THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS @ THIRD EYE COMICS!

SECRET INVASION 8 BRINGS THE CONCLUSION TO MARVEL'S BIGGEST EVENT OF THE YEAR! HEROES FALL, HEROES RISE, AND A DARK SHADOW IS CAST UPON THE MARVEL UNIVERSE! DARK REIGN BEGINS NEXT WEEK, AND THE DARK REIGN PREVIEW IS AVAILABLE THIS WEEK!!

I think the one thing that a lot of us have been waiting for is the final issue of Secret Invasion. The last couple issues have delivered some compelling reads, and great action sequences, but we haven't really seen the BIG payoff that we've been expecting. Well, with this week's Secret Invasion 8, we're promised some big earth-shattering reveals and finales, and personally, I'm stoked to see what's going to come of it all. I've already seen a brief look ahead into some of the things planned Post-Secret Invasion, and we have got some really cool stuff to look forward to. Now, I'm just as clueless though about how we're going to get there as you guys. So, dropping this week, you KNOW, you have to read the final issue of Marvel's biggest summer event in a very long time. The one thing that we know about Marvel, and their events, is that while they may not always end how we expect, they do change the landscape of their entire universe... they've proven this over the last few years, and with Secret Invasion posing some of the biggest shake-ups... well, lets just say this conclusion is highly anticipated! Click here to read more about Secret Invasion 8

Also, this week, you can look forward to New Avengers 47, which the previews hint at Luke Cage losing it all, and the disaster of Secret Invasion, as well as Secret Invasion Frontline 5! And for those of you who make it in this week, you can expect to grab a free copy of the Marvel Saga book of Dark Reign. This is a free handout that previews the big changes coming, and gives you an idea of just what the heck Dark Reign is about... and let me tell you, from what I've read.. when the Secret Invasion: Dark Reign one-shot comes out next week.. you guys are gonna want this! Integral piece of the Marvel universe to come!!

BATMAN 682 - R.I.P AFTERMATH/FINAL CRISIS TIE-IN THIS WEEK!

Grant Morrison brings us a story bridging the events of Batman RIP and the events of Final Crisis. Alfred tells us the story of Batman like you've never seen it before. And we get to see just how a Gotham City without Batman becomes a complete and total nightmare. This issue is a total must-read for anyone who's been following the events of RIP or Final Crisis. Speaking of RIP, I have to say that after reading the conclusion last week... I really enjoyed the story. I was completely lost almost the whole way throughout, but was sort of digging it. Once I read the final chapter, everything really came together, and the story was actually really well-told. I'd highly recommend re-reading all of your issues back to back, and you'll see what I mean. The way the ending is paced is just perfect, and while I don't want to give away any spoilers... I will say that I understand why some people may think it's anticlimatic, but I think that actual event wasn't supposed to be the focus of the story. I'm really curious to see the direction that things go with all of the Bat-stories now. Click here to read more about Batman 682 RIP AFTERMATH/FINAL CRISIS.

MARVEL NOIR BEGINS THIS WEEK WITH X-MEN NOIR 1

For months, cryptic yet extremely appealing ads have been appearing in many Marvel comics, just recently we learned they were promoting a new series of miniseries called Marvel Noir. Basically, a line of Marvel comics where the characters are re-imagined in noir settings, and given a noir aesthetic. This week, we get the first of these in the pages of X-Men Noir 1, which brings us a world where the X-Men are a bunch of shady characters, and Professor X is known as The Professor of Crime. The stories are basically a re-imaginging of saying what if Stan Lee and Jack Kirby had invented the X-Men, but as a crime comic, and not as a superhero book. Pretty interesting concept, with some very interesting artwork. Click here for a full preview of X-Men Noir 1!

CROSSED 2 BRINGS THE NEXT INSTALLMENT OF GARTH ENNIS'S TWISTED NEW EPIC!

Okay, who didn't read through Crossed 1, and get to that last page, and not be totally blown away in horror. You want a balls to the wall horror comic that pulls no punches, and gives you all the sick fun you expect out of a good Garth Ennis comic? Crossed is it! The story? Basically, a disease of some sort that strips the infected of their moral compass, and drives them to commit sadistic acts of violence. The first issue was by far the most twisted comic book I have read this year, and I, like the rest of you, am anxiously awaiting the next installment of this twisted new series!

WHAT IF? RETURNS THIS WEEK WITH THE FIRST OF MANY! WHAT IF HOUSE OF M!

What If? is one of those classic comic book feel good kind of things that we all remember from growing up. Fun little one-shots that give us an interesting take, or different twist on a classic story. Well, the House of Ideas has brought back this excellent format for storytelling, and it all starts with this week's WHAT IF: HOUSE OF M. This big twist on this one is what if the Scarlet Witch had uttered the words NO MORE POWERS, instead of NO MORE MUTANTS, and given the world a world without superpowers.. Click here for a preview of WHAT IF? House Of M!

ENDERS SHADOW BRINGS MORE ENDER MADNESS THIS WEEK!

For all of those of you who have been going completely crazy over the new Enders Game comics, then look no further, because now you can double your Enders fun with this second series, Enders Shadow: Battle School 1. This is the story of Bean, the only child at Battle School smarter than the famous Ender. Click here for a full preview of Enders Shadow: Battle School 1

MARVEL ZOMBIES 3 3 CONTINUES TO ROCK WITH THIS WEEK'S NEWEST INSTALLMENT!

I think the big breakout surprise book for me in the latter part of this year has been Marvel Zombies 3. I was completely underwhelmed by MZ 2, and really didn't know what to expect from MZ3. As it got closer to the release, I started reading about the creative team, and saw some previews pages, and they got me curious. After having read issue 1, I can safely say that Marvel Zombies 3 is DEFINITELY the best in the series since the original. It's the Marvel 616 universe crossing over into the Zombieverse, and it's everything you want out of a silly zombie book: blood, fun, and quirky zombified versions of your favorite Marvel characters. Fred Van Lente, of cult hit Incredible Hercules fame, delivers us a fun, yet bloody story that pokes fun at all the cornier corners of the Marvel U. Highly recommended! Definitely try and grab 3 this week! Click here for a look at Marvel Zombies 3 3!

KURT BUSIEK AND ALEX ROSS'S MARVELS RETURN WITH NEW MINI-SERIES!

In the '90s, there weren't too many shining lights of good quality comics being made. One of those genre-defining works was Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross's stunning Marvel series. The perfect combination of touching storytelling, and jaw-dropping art, this miniseries (available now in trade paperback) completely blew fans away as it took them through a tour of the Marvel universe, as seen by a run of the mill newspaper reporter. From the very first superhuman (the android Human Torch), to the dark days of the Punisher, and Gwen Stacy dying.. we got to witness all this through the eyes of a man on the street. And now, returning to that world (albeit without Alex Ross), Kurt Busiek brings us reporter Phil Sheldon's perspective on everything from Werewolf By Night and the Avengers to the Secret Wars and the Tomb of Dracula. Click here for a preview of Marvels Eye of the Camera 1!