“Incognito #6”

“Incognito #6” marks the final chapter of the much talked about series from writer Ed Brubaker and artist Sean Phillips, the team that previously worked on the other highly acclaimed books “Sleeper” and “Criminal.” The story follows a former villain in the Witness Protection program who tires of his boring, simple life and finds escape in moonlighting as a vigilante until his former associates start searching for him. So think “The Incredibles” (fed up superhero that hates his life) with a darker protagonist and a lot more violence. I heard about this book when it was in its fourth issue and decided to get into it, but unluckily for me, the back issues were sold out at my local comic book store. I really hate it when that happens, but fortunately the trade comes out sometime in November and I’m definitely coping with it.

“Ultimate Comics Spider-man 002”

Following the events of the Ultimatum and Ultimate Spider-Man, we are introduced to new characters and fresh new storylines in the Ultimate Comics Spider-Man: Spider-Man becomes a celebrity! Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy are dating! The return or “death” of the Kingpin! The appearance of a mysterious indomitable hooded being! I didn’t think writer Brian Michael Bendis could top the great storytelling in previous Ultimate Spider-Man books, so I was initially hesitant to pick this one up. After reading the first issue, though, I was completely blown away by Bendis’s ability to keep readers interested after a huge story arc. New artist David Lafuente was filling some pretty big shoes in taking over for previous iconic Spider-Man artist Stuart Immonen. The new anime-inspired artwork will take some getting used to, but with writing like Bendis’s, I’ll definitely be reading this title for a while.

“Northlanders #20”

“Northlands #20” finds the reader revisiting the Viking series’ beginning with another story about the first volume’s hero Sven. In the previous episode, Sven, who returned to his homeland of Orkney to reclaim his birthright from his corrupt uncle, finds that he must leave again in a self-imposed exile to start a family in order to save his clansmen. Sven is seen as a hero by the people of Orkney and widely talked about. This fame drives a few of them to come looking for him – unsurprisingly spurring some conflict and revelations along the way.

Sven’s story is one of my favorite arcs as he undergoes the most interesting character development in this series. When we’re first introduced, he’s a young military strategist who doesn’t care about his lineage and only wants his inheritance. By the end of the book, though, he’s tired of all the bloodshed and comes to a much more complex understanding of what it means to be a Viking and care for one’s people. “Northlanders” is a fascinating read, and I suggest that you pick it up today.