After I made several earlier attempts in past years (false-starts) to read J. F. Powers’ MORTE D’URBAN (when, for reasons not related to the quality of the book, I had to set it aside without finishing it), I am now well on my way into reading and finishing what I am beginning to regard as one of the most intriguing and important novels of the 20th century.

In Theodore Dreiser’s Sister Carrie (an immensely interesting naturalistic novel published in 1900), the narrator invites readers to consider the ways in which the course of one’s life is determined by forces that are sometimes within but more often beyond a person’s control.

Writing a book and got a storyline that covers generations and a sprawling set of characters? Lost in the sauce trying to keep them all straight? Forgotten who was married to whom and where and when? Or have you just run out of ideas about how to individualize your characters?

Try organizing them by using genealogy software.

Good genealogy software will not only help you keep your characters straight, but prompt you for more details about them.

Even though I am not a big Beta Ray Bill fan I got to admit this cover by Patrick Zircher made me almost want to pick this title up when I saw it at my LCS.

Here is our first look at American Son’s armor which is what Norman wants Harry to wear.

Gotta say I am excited to see Doctor Octopus back in Amazing Spider-Man and this tease to his return makes me hope the Spidey writers make his return as good as Norman’s has been in this story arc.

One of the perks of being a bad guy is that you don’t have to hold back in saying what is on your mind when you see a smoking hot girl as Peter was able to do here while acting as Venom.

It looks like Spider-Man was shot in the wrist.

I was actually surprised with how well Winick was able to write the original Dynamic Duo in this flashback.