Showing posts with label all-new ultimates. Show all posts
Showing posts with label all-new ultimates. Show all posts
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Marvel cancels SHE-HULK, ALL-NEW ULTIMATES
Marvel released their January solicits and said solicits revealed that both critical darling SHE-HULK and the abomination that is ALL-NEW ULTIMATES are set to end with their January issues. I think probably that description tells you what you need to know about how I'm feeling. SHE-HULK (the newest issue of which I'll review soon, I promise) has varied from above average to outstanding, never dipping into mediocrity. Meanwhile, ALL-NEW ULTIMATES tried too hard for my liking and ended up middling at its very best points. Look, I don't have that much more to add, as these two books are probably books I talk about enough (considering I like SHE-HULK and I talk a lot about books I like and ALL-NEW ULTIMATES seemingly comes out every week or so and so my feelings are altogether too-well documented), but check out Brett White's article on CBR about the cancellation of SHE-HULK and what cancellation means for Marvel these days. It's certainly worth a read.
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Leftovers 10-8-14
All-New Ultimates 9
Scourge is being transferred to federal prison and the Ultimates want to watch over the transfer, which proves to be the right thing to do as a white-supremacist group, believing Scourge to be one of them, breaks him out. The Ultimates stop the racists but Scourge, who doesn't want to be associated with the white-supremacist group, gets away. Dagger is wounded in the fight and she and Cloak leave to get medical assistance, only to be sniped by a mysterious assailant, thus showcasing the one exciting moment this series has ever had, though also distracting from it by dealing with more relationship crap just beforehand. Total Score: 3/5
Years ago, Dr. Strange sent Hulk to a mystical crossroads where he could access a number of other planets, ones where he couldn't do harm. While on trial for his unilateral decision on Earth, a representative from one of the planets Hulk could visit appears and accuses Strange of genocide, sending Hulk to his planet. Strange, accompanied by a SHIELD agent, heads to the other world to find that Hulk has destroyed weapon after weapon the citizens have sent after him and that he has a cave full of dead citizens. This one's certainly a more interesting storyline than the last and Strange is proving to be compelling all on his own. Pretty strong work, though I'd like to see a little more before I make a judgment on it. Total Score: 4/5
Scourge is being transferred to federal prison and the Ultimates want to watch over the transfer, which proves to be the right thing to do as a white-supremacist group, believing Scourge to be one of them, breaks him out. The Ultimates stop the racists but Scourge, who doesn't want to be associated with the white-supremacist group, gets away. Dagger is wounded in the fight and she and Cloak leave to get medical assistance, only to be sniped by a mysterious assailant, thus showcasing the one exciting moment this series has ever had, though also distracting from it by dealing with more relationship crap just beforehand. Total Score: 3/5
Amazing Spider-Man 7
The first half of this issue is a team-up between Spider-Man and Ms. Marvel, written by Christos Gage, which is delightful. The second half is an EDGE OF SPIDER-VERSE tie-in by Dan Slott that finds Billy Braddock, Spider-UK of the Captain Britain Corps observing the family of Spider-Killers doing some work on the multiverse's spiders. The Ms. Marvel team-up, which will be continuing next time, is great and the EDGE OF SPIDER-VERSE tie-ins are starting to drag a bit, though it is still interesting. Things are much nicer in this book when we don't see crazy Black Cat. Total Score: 4/5
Hawkeye vs. Deadpool 1
Hawkeye and Deadpool have been forced into something of a team-up as someone who ran into both of them on one night has been killed. Also on the case (perhaps more effectively) is Kate Bishop. Deadpool and Hawkeye's investigation leads them to more brainwashed super soldiers and to Black Cat, the one seemingly behind all of this, while Kate's leads her to the place where Ellsden shot his video, where she runs into Agent Adsit. When Hawkeye returns home, though, someone else is waiting for him looking for help. It's a relatively fun little book but we'll have to see where the plot is going before we can make too many judgements. Total Score: 3/5
Nightcrawler 7
Wolverine has died (because the release schedule is all messed up) and Nightcrawler has to deal with it. This one's a bit weird because the story credit is given to Marguerite Bennett with Claremont scripting but the story pretty much amounts to "Nightcrawler misses Wolverine, here's some flashbacks and some weird coping mechanisms." The problems start with the troubled release schedule and end with "this book is boring." Total Score: 2/5
Savage Hulk 5
Years ago, Dr. Strange sent Hulk to a mystical crossroads where he could access a number of other planets, ones where he couldn't do harm. While on trial for his unilateral decision on Earth, a representative from one of the planets Hulk could visit appears and accuses Strange of genocide, sending Hulk to his planet. Strange, accompanied by a SHIELD agent, heads to the other world to find that Hulk has destroyed weapon after weapon the citizens have sent after him and that he has a cave full of dead citizens. This one's certainly a more interesting storyline than the last and Strange is proving to be compelling all on his own. Pretty strong work, though I'd like to see a little more before I make a judgment on it. Total Score: 4/5Sunday, September 14, 2014
Leftovers 9-10-14
Wowwwwww, managed to knock out enough books that I only have SIX ISSUES to quick-review today. Not saying I'm super-duper proud of myself but it'd be okay if you were all super-duper proud of me.
All-New Ultimates 8
The Ultimates meet to figure out their next plan, particularly where they're going to live and how they're going to operate now when Spider-Man tells them that J. Jonah Jameson offered them "whatever they need" to help and maybe he could help with this. Meanwhile, the Femme Fatales, a new villain group with some sort of puppeteer over them, attack Manhattan. The Ultimates dispatch them well enough but constant bickering between Cloak and Dagger comes to a head and the two remove themselves to break up. Oh, and the Future Foundation shows up for some plot device and someone is watching them/researching them on some monitors. You know how it goes. The series continues to drag with exposition and would-be playful dialogue hampering the pacing. The banter during the fight is as constant and as head-shakingly frustrating as it's ever been. Total Score: 2/5
Deadpool 34
In another throwback story, this one tied to ORIGINAL SIN, we learn that Deadpool used to work willingly (sort of) for Butler, giving him his blood and doing jobs for him. His personality is still there but there is an element of coercion to it. Things come to a head when Butler, testing the limits of Deadpool's subservience, sends Deadpool to kill his own parents. After a brief encounter with Alpha Flight, Deadpool burns his childhood home down with his parents sleeping inside. He returns home to find Carmelita on Butler's doorstep with little Ellie. Butler takes a blood sample from Ellie before Deadpool sends them away, shouting about how dangerous he is. He also leaves Butler's employ, leading to Butler to capture him covertly whenever he needs a new sample. Back in the present, Adsit has seen all of this courtesy of the truth bomb but Preston refuses to let Deadpool know about it. It's a pretty strong issue with the expected amounts of '90s comic-book references and homages which tend to be a lot of fun but can also carry on a little long. Instead, here, Duggan and Posehn front-load the issue with such references (making it a little bit of a drag but not giving it enough time to really slow things) and then really put some weight in the back half. Pretty strong stuff. Total Score: 4/5
Fantastic Four 10
Thing learns that She-Thing runs his Ryker's prison wing as dictated by someone higher up on the food chain, Sue steals one of the Fantastic Four transports from under SHIELD's nose, Johnny continues to party, and Reed finds himself alone in a fight in Chicago against the Wizard and the women of the Salem Seven, only surviving the fight with the appearance of Scarlet Witch. It's funny that this book should come after the '90s throwback DEADPOOL issue because that issue made fun of the '90s tradition of long-winded mid-fight exposition, among other things, then here all of that is in a real, non-tongue-in-cheek FANTASTIC FOUR book. Just further highlights why books aren't written that way any more. As ever, this book drags, the dialogue is terrible, and nobody has a thought they don't shout to the world. Total Score: 1/5
Magneto 9
Magneto sets off for Genosha, where he's learned more atrocities are being committed. He recalls times in the concentration camp as he finds mutants and Inhumans imprisoned at Genosha, held by the Red Skull, who Magneto soon learns has old friend Charles Xavier's brain. In his anger and his desire for justice, he goes alone to attack Skull and his S-Men only to be humiliated by the S-Men and captured. It's as dark an issue as that summary would make you expect, but it's a pretty good issue as Magneto fails for pretty much the first time in this series and as we get a little bit of a teaser of what we can expect out of the upcoming AXIS. More strong work out of Bunn, Walta, and Bellaire on this series. Total Score: 4/5
New Warriors 9
Scarlet Spider wants to quit the team and the mountain has brought him "home," which, to his chagrin, means Houston. He and Justice fight about the team and about Scarlet Spider's heroism but the two are interrupted by Choke the Bear, a giant former NBA mascot granted insane powers and size by a meteorite that once crashed through his court and landed on him. As Scarlet Spider tries to leave, hoping that Choke, who is set on fighting a villain in Houston, will follow him, he runs into old friend and police lieutenant Wally Layton who tells him that he was wrong when he blamed Kaine for Houston's problems, that Kaine really was a hero and saved the city and his own life multiple times. Kaine reluctantly goes back and, with the help of Justice, takes Choke down, even more reluctantly agreeing to stick with the team. Meanwhile, Aracely reveals to Speedball that Mictlan is coming and she will die soon. This issue is a lot of fun and Yost again shows off his prowess for taking any character, giving them a unique voice, and making you care about them. Everyone on the team gets at least one line this time out and there's not really a wasted line. Everything is meant to color a character or to advance the plot and it all works really well. Excellent work as ever and the book continues to be a really entertaining read. Really sad this one's ending. Total Score: 5/5
Nightcrawler 6
Nightcrawler and Scorpion-Boy team to fight their way through the Crimson Pirates in their attempt to save mutant genius Ziggy Karst. Together they plow through the pirates with seeming ease and Nightcrawler begins to believe there's more to it than the pirates just killing a bunch of people to get to Karst. Indeed, when they finally rescue Karst (who is immediately taken with Rico), they find that the pirates have been shooting everyone but the guns have been teleporting them to interdimensional slaver Tullamore Voge. Nightcrawler uses the gun on himself and rescues the civilians and Ziggy, returning home triumphant again. The book continues to be really start-and-stop with the dialogue and exposition stepping on the toes of the plot and the character-building. The plot twists, too, seem to come out of nowhere, which is kind of what you want a plot twist to do but a twist doesn't mean anything if there's absolutely no precedence for it, as in this case. This is a new mutant we know nothing about being attacked by pirates we haven't seen in decades for a slaver we haven't seen in decades and it's all over and done with in one issue. What a weird book. Total Score: 2/5
All-New Ultimates 8
Deadpool 34
In another throwback story, this one tied to ORIGINAL SIN, we learn that Deadpool used to work willingly (sort of) for Butler, giving him his blood and doing jobs for him. His personality is still there but there is an element of coercion to it. Things come to a head when Butler, testing the limits of Deadpool's subservience, sends Deadpool to kill his own parents. After a brief encounter with Alpha Flight, Deadpool burns his childhood home down with his parents sleeping inside. He returns home to find Carmelita on Butler's doorstep with little Ellie. Butler takes a blood sample from Ellie before Deadpool sends them away, shouting about how dangerous he is. He also leaves Butler's employ, leading to Butler to capture him covertly whenever he needs a new sample. Back in the present, Adsit has seen all of this courtesy of the truth bomb but Preston refuses to let Deadpool know about it. It's a pretty strong issue with the expected amounts of '90s comic-book references and homages which tend to be a lot of fun but can also carry on a little long. Instead, here, Duggan and Posehn front-load the issue with such references (making it a little bit of a drag but not giving it enough time to really slow things) and then really put some weight in the back half. Pretty strong stuff. Total Score: 4/5
Fantastic Four 10
Magneto 9
Magneto sets off for Genosha, where he's learned more atrocities are being committed. He recalls times in the concentration camp as he finds mutants and Inhumans imprisoned at Genosha, held by the Red Skull, who Magneto soon learns has old friend Charles Xavier's brain. In his anger and his desire for justice, he goes alone to attack Skull and his S-Men only to be humiliated by the S-Men and captured. It's as dark an issue as that summary would make you expect, but it's a pretty good issue as Magneto fails for pretty much the first time in this series and as we get a little bit of a teaser of what we can expect out of the upcoming AXIS. More strong work out of Bunn, Walta, and Bellaire on this series. Total Score: 4/5
New Warriors 9
Nightcrawler 6
Nightcrawler and Scorpion-Boy team to fight their way through the Crimson Pirates in their attempt to save mutant genius Ziggy Karst. Together they plow through the pirates with seeming ease and Nightcrawler begins to believe there's more to it than the pirates just killing a bunch of people to get to Karst. Indeed, when they finally rescue Karst (who is immediately taken with Rico), they find that the pirates have been shooting everyone but the guns have been teleporting them to interdimensional slaver Tullamore Voge. Nightcrawler uses the gun on himself and rescues the civilians and Ziggy, returning home triumphant again. The book continues to be really start-and-stop with the dialogue and exposition stepping on the toes of the plot and the character-building. The plot twists, too, seem to come out of nowhere, which is kind of what you want a plot twist to do but a twist doesn't mean anything if there's absolutely no precedence for it, as in this case. This is a new mutant we know nothing about being attacked by pirates we haven't seen in decades for a slaver we haven't seen in decades and it's all over and done with in one issue. What a weird book. Total Score: 2/5
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Comics this week
Okay, we're going to switch it up because I'm not super-duper thrilled about the books out this week. I don't love going negative buuuuuuuuuuut, after some ridiculous amount of these posts, I'm going to mention the five books I'm least excited about because I think I can reach five without stretching, which I'm not sure I could do going the normal way. Sorry pals who don't like when I get negative. Just know, as is the nature of comics, any one of these could be great this week. I'm just not thrilled with them ahead.
All-New Invaders 9
Have I mentioned that I really love the Invaders and I'm really sad by how much I don't like this book? Because that certainly is the case. We'll see as they enter their third arc if things have changed any for this book.
All-New Ultimates 7
I had to read one of these last week! Why is there another one so soon? Maybe releasing them back to back means they won't have to spend most of the issue recapping who all these meaningless and uninteresting characters are.
All-New X-Men 31
Geez, we're three-fifths of the way into this post and we're STILL stuck in the ALL-NEW section. I've been against this book from its very premise so maybe some people have already written off my opinion (teamed also with my typical dislike for series writer Brian Michael Bendis) but if that's true, why do you keep coming back? Look, now I'm not just negative, I'm openly confrontational and argumentative. Feh. What did I hope to accomplish with this post?
Savage Hulk 3
Are we still in the first arc or did we get past that? I honestly can't remember. I certainly have not enjoyed this series as it's started, though I think there's still hope for a book like this one. I've just been real bored to this point, am I right?
Wolverine 12
Perhaps a controversial pick as Paul Cornell's second WOLVERINE series comes to a close and we prepare to move forward to the DEATH OF WOLVERINE mini-series but that doesn't mean I'm willing to forgive this last issue. Maybe my point for this post was just to include books that will likely never make it on to a typical pre-game post. Hey all you books, you can all try to be a DEADPOOL and turn around enough to at least be in consideration.
All-New Invaders 9
Have I mentioned that I really love the Invaders and I'm really sad by how much I don't like this book? Because that certainly is the case. We'll see as they enter their third arc if things have changed any for this book.
All-New Ultimates 7
I had to read one of these last week! Why is there another one so soon? Maybe releasing them back to back means they won't have to spend most of the issue recapping who all these meaningless and uninteresting characters are.
All-New X-Men 31
Geez, we're three-fifths of the way into this post and we're STILL stuck in the ALL-NEW section. I've been against this book from its very premise so maybe some people have already written off my opinion (teamed also with my typical dislike for series writer Brian Michael Bendis) but if that's true, why do you keep coming back? Look, now I'm not just negative, I'm openly confrontational and argumentative. Feh. What did I hope to accomplish with this post?
Savage Hulk 3
Are we still in the first arc or did we get past that? I honestly can't remember. I certainly have not enjoyed this series as it's started, though I think there's still hope for a book like this one. I've just been real bored to this point, am I right?
Wolverine 12
Perhaps a controversial pick as Paul Cornell's second WOLVERINE series comes to a close and we prepare to move forward to the DEATH OF WOLVERINE mini-series but that doesn't mean I'm willing to forgive this last issue. Maybe my point for this post was just to include books that will likely never make it on to a typical pre-game post. Hey all you books, you can all try to be a DEADPOOL and turn around enough to at least be in consideration.
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Leftovers 8-20-14
Okay, let's try this again, hm? Fortunately it was a more laid-back week for comics than we've had in a while so I have fewer to deal with here! And they're mostly pretty alright! Let's get it started.
All-New Ghost Rider 6
F. Smith (w) and D. Scott (p) and Campanella (i) and Staples and Sobreiro (c) and Caramagna (l)
Zabo's defeat has improved the community already and the locals are talking about the community's protector, though they know very little about the new Ghost Rider. Meanwhile, Robbie has stopped listening to Eli for the time being about vengeance and punishment and so on, to the chagrin of the spirit, and has instead focused on improving life for him and brother Gabe. It's working wonderfully as Robbie has been making good money winning street races and has been able to spend more time with Gabe, which has led to great strides in his education, but may be short-lived as Zabo prepares Guero for the next step. Bit of a rest issue here, which makes the change in art less jarring than it might be otherwise (strange that I'm calling something "less jarring" than Tradd Moore's kinetic and exciting style. It's another good issue and sets us up for a few big upcoming arcs, including things to do with Eli, a mysterious visitor, and Guero/Zabo. Plenty going on as this series continues. Total Score: 4/5
All-New Ultimates 6
Fiffe (w) and Pinna (a) and Woodard (c) and Cowles (l)
The war between the new Ultimates and the Skulls continue and they fight and fight and fight and fight and fight and fight and then the police show up but it's too late for the church and everyone gets away. It's probably a sign that your book isn't so entertaining that you have to CONSTANTLY spend the first ten pages just identifying all the players. Maybe clear some things up? Or put in a recap page with the character names and pictures? So pretty much just a fight with stakes I'm not sure about and characters I certainly don't have any connection to. Total Score: 1/5
All-New X-Factor 12
David (w) and Di Giandomenico (a) and Loughridge (c) and Petit (l)
Quicksilver reports in to Havok, who decides that Lorna is doing just fine and Quicksilver can return to the Avengers again, an invitation which Quicksilver declines. Later, X-Factor is part of a press conference as Serval reveals the team and announces their intentions. Quicksilver again causes a bit of a stir when he's accused from the crowd of being a criminal. He admits to the charges and asks forgiveness for his many problems, saying that he'll await the decision of the rest of the world as to his fate. The only visitor he receives, though, is his estranged daughter Luna, who forgives him for his past and embraces him again, proud of his admission. It's a nice issue and it gives us a chance to see what the whole of the team is up to as we get a little bit of intrigue from each member. It's an issue that reminds us how good David can be at constructing a team and showing us how that team ticks. Total Score: 4/5
Deadly Hands of Kung Fu 4
M. Benson (w) and Huat (p) and Yeung (i) and Aburtov (c) and Sabino (l)
Midnight Sun's ritual ends up resurrecting Leiko as he screws things up pretty bad, overconfident about his power. Leiko, now emboldened with mystical powers, manages to beat up Midnight Sun, Razor Fist, and Black Ghost. And by beat up, I mostly mean "tries to kill all of them, though only succeeds at killing Black Ghost because Shang Chi stops her from killing the others." With Midnight Sun defeated, Shang Chi pays his final respects to Leiko and prepares to go home, though it seems possible he's not done with Leiko just yet. This is another one of those "tough to review" sorts of issues because it's certainly not unreadable but it's also not necessarily a story I'm super into. I like Huat's art, just as I came to love it in X-MEN LEGACY, so that helps this one. I can't really get too into this one though as it becomes difficult to understand the stakes of this whole arc. Total Score: 3/5
Deadpool vs. X-Force 3
Swierczyinski (w) and Larraz (a) and Woodard (c) and Sabino (l)
The inhibitor Deadpool placed on Cable controls his physical actions but Cable's telekinesis is still going strong, allowing him to at least stay a step ahead of Deadpool. He pretends to be under Deadpool's control a little longer as he learns what's really happening. Talbot didn't hire Deadpool to save his grandson, he hired him to change history so he can make America the greatest nation on Earth by annihilating at the start of each war and conquering nation after nation. Cable blasts Deadpool to pieces and sets about trying to restore the timeline, though Deadpool isn't done yet. Not a bad issue and there are some interesting ideas here, but ultimately the tone feels a little off balance, particularly as Deadpool's fourth-wall breaking clashes with Cable's seriousness. Total Score: 3/5
Magneto 8
Bunn (w) and J. Fernandez (a) and D. Brown (c) and Petit (l)
Magneto finds the lab producing the MGH he discovered last issue. The SHIELD team on his trail manages to find him there, gunning down the MGH-enhanced guards, though Magneto gets away with the MGH cook, to whom he offers a job. The issue works pretty well to keep the story moving forward and to give us more of a sense of where Magneto's at these days. It moves well and it reinforces Magneto's purpose. It gets a little preachy but preachiness is rather at the core of Magneto so, I suppose, great character work? In other news, Apu might get deported! How many more books are there to review? Total Score: 4/5
Original Sins 5
Dum Dum Dugan: Ewing (w) and Guice (p) and Hanna (i) and M. Wilson (c) and Cowles (l)
Young Avengers: North (w) and Villalobos (a) and Gibson (c) and Cowles (l)
The Rest: Zdarsky
Story one finds Dum Dum Dugan learning that he's been dead since the war and that Fury created the most lifelike LMD to replace him, even getting him to believe he's a real boy. Dum Dum shoots himself in the head and asks Fury not to rebuild him, which seems unlikely. The Young Avengers finish out their story as they turn the tables on Hood, though he does manage to escape so, kind of a loss. On the plus side, Prodigy reveals that the code he set up is a one-time pad code on the information, which makes it nearly impossible to access again. Except, as it happens, for Prodigy, a fact which he conceals from his team. Finally, Chip Zdarsky brings us a great two-page interrogation of the Marvel Universe wherein tons of characters reveal their darkest secrets to Nick Fury, who is actually an impostor, as discovered by the real Nick Fury by the end. Pretty good stuff all around, particularly in the ending to the Young Avengers story and the Zdarsky story. Total Score: 4/5
Savage Wolverine 22
Arcudi (w) and Quinones (a and c) and Petit (l)
Wolverine stops the German from radioing for artillery, though his shock at the appearance of the man from his dreams makes him paranoid and he lashes out at Link before channelling that rage into attacking the remaining Germans, who eventually surrender, managing to shake Wolverine out of his animal rage. He realizes that maybe the German he already attacked isn't quite dead and he rushes off to make sure no artillery is called in. He succeeds in stopping the German, but they manage to see each other as humans and not animals or enemies, sharing one peaceful moment before the German dies. It's a pretty strong conclusion to the little arc as it hits on one of the biggest Wolverine themes, the idea of his separate animal and human natures. It's strong work and the very talented Joe Quinones does some really impressive things in this issue (he's also a very nice guy that I met at Boston Comic-Con and from whom my girlfriend and I bought really great prints). Total Score: 4/5
Storm 2
Pak (w) and Ibanez (a) and Redmond (c) and Petit (l)
Storm, dedicated to helping make the world a better place whatever way she can, sees a lost-child poster and decides to find her. With Beast's help, she manages to find the girl through a burner cellphone she'd picked up along the way and it leads her to the subway, where she runs afoul of Callisto, formerly of the Morlocks. Storm attacks her old nemesis, though she eventually busts into Callisto's hideout, a simple but pleasant room in the tunnels where a number of runaways have gathered and seem to be having a good time, each and every one from homes worse than this one. Callisto swears she's not raising an army, that those days are behind her, and that she's just helping these kids have a place to go. Storm apologizes and sets Callisto up with a little more tech, swearing to stay out of her way but has Beast continue to keep an eye on her. So, okay, admittedly, Storm didn't really do much except attack someone apparently doing the right thing and eventually provide a water filtration system to same. Still, the writing is pretty strong (though I still don't really like Wolverine and Storm as a relationship) and the book moves well as Storm learns a valuable lesson. I hope. Total Score: 3/5
Wolverine Annual 1
Kalan (w) and Marks (a) and Villarrubia (c) and Petit (l)
Wolverine, Jubilee, and Shogo go camping, both to spend some time together and so Wolverine will feel better about Jubilee being without him if something should happen to him. It's constantly proved to him throughout the day as she gets along with the wolves that visit family member Wolverine and as she takes charge to recover Shogo from a camping army couple who misinterpret the situation badly and try to do the right thing. Wolverine is even more impressed when Jubilee manages to rein herself in enough not to kill the couple as things start to head that way. It's a pretty strong issue by Elliot Kalan with solid art and some well-developed characters, though, as with many annual issues, it ends up being thirty pages and feels like it's stretching a bit to reach the count. Still not bad. Except Kalan to do more with Marvel as things move forward. Total Score: 4/5
All-New Ghost Rider 6
F. Smith (w) and D. Scott (p) and Campanella (i) and Staples and Sobreiro (c) and Caramagna (l)
All-New Ultimates 6
Fiffe (w) and Pinna (a) and Woodard (c) and Cowles (l)
The war between the new Ultimates and the Skulls continue and they fight and fight and fight and fight and fight and fight and then the police show up but it's too late for the church and everyone gets away. It's probably a sign that your book isn't so entertaining that you have to CONSTANTLY spend the first ten pages just identifying all the players. Maybe clear some things up? Or put in a recap page with the character names and pictures? So pretty much just a fight with stakes I'm not sure about and characters I certainly don't have any connection to. Total Score: 1/5
All-New X-Factor 12
David (w) and Di Giandomenico (a) and Loughridge (c) and Petit (l)
Deadly Hands of Kung Fu 4
M. Benson (w) and Huat (p) and Yeung (i) and Aburtov (c) and Sabino (l)
Midnight Sun's ritual ends up resurrecting Leiko as he screws things up pretty bad, overconfident about his power. Leiko, now emboldened with mystical powers, manages to beat up Midnight Sun, Razor Fist, and Black Ghost. And by beat up, I mostly mean "tries to kill all of them, though only succeeds at killing Black Ghost because Shang Chi stops her from killing the others." With Midnight Sun defeated, Shang Chi pays his final respects to Leiko and prepares to go home, though it seems possible he's not done with Leiko just yet. This is another one of those "tough to review" sorts of issues because it's certainly not unreadable but it's also not necessarily a story I'm super into. I like Huat's art, just as I came to love it in X-MEN LEGACY, so that helps this one. I can't really get too into this one though as it becomes difficult to understand the stakes of this whole arc. Total Score: 3/5
Deadpool vs. X-Force 3
Swierczyinski (w) and Larraz (a) and Woodard (c) and Sabino (l)
The inhibitor Deadpool placed on Cable controls his physical actions but Cable's telekinesis is still going strong, allowing him to at least stay a step ahead of Deadpool. He pretends to be under Deadpool's control a little longer as he learns what's really happening. Talbot didn't hire Deadpool to save his grandson, he hired him to change history so he can make America the greatest nation on Earth by annihilating at the start of each war and conquering nation after nation. Cable blasts Deadpool to pieces and sets about trying to restore the timeline, though Deadpool isn't done yet. Not a bad issue and there are some interesting ideas here, but ultimately the tone feels a little off balance, particularly as Deadpool's fourth-wall breaking clashes with Cable's seriousness. Total Score: 3/5
Magneto 8
Bunn (w) and J. Fernandez (a) and D. Brown (c) and Petit (l)
Original Sins 5
Dum Dum Dugan: Ewing (w) and Guice (p) and Hanna (i) and M. Wilson (c) and Cowles (l)
Young Avengers: North (w) and Villalobos (a) and Gibson (c) and Cowles (l)
The Rest: Zdarsky
Story one finds Dum Dum Dugan learning that he's been dead since the war and that Fury created the most lifelike LMD to replace him, even getting him to believe he's a real boy. Dum Dum shoots himself in the head and asks Fury not to rebuild him, which seems unlikely. The Young Avengers finish out their story as they turn the tables on Hood, though he does manage to escape so, kind of a loss. On the plus side, Prodigy reveals that the code he set up is a one-time pad code on the information, which makes it nearly impossible to access again. Except, as it happens, for Prodigy, a fact which he conceals from his team. Finally, Chip Zdarsky brings us a great two-page interrogation of the Marvel Universe wherein tons of characters reveal their darkest secrets to Nick Fury, who is actually an impostor, as discovered by the real Nick Fury by the end. Pretty good stuff all around, particularly in the ending to the Young Avengers story and the Zdarsky story. Total Score: 4/5
Savage Wolverine 22
Arcudi (w) and Quinones (a and c) and Petit (l)
Storm 2
Pak (w) and Ibanez (a) and Redmond (c) and Petit (l)
Storm, dedicated to helping make the world a better place whatever way she can, sees a lost-child poster and decides to find her. With Beast's help, she manages to find the girl through a burner cellphone she'd picked up along the way and it leads her to the subway, where she runs afoul of Callisto, formerly of the Morlocks. Storm attacks her old nemesis, though she eventually busts into Callisto's hideout, a simple but pleasant room in the tunnels where a number of runaways have gathered and seem to be having a good time, each and every one from homes worse than this one. Callisto swears she's not raising an army, that those days are behind her, and that she's just helping these kids have a place to go. Storm apologizes and sets Callisto up with a little more tech, swearing to stay out of her way but has Beast continue to keep an eye on her. So, okay, admittedly, Storm didn't really do much except attack someone apparently doing the right thing and eventually provide a water filtration system to same. Still, the writing is pretty strong (though I still don't really like Wolverine and Storm as a relationship) and the book moves well as Storm learns a valuable lesson. I hope. Total Score: 3/5
Wolverine Annual 1
Kalan (w) and Marks (a) and Villarrubia (c) and Petit (l)
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Leftovers 7-23-14
100th Anniversary Special Avengers 1
Stokoe
In the future, America has been sent to the Negative Zone in the aftermath of a fight with the Badoon and it's left only Avengers Rogue, Doctor Strange, and Beta Ray Bill (as well as brain-in-a-jar Iron Man) behind. It had left Captain America too but he set off on his own to find his country again. As the remaining Avengers head to their Malaysian base, they're attacked by the Moloids and Mole Man the Third, who blames them for destroying Subterranea. A fight ensues but Doctor Strange focuses all of his energies on creating New Subterranea in the space that used to hold America. The Avengers set off on their new adventures with a new ally in Mole Man. As ever, this 100TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL comes with a lot of backstory and exposition, as well as some choppy dialogue ("ROGUE, you've gotten a special gift from LOGAN that puts you outside of time's regular path and I, DOCTOR STRANGE, have reincarnated so many times that I look the way I do now and am still around, not to mention BETA RAY BILL, who remains a horse!") that is only for the audience, not for the story. Still, writer/artist James Stokoe's style is certainly unique in Marvel (it reminds me of something but I frustratingly can't put a finger on it) so it's worth checking out to see if you like what he brings to the table. It's, uh, not really for me, so... Total Score: 2/5
All-New Doop 4
Milligan (w) and Santagati and Lafuente (a) and L. Allred (c) and Cowles (l)
There's a good deal of Doop backstory as he and his mother argue, with Doop recalling his single mother and her abuse of him in the wake of her husband's departure. He remembers his believed origin, created by filmmaker Ingmar Bergman, and his growth as a documentary filmmaker and eventual cameraman for X-Statix. Finally, though, his mother reveals their deep secret, the one Raze threatened to exploit: he wasn't actually created by Ingmar Bergman. Now, with Doop panicking and exploding through the margins with reverberations felt in the real world, Wolverine goes to talk to Doop's mother himself. I'm beginning to get the feeling that this book isn't for me, you guys. Total Score: 2/5
All-New Invaders 8
J. Robinson (w) and Pugh (a) and Guru eFX (c) and Petit (l)
Human Torch is mad with SHIELD for the perceived slight of having a robot psychiatrist evaluate him and then attack him only to have Coulson explain that it wasn't them, that Malloy was some sort of half-tech, half-alien combo not under their employ. Satisfied, Hammond moves on to his next mission, to rescue the kidnapped Toro, whose powers weren't mutant after all, but latent Inhuman powers so he actually cocooned and was kidnapped during INHUMANITY. The report comes in from an informant who turns out to be Winter Soldier and Torch and Namor meet up with him outside a German base. They create a distraction while Bucky goes in quiet to try to find Toro. However, the distraction starts to go poorly when it turns out the base is protected by an army of Deathloks. There's something like an interesting story here but it's still handcuffed by stilted writing that over explains EVERYTHING (except how you could have Inhuman powers, particularly to the extent Toro has had them, without ever being exposed to the Terrigen Mists, am I right, guys?) and switches tone so rapidly ("I'm annoyed about the robot thing and NOW I'M MAD ABOUT THE ROBOT THING and now I'm calm because it was just a giant security breach for the world's biggest defense agency and not an insult"). Still hate to say that I do not like this book. Total Score: 2/5
All-New Ultimates 5
Fiffe (w) and Pinna (a) and Woodard (c) and Cowles (l)
Bombshell, under the control of Diamondback, lures the Ultimates back to their base where they're attacked by Diamondback's gang again. Again the Ultimates seem to be well-matched enough against Diamondback's lieutenants but the tables turn when Crossbones enters the fray. Before anything too serious can become of our heroes, though, Bombshell snaps out of her mind-control and pretty much blows the place up, determined to finish the people who killed her boyfriend and controlled her. I typically end up giving the benefit of a doubt to a story, believing there are ways that a mediocre book could turn around and that the story itself could be interesting if the writing could get out of its way, but I honestly can't separate the writing from the story here. It's all acting so tough and it seems Fiffe wants to take the classic street-level heroes trope in Marvel and really embroil it in a sort of gritty super-powered gang war. It's not coming off as gritty though, it's coming off as a bunch of kids from the '80s trying to act tough and it's not working for me on any level. We'll continue this week's leftovers and tough scores with a Total Score: 1/5
Deadpool 32
Posehn and Duggan (w) and Lucas (a) and Staples (c) and Sabino (l)
Deadpool arrives in Chicago, quickly ascertains the whereabouts of Utler and Ellie, and heads for them. He's stopped by ULTIMATUM henchmen, who shoot him in the head to put him down, and move on their way to capture Ellie. When they corner Utler and Ellie in an alleyway, Ulter has a heart attack, which proves an ample distraction for Deadpool to re-emerge from ULTIMATUM's van and rescue Ellie. He takes her into a nearby building, hoping it's more easily defensible than outside, and waits. There's a lot going on in this issue (and some that still needs to be explained, like the re-emergence of ULTIMATUM and how they got their info) not to mention that Adsit is having some trouble dealing with what he saw in the truth bomb, which was Deadpool's gruesome murder of his own parents, and Posehn and Duggan just keep pushing along. There's a nice desperation and determination to Deadpool in this issue as he does whatever it takes to save his daughter and it's an interesting look at a character who doesn't usually get those adjectives added to him. Total Score: 4/5
Deadpool vs. X-Force 2
Swierczynski (w) and Larraz (a) and Woodard (c) and Sabino (l)
Deadpool's gathered some Confederate troops to fire on the oncoming X-Force and he hints that maybe Talbot, the man who hired him and subsequently hired Cable to track him, had some darker motives behind this whole quest. The whole fight is made tricker when the Union forces appear replete with battle suits and all manner of other tech to help their side win. Cable, recognizing how unbalanced history has become because of Deadpool's interference, pops back to their last stop where Cannonball and Boom Boom are waiting and tells them they must ensure that the Americans lose the battle starting outside to the British to maintain history. Neither want to but they seem to understand the implications. While Domino and Warpath try to stall history's changes in the Civil War by fighting against both sides, Cable and Deadpool jump through another portal to 1900 China and Deadpool slaps a mind control sort of choker on Cable. I like the way Cable's presented in this, constantly calculating what needs to happen to keep the future safe and multitasking to get word to his group all while still battling Deadpool. It's a strong look at the character and the story is interesting enough to keep things moving. The bounces through time and between people make for a pretty quick read too. Total Score: 4/5
Mighty Avengers 12
Ewing (w) and Land (p) and Leisten (i) and Milla (c) and Petit (l)
Luke's father finishes his story, talking about Deathwalkers and sacrifices to empower them and human/animal hybrids (which The Bear and the Bat-Man they faced last issue are) meant for more powerful sacrifice and how Cage's father was scared in the face of such supernatural and super-powered beings and pushed his son away when he began to embrace that lifestyle. The explanation works for Luke, who forgives his father pretty quickly and welcomes him back into his life. Meanwhile, Kaluu and Constance Molina hire the Mighty Avengers to find the Talisman of Kamar-Taj, which is being used by the Deathwalkers in their sacrifice of half-human/half-vampire Blade to end the world. Reading and writing that summary made me like this issue better than I had, which sometimes happens when I'm confused by a plot and work it out for the blog but also happens when an issue's story is more interesting than the issue. The latter is the case here, as the issue gets really dragged down in its own mythology and buries the more interesting story behind explanations and character diagrams. Total Score: 3/5
Original Sins 4
Doctor Doom: J. Robinson (w) and Maleev (a) and C. Peter (c) and Cowles (l)
Young Avengers: North (w) and Villalobos (a) and J. Gibson (c) and Cowles and Winecoor (l)
Captain America: Abadta and Durá (w) and E. Henderson (a) and Cowles (l)
A villainous businessman learns some secrets that could compromise Doctor Doom and attempts to blackmail him, sending the data out to some loved ones first but, as he waits for a meeting with Doom, everyone who could possibly have the data dies and he's ushered into his meeting. Hood finally shows his betrayal of the Young Avengers as Marvel Boy realizes he's uploaded all the information to the internet with an encryption only Hood can use, putting immense amounts of possible world-changing data at his and only his fingertips. A grown man at a superhero parade remembers that, as a boy in the Arctic, he unwittingly peed on the ice Captain America was frozen into. Pretty decent issue all around. The villainous businessman is so over-the-top villainous that it almost undermines the deviousness of Doctor Doom but the story isn't bad and Alex Maleev's art stands out as it typically does. The Young Avengers story is starting to clear up bit-by-bit and North shows us texts sent out by Noh-Varr and Hulkling to the other Young Avengers that explains their absence and are good for a laugh. The final story, as ever, is a bit of a throwaway but Erica Henderson's art is decidedly different from most Marvel art and works for the story. Probably the best one of these we've seen so far. Total Score: 4/5
Wolverine and the X-Men 6
Latour (w) and Asrar, Larraz, Messina, and Veltri w/Deering (a) and Silva (c) and Cowles (l)
So the future Phoenix (the future Quentin Quire) sent Edan Younge and Faithful John back in time to convince present Quire and to kill present Evan, respectively, to ensure a future where the Phoenix reigns and future Quire ends up with Idie. From what I can gather. Meanwhile, future Logan and present Idie and Quire slay future Quire, who admits that everything is more or less to protect his own ego, which cuts to the core of present Quire. With the threat receded and the cleanup underway, Faithful John is held in a prison in The World and present Quire inherits the Phoenix Corporation, quickly making him a billionaire. I'm not sure there's been a book where I've appreciated the recap page more. This arc has been rather confusing with hints of an interesting story from time to time but altogether buried under the weight of its own plot. It's certainly readable and there are some interesting ideas in its conclusion but it's lacking overall. Total Score: 3/5
Stokoe
All-New Doop 4
Milligan (w) and Santagati and Lafuente (a) and L. Allred (c) and Cowles (l)
There's a good deal of Doop backstory as he and his mother argue, with Doop recalling his single mother and her abuse of him in the wake of her husband's departure. He remembers his believed origin, created by filmmaker Ingmar Bergman, and his growth as a documentary filmmaker and eventual cameraman for X-Statix. Finally, though, his mother reveals their deep secret, the one Raze threatened to exploit: he wasn't actually created by Ingmar Bergman. Now, with Doop panicking and exploding through the margins with reverberations felt in the real world, Wolverine goes to talk to Doop's mother himself. I'm beginning to get the feeling that this book isn't for me, you guys. Total Score: 2/5
All-New Invaders 8
J. Robinson (w) and Pugh (a) and Guru eFX (c) and Petit (l)
Human Torch is mad with SHIELD for the perceived slight of having a robot psychiatrist evaluate him and then attack him only to have Coulson explain that it wasn't them, that Malloy was some sort of half-tech, half-alien combo not under their employ. Satisfied, Hammond moves on to his next mission, to rescue the kidnapped Toro, whose powers weren't mutant after all, but latent Inhuman powers so he actually cocooned and was kidnapped during INHUMANITY. The report comes in from an informant who turns out to be Winter Soldier and Torch and Namor meet up with him outside a German base. They create a distraction while Bucky goes in quiet to try to find Toro. However, the distraction starts to go poorly when it turns out the base is protected by an army of Deathloks. There's something like an interesting story here but it's still handcuffed by stilted writing that over explains EVERYTHING (except how you could have Inhuman powers, particularly to the extent Toro has had them, without ever being exposed to the Terrigen Mists, am I right, guys?) and switches tone so rapidly ("I'm annoyed about the robot thing and NOW I'M MAD ABOUT THE ROBOT THING and now I'm calm because it was just a giant security breach for the world's biggest defense agency and not an insult"). Still hate to say that I do not like this book. Total Score: 2/5
All-New Ultimates 5
Fiffe (w) and Pinna (a) and Woodard (c) and Cowles (l)
Deadpool 32
Posehn and Duggan (w) and Lucas (a) and Staples (c) and Sabino (l)
Deadpool arrives in Chicago, quickly ascertains the whereabouts of Utler and Ellie, and heads for them. He's stopped by ULTIMATUM henchmen, who shoot him in the head to put him down, and move on their way to capture Ellie. When they corner Utler and Ellie in an alleyway, Ulter has a heart attack, which proves an ample distraction for Deadpool to re-emerge from ULTIMATUM's van and rescue Ellie. He takes her into a nearby building, hoping it's more easily defensible than outside, and waits. There's a lot going on in this issue (and some that still needs to be explained, like the re-emergence of ULTIMATUM and how they got their info) not to mention that Adsit is having some trouble dealing with what he saw in the truth bomb, which was Deadpool's gruesome murder of his own parents, and Posehn and Duggan just keep pushing along. There's a nice desperation and determination to Deadpool in this issue as he does whatever it takes to save his daughter and it's an interesting look at a character who doesn't usually get those adjectives added to him. Total Score: 4/5
Deadpool vs. X-Force 2
Swierczynski (w) and Larraz (a) and Woodard (c) and Sabino (l)
Deadpool's gathered some Confederate troops to fire on the oncoming X-Force and he hints that maybe Talbot, the man who hired him and subsequently hired Cable to track him, had some darker motives behind this whole quest. The whole fight is made tricker when the Union forces appear replete with battle suits and all manner of other tech to help their side win. Cable, recognizing how unbalanced history has become because of Deadpool's interference, pops back to their last stop where Cannonball and Boom Boom are waiting and tells them they must ensure that the Americans lose the battle starting outside to the British to maintain history. Neither want to but they seem to understand the implications. While Domino and Warpath try to stall history's changes in the Civil War by fighting against both sides, Cable and Deadpool jump through another portal to 1900 China and Deadpool slaps a mind control sort of choker on Cable. I like the way Cable's presented in this, constantly calculating what needs to happen to keep the future safe and multitasking to get word to his group all while still battling Deadpool. It's a strong look at the character and the story is interesting enough to keep things moving. The bounces through time and between people make for a pretty quick read too. Total Score: 4/5Mighty Avengers 12
Ewing (w) and Land (p) and Leisten (i) and Milla (c) and Petit (l)
Luke's father finishes his story, talking about Deathwalkers and sacrifices to empower them and human/animal hybrids (which The Bear and the Bat-Man they faced last issue are) meant for more powerful sacrifice and how Cage's father was scared in the face of such supernatural and super-powered beings and pushed his son away when he began to embrace that lifestyle. The explanation works for Luke, who forgives his father pretty quickly and welcomes him back into his life. Meanwhile, Kaluu and Constance Molina hire the Mighty Avengers to find the Talisman of Kamar-Taj, which is being used by the Deathwalkers in their sacrifice of half-human/half-vampire Blade to end the world. Reading and writing that summary made me like this issue better than I had, which sometimes happens when I'm confused by a plot and work it out for the blog but also happens when an issue's story is more interesting than the issue. The latter is the case here, as the issue gets really dragged down in its own mythology and buries the more interesting story behind explanations and character diagrams. Total Score: 3/5
Original Sins 4
Doctor Doom: J. Robinson (w) and Maleev (a) and C. Peter (c) and Cowles (l)
Young Avengers: North (w) and Villalobos (a) and J. Gibson (c) and Cowles and Winecoor (l)
Captain America: Abadta and Durá (w) and E. Henderson (a) and Cowles (l)
A villainous businessman learns some secrets that could compromise Doctor Doom and attempts to blackmail him, sending the data out to some loved ones first but, as he waits for a meeting with Doom, everyone who could possibly have the data dies and he's ushered into his meeting. Hood finally shows his betrayal of the Young Avengers as Marvel Boy realizes he's uploaded all the information to the internet with an encryption only Hood can use, putting immense amounts of possible world-changing data at his and only his fingertips. A grown man at a superhero parade remembers that, as a boy in the Arctic, he unwittingly peed on the ice Captain America was frozen into. Pretty decent issue all around. The villainous businessman is so over-the-top villainous that it almost undermines the deviousness of Doctor Doom but the story isn't bad and Alex Maleev's art stands out as it typically does. The Young Avengers story is starting to clear up bit-by-bit and North shows us texts sent out by Noh-Varr and Hulkling to the other Young Avengers that explains their absence and are good for a laugh. The final story, as ever, is a bit of a throwaway but Erica Henderson's art is decidedly different from most Marvel art and works for the story. Probably the best one of these we've seen so far. Total Score: 4/5
Wolverine and the X-Men 6
Latour (w) and Asrar, Larraz, Messina, and Veltri w/Deering (a) and Silva (c) and Cowles (l)
Sunday, June 29, 2014
And the rest
Sorry for all of those days off this week. Sadly, I think it's probably set to be more the norm than the exception here. I'm likely going to change from a "Reviews all major Marvel releases" to a "Reads all major Marvel releases and tells you which ones to read" sort of thing. So here's where the rest of this week's books landed themselves. Search out the pictures for the quick hits of the (admittedly predictable) top-rated in this group!
All-New Doop 3
Milligan (w) and Lafuente and Camagni (a) and L. Allred (c) and Cowles (l)
Doop keeps trying to help out in the Battle of the Atom but things aren't working so well. He can't out future Kitty as Raze because he fears Raze knows something about Doop's mother, who Doop fears. His only real help is temporarily taking Kitty and Bobby out of the fight so they can break up in peace. He then confronts his mother with the help of a couple X-Statix members. It continues to be hard to rate this book because I continue to not know exactly what it's hoping to accomplish so I can't rightly say if it's done so or not. 3/5
All-New Ghost Rider 4
F. Smith (w) and T. Moore (a) and Staples (c) and Caramagna (l)
Robbie, the new Ghost Rider, encounters and fights a Hyde-serum boosted Grumpy but has to flee the fight, promising to get stronger. Meanwhile, Dr. Zabu has decided Grumpy needs to be dealt with and, with a new and more powerful pill, begins recruiting an army, including Robbie's daytime nemesis Guero. This book continues to have a pretty strong through line and Tradd Moore's art continues to really fit the tone and action. Strong stuff. 5/5
All-New Ultimates
Fiffe (w) and Pinna (a) and Woodard (c) and Cowles (l)
It's beach day for the girls of the All-New Ultimates and they play in the arcade, tan, and gossip while Cloak works on his powers and Spider-Man asks Ganke about what his kiss with a villain means for his relationship with Kate Bishop. Also, Jessica Drew comes out as a lesbian and Bombshell's boyfriend is killed by Diamondback and her crew, luring Bombshell back to his place, where she's captured and drugged into subservience. It's too bad the reveal of a possibly strong gay character is buried by a book that's so boring and eye-rollingly uninteresting. 2/5
Amazing Spider-Man 3
Slott (w) and Ramos (p) and Olazaba (i) and Delgado (c) and Eliopoulos (l)
Peter is trying to get his workers to like him, now that he's removed from Doc Ock, but it doesn't quite work out. Still, his new aim to safely capture Electro and bid for a new prison contract is met with lukewarm response at best, even when he takes a few of his key scientists out to view a fire started by Electro. As Spider-Man has to scurry away to help deal with the fire, he determines that MJ's new boyfriend is a pretty good guy and runs afoul of a very angry Black Cat, who he confuses and evades for the moment by pretending he's still Doc Ock. She flees and finds Electro, with whom she teams. It's not a bad issue, per se, but if you read the entirety of the extra-long AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 1, you probably could skip this one. It's good for building more on these characters but it's not really enough to separate from the bones of that first issue. 3/5
Avengers Undercover 6
Hopeless (w) and Green II (p) and Gorder (i) and Beaulieu (c) and Caramagna (l)
It's time, after a few weeks settling in, for a couple of the Murderworld Bunch (I'll come up with a better name eventually) to go on an actual mission and earn their keep. Chase and Death Locket, accompanied by Death Locket's new romantic interest Excavator and others, jump into a battle on AIM Island in an attempt to steal some tech only to suddenly see Captain America entering the scene. Excavator encourages Death Locket to take the shot on Cap and to take him out, which she very slowly comes around to doing but Chase tackles her as she's shooting, sending the shot elsewhere. He tells her their plan of blending in for now while they find a way to restore hero creed, which leaves her confused when Excavator attacks Chase and the two fight, leaving Death Locket with a choice. She shoots Chase. Strong issue, plenty happening and a nice jump forward in time to let us see what's been going on. Good development for Death Locket too, who was too much a naive pawn in the last series to get a ton of characterization. 5/5
Deadpool vs. Carnage 4
Bunn (w) and Espin (a) and Gandini (c) and Sabino (l)
A newly en-symbioted Deadpool attacks Carnage, still trying to convince him that he's predictable, at least to Deadpool. The two fight and fight with Carnage refusing to believe Deadpool's claims, still believing himself to be his own man. However, when Deadpool tricks him into killing Shriek by understanding the way he thinks, Carnage has to reassess. He delivers himself to the police office in the hopes that his imprisonment will give him a chance to think some things over. Deadpool wins another one though this one really felt like it had lost its focus from the start. But maybe, given these two characters, that was the aim. 3/5
Fantastic Four 6
J. Robinson (w) and Kirk and Haspiel (p) and Kesel and Haspiel (i) and Aburtov, Gandini, and Woodard (c) and Cowles (l)
The kids have been taken away from the F4 and they return home to find that the courts have also refused them access to the Baxter Building. The Avengers are onsite to keep them out because this book just keeps getting more ridiculous. The kids have learned from a SHIELD agent that Dragon Man is to be deactivated and they appeal to fellow android Human Torch to help their friend. Meanwhile, as ORIGINAL SIN hits, Ben learns that Johnny may be responsible for sabotaging a device that would have reverted Thing back into human form for good. This book has shown again and again that it has a goal and it's willing to walk all over any logic that might stop it from getting to said goal. On top of the insane court case that the F4 and Jen Walters somehow lost, now the Avengers are hired security to ensure a smooth transition because apparently the whole hero community would INSTANTLY turn on the F4 (though, you know, they are pretty boring). 1/5
Guardians of the Galaxy 16
Bendis (w) and Bradshaw, Marquez, and Masters (a) and Ponsor, Delgado, and Villarrubia (c) and Petit (l)
Angela swoops in to save Gamora from the Badoon as Captain Marvel swoops in to save Star-Lord from leaping out of a building to his death. J-Son and Star-Lord have a verbal fight in front of all the cameras J-Son insisted on having to show his son's punishment and it turns many against J-Son as Star-Lord gives an impassioned speech about the role of the Guardians. It even convinces the Supreme Intelligence to release Rocket. Meanwhile, Skrulls try to use the Venom symbiote and fail, which results in their deaths as it reattaches to Flash and Drax is sentenced to death by Gladiator and given the chance to choose his means. He chooses a battle to the death with Gladiator, who accepts. Plenty still happening but I think that the slow issue 15 hurts this one a bit as this one feels very much like the last one but, you know, the opposite? It's kind of hard to explain, but it's a situation where everything is happening so exactly the way they'd want it to happen that it kind of negates any drama from last issue. 3/5
Ms. Marvel 5
G.W. Wilson (w) and Alphona (a) and Herring (c) and Caramagna (l)
Kamala is quickly overwhelmed by The Inventor's henchmen, led by punk scientist Doyle, and forced to flee. She manages it but gets in some trouble with her parents when she returns home less-than-stealthily. She enlists Bruno to help her up her game with training and a new costume. After a montage, she returns to Doyle's place and takes them apart, rescuing Bruno's brother Vick without too much trouble. However, now The Inventor and Doyle's gang are out for blood. Solid issue, complete with some good training for Kamala (and some training that makes a bit of sense, not just a leap to "I'm a superhero now!" status) and good characterization for everyone involved, including Bruno and Kamala's parents. Strong work continues and just look at that McKelvie cover. 5/5
New Warriors 6
Yost (w) and Roche and Baldeon (p) and Roche and Tarragona (i) and Redmond (c) and Caramagna (l)
Wundagore Mountain, thanks to a bit of confusion out of the dog and cat priests (Jake Waffles and Mr. Whiskers), has been transported right to the center of New York City. Fortunately, it's phased a bit out of place and therefore it doesn't actually affect anything around it, just confuses plenty of people, Avengers included. Captain America and Iron Man meet with Justice and Speedball while Thor sits in with the rest of the team (minus Nova, the only one with a connection to Thor, thanks to a previous engagement). While Justice argues with Cap over the meaning of the New Warriors, Water Snake starts to see more visions, eventually attacking Thor because of them. While a big fight breaks out in the middle of Wundagore Mountain, Hummingbird reveals the demon bothering Water Snake and settles everything down, the misunderstanding cleared up. Justice quits the Avengers and dedicates himself to the New Warriors in the face of scrutiny, mistrust, and condescension from Cap. Another strong issue for the young book as fun and energetic voices mix with dark memories and weighty issues. 5/5
Savage Hulk 1
A. Davis (w and p) and Farmer (i) and Hollingsworth (c) and Cowles (l)
In the midst of X-MEN 66, Bruce Banner and the X-Men try to find a way to help Xavier out of his coma. Though Banner's device helps them to do it, it opens up Xavier to realizing he needs to do what he can to help Hulk. He sends his team of X-Men to try and find Hulk and help him find a cure for his situation but Hulk has encountered problems of his own, as the army and the Leader descend on him and as Abomination descends on the X-Men. It's hard to know if a lack of familiarity with the source material is keeping this one confusing for me but it's hard to point to the source material for why this one is so slow. For all of the crossed paths and all the excitement this one feels it should have, it seems to actually carry none of that. It also may have to do with my own distaste for Davis' art. 2/5
All-New Doop 3
Milligan (w) and Lafuente and Camagni (a) and L. Allred (c) and Cowles (l)
Doop keeps trying to help out in the Battle of the Atom but things aren't working so well. He can't out future Kitty as Raze because he fears Raze knows something about Doop's mother, who Doop fears. His only real help is temporarily taking Kitty and Bobby out of the fight so they can break up in peace. He then confronts his mother with the help of a couple X-Statix members. It continues to be hard to rate this book because I continue to not know exactly what it's hoping to accomplish so I can't rightly say if it's done so or not. 3/5
All-New Ghost Rider 4
F. Smith (w) and T. Moore (a) and Staples (c) and Caramagna (l)
All-New Ultimates
Fiffe (w) and Pinna (a) and Woodard (c) and Cowles (l)
It's beach day for the girls of the All-New Ultimates and they play in the arcade, tan, and gossip while Cloak works on his powers and Spider-Man asks Ganke about what his kiss with a villain means for his relationship with Kate Bishop. Also, Jessica Drew comes out as a lesbian and Bombshell's boyfriend is killed by Diamondback and her crew, luring Bombshell back to his place, where she's captured and drugged into subservience. It's too bad the reveal of a possibly strong gay character is buried by a book that's so boring and eye-rollingly uninteresting. 2/5
Amazing Spider-Man 3
Slott (w) and Ramos (p) and Olazaba (i) and Delgado (c) and Eliopoulos (l)
Peter is trying to get his workers to like him, now that he's removed from Doc Ock, but it doesn't quite work out. Still, his new aim to safely capture Electro and bid for a new prison contract is met with lukewarm response at best, even when he takes a few of his key scientists out to view a fire started by Electro. As Spider-Man has to scurry away to help deal with the fire, he determines that MJ's new boyfriend is a pretty good guy and runs afoul of a very angry Black Cat, who he confuses and evades for the moment by pretending he's still Doc Ock. She flees and finds Electro, with whom she teams. It's not a bad issue, per se, but if you read the entirety of the extra-long AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 1, you probably could skip this one. It's good for building more on these characters but it's not really enough to separate from the bones of that first issue. 3/5
Avengers Undercover 6
Hopeless (w) and Green II (p) and Gorder (i) and Beaulieu (c) and Caramagna (l)
Deadpool vs. Carnage 4
Bunn (w) and Espin (a) and Gandini (c) and Sabino (l)
A newly en-symbioted Deadpool attacks Carnage, still trying to convince him that he's predictable, at least to Deadpool. The two fight and fight with Carnage refusing to believe Deadpool's claims, still believing himself to be his own man. However, when Deadpool tricks him into killing Shriek by understanding the way he thinks, Carnage has to reassess. He delivers himself to the police office in the hopes that his imprisonment will give him a chance to think some things over. Deadpool wins another one though this one really felt like it had lost its focus from the start. But maybe, given these two characters, that was the aim. 3/5
Fantastic Four 6
J. Robinson (w) and Kirk and Haspiel (p) and Kesel and Haspiel (i) and Aburtov, Gandini, and Woodard (c) and Cowles (l)
The kids have been taken away from the F4 and they return home to find that the courts have also refused them access to the Baxter Building. The Avengers are onsite to keep them out because this book just keeps getting more ridiculous. The kids have learned from a SHIELD agent that Dragon Man is to be deactivated and they appeal to fellow android Human Torch to help their friend. Meanwhile, as ORIGINAL SIN hits, Ben learns that Johnny may be responsible for sabotaging a device that would have reverted Thing back into human form for good. This book has shown again and again that it has a goal and it's willing to walk all over any logic that might stop it from getting to said goal. On top of the insane court case that the F4 and Jen Walters somehow lost, now the Avengers are hired security to ensure a smooth transition because apparently the whole hero community would INSTANTLY turn on the F4 (though, you know, they are pretty boring). 1/5
Guardians of the Galaxy 16
Bendis (w) and Bradshaw, Marquez, and Masters (a) and Ponsor, Delgado, and Villarrubia (c) and Petit (l)
Angela swoops in to save Gamora from the Badoon as Captain Marvel swoops in to save Star-Lord from leaping out of a building to his death. J-Son and Star-Lord have a verbal fight in front of all the cameras J-Son insisted on having to show his son's punishment and it turns many against J-Son as Star-Lord gives an impassioned speech about the role of the Guardians. It even convinces the Supreme Intelligence to release Rocket. Meanwhile, Skrulls try to use the Venom symbiote and fail, which results in their deaths as it reattaches to Flash and Drax is sentenced to death by Gladiator and given the chance to choose his means. He chooses a battle to the death with Gladiator, who accepts. Plenty still happening but I think that the slow issue 15 hurts this one a bit as this one feels very much like the last one but, you know, the opposite? It's kind of hard to explain, but it's a situation where everything is happening so exactly the way they'd want it to happen that it kind of negates any drama from last issue. 3/5
Ms. Marvel 5
G.W. Wilson (w) and Alphona (a) and Herring (c) and Caramagna (l)
New Warriors 6
Yost (w) and Roche and Baldeon (p) and Roche and Tarragona (i) and Redmond (c) and Caramagna (l)
Savage Hulk 1
A. Davis (w and p) and Farmer (i) and Hollingsworth (c) and Cowles (l)
In the midst of X-MEN 66, Bruce Banner and the X-Men try to find a way to help Xavier out of his coma. Though Banner's device helps them to do it, it opens up Xavier to realizing he needs to do what he can to help Hulk. He sends his team of X-Men to try and find Hulk and help him find a cure for his situation but Hulk has encountered problems of his own, as the army and the Leader descend on him and as Abomination descends on the X-Men. It's hard to know if a lack of familiarity with the source material is keeping this one confusing for me but it's hard to point to the source material for why this one is so slow. For all of the crossed paths and all the excitement this one feels it should have, it seems to actually carry none of that. It also may have to do with my own distaste for Davis' art. 2/5
Monday, June 16, 2014
SPEED ROUND: All-New Invaders 6, All-New Ultimates 3, Deadly Hands of Kung-Fu 2, She-Hulk 5
Sorry everyone, these should have come out last week (not helped by the fact that I only have busy weeks from here on out) but they didn't so here these reviews are, in all their glory. Except, in this case, "in all their glory" means "literally as short as I can make them."
All-New Invaders 6
J. Robinson (w) and Laming (a) and Guru eFX (c) and Petit (l)
Japanese-American superhero Radiance was in Manhattan for the ORIGINAL SIN truth bomb and learned that the Invaders had the power to stop the atom bomb in WWII but that they didn't. She demands a meeting with an Invader and gets Human Torch after taking some SHIELD agents hostage. He reveals it had to do with the second Golden Girl, Gwenny Lou Sabuki, grandmother to Radiance.
This book continues to move extraordinarily slowly as Robinson dispenses seemingly unending back-story, exposition, and clunky dialogue. I one hundred percent recommend this book if you're trying to find a comic that stumbles its way through 70 years of Human Torch history. But that's just about the only way that I would recommend this comic. I know, it breaks my heart too.
Total Score: 1/5
All-New Ultimates 3
Fiffe (w) and Pinna (a) and Woodard (c) and Cowles (l)
Jess is saved from her poisoning by her naturally produced antitoxins and some careful monitoring from doctors. Bombshell double-agents her way back into her drug dealer boyfriend's life to allow Spider-Man a chance to break up a powerful drug ring. Scourge appears on the scene and manages to evade all capture from the pursuing Spider-Woman, Kitty Pryde, Cloak, and Dagger.
If that summary made this book seem exciting or maybe even like it's on the right path after a shaky start, well, I'm sorry for misleading you. For all of the action of this issue that eventually comes, it's a crawl to get to just about anything meaningful. Meaningful's still kind of a stretch: there's a lot of cliche teenage emotion and hints that there's a bigger story that what our heroes have seen but there's not much more to it than that. And did i mention this story moves really slow for something that's trying so hard?
Total Score: 1/5
Deadly Hands of Kung Fu
Benson (w) and Huat (p) and Yeung (i) and Aburtov (c) and Sabino (l)
Shang-Chi has been asking around about the White Dragon, hoping to discover more about the death of his friend Leiko Wu but he's met at every turn by resistance. His digging brings out old enemy Skull Crusher, with whom he speaks about Leiko Wu and the changes in her over the years. He points Shang to a brothel owned by White Dragon where Shang subsequently is pointed to a nearby memorial where White Dragon sometimes hangs out where Shang meets up with Daughters of the Dragon Misty Knight and Colleen Wing, staking out the White Dragon themselves, before FINALLY being pointed to a nightclub White Dragon runs, where Shang comes face-to-face with White Dragon at last.
This story bounces from locale to locale as Shang-Chi traverses some seedy parts of London to try to find a lead on Leiko Wu, though it never feels particularly overloaded with new locations. There's more to the story of Leiko Wu than Shang wants to admit but still he proves an affable protagonist as he politely asks his questions and tries to remain above violence, though easily turns it on when he needs to. The addition of the Daughters of the Dragon is not unwelcome and I was glad to see Misty looking like regular Misty and not like she does on the cover, as I worried her two most recent appearances (here and in her inexplicable arc in DAREDEVIL: DARK NIGHTS) would both feature her in some sort of strange and underdressed love interest way. Nope, all good here and it's still good to see Huat and Yeung on art in this book. Nothing here that will blow readers away but still easily a readable book.
Total Score: 3/5
She-Hulk 5
Soule (w) and Wimberly (a) and Renzi (c) and Cowles (l)
She-Hulk and her team have set about researching the blue file, sending Hellcat to find Tigra, Angie Huang to a North Dakota courthouse, and She-Hulk to Shocker's apartment. After some understood fear out of Shocker, She-Hulk has a decent conversation with him and learns he doesn't know about the file, doesn't remember much of anything because, apparently, his prolonged exposure to the vibrations make him super susceptible to concussions. She gets what she can out of him and heads home. Hellcat, though, ended up somehow triggering a response in Tigra, causing her to attack Hellcat when she brought up the file and to nearly kill herself. Meanwhile, Angie finds the files she needs in the ND courthouse but also finds herself at gunpoint from the office clerk. Hellcat tries to warn She-Hulk that the blue file seems to have a trigger word problem that makes those involved ready to kill themselves but Shulk doesn't get the message as she's busy telling a rock climbing Wyatt Wingfoot about his involvement.
Plenty happening in this book as it's an interesting story on three different fronts. Even the least action-filled section, She-Hulk's talk with Shocker, leads to some fun moments and some good characterization out of both characters. It's another strong entry into this series from Soule, though the art style of Ron Wimberly is decidedly different than, say, series regular Javier Pulido's. It's more than a little distracting at times and, while it does the job, I'm not sure it's totally for me. Still, solid book, solid series, interesting story.
Total Score: 4/5
All-New Invaders 6
J. Robinson (w) and Laming (a) and Guru eFX (c) and Petit (l)
This book continues to move extraordinarily slowly as Robinson dispenses seemingly unending back-story, exposition, and clunky dialogue. I one hundred percent recommend this book if you're trying to find a comic that stumbles its way through 70 years of Human Torch history. But that's just about the only way that I would recommend this comic. I know, it breaks my heart too.
Total Score: 1/5
All-New Ultimates 3
Fiffe (w) and Pinna (a) and Woodard (c) and Cowles (l)
If that summary made this book seem exciting or maybe even like it's on the right path after a shaky start, well, I'm sorry for misleading you. For all of the action of this issue that eventually comes, it's a crawl to get to just about anything meaningful. Meaningful's still kind of a stretch: there's a lot of cliche teenage emotion and hints that there's a bigger story that what our heroes have seen but there's not much more to it than that. And did i mention this story moves really slow for something that's trying so hard?
Total Score: 1/5
Deadly Hands of Kung Fu
Benson (w) and Huat (p) and Yeung (i) and Aburtov (c) and Sabino (l)
This story bounces from locale to locale as Shang-Chi traverses some seedy parts of London to try to find a lead on Leiko Wu, though it never feels particularly overloaded with new locations. There's more to the story of Leiko Wu than Shang wants to admit but still he proves an affable protagonist as he politely asks his questions and tries to remain above violence, though easily turns it on when he needs to. The addition of the Daughters of the Dragon is not unwelcome and I was glad to see Misty looking like regular Misty and not like she does on the cover, as I worried her two most recent appearances (here and in her inexplicable arc in DAREDEVIL: DARK NIGHTS) would both feature her in some sort of strange and underdressed love interest way. Nope, all good here and it's still good to see Huat and Yeung on art in this book. Nothing here that will blow readers away but still easily a readable book.
Total Score: 3/5
She-Hulk 5
Soule (w) and Wimberly (a) and Renzi (c) and Cowles (l)
Plenty happening in this book as it's an interesting story on three different fronts. Even the least action-filled section, She-Hulk's talk with Shocker, leads to some fun moments and some good characterization out of both characters. It's another strong entry into this series from Soule, though the art style of Ron Wimberly is decidedly different than, say, series regular Javier Pulido's. It's more than a little distracting at times and, while it does the job, I'm not sure it's totally for me. Still, solid book, solid series, interesting story.
Total Score: 4/5
Saturday, May 17, 2014
SUPER QUICK REVIEWS: All-New Ultimates 2, Deadpool 28
All-New Ultimates 2
Fiffe (w) and Pinna (a) and Woodard (c) and Cowles (l)
The new Ultimates find themselves fighting the Serpent Skulls (led by Diamondback and just, like, so many others) as the police try to sort everything out. At a breaking point (which is to say "after there have been like, seven pages of introductions"), the Skulls flee and the Ultimates disappear into Cloak's cape and are transported back to Hell's Kitchen, but not before one of the Skulls stabs Black Widow with a poison syringe. Bombshell quits the team and Black Widow, back home with Kitty, passes out. Meanwhile, a new character (Scourge) is on his own path of vengeance, shooting just a bunch of people.
I kept thinking all week that this book was ULTIMATE FF and I was more excited about that, which should tell you a bit about both books even this early on. There's a real weirdness to the tone on this one that makes it feel like it wants to be an '80s action movie. Even the look of the Serpent Skulls (and Black Widow's ridiculous new costume) and the way the villains talk harkens back to Stallone, not really a place you want to be (or, at least, not really a place I want you to be). Also, the book really did kick off with about seven pages of introducing characters. PRO-TIP, don't do that.
Total Score: 2/5
Deadpool 28
Posehn and Duggan (w) and Koblish (a) and Staples (c) and Sabino (l)
Deadpool and Shiklah journey to Japan for the first leg of their honeymoon, despite the protestations of Shiklah, who cannot understand why they've gone to Japan. Deadpool is adamant about it though and things start to go crazy when a young street urchin steals his super important briefcase and two imagination-based monsters (controlled by two other kids) attack the husband and wife to distract them. Shiklah deals with them as her little pet dragon traces the kid, eventually pitting them against the Yakuza and the Hand (who see the briefcase and figure it must be worthwhile) and drawing the (f)ire of Sunfire (enraged that Deadpool is in town). Finally, with the briefcase back in hand, Deadpool delivers it (and the money inside) to Kim, the Nightcrawler-like refugee from North Korea, hoping that this will help him start his life and find his family.
It's a fun little story that turns into a sweet little story. As fun as the chase is and as creative as the villains are (there's a particularly nice beat where the leader of the children, an adult, realizes they stole from Deadpool and immediately understands the implications, plus another one where the Yakuza simply see the chase below a window and decide that's probably something they should get in on), the story turns on its emotional beat of Deadpool doing what he can to help Kim and the other North Korean refugees. It's not all well and good, though, as it seems Kim is sick as the issue ends, coughing and wheezing after he leaves Deadpool. Still a sweet issue that manages not to get all maudlin.
Total Score: 4/5
Fiffe (w) and Pinna (a) and Woodard (c) and Cowles (l)
I kept thinking all week that this book was ULTIMATE FF and I was more excited about that, which should tell you a bit about both books even this early on. There's a real weirdness to the tone on this one that makes it feel like it wants to be an '80s action movie. Even the look of the Serpent Skulls (and Black Widow's ridiculous new costume) and the way the villains talk harkens back to Stallone, not really a place you want to be (or, at least, not really a place I want you to be). Also, the book really did kick off with about seven pages of introducing characters. PRO-TIP, don't do that.
Total Score: 2/5
Deadpool 28
Posehn and Duggan (w) and Koblish (a) and Staples (c) and Sabino (l)
It's a fun little story that turns into a sweet little story. As fun as the chase is and as creative as the villains are (there's a particularly nice beat where the leader of the children, an adult, realizes they stole from Deadpool and immediately understands the implications, plus another one where the Yakuza simply see the chase below a window and decide that's probably something they should get in on), the story turns on its emotional beat of Deadpool doing what he can to help Kim and the other North Korean refugees. It's not all well and good, though, as it seems Kim is sick as the issue ends, coughing and wheezing after he leaves Deadpool. Still a sweet issue that manages not to get all maudlin.
Total Score: 4/5
Saturday, April 12, 2014
All-New Ultimates 1, What If? Age of Ultron 2
All-New Ultimates 1
Fiffe (w) and Pinna (a) and Woodard (c)
Spider-Woman, now going by Black Widow, Spider-Man, Cloak, Dagger, and Bombshell meet up at the secret Hell's Kitchen hideout of the All-New Ultimates (which is pretty much all of them with an open invite for Kitty Pryde). From there, Black Widow gives them all special communicators (formerly used by the now-defunct SHIELD) and they decide their next target will be a drug lab manufacturing drugs from Roxxon. While Black Widow tries to talk Kitty into joining up with them, Bombshell stumbles on to a drug deal gone wrong. She calls in the Ultimates and they team up to try to take down the enhanced drug dealers. Cops show up as the fight is happening and prepare to take everyone into custody before reinforcements for the drug dealers come, led by the mysterious Diamondback.
Spider-Man's team back from ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN regroup here as a brand new full-on superhero team, set to battle Roxxon particularly, as they had been just before CATACLYSM shook the Ultimate Universe. Also making a seemingly obligatory appearance is Ganke Lee, Miles' best pal. The first issue is something of a long read, explaining a lot and checking in on every character. There's a feeling of wanting it all here, hoping to infuse humor and lightheartedness with a dark story and some dark situations. Hopefully it's something that settles in but at current it doesn't totally work for me. Also, Spider-Woman changing her identity and her look makes sense to me but I don't think her new look or name necessarily work right now. We'll see as things go on. As with any number one, it's hard to judge now. Let's let the team settle in a bit and then see how we're feeling.
What If? Age of Ultron 2
Keatinge (w) and Villalobos (a) and Redmond (c)
Because of the ripples caused because of dealing with the Ultron problem, we take a look into another universe where we see an alternate future based on a different outcome to the famous Armor Wars Iron Man storyline. In this world, Stark succumbs to his alcohol addiction at the hands of Obadiah Stane and Stane wins the Armor Wars, powering up incredibly and even trying to get his hands on real Stark armor. Wolverine wants to take Stane down and destroy the Master Mold in the Savage Land that's spitting out new armors regularly. He joins up with a new Ghost Rider and tracks down the retired Peter Parker before both go to enlist a meditational Hulk. They go to the Savage Land together and, while Hulk tries to beat up the Master Mold, they see that a Stark armor is powering everything as well as a descendant of Bolivar Trask (a Trask descendant is needed to power the Master Mold), a young girl used against her will to power things. Spider-Man wastes no time sacrificing himself to shut down the Master Mold and Wolverine, Hulk, and Ghost Rider leave with the girl, the mission complete.
I just do not get this story. On the one hand, I don't understand why this is under the AGE OF ULTRON umbrella. I understand it in the sense of "oh, timelines all shifted because the timestream was all sorts of messed up during AGE OF ULTRON so now we can tell a story from ANY time" but I don't understand it in that I'd be MUCH more interested in reading a book that was called WHAT IF? ARMOR WARS (pretty sure that already exists but WHATEVER) than WHAT IF? AGE OF ULTRON that then goes on to have nothing to do with Ultron or his age. On top of it, I have a lot of trouble following the story (and why does Captain America end up dead in like, every single possible future ever? The guy lived through WWII, doesn't that give him any sort of respect?) and it really feels like this one had a solid premise and then needed to be finished on a deadline. I don't know. This one's not for me. I like Villalobos' art, though. Very different than normal comic art these days but definitely something interesting to look at. Why is AGE OF ULTRON still haunting me?
Fiffe (w) and Pinna (a) and Woodard (c)
Spider-Man's team back from ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN regroup here as a brand new full-on superhero team, set to battle Roxxon particularly, as they had been just before CATACLYSM shook the Ultimate Universe. Also making a seemingly obligatory appearance is Ganke Lee, Miles' best pal. The first issue is something of a long read, explaining a lot and checking in on every character. There's a feeling of wanting it all here, hoping to infuse humor and lightheartedness with a dark story and some dark situations. Hopefully it's something that settles in but at current it doesn't totally work for me. Also, Spider-Woman changing her identity and her look makes sense to me but I don't think her new look or name necessarily work right now. We'll see as things go on. As with any number one, it's hard to judge now. Let's let the team settle in a bit and then see how we're feeling.
What If? Age of Ultron 2
Keatinge (w) and Villalobos (a) and Redmond (c)
I just do not get this story. On the one hand, I don't understand why this is under the AGE OF ULTRON umbrella. I understand it in the sense of "oh, timelines all shifted because the timestream was all sorts of messed up during AGE OF ULTRON so now we can tell a story from ANY time" but I don't understand it in that I'd be MUCH more interested in reading a book that was called WHAT IF? ARMOR WARS (pretty sure that already exists but WHATEVER) than WHAT IF? AGE OF ULTRON that then goes on to have nothing to do with Ultron or his age. On top of it, I have a lot of trouble following the story (and why does Captain America end up dead in like, every single possible future ever? The guy lived through WWII, doesn't that give him any sort of respect?) and it really feels like this one had a solid premise and then needed to be finished on a deadline. I don't know. This one's not for me. I like Villalobos' art, though. Very different than normal comic art these days but definitely something interesting to look at. Why is AGE OF ULTRON still haunting me?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)