A very Emo Bought/Thought Thread for 11/9/2011 - SPOILERS!!

[Phaedrus45]

First, a blast from the past. From 8/8/2007, Dread's look back at the Silver Surfer cartoon:

I'd never deny Silver Surfer was a bit emo back then. Hell, have you ever watched the 90's SILVER SURFER cartoon, the one that lasted for a season? Good lord, every 12 seconds it was "Zenn La" this and "Shalla-Bal" that and I was happy Thanos destroyed the universe at the end just to be rid of it.

But the "feeling pain/self mutilation" bit to reclaim feelings is the literal defining detail of "emo" kids.

7 comics and 1 trade read; and, not a bad one in the bunch so far. AND, it's all from Marvel! I hope the trend continues with the other comics I still have to get to.

Fear Itself 7.2: Thor

While Fear Itself turned out to be a huge stinker, the .1's the have followed have been the shining point for me. Last issue, we saw that Bucky survived. (I'm very glad about that; and, it actually fit into events that happened in Cap's own book.) In this issue, we get introduced to the new Thor, Tanarus. Of course, we're filled with loads of questions, as the only person who thinks something is foul in Denmark is Loki. Oh, and at the end, it seems that Thor isn't as dead as we think. (SO...this means that we actually had a Marvel event where in actuality no hero dies??)

Just as fans of Brubaker's Captain America should pick up the last issue, fans of Mighty Thor and Journey Into Mystery should probably grab this issue. For me, it's even Fraction's best Thor issue to date.

Marvel Point One One-Shot

I'm shocked! This $5.99 promotional issue is fantastic!! Here's the premise: Watchers must go into a "fugue state every three years for exactly forty-two minutes," and in that time, two unknown strangers in space suits break into The Watcher's base to steal information he's gathered. From these files, we get a peak into what's happened or will be happening in Marvel's past and future. The short stories are built as stand alones ... but, each leaves you beggin' for more.

First, we see the death of Terrax and his planet, as a new Phoenix Force levels his planet. Also, we get a look at the new Nova. (Probably the same as the old...but, the artist sure makes him look more shiny and new.) From there, we get a look at the X-Terminated .. kind of a new Age Of Apocalypse. Next, we get a look at the Scarlet Spider, Kaine ... and, then two new heroes get introduced to us, Coldmoon and Dragonfire. (Looks like they will appear in a future Avengers storyline.) After that, we get a Doctor Strange story, which was about the only one that really didn't grab me. It's suppose to lead into the upcoming Defenders comic starting in December. It ends with the upcoming Avengers storyline starting in 2 weeks, featuring Ultron.

Sure, this issue was pricey; but, I found it easily worth it. While the Dr. Strange didn't do a whole lot for me, it still set up the upcoming storyline nicely. Plus, the whole wrap around storyline, featuring the Watcher, was a very nice touch. It also implies a future storyline worth watching out for. t:

Avenging Spider-Man #1

While the name doesn't imply it, this is basically going to be another attempt by Marvel to start up Marvel Team-Up again. I don't blame them for not using the "team-up" title ... as, it never gets past 24 issues any more. That said, I loved the first issue. It's got humor and action; and, it's a nice compliment to Slott's ASM. This first issue was just a lot of fluff; but, it was nice flashy fluff! Turns out the Mole Man has been overthrown, and it's up to Spidey and Red Hulk to save the day.

Not a lot to complain about here, except the bag each issue comes in. (Even the variants are bagged!) This is because each issue comes with a free digital copy offer, and I guess they don't want people to steal your code from inside the comic. (The yellow piece of paper you see behind the comic is just that: a yellow piece of paper with nothing on it.)

Avengers Origins: Vision One-Shot

I didn't get around to reading last issue's Avengers Origins; but, I don't think it effects the enjoyment of this issue. We get the Vision's origin, and it's a nice looking adaptation. It reads quickly and looks flashy. Nice art. Little dialogue or narration.

PunisherMax #19

I'm liking Rucka's Punisher; but, Aaron delivers the best Punisher product around. He's not bogged down with following any rules (as seen last issue, when he killed off Bullseye); and, the comic is just a great read month after month. He does okay with his other books; but, it still baffles me why the other stuff never reaches the heights of PunisherMax. It's one of my favorite books by Marvel; and, it's the first comic I will usually read on the given week it's released. Loved this issue, and the ending was not expected. The only thing that sucks is waiting another month. t:

Ultimate Spider-Man #4

I was not a fan of the new direction of Spider-Man; but, I must eat some crow. I'm really enjoying this title. I love how the first storyline is going back in time to the death of Peter Parker; and, how events we've already witnessed, like Peter's funeral, is being replayed from the new Spidey's perspective. Bendis has done a fantastic job grabbing me and having me begging for the next issue.

Yep, this is turning out to be one of my favorite Marvel titles. I just can't believe I feel that way.

Battle Scars #1

It's too early to know how good this title will be; because, we are kept in the dark as to who Marcus Johnson is just as much as he is. Still, I give it a nice recommendation. It looks really nice, and we even get an appearance from the Taskmaster. Plus, it's nice to have some mystery to a storyline. Of course, I do expect to be intrigued, when a book is written by Yost.

Essential Sgt. Fury And His Howling Commandos Vol. 1

Finally! Whereas most of the Essential books that come out nowadays I have in single issue form, there are a few from Marvel's early years that I've been dying to get to read. (And, face it, trade prices are getting ridiculous. Marvel Masterworks are far overpriced, imo.) This is one I've been begging Marvel to put out. Scripts by Stan Lee, art by Kirby and Ayers, and classic tales from Nick Fury's WWII days ... all for the low price of $19.99. (That's 23 issues and 1 Annual.) t:

 

[JewishHobbit]

You must have posted this just after I started working on mine. BUTT MUNCH!!! MoB put you up to this, didn't he?

 

[JewishHobbit]

Okay, so before I get to my books I'll go over what I didn't get first. The first one is Uncanny X-Force... which ticks me off. My shop got them and they were 1) a bad print run, and 2) damaged upon delivery, so I'm going to have to wait a week to get it... suckage.

The next one was POINT ONE. I figured I wouldn't get it because of the rediculous price and I was right. I skimmed it and found only the Nova story semi-interesting (the ending specifically) but not worth that price. If this were a dollar or two to promote what's coming I'd have likely got it, but not for that price.

On to what I did buy...

Batwoman #3 - As good as the previous issues so that's good and the art is amazing as always. Batwoman's sister returned as Alice and I can't help but to wonder if this weeping ghost is her mother. I'm really enjoying this book and find myself eager for it each month. Very good.

Batman & Robin #3 - Not one of my top New52 books but it's still entertaining. I'm curious what Bruce's past is with this threat but the biggest thing for me is Damian. I really like his character and this look at his struggle with his darker side and relationship with Bruce is very interesting. I also think Tomasi has a great handle on Alfred. I love Tomasi's writing and Gleason's art. I loved them in GLC and I love them here.

Green Lantern #3 - I'm very close to dropping New Guardians, making this the last GL book standing for me. This story is very good and different from previous ones I've read since Rebirth. It's neat seeing Hal and Sinestro working together (reluctantly it may be) and you can see that Sinestro respects Hal without bringing himself to say it. Seeing Sinestro going against his own corps, not because he's being forced, but because he wants to, is actually pretty cool and I can't wait to see how the ending of this issue plays out.

Grifter #3 - I loved the first two issues and this one was equally as good but I'm wondering if this is going to be one of those books that remains equal in quality but just gets old. I'm hoping not because I do enjoy the book but if I have to make another round of cuts I can see this one coming close to the axe. I think mixing it in with more of the actual DC Universe would help and we have Green Arrow in the next issue so that's good. Now I'm just curious if his brother is dead or if he's indwelled by that creature there.

X-Men Legacy #258 - Yeah, just as boring as the rest of the arc. I' glad to see it done. I'm also glad to see Rachel, Polaris, and Havoc back on earth but sad that two of them are in X-Factor... which I don't really want to buy anymore. I'll skim the first Regenesis issue for them but highly down I'll buy it. Sad.

Magneto: Not A Hero #1 (of 4) - So the Magneto who is "not a hero" apparently isn't the real Magneto but his clone from the 90's - Joseph. I loved Joseph but I hope they have a real good reason for his complete 180 as far as characterization. He's only in the final page so there's room for explanation (as well as how he's even alive) but we'll see. Not a bad issue but nothing really memorable.

Black Panther #525 - Again, I wasn't sure if I was going to buy this but I've been getting this title issue by issue for 2 issues and decided last minute to give it a shot. I'm really liking Martinbrough's art here and I think Liss is doing a pretty good job on this book. I like Kingpin, Lady Bullseye, and Typhoid Mary so I thought I'd give this new issue a shot and I wasn't disappointed. It has a darker Daredevil feel about it, which is nice since I'm not a fan of the happier DD, and maybe that's what attracts me to this book. It's basically what Diggle's DD was heading toward only with Panther replacing Daredevil. I kinda wish I'd have been reading this from the beginning now.

What do you know... a point one issue that actually worked to get me buy an ongoing I previously wasn't. And I LOVE the retro look of having a little Black Panther in the corner by the Marvel emblem. I just wish it was the old Marvel emblem

New Avengers #18 - I like that this issue was told in a very similar layout and style to Dark Avengers #1. We now officially know who the new Dark Avengers are (though I've never heard of some of them). We have Skaar as Hulk, Gorgon as Wolverine, Ragnorak as Thor (though he's not up and running yet), and Ai Apaec as Spider-Man (mutated with the same pill that let Venom seem human... but now with 6 arms). Those are the ones I've heard of. The ones I didn't know existed are Clint Barton's brother Barney who is now Hawkeye and a doctor named June Covington is Scarlet Witch. The only questionable one is whoever's posing as Ms. Marvel in the end but I think it's Superia. It would make sense. But seriously, just having Skaar and Gorgan on the team is awesome sauce for me. I love them both.

The issue itself reminded me a lot of Dark Avengers due to layout and I liked Dark Avengers so I liked this... now I'm curious where this goes


Best and Worst of the Week

Best: New Avengers - It came down to this, GL, BP, and Batwoman but none of them really BLEW me away. In the end I think I enjoyed this issue the best. I like the art and characters and I'm excited for where the story goes. Good issue.

Worst: X-Men Legacy - Yeah, I think it's made it to this slot every issue since this arc began. I'm glad it's done. I like Carey but I'm looking forward to Gage's run. He's a fresh new voice and I like what I've read of him.

 

[Phaedrus45]

You must have posted this just after I started working on mine. BUTT MUNCH!!! MoB put you up to this, didn't he?

Haha. It's why before I hit send, I open another window to make sure nobody has snuck one in.

 

[Themanofbat]

You must have posted this just after I started working on mine. BUTT MUNCH!!! MoB put you up to this, didn't he?

Revenge is a dish best served two weeks later...

 

[moraldeficiency]

New Avengers #18 - I like that this issue was told in a very similar layout and style to Dark Avengers #1. We now officially know who the new Dark Avengers are (though I've never heard of some of them). We have Skaar as Hulk, Gorgon as Wolverine, Ragnorak as Thor (though he's not up and running yet), and Ai Apaec as Spider-Man (mutated with the same pill that let Venom seem human... but now with 6 arms). Those are the ones I've heard of. The ones I didn't know existed are Clint Barton's brother Barney who is now Hawkeye and a doctor named June Covington is Scarlet Witch. The only questionable one is whoever's posing as Ms. Marvel in the end but I think it's Superia. It would make sense. But seriously, just having Skaar and Gorgan on the team is awesome sauce for me. I love them both.

The issue itself reminded me a lot of Dark Avengers due to layout and I liked Dark Avengers so I liked this... now I'm curious where this goes

June and Ai are from the surprisingly good Osborn mini that was featured after Seige was over. Osborn became the leader of a group of criminals supposedly too dangerous for even superhero jails or to have rights, a supervillain gitmo if you will. They were two of his group. At the end when he got free then turned himself in to the authorities and sent to a more normal jail environment he made sure he had June appointed to be the doctor for that jail.

http://spiderfan.org/comics/title/osborn.html

Written by Fraction's wife, but I really liked it, I hope she does more stuff.

 

[Dread]

Apparently, I was contrasting Penance to Silver Surfer to a degree in 2007. It is sort of flattering that my long-windedness is now historical somewhere.

At any rate, this was a very short week. I only got two comics, yet in the Mighty Marvel Manner, it still cost me about $9. Next week is back to normal volume of about 5-7 books. Spoilers aplenty!

BATTLE SCARS #1: This is the ONLY comic that I purchased this week which wasn't an over-sized promotional pamphlet (see below). It was a light week of DC material, and the only other new launch from Marvel was AVENGING SPIDER-MAN, which I decided to skip. BATTLE SCARS is one of two mini-series that have launched from the end of FEAR ITSELF #7, next to THE FEARLESS. While the latter is a twelve issue, bi-weekly series, this is a six issue monthly series. Naturally, the banner for any comics which have anything to do with the epilogue to FEAR ITSELF is "SHATTERED HEROES". This series introduces a new character in Marcus Johnson, an Army Ranger sergeant who was serving a tour of duty in Afghanistan during the events of FEAR ITSELF. When the entire world was devolving into mass fear and chaos, he was already in the midst of a war zone which got steadily worse. When his mother back in the states is seemingly killed during the riots, Johnson returns to his home town. As the issue makes very clear, Johnson apparently is a figure that various forces in the Marvel Universe are interested in.

The art is by Scot Eaton, with inks by Andrew Hennessy with colors by Paul Mounts, and the story is by a committee. Chris Yost is credited with the script, while he shares story credits with Cullen Bunn and Matt Fraction, who wrote FEAR ITSELF. There is an ironic essay by editor Alejandro Arbona thanking the reader for taking a plunge on a new character, since he was one of the 16 editors and staff members that Marvel have laid off last month. There was a prelude to this series at the end of FEAR ITSELF #7, although one could have skipped that and not been lost. Marcus Johnson's story starts off well enough as a tale of a soldier in a war zone who has suddenly become in the middle of a Marvel Universe story with spandex characters like Taskmaster and Captain America getting involved, which aren't his forte. There is "something" about Sgt. Johnson that both Cap and a generic "secret evil organization that hires super-villains to do their dirty work" group know about, which Johnson himself doesn't. Either the soldier has secret knowledge which is valuable to various forces, or he is such a commodity for reasons that aren't clear. He doesn't seem to have any super-powers, beyond being an exceptional soldier with keen combat skills. If it is heritage, he does share the same last name as Daisy Johnson, who is SHIELD's super agent Quake as well as the daughter of the villain Mr. Hyde (via a retcon). The picture frames at Johnson's mother's house never show a father figure, after all. However, as Arbona teases in his essay, not even Johnson's name could be real.

New characters are difficult things for Marvel, or even DC Comics for that matter. They're unknown commodities, which means retailers don't know how to order and readers don't know whether to pick it up. Wisely, Marvel has priced this mini series at $2.99 an issue, perhaps not to scare off new readers. Eaton's artwork is quite good, and the issue offers no less than three action sequences without the story feeling too briskly read. Johnson isn't a costumed figure and neither wants to be part of that world nor seems obviously intended to go in that direction, and it might be clever if he didn't even at the end of issue six. Surely some figure has to be a major force in the Marvel Universe who doesn't wear a costume besides Nick Fury or J. Jonah Jameson. The series seeks to be a bit of a suspense thriller set in the Marvel Universe, and is off to a solid start in that regard.

POINT ONE #1: Marvel's promotional monster now has life of its own. To recap, last year Marvel began their "Point One Initiative" to sell issues that were numbered in between various issue numbers of ongoing series to spotlight new arcs and provide jumping on points. In practice, those "point issues" rarely served that purpose and often existed as extra issues or annuals under a new name; at best, the first one promoted VENOM #1. Those "point issues" usually sold less than regular issues did, although better than some annuals used to. From 2000-2004, Bill Jemas actually replaced annuals with extra issues of ongoing series, citing sales data, and this exercise proved him right. Marvel nevertheless saw success and started using issues numbered "0.1" to promote new ongoing series or even mini-series, such as ALPHA FLIGHT or VILLAINS FOR HIRE. Now, POINT ONE itself is getting a one-shot issue, which is a 54 page primer on what is coming from Marvel Comics from the end of this year into the start of 2012. The issue offers six strips from various creative teams offering 6-8 page stories promoting upcoming Marvel launches or storylines. The seventh strip is a framing sequence by writer Ed Brubaker and artist Javier Pulido centered around the enigmatic Watcher and two invaders who seek to steal his knowledge of the multiverse for a mysterious group. Apparently, the Watcher enters 42 minutes of status to "transmit" data he has seen to his collective which details events across time and reality; his invaders seek lore of the future.

The first strip is "Harbinger" by Jeph Loeb and artist Ed McGuinness - the creative team best known for the launches of WORLD'S FINEST and HULK. It centers on the apparent return of Nova as he attempts to warn Terrax about a horrible force invading the universe, which appears to be the Phoenix Force. It is unknown if this is the same Richard Rider who perished at the end of THANOS IMPERATIVE in January, or an entirely new Nova Centurion (who happens to be a white male who shares his flair for insults). In REALM OF KINGS: IMPERIAL GUARD back in early 2010, Rachel Summers and the Shi'ar Korvac lost their contact with the Phoenix Force, so something has been rumbling on this subplot for some time. The strip is a brief action sequence and the art is quite pretty, and despite Loeb having written some dreadful rubbish in recent years, this is inoffensive. It's a straight teaser and little more. Given how the Phoenix is all about resurrection, the fact that a seemingly dead character is involved in it isn't too far fetched. The last two pages offers more of the Phoenix teaser for next year, which could be the event of 2012.

The second is "The Myth Of Man", which promotes the next arc of UNCANNY X-FORCE which seems to deal with some new version of the AGE OF APOCALYPSE reality. In it, mutants have taken over and eliminated all humans, aside for a rebel band of X-Terminators who are filled with alternate reality versions of vicious X-Men anti-mutant enemies like Donald Pierce or Graydon Creed. It is written by David Lapham and drawn by Roberto De La Torre, and is a little confusing since it does seem like an alternate reality, which may or may not be the future. Such a theme comes up again in later strips.

The third is "The Scarlet Thread", which promotes the relaunch of the AMAZING SPIDER-MAN spin off SCARLET SPIDER which begins next year. It is written by Chris Yost and drawn by Ryan Stegman, who will helm the ongoing series in two months. Given that Yost is the story editor of "AVENGERS: EARTH'S MIGHTIEST HEROES", and that TV cartoon is set to air a second season next year, and he is suddenly writing or co-writing several monthly comics again, apparently a third season of that show hasn't been ordered yet. The strip eliminates all mystery as to who the new Scarlet Spider will be as it picks up the story of Kaine, the sole surviving Spider-Clone (via Jackal) who left NYC at the end of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #672. For the first time in his existence, Kaine is free from both manipulation by the Jackal as well as his own cellular degeneration, and he has a choice - follow in Spidey's footsteps, or his own? The strip offers a swift action sequence and does a solid job of giving a taste of what Yost and Stegman's series will be like. As a warning, Kaine is heavy on the grim, "emo", angst-ridden narration. If you want a Spider-Man who is more violent, more angst-heavy, and set in the southern mid-west, and bearded, the new Scarlet Spider's for you.

Fourth is "Yin & Yang", which features two new characters created by writer Fred Van Lente (ALPHA FLIGHT, HERC, TASKMASTER) and artist Salvador Larroca (INVINCIBLE IRON MAN). The two new characters are twins codenamed Coldmoon and Dragonfire. They are two Asian twins who were apparently born with the ability to manipulate cold and fire, and become truly unstoppable when touching - the power most super-powered twins seem to have. They were raised by yet another evil secret group called Taiji that helps A.I.M. with tech upgrades. As teenagers, they eventually hit the states and meet the Avengers. Van Lente was slated to write the DESTROYERS mini series with artist Kyle Hotz, and that series was canned pre-emptively. Van Lente later claimed he was rebounding on a new project with "an artist he always wanted to work with"; perhaps this it it? If there is a downside, it is that these two adhere to some cliches around "twin characters" in comics, and that Dragonfire looks too much like X-Man if one squints. However, Van Lente almost always delivers on a good or great story, so when YIN & YANG do appear somewhere, it should be good.

Second to last is a Dr. Strange strip by Matt Fraction and artist/co-writer Terry Dodson which serves to promote THE DEFENDERS relaunch, which debuts next month. In this, Dr. Strange stumbles upon an eccentric man in Greenwich Village who happens to be possessed by a magical Maguffin. It foreshadows the start of the new Defenders literally before Strange's eyes. There was a prelude strip to this relaunch in FEAR ITSELF as well, and there will soon be reprints and even a Handbook to promote THE DEFENDERS within weeks. Marvel are investing quite a lot into restarting a franchise which hasn't clicked with readers in over 25 years.

The final strip completes the theme of heavy handed promotion and alternate futures, in "Age Of Ultron", which promotes the next arc of AVENGERS as written by Brian Bendis. He writes this strip as well, with Bryan Hitch on arcs. It seems to be an awkward vision of the future in which the world is ravaged and Wolverine, Hawkeye, and Spider-Man live in shambles trying to "buy off" Ultron to save their own skins. At some point Ultron tires of this and zaps them. It does seem very awkward and is probably the lowlight of the packet. It makes no sense that either of these heroes would have simply given up as they have.

Overall thoughts? The best strips were for SCARLET SPIDER and YIN & YANG. The worst were for AVENGERS and UNCANNY X-FORCE. In the middle are the rest. However, none of the work within is truly awful, and all offer genuine questions for Marvel fans as well as interest in something for the future, depending on taste. Next to DC's New 52, it does still reek of "more of the same", but there are some new characters or relaunches in play to mix things up. While this comic was worth reading, it was also an obligatory packet and in the end an advertisement that a fan pays $6 for. The only ad within it that isn't for another Marvel Comic is one for HARLEY DAVIDSON. Given that, despite the 54 page length, Marvel would have been wise to make it as cheap as possible to ensure that shops ordered is and that fans bought it. Instead, with a price of $6, it will likely be a niche product even in a slow week. It's worth getting if your wallet can spare it, and you want a jump on Marvel's releases from next month onward.

 

[Dread]

June and Ai are from the surprisingly good Osborn mini that was featured after Seige was over. Osborn became the leader of a group of criminals supposedly too dangerous for even superhero jails or to have rights, a supervillain gitmo if you will. They were two of his group. At the end when he got free then turned himself in to the authorities and sent to a more normal jail environment he made sure he had June appointed to be the doctor for that jail.

http://spiderfan.org/comics/title/osborn.html

Written by Fraction's wife, but I really liked it, I hope she does more stuff.

Ai Apec was also the main villain in SPIDER-ISLAND: THE DEADLY HANDS OF KUNG-FU which just wrapped. Given how so many new baddies drop off the face of the earth, this one's got some legs to him. Pun intended.

I like Carey but I'm looking forward to Gage's run. He's a fresh new voice and I like what I've read of him.

A clever back-handed compliment since you didn't like Christos Gage's work enough to stay on AVENGERS ACADEMY the whole way through.

That said, it will be tempting to jump on X-MEN LEGACY for him. There are a few caveats. Jumping onto any X-Men book is a bit like trying to jump off an overpass and land gracefully atop a speeding vehicle - your odds of doing so without a lot of pain and confusion are slim. And Gage's first issue of his ASTONISHING X-MEN tale was too generic for me to bother with, at least for $4 a pop. Not bad, mind you, just average. There will be a .1 issue, so I may get that and see how it grabs me.

 

[moraldeficiency]

Ai Apec was also the main villain in SPIDER-ISLAND: THE DEADLY HANDS OF KUNG-FU which just wrapped. Given how so many new baddies drop off the face of the earth, this one's got some legs to him. Pun intended.

Yeah, but he was created in Osborn, also that's how Norman has and in with him, so that was the reference I used to explain him and june.

 

[JewishHobbit]

A clever back-handed compliment since you didn't like Christos Gage's work enough to stay on AVENGERS ACADEMY the whole way through.

My dropping it had nothing to do with my disliking the book, only that of what I read at the time it was my least favorite, and when you have to cut you cut your least favorites first. It was good and as I've said before, I hope it continues on and pulls in more readers, it just wasn't for me with the finances I had at the time. It seems to have gotten better since I left it and I'll be picking up a few issues soon when the Runaways guest star (and maybe when X-23 comes in) but I'm guessing that's all the title will ever be for me.

If money were no option I'd definately still be reading it... but that's unfortunately not the case.

That said, it will be tempting to jump on X-MEN LEGACY for him. There are a few caveats. Jumping onto any X-Men book is a bit like trying to jump off an overpass and land gracefully atop a speeding vehicle - your odds of doing so without a lot of pain and confusion are slim. And Gage's first issue of his ASTONISHING X-MEN tale was too generic for me to bother with, at least for $4 a pop. Not bad, mind you, just average. There will be a .1 issue, so I may get that and see how it grabs me.

The good news is that Legacy is a $3 comic. That Astonishing issue was underwhelming but the overall arc turned out to be decent (and the little Brood kid in it is now a student in Wolverine & the X-Men, which had a great first issue). Gage said in an interview that he's looking forward to Legacy because in Astonishing he didn't have much liberties with the characters due to them being bigger names. In Legacy he'll get to play with 2nd and 3rd tier characters which he can play with more. I'm expecting he'll have a pretty good run. I liked Carey but he was due to go. His recent arc with Legion was really good but other than that I've not much enjoyed his run since the early issues of his Xavier story a few years ago.

 

[hippie_hunter]

I thought I'd try something a little different while reviewing Marvel .1

[YT]61XQRhicgXg[/YT]

 

[JewishHobbit]

You look nothing like Aquaman!!!!

 

[hippie_hunter]

You look nothing like Aquaman!!!!

If it makes you feel better, I still think of Matt looking like the black guy from Spider-Man who says "I kid you not" and C.Lee looking like Doc Savage.

 

[moraldeficiency]

It doesn't make me feel better, I feel dirty and betrayed. Go put on the costume right now and never let us see you without it again.

 

[JewishHobbit]

The only posters who ended up looking about how I pictured them were Spoons and Elijya. I've not see many other posters but they never end up looking like how I picture so I just stopped imaging people. I kinda think of them as an aura until I finally see a face. Like I picture you as a personality instead of a face.

 

[hippie_hunter]

It doesn't make me feel better, I feel dirty and betrayed. Go put on the costume right now and never let us see you without it again.

Ummmmmm.....yeah. About that

Spoiler

 

[JewishHobbit]

You look nothing like Christopher Reaves!!!!

 

[moraldeficiency]

I'm just so disappointed in you.

 

[hippie_hunter]

I just can't make you people happy

 

[moraldeficiency]

Look it's very simple: all we ask is that you get your hair cut and dyed and dress up like aquaman at all times. Oh, and can you do that scowl thing with your face half in shadows while you're at it?

 

[JewishHobbit]

And a trident. I want you to carey a freakin' trident everywhere you go.

 

[JewishHobbit]

And I don't mean the gum!

 

[Dread]

Yeah, but he was created in Osborn, also that's how Norman has and in with him, so that was the reference I used to explain him and june.

I know, I was just adding some data. After all, there has to be some point to having read the "meh" SPIDER-ISLAND: DEADLY HANDS OF KUNG-FU series. And noting that for a new villain, he's getting a slew of appearances already, by three different writers no less.

My dropping it had nothing to do with my disliking the book, only that of what I read at the time it was my least favorite, and when you have to cut you cut your least favorites first. It was good and as I've said before, I hope it continues on and pulls in more readers, it just wasn't for me with the finances I had at the time. It seems to have gotten better since I left it and I'll be picking up a few issues soon when the Runaways guest star (and maybe when X-23 comes in) but I'm guessing that's all the title will ever be for me.

If money were no option I'd definately still be reading it... but that's unfortunately not the case.

It is a shame because I do feel it's a good title. I've certainly enjoyed it enough to stick with it. It's one of my favorite ongoing titles that I read now, period - and that include the Image, IDW, and DC books I read.

I do have some concern about the extension of the cast. On the one hand, I'm sure Gage can handle it. He made AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE rock, and we got a taste of this from issue #13. But on the other hand, a cast of dozens limits how villains can truly challenge them, and risks bumping into similar problems that Utopia had.

The good news is that Legacy is a $3 comic. That Astonishing issue was underwhelming but the overall arc turned out to be decent (and the little Brood kid in it is now a student in Wolverine & the X-Men, which had a great first issue). Gage said in an interview that he's looking forward to Legacy because in Astonishing he didn't have much liberties with the characters due to them being bigger names. In Legacy he'll get to play with 2nd and 3rd tier characters which he can play with more. I'm expecting he'll have a pretty good run. I liked Carey but he was due to go. His recent arc with Legion was really good but other than that I've not much enjoyed his run since the early issues of his Xavier story a few years ago.

I am aware X-MEN: LEGACY is a $2.99 comic and thus my expectations will be slightly lower. $3.99 usually have to be more awesome than $2.99 to me, at least to invest in something new. He does have a point about the difference between AXM, which is basically a spare team book, and XML, which is an actual team book with changes. However, XML is still a third tier book behind UNCANNY X-MEN and W&TXM and some other books. It still has to ride the waves of stories by other people. Of course, Gage has done that with AA and A:TI and rode those waves well. As an extra tidbit, it seems David Baldeon will be the regular artist on that run, and I liked his stuff from YOUNG ALLIES and AVENGERS ACADEMY GIANT-SIZE.

His cast there will be Rogue (who, like Mike Carey did, will be his star), Frenzy, Gambit, Cannonball, Husk, Rachel Grey, and Iceman. Iceman represents the founding class of X-Men, but he probably hasn't had a storyline or even more than five long lines of dialogue in about half a decade if not longer. There is a part of me that fears he may play a similar role to Justice in ACADEMY, in that he's barely doing anything (because no writer ever has Iceman do anything). I like Rogue but I've not read her in anything in years. I've never liked Gambit and the rest of the characters I can take or leave. Naturally, Cannonball represents the New Mutants graduating class, while Husk represents Generation X. Rogue and Rachel represent some of the 1980's era X-Men recruits, while Gambit still screams 1990. Frenzy was a former X-FACTOR villain, but aside for that I don't know much about her.

The biggest caveat is the X-Men line is a mess. More so than any other line of comics, it is very difficult to jump onto any title blind without having read the previous few years, or decades, of stories. They also are prone to obligatory crossovers more so than other lines, in which skipping issues means losing out on the essential data. I'm also not convinced anyone can make the X-Men work while M-Day is still on the books without just spinning wheels on personal soap opera or random threats, or other distractions like aliens, alternate realities or in-fighting (all of which the X-Men line have utilized since 2005 whole hog). The central metaphor of the X-Men doesn't work when they number in lower numbers than panda bears. Then they're simply the new Inhumans, and the Inhumans have failed to sell for long as a concept because "random isolated spandex freaks who get preachy about stuff" doesn't usually work. I think there are now more Inhumans than mutants now. Sure, Hope and the "Five Lights" is a step in the right direction, but merely a small one. I'm expecting XML to either be another cog on a soap opera I'm way out of touch on, or simply another superhero team which is somehow different. It's hard to be "the mentors of the next generation" when the next generation of mutants worldwide is about a dozen people. There are literally more Kryptonian characters than mutants.

Still, I like the creative team a damn lot - I feel Gage is an underrated writer and virtually anything he does for Marvel I'm willing to try - and I do like at least two of the seven team members (and merely dislike one of those seven). If I made a list of my ten favorite X-Men, Rogue and Iceman would be on it. And it won't be a new #1 that is $3.99, and the Point One issue may offer some exposition. The fact that Gage may link it to AVENGERS ACADEMY is merely a beneficial detail. If I gave his AXM issue, I'll likely bite on this, kicking and screaming.

 

[Keyser Soze]

JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #631

Journey into Mystery is Marvel’s best comic. I thought that would be as good a place as any to start with this review. At one point I was buying a pretty healthy slate of Marvel titles, but over the past year or so I found myself steadily dropping them until all that remained were Journey into Mystery and Jason Aaron and Steve Dillon’s PunisherMAX, and with the latter book not being canon, that makes Kieron Gillen’s Thor spin-off the only comic set within the Marvel Universe proper that I’m currently buying. But as long as this title remains alive, hope is not lost for the House of Ideas, as while I’ve not yet got round to reviewing it, month in and month out (and recently, more than once a month) Gillen provides us with one of the most consistently entertaining comics on the shelves.

Of course, I could be a little biased in my praise, considering that Loki is my favorite Marvel character, and Journey into Mystery casts him in the leading role. In his brief but stellar run on Thor back in 2010, Gillen showed a real knack for writing Asgard’s god of mischief, particularly in the oneshot Siege: Loki, which managed to not only serve as a satisfying Loki character study while simultaneously enrichening the main Siege narrative, but also engaged in some pre-emptive damage control by suggesting that Bendis’ deballing of the character with a rushed, undignified death at the hands of Sentry-Sue in the climax of Siege was in fact part of Loki’s elaborate master plan. So, of course, Gillen was a natural choice to pen Journey into Mystery, a sister title to The Mighty Thor that focused on the renewed misadventures of a reincarnated Loki. The twist is that Loki has been brought back as a child, and like the young Loki of ages past, he is still mischevous and scheming, but has not yet lost his innocence. And so we get to see a Loki fighting against turning into the villain he is destined to grow into, even when all in Asgard hate him and believe him to be this villain already, and we see him using his tools of trickery and deceit for good rather than evil.

Since its launch, Journey into Mystery has carried the Fear Itself banner, but despite carrying that weight around its neck, the title has managed to thrive on its own merits: as someone who hasn’t been reading Fear Itself, that I felt like I was getting a full, rewarding story from this title alone, and I was being told all I needed to know about the crossover event I was missing. Now, with #631, Journey into Mystery at last has its own cover dress and logo, and we can get a sense of how the book will move forward now that Gillen is in no way beholden to Fear Itself. As it turns out, it’s largely more of the same, which is a good thing.

I love the presentation of this series, with its narrative captions presented in a faux-mythical style, as if we were reading legends from ancient scrolls, only to be slyly deflated by the odd witty aside. It just makes this comic feel like no other comic I’m reading, giving it a distinct flavor. The continuation of that makes this transition to post-event mode pretty much seamless. We get a taste of Asgard’s new status quo, and this largely reads like an epilogue to what’s come before and a prologue for what’s to come. But even with little plot progression, Gillen succeeds in keeping us immersed in his vision of Asgard and the surrounding mythological realms.

The big selling point of this book, and the element for which it has received deserved praise, is the characterisation of Loki. He’s totally Loki, but he’s different too. He’s a child. And more than that, he’s a child who’s spent time on Earth, meaning that in this issue he can confuse his fellow Asgardians with talk of internet memes and BFFs. He’s very much the star of the show, and surely one of the most compelling leads to be found in any comic out right now. But this issue really hammered home (no pun intended) to me how much Journey into Mystery has always been an ensemble piece. The Disir, Hela, Tyr, Leah, Surtur, and of course, perennial scene-stealer Mephisto all get a sequence or two to touch on their current status quo, with a suggestion that their roles in the series will progress beyond Loki’s initial interactions with them as part of his battle against the Serpent’s forces. It would seem that Loki’s plates have kept on spinning away even though he thinks he’s done with them… and that may come back to haunt him.

If there’s any small downside with Journey into Mystery right now, it’s the art. Doug Braithwaite was the ideal artist for the series, doing what was quite possibly career-best work and giving the title a slick, dramatic feel. Since his departure we’ve had something of a revolving door approach to the visuals, with the most constant artist lately being Whilce Portacio, whose work I’m not the biggest fan of. Some pages – such as Surtur’s ominous return to Muspelheim – look great, but other times the work feels too messy and scratchy for my tastes.

But while Journey into Mystery still needs to find stable footing on the art front, the writing is as consistent as ever. Kieron Gillen has emerged as one of Marvel’s most dependable writers, and Journey into Mystery continues to be the best showcase for his immense talent. As long as I can keep reading about what Loki’s up to, I’ll still have a Marvel comic on my pull list.

 

[JewishHobbit]

His cast there will be Rogue (who, like Mike Carey did, will be his star), Frenzy, Gambit, Cannonball, Husk, Rachel Grey, and Iceman. Iceman represents the founding class of X-Men, but he probably hasn't had a storyline or even more than five long lines of dialogue in about half a decade if not longer. There is a part of me that fears he may play a similar role to Justice in ACADEMY, in that he's barely doing anything (because no writer ever has Iceman do anything). I like Rogue but I've not read her in anything in years. I've never liked Gambit and the rest of the characters I can take or leave. Naturally, Cannonball represents the New Mutants graduating class, while Husk represents Generation X. Rogue and Rachel represent some of the 1980's era X-Men recruits, while Gambit still screams 1990. Frenzy was a former X-FACTOR villain, but aside for that I don't know much about her.

The last time I remember Iceman being used well was when Mike Carey first took over X-Men and put him on Rogue's team of mostly villains. Him and Cannonball were kind of the heroic aspect of the team and Iceman was ultimately the last man standing when it wrapped up just prior to Messiah Complex. He also had a good story that carried over in all five issues of the anthology series Manifet Destiny. Beyond that he's been background fodder. He should be getting some good facetime in Wolverine & the X-Men though so hopefully that'll be a bonus, and with Gage using him in X-Men Legacy that'll hopefully also be good.

As for Frenzy, Carey's made her pretty cool. Basically, she came to Utopia with everyone else and just became a background character. Then Carey made her Cyclops' lover and a core X-Man in the Legion created Ages of X alternate universe. When they came out of it many of the mutants had the memories of that world erased from their minds but she clung to it. She was upset that her past with Cyclops was fake, despite still remembering her emotions regarding it, and she decided to change. She cut her hair and went with the Age of X look and vowed to become an X-Man and has been with them for two arcs now. She's actually pretty cool, a bit of a tool while trying to be good. She's bonded with Gambit, Rogue, and Magneto fairly well and I'm curious how she'll be with Wolverine's staff.