Bought/thought 02/07/07

[Dread]

Considering Murdock is a lawyer by trade, he easily would have either a computer that reads messages or prints in Braille, it not both. It's not a major problem.

Of course, considering that Iron Fist was posing as DD for a while, I wonder if he was the one who got the message.

 

[AndThePickles]

There are specially designed Braille keyboards/interfaces for blind people to read and type text on computers.
There is also software that can 'read' aloud plain text on anyone's computers these days too (if you have XP I think you can find it in the control panel somewhere).

That's awesome

 

[Darthphere]

Considering Murdock is a lawyer by trade, he easily would have either a computer that reads messages or prints in Braille, it not both. It's not a major problem.

Of course, considering that Iron Fist was posing as DD for a while, I wonder if he was the one who got the message.

Like in the movie.

 

[Darthphere]

Truthfully, if I have an opinion I will still post it, but I'm gonna do my best to ignore any kind of insults. If you dont agree with my opinion fine, I'm not gonna argue with you or anybody else, if you think I'm the dumbest poster in the world, fine, it wont change my opinion. I've wasted to much time argueing with people, so in a sense, that part of me is gone, so yes later *****es. But I will still post my opinions.

*chuckle*

 

[LouFerignoDemon]

Ok, I haven't read through this whole thread, but for those who read New Avengers:

Am I the only one who realized how dumb Echo was for writing an e-mail to a blind person? Oy

Loved the kick in the crotch that Elektra got served though

I loved how Echo wants to kill Tony for no specific reason.

 

[LouFerignoDemon]

Agreed. We also need a Wanda who isn't depicted as a clueless, psychotic tramp, but one has to be reasonable.



Don't question COMICBOY for having good taste.

I kid!

I still have X-MEN: PHOENIX: WARSONG #5 to pick up to end the series, but, that is another series I am really not liking and only sticking around to see it end. But now that I have the chance, should I flush $3 for a book I am all but expecting not to enjoy just to have the full mini? I mean it wasn't as bad as Ultimate Clone Saga, but still pretty darn aweful. Perhaps I need a reminder of when to cut my losses.

As for NEW AVENGERS, upon seeing the "New New Avengers" in action, I will say that this roster is at least more balanced in a way without "god-moders" like Iron Man, Sentry, and to a degree Ms. Marvel. I decried MIGHTY AVENGERS being the team that actually fights villians vs. the NEW AVENGERS team that only will fight ninjas and generic shadow conspiracies that got old once X-FILES was cancelled, but they seem better balenced. In fact, one could say the only square peg is Dr. Strange, who with a spell could easily finish or remain immune from most street level battles. Hand ninja shouldn't be a bother. If Bendis is intending on having Mighty and New Avengers fight, though, I see no way in hell the New Avengers win.

Now if only they fought actual villians. No, Elektra doesn't count. Most people see her as an anti-hero. Even if they're not mondo powered there still are villians out there.

Wrong, to do that, he must meditate. At least, that's how Bendis is saying he's going to make him.

He apparently has to meditate to become astral as well, something he's done without any help for years and years.

But he can teleport people like crazy without effort.

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

if you think I'm the dumbest poster in the world, fine, it wont change my opinion. I've wasted to much time argueing with people, so in a sense, that part of me is gone, so yes later *****es.

"Caaaaaaaan you feeeeeeel the love tonight?"

 

[LouFerignoDemon]

X-Men: Phoenix Warsong #5:
Ok, so I'm gonna start my reviews by admitting that I didn't buy this but I leafed through it in my store and I saw a guy outside that had bought it and asked him about it. I didn't even bother to read the whole thing even when he let me borrow the comic. I leafed through it and only read things that caught my eye.

In a nutshell, the Phoenix had come to Earth to destroy the Cuckoo Stepfords because it felt they would have stalled humanity's evolution. The Stepfords were made to destroy mutants. People fight, stuff blows up, the Phoenix gets split into a lot of people, angst ensues. One of the Stepfords gets the powers of the Phoenix back and destroys all the other duplicates that weren't her "original sisters" after they tell her they had just become self aware and were beginning to know life. After killing them she expelled the Phoenix but the Phoenix said it wasn't done. Celeste (I think?) got pissed, reabsorbed the Phoenix and.......check this out....imprisoned the Phoenix by splitting it between herself and her two living sisters in PERFECT DIAMOND HEARTS. Yes, the Stepford Cuckoos now have diamond hearts with 1/3 of the Phoenix in them each. It also made them unfeeling, because people with diamond hearts have no feelings. Oh, and in the end we see that Emma is pissed because of what happened to her "daughters" and she swears that she'll have it out with the Phoenix if it comes back.

I had stopped buying this mini because I found it to be utter drivel and I can see that the finale proved me right. As if the X titles weren't complicated enough we now have triplets with the pieces of the Phoenix PLUS Rachel is off in space ALSO with Phoenix power and recently found another piece inside a piece of mana in Cloud's sword. This is the stuff that turns people away from the X franchise and doesn't make it new reader friendly. The art wasn't bad and I guess the story is up to X title convoluted-ness but it seems wholly unnecessary to me. IMO, it would be something better off forgotten and never referenced again in any other comic.

I like how the Phoenix hates it when people deny future life, when it's own powers work on the basis of preventing future life.

Joy, that's just what we need.



I'll give #28 a chance to explain it better. If it's some sort of mystical sword then I can buy it. But you'd be amazed how even a "great writer" like Bendis can sometimes miss that one line or two that would totally fix a scene sometimes.



DR. STRANGE: OATH from BKV started the trend of attempting to balence out Dr. Strange to some sane power level, but they also haven't made him a wuss in the mystical dept. Brigand had an "enchanted gun" and that was the only reason the bullet pierced his mystical shield. He also had to get clever with a monster. But elsetimes he's been potent, even effortlessly ripping apart robots or lessor spells. There has to be a balance, and sometimes Bendis has troubles with that, either making someone unbeatable or helpless. I'm not saying he has NEVER managed that balence (to dispell people who believe a single example can disable my point). I am saying he has issues with it sometimes. Difference. But I'll wait. NA arcs have sometimes begun well and petered out, but hopefully yet another roster in under 3 years works more to his strengths.

See, what I liked in Oath, was the Strage was still a magical dynamo, and really just good old Doctor Strange. Heavily powered, but not to the point where nothing stood in his way, but not so little that people even with powerful spells could trap him, even if they WERE amateurs with powerful spells. He shined as the Sorcerer Supreme. Not, "how did Topaz get more poweful than me?" and not, "Silver Surfer? What about him? I'd destroy him with a mere thought."

 

[Darthphere]

"Caaaaaaaan you feeeeeeel the love tonight?"

Don't make fun, we killed a part of him today. It is a time of mourning.

 

[supermarvelman]

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

Don't make fun, we killed a part of him today. It is a time of mourning.

Oh. My bad.

Erm.






*weeps bitterly*

 

[Darthphere]

My thoughts on Ultimate Spider-Man:

Spoiler

If you are one of the few who has never been presented with evidence that Ultimate Spider-Man plans to turn back the clock and repeal all the civil rights and anti-discrimination legislation now on the books, then be glad that the task to educate yourself has just become easy. With this letter, I compile all of the necessary evidence into one easy-to-read document. Before I launch into my rant, permit me the prelude caveat that its indiscretions are not witty satire, as Ultimate Spider-Man would have you believe. They're simply the pathetic ramblings of something that has no idea or appreciation of what it's mocking. Because it's now in fashion and touches everyone's heart, Ultimate Spider-Man's always talking about the welfare of our children. But that doesn't stop it from wanting to spoon-feed us its pabulum. Nor does it negate my claim that Ultimate Spider-Man has two imperatives. The first is to generate alienation and withdrawal. The second imperative is to cashier anyone who tries to provide a trenchant analysis of its crusades.

Ultimate Spider-Man is offended by the truth -- an instructive warning for the future. Let's understand one fundamental fact: If Ultimate Spider-Man continues to supplant one form of injustice with another, crime will escalate as schools deteriorate, corruption increases, and quality of life plummets. For future reference, smarmy slobs like Ultimate Spider-Man are not born -- they are excreted. However unsavory that metaphor may be, we must call a spade a spade. As mentioned above, however, that is not enough. It is necessary to do more. It is necessary to advocate concrete action and specific quantifiable goals. Ultimate Spider-Man wants you to believe that covinous pickpockets should be fêted at wine-and-cheese fund-raisers. You should be wary of such claims. Be aware! Be skeptical! Think! Do not be diverted, deceived, or mesmerized by Ultimate Spider-Man's dour press releases.

Ultimate Spider-Man is bad enough when it's alone, but it is even worse when it's joined by quixotic sots. Ultimate Spider-Man wants to conceal information and, occasionally, blatantly lie. You know what groups have historically wanted to do the same thing? Fascists and Nazis.

Ultimate Spider-Man likes opinions that sanctify its depravity. Could there be a conflict of interest there? If you were to ask me, I'd say that I hate it when people get their facts wrong. For instance, whenever I hear some corporate fat cat make noises about how Ultimate Spider-Man can walk on water, I can't help but think that contrary to my personal preferences, I'm thinking about what's best for all of us. My conclusion is that what's best for all of us is for me to examine Ultimate Spider-Man's worldview from the perspective of its axiology (values) and epistemology (ways of knowing). Ultimate Spider-Man's compeers don't represent an ideology. They don't represent a legitimate political group of people. They're just flat coprophagous.

Let me back up a little: Ultimate Spider-Man keeps trying to deceive us into thinking that all major world powers are controlled by a covert group of "insiders". The purpose of this deception may be to humiliate, subjugate, and eventually eliminate everyone who wants to seek some structure in which the cacophony introduced by its bruta fulmina might be systematized, reconciled, and made rational. Or maybe the purpose is to push the State towards greater influence, self-preservation, and totalitarianism and away from civic engagement, constituent choice, and independent thought. Oh what a tangled web Ultimate Spider-Man weaves when first it practices to deceive. It's irrelevant that my allegations are 100% true. Ultimate Spider-Man distrusts my information and arguments and will forever maintain its current opinions. Don't be intimidated by Ultimate Spider-Man's threat to palliate and excuse the atrocities of Ultimate Spider-Man's confreres. It is easy for the public at large to dismiss repressive, unctuous vandals as footling backbiters. My next point of order is that the real question here is not, "Why can't Ultimate Spider-Man relieve its aching sense of inadequacy without having to disguise the complexity of color, the brutality of class, and the importance of religion and sexual identity in the construction and practice of defeatism?". The real question is rather, "Is its incessant burbling about the wonders of libertinism supposed to convince us that its debauches are the result of a high-minded urge to do sociological research?" It is only when one has an answer to that question is it possible to make sense of its ramblings because failure to recognize this salient point will result in its getting free reign to shackle us with the chains of mercantalism. I submit that everyone should stop and mull that assertion. Then, you'll understand why Ultimate Spider-Man and its emissaries are mindless lounge lizards. This is not set down in complaint against them, but merely as analysis. That's it for this letter. I sincerely hope that typing it was not a complete waste of energy. Unfortunately, I do realize that my words will probably trigger no useful response in the flabby synapses of Ultimate Spider-Man's brain. I just felt obligated to go through the motions because Ultimate Spider-Man's allies have a tendency to say very similar things about Ultimate Spider-Man, as if they're quoting from scripture.

 

[Dread]

See, what I liked in Oath, was the Strage was still a magical dynamo, and really just good old Doctor Strange. Heavily powered, but not to the point where nothing stood in his way, but not so little that people even with powerful spells could trap him, even if they WERE amateurs with powerful spells. He shined as the Sorcerer Supreme. Not, "how did Topaz get more poweful than me?" and not, "Silver Surfer? What about him? I'd destroy him with a mere thought."

That's what I like about it too. Like I said, a balance. Dr. Strange isn't unbeatable or superhuman (privy to things like blood loss, fatique, stress, etc), but he's hardly a wimp either and something that challenges and/or has the potential to overpower him usually needs an explaination. BKV provided that.

Bendis sometimes has not been as good, because he believes he is above that sort of thing. "I say Drew flies, so BOOM, she flies. I shall then wait a full calender year to explain it. I also say that Count Nefaria has TK and that Carnage drains life exactly like my Ultimate Version, and simply not use them ever again when people call it on a mistake." To be fair, though, Bendis was the last writer to treat the Wrecker as a valid threat, so he has his moments.

Wrong, to do that, he must meditate. At least, that's how Bendis is saying he's going to make him.

He apparently has to meditate to become astral as well, something he's done without any help for years and years.

But he can teleport people like crazy without effort.

Again, it has varied. I've seen him do wonky stuff just via an incantation and finger movement like on NARUTO, and other times he has to meditate & concentrate, especially for big stuff like Astral Projection and so on. He also has magical artifacts on him, such as the Cloak of Levitation and the Eye of Agomotto (which I believe sees through illusions and whatnot). I'll willing to give Bendis a shot after 2 years to get some power levels right, so he better not screw up.

 

[BrianWilly]

52 Week 40
Well, good thing no one died! I mean, except that dude who fell and broke his spine while Beast Boy made sarcastic comments. But hey, he, um, ate people.

A good week, and great payoff for the Steel arc; something tells me that this story isn't quite done yet, though, since the rest of Infinity Inc is still around.

I thought that some of the sequences here kinda awkward, which is sorta forgiveable, I suppose, considering the weekliness of this series probably prevents a lot of meticulous storyboarding; did anyone else notice that at least a good half of the panels in the issue were just perfectly symmetrical squares side by side, leading to page after page of pages that look like cages, it sends me into rages, until I eat some sages, which I haven't done in ages? No? Just me, then.

(8 out of 10)


X-Men: Phoenix Warsong
I think this series sort of epitomizes the idea of "decent idea, cracked out execution."

Whatever else I think, and for whatever it's worth, I think that Pak has one of the best grasps on the concept of the Phoenix of anyone at Marvel. His concept of the Phoenix as a cosmic guardian of the evolutionary process is quite good, tying it intrinsically to the X-Men concept; well, he took it from Morrison, who took it from Nicieza, but that's why it's quite good. And the idea of the Phoenix wanting passion, needing to feel, which he took from Claremont...that gives it all a decent human angle. It explains why this cosmic force wants to possess people in the first place, and also why it's so dangerous; when you're the sole judge, jury, and executioner of the entirety of evolution, it's possibly not the greatest idea to be swayed by blind passion all the time. Except that, being life, "blind passion" is all that the Phoenix is. Which, paradoxically, is why it needs Jean Grey, to balance that blind passion. But I digress.

So, really, it should have worked. Why didn't it?

The first reason is clones. The minute you put clones into a story, alarms go off all over the place. "No one likes clones"...well spoken, Peter Parker. And needing clones to drive your story is a bad, bad sign. Robotic cyborg clones, no less.

The second reason is the Cuckoos. The Cuckoos were great characters, of course, and they interact well with others...but for god's sakes, does anyone really care about them? Does anyone actually think that they're strong enough personalities to drive a story? Up to this point, no one could even tell them apart, which was sort of the point, and now all of a sudden Celeste is just some tragic female lead? Retconning them into robotic cyborg clones doesn't pique anyone's interest, all it does is signal the Contrived Ship.

And then you retcon them into robotic cyborg clones who just happened to be daughters of Emma Frost, and we're way past the signals.

Look, I love Sublime. He was an awesome Morrison creation. Like most awesome Morrison creations, however, he doesn't quite work in others' hands. And he especially doesn't work in others' hands when they make him into a talking computer screen for a billion issues.

And finally, factor in the Phoenix. The Phoenix is a hard concept to handle at the best of times, and even though Pak lucked out in Endsong, it doesn't mean she shouldn't be handled delicately anyway. She's really more of a "less is more" character. Otherwise, people get tired of her. There's only so many flaming destructive firebirds you can see before you just get damned tired of it.

So basically, you've got robotic cyborg clone daughters of Emma Frost comprised of the Cuckoos who no one cares about channeling the Phoenix Force who everyone is tired of being controlled by a talking computer image of a man possessed by intelligent bacteria. And then the X-Men are there for some reason, doing something, with a SHIELD agent.

...

Recipe for success right there, folks.

(6 out of 10)
(5.2 out of 10 for the entire series)


Shazam: The Monster Society of Evil
I had mixed feelings about this.

The art is cute beyond the measure of words to describe, and the plot is pretty good; astonishingly simple, but good. Billy's characterization is good, as well as the Wizard's and, uh, Captain Marvel's, and I look forward to seeing Mary. The whole focusing on Billy as an street urchin thing is a good way of giving him a bit of pathos and darkness -- Jerry Ordway did it too with the Power of Shazam reboot -- without a mophead haircut, having urban chicks give him tubular tattoos, and sending him to fight in the Middle East for seven issues or something. Gosh, whatever might I be referring to with those cynical barbs?

Some of the changes in the canon still struck me, though. So now Billy isn't "Captain Marvel," but Captain Marvel is this...separate personality that Billy hosts? Almost like the Wizard implanted something inside him? This is incredibly interesting, and very original...but it's also a bit disturbing. Almost like Shazam and Marvel are just using Billy's body for their own ends, and I don't even mean that in the perverted way. It feels less like, "Billy I give you the power to fight evil as is your destiny, use it well" and more like "Well, you're a suitable host for my actual champion to tag along with. He's with you now. Have fun!" It almost felt like Ultimate Captain Marvel, at times.

It's still about a dozen degrees more likeable and enjoyable to read than Winick's tragedy, though. It sort of galls me all the time that while people are handling the Marvel family so nicely in 52 and in here, the "main canon" Marvel family as handled by Winick is sort of vomitting all over itself right now.

(8.6 out of 10)


The All-New Atom #8
I like Ryan more now that his personality is a bit more apparent so we don't have to necessarily rely on WACKY SCIENCE to make the story interesting. The plot here is good, with the dystopian future caused by some time snafu, though admittedly it's something we've seen before. And the more allusions to Ray Palmer, the better.

(7.6 out of 10)


Fallen Angel #12
Once again, the best series you're not reading. I have to admit, I kinda wish Lee were acting more badass here, but I see why she wasn't, what with her son there and him being in the right and everything. And PAD works great with ensemble casts, even if you don't like most of the characters.

(7.9 out of 10)

 

[Not Jake]

Presumably it takes place after CW because Spider-Man is "back in Black" and Iron Fist is no longer pretending to be Daredevil, although if there is some sort of memo being passed around that Spidey is supposed to be "in mourning" for whatever reason after CW #7, he didn't show it in NA #27. He was wisecrackin' as usual, trading barbs with Wolverine. Not that I minded. Wisecracks are his thing.

Thanks for explaining your strategy to reading my reviews. Your replies each week make more sense now.

Thanks for the info.

They made sense anyway. I nail you and then you used 2000 words to seemingly defend yourself.

 

[LouFerignoDemon]

That's what I like about it too. Like I said, a balance. Dr. Strange isn't unbeatable or superhuman (privy to things like blood loss, fatique, stress, etc), but he's hardly a wimp either and something that challenges and/or has the potential to overpower him usually needs an explaination. BKV provided that.

Bendis sometimes has not been as good, because he believes he is above that sort of thing. "I say Drew flies, so BOOM, she flies. I shall then wait a full calender year to explain it. I also say that Count Nefaria has TK and that Carnage drains life exactly like my Ultimate Version, and simply not use them ever again when people call it on a mistake." To be fair, though, Bendis was the last writer to treat the Wrecker as a valid threat, so he has his moments.

True, Bendis DOES have his moments with the Wrecker and DD. However, he does seem to feel he's above it all with the decisions he makes. (Though I will say that I felt he did okay with Strange in this issue. Even if Strange didn't somehow fundamentally change, I could still see him involving himself as part of an operation like this to save someone. Because this way, it wouldn't be a distraction from his otherwise important duties as Sorcerer Supreme.) But he still seems to just...crap up. The Sentry being my biggest complaint, followed by the New New Avengers, then Jessica Drew. Mainly because he doesn't explain how she gained new powers. Gliding doesn't naturally become flying because the powers are stronger now.

Again, it has varied. I've seen him do wonky stuff just via an incantation and finger movement like on NARUTO, and other times he has to meditate & concentrate, especially for big stuff like Astral Projection and so on. He also has magical artifacts on him, such as the Cloak of Levitation and the Eye of Agomotto (which I believe sees through illusions and whatnot). I'll willing to give Bendis a shot after 2 years to get some power levels right, so he better not screw up.

Aside from the time where Strange lost his right to utilize the Vishanti, he had no trouble with Astral projection. He was capable of even injecting himself in people's dreams while under attack in the physical world. Very often would he just sit back in a chair and just project. He didn't require candles or anything. However, the baubles were more or less smaller duties which kept him from using up his magic. Like flying, he can do it, and without any form of meditation, but it uses up his power, and same with transporting (which the Eye CAN do, but we don't see him use it much. He likes to poof people around. Maybe because he has to use incantations for it or something.) Astral projection, and really, the vast majority of his spells seem to just come from him, boosted by his ability to summon Vishanti power. But then, that's all by words, and not by meditation. (And the Eye gives him telepathic abilities I believe, I know one of his baubles does, and to a high degree).


The only times he really had to sit back and meditate was when he was bridging dimensions, time travel, or when projecting himself through dimensions, not just down the street or across the country.

So, like I said, I like Oath's Strange, and truthfully, Bendis hasn't YET messed up Strange (though I fully expect it), so I guess I'll give him a chance first. I just have very little confidence in Bendis' actual ability to write.

 

[Tropico]

Uncanny X-Men # 483:
Bird-like babes are irresistible. Or apparently they are to the X crew. Personally, I hate the fugly old look they brought back for Deathbird. Anyway, since this is February ‘tis the month for knocking boots at Marvel and Vulcan gets some of what Kirk gets all the time, alien poon.

The only important thing that happened in this issue could have been told in half the issue, it’s this kind of pacing (probably) what makes the issues with Vulcan seem kinda boring. Deathbird and Vulcan escape prison, wreak havoc across space and finally reach the planet where D’Ken is in a coma. Deathbird’s magical poon powers (and it probably being Vulcan’s first) convince Vulcan to not kill D’Ken, the man he came all across space to kill, and to actually help reinstate him to his throne. Like a kitty-whipped first timer teen Vulcan finds a way to restore D’Ken’s mind (by reconnecting the neurons that the Sh’iar couldn’t connect) while using his “love” for Deathbird and wanting to kill a non-comatose D’Ken as excuses for reviving the old baddie. We also find out about an obscure Sh’iar law that says that anyone born in the Palace is heir to the throne and D’Ken asks Vulcan to marry Deathbird to solidify his royal status (since he WAS born in the palace).

Overall, it’s not a bad story and the art was VERY good (even with Deatbird’s yucky costume). Unfortunately I feel like I’ve read this kind of setup before and I know it doesn’t bode well for Vulcan. I’m hoping to be proven wrong, though; it would be great if they didn’t go with “the betrayal and jilted lover” routine.

52 Week 40:
Wow! This issue kicked ass even with the minor flaws in it. I loved how Steel showed that he’s a vet in the hero biz and took most of his opponents down pretty easily. I have some complaints about his battle with Everyman, but I’ll just chalk it up to it being a sub-standard armor instead of the sterner stuff he usually uses. I also found E-Man’s death pretty lame. A fall, really? And Beast Boy’s comment?! He’s not THAT callous. My biggest surprise was that Lorena was there and that she was even called Aquagirl, as an Aqua fan I was elated. I guess they’ll have to shut down the other Infinitors so that they won’t die when they reach their “expiration date”.

The “second act” of the comic dealing with Khandaq continues to puzzle me. I don’t know if all that’s happening is due to one of the Marvel family or all of them. I somehow doubt that it’s because of Osiris. There’s no sense in “the gods” punishing them for what he did when Black Adam has done worse and for less. The vagueness of the whole thing has me anxious, and that’s good.

Incredible Hulk #103:
Planet Hulk continues to be a very good story while Marvel continues its Valentine boot knockin’-fest. More alien love between Hulk and Caeira and then Miek and Brood. Hulk and Caiera didn’t just do the nasty but are actually married. Unfortunately we all know what happens to all of Hulk’s mates. We see that the Spike’s drain on the Hulk sometimes turn him back to Banner, this event and the private wedding with Caeira show us that HULK is the one in control and that he’s the one that lets Banner out not viceversa as was customary. There’s still racial tension in the capital and we find out that things might not be as idyllic after the fall of the Emperor as some might have believed. The comic ends with the cliffhanger of Miek and Brood’s “motel” being the Hulk’s shuttle and activating the Illuminati’s exile message.

 

[LouFerignoDemon]

Uncanny X-Men # 483:
Bird-like babes are irresistible. Or apparently they are to the X crew. Personally, I hate the fugly old look they brought back for Deathbird. Anyway, since this is February ‘tis the month for knocking boots at Marvel and Vulcan gets some of what Kirk gets all the time, alien poon.

The only important thing that happened in this issue could have been told in half the issue, it’s this kind of pacing (probably) what makes the issues with Vulcan seem kinda boring. Deathbird and Vulcan escape prison, wreak havoc across space and finally reach the planet where D’Ken is in a coma. Deathbird’s magical poon powers (and it probably being Vulcan’s first) convince Vulcan to not kill D’Ken, the man he came all across space to kill, and to actually help reinstate him to his throne. Like a kitty-whipped first timer teen Vulcan finds a way to restore D’Ken’s mind (by reconnecting the neurons that the Sh’iar couldn’t connect) while using his “love” for Deathbird and wanting to kill a non-comatose D’Ken as excuses for reviving the old baddie. We also find out about an obscure Sh’iar law that says that anyone born in the Palace is heir to the throne and D’Ken asks Vulcan to marry Deathbird to solidify his royal status (since he WAS born in the palace).

I like how Vulcan is dumb as a brick, but can rewire an alien brain. Apparently because he knows how biological energy patterns work, even when he's never seen them before.

I also like how Vulcan is such a pushover.

52 Week 40:
Wow! This issue kicked ass even with the minor flaws in it. I loved how Steel showed that he’s a vet in the hero biz and took most of his opponents down pretty easily.

I like how Steel was fighting with a ruptured appendix/spleen. Either way, one of those two (and septic shock) probably would've killed him if not hindered him into an unfightable stance.

Incredible Hulk #103:
Planet Hulk continues to be a very good story while Marvel continues its Valentine boot knockin’-fest. More alien love between Hulk and Caeira and then Miek and Brood. Hulk and Caiera didn’t just do the nasty but are actually married. Unfortunately we all know what happens to all of Hulk’s mates. We see that the Spike’s drain on the Hulk sometimes turn him back to Banner, this event and the private wedding with Caeira show us that HULK is the one in control and that he’s the one that lets Banner out not viceversa as was customary. There’s still racial tension in the capital and we find out that things might not be as idyllic after the fall of the Emperor as some might have believed. The comic ends with the cliffhanger of Miek and Brood’s “motel” being the Hulk’s shuttle and activating the Illuminati’s exile message.

I like how Hulk seems to get a new alien queen wherever he goes. I ESPECIALLY love how Banner just lets Hulk do all this without so much as a whimper.

 

[BrianWilly]

The “second act” of the comic dealing with Khandaq continues to puzzle me. I don’t know if all that’s happening is due to one of the Marvel family or all of them. I somehow doubt that it’s because of Osiris. There’s no sense in “the gods” punishing them for what he did when Black Adam has done worse and for less. The vagueness of the whole thing has me anxious, and that’s good.

I think we're meant to believe that the Four Horsemen are causing it. If you look at the four panels on that page, you've got disease, war, famine, and death.

 

[Kevin]

I think you missed a spot. There's about half an inch on his ass you haven't kissed yet.

I thought I got it all. O well, Dready, bend Over.

But on the real, Dude, it's not my fault that all the other reviews are either god awful or just too short. You want someone chanting your name? Step up you game. You want me to stop? Yeah, that's really gonna happen. Otherwise, don't waste my time havingt to respond to a pointless comment.

 

[Darthphere]

I thought I got it all. O well, Dready, bend Over.

But on the real, Dude, it's not my fault that all the other reviews are either god awful or just too short. You want someone chanting your name? Step up you game. You want me to stop? Yeah, that's really gonna happen. Otherwise, don't waste my time havingt to respond to a pointless comment.

Good job singling out all the good people who take time out to write reviews.

 

[Kevin]

Good job singling out all the good people who take time out to write reviews.

Would it have been better if I said "god awfully short"? I was gonna say that first, but chose not to.

 

[LouFerignoDemon]

I think we're meant to believe that the Four Horsemen are causing it. If you look at the four panels on that page, you've got disease, war, famine, and death.

I'm going for what's her face causing it.

 

[Colossal Spoons]

Truthfully, if I have an opinion I will still post it, but I'm gonna do my best to ignore any kind of insults. If you dont agree with my opinion fine, I'm not gonna argue with you or anybody else, if you think I'm the dumbest poster in the world, fine, it wont change my opinion. I've wasted to much time argueing with people, so in a sense, that part of me is gone, so yes later *****es. But I will still post my opinions.

And that's what I meant by flying under the radar a few weeks ago. You got all defensive before but you finally get it.

No, seriously...

 

[Colossal Spoons]

New Avengers 27 - PICK OF THE WEEK. I loved this issue. The splash page of the New Avengers really got me excited for the new book....and I do mean sexually excited. 9/10

X-Men Annual - ALMOST PICK OF THE WEEK. This was really fun to read. The Baeubier twins are back and I hope at least Northstar makes his way on a team soon. 9/10

Outsiders 45 - First issue of this title that I've enjoyed in a looong time. Black Lighting is awesome IMO so I loved how this issue focused on him 8/10

Phoenix Warsong 5 - Pretty glad this is over. No cliffhanger sequel-setup ending either. Colossus did something relevant finally by shielding the team with concrete so that was cool. 6/10

Irredeemable Ant-Man 5 - This issue was pretty "meh". We found out some important stuff but the book seemed to lack an entertaining transition between revealing important info. 7/10

New Universal 3 - Besides Justice pwning those gangbanger homies, this issue was "meh-tastic". I need to reread it b/c I was kinda uninterested when I read it so I need to refresh on all that archeology stuff at the end. 6/10

Uncanny X-Men 483 - Pretty good issue. Vulcan was definately acting weird and submissive. I totally see Deathbird betraying him as Tropico mentioned. 8/10


Sargon the Sorcerer and 52 Week 40 coming later