Avid comic readers know there’s one undeniable truth to any crossover or event featuring Marvel’s merry mutants: prepare yourself for the worst and hope for the best. For every Age of Apocalypse there’s a Utopia, Necrosha or Schism just waiting to drag you down. Tentatively, I dove into last year’s X-Men: Battle of the Atom crossover to see which side of the fence I fell on; the initial fan feedback was divisive, to say the least.

A 10-chapter arc weaving through X-Men, Uncanny X-Men, Wolverine and the X-Men and All-New X-Men and bookended by two one-shots; Battle of the Atom starts with the original, time-displaced team of X-Men deciding (arguing) whether or not they should leave the present day and return to their era. But why settle on past and present when you can have not one but two different X-Men teams from the future join in?

Want to jump back into your favorite comic books to check in with some of your favorite superheroes and superheroines, but unable to pick up the pieces in the middle of a heavy storyline? Marvel has you covered by introducing the Point One program. Here’s the skinny.

The Point One program offers readers the perfect starting point for new storylines spinning out of the new year. Self-contained and featuring some of Marvel’s greatest talent and characters, these Point One books will lay the groundwork for a whole year’s worth of storytelling.

For years, this is the one problem that the comic book industry has dealt with. Now, fans can start fresh and continue getting weekly comics courtesy of Marvel without feeling like there are tons of back issues and trades that they have to read.

Starting in February, the publisher will be rolling out this new program on some of their mainstream titles, and eventually roll them out to all big books by May. Take a look at the complete list of effected books after the jump, and start picking up these new books this February.

Even with the coming holiday this week our friends at Marvel are still coming out with new comics for you to enjoy. They even come out on Wednesday just in time for you to pick some up and have something to read when you want to get away from your family on Thursday.

Of the ones coming out this week, we’re most interested in Deadpool #29, Secret Avengers #7, Secret Warriors #22, Uncanny X-Men #530 and Uncanny X-Force #2. So, head over early to your favorite comics shop for best selection.

Don’t know where your nearest comic shop is? Use this handy guide to find one.

Check out the list of comics you can get below. Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Comics on Sale:

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #649 (BIG)
ASTONISHING THOR #1
ASTONISHING THOR #1 FOILOGRAM VARIANT
AVENGERS & THE INFINITY GAUNTLET #4
AVENGERS PRIME #1 3RD PRINTING VARIANT
AVENGERS VS. PET AVENGERS #2
AVENGERS: THE CHILDREN’S CRUSADE #1 3RD PRINTING VARIANT
BLACK WIDOW #8
CAPTAIN AMERICA #612
CAPTAIN AMERICA #612 TRON VARIANT
CHAOS WAR: ALPHA FLIGHT #1 (CW)
DEADPOOL #29
DEADPOOL PULP #3
DEADPOOL TEAM-UP #887

Welcome to this week’s On the Radar where we delve into all corners of the entertainment, tech and geek Internets for news, views and whatnot that may have escaped our regular coverage this week. Let is know if we missed something interesting. Otherwise, on to the links!

• A fan-made alternate ending to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory has surfaced. Michael Bay would love this one.

• Of course there is a real life Kick-Ass, and he prefers to be called “The Viper”.

• Kevin Bacon is allegedly in talks to be the main villain in X-Men: First Class. No word on who he’ll play, we just hope it’s not the same character he played in The Woodsman.

• Just in case you weren’t excited enough for The Expendables, here’s an 8-bit video game to keep you occupied.

Even with the President’s Day holiday, new comics are still going to come out this week. Even with the holiday, comics will still come out on Wednesday, never fear.

Some of the ones we’re particularly interested in include the latest Deadpool, Psylocke #4, Punisher #14, Captain America #603, Uncanny X-Men #521 and the debut of Doomwar. Check out the list of all these comics, and more, from the official Marvel press release below.

Comics On-Sale:
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #621 (GNTLT)
AVENGERS VS. ATLAS #2
AVENGERS VS. ATLAS #2 PELLETIER VARIANT
BLACK WIDOW & THE MARVEL GIRLS #4
BLACK WIDOW: DEADLY ORIGIN #4
CAPTAIN AMERICA #603
CAPTAIN AMERICA #603 DEADPOOL VARIANT
DAREDEVIL #505
DAREDEVIL #505 DEADPOOL VARIANT
DARK AVENGERS #14 (S)
DARK AVENGERS #14 DEADPOOL VARIANT
DEADPOOL #19
DEADPOOL: MERC WITH A MOUTH #8

Even with the holiday today comics will still come out this Wednesday, so don’t worry. This week, as they usually do, the folks at marvel have some brand new books to share with us. Of the new releases, we’re particularly excited about the latest Uncanny X-Men, a new Captain America, Dark Avengers #13 and Wolverine Weapon X.

Be sure to check out previews of covers for some of these comics after the jump.

Comics On-Sale:
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #618 (GNTLT)
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #618 QUINONES VARIANT (GNTLT)
AVENGERS VS. ATLAS #1
AVENGERS VS. ATLAS #1 HARDMAN VARIANT
BLACK WIDOW & THE MARVEL GIRLS #3
CAPTAIN AMERICA #602
DARK AVENGERS #13 (S)
DARK WOLVERINE #82 (S)

This week is a lighter week than last week, so I’m going to take this opportunity to talk about some of the books that came out last week that I didn’t get a chance to check out because of Thanksgiving. Which reminds me: comics do not come out today (Wednesday, Dec. 2) they come out tomorrow because of the holiday.

Last week the trade came out for one of the best miniseries that not a lot of people may know about. This book is Wildstorm’s The Winter Men by Brett Lewis and John Paul Leon. Lewis is responsible for the creation of Bulletproof Monk and this new book is incomparable. It involves the  development of a super soldier program in Cold War Russia to serve as a deterrent to America’s Superman. The trade came out last week, and if you can find it, you really cannot go wrong with this incredible book. It’s my pick of last week.

As for this week, we have Blackest Night Flash by Geoff Johns. I don’t know exactly why this book exists since the Flash is in the main Blackest Night book more than even Hal Jordan or other Green Lanterns, but I’m intrigued to see if this is different somehow. Other than that, I’m really only getting a couple more books.

Yesterday (December 1st) was Eisner award winning writer Matt Fraction’s birthday, and you can celebrate by buying the recent issue of Uncanny X-Men #518.  My second book of the week is the start of Marvel’s Siege with “The Cabal” by Brian Michael Bendis and art by the awesome Michael Lark. I think this event is going to be genuinely dynamite, and I can’t wait to get every damn issue of the book.

The other book is Hulk Winter Guard by David Gallaher and Steve Ellis, the brains behind the brilliant Zuda webcomic, High Moon. High Moon is a western supernatural story where a gun for hire hunts down supernaturals in the Wild West. There is just one hitch: this gun for hire, cut from a similar cloth to Clint Eastwood’s character in Unforgiven, is also a werewolf. It’s awesome, trust me, go read.

If you’re a fan of Ninjas and hot chicks who kick considerable ass then the character Psylocke is one you should definitely get to know. Now, thanks to Marvel, if you haven’t had the pleasure of her acquaintance yet, you can know get to know Psylocke up close and personal in her very own mini-series. But first, if you check out the info in this official press release, you can find out how to get a cool Psylocke sketch book for the mini-series right now.

Check out all the info below. Also, be sure to click through for a larger preview of the cover to Psylocke #1.

Torn from the pages of Uncanny X-Men, the most dangerous mutant ninja assassin is getting her own mini-series, and you have a chance to go behind the scenes of Psylocke for FREE! Discover the Psylocke Sketchbook, courtesy of Marvel Digital Comic Unlimited, right here! Red hot writer Christopher Yost and fan favorite artist Harvey Tolibao provide in depth commentary on never before seen sketches from the upcoming series!

What sends Psylocke into a murderous frenzy? And how is Wolverine involved? Fans can’t afford to miss this sneak peak into an explosive story of betrayal and revenge! This highly anticipated mini-series promises to change the already significant role of Psylocke forever! Be sure to check out the Psylocke Sketchbook for FREE right here!

Don’t forget to get your hands on the very pulse-pounding Psylocke #1, in-stores November 11th!

Welcome to The Pull List Comic Reviews! Get comfy as a few titles elected to go with short stories this week, meaning we’ve got a lot to cover. As always, WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD.

PULL OF THE WEEK:

Deadpool #900 – Marvel Comics – $4.99 US
Writers: Jason Aaron, Fred Van Lente, Mike Benson, Joe Kelly, Duane Swierczynski, Victor Gischler, Charlie Huston Artists: Chris Staggs, Dalibor Talajic, Damion Scott, Rob Liefeld, Shawn Crystal, Sanford Greene, Kyle Baker
Score: 9.0

Has there been a hotter commodity in recent times than Deadpool? Hard to argue, but looking back you’ll find that the first issue of this title was launched last year amid much fanfare. Fast-forward twelve months and the character has starred in a one-shot (Deadpool: Games of Death), a mini-series (Deadpool: Suicide Kings), a second ongoing series (Deadpool: Merc With a Mouth) and an upcoming third ongoing (Deadpool Team-Up). What better way to hammer home his arrival in the spotlight – yeah, there was a Marvel Spotlight issue, too – than to give him a #900 issue, a first for comics?

The line-up of creators that contributed to this issue is ridiculous, so it’s no surprise that these seven short stories completely shine in their own right. Not a single dud in the mix. How could there be? He fights mimes in one short while staging a Vegas CSI scene in another, both with cataclysmic results. He gets abducted by aliens (poor aliens!) and spends quality time with his shrink (poor shrink!). He even puts the blinders on as he aims to collect on a childhood bet! Obviously, there’s no limits where ‘Pool is concerned.

Fourth walls be damned, in one memorable short he has a philosophical debate with his other inner-voices to determine which came first, the chicken or the egg. Accompanied by Kyle Baker’s visually trippy art, said short doesn’t end well for one reader, and bodes nothing but ill tidings to the rest of the readers out there, yourself included. But fear not as Deadpool embarks on a vacation cruise, systematically infuriating the entire crew and guests, and ultimately settling his differences with a fierce battle against Doc Ock… in ping pong.

Even though many people don’t like Mondays, at least there’s something that happens on Monday you can get excited about. I’m talking about, of course, Monday being the day we find out what comics are dropping from Marvel for “new comic day” on Wednesday.

Okay, maybe that’s a bit of a stretch so I can find something good about Monday. But still, it is Monday, I do have a list of the new comics this week and it looks like there’s a lot of good ones. So that’s a good thing, right? Come on, give it a shot and take a look at all the comics coming out via the official Marvel press release. Also, as we always do, there’s cool comic book cover art for you to take a look at after the jump.

Hey there True Believers, here’s your official list of comic books, collections and posters arriving in comic stores on September 23rd, 2009. For more information on any of these titles, and on upcoming mighty Marvel releases, please visit http://www.marvel.com/catalog/?date=2009-09-23 or contact your local comic book retailer at 1-888-comicbook. Stay tuned each week for a brand new list of Marvel releases so that you’ll never miss your favorite heroes in action!

Comics On-Sale:

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #602 2ND PRINTING VARIANT

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #606

ANITA BLAKE, THE LAUGHING CORPSE – NECROMANCER #5

Just because Monday happened to be a holiday, those lazy postal workers made us all wait an extra day to get our comics. How dare they use Labor Day as an excuse? But the wait was worth it as there were a slew of great titles hitting the shelf this week including this week’s much awaited Pull of the Week: Kick-Ass #7. (Don’t worry, Marvel’s Models Inc. was a close second Matt) Make sure to let us know your thoughts on this week’s The Pull List in the comments section as well as other books we didn’t get to review this week.

Pull of the Week:

Kick-Ass #7 – Icon – $2.99

Score: 8.5

Well it’s about time someone said it. “Red Mist was a *expletive deleted*.” I never liked the kid or trusted him and the end of last issue proved why. Last issue, Kick-Ass and his partner Red Mist teamed up with Big Daddy and Hit-Girl to take it to the mob, only to be betrayed by Red Mist. As a result, this issue starts with Red Mist bashing his partner in the back of the head with the butt of a gun. Hit-Girl spells out for Kick-Ass why Red Mist betrayed him.

Spunky as ever, Hit-Girl tries to defend her beaten father only to be shot out a window by mafia leader John Genovese. And if shooting a little girl wasn’t enough, that’s when things somehow get even worse… like when Kick-Ass has to get interrogated by Bobby Bull-Buster’s shock treatment and yes, it is as brutal as it sounds. In addition, the issue gives the true origin behind Big Daddy before a few more astonishingly violent pages and ultimately the tag at the end reading “To Be Concluded”.

The only thing that I don’t like in the issue is hearing that this story is coming to an end. Yes, I know it sounds weird that I was fine with the little girl getting shot but the story feels so gritty and real for a comic book that I can let the adolescent violence slide. Every time you pick up Kick-Ass you forget it isn’t your standard superhero cape and tights story for just a moment. And then within the first few pages, someone is bloodied to a pulp and it reminds you that this isn’t Superman or Captain America in here. As much as someone can enjoy Mark Millar’s work on super hero stories with his work in books like Marvel’s Civil War, he has shown he shines in tales like Kick-Ass or Wanted.

Love comics? Of course you do. Love Marvel? So do we. Fortunately, Marvel just keeps on coming out with comics each and every week for everyone’s reading pleasure. This week, there’s a whole new crop of them and we’ve got the details for you direct from the source. Well, direct from a Marvel press release anyway, which is almost as good.

Of the new books, I’m particularly looking forward to Marvel Divas #1. You got a problem with that? Anyway, here’s all the Marvel comics on sale this week (and some cool cover art as well after the break):

Hey there True Believers, here’s your official list of comic books, collections and posters arriving in comic stores on July 1st, 2009. For more information on any of these titles, and on upcoming mighty Marvel releases, please visit http://www.marvel.com/catalog/?date=2009-07-01 or contact your local comic book retailer at 1-888-comicbook.

Stay tuned each week for a brand new list of Marvel releases so that you’ll never miss your favorite heroes in action!

Comics On-Sale: