Comics:

Nightcrawler #1

I hear what you're saying: "Oh, no, not another X- Men solo book!", but this isn't a zany tale of swords and swashbuckling adventure, destined to end up in the quarter bin years from now. It's from the writer of the acclaimed Marvel Knights: Four series, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, so be ready for a heavy dose of brilliant characterizations and intelligent storytelling all around. The first story arc finds Nightcrawler sent to investigate the mysterious deaths of fourteen children in the psychiatric ward at Metro-General Hospital, with a fifteenth left alive---and he isn't talking. With no signs of a break-in and rumors of a teleporting mutant being involved, Nightcrawler looks to be the best person for the job. Deadly secrets and mutant mystery await you, as written by Aguirre-Sacasa with art by Darick Robertson and Wayne Faucher.

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Black Widow #1

Fresh from her recent appearance in Daredevil, Natasha Romanov, the original Black Widow, is back! A string of murdered women somehow leads to Natasha, but what is the connection? The Widow is about to find out the hard way, as she sets off on a cross-country trip from Arizona to Alabama to find out the truth. She's about to find out the hard way that the past never rests, brought to you by science fiction novelist Richard K. Morgan, with art from the legendary Bill Sienkiewicz.

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Sleeper Season 2 #4

Here it is, another one of the best books you're not reading. As the plot for "Season Two" deepens ever further into double and triple crosses, Holden finally comes face to face with Lynch. And as always, Lynch has more up his sleeve than meets the eye! The secrets he holds could change Holden's life, but how long is Holden willing to play this cat-and-mouse game between Lynch and Tao, old boss and new? Brought to you, as always, by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips, this is easily the best book Wildstorm had had on offer since the first volume of The Authority.

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The Witching #4

After last issue's focus on the mad life and times of Kara Valentine, this issue takes aÊpeek at the life of quietly mysterious Sook Lee, a Korean transplant living in Dallas. As she tries to use her burgeoning magical powers to cure football star Chip Finkle, she may bring on more harm than good. Meanwhile, with her face plastered all over the news, Elsa Grimston finds herself on the run from the lawÊ and into the arms of two ex-lovers in the hopes of performing a bizarre spell that will bring her closer to her goals. As if that weren't enough, Kara keeps an audience of 23,000 waiting so she can brush her teeth (dental hygiene is VERY important). Words by Jonathan Vankin, pictures by Leigh Gallagher and Ron Randall.

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Manhunter #2

The morning after is always rough, as Kate Spencer discovers when she wakes up black and blue after her first outing as the new Manhunter. With Copperhead dead, the authorities are very interested in speaking with this take-no-prisoners vigilante in red, and so is the Shadow Thief. But more superheroing will have to wait, as Kate's son is due to visit for the weekend. She should probably find a better place to hide her new work clothes...whoops, too late! Written by Marc Andreyko, with art by Jesus Saiz and Jimmy Palmiotti.

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Avengers #502

Not a hoax! Not an imaginary story! These words have never been truer for a Marvel book, and the cover says it all, as in this issue "one of these Avengers will die!" Find out who won't be walking away from the third installment of Bendis' and Finch's "Chaos", as their darkest day only gets darker. What begins as a rag-tag group of every available Avenger assembled before the smoking ruins of Avengers Mansion will end in a bloody battle to the finish, and it doesn't look like the Avengers are going to catch a moment's rest any time soon. The madness continues...

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Astonishing X-Men #5

After the return of an X-Man no one expected, some explanations are definitely in order this issue. Joss Whedon and John Cassaday continue their phenomenal run, as Cyclops lay bleeding to death and the other X-Men face off against the mysterious Ord. Things definitely aren't looking good, but a little unexpected help from the X-Men's returning ally may turn the tide. Things reach a fever pitch in this penultimate chapter to "Gifted".

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