First off, even though I’ve mentioned it a million times on Twitter and Facebook and never in person because I only communicate through the computer, the big news this week was that Comic Book Club is now an official part of The Nerdist Network!

We’ve been doing the show over five years now, and we’ve worked for various people, and developed the show many, many different ways; but working with Chris Hardwick and company is, seriously, the best fit we’ve ever had. They’re an awesome bunch of talented folks, with a fantastic array of podcasts in various nerdy subjects, and I can’t thank them enough for including us.

Anyway, enough about me, here’s some links to posts I wrote this week:

‘Fringe’ Goes “Back To Where You’ve Never Been” With An All-New Episode [Recap] - I’ve mentioned this before, but I don’t think any show inspires me to write way longer than I should for a recap than Fringe. This week, I spent about thirty-six paragraphs analyzing one tossed-off two-word phrase, so enjoy!

DC’s Newer 52 Is Hopefully Just The Beginning Of Even Bigger Changes [Op-Ed] - I was pretty sleepy when I wrote this, so I think it’s probably three different op-eds jammed together without any full exploration… But I do believe strongly about the “seasons” approach to comics publishing I mention here. I think it could work (despite feeling the opposite about TV, confusingly).

‘The Rook’ Is ‘Downton Abbey’ With Superpowers [Book Review] - It’s either fortuitous, or short-sighted of me that I always reference the last thing I’ve watched in something I’m reviewing. Anyway, good, fun, probably under the radar book you should pick up.

Walt Simonson and Brian Bendis Team For Upcoming ‘Avengers’ Arc - Hearing Walt Simonson’s voice come out of the phone made my brain melt a little. My questions boiled down to, “You like Thor. Thor good. You draw Thor?”

Person of Interest’s Michael Emerson and Jonathan Nolan Go To Breakfast + EXCLUSIVE POI Picture - Fun fact! This happened in October, I pretended it happened the other day when I wrote this. Either way, if you want to read a story of me being terrified, here you go.

Comic Book Club with Dan Slott, Ellie Pyle, and Rachel Pinnelas - Dan Slott (Amazing Spider-Man) and Marvel Spidey-Office Editors Ellie Pyle and Rachel Pinnelas hit the stage for the 7/26/11 show to discuss the new Spider-Island event! Also, Pete reveals his true feelings about goats.

Comic Book Club with Shawn Wickens - Shawn Wickens (How To Lose Your Virginity) joins Pete and Alex for the 6/28/11 show! Plus, an adorable story about Alex’s baby.

Comic Book Club with Jared Logan - Comedian Jared Logan joins the guys for the 6/21/11 show, featuring our thoughts on Green Lantern, and an audience member’s candid thoughts on Blake Lively!

Comic Book Club with Jeff Newelt, Calvin Reid, and Josh Frankel - From the 6/7/11 show, Calvin Reid (PW Comics Week), Josh Frankel (Harvey Pekar’s Cleveland), and Jeff Newelt (SMITH Magazine) hit the stage to talk about… Comics! Comics, you guys!

Comic Book Club with Ben McCool and Nate Cosby

Last night, I chatted with Ben McCool and Nate Cosby, writers of Image Comics Pigs and more at the 5/31/11 live show of Comic Book Club! Plus, talk about DC Comics’ new publishing plans, and an exclusive imitation of January Jones.

On today’s show, we have reviews for Wolverine: The Best There Is #1, Brightest Day #15, and Heroes for Hire #1!

For the record, since we taped this last week, and a lot has happened, some thoughts (from me alone) about these issues:

- Wolverine: This comic has gotten an unfair rap from the internet, who, in general, has called it the worst comic ever made. It definitely has its faults, which we outline in the video above. But to call something the worst ever means that it is entirely without worth, and that’s completely and wholly inaccurate. The art is pretty over the top, but well detailed throughout. And Charlie Huston is writing what amounts to a parody of a Wolverine book. The haircutting scene, in particular? That’s funny, and it builds well. I think what it comes down to (and I have no knowledge of the inner workings of this book) is that there’s probably a large disparity between what was pitched for this book, how it was marketed, and what it actually is, at the end of the day. Is it the best there is at what it does? Nope. But is it the worst? No to that, too.

- Brightest Day: It’s crazy to me that there isn’t a noir, back-to-basics Martian Manhunter book, as my unscientific survey of everyone I’ve ever talked to says they would love that. Would the market support a simple detective story starring a man not of this Earth, trying to fit in, using his powers to solve ground-level mysteries? Maybe not, but I’d read the heck out of it. Greg Rucka and Chris Samnee on “Martian Manhunter: Earth One,” anyone?

- Heroes for Hire: Got nuthin’ else on this, I loved the heck out of it.

Slightly belated Speed Round, due to the Holidays.

The Stack:
Hulk #27
Green Lantern #59
Spider-Girl #1
Hellboy: Double Feature of Evil
Daken Dark Wolverine #3
Hack/Slash: Trailers Part 2
Superior #2
Hellblazer #273
Chaos War: Dead Avengers #1

Reviews for Avengers #7, Vision Machine #2, and Batman Inc. #1! Plus, a new feature that Pete doesn’t like.

Aw yeah! It’s a little late, but here’s a Speed Round! Here’s The Stack:

Halcyon #1
Incredible Hulks #616
BPRD Hell on Earth #4
Ultimate Thor #2
Chaos War: Thor #1
I Am An Avenger #3

Pete and I review She-Hulks #1, T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #1, and Ant Man & Wasp #1, and Pete pushes a joke about a boat to its breaking point.

Pete and I review Batman: Return of Bruce Wayne #6, Chew #15, and Amazing Spider-Man #648. Thanks to Newsarama’s Chris Rodriguez for awesomely editing this week’s episodes.

Comic Book Club reviews Tron, Batman & Robin, and Invincible.

See if you can figure out the two errors I made in editing out the green screen!