Yes, perhaps I did indeed bite off more than I could chew when I named this column the "Weekly" Dose. Oh, well, it's not like the e-mails came flooding in demanding to know what happened to it! *sniff* Ah, self-pity. You are sweetest when you are completely unjustified.

Okay, so what say we get right to it with another Dose, then, yes?

Chew #5:We shall start with the bar held nice and high. Way up high, in definite "A+" territory. The previous 4 issues of this series were already some of my favorite comic books of the past year. This issue is one of my favorite comic books that I've ever read in my entire life. No joke, it's just that good. In one issue, the status quo is completely turned around, and it all makes perfect, sad, tragic sense. I cannot recommend this series highly enough.

Wildcats #16:And here we are, back down to reality, where the "C" grade comic books live. This comic book just doesn't do very much to justify its existence. I think maybe two things happen in this issue that didn't already happen in the previous one, and one of those two is a cliffhanger. So, that second thing? It only "starts" happening right now. We have to wait to see it happen some more. Ugh. I think soon I will only bother with "the Authority" as far as this story-line is concerned.

The Warlord #7:Yes, Mike Grell is the writer AND the artist for this issue, and yes, that's what brought me back. It even got me to buy the previous issues of the series that I skipped. Those previous issues? Not bad, I probably should have just stuck with it for a while longer. This one, though, has me feeling conflicted again. On one hand, it's much better than the issues that came before it. The "narration" that I loved so much in the old series is back, and Grell's art just rocks. On the other hand, though, this issue simply REEKS of the "inventory file." The main character is suffering amnesia on a random battlefield, and nothing in this issue seems to have any connection whatsoever to the six that came before it. I give this issue an "A-", but the series is still stuck in "B-" territory for now.

Tiny Titans #21:All Pet-Club Issue! Too much fun, and what's more; Cyborg gives us the debut of his two robot "pets": F.E.L.I.X. and M.A.X. Finally, a "Max" in comics that isn't a dog (or a boring beach bum in some disappointing Wildcats comic). Sure, he's a pet, but he's a robot pet, dang it! That's progress. Great issue, made especially so by a cameo from Hoppy the Marvel Bunny and Captain Marvel Junior. Another "A" for this series.

Batman: The Brave and the Bold #10:This is a pretty much perfect issue of this series. Green Arrow shines in this story, as does the Atom. Very cool to see the "monster men" in the opener, too. If "Giant-Sized Atom fights Bat-God-Zilla" doesn't perk the ears up on your cowl, you may just be reading the wrong column. "A."

Bart Simpson #50:An entire issue written and drawn by Sergio Aragones. You need not know more. Okay, I will say that the silent "Maggie's Crib" are nearly as good as Sergio's "Rufferto" strips. Nearly. Bart #50 gets an "A."

Whew....this is one high-scoring week, eh? Well, let's see what's next....uh-oh...

Blackest Night: Superman #3:I really liked the first two issues of this mini-series. This one is not as good. There is a really good Krypto moment, but there is also a really, really stupid plot device moment on New Krypton that just could not be any lazier. The lack of balance pushes this issue down to a "C+."

House of Mystery Halloween Annual #1:This was great fun, with a well-executed framing sequence providing us with glimpses of other Vertigo titles, old and new alike. "I, Zombie" is going right on my list when it comes out. Really, if you're not reading House of Mystery by now, you really should dive in. It's a great series. "A-"

House of Mystery #19:Another issue, another "A." Sorry, it's that good and I don't want to spoil anything.

Groo: The Hogs of Horder #1:I love me some Groo. And this is certainly an issue of Groo. However, it is also kind of preachy and overly concerned with current events just like the last Groo mini-series, so I gotta give this a "B+." Groo should really be a few grade steps higher than that. Sigh.

Incredible Hercules #137:The Amadeus Cho side of this Summer/Fall bi-weekly Herc schedule comes to a conclusion, and does so in style. I actually felt sorry for Cho's nemesis, and the sense of urgency near the end of the book feels genuine, too. Also, the guest appearance at the end of the issue? Now, THAT'S how you work in a cameo, folks. Still on the top of the super-hero heap. Another "A" for Herc and Cho.

Quite the week, yes? Hopefully, I'll be back next week with more!