HJU Comic Book Picks of the Week: Apr 26th

DARK AVENGERS #8
Norman’s X-Men, as led by Emma and Namor, are the face of mutant law and order! The X-Men look played out of position as Osborn’s dark reign falls over California– but Scott Summers isn’t done yet. The X-Men strike at Norman, at H.A.M.M.E.R., at his fraud X-Men and his sham Avengers all at once! This is the book where, at long last, the Marvel Universe starts to fight back– and it sets the stage for next month’s unbelievable conclusion in UNCANNY X-MEN/DARK AVENGERS – EXODUS!

GREEN LANTERN #45
BLACKEST NIGHT continues!
The Black Lanterns descend on all the Corps throughout the universe! Sinestro’s assault on the Star Sapphires’ homeworld of Zamaron is interrupted by another Sinestro Corps – one made up of those who died during the Sinestro Corps War! And while the War of Light flickers, deep in the darkness of space, John Stewart comes face-to-face with his deceased wife – and longtime Green Lantern – Katma Tui.

MARVEL

AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE #27
Blastaar’s alien army has seized 42, the Initiative’s prison in the Negative Zone. Someone has to take it back, and the Taskmaster has assembled a team to do just that. But when Komodo looks around her at the squad of Z-list super-villains she’s supposed to go into battle with, she wonders if this is a recovery job…or a suicide mission! And when she encounters familiar faces who had been incarcerated within the prison, will they be friend or foe? Also, because you demanded it–the return of Butterball!

BETA RAY BILL: GODHUNTER #3
Beta Ray Bill has stalked his prey across the universe…driven to punish the ever-feared Galactus. Now, with the Planet-Eater on his knees, Bill discovers he has one final, brutal price to pay. In an apocalyptic battle to decide the fate of world upon world, can Bill make this ultimate sacrifice?!

DARK REIGN: ELEKTRA #5
Elektra finds her answers! As her quest for survival races toward its conclusion, the world’s most dangerous assassin discovers why every other killer in the world is gunning for her. Who put the 82-million-dollar price tag on her head? What was her impostor responsible for while Elektra was held captive? What will Elektra do about it?! By Zeb Wells (AMAZING SPIDER-MAN) and Clay Mann (DAREDEVIL)!

DARK X-MEN: THE BEGINNING #3
The conclusion to the anthology that illustrates the conception of the Dark X-Men. If you’re reading UTOPIA and think you know the whole story, think again. In this issue, Emma Frost convinces Namor to join the team. And learn where Professor X fits into UTOPIA. Also, witness the first Marvel Comic with art by JOCK (Losers, Green Arrow: Year One)!

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #17
A WAR OF KINGS TIE-IN!
In order to save the universe, Adam Warlock takes desperate action and seeks the help of allies you won’t believe! This must-read issue will have profound effects not only for the Guardians of Galaxy, but for the very Marvel cosmos itself! It’s more mind-blowing galactic action from the book Ain’t It Cool News describes as “just damn cool…Lanning and Abnett continue doing cosmic right.”

MS. MARVEL # 44
Hope is crushed and the battle is nearly lost as the Dark Reign event continues in WAR OF THE MARVELS Part 3! As Karla Sofen faces an unbeatable threat, the legacy of Ms. Marvel hangs in the balance.

NEW AVENGERS #56
Oh man, it is not a good day for the New Avengers. Someone has invented a power disruptor and unleashed it in New York City. The heroes have fallen. Some are hurt bad, others near death. Who will rise to the challenge and save the day? A very important DARK REIGN issue. Something big happens. Not going to tell you what it is but it happens on page 17, panel 4.

NEW MUTANTS #4
The pulse-pounding first story-arc comes to a climactic close as Legion takes on the whole team. Can Cannonball, Sunspot, Magma and Dani Moonstar defeat a villain with dozens of super-powered multiple personalities? And all the while Karma and Magik are stuck inside Legion’s mind. Part 4 (of 4)

NOVA #28
A WAR OF KINGS TIE-IN!
It’s the final showdown between Nova with the surviving members of the Nova Corps against the most ruthless members of the Shi’Ar Imperial Guard! Can Rich survive and can he save the life of his brother, Robbie, who finds himself caught between the ruthless Ravenous and the murderous Strontian? Be there and find out why ComicPants.com raves: “The level of writing, creativity and just the sheer level of comic book joy that each issue holds amazes me every single time.”

SECRET WARRIORS #7
GOD OF FEAR. GOD OF WAR. Part 1 of 4!
Baron Strucker and Norman Osborn team up to drive out the Marvel Universe’s ultimate covert superteam. It’s wall-to-wall insanity as the Dark Avengers and the Thunderbolts go after the Secret Warriors. It’s time for Ares to get his son back!

X-FORCE #18
The fallout from MESSIAH WAR continues! X-23 is missing, and as horrific as her life has been…it’s about to get worse. Elixir knows the truth about the mutant messiah. Wolverine confronts Cyclops about his decisions leading up to the War. Wolfsbane’s journey back to X-Force begins. Bastion’s master plan gets one step closer to fruition. And if all that weren’t enough…Selene’s forces are on the move. More action and drama than any one comic has a right to have! Part 2 (of 4)

X-MEN FOREVER #6
The team continues to track down someone they used to think was a teammate, but has now turned out to be an impostor! Somehow, this is all linked to the death of Wolverine, and a big, shadowy organization known only as “The Consortium.” PLUS! A whole new story begins with X-Men Forever #6! Comics legends Paul Smith and Terry Austin join the X-Men Forever team! As the X-Men attempt to recoup from brutal recent events, they’re tested by an unlikely obstacle. Meanwhile, something big has surfaced in South America—an enemy the battered X-Men will have to face head-on! Plus, a Special 70th Anniversary Frame Variant featuring Dave Cockrum’s original Storm design newly inked by Terry Austin!

DC

BLACKEST NIGHT: TITANS #1 (OF 3)
Black Lantern Titans are descending together onto Titans Island! Will the Titans be prepared to fight off their deceased allies? And how can Beast Boy not lose his heart to Black Lantern Terra?

THE FLASH: REBIRTH #4 (OF 6)
Barry Allen left a legacy that thrived after his death. Now his return threatens it all. What secrets does Barry hold inside him about the fate of the Flash Family? What destiny awaits Wally and his twins? What murderous force targets Bart Allen? And what does it truly mean to be a speedster?

TEEN TITANS #74
The assault against the Teen Titans continues this issue as the team struggles to even the odds against the new Fearsome Five! Will they be defeated by a foe with superior leadership? And in the co-feature, Ravager is attacked in her arctic hideaway. Who wants her dead? That’s what she wants to know…

WONDER WOMAN #35
“Birds of Paradise” Part 2 of 2!
A gaggle of super-powered cage fighters find themselves in the worst possible place to be – on the bad side of Wonder Woman and Black Canary! Also, find out the final resolution between Diana and Nemesis along with much, much more!