Comics from 01/08/2007 : part 1

World War Hulk #3 (of 5) : Very strange scheduling : barely a fortnight after last issue, and it will be nearly two months before next issue. Also, it seems to be double-sized for some reason. Anyway, Gen. Ross takes his shot, and nearly succeeds thanks to Dr Strange's interference. We also learn what the Hulk is up to with all the captured heroes, and it is wonderfully insane. On the other hand, it hammers a bit too much that the Hulk really is a monster, and three straight issues of fighting is getting very repetitive. Let's say OK, but I really hope for a change of pace next issue.

Uncanny X-Men #489 : Let's be frank : this title has not really worked for me thus far. There is no sense of these X-Men being a team, as opposed to random protagonists selected because they are relevant to this storyline (especially with guest star Storm). I mean, the "team" is down to Xavier, Nightcrawler, Warpath and Hepzibah, and they split apart ? Also, three issues in I still have no sense of what Masque is up to and how Magneto fits into all this, which makes me dread that this is just a prologue for the winter crossover. On the other hand, there is an awesome cliffhanger that redeems a bit character whose characterization had sounded false up to now, so I'll mark it up to Good.

She-Hulk #20 : The "these are all the plots I was planning to go into, but I'm jumping ship to write Spider-Man" issue. And, taken in this regard, it works : it is a shame these will not go beyond outlines, but the issue is fun and self-conscious enough to make me smile. A low Very Good.

New Warriors #3 : Finally picking up, as it centers on Jubilee and the Night Thrasher mystery. Very good points are made, and the Registration's effects are interestingly explored. Sure, it is very melodramatic and very high on past continuity, but it works. A high Good.

Coundown #39 : Still not working. Most subplots are barely advanced, with the exception of the Rogues thread. I could do without Trickster's homophobia, though. But hey, the Question and Batwoman guest star, which slightly raises my interest (Rucka's statements that he was not consulted does not fill me with confidence, though). Meanwhile, the Monitor backup does not even bother with tedious recaps of past storylines and just tediously recaps its own "plot". It is still "To Be Continued", which makes my heart (and this comic's grade) sink. Crap.