Short and simple this week. The two blue dot items this week both made me want to keep reading, which is the first requirement to make the selection. The second requirement is that in both choices, one of the characters enhanced the content of story, but also enhanced the character themselves.

First, War of the Realms: Punisher #1. Obviously during an invasion Frank Castle is going to use a lot of ammunition. When confronted with an moral accusation and a dangerous situation, Frank uses his reputation and valor to bring about a solution to the problem rather than just a weapon. A three issue tie in to the main War of the Realms story that actually was worth the extra money, who knew. I am in for issue #2.

Second, Daredevil #4. Who would have thought I actually would select not one, but two, Frank Castle story lines as having enough merit to read back to back. Having never been a fan of the character, his involvement in the current Daredevil story has added depth to both himself and Matt Murdock. The character comparison between the two is highlighted in this issue, and though Castle is out after the conclusion, I enjoyed 22 pages of character based story without the added bullets.

• Daredevil #4
• Guardians of the Galaxy #4
• Pearl #8
• Meet the Skulls #3
• Catwoman #3
• Asguardians #8
• Cemetery Beach #3
• Winter Soldier #4
• War of the Realms War Scrolls #1
• War of the Realms Punisher #1
• War of the Realms #2
• Spiderman Life Story #2
• Middlewest #6
• Naomi #4
• High Level #3
• Ronin Island #2
• Cover #6
• Avengers No Road Home #5
• Red Sonja Ballad — Hardcover

This week I started mixing in some back issues. Many of you have not been at this as long as I have so I thought it might me nice to add an older story to the mix but these are not eligible for the blue dot award. Most can be found in graphic novel form but may just be single issue stories. Look for more formats to be added over the coming weeks.

The below Wonder Woman issues include to stories. The first, Hiketeia is a stand alone that deals with a cultural responsibility for Amazon people in the DC Universe which is much like religious sanctuary in our society. A woman pursued by Batman claims this boon as she reaches Wonder Woman’s home. The story covers the origin of the problem and adds some conflict and definition to the history between Bruce Wayne and Diana Prince. Having been out of print for a few years, it has been added to the first graphic novel in the Greg Rucka Wonder Woman Series. The remaining issues are included in it as well but cover the second act of the Gorgon story with the resurrection of Medusa by Circe.

My two picks for this week include Catwoman #1 which made me actually want to read issue #2 right after. The accurate emotional content in the artwork helped sell the start up story but Joëlle Jones does just fine keeping your interest. Being a fan of Lady Killer, I would suggest the title to anyone who like a story featuring an aggressive female lead. I had avoided the title until DC figured out whether or not the engagement would stick, but being a fan of the writer, I gave in.

The second pick goes to Warren Ellis and Cemetery Beach. This story is just plain fun. Try to imagine an information reconnaissance mission gone wrong, the ensuing escape, the help (a convicted murderess) and the worst luck ever. By the way, it is set in a world without order and a huge secret those in charge want to keep a secret. I can not wait to read issue 3, which obviously will be on next weeks list.

• Wonder Women: Hiketeia
• Wonder Woman #195
• Wonder Woman #196
• Wonder Woman #197
• Wonder Woman #198
• Wonder Woman #199
• Wonder Woman #200
• Wonder Woman #201
• Wonder Woman #202
• Wonder Woman #203
• Wonder Woman #204
• Wonder Woman #205
• Punisher 2018 #1
• Captain Marvel #4
• Prodigy #5
• Fairlady #1
• Catwoman #1
• Catwoman #2
• War of the Realms Journey Into Mystery #1
• Mr. & Mrs. X #9
• Uncanny X-Men 2018 #1
• Cover #5
• Artifact One #2
• Cemetery Beach #1
• Cemetery Beach #2
• Avengers No Road Home #4

Short list this week. No excuse except the new catalog was loading and we had a few things to fix.

Because I cut 10 items off the list, only one blue dot this week to keep it fair. Cover continues to keep my attention in issue 4 and I do not see how this title has not gotten more attention. I would love for these issue to be 48 pages, more dialog detail and not rushed. Sounds enthusiastic, I know, but I read this and then I go back just to look at the pencils. The worst part, I will likely do it again.

No, Cover is not the best thing I have ever read, nor is it in the top 15 percentile. I believe Brian Michael Bendis could use a little more time and additional detail at points in the story. It is however, the most interesting thing on the rack right now. David Mack has always made me look at his work but this time he has two things going on and I am glad to spend the extra time and enjoy the body as a whole. I honestly hope these two guys work together on more projects.

• Domino: Hots Shots #2
• Major X #1
• War of the Realms #1
• X-Men Holiday Special
• Prodigy #4
• Artifact One #1
• Cover #4
• Pearl #7
• Mr. & Mrs. X #8
• Avengers: No Road Home #1
• Avengers: No Road Home #2
• Avengers: No Road Home #3
• Section Zero #1
• Marvel Team Up #1
• Die #5

This week my reading list had a few new titles and a visit from an old friend. Lazarus returned this week with Lazarus Risen, a long awaited continuance of the dystopian culture story started back in 2013. Some of you are aware this is one of my favorite recommendations and this latest release is no different. It made my blue dots primarily because of the fairly flawless continuance of the last story which took place nearly a year ago. World building, family dynamics and good old fashioned violence means you really should read it from the beginning.

The second blue dot goes to a new book, Bad Luck Chuck. This title combined good characters and the premise of inherently bad luck into to an exciting story. The main character is a woman named Charlene ”Chuck” Manchester who much like Jessica Jones from Alias is not quit normal. Charlene has a unique gift, bad luck, which she uses to make money. Jessica Jones crossed with a black cat, what could possibly go wrong?

On a positive note, I would read the next issue of everything on this list, I probably will not, but I would not mind if I had the time.

• Harley & Batman: The Last Laugh
• Lazarus Risen #1
• Criminal #3
• Bad Luck Chuck #1
• Black Widow #3
• Fantastic Four #8
• Daredevil #3
• Vader: Dark Visions 2
• Heroes In Crisis #7
• Prodigy #3
• Artifact One #0
• Wolverine: Infinity Watch #2
• X-Force #1
• Assassination #1
• Cover #3
• Captain America #8
• Pearl #6

• Captain Marvel #3
• High Level #2
• Meet The Skrulls #2 (story is worth reading people)
• Guardians of The Galaxy #3
• Naomi #3
• MIddlewest #5
• Captain America #8
• Winter Soldier #3
• Spider-man Life Story #1
• Avengers #681-690
• Pearl #5
• Firefly Bad Company #1
• Invisible Kingdom #1
• Self Made #2

Off the list

• Coda #2 (only made in this week as I had already taken it home)
• Return of Wolverine #5

The list is short this week, only 17. I do apologize, but the second issue of Cover made me want to stop reading and watch the 13 Assassins movie. Odd but true.

Anyway, I won’t go into each issue but the top two were Cover and Prodigy indicated in blue with a link to the item in the shop feature. Both series have good structure and good connection to other forms of entertainment. Cover as I mentioned had a fair amount of art centered around the characters comic book line and actually made me interested as to if it were an actual comic for it. That combined with the covert ops plot made the book worth reading a double (two issues back to back).

The second is Prodigy. This one got on the list of required reading as the main character is reminiscent of Lex Luthor. Brilliant, arrogant, but has a desire to feel involved.  The book is different, has energy, solid writing and again required a double. Honestly, if this were available in a trade, I would have just finished it in one sitting.

Stay on the list

• Cover 1 (of 6)
• Cover 2
• Prodigy 1 (of 6)
• Prodigy 2
• Heroes in Crisis 3 (of 9)
• Heroes in Crisis 4
• Heroes in Crisis 5
• Heroes in Crisis 6
• Captain America 7
• Fantastic Four 7
• Winter Soldier 2 (of 5)
• What if Thor (2018)

Off the list

• Coda 1
• Marvel Comics Presents 2
• Goon 1 (2019)
• Belit 1 (of 5)
• Magnificent Ms. Marvel 1