I Am an Avenger #5 (no preview)
“Growing”
Writer: B. Clay Moore
Artist: Filipe Andrade

From Marvel: “The grand finale is here as Captain America faces off against a very nasty HYDRA horde…and unwittingly holds the fate of a young boy in the balance! The newest Ant-Man, Eric O’Grady, has never been a team player but will his new position amidst the ranks of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes be his redemption…or a one way ticket to the bench?! And Thor brightens up the Young Avengers day in a very special story brought to you by the legendary Alan Davis!”

In stores January 12, 2011.

Wolverine does more than one would suspect for only being in two panels of the second story…

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Comusiv’s Completist Corner
-Chaos War: Dead Avengers #3: Wolverine is still laying on the ground unconscious. It might be his first actual rest in a long time…

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Major probable/possible Wolverine appearances for this week (01/19/11)…
-Wolverine #5 (preview): Wolverine meets his father in the “Wolverine Goes to Hell” finale…
-Wolverine and Jubilee #1 (preview): Direct followup from the X-Men vs. Vampires storyline…

Avengers: Children’s Crusade #4 (preview)
Writer: Allan Heinberg
Penciler: Jim Cheung
Inker: Mark Morales with Jm Cheung

From Marvel: “THE EPIC AVENGERS EVENT CONTINUES! Determined to rescue the Scarlet Witch from the clutches of Doctor Doom, Magneto, Quicksilver, and the Young Avengers form a covert strike force to infiltrate Doom’s kingdom. But their secret invasion of Latveria threatens to become an all-out war when the Avengers and Wonder Man stand in their way. PLUS: the Scarlet Witch comes face to face with an enemy even deadlier than Doom who won’t rest until Wanda Maximoff is dead.”

In stores January 6, 2011.

Just when you think Wolverine won’t appear, BAM — two-page spread!

I must admit, I am really enjoying how Dr. Doom is being portrayed here…

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Comusiv’s Completist Corner
-Nothing else that we could find…

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Major probable/possible Wolverine appearances for this week (01/12/11)…
-Is it possible? No Wolverine appearances? Really?

Wolverine: The Best There Is #2 (preview)
Writers: Charles Huston
Art: Juan Jose Ryp

From Marvel: “The most shocking Wolverine ongoing continues as writer Charlie Huston and artist Juan Jose Ryp bring you the high octane, blood soaked action you’ve been demanding! Wolverine has just made himself a new worst enemy by the name of Contagion and it’s time for him to let loose. But before everyone’s favorite ill-tempered mutant can give him the ol’ three-claws-to-chest treatment, he’s going have to work his way through Contagion’s legion of “unkillable” cronies. First on the list? The completely insane Madcap! Unfortunately for Logan, not only can this lunatic not die, he’s got a deadly new trick up his sleeve. Its 12 rounds (and then some) of unstoppable killing machine vs. death-defying homicidal maniac!”

On sale January 6, 2010.

Definitely better than last issue, but let’s be honest, that’s not saying much.

I found this issue to be a bloodfest for the sake of shock value — and that is certainly how Marvel is marketing it.

Not my cup of tea — and I like a good bloodfest every now and then.

Anyone else?

Astonishing X-Men: Xenogenesis #4 (preview)
Writer: Warren Ellis
Artist: Kaare Andrews

From Marvel: “Something is causing the children of an African village to be born mutated. Something in the woodland outside the village. Something they don’t talk about. But now, whatever it is, it’s being hunted, and the X-Men are trapped between the hunters and the hunted.”

In stores December 29, 2010.

Another long wait for the next issue is this series, but I must say, this is great, great Wolverine appearance…

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Avengers #8 (preview)
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Pencils: John Romita, Jr.
Inks: Klaus Janson

From Marvel: “The return of the Illuminati! Marvel’s super-secret brain trust has reunited because someone is trying to put the Infinity Gauntlet back together. Who is it and will the Avengers be able to stop them in time? And what does any of this have to do with the Red Hulk? Plus, is there a little romance brewing? Another blistering blockbuster chapter from Marvel’s premiere super hero team Bendis and Romita Jr. Plus: another illustrated chapter of the oral history of the Avengers.”

In stores December 29, 2010.

Wolverine is very much a bystander in this rather weak Illuminati tale that will undoubtedly lead to Infinity Gauntlet II or equivalent…

Generation Hope #3 (preview)
Writer: Kieron Gillen
Art: Salvador Espin with Scott Koblish

From Marvel: “THE FUTURE IS A FOUR-LETTER WORD: Tokyo burns with the genetic heat of the final light. Can Generation Hope tame it, or will the X-Men have to snuff it out? The first battle for the future of mutantkind comes to a climax, with Bio-titans fighting between the sky-scrapers when hope and despair come to blows. The first arc of the most-anticipated new book of 2010 concludes! Part 3 (of 3)”

In stores December 29, 2010.

I picked this one one up last week, though it seems most stores will be releasing it this week instead.

That said, not a bad supporting appearance for Wolverine…

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Comusiv’s Completist Corner
–What If? #200: Wolverine experiences what if Norman Osborn had won the Siege of Asgard…
–X-Men: To Protect and Serve #3: Wolverine appears on the cover only…
–The Heroic Age: X-Men #1: Wolverine is on the cover and in a Steve Rogers entry in this Marvel sourcebook…

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Major probable/possible Wolverine appearances for this week (01/06/11)…
–Avenger’s Children’s Crusade #4 (preview): Dr. Doom takes center stage…
–Wolverine: The Best There Is #2 (preview): Wolverine’s second series kicks into high gear…

Astonishing Spider-Man & Wolverine #4 (preview)
Writer: Jason Aaron
Pencils: Adam Kubert
Digital Inks: Mike Roslan

From Marvel: “Who is the major Marvel villain throwing Spider-Man and Wolverine through time? FIND OUT HERE! The adventure through time takes a strange turn as Wolverine finds himself face to face with a young pre-“With Great Power” revelation Peter Parker and Spider-Man finds himself in the wilds of Canada face-to-face with a savage young James Howlett! And as if that weren’t enough, we also get the lowdown on The Czar and Big Murder. Jason Aaron and Adam Kubert bring the chickens home to roost, only they’re Robotic Were-Chickens with razor-wattles and lasers mounted on their combs.”

On sale December 29, 2010.

Three and a half months since the last issue.

Forgive me, but when I have to wait that long for an issue, the series better be spectacular. Or in this case, astonishing.

Unfortunately, after being yanked through time for this many issues, I found the villains to be rather two-bit (though the last page is a kick in the pants).

That said, Jason Aaron shakes things up with a blast from Wolverine’s past.

VERY deftly done.

One hopes Aaron will return to that sequence before the series is out.

Anyone else?

Uncanny X-Men #531 (preview)
Writer: Matt Fraction and Kieron Gillen
Pencils: Greg Land
Inks: Jay Leisten

From Marvel: “The X-Men on Utopia are getting sicker and sicker and their powers are shutting down one-by-one. Wolverine’s healing factor is down and he’s suffering adamantium poisoning, but he’s much better off than the mutants whose mutation defines their bodies, like Rockslide and Mercury. And if that weren’t bad enough, The Collective Man has Chinatown in the palms of his many hands and the Sublime Corporation is kicking the plan they’ve been hatching since #515 into high gear!”

In stores December 22, 2010.

Can’t say I really enjoyed this issue or the art, but Wolverine’s three pages were pretty awesome…

X-Men #6 (preview)
Writer: Victor Gischler
Pencils: Paco Medina
Inks: Juan Vlasco

From Marvel: “CURSE OF THE MUTANTS, CONCLUSION: Somehow, the X-Men have weathered the vampire raid on Utopia, but mutants can’t claim total victory yet. Jubilee still needs the X-Men’s help, and Xarus still commands an overwhelming force of bloodsuckers. Will Dracula’s intervention be the final nail in Xarus’s coffin…or will he make even more trouble for the X-Men than his upstart son ever could?”

In stores December 22, 2010.

The vampire arc, the first of this adjectiveless X-Men series, comes to a close. I can’t say I loved it either, but it does certainly change how Wolverine and Jubilee will be interacting in the future…

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Comusiv’s Completist Corner
–Spider-Man Marvel Adventures #9: Spider-Man/Wolverine team up in this all-ages tale…
–Strange Tales II #3: Indie anthology comedy series…

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Major probable/possible Wolverine appearances for this week (12/29/10)…
–Astonishing Spider-Man & Wolverine #4 (preview): Will this series start to make sense?
–Astonishing X-Men: Xenogenesis #4 (preview): Might be time for a reread…
–Daken: Dark Wolverine #4 (preview): Costumed Daken takes center stage — oh the horror!
–What If? #200 (preview): What If Norman Osborn Won the Siege of Asgard?
–X-23 #4 (preview): X-23 hits the road…

Uncanny X-Force #3 (preview)
Writer: Rick Remender
Art: Jerome Opena

From Marvel: “THE APOCALYPSE SOLUTION, PART THREE: Uncanny X-Force versus Apocalypse’s Last Horsemen to the death! With their target within striking distance the team separate in hopes that one of them might infiltrate the Akkaba stronghold and assassinate Apocalypse. However, breaking apart has left them vulnerable, and one member pays a heavy toll for the strategy. Will a member of the team die to stop Apocalypse? Or will the price be heavier still?”

In stores December 15, 2010.

I still haven’t been able to track down a copy of Uncanny X-Force #2 — so I’ve yet to crack this issue open.

Anyone else caught up care to comment?

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Comusiv’s Completist Corner
–I Am an Avenger #4: From last week, Wolverine cameos in a surprisingly well-done Thing story, though I’m surprised that the Fantastic Four don’t eat Chinese food family style…

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Major probable/possible Wolverine appearances for this week (12/22/10)…
–Uncanny X-Men #531 (preview): Quarantine!
–X-Men #6 (preview): X-Men vs. Vampires concludes…

Wolverine #4 (preview)
Writer: Jason Aaron
Pencils: Renato Guedes
Inks: Jose Wilson Magalhaes and Oclair Albert

From Marvel: “Demonically-possessed Wolverine vs. Colossus. What more do you need? How about Mystique and the Ghost Riders and Sabretooth and the devil wielding a really big sword, not to mention a shocking appearance by a figure from Logan’s past that no one’s expecting, least of all Logan himself. All of this as Wolverine’s epic descent into hell rolls on.”

On sale December 15, 2010.

Another strong issue, but I think the flaws are starting to show.

How can the Devil who has reigned in Hell for aeons be so vulnerable to someone with mere bone claws? What if someone with real power showed up? And how the hell can broken bone claws actually keep someone so big pinned against a wall?

That said, even though the final page was expected, it certainly packed a punch.

Anyone else care to comment?

New Avengers #7 (preview)
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Penciler: Stuart Immonen
Inker: Wade Von Grawbadger

From Marvel: “After the devastating fallout of last issue’s fatal battle for this dimension, the New Avengers have to figure out who really belongs on the team. Plus, Luke Cage and Jessica Jones need a nanny, and not just any nanny, they need to find a superpowered nanny. Who. Will. It. Be?! Plus: another illustrated chapter of the oral history of the Avengers!”

In stores December 8, 2010.

I liked this issue.

A lot.

No villains, just New Avengers bantering and interviewing nannies.

Super-powered nannies.

I know this issue is not up everyone’s alley, but I for one thought is was a hoot. Even if it did include Wolverine and Squirrel Girl.

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Comusiv’s Completist Corner
–Marvel Super Hero Squad #12: Christmas issue…

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Major probable/possible Wolverine appearances for this week (12/15/10)…
–Uncanny X-Force #3 (preview): Uncanny X-Force vs. Apocalypse’s Last Horseman…
–Wolverine #4 (preview): Demonic Wolverine vs. Colossus…

What If? Wolverine: Father #1 (preview)
Writers: Rob Williams
Art: Greg Tocchini

From Marvel: “If there’s one person who shouldn’t raise a child, it’s a berserker killing machine. In the regular Marvel Universe, Logan wasn’t there for Daken, and his son grew up to become the murderous Dark Wolverine. But what would have happened if Logan had known of Daken’s existence as a child, and had taken him under his wing from his first moments? Can a child with Logan’s blood running through his veins ever turn his back on murder? Can Logan find redemption and be a good father? Raising Daken will be Wolverine’s greatest battle.”

On sale December 8, 2010.

Brilliant cover by Leinil Yu.

Unfortunately, like most What If books of late, the story ignores continuity and comes up with its own pat denouement.