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Comic Book News Marvel

Advanced Review: Superior Spider-Man #3

Dan Slott has been under fire since he unleashed the biggest sacrilege in comics history — killing Peter Parker! As frenzied as fans were over it, they became ravenous after it was revealed the Superior Spider-Man was actually Doc Ock in Peter Parker’s body. Personally, I excepted the change but wished that Slott had not revealed his hand so quickly at the end of the first issue. Peter’s ghost was already back and Superior Spider-Man became a comically unbalanced version of the movie Ghost throughout issue two. I had wished Slott’s vision for this book would have relied more on the “revenge of Doc Ock” aspect, truly letting the villain unleash with his newly acquired powers and destroy the good name of his archnemesis. Well, today, we get a glimpse of that unleashing and my dismay over this book is slowly abating.

I will give no spoilers (sorry Mr. Slott, we all don’t do that) for the ending is something I think you will all enjoy. There is a moment in this tale where we see into Otto’s past, a brutal life that even his biggest foe can empathize with, and it becomes a catalyst for what occurs. The cracks in this faux hero’s facade begin to deepen, not only threatening his secret but the very lives of those who ponder something is amiss with Peter Parker.

This is the first issue of this series that I did not cringe out of the sheer annoyance of the Superior Spider-Man character. There was no hokey dialogue that feigned hilarity, nor was there any overt creepiness over M.J. and the mere thought of bedding her. This issue was pure action from the opening salvo but it wasn’t just a “good ol’ slobber knocker” either. Slott laced his tale with hints of characterization that actually solidified the character as opposed to hindering him, making this reader finally feel truly interested in his further development. 

Ryan Stegman continues to make this Spidey, or any for that matter, a complete treat for the eyes. His darker tone for this book is completely stunning, but it his constant effort to bring new and intriguing visual aspects to the fight sequences that push his art to a higher level. From high flying punches to an emotionally distraught child, Stegman makes the page pop with pure electricity!

Though this might not be your cup of tea, I am slowly coming around to Slott’s overall vision. I can do without “ghost Peter” for awhile, but I get it and it’s worming it’s way in. I must say though, kudos for the creative team for printing both positive and negative reactions to Slott’s tale in the letters column. The negative comments are unabashed slams and it takes guts to publicly print the sheer amount that they have. Color me impressed.

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Comic Book News Marvel

Review: Uncanny X-Force #1

So, one completely amazing run on Uncanny X-Force has ended, and even though the CBN offices were very disheartened after the announcement of Rick Remender leaving this book to pursue other Uncanny works, we were completely blown away by this debut issue!

Stan Humphries and Ron Graney continue to bring that air of nostalgia, first introduced by Remender, into the book but not only that, there is an excitement that emminates from Garney’s art that is astounding. It reminds me of all those days gone by, where these characters meant something to, not only the reader, but to themselves as well. That feeling of camaraderie without animosity, a connection between them that was deeply rooted in their history as opposed to just the next big crossover. That’s what this new creative team brings more that anything, connections, not just from past storylines but connections to the fans as well.

Now led by Storm, who gets her awesome mohawk back in the pages of Wolverine and the X-Men #24, X-Force is a broken group in need of solace. Psylocke and Storm embark on a mission to meet someone that left Storm a mysterious e-mail and the action ensues from there. I am not going to spoil any of this story if you haven’t got a chance to get your hands on a copy yet, because it deserves your dollars. X fans are going to appreciate all the little nuances and plot threads that are laid out before them, a tale steeped in the footprints of long ago. But, new fans will not be lost at all in this story and can appreciate the well planned tale of Humphries and gawk at the breathtaking lines of Garney! There is literally something in this tale for every fan regardless of their X history prowess!

Storm, Psylocke, Puck, Spiral, Fantomex, Cluster, Wolverine and Bishop all make their presence known in this outstanding debut issue. I won’t divulge on which line in the sand they stand, but you are in for one hell of a ride! Plus, if anyone can read the last page of this book and not think “Ewwww!” there is something wrong with you!

As a bonus, here is the incomparable Skottie Young’s variant cover to this issue. Awesome!

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Comic Book News Marvel

Review: Superior Spider-Man #1

Dan Slott has garnered more buzz  in the last three issues of his Amazing Spider-Man run than anything in the previous two years on the book. So much so, that fans and celebs, especially Kevin Smith, have taken to all forms of media to talk about the life changing events that occurred to Peter Parker and Doc Ock. While most of the press has been negative, including death threats against Slott, some of us have been intrigued as to how these changes will affect Spidey’s world. Today we find out if Dan Slott’s gamble is worth your hard earned cash!

Slott poses an interesting idea of a highly intelligent villain taking over one of the most beloved characters in all of comicdom. The question has been posed as to whether he will be a hero or a complete menace to those closest to Peter Parker and the general public?

Unfortunately, Slott decides to ride the middle ground on the question almost through the entire issue. There is an almost Jekyll and Hyde scenario at play in the mind of Peter Parker, which ninety percent of the time has the “villain” win over the “hero” trapped in his head. This aspect makes complete sense and is better than a stylized “tug of war” over his actions. But what makes this book falter, is the complete pomposity of the “new” Peter Parker persona. Arrogant, creepy and completely loathsome, this character is an utter diatribe to Spider-Man! And I could live with that, he is Doc Ock underneath after all, but it is the lack of pushing the character over the top that makes it hard to read. If the gloves were off of this character and Slott used it in order to have him do some irreparable damage to the name of Spider-Man, finally destroy the hero that he so desperately wanted to for all these years, it would have made for a better read. Then, when the real Peter Parker eventually returns, there would be a bevy of great stories just waiting for us about the build up of Spider-Man as a hero again.

Instead we received another look at how socially pathetic and obnoxious Doc Ock is via a more chiseled physique!

All the hokey outbursts (“Because I AM PETER FREAKING PARKER!”), snide remarks and eerie, leering looks at M.J. make this a character piece that just annoys readers instead of intrigues us. By the time Slott truly lets Spider-Man show just how inherently “bad” he is, it is abruptly stopped by the “shocking” ending (spoilers). It is one that I wish would have not been revealed so soon in the series, and especially not in issue #1! If you are going to try and build something different – regardless as to what fan reactions may be – then do it! Do not stick a “shock” ending in the first book!  Build to it, let the new status quo permeate the senses for awhile before revealing your hand. Let the “new” tale find it’s footing before giving it an easy out scenario.

Some will despise this book, others may enjoy the “jerk” of a hero that Dan Slott has created. Either way, there will be a buzz and Marvel, regardless of the fans, wins again.

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Marvel Movie News

The DOC’s A Year In Review: 2012

“In My Rearview Mirror”

By: Chris “DOC” Bushley

 

It’s late, my wife and daughter are snuggled up in their beds as visions of super heroes dance in their heads. Well, possibly my daughter’s but my wife is probably having visions of Channing Tatum! I cannot believe another year has passed us by and I ponder all the things that have occurred in one of the most tumultuous years comic fans have ever seen. There were the seething fans from the The Dark Knight Rises vs. The Avengers debate, the uproar over The New 52 Alan Scott’s sexuality, the shock over the brutal death of Glenn in The Walking Dead #100, the return of the Joker, Indie comics creating a big buzz with fans, Second Waves, Third Armies and Kirkman becoming the king of the world! 2012 was truly THE year to be a comic fan and my list is only the tip of the iceberg of all the things that occurred last year. So, take a look. Agree, disagree, it’s all in good fun. And remember, my list only contains things that I have personally seen or read so, if your favorite book or movie doesn’t appear here — make your own list in the comments below to share with us!

 

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BEST MOVIE: The Avengers: This summer blockbuster was so full of those classic, fun comic moments that you just couldn’t catch your breath. It was everything that Marvel had been painstakingly building up to for years — and it completely blew me away! The original Superman may have made us believe a man could fly, but The Avengers made me believe that gods live among us!

WORST MOVIE: Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance: Everyone forgot about this Valentine’s Day weekend blockbuster, didn’t they? Apparently, Ghost Rider did so well that they NEEDED to make this steaming pile of a sequel for the six fans that enjoyed it! I will sum this movie up in two words: Flame Urine! ’nuff said! 

BEST “NON COMIC” SUPER HERO MOVIE: Chronicle: This “found” video film about teenagers that acquire super abilities had amazing scope and even better special effects. Though, by the final battle scene, I was finding it hard not to scream out, “Tetsuo!” at the top of my lungs!

BEST MOVIE CAMEO: Sam J. Jones a.k.a. Flash Gordon, Ted: When I first saw this movie, I nearly went into convulsions as “Flash” appeared on camera! Flash Gordon is one of my favorite childhood movies and all those scenes in Ted hit me with a wave of nostalgia. Fantastic!

THE MOVIE WTF!? MOMENT OF THE YEAR: John Blake knowing Bruce Wayne is Batman in five seconds: The Dark Knight Rises was a good movie, but it was riddled with WTF!? moments that I just couldn’t shake off. After three movies, Commissioner Gordon can’t figure out who Batman is but an orphan turned cop can the first time he meets Bruce Wayne as a adult? Crazy!

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BEST “NEW” COMIC COMPANY: Valiant Entertainment: The nineties are alive and well again and you can thank Valiant for that! But these aren’t your daddy’s comics anymore, each series has been laced with some of the industry’s top talents and are making a race for a top spot on your pull list each week! Smart and engaging, each book has it’s own niche in the grand scheme of the Valiant Universe, and if you didn’t get caught up in the “Summer of Valiant,” you still have a chance to catch up with the newly released $10 trades before the Harbinger War begins! Great stuff!

BEST ONGOING COMIC SERIES: Batman: Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo have taken the character of the Batman and completely remade him for a new generation without losing any of the nostalgia that older fans love so much. Not only have they perfected Bats himself, but the entire supporting cast and the rogues gallery as well. Not to mention, creating new villains such as the Court of Owls and their assassin Talons to further cement their names in the Batman mythos for all time. Oh yeah, and they created the scariest version of the Joker I have ever seen!

BEST NEW COMIC SERIES: Archer & Armstrong: Well, if you want to get technical, A&A was around in the 90’s but this “new”version surpasses it’s predecessor by leaps and bounds! Andy Diggle has created an amalgam of Lethal Weapon, National Treasure and part Animal House that will keep you enthralled and amused! There is nothing better than a drunk immortal and a virgin ninja fighting off assassin nuns!

BEST “NON SUPER HERO” COMIC SERIES: Mind MGMT: Matt Kindt stunned fans with his espionage, secret society, psychic warfare book! It is eloquent and atmospheric, creating a world that may or may not be reality but hooks you just the same. Don’t wait for the trades on this one, folks, Kindt has said that the single issues hold clues that WILL NOT be in trade form! GET IT NOW!

BOOK MOST IN NEED OF A MEPHISTO DEAL: Amazing Spider-Man #700: Okay, so everyone has been complaining about this book enough already so I’ll make it short and sweet. How can a villain who has wanted to kill you since issue #3 suddenly change his mind in the last five pages of issue #700 because he saw your memories? Yeah, I thought so! 

WORST CROSSOVER: Avengers Vs. X-Men: With another shameless money grab by Marvel, the fans lapped up this horrible series that promised everything and gave nothing! Well, Professor X died, but besides that everything else went back to the same ‘ol same ‘ol. The Avengers are the world’s favorite again and mutants are hated more than ever! Too bad it cost fans almost forty dollars to get right back to where they started from!

BEST COMIC WRITER: Scott Snyder: Between Batman, Swamp Thing, American Vampire, American Vampire: Lord of Nightmares and Severed, Scott Snyder has created some of the most disturbing and fascinating books in 2012. Every issue is done with a true passion for the characters and an eye for detail that is missing in a lot of books today. He may not be Rob Liefeld’s first choice, but he’s alright by me.

BEST INTERIOR ARTIST: Esad Ribic: Some of the most stunning images have come from the hands of Esad Ribic. Whether it be variant covers for various Marvel books or the interior pages of Uncanny X-Force and Thor: God Of Thunder, Ribic is at the top of the art field. Quiet and reserved, this man let’s his images speak for him!

RETURN OF THE PRODIGAL ARTIST: Mike Mignola: Although Mr. Mignola has never stopped writing both B.P.R.D. and Hellboy, he hasn’t drawn any in quite some time. So, with one month left in the year, Mike Mignola sent the comic world into a frenzy when he returned to art chores on Hellboy: In Hell #1 in December 2012. It was utterly outstanding and made all our Christmas wishes come true!

BEST COVER ARTIST: Joao Ruas, Fables: Joao Ruas creates the most haunting and visually stunning covers you will see on the racks today. Mired in folklore and whimsy, these somewhat disturbing images are the perfect match to the stories found inside his astonishing covers. They are true works of art that everyone should behold.

FAVORITE VARIANT COVERS: Scottie Young’s “baby” covers: Scottie Young, the artist on Marvel’s OZ books, has been churning out very rare “baby”covers for all the Marvel Now! books and they are amazing! Well, maybe I’m biased because my daughter and I have read the OZ books and have a few of Scottie’s posters, but they are very cool collector covers. So, make sure you ask your local retailer if they get any in, you won’t regret it!

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BEST COMIC CHARACTER: The Joker: Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo have created the most sadistic, cunning and scary Joker character I have ever read! They have taken a character that has sometimes been used as a veritable joke in the DCU and made him someone that they should all be afraid of, especially since he seems to be always two steps ahead of everyone! Completely creepy!

TOUGHEST CHARACTER TO FOLLOW: Superboy: So, he has his own comic, he has been in Legion Lost, he has been in Teen Titans and he has been in The Ravagers. He is supposedly on the Teen Titans and the Ravagers teams but he is only there for an issue or two and then he vanishes! No explanation is given, he is just gone and no one knows where the hell he goes! Here’s a tip: put him on one team or none, but please make a decision! It is beyond annoying and he’s not that great a character to begin with — so just decide already!

MOST BRUTAL COMIC DEATH: Glenn, The Walking Dead (Image): TWD #100 was one of the most horrific books I have ever read. The utter disregard for human life that Neegan portrays is alarming and what he does to one of the most beloved characters in the TWD universe — completely sadistic. Kirkman knows how to pull on the ‘ol heart strings and that’s why The Walking Dead is no longer the little book that could, but a money making machine!

MOST POINTLESS COMIC CAMEO: Nova, Avengers Vs. X-Men: Okay, so he crashes to earth, mumbles and then falls into a coma. Twelve issues later, he flies out of nowhere punches a Phoenix charged Cyclops and then gets beaten to a pulp. Then Thor asks him is if he wants to join the Avengers? So, if I put on a football helmet, jump off the roof and fall into a coma — I could possibly become an Avenger too? Why didn’t anyone tell me it was so simple?!

THE COMIC WTF!? MOMENT OF THE YEAR: Peter Poctopus/Dr. Octavpider-Man: Oh, you know what I mean! 

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WORST TOY OF THE YEAR: DC two packs of Squinkies: Okay, I know Squinkies have been around for years, but 2012 had some exclusive stocking stuffer two packs hit the shelves at local retailers. Now, can anyone tell me what these squishy miniature versions of The New 52 heroes are good for? They can’t fit as a pencil topper, they’re too light to use as a paper weight. Mostly, I scream Shazam at the top of my lungs and throw them at my intern, D-ROX’s head! If anyone has a better idea, let me know!

COOLEST TOY OF THE YEAR: The Walking Dead Minimates: Now we all know Minimates are AWESOME, but 2012 saw them become even better! With the launch of TWD Minimates, you can now control the fates of little versions of Rick, Glenn and Shane against a horde of four zombies! My desk has never looked better than strewn with “Lego-style” zombie parts!

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BEST TELEVISION SERIES: The Walking Dead(AMC): This series has been top notch since it’s inception and, as a fan on the comic as well, I couldn’t ask for anything more! Human drama mixed with a zombie backdrop, TWD has taken the world by storm and it goes to prove that comics are not just for “geeks” anymore! Plus, any show I can watch with my wife that doesn’t contain a judge’s chambers or cheating senators is a definite win!

BEST REALITY TELEVISION SERIES: SyFy’s Face Off: One of the most creative shows I have ever seen, Face Off, brings make-up and visual effects artists from around the country to compete against each other in a series of challenges. I am astonished by how creative the artist get with minimal time and equipment. Plus, there is always a bevy of quest stars to help judge their work, such as, Kevin Smith and LeVar Burton!

BEST CARTOON SERIES: Ultimate Spider-Man: This series is what I wish the Spider-Man cartoons of my day would have been like! Spidey’s witty banter, great looking art and friends that couldn’t negate each other’s powers! Now, I know Sam Alexander Nova is in there and that might not sit well with some of you, but it really is a great show! And anything I can watch with my daughter is well worth a fake bucket head any day!

BIGGEST MISSED OPPORTUNITY: Cartoon Network’s DC Nation: DC Nation is actually my favorite block of comic cartoon gold, but since Cartoon Network pulled both Green Lantern and Young Justice(my personal favorite cartoon) for no definitive reason, fans couldn’t enjoy their favorite shows! So, without there being any DC cartoons on Saturday, we all moved onto Marvel ones on Sunday, hence my pick for Spider-Man over Young Justice! Horrible idea by Cartoon Network!

MAN OF THE YEAR: Richard Corben: This living legend artist has churned out more books in 2012 than most of the “hot” young talent that the “Big Two” clamor over and he’s 72 years old! Well known for his work in the horror genre, Mr. Corben has seen quite a demand for his talents lately, especially from Dark Horse. He has worked with Mike Mignola on Hellboy, Jan Strnad on Ragemoor and has translated Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Conqueror Worm” into comic form. Mr. Croben was also inducted into the Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame in 2012 for his continued artistic prowess over the years!

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THE MOMENT THAT SET THE WORLD ON FIRE: Disney buys Star Wars: This was one of those events that takes you by surprise and you’re not actually sure if it’s true or not! I remember continually telling EIC Matt McGloin to, “Shut up!,” on the phone because I was so floored! Though fan reaction has been mixed, I personally cannot wait to see what will eventually come of this. At least it can’t be any worse than the “prequels” right?

If you made it this far — Thank You! I hope you all had a great year and we hope to see your ideas in the comments! Now, I have to go find my Squinkies for Monday morning — SHAZAM! 

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Comic Book News Marvel

Review: New Avengers #1

The shuffling of creative teams and the renumbering of almost all of their books, has been very profitable for Marvel. Where once they had been taking a beating by DC in the sales department, now, they have regained the top spots and harnessed a new found energy in the comics community with their Marvel NOW! line of books. There has been an overall sense of nostalgia melded with a new found excitement in these books, so when Marvel announced it’s first “big” Marvel NOW! book of the new year would be New Avengers by Jonathan Hickman, fans sat with anticipation for the new series. Unfortunately, New Avengers is but a shadow of the other Marvel NOW! titles.

Jonathan Hickman gives us a good book that warrants attention but it pales in comparison with all the other Marvel NOW! releases of the past year. Hickman delves into a tale that is heavily formulated around the concept of the sacrifices the present must make in order to preserve it’s future. A feeling that hits home in such a trying economic and political climate that we see ourselves in currently. It shows how one man must put aside his own personal feelings and reservations about others in order to find a way to save everything else he holds dear. It is an enlightening segue into a broader story awaiting us on the horizon, but it is merely not enough to captivate you with with a sense of awe we were all expecting.

Not that this story is bad in any way, it is unfortunately — mediocre. And mediocrity is not a word synonymous with Jonathan Hickman. The suspense, shock, drama and overall fascination that we are usually treated to in a Hickman tale, is just not there in this issue. There is no emotional pull for the reader to feel vested in the tale, and even with the inclusion of the Illuminati as it’s sales driver, it still falls short as a “must read” book.

With issue two looming just two weeks away, I can only hope that the story can overcome it’s lackluster debut issue any bring a tale that can excite and tantalize the readers as much as the rest of the Marvel NOW! books have. With Hickman at the reigns, I have no doubt that this series can become something worthy of your four dollars! 

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Comic Book News Marvel

Review: Avengers Arena #1

Let’s not pull any punches about this book. This series is Marvel’s answer to all the tween hype given to The Hunger Games, and the much more brutal, Battle Royale. They even mention – as a rather funny quote from Arcade – that the inspiration for the entire event came from “a couple kids’ books!” Mimicry is NOT always the highest compliment, but in the case of Avengers Arena, it’s not truly mimicry either. This book is much more than copying the motions of another tale, it has a heart all its own, and for me, is Marvel’s best book of the week!

Yes, this is a tale of teenage, and one not so teenage, heroes thrown together in a battle to the death. It has been done before and most certainly will be done again, but it is the tale that lies beneath the broader strokes that compels you to push through this tale of brutality to it’s destructive finale. It is the connections that are made, the loves threatened and the ravings of a girl who never truly enjoyed living until her own life was at stake, that draws you emotionally into the tale. Dennis Hopeless has crafted something that far exceeds the parameters this style of story was based on, and has given us a deeply compelling look into the hearts and minds of some exceptional characters that never truly got the chance to shine on their own. Ironically, this tale will also be the final chance we get to see of these characters, at least we got to know them better in their final days!

Not only does Dennis Hopeless give us an emotionally charged, action packed tale of mortality, but he also gives us a different look at one of the oldest X-Men villains. Arcade has taken center stage as the “big bad” in this series, but most fans will not recognize him in his fresh incarnation. He has become a veritable “god” in this tale, one who is near omnipotent in power and cunning and is not afraid to get his hands dirty. He has evolved far beyond the sneering, freckle faced heckler that let his mechanical murder machines do all the work. Hopeless has built him up as a truly terrifying rogue that not only demands respect but obedience as well, pushing him to the top of the list of most intriguing characters to watch. It is the character of Arcade that brings a sense of intrigue to a tale rife with action, diversifying it even more so than the emotional duress we receive from our “heroes.” It is these factors that lift this tale above the mere some of it’s parts, making it a wondrous read from cover to cover.

Dennis Hopeless and the amazingly talented Kev Walker have crafted a book that may be misconstrued as a mere money grab by Marvel -a blank check to capture the tween readership – and I truly hope it does bring them in. This is the book that will get new readership talking about how amazing comics can be regardless of movie tie-ins and big budget marketing. This is the book that will draw readers in with an idea they all ready know and will blow them away with how rich and emotionally charged the comics genre is.

This is the book that all fans, new or old, should be reading. Don’t let the concept fool you, you will be underestimating how great this book really is!

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Comic Book News Marvel

Advanced Review: All-New X-Men #2

The world has been torn asunder after the Phoenix Force merged with Scott Summers. Cities are destroyed, mutant hate is at its peak and the man whose dream brought all the X-Men together — lies dead at the hands of his first student. Things couldn’t be worse for the mutant race, especially since there are new mutants manifesting powers every day and a revolution has begun! All looks bleak, but for one specific X-Man, it is even worse. Dr. Henry McCoy is dying from another genetic mutation, but before he dies he will try to correct the present by visiting the past!

Brian Michael Bendis has crafted a thoroughly engaging tale, rife with nostalgia, that any X fan will not only appreciate — but hold most dear. It is a tale of desperation and longing for a time when things didn’t seem so complex. A tale of time travel and fantasy that feels so natural and well executed that the mere thought of time/space conundrums — is not given a second thought at all! It is so far fetched that it completely makes sense, not becoming an overall burden to the reader or the story.

It is quirky and fun and devastatingly real, bringing a microscope down on all the things that have gone awry over the years and the loss of faith in Xavier’s dream. This tale is as fresh and exciting as the fundamentals the original five X-Men had the first time they suited up. A juxtaposition of a far too dark present and a vibrant, albeit slightly naive, past. The characterization of the “little X-Men” is pitch perfect! Bendis has found their true essence and has treated it reverently, giving no qualms in his ability to scribe the “Merry Mutants” in this fans eyes! 

All X fans will be clamoring for this new series, it is the shot of adrenaline the X books have been so desperately in need of! Bendis fan or not, this book will sway you towards being an X fan all over again!

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Comic Book News Marvel

The Triumphant Return Of An Avenger! Avengers #32 Spoilers

(Editor’s Note: Avengers #32 Spoiler Alert!)

 

We all know that the “death span” of a hero in modern comics is quite short, but for this hero, Bendis took his sweet time returning her to the land of the living. 

First seen in the pages of Avengers #31, our returned hero seems to have gotten herself into quite a jam with some alien races and is on the run for her life. Again! Trapped in inner space, she holds her own in a fighting frenzy against those who threaten her. But, eventually, the ever constant horde of combatants proves to be too much and the last we see of her wrapped visage is her pulling out an Avengers comm-card and sends out a distress signal.

Since that issue, the rumors have been flying as to who this “mystery” Avenger is and exactly what has happened to her. Most fans agree upon who this stunning character could be and with the release of Avengers #32 this week — it looks as though they have been right!

So, without further ado let’s welcome back…Janet Van Dyne a.k.a.. The Wasp! 

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But, with her return comes some controversy and intrigue. Not only is Janet alive, but it seems she may have never actually “died” in the first place! It seems she somehow was diminished in size and sent into inner space this entire time! How? Why? Who knows? (Editor’s note: Seeissues “Avengers Academy” possibly for more!) But Bendis wouldn’t bring back such a fan favorite character just on whimsy!

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We all know how deep rooted Marvel Comics has been as of late with the Marvel movie and television franchises. Will it really be that long before they incorporate one of the founding Avengers somewhere into their fold? We know that the Ant-Man movie is being formulated, even though the focus is on Scott Lang, could there be a spot for Janet Van Dyne in there as well? Personally, I am wondering if Joss Whedon might use her in his S.H.I.E.L.D. television show. Janet Van Dyne, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. — sounds pretty good to me!

Regardless of the speculation, it is great to have such a great female character back again!

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Comic Book News Marvel

Op-Ed: Marvel Pseudo-Cosmic: The Decline of Marvel Cosmic under Alonso, Brevoort, Quesada, Whacker, Bendis, and Loeb

(Editor’s Note: “The Cosmic Triune” is a series of opinionated articles focusing on Marvel Cosmic.)

 

The Cosmic Triune

An Opinion-Editorial

By Timelord

 

Marvel Pseudo-Cosmic: 

The Decline of Marvel Cosmic under Alonso, Brevoort, Quesada, Whacker, Bendis, and Loeb

 

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In preparation for this article I re-read the very first Marvel Cosmic comic I ever purchased – The Mighty Thor #227.  It was published in 1974 with a cover price of 25 cents and I remember seeing it on the wire spinner rack in my home town’s mom and pop drug store.  I was fascinated by the cover art of Thor, Hercules, and Firelord, and the blurb promising me an epic adventure with our heroes and Galactus fighting Ego The Living Planet.  If you’ve never read it, it’s a top notch Cosmic story that holds up well to the present day.  It’s the story that made me a Marvel Cosmic fan – and – I would point out that the story takes place in deep space, has absolutely nothing to do with Earth, respects the space-based characters, and talks up to the readers as if they’re adults.  I also reviewed Nova Volume I, Nova Volume IV, DnA’s Guardians of the Galaxy series, Starlin’s Infinity Gauntlet, Giffen’s Annihilation mini-series, Englehart’s Star-Lord origin story, and DnA’s Thanos Imperative mini-series as I consider these to be some of the best representations of Marvel Cosmic done right.

In February of 2011 I wrote an Opinion-Editorial called “Marvel Editorial to Cosmic Fans: We’re Just Not That Into You” and in August of 2011 I wrote a follow-up Op-Ed called Re-lauching Marvel Cosmic.  In “We’re Just Not That Into You” I described how latter day Marvel Editorial has disrespected and disappointed Cosmic Fans with their decisions about handling Nova and Guardians of the Galaxy; prompting a Twitter response from Marvel’s Tom Brevoort objecting to points I made in the article and prompting Mr. Bendis to block CBN from his Twitter feed.  In “Re-launching Marvel Cosmic,” which was published in response to Nova and Guardians of the Galaxy being put on “hiatus” with a promised quick return, I made suggestions about how Cosmic could be re-launched to better appeal to today’s Cosmic fans.  In response, Mr. Brevoort tweeted that I should just start reading Green Lantern.

After reading Loeb’s two Point One “Nova” (in name only) stories, watching Loeb’s treatment of “Nova” (in name only) on his Ultimate Spiderman cartoon, reading Bendis’ treatment of Guardians of the Galaxy (in name only) over the last three issues of Avengers Assemble as well as Bendis’ re-telling of Englehart’s Star-Lord origin story in the latest Point One – and comparing these efforts to the best of true Marvel Cosmic as identified above, I have some reactions to share.

If you take a look at the August 2011 “Re-launching Marvel Cosmic” Op-Ed – which basically identifies the most appealing elements of true Marvel Cosmic – and you compare it to what Marvel Editorial, Bendis, and Loeb are currently doing, you’ll see that they’re basically doing the opposite of everything that in the past made Marvel Cosmic great.

First, let’s consider Loeb’s juvenile treatment of – and I can barely write it without feeling sick – Nova.  In fact, to minimize the pain, I’ll hereinafter refer to Loeb’s treatment as “Nova In Name Only” or “NINO” for short.  As all true Cosmic fans know, Wolfman’s 1976 conception of Nova was street-level Spiderman-ish at first and toward the end of the run, he was moving Rich Rider toward more maturity and toward being more of a space-based character true to his origin story.  That’s not just my opinion or my analysis of The Man Called Nova series; Mr. Wolfman confirmed to me in a personal communication last year that he was going to move Nova to more mature space-based storylines had the series not been cancelled.  Later, Nova became the stand-out character in the New Warriors series and had two follow-up series where his earlier street-level Spiderman-ish characterization was retained by the writers of those series.  Then, Keith Giffen gave us Annihilation and everything changed for the better.

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Giffen is quoted as saying that at first he didn’t understand Nova’s appeal.  Then he read through all the previous material and he understood what all us Nova fans – including Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning – had known all along.  The appeal was never the teenage Spiderman-ish routine.  The appeal was the potential – glimpsed in several Nova storylines and realized in a few – for a space-based para-military character that capitalized on the themes from popular science-fiction franchises of the past several decades such as Star Wars, Star Trek, and various video games.  Giffen’s re-characterization of Nova gave us a mature, confident, space-based, powerful para-military leader that the Nova fans wholeheartedly embraced as the realization of the potential we always knew the character possessed.  DnA retained this penultimate Nova characterization for most of their Nova Volume IV tenure which has been embraced by Nova fans as the best Nova series since Volume I.  So, for any bloggers and any Editors who condescendingly dismiss the complaints of true Nova fans in response to Loeb’s NINO as typical fanboy outrage about re-booting or re-characterization; I say in response that Nova fans have a history of embracing re-booting/re-characterization when it’s for the better; and only complaining when it’s for the worse.  NINO is for the worse.

Sad thing is – Loeb’s NINO is worse than re-booting or re-characterization.  It’s basically a hi-jacking of the character.  He takes some of the more interesting concepts from the true Nova’s history, modifies them in a manner disrespectful to the character’s continuity, waters them down to Earth-based street level, dumbs them down to juvenile level, and transplants them into an immature, obnoxious, un-likeable teenager named Sam Alexander.  I’m feeling sick again.  Gone is our powerful, mature, confident, para-military leader.  He’s been shoe-horned out of the way by bad Editorial decision making and replaced with a teenage Peter Parker-ish, powered down, ineffective teen twit that even the USM cartoon’s Spiderman doesn’t like.  Sam wouldn’t make a good sidekick much less a true leader. 

Truth is, Loeb doesn’t understand Nova.  He’s just trying once again to re-create Spiderman. It won’t work.  In this latest foray with Diamondhead, for the first time in 36 years of Nova fandom I was rooting for Diamondhead to win.  And it’s basically the same story as when NINO faced Terrax.  He basically gets his ass kicked, accidentally “wins” the fight, then runs off to find The Avengers.  Pathetic.  Mr. Loeb – you don’t understand Nova and Nova fans.  Your NINO is several orders of magnitude inferior to the original 1976 characterization.  Your NINO is un-necessary as Giffen gave Nova fans the Nova we had always wanted.  Your NINO is the “Nova” that no true Nova fan EVER wanted.  Your NINO is extremely disrespectful to the 36 year history of the character and to all long term Nova fans.  I used to buy two or more issues of every Nova comic to do my part in keeping sales high and the series going.  I won’t buy a single issue of NINO, and I hope it dies a quick cruel death and is quickly forgotten.  No Nova is better than NINO.

Now let’s consider Bendis’ take on Guardians of the Galaxy.  Or shouldn’t it be re-named Guardians of the Earth since Bendis has now made them Earth-based?  Or maybe he should just re-name his take Guardians of the Caribbean since he refers to Ship as a “pirate ship.”  Disney would probably love the conflation of two of its properties and see it as a way to make sure the Guardians of the Galaxy movie is a success.  I’m being sarcastic so don’t jump me about that last comment in the forums.

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Don’t go pointing at the Point One Star-Lord origin story and telling me how good Bendis’ take is.  I agree that that story was well done.  But that’s a re-telling of a good Englehart story from the 70’s.  Bendis’ original take is exemplified in the last three issues of Avengers Assemble where the Guardians of the Galaxy play second fiddle to The Avengers in taking down Thanos who puts in his most bumbling performance as a Cosmic Cube seeking villain since the dreadful and infamous story where he fought Spiderman and Hellcat for a Cosmic Cube while flying in the “Thanos Copter” and ended up being led away in handcuffs by the NYPD.  So Tony Stark is smarter than Thanos and The Elders of the Universe? Really? So, Star-Lord, Drax, and Rocket Racoon deliver lines reminiscent of bad 1980’s cop movies/TV shows?  Also, stilted dialog, poor characterization, and complete disrespect for the concepts introduced by DnA that made their take on GotG good enough to attract the attention of Hollywood.  Did I miss anything?  Oh yes – I did.  What the hell is Tony Stark doing as part of the team?  Stealing the show if I guess right.  And again, to bloggers and Editors who would accuse me of DnA fanboy-ism; I invite you to read any of my reviews of their work on Nova and GotG.  I think they did the best take on Nova and GotG ever, but I was by no means easy on them.  I also did not follow their work on Heroes for Hire, Villains for Hire, or New Mutants, and I flat out didn’t like Annihilators.

Mr. Bendis – you don’t understand Guardians of the Galaxy or Science-Fiction.  Your take on GotG would have been average for popular science-fiction in 1955, but it’s not even close to good popular SF now.  And by the way sir, science-fiction fans prefer the shorthand “SF” and not the condescending term, “sci-fi.” Keep that in mind for your future interviews with your fanboys at Newsarama who should know better.  The galaxy/universe are big places and Earth is an insignificant part of the galaxy/universe.  Your reduction of concepts epic in scope dealing with the awe and wonder of the universe to parochial, Earthcentric, street-level tripe is disrespectful of the concepts that made DnA’s GotG take great.  There was no need to do this.  We already had a version of GotG very different from the original and embraced by the fans.  We didn’t want your “Cosmic Avengers.”  We wanted “The Cosmic Dirty Dozen.”  I won’t be buying your take.

The upshot is that Marvel Cosmic is no longer truly cosmic.  It has been reduced to hackneyed Earthcentric, small scope, street level, trite super-hero concepts with the characters just happening to have some connection to space. This is “pseudo-cosmic” at best.  So, until Marvel re-embraces the concepts that once made Cosmic great, I suggest that we refer to Bendis’ and Loeb’s efforts as “Marvel Pseudo-Cosmic,” and I urge the 40,000 or so loyal and true Cosmic fans to join me in boycotting Marvel Pseudo-Cosmic.  Pseudo-Cosmic is not better than no Cosmic at all.  It taints true Cosmic.  It corrupts good and true Cosmic concepts. It needs to go away quickly and be forgotten lest it become as much an object of derision as the “Thanos Copter.”

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Comic Book News Marvel

Advanced Review: Marvel Now!: Point One #1

The future of Marvel comics is bestowed upon us in Marvel Now! Point One. This is not the full scope, but rather, glimpses of some of the biggest and brightest new creations for 2013! A bevy of Marvel top talent has put their best foot forward to lay the foundation for the future, but, is it really worth the six dollar price tag?

Point One is an amalgam of intriguing tales and notable flops. Ranging from new characters like Miss America, revamping fan favorites such as Nova and even returning characters that have not been seen in a very long time — Forge! This book will leave fans in a “love/hate” scenario. Regardless of whom your favorite characters are, it is the quality of the tales that separate the good from the bad — not the character.

I do not pretend to know Marvel Cosmic — I am the “street” guy in the CBN offices. The last time I read a Nova tale, he was running with the New Warriors! But I enjoyed this slight glimpse into the “new” Nova. It was intriguing, referencing Rich Rider and his exploits a few times, and yet somehow winning me over with the “kid.” I cannot tell you if new or old fans will enjoy it, I can only tell you that I did!

But, the best story is that of Peter Quill. A jarring piece that grabbed me instantly! Not knowing a thing about Starlord, Bendis‘ tale made me want to! Fast paced, it’s placement in the book was perfectly balanced to excite the reader into the rest of the book. Unfortunately, the rest of the tales paled in comparison.

For me, the worst tale was the story of Forge and Cable. It was as misshapen as Forge’s leg, giving nothing for the reader to grab onto and feel invested in. I know these are just glimpses, teasers about the future, but, nothing here created excitement for said future. It was a ramble in order to show the mental duress of Forge, but it didn’t resonate well at all.

Nick Spencer’s wrap around tale of Nick Fury and a man proclaiming to be from the future, gave the perfect amount of direction to the overall book. A balance between the zany and profound, Spencer keeps it all in a well wound story that ends open-ended. The perfect stepping stone for the future of Marvel, one that is beginning to look brighter everyday.

But six dollars? Keep out all the advertisements and I would be happy to pay three!

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Comic Book News Marvel

Advanced Review: Uncanny Avengers #1

Welcome to the most pre-ordered book of all time! The “Revolution” has begun and Marvel Now! is officially underway! 

Fan favorites, Rick Remender and John Cassady, have laid the groundwork for the future of the Marvel U. with a book that changes the status quo! Former heroes are behind bars, a classic X villain re-emerges with more than a little angst and a mass murderer gives a eulogy! Cyclops’ Extinction team is on the run and the mutant race is more hated than ever! Wait, how is this different? Because “big blue,” Captain America, has a plan to introduce the world to how heroic the X -Men have been over the years.

Everything tastes better when Cap’s got your back!

But seriously, Remender brings a voice to these characters – X-Men especially – that is just not found in their regular books. He brings a depth to them, a richness seldom found and it makes the debut issue of this series that much better. This book will sell no matter what, but it is the pitch perfect characterization by Remender that will keep the fans returning. From Xavier’s eulogy to the completely off-the-wall ending, you will be enthralled by every page. If this is the type of tales we can expect from the rest of the Marvel Now! books, we are in for a resurgence of the Marvel books of old!

Smart and intriguing with just a hint of Remender’s patented craziness — this one’s a solid read that will leave fans wanting more!

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Comic Book News Marvel

Review: Gambit #1

The “Ragin‘ Cajun” has once again been given a chance to fly solo. But does the second most popular X-Men character “explode” on the scene or fizzle like a water logged firecracker? 

Although fan favorite Clay Mann does an exceptional job rendering the suave, ladies man — it is not enough to bring anything new to the evolution of the Gambit character. Asmus‘ tech savvy Gambit, sans a few funny quips, is quite bland and comes off as a poor man’s James Bond. Charming women and conning crooks is the normal M.O., and that’s all we get from this tale — a repetitive look at the same ol‘ same ol‘! 

Asmus does do a fine job finding the voice of Gambit. The internal monologues are well crafted and gives us insight into how Mr. Lebeau feels regarding being a teacher, hero and “sometimes” boyfriend to Rogue. But, all of that fades as the action ramps up and the story falls back into mediocrity. The con, the gadgets, the showmanship — it just isn’t enough to make this a story that we haven’t seen a thousand times before. 

The tale is fun, if not for a lack of originality, but if you were looking for something more “explosive” in terms of story — you won’t find it here! Even the ending, both strange and surprising, doesn’t warrant a purchase of a second issue. Sorry, “Mon ami!”

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Comic Book News Marvel

Advanced Review: The First X-Men #1

When I heard that the legendary Neal Adams was pitching an idea he had for an X-Men tale, I was quite excited. When I heard the idea, the excitement began to wane. As I read the book, my excitement dwindled even further.

The overall execution of the story is just not dramatic enough to capture the reader’s attention. We are thrust into a tale that portrays Wolverine as the self proclaimed “savior” of all mutants. He gathers a group to battle those who intend to harm them and — off we go! There is no drive to the story, there is nothing to make the reader feel vested in the tale whatsoever — except the fact that we will buy anything if Wolverine is attached to it! Yes, there are nods to X history within the book, and there are new characters introduced – Holo is done exceptionally well, but there just isn’t enough to warrant me to purchase the next issue. 

Mr. Adams art is as skillful as ever and it was a true pleasure to gaze upon his renderings again. But unfortunately, I need more than a legendary name and a flash bang story to make me shell out four dollars. There needs to be substance, a structure, a hook — something, that can drive some excitement for the reader. Otherwise, readers will look elsewhere for those books that can make them feel something more — regardless of the talent that is attached to the project.

If you want to read about the “first” X-Men team, buy an X-Men Archives hardcover and see what Stan created. The rest is second best!

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Comic Book News Marvel

Review: Avengers Vs. X-Men #6

After the shocking- and some what confusing- ending to issue five, this series could have gone anywhere. Fortunately for fans, Jonathan Hickman took up the reigns with this issue and created the best single story of this series yet!

Along with fan favorite, Olivier Coipel, Hickman has crafted something that is worthy of the word “classic”! The pacing of the tale is perfect, luring the reader into a world that has begun to change in the blink of an eye. We can see the awe and wonder on the characters faces, and the same emotions are dredged up in the reader as well, as something new lay before us!

War, famine, and drought have all been removed from the planet by five individuals, and the status quo has begun to shift to the meek from the mighty. So, why then is there still opposition by the Avengers, and more importantly — the government — to stop the X-Men from changing the world for the better? One word — FEAR! Fear of the unknown, fear of a power struggle, but mostly, a fear of losing an upper hand on those seen as lower class citizens.

In a time of great political unrest in our country, Hickman’s tale is sure to strike a cord with all who have ever felt that they will never get a fair shake in life. At it’s core, it is a tale of striving to not only better oneself but the world around you as well. It is about the struggle to achieve power enough to make that change and yet, when you do, you are still shunned for not doing it the way certain parties preceive to be right. What can you do when all you have achieved is still not good enough for those you have sworn to protect? You lash out, destroying the thin membrane of peace between you and hope someone will finally appreciate you in the future. 

With only a single issue, Hickman has given me new hope for this series. He has given it a new life, one that will hopefully be cared for and evolved with the next writer into something even better than it is now! He has created a memoir to classic tales while crafting his own! That , my friends, is something to be proud of! 

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Comic Book News Marvel

Advanced Review: Uncanny X-Force #26

Phil Noto is back! Omega Red is back! Sabretooth is back! Mystique is back! The Brotherhood Of Evil Mutants is back! And the Rick Remender, that we all know and love — is back! For the first time in awhile, Uncanny X-Force brings back all the excitement, craziness, wittiness and brutality —  that made this THE best X book around! If you aren’t salivating by the end of this book — you are dead inside!

The team is fractured! Betsy has quit, Fantomex has had his heart crushed by Psylocke and wallows in depravity, Deadpool no longer has a healing factor, and Nightcrawler and Wolverine are finding it hard to breathe with the Omega Clan pumping them full of toxins! Needless to say, the have seen better days! Especially, since there are even worse things lurking in the shadows, manipulating the course of X-Force’s future with every passing minute! There is a storm coming, one that will burn X-Force to the ground —  if they can survive that long!

I have to say that I am so excited this book is finally back on track! Too many art changes, too many “out there” storylines; it seemed that the fanbase just became burnt out with all the changes —  me included! But now, after trudging through the “Otherworld” storyline, we are rewarded with this issue! Amazing art and Remender at the top of his game, we are privileged with greatness yet again! Weaving past, current and future storylines together, this issue paves the way for the future of X-Force. They have made too many enemies in the past, and now they will have to contend with the ramifications that people actually know they exist!

Remender brings all the things that has made this book so great in the past — back to the table. The suspense, the characterization and – of course – Deadpool’s witty banter, is all there — making for one hell of a twisted ride! The viscous attacks, the personal struggles, the suspense — truly outstanding! Greatness is just waiting inside, ready for you to devour and let your hunger for great comics be satiated!

Remender and Noto have made this book outstanding! You shouldn’t just get this book, you should be knocking people over and standing in triumph as you grab it off the shelves! Now — get to it!

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Comic Book News Marvel

Review: X-Men Legacy #267

Christos Gage has been writing some of the best X stories out there right now, and X-Men Legacy #267 is the best yet!

A complete Avengers Vs. X-Men tie-in, and what I mean by complete is that you don’t need to read anything else in order to understand exactly what is going on in this issue! Falcon, Moon Knight, She-Hulk and their secret weapon – Iron Man – have come to the Jean Grey School to “check-up” on our mutants. But when Moon Knight strikes Frenzy in a fit of rage, Rogue takes the gloves off — literally! 

Starting right where last issue left us, the school has become a battle ground and Rogue must keep the students as safe as possible while trying to deal with the intense situation. But it’s not the exterior battle that is the must pressing one, Rogue must overcome her inner demons in order to save her friends and herself from utter destruction!

Cristos Gage makes an all out slugfest into a compelling tale of a person trying to overcome their faults in order to grow, not only as a person, but someone that others can look up to. It is a tough situation to put such a personal, and character driven piece, directly within the chaos of a battle — but Gage pulls it off flawlessly. He has developed Rogue into strong character that can finally rely on herself without having to worry about the trappings of her past failures. Making her one of my new favorite X characters! But don’t get me wrong, This book isn’t solely a soul searching character piece, there are plenty of things getting destroyed to whet the appetite of any action junkie fanboy! Especially,when Moon Knight pulls a fast one on the X-Men — can anyone say “Rogue Smash?”

Amazing art by Rafa Sandoval solidifies this tale as the best X book on the shelves this week! You want great storytelling focused on character development and utter destruction through fisticuffs — all mixed in a single book? Than you have to pick this one up!

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Comic Book News Marvel

What’s Your Angle On The Tesseract?

Just What The “DOC” Ordered

 

“What’s Your Angle On The Tesseract?”

By: Chris “DOC” Bushley

 

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Ever since Marvel Comics decided to unveil their most powerful weapon in Iron Man 2, the cosmic cube – renamed the Tesseract – has been causing fanboys to drool and movie goers to ponder, “What is a Tesseract?” That’s the million dollar question, I suppose! And it all depends on what company, field or genre you support!

A tesseract, first used in the book A New Era of Thought by Charles Howard Hintin in 1888, means the four lines from each vertex to other vertices, or the four-dimensional analog of the cube. The tesseract is one of the six convex regular polytopes. Even in geometry, there are numerous names and ideas as to the different functions of a tesseract. There is no definitive idea of the tesseract that does not open itself to other possibilities.

Take for instance, the use of the tesseract in the great work of fiction, A Wrinkle In Time, by Madeleine L’Engle in 1962. Here it is used more as a wormhole, a portal that sends Meg Murray and her friends through time and space by literally bending the space-time continuum. This seems more in line with the “cosmic cube” that was created by Marvel Comics in July 1966. Is it a possibility that good ol‘ Stan and Jack loved A Wrinkle In Time so much that they created a homage to it in Tales Of Suspense #79? Possibly, but Stan will probably never admit to hearing of the book and claim sole creative control!

Though there have been three different versions of the “tesseract” in various Marvel comics over the years, there has been one constant about them. They have all had the potential to be the most powerful cosmic device ever created! They can alter reality, transfer the essence of one individual to another, make any wish come true regardless of the consequences and — it has even become a sentient life form! Its powers, creators, users and destroyers have all been linked to cosmic energies in some shape or form. And just like Avengers the movie, I am sure we will be seeing a lot more of what destruction can be wrought by its power!

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But now there is a new version of the tesseract that is completely different than all other versions. While previous incarnations have all been birthed in true science, geometric shapes and cosmic fundamentals — this new version is birthed in magic! Found on the last page of Justice League Dark #9, DC Comics has entered into the fan frenzy of the tesseract movement. Jeff Lemire has wasted no time amping up this book in only one issue, and it will only get better from here! DC’s version of the tesseract is said to be The Eighth-Dimensional Map, not just a map but â€” THE map to the four most powerful artifacts in the DCnU! Locked inside the tesseract is the hidden locations to the Four Pillars Of Existence, the source of all magic on earth — The Books Of Magic! As astounding as that revelation is, it is a comment that is made by a character named Dr. Mist that has piqued my interest more. He not only calls the box the tesseract but the FIRST tesseract! Does that mean there are more? Maybe a total of three? More? Remember folks, during the Avengers/JLA crossover a cube was seen in the DCU! Could this be it? Who knows? All I know, is that I am extremely excited to see where this is going!

To wrap up, “What is a Tesseract?” I guess you can choose your own answer. A scientific theory, a portal to save your father, the Cosmic Cube or a map to The Books Of Magic! Hell, there’s even a band! So, pick what best suits you and run with it! No matter who Marvel and DC’s characters are getting married to, comics’ real buzzword is — Tesseract! 

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Comic Book News Marvel

Review: Avengers Vs. X-Men: Versus #2

(Editor’s Note: Tread Lightly, This Way There Be Spoilers!)

 

This is going to be painful. Not as painful as reading this book, but painful enough! 

When the premise of this Versus book came out, a battle royale of fights too big to fit inside the A vs. X series, I was psyched! Childhood daydreams would finally come to fruition and Marvel was promising that these battles would have definitive winners! As a matter of fact, this is what Marvel says on page one of this book, quote: “Did you read the cover? This is Versus #2, the comic where Avengers and X-Men pound the snot out of each other one-on-one until there’s a clear victor!” end quote. I don’t exactly know if Marvel knows what a “clear victor” is, but out of four total battles they have given us in the past two books — only one is definitive!

So let’s get out the score card, shall we?

Book One of Versus has Iron Man vs. Magneto. Cool premise, better fight — no clear winner! Magneto lies there in awe of the coming Phoenix Force and plays possum so Iron Man will leave! Winner: Iron Man. Second fight is Thing vs. Namor. A classic battle of two characters that hate each other — no clear winner! Both characters emerge from the ocean at the exact same time, but the Thing is declared the winner! Wait, what?

So, issue two has Gambit vs. Captain America by Steve McNiven. This one had very cool moments by Gambit. Charging Cap’s shield was cool, but when he charges a smug Cap’s chain mail — it is awesome! Except, Marvel would never let anything happen to Cap, so the explosion does nothing to him but tear his costume! He then knocks Gambit out with a single punch while talking to Tony Stark on his Bluetooth! Really? I’m afraid so! Winner: Cap.

Fight #2 is Colossus vs. Spider-Man by Kieron Gillen and Salvador Larroca. Strange choice for combatants and an even stranger battle. Pretty much, it was Spidey shooting webs and spewing banter in Colossus’ face while he swung with all his might! Colossus gets some wallops in, but Spidey finally just swings off with Daredevil as Colossus stands seething! Winner: Colossus!

How is someone swinging away as another one stands there a “clear winner?” Am I wrong about this, does anyone else find this an utter cop-out?  If I am paying four dollars for a smash mouth battle royale with a “clear winner,” I want someone broken by the end of it! Not someone feigning sleep or following another combatant and certainly — NOT RUNNING AWAY! 

Marvel may excel at making completely amazing movies, but their books have fallen by the way side! If they expect to continue to have a fan base that is true to their product, then they should begin by standing by their word. Give readers what we want and deserve, we’ve been loyal to you all these years — it’s about time for some reciprocation!

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Comic Book News Marvel

Review: X-Men Legacy #266

(Editor’s Note: Slight Spoilers Spotted Dead Ahead!)

 

There is a division between those that see the Phoenix Force as the end of the world and those who dream it to be the beginning of a new one! But the division is not as simple as merely Avenger vs. X-Man. There is a deeper separation within the mutant race, one that even Team Cyclops and Team Wolverine can’t encapsulate. There is a difference between “team” and “family,” and only now is the mutant race realizing that even a schism cannot separate them for long!

Christos Gage gives us the perfect amalgam of characterization and high octane action in this issue, falling directly within the flow of Avengers vs. X-Men and not involving flashbacks — no other crossover book has so far! We see the teachers of the Jean Grey School for Higher Learning ponder their places in the current war. While most of them stay to give the students a semblance of normalcy during this time of chaos, both Iceman and Rachel Grey leave to join Cyclops against the Avengers. Meanwhile, Falcon, Moon Knight and She-Hulk arrive at the school in order to “check-in” on the X-Men and make sure they won’t cause any trouble in the future. As hindsight is 20/20, maybe Falcon should have chosen his group more wisely, as it is his team that breaks rank first and brings the war down on children!

More than just another smash mouth issue, Gage writes an intelligent story dealing with the worries of a “family” and their actions. The individual choices are hard and yet, cunningly in line with each characters sense of self. There are no drastic deviations in character – like some other crossover books – and it helps the story feel realistic and true. And when the inevitable battle does ensue, it is powerful and exciting with an undercurrent of hatred and confusion. Truly, a pitch perfect offering from Gage that will resonate throughout the other X books!

Not only is Gage’s tale fantastic, but Rafa Sandoval’s art solidifies it as one of the best books this week. Sandoval is completely underrated for the talent he posses. Clean, crisp lines that give off a vibe of hyper excitement in even the most mundane sequence, Sandoval takes every page to the next level! Utterly, fantastic!

This issue has everything that a comic book reader craves in one small package! You will ponder, you will wince and you will cheer when Moon Knight gets put down like a rabid dog! So, drop three bills in the plate and worship on bended knee in the House of Gage and Sandoval! ‘Nuff said!

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Comic Book News Marvel

Advanced Review: Avengers: X-Sanction #1

The crossover event of the year is finally upon us! The solicits have been out, the press has been geared up for months, even the NYCC was all a buzz about the ramifications Avengers: X-Sanction will bring to the future of the Marvel Universe. Loeb and McGuiness have brought Cable back from Marvel's ever expanding

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Comic Book News Marvel

Timelord Reviews Point One #1: Nova: “Harbinger”

This take on Nova made my teeth hurt from all the grinding I did of them.

 
Where do I start?
 
Characterization:  Hated it.  After Annihilation, we had a Nova who had finally broken away from the teenage Peter Parker-ish personality, acquired an Alpha-Plus power set, and through his wartime experiences had evolved into a respected leader of men.  Now, Loeb and Brevoort hand us something more akin to the silly side-kicky teen Nova most recently seen in the alternate universe Marvel Adventures Superheroes “all ages” book.  This new and not very powerful Nova easily gets his ass handed to him by Terrax while shouting “Nooo!” like a little girl.  He then flies away from the battle crying — that’s right, I said crying — he’s drawn with tears flowing from his eyes as he whines about what an “Epic Fail” he was in his mission.  Seriously Mr. Loeb?  Seriously Mr. Brevoort?  This is your understanding of Nova and of Cosmic? Epic fail indeed on the part of both of you.  This weak characterization will not attract new fans, will alienate old fans, and will only reinforce the disrespect of the character by those who never bothered to learn about the true renaissance of the character in Annihilation.  Maybe Nova’s tears were triggered by the disrespect of this characterization. If Marv Wolfman bothered to read “Harbinger” — I’m sure he was as saddened as all the rest of us long term fans by this concept rape.
 
New Uniform:  Hated it.  This uniform looks like a bad combination of Mega-Man, Tron, and Power Rangers.  It’s sure to turn off every non-fan of manga-influenced art.  To add to the disrespect — the ranking system of the uniform is incorrect.  This Nova wears a Denarian star on his helmet and Centurion stars on his chest.  What’s his rank? I don’t know.
 
Storyline:  Hated it.  The writers of the Superhero Squad cartoon appear to understand Nova and Cosmic well enough to identify all the old cliches and skewer them.  Sadly, “Harbinger” trots out all the old cliches with a straight face.  Weak teenage Nova faces a vastly superior foe, makes bad or impulsive decisions, gets beaten up, fails his mission and has self-esteem problems, etc.  Let me guess what’s next.  The Phoenix Force destroys Xandar leaving the entire Nova Corps and all of Xandar dead except for this new Nova who then journeys to 616 Earth to warn the Avengers the Phoenix is coming and ask for their help.  He takes up residence on Earth and becomes a teen sidekick for The Avengers.  The “Lone Ranger”  teen Nova rides again! (Playing second fiddle to Cap, Thor, and Iron Man of course).
 
When I first saw the solicits for “Harbinger” I was afraid we were in for a Kyle Rayner treatment of Nova.  Now I’m desparately hoping this is a Kyle Rayner treatment.  I really hope this is an alternate universe version of Nova (who is not named Rich Rider) and not some brutal retcon of 616 continuity ignoring everything that happened between Annihilation and Thanos Imperative.  Why? Because we can then forget about this version and work to bring our 616 Rich back from being marooned in the Cancerverse.
 
There was never any reason for a new Nova to be created.  Rich could’ve easily been brought back from the Cancerverse to play a big role in this Phoenix storyline.  This reboot of Nova stems from a mistaken belief by editorial that a teen rookie Lone Ranger Nova will attract more fans than a powerful more mature young adult military commander Nova.
 
I’m glad Marvel Editorial finally wants to make Nova a star by promoting him and involving him in the major upcoming storylines.  I just wish they’d shown that kind of love to Nova right after Annihilation.  If they had, maybe Volume IV would still be being published.
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Comic Book News Marvel

Review: The New Avengers #18

Bendis is up to his old tricks again, dipping into the well of past ideas and spinning them in a new way. But this time, it was done precisely, with a keen eye for detail and made perfect sense! I am overjoyed at the return of The Dark Avengers, and felt pure excitement by the

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Comic Book News Marvel

Review: Uncanny X-Force #17

The Dark Angel Saga continues here, and our heroes finally get some help from some A.O.A. friends of their own!  Hands down, Rick Remender out does himself each and every issue! His mind churns out some of the most insane, and yet the most enjoyable, books on the shelves today. If you want to know

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Comic Book News Marvel

Advanced Review: Uncanny X-Men #1

As one man surrounds himself with friends and students, the other brings criminals and tyrants into his inner sanctum. This is no longer a game, too many have died in the years of gene wars to warrant anything less than utter deviance. One man will save them all, but to what ends must he go

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Comic Book News Marvel

Advanced Review: Wolverine and the X-Men #1

Long ago, a man made a decision to teach those who were more than mere children how to harness their inner strength. His dream for a peaceful coexistence between human and mutant gathered thousands to stand beside one another in a singular voice of harmony. But all dreams must end when we awake to the

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Comic Book News Marvel

Review: Fear Itself #7 (of 7)

The stage has been set, the players are in position and the end is nigh. The Serpent's "Worthy" are about to meet Odin's "Mighty," and the world will never be the same!  Fraction and the entire Marvel staff have created a high water mark for "event books" with Fear Itself. From an overall great story,

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