Last of the shorter reviews, I think. I'll have a few more longer ones for books released last week. Mighty and New Avengers, Uncanny X-Men, and maybe a few others will likely be up next week sometime, as that's about how long Marvel tends to take getting them to me.
Thunderbolts 142
I suppose I should preface this by saying that I haven't been a big fan of the newest incarnation of this team. That this is a team that is (with a couple exceptions) either unrepentantly evil or at least morally ambivalent seems to run counter to the traditional themes of redemption in this book. Not to mention that having a team that consistently points in the wrong direction on the moral compass sort of requires they lose more often than not. The book itself hasn't been bad, per se, though it has been rather hit or miss, with the quality of any given arc usually more dependent on guest or supporting characters than the titular team.
All that said, I definitely enjoyed this issue. I felt like the story got off to a shaky start, but it really hits its stride here. While USAgent's always been sort of a poor-man's Captain America, the face off here between him and Nuke (AKA Scourge) works really well. I've always found Scourge to be a rather flat and boring character, and while that's still true, at the very least this story plays to his particular variety of bland and uninteresting. I really like the idea of Amadeus Cho being able to take on Mr. X thanks to his dizzying intellect (even if some fans like to decry him as a bit of a Mary Sue character). The spear of Odin is bad ass, even if it's not clear to me how the physics of it work (I'm not really sure what Ant Man means when he says it's "floating like a jet ski"... does it literally fly when no one's controlling it)? The art's not perfect, but it works pretty well with the story; lots of frowning and shadowy faces, which is a bit cliche but nevertheless appropriate. I did find the dialogue to be pretty unimpressive (especially between USAgent and Scourge, yeeach!), so if that's a turn off I'd probably suggest avoiding this issue.
One way or another, it's an exciting issue, and I'm looking forward to the final installment. Time will tell if Ant Man and Paladin's change of allegiance will turn the tide or be too little, too late. And I'm curious to see what USAgent's eventual fate will be; while he's even more redundant than usual now that Steve Rogers has returned (not to mention still super unlikeable) I'm not sure he deserves the treatment he receives at the end of this issue.
Avengers: The Initiative 34
Avengers: The Initiative is another title I haven't been following all that closely, but I picked it up because it ties into Siege and has "Avengers" in the title. Turns out, it's also another tie in that I've enjoyed more than the main Siege storyline. Really, this issue has what Siege (and a lot of large scale BMB stories) lacks - character development. In the same number of pages as Siege 3 we get all the excitement of the big battle scenes plus some poignant vignettes about how the events are affecting some of the individuals involved. The Taskmaster has become a wonderful villain, so I hope we see more of him once this series ends (on a side note, is his face actually a skull? When I read him when I was younger I was pretty sure it was a mask, but it seems pretty expressive these days). And Frank and Rachel had better get a happy ending or I'm going to be rather upset. I also hope we're seeing the foundations of the new New Warriors in this book with Robbie and Vance's reunion, as I'd very much like to see Robbie shed his angsty Penance persona and return to the more lighthearted Speedball.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
The Marvels Project 7, Secret Warriors 14
A couple more quick ones. There'll be a few more up over the next few days, most likely.
The Marvels Project 7
I've been following this series since it began and I've enjoyed every issue, though I sometimes think I don't have a thorough enough grounding in Marvel Comics history to fully appreciate the book. On the other hand, the fact that these may be unfamiliar characters adds a certain degree of suspense, because unlike an ongoing series, it's less clear if certain secondary characters will live through the last issue. Regardless, it stands very well on its own, and Brubaker's writing thus far has been superb (which shouldn't be surprising, considering he's working with Captain America). This issue wasn't my favorite, as it seemed to contain a lot of narration (which I assume is setting the scene for the final issue), but it still has its exciting parts. The art's pretty good, and suits the subject matter, and I enjoy how the subdued colors serve to make the brightly colored uniforms of the various superheroes stand out. I'm excited for the final issue, and a little bit relieved it's ending, as it's gotten to the point where I'm having trouble remembering how the series began.
Secret Warriors 14
If Marvels Project is difficult to follow from one month to the next, Secret Warriors borders on impossible. I can't keep these guys with funny hats straight. Good thing they're color-coded, or I'd have no clue what's going on. Part of the problem is that I'm not familiar with Nick Fury's extensive backstory, though I can't imagine most readers are much better off than I am, since the character hasn't been extensively published since the early 80s. As such, it's often difficult to tell how I'm supposed to feel about what appear to be key plot points, like the appearance of Orion (what happened to his penis?!) or the reveal of the woman with the world's longest name. But at least Nick's interesting, which is more than I can say for the titular Secret Warriors. They just feel so unnecessary; it's clearly a book about Nick Fury vs. Hydra, there's no reason to shoehorn a superhero team in there, especially one as bland as this. All bitching aside, this is one of the better books Marvel is currently putting out, and it fills an important niche in a line largely populated with superhero comics. The stories have been pretty well written thus far, and the art's decent, too. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a little espionage in their comic experience.
The Marvels Project 7
I've been following this series since it began and I've enjoyed every issue, though I sometimes think I don't have a thorough enough grounding in Marvel Comics history to fully appreciate the book. On the other hand, the fact that these may be unfamiliar characters adds a certain degree of suspense, because unlike an ongoing series, it's less clear if certain secondary characters will live through the last issue. Regardless, it stands very well on its own, and Brubaker's writing thus far has been superb (which shouldn't be surprising, considering he's working with Captain America). This issue wasn't my favorite, as it seemed to contain a lot of narration (which I assume is setting the scene for the final issue), but it still has its exciting parts. The art's pretty good, and suits the subject matter, and I enjoy how the subdued colors serve to make the brightly colored uniforms of the various superheroes stand out. I'm excited for the final issue, and a little bit relieved it's ending, as it's gotten to the point where I'm having trouble remembering how the series began.
Secret Warriors 14
If Marvels Project is difficult to follow from one month to the next, Secret Warriors borders on impossible. I can't keep these guys with funny hats straight. Good thing they're color-coded, or I'd have no clue what's going on. Part of the problem is that I'm not familiar with Nick Fury's extensive backstory, though I can't imagine most readers are much better off than I am, since the character hasn't been extensively published since the early 80s. As such, it's often difficult to tell how I'm supposed to feel about what appear to be key plot points, like the appearance of Orion (what happened to his penis?!) or the reveal of the woman with the world's longest name. But at least Nick's interesting, which is more than I can say for the titular Secret Warriors. They just feel so unnecessary; it's clearly a book about Nick Fury vs. Hydra, there's no reason to shoehorn a superhero team in there, especially one as bland as this. All bitching aside, this is one of the better books Marvel is currently putting out, and it fills an important niche in a line largely populated with superhero comics. The stories have been pretty well written thus far, and the art's decent, too. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a little espionage in their comic experience.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Doomwar 2, SWORD 5
So I'm getting a little behind on all the books I want to review, and as a result I think I'm going to devote the next few posts to less in-depth reviews for books that (for various reasons) I don't feel capable of talking about at length. And I plan to throw up some stuff that's not review related in the near future, as well. At any rate, let's begin!
Doomwar 2
I haven't been following Black Panther at all, so it's tough for me to talk to much about this book. I'm familiar with T'Challa, but not so much the other characters associated with him or recent events in his book. As such, I'm a little out of my element in this series, but nevertheless I've enjoyed what I've seen so far. X-men I can handle, though; it's always fun to see Logan, Kurt and Pete out in the field doing what they do best, but I hope we get to see more of Ororo, she's a bit out of her element as the damsel in distress. Having not read Black Panther, it's not 100% clear to me if Shuri's bloodlust is par for the course or foreshadowing of something more sinister to come, but it seems to me that if Wolverine's telling you you're going to far, you may have a problem. It'll be interesting to me to see if this somehow results in T'Challa's eventual reclaiming of the Black Panther mantle. Eaton's art has been quite enjoyable thus far, though some of the action sequences can get a little muddled. The only thing that really bugged me was Doctor Doom threatening T'Challa's mother with a gun; has Doom ever held a gun before ever? He can shoot lasers out of his hands, but he's holding a Glock to a woman's head. At any rate, I'm looking forward to future issues, and I hope the rest of the series can keep up the pace these first two have set.
SWORD 5
SWORD, we hardly knew you. I think it's safe to say I loved this series, and I'm sorry to see it end prematurely. Gillen's writing has been superbly enjoyable, as he does "space cowboy" to a T, and his dialogue is quite amusing. I'm sad that we won't get to visit the more intriguing characters more in depth, particularly Death's Head and Unit. I was even warming up to Sander's art, long faces and all. This issue gives a solid send off to this splendid series; Henry Gyrich receives his just deserts (as usual), the Drenx are roundly thwomped, and half a dozen (literally) out-of-this-world Marvel characters get cameo treatment (particularly Beta Ray Bill). If you haven't been reading it, I'd strongly recommend picking up the back issues or TPB (if we ever see one).
Doomwar 2
I haven't been following Black Panther at all, so it's tough for me to talk to much about this book. I'm familiar with T'Challa, but not so much the other characters associated with him or recent events in his book. As such, I'm a little out of my element in this series, but nevertheless I've enjoyed what I've seen so far. X-men I can handle, though; it's always fun to see Logan, Kurt and Pete out in the field doing what they do best, but I hope we get to see more of Ororo, she's a bit out of her element as the damsel in distress. Having not read Black Panther, it's not 100% clear to me if Shuri's bloodlust is par for the course or foreshadowing of something more sinister to come, but it seems to me that if Wolverine's telling you you're going to far, you may have a problem. It'll be interesting to me to see if this somehow results in T'Challa's eventual reclaiming of the Black Panther mantle. Eaton's art has been quite enjoyable thus far, though some of the action sequences can get a little muddled. The only thing that really bugged me was Doctor Doom threatening T'Challa's mother with a gun; has Doom ever held a gun before ever? He can shoot lasers out of his hands, but he's holding a Glock to a woman's head. At any rate, I'm looking forward to future issues, and I hope the rest of the series can keep up the pace these first two have set.
SWORD 5
SWORD, we hardly knew you. I think it's safe to say I loved this series, and I'm sorry to see it end prematurely. Gillen's writing has been superbly enjoyable, as he does "space cowboy" to a T, and his dialogue is quite amusing. I'm sad that we won't get to visit the more intriguing characters more in depth, particularly Death's Head and Unit. I was even warming up to Sander's art, long faces and all. This issue gives a solid send off to this splendid series; Henry Gyrich receives his just deserts (as usual), the Drenx are roundly thwomped, and half a dozen (literally) out-of-this-world Marvel characters get cameo treatment (particularly Beta Ray Bill). If you haven't been reading it, I'd strongly recommend picking up the back issues or TPB (if we ever see one).
Monday, March 22, 2010
Amazing Spider-Man 625
I don't even know where to start with this issue. This was hands down the best issue in the Gauntlet so far, and I submit that if the writing on this book was consistently this good, it wouldn't be suffering from its current sales slump. Indeed, if every story in the Gauntlet had this level of emotional impact, it would certainly live up to its name. I debated whether I'd summarized this issue in full, as I think it's such a powerful story that I didn't want to ruin it. However, I don't think it's power comes from the originality of the story; on the contrary, it's actually rather predictable. It's Kelly's superb story telling, not the shocking nature of the story itself, that makes this tale so compelling.
Poor Aleksei Sytsevich. When last we saw him, he was trying to make an honest life with his wife Oksana, whose fate was unfortunately sealed before this story began. The story is largely narrated by Norah Winters, and begins as the new Rhino makes a rather explosive visit to a naturalization ceremony in an attempt to goad Aleksei into a fight and earn his new title. Spider-Man attempts to contain the situation, but is unable to make much headway until Aleksei agrees to meet the new Rhino later for a fight. This turns out to be a ruse, as Aleksei reveals that he wishes that he and his wife be put in witness protection, with Spider-Man's help.
Things turn bad quickly as the van carrying Aleksei and Oksana to protective custody is attacked on a bridge by the new Rhino. While Spider-Man is distracted rescuing hostages who've been dropped from the top of the bridge, the Rhino destroys the van with Aleksei and Oksana inside, killing Oksana. Aleksei blames Spider-Man for her death, and agrees (for real this time) to don his classic attire and meet his would-be successor in battle. The battle is quick and decisive; the new Rhino is disabled after the first titanic hit, and Aleksei, now the original Rhino once again, kills his usurper despite Spider-Man's best efforts to prevent it.
The power in this story comes from Spider-Man's desire (and failure) to help Aleksei succeed in his new life and prevent him from returning to his former life of crime. His desperate need to do the right thing by Aleksei contrasts with his poor decisions in his own life, and yet the results are ultimately the same. It's this as much as Aleksei's fall from grace that makes this such a moving story.
Fiumara's art is an integral part of this story, as well. While I'm not a huge fan of his manga-esque character models, his depiction of the climactic moments of the story is wonderful. The Rhino of the Silver Age never struck me as particularly visually interesting, a dull, block-y, grey blob that wasn't much fun to look at. But Fiumara's depiction of him is primal, animal, deadly.
In addition to the main storyline, there are a few important developments in the life of Peter Parker. Mary Jane spurns an attempt by Peter to reconnect, though she hints that there may be an opportunity in the near future. And Pete decides against applying for unemployment benefits after being recognized by a number of people as "the lyin' guy from the paper."
Not everything works great in this story; Norah's narration is a little awkward, as it's far to informal to work as the newspaper article it's apparently supposed to be. And the plot is a tad predictable. But I really recommend you go out and read this story for yourself, my summary does it no justice. As I said, it's not really a new story if you're familiar with comics, but Kelly's storytelling and Fiumara's art make this a memorable comic.
Poor Aleksei Sytsevich. When last we saw him, he was trying to make an honest life with his wife Oksana, whose fate was unfortunately sealed before this story began. The story is largely narrated by Norah Winters, and begins as the new Rhino makes a rather explosive visit to a naturalization ceremony in an attempt to goad Aleksei into a fight and earn his new title. Spider-Man attempts to contain the situation, but is unable to make much headway until Aleksei agrees to meet the new Rhino later for a fight. This turns out to be a ruse, as Aleksei reveals that he wishes that he and his wife be put in witness protection, with Spider-Man's help.
Things turn bad quickly as the van carrying Aleksei and Oksana to protective custody is attacked on a bridge by the new Rhino. While Spider-Man is distracted rescuing hostages who've been dropped from the top of the bridge, the Rhino destroys the van with Aleksei and Oksana inside, killing Oksana. Aleksei blames Spider-Man for her death, and agrees (for real this time) to don his classic attire and meet his would-be successor in battle. The battle is quick and decisive; the new Rhino is disabled after the first titanic hit, and Aleksei, now the original Rhino once again, kills his usurper despite Spider-Man's best efforts to prevent it.
The power in this story comes from Spider-Man's desire (and failure) to help Aleksei succeed in his new life and prevent him from returning to his former life of crime. His desperate need to do the right thing by Aleksei contrasts with his poor decisions in his own life, and yet the results are ultimately the same. It's this as much as Aleksei's fall from grace that makes this such a moving story.
Fiumara's art is an integral part of this story, as well. While I'm not a huge fan of his manga-esque character models, his depiction of the climactic moments of the story is wonderful. The Rhino of the Silver Age never struck me as particularly visually interesting, a dull, block-y, grey blob that wasn't much fun to look at. But Fiumara's depiction of him is primal, animal, deadly.
In addition to the main storyline, there are a few important developments in the life of Peter Parker. Mary Jane spurns an attempt by Peter to reconnect, though she hints that there may be an opportunity in the near future. And Pete decides against applying for unemployment benefits after being recognized by a number of people as "the lyin' guy from the paper."
Not everything works great in this story; Norah's narration is a little awkward, as it's far to informal to work as the newspaper article it's apparently supposed to be. And the plot is a tad predictable. But I really recommend you go out and read this story for yourself, my summary does it no justice. As I said, it's not really a new story if you're familiar with comics, but Kelly's storytelling and Fiumara's art make this a memorable comic.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Dark Avengers 15
Bendis' other issue this week is a far more impressive outing than Siege 3. It features some troubling developments in the life of the Sentry, as well as providing some insight into the nature of the relationship between Norman Osborn, the Sentry and the Void.
First, we're treated to an excerpt from "Siege: The Cabal," wherein, at a meeting of the cabal, Osborn orders the Void to attack Doom. However, Doom is actually a Doombot, and it releases a swarm of bug-like machines upon its destruction that proceed to attack Avengers Tower. Norman Osborn convinces the Void to allow the Sentry to return, and together they set about destroying the machines while Victoria Hand evacuates HAMMER personnel and the rest of the Dark Avengers. While most of the Avengers take off in the Quinjet, Bullseye (Hawkeye) takes the Sentry's wife, Lindy, aboard a helicopter with him. He flies them out over the ocean and, after insulting her until she slaps him, chokes Lindy to death and tosses her into the sea.
Upon reuniting with his fellow Avengers, Bullseye tells the Sentry that his wife killed herself by jumping out of the helicopter over a stretch of Jersey farmland. The Void then becomes the dominant personality, flying into a rage and nearly killing Bullseye. He's calmed by Osborn, and flies off to search for his wife. Victoria Hand is shocked as she observes a knowing glance between Osborn and Bullseye, assumably realizing that Osborn arranged for Lindy to be killed.
Overall, this was an exciting issue. We're definitely being set up for a big climax with the Sentry, though what exactly will go down and how well executed it will be on the part of Brian Michael Bendis remains to be seen. I'm enjoying seeing Victoria Hand finally realizing what it is she's a part of, between her frustration with the Avengers' inability to follow orders, skepticism about the nature of the attack on the tower, and shock at Bullseye's murder of Lindy. I'm hoping she'll play a pivotal role in the final issue, and curious to see what will become of her post-Siege, if she lives that long.
I really enjoy Mike Deodato's art, I think it's among the best the Marvel Universe has to offer. I'm impressed by the level of detail that goes into a lot of his work, and he has an excellent command of facial expressions. My one complaint (and I don't know whether to blame him or colorist Rain Beredo for this) is that occasionally, due to the nature of the coloring, characters start to look like plastic-y CGI figures, which to my eye just looks a little odd.
Edit: I'd like to add an additional note here, something I'd intended to address in this post when I started writing it but then forgot about. Hasn't Lindy been killed and resurrected in the past? Hell, wasn't that our introduction to the Sentry at the beginning of New Avengers, that he'd turned himself in for killing his wife but then brought her back? And I swear this came up again, perhaps in one of the early issues of Mighty Avengers. So why is her death an issue now, can't the Sentry just bring her back to life? I confess myself confused with this whole situation.
First, we're treated to an excerpt from "Siege: The Cabal," wherein, at a meeting of the cabal, Osborn orders the Void to attack Doom. However, Doom is actually a Doombot, and it releases a swarm of bug-like machines upon its destruction that proceed to attack Avengers Tower. Norman Osborn convinces the Void to allow the Sentry to return, and together they set about destroying the machines while Victoria Hand evacuates HAMMER personnel and the rest of the Dark Avengers. While most of the Avengers take off in the Quinjet, Bullseye (Hawkeye) takes the Sentry's wife, Lindy, aboard a helicopter with him. He flies them out over the ocean and, after insulting her until she slaps him, chokes Lindy to death and tosses her into the sea.
Upon reuniting with his fellow Avengers, Bullseye tells the Sentry that his wife killed herself by jumping out of the helicopter over a stretch of Jersey farmland. The Void then becomes the dominant personality, flying into a rage and nearly killing Bullseye. He's calmed by Osborn, and flies off to search for his wife. Victoria Hand is shocked as she observes a knowing glance between Osborn and Bullseye, assumably realizing that Osborn arranged for Lindy to be killed.
Overall, this was an exciting issue. We're definitely being set up for a big climax with the Sentry, though what exactly will go down and how well executed it will be on the part of Brian Michael Bendis remains to be seen. I'm enjoying seeing Victoria Hand finally realizing what it is she's a part of, between her frustration with the Avengers' inability to follow orders, skepticism about the nature of the attack on the tower, and shock at Bullseye's murder of Lindy. I'm hoping she'll play a pivotal role in the final issue, and curious to see what will become of her post-Siege, if she lives that long.
I really enjoy Mike Deodato's art, I think it's among the best the Marvel Universe has to offer. I'm impressed by the level of detail that goes into a lot of his work, and he has an excellent command of facial expressions. My one complaint (and I don't know whether to blame him or colorist Rain Beredo for this) is that occasionally, due to the nature of the coloring, characters start to look like plastic-y CGI figures, which to my eye just looks a little odd.
Edit: I'd like to add an additional note here, something I'd intended to address in this post when I started writing it but then forgot about. Hasn't Lindy been killed and resurrected in the past? Hell, wasn't that our introduction to the Sentry at the beginning of New Avengers, that he'd turned himself in for killing his wife but then brought her back? And I swear this came up again, perhaps in one of the early issues of Mighty Avengers. So why is her death an issue now, can't the Sentry just bring her back to life? I confess myself confused with this whole situation.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Siege Embedded 3
I'm still not sure how I feel about this issue, or this series in general. I think the main problem is that, since this series follows two reporters (ostensibly "real people" rather than superheroes) I have higher expectations of realism and less tolerance for comic book physics and logic. On the other hand, I find these same limitations of the characters make the issues more suspenseful than a typical comic. The book is certainly exciting, and in general I think I've found it more compelling than the main Siege storyline.
As we rejoin our heroes (so to speak) Ben Urich and Will Stern, they are once again (or still, I suppose) on the run from HAMMER at an Air Force base. They're split up, and Ben finds his way onto a plane headed straight to the heart of the battle at Asgard. And not just any plane, either - it happens to be the plane carrying Todd Keller, fictional conservative reporter (essentially an amalgam of all the wackiest Fox News talking heads) and Osborn shill. As they approach Asgard, an in-air collision results in Venom boarding the plane, and he proceeds to eat helpless HAMMER agents as they're stuck in their seats. The plane crash lands on Asgard, flinging Venom away and leaving Ben Urich, Todd Keller and a member of his news crew as the only apparent survivors of the wreck. Keller gets his hands on a gun and uses is to coerce his fellow survivors to get him on the air so he can spout his pro-Osborn propaganda from Asgard proper and show the world Osborn's victory.
Meanwhile, Will Stern has gotten his hands on a new van and made his way back to Oklahoma, as well. He arrives just in time to record the Sentry (or perhaps the Void) bring Asgard crashing down to earth, with Ben Urich still on it...
I think where I have the biggest problem with the book is when we start to bring politics into the mix. While I happen to agree with Ben's politics more than Todd Keller's, we're still entering the country of straw men, where the conservative "villain" is an irrational, violent and blindly nationalistic caricature and the liberal "hero" is honest, righteous and an all-around nice guy. I do enjoy the concept of the traditional "report the truth" newsman that Urich represents going up against the politico-posing-as-newsman that's become popular in American culture, but it's a very hard issue to tackle without taking political sides and potentially alienating readers.
Samnee's art is nothing special, though the stark style seems to work pretty well for the tone of the story. But unfortunately I have to say that the more action oriented scenes (particularly with Venom) do not work well at all. Panels are drawn from odd angles, making them difficult to interpret, and over all the confrontation was very difficult to follow.
As we rejoin our heroes (so to speak) Ben Urich and Will Stern, they are once again (or still, I suppose) on the run from HAMMER at an Air Force base. They're split up, and Ben finds his way onto a plane headed straight to the heart of the battle at Asgard. And not just any plane, either - it happens to be the plane carrying Todd Keller, fictional conservative reporter (essentially an amalgam of all the wackiest Fox News talking heads) and Osborn shill. As they approach Asgard, an in-air collision results in Venom boarding the plane, and he proceeds to eat helpless HAMMER agents as they're stuck in their seats. The plane crash lands on Asgard, flinging Venom away and leaving Ben Urich, Todd Keller and a member of his news crew as the only apparent survivors of the wreck. Keller gets his hands on a gun and uses is to coerce his fellow survivors to get him on the air so he can spout his pro-Osborn propaganda from Asgard proper and show the world Osborn's victory.
Meanwhile, Will Stern has gotten his hands on a new van and made his way back to Oklahoma, as well. He arrives just in time to record the Sentry (or perhaps the Void) bring Asgard crashing down to earth, with Ben Urich still on it...
I think where I have the biggest problem with the book is when we start to bring politics into the mix. While I happen to agree with Ben's politics more than Todd Keller's, we're still entering the country of straw men, where the conservative "villain" is an irrational, violent and blindly nationalistic caricature and the liberal "hero" is honest, righteous and an all-around nice guy. I do enjoy the concept of the traditional "report the truth" newsman that Urich represents going up against the politico-posing-as-newsman that's become popular in American culture, but it's a very hard issue to tackle without taking political sides and potentially alienating readers.
Samnee's art is nothing special, though the stark style seems to work pretty well for the tone of the story. But unfortunately I have to say that the more action oriented scenes (particularly with Venom) do not work well at all. Panels are drawn from odd angles, making them difficult to interpret, and over all the confrontation was very difficult to follow.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Siege 3
Hope at last! Captain America makes his triumphant return, with the New and Young Avengers and Nick Fury and his Secret Warriors in tow. We learn upfront that Osborn no longer has the backing of the President or the United States government; apparently they're none too happy that he's started a war with Asgard against orders, and they issue a warrant for his arrest for treason. Thor's back in action, and goes toe to toe with the Sentry; and while he seems to fare better against him than any hero thus far (sorry, Ares), he still appears to be largely outclassed. Iron Man finally makes an appearance in his classic armor, but there's not much to it considering the general hype about his presence in this series. Osborn is finally taken down and stands exposed as a monster to the world, but forces have been set in motion beyond even his control, meaning the heroes are in for a hell of a fight before this is over.
I don't understand why the Hood is here; I mean, I get that Osborn calls him in as backup, but it doesn't make sense that Osborn would reveal his close ties to a known crime lord when he's made sure that every major news outlet is watching and reporting on this event, even in a moment of desperation. It just seems like an excuse for Bendis to shoehorn his favorite supervillain into a story arc that he doesn't belong in, and it's distracting. Also awkward is Osborn's reveal to the world. For some reason he's wearing his Green Goblin make up, which seems like a really poor decision at a media-heavy event, especially when Osborn seems to take such enjoyment from showing off his smiling face in moments of triumph.
Really, the biggest problem I have with this series is the same problem I have with a lot of Bendis' work (particularly crossovers): he's got a lot of big ideas, but doesn't take the time to fit them together in a logical fashion. It's as if he started with what he wanted the end result of the story to be, and then worked backwards. Osborn's downfall comes across as the result of stupidity and sloppiness rather than psychosis and overreaching ambition, which makes no sense for a man with such intense willpower and self control. Little time is taken to address the characters (any of them) at an individual level.
I did enjoy the art, but holy splash pages, Batman! And why is everyone crouching in mid-air? I know, I know, you have to show off all your Avengers, but it doesn't make the art make any more sense. Also, the sheer number of splash pages makes this story feel almost unbearably short.
Overall, this crossover has been enjoyable thus far, and this issue has me excited for the conclusion next issue. I just wish it didn't feel like just a formality to pave the way for the Heroic Age.
I don't understand why the Hood is here; I mean, I get that Osborn calls him in as backup, but it doesn't make sense that Osborn would reveal his close ties to a known crime lord when he's made sure that every major news outlet is watching and reporting on this event, even in a moment of desperation. It just seems like an excuse for Bendis to shoehorn his favorite supervillain into a story arc that he doesn't belong in, and it's distracting. Also awkward is Osborn's reveal to the world. For some reason he's wearing his Green Goblin make up, which seems like a really poor decision at a media-heavy event, especially when Osborn seems to take such enjoyment from showing off his smiling face in moments of triumph.
Really, the biggest problem I have with this series is the same problem I have with a lot of Bendis' work (particularly crossovers): he's got a lot of big ideas, but doesn't take the time to fit them together in a logical fashion. It's as if he started with what he wanted the end result of the story to be, and then worked backwards. Osborn's downfall comes across as the result of stupidity and sloppiness rather than psychosis and overreaching ambition, which makes no sense for a man with such intense willpower and self control. Little time is taken to address the characters (any of them) at an individual level.
I did enjoy the art, but holy splash pages, Batman! And why is everyone crouching in mid-air? I know, I know, you have to show off all your Avengers, but it doesn't make the art make any more sense. Also, the sheer number of splash pages makes this story feel almost unbearably short.
Overall, this crossover has been enjoyable thus far, and this issue has me excited for the conclusion next issue. I just wish it didn't feel like just a formality to pave the way for the Heroic Age.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Mighty Avengers 34
Man, Hank Pym cannot catch a break. You hit your wife ONE TIME and you're written as a crackpot for the rest of your comic book career.
As you might expect, this issue has a two functions: to tie up hanging plot threads so that this series can transition into the upcoming Avengers book, and to provide filler until the Mighty Avengers Siege tie-in issues begin next month. And it performs both of these duties with as much awkwardness as it can muster.
So Hank Pym has this crazy idea to kidnap Loki so that they can ask him about the Scarlet Witch. Oh, and then torture him. Perfectly reasonable. Which is apparently really easy with SCIENCE! Also, it helps if you know where he's going to be, which we do because of some confusing plot point that's never been mentioned before and which Hank Pym knows because we need to move this plot along.
So Loki calls out to his brother Thor, who arrives for a chat. And that's pretty much all that happens, chatting. He takes a shot at Quicksilver, but it takes about a page and then we're done.
Hank Pym releases Loki to Thor's custody, and in return Thor offers Hank Pym an answer from Loki to any question he'd care to ask. So, in a move that marks new levels of crazy for Pym and new levels of contrived writing for Slott, he asks Loki if he'd like to join the Mighty Avengers. Instead of asking him about the Scarlet Witch. Now, I don't expect any revelations about the Witch until Marvel is ready to approach the issue, but I do expect characters (like Hank Pym) to behave reasonably and consistently from one issue to the next.
Pym's status as "Scientist Supreme" is retconned almost as quickly as it was established (it was a trick, Loki did it... maybe. It's not clear). And Pym's newfound level-headedness is just as quickly thrown out the window so that we have an excuse for the Mighty Avengers to disband and perhaps to write off or kill Pym at the end of the series. Because how can we have Hank Pym without him making awful decisions? The only thing that's missing is Ultron...
As you might expect, this issue has a two functions: to tie up hanging plot threads so that this series can transition into the upcoming Avengers book, and to provide filler until the Mighty Avengers Siege tie-in issues begin next month. And it performs both of these duties with as much awkwardness as it can muster.
So Hank Pym has this crazy idea to kidnap Loki so that they can ask him about the Scarlet Witch. Oh, and then torture him. Perfectly reasonable. Which is apparently really easy with SCIENCE! Also, it helps if you know where he's going to be, which we do because of some confusing plot point that's never been mentioned before and which Hank Pym knows because we need to move this plot along.
So Loki calls out to his brother Thor, who arrives for a chat. And that's pretty much all that happens, chatting. He takes a shot at Quicksilver, but it takes about a page and then we're done.
Hank Pym releases Loki to Thor's custody, and in return Thor offers Hank Pym an answer from Loki to any question he'd care to ask. So, in a move that marks new levels of crazy for Pym and new levels of contrived writing for Slott, he asks Loki if he'd like to join the Mighty Avengers. Instead of asking him about the Scarlet Witch. Now, I don't expect any revelations about the Witch until Marvel is ready to approach the issue, but I do expect characters (like Hank Pym) to behave reasonably and consistently from one issue to the next.
Pym's status as "Scientist Supreme" is retconned almost as quickly as it was established (it was a trick, Loki did it... maybe. It's not clear). And Pym's newfound level-headedness is just as quickly thrown out the window so that we have an excuse for the Mighty Avengers to disband and perhaps to write off or kill Pym at the end of the series. Because how can we have Hank Pym without him making awful decisions? The only thing that's missing is Ultron...
Amazing Spider-Man 624
Mark Waid, I (as the meme goes) am disappoint.
So, the cliffhanger at the end of the last issue is quickly thwarted at the beginning of this one (turns out it's not JJJ's body but that of a helpful staffer who was in the wrong place at the wrong time). Spidey runs out of web-fluid trying to bring down the Vulture and is unable to prevent his escape. Peter Parker makes some questionable decisions in an attempt to clear Jonah's name and is promptly rewarded with a public firing. And we're treated to the origin story of the new Vulture, which is as cliche as it is nonsensical.
Jimmy, as he was known before his transformation, is a "fixer" for the mob, who's responsible for cleaning up after the various mob members as they go about their mobby business. Unfortunately, business getting sloppy and Jimmy's got more than he can handle. So Jimmy finds himself a professor who's gotten his hands on the same tech that made the Scorpion, and hires said professor to build him a new Vulture henchman who'll prey on any fellow mob members who're making too big a mess. And no, it doesn't make any god damn sense to create a super henchman and then send him after your own people, but let's press on. So Jimmy pitches this idea to his mob bosses, who immediately stab him in the back (well, shoot him in the leg) and offer him up as a test subject. Why would they sacrifice one of their best "fixers" when the workload is already getting out of hand? Well, because they've been watching 1930s mobster movies and don't share more than a handful of braincells between them, obviously. They're criminals, you can't expect them to act logically, as that would be silly. So the procedure predictably goes wrong, Jimmy gets crazy and violent and decides to exact revenge.
I understand what Waid is going for here with the homage to Silver Age comics, and on paper it seems like an interesting idea, especially during an ongoing storyline featuring the return of classic Spidey villains. But style alone isn't enough to overcome a weak storyline, and it was not without good reason that some of the storytelling devices used in comic books in the 60s and 70s were abandoned. The bait and switch with Jonah's body at the start of the issue is cute, but still seems like just as big a cop out now as it ever did. The new Vulture is a flat, boring character with only the most basic motivation, and his origin story (another apparent allusion to comics' "good ol' days") just doesn't work.
Paul Azaceta's art is meant to add to the nostalgic feel, but try as I might I just can't bring myself to enjoy it. The thick, heavy lines don't lend themselves to detail work, so faces just become vague shapes, and it's hard, if not impossible to interpret emotions (like is Peter crying or simply rubbing his forehead as he's being fired?). And in one particularly poorly drawn (and inked) frame towards the end of the book Azaceta explores what Peter might look like if he were black. No, I'm not making that up.
I did enjoy some of the developments in Peter's personal life, as his job loss and public humiliation serve to further complicate his already complicated life. And I hope it's an indication that "The Gauntlet" story line is actually headed somewhere meaningful, as opposed to just being an excuse to showcase old Spider-Man villains.
So, the cliffhanger at the end of the last issue is quickly thwarted at the beginning of this one (turns out it's not JJJ's body but that of a helpful staffer who was in the wrong place at the wrong time). Spidey runs out of web-fluid trying to bring down the Vulture and is unable to prevent his escape. Peter Parker makes some questionable decisions in an attempt to clear Jonah's name and is promptly rewarded with a public firing. And we're treated to the origin story of the new Vulture, which is as cliche as it is nonsensical.
Jimmy, as he was known before his transformation, is a "fixer" for the mob, who's responsible for cleaning up after the various mob members as they go about their mobby business. Unfortunately, business getting sloppy and Jimmy's got more than he can handle. So Jimmy finds himself a professor who's gotten his hands on the same tech that made the Scorpion, and hires said professor to build him a new Vulture henchman who'll prey on any fellow mob members who're making too big a mess. And no, it doesn't make any god damn sense to create a super henchman and then send him after your own people, but let's press on. So Jimmy pitches this idea to his mob bosses, who immediately stab him in the back (well, shoot him in the leg) and offer him up as a test subject. Why would they sacrifice one of their best "fixers" when the workload is already getting out of hand? Well, because they've been watching 1930s mobster movies and don't share more than a handful of braincells between them, obviously. They're criminals, you can't expect them to act logically, as that would be silly. So the procedure predictably goes wrong, Jimmy gets crazy and violent and decides to exact revenge.
I understand what Waid is going for here with the homage to Silver Age comics, and on paper it seems like an interesting idea, especially during an ongoing storyline featuring the return of classic Spidey villains. But style alone isn't enough to overcome a weak storyline, and it was not without good reason that some of the storytelling devices used in comic books in the 60s and 70s were abandoned. The bait and switch with Jonah's body at the start of the issue is cute, but still seems like just as big a cop out now as it ever did. The new Vulture is a flat, boring character with only the most basic motivation, and his origin story (another apparent allusion to comics' "good ol' days") just doesn't work.
Paul Azaceta's art is meant to add to the nostalgic feel, but try as I might I just can't bring myself to enjoy it. The thick, heavy lines don't lend themselves to detail work, so faces just become vague shapes, and it's hard, if not impossible to interpret emotions (like is Peter crying or simply rubbing his forehead as he's being fired?). And in one particularly poorly drawn (and inked) frame towards the end of the book Azaceta explores what Peter might look like if he were black. No, I'm not making that up.
I did enjoy some of the developments in Peter's personal life, as his job loss and public humiliation serve to further complicate his already complicated life. And I hope it's an indication that "The Gauntlet" story line is actually headed somewhere meaningful, as opposed to just being an excuse to showcase old Spider-Man villains.
Cable 24, Dark X-Men 5
I'm just going to touch very quickly on these two. Suffice it to say I was not terribly impressed.
Dark X-Men 5
This series showed more promise than I expected in its first couple of issues, but this promise is more or less squandered in the final issue. There's some interesting ideas in here about the nature of Norman Osborn's psychosis, but the story itself is largely unsatisfying. I'm not sure I understand the rationale behind resurrecting Nate Grey only to more permanently kill him (unless you really hate Nate Grey, which might be understandable); it just seems like lazy writing. And we don't gain much in the way of new insight about the titular characters, which seems the bare minimum you'd expect to justify writing the series in the first place.
Cable 24
Nothing new here as Cable and Hope's time traveling finally comes to a close. This story might be more interesting if it wasn't the same story that Duane Swierczynski has told in every issue since the series began. We do see Bishop finally defeated and actually expressing doubts about his decision to pursue Hope, but overall it's the same old same old. Caracuzzo's art is capable, but there are some odd scenes that don't seem well plotted; Cable is lying on the ground and then standing in the very next frame; Cable and Hope break into a car, then wind up on the opposite sides of the same car in the next frame; just a couple examples of things that seem like things that should've been caught either by the artist or the editor, and they're bad enough that they're distracting from the narrative.
Dark X-Men 5
This series showed more promise than I expected in its first couple of issues, but this promise is more or less squandered in the final issue. There's some interesting ideas in here about the nature of Norman Osborn's psychosis, but the story itself is largely unsatisfying. I'm not sure I understand the rationale behind resurrecting Nate Grey only to more permanently kill him (unless you really hate Nate Grey, which might be understandable); it just seems like lazy writing. And we don't gain much in the way of new insight about the titular characters, which seems the bare minimum you'd expect to justify writing the series in the first place.
Cable 24
Nothing new here as Cable and Hope's time traveling finally comes to a close. This story might be more interesting if it wasn't the same story that Duane Swierczynski has told in every issue since the series began. We do see Bishop finally defeated and actually expressing doubts about his decision to pursue Hope, but overall it's the same old same old. Caracuzzo's art is capable, but there are some odd scenes that don't seem well plotted; Cable is lying on the ground and then standing in the very next frame; Cable and Hope break into a car, then wind up on the opposite sides of the same car in the next frame; just a couple examples of things that seem like things that should've been caught either by the artist or the editor, and they're bad enough that they're distracting from the narrative.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Secret Avengers, Part 2
So, the first two members I've talked about seemed pretty straightforward, at least in comparison to the other characters that are showing up (interestingly enough, Marvel just announced a mini-series starring Captain America (Steve Rogers) and Black Panther). And another recently alluded-to team-up brings me to my next pick...
"I strive for redemption."
My pick: Moon Knight
Runners-up: Dr Strange, Dr. Voodoo, the Hood, Cloak
Pretty much everyone with a flowy, creepy cloak is a possibility here, since the majority of the silhouette is obscured. Moon Knight seems like a safe bet; he has a history with the Avengers (well, West Coast, anyway) and he's been pretty popular in his own books lately. The quote is pretty relevant to a character battling his inner demons and struggling to become a true "hero." On the other hand, the chaotic nature of his multiple personalities and his penchant for violence seem like they would make him a poor team player, and he and Steve Rogers definitely did not get along the last time they met during Civil War.
I'd love to see Dr. Strange here, and the quote is pretty fitting for him as well, having misused his powers and lost the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme as a result. However, the cloak just doesn't look quite right to me, and Marvel seems like it's been working hard to pass the sorcerer torch to Dr. Voodoo. This could be him, but if it is, he's missing his trademark staff; plus, if the next character I'm going to talk about is correct, the magic angle will be pretty well covered already...
"I am in control of my life."
My pick: Scarlet Witch
Runners-up: Valkyrie, Meggan
I know this might be a controversial pick, but I just can't for the life of me imagine who else this could be. Female superheroines tend to be relatively rarer than their male counterparts; throw on a cape and there's very few options to choose from. Scarlet Witch is one of the few who fit the bill, and this seems like a perfect time to bring her back, for so many reasons. She was one of the core members of the Avengers for many years, and was the cause of their original disbanding. Now that we've come full circle to the Heroic Age and the return of the Avengers, it seems like the perfect time to deal with an issue that Marvel has left simmering on the back burner for years. The quote associated with this pick sounds like an affirmation of someone who's recently put her life in order after struggling to do so in the past. There would certainly be some hard feelings towards her from the official Avengers team, but an off-the-record Avengers group could provide a comfortable home; plus, Steve Rogers seems like the kind of guy who'd give her a second chance.
Valkyrie and Meggan are the only characters that come immediately to mind as alternate possibilities. If it's Valkyrie, she's missing her trademark sword or spear; but Meggan could be the "defecting" member of MI-13 that Paul Cornell mentions in his interview about the upcoming Age of Heroes anthology.
"I excel through adversity."
My pick: ???
Possibilities: Captain Britain, Captain Marvel
This is the only Secret Avenger I don't have a solid guess for; the silhouette is so nondescript it's hard nail down any defining features. Captain Britain is a possibility; as I mentioned above, there may be a member of MI-13 moving to the U.S., so if it's not Meggan, it could be Captain Britain here. It doesn't look quite like his current costume, but it is rather reminiscent of his old costume with mask and gauntlets. The new Captain Marvel (Noh-Varr) could be in the running, here, too. Bucky Cap and Steve Rogers are seen observing him at the end of Dark Avengers Annual #1, so that would provide an explanation for why he gets a seat on the team. And his connections with the Dark Avengers would certainly provide an explanation for why he can't be seen on an official Avengers roster.
"I act upon my convictions regardless of personal consequences."
My pick: War Machine
This one seems so certain I don't even have a runner-up. It's a man wearing a suit of armor, the quote is absolutely in fitting with Rhodey, and he's got a movie coming out right around the time this comic is supposed to start. The only thing that gives me pause is that he doesn't seem to be packing any of his trademark ordnance (though maybe that would've made it too obvious). There are a handful of other armored heroes out there that look similar, but to my mind none make nearly as much sense.
"I strive for redemption."
My pick: Moon Knight
Runners-up: Dr Strange, Dr. Voodoo, the Hood, Cloak
Pretty much everyone with a flowy, creepy cloak is a possibility here, since the majority of the silhouette is obscured. Moon Knight seems like a safe bet; he has a history with the Avengers (well, West Coast, anyway) and he's been pretty popular in his own books lately. The quote is pretty relevant to a character battling his inner demons and struggling to become a true "hero." On the other hand, the chaotic nature of his multiple personalities and his penchant for violence seem like they would make him a poor team player, and he and Steve Rogers definitely did not get along the last time they met during Civil War.
I'd love to see Dr. Strange here, and the quote is pretty fitting for him as well, having misused his powers and lost the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme as a result. However, the cloak just doesn't look quite right to me, and Marvel seems like it's been working hard to pass the sorcerer torch to Dr. Voodoo. This could be him, but if it is, he's missing his trademark staff; plus, if the next character I'm going to talk about is correct, the magic angle will be pretty well covered already...
"I am in control of my life."
My pick: Scarlet Witch
Runners-up: Valkyrie, Meggan
I know this might be a controversial pick, but I just can't for the life of me imagine who else this could be. Female superheroines tend to be relatively rarer than their male counterparts; throw on a cape and there's very few options to choose from. Scarlet Witch is one of the few who fit the bill, and this seems like a perfect time to bring her back, for so many reasons. She was one of the core members of the Avengers for many years, and was the cause of their original disbanding. Now that we've come full circle to the Heroic Age and the return of the Avengers, it seems like the perfect time to deal with an issue that Marvel has left simmering on the back burner for years. The quote associated with this pick sounds like an affirmation of someone who's recently put her life in order after struggling to do so in the past. There would certainly be some hard feelings towards her from the official Avengers team, but an off-the-record Avengers group could provide a comfortable home; plus, Steve Rogers seems like the kind of guy who'd give her a second chance.
Valkyrie and Meggan are the only characters that come immediately to mind as alternate possibilities. If it's Valkyrie, she's missing her trademark sword or spear; but Meggan could be the "defecting" member of MI-13 that Paul Cornell mentions in his interview about the upcoming Age of Heroes anthology.
"I excel through adversity."
My pick: ???
Possibilities: Captain Britain, Captain Marvel
This is the only Secret Avenger I don't have a solid guess for; the silhouette is so nondescript it's hard nail down any defining features. Captain Britain is a possibility; as I mentioned above, there may be a member of MI-13 moving to the U.S., so if it's not Meggan, it could be Captain Britain here. It doesn't look quite like his current costume, but it is rather reminiscent of his old costume with mask and gauntlets. The new Captain Marvel (Noh-Varr) could be in the running, here, too. Bucky Cap and Steve Rogers are seen observing him at the end of Dark Avengers Annual #1, so that would provide an explanation for why he gets a seat on the team. And his connections with the Dark Avengers would certainly provide an explanation for why he can't be seen on an official Avengers roster.
"I act upon my convictions regardless of personal consequences."
My pick: War Machine
This one seems so certain I don't even have a runner-up. It's a man wearing a suit of armor, the quote is absolutely in fitting with Rhodey, and he's got a movie coming out right around the time this comic is supposed to start. The only thing that gives me pause is that he doesn't seem to be packing any of his trademark ordnance (though maybe that would've made it too obvious). There are a handful of other armored heroes out there that look similar, but to my mind none make nearly as much sense.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Secret Avengers, Part 1
If you've been following recent developments in Marvel comics lately, you've probably heard about their fast-approaching Heroic Age, which will mark the end of Dark Reign and a move towards storylines that are a little less dark than the last few years'. Part of this new direction is the cancellation and replacement of all the current Avengers titles. I'll probably be talking about a few of them in later posts; in this post I'd like to focus on the Secret Avengers in particular, a team whose purpose is yet to be revealed and whose membership has so far only been shown in silhouettes.
First, let me say that these ideas were not necessarily mine originally; I've been perusing various comic book forums (particularly the Marvel Comics Boards and Comic Book Resources) and I've collected some of the ones I thought made the most sense here (and the reasons I think so), along with some thoughts of my own that I've yet to see elsewhere. I like to think the concept behind the team and the particular choices I favor are largely my own conclusions, but I'd also like to avoid any accusations that these ideas were stolen when that was not my intent.
Any predictions about the lineup of this particular team are going to have to take into account comments made by Ed Brubaker about the nature of the comic he's going to be writing here. He's made comments about the book having an "espionage tinge," and that it'll be reminiscent of Steranko and Kirby's work back in the 60s (in other words, Nick Fury, S.H.I.E.L.D., and crazy technology). This, to me, indicates a group that, while not necessarily "black ops," as has been suggested by some, at the very least operates under the authority of S.H.I.E.L.D. or H.A.M.M.E.R. (or whatever agency rises up to replace H.A.M.M.E.R. post-Siege). Given Brubaker's past history with the character, I fully expect Steve Rogers to appear on this team in some capacity; I'll talk about this a little more in depth in a bit. I'm also thinking that the "secret" in the title of the comic indicates that these Avengers won't be confirmed publicly to the Marvel Universe at large, and that maybe some of the characters can't or don't want to be tied to the Avengers in an official capacity. This is an idea I'll touch on in some of my predictions.
Anyway, on to the characters! I'm actually going to start with the character that was revealed last because I think he's the member that's going to lead the team and really tie it together conceptually.
"I lead by example."
My pick: Steve Rogers
Runner-up: Nick Fury
I don't really see another choice than Steve Rogers for this spot. The quote and the stance definitely suggest it. The book is being written by Brubaker, who has an extensive history with the character (to put it mildly). It's been established that Bucky will continue as the official Captain America and serve on the main Avengers, and that the president has something "far greater" for Rogers to do. My prediction is that Steve Rogers is being put in charge of S.H.I.E.L.D. or its equivalent and the Secret Avengers team. It certainly seems fitting that a character as traditionally morally upright as Steve Rogers would take over after Norman Osborn. Additionally, if the membership of this team turns out as I'm predicting, Rogers is the type of guy who'd make space for heroes who've messed up and are looking for a second chance.
Nick Fury seems the next likely choice considering his history with S.H.I.E.L.D. and Brubaker's references to Steranko's work. But the character appears to be wearing a mask, and really this just seems like the most likely Avengers title for Steve to show up in at this point.
"I focus on the solution, not the problem."
My pick: Black Panther
Runners-up: Daredevil, Beast
I had trouble figuring out what was going on in this image initially, so I'll describe what's going on here in case anyone else is having the same issues: the character is leaping out towards the viewer; the shape on the right of the image is his left knee with his feet tucked underneath him; one arm is thrust out behind him, and the other (the one that's harder to see) is out in front of him.
This strikes me as a classic Black Panther pose: the "pounce," the fingers curled like claws, the simple outfit all strike me as very Panther-esque. He's currently in Marvel's "Doomwar" limited series, which sees him fighting alongside the X-Men and Fantastic Four, perhaps partially in an effort to get the character more involved in the larger Marvel Universe, and possibly (depending on its conclusion) providing his motivation for rejoining an Avengers team. He has a history with the Avengers, but as the leader of a nation that prides itself on independence (and which has had a fairly chilly diplomatic relationship with the United States in the past few years) he has good reason not to want to be seen as an Avenger in an official capacity.
Beast and Daredevil both seem like possibilities, but less likely. Daredevil's been an "almost" on the New Avengers since its inception, but the silhouette lacks his trademark billy club, and he's been on the wrong side of the law lately in his solo book. Originally I'd dismissed Beast out of hand because his feline form is bulkier and lacks a couple of fingers; however, he's shown up on the Heroic Age banner in his more ape-like form, complete with five-fingered hands and a smaller build. Plus, he recently left the X-Men, and with S.W.O.R.D. wrapping up after only five issues, he could use a new home. Still, the silhouette lacks hair and appears to be wearing shoes, so barring a costume change, Beast seems unlikely.
First, let me say that these ideas were not necessarily mine originally; I've been perusing various comic book forums (particularly the Marvel Comics Boards and Comic Book Resources) and I've collected some of the ones I thought made the most sense here (and the reasons I think so), along with some thoughts of my own that I've yet to see elsewhere. I like to think the concept behind the team and the particular choices I favor are largely my own conclusions, but I'd also like to avoid any accusations that these ideas were stolen when that was not my intent.
Any predictions about the lineup of this particular team are going to have to take into account comments made by Ed Brubaker about the nature of the comic he's going to be writing here. He's made comments about the book having an "espionage tinge," and that it'll be reminiscent of Steranko and Kirby's work back in the 60s (in other words, Nick Fury, S.H.I.E.L.D., and crazy technology). This, to me, indicates a group that, while not necessarily "black ops," as has been suggested by some, at the very least operates under the authority of S.H.I.E.L.D. or H.A.M.M.E.R. (or whatever agency rises up to replace H.A.M.M.E.R. post-Siege). Given Brubaker's past history with the character, I fully expect Steve Rogers to appear on this team in some capacity; I'll talk about this a little more in depth in a bit. I'm also thinking that the "secret" in the title of the comic indicates that these Avengers won't be confirmed publicly to the Marvel Universe at large, and that maybe some of the characters can't or don't want to be tied to the Avengers in an official capacity. This is an idea I'll touch on in some of my predictions.
Anyway, on to the characters! I'm actually going to start with the character that was revealed last because I think he's the member that's going to lead the team and really tie it together conceptually.
"I lead by example."
My pick: Steve Rogers
Runner-up: Nick Fury
I don't really see another choice than Steve Rogers for this spot. The quote and the stance definitely suggest it. The book is being written by Brubaker, who has an extensive history with the character (to put it mildly). It's been established that Bucky will continue as the official Captain America and serve on the main Avengers, and that the president has something "far greater" for Rogers to do. My prediction is that Steve Rogers is being put in charge of S.H.I.E.L.D. or its equivalent and the Secret Avengers team. It certainly seems fitting that a character as traditionally morally upright as Steve Rogers would take over after Norman Osborn. Additionally, if the membership of this team turns out as I'm predicting, Rogers is the type of guy who'd make space for heroes who've messed up and are looking for a second chance.
Nick Fury seems the next likely choice considering his history with S.H.I.E.L.D. and Brubaker's references to Steranko's work. But the character appears to be wearing a mask, and really this just seems like the most likely Avengers title for Steve to show up in at this point.
"I focus on the solution, not the problem."
My pick: Black Panther
Runners-up: Daredevil, Beast
I had trouble figuring out what was going on in this image initially, so I'll describe what's going on here in case anyone else is having the same issues: the character is leaping out towards the viewer; the shape on the right of the image is his left knee with his feet tucked underneath him; one arm is thrust out behind him, and the other (the one that's harder to see) is out in front of him.
This strikes me as a classic Black Panther pose: the "pounce," the fingers curled like claws, the simple outfit all strike me as very Panther-esque. He's currently in Marvel's "Doomwar" limited series, which sees him fighting alongside the X-Men and Fantastic Four, perhaps partially in an effort to get the character more involved in the larger Marvel Universe, and possibly (depending on its conclusion) providing his motivation for rejoining an Avengers team. He has a history with the Avengers, but as the leader of a nation that prides itself on independence (and which has had a fairly chilly diplomatic relationship with the United States in the past few years) he has good reason not to want to be seen as an Avenger in an official capacity.
Beast and Daredevil both seem like possibilities, but less likely. Daredevil's been an "almost" on the New Avengers since its inception, but the silhouette lacks his trademark billy club, and he's been on the wrong side of the law lately in his solo book. Originally I'd dismissed Beast out of hand because his feline form is bulkier and lacks a couple of fingers; however, he's shown up on the Heroic Age banner in his more ape-like form, complete with five-fingered hands and a smaller build. Plus, he recently left the X-Men, and with S.W.O.R.D. wrapping up after only five issues, he could use a new home. Still, the silhouette lacks hair and appears to be wearing shoes, so barring a costume change, Beast seems unlikely.
New Avengers 62, X-Men Legacy 233
Today, another chapter in the ongoing "Siege" storyline brings us one step closer to the end of New Avengers volume 1, and X-Men Legacy concludes its "Necrosha" tie-in storyline.
New Avengers 62
Hypnotized by the baboon-man Mandrill, Spider-Woman turns on Spider-Man; they duke it out for a bit until Spider-Woman predictably manages to overcome her brainwashing through sheer force of will (and some coaxing from Spider-Man). Reunited, they quickly dispatch Mandrill and the Griffin.
The thing that struck me as odd about this particular sequence is how ridiculously outclassed Spider-Woman appears to be by Spider-Man. Peter refuses to fight back for fear of hurting Jessica, yet despite taking some direct hits he appears none the worse for wear throughout the fight. I don't really have any concept of how the two stack up against each other, I suppose I just expected that if Spider-Woman is hanging out with the Avengers, she'd be packing a little more punch.
Regardless, this part of the story serves mainly as filler for the more Siege-centric arc that reunites Steve Rogers with the New Avengers and Nick Fury and his Secret Warriors. New and old Captain Americas make short work of the Living Laser with the timely assistance of Luke Cage and a convenient downed power line. Nick Fury and the Secret Warriors show up just in time for a quick brawl with H.A.M.M.E.R.; afterward, Steve Rogers and the New Avengers meet up just in time to catch breaking news of Thor's defeat by Norman Osborn in Oklahoma.
I found this issue enjoyable for the most part, though at times it felt rushed. In addition to my issues with fight between Spider-People I talked about above, the Living Laser is defeated in a handful of pages and the fight with H.A.M.M.E.R. takes place almost entirely off-screen (off-page?). Really, this story just seems to be a vehicle for bringing the relevant parties together to ride triumphantly to Asgard's rescue. Also, it should be noted that Steve Roger's reunion scene with the New Avengers takes place differently in different titles; I don't really have a problem with this personally, as it serves the purposes of the story well, but I know it's been talked about on the Marvel.com and ComicBookResources boards, so I thought I'd mention it. I'll probably talk about this more in depth in another post.
Stuart Immonen handles most of the art in this issue, with Daniel Acuna taking care of the scenes with Spider-Man/Spider-Woman. The pairing works pretty well; the art styles aren't so drastically different that they become distracting, and the only time it really becomes apparent is during the reunion scene where Spider-Man and Spider-Woman are suddenly being drawn by a different artist. Overall, I think I prefer Acuna's art over Immonen's; it's a little cleaner and more consistent, especially when it comes to faces (Clint Barton looks downright girlish in one scene), but generally speaking the art is solid all around.
X-Men Legacy 233
The finale of the confrontation between the newly resurrected Proteus and the X-Men concludes! Rogue absorbs Psylocke's powers and uses her psychic knife to break Proteus control over her teammates, and Magneto draws Proteus from Blindfold's body and destroys him (evidently because Proteus is made of energy and Magneto's magnetism gives him some limited control over energy fields...I guess?). Destiny exchanges some cryptic words with Rogue about her future and being bound to a child, and reveals to Blindfold that she once had a brother, but that her mother died to protect Blindfold from him. I sort of expected that this storyline was an attempt to permanently resurrect Destiny, but it seems like she doesn't expect to live long. It's not clear if that means we'll never see her again or if she's going to be hanging around for a little while, thought my impression is the former.
Clay Mann's art is decent. A few scenes are a little bit awkward (there's a splash page detailing a fight between Rogue and Husk that I'm not a fan of) but it gets the job done.
Overall, I thought this was a pretty decent arc. We get to spend a little time with characters who've taken a backseat in the X-Men family lately (Nightcrawler, in particular), and we get to see Magneto in full form alongside the X-Men. Mostly, I enjoyed seeing the X-Men in the field, fighting a more traditional enemy, as opposed to the politicking and "nation building" that's generally been taking place in Uncanny lately. The "Necrosha" banner doesn't really seem to indicate that much, since this arc didn't have a whole lot to do with Necrosha itself beyond the resurrection of Destiny, but I'm not really complaining.
New Avengers 62
Hypnotized by the baboon-man Mandrill, Spider-Woman turns on Spider-Man; they duke it out for a bit until Spider-Woman predictably manages to overcome her brainwashing through sheer force of will (and some coaxing from Spider-Man). Reunited, they quickly dispatch Mandrill and the Griffin.
The thing that struck me as odd about this particular sequence is how ridiculously outclassed Spider-Woman appears to be by Spider-Man. Peter refuses to fight back for fear of hurting Jessica, yet despite taking some direct hits he appears none the worse for wear throughout the fight. I don't really have any concept of how the two stack up against each other, I suppose I just expected that if Spider-Woman is hanging out with the Avengers, she'd be packing a little more punch.
Regardless, this part of the story serves mainly as filler for the more Siege-centric arc that reunites Steve Rogers with the New Avengers and Nick Fury and his Secret Warriors. New and old Captain Americas make short work of the Living Laser with the timely assistance of Luke Cage and a convenient downed power line. Nick Fury and the Secret Warriors show up just in time for a quick brawl with H.A.M.M.E.R.; afterward, Steve Rogers and the New Avengers meet up just in time to catch breaking news of Thor's defeat by Norman Osborn in Oklahoma.
I found this issue enjoyable for the most part, though at times it felt rushed. In addition to my issues with fight between Spider-People I talked about above, the Living Laser is defeated in a handful of pages and the fight with H.A.M.M.E.R. takes place almost entirely off-screen (off-page?). Really, this story just seems to be a vehicle for bringing the relevant parties together to ride triumphantly to Asgard's rescue. Also, it should be noted that Steve Roger's reunion scene with the New Avengers takes place differently in different titles; I don't really have a problem with this personally, as it serves the purposes of the story well, but I know it's been talked about on the Marvel.com and ComicBookResources boards, so I thought I'd mention it. I'll probably talk about this more in depth in another post.
Stuart Immonen handles most of the art in this issue, with Daniel Acuna taking care of the scenes with Spider-Man/Spider-Woman. The pairing works pretty well; the art styles aren't so drastically different that they become distracting, and the only time it really becomes apparent is during the reunion scene where Spider-Man and Spider-Woman are suddenly being drawn by a different artist. Overall, I think I prefer Acuna's art over Immonen's; it's a little cleaner and more consistent, especially when it comes to faces (Clint Barton looks downright girlish in one scene), but generally speaking the art is solid all around.
X-Men Legacy 233
The finale of the confrontation between the newly resurrected Proteus and the X-Men concludes! Rogue absorbs Psylocke's powers and uses her psychic knife to break Proteus control over her teammates, and Magneto draws Proteus from Blindfold's body and destroys him (evidently because Proteus is made of energy and Magneto's magnetism gives him some limited control over energy fields...I guess?). Destiny exchanges some cryptic words with Rogue about her future and being bound to a child, and reveals to Blindfold that she once had a brother, but that her mother died to protect Blindfold from him. I sort of expected that this storyline was an attempt to permanently resurrect Destiny, but it seems like she doesn't expect to live long. It's not clear if that means we'll never see her again or if she's going to be hanging around for a little while, thought my impression is the former.
Clay Mann's art is decent. A few scenes are a little bit awkward (there's a splash page detailing a fight between Rogue and Husk that I'm not a fan of) but it gets the job done.
Overall, I thought this was a pretty decent arc. We get to spend a little time with characters who've taken a backseat in the X-Men family lately (Nightcrawler, in particular), and we get to see Magneto in full form alongside the X-Men. Mostly, I enjoyed seeing the X-Men in the field, fighting a more traditional enemy, as opposed to the politicking and "nation building" that's generally been taking place in Uncanny lately. The "Necrosha" banner doesn't really seem to indicate that much, since this arc didn't have a whole lot to do with Necrosha itself beyond the resurrection of Destiny, but I'm not really complaining.
A Note on Reviews
You may notice a delay between the date a comic appears on shelves and the date I actually post a review. While I'll try to post reviews as quickly as possible once I've read a comic, I'm receiving a number of comics through subscriptions, and there tends to be a delay between when comics appear in stores and when I receive them in the mail.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Welcome, Comic Book Fans
Welcome to my comic book blog. Here you'll find reviews of the latest comics and commentary on news from the comics world.
You may notice I focus mainly (if not entirely) on Marvel comics; please don't take this as a slight directed at DC/Image/Dark Horse/(insert publisher of choice here). I grew up reading Marvel Comics and am far better acquainted with the Marvel universe than any other publisher you might name; and, since I can afford only so many comics on my limited budget, Marvel's what I'll be following, at least for the time being.
Thanks for reading!
You may notice I focus mainly (if not entirely) on Marvel comics; please don't take this as a slight directed at DC/Image/Dark Horse/(insert publisher of choice here). I grew up reading Marvel Comics and am far better acquainted with the Marvel universe than any other publisher you might name; and, since I can afford only so many comics on my limited budget, Marvel's what I'll be following, at least for the time being.
Thanks for reading!
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