Also this week...

21 DOWN #2 -  Not quite as strong as the first issue, as the story segues clumsily into a "Why don't you come along with me and investigate stuff" format.  Meanwhile, a girl called Harmony has everyone falling at her feet in a set-up that might be just a little bit overplayed (can't she go anywhere without starting a fight?).  Still, there's plenty of promise here, with a well-rounded and enjoyable lead character.  B

ALIAS #15 - Two relationship conversations.  Jessica talks with Luke Cage about their one night stand, and then goes on a date with Scott Lang.  Yes, Ant-Man in a Max book.  Three characters talking for 23 pages.  And because it's written by Brian Bendis, that's a very, very good thing indeed.  A+

B-SIDES #2 - The B-Sides are sent after a local superhuman on the run from bail, who turns out to be a previous victim of their sponsor's attentions.  Quite entertaining, but this is only a three-issue miniseries - this feels like we're still in the second act for a five issue arc.  B

DOOM PATROL #13 - The Doom Patrol are taken back in time to occupy the bodies of the original Doom Patrol.  Yes, it's one of those stories.  But it's largely played for laughs, it's got guest art by Seth Fisher, and so it's pretty entertaining.  Seth Fisher is a great match for this sort of story, in fact.  A-

ELEKTRA #15 - Ah, good.  I'd been worried at the end of the last issue that Greg Rucka was backing away from overhauling Elektra's character, but no.  This arc has given the character a major nudge in the right direction towards making her a more interesting protagonist.  The book's seen a huge improvement over the last few months.  A-

LUCIFER #30 - Guest artist Craig Hamilton is credited as working over Peter Gross's breakdowns, which suggests some sort of last minute rush job.  It certainly looks a bit rough - not so as to damage the story, but there's some very loose cross-hatching all over this story which really doesn't look attractive at all.  The story continues to advance nicely, though.  And the well of the Thoughts of God is a truly bizarre new story element.  B

QUEEN & COUNTRY #12 - End of the "Crystal Ball" arc, so if you hated Leandro Fernandez' art then relax, he's gone now.  But since Tara's wardrobe problems got sorted out, there's been plenty to admire and little to dislike in his art.  The visual storytelling in this issue is excellent, with a wonderfully choreographed double page spread near the middle.  All good.  A

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #28 - Yay, no Green Goblin.  This is partly a comedy plot with Spider-Man attempting to get away from school to do his hero thing, and failing dismally - although there's some subplot advancement in there as well.  A nice little self-contained story following the lengthy Goblin arc.  A-

Last Monday's Article 10 is still up at Ninth Art.  It's about DC's abolition of letter columns (and Marvel's removal of them through the back door).

Next week is Claremont week.  X-Treme X-Men #19 and Mekanix #1.  Hmm.

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