WEEKLY WATCHER 1-26-2011

Hello my beloved little nerdlings! We’re here again with the True Believers Anonymous gathering that IS the Weekly Watcher on all things Marvel Comics!

My Name in Bizarrobot, and I am an addict.

They say that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, and that Diamonds are a girls best friend. But it’s the current Avengers run that makes THIS nerds heart quicken a step (can a person be given a bouquet of comics?). If you are not reading the Avengers right now – you are not only missing out on one of the best titles Marvels has going for it, but one of the best runs they have had EVER. This is going to be one people look back on with a heart felt sigh of nostalgia of better days in future low periods of Marvel story telling (which you KNOW will happen eventually). The nothing-if-not-pure-fun writing style of the much lauded Brian Michael Bendis and the kinetic art of John Romita Jr. is a perfect blend that makes this title everything that super hero comics SHOULD be. Pick up the new issue on stand this week (issue 9). You won’t be sorry.

The other thing that has me excited this week is Age of X Alpha. I kind of have to gush with nerd love here. I got into comics right when Marvel was launching the Age of Apocalypse run. I sadly have to admit to STILL having my foil cover Alpha and Omega issues (and I will probably NEVER get rid of them). The cover for Age of X Alpha just brings me right back. Its like my own private anniversary of my nerdiness. PLUS the art by Chris Bachalo just doubles it for me as Generation X – and HIS run on that title is what sealed the deal and assured I would love comic books forever. So while I can in no way expect you dear readers to mirror my excitement, I just needed to freak out and show my love. True Believer indeed.

There is that thing about the Human Torch too (Do I REALLY have to say it? Spoilers?). I guess that is news. Its Marvel. But I have to admit that Fantastic Four was never my cup of tea. There have been great runs. I really loved the interaction and tension with Sue and Namor (especially in the Sentry miniseries, and the art OMG!). But on a whole its coming and goings have never been anything I cared for. I hate to say this just feels like a marketing ploy.

Without further ado – here is the official list of comics, trades, and posters Marvel is releasing this week. Available as of tomorrow January 26th, 2011.

Comics On-Sale:

AGE OF X ALPHA #1

AGE OF X ALPHA #1 COIPEL WRAPAROUND VARIANT

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #648 2ND PRINTING VARIANT (BIG)

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #649 2ND PRINTING VARIANT (BIG)

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #650 2ND PRINTING VARIANT (BIG)

ASTONISHING THOR #2

AVENGERS #9

BLOCKBUSTERS OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE #1

CAPTAIN AMERICA #614

CAPTAIN AMERICA 70TH ANNIVERSARY MAGAZINE #1

CHAOS WAR #5 (CW)

CHAOS WAR: X-MEN #2 (CW)

DEADPOOL #32

DEADPOOL CORPS #10

FANTASTIC FOUR #583 3RD PRINTING VARIANT (THREE)

FANTASTIC FOUR #584 2ND PRINTING VARIANT (THREE)

FANTASTIC FOUR #585 2ND PRINTING VARIANT (THREE)

FANTASTIC FOUR #586 2ND PRINTING VARIANT (THREE)

FANTASTIC FOUR #587 (THREE)

INCREDIBLE HULKS #621

INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #500 QUESADA WRAPAROUND VARIANT

MAGNETO #1

NAMOR: THE FIRST MUTANT #6

NEW AVENGERS #8

NEW MUTANTS #21

ORSON SCOTT CARD’S SPEAKER FOR THE DEAD #1

PUNISHER: IN THE BLOOD #3

SECRET AVENGERS #9

SPIDER-MAN #10

THUNDERBOLTS #152

ULTIMATE COMICS AVENGERS 3 #6

ULTIMATE COMICS DOOM #2

ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #152

UNCANNY X-FORCE #4

UNCANNY X-MEN #532

X-23 #5

X-MEN #7

X-MEN #7 BACHALO VARIANT

X-MEN #7 BLANK COVER VARIANT

X-MEN #7 DJURDJEVIC GATEFOLD VARIANT

X-MEN #7 DODSON INKED VARIANT

X-MEN #7 DODSON VARIANT

X-MEN #7 FF ANNIVERSARY VARIANT

X-MEN FOREVER 2 #16

X-MEN: TO SERVE AND PROTECT #3

Collections On-Sale:

ANITA BLAKE, VAMPIRE HUNTER: CIRCUS OF THE DAMNED BOOK 1 – THE CHARMER PREMIERE HC

AVENGERS ACADEMY VOL. 1: PERMANENT RECORD PREMIERE HC

AVENGERS BY BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS VOL. 1 PREMIERE HC

HAWKEYE & MOCKINGBIRD: GHOSTS TPB

HULK: THE END TPB

INCREDIBLE HULKS: DARK SON PREMIERE HC

MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN: SPECTACULAR DIGEST

MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE UNCANNY X-MEN VOL. 7 HC

SPIDER-MAN/FANTASTIC FOUR HC

SPIDER-MAN: THE GAUNTLET VOL. 4 – JUGGERNAUT TPB

TALES OF THE DRAGON GUARD TPB

WHAT IF? CLASSIC VOL. 7 TPB

*BIG = Big Time tie-in

*CW = Chaos War tie-in

*THREE = Three tie-in

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