The Magnificent Seven

Only seven books. Seven on-goings. That's it. Minis and events are another thing. But if I had to choose just seven on-goings to read for the rest of my days, these are those seven.

7. Green Lantern Corps
For as long as Peter Tomasi is the writer, I will stand by this book. For as long as Kyle Rayner is a main character featured in this book, I will not drop it. Amen.

6. Ultimate Comics Spider-Man
Brian Michael Bendis was born to re-create Spider-Man for a new generation of readers. This is the single Peter Parker I want to read about. He's young and cocky and inexperienced and just still a kid. He makes mistakes, dozens of them each issue but I don't care. Because that's what kids do. What makes him a hero is that he never stays down for long. He fights back. Well, he'll fight back after he whines a bit but that's part of his charm. It also helps that the artists on this book have been top-notch. Mark Bagley, Stuart Immonen and David Lafuente have all made their mark on these pages and they're all just pretty pictures.

5. Secret Warriors
4. Fantastic Four
Jonathan Hickman's two Marvel books. He's just started on both (11 issues for Secret Warriors, 5 for Fantastic Four) but I'm already in love. Crisp dialogue and intriguing plots. Great characterization and awesome moments. What more could you ask for?

3. Guardians of the Galaxy
What can I say, Rocket Raccoon might just be the best thing about this book. So is Star-Lord. So is Drax. You know why writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning have such a great book? Great characters. I keep on coming back to see what new adventures the Guardians have gotten themselves into this team. On paper, they have enough power to rival any of Earth's mightiest but most of the time, they're outclassed in the depths of space. That's what makes them fun. That a team with a space-mage, a giant, talking tree and more telepaths than the X-Men is still outgunned by the nasties of the universe and then some and they don't care. They'll still kick your ass.

2. New Avengers
Marvel's flaghship book by their highest profile writer. Bendis has taken the Avengers concept and turned it on its head. It's new-age cinematic scope mixed with heart and character. And aliens. And ninjas. And super powerful mutants. And evil gods from other dimensions. And lots and lots of fun.

1. Nova
Abnett and Lanning's first cosmic book. Why is it so awesome? They turned Richard Rider into this generation's Peter Parker. 'Nuff said.

Secret Warriors and Dark Avengers are both $3.99

Well that kinda sucks. Almost all the new titles are $3.99. This is very bad.

My pull-list will have to be culled. I have already decided to drop Invincible Iron Man and Buffy Season 8. I do not know what to drop if something else catches my eye.

Sorry Matt Fraction, Salvador Larroca, Joss Whedon, Jo Chen, Georges Jeanty and all the other good people who work on those books. It's nothing personal. Until I can get an extra source of cash, I'm gonna have to keep expenses at a minimum. And you know this was hard for me to do since Tony was already interesting and Dark Reign seems to promise some new thrills for the character. And you know I love you Joss Whedon. Argh. I will come back if Buffy and Xander FINALLY get together though. Haha.

Hopefully these Bendis books are worth it. I am counting on you baldy!