Dread
TMNT 1984-2009
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The problem was that the producers of JL/U did not want the team to only have Wonder Woman as the "token female". It was the start of the 21st century. Most teams of 4-7 members have at least two if not three female members. Women are better represented on superhero teams than in Congress. There was no way Aquaman was getting on in that climate and in that regard, Hawkgirl made some sense. Black Canary and Zatanna dressed like escorts and didn't gell with the rest of the designs for a founding seven. They also wanted to "amp her up" like they did successfully with John Stewart (in a way through her) and with Mr. Freeze over in Batman's show.
Hell, the Justice League in THE BATMAN years later was a total sausage fest and didn't even have Wonder Woman, replacing her with Hawkman. It was very awkward and jarring.
The blame was more on DC for not having another high profile female member of the league who didn't dress like a **** besides Hawkgirl. To be fair, Zatanna and Black Canary did technically have "superhero costumes" in older comics, but all of them were very poorly designed and silly looking. Although I suppose Zatanna's with a few tweaks would have looked little worse than Raven's on TEEN TITANS. But that's in hindsight.
Anyway...reviews!
The last week of the comic selling season for 2009, and people are busy with the holidays and their Top 10 for the year/decade lists. But before all that, we do have some doozies on the stand, especially from Marvel. Let's get it on with the Christmas Eve spoilers!
DREAD'S BOUGHT/THOUGH for 12/23/09:
INVINCIBLE #69: The first issue in a while that wasn't worth a review at Examiner (which I have been writing for since mid-August. But, this still doesn't make it a bad issue. It is common for Kirkman to have a few issues of "breathing room" between major epic stories. He did so as issue 60 was coming up, and is doing so again with issue 70. And to be fair, unlike Powerplex, the Sequids are reoccurring enemies of Invincible, and have been mentioned in subplots for a few issues now. But this issue mostly focuses on a new enemy facing Invincible (and Atom Eve), Universa. The only difference between her and Dinosaurus (the other new villain introduced within the last few issues) is while Dinosaurus did a lot of ranting to reveal who he was and where he came from, most of that explanation for Universa comes in narration panel exposition. It's old school, but can feel like an "info-dump" at times. It can remind one of a line from THE GREAT MUPPET CAPER, "It's exposition; it HAS to go somewhere."
Universa is a standard alien menace out to leech power from the Earth to benefit her own planet's needs. She is aggressive about it as well, knowing her energy needs will drain the Earth anyway, so there really is no peaceful outcome (which Mark soon realizes). The strength of the issue is a bit where Mark goes on a monologue discussing how he hasn't really fought female villains and has an uneasy time hitting them, which Universa uses to her advantage. Atom Eve's powers are still going wonky (due likely to her pregnancy), but she still manages to save the day at the end. This battle happened to take place at a power planet, which aids Eve's business plans to earn money from defending prisons and power plants (frequent scenes of disaster). There's not a whole lot more to say. Ottley's art is as great as ever, and the color work is excellent, especially for Universa's energy beams from her staff. I also have to give Ottley credit every time the Sequids come up; drawing masses of squid aliens cannot be easy or swift. The Sequids have taken over a chunk of a city and defeated the Guardians of the Globe, who frankly must have a 1-8 record for these sort of things without Invincible. They're the Oakland Raiders of superhero teams without him.
Not much else to say. It's hardly a bad issue, but it isn't an epic one either. But that is okay. Series need moments of "day in the life" style stuff now and again to allow a reader, as well as the characters, to catch their breath or go over personal subplots in-between mega events. You need moments of "normalcy" to appreciate moments of upheaval, which is a lesson more of Marvel and DC's writers should, frankly, heed. It doesn't sell 15 variant covers with decoder rings, but it does build story integrity.
There is some unintentional hilarity for the cover of issue #69 depicting two girls and one guy with the object of the image being a large phyallic weapon, at least for me. But I'm weird.
AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE #31: As this title starts to reach the 3rd year marker, sales are dwindling but Christos Gage has really taken off since he began writing solo. As good a book as it was with Dan Slott either solo or co-writing, it has become a grade better under Gage's pen. Few titles can have a cast of some dozen or so characters and juggle them so well over 22 page issues. Nearly every character is spotlighted eventually, from B to F listers and they usually are done justice for as much script time they have, whether 10 pages or 2 panels. Especially for the past 6 or so issues, this title has been super-consistent, in a good way. While prior issues tackled Penance, Trauma, and even Prodigy and Johnny Guitar as stars, this one goes with a steady cast member since the SECRET INVASION era, Taskmaster.
As per the CABAL one shot tie-in, Osborn has chosen to promote Taskmaster to the "big table" after being betrayed by Frost & Namor and finding he cannot really trust Loki or Doom. This issue builds up to that scene that Bendis wrote, where to be honest I seem to have missed that Doom zapped Taskmaster, since there was a lot else going on. So this issue we have Taskmaster trying to shore up the Initiative base for Osborn's final inspection, and chatting with another long term B-List grunt, Constrictor, about risking a fall vs. taking the chance. Considering Constrictor, who has been a villain, a merc-for-hire and even an occasional hero, is now dating Diamondback, who is revealed as the Avengers Resistance mole (which makes sense for her, considering she is an ex of Capt. America). It works well to make both of them sympathetic. The Hood in a way vocalizes some of readers' dismissals of Taskmaster; that he merely copies skills from others, and always bails on a rough fight. Taskmaster himself has a good counter to that in his chat with Constrictor, noting how megalomania often leads to defeat. His "made emperor of Newark" line criticizing some of his bosses especially killed me.
Still, it is important for Taskmaster to actually beat opponents now and then. I tried to think of the opponents Taskmaster has beaten this decade, and the going was rough. He threw Iron Man around in his own mini years ago with UDON, but that was a draw at best. Since then he lost, decisively, to Deadpool and Moon Knight (even begged for mercy with the latter). He did take down Stature and "Skrullojacket", but I don't think that especially counts; EVERY hero got to beat at least one super-Skrull during SECRET INVASION. Even Gravity outright killed a few. The point is Taskmaster kind of does need some wins now and again, and I don't expect them from Bendis. It'll be up to Gage to continue with that angle of Taskmaster's redemption. Too few writers really get that about characters; the reason Wolverine is who he is is because he's BEATEN PEOPLE. Name me one worthy opponent that Iron Fist has beaten in the last few years. None. Random HYDRA fodder or an occasional dragon don't count. Now if he'd gotten to beat Sabretooth before he croaked, that might have mattered. Taskmaster has that dilemma to a larger degree because he is very similar to DC's Deathstroke, and Deathstroke could practically beat the Anti-Moniter with a pool cue. Future solicits claim that Taskmaster is set to face Capt. America, which is a problem since Taskmaster really shouldn't beat Capt. America. He needs to fight some B and C list heroes now and then to build some wins. What, Daredevil is too busy? He won Namor's respect in a fight, after all.
Still, in terms of characterization, Gage is on a role. Donyell still seems to have his own subplot, Tigra reaffirms her "getting her grooze back" mantra after Bendis all but made her a rape victim, and Justice and Ultra-Girl get back together again. My only quibble is they were barely apart for 5 issues, which made me question the point rather than needing SOME subplot for them. But even on that level, it worked and was fine; they are both barely 20 after all. It is a shame that the "Slapstick gone psycho" subplot has been quietly dropped, considering Gauntlet is serving alongside him now, and Gage helped co-write it. A worthy issue could easily be had with Slappy and Gauntlet hashing stuff out. But these are really just nitpick style concerns, like complaining that a great present had a bow that wasn't tied right. On the whole it is a solid Avengers book, at times even better than MIGHTY AVENGERS. And heck, Gage has written for that, too.
If you're a fan like me who enjoys all sorts of B, C, and D list characters and wants to see them not only used, but used WELL (not just showing up to die like in a Bendis or Millar comic), then this has been your book for a while, and it's only gotten better in 2009. Rafa Sandoval returns to art, I guess he was busy on ULTIMATE SECRET for a bit, and his pencils are as solid as ever. I can't wait for things to heat up with the SIEGE tie-in's, and the word that this title is set for a relaunch as "AVENGERS ACADEMY" sounds great. If Gage has managed to wring this level of quality about the trainee school being run by nut-jobs, I imagine he'll be even more solid with the Academy run by genuine heroes (even Iron Man was hardly one during his Initiative tenure). And it is still $3! Excellent, too often underrated and ignored title.
CAPTAIN AMERICA: WHO WILL WIELD THE SHIELD? #1: Talk about a comic that overcomes the odds. This one shot has a few things against it. An unintentionally hilarious title for one; I mean c'mon, an intern couldn't deliberately come up with such a silly title for a COMEDY, he'd be laughed out of the editor's office. It also has the editorial cluster**** that has been going on since the powers that be made REBORN an extra issue, for pure reasons of sales, and decided that Mark Millar, not Ed Brubaker, was worth delaying an entire line for. I mean is REBORN even a story about anything anymore, or simply a contractual obligation and retailer item? Despite all that, and despite actually making REBORN #6 even MORE redundant and useless than it was before, this is actually a can't miss comic. It was my Book Of The Week at Examiner (link in sig).
The conclusion to REBORN #6 is all but spelled out in detail in the recap for this issue. Your options to avoid it were to either skip the recap, skip the issue entirely, or to buy this issue but not read it until, oh, mid Janurary. Red Skull is DEFEATED, pushed out of Steve's brain, zero risk of him sharing that body like he did with Lukin. Now, I won't lie; I figured that was the likely outcome about 85%, but there was still that 15% of unknown suspense. Now that is gone. Now there is literally NO REASON to read CAPTAIN AMERICA REBORN #6 unless you are a gullible sucker, and I will fully admit to being a gullible sucker since I will likely still throw away $4 for nothing to finish that series out. I just hate being so obviously made into one by a cheap editorial decision. Is there a reason to watch a fight that you already know the outcome of, and all but have a script for in advance? No, there is not. Even the final battle of a comic book film usually has some unknown variables in play.
But enough about this. This issue alone was easily better than the last two or even three of REBORN, and essentially returns to the steady month in, month out style of CAPTAIN AMERICA before it got sidetracked for an event stunt. Brubaker, teamed with Guice and Ross, creates a story in which nearly every possible emotion about the return of Rogers and what Barnes is to do with it comes up with the characters. Barnes only took the mantle out of obligation and to prevent others less worthy (like the Punisher) from taking it, and is all but ready to hand it back to Cap. Rogers, however, has been tormented with his full year of reliving his life over and over, and is not ready to retake the mask that comes with so much weight and baggage; especially since his much-tormented lover Sharon Carter is ready for him to simply be there. Sometimes other writers, such as Bendis, literally use internet message board arguments in their stories, but he often makes them feel petty and vapid; others, like Slott, use them for well natured laughs, while Brubaker uses it effectively for drama. Barnes notes that he should change his costume, while Widow replies, "Why does there only have to be one Captain America? Two men were Iron Man once" and so on.
The two WWII partners reunite by chance to take down Mr. Hyde and some of his grunts (Hyde has been a perennial punching bag for years, about as long as the Wrecking Crew and Rhino have been), but the climax of the issue is the end. Rogers implores on Barnes to keep the mantle, feeling it is "different" when he uses it, and seeks a sort of self-imposed retirement (or at least extended vacation). Pres. Obama, though, meets with Rogers and more or less hints that something else will cause him to return to the fold. It does seem to set up that the next "guy who runs everything" at Marvel will be Rogers. I don't have as big a problem with this as some others do. The idea that Rogers is TOO squeaky clean is a bit silly considering he IS willing to kill if the situation calls for it, he simply does not enjoy it, or take the decision lightly. I would argue that Spider-Man, who only is willing to kill not for the world or for the universe, but if you throw his girlfriend off a bridge, is sillier in comparison. Plus, anyone who examines U.S. in international relations, especially for half of Bush's second term (the "lame duck" era when he lost Congress to the Democrats) can see that at times America is TOO naive, expecting other nations to be taken at their word because America often offers a fair deal compared to virtually everyone else but Europe (who are often self defeating). America always seems shocked, SHOCKED, when Iran, China, Russia, or North Korea backs out of another deal they claimed they'd obey once. Since when are we so cynical that an honest man needs to be a little wicked to get things done? Besides, for all we know, Rogers could task someone like Fury as a vice-president for that sort of thing while performing a lot of ground missions himself. I suppose we could argue that having Rogers be fully embraced by America would only come with a Dem as President (during Republican administrations, Rogers has quit (Nixon/Ford), been fired (Reagan), and been killed (Bush Jr.), in that order), but it is also possible that this was (somewhat) planned regardless of that. Besides, look at this from a "what never has been done is awesome" manta of Joe Quesada, often used to justify stupid stunts like Wolverine as an Avenger. Rogers has done everything BUT serve as some sort of administrative role. Is he more qualified or at LEAST as qualified as Norman Osborn, for heaven's sake? Or Iron Man? Considering how I complain about Rogers having "done everything", here is an angle where he hasn't really explored it, and it could work for a while. It certainly has more strength to it than "Spider-Man Unmasked", which was written into a corner by, oh, 6 months.
There is the problem of similar masks; one panel has a close up of Barnes replying and there is no way to even see that his ears are missing and thus no way to tell who is talking unless you look at the prior and next panel to determine who it must be by replies. THAT is annoying. A panel that should be read in a few seconds should not need a full minute or two to play detective to figure out who is speaking. Every now and then is barely tolerable; I am unsure I could take it for an extended story. Heaven help us when the Grand Director arc starts. I still wonder what the hell suspense GD would have now that Rogers is back. Who the hell would he be able to fool? The same right-wing idiot terrorists we have been seeing with him since the 80's?
But if anything, this issue proves there is still some drama with Rogers involved for Barnes, at least in the short term. This is the first time Cap has been replaced by someone who wasn't a violent grunt (like John Walker) and while he was still alive/unfrozen. There is something to explore there, at least for now. If anything, this issue proves there is some strength in this decision, and overcomes a crappy title and editorial monkey wrenches to do so. Now THAT is quality, and something no Bendis or Millar comic has EVER done. Quality always shines through, no matter what. Even a hologram cover can't beat that. I got the Alan Davis cover, because it looked cooler.
I think there is potential with Mr. Rogers Going To Washington, as it were. And this issue shows that off while still offering a lot of action, good art and some crisp writing.
FANTASTIC FOUR #574: The second Alan Davis cover this week; he's a busy man. At any rate, most of this issue is about a birthday party; no more and no less. But like INVINCIBLE this week, everyone needs a moment to catch their breath and relax between mega-explosions, even the Fantastic Four, Marvel's first family. If this issue does anything, it really does SHOW them as a family, and like all families, they have extentions of friends or "adopted" members. Hickman's strength is a DC-trained sense of long term continuity, bringing back characters to the Four that once were involved, but had since been forgotten. At least for Franklin Richards, who has spent the last 18 months being the hapless "Ron Stoppable" to his little sister Val. That era seems to end now, and a more balanced approach is the name of the game.
Hickman REMEMBERS stuff like Franklin being pals with Artie and Leech from the Morlocks, as well as a member of the Power Pack team. He REMEMBERS that Spider-Man has always been strongly affiliated with the Four, right from ASM #1. And that stuff is more than mere data when it is strung together for a series of cute and smart scenes as this issue does. In fact, this issue has Reed hint that he may want Alex Powers, who is now 19, to hang around the Four more often. Artie and Leech have the same offer, and Wizard's cloned son is not forgotten. The rivalry between Spider-Man and Johnny Storm is also not forgotten. Even Willie Lumpkin shows up.
The issue ends with a bit of an action scene that may as well have a caption titled, "FORESHADOWING" at the top of it, and that heavy handedness does serve as a demerit. A future version of Franklin breaks into the Baxtor Building, warns Val of events that will come in the future to be worked through, and re-activates Franklin's vast powers. It is a bit blunt, but considering that Franklin was one the 20-something "Psi-Lord" (which I now confuse with, "PsyDuck") on Fantastic Force in the 90's, it works better than it should. Another use of continity done well. The art by Edwards is okay; it seems to obviously be some attempt to replicate the style of Hitch or Englesham, but at times it seems rushed and saved only by inks and colors. His attempt at stubble also is a bit weird and made Reed look like a park bum.
Beyond that, solid issue. Naturally the excitement should start in 2010. Hickman's off to a solid run thus far.
Hell, the Justice League in THE BATMAN years later was a total sausage fest and didn't even have Wonder Woman, replacing her with Hawkman. It was very awkward and jarring.
The blame was more on DC for not having another high profile female member of the league who didn't dress like a **** besides Hawkgirl. To be fair, Zatanna and Black Canary did technically have "superhero costumes" in older comics, but all of them were very poorly designed and silly looking. Although I suppose Zatanna's with a few tweaks would have looked little worse than Raven's on TEEN TITANS. But that's in hindsight.
Anyway...reviews!
The last week of the comic selling season for 2009, and people are busy with the holidays and their Top 10 for the year/decade lists. But before all that, we do have some doozies on the stand, especially from Marvel. Let's get it on with the Christmas Eve spoilers!
DREAD'S BOUGHT/THOUGH for 12/23/09:
INVINCIBLE #69: The first issue in a while that wasn't worth a review at Examiner (which I have been writing for since mid-August. But, this still doesn't make it a bad issue. It is common for Kirkman to have a few issues of "breathing room" between major epic stories. He did so as issue 60 was coming up, and is doing so again with issue 70. And to be fair, unlike Powerplex, the Sequids are reoccurring enemies of Invincible, and have been mentioned in subplots for a few issues now. But this issue mostly focuses on a new enemy facing Invincible (and Atom Eve), Universa. The only difference between her and Dinosaurus (the other new villain introduced within the last few issues) is while Dinosaurus did a lot of ranting to reveal who he was and where he came from, most of that explanation for Universa comes in narration panel exposition. It's old school, but can feel like an "info-dump" at times. It can remind one of a line from THE GREAT MUPPET CAPER, "It's exposition; it HAS to go somewhere."
Universa is a standard alien menace out to leech power from the Earth to benefit her own planet's needs. She is aggressive about it as well, knowing her energy needs will drain the Earth anyway, so there really is no peaceful outcome (which Mark soon realizes). The strength of the issue is a bit where Mark goes on a monologue discussing how he hasn't really fought female villains and has an uneasy time hitting them, which Universa uses to her advantage. Atom Eve's powers are still going wonky (due likely to her pregnancy), but she still manages to save the day at the end. This battle happened to take place at a power planet, which aids Eve's business plans to earn money from defending prisons and power plants (frequent scenes of disaster). There's not a whole lot more to say. Ottley's art is as great as ever, and the color work is excellent, especially for Universa's energy beams from her staff. I also have to give Ottley credit every time the Sequids come up; drawing masses of squid aliens cannot be easy or swift. The Sequids have taken over a chunk of a city and defeated the Guardians of the Globe, who frankly must have a 1-8 record for these sort of things without Invincible. They're the Oakland Raiders of superhero teams without him.
Not much else to say. It's hardly a bad issue, but it isn't an epic one either. But that is okay. Series need moments of "day in the life" style stuff now and again to allow a reader, as well as the characters, to catch their breath or go over personal subplots in-between mega events. You need moments of "normalcy" to appreciate moments of upheaval, which is a lesson more of Marvel and DC's writers should, frankly, heed. It doesn't sell 15 variant covers with decoder rings, but it does build story integrity.
There is some unintentional hilarity for the cover of issue #69 depicting two girls and one guy with the object of the image being a large phyallic weapon, at least for me. But I'm weird.
AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE #31: As this title starts to reach the 3rd year marker, sales are dwindling but Christos Gage has really taken off since he began writing solo. As good a book as it was with Dan Slott either solo or co-writing, it has become a grade better under Gage's pen. Few titles can have a cast of some dozen or so characters and juggle them so well over 22 page issues. Nearly every character is spotlighted eventually, from B to F listers and they usually are done justice for as much script time they have, whether 10 pages or 2 panels. Especially for the past 6 or so issues, this title has been super-consistent, in a good way. While prior issues tackled Penance, Trauma, and even Prodigy and Johnny Guitar as stars, this one goes with a steady cast member since the SECRET INVASION era, Taskmaster.
As per the CABAL one shot tie-in, Osborn has chosen to promote Taskmaster to the "big table" after being betrayed by Frost & Namor and finding he cannot really trust Loki or Doom. This issue builds up to that scene that Bendis wrote, where to be honest I seem to have missed that Doom zapped Taskmaster, since there was a lot else going on. So this issue we have Taskmaster trying to shore up the Initiative base for Osborn's final inspection, and chatting with another long term B-List grunt, Constrictor, about risking a fall vs. taking the chance. Considering Constrictor, who has been a villain, a merc-for-hire and even an occasional hero, is now dating Diamondback, who is revealed as the Avengers Resistance mole (which makes sense for her, considering she is an ex of Capt. America). It works well to make both of them sympathetic. The Hood in a way vocalizes some of readers' dismissals of Taskmaster; that he merely copies skills from others, and always bails on a rough fight. Taskmaster himself has a good counter to that in his chat with Constrictor, noting how megalomania often leads to defeat. His "made emperor of Newark" line criticizing some of his bosses especially killed me.
Still, it is important for Taskmaster to actually beat opponents now and then. I tried to think of the opponents Taskmaster has beaten this decade, and the going was rough. He threw Iron Man around in his own mini years ago with UDON, but that was a draw at best. Since then he lost, decisively, to Deadpool and Moon Knight (even begged for mercy with the latter). He did take down Stature and "Skrullojacket", but I don't think that especially counts; EVERY hero got to beat at least one super-Skrull during SECRET INVASION. Even Gravity outright killed a few. The point is Taskmaster kind of does need some wins now and again, and I don't expect them from Bendis. It'll be up to Gage to continue with that angle of Taskmaster's redemption. Too few writers really get that about characters; the reason Wolverine is who he is is because he's BEATEN PEOPLE. Name me one worthy opponent that Iron Fist has beaten in the last few years. None. Random HYDRA fodder or an occasional dragon don't count. Now if he'd gotten to beat Sabretooth before he croaked, that might have mattered. Taskmaster has that dilemma to a larger degree because he is very similar to DC's Deathstroke, and Deathstroke could practically beat the Anti-Moniter with a pool cue. Future solicits claim that Taskmaster is set to face Capt. America, which is a problem since Taskmaster really shouldn't beat Capt. America. He needs to fight some B and C list heroes now and then to build some wins. What, Daredevil is too busy? He won Namor's respect in a fight, after all.
Still, in terms of characterization, Gage is on a role. Donyell still seems to have his own subplot, Tigra reaffirms her "getting her grooze back" mantra after Bendis all but made her a rape victim, and Justice and Ultra-Girl get back together again. My only quibble is they were barely apart for 5 issues, which made me question the point rather than needing SOME subplot for them. But even on that level, it worked and was fine; they are both barely 20 after all. It is a shame that the "Slapstick gone psycho" subplot has been quietly dropped, considering Gauntlet is serving alongside him now, and Gage helped co-write it. A worthy issue could easily be had with Slappy and Gauntlet hashing stuff out. But these are really just nitpick style concerns, like complaining that a great present had a bow that wasn't tied right. On the whole it is a solid Avengers book, at times even better than MIGHTY AVENGERS. And heck, Gage has written for that, too.
If you're a fan like me who enjoys all sorts of B, C, and D list characters and wants to see them not only used, but used WELL (not just showing up to die like in a Bendis or Millar comic), then this has been your book for a while, and it's only gotten better in 2009. Rafa Sandoval returns to art, I guess he was busy on ULTIMATE SECRET for a bit, and his pencils are as solid as ever. I can't wait for things to heat up with the SIEGE tie-in's, and the word that this title is set for a relaunch as "AVENGERS ACADEMY" sounds great. If Gage has managed to wring this level of quality about the trainee school being run by nut-jobs, I imagine he'll be even more solid with the Academy run by genuine heroes (even Iron Man was hardly one during his Initiative tenure). And it is still $3! Excellent, too often underrated and ignored title.
CAPTAIN AMERICA: WHO WILL WIELD THE SHIELD? #1: Talk about a comic that overcomes the odds. This one shot has a few things against it. An unintentionally hilarious title for one; I mean c'mon, an intern couldn't deliberately come up with such a silly title for a COMEDY, he'd be laughed out of the editor's office. It also has the editorial cluster**** that has been going on since the powers that be made REBORN an extra issue, for pure reasons of sales, and decided that Mark Millar, not Ed Brubaker, was worth delaying an entire line for. I mean is REBORN even a story about anything anymore, or simply a contractual obligation and retailer item? Despite all that, and despite actually making REBORN #6 even MORE redundant and useless than it was before, this is actually a can't miss comic. It was my Book Of The Week at Examiner (link in sig).
The conclusion to REBORN #6 is all but spelled out in detail in the recap for this issue. Your options to avoid it were to either skip the recap, skip the issue entirely, or to buy this issue but not read it until, oh, mid Janurary. Red Skull is DEFEATED, pushed out of Steve's brain, zero risk of him sharing that body like he did with Lukin. Now, I won't lie; I figured that was the likely outcome about 85%, but there was still that 15% of unknown suspense. Now that is gone. Now there is literally NO REASON to read CAPTAIN AMERICA REBORN #6 unless you are a gullible sucker, and I will fully admit to being a gullible sucker since I will likely still throw away $4 for nothing to finish that series out. I just hate being so obviously made into one by a cheap editorial decision. Is there a reason to watch a fight that you already know the outcome of, and all but have a script for in advance? No, there is not. Even the final battle of a comic book film usually has some unknown variables in play.
But enough about this. This issue alone was easily better than the last two or even three of REBORN, and essentially returns to the steady month in, month out style of CAPTAIN AMERICA before it got sidetracked for an event stunt. Brubaker, teamed with Guice and Ross, creates a story in which nearly every possible emotion about the return of Rogers and what Barnes is to do with it comes up with the characters. Barnes only took the mantle out of obligation and to prevent others less worthy (like the Punisher) from taking it, and is all but ready to hand it back to Cap. Rogers, however, has been tormented with his full year of reliving his life over and over, and is not ready to retake the mask that comes with so much weight and baggage; especially since his much-tormented lover Sharon Carter is ready for him to simply be there. Sometimes other writers, such as Bendis, literally use internet message board arguments in their stories, but he often makes them feel petty and vapid; others, like Slott, use them for well natured laughs, while Brubaker uses it effectively for drama. Barnes notes that he should change his costume, while Widow replies, "Why does there only have to be one Captain America? Two men were Iron Man once" and so on.
The two WWII partners reunite by chance to take down Mr. Hyde and some of his grunts (Hyde has been a perennial punching bag for years, about as long as the Wrecking Crew and Rhino have been), but the climax of the issue is the end. Rogers implores on Barnes to keep the mantle, feeling it is "different" when he uses it, and seeks a sort of self-imposed retirement (or at least extended vacation). Pres. Obama, though, meets with Rogers and more or less hints that something else will cause him to return to the fold. It does seem to set up that the next "guy who runs everything" at Marvel will be Rogers. I don't have as big a problem with this as some others do. The idea that Rogers is TOO squeaky clean is a bit silly considering he IS willing to kill if the situation calls for it, he simply does not enjoy it, or take the decision lightly. I would argue that Spider-Man, who only is willing to kill not for the world or for the universe, but if you throw his girlfriend off a bridge, is sillier in comparison. Plus, anyone who examines U.S. in international relations, especially for half of Bush's second term (the "lame duck" era when he lost Congress to the Democrats) can see that at times America is TOO naive, expecting other nations to be taken at their word because America often offers a fair deal compared to virtually everyone else but Europe (who are often self defeating). America always seems shocked, SHOCKED, when Iran, China, Russia, or North Korea backs out of another deal they claimed they'd obey once. Since when are we so cynical that an honest man needs to be a little wicked to get things done? Besides, for all we know, Rogers could task someone like Fury as a vice-president for that sort of thing while performing a lot of ground missions himself. I suppose we could argue that having Rogers be fully embraced by America would only come with a Dem as President (during Republican administrations, Rogers has quit (Nixon/Ford), been fired (Reagan), and been killed (Bush Jr.), in that order), but it is also possible that this was (somewhat) planned regardless of that. Besides, look at this from a "what never has been done is awesome" manta of Joe Quesada, often used to justify stupid stunts like Wolverine as an Avenger. Rogers has done everything BUT serve as some sort of administrative role. Is he more qualified or at LEAST as qualified as Norman Osborn, for heaven's sake? Or Iron Man? Considering how I complain about Rogers having "done everything", here is an angle where he hasn't really explored it, and it could work for a while. It certainly has more strength to it than "Spider-Man Unmasked", which was written into a corner by, oh, 6 months.
There is the problem of similar masks; one panel has a close up of Barnes replying and there is no way to even see that his ears are missing and thus no way to tell who is talking unless you look at the prior and next panel to determine who it must be by replies. THAT is annoying. A panel that should be read in a few seconds should not need a full minute or two to play detective to figure out who is speaking. Every now and then is barely tolerable; I am unsure I could take it for an extended story. Heaven help us when the Grand Director arc starts. I still wonder what the hell suspense GD would have now that Rogers is back. Who the hell would he be able to fool? The same right-wing idiot terrorists we have been seeing with him since the 80's?
But if anything, this issue proves there is still some drama with Rogers involved for Barnes, at least in the short term. This is the first time Cap has been replaced by someone who wasn't a violent grunt (like John Walker) and while he was still alive/unfrozen. There is something to explore there, at least for now. If anything, this issue proves there is some strength in this decision, and overcomes a crappy title and editorial monkey wrenches to do so. Now THAT is quality, and something no Bendis or Millar comic has EVER done. Quality always shines through, no matter what. Even a hologram cover can't beat that. I got the Alan Davis cover, because it looked cooler.
I think there is potential with Mr. Rogers Going To Washington, as it were. And this issue shows that off while still offering a lot of action, good art and some crisp writing.
FANTASTIC FOUR #574: The second Alan Davis cover this week; he's a busy man. At any rate, most of this issue is about a birthday party; no more and no less. But like INVINCIBLE this week, everyone needs a moment to catch their breath and relax between mega-explosions, even the Fantastic Four, Marvel's first family. If this issue does anything, it really does SHOW them as a family, and like all families, they have extentions of friends or "adopted" members. Hickman's strength is a DC-trained sense of long term continuity, bringing back characters to the Four that once were involved, but had since been forgotten. At least for Franklin Richards, who has spent the last 18 months being the hapless "Ron Stoppable" to his little sister Val. That era seems to end now, and a more balanced approach is the name of the game.
Hickman REMEMBERS stuff like Franklin being pals with Artie and Leech from the Morlocks, as well as a member of the Power Pack team. He REMEMBERS that Spider-Man has always been strongly affiliated with the Four, right from ASM #1. And that stuff is more than mere data when it is strung together for a series of cute and smart scenes as this issue does. In fact, this issue has Reed hint that he may want Alex Powers, who is now 19, to hang around the Four more often. Artie and Leech have the same offer, and Wizard's cloned son is not forgotten. The rivalry between Spider-Man and Johnny Storm is also not forgotten. Even Willie Lumpkin shows up.
The issue ends with a bit of an action scene that may as well have a caption titled, "FORESHADOWING" at the top of it, and that heavy handedness does serve as a demerit. A future version of Franklin breaks into the Baxtor Building, warns Val of events that will come in the future to be worked through, and re-activates Franklin's vast powers. It is a bit blunt, but considering that Franklin was one the 20-something "Psi-Lord" (which I now confuse with, "PsyDuck") on Fantastic Force in the 90's, it works better than it should. Another use of continity done well. The art by Edwards is okay; it seems to obviously be some attempt to replicate the style of Hitch or Englesham, but at times it seems rushed and saved only by inks and colors. His attempt at stubble also is a bit weird and made Reed look like a park bum.
Beyond that, solid issue. Naturally the excitement should start in 2010. Hickman's off to a solid run thus far.
t: ******
.But besides that i might pick up the next issue because i really enjoyed this issue.*****
