THIS WEEK'S READ PILE

Honorable Mentions: Stuff worth noting, even if it's not good enough to buy

"Civil War 2: Choosing Sides" #1 had the seeds of two good comic books and the kernel of one all right one. Declan Shalvey delivered a rock solid action comic with the bastard Nick Fury (i.e. "the Black one") that borrowed some cinematic elements but stepped them up. The middle story, showing Night Thrasher's return to the Marvel Universe, was the best, showcasing a self-made hero that's growing up and able to do almost anything. The Damage Control coda was the weakest, trying to do too much despite having some funny moments ("... paved roads ..."). If either of the first two stories cannibalized the space of the last and had more room, this would have made it home.

"Nighthawk" #2 was extremely close to the mark with a script that would have worked well on a cable or Netflix procedural. The titular vigilante would have to click "It's Complicated" on a relationship status with the Chicago Police Department as he simultaneously watches a corrupt cop get grilled by the system and helps a less-than-talented detective address a serial killer's rampage. Political and intense with rock solid visual storytelling and the wonder that is Tilda Johnson, the solitary reason that this issue didn't make the jump was the Kirkman-esque nature of its plot, telling a series of plot points that doesn't resolve into an actual narrative (see: most issues of "Invincible"). Still, interesting stuff that will likely read well collected.

Imagine if the Joker's ex got mashed up with "Pacific Rim." "Harley Quinn" #29 goes there with an amazing scene involving a train (creative) and a cache of missiles in a shockingly surprising location. Ridiculous? Implausible? Harley starts there. For fans of the fantastic and whimsical (or, say, the current "Deadpool"), this might be up your alley.

If the current crossover is trying to make "Minority Report" arguments, "Ms. Marvel" #8 tries -- valiantly, but ultimately fruitlessly -- to toss in the spectre of profiling as well. "Predictive justice" takes a spin in Jersey City with three fairly forgettable Mark Madsens added to Kamala Khan's roster, a Canadian ninja (he's not even polite!) and "Big M" becoming a thing. Clumsy concepts wielded as well as they could be.

"James Bond" #7 had an intriguing start, great artwork and great character work. Unfortunately, its ending was as abrupt as slamming on your brakes in the fast lane. This may be a graphic novel, not a monthly periodical.

"Gwenpool" #3 had a wonderfully meta moment with Dr. Strange and made Batroc re-examine his life, but was otherwise "meh."

"Archie" #9 has some very wholesome culture clash jokes ("You brought this into my home?") and a good showing of how Veronica has a hard time turning down the Paris Hilton to hang out with mere mortals. A harmless, well-written modern take on the classic ideas that doesn't thrill but doesn't detract either.

"Doctor Strange" #9 had some great moments but dragged on a little longer than it needed to, and when it needed oomph it substituted sentiment. Not bad, but not as good as it needs to be.