Comic Book News, Reviews, Articles

Watch: 75 Years Ago Today The Flash Debuted

75 years ago The Flash debuted in the pages of Flash Comics #1.

Now we have a Flash TV series, and a Flash movie on the way in 2018.

Check out the video above by DC Comics, which goes through 75 years of Flash with “75 Years, 75 Flashes.”

DC Comics also has a hard cover book coming out in April with The Flash: A Celebration of 75 years, which can be orderd through Amazon at a discount.

Seventy-five years ago, the World’s Fastest Man made his debut in the pages of Flash Comics #1, and he’s been running strong ever since. To celebrate this milestone, DC All Access presents a fast-paced journey (naturally!) through The Flash’s colorful past featuring the work of many of the artists who have brought The Flash to life–from Lampert and Infantino, to Guice and Manapul!

Comic Book News

Secret Wars Future Imperfect By Peter David Announced

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:19531:]](Click to see full Trophy Room spread)

Peter David back on the Maestro.

Sold!

I’m actually currently re-reading the Peter David Gray Hulk run, which is one of my all-time favorites. The series eventually sees the gray and green personas combine with Banner forming the Professor Hulk (or what I like to call the superhero Hulk). Peter David and George Perez did a side project at the time with Future Imperfect that saw the Hulk flung into the future to battle his future-self, a nuclear-radiated older tyrannical Hulk.

If you haven’t read the books, Future Imperfect is a great series. One particular page stands out, and that’s the Maestro’s Trophy Room (see above). It’s a collection of various heroes and villains artifacts, powers and objects. I remember finding it stunning at the time.

Now with Marvel’s latest event, Secret Wars, which is rehashing and rebooting older stories and events, comes Peter David back on the Maestro with Secret Wars: Future Imperfect (art by Greg Land).

Marvel actually first teased this over four months ago.

Check out the cover and details, which is an obvious homage to Perez’s Trophy Room, with mention the Maestro will be battling The Thing as well as David’s X-Factor:

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:19530:]]

Can anyone stop the Maestro? That’s the question this June as the oppressive lord of Dystopia enters the Battleworld fray in FUTURE IMPERFECT #1! Writer Peter David returns to the nuclear-ravaged wastelands he made famous. And artist Greg Land joins him for an explosive all-new Secret Wars tale!

In the domain of Dystopia, the Hulk stands triumphant over the world’s heroes and villains. Now calling himself the Maestro and lording over all of Dystopia – his gamma-fisted tyranny knows no bounds! Yet the spark of rebellion still lives within these borders. A small, but fierce band of rebels still remains, willing give all in the name of freedom, even if it means their lives! Time to find out if Hulk really is the strongest one there is?

“It’s really fun to see the Maestro back and the dude is on his home turf so any challengers are going to have a distinct disadvantage when it comes to smash time,” says Series Editor Mark Paniccia. “Some characters from Peter David’s X-FACTOR are going toe-to-toe with Maestro but there’s a great battle coming up with an ever lovin’ surprise character that promises to give lovers of superhero fights a coast-to-coast grin!”

With their backs to the wall, Ruby Summers and the rebels will seek out anyone who can stand against Maestro’s power. How does Odin factor into their strategy? What character in Maestro’s weight class will face off with him? And will the members of X-Factor survive the first issue? Those answers and more lie in the bombastic, action-packed pages of FUTURE IMPERFECT #1 this June!

FUTURE IMPERFECT #1
Written by PETER DAVID
Art & Cover by GREG LAND
Variant Cover by DALE KEOWN
On Sale in June!

Secret Wars Korvac Saga Announced By Dan Abnett

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:19456:]]

Marvel has announced this Summer will see Dan Abnett pen a new version of the Korvac Saga for Secret Wars with art by Otto Schmidt.

According to Newsarama, the all-new Korvac Saga will see Abnett’s Guardians 3000 in service of Korvac, who is lord of the Battleworld domain known as Forest Hills (a version of New York, and where Korvac originally fought the Guardians and Avengers).

The team is set to go up against a neighboring domain (Holy Wood) led by Wonder Man who also has his own team of heroes – Avengers – consisting of Captain Marvel, Jocasta, Black Panther, Hercules, the Vision, Moondragon, Yellowjacket and Black Widow.

Abnett describes his Korvac as the one who brought back both the Avengers and Guardians after killing them and then regretting it: “noble, determined, high-minded and essentially trying to rule fairly and justly, and look after this people. He’s not a bad guy. The Guardians are his police, his bodyguards, his retainers. They are loyal to him because they believe in him. But there’s a dark, dark menace arising in his kingdom that threatens his rule, his people, a lot more besides…”

Abnett also describes the book as: “a shocking story, very unusual. A villain who isn’t a full-on villain, and foe that even Earth’s Mightiest Heroes can’t stop. It’s, I think, the original Guardians’ most epic, classic story, and it makes Korvac their number one foe, their classic adversary, their arch-nemesis.”

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:19454:]]

Comic Book News Marvel

Faith No More Bassist Bill Gould Fan Of Richard Rider Nova

It’s learned that Faith No More bassist Bill Gould is a big fan of Nova.

The band has a new single coming out with “Superhero,” with Gould talking to Marvel.com about the song and Marvel characters.

“‘Superhero’ actually just started from the sound of the song, where it has these pounding drums and it has like this throbbing kind of pulse, and we just called it the ‘Superhero’ song. Because, a lot of the ways we write we visualize things,” Gould offered.

Gould continues with mention he was a fan of comics growing up.

“To put things into perspective, I ceased being a comic collector in 1976 but up till then, I was really into it for about three years. Like obsessively into it,” Gould said. “I had Silver Surfer #1, Conan #1 and #2, I had some really cool stuff.

“Nova was a big one,” Gould added. “That was my big hope for the future. I was hoping it would go another thousand [issues] into the series. Yeah, I was really into it. [When] I turned 15 years old, [I found out that] my next door neighbor really admired my comic collection. There was this scooter [he owned that] I really wanted to get, because I didn’t need a license to drive it, and I traded my entire collection for this scooter and I really regret it now.”

Gould also says he has renewed interest in Nova.

“I’m actually really interested now,” Gould said. “It’s funny because I hadn’t really thought of the Nova character until I heard I had this interview, and I was thinking back in my mind like, ‘what was I into?’ and I started remembering. Actually Nova now kind of has a cult following doesn’t it?”

Faith No More’s “Super Hero Will be available as a limited edition 7-inch single on March 17th, with the album “Sol Invictus” released on May 19th.

Regarding Mr. Gould’s statements, Nova does indeed have a cult following as the fans of the character support Richard Rider even though Marvel Comics replaced the character with a lower selling and less popular version. Richard Rider Nova happened to be the best selling action figure of the Guardians of the Galaxy film (even though he wasn’t in the movie) and was also voted in ahead of his replacement for a video game. In addition, a new Richard Rider Nova action figure was recently announced at Toy Fair.

Cosmic Book News would like to recommend that Mr. Gould pick up the Annihilation Marvel Comics event that spearheaded Richard Rider Nova into the spotlight as well as the 2007 Nova comic book, which was written by the writers that inspired the Guardians of the Galaxy movie, Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning.

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:19439:]]Faith No More

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:19436:]]

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:19437:]]

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:19438:]]

Comic Book News

Watch: Top 10 Awesome Aquaman Moments

With Zack Snyder releasing the first Aquaman image and Jason Momoa set to play the King of the Seven Seas, now seems about as good time as any to go over the top ten awesome Aquaman moments.

Check out the video above from DC All Access.

After getting our first look at Jason Momoa as Aquaman, we searched the seven seas for Aquaman’s greatest moments in comics! In this exclusive DC All Access clip, we list off our top ten awesome Aquaman moments. Whether it’s fighting side by side with the Justice League, or inspiring the people of Atlantis, these are the events that really made waves.

“Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” has a March 25, 2016 release starring Ben Affleck as Batman, Henry Cavill as Superman, Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Laurence Fishburne as Perry White, Diane Lane as Martha Kent, Jeremy Irons as Alfred, Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor, Ray Fisher as Cyborg with Callan Mulvey, Holly Hunter and Tao Okamoto in new character roles for the film. Justice League is to follow directed by Zack Snyder as well.

Comic Book News

Why Does Scott Snyder Hate Alfred?!

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:19407:]]
He’s Mad I Tell You!

“A Penny For Your Thoughts”

By Chris “DOC” Bushley

Caution: Spoilers Dead Ahead!

We have all seen Scott Snyder’s DC All Access “Endgame” interview regarding the Joker and plans for what happens next in the Batman mythos. But there is one thing the soft spoken scribe failed to tell you — he is TWISTED! Don’t let his facade fool you, Mr. Snyder is riddled with horrific, inhumane thoughts that churn and bubble to the surface. Don’t believe me? Check out his Image comic Wytches! He’s twisted, man, TWISTED!

Not only is Mr. Snyder a possible Arkham escapee, he seems to have a penchant for letting his disturbing ideas torment a single character incessantly. No, not Batman, Alfred Pennyworth! Yes, Alfred! The beloved butler that helped a young Bruce Wayne evolve into the crime fighting machine he is today. Now, we all know that in order to hurt a hero the most, you must hurt their inner circle, their loved ones, it just makes for better storytelling. But the things Mr. Snyder has bestowed upon poor Alfred are, say it with me… TWISTED!

Let’s go down memory lane so we can see how far Scott Snyder has pushed Alfred to the brink.

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:19401:]]

Snyder’s path of depravity began way back in the “Death Of The Family” story arc where poor Alfred was attacked by the Joker. Not only was he beaten with a ball-peen hammer, he was then tortured while the whole thing was being tape-recorded in order to send Batman a message. Was that enough for Mr. Snyder? NO! He then “Jokerized” Alfred and made him fight the family he dearly loves!

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:19402:]]

Then came Batman Eternal where Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV decided to destroy Gotham and Batman in the process. Bruce Wayne loses everything; bank accounts, weapons depots, even Wayne Manor itself! But he loses something even more dear to him, yep, Alfred! In issue #21, Alfred is attacked inside the Manor by Hush and is violently injected with Fear Toxin directly in the temple. This drives Alfred completely insane, and eventually, he is admitted into Arkham Asylum. If this isn’t bad enough, while still fighting the effects of the toxin, Arkham collapses, sending the inmates into deep chasms beneath the structure. Insane, beaten and buried, Alfred, eventually crawls out of the rubble and teams with Killer Croc in order to escape from certain death.

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:19403:]]

After all of that, you would think Mr. Snyder would give ol‘ Alfred a break. Possibly a nice vacation, some quality time with, Julia, his daughter, but no! This week, Mr Snyder showed us what truly lies inside his maniacal mind. In Batman #39, the Joker makes his way inside the Batcave and descends upon the still recovering Alfred. Although he gets a shot off at the Joker, he is still weak and is brutally attacked. The Joker cleaves Alfred’s right hand clean off!

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:19404:]]

Is there anything more that Scott Snyder could possibly due to Alfred Pennyworth besides ultimately killing him off? We all know that Mr. Snyder’s inner thoughts are just teeming with more sadistic things to unleash upon poor Alfred before destroying him completely, but will he keep Alfred alive through the finale of the “Endgame” storyline? That is the question on everyone’s lips, but I personally think the ol’chap will make it. Everyone, including me, thought Alfred was going to die in “Death Of The Family,” and Snyder kept him alive to do even more brutal things to him.

This time I think Alfred should get a little payback. I think during DC’s upcoming “Convergence” storyline that ALL of the Alfreds on ALL of the alternate planets should form the ultimate revenge team — the Blitzkrieg Butlers! That’s right, an all butler squad that can finally get revenge for everything Mr. Snyder has put poor Alfred through!

What do you say Alfred, would you join a barrage of badass butlers to take revenge on the Joker, Hush and anyone else who has ever done you wrong?

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:19406:]]

Comic Book News

Watch: Scott Snyder Talks Batman Endgame

Check out the latest episode of DC All Access where Scott Snyder talks about “Batman Endgame.”

“Endgame really changes everything. You’ll see it reflected in every Bat book.” If you’re a Batman fan, you need to read Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s “Endgame,” the current storyline that continues in today’s Batman #39. And if you’re reading “Endgame,” you’re going to want to watch this DC All Access clip featuring Snyder, in which he discusses what’s up ahead, the inspiration behind the story, and which villains he may be tackling next.

Comic Book News

Watch: Cool Sinestro Corps War Opening Monologue

Back in August 2007, Geoff Johns penned the Sinestro Corps War.

I remember being at my local comic shop when this came out, and it was really hard to find, which sent early issues skyrocketing in price.

It was a pretty awesome cosmic series and followed Marvel’s own Annihilation cosmic event.

Those were some good times.

Above you can check out the Comic Drake YouTube channel re-creating the Sinestro Corps War opening monologue.

Nice job!

You can pick up the trade on Amazon.

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:19338:]]

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:19339:]]

Comic Book News Marvel

Review: NINO #27

Why doesn’t Marvel just re-name this book Pseudo-Spider-Man Redux or Pseudo-Spider-Man Lite? Drop NINO, change a couple of supporting characters, substitute a teenage Spidey, and this story would read the same.

Seriously, this tussle with Carnage is the most blatant copycat of a Spidey story yet. This isn’t Cosmic in any way, shape, or form. It’s just teen Spider-Man re-told for the umpteenth time. I realize that that’s the point of this failed experiment – to try to capture Spider-Magic once again. It’s just a shame that a true Cosmic book with a true, mature, Cosmic hero was replaced by this hackneyed, puerile, juvenile-mentality-oriented nonsense that really belongs in an “all-ages” Spidey book.

I lost interest in Spider-Man in the early 1990’s and have never re-gained a real interest in the character or his rogue’s gallery of villains. I can’t say I have any particular feelings for the Carnage character – but I like him better than NINO, so I was rooting for him. Predictably, unfortunately, and un-realistically he fails in his attempt to kill NINO. Too bad. I’d like to see NINO 6-feet-under where he belongs. The story is just a prolonged and predictable fight with a symbiote, pulling out all the predictable moves and tactics for fighting a symbiote. And it even ends with a predictable Spider-Mannish dropping of the defeated and wrapped-up villain off at Riker’s Island. Seen that story before? Yeah, me too. Yawn.

Since Marvel insists on keeping this book on life support for some as yet unknown reason, they at least need to stop calling it Cosmic. Cosmic is incidental at best in this book and always has been. Loeb just lazily usurped the look, powers, and concepts of a better-conceived true Cosmic hero – watered them down for juvenile consumption, and gave them to a Parker-ish teen screw-up. How many times have you seen that formula? Too many? Yeah, me too.

Duggan has ignored the Cosmic elements for the most part, vainly trying to appeal to a non-existent demographic of pre-teen Spider-Fans. Just as well. Duggan is clearly not a Cosmic writer or fan – and his forays into Cosmic have been deplorably bad. He just needs to stick to copy-catting old Spidey stories and finish driving this book well into the teens in sales so Marvel has no choice but to cancel it. Never fear, though, NINO-zombies – because Duggan won’t take that sound advice and instead has a NINO-ette coming down the pike for you in a totally un-necessary (and doubtlessly frightfully bad) redux of Infinity Gauntlet. Yeah, since NINO isn’t working, the thing to do is double-down on the failed concept and validate the previously un-true comparisons with GL by creating a Red NINO-ette. Tell me Duggan, do you have any original ideas? First you copy-cat original Spidey. Now you’re going to try to copy-cat Starlin and GL? And do a Miles Morales treatment of NINO in the process? I swear, it’s almost funny that Marvel just keeps making bad things worse.

This issue’s cover art is particularly bad. I’ve always deplored the Manga-fying of the Nova uniform to make NINO, and this cover looks like an image from a cheap video game magnifying all the Kamen Riders and Mega-Man meets Power Rangers rip-offs that are part and parcel of the NINO uniform. The interior art ranges from sub-average to average at best. Curiel does a fine job with the colors, but he admittedly has little with which to work and his talents would be better spent on a better book.

If you’re a true Cosmic fan, vote with your dollars and leave this title on the shelf. Boycott Duggan’s upcoming IG redux, too. And especially boycott this Black Vortex trash with its hackneyed “absolute power corrupts absolutely” simplistic message that could have been told in one issue and isn’t deserving of an “event.” Seriously, compare this current fare to Annihilation, Annihilation: Conquest, War of Kings, Realm of Kings, Nova Volume IV, Guardians of the Galaxy Volume II, and Guardians 3000 – books that actually respected the Cosmic concepts and the fans of the Cosmic concepts. The current “lowest-common-denominator of comics buyer fare” (i.e. NINO, GotGINO, LSLINO, RRINO) will come up sorely lacking every time. It’s time we sent Marvel a message that their current “turn Cosmic into a juvenile farce to appeal to the lowest-common-denominator of comic buyer” strategy is a failure.

Comic Book News

Watch: Top 7 Sinister Joker Moments

With the Joker appearing on this past week’s episode of Gotham, how about going over the top seven “sinister” Joker moments from the DC Comics?

Above you can watch as the latest episode of DC All Access provides a look a the Joker.

Viewer warning: some images may be considered distrubing, so proceed at your own risk!

When it comes to the Joker, there’s no joking around. This character’s been prowling the streets of Gotham for 75 years and shows no sign of getting serious. Let’s explore some of the moments from Joker’s past that quite literally killed!

Comic Book News

Justice League #39 Last Page Spoiler

Check out the last page spoiler for this week’s Justice League #39.

We see Hal Jordan is back!

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:19272:]]

Hal Jordan left the Justice League to lead the Green Lantern Corps where a new GL, Power Ring, took his place; however it was revealed Jessica Cruz actually had a ring from another dimension, which was based on Fear. Eventually, both Flash and Hal help Power Ring out with her powers.

Now Hal Jordan is back just in time to deal with the Darkseid vs. Anti-Monitor war that kicks off in the next issue of Justice League, #40.

It’s also been teased that following Convergence, Hal won’t have his Green Lantern ring.

Justice League #40, the prologue to “The Darkseid War,” hits March 18th.

The prologue to this summer’s upcoming JUSTICE LEAGUE event – “THE DARKSEID WAR”! It’s been building since JUSTICE LEAGUE #1. Now, Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Aquaman, Cyborg and the rest of the DC Universe will come face to face with the two most powerful and dangerous entities in existence when both come for Earth. But why? To what lengths with the League have to go to survive? And what secrets about the League will be revealed?

Comic Book News Marvel

Andy Lanning & Andy Schmidt On Guardians Team-Up In May

Andy Lanning returns to writing Rocket Raccoon this May in Guardians Team-Up #5.

We also see the issue will be co-written by Andy Schmidt, who was the editor behind the fan-favorite Marvel Cosmic relaunch back in 2005/6 with Annihilation.

Hopefully we’ll get to see more from these two.

Lanning co-wrote the Annihilation: Nova series for Schmidt as well.

Check out the solicit and cover:

GUARDIANS TEAM-UP #5
ANDY LANNING & ANDY SCHMIDT (w)
GUSTAVO DUARTE (A)
Cover by HUMBERTO RAMOS
• The universe’s most powerful cabal of villainy has formed right under the Earth’s Mightiest Heroes’ noses–and they never noticed! This group of fowl (get it!) villains, is the Pets of Evil Masters!
• And they’re after world domination! Rocket must team-up with The Pet Avengers (much to his dismay) to face down the foes that no one else can (or will bother with) in this Earth-Shattering adventure that can only be told in the Mighty Marvel Manner!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:19258:]]

Comic Book News Marvel

NINO Selling Under 20K: Bring Back Richard Rider As Nova

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:19237:]]

NINO is now selling under the Marvel cancellation threshold (at least what used to be) as January’s issue #26 sold only 19,639 copies.

That number is, again, less than the Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning’s 2007 Richard Rider Nova series, which sold 28,096 with the same issue back in June 2009.

Bear in mind, Marvel Editorial never gave DnA’s Nova (or Guardians of the Galaxy) any promotion or attention. And get this: When the Guardians of the Galaxy movie became known, Marvel editorial actually cancelled all of DnA’s cosmic stuff and sent them packing.

Both James Gunn and Marvel Studios president and producer Kevin Feige have stated in interviews that Abnett and Lanning’s Guardians is the inspiration for the almost-billion dollar Marvel movie, and Gunn even had them visit the set and got them back on the movie tie-in comics.

Meanwhile, Dan Buckley, David Gabriel, Joe Quesada, Axel Alonso, Tom Brevoort, Jeph Loeb, Stephen Wacker and Brian Michael Bendis (IMO) put the screws to DnA and took over their stuff.

I’ve said it again, but it’s worth repeating: Marvel Comics must be such a nice company to work for – and what a great boss Alonso must be – when you get fired for inspiring billion dollar Marvel movies.

Getting back to NINO, there is speculation amongst fans that Marvel was attempting to create another Spider-Man as Marvel Studios didn’t hold any of the rights to the character. It’s suggested Marvel was trying to repeat Spider-Man’s success with NINO, which obviously didn’t happen. Now that Marvel Studios does have Spider-Man in part back, can we now end the failed experiment that is NINO?

With NINO now selling less than 20k, isn’t it time to bring back Richard Rider?

From a fan perspective, it’s obvious Richard Rider is the choice of Nova.

I would also say from a business perspective, the right choice would be to go with Richard Rider. It’s already known the Richard Rider Infinite action figure outsold all the Guardians of the Galaxy movie characters – and Nova wasn’t in the movie. Rider is the fan’s choice to be Nova in the Marvel Heroes 2015 video game, and now at Toy Fair, a new Richard Rider Nova action figure was just revealed.

Just think if DnA’s Nova – that outsold NINO – had received half the attention that NINO did.

NINO was featured in Marvel Infinite Comics, Avengers issues and tie-ins, big Marvel events, not to mention the Disney Ultimate Spider-Man series.

Nova didn’t receive any of that and still sold better.

Let’s bring back Richard Rider as Nova, Marvel.

Comic Book News Marvel

Looks Like We Have A New Richard Rider Nova Toy

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:19236:]]

Coming out of the Toy Fair, it looks as if we have a new Richard Rider Nova toy.

Hasbro revealed their Marvel Super Hero Mashers and Titans figures where we see a Nova, which looks a lot like Nova Prime Richard Rider.

Though Marvel Comics cancelled the Richard Rider Nova comic book because of the Guardians of the Galaxy movie, the Richard Rider Nova action figure that was a part of the Marvel Infinite movie line actually sold the best (even better than Rocket Raccoon and Iron Man). Likewise, fans chose Richard Rider to be the Nova of choice for the Marvel Heroes 2015 video game.

Now in what looks to be a no-brainer, new Richard Rider Nova action figures look to be coming out.

Marvel Comics replaced Richard Rider with a Spider-Man-ish character that fans call NINO aka Nova In Name Only. Sales on NINO quickly fell below the Richard Rider run, and Jeph Loeb, who was responsible for replacing the true Nova, was off the book by issue five.

MARVEL SUPER HERO MASHERS 6” Figure Assortment
(Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $9.99/Available: Spring 2015)
Mash up your hero, and then crack up your friends! Hasbro’s MARVEL SUPER HERO MASHERS feature your favorite MARVEL Super Heroes and Villains with completely interchangeable parts and accessories, so kids can create their ultimate hero. With MARVEL SUPER HERO MASHERS, the possibilities are colossal for you to make YOUR mash-up! 18 figures will be available in this assortment in 2015, featuring favorite Marvel characters like Star-Lord, Rocket, and Agent Venom. Each figure is sold separately

(via Toy Ark)

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:19235:]]

Comic Book News Marvel

Review: Guardians of the Galaxy #24 (Bendys)

Yeah, I know this is a crossover book in an event – but to me it’s just more of Bendis focusing on the characters he really wants to write, Avengers and X-Men, and continuing to write the Guardians as guest-stars in their own book.

Poor Drax. Bendis just can’t get his characterization right. In this issue, he’s raves about the vortex being a “tool of the devil” as if he’s one of the psychotic people you see living on the streets of any large city. Does that sound like Starlin’s Drax? Or Giffen’s/DnA’s Drax? Or even the imitation of Gunn’s Drax that Bendys is apparently shooting for, but like a bad marksman, just keeps missing? Nope. This is definitely Bendys’ Drax – no defined personality and just around to make random stupid comments and to occasionally punch something.

Did anyone else find the “lover’s quarrel” between Starlord and Kitty just flat out annoying? Again, something out of a bad sitcom where the guy wants to do something stupid and the oh-so-much-wiser girl tries to talk him out of it but he does it anyway and, of course, he’s wrong. Seen that anywhere before? How many times? And Bendis zombies criticize me for calling Bendis’ writing hackneyed.

I will say that I liked Gamora’s upgrade – but only because it restored her to the bad-girl/bad-ass characterization of Giffen/Dna along with a version of her sexy Annihilation-era costume. The rest of the upgrades were real yawners. And horror-of-horrors, NINO makes an appearance at the end and gets upgraded into – you guessed it – and even more manga-ish uniform! Seriously, let’s just make the little idiot the Power Ranger that he is and sweep him into the dustbin of comicdom where he belongs.

It’s fitting that G3K and GotGINO were released in the same week so we could perform a direct compare-and-contrast between the two books bearing the Guardians name. G3K remains an awesome read that treats the Cosmic concepts, characters, and fans with seriousness and respect. GotGINO continues to be a parody of Cosmic. To make a cinematic comparison, G3K is to GotGINO, as 2001: A Space Odyssey is to Spaceballs. Sorry, Mel Brooks fans, I don’t mean that as a compliment.

I’m not a big fan of Schiti’s art in general, but I will say it was a fine grade of average this time out. Keith’s colors were quite well done.

In sum, with Bendys at the helm, GotGINO remains a waste of color glossy paper. If you’re a true Cosmic fan, the best thing you could do is leave this on the shelf along with NINO, LSLINO, and RRINO – and instead buy multiple copies of G3K. In other words, use your money to support true Cosmic – and leave the parodies of cosmic to die deaths of cash starvation.

Comic Book News

Review: Guardians 3000 #5

Now THIS is Marvel Cosmic!

While Bendis, Humphries, Duggan, and Young have been busy turning Cosmic into a bad situation comedy, Abnett, in five fantastic issues of G3K, has single-handedly taught a master class as to how Cosmic should be done.

Abnett’s G3K is the superior antithesis to rest of what Marvel is calling Cosmic these days. In contrast to Bendis, Humphries, Duggan, and Young, Abnett respects the subject matter and the characters – using the situation and the special abilities of each character as a source of drama in approaching the problems to be addressed rather than an excuse for buffoonery aimed at getting some cheap laughs. That alone places G3K light years above the paltry efforts of Bendis, Humphires, Duggan, and Young – but there’s more.

Abnett weaves a complex, exciting, and fast-paced tale with high-stakes consequences not only for each of the protagonists, but also for the entire known universe. The pressure is on for this small group of heroes as their actions will have consequences for everyone and everything.

Abnett has nailed the portrayal of the Starlord of the future. While everyone else is busy vainly trying to imitate Gunn’s portrayal of Starlord from the GotG movie, Abnett gets Starlord back to his roots – both in terms of uniform and characterization. It is a refreshing change for the better.

In another refreshing change for the better, in the scant few pages given Rael Rider, she outshines the entire run of Loeb’s/Duggan’s deplorable NINO. It is very satisfying to see a bright, tough, mature, effective Nova for a change. We haven’t seen that since Marvel dumped Rich Rider and replaced him with the idiotic NINO. At least we know there’s a better future for Xandar that doesn’t include NINO but does include some descendants of Earth’s true Nova, Rich Rider.

Each of the original Guardians team has their own voice and their own unique part to play in the grand scheme of the story. Contrast that with Bendis’ lazy storytelling on his Garbage of the Galaxy book where the characterization is so bad that nearly any character could easily be replaced by any other character.

The art has been the weakest link on this book from the start with very mixed feelings being expressed by many of the fans of this series. Some find it tolerable while others are really turned off. I have to say that the artist’s style has grown on me, and I find it much more tolerable than I found it in issue #1. That being said, I would like to see another artist’s take on Abnett’s concepts. Delgado’s colors once again serve to soften the extremes of Sandoval’s artistic portrayals of our iconic Guardians. Ross’ cover art is simply outstanding.

In sum, Abnett in five issue has managed to outshine the entirety of the efforts of Bendis, Duggan, Humphries, and Young. Sadly, the zombies prefer pablum over true quality – so this book is probably doomed. I urge all true Cosmic fans to get behind this book and do all you can to promote it to your friends, since Marvel is pretty much ignoring it and pouring all their marketing efforts into the pablum. This book is Marvel’s only true Cosmic book. Enjoy it while you can.

Comic Book News

The Walking Dead’s Star-Crossed Lovers

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:19200:]]

Love Is Strange

By: Chris “The DOC” Bushley

Warning Spoilers Dead Ahead

With Cupid slinging arrows and plastic wrapped boxes of chocolates piled throughout every store, it’s safe to say that Valentine’s Day is quickly upon us. As you waded through crowds to pick out just the perfect card for your loved ones, you may have missed that the world of comics was full of romance as well. Miss Harley Quinn was paying an awful lot of money to get Bruce Wayne in the boudoir, Silk and Spidey were content to just hold each other after the events of the epic Spider-Verse conclusion and Barry Allen was dealing with some second date “quickness” issues on the CW’s The Flash! But none of the romantic scenario’s can compare to the tale of first love in the pages of The Walking Dead #137.

Throughout the past few months, Robert Kirkman has taken his cast of survivors and launched them two years into the future. Rick Grimes and company have established a world of peace, inner trade and prosperity but nothing has changed more than Carl Grimes and his onset of puberty. He has decided to become his own man and, with the blessing of his father, has taken up an apprenticeship and moved to the Hilltop. There he is reunited with his best friend, Sofia, and they spend almost every waking moment together. But alas, their budding feelings are put on hold as both of them are attacked by two boys, and as Carl runs away, they continue to pummel Sofia. The “knight in shinning eye patch” returns with a shovel and nearly kills the boys before he picks up Sofia and runs for help. Carl’s valiant save of Sofia changes the entire dynamic of the Hilltop however as the boys’ parents call for brutal retribution for the beatings and Maggie, leader of the Hilltop, places Carl in jail to appease the masses. While there, Carl befriends a fellow prisoner, Lydia, a pretty girl that is a member of the Whisperers, a roaming group of people that wear the flesh of others so they can blend in with the walkers. Lydia is there because she was part of a group that killed some of the Hilltop’s patrolmen. As things progress, a friendship blooms between these two imprisoned teens and eventually Carl gives her his father’s hat as a reminder that you can get through anything. Eventually, both Carl and Lydia are released and Carl is solely responsible for Lydia’s actions while she is free. So, like most new friendships, he threatens to kill her if she harms anyone. As the day winds down, the two teens from different lifestyles , settle upon a quiet hilltop on the outskirts of town. Hormones rise to the surface and Lydia tells Carl she likes him and Carl reciprocates. She asks him why he wears glasses with an eyepatch covering one lens, Carl cringes and asks her not to touch the glasses, that it is gross and doesn’t want her to see. Lydia finally steals the glasses and sees Carl’s damaged face and hollow eye socket. But instead of being repulsed, she gently licks the socket and exclaims, “I think it’s sexy.” Appalled and confused, Carl lets Lydia lay him down and the two star-crossed lovers take the final step in changing Carl from a boy to a man.

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:19199:]]

Nothing says,”I love you” like a good ol‘ eye socket lick! Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!

Comic Book News Marvel

Watch: Marvel Super Heroes: What The–?! Happy Valentine’s Day?

Check out the latest episode of Marvel Super Heroes: What The–? with “Happy Valentine’s Day” When Squirrel Girl calls out sick, the lack of a babysitter could spell doom for Luke Cage and Jessica Jones’ Valentine’s Day before it even begins! Can they find a replacement? What’s Captain America saying? Why would they even call

Comic Book News

Review: The Walking Dead #137

Robert Kirkman has taken us on many trips throughout the series of The Walking Dead. Some have been overtly brutal, encompassing the horror that man can bestow upon one another in heartless, meaningless ways. Some have been more introverted, focusing on the development of the characters as they soul search their way through their world, becoming better or worse for it. He has dealt with death and birth consistently, shocking readers with every turn. This week’s issue will shock you like you have never been shocked before, and I guarantee it will get fans more in a frenzy than the newest episode on AMC!

As Kirkman’s two year jump ahead in time has left several changes and characters (where is Michonne!) up for question, there is one thing that is obvious, little Carl is no longer little! He has not only become a legend in the world of TWD, but he has also become a young man that is trying to find his own place in that world. He is not under the watchful eye of his father anymore and his decisions, like most adolescents, may not always be the best choice. As fans lost their minds after last month’s tale where Carl gave the captive, Lydia, his father’s hat, the most revered item in all of TWD fandom; so too will they be in an uproar over the choice he makes in this issue. It is one that will forever change, not only Carl, but the dynamic of the entire storyline. It puts the tale into a domino effect that will encompass everything.

The second story thread deals with Maggie and the aftermath of Carl’s vicious beating of two boys that attacked him and Sofia. As leader of the Hilltop, Carl’s actions have made her a target and puts her leadership into question. A coup has been brewing but due to Maggie’s focus on interrogating the imprisoned, Lydia, to find out more about the Whisperers, it has gone unnoticed by the rank and file. Underhandedness ensues and by issues end, the future of the Hilltop is in question.

Another fantastic issue that delves deep into the trappings of youthful foolishness and the ramifications it has. We have all made bad choices due to the fluttering of the heart but in the world of TWD, adolescent fervor can lead to a most deadly outcome! Fantastic issue!

Comic Book News

DC Comics New Suicide Squad Revealed; Taking On ISIS

Following Convergence, DC Comics is launching 24 all-new titles and keeping 25.

Check out a first look at the new Suicide Squad members as of June’s issue #9.

The new team consists of Parasite, the Black Hand, Poison Ivy, the Reverse-Flash, Cheetah, and a Court of Owls Talon (via Newsarama).

Convergence launches in April.

Details include Parasite will be the team’s secret weapon against ISIS in the new arc.

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:19149:]]

Comic Book News

Jeff King Confirms Bruce & Thomas Wayne To Meet In Convergence (Video)

DC Comics’ big event, Convergence, kicks off in April.

In total, there will be 89 issues, with veteran writer Jeff King handling the main series.

The latest episode of DC All Access features an interview with King where the writer offers some teases about what’s to come.

Among the tidbits is mention that Bruce Wayne will meet his alternate universe father, Thomas Wayne.

Thomas Wayne is featured as the Batman in Earth 2 (and was the Batman in the Flashpoint event that led to the New 52).

“Convergence is an enormous story with a very small focus,” King offered. “There are heroes from World’s End and Future’s End who make the journey from the end of that series into the beginning of Convergence. From there it explodes out into a much bigger story. Brainiac has been collecting dead worlds and timelines from across the entire history of the DCU. He’s been experimenting and tinkering with them pitting heroes from timelines against each other in order to catalog their weaknesses.”

King continues with mention of why fans should hop onboard.

“I feel like it’s going to be a celebration of what you love. I feel like it’s going to shock you because there are a couple of turns of events that you will not expect will come out of it,” King said. “When was the last time you thought that Captain Carrot might be fighting Harley Quinn? When was the last time you saw every Flash from DC Continuity, from Wally to Barry to Jay to the kids? We are going to have generations of Batmen. We are going to see Bruce Wayne and Thomas Wayne meet each other for the first time.”

Jeff King finishes with another tease in that the number of issues for Convergence plays a factor.

“There are 89 issues for a reason because 89 is a prime number. It’s only divisible by one in itself and there is a reason because Convergence is that significant,” King explained. “I will say the Multiversity Guide Book is something they should maybe pay attention to because it’s going to have some direct implications for the future of the DC Universe post-Convergence.

“Convergence is going to be a game-changer.”

Convergence hits in April with #0; you can also check out a clip above for the WB animated movie LEGO Justice League vs. Bizarro Justice League.

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:19129:]]

Comic Book News

First Look At DC Comics Convergence #0

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:19115:]]

DC Comics released a first look at Convergence #0, which kicks off their big event that leads to the June soft relaunch.

(via EW)

CONVERGENCE #0

Writers: Jeff King, Dan Jurgens

Art: Ethan Van Sciver

Cover: Ethan Van Sciver

Variants: Adam Hughes, Patrick Zircher, Darwyn Cooke, Ethan Van Sciver

Price: 4.99

In Stores: Apr 1 2015

Description:

Where do worlds go when they die?

The Earthquakes felt round the Multiverse, Superman’s lost days after “Doomed,” the World’s End – all these points will converge as the history of the DCU is spun from a new perspective, the perspective of a mad god and his arrogant child. The biggest story in DC history ties into literally every DC story ever told – and it all begins here.

Kingdom Come, Red Son, Wild West Justice League, Captain Carrot and the Zoo Crew – all the worlds you remember can still be found on Telos. Everything matters. Every story matters.

Don’t miss the start of DC’s April/May 2015 event with this special issue!

Comic Book News

Watch: Top 8 New DC Series Just Announced

Come June, DC Comics is doing, I guess you could say a soft reboot, as they don’t seem to be exactly ending The New 52 line, but not promoting it at the same time.

DC just announced 25 of their New 52 titles will continue, but they are launching 24 new titles with all-new #1s, which brings the total to 49.

The info also noted that DC will be “going back to basics” with characters such as Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. It’s unlcear exactly what that means, but most fans of Superman are hoping for the pre-New 52 version, I would imagine (at least I am).

Above, DC All Access released a video regarding what they feel are the top new eight DC series just announced.

There are some huge changes in store for the DC Universe this summer, and DC All Access has the lowdown. After this morning’s big comic announcement, we list off the eight new and returning summer titles you absolutely cannot miss. So which one has you counting the days till June?

Here are the 25 continuing titles:

Action Comics by Greg Pak/Aaron Kuder
Aquaman by Cullen Bunn/Trevor McCarthy
Batgirl by Cameron Stewart/Brenden Fletcher/Babs Tarr
Batman by Scott Snyder/Greg Capullo
Detective Comics by Brian Buccelato/Francis Manapul
Batman/Superman by Greg Pak/Ardian Syaf
Catwoman by Genevieve Valentine/David Messina
Deathstroke by Tony Daniel/Tony Daniel
Flash by Rob Venditti/Van Jensen/Brett Booth
Gotham Academy by Becky Cloonan/Brenden Fletcher/Karl Kerschl
Gotham By Midnight by Ray Fawkes/Juan Ferreyra
Grayson by Tim King/Tim Seeley/Mikel Janin
Green Arrow by Ben Percy/Richard Zircher
Green Lantern by Robert Venditti/Billy Tan
Harley Quinn by Amanda Conner/Jimmy Palmiotti/Chad Hardin
Justice League by Geoff Johns/Jason Fabok
Justice League United, writer TBD/Travel Foreman & Paul Pelletier.
Lobo by Cullen Bunn/Cliff Richards
Secret Six by Gail Simone/Dale Eaglesham
Sinestro by Cullen Bunn/Brad Walker
New Suicide Squad by Sean Ryan/Carlos D’Anda
Superman by Gene Luen Yang/John Romita Jr.
Superman/Wonder Woman by Peter Tomasi/Doug Mahnke
Teen Titans by Will Pfeifer/Kenneth Rocafort
Wonder Woman by Meredith Finch/David Finch

Here are the 24 new titles:

Bat-Mite by writer Dan Jurgens and artist Corin Howell
Batman Beyond by writer Dan Jurgens and artist Bernard Chang
Bizzaro by writer Heath Corson and artist Gustavo Duarte (six issue mini-series)
Black Canary by writer Brenden Fletcher and artist Annie Wu
Constantine: The Hellblazer by Ming Doyle and Riley Rossmo
Cyborg by writer David L. Walker and artists Ivan Reis and Joe Prado
Dark Universe by writer James Tynion IV and artist Ming Doyle
Doomed by writer Scott Lobdell and artist Javier Fernandez
Dr. Fate by writer Paul Levitz and artist Sonny Liew
Earth 2: Society by writer Daniel H. Wilson and artist Jorge Jimenez
Green Lantern: Lost Army by Cullen Bunn, art by Jesus Saiz and Javi Pina.
Harley Quinn/Power Girl by writers Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner, with artistStephane Roux (four issue mini-series)
Justice League 3001 by Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis and Howard Porter
Justice League of America by writer/artist Brian Hitch
Martian Manhunter by writer Rob Williams and artists Ben Oliver and Paulo Siqueira
Midnighter by writer Steve Orlando and artist ACO
Mystic U (tentative title) by writer Alisa Kwitney and artist Mauricet
Omega Men by writer Tom King and artist Barnaby Bagenda
Prez by writer Mark Russell and artist Ben Caldwell (six issue mini-series)
Red Hood/Arsenal by writer Scott Lobdell and artist Denis Medri
Robin, Son of Batman by writer/artist Pat Gleason
Section Eight by writer Garth Ennis and artist John McCrea (mini-series)
Starfire by writers Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner, with artist EmanuelaLupacchino
We Are Robin by writer Lee Bermejo and artists Rob Haynes and Khary Randolph

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:19079:]]

Comic Book News

Marvel Announces All-Female Avengers Team

Following the all-female Ghostbusters, is the all-female Avengers.

Marvel announced today that A-Force will be a team of all-female Avengers consisting of She-Hulk, Dazzler, Medusa and Nico Minoru of The Runaways, and judging from the cover, more female characters will be added as well.

A-Force will be written by G. Willow Wilson (Ms. Marvel, X-Men) and Marguerite Bennett (Angela: Asgard’s Assassin) with art by Jorge Molina (X-Men).

The series makes its debut during the upcoming Secret Wars event.

(via USA Today)

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:19046:]]

Comic Book News

Top 10 Comic Books For January 2015

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:19040:]]

Diamond has released estimates for January comic book sales where Marvel crushes DC Comics, with sales of Star Wars #1 as the main factor.

Marvel’s Star Wars #1 had 60 plus variant covers in addition to being added to various geek box crate subscriptions which gave it over 1 million sales.

More than likely the drop off for Star Wars #2 will be extensive.

Putting Star Wars aside, DC’s Batman is the #best seller coming in at #2, which has been consistent for the publisher amd usually takes the top spot.

DC only had one other title in the top ten with Justice League; Marvel finished with a total of seven comics, with Image Comics and Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead coming in at #10.

Check out the January charts:

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:19036:]]

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:19037:]]

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:19038:]]

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:19039:]]

Comic Book News

Geoff Johns Leaving Superman

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:19034:]]

Superman #38 just saw Geoff Johns give Superman a new costume and a new power, and now it’s learned the DC Comics Chief Creative Officer is leaving the series.

Johns posted on DCComics.com that Superman #39 will be his last, with the new creative team to be announced.

Check it out:

Superman #38 came out yesterday and JR and I wanted to say thank you, because the issue sold out!

I have to admit, it’s a little bittersweet, because not only is it our final chapter of the Ulysses storyline, it’s also the penultimate issue to my short run on the title with the great and amazing John Romita Jr., as issue #39 will be my last.

I’m incredibly honored to have been the lucky writer working alongside JR on his first-ever monthly book for DC Comics and I’m extremely proud of the work we’ve done, especially the final issue of the run which dives deeper into the fallout from Superman’s new power.

You’ll find out the next team on Superman very soon. As for what’s next for me in the comic world besides JUSTICE LEAGUE with the amazing and talented Jason Fabok, you’ll have to ask my longtime friend and collaborator, the great Gary Frank…

Until then, I also wanted to say thank you to everyone for watching #DCTV every week!

Comic Book News Marvel

Review: Guardians of the Galaxy #23 (Bendys)

Bendis has an uncanny ability to take the awe, majesty, mystery, and wonder of the cosmos and turn it into something petty, pedestrian, hackneyed and mundane. Such has been his tenure on GotG (in name only).

He also has the uncanny ability to treat the GotGINO cast like guest-stars in their own book. He clearly wants to be writing Avengers stories and working with Avengers characters. We’re consistently having Avengers shoe-horned onto this team (when there are better cosmic characters going unused – Bug, Mantis, Moondragon, to name but a few), and the storylines are consistently built around the Avengers characters. This dreadful and seemingly endless Venom storyline is one example. I’m sure we have some Captain Ms. Marvel storylines to look forward to with dread as well.

On the other hand, since he’s made the GotGINO team into cardboard cut-outs of their former selves, one has to ask oneself if it really matters if they’re given short shrift in their own book – particularly since the zombies keep buying this tripe no matter how poor the quality.

Bendis accomplishes what he really wants to accomplish, though. He rebuilds Venom into a real powerhouse – just in time for Marvel’s reboot. In getting there, we have to suffer through an absolutely non-thrilling pseudo-adventure on the planet of the Symbiotes including an implausible and ponderous soliloquy from the Symbiotes explaining their entire back story and motivations.

The GotG team of characters developed by DnA have obvious proven potential for greatness. I point to the greatness of the Volume II concepts which inspired the top earning movie of 2014. The sad thing is, instead of expanding on the greatness of Volume II, Bendis has now produced 23 issues of squandered opportunities to build on the greatness of Volume II and has instead focused on tearing down everything that made Volume II great. Rumor is that Gunn is using more DnA-written material as the inspiration for his GotG movie sequel. What does that tell you, Bendis defenders? It should be telling you that Bendis‘ attempt to create an “Avengers-Lite” situation-comedy-oriented team in space has been a miserable creative failure that has wisely been deemed unworthy of use by the Marvel Cinematic Universe decision makers. Steadily falling sales should also be telling you that at least a portion of the zombies are waking up and rightfully dropping this book.

Once again in this issue, Bendis‘ characterization is completely off kilter – especially for Drax. He just can’t seem to write Drax properly. Maybe if he was not so threatened by the better characterizations of Giffen and DnA, he could get Drax right simply by embracing the superior characterization of the past. Of course, the same could be said of his characterizations of Rocket, Groot, Gamora, and Star-Lord.

I must say that the cover art featuring Rocket is magnificent. The interior art and coloring are mediocre at best. In the long shots, the characters are poorly formed – and in some of the close-ups, it’s nearly impossible to tell Star-Lord and Flash Thompson apart.

Next issue begins a new arc. You guessed it if you guessed that Bendis is doubling-down on madcap for the next arc. He’s going to tell the story of how Star-Lord got elected to office as President of Spartax without ever running for office. Were you looking forward to that one? No – I wasn’t either. Sigh.

Comic Book News

Watch: Geoff Johns Talks Superman #38

An all-new episode of DC All Access is back today with DC Comics Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns talking Superman #38.

The issue sees Superman taking on Ulysses, with the ensuing battle causing Superman to unleash a new power – the Super Flare.

Think you know the Man of Steel? Well, think again. In this exclusive DC All Access clip, Tiffany talks to Superman writer Geoff Johns about the just released Superman #38, in which Superman unleashes a destructive new power and makes a decision that will change the series forever.

You can check out full spoilers and a look inside Superman #38 as well.

Superman #38 is in stores today.

Comic Book News

Superman #38 Spoilers

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:19009:]]

Yesterday saw DC Comics reveal Superman’s new power: Super Flare.

Now Superman #38 is out today revealing the full story.

I’m actually surprised JMS didn’t think of this, but as a result of Superman using his Super Flare power, his cells are completely depleted of solar energy.

The kicker?

It takes 24 hours for his cells to recharge, which leaves Superman completely powerless aka a regular ol‘ human.

More spoilers from the issue include the Superman’s heat vision was a precursor to the new Super Flare ability; that using the Super Flare destroyed Superman’s New 52 costume, so Batman and Alfred create the new one, and Superman reveals his secret identity to Jimmy Olsen (via Newsarama).

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:19006:]]

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:19007:]]

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:19008:]]

Comic Book News Marvel

Review: NINO #26

It’s funny that this book was created to capture a desperately desired but near non-existent demographic of buyers aged 12 and under, but has instead really just captured about 20,000 adult-aged comic book buyers who have the mentality of age 12 or under and are slap-happy to be treated to sub-par retellings of tired old comic book tropes.

Duggan is simply not up to the task of telling a truly cosmic story. Instead, he admittedly and shamelessly simply copies teen Spider-Man storylines from days gone by. In this issue, he explores the consequences of NINO unwisely revealing his secret identity to the super-villain, Carnage. The predictable consequences and fight outcome ensue. Yawn.

As usual, I was rooting for the villain. Carnage murdering NINO would have been the optimal (and realistic) outcome, but alas, Marvel has to recoup their excessive and unwise investment in NINO, so he implausibly survives. You’d think this would be the final straw for his mother, whose life is threatened by Carnage. Yet, she implausibly continues to demonstrate that she is in no way fit to raise children as she continues to encourage NINO to risk his life, her life, and the life of NINO’s sister. As I said, it would take a 12 or under mentality to ignore all the implausibility.

When I think of all the truly innovative books that sold about the same as or better than NINO that Marvel could have kept on life-support – such as Incredible Hercules, Young Allies, Nova Volume IV, Guardians of the Galaxy Volume II, Agents of Atlas, to name a few – I just shake my head in disgust that Marvel would continue to pour resources into this unworthy tripe in their thus far vain attempt to force it to be successful. Seriously, only a ComicBookResources reviewer (aka Marvel Shill) could love this book.

We get a brief update on NINO’s unfit father, Jesse, as well. It seems the poor sap is lost in space along with a crew of equally mentally challenged idiots. It seems the idiot apple, NINO, didn’t fall too far from the tree.

The art has typically been the only saving grace of this book, but as the sales of this book have rightly fallen off the cliff – so has the art. The cover art is amateurish and the interior art is poorly constructed as well. NINO looks less like an annoying 15-year-old character and more like a 20-something-year-old character. Curiel does his typical fine job with colors, but his talents are wasted on this book.

So join most of the rest of the comic book world and leave this book on the shelf. Let’s make 2015 the year NINO bites the dust.

Comic Book News

Love Is Strange

Start typing and press enter to search