This week's comic expectations

There's a couple of exciting titles coming out this week, and I'm sure it will be enjoyable in the long run... but I can't help but feel that this week needs to be judged as much by what's not coming out as what is coming out.

If you've been counting down the days to April 9, hoping to finally get a conclusion to Joss Whedon's landmark run on Astonishing X-Men, then you, my friend, are out of luck. Giant Sized Astonishing X-Men #1 was pushed back yet again — this time to MAY 21!

I guess it's only fitting that this book be late, after all, EVERY BOOK has been late since issue #8. When this 25th and final issue comes out in May, it will have been exactly FOUR YEARS since the book debuted! I bought Astonishing X-Men #1 during my last week of college, for God's sakes!

And compounding the problems here is, the last issue of Uncanny X-Men spoiled the ending to Whedon's story. I know many of you have been dodging that info, as I have, and now we have to wait another month and a half before we can stop hiding from it! UGH!

Anyway, there are some top titles coming out this week. Not the least of which is Justice Society #14, which is obviously still working its way through the Kingdom Come/Heartbreak Killer storyline. Expect it to escalate in a hurry in this issue.

DC's biggest release of the week, though, is the debut of Judd Winick's Titans #1. And, again, do I even need to tell you why to be excited about this one? This is the reunion book 'The New Teen Titans' fans have been going to bed every night praying for. And, it's likely to be a strong enough book to warrant all though roster changes DC has made lately.

Think about it, "The Outsiders" book was completely changed, giving us Nightwing and 'Red Arrow,' Wally West stayed out of the official Justice League to come to this book, and Cyborg and Beast Boy both moseyed their way out of the current Teen Titans into limbo. There are likely big plans for this book.

Personally, I am excited for Booster Gold #8, as you all probably know by now what a huge fan of the book I am. After last issue's revelation that Hawkman and Green Arrow are leading a Maxwell Lord resistance, we should be in for more surprises in this post-OMAC world. Plus, this is all leading to Booster and Beetle re-uniting with a bunch of old JLI friends soon.

Marvel is not nearly as exciting this week as they were last week, with ZERO "Secret Invasion" books on the shelves (which I think is a HORRIBLE plan on their part).

But, Fantastic Four #556 should be strong again, as Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch hit issue #3 of their run. When last we saw Marvel's 'First Family,' Reed's ex-girlfriend's utopia in space was about to get into deep dog do-do, with their giant police robot about to go nuts.

Apparently, this robot's is programmed to neutralize any possible crime, and the robot has decided the best way to do that is by killing all humans. Cough Cough - DC Manhunters - Cough Cough. Anyway, it should be good.