If you like great comic art, buy this issue. I am tempted to take a star off because the story is over-narrated to the point where you will want to skim some of the writing and it blocks the lovely pictures. Still, Darwyn Cooke’s art is so great and it’s such a treat to see him on Hex that this is must-buy for Cooke fans.

Very disappointing. This storyline took too many issues and used too many characters to get to a deus ex machina, which kicks off the next storyline without giving this storyline a satisfying ending.

Fantastic historical fiction. The story starts with one of the greatest leaders in Japanese history an awkward adolescent. How will he evolve into the future great man? His companion is the greatest of all ninjas. The story is told with gorgeous penwork and cinematic imagery, as well as the philosophical tone we’ve seen in Lone Wolf & Cub.

This comic is so good it’s like Marvel is offering some kind of karmic refund or penance to make good on all of the disappointments we endure as comic fans buying the latest hyped mega-project. This is the real deal and it couldn’t have been cooler if they’d stapled a $100 bill in the middle. I’m not going to spoil this, but if you’ve been following so far, mysteries deepen as we get peeks into new secrets. Also, super kung fu action and great art from 3 guys.

Based on my handle, you know why I think this is awesome. Yes, it’s probably all a big tease and the end will be crushing, but this is a lot of fun right now. And there’s a cameo from Ditko’s Shade, the Changing Man, in his M-Vest. More M-Vest!

Extraordinary. In this time when a simple story can take a year to tell, Mark Waid tells 3 complete stories and part of an ongoing framing story all in one issue! 3 team-ups! Including 3 teams! Mark Waid shows how to write a comic the old fashioned way. I was never one of the people who raved about this series, but this issue is a tour de force. And it’s great to see musty oldies like the Boy Commandos and Dial H for Hero brought back.

Fantastic art with beautiful Western landscapes (though Bat does look like “generic blond guy.” The story is so-so, fairly typical, though solid, Western. After the first few issues of Metamorpho:Year One and now this, I really don’t want to read any more origin miniseries. It’s too long a format for this kind of story. What’s next? A Dr. Strange origin where he spends 3 issues as a surgeon?

Insane and not very good, but interesting.

Rockman is the best of the bunch, a leader of an underground world that is very well visualized and has a “Flash Gordon” quality to it. It’s just strange that he cares about the surface world and the U.S. Also, there’s weird stuff like a ghoulish character on the splash who doesn’t appear in the story.

The Laughing Mask is a psychopath. He could very easily be updated to a Rorshach type, but the golden-age story is clumsy. There is actually a box on nearly every panel narrating what is going on. He has these guns that he pulls out of thin air or something. Weston’s updated costume realizes this and gives him holsters.

The Phantom Reporter is nutty. I like the name, but would anyone really call himself that? No one actually uses that name in the story. His alter egos are very weird.

I am very intrigued by what they will do with these characters. This is worth checking out for historical value and as a setup for the new series. Reading this, you realize why Batman survived and these guys vanished for decades.

Now, this is the kind of comic I like. Since Batman’s villains usually have henchmen, it’s easy to think that they are cowards or ineffective one-on-one. Seeing the Joker take on Booster man-to-man, you see how formidable the Joker is. That’s something that’s easy to forget watching Joker and Batman face off for the millionth time.

Also, we have some cool Blue Beetle stuff, and we see the very surprising return of a trio that Johns set up in the Lightning Saga.

Incomparable. Instantly-recognized style. Definitive versions of Green Lantern, the Atom, and many others.

Very cool issue-long fight in real-life locations north of NYC. Best GLC issue of Sinestro Corps War.

This issue delivers.

Of course he’s one of the best. He can draw any character perfectly and does great crowd scenes. My only beef is that his costume designs are weak, other than Taskmaster and his fraternal twin Deathstroke. Jericho? Weak. Anyone remember that crystal girl, wassername? Kole or Kale, was in Crisis. Weak. Even Cyborg – you get used to the costume and then you suddenly think, “Wait! is that a half-metal guy running around in white undies?”

Still, it’s a small point. Get him to draw other people’s characters – anything – Forbush Man – and it will look stunning.