Bought/Thought February 17, 2010

[JewishHobbit]

Man, two weeks in a row I get to start one... wierd?!


Okay, decent sized week and a decent week story-wise. Spoilers ahead, And here we we go!


Green Lantern Corps 45 - This was a pretty good issue. For me, this title's Blackest Night Tie-Ins peaked in the issue when Guy went Red, the one after Kyle's "Death". The death issue and then everyone's reactions (fighting the rings) gave me goosebumps, but it's just been aftermath ever since. This issue itself was pretty good, the Lanterns vs Red Lantern Guy trying to save his life, but as with against the Black Lanterns, it's Mogo to the rescue. Twice now kinda feels Deus Ex to me, but that's alright. It was still a good issue.

I really didn't realy care about this title as much until after the Sinestro Corps War (though going back in hindsight I liked the early issues a lot better) so it's cool seeing the complete cast here fighting together. I really starting liking Vath and his partner (forget his name at the moment, the lizard guy) early on and Kilowag and Natu were always cool. And I've even really started liking Natu's princess partner. It really is a great cast. And I'm really starting to like the Star Saphire, Miri.

Green Lantern 51 - Great issue. I hear people complaining about Blackest Night all the time but I just don't see it. I love every issue from the main 3 titles that come out. Yeah, most tie-ins suck, but these titles are awesome.

In this issue we continue the light corps attack on Black Lantern Spectre, but now Hal takes center stage as Parallax, and he's just as evil as ever. He is ultimately successful in freeing Spectre from the Black Lantern's body and in turn, with Carol's help, the Spectre separates Hal from Parallax again. The mystery from this is that Parallax vanishes after this and we don't know where it goes, but we hear Hector Hammond's thoughts at Belle Reve Prison saying "Oh! Oh, no no no! It has Parallax!" but that's it. Curious what will come of that? Spectre goes on to attempt to punish Nekron, but being that he has no soul Spectre can do nothing, and Nekron sends him on his way, promting for the coming battle in Blackest Night 7 between the color guardians and Nekron and his people. And this nicely sets the stage so that if anyone is just reading Blackest Night, 6 could flow into 7 and you don't need any of this. Good stuff.

I also love the opening sequence as Larfleeze and Luther continue their greedy battle over the Orange Light. Luther is boasting his intelligence of realizing what the Orange power is capable of while Larfleeze's immature intellect counters it, not understanding a word that Luther is saying. The funny part is, the stuff that Luther is spouting and calling Larfleeze too dumb to have realized... is stuff that Larfleeze already showed up (being like the Black Lanterns, claiming the dead and making them their army). So while Luther claims his intelligence and figuring this out, Larfleeze actually shows up this as Luther goes for Black Lantern Superman. And then Black Lantern Spectre separated the fight and that battle began. Good stuff

I liked this issue so much that I really didn't mind buying 2 issues of it. I bind my comics into hardback volumes and I will be binding Green lantern stuff, but I also plan to eventually do some Spectre binds from rebirth to now. So I've bought doubles of Blackest Night 2, and then Green Lantern 50 and 51. To me, it was all well worth the extra money. Great story for both Lantern and Spectre fans.

Batman 696 - This story has been good but I greatly prefer Morrison's Batman & Robin. I like Black Mask, Catwoman, and Riddler but I don't have as much interest in Penguin or Mad Hatter, and the plot itself, while still good, just isn't capturing me quite as much. The art is good, and it's well written, but oh well.

This particular issue is written in a way I typically don't like, and it still holds true. The issue starts out way ahead of last issue's ending and then as the story moves forward we get flash backs telling us what happened, leading us up to the present. The only thing that really got my attention this issue was the ending when Dick claims to now know who the Black Mask is. Now, as a new Batman reader I'll likely not know who he is. My guess is the Mayor that showed up this issue, Mayor Hady, but if that makes no sense it's due to my ignorance.

I figure I'll continue with this title until 700 rolls around, but after that, who knows.

Is Morrison coming back to this title after Batman & Robin ends?

 

[JewishHobbit]

Marvels: Eye of the Camera 6 - I went back to check and issue 5 came out in June '09, so this is 8 month slate. Rediculous. However, unlike most other things that run late, it somehow didn't effect my reading of it. Maybe it's the nostalgic feeling I get by reading Phil Sheldon, but I loved this issue, and if I did BOOK OF THE MONTH's this would most definately be it.

This conclusion was a very heartfelt story that really did pull at my emotions, and in the end when Phil finally succumbs to his cancer, I was genuinely sad. It's been a LOOONG time since a comic had truly did that. I think the reason for that is that the original Marvels book came out in 1994, only a couple years after I first started reading comics and it instantly became and reminds one of my favorite comics of all time. And in '94 I was 13, so I was still a kid, and thus, Phil Sheldon and Marvels was a strong part of my childhood. When this new title started I went in expecting little and was surprised that it was just as good as the original (save for nostalgia, which makes the original better).

So now comes this issue, the final issue. Phil is in the hospital on his last days and who shows up? Maggie, the little mutant girl his family helped (Phil reluctantly helped) back in the first volume. The way Busiek handled them throughout the issue was absolutely perfect, as well as the eventual reunion between Maggie and the rest of Phil's family. And then came the time of passing and my heart dropped. The funerl was nice and it was great seeing little nobody characters from the first volume show up like Iggy and Marcia.

The real luster of Marvels was that it was this great fantastic world, but a from a very real, human perspective. I was afraid that something superhuman woudl happen to heal Phil but it didn't, it remained a true human story in this fantastic world and I loved it. Even down to teh last panel after the funeral and we see the city with just a smal image of someone flying (Iron Man or Cannonball if I had to guess).

I'm getting chills thinking about it again, and it may be the nostalgia talking, or the freshness of it being so new in my mind, but I want to read this series over again and decide for certain if it is my favorite mini of the decade. Phenominal!

Hulk 20 - With both Fall of the Hulks coming out the same week lately, it's hard to figure out what to read first. I'd suggest this one.

The issue was alright. Not quite as good as last issue but still good. The Intelligencia send the Red Ghost after both Black Panther and the Beast while the X-Men are visiting Wakanda to celebrate Storm's birthday. It's a very small number of X-Men but when the Red Hulk shows up to stop the Red Ghost, they mistake him as the threat and the battle ensues. The end result is the Red Ghost getting away with T'Chala and McCoy.

Okay issue. I was surprised to see Rulk kill one of the Red Ghost's monkeys since they've been fairly long time characters themselves if I'm not mistaken.

Incredible Hulk 607 - This issue kinda goes on at the same time as Hulk, but it jumps ahead a bit further in the end and talks about Beast and T'Challa being captured, that's why I suggest it first.

In this issue, Red She-Hulk goes after the Avengers, and specifically Hank Pym. Amadeus Cho is also there but Banner moves him down to the 10th smartest person (I'm assuming moving Modok and Leader above him). It's a good issue, better than Hulk, but that could be because of my love for Skaar. In the end, Hank Pym makes a mistake that calls in other Avengers to deal with Banner and Skaar, believing them to be in league with the Red She-Hulk, but it ends up getting him captured.

In the end, Banner pulls together a team to go after Leader and crew and it's a heck of a team if you ask me. Besides Banner and Skaar, throw in A-Bomb, Korg, Namor, Wolverine, and Spider-Man and it's a great team. Their each having lost someone close to them pulls them together, this due to Banner's having lost Betty and is now working to get her back, and now they're all on the same page.

I'm ashamed to say it but I'm enjoying this Fall of the Hulks storyline. I've not been reading the Red Hulk mini and don't plan to, and I don't plan to read the She-Hulks storyline, so hopefully these two alone can keep the story going without much interuption.

 

[JewishHobbit]

New Avengers 14 - Okay,first off... this issue was really good story-wise. The bad part... is sucks continuity-wise and was ultimately a major failure on Bendis's behalf. Sad too, because this issue and last, and what it's leading to, could have been the best arc of Dark Avengers, and of Bendis's Avnegers run in general... but it fails horribly due to continuity issues.

The story shows the Sentry/Void coming down on the city with the whole Void black tendral thing, picking up where last issue left off. Norman and he have a heart to heart and in the end Norman diverts the distaster. Seeing that Lindy is the sensative part of the Sentry, not allowing the Void to kill her, Norman gives Bullseye the task to kill Lindy... to be continued. Oh, and Bullseye and Moonstone have sex on the conferance room table to spite Norman (mostly Moonstone's doing), leading to Miss Hand going in and putting Moonstone in her place (as in, rendering her unconscious).

The good part is that this issue cements my love for Miss Hand. I think she's the best thing to come out of Dark Reign for as simple as she is.

Now, here's my issues... That issue took place dead in the center of the Molecule Man story previous to when it really started, between issues 9 and 10 I think, something like that. This one picks up where last issue left off... also putting it in the middle of those issues... however, Norman and Hand mention how the Molecule Man ordeal messed Norman up... um... before they've even dealt with him?! AND Norman mentions that Ares is putting together something for his Asgard attack... placing this in the smack middle of The Siege #1.

So let me get this straight, this all took place two weeks ago (according to caption boxes) before the Molecule Man ordeal, which is apparently already messing Norman up due to what he went through with this ordeal that hasn't appened yet, all of which is taking place in the middle of the first issue of Siege, which takes place after the Molecule Man ordeal, which hasn't happened yet?!!!

I like Avengers, but how does Bendis or the editors in charge of his books still have a job?! This is elementary level mistakes and by far the worst continuity scuff Bendis has ever done. I like Bendis, and I turn my head a lot at his stupid mistakes, but even this was too much for me.

Guardians of the Galaxy 23 - Great issue. We learn what really happened with Magus and the dead Guardians and how they are living (it's a vague reasoning, but hey, Cosmo's alive, that's all that matters). Other than that, not much is going on. Magus and a minion of his is torchering Phyla, who finally manages to reach out and let Moon Dragon know that they are still alive, and so is Magus. They then break free and are ready to lay the smacketh down on Magus (which I doubt will happen so easy). And Starlord and his living aspect of the team are playing Secret Servace for a new galactic meeting of kings and leaders. Blastaar shows up, which is fun, and an attack comes just as Moon Dragon gets Phyla's message, and to be continued.

All in all a good issue. I've hated this artist on this book since he first came on during War of Kings, but I hate to say it, it's kinda growing on me. I still prefer other artists but I'm starting to like him better. He reminds me of the guy who draws Umbrella Academy, and that's a plus

Uncanny X-Men 521 - Okay, this issue changes most negative thoughts I've had on this arc of Fraction's. First off, the generic villains turn out to be not so generic as I thought. They were nobodies with powers originally, and then in this issue we learn that they're normal people who want ot be Mutants. I at first thought "Great, this was already done too with the U-Men" but then it turns out that they really are U-Men, or at least new incarnations of them, and they're working for John Sublime, who was in charge of the U-Men, and who I like. So that instantly makes them likable in my book.

Oh, and speaking of U-Men and Morrison's run, it sounds like Fantomex has officially joined the X-Men. If this sticks beyond next issue I'll be pleased. I think he was the best thing to come out of Morrison's run and I've been wanting to see him more since then. If Fraction can put Namor and Magneto on the team, why not Fantomex. He'd fit perfectly with X-Force.

And speaking of Magneto. I was worried with the lead up that they were playing him as the wolf in sheeps clothing... yet again... but as it turns out, his going away and meditations haven't been some sinister plot, but rather reaching out to far space feeling for the bullet with Kitty in it. He finds it in this issue and it looks like next issue is Kitty's big return. I wish I hadnt' looked into spoilers and learned that she would be coming back soon because this would have been a phenominal surprise.

I whine and complain about Fraction's run, but I think sometime soon I'm going to go back and sit down and reread his stuff straight through. I have a feeling I could get a better appreciation for it that way.


And that ends my comic reading week... stay tuned next week when I review good issues, bad issues, and the others that fall in between.

 

[CaptainCanada]

Avengers vs. Atlas #4 - "Make people like Atlas, damnit! Part quatre-vingt-deux." This is so far the best Atlas story I've read in quite a while, far better than the backup that finishes this week. I had similar thoughts about the previous mini, which, really, tells me that my enjoyment of the series is proportional to the involvement of characters more interesting than the Agents themselves. Because, frankly, Namora's the only one of 'em who has any real depth, even after all this time, and that's partly because of her appearances elsewhere. I always feel like there are great concepts and story ideas here, but Parker always sells them short in the stories he writes.

Black Widow: Deadly Origin #4 - Paul Cornell's Black Widow miniseries comes to a close, and, to be honest, I found this rather disappointing. His take on Natasha comes more into focus here, the idea that she finds herself compelled to do what is the right thing situationally, which has stopped her from ever coming to rest in one place. The flashbacks continue to be the best parts, particularly a two-pager that shows her picking a side in the Civil War (she being one of those characters who didn't get a moment like that). The main plot feels kind of ordinary, though. A decent story, but unremarkable.

Captain America #603 - The "killing time until Siege is over" arc hits part 2, on the heels of a ludicrous controversy erupting over the previous one, which hurt the tender feelings of some fringe-maniac-corporate-watercarriers masquerading (whether they know it or not) as a populist movement. Anyhoo, so far this has been one of the less-inspired stories; there's a good scene with 50s Cap that gives him a plausible viewpoint (and a name, finally) based on the 1930s. The superheroic stuff is fairly perfunctory, albeit with some solid interaction between New Cap and Falcon, two of Steve's old partners now working together. Mention must be made of the art; Ross is an old favourite of mine, but either the colourist, the inker, or both is making it look a lot less good than his previous arcs.

Daredevil #505 - that was pretty quick. Andy Diggle's apparently run into some major time-constraints, necessitating the arrival of co-writer Anthony Johnston, who fills in fairly seamlessly here. Matt goes to Japan to preside over a meeting of the five regional daiymos (thanks to reading Shogun, I knew what that means without the explanatory captions), which now includes Angela representing North America (in a touch I really liked, one of the five "continental groups" is Japan, and only Japan). The other four are all new characters, and the decoy villain here is an up-and-comer who uses guns, and manages to be sketched out well within a few pages. The art is great, has a very Clay Mann-esque feel to it. Oh, and the Matt/Angela countdown clock continues.

Green Lantern #51 - honestly, I find my interest in this story going down fairly rapidly. Its perfectly fine for what it is, but the story feels like its been standing in one place since the reveal of Nekron, who is just standing around looking menacing. Bringing back Parallax to defeat BL-Spectre is a neat idea, though once again the supposed Wrath of God is made to be completely useless (which is necessary, in a way, but it just reflects how hard it is to write that character into the DCU). We're still on course for a formal Hal/Carol reunion, which is for the best, but seriously, when was the last time Cowgirl appeared in a substantive part? Like, a year plus ago?

Incredible Hercules #141 - This ranks up there with the best issues of the series, though perhaps not as good as #120 or #136. The greatness is largely on the strength of the final pages, which represent a culmination of a lot of the themes that have been present throughout this run, that being a god means doing the hard stuff, and, on occasion, being a monster. Athena's said that several times in the past, and Snowbird and Zeus had similar sentiments. Given how unflappable Athena normally is, her demeanour here was quite affecting, as relatable as Hercules' anger. I'm not entirely following Athena's train of thought here, but that's probably a matter of not yet having all the information. She says that Hercules' death isn't inevitable fate, but she's quite insistent that there can be only one Prince for some reason; not being the sort to make arbitrary rules, I'm guessing that Cho and co. will succeed in reviving Herc, thus leading to some dire consequence in the cosmic balance or whatever. Great art throughout. Buchemi is probably my favourite artist associated with this series now.

Regarding the backup story, as I mentioned in the previous Atlas review, great concept, mediocre execution. Venus convinces Aphrodite to step down and let her take her place as Goddess of Love, this being conveyed in yet another song sequence (a plot device that has long since been exhausted of any interest).

Uncanny X-Men #521 - the most interesting issue of the series in a while, as Fraction brings in two major plot threads from previous runs. The New York sequence pits a small X-Men detachment against the mutant-studying villains from the last few issues; Fantomex saves the day, albeit with the villains getting away, and its revealed that Sublime is the mind behind it all, which is a plot thread I never expected to see again. Seems like Fantomex is with the group now. Meanwhile, Magneto spends about a day straight in what appears to be meditation, but, as has already been spoiled, he's using his powers to reach out across space to locate the giant bullet that Kitty is currently residing in. The last page contains our first glimpse of Ms. Pryde in, what, two years(?), as she feels the bullet changing course. This is some of Greg Land's better art, ie, its tolerable. I sincerely hope he's gone post-Second Coming.

 

[kguillou]

My question is, how long exactly has Kitty been in that bullet? It must have at least been a month since the end of Joss Whedon's run no? Hows she still alive?

 

[hippie_hunter]

My only problem with the Incredible Hulk was when Spider-Man said that he didn't even know Gwen Stacy's name to protect himself.

 

[CaptainCanada]

My question is, how long exactly has Kitty been in that bullet? It must have at least been a month since the end of Joss Whedon's run no? Hows she still alive?

It was implied that she was basically merged with the bullet, which conceivably would alter her physiological needs; certainly, Whedon's implication was not that she would slowly starve, just that she would be trapped there permanently and seemingly beyond reach.

Now, why she isn't totally cuckoo is another matter.

 

[JewishHobbit]

My only problem with the Incredible Hulk was when Spider-Man said that he didn't even know Gwen Stacy's name to protect himself.

That bugged me too, but Pak didn't really make it clear that he said to it protect himself. He was kinda talking to himself, so I just assumed it was some stupid Brand New Day alteration that I hadn't heard of and ignored it.

 

[Franklin Richards]

Whoah! Whoah! Whoah! Whoah! Whoah! Whoah.



One of the Red Ghost's apes got killed?

 

[hippie_hunter]

That bugged me too, but Pak didn't really make it clear that he said to it protect himself. He was kinda talking to himself, so I just assumed it was some stupid Brand New Day alteration that I hadn't heard of and ignored it.

Spider-Man knows who Gwen Stacy is. In Character Assassination he even whispered that he'll be seeing her soon when he thought that he was going to die.

Pak made it pretty clear with the whispering, the shock on his face, the way he said it that he said that he didn't even know her name that he wanted everyone but Wolverine to know her relationship to him and keep the farce of Bannertech thinking that she was just some person that he failed to save.

 

[hippie_hunter]

Whoah! Whoah! Whoah! Whoah! Whoah! Whoah.



One of the Red Ghost's apes got killed?

Well there goes my Marvel/DC crossover idea

 

[Jennifer Walters]

I just thought the Gwen thing was out of character for him. If it's one thing Peter would never joke or talk about in a manner would be that of Gwen.

 

[Phaedrus45]

Justice League Of America #42

The old order changeth!!!

Ok, this issue brings up lots of feelings about DC comics, most of them bad. But, first let me get to this actual issue, which is finally heading in a good direction. (It's just whether that direction can be sustained.) As seen last issue, The Justice League is finally heading in a new direction...again...with a new line-up. And, it's a good line-up, I think: Mon-el, Green Lantern(Hal), Batman(Dick), Guardian, Cyborg, Green Arrow and Black Canary, Dr. Light, The Atom, and Donna and Kory(from the Titans)..oh, and eventually we'll have Red Tornado back. They are facing a threat that is collecting the parts of some mechanoid, whose parts have been dispersed in the past.

Here are the problems:

1) In a move that is SO DC, they explain this all happens after Blackest Night; thus, we've known since last issue that Hal is not going to be Paralax by the end of the event. Also, as the Justice League: Cry For Justice mini hasn't finished, we are being informed the splitting of the Justice League is not permanent. This just makes both the event and the mini seem much less important. (It's also the same complaint, really, that everyone was griping about Marvel doing with Captain America: Rebirth.)

2) DC keeps wanting us to get interested in all their group books; but, none of them have any consistency beyond a year, it seems. Justice League keeps looking for an identity; and, now their roster is pretty much made up of half of Titans. (Why does DC continue putting out Titans, when the idea behind getting the old gang back together has pretty much been squashed?) I really am having a hard time thinking of a DC team book that has been consistent, but it's all squabbling members who are quitting or fighting amongst themselves. (i.e. Teen Titans, Titans, Justice League, JL: Cry For Justice, Justice Society, Justice Society All-Stars, Outsiders)

Supergirl #50

Unlike my complaint last week about DMZ's 50th issue, this one is pretty good. It resolves the entire Lana Lang illness storyline that has been going on this past year, and we get a decent build-up to Superman: Last Stand Of New Krypton with the reintroduction of Lucy Lane, aka Superwoman. In this issue, Lana's apparent death is actually revealed as an alien virus, which turned her into the Insect Queen. Of course, we all knew last issue that DC wouldn't kill off Lana; and, Supergirl comes to save the day.

Oh, and on the cover there is a blurb about getting a tale by Helen Slater; but, I'm not sure how much she actually wrote. A lot of it is a recap of stuff that's happened in the past couple years, and I'm doubting she read all of Supergirl's past history. It's a shared writing tale, and nothing worthy of note.

Blackest Night: The Flash #3

The parts of this mini involving the Rogues was pretty neat...especially that ending!!! But, the rest involving The Flashes sucked. This was a case of too many characters, too much going on, and Johns maybe being pulled a little too much in too many directions with all the books he's putting out right now.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Incredible Herc wuz gud this week.

Green Lantern Corps wuz gud too.

 

[Phaedrus45]

Doomwar #1

I'm not sure how this even fits into everything else going on in the Marvel Universe; but, I've been enjoying the slow build to this event since issue #1 of Black Panther. For those who haven't been keeping up with everything, no problem. There is so much much explanation within these pages, that you'll be right on track after reading this first issue.

Doom has taken over Wakanda with the assistance of the Desturi, who overthew the royal family in a revolution of their government. Standing trial for being a witch, Storm is sentenced to death...and, T'challa and the new Black Panther are nowhere to be found. Turns out, they are heading for Utopia, asking for the X-Men's assistance in handing the overthrowing of the Desturi.

This is a great beginning for this mini. It explains many of the things we've been seeing throughout Black Panther, including how Doom has been keeping tabs and watching all the activity within Wakanda, and takes us right up to the point of the upcoming battle. I can't wait for the next issue!

Dark Avengers #14

Another good issue by Bendis. This Siege tie-in gives the reader an insight into what happened concerning The Sentry and Norman right before the invasion of Asgard...and, explains why Sentry had no problem killing Ares. Things aren't looking too good for the Sentry's wife, too. Also, fans of Ms. Hand will be pleased to see her take down Moonstone with such ease. I'm really loving her character.

Hulk #20

Fall Of The Hulks has made Loeb's Hulk much more interesting. This is the best this comic has been, and that seems greatly helped by Parker and Pak's involvement, I think. In this issue, two more of the eight most intelligent minds are captured. Thankfully, I read this issue before Incredible Hulk, or the ending would have been ruined. (Marvel really needs a reading order, or warning at the beginning of Incredible Hulk to this problem.) I liked how The Leader is keeping Red Hulk around, and it's clear that he knows Rulk's involvement is not helping Banner's efforts.

Incredible Hulk #607

In this issue, the fifth person is abducted by the Red She-Hulk. When we were first introduced to her, I did a huge groan. Pak, though, has made me much more interested in who she is. My guess is Silver Sable, now, after a possible clue left by Pak in the second story.

Marvel's really making the beginning of 2010 one to remember! With Fall Of The Hulks, Doomwar, Siege, and Realm Of Kings, there is so much going on....plus, we have Spidey's Gauntlet. DC might be getting slightly better sales with Blackest Night; but, Marvel is putting out a much better product all around. These titles know their identity much better.

 

[Phaedrus45]

New Avengers 14 - Okay,first off... this issue was really good story-wise. The bad part... is sucks continuity-wise and was ultimately a major failure on Bendis's behalf. Sad too, because this issue and last, and what it's leading to, could have been the best arc of Dark Avengers, and of Bendis's Avnegers run in general... but it fails horribly due to continuity issues.

The story shows the Sentry/Void coming down on the city with the whole Void black tendral thing, picking up where last issue left off. Norman and he have a heart to heart and in the end Norman diverts the distaster. Seeing that Lindy is the sensative part of the Sentry, not allowing the Void to kill her, Norman gives Bullseye the task to kill Lindy... to be continued. Oh, and Bullseye and Moonstone have sex on the conferance room table to spite Norman (mostly Moonstone's doing), leading to Miss Hand going in and putting Moonstone in her place (as in, rendering her unconscious).

The good part is that this issue cements my love for Miss Hand. I think she's the best thing to come out of Dark Reign for as simple as she is.

Now, here's my issues... That issue took place dead in the center of the Molecule Man story previous to when it really started, between issues 9 and 10 I think, something like that. This one picks up where last issue left off... also putting it in the middle of those issues... however, Norman and Hand mention how the Molecule Man ordeal messed Norman up... um... before they've even dealt with him?! AND Norman mentions that Ares is putting together something for his Asgard attack... placing this in the smack middle of The Siege #1.

So let me get this straight, this all took place two weeks ago (according to caption boxes) before the Molecule Man ordeal, which is apparently already messing Norman up due to what he went through with this ordeal that hasn't appened yet, all of which is taking place in the middle of the first issue of Siege, which takes place after the Molecule Man ordeal, which hasn't happened yet?!!!

I like Avengers, but how does Bendis or the editors in charge of his books still have a job?! This is elementary level mistakes and by far the worst continuity scuff Bendis has ever done. I like Bendis, and I turn my head a lot at his stupid mistakes, but even this was too much for me.

There have been times I haven't liked the way Bendis uses this style over and over again...where we get the big reveal about past events after the main event is going on...but, I think it works really well here. People were shocked to see Sentry rip Ares in half in Siege #2; and, explaining his transformation with the "what happened before" style worked well in not taking away for the impact of that scene.

People have been complaining that the Siege tie-ins aren't really tie-ins; but, as this issue shows, they really are. Bendis is just treating everything like a puzzle...you don't complete a puzzle in a particular order, but get parts revealed to you in bits and pieces. So far, I'm feeling like this is his best produced event, and one of the reasons is this way of storytelling.

 

[hippie_hunter]

Marvel's really making the beginning of 2010 one to remember! With Fall Of The Hulks, Doomwar, Siege, and Realm Of Kings, there is so much going on....plus, we have Spidey's Gauntlet. DC might be getting slightly better sales with Blackest Night; but, Marvel is putting out a much better product all around. These titles know their identity much better.

DC is bringing back Aquaman in 2010. That alone makes DC far superior to Marvel.

That and Marvel is bleeding me dry with all the Deadpool ****ing

 

[bryanss3]

Pak, though, has made me much more interested in who she is. My guess is Silver Sable, now, after a possible clue left by Pak in the second story.

Aw jeez I hope it doesn't end up being her. I was thinking about the upcoming Black Widow series and thought up that Silver Sable would kinda be a perfect frienemy for the series, but my suspicion for Red-Shulkie is possibly

Spoiler

[BLACKOUT]Betty Ross since she's alive now all of a sudden[/BLACKOUT]

 

[samurai black]

My only problem with the Incredible Hulk was when Spider-Man said that he didn't even know Gwen Stacy's name to protect himself.

I actually thought that was pretty funny....Of course, Peter knows exactly who Gwen Stacy is. It pokes fun again at how stupid OMD really was.

 

[samurai black]

Aw jeez I hope it doesn't end up being her. I was thinking about the upcoming Black Widow series and thought up that Silver Sable would kinda be a perfect frienemy for the series, but my suspicion for Red-Shulkie is possibly

Spoiler

[BLACKOUT]Betty Ross since she's alive now all of a sudden[/BLACKOUT]

That would be such a rip off of the Ultimate universe.

 

[CantThinkOfAName]

DC is bringing back Aquaman in 2010. That alone makes DC far superior to Marvel.

someone needs to tell masteryoda

 

[hippie_hunter]

I actually thought that was pretty funny....Of course, Peter knows exactly who Gwen Stacy is. It pokes fun again at how stupid OMD really was.

It wasn't poking fun at OMD. It was just a poorly done scene of Spider-Man trying to cover his ass because the only person in that ship who knew that he was Peter Parker was Wolverine.

He could have just said nothing and let the Bannertech go off still thinking that all she was, is a victim of the Green Goblin that Spider-Man failed to save and it was a public incident so therefore he feels very guilty about it.

Granted that if he didn't say anything it would have led to speculation that Banner knows who Spider-Man is, but the wording of the Bannertech shows clearly that Banner doesn't know therefore Spider-Man should have kept his mouth shut.

 

[samurai black]

He could have just said nothing and let the Bannertech go off still thinking that all she was, is a victim of the Green Goblin that Spider-Man failed to save and it was a public incident so therefore he feels very guilty about it.

Wouldn't have had the same effect. Although I agree with others that Gwen Stacy's death is the one topic Pete would NEVER joke about and does seem kinda off, it made sense for Spider-Man to try and still say something pertaining to his "secret identity".

 

[squeekness]

Dark Avengers #14

Another good issue by Bendis. This Siege tie-in gives the reader an insight into what happened concerning The Sentry and Norman right before the invasion of Asgard...and, explains why Sentry had no problem killing Ares. Things aren't looking too good for the Sentry's wife, too. Also, fans of Ms. Hand will be pleased to see her take down Moonstone with such ease. I'm really loving her character.

I agree that this was a fun read and all but I can't help but agreeing with JewishHobbit more that this was continuity nightmare very much like Dark Wolverine was as well. You can't tell the exact order of things and I find myself scratching my head a little, trying to figure what happened to whom when. I don't like that.....

 

[JewishHobbit]

If not for the continuity issues this could potentially be the best arc Bendis has done in a very long time. I just wish he had his timelines straight. Heck, I wish he would have just told this story linear with the rest of the Dark Avengers run.