Dread
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I was actually surprised that we made it to Friday and nobody launched this topic yet. What, was March 2nd really that dead a week in comics? Because I can tell you, it was a bigger week for me than next Wednesday will be. Is there some joke or dare I missed? At any rate, here is the B/T topic, with heavy spoilers.
DREAD'S BOUGHT/THOUGHT FOR 3/2/11:
BATMAN BEYOND #3: This is the end of the first arc of this series as an ongoing series, as opposed to the six issue mini series that launched this. Writer Adam Beechen and artists Ryan Benjamin and John Stanisci once again unite to provide another 20 page outing that should remind fans of the TV show of what they liked about it, while providing new stories. The trade collection of the six issue mini series from the same creative team, called HUSH BEYOND, is also on sale for those who want to be completely abreast. This has been a simple three issue tale; a new threat has arisen, and Batman has to team up with the Justice League Unlimited to handle it. At first being apprehensive about siding with them, as his mentor (the elderly Bruce Wayne), Terry decides it is best to team up with them. However, when his family become hostages of a new Matter Master, Terry has to make sure to reign in his overly aggressive comrades and save the day so nobody dies.
This is a simple finale. The heroes confront the villain and basically hit him until the threat is over. Terry ends up trusting the League more than Wayne did, and even impressing the old man with his own conditions to teaming up with the League. Naturally, the roster of the team is the same as from the cartoon series; an Asian, pre-teen Green Lantern, Warhawk, Aquagirl (daughter of Aquaman), Big Barda (because Kids WB couldnt get the TV rights to Wonder Woman at the time), and Micron. There is a subplot about Terrys girlfriend Dana possibly having an ex-con for a brother, as well as questioning Terrys commitment (as he left her to become Batman again), but this is all fodder for the future.
The artwork is nice with some effective colors and pacing. It is easy to hear the voice actors from the cartoon reciting the lines from the comics, which is the proper way to build from a TV franchise. It perhaps shows some of DCs slowness with capitalizing on licenses that it took about a decade after ending for a BEYOND comic to arise, but this is the same company that took two years to sell a series about the Great Ten, a team who appeared in 52. As a result, THE GREAT TEN ended at issue nine (cue jokes). This issue also introduces a letter column for the series, which has become semi-frequent in Marvel titles but hasnt been so for many DC titles. It usually is extra work for writers and editors, but given that DC has trimmed two pages from their single issues, it is perhaps for the best to throw in some extra content.
This wasnt an issue, or an arc, that sought to reinvent the wheel or be compared to WATCHMEN. However, it was a satisfying conclusion to a satisfying opening arc of an overdue BATMAN BEYOND ongoing series, and on that level it is a success.
ANNIHILATORS #1: This week offers a double dose of material from the tag team writing duo of Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning. While the two have been making their mark in more earth based Marvel books these days - including being announced as the next long term writing team for NEW MUTANTS - they still have some space stories to tell. While Marvel want to bring these two high quality writers into more mainstream titles, sales for THANOS IMPERATIVE likely proved small but stable enough (more stable than many ongoing titles) that they don't want to yank the rug out from their space comics completely. However, Marvel doesn't have enough faith to sell two four issue mini series at once; thus, ANNIHILATORS is actually two series merged into one mammoth issue - hence the $4.99 cover price. This issue of ANNIHILATORS offers 62 pages of material; the 20 page main story featuring the titular characters, and a 22 page back up strip starring Rocket Raccoon and Groot. Please overlook the oddity of a back up comic having more content than the lead-in. Picking up right after THANOS IMPERATIVE: DEVASTATION, the latest assembly of space power houses is schooled by a new female character, Ikon, who is one of the cybernetic Spaceknights (the same race that the famous ROM was, a character lost to the red tape of a toy license). She proves that this roster, as powerful as they are, is handicapped because they all fear unleashing their power for fear of collateral damage (at least when present in a vital structure like Knowhere). One could argue that having a new character show up and immediately make an impression by thrashing a cast of long time, well known and powerful characters is the definition of a Mary Sue style character, but at this point Abnett and Lanning have the benefit of the doubt due to prior success. On the positive side, the writers dust off a long forgotten villain in Doctor Dredd, last seen in ROM #43, circa 1983, as a major antagonist here, in a manner that is very effective. The artwork for the lead in tale is by Tan Eng Huat (GHOST RIDER, PUNISHER), alongside inks by Victor Olazaba and colors by June Chung. While Huat hasn't always impressed this Examiner on GHOST RIDER, he manages to do well with all the alien landscapes and bizarre characters in a space title.
The stronger piece of work is the Rocket Raccoon strip by the same writers and drawn by Timothy Green II (ANNIHILATION CONQUEST - STAR LORD and an issue of IMMORTAL IRON FIST), who does a dazzling job. It is a hilarious bit of "where are they now" set up as Rocket has apparently quit the space hero game after the tragic end of the Guardians of the Galaxy to be the mail clerk for a soulless intergalactic corporation that is a parody of earthling office and cubicle life. When a wooden clown (!) is sent to kill him, the real mayhem begins. Yet under all of the jokes and action is a bit of genuine character pathos for Rocket that manages to actually be quite sad. A variant cover for the Rocket strip, which would have been the regular cover of a separate mini, is drawn by legendary Dark Horse creator, and former Marvel artist, Mike Mignola. At any rate, this is nearly two full length comics for less than five dollars - or akin to buying each comic for $2.50 (a price no Marvel comic has been since 2004). While the lead issue was actually not as exceptional as one might have expected, the Rocket story more than made up for it.
AVENGERS ACADEMY #10: Quicker than expected, although not as quick as Quicksilver (http://instantrimshot.com/), comes the latest issue of the best Avengers title that Marvel is currently publishing. The last issue came out a mere fortnight ago, and the title had been running a few weeks behind original schedule for several issues now. This issue is drawn by Sean Chen, so perhaps he was better able to handle a deadline than departing regular artist Mike McKone. In terms of the future, it appears that Chen and Tom Raney will share art chores for this title, at least until issue thirteen or fourteen. Scott Hanna and Jeromy Cox remain on inks and colors (respectively), and Christos Gage continues onward with his exceptional run featuring both old and new characters. In fact, the worst part about this issue is the baffling cover; while it features the regular cast as well as two guest stars (who each have one panel to themselves), it in no way reflects anything about the crux of the plot within. Dracula, Robocop, and Captain Planet (all licenses Marvel used to own for comics) could have also been included on the cover while they were at it. Covers are commonly drawn before issues are finished, however, this month's is quite bizarre. This might be an problem for a title that is struggling to hold onto selling over 24,000 copies.
Christos Gage sometimes utilizes straight-up cliffhangers that bridge one issue to the next, and other times he runs with long term subplots to breed the latest issue due to ramifications of prior events. Issue ten is more the latter. Every issue has often focused on one or two of the characters, both students and staff; this issue is ambitious and manages to focus on roughly three characters - students Hazmat and Veil, and Avengers Academy instructor, Speedball. Robbie Baldwin is an ex-New Warrior, and formerly the iron masked psycho hero Penance, and it has been about time that he got a proper issue's worth of focus. Robbie's friend and fellow ex-New Warrior Justice also gets more panel time than he often averages in several issues. One would think that two former teenage heroes who have both gone through legal falls from grace would have loads of potential to connect to some wayward new kids, but up until now the instructors who got most of the focus are Giant-Man and Tigra. Speedball's fall from grace was chronicled in CIVIL WAR and FRONTLINE in 2006, while Justice serving jail time for manslaughter ("accidentally" killing his abusive father in the middle of a beating) was handled in the 90's. This issue delves into Speedball's attempts to move past the events of Stamford, Connecticut that changed his life and the lives of so many other heroes. This is told in a way that it meshes well with parallel tales of Veil stressing over being kicked out of the Academy (due to events from two issues ago), and Hazmat coping with her status as being a "toxic" girl. When Pym figures out a way to give her a "day off" to have some fun, her aggressive demeanor washes off as she gets to enjoy being a kid again. There is an obligatory four page battle in the middle of the story, but it is mostly a character piece about three characters. Veil's subplot across the last several issues seems to be heading towards a dramatic climax next month with an effective cliffhanger. While many fans have been trying to figure out which cadets may turn out to be proper heroes, while others who may become villains, Veil is a character who wouldn't seem very obvious for the latter - which may be why she is the perfect choice.
Sean Chen's artwork is quite good, which shouldn't be a surprise for those who checked out his work in the past on IRON MAN, NOVA, or MIGHTY AVENGERS. Perhaps the only quibble is that he makes Speedball look quite buff, perhaps in an attempt to make a hero who is in his early twenties look like more of an elder to teenage students. While the villains that the characters square off against tie into Speedball's tragedy in Stamford, there is a case to be said that some higher profile villains might help. At any rate, the series' strength is in how Gage handles the characters tied in with incredible art and colors, and this issue continues that tradition. The next two issues promise a major "trial by fire" for the Academy as they take on one of the Avengers' most dangerous enemies.
At this point, while this series should reach a major milestone by remaining in print by issue fourteen, even making it to a sixteenth issue is not assured, which is a shame. The first trade collection of the first six issues is out on the shelves for those who have missed things up until now. AVENGERS ACADEMY continues to be one of Marvel's best new launches in recent years, and is actually a good "gateway" series for new or moderate fans if one knew how to properly market and deliver it.
HEROES FOR HIRE #4: What a surprise, another noteworthy comic book written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning this week. While the duo's first earth based Marvel work in years - the mini series IRON MAN/THOR - ended with a bit of a whimper, this relaunch of an old franchise has been of the sort of "can't miss an issue" quality that they achieved almost effortlessly with NOVA or GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY. Regular artist Brad Walker takes a month off, and Robert Atkins fills in on pencils, followed up by two inkers and two colorists (often a sign of a rush to meet deadline). Atkins does an exceptional fill in job for a title that is as defined by Walker's art as it is by the writers handling story. Unlike AVENGERS ACADEMY #10, this issue's cover is quite accurate - the focus is on Misty Knight, one of the character's few regular characters up to this point. The premise is that she is trying to "take it easy" by running the Heroes For Hire business from a home office under the handle of "Control" and funnels crime leads to various interested urban vigilantes (such as Moon Knight, Ghost Rider, Black Widow or Silver Sable). Her only stable "employee" is the mercenary Paladin, who suspects all isn't as it seems and has launched his own investigation. As the audience has known since the end of issue one, he is right - a long time Marvel villain has been controlling her since the start, pulling her strings and running the show from behind the scenes for some unknown purpose. This issue not only sees Misty match wits, and wills, against this threat, but skillfully wraps up a long series of subplots from prior works by different talents, such as SHADOWLAND: BLOOD ON THE STREETS and I AM AN AVENGER #1.
While the last few issues have offered some action movie antics with Marvel Universe twists, this is more of a psychological issue that offers another jaw dropping cliffhanger. Abnett and Lanning are raising the bar very high for themselves for a second arc, but they are definitely leading with their best foot forward - precisely as it should be.
THUNDERBOLTS #154: This issue focuses on the team member on the cover, the Man-Thing, in a done-in-one story by Jeff Parker and fill in artist Declan Shalvey (who drew a SHADOWLAND) tie in issue. Colors are by Frank Martin, who usually works with Kev Walker but handles Shalvey's art perfectly fine, too. While this story bridges from the events of last issue, it works for any point in this run. Luke Cage's federal bosses in the Thunderbolts program have gotten a bit concerned about him employing a literal swamp monster as transport and support, since there have been no end of deaths attributed to the monster. Before Man-Thing was "beaming" T-Bolts to missions, he was guardian of the "Nexus of Realities" in the Florida everglades; in this issue, that subplot comes to roost. If Jeff Parker has any flaw, it is that he has often relied more on having his team characters battle bizarre and/or eccentric sci-fi threats on a weekly basis (a "monster of the week" in so many ways) rather than having a long term antagonist. The upside is that it allows Parker more time to focus on his cast, and this issue is a perfectly enjoyable and acceptable Man-Thing issue. This is a tale that even reunites him with former supporting cast member Jennifer Kale, who hasn't been involved in a Man-Thing related story since QUASAR #50 (circa 1993), or a story period since a cameo in NEW AVENGERS. It is amusing how everyone who talks about Man-Thing's corrosive touch cannot simply say, "don't get scared, he'll burn you"; they must always issue the iconic credo, "whatever knows fear burns at the touch of the Man-Thing!" - perhaps it is courtesy. It is amazing to consider that Man-Thing actually debuted two months before DC's Swamp Thing did in the year of 1971. Given the mute nature of the monster, a spotlight issue was essential - much like it was good for Ghost to be the focus of an issue several months ago. While Man-Thing serves the role of "obligatory mute member" of Jeff Parker's team, which the robot M-11 used to fill in AGENTS OF ATLAS material, Parker is aware that he is a different character and handles him accordingly. Given that Jennifer Kale was last wearing belly shirts in WITCHES, it is strange to see Shalvey dress her in a superhero sorceress style head dress and cape from the Scarlet Witch collection. However, it all ties together into a solid story that intermingles the Thunderbolts with Man-Thing's roots in mystical adventures. Hopefully, it is a sign of development to come for Marvel's muck monster.
DREAD'S BOUGHT/THOUGHT FOR 3/2/11:
BATMAN BEYOND #3: This is the end of the first arc of this series as an ongoing series, as opposed to the six issue mini series that launched this. Writer Adam Beechen and artists Ryan Benjamin and John Stanisci once again unite to provide another 20 page outing that should remind fans of the TV show of what they liked about it, while providing new stories. The trade collection of the six issue mini series from the same creative team, called HUSH BEYOND, is also on sale for those who want to be completely abreast. This has been a simple three issue tale; a new threat has arisen, and Batman has to team up with the Justice League Unlimited to handle it. At first being apprehensive about siding with them, as his mentor (the elderly Bruce Wayne), Terry decides it is best to team up with them. However, when his family become hostages of a new Matter Master, Terry has to make sure to reign in his overly aggressive comrades and save the day so nobody dies.
This is a simple finale. The heroes confront the villain and basically hit him until the threat is over. Terry ends up trusting the League more than Wayne did, and even impressing the old man with his own conditions to teaming up with the League. Naturally, the roster of the team is the same as from the cartoon series; an Asian, pre-teen Green Lantern, Warhawk, Aquagirl (daughter of Aquaman), Big Barda (because Kids WB couldnt get the TV rights to Wonder Woman at the time), and Micron. There is a subplot about Terrys girlfriend Dana possibly having an ex-con for a brother, as well as questioning Terrys commitment (as he left her to become Batman again), but this is all fodder for the future.
The artwork is nice with some effective colors and pacing. It is easy to hear the voice actors from the cartoon reciting the lines from the comics, which is the proper way to build from a TV franchise. It perhaps shows some of DCs slowness with capitalizing on licenses that it took about a decade after ending for a BEYOND comic to arise, but this is the same company that took two years to sell a series about the Great Ten, a team who appeared in 52. As a result, THE GREAT TEN ended at issue nine (cue jokes). This issue also introduces a letter column for the series, which has become semi-frequent in Marvel titles but hasnt been so for many DC titles. It usually is extra work for writers and editors, but given that DC has trimmed two pages from their single issues, it is perhaps for the best to throw in some extra content.
This wasnt an issue, or an arc, that sought to reinvent the wheel or be compared to WATCHMEN. However, it was a satisfying conclusion to a satisfying opening arc of an overdue BATMAN BEYOND ongoing series, and on that level it is a success.
ANNIHILATORS #1: This week offers a double dose of material from the tag team writing duo of Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning. While the two have been making their mark in more earth based Marvel books these days - including being announced as the next long term writing team for NEW MUTANTS - they still have some space stories to tell. While Marvel want to bring these two high quality writers into more mainstream titles, sales for THANOS IMPERATIVE likely proved small but stable enough (more stable than many ongoing titles) that they don't want to yank the rug out from their space comics completely. However, Marvel doesn't have enough faith to sell two four issue mini series at once; thus, ANNIHILATORS is actually two series merged into one mammoth issue - hence the $4.99 cover price. This issue of ANNIHILATORS offers 62 pages of material; the 20 page main story featuring the titular characters, and a 22 page back up strip starring Rocket Raccoon and Groot. Please overlook the oddity of a back up comic having more content than the lead-in. Picking up right after THANOS IMPERATIVE: DEVASTATION, the latest assembly of space power houses is schooled by a new female character, Ikon, who is one of the cybernetic Spaceknights (the same race that the famous ROM was, a character lost to the red tape of a toy license). She proves that this roster, as powerful as they are, is handicapped because they all fear unleashing their power for fear of collateral damage (at least when present in a vital structure like Knowhere). One could argue that having a new character show up and immediately make an impression by thrashing a cast of long time, well known and powerful characters is the definition of a Mary Sue style character, but at this point Abnett and Lanning have the benefit of the doubt due to prior success. On the positive side, the writers dust off a long forgotten villain in Doctor Dredd, last seen in ROM #43, circa 1983, as a major antagonist here, in a manner that is very effective. The artwork for the lead in tale is by Tan Eng Huat (GHOST RIDER, PUNISHER), alongside inks by Victor Olazaba and colors by June Chung. While Huat hasn't always impressed this Examiner on GHOST RIDER, he manages to do well with all the alien landscapes and bizarre characters in a space title.
The stronger piece of work is the Rocket Raccoon strip by the same writers and drawn by Timothy Green II (ANNIHILATION CONQUEST - STAR LORD and an issue of IMMORTAL IRON FIST), who does a dazzling job. It is a hilarious bit of "where are they now" set up as Rocket has apparently quit the space hero game after the tragic end of the Guardians of the Galaxy to be the mail clerk for a soulless intergalactic corporation that is a parody of earthling office and cubicle life. When a wooden clown (!) is sent to kill him, the real mayhem begins. Yet under all of the jokes and action is a bit of genuine character pathos for Rocket that manages to actually be quite sad. A variant cover for the Rocket strip, which would have been the regular cover of a separate mini, is drawn by legendary Dark Horse creator, and former Marvel artist, Mike Mignola. At any rate, this is nearly two full length comics for less than five dollars - or akin to buying each comic for $2.50 (a price no Marvel comic has been since 2004). While the lead issue was actually not as exceptional as one might have expected, the Rocket story more than made up for it.
AVENGERS ACADEMY #10: Quicker than expected, although not as quick as Quicksilver (http://instantrimshot.com/), comes the latest issue of the best Avengers title that Marvel is currently publishing. The last issue came out a mere fortnight ago, and the title had been running a few weeks behind original schedule for several issues now. This issue is drawn by Sean Chen, so perhaps he was better able to handle a deadline than departing regular artist Mike McKone. In terms of the future, it appears that Chen and Tom Raney will share art chores for this title, at least until issue thirteen or fourteen. Scott Hanna and Jeromy Cox remain on inks and colors (respectively), and Christos Gage continues onward with his exceptional run featuring both old and new characters. In fact, the worst part about this issue is the baffling cover; while it features the regular cast as well as two guest stars (who each have one panel to themselves), it in no way reflects anything about the crux of the plot within. Dracula, Robocop, and Captain Planet (all licenses Marvel used to own for comics) could have also been included on the cover while they were at it. Covers are commonly drawn before issues are finished, however, this month's is quite bizarre. This might be an problem for a title that is struggling to hold onto selling over 24,000 copies.
Christos Gage sometimes utilizes straight-up cliffhangers that bridge one issue to the next, and other times he runs with long term subplots to breed the latest issue due to ramifications of prior events. Issue ten is more the latter. Every issue has often focused on one or two of the characters, both students and staff; this issue is ambitious and manages to focus on roughly three characters - students Hazmat and Veil, and Avengers Academy instructor, Speedball. Robbie Baldwin is an ex-New Warrior, and formerly the iron masked psycho hero Penance, and it has been about time that he got a proper issue's worth of focus. Robbie's friend and fellow ex-New Warrior Justice also gets more panel time than he often averages in several issues. One would think that two former teenage heroes who have both gone through legal falls from grace would have loads of potential to connect to some wayward new kids, but up until now the instructors who got most of the focus are Giant-Man and Tigra. Speedball's fall from grace was chronicled in CIVIL WAR and FRONTLINE in 2006, while Justice serving jail time for manslaughter ("accidentally" killing his abusive father in the middle of a beating) was handled in the 90's. This issue delves into Speedball's attempts to move past the events of Stamford, Connecticut that changed his life and the lives of so many other heroes. This is told in a way that it meshes well with parallel tales of Veil stressing over being kicked out of the Academy (due to events from two issues ago), and Hazmat coping with her status as being a "toxic" girl. When Pym figures out a way to give her a "day off" to have some fun, her aggressive demeanor washes off as she gets to enjoy being a kid again. There is an obligatory four page battle in the middle of the story, but it is mostly a character piece about three characters. Veil's subplot across the last several issues seems to be heading towards a dramatic climax next month with an effective cliffhanger. While many fans have been trying to figure out which cadets may turn out to be proper heroes, while others who may become villains, Veil is a character who wouldn't seem very obvious for the latter - which may be why she is the perfect choice.
Sean Chen's artwork is quite good, which shouldn't be a surprise for those who checked out his work in the past on IRON MAN, NOVA, or MIGHTY AVENGERS. Perhaps the only quibble is that he makes Speedball look quite buff, perhaps in an attempt to make a hero who is in his early twenties look like more of an elder to teenage students. While the villains that the characters square off against tie into Speedball's tragedy in Stamford, there is a case to be said that some higher profile villains might help. At any rate, the series' strength is in how Gage handles the characters tied in with incredible art and colors, and this issue continues that tradition. The next two issues promise a major "trial by fire" for the Academy as they take on one of the Avengers' most dangerous enemies.
At this point, while this series should reach a major milestone by remaining in print by issue fourteen, even making it to a sixteenth issue is not assured, which is a shame. The first trade collection of the first six issues is out on the shelves for those who have missed things up until now. AVENGERS ACADEMY continues to be one of Marvel's best new launches in recent years, and is actually a good "gateway" series for new or moderate fans if one knew how to properly market and deliver it.
HEROES FOR HIRE #4: What a surprise, another noteworthy comic book written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning this week. While the duo's first earth based Marvel work in years - the mini series IRON MAN/THOR - ended with a bit of a whimper, this relaunch of an old franchise has been of the sort of "can't miss an issue" quality that they achieved almost effortlessly with NOVA or GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY. Regular artist Brad Walker takes a month off, and Robert Atkins fills in on pencils, followed up by two inkers and two colorists (often a sign of a rush to meet deadline). Atkins does an exceptional fill in job for a title that is as defined by Walker's art as it is by the writers handling story. Unlike AVENGERS ACADEMY #10, this issue's cover is quite accurate - the focus is on Misty Knight, one of the character's few regular characters up to this point. The premise is that she is trying to "take it easy" by running the Heroes For Hire business from a home office under the handle of "Control" and funnels crime leads to various interested urban vigilantes (such as Moon Knight, Ghost Rider, Black Widow or Silver Sable). Her only stable "employee" is the mercenary Paladin, who suspects all isn't as it seems and has launched his own investigation. As the audience has known since the end of issue one, he is right - a long time Marvel villain has been controlling her since the start, pulling her strings and running the show from behind the scenes for some unknown purpose. This issue not only sees Misty match wits, and wills, against this threat, but skillfully wraps up a long series of subplots from prior works by different talents, such as SHADOWLAND: BLOOD ON THE STREETS and I AM AN AVENGER #1.
While the last few issues have offered some action movie antics with Marvel Universe twists, this is more of a psychological issue that offers another jaw dropping cliffhanger. Abnett and Lanning are raising the bar very high for themselves for a second arc, but they are definitely leading with their best foot forward - precisely as it should be.
THUNDERBOLTS #154: This issue focuses on the team member on the cover, the Man-Thing, in a done-in-one story by Jeff Parker and fill in artist Declan Shalvey (who drew a SHADOWLAND) tie in issue. Colors are by Frank Martin, who usually works with Kev Walker but handles Shalvey's art perfectly fine, too. While this story bridges from the events of last issue, it works for any point in this run. Luke Cage's federal bosses in the Thunderbolts program have gotten a bit concerned about him employing a literal swamp monster as transport and support, since there have been no end of deaths attributed to the monster. Before Man-Thing was "beaming" T-Bolts to missions, he was guardian of the "Nexus of Realities" in the Florida everglades; in this issue, that subplot comes to roost. If Jeff Parker has any flaw, it is that he has often relied more on having his team characters battle bizarre and/or eccentric sci-fi threats on a weekly basis (a "monster of the week" in so many ways) rather than having a long term antagonist. The upside is that it allows Parker more time to focus on his cast, and this issue is a perfectly enjoyable and acceptable Man-Thing issue. This is a tale that even reunites him with former supporting cast member Jennifer Kale, who hasn't been involved in a Man-Thing related story since QUASAR #50 (circa 1993), or a story period since a cameo in NEW AVENGERS. It is amusing how everyone who talks about Man-Thing's corrosive touch cannot simply say, "don't get scared, he'll burn you"; they must always issue the iconic credo, "whatever knows fear burns at the touch of the Man-Thing!" - perhaps it is courtesy. It is amazing to consider that Man-Thing actually debuted two months before DC's Swamp Thing did in the year of 1971. Given the mute nature of the monster, a spotlight issue was essential - much like it was good for Ghost to be the focus of an issue several months ago. While Man-Thing serves the role of "obligatory mute member" of Jeff Parker's team, which the robot M-11 used to fill in AGENTS OF ATLAS material, Parker is aware that he is a different character and handles him accordingly. Given that Jennifer Kale was last wearing belly shirts in WITCHES, it is strange to see Shalvey dress her in a superhero sorceress style head dress and cape from the Scarlet Witch collection. However, it all ties together into a solid story that intermingles the Thunderbolts with Man-Thing's roots in mystical adventures. Hopefully, it is a sign of development to come for Marvel's muck monster.
) She was actually pretty understanding because half to most of them were left overs from what I couldn't afford last week. And not knowing what's new and what's from last week I'll just do a bunch of reviews. Note: I put back the Age of X issues again. I'll definately get them next week though.
