Dread
TMNT 1984-2009
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Guess I have to launch one. If someone else did and I missed it, please merge.
This is a larger than average week and most of it is a SECRET INVASION Skrullopalooza, so I'll break this up into Non-Skrullinated and Skrullinated reviews for your pleasure (or annoyance, for those who hate my long texts). As always, this is the B/T so spoilers are unfiltered and welcome.
Dread's Bought/Thought for 8/13/08: Non-Skrullinated Reviews:
BOOSTER GOLD #11 At the very least, unlike most launch teams when they bail, this hasn't been a complete split. Character creator and co-artist Dan Jurgens (as well as finishing artist Norm Rapmund) have stayed on the book. Doing what DC calls a "guest run" is Chuck Dixon, and this is likely a script submitted before DC and Dixon parted ways. I've heard rumors that Jurgens will soon shift to writing chores as well, and that should be good news for the book. BG has been one of DC's rare strong titles these days and it would be good to see it able to survive more than one creative team shift, like BLUE BEETLE has.
Naturally, Dixon brings in characters he knows well from the Bat-verse. It is kind of like Bendis immediately bringing Daredevil into the Avengers, only handled better because Dixon's a better writer (or at least has more experience). He brings in a minor time traveling villain from many years ago in DETECTIVE and has him muck with Batman's time-line. In the meantime, Booster Gold is still getting used to his sister being back (and probably calling him "Mikey"), and I can't blame him. He couldn't save Barbara Gordon or Ted Kord, so I could understand him maybe counting down to when she either is re-killed or he has to let her fade or whatever. The main time-threat is Wiley Dalbert, who is the complete opposite from the threat Booster just surpassed with the time-masters. He is more of a bumbler than a maniac. Armed with a time machine that only goes into the past, he sets up robberies and then lives things up in a present (which for him is his past, being from the 27th century). Unfortunately, one robbery involving Killer Moth goes wrong when Batgirl accidentally crushes the device, fragging the Dynamic Duo from existence. I guess Batman doesn't have an anti-Time Spray. While Batman & Robin get cover credits, Batgirl plays almost an equal role, but she doesn't. Oh well.
This leads to Booster going back in time and taking Killer Moth's place to ensure that Batman survives the robbery, but in doing so seems to "defeat" the caped heroes too quickly, and now Gotham is equally fragged with a Killer Moth who is their central urban figure. Unlike the last run, there is some more light moments here and the idea of Booster screwing up even when he isn't being inept, a rare tightrope most heroes don't handle well (look at Johnny Storm, who often is written like a total ******). Of course, things go horribly wrong when Booster tries to impersonate Batman.
As always, Jurgen's art IS the book, and it still timely and classic. From Booster to Batman, to even a garish color clashing design like Killer Moth, it all looks good without being "edgy" or trying to be photo-realistic or manga-imitative. I like that the tone of this story is a little lighter than the last one, to sort of shake things up a bit. BG wasn't supposed to be bleak and I suppose this is returning things to the first few issues when Booster was interacting with all sorts of history. Bringing in the Bat Mythos reveals the heart on Dixon's sleeve a bit, but it would be fallacy to not presume what a major role Batman holds to the DCU, so it works.
Basically, the issue proves there is life on this book without Johns & Katz at the helm, and if Jurgens is set to be the next regular writer, I figure that will be extremely interesting, considering he created the title character (and like most iconic artists, likely helps brainstorm with the writer or has some imput on the story). That is good because it is one of the few DC staples I have left, since DETECTIVE is stuck in RIP. A series like this really allows Jurgens to shine and I am sure Dixon's DC swan song will be a solid tale. It's started off well as is.
FANTASTIC FOUR #559: The cover asks, "Who are the New Defenders?" and I answer, "The guys upstaging the Last Defenders", which also wrapped this week. Perhaps the biggest story is how the sales for this run are underwhelming, at least if you figured, like the editors likely did, that Millar/Hitch on the book was an A-List team that should have at least kept the title above McDuffie's numbers and in the Top 10-15. In June, this book wasn't even in the Top 25 and was easily outsold by, say, Brubaker's CA or even the second issue of INVINCIBLE IRON MAN, which saw an over 40% drop from the debut. It is selling at about 61k and dropping 2-3% a month. The first issue of the run provided a 50k boost but that is virtually all gone now. Three of McDuffie's issues outsold this less than a year ago. Considering that McDuffie isn't nearly as big as Mark Millar and the title has actually been shipping on time so far, this doesn't bode well. The delays of ULTIMATES 2 likely hurt this team's cred and it could be that Millar's star is slipping from CIVIL WAR. Or it could also be that Fantastic Four is one of those titles destined for B-List status regardless of who writes it. Granted, over 60k is still good historically for the book, which in 2003 was barely selling above 43k.
It also doesn't help that this run is separated from the rest of what the MU is doing right now, leaving the SI tie in which should be natural for the Four (as the Skrulls are their enemies) to a mini with a lower-hype creative team (that is selling about 10k less than the "parent title"). This issue more than proves that, as the last page offers a splash that makes anyone who has read NOVA within the past three months go, "WTF!?" as it really is doing it's own thing. Millar may once again be "shooting for the trade crowd" like he used to in ULTIMATES, which means that current sales and continuity don't much matter, as this is self contained. And while it is good, CAPTAIN AMERICA it ain't.
Considering that SI was able to dramatically boost numbers for bottom feeder titles like MS. MARVEL, I wonder if Marvel editors are regretting not allowing one extra steroid shot of event tie-in's help the core FF title. Of course, while Bendis is Joe Q's core hooker in the ****ehouse of Ideas, Millar is the ever-ready #2 who has a movie made about one of his properties. No one will tell him when he's wrong in the biz.
Anyway, the story continues where we left off, with the New Defenders, a motly crew of seemingly new characters, seemingly bring run by The Hulk in his "Professor" identity. After kidnapping Dr. Doom and making him cry like a whipped dog, they're moving against the Four, or at least Johnny Storm, who broke up with member Psionics. Coming to a LETTERMAN taping after a romp with some playmates, Johnny is attacked by Psionics, Lightwave, and another named The Hooded Man. Despite usually being written as a spaz, Johnny is able to hold his own against Psionics and Lightwave, but Hooded Man of course beats him, because he's the cool lookin' dude. Meanwhile, Alssya Moy-Castle meets up with Sue and seemingly reveals that her husband's plans to make New Earth is simply a plan to save the A-List captains of industry and leaving the masses to rot. Quite frankly, that seemed obvious as to where that was going last arc, when her husband bragged about all the financial and government aid he was getting from the world's elite citizens and government members. OF COURSE they would demand front row seats to Earth II. Plus, well, this is a fairly typical plot point, especially from Millar. Rather than being surprising, it comes off as average. Reed, of course, is committed to another means of saving the planet and was suspicious of things from the start.
Oh, and that last panel reveals that the New Defenders have somehow captured Galactus and are using him as fuel. What...the...hell? He was in NOVA not two months ago! Like it wasn't enough that "Dr. Banner's" placement on the team defies all continuity. Maybe this is why 35,000 readers have fled the book within 4-5 months. They get the sense that this run is disconnected and are either put off or are trade-waiting. After all, some of the hottest events have been interconnected like CW and SI. It appears only Joss Whedon could sell over 100k with a book that was largely a self contained franchise. At the very least, this run is having two of Marvel's greatest threats, Dr. Doom and Galactus, job like losers. While Bendis already got the ball rolling on Dr. Doom jobbage this year, Galactus right now is all on Millar. This is a story where if you only read FF, it might be alright, but if you read other comics, now or in the recent past, the flaws start to shake the story apart.
Besides, introducing two teams of Defenders within 6 months has probably been due to an editorial bungle. It seems Millar just liked the name, and, well, no one is going to tell "Mr. WANTED" the word "No". Much as Bendis hasn't likely heard "no" since 2004-2005. But that's the least of the book's quibbles. The team could be called "Merry ****er Band" and it would still have some hassles. I still have hope for the book, and Millar's imagination and direction, but things don't seem to be gelling as easily as they did for ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR (where the expectations were lower) and I can understand why this is a Top 30 book instead of a Top 15 book. There could be rational explainations for the continuity bungles ("Dr. Banner" is merely the Hulk clone created in H4H circa 1998, Galactis is Impossible Man in disguise somehow), but I doubt it.
Hitch's art is solid, it isn't as polished (or over polished) as ULTIMATES 1 & 2 were, but that means that Hitch is actually trying to make his deadlines. Still, I still say that leather, pads, and zippers are the "shoulder pads" of the 2000's and I do get tired of seeing them. "Realism" can sure become just as monotanous as "spraypaint on nakes bodies" when overdone. I'll take Silver Age cheese over Modern Age pretension any day.
This leads us into...
LAST DEFENDERS #6: Wrapping up Joe Casey's seeming love letter to the Defenders franchise, which was last hot around when I was under two years old (and barely at that). It clearly is an ending for either part one of an ongoing arc or setting up a sequel mini. Considering issue #4 sold at 21k and below the Top 100, that seems unlikely. Casey & Muniz just aren't a big enough draw and neither is the franchise concept. The debut issue was at 33k which is barely above where IMMORTAL IRON FIST sold within the Top 70. Granted, Marvel has had an obsession with some mini's that no one likes and never sell, like FAIRY TALES crap, so you never know.
The ending, by the way, doesn't get a whole lot less confusing that some of the prior issues, with Yandroth. He's a bit of an odd villain who fiddles with magic, science, and time travel. His purpose was to basically analyze the past, present, and future incarnations of his old enemies, the Defenders, and ensure that the ideal "future" team comes to be. Of course, that is Casey's team, and it reads a bit like trying to sell it to the audience. Which would be perfectly fine...if Casey hadn't baited-and-switched on Newsarama (and likely other promo material) with the first few issues. Y'know, when he would give lengthy interviews about how Blazing Skull and especially Colossus were ideal members. They were both gone by issue #2 and barely played much of a role before then. The Defenders have always had a rotating cast and this run captured that essence, but I would argue it was never an essence that worked. It was more of a gimmick that some writers worked in better than others. Besides, the runs that most Defenders fans enjoyed were runs that had more stable members. Including the one Casey obviously favored, Kyle Hammond/Nighthawk. He was a B-Lister but he lasted a good long time on Defenders (alongside Dr. Strange, Hulk, Hellstorm, Valkyrie, and Hellcat).
The "Last" Defenders appear via time travel to save Kyle from Yandroth's psuedo-Squadron Sinister, and naturally Kyle is fascinated by the organized team roster, which leads him to ensure that it is assembled. That roster consists of She-Hulk, Krang, Son of Satan, and Joaquin Pennysworth as the new Nighthawk. Who could have imagined that Nighthawk would become a legacy character? Anyway, because of being banned from donning the costume, Kyle has set himself up as the "mentor" and benefactor role, buying a base in New Jersey and trademarking the "DEFENDERS" name so Tony Stark can't use it. He rattles on about a status quo where they aren't a team who is part of The Initiative, but doesn't act against it. That is a bit of rubbish. Post-CW, ANY team that consists of non-registered heroes and/or isn't part of the Initiative is considered no better than the Sinister Six. I mean, that is the angle New Avengers has awkwardly been running for a year, right? Well, I highly doubt Krang or Hellstorm are registered. Krang was a villain for the longest time and SHIELD would have every right to be suspicious if he landed on a team (imagine if some team decided to allow, oh, The Shocker on their roster; that'd raise some alarms). Of course, Registration enforcement has been lax for a while, and considering that the Skrulls helped it along, one wonders what the enforcement will be after that. Anyway, what I am getting to was that I was more able to buy Danny Rand's explanation about why he can't be arrested for bring Iron Fist than I could Kyle here. Marvel is moving from the extreme fascist manner that the SHRA was enforced during CW to one where it is barely enforced at all outside THUNDERBOLTS, NEW WARRIORS, and Bendis comics, which really doesn't work. A middle between extremes needs to be agreed upon line wide, and that would require that, after some 2 years, clearly detailing the SHRA and what it entails. Considering it is the lynchpin of New Marvel, this should have been done back in 2006. But, Joe Q's Marvel is one where they have to crash into a tree from an ice-bank before they think to look out for one. They learn the hard way, and enjoy doing so.
Granted, the CW enforcement of SHRA was stifling and I do encourge a loosening of the screws. I guess I just like consistancy.
At the very least, Kyle is committed to keeping his new team in New Jersey. I guess he hit his head too hard during that fight.
Muniz's art is fine. Casey can tell me that Krang isn't simply a poor man's Namor all he wants, but that is precisely what he is. On the other hand, I do see some charm in Hellstorm's new costume, and Nighthawk II works for me. I wouldn't mind reading another 6 issues about this team, although if given a choice, I'd prefer another 6 issues of THE LONERS instead.
A bit of a misfire, with a needless bait and switch, but I enjoyed it. I should go on record and say that I was proven correct about my issues with Colossus being on the earlier roster. I feared that She-Hulk would overshadow him and he would achieve nothing worthwhile. That happened and Colossus remains in the X-Men Ghetto, being the most underwhelming 75+ ton tanker in Marvel History. People may dislike NEW WARRIORS, but at least that opened up a lot of options for Jubilee and some others. This was Colossus' last chance at something like that, and Casey blew it (it isn't like Colossus would have been the only X-Man to have been on two teams or more at once, *cough* Wolverine, *cough* Storm). I'd be pissed if Bendis pulled even half as much of a switch, so it is only fair that Casey loses some notches here. Still, LAST DEFENDERS is a fun superhero book, not as bleak as many others, and I don't regret buying it. I just regret that it wasn't better.
Get Cebulski off FAIRY TALES and onto THE LONERS, stat!
This is a larger than average week and most of it is a SECRET INVASION Skrullopalooza, so I'll break this up into Non-Skrullinated and Skrullinated reviews for your pleasure (or annoyance, for those who hate my long texts). As always, this is the B/T so spoilers are unfiltered and welcome.
Dread's Bought/Thought for 8/13/08: Non-Skrullinated Reviews:
BOOSTER GOLD #11 At the very least, unlike most launch teams when they bail, this hasn't been a complete split. Character creator and co-artist Dan Jurgens (as well as finishing artist Norm Rapmund) have stayed on the book. Doing what DC calls a "guest run" is Chuck Dixon, and this is likely a script submitted before DC and Dixon parted ways. I've heard rumors that Jurgens will soon shift to writing chores as well, and that should be good news for the book. BG has been one of DC's rare strong titles these days and it would be good to see it able to survive more than one creative team shift, like BLUE BEETLE has.
Naturally, Dixon brings in characters he knows well from the Bat-verse. It is kind of like Bendis immediately bringing Daredevil into the Avengers, only handled better because Dixon's a better writer (or at least has more experience). He brings in a minor time traveling villain from many years ago in DETECTIVE and has him muck with Batman's time-line. In the meantime, Booster Gold is still getting used to his sister being back (and probably calling him "Mikey"), and I can't blame him. He couldn't save Barbara Gordon or Ted Kord, so I could understand him maybe counting down to when she either is re-killed or he has to let her fade or whatever. The main time-threat is Wiley Dalbert, who is the complete opposite from the threat Booster just surpassed with the time-masters. He is more of a bumbler than a maniac. Armed with a time machine that only goes into the past, he sets up robberies and then lives things up in a present (which for him is his past, being from the 27th century). Unfortunately, one robbery involving Killer Moth goes wrong when Batgirl accidentally crushes the device, fragging the Dynamic Duo from existence. I guess Batman doesn't have an anti-Time Spray. While Batman & Robin get cover credits, Batgirl plays almost an equal role, but she doesn't. Oh well.
This leads to Booster going back in time and taking Killer Moth's place to ensure that Batman survives the robbery, but in doing so seems to "defeat" the caped heroes too quickly, and now Gotham is equally fragged with a Killer Moth who is their central urban figure. Unlike the last run, there is some more light moments here and the idea of Booster screwing up even when he isn't being inept, a rare tightrope most heroes don't handle well (look at Johnny Storm, who often is written like a total ******). Of course, things go horribly wrong when Booster tries to impersonate Batman.
As always, Jurgen's art IS the book, and it still timely and classic. From Booster to Batman, to even a garish color clashing design like Killer Moth, it all looks good without being "edgy" or trying to be photo-realistic or manga-imitative. I like that the tone of this story is a little lighter than the last one, to sort of shake things up a bit. BG wasn't supposed to be bleak and I suppose this is returning things to the first few issues when Booster was interacting with all sorts of history. Bringing in the Bat Mythos reveals the heart on Dixon's sleeve a bit, but it would be fallacy to not presume what a major role Batman holds to the DCU, so it works.
Basically, the issue proves there is life on this book without Johns & Katz at the helm, and if Jurgens is set to be the next regular writer, I figure that will be extremely interesting, considering he created the title character (and like most iconic artists, likely helps brainstorm with the writer or has some imput on the story). That is good because it is one of the few DC staples I have left, since DETECTIVE is stuck in RIP. A series like this really allows Jurgens to shine and I am sure Dixon's DC swan song will be a solid tale. It's started off well as is.
FANTASTIC FOUR #559: The cover asks, "Who are the New Defenders?" and I answer, "The guys upstaging the Last Defenders", which also wrapped this week. Perhaps the biggest story is how the sales for this run are underwhelming, at least if you figured, like the editors likely did, that Millar/Hitch on the book was an A-List team that should have at least kept the title above McDuffie's numbers and in the Top 10-15. In June, this book wasn't even in the Top 25 and was easily outsold by, say, Brubaker's CA or even the second issue of INVINCIBLE IRON MAN, which saw an over 40% drop from the debut. It is selling at about 61k and dropping 2-3% a month. The first issue of the run provided a 50k boost but that is virtually all gone now. Three of McDuffie's issues outsold this less than a year ago. Considering that McDuffie isn't nearly as big as Mark Millar and the title has actually been shipping on time so far, this doesn't bode well. The delays of ULTIMATES 2 likely hurt this team's cred and it could be that Millar's star is slipping from CIVIL WAR. Or it could also be that Fantastic Four is one of those titles destined for B-List status regardless of who writes it. Granted, over 60k is still good historically for the book, which in 2003 was barely selling above 43k.
It also doesn't help that this run is separated from the rest of what the MU is doing right now, leaving the SI tie in which should be natural for the Four (as the Skrulls are their enemies) to a mini with a lower-hype creative team (that is selling about 10k less than the "parent title"). This issue more than proves that, as the last page offers a splash that makes anyone who has read NOVA within the past three months go, "WTF!?" as it really is doing it's own thing. Millar may once again be "shooting for the trade crowd" like he used to in ULTIMATES, which means that current sales and continuity don't much matter, as this is self contained. And while it is good, CAPTAIN AMERICA it ain't.
Considering that SI was able to dramatically boost numbers for bottom feeder titles like MS. MARVEL, I wonder if Marvel editors are regretting not allowing one extra steroid shot of event tie-in's help the core FF title. Of course, while Bendis is Joe Q's core hooker in the ****ehouse of Ideas, Millar is the ever-ready #2 who has a movie made about one of his properties. No one will tell him when he's wrong in the biz.
Anyway, the story continues where we left off, with the New Defenders, a motly crew of seemingly new characters, seemingly bring run by The Hulk in his "Professor" identity. After kidnapping Dr. Doom and making him cry like a whipped dog, they're moving against the Four, or at least Johnny Storm, who broke up with member Psionics. Coming to a LETTERMAN taping after a romp with some playmates, Johnny is attacked by Psionics, Lightwave, and another named The Hooded Man. Despite usually being written as a spaz, Johnny is able to hold his own against Psionics and Lightwave, but Hooded Man of course beats him, because he's the cool lookin' dude. Meanwhile, Alssya Moy-Castle meets up with Sue and seemingly reveals that her husband's plans to make New Earth is simply a plan to save the A-List captains of industry and leaving the masses to rot. Quite frankly, that seemed obvious as to where that was going last arc, when her husband bragged about all the financial and government aid he was getting from the world's elite citizens and government members. OF COURSE they would demand front row seats to Earth II. Plus, well, this is a fairly typical plot point, especially from Millar. Rather than being surprising, it comes off as average. Reed, of course, is committed to another means of saving the planet and was suspicious of things from the start.
Oh, and that last panel reveals that the New Defenders have somehow captured Galactus and are using him as fuel. What...the...hell? He was in NOVA not two months ago! Like it wasn't enough that "Dr. Banner's" placement on the team defies all continuity. Maybe this is why 35,000 readers have fled the book within 4-5 months. They get the sense that this run is disconnected and are either put off or are trade-waiting. After all, some of the hottest events have been interconnected like CW and SI. It appears only Joss Whedon could sell over 100k with a book that was largely a self contained franchise. At the very least, this run is having two of Marvel's greatest threats, Dr. Doom and Galactus, job like losers. While Bendis already got the ball rolling on Dr. Doom jobbage this year, Galactus right now is all on Millar. This is a story where if you only read FF, it might be alright, but if you read other comics, now or in the recent past, the flaws start to shake the story apart.
Besides, introducing two teams of Defenders within 6 months has probably been due to an editorial bungle. It seems Millar just liked the name, and, well, no one is going to tell "Mr. WANTED" the word "No". Much as Bendis hasn't likely heard "no" since 2004-2005. But that's the least of the book's quibbles. The team could be called "Merry ****er Band" and it would still have some hassles. I still have hope for the book, and Millar's imagination and direction, but things don't seem to be gelling as easily as they did for ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR (where the expectations were lower) and I can understand why this is a Top 30 book instead of a Top 15 book. There could be rational explainations for the continuity bungles ("Dr. Banner" is merely the Hulk clone created in H4H circa 1998, Galactis is Impossible Man in disguise somehow), but I doubt it.
Hitch's art is solid, it isn't as polished (or over polished) as ULTIMATES 1 & 2 were, but that means that Hitch is actually trying to make his deadlines. Still, I still say that leather, pads, and zippers are the "shoulder pads" of the 2000's and I do get tired of seeing them. "Realism" can sure become just as monotanous as "spraypaint on nakes bodies" when overdone. I'll take Silver Age cheese over Modern Age pretension any day.
This leads us into...
LAST DEFENDERS #6: Wrapping up Joe Casey's seeming love letter to the Defenders franchise, which was last hot around when I was under two years old (and barely at that). It clearly is an ending for either part one of an ongoing arc or setting up a sequel mini. Considering issue #4 sold at 21k and below the Top 100, that seems unlikely. Casey & Muniz just aren't a big enough draw and neither is the franchise concept. The debut issue was at 33k which is barely above where IMMORTAL IRON FIST sold within the Top 70. Granted, Marvel has had an obsession with some mini's that no one likes and never sell, like FAIRY TALES crap, so you never know.
The ending, by the way, doesn't get a whole lot less confusing that some of the prior issues, with Yandroth. He's a bit of an odd villain who fiddles with magic, science, and time travel. His purpose was to basically analyze the past, present, and future incarnations of his old enemies, the Defenders, and ensure that the ideal "future" team comes to be. Of course, that is Casey's team, and it reads a bit like trying to sell it to the audience. Which would be perfectly fine...if Casey hadn't baited-and-switched on Newsarama (and likely other promo material) with the first few issues. Y'know, when he would give lengthy interviews about how Blazing Skull and especially Colossus were ideal members. They were both gone by issue #2 and barely played much of a role before then. The Defenders have always had a rotating cast and this run captured that essence, but I would argue it was never an essence that worked. It was more of a gimmick that some writers worked in better than others. Besides, the runs that most Defenders fans enjoyed were runs that had more stable members. Including the one Casey obviously favored, Kyle Hammond/Nighthawk. He was a B-Lister but he lasted a good long time on Defenders (alongside Dr. Strange, Hulk, Hellstorm, Valkyrie, and Hellcat).
The "Last" Defenders appear via time travel to save Kyle from Yandroth's psuedo-Squadron Sinister, and naturally Kyle is fascinated by the organized team roster, which leads him to ensure that it is assembled. That roster consists of She-Hulk, Krang, Son of Satan, and Joaquin Pennysworth as the new Nighthawk. Who could have imagined that Nighthawk would become a legacy character? Anyway, because of being banned from donning the costume, Kyle has set himself up as the "mentor" and benefactor role, buying a base in New Jersey and trademarking the "DEFENDERS" name so Tony Stark can't use it. He rattles on about a status quo where they aren't a team who is part of The Initiative, but doesn't act against it. That is a bit of rubbish. Post-CW, ANY team that consists of non-registered heroes and/or isn't part of the Initiative is considered no better than the Sinister Six. I mean, that is the angle New Avengers has awkwardly been running for a year, right? Well, I highly doubt Krang or Hellstorm are registered. Krang was a villain for the longest time and SHIELD would have every right to be suspicious if he landed on a team (imagine if some team decided to allow, oh, The Shocker on their roster; that'd raise some alarms). Of course, Registration enforcement has been lax for a while, and considering that the Skrulls helped it along, one wonders what the enforcement will be after that. Anyway, what I am getting to was that I was more able to buy Danny Rand's explanation about why he can't be arrested for bring Iron Fist than I could Kyle here. Marvel is moving from the extreme fascist manner that the SHRA was enforced during CW to one where it is barely enforced at all outside THUNDERBOLTS, NEW WARRIORS, and Bendis comics, which really doesn't work. A middle between extremes needs to be agreed upon line wide, and that would require that, after some 2 years, clearly detailing the SHRA and what it entails. Considering it is the lynchpin of New Marvel, this should have been done back in 2006. But, Joe Q's Marvel is one where they have to crash into a tree from an ice-bank before they think to look out for one. They learn the hard way, and enjoy doing so.
Granted, the CW enforcement of SHRA was stifling and I do encourge a loosening of the screws. I guess I just like consistancy.
At the very least, Kyle is committed to keeping his new team in New Jersey. I guess he hit his head too hard during that fight.
Muniz's art is fine. Casey can tell me that Krang isn't simply a poor man's Namor all he wants, but that is precisely what he is. On the other hand, I do see some charm in Hellstorm's new costume, and Nighthawk II works for me. I wouldn't mind reading another 6 issues about this team, although if given a choice, I'd prefer another 6 issues of THE LONERS instead.
A bit of a misfire, with a needless bait and switch, but I enjoyed it. I should go on record and say that I was proven correct about my issues with Colossus being on the earlier roster. I feared that She-Hulk would overshadow him and he would achieve nothing worthwhile. That happened and Colossus remains in the X-Men Ghetto, being the most underwhelming 75+ ton tanker in Marvel History. People may dislike NEW WARRIORS, but at least that opened up a lot of options for Jubilee and some others. This was Colossus' last chance at something like that, and Casey blew it (it isn't like Colossus would have been the only X-Man to have been on two teams or more at once, *cough* Wolverine, *cough* Storm). I'd be pissed if Bendis pulled even half as much of a switch, so it is only fair that Casey loses some notches here. Still, LAST DEFENDERS is a fun superhero book, not as bleak as many others, and I don't regret buying it. I just regret that it wasn't better.
Get Cebulski off FAIRY TALES and onto THE LONERS, stat!
