Due to a tragic chinchilla related accident (don't ask) your beloved Emerald Speedster will be sidelined for this week and in his place we got the actual early bird that always seems to catch the worm in this week’s special!

6th place- Venom # 13

The circle of four has begun, and it's going to be one "hell" of a ride. Marvel has a knack for giving the public what they want in the beginning and then crapping at the end, but this time around they crapped the beginning and there's literally no other way to go but up. It's one of those SUPER rare cases where a book just can't get any worse and I'd be impressed if they managed to mess this up as well. The only cool part of this first part to the arc is that they're using an evil that has not been touched in years, and now with hell on Earth can the combined efforts of Venom, Red Hulk, Ghostrider, and X-23 be enough to save the world before its too late? This book is something you don't want to miss.

5th place- Action Comics # 6

This second part of Grant Morrison’s Legion of Super Heroes filler was decent at best. The story picks up where future Superman goes back in time with the legion of superheroes to save Kal's rocket, which they knew they would (time travel) Throughout the book there was an ominous feeling for the story, but for Superman in general, something that I believe will come back around to bite the man of steel in the rear end sooner than later. This issue was a fun read and the art from guest artist Andy Kubert (Flashpoint) was entertaining, overall this side-story filler served its purpose and gave us something to look forward to for this year, now it's time to look back into the past and see where the future of the man of steel will take us.

4th place- Winter Solider #1

For a book that did not have a well-deserved hype, it's pretty darn good. The story picks right up from the fear itself 7.1 Captain America fallout, and it gives us an in depth look at James a.k.a Bucky Barnes on his second go round as the winter solider. The premiss of the story is well built and Brubaker's writing could not have been any better, but the only complain I have about it is the artwork and I'm guessing they used Butch Guice's art for the books dark, covert, a secret agent type feel to it.

Mainly what really got my attention and made me want to read more was one quote that kept lingering thought the issue

" During the cold war there was a theory, that ONE AGENT, in the right place, at the right time, with the right SKILLS could be MORE EFFECTIVE than an army."

3rd place- Red Lanterns # 6

Say hello to the newest member of the crimson dogs Jack Moore, or as he will soon be known as RANKOR!! Jack Moore was but a simple guy that just couldn't catch a break and no matter how bad life got he contained his rage and had the patience of a Saint… Until some unfortunate events happened in his life, enough for a lingering red ring to pick up his rage and turn him into the very first earth Red Lantern that’s not Guy Gardner or a damn cat. This issue was great from start to finish, it was fast paced and straight to the point. Let's hope they don't mess this up and that they give us plenty of adventures with Jack.

2nd place- Avengers X Sanction # 3 (of 4) 

I can't believe I'm saying this but… This book just keeps getting better and better. It almost makes me want to read AvX when it comes out in April. But to make a long comb alluded story short, on this issue cable had Cap, Tony, and Falcon held hostage over something they did not know they were going to commit in the future, now with that said the only one available to their aid was no other than the overhyped Red Hulk, and with not much time left before the techno-organic virus takes what little time he has left, can the savior from the future accomplish his mission? Or will he fall victim to unforeseen events? Poor half-assed planning and the occasional half assed writing that comes from Marvel.

In the end, the story was great and the art was fluid and eye popping, this book is a fun read as well as a must. 

1st place- Stormwatch #6

This issue was pretty legit as they unravel the mystery behind their ships core and how it could manage to stay in hyperspace. This whole time unfortunately they found out at a very inconvenient time, in the end they might have lost a member but they gained an unprecedented ally. Overall, this book has been great from the get go and it hasn't missed a step! It has and continues to be a MUST BUY!!... Like NOW, PICK IT UP!!

These were the book’s that made this bird cross the road for the week of February 1st, 2012.

Please leave the love, hate, and death threats on the comment section B-LOOOW ME! 

This has been the Early Bird filling in for Emerald Speedster and until next time... Keep choking that chicken!!