A LAZY look at Dark Reign The List: The Amazing Spider-Man #1

Writer: Dan Slott. Pencils: Adam Kubert.

Score: 6 out of 10.

What I Thought(In 150 words or less!): Meh. This was an OK story, but it went a long way in exposing one of the main problems with the entire Dark Reign storyline, Norman Osborn... Osborn was the absolute worse choice for the big villain behind the entire DR storyline, and Spidy pretty much makes my point for me during this comic. Osborn is a criminal. A big one. Always has been and always will be. The idea that everybody in the Marvel Universe loves him because he's wrapped in the American flag is just plain ludicrous. Anyway, the art was good, but Spidey was Spidey, and since I'm currently on my "I hate Spidey" kick, he annoyed me more then anything. When you start rooting for Norman Osborn to wipe the smug look off Spidey's face, you know it's time to put the comic down.Come on, blast him! You know you want to!!!

A LAZY look at Dark Reign The List: Punisher #1

Writer: Rick Remender. Pencils: John Romita Jr.

Score: 7 out of 10.

What I Thought(In 150 words or less!): Woooo, what a mess this was! Long story short, the Punisher pisses Norman "Marvel" Osborn off one time too many and Normie sends Daken to take care of Punisher... Permanently. Daken does just that, cutting Punisher into a dozen or so pieces. The fight scene between Daken and Punisher was intense, but the ending and upcoming Punisher as a zombie/monster storyline just seems ridiculous! "Franken-castle"? Really?!? Then again, it sounds SO bad that I might actually pick it up out of morbid curiosity, so what does that say about my taste?Ouch, that's going to take a MIGHTY big band-aid to fix...

A Quick Look at Dark Reign The List: Daredevil #1

Writer: Andy Diggle. Pencils: Billy Tan.

What Happened: Daredevil is in the process of becoming the leader of his longtime enemies, the Hand. However, before he is declared the leader, he must undergo certain mental and physical tests. Meanwhile, a crooked judge and two crooked cops are literally cut to pieces on the streets of NYC, and Osborn believes the Hand was behind the killings. Since Daredevil is currently leading the Hand Osborn figures DD was responsible for the deaths, so he dispatches Bullseye to kill DD. Bullseye breaches the inner sanctum of the Hand with a few HAMMER soldiers and attacks DD and the Hand. After a quick battle, Bullseye hops on a helicopter and tries to escape, but is followed by DD. Bullseye leads DD to a condemned building in Hell's Kitchen where several squatters were living. DD is perplexed by Bullseye's actions, telling Bullseye that he is always defeated by DD, and that this time won't be any different. Bullseye then explains that the rules have changed and he proceeds to set off a massive bomb in the building under DD's feet, killing over 100 squatters before retreating. We find out that it wasn't a member of the Hand who killed the crooked judge and cops, it was Lady Bullseye, at the behest of Kingpin, who ordered the killings so Osborn would target DD. This issue ends with DD swearing revenge on Bullseye and Osborn.

What I thought: This was an interesting story. I do like the idea of putting DD as the leader of the Hand(although I don't think I like the new DD inspired Hand outfits), but I'm not really happy about DD going up against Osborn. He's more of a street vigilante, not a global hero. With that said though, if this story leads to DD vs. Bullseye, I'd be more than fine with that. That is one rivalry I can honestly say I can never get enough of. This is where Bullseye belongs, tormenting DD, not working on the Avengers. DD's next move should be VERY interesting.

Score: 7 1/2 out of 10.Ah, this is how I like Bullseye... Completely and utterly evil, not pretending to be a hero.

A Quick Rant about Dark Reign: The List: Avengers #1

Writer: BENDIS. Pencils: Marko Djurdjevic.

What Happened: Norman Osborn decides he wants to use his power to fix what he sees is wrong with the world, so he makes a list and begins to plan on how to implement it. Clint Barton decides he's going to kill Osborn because Osborn said bad things about him on TV and because the mutants are living on an island off the coast of California. Yeah... The Avengers try to talk Clint out of his plans, but Clint is past reasoning. Finally Mockingbird tells him she'll go with him, even though she doesn't like the idea. After a roll in the hay, Clint waits until Mock is asleep before heading off alone to kill Osborn. He breaks into Avengers Tower and dispatches with most of the Dark Avengers before he comes face to face with Osborn. Before Clint can kill Osborn, Ares knocks Clint out and this comic(MERCIFULLY!!!!!!!)ends.

What I thought: This was one of the worst comic books I've read in a LOOOONG time. I honestly can't believe I actually read this... When the HELL did Clint Barton become a homicidal maniac? Really, I'd seriously like to know. I've been an Avengers fan since I was 11 years old, and I can safely say that I have NEVER seen an Avenger this horribly mischaracterized. Jesus Christ, Clint left his wife when she allowed the man who raped her(repeatedly)to fall to his death!!! That's how strongly he felt about the Avengers "no killing" policy! I'm supposed to buy this garbage? Osborn creating his own band of Avengers is what pushes Clint over the edge??? Really!?!? Clint has always been steadfast in his belief that Avengers don't kill. And yet, Clint has to be told this fact by Spider-Man, who shouldn't even be on the goddamn team!!! This comic is definitely the current front runner for the title of worst comic book of the year, by a WIDE margin.

Score: 1 out of 10. I'd have given this comic a 0, but the artwork was much better than this awful comic deserved.ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!