THE PULSE #11

With her baby due very soon, Jessica Jones is starting to get a little nervous. "Will the kid be normal? Will the kid survive being the kid of two super heroes?" With gal pal Carol Danvers in tow, Jessica gets some very good advice from Marvel's most famous super-mommy! Later, Jessica and Luke make a visit to Janet Van Dyne's studio for a little costume consultation for the proud papa. Yeah, this book isn't always the hard-hitting, gritty and full-of-curse-words crime drama that made "Alias" such a hit, but that doesn't make this any less captivating a read. Bendis writes, with "Alias" artist Michael Gaydos returning for two issues. Discuss

HAWKMAN #44

Carter Hall is dead, but the legacy of the Hawkman lives on! Charley Parker, the Golden Eagle, has taken Carter's place, while Kendra has fully recovered from recent injuries, and now the Hawks take to the skies of St. Roch to track down those responsible for Carter's death. And if you think this story has run out of twists and turns, think again! Writers Palmiotti and Gray have a few more tricks under their sleeves, and this wild ride isn't over yet. Discuss

X-MEN #175

Peter Milligan has done something very brave (or very stupid) by taking this book and setting the melodrama and soap opera aspects of the X-Men's relationships in center stage. The action has become almost secondary to the struggling relationship of Gambit and Rogue and the strange triangle of Ice Man, Polaris, and Havok. This issue sees a slight reprieve from that as "Wild Kingdom" begins, with the team traveling to the African nation of Niganda to investigate some bizarre mutant animal sightings. How is the Black Panther involved, and will he be friend or foe to the X-Men? Discuss

ACTION COMICS #831

Superman battles Black Adam over the skies of Metropolis as the vile Dr. Psycho looks on in glee, as Lana and Lois uncover some very shocking information about the two villains' ties. Meanwhile, Bizarro and Zoom continue their race across the globe in the most off-beat Superman/Flash race yet! Gail Simone writes, with art by John Byrne and Nelson DeCastro. Discuss

FIRESTORM #17

After last issue's stunning cliffhanger, Firestorm awakens to find himself being used as a power battery by the Society of Villains. The young hero must battle against Black Adam and an army of super-villains, but with his powers shorting out, it could be a very short fight. And how is Thanagarian Duk'At Falcara involved? Written by Stuart Moore, art by Jamal Igle, Rob Stull and Prentis Rollins. Discuss

MARVEL KNIGHTS SPIDER-MAN #18

What began as a very slow follow-up to Mark Millar's intense first year on the title has at last turned into a top Spidey tale. Reginald Hudlin delivers quite a wallop in the final chapter of "Wild Blue Yonder" as Spider-Man must face off against the enraged Absorbing Man while the confused alien Ethan Edwards runs amok. Even with the aid of the Fantastic Four and the Avengers combined, it's going to take the most unlikely hero to quell the raging battle. Discuss

FABLES #41

Trapped by the villainous Adversary, Boy Blue must now make some tough choices as he plans his daring escape. The story of the Adversary's rise to power in the Fable Worlds continues, and Blue finally meets the girl of his dreams. "Homelands" comes to its fateful and thrilling conclusion, courtesy of Bill Willingham, Mark Buckingham, and Steve Leialoha. Discuss

NEW THUNDERBOLTS #12

The first Marvel book to actually take place after House of M, this issue sees the Thunderbolts still in trouble with the Purple Man's machinations after the flash of white that changed everything two issues ago. With all of New York's heroes in the Purple Man's thrall, how can the team hope to win? And with a few members out of commission, it's going to take skill, ingenuity, and just a little luck to bring the villain's schemes crashing down. But is he truly the puppeteer or merely a puppet? All that, and Photon chooses a new look! Discuss