Bought/Thought 1/11/12 - The Crackers Edition

[Dread]

The notion of Bendis leaving the Avengers is literally something I did not imagine happening in less than a decade. It could not happen soon enough.

As always, spoilers ahoy!

DREAD'S BOUGHT/THOUGHT for 1/11/12: Part One of Two

INVINCIBLE #87: Robert Kirkman's seminal superhero franchise at Image Comics continues to chug along, now with regular artist Ryan Ottley back. Co-creator Cory Walker filled in for two issues to give Ottley and the rest of the cast a better shot at shipping this series monthly in 2012, which hadn't happened since 2009. This series started out as a lighter hearted superhero series with moments of extreme violence, and has become a series where long established characters are making difficult and sometimes shocking choices. Allen (the Alien) has decided to release a plague upon Earth to kill the remaining Viltrumites there to eliminate a warrior scourge on the universe - regardless of the fact that the plague would likely kill the human race as well. Allen sees it in a coldly logical "the many outweigh the few" in terms of sacrificing seven billion to save countless trillions in future wars. Invincible, meanwhile, has become infamous for compromises with villains to try to do more than hit things. He has thus teamed up with eco-terrorist Dinosaurus to make bold gestures to improve the Earth globally by performing massive environmental tasks. Invincible is attempting to rehabilitate and exploit a villain with wide ranging plans to "save the world", while keeping said villain from blowing up civilians in the process. Naturally, everyone around Invincible is stunned, and he soon comes to blows with not only Allen, but his own brother. INVINCIBLE has become a book where no status quo is safe and every character has a perfectly reasonable point of view while also running the risk of being wrong or reading a situation wrong. Cliff Rathburn handles inks and new colorist John Rauch continue to strongly compliment the pencils here. While a bit of a mess for anyone jumping in cold, anyone who has been along for the ride either via monthly issues or Image's countless trades, hardcover, and omnibus reprints should be pleased with a superhero comic which is far from predictable.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #677: Ironically, the first issue of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN for the year isn't written by Dan Slott, who has been the series' solo writer (mostly) since November 2010. Instead, Mark Waid fills in for this issue to spearhead a two-part story which concludes in next week's DAREDEVIL #8 next week. Waid has helmed the critically acclaimed relaunch of DAREDEVIL last year, one of Marvel's success stories in terms of quality. In terms of sales, DAREDEVIL sells less than it did in 2009, so Marvel may be using AMAZING SPIDER-MAN to promote a lower selling series; akin to when Christos Gage filled in for two issues last year with an AVENGERS ACADEMY team-up story. Emma Rios, who last drew for SPIDER-ISLAND: CLOAK & DAGGER, handles the art for this issue with Javier Rodriguez on colors, and as expected the artwork is phenomenal. "The Devil And The Details" thus seems to be a loose caper story in which Spider-Man's ally (and friend-with-benefits) Black Cat is arrested for robbing Horizon Labs, but because Peter Parker knows she's innocent, he seeks out Matt Murdock's legal aid - which naturally means a team-up with Daredevil is underway. Highlights include the banter between DD and Spidey and especially the latter's misconception of how "out" Murdock is with his alter-ego alongside one of his supporting cast. The Maguffin of the plot is a data drive which allows for transmitting high-definition holograms over cell phones and wi-fi internet connections; the scientist who crafted it is kidnapped by someone who utilizes it to fool even Daredevil's "radar sense". This would suggest Mysterio, who is a member of the Sinister Six but who has battled Daredevil on rare occasion as well - during Kevin Smith's iconic run. Black Cat's "bad luck" powers are now frequent and consistent, and she naturally intends to complicate matters further. Overall, this is a good start to what will be a short and sweet superhero caper story. Daredevil and Spider-Man always play off each other, and after SHADOWLAND ended in 2010, such a team-up has been long overdue; few writers seem to be as adept at such things as Mark Waid.

BATTLE SCARS #3: This secondary FEAR ITSELF spin off chugs along, and sales figures are getting ugly. It is selling vastly lower than THE FEARLESS and may be far out of the Top 100 by the end. Clearly, retailers didn't buy Marvel's line about this being important, and fans have probably done likewise. The shame of it is that this is a perfectly readable and entertaining action/adventure story introducing a new character to the Marvel Universe. As with a disturbingly increasing slate of Marvel comics, this is a committee comic; Chris Yost is handling the script, but Cullen Bunn and Matt Fraction are sharing credits with the story. Scot Eaton is on pencils with Paul Mounts on colors and Andrew Hennessy on inks, and by this point the creative team may as well be a starting line. Sgt. Marcus Johnson is still being sought after by SHIELD as well as every super-mercenary of note for a reason he has no idea of. To this end his mother was killed by Russian mercs, and SHIELD sought to detain him for "protection". Johnson has escaped SHIELD custody and taken the fight to his enemies, alongside his old Afghanistan veteran buddy, "Cheese" (nickname). Since Taskmaster was the first to go after Johnson besides the Russian grunts, Johnson focuses on him.

To this end, Johnson tracks down one of Taskmaster's safe houses and stakes it out. He ends up stumbling into a fight with Deadpool - as the cover implies - before having a rematch with Taskmaster. He winds up getting the upper hand on Taskie, before getting a hint that he's already in deeper than he wants to be, as the Serpent Society seem to be the next opponents. The action sequences are pretty thrilling, as Eaton gets a lot of things to do here. The story moves very much like a typical Hollywood action flick, only set within the Marvel Universe. Johnson is a lead who is atypical in Marvel - a non-spandex, apparently totally human soldier - but is old hat in terms of Hollywood film leads. It may seem a bit off that Johnson could get the better of a villain who Daken recently lost to, especially since Taskmaster is apparently skillful enough to avoid motion sensors yet storms into a land-mine trap. On the other hand, the fact that Johnson can hold his own against Deadpool goes down fine, as Deadpool's lethality rating has diminished the more he is used as a comedy character.

The rumor, or poorly kept secret, is that Marcus Johnson is related to Nick Fury - probably a long lost son. Taskmaster implies that Johnson's father "can't die" despite the fact that Johnson believed his entire family was dead aside for his mother. This jives with the fact that Nick Fury has used the Infinity Formula to cheat death since WWII, but that he always has an LMD to stand in for him. If the "mysterious evil old guy" who has ordered the hit on Johnson somehow knew Fury had a hidden son somewhere, this would naturally spur a war to get revenge on Fury or hope to lure him out now that he's been underground since SECRET WAR. The appearance of Scorpio, who when last seen was an LMD with the brain patterns of Jake Fury, Nick Fury's kid brother (who was the original Scorpio). Considering that Max Fury is a rogue LMD who used to think he was the "real" Fury who now is working for the Shadow Cabinet, it might be interesting if he showed up at some point too. Given that the films are using the Ultimate version of Fury and 616 still has the "default" version, some see this as a way for Marvel to have the best of both worlds without just making Nick Fury black (as happened to the Punisher once in a horrid story). If this is so, then I don't mind that Marcus Johnson is being introduced slowly in a mini versus just plopping up in the middle of a NEW AVENGERS issue with a load of exposition. Overall, this mini series is entertaining me, but I'm part of a shrinking audience that feels so.

CAPTAIN AMERICA #7: Technically, this is the third issue of CAPTAIN AMERICA within the last three weeks, even if this is January’s issue. Marvel ended the year shipping two issues of Ed Brubaker’s CAPTAIN AMERICA in the same week due to the initial regular artist Steve McNiven running late while incoming secondary regular artist Alan Davis running on schedule. This is part two of “POWERLESS”, whose theme should be obvious. Something – or someone – is causing Steve Rogers to lose his “super soldier” status and revert back to a 98 pound weakling at seemingly critical moments. At first this was limited to very “realistic” nightmares, but in the previous issue, Cap shriveled into a weakling in the midst of a battle against the Serpent Squad alongside Hawkeye. This ties into the STEVE ROGERS: SUPER-SOLDIER mini series that Brubaker wrote which shipped in 2010, where the villain Machinesmith briefly reversed the super soldier serum in Rogers in an attempt to replicate it (which is one of a few well worn Cap storylines). While the prior issue hinted about this being part of Machinesmith’s plan, this issue adds in some additional developments.

The B-plot is that Captain America is trying to prevent a new series of “Mad Bombs” from being used against the populace again. First introduced in CAPTAIN AMERICA #194 in the 1970’s during the Jack Kirby era, they’re bombs that literally zap civilians within range with a beam that makes them riot in a frenzy. They were actually utilized by one of Marvel’s countless “secret evil organizations of rich white people”, in this case “The Elite”, who led a group called the Imperial/Royalist Forces Of America. The last time any of those mooks showed up, it was as canon fodder in Fred Van Lente’s TASKMASTER mini series from 2010. Cap feared a repeat of a massive riot in Harlem the last time the Mad-Bombs were utilized, and his fears become true when another riot begins. For the moment, they appear to be utilized to better allow the Serpent Squad to rob banks and escape, but Cap sees them as pawns and not masterminds in the scheme. Cap is forced to stay behind while his SECRET AVENGERS teammate Beast furiously tests his DNA and does scans of him in training to figure out the cause of his infliction, while Falcon is the first on the scene – where he gets promptly pummeled. Cap and Sharon Carter head into battle at the end of the issue, with Cap’s infliction still in doubt. Meanwhile, Codename Bravo – the long lost super soldier from the previous arc – deliberately picks a fight at the Raft to be put into solitary.

The artwork is stunning, as any Alan Davis production is. There are some who are probably buying these issues for the artwork alone. Mark Farmer handles the inks, with two colorists in tow. In terms of Brubaker’s story, it has some pro’s and con’s. The pro’s include a wide knowledge and usage of Captain America lore, and utilizing more actual super villains in a plot like the Serpent Squad instead of nameless HYDRA/A.I.M. minions as have been over-used during Brubaker’s run. Naturally, the dialogue between characters is always good, and it is good to see Beast have a guest appearance. The negatives remain Brubaker seeming to insist on playing with some well worn Captain America storyline tropes. Falcon getting beaten up when he goes solo? Check. Storyline where Cap loses faith in America? Check. Storyline involving the super soldier serum? Check. Does anyone want to bet AGAINST Sharon Carter being captured at some point within the next couple of issues? For one of SHIELD’s elite agents, she still suffers from “superhero girlfriend syndrome” and tends to get kidnapped about as often as Lois Lane. The idea that Cap is literally losing his abilities because he is more shaken to the core by modern America now than in some prior decades may be worthy of an eye-roll by some for its heavy handedness. The notion that even as a 98 pound weakling, Cap is helpless also goes against Brubaker’s own story. In one notable sequence in his STEVE ROGERS: SUPER SOLDIER mini series, Rogers is able to utilize his extensive combat history to use martial arts to subdue some super-soldier minions, since martial arts don’t always require being super-buff. If Rogers is able to do that against super-soldiers, why did he just curl into a ball against the Serpent Squad? The Squad are likely better fighters, granted, but it borders on inconsistent.

While Brubaker is able to make his stories work despite the repetition of tropes and details through sheer execution alone, it makes them more predictable and familiar than they should be, and gives the hint that he is going through the motions and his heart is elsewhere – such as his upcoming WINTER SOLDIER series. Of course, Brubaker had the James Barnes Cap face similar tropes; he always got captured (like any “sidekick” character) and he was always battling imitations of himself. By this stage, Brubaker has been on CAPTAIN AMERICA so long that he has become a part of the franchise, and the moment he leaves, expect an exodus of fans to do likewise.

 

[Dread]

DREAD'S BOUGHT/THOUGHT FOR 1/11/12: Part Two of Two

SCARLET SPIDER #1: While 2011 was a rough year for Marvel Comics as a whole - what with a wave of cancellations and layoffs to finish the year off - the company is still devoted to launching some new ongoing series. Weathering the storm of the last few years well has been AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, which has maintained sales at a steady number above 52,000 copies per issue for much of the time since January 2008 when it shifted to a thrice-a-month format (now twice a month). Most weeks, issues of ASM move more copies than that above figure, and until DC's New 52 launch began in September, it was a consistent Top 10-20 seller for the past year or more. 2011 saw the launch of the first spin-off of the title since Dan Slott became the sole writer in November 2010, which was Rick Remender's VENOM. While hardly lighting the sales charts aflame, it is selling better after eleven issues than AVENGERS ACADEMY did, and that title will likely make it three years. Thus, Marvel and senior Spidey editor Steven Wacker were emboldened to try another spin-off. Much like with VENOM, they are dipping into a well of a franchise that was last in its prime in the 90's - the SCARLET SPIDER.

This series launches right from the conclusion of SPIDER-ISLAND back in October, and was promoted in the massive promotional one-shot POINT ONE #1 in November. Chris Yost is the writer, and while he's now best known as the producer/story editor for DISNEY XD's "AVENGERS: EARTH'S MIGHTIEST HEROES" cartoon, he also co-wrote X-FORCE, NEW X-MEN and X-23 as well as did some solo Marvel Comics projects in years past (like RUNAWAYS/YOUNG AVENGERS: SECRET INVASION). Having made his bread and butter writing for Marvel's various animated DVD films and TV shows for a decade, Yost is returning to monthly comic writing on this title (as well as co-writing some mini series here and there, like BATTLE SCARS). Ryan Stegman is the penciler, and he was last seen on INCREDIBLE HERCULES, alongside Marte Garcia on colors and Michael Babinski on inks. While this is another of Marvel's debut issues priced at $3.99, which is more expensive than subsequent issues, it does offer 28 story pages and a four page "saga" back up which rattles off some Scarlet Spider history. The original Scarlet Spider was Ben Reilly, the clone of Spider-Man who was originally created in the 1970's but was brought back in a massively convoluted storyline in the mid-1990's. Reilly ultimately donned the mantle of Spider-Man outright for a time during a point when Peter Parker believed he was a clone and went to retire with MJ (a prior attempt to make Spidey a bachelor from Spidey's editorial board), but was killed off by Norman Osborn to wrap the mess up. Once considered swear words at Marvel, Ben Reilly has suddenly amassed a small but local subset of fans who have pined for his return for years now. Rather than do an even messier resurrection, Dan Slott decided to dust off another Spider-clone character, Kaine, during his AMAZING SPIDER-MAN run and had him play a major role in SPIDER-ISLAND. With all that behind him, this is essentially Kaine's story.

A complicated and convoluted character, Yost is wise enough to offer all of the key exposition about his past in a three page sequence (with one double page sequence), without bogging the reader down in a lot of the contradictory details. All one needs to know is that Kaine was a clone of Spider-Man created by one of his enemies who had been genetically flawed, crazy, and violent. Now the clone has been "cured" and is trying to decide what to make of his new lease on life. While he has powers similar to Spider-Man, Yost has decided that Kaine's DNA being "cured" has resulted in a mixture of things; Kaine has stronger "grip" powers and organic web-shooters and all of the traditional Spidey strength, but no "Spider-sense" to warn him of danger. Kaine used to have psychic premonitions as an enhanced "Spider-sense", and the loss of it has perhaps made him more paranoid. Kaine is eager to simply flee New York and the forces he feels are chasing him, while figuring out what to do. Originally attempting to head to Mexico, Kaine has wound up in Texas and stumbles upon a criminal scheme. While Kaine seeks to escape the shadow of Parker, he seems unable to avoid the temptations to utilize his powers for good. Kaine is a darker and more violent character (and has a terrible manner with cops or hapless pedestrians), although he is trying to avoid killing criminals now. A new pyro-kinetic villain is introduced at the end, and naturally things seem established for Kaine to become the Houston-based Spider-Man.

Stegman's artwork may remind some of Stefano Caselli, who has drawn mostly on AMAZING SPIDER-MAN lately, but he always provides fluid lines and solid action sequences. While Kaine is a dark character, the tone of the series isn't so and Stegman goes to down on some of the Houston landscapes and daylight scenes. One could argue that Kaine is being a bit reckless here, as his fingerprints being identical to Parker's got the latter in trouble with law enforcement once already, there are some hints of some cute power ideas here - Kaine's enhanced "wall crawling" abilities alow him to rip faces with his fingertips or give himself a shave and a haircut without needing two bits. With the "real" Spider-Man now a hotshot Avenger and lab technician in his alter ego, there could be a place for a clone version which is still struggling for identity and experience. While Yost has come very close to simply making Kaine into Reilly in all but name, it is difficult to argue that a resurrection would have been easier to swallow than making over a character that wasn't dead. It would be fun if Kaine ran into the OTHER clone character wearing an "Iron Spidey" costume and going by Scarlet Spider from FEAR ITSELF: YOUTH IN REVOLT, as well as X-23 and calling themselves "The Clone Rangers". On the other hand, it looks like Yost is going to tell a straightforward "superhero redemption" story and create his own cast around the unique setting of Houston, Texas with SCARLET SPIDER being the title so Marvel won't lose a trademark, which is still fine so long as it is executed well.

This is the newest launch of 2012 for Marvel and while it may not be the greatest comic ever made, it executes its craft near flawlessly. The lead is interesting enough that those who give this a chance will likely give the subsequent issue a go as well - thus, an effective debut.

X-MEN LEGACY #260.1: Marvel's "Point One Initiative" chugs on for another year, and this time X-MEN LEGACY gets one. Formerly just X-MEN and even NEW X-MEN, this is one of Marvel's few ongoing series with a triple digit number which has not been relaunched or re-numbered since it began in the early 90's; only the title has changed. Mike Carey was the solo writer on this book for years, but he is calling it a run and Christos Gage - best known to me for AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE and AVENGERS ACADEMY - is taking the steering wheel from him. Joining him on art is David Baldeon, who is best known for YOUNG ALLIES, GIANT-SIZED AVENGERS ACADEMY, and the NOMAD back-up strips formerly in CAPTAIN AMERICA (alongside inker Jordi Tarragona and colorist Sonia Oback). There is a large REGENESIS banner on the cover and this is a title that is clearly on a side in the Cyclops/Wolverine split of the X-Men. In practice, however, Gage is writing an eclectic cast of random X-Men characters as best he can in adventures, which is something that some X-Men titles have seen too little of in past years. Rogue was Carey's central character and she remains the star here, which likely maintains consistency for long term readers. The rest of the squad here hail from several era's of X-Men lore. Iceman represents the founders, with Cannonball, Rachel Grey and Frenzy representing the 80's, with Husk representing the 90's era GENERATION X. In this issue, Rogue and the rest of the team focus on stopping an invasion by N'Gari demons while keeping the rest of the mutant students at Wolverine's new JEAN GREY SCHOOL FOR HIGHER LEARNING ignorant of it and immune from combat. The N'Gari demons make fine threats as Gage simply needs some enemy from the past to have his characters punch for twenty pages; the real meat is the interaction among his characters and the objective of the series. Because most of the mutant students are veterans of some of the recent "wars" the X-Men have had in the past, most of them don't buy claims that there's nothing going on - but the aim of trying to keep them safe from that mess from now on is interesting. Rogue now has complete control of her powers, able to absorb multiple powers from allies without losing herself or apparently harming them by stealing their life-force. Cannonball and Husk are having issues dealing with the death of their brother (Icarus) from a previous incident, while Gambit and Frenzy are both pining for other people while being drawn to each other. This last bit showcases Gage's long memory of continuity, as Gambit and Frenzy were originally linked together in GAMBIT #20, circa 2000, by writer Fabian Nicieza. All of the characters get some sort of moment, aside for Rachel and Iceman who seem to be there to provide a particular power set and functional dialogue, at least for the moment.

This is a stronger debut on an X-Men property than Gage's first issue of ASTONISHING X-MEN was, complimented by superior artwork and possibility of a long term objective. For those looking for a lower tier X-Men title featuring some obscure or faded characters - as Gambit isn't nearly as high profile as he used to be - this may be the series for you. Incidentally, this is probably the first ongoing X-Men series I will stick around for since UNCANNY X-MEN: FIRST CLASS wrapped.

 

[chamber-music]

Anyway, did anyone else think Nick Fury might be Marcus Johnson's dad after this week's Battle Scars? I could see the higher-ups at Marvel turning him into Marcus Fury and then have him lose an eye, shave his head, and take over SHIELD, thus aligning the comics with the movies' black Fury schtick just in time for Avengers. It's crass, yes... which is the main reason I suspect it may just be the Marvel bigwigs' plan.

The amount of women Nick Fury and most superheroes hooks up with I wouldn't be shocked to see alot more illegitimate kids running around. Wolverine has Daken and the ones he killed, Xaviers got Legion, Magneto's got Polaris and Colossus has got that kid runnning around the savage land.

 

[JewishHobbit]

Once considered swear words at Marvel, Ben Reilly has suddenly amassed a small but local subset of fans who have pined for his return for years now. Rather than do an even messier resurrection Dan Slott decided to dust off another Spider-clone character, Kaine, during his AMAZING SPIDER-MAN run and had him play a major role in SPIDER-ISLAND. With all that behind him, this is essentially Kaine's story.

You kill me.

More than three arcs to get Kaine even at a starting point for this could have been done easier and with less confusion than resurrecting Reilly? 3 pages of explaining how he was switched by Norman and what he's been up to and Reilly would have been ready to go. Make it one whole issue if the writer wants to go into depth. One issue versus, what, 10 or 11 for Kaine? And we're still not quite there with him yet.

Ben was switched... done, it even fits with the plot of Revelations, then come up with what he's been up to since then. Kaine returned, fought, died, came back to life as Tarantula, is no longer Tarantula, was sick, now cured, has new powers, developed a sense of humor and brotherhood with Peter apparently, and is now on the road to "find himself" and deal with his rage... Yet, that'd be the easier, less convoluted version?

Ben wasn't sick to begin with, already had a slighty different power set (with the stingers and impact webbing), already had the sense of humor and the brotherhood with Peter, and already went on the road to find himself and got over his rage. That was already set for Ben, he just needed to return.

Why you cling to the imaginary sequence of Ben's return being difficult and convoluted is beyond me. It'd be easier and less convoluted than just about any other resurrection of the past 20 years.

Gambit and Frenzy are both pining for other people while being drawn to each other. This last bit showcases Gage's long memory of continuity, as Gambit and Frenzy were originally linked together in GAMBIT #20, circa 2000, by writer Fabian Nicieza.

Wow, I totally don't remember that in the slightest.

Incidentally, this is probably the first ongoing X-Men series I will stick around for since UNCANNY X-MEN: FIRST CLASS wrapped.

If you liked this issue then you'd probably like Wolverine & the X-Men. Same feel, better humor, on par or better written, a lot of the same characters. Honestly, based on this one issue it's about the 3rd best X-title out now and I expect Liu's Astonishing to be better as well but we'll see.

X-Men are finally on an upward swing. Uncanny's military approach is still a dull spot but the most recent issue was really good, though that could have been because of the fact that it didn't focus on the team but a random Phalanx.

 

[runawayboulder]

While Brubaker is able to make his stories work despite the repetition of tropes and details through sheer execution alone, it makes them more predictable and familiar than they should be, and gives the hint that he is going through the motions and his heart is elsewhere – such as his upcoming WINTER SOLDIER series. Of course, Brubaker had the James Barnes Cap face similar tropes; he always got captured (like any “sidekick” character) and he was always battling imitations of himself. By this stage, Brubaker has been on CAPTAIN AMERICA so long that he has become a part of the franchise, and the moment he leaves, expect an exodus of fans to do likewise.

I hope that's not true. I'm looking forward to the post Brubaker era on Cap. The next writer will hopefully take Cap into a different direction. Throughout the years I've been reading him he's been handled in different ways such as an adventurer, a street level crime fighter and an American freedom fighter, battling domestic terrorists.

There was a point when a lot of Captain America readers already left the book. If I had to put my finger on it, I'd say somewhere during Reborn. When Cap's solo series started back up (even with Bucky in the uniform and Steve playing a supporting role), sales were back to where they were when the book launched, about 50K. At the height of the Cap's Dead Saga they were 80-85K.

You kill me.

More than three arcs to get Kaine even at a starting point for this could have been done easier and with less confusion than resurrecting Reilly? 3 pages of explaining how he was switched by Norman and what he's been up to and Reilly would have been ready to go. Make it one whole issue if the writer wants to go into depth. One issue versus, what, 10 or 11 for Kaine? And we're still not quite there with him yet.

Ben was switched... done, it even fits with the plot of Revelations, then come up with what he's been up to since then. Kaine returned, fought, died, came back to life as Tarantula, is no longer Tarantula, was sick, now cured, has new powers, developed a sense of humor and brotherhood with Peter apparently, and is now on the road to "find himself" and deal with his rage... Yet, that'd be the easier, less convoluted version?

There is no way on God's green earth that a 3 page explanation for Ben Reilly's return would cut it. That's insane to believe that. Something like that would take no less than a 4 issue arc on ASM or it's own 4 issue mini. And trust me, that's not an arc I'm dying to see.

I do agree that Ben's return is doable. There was a significant gap of time between Peter and Ben's fight with Gaunt in the junkyard and Spider-Man #75 when Norman showed Peter the beaten and battered body of Ben Reilly. There's no telling what Norman could have done in a few short hours. The guy can keep a secret you know. He banged Gwen Stacy all those years ago and never once said a word......

 

[JewishHobbit]

There is no way on God's green earth that a 3 page explanation for Ben Reilly's return would cut it. That's insane to believe that. Something like that would take no less than a 4 issue arc on ASM or it's own 4 issue mini. And trust me, that's not an arc I'm dying to see.

I do agree that Ben's return is doable. There was a significant gap of time between Peter and Ben's fight with Gaunt in the junkyard and Spider-Man #75 when Norman showed Peter the beaten and battered body of Ben Reilly. There's no telling what Norman could have done in a few short hours. The guy can keep a secret you know. He banged Gwen Stacy all those years ago and never once said a word......

I don't think it'd need that at all.

Page #1 - Ben is beat and swapped
Page #2 - Ben escapes in the aftermath of the battle and sees his body/grave
Page #3 - Deciding he made a big enough mess of Peter's life he wishes him well (internally) and strikes out on his own.

And that's it, all flashback. If you want more detail then devote the whole issue to him. Don't make too much of what he's been doing ever since, such as maybe having him living the normal life he wished he had back then (that can even be done with a quick mention from Ben), and he's only just now getting pulled back in. Keep it simple and it can be a very easy return. One issue would be best but my point was, that would have been the easy route instead of taking two or three whole arcs plus some to reintroduce and rebuild Kaine into Ben Reilly with an edge.

I don't read X-Men... Iceman is underutilized.

Okay, you didn't really say that but you get the gist. As someone who likes Iceman (if I'm remembering correctly) but refuses to try much in the way of X-Men (save Gage's run now) and since I think you'd actually really like Wolverine & the X-Men, I thought you'd like to read this from a new Jason Aaron interview on Newsarama:

Nrama: There was a lot of interesting character stuff in the first three issues, especially with Iceman. It seems that other characters have been telling him for years that he isn't living up to his full potential, power-wise — I remember being a kid and reading Uncanny X-Men #314 back in 1994, where Emma Frost takes control of his body — and you really dealt with that issue head-on in #2. Will we continue to see him heading down that path?

Aaron: Yes, most definitely. That was not a one-shot thing. I'm a big Iceman fan, and I felt the same way, where we've seen fits and starts throughout his life, where he seems to sort of tease that he has this great potential, and that his power is limitless, and he's an omega-level mutant, but it's not always been followed up on. I just wanted to firmly establish him as one of the premier X-Men over the course of this, and that'll be a goal going forward. You can't do that in just one scene. I had a lot of fun with that scene, but that's just the beginning. I'll continue to try and develop Iceman — not just in terms of his powers, but obviously we teased in that issue that there might be a little bit of a love interest going on between he and Kitty, so that's something that will continue to be explored. A lot of big plans for Iceman coming up this year.

 

[runawayboulder]

I don't think it'd need that at all.

Page #1 - Ben is beat and swapped
Page #2 - Ben escapes in the aftermath of the battle and sees his body/grave
Page #3 - Deciding he made a big enough mess of Peter's life he wishes him well (internally) and strikes out on his own.

And that's it, all flashback. If you want more detail then devote the whole issue to him. Don't make too much of what he's been doing ever since, such as maybe having him living the normal life he wished he had back then (that can even be done with a quick mention from Ben), and he's only just now getting pulled back in. Keep it simple and it can be a very easy return. One issue would be best but my point was, that would have been the easy route instead of taking two or three whole arcs plus some to reintroduce and rebuild Kaine into Ben Reilly with an edge.

That won't fly in this day and age where Marvel has to make an event out of everything.

 

[Dread]

The amount of women Nick Fury and most superheroes hooks up with I wouldn't be shocked to see alot more illegitimate kids running around. Wolverine has Daken and the ones he killed, Xaviers got Legion, Magneto's got Polaris and Colossus has got that kid runnning around the savage land.

I am amazed we don't have legions of demigods running around due to Hercules' romances.

More than three arcs to get Kaine even at a starting point for this could have been done easier and with less confusion than resurrecting Reilly? 3 pages of explaining how he was switched by Norman and what he's been up to and Reilly would have been ready to go. Make it one whole issue if the writer wants to go into depth. One issue versus, what, 10 or 11 for Kaine? And we're still not quite there with him yet.

Ben was switched... done, it even fits with the plot of Revelations, then come up with what he's been up to since then. Kaine returned, fought, died, came back to life as Tarantula, is no longer Tarantula, was sick, now cured, has new powers, developed a sense of humor and brotherhood with Peter apparently, and is now on the road to "find himself" and deal with his rage... Yet, that'd be the easier, less convoluted version?

Ben wasn't sick to begin with, already had a slighty different power set (with the stingers and impact webbing), already had the sense of humor and the brotherhood with Peter, and already went on the road to find himself and got over his rage. That was already set for Ben, he just needed to return.

Why you cling to the imaginary sequence of Ben's return being difficult and convoluted is beyond me. It'd be easier and less convoluted than just about any other resurrection of the past 20 years.

I happen to think that re-introducing an existing character and reworking their motivation is easier than explaining away a death sequence, yes. Resurrections have always been clunky. Norman Osborn's in REVELATIONS is ungodly clunky and even to this day I have some issues swallowing it - especially as Osborn is now pretty much Marvel's Lex Luthor. While Marvel has sometimes not been shy about hinging a modern story around an obscure detail from a past one, hinging an entire arc and new title around a retcon of a detail from a story from December 1996. Especially since from about 1997 until roughly 2008, Marvel as a company tried to pretend the Clone Saga never happened, removing any hint of it beyond as an inside joke with fans regardless of circumstance or character details.

For disclosure, I never really cared about Ben Reilly. I never cared about Kaine, either. That's probably why I haven't gotten bent that the plan is essentially to make Kaine very much like Reilly. Clone characters usually suck in general, and the less of them, the better to me. I'd rather have Kaine and Reilly merged than have both of them running around in addition to Spider-Man, Spider-Woman, Arachne, Spider-Girl, and that MVP-Clone Scarlet Spider. I do think, having read SCARLET SPIDER #1 and liked it, that one MAJOR character motivation advantage that Kaine has over Reilly is Kaine is after redemption. He was a nasty, crazed villain who killed people for a good long time. Even in this debut issue as he fights criminals and saves old ladies, Kaine still acts like an antagonist - he yells at the aforementioned old lady for needing saving, and lifts cops by the head off their feet. Ben Reilly, if back, has nothing to be redeemed for. He didn't do anything wrong. He liked fighting a little more than Peter but didn't have "rage issues" like Kaine does. The most he'd have to recover from is the loss of time between 1996 and 2012 in terms of continuity - which in "Marvel time" is likely barely 3 years. Sure, the fact that the New Warriors aren't around a few of them are dead or crazed might be stunning for him, but I am not sure that's enough to hinge a series around. Sure, Ben liked fighting more, but it wasn't full blown psycho killer stuff like Kaine has to bury.

Now, I know a redemption arc isn't something that can go on forever. Eventually Kaine will reform himself and be a typical superhero or anti-hero. But for the short term it may be more interesting. Even if some of Kaine's heavy handed narration can get Frank Miller-esque. "I used to be a bad nasty man. I know what it means to kill and to die. Grim, dark, grrl." Seriously, just date Elektra who also narrates that all the time and get over it.

I DO think Peter being as jokey and chummy with Kaine when he was "cured" was off. Cured or not, Kaine was usually an enemy and not the same as his "brother". But that was on Dan Slott, not Chris Yost. I also like that Ryan Stegman seems to get that Kaine is supposed to be taller/larger than Parker, even as a clone of him; Humberto Ramos made them identical in height. I will say Kaine is being sloppy about not wearing gloves since having the same fingerprints as Peter got Pete arrested once before, but maybe we'll see that come up or be explained away in another issue.

I was skeptical about this as a concept when it was announced, but the debut issue impressed me more than I expected to be. I do think it's a bit of a "anti-hero redemption" with new villains and supporting cast being created latched to an old franchise via editorial fiat. But this first issue executed it well enough that I'm sticking around.

Wow, I totally don't remember that in the slightest.

Now, I think it was a retcon when FabNic hooked up Frenzy and Gambit in the past in GAMBIT #20, circa 2000. However, it still means that Gage is merely utilizing a shared character detail that another writer established 11-12 years earlier. Gage often does his homework.

If you liked this issue then you'd probably like Wolverine & the X-Men. Same feel, better humor, on par or better written, a lot of the same characters. Honestly, based on this one issue it's about the 3rd best X-title out now and I expect Liu's Astonishing to be better as well but we'll see.

X-Men are finally on an upward swing. Uncanny's military approach is still a dull spot but the most recent issue was really good, though that could have been because of the fact that it didn't focus on the team but a random Phalanx.

Ah, but I hate Chris Bachelo's artwork. I also find the idea that the one X-Man who decides that violence is bad and it's time to make a school again and become headmaster is Wolverine is a bit of hogwash in terms of character. The only reason it's Wolverine is because STORM & THE X-MEN or another likely headmaster wouldn't sell. It smacks of something which makes sense from a marketing standpoint but not a character one. Wolverine used to mock having kids train in the Danger Room because it was "just a game" and preferred real life training. He's a guy who got Kitty kidnapped by ninja on his watch. He's left his adopted daughter Amiko in the hands of a booty call sneak thief since forever. Jason Aaron used the "how terrible it is for an immortal warrior to kill his own kids" earlier in IMMORTAL WEAPONS #1 with Fat Cobra.

I still have some goodwill for Aaron for GHOST RIDER, but I'm not sold on the editorial push, or Bachelo's art.

I hope that's not true. I'm looking forward to the post Brubaker era on Cap. The next writer will hopefully take Cap into a different direction. Throughout the years I've been reading him he's been handled in different ways such as an adventurer, a street level crime fighter and an American freedom fighter, battling domestic terrorists.

There was a point when a lot of Captain America readers already left the book. If I had to put my finger on it, I'd say somewhere during Reborn. When Cap's solo series started back up (even with Bucky in the uniform and Steve playing a supporting role), sales were back to where they were when the book launched, about 50K. At the height of the Cap's Dead Saga they were 80-85K.

You do have a point that a slew of readers left after Rogers came back. CAPTAIN AMERICA was actually selling better with Barnes as the lead for quite a while. Hence why I thought reviving Steve was a bad idea, and hence why it needed a relaunch not long after. However, it will be interesting to see how WINTER SOLDIER will sell. I originally didn't think Barnes would sell without being Captain America, but right now I am more optimistic.

Still, Brubaker was the guy who got me to read CAPTAIN AMERICA. I don't know who could replace him that I'd stick around for.

There is no way on God's green earth that a 3 page explanation for Ben Reilly's return would cut it. That's insane to believe that. Something like that would take no less than a 4 issue arc on ASM or it's own 4 issue mini. And trust me, that's not an arc I'm dying to see.

I do agree that Ben's return is doable. There was a significant gap of time between Peter and Ben's fight with Gaunt in the junkyard and Spider-Man #75 when Norman showed Peter the beaten and battered body of Ben Reilly. There's no telling what Norman could have done in a few short hours. The guy can keep a secret you know. He banged Gwen Stacy all those years ago and never once said a word......

I also agree that believing a 3 page explanation to revive Ben Reilly wouldn't fly in 2012. That maybe would have worked in the 1970's when Steve Gerber was still on DEFENDERS, but not now.

The letter's page suggests that Steve Wacker has long had a desire to bring Kaine back so this is part of an editorial urge, while tacking on a franchise which has had some retailer buzz for a while. From how the first issue went, I do think Yost has something with Kaine in that Kaine has more to redeem himself for.

Okay, you didn't really say that but you get the gist. As someone who likes Iceman (if I'm remembering correctly) but refuses to try much in the way of X-Men (save Gage's run now) and since I think you'd actually really like Wolverine & the X-Men, I thought you'd like to read this from a new Jason Aaron interview on Newsarama:

Sounds like exactly what happened in the "WOLVERINE & THE X-MEN" cartoon on NickToons, where Iceman dated Kitty. Which sounds awesome until you remember that "W&TXM" was canceled in 2010. Thus, it's synergy that is about a year behind the times. That's like DC comics waiting ten years after "BATMAN BEYOND" was canceled and 7 years after "STATIC SHOCK" was canned to produce DC comics about both. OH, wait...

All we need for the comic and cartoon to match is if Professor X mentors Logan and treats him like the ideal X-Man and son he always wanted.

What's the age gap between Iceman and Kitty? Kitty was about 18 years old again when Claremont got back onto the X-Books in the late 90's and I don't even know if she's 21 now. Iceman was 14 in 1863 and by Marvel's fuzzy math should be about 25-27 or so now.

I do love how nearly every major X-Men romantic subplot from the 80's refuses to die and go away...except Kitty and Colossus. That's a subplot which has never been translated into another medium (and I'll call it now; it NEVER will) and which has been negated in the comics, too. Yet we still have hints of the Gambit/Rogue/Magneto triangle from the friggin' 90's in X-MEN LEGACY. We still have Psylocke and Angel at the hip. Scott's only with Frost still because Jean's stayed dead for an amazingly long time. So now we're getting a translation of a romantic coupling from a cartoon that's been canceled and Colossus is pretty much Cosplay Juggernaut now.

When "X-MEN EVOLUTION" was on, I was a Rogue/Cyclops shipper. When are my needs going to be met?

 

[JewishHobbit]

Now, I think it was a retcon when FabNic hooked up Frenzy and Gambit in the past in GAMBIT #20, circa 2000. However, it still means that Gage is merely utilizing a shared character detail that another writer established 11-12 years earlier. Gage often does his homework.

I'm glad to hear that actually. It's part of the reason I was disappointed was that I thought Gage just kinda threw that in there. Cool beans

Ah, but I hate Chris Bachelo's artwork.

He's rotating with Nick Bradshaw so that's a plus. Also, his art here has been moreso on par with his Generation X days, which was better. Bachelo's very hit or miss for me and so far he's been hit. I didn't know if I'd like Bradshaw's art on the book but issue 4 sold me on it. He's a good fit.

I also find the idea that the one X-Man who decides that violence is bad and it's time to make a school again and become headmaster is Wolverine is a bit of hogwash in terms of character. The only reason it's Wolverine is because STORM & THE X-MEN or another likely headmaster wouldn't sell. It smacks of something which makes sense from a marketing standpoint but not a character one. Wolverine used to mock having kids train in the Danger Room because it was "just a game" and preferred real life training. He's a guy who got Kitty kidnapped by ninja on his watch. He's left his adopted daughter Amiko in the hands of a booty call sneak thief since forever. Jason Aaron used the "how terrible it is for an immortal warrior to kill his own kids" earlier in IMMORTAL WEAPONS #1 with Fat Cobra.

While I agree it's a marketing deal, it's turned out to be a very good story. And while Fat Cobra killed his kids in a oneshot, nothing came of it. With Wolverine, who's always had a soft spot for kids, it made perfect sense that it'd effect him and his finding a way to now protect kids under his supervision makes perfect narrative sense. He killed his kids without knowing it and then he saw Cyclops using 14 year-old Idie as a weapon to kill other people and suddenly he just knew something had to change.

I mean, you can criticize based on the history of the character but on panel it's actually very well done. And it isn't that Logan is saying violence is bad, it's that he's saying the kids shouldn't be the ones doing it.

Sounds like exactly what happened in the "WOLVERINE & THE X-MEN" cartoon on NickToons, where Iceman dated Kitty. Which sounds awesome until you remember that "W&TXM" was canceled in 2010. Thus, it's synergy that is about a year behind the times. That's like DC comics waiting ten years after "BATMAN BEYOND" was canceled and 7 years after "STATIC SHOCK" was canned to produce DC comics about both. OH, wait...

All we need for the comic and cartoon to match is if Professor X mentors Logan and treats him like the ideal X-Man and son he always wanted.

I've never seen the cartoon so I don't know any of that. All I know is we're getting some of the best X-Men, potentially Marvel, stories out of this book and Uncanny X-Force and you're passing on it due to editorial issues and a rotating artist You're robbing yourself.

You know when you were against Spider-Man and then Slott came on full time and you reluctantly tried it and ended up loving it and calling yourself a fan again? This is one of those situations... it's just up to you if you want to give it a shot or not.

What's the age gap between Iceman and Kitty? Kitty was about 18 years old again when Claremont got back onto the X-Books in the late 90's and I don't even know if she's 21 now. Iceman was 14 in 1863 and by Marvel's fuzzy math should be about 25-27 or so now.

Honestly, 21 & 25-27 or so isn't so bad. I have several friends with that age difference doing just fine

Personally, I'm eager to see what ol' Juggy-Colossus has to say about it down the road

I do love how nearly every major X-Men romantic subplot from the 80's refuses to die and go away...except Kitty and Colossus. That's a subplot which has never been translated into another medium (and I'll call it now; it NEVER will) and which has been negated in the comics, too. Yet we still have hints of the Gambit/Rogue/Magneto triangle from the friggin' 90's in X-MEN LEGACY. We still have Psylocke and Angel at the hip. Scott's only with Frost still because Jean's stayed dead for an amazingly long time. So now we're getting a translation of a romantic coupling from a cartoon that's been canceled and Colossus is pretty much Cosplay Juggernaut now.

When "X-MEN EVOLUTION" was on, I was a Rogue/Cyclops shipper. When are my needs going to be met?

If a relationship goes a decade and barely goes anywhere (Peter/Kitty, Gambit/Rogue) it's time to move on. So I'm all for those splits. I hate when longtime relationships end (Scott/Jean, Peter/MJ) because by that time it's a key part of their characters and to lose that loses a piece of them.

I wouldn't mind Scott and Rogue together though. Really, anyone would be better than Emma.

 

[Colossal Spoons]

Did Morning Glories #15 actually come out last week?

 

[Dread]

I'm glad to hear that actually. It's part of the reason I was disappointed was that I thought Gage just kinda threw that in there. Cool beans

Yeah, Gage was just running with what FabNic has set up. Like I said, he often does his homework.

He's rotating with Nick Bradshaw so that's a plus. Also, his art here has been moreso on par with his Generation X days, which was better. Bachelo's very hit or miss for me and so far he's been hit. I didn't know if I'd like Bradshaw's art on the book but issue 4 sold me on it. He's a good fit.

Eh, still not sold on Bachelo. He's got the gift of making a straight-forward action scene look incomprehensible. And he makes people look like mounds of clay with arms a lot. My time for him expired years ago.

While I agree it's a marketing deal, it's turned out to be a very good story. And while Fat Cobra killed his kids in a oneshot, nothing came of it. With Wolverine, who's always had a soft spot for kids, it made perfect sense that it'd effect him and his finding a way to now protect kids under his supervision makes perfect narrative sense. He killed his kids without knowing it and then he saw Cyclops using 14 year-old Idie as a weapon to kill other people and suddenly he just knew something had to change.

I mean, you can criticize based on the history of the character but on panel it's actually very well done. And it isn't that Logan is saying violence is bad, it's that he's saying the kids shouldn't be the ones doing it.

Cyclops' POV is that the kids have already been in battle, and it's inevitable that they'll have to defend themselves, so you may as well cut out the middle man. Which is a bit extreme, but given all the horror the X-Men have survived, it is difficult to say he's entirely wrong. Alas, this now means he's basically become Magneto, to the point that the actual Magneto is merrily working for him.

How does every female sidekick Wolverine ever had, who he merrily led into battle and/or abandoned at various points in their lives when they needed him feel about his change of heart? I imagine that's like Batman deciding that having a teenage sidekick is morally wrong and stopping cold turkey, which makes Jason Todd and all the others become especially bitter. I imagine Jubilee, who is now a vampire, and Amiko, Logan's often abandoned hostage of a daughter, might see this as extremely convenient.

I still feel Storm would have been a better figure to rally a new school around, given she's the only person who has led the X-Men for the longest length of time besides Cyclops. But, again, Wolverine's more popular.

I've never seen the cartoon so I don't know any of that. All I know is we're getting some of the best X-Men, potentially Marvel, stories out of this book and Uncanny X-Force and you're passing on it due to editorial issues and a rotating artist You're robbing yourself.

You know when you were against Spider-Man and then Slott came on full time and you reluctantly tried it and ended up loving it and calling yourself a fan again? This is one of those situations... it's just up to you if you want to give it a shot or not.

This isn't mentioning that solicits say the series will do a "shrink into a cell and go into somebody's body" gimmick plot, which I hate. We all know the gimmick plots - The Shrinking Episode, the Mind-Swap Episode, the Time Travel To Dinosaur Times episode, etc. No end of animated TV shows have done it (them), and it's always a time wasting bore. I never take it seriously. Which is why it worked in "THE TICK" because that didn't take it seriously. "BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD" (another show that didn't take itself seriously) made a decent go of it with Atom and Aquaman once, but these are exceptions to the rule.

I'm about 5 issues behind, so all I'll say is if I fancy it, I'll wait for the trade.

Honestly, 21 & 25-27 or so isn't so bad. I have several friends with that age difference doing just fine

Personally, I'm eager to see what ol' Juggy-Colossus has to say about it down the road

The same thing Colossus has done for decades; mope, break something, or break something while moping.

It still feels odd to me, Marvel time or not.

If a relationship goes a decade and barely goes anywhere (Peter/Kitty, Gambit/Rogue) it's time to move on. So I'm all for those splits. I hate when longtime relationships end (Scott/Jean, Peter/MJ) because by that time it's a key part of their characters and to lose that loses a piece of them.

I wouldn't mind Scott and Rogue together though. Really, anyone would be better than Emma.

In the same paragraph you say how you're cool with long term relationships being broken up, and then hating it because it rips a character apart. Peter/Kitty hasn't gone anywhere because, frankly, nobody has known how to write Colossus for so long that nobody can imitate what they've never seen. The X-Men are at a point where anyone who is remotely positive or at least not a grim anti-hero has no place. Colossus has basically become the Juggernaut is an admission that nobody knows what to do with his character, so his character's being altered. It's akin to if I couldn't write Spider-Man unless he was a gun toting assassin, so instead of writing Deadpool, I make Parker so with some contrived boo-sheet.

I was kidding about Scott/Rogue. It worked out in the world of "X-MEN EVOLUTION" from 2000-2003 but I don't think it would work at all in the traditional Marvel Universe. I imagine Gage may be eager to explore Rogue being strong by herself for a bit, which is why Gambit and Frenzy are getting hot again.

 

[Phaedrus45]

Resurrection Man #5

One of DC's titles that has almost dropped 50% in sales since the first issue (37,566 copies in the first month, and 20,754 in December); but, still a very interesting read. In the first four issues, we haven't had a whole lot of advancement in the plot; but, thankfully this issue, we get a clue about how Resurrection Man came to be with a somewhat lengthy flashback. Abnett and Lanning do have me hooked enough to not drop this title; and, I find myself enjoying the book more than the past couple years of material they've done at Marvel.

Green Lantern #5

A slightly better issue than what I've read in issues 1-4; as Johns really seems to be very focused on making Sinestro more than just a Green Lantern villian these past couple years. I'm interested if he'll give him a complete transformation into a sort-of anti-hero. What does seem evident is he's much more interested in Sinestro than Hal Jordan. Where as the reader is getting development of character in Sinestro, Hal Jordan is just a 2-dimensional version of his former self, prone to just reacting to his emotions at any given time. In fact, Hal is down right unlikeable now.

This issue does end on a very compelling note, as we get some serious hints about the next big Green Lantern event to come; but, I have a feeling we'll still be waiting a while for it.

Heart #3

Now, this is a very different comic. I had to request my shop owner to scrounge up a first issue for me to read; and, since he did that, he just ordered the final three issues for me, also. If he didn't do that, I would not have requested anything past that first issue.

This tale is about a corporate stooge who wants a bit more excitement in his life; so, he takes up the sport of Championship Fighting. (I can't think of the name of the big leagues that are on television ... something like MAA, and involving boxing, martial arts, and the such.) While we see his rise in the amateur leagues with the first two issues, the newest sees him becoming a pro.

If you are not into mixed martial arts, this might not be a book you'll enjoy. Also, it doesn't help that the main character isn't very likeable. (I'm wondering if the writer means for us to kind of despise him.) I did like how this issue kinds of gives the fighter an extremely humbling experience; and, I am interested now to see how the final issue deals with that next month.

Avengers 1959 #5

I was a fan of the first installment of Avengers 1959 when it appeared in the pages of Bendis' Avengers; but, this is NOT the same group that we met then. Chaykin is still the artist; but, now he's also taken over the writing duties ... and, that makes this book very Chaykin-ish. What does that exactly mean? It means we get a very wordy comic with an old school noirish feel, and quick action sequences that feel as if the action has been sucked out of them. At times, Chaykin's style works; but, it failed miserably with this miniseries.

For those who hated the 1959 Avengers when they first appeared, you can ALMOST rest assured that you'll never see them again after this final issue. (I say "almost," because Marvel has surprised me in the past with the return of franchises I thought was long gone, like when they released Spider-Man 1602 a couple years ago.) This goes down as a top 5 Worst Marvel Mini of 2011, that's for sure.

Pigs #5

Here's the thing I like about Image. While they have a huge problem getting their issues out on a timely basis, at least many of their books are only $2.99; so, I'm more prone to forgive them. For that matter, I'm more willing to stick with titles, like this one, that are only okay.

It isn't that this story is bad. It's just that the writers could easily fit all of the first five issues into two. I like the idea of a cold war sleeper cell being awakened after years of hiding in the U.S.. It just needs to move a little faster with the plot.

The Last Of THe Greats #4

Another okay book that's got a sweet $2.99 price. What brings this title down is that you feel like we've read it all before. We get a super power who wishes to be treated like a god; and, really is pretty darn evil. Within that plot, we get the human who is going to do everything in his power to bring him down, all the while acting as if he's willing to help the bad guy. It's all very much like parts of The Boys, or the very good, cancelled-way-too-soon DC's The Mighty. Those two books just did it better.


Okay, I'll have to finish this later. I keep thinking I can get on here and quicky type out some fast reviews; but, it always takes me so long just to type the little bit above.

 

[Phaedrus45]

Superboy #5

Where I haven't been that thrilled with the Wildstorm characters being integrated with the DC ones, I have been liking how Gen 13 is popping up in this book. So far, it's just Fairchild; but, it's been handled nicely. (And, they work so well with a Superboy storyline.) Lobdell has been doing a fine job with the book, and each issue has been advancing the story nicely. I don't feel like he's just spinning his wheels and dragging it all out, unlike some other DC books. This is another case, though, where you can't just read Superboy. It's closely linked to Teen Titans.

I'm still wondering how much I like this strategy of DC's to link books together, where it feels as if you'll be missing something if you don't buy the sister title. I had dropped Stormwatch; but, since I like Superman, I went out and picked up issues 4 and 5 that I skipped.

Battle Scars #3

Marvel is suffering from "dragging out a storyline" with a few books, mainly the ones involving Shattered Heroes. Fear Itself: The Fearless has been doing it; and, this one is the biggest culprit of the bunch, I think. It feels like the book has one big mystery, namely who the main character is; and, a reader will probably just need the first and last issue to know all they need to know. The rest is just senseless adventure. Thankfully, it's been enjoyable senseless adventure.

The big thrill is how Taskmaster has played a prominent role in the storyline. He's always been a favorite villian of mine, and I'll get any book he's in. (Well, I get all Marvel titles; so, that's kind of ridiculous to say. I guess I should say, "I'll read any title he's in before many other Marvel titles.")

New Avengers #20

A few more clues that are telling the reader that Jessica, Cage's wife, is the mole in the Avengers. I could be wrong; but, she did just fire Squirrel Girl, I think. Either way, I've been loving this title. Too bad Bendis' other Avengers title hasn't been as good, even though the storyline is very similiar.

PunisherMax #21

Damn, I'll miss this book when next issue ends it. Aaron has been fantastic with his storyline; and, it's just amazing when you think how this entire book has been one long story since we got introduced to the Kingpin a few years ago. It's nothing short of amazing. All that time, and we get a fantastic conclusion to Frank and Kingpin's war with each other. (Great battle sequences that Bendis should be extremely jealous of.)

Whispers #1

Luna Bros. no more. Now, we have Joshua Luna breaking off on his own; but, readers won't see much of a difference. It's the same art and storytelling. In this first issue, we're introduced to a main character who suffers from OCD and discovers he might have a strange power that lets him observe people in his life while he's asleep. In fact, he discovers he has some power over the directions they take in their lives.

Good first issue, and worth checking out. Again, Image is only charging $2.99 for one of their books; so, even if you discover it's not your bag, you haven't really shelled out too much dough.

Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye Ongoing #1

I am not a huge Transformers fan; and, I haven't even been buying any of the new issues that IDW has put out. Although, I'm a huge fan of the new TNMNTs book; and, I didn't want to discover an issue too late that I'm missing out on something fantastic, like I did with that book. (Luckily, I picked up a second edition of TNMNTs.) That said, this isn't TNMNTs. Where TNMNT started things over from the beginning, making readers who never read or got into their older stories find them very accessable, Transformers: MTMTE just picks up where their previous storyline left off.

Transformers has always been overly wordy to me. The characters (machines) don't have a lot of personality; and, many times, I can't tell one character from the other. (Bumblebee might be the only one I really could ever name in a line-up.) This is the case with the new book; but, shockingly enough, by the final page, I found myself interested enough in picking up the second issue. The writer leaves things hanging with a nice bit of mystery, as a good number of Autobots decide to leave the others and go in search of another place to live. (They will get lost in space, I believe. Kind of Legion Lost, Transformers style.)