Bought This/Thought That - Wednesday

[JewishHobbit]

I was too lazy to look up the date. So sue me. It's late and I should have gone to bed 9 minutes ago but instead I'm doing this... let's get on with it, shall we?

First off... this was a really good week in comics. The least of these books was still above mediocre. Let's start with the DC's.

Justice League 7 - The first issue in present time we see that the cast is still the same. The issue focuses on Steve Trevor, who I'm assuming is a pre-existing DC character but I don't know him. He seems interesting and has a faultering relationship with Wonder Woman and I like the role he serves here. We see, mostly through his eyes, that the League isn't as perfect and unified as the world thinks but he fights to continue that image because he believes in them. I think this was a good issue to enter into present-era stories and I'll stick around still.

Jim Lee takes a break and Gene Ha steps in as a filler. I typically LOVE Ha's work (having first fallen in love with it in the Adventures of Cyclops & Phoenix) but it seemed a bit rushed here. Still, it was decent enough and I didn't mind it.

This also showed us the first backup of the Shazam story by Johns and Gary Frank. It was more an introduction than a real story but it was good nonetheless. I'm curious where it goes.

Red Hood & the Outlaws #7 - This was the least of the month but still a good story. We get a furthering of the Untitled plot and the return of Essence from issue one. It wasn't much but it's been on par with the rest of the series. I've enjoyed it enough to stick with it through the Court of Owls tie-in. After that I might reexamine buying it.

Nightwing #7 - I have loved this title and the whole Circus thing and it conclues here as we learn the truth behind Saiko. I guessed part of it but the rest was rather interesting. I read Batman 7 first so it sorta ruined this issue but reading this first would have ruined that one so I'm glad I read it in the order I did.

Basically, Saiko, an old friend of Dick's from Haley's Circus replaced Dick as a future member of the Court of Owls after Dick left. Having ruined his life, Saiko searched out revenge and ended up blowing up most of Haley's Circus in attempts to kill Dick and ruins his life. Dick stops this and Saiko essentially kills himself to stop Dick from saving him. I'm guessing, however, that since we learned in Batman that the Talons have a healing factor, Saiko may survive despite his body being found.

Good run of comics and I'm excited for the Court of Owls. I guess there's a new direction after that and that makes me nervous but I'd love to see more with the Circus and thos in it. I thought they made a great supporting cast.

Batman 7 - This concludes the first full arc having to do with Talon and the Court of Owls and it leads into the next story, the Court of Owls. This run has been phenominal and here we learn how Dick is involved. As it turns out, Haley's Circus has been offering child performers to the Courts for years and Dick was supposed to be a Talon, but after his parents died and Bruce adopted him he was taken out of their grip and others were taken instead (Saiko being the example in Nightwing). In the end a whole flock of Talons are leaving to invade Gotham, leading into the event starting next issue.

I've loved this title and the art has really grown on me. The story has been amazing and I can't wait to keep going on it. This and Nightwing have side-by-side been the best relaunches from DC for me by far.

X-Factor 233 - Jamie's back in the present and sexes up Layla. I guess that'd probably be wierd for people since she began in the title as a little girl but I've gotten used to her how she is now and I can accept and even like them hooking up.

Havok and Polaris lead their first mission on the team (again) and it's fun to watch. It feels natural and I honestly think the book just got a LOT better for them being added to the roster. It's a good home for the constant-homeless duo.

And I loved the Isolationist and am glad to see him back in this story. I'm guessing the woman who confronts him is Amanda Sefton's mother.. Marguli or whatever her name was. Just a thought.

All in all it was a good issue and I'm excited to were it goes.

Avengers: X-Sanction 4 - While not an AMAZING series this last issue was really good I thought. The best thing about it was that Hope cured Nate of the T.O. virus fully and saved his life. So Cable's alive and well (still healing though) and is promising to return, liking in Averngers Vs X-Men at some point. And Cyclops sees Hope generate the Phoenix and the seeds for AvsX are planted.

Good issue, I'm glad I read it. I think it's funny that most the title is hidden on the cover though. Aveengers: Nio

Uncanny X-Men 9 - This was a great issue and it makes me wish that they would have tied the X-Men and the Avengers together more leading up to the event. They work together well here and I love the threat. I've been curious about Unit since his brief story in the SWORD mini and I'm glad to see it played out here. The story is good and the teams work well together. I'm glad to see someone finally getting around to dealing with Magik's imprisonment.

It was just a good issue and I'm eager to see how the conclusion next issue goes. I love Unit... in a completely hetero way

Generation Hope 17 - The final issue of the title and it's a really good conclusion for what the title has been. The series started with the rescue of Kenji and ended with his betrayal. He goes all out villain and attempts to kill Hope (and nearly succeeds) if not for Martha Johanson saving the day. It was sad to see Kenji go this direction because I was rooting for him to go good but it's also fitting and made for a great story.

While this wasn't my favorite book each month it was still enjoyable. I won't necessarilly be sad to see it go but I will miss it to some extent. I'm curious what the future of these kids are though now that they don't have a title to anchor them. Their futures and fates are wide hope. I like them though and will pick up Avengers Academy to follow their story through AvsX.


Best and Worst of the Week

Best: Generation Hope 17 & Nightwing 7 - I'm giving it the official tie. I thought Nightwing had this but the randomly throwin in scene from Batman in the end (redrawn by Barrows) kinda felt out of left field for me and took it down just a little. And with Generation Hope upping their game for the final issue I felt it fitting that it actually make and deserve a 'best of' spot for the week. I felt the two titles were equal and so I'm awarding the award to both of them.

Heck, it was almost a three way tie with Batman thrown in there, but in the end I thought these two titles were just a hair above that one. Good job all around.

Worst: Red Hood & the Outlaws 7 - As I said, it was above mediocre but unfortunately that's about where the title always is. It's good, I like it, but I don't see this as an ongoing buy for me.

 

[hippie_hunter]

Steve Trevor has been around since like.....forever.

 

[Harlekin]

I'm pretty sure he was there in the first Wonder Woman adventure.

 

[runawayboulder]

So an issue of JL is focusing on Steve Trevor? That would be like if an issue of the Avengers focused on Mary Jane......

 

[The Batman]

Steve Trevor has been around since like.....forever.

Can't blame him. DC's ****ed up the WW so much and changed so many characters, even a classic character like Steve was bound to be forgotten.

 

[hippie_hunter]

So an issue of JL is focusing on Steve Trevor? That would be like if an issue of the Avengers focused on Mary Jane......

The post-Flashpoint Steve Trevor actually has a purpose this time around though. He serves as the liaison between the Justice League and the US government.

 

[JewishHobbit]

I've not been a huge DC fan and I've never cared for Wonder Woman. In fact, I don't think I've ever read a single issue of her's. I don't even really know her backstory, cast, rogues galery, etc. I know she has a villain who looks like Tigra or something but that's as far as that goes.

 

[Themanofbat]

Christ, Steve Trevor was in the Linda Carter Wonder Woman TV show...

 

[Dread]

Only five comics this week, which is the low side of average for my weekly hauls. No complaints, but plenty of spoilers!

DREAD'S BOUGHT/THOUGHT FOR 3/21/12:

BATMAN BEYOND #2: This latest launch from DC Comics proves that sometimes the best things come to those who wait. This offering merges the return of a BATMAN BEYOND comic written by Adam Beechen after a six month break with the printing of a digital-first JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED comic by Derek Fridolfs and Dustin Nguyen. Thus, readers literally get two comics for the price of one, at least thanks to recent price hikes for many comics - 40 pages of story for $3.99 cover price. The BATMAN BEYOND lead story continues from the last month, in which Jokerz gangs from different cities (and even countries) have begun to converge upon Gotham City and complicate the crime scene. This issue ties into Beechen's original mini-series from 2010 that kicked off this series with the return of Mad Stan, a villain from the TV show whose death was greatly exaggerated. While often played for laughs on TV, Beechen handles Stan as a serious threat as well as has the elderly Bruce Wayne begin to use his company to improve the GCPD as well as bring allies closer for once. Subplots involving Dana Tan's rotten brother and Maxine having her own problems continue to cycle along, complicating Terry McGinnis' life. The art for this series is done by Norm Breyfogle with colors by Andrew Elder, and is both timeless and terrific for the franchise. The JLU story, meanwhile, picks up along the case of tracking down the lost member Micron, who went missing infiltrating the super villain cult Kobra (the "k" separating it from the group G.I. JOE always battle). This leads the team to a hidden Camdus lab and the revelation that Micron may not have been captured, but instead "gone native" with the cult. While fans who read JLU online may be irritated at "overpaying" for the reprint for a BATMAN BEYOND comic, those who skip the digital releases are treated to a double dose of goodness which carries on from one of the best shows Kid's WB had. The other DC comics that I read most months are ACTION COMICS and JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL, and this has quickly become my favorite of those three.

SUPER-DINOSAUR #9: This creator owned Skybound Image imprint series by Robert Kirkman and Jason Howard chugs along, now with its letter column officially named “MAILASAURUS TEXT”. One presumes the winner is under 18, as that is the target age demographic here. The sales on this series have not been pretty even by Image’s standards, although given Kirkman’s position in the company and that Image still merrily publishes Erik Larson’s SAVAGE DRAGON, which often misses the Top 300 sellers list entirely, it will probably exist so long as Kirkman and Howard desire. At any rate, despite this being akin to a Saturday morning cartoon, Kirkman manages to pace the story at which several different subplots are being progressed along with the main plot of this arc. Derek Dynamo has been forced to take a high stakes test by the government operative Miss Finkle, in which failure means his career as a genius agent is over and he would have to return to public school. At the same time, a battle with the villains Exile and Tricerichops arose at the wrong time, forcing Derek to perform some high stakes muli-tasking. Fortunately, Derek and Super-Dino are aided in their battle by General Casey (who wears power armor) and an old nemesis turned ally of circumstance, Squidicus. They eventually prevail, and finally learn the secret of Exile’s identity. It is implied that he is a member of a race of natural “dinosaur men” who exist at the center of the earth (where Dynore is mined and the world of dinosaurs still exists in this series). Up until now, the only “dinosaur men” that existed were genetically bred mutations created by the evil Max Maximus.

Elsewhere, some of Maximus’ spare dino-minions find one of his old bases to hole up, and wind up freeing a clone of Max called Minimus – can you tell this is targeted at kids? Max’s manipulation of Derek’s father Dr. Dynamo to free him from government prison also comes through, as Maximus is holding Derek’s mother as a comatose hostage.

As usual, the artwork by Jason Howard and Cliff Rathburn (inks) is very good for something like this. Given that Howard was previously seen in ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN, it is good to see he can still handle battle scenes without gore. In terms of the plot, this continues to read like a very well written cartoon that might appear on CARTOON NETWORK, despite having a premise tailor made for action figures. Whether one will enjoy this depends on how much one likes Kirkman’s work, and how much one is willing to enjoy or try an all-ages book. While I have nothing against this book and have been aboard since the launch, I must be honest – I plum forgot it was coming out this week and when I found it in my pull list bag anyway, I was hardly thrilled with excitement. Given AMC’s success with “THE WALKING DEAD”, I am genuinely wondering how long it will take some major network that offers animated programming for children to come up with some offer to Kirkman and Howard they can’t refuse about adapting this for TV. One could suggest it may be a few years as the creators themselves iron out the story and the world, but also recall that Mark Millar is able to option his ICON comics for film before they’re even finished being published – “KICK-ASS” being the prime example. Given that THE WALKING DEAD’s co-creator and original regular artist Tony Moore is suing Kirkman over royalties, one also has to wonder what contractual deals may exist with Kirkman’s other collaborations, such as this.

In summary, this continues to be a very good all ages series which will appeal to the young and the young at heart. That said, it isn’t Kirkman’s most innovative effort nor is it an instant classic in the making, at least thus far. If the option existed, I’d have preferred another ten issues of ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #682: After three issues which were good but perhaps not quite as AMAZING as some previous ones in the post-BIG TIME era, this issue blows recent output out of the water. It is the kick-off of the "ENDS OF THE EARTH" story, which brings the almost two year build-up of a new Sinister Six to the fore. The gist is that Dr. Octopus is dying, and with little time to live and with his most cohesive roster yet, he has set out to conquer the world once and for all. Dan Slott helms the script alone - he has occasionally needed co-writers or a fill in lately - and Stefano Caselli returns to art for his tour of duty on this arc (with Frank Martin Jr. on colors). Described by editorial as akin to SPIDER-ISLAND in scale only mostly contained to AMAZING SPIDER-MAN itself (beyond one AVENGERS one shot and one AVENGING SPIDER-MAN epilogue issue), it is difficult to imagine this epic storyline having a better start than this.

A moment is taken to reflect on Peter Parker/Spider-Man's current status quo in the form of a rematch with Equinox. He naturally gets to fight crime and be a hero as Spider-Man, but his job as an inventor for Horizon Labs allows him to not only upgrade his Spider-gear, but also to produce innovative and even life saving technology into the open market for use by hospitals and first responders. Yet some things always remain the same - despite the change in careers, J. Jonah Jameson continues to be a thorn in his side as the mayor of Marvel's NYC. This time, Jonah is seeking to have Horizon Labs shut down, seeing them as a source of dangerous attacks and incidents, and blaming them for endangering his son's life in the prior two issues with a space mission gone wrong. Even this is only a sample of the strife to come, as Doc Ock finally begins what seems to be his last great scheme. Utilizing orbital and underwater technological resources, Ock seeks to turn the "debate" over global warming/climate change to his advantage to offer a "solution" to the world's populace - as well as prove that he could destroy the planet at a whim. Does he genuinely want to "save" the planet, or is it a ploy for domination? Peter becomes cynical when typical Manhattan citizens and even some of his fellow scientist co-workers buy into it, but the Avengers themselves being divided seems to be a final straw. This time it seems Spider-Man is taking point and utilizing all of his experience and new technological toys to take on the Sinister Six once and for all.

Caselli's artwork and Martin Jr.'s colors, as always, are spectacular to behold. Caselli is often the artist who kicks off the opening chapter to a major ASM event, and the reason is often because of the quality of the artwork; action sequences and facial expressions pop. In terms of Slott's script, he continues to be a master at weaving in past continuity, recent story lines and subplots, high stakes drama and well timed comic relief. Many of Marvel's "event" stories suffer tremendously because they take themselves far too seriously and become a labored chore to read (among other narrative flaws). Slott never forgets to remember that humor is a part of Spidey's stories; highlights include Otto Octavious calling one of his critical towers an "Octahedral" and Spider-Man mocking the Avengers for an endless debate around the table, which has become a trademark in the Brian M. Bendis era. The beginning pages, which highlight previous battles and gadgets that Spidey made against other villains being utilized in other ways is also clever. If there is one questionable bit, it is the appearance of yet another alternate Spider-Man costume; his fifth within two years. It seems ever since the purchase of Marvel by Disney became official in 2010, Spider-Man has gained more alternate costumes for use in licensed action figures and video game appearances. In fairness, Iron Man has benefited from alternate armors over the years, and even DC's Batman frequently changes costumes. Spider-Man has utilized his Horizon Labs job to craft advanced Spider-costumes to deal with specific needs, and he's now made an Anti-Sinister Six costume. The new suit bares shoulder pads - the one design gimmick which seems to never escape comic books - and reminds me of the costume worn by Dr. Max Bourne, the Spider-Man from the year 2211 who was created by Peter David and last turned up in FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN.

"ENDS OF THE EARTH" will run alongside the larger AVENGERS VS. X-MEN until June, and if this issue is any indication, Dan Slott will once again provide the superior "event" story in the pages of ASM than the rest of Marvel Comics for the second straight year. This one will be easier on the wallet to collect than SPIDER-ISLAND or AVX, which is extra incentive for purchase in these strict times. Hands down the best comic of the week.

AVENGERS X-SANCTION #4: This prelude series to AVENGERS VS. X-MEN by Jeph "Past His Prime" Loeb and Ed "Draws Big Guys Well" McGuinness comes to an action packed conclusion. While it isn't terribly good, it isn't nearly as bad as some truly "obligatory" titles like FEAR ITSELF or AVENGERS: THE CHILDREN'S CRUSADE in recent memory. The best and worst thing about it is that it is a brainless action movie which has the task to set up an extended crossover event. Wolverine and Spider-Man interrupt the stand off between the dying Cable, his daughter Hope, his father Cyclops and his ally Blaquesmith over the fate of the captured Avengers. Cable is ultimately jolly stomped, although it is a bit disheartening that Wolverine is the only superhero who seemed able to put up a proper showing against Cable. In the end, everything is wrapped up in a bow - perhaps so much of one that this story seems more obvious as an editorial exercise. Cable is "cured" of the techno-organic virus and it becomes obvious that Hope will be the next host for the Phoenix Force. Cyclops is convinced that this time the Phoenix will be something to welcome because Cable tells him so, and he's from the future - because apparently time travelers in Marvel Comics can never be wrong (even if they often are). At any rate, the artwork is fine, this series concludes at being neither offensive or exceptional, best to move along.

THUNDERBOLTS #171: Jeff Parker and artist Kev Walker have been working on this long time Marvel Comics series for roughly two years now, and sales for the series have fallen at cancellation range. To this end, Marvel have announced the title and team roster will dramatically change after the next four issues - the series becomes another volume of DARK AVENGERS with the 175th issue, although the creative team from T-Bolts remains. Thus, Parker has roughly four issues to wrap up his plans with most of his current cast of characters, and this issue focuses in on Songbird.

Formerly the Masters Of Evil member Screaming Mimi, Melissa Gold has been one of the few long term success stories of the Thunderbolts program. She has embraced her shift from villain to heroine (or anti-heroine) seriously, and has shared command duties under the newer program at the Raft prison alongside Mach V (formerly the villain Beetle) and Luke Cage (former "hero for hire" and current Avenger). This issue is a standalone issue in which Melissa goes on a vacation, which naturally becomes far more dramatic and dangerous than she planned. After all, if a superhero ever went on vacation and nothing happened, it would be a very dull story. Thus, her time out at a foreign resort being catered to by star-struck locals is interrupted by a scheme from the dramatically re-designed Dr. Dorcus. He was a Namor The Sub-Mariner villain who was taken out of circulation by being killed in SUPER-VILLAIN TEAM UP #3, circa 1975. Tasked with making him more than "yet another evil mad scientist", Parker and Walker have turned him into a horrific freak of the deep as well as an obsessed fan of Songbird, which actually happens to work. The story does seem as an exercise to return Songbird to her old power level, but it also serves as a character exercise as she has to escape from a harrowing ordeal on her own. The artwork by Walker with Terry Pallot on inks and Frank Martin Jr. on colors is terrific; it covers both the "fun in the sun" and the "underwater monster horror" segments well. This is very much like a horror story told in one issue, with Songbird playing the role of heroine at the target of a maniac.

T-Bolts under Jeff Parker has waxed and waned between excellence and mediocrity, and this issue is very much in the former category - perhaps because the massively extended cast is ditched and Parker can instead focus on one character. It is a shame more issues of this run in recent months haven't been as good.

 

[Web face]

Your review of ASM really makes me want to buy it now. I wasn't sure if I should get this one along with the rest of of the arc but I think I am going to do it.

 

[Dread]

Your review of ASM really makes me want to buy it now. I wasn't sure if I should get this one along with the rest of of the arc but I think I am going to do it.

I may as well offer some disclosure. AMAZING SPIDER-MAN has long been a title which I have been off and on. I owe interest in Spider-Man via syndicated animation on NBC in the 80's to sparking my passion for comic books, and as a kid my mother had a subscription to ASM so I read it a lot growing up. Since the Clone Saga, though, I've always left and returned to the book for periods. Often I was repelled by the editorial shift of the time. I'd gotten back on the book around CIVIL WAR but then left after ONE MORE DAY. I returned once BIG TIME kicked off in November 2010. Dan Slott was going to be the main solo writer (as opposed to one of 3-4 writers with rotating arcs, which existed from Jan. 2008 to October 2010) and that it would evolve Peter's life. He's now using his genius to earn a living at Horizon Labs and Slott is fully embracing the fact that Spidey is an Avenger and a FF member. While it would seem that would solve all his problems, the theme is that it has upped the stakes and actually made them more complicated. His "Parker luck" also endures.

SPIDER-ISLAND last year was a great event, built up over several months and offering more bang than FEAR ITSELF did, even if it had too many spare one-shots and mini's. ENDS OF THE EARTH will have only two one issue segments outside ASM itself and is basically having the long term Sinister Six subplot which has cycled through ASM for years - and has popped up in AVENGERS ACADEMY and INVINCIBLE IRON MAN on occasion - coming to a head.

I was looking forward to ENDS OF THE EARTH. The first part at the very least has fulfilled my expectations.

 

[Web face]

Awesome. I' m actually really new to comics and the first ASM I bought was Big Time and I thought it was pretty good. That arc didnt compare to spider-island though, which I thought was fantastic. I just recently got The Shed arc and the Grim Hunt on marvel Monday when ASM issues were only a dollar each, and those were good IMO, especially the grim hunt. I've been enjoying ASM so far, more than UCSM so I think I should get this arc and wait to get ultimate comics spider-man. speaking of which, what you rate UCSM 7 and 8?

 

[kguillou]

Avengers: Children's Crusade HC: So I snatched this hardcover up for 50% off (I love instocktrades.com) and I gotta say this was definitely worth it. I've heard alot of mixed feelings on this story and I can understand why, but i really, really enjoyed this story as a whole. I just wish there was more....closure. Also, the way Heinberg wrote the x-men in this story was really jarring. Wolverine especially, he was dead set on killing Wiccan, but that's unlike him to be bloodthirsty against a kid like that. Wanda I could understand but he was ready to dice Wiccan or any other young avenger that stood in his way up. And Cyclops was such a hard-headed *****EBAG. Yes I get it, Wanda ruined millions of lives and there needs to be consequences but he had zero compassion for her and was completely unreasonable. I was scratching my head when he just attacked the Avengers for no reason. What happened to this character?

But all in all, I thought this was a great, well told story. I really felt for Wanda and wanted her to be redeemed, (plus they suggest that it may not have even been her fault.) It'll be interesting to see what happens to her in AvX.

And Jim Cheung, oh MAN, every.single. page of this book was beautiful and crackling with energy. He is definitely one of marvel's absolute finest artists, I'd go so far as to say he is a modern day Jim Lee. His artwork is so commanding and breathtaking, he needs to be drawing more books, more often.

Overall, I'm glad i held out two years to write this whole thing at once. I can imagine the people who read this bi-monthly getting really annoyed with it, but I think this story reads very well under one collection. Plus it comes with some bonus stories as well, so you get your bang for your buck with this hardcover. One of marvel's finest hardcover releases imo.

 

[Will Nolte]

Awesome. I' m actually really new to comics and the first ASM I bought was Big Time and I thought it was pretty good. That arc didnt compare to spider-island though, which I thought was fantastic. I just recently got The Shed arc and the Grim Hunt on marvel Monday when ASM issues were only a dollar each, and those were good IMO, especially the grim hunt. I've been enjoying ASM so far, more than UCSM so I think I should get this arc and wait to get ultimate comics spider-man. speaking of which, what you rate UCSM 7 and 8?

Grim Hunt is what got me excited about Spidey again. I've been reading Spidey titles regularly ever since I picked up Venom: Lethal Protector #1 and Amazing Spider-Man #374. There were times where I have been bored or disgusted with the stories, but I never quit reading in hopes that it would get better. I am starting to think that this current run is the best in a long time.

 

[RockSP]

The Strange Talent of Luther Strode #6: Overall a great mini. I'll have to read it all at once, but right now the ending feels like it was kinda rushed, or something was missing.

Dominique Laveau, Voodoo Child #1: The story has a very good start, the art is just okay. Looking forward to where this is going, storywise.

Near Death #6: Solid series. If you like books like Brubaker's Criminal I'd say check this out.

Ragemoor #1: The tale of a living castle. Richard Corben's art was the initial draw, but it is an interesting horror type story.

 

[Web face]

Grim Hunt is what got me excited about Spidey again. I've been reading Spidey titles regularly ever since I picked up Venom: Lethal Protector #1 and Amazing Spider-Man #374. There were times where I have been bored or disgusted with the stories, but I never quit reading in hopes that it would get better. I am starting to think that this current run is the best in a long time.

The Grim Hunt was gruesome and awesome. You kept reading through OMD and BND? I heard that was really bad and got some people to stop reading completely. Also, after getting issue 682, reading it, then comparing it to Spider-Island part 1, I think it was a good start to what seems like a big, exciting arc.