cliffhanger of the week #18

#8 - I See Comic Book People

its 23 years ago, and little Toby is seeing his funnybooks come to life. is this for real, or is Toby taking LSD? we'll know next issue, because he just literally ran into the Hulk.
1985 #1 (Marvel)
Mark Millar/Tommy Edwards/John Workman

#7 - The Devil You Say

it took Dakota Fanning ... i mean, Dakota North getting slapped around to slap Matt out of his depression (not to say he's not depressed anymore). this time he needs to defend a murderer, as requested by Luke Cage. as always, there are strings attached and leading to somewhere.

Daredevil #107 (Marvel)
Ed Brubaker/Greg Rucka/Michael Lark/Stefano Gaudiano/Matt Hollingsworth/Chris Eliopoulos/cover: Marko Djurdjevic

#6 - Stretch Run

Reed Richards checklist: prove his manhood by whacking a giant robot mano-a-mano? check. sidestep his ex and remain true to his wife? check. be there when his greatest foe needs him? oopps. not. i'm guessing 'cause he got shot by the "Henry Pym" Skrull.

Fantastic Four #557 (Marvel)
Mark Millar/Bryan Hitch/Andrew Currie/Paul Mounts/Rus Wooton

#5 - Turn Back the Clock

the Clock King is ... well, clocking our young heroes. even Robin looks like he forgot all his Bat training. their only hope is Ravager, who's still loose out there. i mean she hasn't been captured, gutter-brain.

Teen Titans #59 (DC)
Sean McKeever/Eddy Barrows/Ruy Jose/Rod Reis/Travis Lanham

#4 - Lies Lies Lies Yeah

it doesn't take long for the new Loki (or is that Lokie?) to weave tales and sow seeds that will definitely threaten the new peaceful era of Asgard. once a schemer, always a schemer. although i think i like Loki as a woman. i just hope that every Asgardian who promised him a severe punishment if he ever does his tricks again would keep their word.

Thor #9 (Marvel)
J. Michael Straczynski/Olivier Coipel/Danny Miki/John Dell/Mark Morales/Laura Martin/Chris Eliopoulos

#3 - Jungle Fever

with Avengers going up against Skrull-Avengers in the Savage Land, Spiderman runs into Ka-Zar, who of course may or may not be Skrull too. we finally see the seeds of Bendis' genius in his 5-year setup of this story. we also see another Captain America making an appearance. okay, who is it this time?

New Avengers #41 (Marvel)
Brian Michael Bendis/Billy Tan/Justin Ponsor/Albert Dechesne/cover: Aleksi Briclot

#2 - Surprise Party

the much-hyped end of Batman is here! Grant Morrison kicks it off with an invasion of the Batcave by the badguys and the time-honored tradition of beating up the butler (Alfred should have called Jarvis for tips for that situation). and who is the Black Glove? my guess is a demonic Michael Jackson. wait, was it "Black Glove with Sequins"?

Batman #677 (DC)
Grant Morrison/Tony Daniel/Sandu Florea/Guy Major/Jared Fletcher

#1 - Doom's the Word

its finally here too! and we have to believe it will be really "Final". which means, technically, after this is all over, there should be no more DC comics published ever! because there will be no more conflicts! because this one's final! right, Dan DiDio? that probably also means we'll be holding a funeral for J'onn.

Final Crisis #1 (DC)
Grant Morrison/JG Jones/Alex Sinclair/Rob Leigh