Welcome to This Month in Comics: April 2012.  At the end of each month, we here at Multiversity do a quick rundown of some of our most favorite comics, and maybe a few that we weren’t so crazy about.  However, in the spirit of a positivity and in celebration of a brand new day here at Multiversity, we’ll only be looking at stuff we liked this time around!

With several major crossover taking place at both Marvel and DC, including the massive Avengers Vs. X-Men, there were an awful lot of comics in April.  Not so easy on the wallet, sure, but the good news is that most of what we bought this month was absolutely worth it!

Best Comic April 2012: “Cobra” #12

The penultimate chapter of “Cobra Command” closes the book on Chuckles’ story, and provides the month’s second exit story for Joe-honcho Hawk.  It’s everything that fans have loved about this book since it first started, and does what so few long form stories do these days, and actually ends a chapter in the overall narrative, and makes it very satisfying.  I say it all the time — hell, I might even say it again later on in this very piece — but “Cobra” writer Mike Costa is one of the most underrated and underappreciated creators working in comics today, and if you’re not reading this book, then you’re missing out.  Lucky for you, though, next month’s “Cobra” #13 should be a pretty good jumping on point, so don’t be a dummy and jump on!

Runners Up: “Action Comics” #8, “G.I. Joe” #12, “Secret Avengers” #25 & 26, and “Winter Soldier” # 4

Best Writer April 2012: Jason Aaron

I said I was going to keep things upbeat, so I won’t spend too much time on what I thought of the first issue of Avengers Vs. X-men, but you’ll notice it doesn’t win any awards this month.  But here’s the thing: it’s not that I don’t think the story can be good, it’s just that I think parts of it won’t be.  Thankfully, “Avengers Vs. X-Men” #2 saw one writer tag out and Jason Aaron tag in, and suddenly, AvX was in the running for one of the most enjoyable superhero books to hit the stands this year.  Like just about everything he touches, Aaron plays the story to its fullest potential and keeps the whole thing equal parts fun, drama, and drama, all the while delivering a story that is uniquely Marvel.

In addition to “Avengers Vs. X-men” #2 and “Avengers Vs. X-Men: Versus” #1, Aaron dropped two issues of Wolverine and X-Men on us in April, and both of these were pretty great too.  #8 and it’s depiction of Wolverine struggling with a dilemma unlike any we’ve seen him face in quite a while was itself a strong contender for Best Book, but quite frankly, “Cobra” needed the love more.

Still, Aaron’s definitely telling the best superhero stories around right now, and with his name on so many books, that’s always impressive.

Runners Up:  Mark Waid, Rick Remender, and Jonathan Hickman

Best New Mini-Series April 2012: “Vampirella: The Red Room” #1

Before anybody scoffs at this choice, consider the fact that The Red Room is written by Dan Brereton and you’ll understand.  Anyone who’s read Brerton’s criminally undervalued creator owned series “Nocturnals” should immediately see the potential in his working on comics’ sexiest lady vampire.  And now, having read it, it’s clear Brereton gets Vampirella, and as a longtime fan of the character, I’m here to tell you, that’s saying something.  Admittedly, it’s not the strongest first issue I’ve ever read and in the grand scheme of things, it’s probably go down as just another Vampi story.  But for the moment, it’s a good one and if you like either Vampirella, Brereton, or both, then you should probably snag  one.

Runners Up: “Groo Vs. Conan”, “Reset”, “Popeye”

Best Artist April 2012: John Romita Jr.

Hey, you guys know who John Romita Jr. is, right?  Yeah? Well he’s the best artist of the month.

Want some proof?

Runners Up: Cliff Chiang, Chris Bachalo, Yanick Paquette, Ron Garney

Best Cover April 2012: “Men of War” #8

Check out Frankenstein just wrecking that World War II era fighter plane with his bare hands.  This is one of those images that only works in comics, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.  Sadly, “Men of War” #8 was the series’ last, but what a way to go!

Runner Up: “Popeye” #1, “Wolverine and the X-Men” #8, “Avengers” #8, “Daredevil” #11

Best Comic You Should Be Reading But Won’t Because Its Transformers April 2012: “Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye” # 4 

“Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye” is one of the best sci-fi comics being published right now.  The current story arc finds the space-faring Autobots stumbling upon a Transformer-infecting virus called the Red Rust, and things get nasty quick.

The characterization is some of the strongest around, and on par with anything you’ll find in a Marvel or DC book.  But unlike those, both More Than Meets The Eye and its sister book, Robots In Disguise, are well worth the $3.99 cover price.  Honestly, each issue is the equivalent of two and a half Avengers.

Best Moment April 2012: “Fantastic Four” #605

 Nuff Said.