NIGHTWING #119

It’s Nightwing vs. Nightwing as the former protégé of the Dark Knight faces off against his doppelganger as well as twin metahuman brothers. Dick Grayson has once again left the nest, forsaking Gotham and Bludhaven for New York City, and within days of his arrival, his alter ego has been accused of murder. It doesn’t take too much to guess the identity of the second Nightwing, but the story possibilities are definitely intriguing. New writer Bruce Jones is terrific at crafting tautly wound mysteries, and this story should prove no different, with the puzzle here focusing less on who is behind the mask but more their motivation for taking on the identity.

NEW X-MEN #25

The team take on Colossus in a Danger Room training exercise, all the while Reverend Stryker’s ultimate plan comes to fruition. Just when you think writers Craig Kyle and Chris Yost couldn’t possibly heap any more tragedy on our hapless young mutants, this issue sees one of the single most brutal moments yet! And as if throwing that at you isn’t enough, the true mastermind behind the kids’ recent troubles will stand revealed!

DESOLATION JONES #6

It will come as no surprise that everything Michael Jones thought he knew about his current case is wrong. Just when he thinks he has it solved, the proverbial rug is pulled from beneath him and things really get ugly! What could possibly be worse than Hitler porn? This issue has all the answers!

FABLES #48

The countdown to the doubles-zed issue begins here as writer Bill Willingham finally reveals the whereabouts of one Bigby Wolf. But it won’t come without a bit of hard work, and Mowgli is handed the task of locating the missing wolf. In part one of the two-part “Wolves” Mowgli encounters just that and with any luck Bigby himself!

UNCANNY X-MEN #472

After what seems a lifetime of somewhat torturous stories (it was actually only two), going places he’s been before with a cast of characters that often don’t’ seem anything like the ones he created, Chris Claremont is set to leave the title with issue #474. Once synonymous with all things X, Claremont is now something of an elder statesman for the mutant world, having crafted some of the most memorable characters and situations for the team charged with “protecting a world that fears and hates” them, and he’s due a great deal of respect. And though not as much a misfire as his turn-of-the-millennium run, this most recent foray into the mutants’ world has seen a few more downs than ups. Funny then, that after 28 issues of meandering plots and needlessly convoluted storytelling, this story hits the nail squarely on the head. And if that back handed compliment isn’t enough to sell you on it, the art by Chris Bachalo will be.

EXILES #79

With only a few issues to go, the Exiles are reaching the end of their World Tour, but with each new world they encounter the villainous Proteus only raises the stakes higher. Control over one version of the Hulk isn’t enough, and now Proteus sets his eye on the ultimate prize: the body of the near indestructible Maestro. If he takes possession of the Future Imperfect Hulk, maybe the Exiles should just head back to their crystal pink palace for drinks and call it a day.