Cool week, topped off by going into Half-Priced Books, and finding a first printing of the large, hardcover Elektra Lives Again by Frank Miller. I have pretty much every Elektra appearance; but, I was missing that comic and the last two issues of Elektra: Assassin. What was also kind of neat was they had three copies of the 70's trade paperback, Origin Of Marvel Comics. I didn't want to spend $24.99 on it, though.
Anyway, more reviews.
Girl Comics #3
This three-part mini took a while to come out. I remember having Colleen Coover and another female artist sign my issue #1 back in March. It's kind of neat to see Marvel recognize the female writers and artists, especially those who are from Marvel's past. Some have gone on to different careers; but, they contribute some new material for this project.
Now, none of the stories will exactly blow you away; but, they're all nicely done. Some are even a throwback to yesterday, like with Louise Simonson's Power Pack story. (The kids babysit Cable when he was just a baby.) My biggest complaint might be that I want more than just a 2-page introduction by Colleen Coover. I've always been a fan of her art, and except for a Spider-Man Summer Special, she's been relegated to backstories in pretty much everything I've seen her done.
World War Hulks: Captain America Vs. Wolverine #1
Another WWHs mini...the first being the Hulkpool 2-parter that came out a couple months back. These two that came out this week feel a little late, as if memory serves me correctly, the Hulkified heroes have changed back already. Still, the Hulkpool comic was kind of funny. And, this one by Paul Tobin isn't half bad either. I just find this concept rather corny and embarrassing.
I love the art in this comic, and Tobin is a pretty good writer; so, I'm not surprised to see him turn this lemon of an idea into a decent lemonade. The highlight, though, is the backstory of when Wolverine met the Winter Soldier way back when. It kind of makes you tolerate the silly WolverHulk and BuckyHulk showdown mixed throughout the issue.
World War Hulks: Spider-Man Vs. Thor #1
This issue, though, isn't nearly as good as the previous. I'm slightly interested when it comes to backstory Thor tales...but, SpiderHulk and ThorHulk look ridiculous, and takes my attention away from anything worthwhile in this story. Skip this one...check out the previous...and, if you're a Deadpool fan, his time travel Hulkpool adventure was entertaining and fun.
Marvel Super Hero Squad #7
Yes. There are times I severely question my devotion to being a Marvel completionist. I've bought some truly terrible Marvel comics...and still do...all because I have a yearning for owning all their stuff. (And, YES, I have even been purchasing at bargain bin prices old issues of Alf!) This comic obviously is targeted to a younger audience...MUCH YOUNGER...as, I can plainly state that it's the worst comic Marvel currently puts out. Every story is pretty much the same...very comic versions of classic Marvel heroic characters compete with the Marvel baddies to find fractuals, which are pieces of the Cosmic Cube basically. The heroes win in the end, and the bad guys are made to look like complete childish fools. Oh my gosh...it's just so bad...so terribly unfunny.
Adventure Comics #516
I don't know about this comic. It's not that it's bad...it's just that each issue really doesn't go out of it's way to make you want to pick up the next. Levitz does a good job telling us old (or is it new) stories of Legion's past (or is it future). See, I'm a bit confused. Somehow, Superboy is back with the Legion; but, the stories seem like reflections on the origin of the Legion. This issue, we get the origin of R.J. Brande. It's interesting, in that I've never read it before...but, it also feels like since the events ending The War Of The Supermen, that "The Early Years" are being rewritten. (Thus, things that happened before might not have happened?? I don't know. Maybe it's best not to try and understand it.)
The new backup feature is The Atom, spinning out of the one-shot that I reviewed last week. I simply don't care about The Atom, and found myself somewhat bored. (Oh, Atom's father isn't dead as it appeared at the end of the one-shot...he had a stroke, and is now hanging on by a thread.)
for the Legion "Early Years" story.
for the backup.
Second Coming: Revelations - Hellbound #3
This was kind of a useless story. The team of X-kids are sent to Limbo to retrieve Magik, a teleporter who can help the X-Men survive the attack by Bastion and crew....and, even though they save her in the end, she isn't even used past this in the main story. Basically, this is loosely based on Second Coming, and is a way to suck more money out of the reader. It didn't enhance the Second Coming storyline in the least...and, ends up just making me more tired of Pixie, the X-character that Marvel keeps trying to shove down our throats.
Invincible Iron Man #28
Oh.....My....GOD! Is this some insane experiment by Marvel and Fraction to see how long readers will last without a bit of action in an Iron Man comic??!!?? We get so much time devoted to Tony rebuilding his company, heading in a new direction of peace, and absolutely zippo in actual thrills. The Justine Hammer stuff does keep me coming back; but, the slow pace is killin' me.
