This book did what all event-focused books should: take existing characters that we all know at the core and study them from another angle while exploring their reactions, attitudes and character under unusual and even extreme circumstances. Bendis does this by simply focusing on two different sides of the Norman Osborn argument: kill him or bring him to justice? The idea creates an interesting divide within the Avengers team, and it also allows reflects upon what makes the characters of Captain America, Spider-man and Clint Barton who they are. Ultimately, this question is what moves the plot of the issue and places a specific character in an interesting position which will surely see farther exploration in the core Avengers book (New Avengers).

The artwork within this issue is also very well produced – the tag team of Djurdjevic, Morales and Gracia work well in their collaboration implanting a tone of desperation and almost futility. Djurdjevic also captures the sequential feel quite nicely, which is shocking for the amount of cover work he produces.

All and all, this was well worth the read and adds to my growing curiosity of the current Marvel Comics landscape. Yet, to place a warning to potential consumers, this book is not oversized for the 3.99 price tag. It may feel heavy when picked off the spinner rack, but don’t let the dual eight-page previews of Dark Reign – The List: Daredevil & Dark Reign – The List: X-Men fool you. But, I will not linger on that complaint – I still bought it holding that knowledge after all. But yes, Dark Reign: The List – Avengers is a nice example of a good event-centric comic book; it packs interesting looks at favorite characters, gorgeous artwork and a cliff-hanger that leaves the reader curious for more.

Written By: Brian Michael Bendis
Pencils: Marko Djurdjevic
Inks: Mark Morales
Colors: Marte Gracia

“It’s been a terrific run, and a lot of fun,” said JMS. “Warren Simons and Dan Buckley are to be thanked in particular for giving me the room to play and the freedom to just tell stories, a rarity in this business. Creatively, Thor was a high-water experience for me.”

Thor editor Warren Simons added, “We’re extremely proud of the extraordinary work J. Michael Straczynski has completed on Thor over the last two years. Along with Olivier Coipel and Marko Djurdjevic, JMS seamlessly reintroduced Thor and the other Asgardians into the Marvel Universe, returning the God of Thunder to his rightful place as one of Marvel’s greatest icons. From the brilliant set-up of Asgardians living side-by-side with salt-of-the-earth folks in rural Oklahoma, to the current storyline featuring Asgard divided, JMS deftly wove great humor with great action, and the combination has made Thor a critical and commercial success. We couldn’t be happier with his work, and we continue to look forward to working with him in the future.”

This September, JMS will leave your jaws on the floor in Thor: Defining Moments Giant-Size #1, as his award-winning run concludes!

THOR: DEFINING MOMENTS GIANT-SIZE #1 (JUL090554)
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Pencils and Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
RATED T+…$4.99
FOC—9/10/09, On-Sale—9/30/09

To find a comic shop near you, call 1-888-comicbook or visit www.comicshoplocator.com

ETERNALS #1 (APR082266)
Written by CHARLES KNAUF & DANIEL KNAUF
Art & 50/50 Cover by DANIEL ACUÑA
50/50 Variant cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
Rated T+ …$2.99
FOC—5/15/08, On-Sale—6/4/08

Writer J. Michael Straczynski is joined by special guest artist Marko Djurdjevic (Daredevil) for a two-part story collected in Thor: Search For Odin Must-Have which finds Thor searching for his father Odin. Hoping to restore Odin to his former life as Thor has already done for many Asgardians, the Thunder God may be in for the fight of his recently restored life as he finds his father locked in a battle that neither of their combined efforts can hope to win.

Thor’s return to the Marvel Universe continues to wow critics and fans alike as the Thunder God’s new ongoing series has been hotter than lightning.

Jesse Schedeen of IGN.com’s review of Thor #8 called it “another terrific issue in what is quickly developing into one of Marvel’s best series.”

Adam Chapman of Comixtreme.com said “JMS delivers a powerful script, and Djurdjevic captures it brilliantly with his artwork. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!”

Thor: Search For Odin Must-Have is the latest example of why Thor is one of the hottest characters at Marvel right now so don’t miss your chance to pick up this marvelous must-have.

THOR: SEARCH FOR ODIN MUST-HAVE (MAR088240)
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Pencils and Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
Rated T+…$3.99
FOC – 5/15, On-Sale – 6/4/2008

Be warned, you may find some spoilers in the following images.

NEW AVENGERS #40
COVER BY: ALEKSI BRICLOT
WRITER: BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
PENCILS: JIM CHEUNG
INKS: JOHN DELL
SECRET INVASION TIE-IN!
Very special guest artist Jimmy Cheung returns to the pages of New Avengers for this very important tie-in issue. Spinning right off of events in NEW AVENGERS: ILLUMINATI #1, find out exactly how the Skrull empire was able to infiltrate the Marvel Universe and who instigated the invasion and why.
Rated A …$2.99

THOR: AGES OF THUNDER #1
COVER BY: MARKO DJURDJEVIC
WRITER: MATT FRACTION
PENCILS: PATRICK ZIRCHER and KHARI EVANS
INKS: PATRICK ZIRCHER and VICTOR OLAZABA
As the Mighty Thor reclaims his rightful spot in the Marvel Pantheon, we join Matt Fraction and Patrick Zircher for a special examining the triumphs and tragedies that have befallen the God of Thunder across the eons. As the things he holds dearest are threatened by unimaginable forces of evil, Thor must rise up, again and again, to hold the line against terror and chaos as only the God of Thunder can!
Rated T+ …$3.99

MARVEL ILLUSTRATED: MOBY DICK #3
COVER BY: JOHN WATSON
WRITER: ROY THOMAS (and HERMAN MELVILLE)
PENCILS: PASCAL ALIXE
INKS: VICTOR OLAZABA
Ahab’s vessel, the Pequod, encounters the ship Samuel Enderby, whose captain lost an arm to Moby Dick and will hunt the whale no more. When Ahab learns where the monster was last sighted, he enlists his blacksmith to create a special harpoon: a harpoon that will ensure the destruction of the great white whale that haunts his fevered nightmares and gives him no peace.
Parental Advisory …$2.99

MARVEL ADVENTURES IRON MAN #12
COVER BY: FRANCIS TSAI
WRITER: FRED VAN LENTE
PENCILS: SCOTT KOBLISH
At long last, Iron Man is reunited with his missing father in the heart of Africa–but he has to free him from the clutches of Kiber the Cruel!
All Ages …$2.99

ULTIMATE X-MEN #93
COVER BY: SALVADOR LARROCA
WRITER: ROBERT KIRKMAN
PENCILS: HARVEY TOLIBAO
It’s Robert Kirkman’s final issue of ULTIMATE X-MEN – and he’s going out with a bang! Has the worst happened? Has Apocalypse triumphed? If so, there is only one force in the universe with the power to end his iron fisted reign. But it is a power of such magnitude that its slightest misuse could bring about the end of all things!
Rated T+ …$2.99

A perfect jumping-on point for new readers and for old fans alike, this all-new Iron Man series pits the Armored Avenger against a man who just may be his greatest enemy! Featuring all your favorite Iron Man characters, from Pepper Potts to James Rhodes, Invincible Iron Man #1 begin an all-new, action-packed, status-quo shattering ongoing series that you can’t afford to miss!

Retailers, please note that Invincible Iron Man is also previewed in the upcoming Iron Man/Hulk Sampler, an unprecedented, free 32 page special that previews all the major upcoming Iron Man and Hulk releases. This sampler is perfect for distribution at movie theaters, Free Comic Book Day, and any other promotional efforts, providing a perfect introduction into the world of the stars of this summers two most anticipated blockbuster films!

THE INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #1 (MAR082185)
THE INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #1 TAN VARIANT, LAYTON VARIANT, DJURDJEVIC VARIANT (MAR082186)
THE INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #1 MOVIE VARIANT (MAR082187)
Written by MATT FRACTION
Pencils & 50/50 Cover by SALVADOR LARROCA
50/50 Cover by JOE QUESADA
Variant by BILLY TAN
Variant by BOB LAYTON
Variant by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
Rated T+ …$2.99
FOC—4/17/08, On-Sale—5/7/08

IRON MAN/HULK SAMPLER (FEB088110)
Written by JIM MCCANN
Rated All Ages…FREE!
On-Sale—4/23/08

As Thor continues to deal with an uncertain future after the return of the missing Asgardians, readers can now look to the past and examine the long, arduous road that brought him here! Thor: Ages Of Thunder, a double-sized special from red-hot scribe Matt Fraction (Immortal Iron Fist, upcoming Uncanny X-Men) and fan favorite artist Patrick Zircher (Thunderbolts) explore the events leading to the mighty Thor’s bonding with the human Donald Blake as he wages war with the terrifying Frost Giants. But just how does a tragic tale of the Enchantress and the legendary villainy of the trickster Loki play into all this?

With Loki’s involvement in the critically-acclaimed Thor, this issue is perfect for fans looking to learn more about the Marvel Universe’s greatest deceiver…and just what makes Thor the man he is today! Don’t miss the double-sized Thor: Ages Of Thunder!

THOR: AGES OF THUNDER (FEB082257)
Written by MATT FRACTION
Art by PATRICK ZIRCHER & KHARI EVANS
Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
Rated T+ …$3.99
FOC—4/10/08, FOC—4/30/08

The most dangerous man in the Marvel Universe — Nick Fury — went underground after a failed espionage mission, but now the former Director of S.H.I.E.L.D returns in Mighty Avengers #12! Why is Fury back? And what does his timing have to do with the red-hot Secret Invasion? The Eisner-winning team of writer Brian Bendis (Secret Invasion, New Avengers) and artist Alex Maleev (Daredevil, New Avengers: Illuminati) reunite for a Secret Invasion tie-in so important that the events in this issue will reverberate throughout the Marvel Universe as Fury becomes target number one! And just who is revealed as a Skrull? Wrapped up in a gorgeous cover by rising star artist Marko Djurdjevic (Thor), no Secret Invasion fan can afford to miss this crucial event tie-in!

Marvel urges retailers to check their orders on Mighty Avengers and all Secret Invasion tie-ins, as the event delights critics and fans alike, while also drawing mainstream attention from outlets such as Entertainment Weekly. What secrets will Fury unearth? And how will they affect the Skrulls’ plans? Find out in Mighty Avengers #12!

MIGHTY AVENGERS #12 (FEB082243)
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Penciled by ALEX MALEEV
Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
SECRET INVASION TIE-IN!
Rated A …$2.99
FOC—4/3/08, On-Sale—4/23/08

As Cyclops and Emma Frost try to save Angel — and the entire city of San Francisco — from something unexplainable, Wolverine, Colossus and Nightcrawler must face Russia’s deadly Red Room! Uncanny X-Men #497, from Eisner-winning scribe Ed Brubaker (Captain America, Daredevil, Criminal) and rising star artist Michael Choi, continues the acclaimed story of a world without X-Men, with the former superheroes attempting to move on after the events of Messiah CompleX. An ­X-Men: Divided We Stand tie-in, this issue continues the red-hot storyline that has fans and critics alike buzzing!

Steven M. Bari of ComicsBulletin.Com gushed, “Salivate over Mike Choi’s art. His work isn’t just perfect anatomically and thematically. It’s sexy!”

“Ed Brubaker is obviously having a lot of fun with his latest Uncanny X-Men arc. I’m glad to say I am too,” said Jesse Schedeen of IGN.Com.

Retailers, check the Marvel Mailer for special ordering instructions regarding the Uncanny X-Men #497 Djurdjevic Variant by rising star artist Marko Djurdjevic (Thor)!

Marvel urges retailers to check their orders on all X-Men titles, as the Divided We Stand tie-ins continue to sell out at Diamond and generate buzz. As Wolverine, Colossus and Nightcrawler’s road trip takes a turn for the worse…can mutantkind survive without the X-Men? Find out in Uncanny X-Men #497!

UNCANNY X-MEN #497 (FEB082261)
UNCANNY X-MEN #497 DJURDJEVIC VARIANT (JAN088351)
Written by ED BRUBAKER
Pencils & Cover by MICHAEL CHOI
Rated T+ …$2.99
FOC—4/3/08, On-Sale—4/23/08

Marvel urges retailers to check their orders on Thor, as the series continues to sell-out with each issue and garner acclaim from all corners, with Jason Sacks of ComicsBulletin.Com gushing, “JMS’s re-invention of Thor has been a success.”

If you’ve missed out on the first six critically-acclaimed, sold-out issues of Thor — and haven’t been able to find any of those sold out multiple printings — then don’t miss Thor By J. Michael Straczynski Vol.1 Premiere HC! Collecting Thor #1-6, now’s your chance to learn just how and why Thor returned!

Marvel currently has no plans to go back to press on Thor #6.

THOR BY J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI VOL. 1 PREMIERE HC (JAN082208)
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Penciled by OLIVIER COIPEL
Cover by OLIVIER COIPEL
Rated T+ …$19.99
FOC—3/13/08, On-Sale—4/16/08

THOR #7 (DEC072216)
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Art and Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
50/50 Cover by OLIVIER COIPEL & MARKO DJURDJEVIC
Rated T+…$2.99
On-Sale—3/19/08

THOR BY COIPEL & DJURDJEVIC POSTER (DEC072283)
24×36 Color Poster…$7.99
IN STORES NOW!