Welcome back to Crave Online's monthly comic guide. This month we'll look at books from the big three companies in comics and try and sort out which ones you should look out for. Enjoy!

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Marvel says: The X-Men promise to make this one of the hottest winters ever! When last we saw Darkchylde, she had claimed the throne of Limbo as her own. And now she’s determined to get her soul back, even if she has to conquer Earth in the process. Can the combined forces of the X-Men stop her rampage? They’ll have to fight through every demon in Limbo to try.

We say: Inferno was one of the greatest X-Men stories ever, so this should be worth it.

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She-Hulk: Cosmic Collision #1

Marvel says: It's a double-sized sci-fi spectacular, guest-starring the Lady Liberators (fresh from the pages of The Hulk) and the female heroes from the Guardians of the Galaxy! When She-Hulk finds herself suddenly transported off-world, it’s up to her and a collection of the universe’s most powerful heroines including Storm, Thundra, Valkyre and the Invisible Woman - to figure out what’s going on…before a brand-new foe annihilates them! Craving more cosmic? Blast off with...writer Peter David (THE DARK TOWER, X-FACTOR) and penciler Mahmud S. Asrar (DYNAMO 5, NOVA ANNUAL #1)!

We Say: Straight from the pages of Hulk and into space! This series should be good.

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Adam: Legend of the Blue Marvel #2

Marvel says: In the wake of Anti-Man’s devastating attack on New York City, the Mighty Avengers are neutralized, and Iron Man’s on a quest for answers! Who was the Blue Marvel?

Why did he disappear over 40 years ago? And…what alarming secrets will Iron Man discover about the U.S. government and his own agency of S.H.I.E.L.D.? There are no easy answers in the story of Marvel’s newest super hero…created by Kevin Grevioux (NEW WARRIORS) and Mat Broome (The End League)!

We say: So far one of the more interesting stories for Marvel this late in the year, worth checking out.

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Marvel says: “THE RESURRECTION OF MA GNUCCI,” PART 1
The latest offering from the red-hot Marvel Knights line reunites the seminal creative team of Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon for a special, weekly-shipping 6-part limited sequel to their legendary story arc, “Welcome Back, Frank.”

It all starts when two mobsters take a trip to the zoo and piss off the wrong monkey. Limbs are lost (the kind you can’t easily replace), vultures are fed (with said appendages), and then things get, like, really crazy. Like back-from-the-dead crazy. That’s right -- she’s back and she wants payback. Ma Gnucci. Eighty-five pounds of hairless, armless, legless evil.

We say: Welcome Back Frank was awesome; this should be awesome…er?

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Amazing Spider-Man #581

Marvel says: "Mind on Fire" Part 1 of 2

"The Trouble with Harry" (or "Harry Osborn and the Chamber of Secrets"). It would sure help HARRY OSBORN if he could remember the completely logical, non-magical, and totally plausible way he came back from the dead. A skill like that could be useful, now that his ex-brother-in-law, THE MOLTEN MAN, is out to kill him! Set your spider-sense to tingling as some of the most requested secrets from the time between ONE MORE DAY and BRAND NEW DAY are revealed. All this, and series regular, LIZ ALLEN returns to the pages of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, but is she here to help her ex-husband, or to throw more fuel on the fire? And in answer to more requests than you would believe: Little Normie!

Marvel says: With great power, there must also come great responsibility — and when those in power abuse it, it’s the people’s responsibility to remove them. The year is 1933, and New York City is not-so-secretly run by corrupt politicians, crooked cops, big businesses…and suave gangland bosses like New York’s worst, the Goblin. But when a fateful spider-bite gives the young rabble-rouser Peter Parker the power to fight the mobster who killed his Uncle Ben, will even that be enough? It’s a tangled web of Great Depression pulp, with familiar faces like you’ve never seen them before! By “Hardboiled” David Hine, Fabrice “The Spider” Sapolsky and Carmine “Carbine” Di Giandomenico!

Marvel says: With Lady Bullseye on his trail, Daredevil must protect an old blind man who holds the key to the Hand's destruction! It's an all-out kung-fu ninja battle in the heart of New York City, and everyone who can kick is invited! By Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark.

Marvel Says: Donyell Taylor has a decision to make. Hoping to save the life of his brother, Donyell attempted to travel back in time…but accidentally found himself in the future instead. A future where everything he’s fought against has come to pass: Iron Man has taken the Superhuman Registration Act to new heights, imposing his rule over a good chunk of the free world and making outlaws of the super heroes. But when Donyell finds his brother alive and well in the most unlikely place, might he give up everything he’s fought for—including his New Warriors—and give in to this future to get what he really wants?

We say: This series is really picking up steam, you should check it out.

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Marvel says: From the creators of Criminal and Sleeper comes the most insane and evil super-villain comic you’ve ever read! What if you were an ex-super villain hiding out in Witness Protection… but all you could think about were the days when the rules didn’t apply to you? Could you stand the toil of an average life after years of leaving destruction in your wake? And what if you couldn’t stand it? What would you do then? INCOGNITO – a twisted mash-up of noir and super-heroics – by best-selling creators Ed Brubaker (The Death of Captain America) and Sean Phillips(Marvel Zombies) with Val Staples on colors. And continuing Criminal’s single issue tradition, each issue of Incognito has more pages of story content, as well as articles on pulp and noir and behind the scenes looks!

Marvel says: It’s a mutant massacre at Xavier's! In the wake of Ultimatum -- a band of humans have stolen Sentinel technology and attack Xavier's mansion -- killing any mutant they see. With the X-Men locked in battle with Magneto -- can anyone save these students? Their greatest hope might rest in the hands of their worst enemy as the Weapon X program returns!

We say: This book should serve as a great link between this and Ultimatum, check it.

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DC Says: Two issues of BATMAN in one month! Now that "Batman R.I.P." has concluded, the aftermath begins! If you thought mastermind writer Grant Morrison surprised you with "R.I.P.", just wait until you see what he has planned for this retrospective story. In his last hours, Alfred the Butler tells the life story of the Batman as you've never seen it before in this two-part adventure which bridges the gap between the events of "Batman R.I.P." and FINAL CRISIS. Learn the secrets of Batman's early years! Witness the nightmare of a Gotham City where Batman never existed!

We say: Read this series to find out who will be the next Batman.

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DC says: The Dark Trinity, having revealed a traitor in their midst, attempts to take the newly ordered world by storm with a new recruit by their side! Meanwhile, find out exactly where the original Trinity – Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman – are and what's become of them and the strange new world they inhabit!

DC says: Humanity enslaved! Time shattered and bleeding! Anti-Life triumphant! Can Earth's demoralized, beaten heroes rally their scattered forces for the ultimate super-battle against the nightmare armies of Apokolips when the forces of good meet the forces of evil on the bridge to Blüdhaven? As Darkseid's presence causes reality itself to sicken and the lights to go out across the universe, as even the Guardians fall, the true power of the evil gods finally reveals itself, and a major character returns for a shocking conclusion.

Does the secret of humankind's salvation lie in a mysterious cave painting and a bolt of lightning? Or has the Last Day come for us all?

We say: This series is finally starting to pick up; you have our permission to buy it.

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Justice League America #27

DC says: A "Sightings" tale! Doctor Light is missing, and her former Justice League teammates intend to find the man responsible and make him pay. But before they do that, they'll have to get past his Shadow Cabinet of powerful superbeings who have sworn to "Save humanity from itself." Milestone Comics characters Icon and Hardware make their first modern DCU appearance, but this time it's not clear whose side they're on!

DC Says: Batgirl's road to redemption at last brings her face-to-face with master assassin David Cain! It's daughter versus father in all-out final combat. Will Batgirl find her ultimate vengeance and kill again? Or will she be killed? All the questions will be answered – and the ending will shock you!

We say: Will this conclusion have R.I.P. implications? Read it to find out.

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DC says: The Spirit hits Cambodia! Somebody is murdering the former members of an Army platoon, one by one, and the trail leads back to Phnom Penh! A noir murder mystery in the Spirit style!

We say: The Spirit is a fun book that you should be reading, check it out.

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DC says: "This Was Your Life, Wally West" concludes! As Flash stands alone without his powers or family to support him, only one question remains – is this end of the Fastest Man Alive?

We say: With the return of Barry Allen, this could be the end for Wally West.

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DC says: The prelude to "The Blackest Night" continues, building off of FINAL CRISIS: RAGE OF THE RED LANTERNS! Hal and the Green Lanterns venture to the prison planet Ysmault to face the full fury of Atrocitus and the Red Lantern Corps. Meanwhile, the war lights ignite across the universe as the Controllers seek out the Orange Lanterns.

We say: Blackest Night will be awesome, get started with it right here.

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DC says: "Boundaries" comes to its explosive conclusion as Doctor Polaris and Blue Beetle face off! Beetle's life is at stake and so are the futures of two communities already fractured by in-fighting!

We say: Get on board with this series that is still going strong.

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Justice Society of America #22

DC says: Concluding the sequel to KINGDOM COME and featuring several pages of painted interiors by Alex Ross! The Justice Society have had their greatest wishes granted, but at what deadly price? As war breaks out among the Justice Society, the cost of Gog's watchful eye comes to light. But removing Gog from Earth will cost more than they could ever imagine. This finale will leave the Justice Society torn apart...and see a new team rise out of the ashes!

We say: Did they just say painted Interiors by Alex Ross? When does this book come out?

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Hellboy: The Wild Hunt #1

Dark Horse Says: When ancient giants begin to rise from their graves across England, Hellboy is invited to join a mysterious group called the Wild Hunt and help bring them down. But the hunt leads to betrayal, and Hellboy finds himself up against enemies as angry about what he is as what he's done. "The fading children of the earth" gather in the shadows, waiting for the promised return of the Queen of Blood, and a chance to once again "shake the trees, crack mountains, and make the daytime world weep in fear."

We say: The follow up to Darkness Calls, this series should be good.

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Dark Horse says: Before the blood from his last battle has a chance to soak into Valusian soil, Kull faces new threats to his throne. As representatives from all corners of his kingdom seek his counsel, the new warrior-king accepts a strange invitation from a hotheaded Pict emissary. Kull will need to discard ancient prejudices and find allies in former foes if he's to save the newly united Valusian empire from a clandestine enemy that once threatened to enslave and exterminate mankind!

We say: Bring on the war, bring on the bloodshed, Kull is awesome!

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B.P.R.D.: War on Frogs #2

Dark Horse says: Legendary artist John Severin (Two-Fisted Tales) lends his pen to the second of four one-shots set during the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense's fight against the frog monsters.

Series writer John Arcudi and Hellboy creator Mike Mignola take B.P.R.D. back to its roots with a classic horror story: a squadron of B.P.R.D. soldiers hunts down a nest of frog monsters on an abandoned battleship--only to become their quarry's prey.

We say: You heard them right, Legendary artist John Severin should be reason enough to buy this book.

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Star Wars: The Clone Wars #3

Dark Horse: Eighty million Togruta from the planet of Kiros have suddenly disappeared! It's up to Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Togruta Padawan Ahsoka Tano to find the lost population . . .

A clue leads the Jedi to the Zygerria system: massive slave auctions have been held there in the past, and will be taking place again soon-with the unfortunate Togruta on the auction block!

Dark Horse says: You are an actor on a planet-sized stage. You don't know it, but Gigantic does, and he's willing to risk your life to open your eyes. With the universe-controlling network known as the UBC hot on his tail, Gigantic makes a desperate plea to the citizens of his homeworld to discontinue their support of the evil corporation that rules them. In a fight for the life of his brother, the mystery society at the core of the Earth is revealed.

Dark Horse says: The outlaw Taniguchi is the bounty of the day, and hunters Gen and Stray Dog once again find themselves joining forces to better their chances of catching their common prey. Agreeing that the first to capture Taniguchi should receive the lion's share of the reward, the two part ways in an attempt to cover as much territory as possible.

Yet when Gen is the first to find the outlaw, he discovers that-much to his dismay-Taniguchi is essentially a decent guy, undeserving of death! What will this money-loving, sentimental cutthroat do?

Mister X: Condemned #1 (of 4)

Dark Horse says: Twenty-five years ago, Mister X debuted with a concept so clever and a character so captivating that it influenced an entire generation of comics fans and creators. Today, Motter reclaims the reins and sets out to inspire a whole new generation with Mister X: Condemned, a completely fresh introduction to the elusive Mister X and his dystopian home--Somnopolis, the City of Nightmares.

With influences from Film Noir to German Expressionism, this story of a city gone mad and the never-sleeping man who's obsessed with saving it will amaze anyone interested in masterpiece storytelling born from the vision of a single iconoclastic creator.

We say: Don’t call it a comeback; this is a perfect book for new readers.

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Star Wars: Legacy #31--Vector part 12

Dark Horse says: It is Jedi vs. Sith, and Sith vs. Sith in this, the conclusion to "Vector"-the year-long event that has shaken the galaxy, shattered lives, and brought about new beginnings ends here!

Darth Krayt may finally be captured and defeated in the trap set by Cade Skywalker and Jedi Master of old Celeste Morne. But Emperor Krayt might no longer be the most powerful Sith lord in the galaxy. Will Cade and Celeste have another Sith to defeat . . . or join?

We say: The wait is nearly over for this Star Wars event, be there.

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8 #21: Harmonic Divergence

Dark Horse says: Television writer Jane Espenson (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Battlestar Galactica) returns to Buffy the Vampire Slayer in Season Eight. Espenson is the first of five acclaimed writers that tackle this groundbreaking story arc--where Buffy fans are introduced to a new world where vampires are in and Slayers are out.
Cue Harmony, the bubblegum cheerleader from Sunnydale High whose ambitions include blood sucking and stardom.

We say: Those of you who miss the show, should not be missing this!

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Dark Horse says: Goon Year concludes!
A brutal betrayal, and Goon's world is forever changed. Lonely Street will never be the same again, and that stands true for its longtime patrons--some will live, and some will die.

We say: Find out what all the fuss is about and pick up this issue!