. Her dad tries taking Rachel away saying she brought a war to their doorstep. He's been trying to hide her to keep her safe.

Julia is told she will recieve a full pardon but since her parents have custody of Rachel, that will have to be sorted in the courts. Tony wants her to become part of the Canadian government group, Omega Flight. She thinks it could be a good thing. As she's about to leave, Julia tells Carol that what has happened is not forgotten and will never be forgiven.

Back in Indiana, the A.I.M. agents find the package. It seems they were hiding a DNA bomb in "extra dimensions" and was undetectable by S.H.I.E.L.D. It is revealed that M.O.D.O.K. is the one behind the bomb.

Characters: Agent Sum, Arachne, Araña, Bullseye, Captain America, Daredevil, Doc Samson, Falcon, Hercules, Human Torch, Invisible Woman, Iron Man, Luke Cage, Mac Gargan, MODOK, Mr. Fantastic, Ms. Marvel, Nighthawk, Queen Veranke, Rachel Carpenter, Sentry, She-Hulk, Spider-Man, Stature, Tigra, Venom, Vision, Wasp, Wonder Man

Teams: A.I.M, Secret Avengers, SHIELD

Creators: Aaron Lopresti, Bill Rosemann, Brian Reed, Chris SOTO Sotomayor, Dave Sharpe, Greg Horn, Matt Ryan

In the Batcave, Black Lightning delievers an invitation to Batman to join the League. It seems those that were at the battle with Solomon Grundy and Amazo were invited. Zatanna has said no. Vixen, Hawkgirl, and Roy say yes. When Hal and Black Canary invite Roy, Hal also gives him a new costume. The belt has an "R" on it. He decides it's finally time to change his name to Red Arrow.

Black Lightning talks to Geo-Force. Brion stabs his hand which allows him to use his sister Terra's powers. He asks Black Lightning not to tell anyone util he can figure out what's going on.

Red Tornado accepts the offer too. Back at the Batcave, Batman and Black Lighting travel through a portal to Washington, D.C., the location of the Hall. The new headquarters was paid for by Bruce Wayne and designed by Wonder Woman and John Stewart. It's been built on the former headquarters of the JSA and All-Star Squadron. The Hall takes you to a station 22,300 miles above the Earth.

In the Batcave, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman discuss this new League. They had spent time voting on who should be in it and now Hal's inviting those that were at the battle. Batman says sometimes things happen despite your personal choices.

As the new League gets ready for their first official meeting, Hal meets with Green Arrow. Ollie asks him if he gave Roy the outfit and not tell him it was from him. He feels that Roy wouldn't have accepted the costume or postition if he was there. Ollie misses the League but he cares more for Roy. This is his time.

Characters: Aquaman, Atom, Batman, Black Canary, Black Lightning, Blue Beetle, Booster Gold, Cyborg, Elongated Man, Firehawk, Firestorm, Flash, Geo-Force, Green Arrow, Gypsy, Hal Jordan, Hawkgirl, Hawkman, Karate Kid, Kathy Sutton, Martian Manhunter, Mr. Terrific, Plastic Man, Platinum, Power Girl, Professor Ivo, Red Tornado, Roy Harper, Starro, Supergirl, Superman, Vibe, Vixen, Will Magnus, Wonder Woman, Zatanna

Teams: Justice League Of America

Creators: Adam Schlagman, Alex Sinclair, Brad Meltzer, Ed Benes, Eddie Berganza, Gene Ha, Michael Turner, Peter Steigerwald, Rob Leigh, Sandra Hope

Some time ago, Midtown High

After the battle of the Mysterios at Midtown High, a janitor is left to clean up the mess. Principal Harrington is still hiding out in the closet after Spider-Man told him to stay in there. Rather than simply let him out, the janitor kills him.

Now

Spider-Man, Sandman, and Dennis drive to the location that the helmut of the Spider-Man from 2211 is telling them they can find the man that appears to be Ben Parker. They comment that all they need is a talking great dane. Spidey says then he'll be Fred and Dennis calls dibs on Shaggy. Sandman is upset because he doesn't want to be "one of the broads." Spidey tells him he can be Scrappy. Sandman thinks that sounds good until he finds out it's "the obnoxious sawed-off puppy."

Meanwhile, Sandman's father, Floyd Baker, is told that his death sentence has been moved up to this night. Because both Sandman and Spider-Man tried to help him escape, the judge gave a special order to have him face the chair that night.

Flash and Betty drive home after their disastrous dinner date. Flash seems reluctant to believe Betty when she suggests that perhaps Miss Arrow, the school nurse, doesn't want them together. Just then, she sees Arrow standing outside. When Betty tries to get Flash to see her, they rear-end a parked police car. Arrow is gone but spiders are seen crawling into the sewer.

The helmut takes the gang to Midtown High. Spider-Man is surprised by this. Inside, the helmut tells him that there are eleven thousand lifeforms inside. They find Principal Harrington with a shotgun. Sandman attacks him right away demanding to know what he has to do with the dead guy in the alley (that his father was accused of killing). Spider-Man tries to stop him and also figure out where all the lifeforms are. He sees some spiders crawl into an air vent.

Principal Harrington has changed into Sandman and attacks him. As they're off guard, he changes into the Spider-Man from the year 2211. He grabs the helmut and throws it out the window, where it lands by Dennis' van.

Spider-Man figures out that since there was a Spider-Man and a Hobgoblin in the year 2211, this must be the Chameleon from the same year. It turns out he came with the Hobgoblin from 2211. It turns out that he was in the alley way when the Ben Parker from another dimension stumbled across him. The Chameleon shot him and after taking his DNA through his blood, was able to take his appearance. That's when Floyd Baker came across him and was accused of killing him.

Then the Chameleon transforms into a huge creature. Dennis comes in with the helmut. Throwing it to Spider-Man, Spidey places it on Chameleon's head and instructs the helmut to adminsiter justice (Spidey had specified "poetic justice" in the van).

As Floyd Baker sits in the electric chair, his body is switched with that of the Chameleon's. Sandman is reunited with his fater.

Characters: Betty Brant, Flash Thompson, Miss Arrow, Sandman, Spider-Man

Creators: Cory Petit, John Kalisz, Mike Wieringo, Peter David, Robert Campanella, Robert Stull, Stephen Wacker, Todd Nauck