January '08 H-O-T Grade

Each month, the H-O-T Grade is my absolutely subjective view at what you absolutely can't miss reading:


1. Y THE LAST MAN #60 (Vertigo)

2. ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #118 (Marvel)

3. ASTONISHING X-MEN #24 (Marvel)

4. THE SPIRIT #12 (DCU)

5. THE TWELVE #1 (Marvel)

6. THE ORDER #7 (Marvel)

7. UMBRELLA ACADEMY APOCALYPSE SUITE #5 (Dark Horse)

8. CROSSING MIDNIGHT #15 (Vertigo)

9. TEEN TITANS THE LOST ANNUAL (DCU)

10. PROJECT SUPERPOWERS #0 (IDW)

Bendis' Ultimate Spidey is the big surprise this month, starting off the tribute to the Amazing Friends line-up with a light-hearted high-school reunion sort of crossover with every Ultimate title! It still wasn't stellar enough to overthrow the long-awaited conclusion to Y the Last Man, while Whedon's dependably excellent Astonish X-Men closes up the Top Three.

The Order, Crossing Midnight and Umbrella Academy are regular contenders every month, while other faves Wonder-Woman and X-Men were pushed out of the ten by a narrow margin. We'll be talking more about the new arrivals The Twelve and Project Super-powers soon.