“More charts! More charts!”

The pleas of the masses have been heard!

The ‘Astonishing X-Men’ run by Joss Whedon and John Cassaday (through issue 24 and the Giant-Size finale) kicked off with unbelievable first issue sales of 209,389 in May 2004 before plateauing to still impressive numbers (between 120,000 and 140,000) for most of its run.

And despite a slight downturn to 105,508 to wrap things up, overall sales were fairly consistent considering only 25 issues came out over the course of four years.

Compare that to other titles during the same period and ‘Astonishing X-Men’ proved to be quite… uh… astonishing.

Actual data comes from the monthly top 300 charts generated by ICv2.com.

Avengers/Invaders #3
“Book Three: Homefront”
Plot: Alex Ross & Jim Krueger: Script: Jim Krueger
Pencils: Steve Sadowski

Last issue, Wolverine uttered only five words in two panels.

He doesn’t fare much better with issue #3.

Four panels. Two words.

“She’s here.”

I mean, what’s the point?

Even Iron Fist, mute in this issue, was positively loquacious last issue with 11 words.

Where’s the love?

From Marvel (preview): “The King of Atlantis vs the Prince of Atlantis with an entire kingdom as the ultimate prize. Alex Ross, Jim Krueger and Steve Sadowski continue the year’s most surprising cross-time epic with a battle that promises to tear two centuries asunder.” On sale July 2, 2008.

Astonishing X-Men #25
Writer: Warren Ellis
Artist: Simone Bianchi

Let me be clear.

Warren Ellis is one of my favorite writers. ‘Planetary’ is quite possibly the best comic book series I have ever read. ‘Nextwave: Agents of H.A.T.E.’ was an absolute hoot. And his run on ‘Authority’ was nothing short of brilliant.

So while following Joss Whedon and John Cassaday on ‘Astonishing X-Men’ might seem like coming on stage after the Beatles, I really thought Ellis and Bianchi would be up to the challenge.

Alas, they are not.

Ellis’ premiere issue is heavy on dialogue, scene setting and lacks that that final page punch that Whedon excelled at. Bianchi tries some interesting art stylings, but they seem overly heavy compared to the previous look of the book.

Joss Whedon and John Cassaday blew me away in their first issue of ‘Astonishing X-Men.’ As for Warren Ellis and Simone Bianchi, I’m still waiting to be astonished.

From Marvel (preview): “It’s the book you’ve been waiting for. The superstar team of Warren Ellis and Simone Bianchi are ready to take the X-Men to the ‘Second Stage’! ‘Messiah CompleX’ pulled the X-Men team together, ‘Divided We Stand’ tore them apart. Now the X-Men are back to business — with a new look, a new base of operations, and a mystery to solve that will take them into previously uncharted territory and test them to their core!” On sale July 2, 2008.

005: Sabretooth and Silver Fox (v. 3.00) of the ‘Wolverine Files’ chronology is now live, and completely updated, rewritten and transitioned into blog format.

I know, I know. Try not to faint.

So the first six chapters of the ‘Wolverine Files’ chronology are now completely updated and transitioned with quite a few more still to go.

— 000: True Origins
— 001: Wild Child
— 002: The Origin
— 003: Young Logan
— 004: The Amazing Skunk-Bear
— 005: Sabretooth and Silver Fox

So give them a run-through and let me know what you think!

DiG…

X-Men: Legacy #213
Writer: Mike Carey
Penciler: Scot Eaton; Inker: Andrew Hennessy

Wolverine doesn’t appear in this issue.

But there is a cool flashback to ‘Uncanny X-Men’ #129 when Xavier states, “Scott, tell Wolverine that his childish outburst will cost him ten demerits.”

To which Cyclops responds, “Ten, or ten thousand, it won’t make a difference. Wolverine’s a grown man, who’s learned his skills in the field. Treating him like a schoolboy won’t work, Professor. I tried it that way and I failed.”

I wonder if Mike Carey needs credit to Chris Claremont for nearly a page of dialogue?

From Marvel (Preview): “Xavier traces his history and the history of the X-Men to the core. What he finds will shock you. And what do Rogue, Gambit and Sebastian Shaw have to do with it?” On sale June 25, 2008.

New Avengers #42
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Pencils: Jim Cheung; Inks: John Dell

I am getting so tired of these interminable flashbacks.

Yes, I know that Brian Michael David Bendis has been planning Secret Invasion meticulously since before he was born. I just don’t need to read about every single freakin’ detail of the Skrulls plan in every single freakin’ issue of ‘New Avengers’ and ‘Mighty Avengers’ for the past three freakin’ months!

TMI. OK?

And while I’m ranting, it would be helpful if Jim Cheung could draw characters so we know who is who. The sequence between ‘Jessica Drew’ and Madame Hydra is so unbelievably confusing because both characters look exactly the same.

Oh and Wolverine cameos in a flashback.

From Marvel (preview): “For 42 issues readers of New Avengers have wondered, who caused the breakout in New Avengers #1 and why? And how was this the real start of the SECRET INVASION? Find out right here!” On sale June 25, 2008.

Mike Wieringo Tribute #1
“All Possible Worlds”
Writer: Jeff Parker:
Penciler: Mike Wieringo et al: Inker: Karl Kesel et al

Mike Wieringo tragically passed away last year at the age of 44.

Hero Initiative and Marvel Comics tastefully and lovingly present the final story he worked on, bringing a host of Mike’s closest friends to finish the issue.

The story itself (the ‘new’ Fantastic Four of Wolverine, Hulk, Ghost Rider and Spider-Man) is fairly forgettable as are most ‘What If?’ tales, but the love and caring from his colleagues are palpable, making for a very special issue.

From Marvel (preview): “Before artist Mike Wieringo passed away, he had completed seven pages of a What If? story featuring the ‘replacement’ Fantastic Four: Spider-Man, the Hulk, Ghost Rider and Wolverine! Marvel Comics generously donated the script and Mike’s art to The Hero Initiative. Mike’s talented friends and fans stepped up to finish the story, and pay tribute to Mike in this great tale!

“This awesome 48-page book contains the full story, and additional written tributes to Mike, and includes artists Arthur Adams, Paul Renaud, Stuart Immonen, Cully Hamner, Alan Davis, David Williams, Sanford Greene, Humberto Ramos, Skottie Young, Mike Allred, and Barry Kitson.” On sale June 25, 2008.

Wolverine: First Class #4
“The Last Knights of Wundagore, Part Two”
Writer: Fred Van Lente
Artist: Salva Espin

Looking at the abysmal sales of this series (22,430 for issue 3), it makes me wonder if ‘Wolverine: First Class’ is perceived as a comic for kids. Which is a shame, for it cleverly honors the Wolverine and Kitty Pryde of the 1980s, an era that few kids would go back and read.

That said, it would be refreshing for Marvel to produce kids comics of this quality for the series is a hoot, adding classic lines to the mythos such as Wolverine pronouncing, “I’m the best at what I do. And what I do is… is… RUN!”

If you’re undecided on ‘Wolverine: First Class,’ let me recommend you take a look at the synopsis page… perhaps the best in comics today.

From Marvel (preview): “Wolverine has been ‘evolved’ out of his berserker instincts… Kitty Pryde has been mutated into a half-cat, half-human creature… And they are all that stands between an unsuspecting Earth and the ravenous hordes of the rampaging MAN-BEAST!” On sale June 25, 2008.

Ultimates 3 #4
Writer: Jeph Loeb
Artist: Joe Madureira

Four months since the last issue.

I mean who remembers what’s going on after four months?

And after such a long gap, is it possible to not use dialogue from ‘The Terminator’ like, “Come with me if you want to live.”

Ugh.

So excuse my while I reread the previous issues.

Hmmm… Testosterone on overdrive. Psycho Hawkeye shoots Wolverine repeatedly. Captain America admonishes Hawkeye for cursing (but not for shooting Wolverine). Cool Tyrannosaurus Rex. Unbelievably stupid Black Panther twist.

Wow. This really is a crappy series (and yes, Wolverine does appear, uttering perhaps the best line of the issue, “The @#$%ing Juggernaut!?).

But the best news is that the Ultimate universe as a whole may finally be coming to a close in a few months with ‘Ultimatum.’

That is if the next issue of ‘Ultimates 3’ ever comes out.

From Marvel: “Who rules the Savage Land? Who could possibly challenge Magneto’s authority? How about the Ultimates with special guest Wolverine! Plus: back in NYC, the Wasp makes a discovery that will change everything!” On sale February 19, 2008.

Uncanny X-Men #499
“Divided We Stand, Part Five”
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artists: Mike Choi & Ben Oliver

I’d like to ignore the hippy plot again, but Cyclops’ line, “Emma! Watch your flank!” and her response (“My what?!”) is simply too priceless.

Another strong fight sequence by Brubaker and Choi, this time with Wolverine and Colossus battling Omega Red. And an especially memorable ending to their fight makes me wonder why they didn’t use this tactic in the past.

Unfortunately, the ending is a little hokey, setting the stage for ‘Uncanny X-Men’ #500 and the X-Men’s relocation to San Francisco?!

From Marvel (preview): “‘X-Men: Divided We Stand’ comes to its shocking conclusion! Cyclops and Emma come face to face against former allies. Colossus, Wolverine and Nightcrawler scramble to get out of Russia alive. Witness the new status quo for the X-Men that will define their future!” On sale June 25, 2008.