With the revelation that the prize in question is a “Get Out of Hell Free” card possible created by Neron (the DCU’s head demon) himself our (anti) heroes find themselves the target every villain at large as well as at each others throats. Can they pull it together long enough so we can find out who is the mystery blonde that they are meeting in Vegas? Any Guesses?

via Newsarama

New Avengers: The Reunion is a four issue miniseries coming in March, with words by Jim McCann and art by David Lopez.

“But do she and Hawkeye/Ronin stand reunited as a couple? Is this the reunion they hoped for? And just why is Bobbi Morse back now? Answers will come and more mysteries begin in the prologue in “Dark Reign: New Nation,” on sale December 17, and continue in New Avengers: The Reunion”

Apparently Mockingbird now fights crime in a thong while standing in the customary contortionist cheesecake pose showing off her ass, rack and face all at the same time. Also where is her right tunic sleeve?

I have nothing against a strong woman looking hot (you GO Bobbi!), but she’s blocking Clint’s well muscled forearms. C’mon give the fangirls and gay fanboys SOMETHING! Whatever happened to equal opportunity sexual exploitation?

via CBR

A “Sightings” tale! Doctor Light is missing, and her former Justice League teammates intend to find the man responsible and make him pay. But before they do that, they’ll have to get past his Shadow Cabinet of powerful superbeings who have sworn to “Save humanity from itself.” Milestone Comics characters Icon and Hardware make their first modern DCU appearance, but this time it’s not clear whose side they’re on!

via Newsarama

Hell Comes to Birmingham (part 3)

Evil magic has been let loose upon Britain due to Pete Wisdom’s pact to keep the Skrulls off English soil. Captain Britain is tempted with Meggan - his long-lost wife. Can they say no to their hearts desires? I’m betting yes with them being the heroes of the story and all. Where will they go from here? There’s alot of bad juju on the loose all over England. Whatever will they come up against next. One think - lets hope it has a more menacing name than Plotka.

Pete Wisdom couldn’t save John the Skrull. He couldn’t save anyone he cared for. Being in his unit can be fatal. So now all else seems lost, now Plokta’s engine for making Mindless Ones is threatening the world… what will he sacrifice to save the Black Knight? Widescreen horror action with passion, as only Marvel makes it.

via CBR

Well the Skrulls may be beaten, but baby Cage is still missing and in the aftermath, it seems like the DCU isn’t the only comic book reality where evil has won. More on that later in my Secret Invasion spotlight (in a few days so y’all have time to read your issues and I don’t spoil anything). Following on the heels of Secret Invasion is another major event crossover - Dark Reign! Or is it just the new status quo of the Marvel U? They figure if DC is going dark, they will get darker. Whether or not it works remains to be seen, but I’m paying attention….

Lets all have a moment of silence for Janet Van Dyne a.k.a. the Wasp… Who will design the Avengers new outfits and drive Wanda back over the edge when she gets back?

via IGN

Most legacy teams have some sort of daddy issues, and this team is no exception. I’m intrigued with the Terror Titans (though I hate the name) for some reason - Some like Copperhead and the new all bitchy Persuader are more throwaway than others (it looks like this issue might explain some of her issues). I Like Clock King, am interested in the story behind Bolt’s brat (Dreadbolt) and have ALWAYS loved Rose Wilson as Ravager so I’m following along closely. Plus this issue sees the DC New Earth debut of Milestone Media’s teen hero Static!

Dreadbolt faces a terrible decision, and his choice could elevate him in the Clock King’s eyes – but at an unthinkable cost. Meanwhile, the tournament between teen metas continues, and the fate of the winners and losers becomes clearer as the Clock King’s ultimate plan comes to light.

Ravager’s role in the plan also becomes clearer, and she is beginning to openly rebel. So, to sweeten the deal, she is granted the honor of fighting the Dark Side Club’s hidden and true champion – one she could never have expected!

via CBR

While surfing for interesting comic book tidbits I came across a Faces of Evil gallery at Comic Books Beta full of high quality cover images of some of the DCU’s most wanted. They were a pretty good looking collection, so I decided to make a set of desktops out of them for those of you who can’t get enough of the bad boys (and girls for any lurking lesbians). I used actual logos whenever possible (please send logos if you have a good one I missed - just scan it and send it for a shout out).

Also, I love being quoted so PLEASE download the images and repost on your own blog with a linkback if you really like them!

Visit the Comic Books Beta gallery to learn which titles feature whom.

Faces of Evil is a January 2009 event that stems from the events of Final Crisis and ask the answers the question we keep hearing “What happens when evil wins?”

via Comic Books Beta and Newsarama

I have no idea what is next in this title. And for someone with my gift for predicting entertainment (no mystery really - I just read about the heroic journey) that is impressive. Few titles REALLY keep me guessing. I can generally figure out a few twists for upcoming Boy’s issues, but I’ve given up the precognition and just want to enjoy the ride.

Hughie - or perhaps that should be “Bagpipe”- meets the original G-Men, and their mysterious benefactor John Godolkin. Secrets of the G-Mansion abound, including one that leaves our hero breathless. Frenchie and the Female begin surveillance as MM works the clues, and Butcher pursues answers from another source entirely. And in the background, unseen by either Boys or G-Men, shadowy forces prepare to make a move of their own… “We Gotta Go Now”, part three!

via CBR

If you are a Magik fan like me, then you’ve been waiting with bells on for the next chapter in her return. Well wait no longer… She’s back in this week’s X-Infernus. CBR had a special treat with a double sized preview.

The X-Men promise to make this one of the hottest winters ever! When last we saw Darkchylde, she had claimed the throne of Limbo as her own. And now she’s determined to get her soul back, even if she has to conquer Earth in the process. Can the combined forces of the X-Men stop her rampage? They’ll have to fight through every demon in Limbo to try.

To catch up anyone who missed her reappearance in the pages of the now defunct (sniff sniff sob) New X-Men… During the reality altering House of M crossover, Illyanna Rasputin reappeared in limbo as the Darkchylde - well part of her did. She’s there in body and mind, but her soul is missing.

She took part of Pixie’s soul (making her magic adept enough for novice spells). And after she and the kids of the “New X-Men” kicked Belasco’s demon ass, she tried to regain her soul through love by reaching out to brother Piotr and BFF Kitty Pryde, but found only rubble where the X-Mansion stood leaving her only the path of anger.

When saw her in Divided We Stand, Ilyanna swore vengeance on those who wronged her. She means to replace her soul with their own. Question is, who does she blame, and can she be stopped?

via CBR

“War of Kings lead-in! The X-Men have been defeated. Havok, Polaris and the Starjammers are being held and tortured in the most secure prison in the universe. Marvel Girl, Korvus and Lilandra are being hunted by the Imperial Guard. Vulcan is Emperor of the Shi’Ar Empire and his expansion has begun. No King will stand when Vulcan and his armies are done. This is the story of a fight against insurmountable odds, a mini-series that will change the shape of the Universe and pave the way for the War of Kings.”

via ComicsContinuum

The long-awaited sequel to the award-winning publishing sensation that made Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross into stars begins here! News photographer Phil Sheldon’s back, with the man-on-the-street’s perspective on the big events of the Marvel Universe, from the Avengers, the all-new X-Men and the Secret Wars to Dracula and the Werewolf By Night. But this time, Phil’s world is going to be rocked not just by superheroes and super-villains — but by something far more personal, as well.

Featuring the Marvel debut of artist Jay Anacleto, whose gorgeous, photorealistic pencil renderings give a new look at the Marvel Universe, and what it would be like to actually be there.

via CBR

Of the thousands and thousands of heroes and humans affected by the Skrull invasion, one man’s horror and heartbreak rises above the rest. This is the story of Luke Cage!

Who’s a Skrull? Jessica or the baby? Neither? Who didn’t tell Jessica that Jarvis was a Skrull and therefore NOT an appropriate baby sitter? If the baby ISN’T a Skrull, what does Jarvis want with it?

via CBR

Following closely on the stirring events of SUPERGIRL #35, “New Krypton” part 6 sees the unrest between the Kryptonians and humankind rapidly spin out of control. Superman knows it’s only a matter of time before widespread violence breaks out between the two cultures. But deep in the heart of the U.S. military, a deadly new Squad K is being organized. Its mission: clean up the “Kryptonian problem” before it gets out of hand!

As Warpath fights for his life and very soul in the American Southwest, Wolverine gets lucky in Japan. Because you demanded it, DOMINO joins X-Force. Vanisher has begrudgingly led the team right to the abandoned labs of recently deceased MISTER SINISTER, but X-Force’s enemies are right on their heels. PLUS: What’s happening to Wolfsbane? Part 3 (of 4)

via CBR

After creating a deadly threat to keep the rest of the Teen Titans busy, Wonder Girl’s new enemy challenges her in open combat. Alone and weakening by the moment, Wonder Girl must fight for incredibly high stakes – lose, and her powers are forfeit!

via Newsarama

One of the most original concepts out of the House of Ideas in years…

Guest-starring Iron Man! To obtain the final clue she needs to solve her father’s murder, Payback has made an enemy of Tony Stark. Big mistake. Now that she’s finally on the verge of learning the killer’s identity, can she put the pieces of the puzzle together before the Armored Avenger makes good on his vow to take down all the True Believers?

via CBR

Even with their new Super-Skrull forces, the Skrulls are reduced to fighting like cowards. Unable to cope with the X-Men’s guerrilla tactics, the damned dirty Skrulls have taken thousands of San Franciscans hostage and the X-Men have minutes to decide id they can/will be just as ruthless…

via CBR

The hunt for Black Bolt concludes – launching the Inhumans into their new destiny in the Marvel Universe! It’s sister vs. sister, cousin vs. cousin, Kree vs. Skrull! The loyalty lines are redrawn within the royal family as the Inhumans’ mission reaches critical mass! Can Medusa and her tribe get it together to save their once and future King? Or has it all been for nothing? The seeds for the WAR OF KINGS are planted right here!

I was enjoying this, but not all that into the bikini catfight aspect of the story - seems gratuitous. I am interested what kind of fallout will result from this Inhuman alliance with the Kree.

via CBR

Art continues to grow on me. The Runaways are in danger of breaking up as Nico realizes her “Scatter” spell did more than send their enemies away… and they won’t stay away long.

via CBR

Don’t worry - No Future is just the name of this issue - I think the title is actually going pretty strong! I hear nothing but good things about it and count it among my personal favorites.

A new story-arc! A new line-up! And Star-Lord…missing! The shocking revelations made at the end of their Secret Invasion adventure have ripped the team apart! Is there anyone left to continue the task of guarding the galaxy? Who are the new additions to the team? Is this issue going to be packed full of shocks and surprises? This is DnA and Pelletier…so what do you think? A new chapter begins here, so this is your chance to join the title that has IGN.com raving: “It’s witty, it’s fun, and it’s quickly becoming one of my favorite monthly titles from Marvel.”

I completely agree with IGN - this title pretty much rocks!

via CBR