Annihilation Conquest

[TheCorpulent1]

She could come back. She was apparently a mechanical being. Her body could be rebuilt and her soul could be floating around out there like Ultron's and Adam Warlock's--two other artificial beings--were throughout Conquest.

I really hope she does come back. She and Kl'rt make a good duo.

 

[Colossal Spoons]

Yeah, I hope she does come back somehow.

And I totally agree with you Corp, about Phyla being a bore

 

[CBG]

I hope so. Her death was just sudden and pointless.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Wow, I didn't think other people even cared about Praxie.

 

[Brainiac 8]

I haven't read it yet, since I didn't get to go pick up my comics last night....but Praxie is dead?

I'm sad now.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

She could come back.

She could...

 

[Brainiac 8]

She was one of the better characters created for Annihilation, and a good partner for SS.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I agree. Hank smacking Jan around? Not cool. Kl'rt smacking Praxie around? Fun for everyone!

 

[Brainiac 8]

It was their pre-sex ritual, smack each other around, then go at it on the kitchen table.

 

[Colossal Spoons]

I agree. Hank smacking Jan around? Not cool. Kl'rt smacking Praxie around? Fun for everyone!

Agreed! I loved the way he talked down to her

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I wonder if our love for that relationship says something about us...

It was their pre-sex ritual, smack each other around, then go at it on the kitchen table.

More like the food production console, but I get what you mean.

 

[Dread]

A link to my review and thoughts, with heavy spoilers:

http://forums.superherohype.com/showpost.php?p=14577436&postcount=87

GOTG looks to be pure greatness, though.

 

[sandwraith]

Phyla was like Hot Rod in the Transformers Movie. Basically, who gave a spit about Rod while Optimus was dead? NO ONE! That last scene between her, Ultron and Warlock should have been done to the sound of "The Touch" in the background...

I can't believe how nerfed Super Skrull, Ronan and Nova got in Conquest. I had such high hopes. The build-up was great but the ending left so much more to be desired...Ah heck, I did like War-Tron Vs. Warlock. That was a good exchange I admit.

 

[Kitsune]

She could come back.

She could...

Anyone can come back, except Uncle Ben and the Waynes.

 

[Docker2.0]

Phyla was like Hot Rod in the Transformers Movie. Basically, who gave a spit about Rod while Optimus was dead? NO ONE! That last scene between her, Ultron and Warlock should have been done to the sound of "The Touch" in the background...

I can't believe how nerfed Super Skrull, Ronan and Nova got in Conquest. I had such high hopes. The build-up was great but the ending left so much more to be desired...Ah heck, I did like War-Tron Vs. Warlock. That was a good exchange I admit.

I hope Praxa comes back. I did like her and SS as a couple even though he mentally and physically abused her. I wonder are we so accepting of it cuase he's a bad guy?

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Phyla was like Hot Rod in the Transformers Movie. Basically, who gave a spit about Rod while Optimus was dead? NO ONE! That last scene between her, Ultron and Warlock should have been done to the sound of "The Touch" in the background...

I can't believe how nerfed Super Skrull, Ronan and Nova got in Conquest. I had such high hopes. The build-up was great but the ending left so much more to be desired...Ah heck, I did like War-Tron Vs. Warlock. That was a good exchange I admit.

I thought Nova was fine. It was obvious going in that he wasn't going to be the big hero of the day. For a side character, he kicked a lot of ass.

 

[Blader5489]

So Annihilation: Conquest is at last over and the verdict is...it sucked. It really pains me to say that, especially since I loved the first Annihilation so much, but this was a huge disappointment in every way.

Most of the event was a slow build-up, which, in of itself, is a huge problem but can be forgiven if there's a big pay-off. But there wasn't. Ronan, Super-Skrull, Wraith, Ravenous, the High Evolutionary, Drax, and Gamora were all either wasted as characters or had their subplots just tossed out the window. It was just a huge cluster**** and, in the end, there was really no point and no payoff to any of these characters.

And there are still problems with the characters that the finale did focus on. Adam Warlock, for instance, undergoes a complete character transformation in just a few short pages; there's no logical progression, just a plot contrivance of Adam having some alone time to think. Also, why he was being touted as a savior for the Kree? If anything, he just did more harm than good. Just about everything that can be said about Quasar has already been said, so I won't bother repeating anything in that department.

Then there's Ultron, who really does look like a badass, but does nothing remotely cool. He talks a lot, but his plans--Adam/Ultron, enslaved army of Nu-Kree, giant Ultron--all fall apart in mere seconds. Ultron's defeat itself was pretty weak, as DnA were obviously trying to imitate the scene of Nova ripping out Annihlus' guts, but failed miserably as Ultron goes down like a ***** with Quasar pulling out a one-liner from a Saturday morning cartoon ("This is your doom!" ). Ultron has been the exact opposite of Annihilus: a villain who looked ridiculous but truly earned the right to be feared just based on the absolute havoc he caused.

The only good part of this entire event has been Starlord and his crew; their mini was excellent and their roles in the main story have all been pretty satisfactory, except for Gabe who was pointlessly killed off. Fortunately, Starlord and co. all get some semblance of a conclusion by the issue's end and aren't simply tossed away like the rest of the cast, so DnA at least get some points for that.

But all in all, I have to disagree with Dread about this event being a B. At best, Annihilation: Conquest was a C-, and that's only because of Starlord and his crew. Other than that, it was a complete mess in terms of pacing, story progression, and characterization. Huge disappointment. I'm still looking forward to Guardians of the Galaxy, but I hope Marvel gives the writing chores for Annihilation 3 to someone else.

 

[RockSP]

I'm still looking forward to Guardians of the Galaxy, but I hope Marvel gives the writing chores for Annihilation 3 to someone else.

Well Giffen did the first one. DnA did part two, and have two ongoings to tackle spun from one and two. It's not unreasonable that someone else will tackle the third one.

I wonder if Marvel will try to get a third on going from the next event?

 

[Anubis]

So Annihilation: Conquest is at last over and the verdict is...it sucked. It really pains me to say that, especially since I loved the first Annihilation so much, but this was a huge disappointment in every way.

Most of the event was a slow build-up, which, in of itself, is a huge problem but can be forgiven if there's a big pay-off. But there wasn't. Ronan, Super-Skrull, Wraith, Ravenous, the High Evolutionary, Drax, and Gamora were all either wasted as characters or had their subplots just tossed out the window. It was just a huge cluster**** and, in the end, there was really no point and no payoff to any of these characters.

And there are still problems with the characters that the finale did focus on. Adam Warlock, for instance, undergoes a complete character transformation in just a few short pages; there's no logical progression, just a plot contrivance of Adam having some alone time to think. Also, why he was being touted as a savior for the Kree? If anything, he just did more harm than good. Just about everything that can be said about Quasar has already been said, so I won't bother repeating anything in that department.

Then there's Ultron, who really does look like a badass, but does nothing remotely cool. He talks a lot, but his plans--Adam/Ultron, enslaved army of Nu-Kree, giant Ultron--all fall apart in mere seconds. Ultron's defeat itself was pretty weak, as DnA were obviously trying to imitate the scene of Nova ripping out Annihlus' guts, but failed miserably as Ultron goes down like a ***** with Quasar pulling out a one-liner from a Saturday morning cartoon ("This is your doom!" ). Ultron has been the exact opposite of Annihilus: a villain who looked ridiculous but truly earned the right to be feared just based on the absolute havoc he caused.

The only good part of this entire event has been Starlord and his crew; their mini was excellent and their roles in the main story have all been pretty satisfactory, except for Gabe who was pointlessly killed off. Fortunately, Starlord and co. all get some semblance of a conclusion by the issue's end and aren't simply tossed away like the rest of the cast, so DnA at least get some points for that.

But all in all, I have to disagree with Dread about this event being a B. At best, Annihilation: Conquest was a C-, and that's only because of Starlord and his crew. Other than that, it was a complete mess in terms of pacing, story progression, and characterization. Huge disappointment. I'm still looking forward to Guardians of the Galaxy, but I hope Marvel gives the writing chores for Annihilation 3 to someone else.

So I guess that means it was good then. GAH lite ladies and gentlemen.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Haha, harsh.

Well Giffen did the first one. DnA did part two, and have two ongoings to tackle spun from one and two. It's not unreasonable that someone else will tackle the third one.

I wonder if Marvel will try to get a third on going from the next event?

Seems likely. At the very least, they'll probably be keeping an eye on the sales of the minis to look for any breakout hits.

 

[Dread]

I think Hot Rod was better than Phyla was. I never really knew her before ANNIHILATION, but in AC she was almost too much of a generic heroine in all the wrong ways, from needing a man to order her around to crying at nearly every moment and then basically given one single attack that saves the day completely. I compared her to Sailor Moon in my review (only not as stupid), and I think it fits. And not in a good way. I mean I guess it is good to not have yet another aggressive, perfect "I don't need a man to even LOOK at me!" Femizon like a lot of the heroines Bendis writes, but ain't there a happy medium?

Still, I do agree with BrianWilly that even flawed, it was still a damn good ride. Shame Ultron didn't get a stronger finish, though. But a solid B is better than average.

 

[JewishHobbit]

I think "B" is a good rating overall. It was nowhere near as good as the first and I do think that was due to the character choices. The phalanx were good choices, and Ultron was a decent choice for a figure head, but the good guys weren't as interesting. Wraith was pointless really and I don't even care if I see him again. Phyla was alright at first but I quickly grew bored of her, and Moondragon's the same. I'll agree with everyone though that Starlord hit stardom with this series and his team with him. I really didn't care about him in Annihilation, but now I'm a big fan. I wish they would have found a happy medium. Utilize Starlord and his crew, and use Phyla and Moondragon, but balance the newer people with more Ronan, Super Skrull, etc... people with real meat.

I will say this though... It was really cool seeing Warlok (Technarcy) laying the smackdown on Ultron. Probably my favorate scene of the whole event. I really hope he and Tyro become regulars in either Nova or GotG. I really like them.

 

[Dread]

I think Warlock is supposed to appear in GOTG.

I agree that Ultron & the Phalanx were great villains; I actually liked him more than Annihilus, but then again I always have since before AC. He needed a stronger finish. Something as simple as Raney showing his "giant form" fighting EVERYONE for a page or two, smacking them around, so Phyla's obligatory "Soulsword Slash" attack had more weight. That's the kind of thing I could have expected another artist, dare I say George Perez, to have had a field day with.

But, naturally, Ultron can never really be destroyed, so he'll be back, and DnA did a good job of redeeming him after his embarrassing turn in MIGHTY AVENGERS.

 

[Blader5489]

I agree that Ultron & the Phalanx were great villains;

They didn't do anything though! Ultron and the Phalanx had the potential to be great villains, but DnA totally squandered it. Annihilus was a much better villain for the sole fact that he actually did things worthy of being feared: wiping out the Nova Corps, vaporizing Quasar, turning Galactus into a weapon, destroying Nova's resistance movement, and just generally causing havoc. Ultron, despite looking cool, came nowhere near Annihilus in terms of villainy. Hell, Ravenous was a better villain than Ultron.

 

[Dread]

They didn't do anything though! Ultron and the Phalanx had the potential to be great villains, but DnA totally squandered it. Annihilus was a much better villain for the sole fact that he actually did things worthy of being feared: wiping out the Nova Corps, vaporizing Quasar, turning Galactus into a weapon, destroying Nova's resistance movement, and just generally causing havoc. Ultron, despite looking cool, came nowhere near Annihilus in terms of villainy. Hell, Ravenous was a better villain than Ultron.

Ultron & the Phanlanx:

- Took over the Kree with ease.
- Wrapped the Kree space area in a bubble, that, not for nothing, nearly killed Nova.
- Ultron personally killed Moondragon, put Mantis in a coma, killed Prax and undid Ronan's plans, and pummeled Adam Warlock once. Tell me, when was the last time Ultron actually killed someone who was an Avenger?
- The Phalanx's "selects" killed Nova's first Centurian recruit as well as Gabe. Groot sacrificed himself to destroy their spire.
- Ultron discovered genetic perfection and planned to take over the entire universe, starting with Earth. It was presumed if they could take over the Kree so quickly, Earth was screwed. Look how easily the Skrulls "hacked" Iron Man in SI. And sure you can go, "But he didn't actually do it and we knew it", then you have to hate every villain who plans or vows to take over the world or kill the franchise hero when we know damn well that can't actually happen.

The point you KEEP MISSING is that Ultron COULDN'T destroy all those things you mention because ANNIHILUS ALREADY DESTROYED THEM! It is like if you demolish a building, if it isn't rebuilt, someone can't destroy it again. The Nova Corps and the Skrull Empire were already destroyed. The Kree were the only super-power left in that level of space and they were Ultron's pawns immediately.

Still, he deserved a better finish than just swinging his arms at Adam & Phyla once or twice before being killed by her Ultimate Soulsword Attack.

I mean, after she takes him down she literally goes, "Did I do that?" like she's Urkel or something. Ugh.