Picks Of The Week - June 21, 2012

It’s been hot, real hot.  So hot I proposed that everyone get an hour off from work and a super soaker to cool off.

Thankfully, it’s Wednesday, and another new comic day.

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

Wonder Woman #10 (DC Comics) – Hades wants Diana as a bride, but first he wants to know if she truly loves him, even if he has to use her own lasso against her.  What happens when Hades gets his answer?

Green Lantern Corps #10 (DC Comics) – John Stewart has been found guilty for the murder of his fellow Lantern and is condemned to death.  Naturally, Guy Gardner has something to say about the whole thing.  This issue stands out for two reasons.  First, the Alpha Lanterns must figure out how to execute a Lantern.  Secondly, John Stewart faces the family of the Lantern he killed, the family he had not seen since he helped bury him.

Avengers Academy #32 (Marvel Comics) – In the wake of AvsX #5, the Academy is paid a visit by the Phoenix powered Emma Frost, who has one thing in mind: destroy Juston’s Sentinel.  Once more, Avengers Academy stands above other series with a story that looks at what exactly makes a person… or in this case, a Sentinel.

The New Avengers #27 (Marvel Comics) – I have to admit that I have not been following the events happened in the previous issues all that carefully, even though I’ve picked up all the issues.  What made this issue stand out is that Hope, in her attempts to control the Phoenix Force, gets help from the unlikeliest of mentors.  I have to admit that I’ve not been a big Spider-Man fan (at least, the non-Ultimate version), not since One More Day ruined the character for me.  But, this issue shows a classic Spider-Man, one I’m certain would never have let what happened in One More Day actually happen.

Astonishing X-Men #51 (Marvel Comics) – This is the issue that a lot of people are talking about, the marriage of Northstar to his boyfriend Kyle.  While the events involving Karma and the mind controlled X-Men is wrapped up a bit too fast, they are not the real story.  The issue is not the typical “Let’s have a wedding” issue, choosing not to gloss over many of the issues that have come up with this issue.  It doesn’t go smoothly, with some no-shows, and one of Northstar’s teammates choosing not to attend because of how they feel about the subject.  Be sure to look for the real-life cameos in the issue, including New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.