New comics arrive in comics shops every Wednesday. New and old ones hit online comics apps on Wednesdays, too. After a week's break from E3, I'm back to recommend a few, though, I'm sorry to say that this week is light on promising new books.

Here are my recommendations as well as the normal run-down of video game comics. Happy, comics reading!

Comics You Should Consider Buying (from comics shops)

Kirby Genesis #1 The team behind Marvels, writer Kurt Busiek and painter Alex Ross, are joined by artist Jackson Herbert to launch a new series based on concepts created by the great Jack Kirby (creator or co-creator of characters ranging from the Fantastic Four and Captain America to the Demon and Darkseid). Official summary: "A message to space has been heard and answered—but what has come to Earth isn't what anyone would expect! As cosmic visitors begin to be revealed to the world, a deadly battle begins—and three ordinary people are caught up in it. Featuring: Captain Victory, Silver Star, the Glory Knights and more—and this is just the beginning!" (Note: the image atop this post shows one of the limited-edition Alex Ross covers for the first issue.)

Comics With Video Game Connections (new this week in comics shops)

DC Universe Online #10 Official summary: "! Lex Luthor has saved the day and done what Superman couldn't by rescuing the Daily Planet and foiling Brainiac's plans. Now, Superman must answer to the JLA for his dereliction of duty, and it won't be pretty!"

Deus Ex #5 Official summary: "Adam Jensen closes in on his former ally Durant...but who's pulling the psycho cyborg's strings? Is this all a feint to undermine Sarif Industries? If so, who's behind it?"

Gears of War #17 Official summary: "Best-selling author Karen Traviss continues to explore the years prior to 'Emergence Day.' It's the end of boot camp and the start of the real war for new recruits Marcus Fenix and Carlos Santiago. Marcus immediately establishes his reputation as a hard-charging Gear and natural leader, while his father struggles for a breakthrough in his orbital laser research, codenamed Hammer of Dawn."

Level Up (graphic novel) Official summary: "Dennis Ouyang's parents want him to become a doctor. But Dennis just wants to play video games. What happens when fate takes a hand - in the form of four adorable, bossy, and occasionally terrifying angels—to lead Dennis down the straight and narrow path to gastroenterology?"

Sonic Universe #29 Official summary: "Inside Job' Part 1. Step aside Sonic; this arc stars Scourge! The vicious 'Evil Sonic' is under heavy lock-down in Zone Jail. Can it be that the would-be world conqueror has been beaten into submission? And when some unlikely allies arrive, will his ego allow him to accept their help?"

And Over On The iPad/iPhone/Droid…

The ComiXology Comics app has a batch of new comics, as always, including most (but, oddly, not all) of Paul Cornell's recent Action Comics. That run featured Lex Luthor on a quest for power that had him crossing paths with many classic comics villains as well as, shock of shocks, Death from Neil Gaiman's Sandman. Also at ComiXology... Grant Morrison and Jae Lee's four-issue Fantastic Four: 1234 debuts on the store. I haven't read it in a while, but I recall it being smart and a bit melancholy. One of Morrison's overlooked works. Recommended. If you have Green Lantern fever, the first 21 issues of the 1960s comic series that debuted Green Lantern Hal Jordan are also now in the shop, though, in brightest day, beware the price of these old comics … for $2 an issue? They've been reprinted for cheaper. The full 12-issue run of Mark Gruenwald's 1980s Marvel series Squadron Supreme is also on the shop. I have heard good things about that, but also heard this team was simply Marvel's take on the Justice League. Worth reading? You tell me.

Best Comics I Read Last Week

Captain Britain and MI: 13 #1-8 I bought this series on my iPad a while ago, after hearing great things. I knew nothing of Captain Britain (his earlier 80s comics is one of my few Alan Moore blindspots) and had never ready any of the Secret Invasion storyline that the first four issues of this recently-cancelled short-lived series cross over into. Nevertheless, this series has been a fantastic read.

Captain Britain is Britain's top costumed icon. He leads a team of super-heroes on behalf of the British government to battle supernatural threats. Arthurian threats. Evil spirit. That sort of thing. On the Captain's team, at various moments in the serues, is a shape-shifting alien who takes the form of John Lennon, a nurse who can rip bodies apart, a man who may or may not possess a sword that is trying to turn him evil, a super-heroine who is sort of secretly a vampire and Blade, the Wesley-Snipes-famous vampire-hunter who, as soon as he joins the team, stabs the vampire-lady with a wooden stake. Clever, surprising and entirely comprehensible even if you know little of Marvel's lore. The series is delightful (and only 15 issues long).

Tell me what you're reading this week and which great comics I'm missing.

New comics show up in comics stores (and on many of your favorite portable devices) every Wednesday. But which ones are worth buying?

As always, I have some suggestions.

Comics You Should Consider Buying (from comics shops)

Celluloid I wish I could tell you if this $35 book was good. I don't know, because I don't have it. But I have good reason to include it. First, the official summary: "Dave McKean's first original graphic novel since his landmark book Cages brings to bear the astonishing range of illustrative and storytelling skills that have served him so well on his collaborations with Neil Gaiman and elsewhere. Celluloid is a rare 'erotic' graphic novel that is also a genuine work of art." Cages was great, I can attest to that. And anyone who ever admired a cover to Gaiman's Sandman was admiring McKean's art. Can't say I'm excited about this being an "erotic" work of art. That's not exactly what I need in my life, but it is McKean. (It appears that this book is being released this week alongside a few other heavy hitters from publisher Fantagraphics: Congress of The Animals from Jim Woodring and Isle of 100,000 Graves by the always-excellent Jason, who—a note of caution—only draws, but doesn't write this new book.)

Criminal: Last of the Innocent #1 Ed Brubaker writes reliably excellent crime comics. This is the first issue of his newest one.

Doctor Who Classics: Seventh Doctor #5 I know so little about Dr. Who that I can't even tell you the guy's first name (does he have one?). I do know that this reprint series includes a story written by Grant Morrison and drawn by Bryan Hitch, two of the most acclaimed creators in the business. For that alone, I'll buy this.

Fear Itself: The Deep #1 Marvel's big crossover continues this week with a new issue of Fear Itself, but I'm more interested in this spin-off mini-series that involves an underwater attack on the Sub-Mariner that brings the mystic Dr. Strange to his rescue. The selling point for me is writer Cullen Bunn, whose work I recently discovered via a superb Captain America back-up story and a strong run in Superman/Batman that involved the DC icons in a future where the forces of magic reigned. I've not read enough of Bunn to say his work is guaranteed to be good every time, but I've liked all that I've read of his so far.

Flashpoint Batman: Knight of Vengeance A new issue of DC Comics' big crossover series Flashpoint is out today, along with the first of dozens of spin-off issues, most of which will form a batch of three-issues mini-series. All occur in an alternate version of the standard DC universe of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman, a version where everyone but the Flash and Booster Gold are somewhat different. Of all the tie-ins released this week, the Batman one is the most deserving of attention, for two reasons: 1) It appears that, in this universe, Batman's alter ego is Bruce Wayne's dad and 2) the creative team of writer Brian Azzarrello and artist Eduardo Risso are among the finest duos working in comics. Readers of 100 Bullets can confirm this.

Comics With Video Game Connections (new this week in comics shops)

DC Universe Online Legends Official summary: "Coping with his failure to save Metropolis and the loss of Lois and the Daily Planet, Superman makes a tactical mistake that could cost the JLA dearly. Plus, a new hero has emerged to save the day on Earth—and his name is Lex Luthor!"

Sonic The Hedgehog #225 Official summary: "One Step Forward...' Sonic's 25th-anniversary celebration begins here with a double-sized gatefold cover! Dr. Eggman's newest creation threatens all of Mobius, forcing Sonic to team up with the evil Ixis Naugus. It's a race against time with a world-changing ending you won't believe! The prelude to 'Genesis' starts here with this anniversary issue!"

And Over On The iPad/iPhone/Droid…

The most interesting new releases on ComiXology's iOS/Android/browser app for downloadable comics this week are: The four-issue run of Nova, a Marvel sci-fi series written by Keith Giffen, whose Marvel sci-fi work was universally strong; another batch of Walt Simonson Thor issues, and the first three issues of Paul Grist's The Weird World of Jack Staff. (Can anyone vouch for Garth Ennis' Punisher Kills the Marvel Universe? Any good?)

Best Comics I Read Last Week

Wolverine #9 by Jason Aaron. This was a standalone issue featuring a very angry Wolverine fighting the shape-shifting Mystique, while they both suffer the interference of a new character named Lord Deathstrike. This new character, a master assassin, is introduced early in the issue when he murders a man in China by aiming a powerful gun that he is holding in Argentina and shooting it into the ground at just the right angle. Ridiculous? It works. It's a great issue that shows why Jason Aaron is one of the best writers of monthly comics today.

About that DC re-boot thing…

The top people at DC Comics announced on Tuesday that they'll be re-numbering their super-hero comics and launching 52 new first-issues in September, as part of a revision of their super-hero universe that will introduces changes big and small across their line. A Kotaku reader asked what I thought of this.

My reaction is mixed. It disappoints me to see a comics publisher use the easy crutch of new first issues to grab readers, and I'm concerned that some of DC's pockets of excellence, Grant Morrison's stunning Batman Inc. run, Scott Snyder and Paul Cornell's strong Detective and Action Comics, and even Paul Levitz's delightful Legion of Super-Heroes will be disrupted unnecessarily. As a fan of those comics I'm unhappy that DC hasn't yet bothered to explain what will happen to them. On the other hand, I'm eager to see fresh talent on DC's books and hope that these re-boots/re-launches/whatever will allow some of comics' better writers to shine. It's impossible to tell, and it's not a guarantee, given DC's inability or unwillingness to keep superb, young writers like Jason Aaron and Nick Spencer from going to Marvel. So here's hoping DC puts deserving talent on its new books (including that old-timer Keith Giffen, who was writing circles around most of his peers in his recently-cancelled Doom Patrol.)

I'm most excited by DC's promise to release new issues of its super-hero comics digitally on the same day they're sold in comics shops, starting this September. Some see it as an insult and possibly an injury to retail shops. I do believe it's the latter. I will probably shift most or all of my DC super-hero comics purchasing to digital. I'll happily to support my local comics shop by purchasing graphic novels and collections of the best stuff I read, but for most monthlies, I would prefer purely digital versions. My home has finite space, space I don't want to over-stuff with comics any more than I want to with CDs or cassette tapes. This is the way things are going.

Tell me what you're reading this week and which great comics I'm missing.

There are new comics in comic books shops every Wednesday, plus new ones on the iPad and other portable devices with nice screens. Some of these comics are about video games, some aren't. I'm here to recommend a few.

Comics You Should Consider Buying (from comics shops)

Rocketeer Adventures #1 Why is the Rocketeer popular? I don't know. Is he even actually popular, or is he just like the Green Hornet, a character who is repeatedly revived because three people think it's a good idea? Well, none of this matters, not when you've got an anthology issue containing stories by MIke Allred, Kurt Busiek, John Cassady and Michael Kaluta, along with a Mike Mignola pin-up. Doesn't matter what the subject matter is. That's something I'd buy.

Flash Omnibus Vol 1 Back when Geoff Johns was first writing the Flash series, back before he brought back Barry Allen for reasons that have yet to have amounted to a great story, he was doing quality Flash comics like these. This $75 volume collects a lot of his work with the Wally West version of the fast-running hero: Flash 164-176, The Flash Our Worlds at War, The Flash: Iron Heights and The Flash Secret Files #3. Official summary: "In this volume, Wally West finds himself without his super speed in a darker, mirror version of Keystone City. Can a powerless Flash defeat Captain Cold and Mirror Master to save the city he loves? Plus, The Flash is shocked to learn that a strange cult is killing all the people he has ever rescued. Featuring art by fan-favorites Ethan Van Sciver, Scott Kolins and more!"

Uncanny X-Force #10 About two months ago, I bought my first X-Force comic ever. It was good, which stunned me, because I thought the X-Force had no reason to exist, let alone put me out $4. This is what I learned: These guys are secret X-Men. Wolverine is their leader. They do dark stuff. OK. And issue #8 was good. Then, last month, I read #9. Not good. Had the world corrected itself and made X-Force irrelevant to my life again? Maybe, but the summary for the new one is intriguing: "A reporter prepares to release photographs of X-Force killing military personnel leaving the squad with one of the hardest choice of their lives, how to deal with her? Nothing can prepare you for the ending, or the ramifications as X-Force are forced to unite with a former servant of Apocalypse! Ramping up to one of the biggest chapters in X-history, and yes, you've heard it before— but nothing will ever be the same." (By the way, this comic is written by Rick Remender. He also wrote Bulletstorm.)

Comics With Video Game Connections (new this week in comics shops)

DC Universe Online Legends #8 Official summary: "Inspired by the best-selling SOE game, the epic series continues! After an epic disaster is inflicted on Metropolis, Superman works to pick up the pieces - literally. But can he overcome his concern over Lois's disappearance? And as Brainiac and Luthor regroup, their plans start to coalesce in a surprising direction as the war for the future begins!"

Deus Ex #4 Official summary: "The danger rises to explosive levels as the psychotic cyborg Durant continues his war against Sarif Industries. With the future of human evolution hanging in the balance, Adam Jensen engages in a relentless hunt for his former friend and current nemesis."

Sonic The Hedgehog Archives, Vol 15 Official summary: "Let the World Tour begin! Dr. Robotnik may still be missing, but that doesn't mean life is easy for Sonic the Hedgehog! It's adventures and mysteries galore as Sonic has his first encounter with the cyborg simian—Monkey Khan! Also featuring the beginning of the epic 'World Tour' saga as Sonic and Tails take off to find the vile wizard Ixis Naugus! You can't pass up on this volume full of first appearances and major turning points for hero and villain alike!"

Sonic Universe #28 Official summary: "Fractured Mirror,' Part Four. The Freedom Fighters have fallen! Now the only one left to save this dark world is Silver the Hedgehog! It's psychic power versus chaos power as our hero from the future goes all-out against the terrifying Enerjak! Don't miss the cataclysmic conclusion to the Silver Saga!"

Star Wars: The Old Republic Volume 2: Threat of Peace Official breathless summary: "A look at the era of Star Wars: The Old Republic, written by one of the writers behind LucasArts and BioWare's wildly anticipated massive multiplayer online game, Threat of Peace unveils a galaxy on the brink of destruction three hundred years after the events of Knights of the Old Republic! For decades, the Galactic Republic and the Sith Empire have been at war. The Sith have gained control of the Outer Rim, but their efforts to penetrate the Core Worlds have so far been thwarted. Now, representatives from both sides attempt to negotiate a peace treaty-but deception by the Sith puts the Jedi in an unfortunate position. Collects Star Wars: The Old Republic #1-#27, which appeared originally online at swtor.com."

And Over On The iPad…

The Comics app from Comixology, which works on the iPhone or iPad and on Android and your computer too, lists a new batch of comics each week, some brand-new, some slightly old. There aren't any huge additions to the shop this week, mostly just new issues to strong ongoing work. There are a couple more issues of Grant Morrison's superb Batman & Robin run, the Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips noir issue of Hawkman from 2004, another collection of Invincible (the 13th; I haven't read the series, but I know it's well-liked), more of Brian Michael Bendis' New Avengers, more Sandman, more Scalped, more Alan Moore Swamp Thing, more Nick Spencer T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, a whole lot more Peter David Young Justice (was it any good?) and very recent issues of DC and Marvel's big War of the Green Lanterns and Death of Spider-Man stories. Also: Keith Giffen's fun Starlord mini-series is now in the shop, along with a book called Days Missing from Archaia (I don't know that publisher but the Comixology people seem excited to have them on board; I'll let you know how it is in next week's column.)

I should also mention that the Dark House iPad app is now stuffed with comics. They don't make it easy to figure out what's new in a given week, but they do have a lot of books in there, including 42 issues of B.P.R.D., 33 issues of Hellboy, both full Mass Effect mini-series and a whole lot of other comics I haven't read. Someone, tell me what's good in there!

Sony Online Entertainment, the publisher of PC MMO titles also shut down by April's massive cyberattack on the PlayStation Network, has also begun the reactivation of its network services, according to a statement by SOE.

Restoration will also proceed in phases, much like PlayStation Network. It will return
"nearly all of SOE's portfolio of online games," the games' forums and their websites. Players will be required to reset their passwords before they may log in, the same as PSN account holders.

SOE's statement said it had "made enhancements to overall data security," during the three-week outage that left players of MMOs such as Everquest, Free Realms and D.C. Universe Online completely unable to play their games.

Recognizing the inconvenience, SOE granted a free month's subscription, across-the-board, for all account holders in SOE games, plus additional premiums depending on games and subscription levels. A full accounting may be seen here.

Restoration Announcement [SOE]

John Blakely, a nine-year veteran of Sony Online Entertainment and most recently its vice president of development, has apparently left the company for casual-games behemoth Zynga. Blakely's LinkedIn resumé has him departing SOE as of last month to become general manager at Zynga.

Update: Sony Online Entertainment has confirmed Blakely's resignation and departure. In a statement provided to Kotaku, SOE thanked him for "the passion and leadership he brought to work every day and fully support him in his future endeavors."

Blakely successor is Lorin Jameson, executive director of development for SOE, who oversaw all development teams at SOE's Austin studio for the past five years.

Blakely had worked on Everquest II and D.C. Universe Online. His departure is another bad sign for a division beset by bad news of late, from layoffs following DCUO's release to the ongoing PlayStation Network breach and outage.

Wednesday is new comics day in North America. This is a good thing. This Wednesday is not chock-full of cool comics. That's bad. Nevertheless, I have some reading recommendations, as well as a run-down of all of the video-game-related comics out this week.

Plus, iPhone/iPad users, as always, there are also some new comics recommendations just for you.

Special bonus this week: I blame you, the readers, for the cancellation of a beloved comic!

Comics You Should Consider Buying (from comics shops)

Delirium's Party: A Little Endless Storybook I never paid much attention to non-Sandman Sandman comics, but Jill Thompson, the writer-artist of this spin-off graphic novel makes quality comics. Give this one a look, if this official summary is to your liking: "In an effort to rid Despair of her unhappiness once and for all, Little Delirium throws a party for her dour sister and invites siblings Dream, Destruction, Death, Destiny and Desire. But this is no ordinary affair. We're talking about a party planner who is the personification of delirium, so you can only imagine that this event will be as outrageous and unpredictable as Little Delirium's haircolor. But whether Delirium's party will be a smashing success - or whether it will end in tears - is anyone's guess"

Doom Patrol #22 The final issue of the best-written super-hero team book on the market now. Why didn't more of you buy it? You don't like your super-heroes weird, your dialogue witty, your plots dense and … would it have helped if I'd mentioned some time ago that they had a story about a talking black hole? Or that the character that was formerly a transvestite street (as introduced in writer Grant Morrison's great run) was turned into a brick and then a bungalow in recent issues? Or that the previous issue was a wonderful exploration of how a man stays sane while living as a brain in a robot body? Oh, who am I kidding? It was a Doom Patrol book. Those things almost never work out.

Fear Itself #2 This is the second&emdash;and hopefully better—issue of Marvel comics' big spring cross-over. The first issue was transparently a product of Captain America and Thor movie marketing. But writer Matt Fraction promises this thing's going to be good. Oh, I hope so. Official summary: "The Mighty Thormdash;imprisoned by his own father! As Odin and the Asgardians leave the Earth to fend for itself against the God of Fear, the Avengers and the world's remaining heroes battle the unstoppable tide of terror! And thenmdash;the Serpent's Hammers fall! Who are the Worthy? Who shall rise up and join the Serpent as living avatars of his evil? And how can the Avengers respond...to fear itself?"

Moon Knight #1 Do you like Moon Knight? Do you even know who he is? Friends of mine who read Marvel (while I was growing up reading DC) loved Moon Knight. His new series starts today, notable because it's from Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev, the team behind one of the most acclaimed Daredevil runs ever.

Comics With Video Game Connections (new this week in comics shops)

DC Universe Online Legends #7 Given the ongoing outages for DC Universe Online, this is your sole way to experience new content related to the game. Official summary: "Inspired by the best-selling SOE game, the epic series continues as we see the last stand of the future JLA! Batman's survived horrific injuries and outlived all his allies to try to implement a final, desperate gambit...but is Luthor trustworthy?"

Sonic The Hedgehog #224 Official summary: "Chaos and the Crown,' Part Two. Sonic is a knight of the wind as he faces off against the sinister Ixis Naugus! The Council of Acorn is in turmoil, and the title of 'king' hangs in the balance! Meanwhile, Dr. Eggman launches his latest plan with no one to stop him!"

And Over On The iPad…

Marvel's most recently-completed world-changing mini-series, Siege, is now on Comixology's Comics app, $2/issue for four issues. Good for completists, I guess, but I'd never heard great things. On the other hand, the sweet, all-aged Thor: The Mighty Avenger has its first four issues for sale in that app. I grew up reading DC Comics, so I merely heard friends rave about Chris Claremont and John Byrne's Days of Future Past X-Men comic. Two issues on the app, $2 each. Since my previous round-up, the Comixology app released a mountain of DC Comics related to and spinning out of the Infinite Crisis cross-over. Skip most of the series, including the main one; focus on 52 and 52 Aftermath: The Four Horsemen. Both are superb. Oh, and iPad users, look into Dark Horse Comics' new app. They've got a lot of comics in there, including two Mass Effect mini-series, a whole lot of Hellboy, and some Joss Whedon Serenity comics.

Sony's security problems continue to mount, as Sony Online Entertainment reveals that the personal information of 24.6 million SOE accounts and more than 12,700 credit card numbers may have been compromised in the massive attack that brought down the PlayStation Network late last month.

According to a Sony Online Entertainment statement, the company believes the data theft took place between April 16 and 17, which is around the same time as the cyber attacks that compromised the PlayStation Network. This particular data theft was discovered early this morning during Sony Corporation and Sony Computer Entertainment's investigation into the PlayStation Network attack.

Attempting to visit the home pages for popular games like Free Realms, DC Universe Online, and massively-multiplayer online role-playing game granddaddy EverQuest continues to result in the following down for maintenance message:

We have had to take the SOE service down temporarily. In the course of our investigation into the intrusion into our systems we have discovered an issue that warrants enough concern for us to take the service down effective immediately. We will provide an update later today (Monday).

According to Sony Online Entertainment, user information that has been compromised includes names, addresses, email addresses, birthdates, gender, login names, and passwords.

The credit card data stolen, however, comes from an outdated database from 2007. That database contained 12,700 non-U.S. credit or debit card numbers and expiration dates, along with the direct debit information for 10,700 customers in Austria, Germany, Netherlands and Spain.

SOE will be offering subscribers to its massively-multiplayer online games a free 30-day subscription, as well as compensation for each additional day the services are down. It's also working on a "make good" for players of its PlayStation 3 MMOs Free Realms and DC Universe Online.

Update: Sony Online Entertainment has issued a notification assuring customers that current credit card information has not been compromised. "There is no evidence that our main credit card database was compromised. It is in a completely separate and secured environment."

PlayStation Network Breach Could Carry A $24 Billion Price Tag (In Some Crazy Fantasy World)

While the financial ramifications of the PlayStation Network's "external intrustion" on Sony, PlayStation developers and consumers likely won't be known for many moons, a data-security research firm and the mathematicians at Forbes have put a worst-case scenario price tag on the breach: More »

Sony Comes Clean: PlayStation Network Hackers Have Stolen Personal Data

A security breach in the Playstation Network by still unidentified hackers resulted in stolen personal information, Sony confirmed today.
Sony says while personal information was likely stolen they don't believe credit card numbers were and that they hope to have the Playstation Network service... More »

FBI Cybercrimes Joins 22 States In Sweeping PlayStation Network Investigation

The Federal Bureau of Investigations today confirmed to Kotaku that it is looking into the security breach that brought the Playstation Network down and exposed millions of users' personal data to cybercriminals.
The FBI is joined by nearly two dozen state attorneys general and possibly the Federal... More »

Sony Says 10 Million Credit Card Accounts May Have Been Compromised

It's a good thing Sony warned people to be vigilant about their credit cards, because as part of the company's Tokyo press conference yesterday PlayStation boss Kaz Hirai said that up to ten million customer's account details could have been compromised.
That's not the personal details on their PSN... More »

The extended outage currently afflicting the PlayStation Network isn't just stopping people playing Call of Duty and FIFA. It's also stopping people from playing persistent, entirely online games like DC Universe and Free Realms.

That's a massive pain in the ass for those people, so what's Sony doing to compensate them for their enforced downtime? Sony Online Entertainment, which manages both PS3 MMOs, has this to say:

We apologize for any inconvenience players may have experienced as a result of the recent service interruption. As a global leader in online gaming, SOE is committed to delivering stable and entertaining games for players of all ages.

To thank players for their patience, we will be hosting special events this weekend across our game portfolio, including a Double Station Cash day on Saturday, April 30th.

We are also working on a "make good" plan for players of the PS3 versions of DC Universe Online and Free Realms. Details will be available soon on the individual game websites and forums.

So there's extra stuff on the table come Saturday, provided the PSN is actually up by then, and then there's a "make good" plan after that. It's a good start, but seeing as DC Universe is made up of people paying subscriptions you'd hope it's more like a "make awesome" plan.

Commenter ValeriaHeart is looking for suggestions for a massively-multiplayer online role-playing game to play with her partner that isn't World of Warcraft in today's episode of Speak-Up on Kotaku. Won't you help her?

Are there any MMORPG players out there that are playing something that isn't WoW? How is that game? Would you recommend it?

My partner and I love the idea of an MMO but getting a bit fed up with WoW, mostly due to the absolutely awful community, so we're hoping to find something a little more welcoming.

Wednesday is new comics day in North America. As always, I have recommendations. Plus, this week, there is a pile of interesting video-game-themed comics.

Comics You Should Consider Buying (from comics shops)

Dark Horse Presents Vol 2, No. 1 The official summary should convince you: "The legendary, premiere anthology is back! The 80-page spectacular, Dark Horse Presents returns with all-new stories by Neal Adams, Howard Chaykin, and Richard Corben; a new Concrete story by Paul Chadwick, a new Crimson Empire story from the Star Wars universe, and an exclusive sneak peek of Frank Miller's highly-anticipated prequel to 300, Xerxes! The celebration continues with a brand-new, all-color Finder story by Carla Speed McNeil, a prose piece from science fiction legend Harlan Ellison, the return of Michael T. Gilbert's Mr. Monster, and much, much more!"

Dungeons & Dragons #6 I'm still not sure people believe that I'm serious when I recommend the current D&D comic, but I am. The scripts are sharp, the plots go in unexpected directions. Official summary of this first issue of a new storyline arc: "Learn the origin of Fell's Four! While stranded in the Feywild, Adric recounts for Tisha how Fell's Four was born-and almost died the very same day." Sold? No? Trust me.

Iron Man 2.0 #4 Usually, I like plugging the comics of writer Nick Spencer just because I think he writes excellent comics, but this time I'm including it as an excuse to run this alternative cover that's running as part of Marvel Comics' "Thor Goes Hollywood" theme.

Comics With Video Game Connections (new this week in comics shops)

DC Universe Legends Online #6 I dropped this series last issue, because it seemed like nothing more than a mediocre future-apocalypse DC hero saga, one with little new to show. It's a pity, because co-writer Tony Bedard has being doing fresher work elsewhere. Official summary: "Lex Luthor and his ragged team of future survivors take the fight to Brainiac in a final, desperate attempt to stop his invasion of Earth - but will it be enough? Back in the present day, a catastrophe takes place that will forever change the face of the DCU!"

Deus Ex #3 Official summary: "A ghost from Adam Jensen's past rears his ugly, augmented head and it's open warfare! Even with a new ally, Adam has his hands full . . . but what's the connection between Adam's past and his current assignment."

Halo: Fall of Reach: Covenant #1 Official summary: "It is a question that man has long asked-are we alone in the universe? This?February, the United Nations Space Command learns the answer to that question… and unfortunately, the answer is NO. Catch the beginning of the struggle between Man and Covenant in this epic series based on the novel by Eric Nylund, adapted by Brian Reed, and brought brilliantly to life by Felix Ruiz!"

Mass Effect: Evolution #4 Official summary of this mini-series' final issue: "Mass Effect 2 lead writer Mac Walters brings the origin of the Illusive Man to its explosive conclusion! The fate of mankind may come down to this moment, as the newly enlightened Illusive Man launches a movement that will upset the balance of power across the galaxy. But will he prove to be the universe's savior-or its destroyer? This story will have a long-lasting impact on the Mass Effect saga, and is essential reading for fans of sci-fi action and intrigue!"

Silent Hill: Past Live (collection) Official summary: "Jebediah 'Hellrider' Foster is a violent outlaw in the Dakota Territory in 1867. When he falls for a godly widow who longs to move from the Wild West to a family home in Silent Hill, Foster follows-but peace is not what awaits. By Tom Waltz (writer of Silent Hill: Sinner's Reward and the Silent Hill video game to be released in 2011), with artwork by Menton J. Matthews III (Zombies Vs. Robots Aventure)."

Sonic Universe #27 Official summary: "Fractured Mirror,' Part Three. Silver joins an all-new, all-different band of Freedom Fighters in all-out war against Enerjak and his sinister Prelate minions! It's a no-holds-barred battle in this dark version of reality, and everyone may not make it to the end!"

And Over On The iPad…

The first five issues of Daytripper, one of 2010's best comics, are now on sale for $2 a pop on Comixology's Comics app. The series is about a man's many possible deaths, each issue a lovely yarn that can be read on its own. This gets my highest recommendation. I recently previewed Nonplayer, which is now available for $3 on the Comics app. The story's simply about people in the future who play an amazing MMO; the draw is the drawing... wonderful art. There are also more issues available of Gotham Central, the police procedural set in Gotham City, back from when the series was at its best.