So my latest distraction without any doubt is Betta Fish. And just this weekend while I was setting up a new tank I was thinking how stupid it was that no one had produced some sort of Aquaman line of fish tank ornaments. I’m convinced it would be like printing money. If I knew anything about how to do it, I ABSOLUTELY would be making Aquaman brand fish supplies and planning for my early retirement. Having said all of that, you can imagine my surprise when just four days later I stumbled over a new line of Marvel brand fish tank ornaments. As you read through this article keep in mind the photos were taken with a camera phone in a pet store and that I’m no photographer though I have to pretend to be one to write this column.

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Weekly comic books are a big part of my life and below is a list of what I’ll be picking up this Wednesday along with cover artwork and previews courtesy of Comixology’s Pull List app.

Six new books for me this week with lots of AvX on the list. I’m still debating Dark Avengers (formerly Thunderbolts) #175 much like I went back and forth with last week’s Batman Annual #1. Scott Snyder’s Mr.Freeze story turned out to be a great read even if it didn’t have much to do with the Night of the Owls event and I’m glad I didn’t skip it. I haven’t been reading Jeff Parker’s *Thunderbolts* as I have Snyder’s *Batman*, so it’s less of a sure thing.

• AGE OF APOCALYPSE #4 – The reappearance of the AoA Hulk could be a lot of fun. It will be interesting to see if the character has been changed much since the original X-Universe series. I don’t remember him being a very nice guy at all.
• AVENGERS ACADEMY #31 – An AvX tie-in that has been one of the stories I’m less interested in from the event. Admittedly, Sebastian Shaw’s escape was pretty fantastic and the last page homage to Uncanny X-Men #132 was more than enough to bring me back.
• AVENGERS VS. X-MEN #5 – Act one of AvX comes to a close. I was honestly surprised to see John Romita Jr. listed as the artist for a fifth consecutive issue, but if this issue wraps up the first arc of the story I suppose it makes sense. Can’t wait to see what comes next with Hope Summers, the X-Men, and the Phoenix returning to the moon.
• DARK AVENGERS #175 – I’m still not sure if I’m picking this up today, but I did enjoy Warren Ellis’ Thunderbolts and Dark Avengers quite a bit. I’m less familiar with Jeff Parker’s work with the title though.
• UNCANNY X-MEN #13 – Kieron Gillen continues to work his ongoing plots into the framework of AvX and I’m really enjoying it. Last issue left some things to be desired, but the promise of Mr. Sinister could change all that.
• X-FACTOR #237 – Peter David’s X-Factor is always an enjoyable book and a road trip issue featuring Banshee, Wolfsbane, and Polaris sounds like a premise he could turn into something memorable. It will be nice for Polaris to see some expanded panel time regardless.

Check back every week to see what’s on My Latest Pull List and please share your thoughts on these titles and everything you’re reading this week in the comments.

Wizard World’s Philadelphia Comic Con 2012 kicks off this evening with a special preview night and runs though Sunday, June 3rd at the Philadelphia Convention Center. While the show still is still heavy on celebrity appearances ranging from science fiction television and professional wrestling superstars to Deal or No Deal suitcase models, the organizers continue to raise the bar for comic book creators in attendance. The biggest comics name for 2012 is easily Stan Lee who will joins the likes of Marvel Studios’ Thor, Chris Hemsworth, WWE Champion C.M. Punk and Star Trek’s “Five Captains” in Philadelphia this weekend.

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Weekly comic books are a big part of my life and below is a list of what I’ll be picking up this Wednesday along with cover artwork and previews courtesy of Comixology’s Pull List app.

A short list of only four new books this week. I’m still on the fence about Batman Annual #1. I’m only reading the Batman issues of the Night of the Owls event and can’t tell if this is one to skip or not.

• NEW MUTANTS #43 – The Exiled crossover with the Asgardians of Journey Into Mystery continues. Unfortunately, I haven’t read enough of it to say more yet.
• WOLVERINE AND THE X-MEN #11 – Another AvX tie-in and one of many that have the Red Hulk on the cover. I’m not sure that’s a welcome sight. Seeing that Nick Bradshaw is drawing the issue in place of Chris Bachalo was also a bit disappointing, but that has more to do with my appreciation of Bachalo than anything negative about Bradshaw.
• X-MEN #29 – It’s hard to place this series in X-Men continuity with AvX in full swing and this issue featuring Skrulls which may have been more suitable in 2008 than 2012. I believe Victor Gischler’s run on the book is wrapping up and the cover suggests he’s bringing many of his previous stories together here.
• X-MEN LEGACY #267 – AvX continues to impact this title as the students at the Jean Grey school are under house arrest and Rogue’s team goes head-to-head with the Avengers’ Iron Man, She Hulk, and Moon Knight. Ms. Marvel really needs to be in this fight even though she’s busy trying intercept the Phoenix Force in the pages of Secret Avengers.

Check back every week to see what’s on My Latest Pull List and please share your thoughts on these titles and everything you’re reading this week in the comments.

Weekly comic books are a big part of my life and below is a list of what I’ll be picking up this Wednesday along with cover artwork and previews courtesy of Comixology’s Pull List app.

Only six new books this week after a string of longer lists. The theme this time seems to be books I’ve fallen behind on.

• AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #686 – The Ends of the Earth storyline continues as Doctor Octopus threatens to destroy the world. I’m almost too embarrassed to tell you the last issue I’ve read of this series, yet I continue to buy it.
• AQUAMAN #9 – I’ve been less interested in this title after the first arc, but I’m sticking with it to see where Geoff Johns takes the secret history of Atlantis.
• ASTONISHING X-MEN #50 – This book is getting some mainstream attention with the announcement of Northstar’s wedding. I’m not sure if that will make it more difficult to find, but I know I have to read about eight issues to get caught up.
• JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #638 – Another chapter in the Exiled crossover with New Mutants. The weekly shipping schedule has taken me by surprise and there’s some catching up to do here as well.
• SECRET AVENGERS #27 – Captain Marvel returns! Again… I enjoyed the first part of this AvX tie-in, but I wasn’t crazy that the story spilled into Avengers #26 last week. I’m interested in what writer Rick Remender is doing with the title, so I won’t be going anywhere. Plus, this looks to be the story that will lead into Ms. Marvel‘s new series and that certainly has my interest.
• ULTIMATE COMICS X-MEN #12 – I don’t normally read this title (or any of Marvel’s Ultimate line), but is that Havok on the cover?

Check back every week to see what’s on My Latest Pull List and please share your thoughts on these titles and everything you’re reading this week in the comments.