Bought/Thought 11-28-12 - The End of an Era...

[JewishHobbit]

...or Error as some of you might see it.

Today marked the final issue of New Avengers, and with it, the end of Bendis' long-bootayed run on the Avengers. He has the Ultron story coming next year but that's slated as a Marvel Universe story like previous events so that doesn't technically count. As most of you know, I've enjoyed the majority of his run, though he did have some duds mixed in (I'm looking at you Mighty Avenger thought bubbles!), but all in all I will remember it very fondly. Fortunately, he's off to a great start on his X-Men run. I hope it continues.

New Avengers 34 - So how did the issue hold up? Well, I'll start by saying that I'm glad Deodato was the main artist. This arc could have been fantastic but the artist last issue just killed the momentum for it. Sadly, there were several guest artists for a snippet of this issue as well and they weren't all very good either. The story was good though. Daniel Drum was defeated. Victoria Hand was given a statue at the mansion after some sad talk. Vision got a pretty cool scene. Luke and Jessica, with Danielle and Squirrel Girl, walk away into the sunset (which got me a little). The title effectively came to a close, and I loved it.

There was one big revelation here that I predicted only this morning. Bendis seemed to be setting things that he had changed back in place in his Avengers title. I couldn't think of anything in this book that would need that, until this morning. And he did it... Doctor Strange is once again the Sorcerer Supreme.

So yeah, despite some art issues, the final arc was good. This issue served as a fantastic final to the series and to his run as a whole. I won't necessarilly call it the final until Ultron War or whatever it's called comes out, because I can't picture that as anything other than an Avengers story, but for now, this is the end and I'm very sad to see it.

Now I'm just hoping for some sort of book by Bendis staring the Cage family, their nanny, and awesome Uncle Iron Fist

All New X-Men #2 - After talking up Bendis I figured I'd move to this one and continue. I loved it. Everyone's big concern is the time stream and why Beast would risk screwing it up. Fortunately, that's the X-Men's concern as well. The young guys are brought to the present and questions are raised before Beast falls into a coma through what's going on with him. There's a lot of great character interactions. The Icemen meeting was freaking awesome. I literally laughed out loud. I saw maybe one or two spots where a comment was redundant but other than that the issue was perfect and the characters spot on. Very glad that Bendis is on this book and, for the first time ever, I'm glad the next issue is two weeks away (actually, next week I think).

X-Men Legacy #2 - Okay, different story here. I hated last issue. It was boring and tedious and didn't bring me into the story at all. This on WAS better, but still not great. It showed improvement, enough for me to pick up issue 3, and the fact that Chamber is in it is a big part of that. Legion grows some balls for once and there is a real possibility that this could just be one of those books that start slow and picks up. It's still in the test stages but that'll only last another couple of issues. If it stays about this quality or dips again, I might just drop it.

Uncanny Avengers #2 - First thing I liked, Wolverine called Avalanche rehabilitated and stated he would never have done what he did last issue. Go Remender on portraying your characters soundly. Second thing I liked was Rogue. She was the boss in this issue. I liked the quick flashback showing Xavier standing up for her when she first joined. And third... the Red Skull was awesome. I really like this rendition of him, the first time I've ever really cared for him. The issue was good and the art was great, as expected. Oh, and the Havoc scene, with the man thanking him, was cool.

Batman Incorporated #5 - I'll be honest. I have no idea what the heck's going on in this title anymore. I'm just reading it to finish Morrison's run, which I've invested far too much time into to drop. I'll need to sit down and reread the whole run when it's finished to decided if I like how it all played together and turned out.The issue was decent though. Loved the art.

Aquaman #14 - I don't buy this book but it's the prelude to the Justice League crossover, which I do buy, so I thought I'd try it. I did enjoy the issue. I don't know anything about what's come before this but I didn't feel all that lost. I found it funny that Aquaman's brother was shadowed the whole book but is alive and brazen on the cover. It was a decent lead-in though I question if it was necessary for me, as a Justice League fan, to really buy this issue.

Thor: God of Thunder #1 & #2 - Of all the new titles that's come with this relaunch, THIS was the one I KNEW I didn't care about. And then everywhere I listen or read I hear issue 1 was the best of all the new books. CONSTANTLY! So when I saw issue 2 came out today I checked and saw plenty of issue 1s so I took a chance... and man did it pay off.

This was a freaking awesome read! I'm not really a Thor fan and know nothing about what's come before this. I can't say for certain that I'll continue with this book longterm, as I've entered that "too much" stage and will need to cut stuff, but this has a shot at longevity for me. I'll at least finish out this arc. Color me intrigued.

And Hot Damnation this art is gorgeous!


Best and Worst of the Week

Best: Thor: God of Thunder - I'm only counting this as issue 2, since I only include new issues in the Best and Worst, but still, the issue was fantastic and I'm loving the villain and premise. Definately looking forward to the next issue.

Worst: X-Men Legacy - Yeah, I'm expecting this title to tank so hard after this issue that relaunching the book was the worst thing to happen since New X-Men was needlessly relaunched as Young X-Men and flopped.

[squeekness]

Originally Posted by JewishHobbit

All New X-Men #2 - After talking up Bendis I figured I'd move to this one and continue. I loved it. Everyone's big concern is the time stream and why Beast would risk screwing it up. Fortunately, that's the X-Men's concern as well. The young guys are brought to the present and questions are raised before Beast falls into a coma through what's going on with him. There's a lot of great character interactions. The Icemen meeting was freaking awesome. I literally laughed out loud. I saw maybe one or two spots where a comment was redundant but other than that the issue was perfect and the characters spot on. Very glad that Bendis is on this book and, for the first time ever, I'm glad the next issue is two weeks away (actually, next week I think).



Thor: God of Thunder #1 & #2 - Of all the new titles that's come with this relaunch, THIS was the one I KNEW I didn't care about. And then everywhere I listen or read I hear issue 1 was the best of all the new books. CONSTANTLY! So when I saw issue 2 came out today I checked and saw plenty of issue 1s so I took a chance... and man did it pay off.

This was a freaking awesome read! I'm not really a Thor fan and know nothing about what's come before this. I can't say for certain that I'll continue with this book longterm, as I've entered that "too much" stage and will need to cut stuff, but this has a shot at longevity for me. I'll at least finish out this arc. Color me intrigued.

And Hot Damnation this art is gorgeous!

.

As usual we are in complete agreement. Both of these issues were awesome in both story and art and I am very glad I didn't give them the pas I was going to. Thor was the better of the pair mainly because yeah, that fight in the sky deserves some kind of Oscar or whatever you get when you draw the most amazing things!

[TheCorpulent1]

Thor: God of Thunder #2 features a scene that I'm pretty sure will go down as one of the best Thor scenes ever.



Ding dong, Fraction's run is dead and it's once again a damn good time to be a Thor fan.

[JewishHobbit]

What was funny was, I'm so used to hearing Fraction's name associated with Thor but my brain farted and I was thinking Fraction was the new writer of the Thor book. I read both issues thinking, "Wow, Fraction's really picked up his game for this. This might be the best thing of his I've ever read!" And then I got to the end of the second issue when Jason Aaron addresses the reader and I was like "Oh! THAT explains it!"

[runawayboulder]

Originally Posted by TheCorpulent1

Ding dong, Fraction's run is dead and it's once again a damn good time to be a Thor fan.

You Thor fans got off light compared to what Spidey fans have had to endure, what Avenger fans have just endured and what X-Men fans are about to endure...

[Keyser Soze]

Originally Posted by TheCorpulent1

Thor: God of Thunder #2 features a scene that I'm pretty sure will go down as one of the best Thor scenes ever.



Ding dong, Fraction's run is dead and it's once again a damn good time to be a Thor fan.

It never really stopped being a good time to be a Thor fan during Fraction's run. Sure, I didn't enjoy his Mighty Thor, but there was Kieron Gillen's Journey into Mystery, which was delightful.

[JewishHobbit]

Originally Posted by runawayboulder

You Thor fans got off light compared to what Spidey fans have had to endure, what Avenger fans have just endured and what X-Men fans are about to endure...

Two great issues this far, plus he did the best job writing the X-Men during the AvX story. It's early but I'd say, so far, we're enduring some good times Not to mention Jason Aaron's W&tXM is a good book.

[squeekness]

Originally Posted by TheCorpulent1

Thor: God of Thunder #2 features a scene that I'm pretty sure will go down as one of the best Thor scenes ever.



Ding dong, Fraction's run is dead and it's once again a damn good time to be a Thor fan.

Funny, the thing that makes that image even greater is the pic of the little Dodge Challenger at the bottom. My husband owns one and it sure is sweet.

[TheCorpulent1]

Originally Posted by runawayboulder

You Thor fans got off light compared to what Spidey fans have had to endure, what Avenger fans have just endured and what X-Men fans are about to endure...

I'm an Avengers fan too. Don't minimize my pain just because other comics have had crappy runs too.

Originally Posted by Keyser Soze

It never really stopped being a good time to be a Thor fan during Fraction's run. Sure, I didn't enjoy his Mighty Thor, but there was Kieron Gillen's Journey into Mystery, which was delightful.

Not the same, though. As fun as Kid Loki is, he makes for a very different story than Thor would. I need my monthly dose of high-quality smiting and thunder.

[Quasimod0]

I agree completely with your thoughts on new avengers. I loved the family dynamic of the cages and iron fist, hope it is continued somewhere

[Mad Ones]

Another awesome week

All New X-men #2: It was actually even better than the first issue, now that we're getting to some new territory that hasn't been covered in previews and interviews. I do like that everyone (including young Beast) is worried about the time paradox. I think it's interesting that the O5 are here due to the desperation and seeming insanity of a dying Beast. I also liked the meeting of the Icemen - so funny! Bendis has nailed Bobby's voice. But my favourite part of the issue was seeing Jean back. It was a great scene when she realized what her future holds for her.

Uncanny Avengers #2: Remender is telling a very tight and solid story. I really liked the commentary on American society that he put in this issue, and how we have a villain that's exploiting mutant/human hate. Wolverine didn't come across too badly, and I love that he called Captain America out on making pretty mutants the face of the community (a community that Wolverine correctly challenges the idea of). That's why I can't stand Captain America right now. He doesn't have a clue what it takes to have mutant and human harmony. He thinks it's in the best interest for mutants to conform to traditional society. I think I might like Rogue again (I HATED Legacy Rogue). She was very badass in this issue, without being unlikable. I don't like Wanda...The art was pretty good (not at Astonishing X-men levels though), but Cassiday draws an ugly Thor.

Thor: God of Thunder #2: Another awesome issue. This is probably the prettiest art I've ever seen in a comic. I could literally look at these pictures all day. Everything was solidly written too. The God Butcher has been built up very nicely, and I really like how the narrative confirmed how much of an epic and terrifying threat he is. I also liked mentioning how many more Gods of War there are than Gods of Poetry. I can't wait to get at the core of the Butcher's motivations.

FF #1: The biggest surprise of Marvel Now for me. I was hesitant to buy it, but I thought it was perfect. The art style was amazing, and Fraction's tone and pacing was great. I'm not very familiar with the Future Foundation kids, but I love them already. I thought the Miss Thing stuff was really funny

I can't even say which one was the best. I liked them all pretty much evenly.

[JewishHobbit]

Originally Posted by Quasimod0

I agree completely with your thoughts on new avengers. I loved the family dynamic of the cages and iron fist, hope it is continued somewhere

Me too. I was hoping for a Heroes for Hire book with Luke, Danny, Jessica, Misty, and Squirrel Girl but it looks like they're doing an all girls H4H. I'm eager to see what comes next now though. I read somewhere that there would be some news involving Iron Fist and such after Bendis finished up New Avengers so I'm curious when that'll be announced. It'd be wierd, after all these years, if Luke and Jessica just fall to obscurity, though Luke is in that Ultron event preview.

I'm just curious where they go from here.

[chamber-music]

I also love the Cage /Jones family and hope someone does something good with them now Bendis is finished with them. I hope they don't kill them off.

X-Men Legacy #2 I'm only reading this for Chamber because its been incredibly weak so which is sad because I had hopes for this title.

Uncanny Avengers #2 I've never been the biggest Red Skull fan but he was just great in this. I love a villain who is just out and out evil. Calling Rogue a hoe and

Spoiler!!! Click to Read!:

cutting up Charles Xaviers corpse so he could steal his brain and mutant powers

is just so dastardly evil I couldn't help like him. Long may Red Skulls reign of terror continue

Thor: God of Thunder #2 what can I say that hasn't been said. This books awesome. Thor saying "quiet you dogs!" reminds me of Solomon Kane.
I love the mythical Norse Conan vibe.

FF #1: I like the Future Foundation and I like Mike Allred so I liked this.

JLD: Ok issue. The A plot was Frankenstien and co getting into trouble in the House Of Mystery while the B plot dealt with the search to find Tim Hunter and Zatanna.

All New X-men #2: Good issue. I love the orginal five X-Men and seeing them just reminds of how tragic it is for those characters in the current.

[Ipodman]

So.... Uncanny Avengers #2 is better than #1?

[runawayboulder]

I thought so but I was also of the few that liked #1.

This issue had some good dialogue with the heroes, the Rogue moments were great, Skull's villainy and the moment when Wanda and Rogue found Xavier's brainless corpse. Too bad issue 3 probably won't be out until damn near February.

[JewishHobbit]

Originally Posted by chamber-music

JLD: Ok issue. The A plot was Frankenstien and co getting into trouble in the House Of Mystery while the B plot dealt with the search to find Tim Hunter and Zatanna.

So apparently THAT'S what was missing. My shop was missing about 3 or 4 boxes of comics and I knew by my total that I was missing a $3 issue and forgot to check to see what it was. Apparently, it was Justice League Dark.

[JewishHobbit]

Originally Posted by runawayboulder

I thought so but I was also of the few that liked #1.

This issue had some good dialogue with the heroes, the Rogue moments were great, Skull's villainy and the moment when Wanda and Rogue found Xavier's brainless corpse. Too bad issue 3 probably won't be out until damn near February.

I didn't realize people didn't like #1. I thought it was pretty good.

[Ipodman]

I hated #1. Think I'll get #2 just for the heck of it... don't expect myself sticking around for too long tho...

[Thwip!]

Originally Posted by JewishHobbit

I didn't realize people didn't like #1. I thought it was pretty good.

I preferred #1 to #2 if i'm honest. For such a delay i don't feel the art payed off what it should have. Solid writing from Remender though it must be said.

All New X-Men: Was very good. like most people here I loved the Icemen interactions. Well thought out and Immomen is on fire

Thor God of Thunder: Fantastic. They better keep Aaron and Ribic on this for a good long run

Deadpool Now: Entertaining, especially the Lucas joke. Art is quirky and I like who's coming in to #3

Masks: This is my one to watch. We all know Ross does amazing work but the writing holds up to an equal extent. I predict doing many fanboy squeals over this series

[JewishHobbit]

Crap! Masks came out?! I wonder if my shop didn't receive that one or if I just missed out?

I miss Project Superpowers and was eager to read Black Terror and Green Llama again, even if it ins't the Project Superpowers versions of them.

[CConn]

#1 just seemed like a waste. Nothing really peeked my interest enough to stick around for a second issue.

[JewishHobbit]

Of Masks or Uncanny Avengers?

[CConn]

Sorry. UA.

[Thwip!]

I was thinking you meant UA....because nothing Alex Ross paints could be seeing as waste

And yep JewishHobbit it came out on wednesday

[TheCorpulent1]

Uncanny Avengers #1 did seem like a lot of fluff. #2 makes up for it, though. We learn a lot more about the (new?) Red Skull and we get a kind of odd surprise with him. Also, Wolverine gets to angst at Cap for caring about mutants all of a sudden, effectively info-dumping a lot of X-fans' feelings right into the book itself, I'm sure. Cassaday's art is actually the weakest thing about the issue. I just am not enjoying his work here at all. He's still a good artist, but this book seems like it would've benefited much more from an artist who's better with superheroes. Cassaday's style has never really lined up too well with the superhero genre for me. I mean, Cap just looks like an idiot in his big clunky sweater made of 3-inch-thick scales.