This week's comic book expectations

Man oh man oh man, where to begin?

I think I have to start with DC, because I have an ax to grind.

The final two "Countdown" related books (ever!!!) are coming out this week: Countdown to Final Crisis #1 and Death of the New Gods #1. And after last week's debacle in "Countdown" (see last week's buy pile report for the details), I don't think there is a way in hell for DC to redeem themselves for it in these two issues.

I read "Countdown" editor Mike Carlin this week say that last week's Countdown to Final Crisis #2 occurred after the final issue of the "Death of the New Gods" mini-series. That makes me think that DC is going to ruin a fantastic mini-series with a horrific final issue that (apparently) will see Orion come back from the dead and Darkseid survive (only to die in last week's "Countdown," which we already saw).

Frankly, trying to figure out how any of that could make sense hurts my noggin. And the fact is that it is impossible for DC to make it makes sense, because the damage is done. By releasing "Death of the New Gods #8" this week instead of last week, DC completely ruined what shred of storytelling credibility it had left. Oh, and did I mention that Forager is still alive and kicking it in "Countdown to Final Crisis #1" this week? Which (apparently) occurs after the "Death" mini? Which means that FORAGER, of all people, is the final New God left living?

The only upside here is that we'll be able to officially run up the complete laundry list of problems with "Countdown" after this week.

Also of major note from DC this week is Justice League of America #20 (Flash's official league status is resolved in an issue drawn by Ethan Van Sciver) and Batman #575 (Looks like the perfect jumping on point for those looking to read the "Batman R.I.P" story beginning in issue #576).

Now then, from Marvel, the biggest issue of the week is Mighty Avengers #12 -- the first of the main tie-in books to "Secret Invasion." This issue will finally reveal exactly what Nick Fury has been up to all this time since "Secret War." I've been dying for the old eye patch to return in a big way to the Marvel Universe, so hopefully Fury's story in this invasion will be worth the wait.

An ancillary tie-in to "Secret Invasion" this week is Ms. Marvel #26, which continues the whole "Carol Danvers might be a Skrull" story. What interests me about this issue (and one of the biggest things that interest me about this Invasion as a whole) is the fact that some skrulls have been sent so deep undercover that they don't even realize they aren't who they claim they are -- and in this issue, Danvers is going to have to face that self doubt.

If you've been reading the storyline, Ultimate Fantastic Four #53 is also an A-list title this week. Hopefully you all have been listening to my encouragement to pick this arc with "Ultimate Thanos" up, because it really has been the BEST Fantastic Four story of ANY SORT since Mark Waid was writing the main FF book. I know, some of you cannot stand the Ultimate Universe -- but Ultimate Thanos is a real badass, and has been a great adversary for the all-too intelligent Ultimate Reed Richards. Honestly, this may be the first book I read this week.

Other top titles from Marvel this week are Uncanny X-Men #497 (a campy 1960's timeshift in San Francisco should make for a fun little story), and X-Force #3 (who hasn't been loving this dark book so far?).

Oh, and don't forget to pick up your FREE Avengers/Invaders sketchbook. It's FREE.