The Pulse is another one of those books that has a smaller following than the big names, but a much more loyal fan base. Why? Because it is cooler than your mom, fool. It is also based on a great and original concept. In The Pulse, the reporters are the focus. Previously, the world of Spider-Man was the primary backdrop, appropriate since the reporters work for the Daily Bugle. But more recently, due to events involving Jessica Jones, one time Avenger and freaky-deaky interest of Luke Cage, the book’s backdrop has turned to a more Avenger-focused theme.

The last episode involved a lot of stuff, but all you need to know when reading this one is that Jessica was kidnapped by unknowns who are revealed as agents of Hydra in this issue. So why is this interesting? Man, you are really getting on my nerves.

The first reason is that this book directly correlates to the forever ongoing events of Secret War, which will be concluded just in time for your great-grandchild’s 50th birthday. But, more importantly than that is the book’s incredible writing. I am not a Marvel insider (though I own stock, so maybe I should be) but I am going to guess that this title has a relatively low budget. Despite that fact, or “guess” or “supposition” if you will, Marvel pumps into this book the talents of Brian Michael Bendis (writer) and Michael Lark (pencils). It also features the flawless coloring of Pete Pantazis, whose work is so extraordinary that it should be lauded with at least a mention on the covers. Speaking of the covers, this book usually has pretty awful covers. In fact, I think that I have hated almost all of them until this issue’s. Over all, though, The Pulse continues to offer a dizzying storyline and artwork that should elevate it in the eyes of the public at large.

You really should pick up a copy of this book. Even if you have missed all of the back-story, you will be fine starting at this one. The dialogue is so good that it offers enough information to keep you up to speed. Then again, if you are a collector and missed the previous issues, you should call your uncle, granddad, cousin, or whichever distant relative is a rancher, and then have them craft and then brand you with a hot iron formed to say: “LAME”, “INCAPABLE OF WISDOM”, “SIMPLETON”, or a good old circle-L (the L standing for “LAME”).

-Peblee