My name is Leonardo DaVinci

S.H.I.E.L.D. #4 ****
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Dustin Weaver
Cover Artist: Gerald Parel
Publisher: Marvel

This story is unravelling into something completely fantastic. However, what that is is still a tad unclear. The issue starts off with the meeting of two humankind's greatest minds: Leonardo DaVinci and Isaac Newton. After passing Newton's test, DaVinci proceeds with his mission, which happens to involve traveling to the sun. Meanwhile, our protagonist Leonid is  on a journey of his own, one that leads him directly to the chained up Nostradamus, who had been waiting for him. What this series does so amazingly well is integrate such prominent minds from our history and weave them into Leonid's story. However, I do feel that in all of this it is Leonid's story that tends to get lost. Nevertheless, the story is still fascinating. And the art is so beautiful that it perfectly enhances the the story.

Uncanny X-Force #1 ****1/2
Writer: Rick Remender
Artist: Jerome Opena
Cover Artist: Esad Ribic
Publisher: Marvel

The news of the Uncanny X-Force's launch, months ago, did little to console my pain from the loss of both Cable and X-Force, the cast being revealed at the end of Second Coming did start to change my mind though. This first issue did a great job of removing all my fears that this series would be a less than comparable spinoff. It starts off with the ever popular and ever funny Deadpool on a top secret mission. When he gets into a bit of a jam, however, it is time for reinforcements to brought in. Psylocke and Angel appear to have started up their relations once again and Psylocke is even helping keep Archangel at bay. This will likely become more important in the near future as Apocalypse is the first terror on the X-Force's shit list.
Wolverine and Fantomex join Betsy and Warren en route and it's off to Egypt they go. They arrive just in time to save Deadpool and learn of Apocalypses current scheme to resurrect himself.
Overall I thought that this issue was fantastic. Like I said, I was a tad bit weary about the series, but it would appear my worries were unnecessary. Deadpool and Fantomex bring a welcome lightness and humor into what could easily have been a very dark series. While I am still not convinced that this ragtag group of angry soldiers are truly capable of keeping themselves hidden from Cyclops, leader of the free mutants, I'm sure this will be addressed some time in the future. While the writing and the direction of the story is great, the artwork is just beautiful. This is the start of what looks like will be a great series. it's got a great cast, excellent writing, and amazing art.

American Vampire #6 ****
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Rafael Albuquerque
Cover Artist: Rafael Albuquerque
Publisher: Vertigo

What will soon become considered a classic, American Vampire continues to deliver a great story with brilliant art. The issue starts off at Skinner Sweet's brothel, where one of Sweet's gals is suspect #1 in a murder investigation. While this lead proves to be a dead end, Ms. Book throws what can only be described as a hissy fit towards Sweet. Later on the authorities interview a person of power, with regards to the building of the dam, who is murdered only feet away from them. Even later, Sweet visits Ms. Book in her hotel room informing her that he knew  who she was and also that he was untouchable.
This plot continues to thicken in this brilliant tale that weaves Vampirism into the American history. The story not only continues to impress, but also continues to maintain interest as the series moves forward. Not to take away from the writing, which is fantastic, but I would be remiss to not mention the sheer brilliance of the art. What Albuquerque is doing in this series is virtually unheard of. With every plot line and time period he is introducing a completely new artistic style. Each of them a valid expression of the time period, the character, and each of them just as fantastic as the previous.

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