BOUGHT/THOUGHT for June 13, 2007

[Not Jake]

World War Hulk #1: Great
Action, action, action. The book heats up to a ridiculous temperature in record speed. Hulk f**ks up Black Bolt, and Iron Man, surprisingly, is the first line of defense. S**t!

Tony Stark is a hero. He may have acted shadily in the past, but here, Greg Pak shows us that Stark is still with the light side of the force. He tells everyone that he takes full responsibility for the Illuminati's actions. He doesn't hold a grudge against the unregistereds, he knows they want to help, and he knows that it's no time to refuse it. The guy just makes all the right moves here, and you know what? He's pretty likable, here. Reading this and his own book has made me an Iron Man fan. The fact that he's pulled some jerk s**t, and it IS a fact, combined with his status as head of SHIELD, has made him a pretty interesting character. Loads better than he used to be, when he could barely support his own book. Also, Tony just evacuates NYC without approval from Bush. That's cool. Also, you know what? I'm down with Stark going in first. It's acceptable strategy. He can possibly regroup, because Hulk didn't kill Blackbolt yet so I'm sure Tony assumes he won't kill him for the time being. Plus, it leaves Reed, Strange and Sentry, who probably have the best chances at stopping Hulk. Then, all the other heroes. See? Tony's making all the right moves.

So, yeah. Action is great. Pak gives us one of the most ridiculous onomatopoeias ever.:heart: Romita Jr was an amazing choice for this book, and here's why: he draws the best Hulk ever. Yep, it's true. Also, Spider-Man is in the book. He also draws the best Spidey ever. Plus, the guy is just terrific at illustrating movement. This issue is far more dynamic than any of McNiven's Civil War issues were, even though they're technically prettier. I don't think many artists could get across the enormity of the blows being struck as effectively as Rommy J does. I call him Rommy J because I give nicknames to people I'd have sex with.

Pak is really on his game here, writing great action, giving Tony great super-science tools like a huge nanite spike on a thruster-powered gauntlet and telepathic evacuation units.


Seeing Romita Jr on superhero stuff again (rather than Eternals), specifically on a book with Hulk and Spidey in it, reminds me of the ASM story JMS and he worked on with Digger, a villain similar in constitution to the Hulk. In it, Peter tells MJ that he knows a way to stop The Hulk, but it'd kill him. I hope, seeing as how JMS is one of Marvel's big guns, that he or an editor reminded Pak of this, and it gets worked into the story.

 

[Not Jake]

Geez, my post is long. It's like if I'm Dread, but with paragraphs.

 

[Upset Spideyfan]

World War Hulk #1

The first and only thing I didn't like.

The fight with Black Bolt occurred off-screen. I know the book was longer than a typical comic already so I guess it was either that or cut out some of the later action, but I definitely felt like the reader missed something epic.

Anyway onto the good.

The Iron Man vs. Hulk fight rocked. The destruction of the Avengers tower was definitely shocking and a little awe-inspiring. At the very least it made me exclaim "Holy ****!".

Tony throwing himself straight at the Hulk was definitely cool, as was the speech he gave during most of it explaining himself and taking responsibility for the Hulk's return. I knew from the start he was doomed but it was cool to see him giving it his best.

And the offer to grant amnesty to all of the unregistered superheroes was a nice touch on Pak's part. I was worried that Tony was going to be portrayed as a Nazi, much like he was during Civil War (particularly in Frontline and Amazing Spider-Man) but that didn't happen so I'm thankful.

That nobody in the Illuminati made a mention of placing a bomb is interesting. I might be wrong but I'm still betting on it being revealed that somebody on the Hulk's crew did the deed.

I guess next issue is Hulk vs. the heroes that were in New York. Should be pretty cool.

 

[Dread]

Geez, my post is long. It's like if I'm Dread, but with paragraphs.

It happens to everyone.

I agree, Romita Jr. is a great artist, especially on Hulk & Spider-Man.

Hmm, the reviews for the first issue have been pretty good, I just never read the PLANET HULK build-up nor really care enough to. It is good that Iron Man is attempting to be redeamed, and while I haven't read Pak in much, he hopefully isn't as crude about things as Millar was.

Besides the fact that I can barely stand another event right now, to me reading WWH without reading PLANET HULK is like seeing RETURN OF THE EMPIRE without having first seen STAR WARS. You won't get the references and nothing will matter. I don't care enough about Hulk to pluck $40 for the HC, even if the timing for it's release is a masterstroke of good Marvel scheduling. Watch, I sit this one out and it turns out to be better than HOM and CW.

 

[MaskedManJRK]

I agree with you on the price of Planet Hulk--I want to read it, but not at 40 f**king bucks.

 

[Dread]

I agree with you on the price of Planet Hulk--I want to read it, but not at 40 f**king bucks.

Well, $40 for about 12-15+ issues worth of material isn't terribly bad for a hardcover, as the standard seems to be, 2 trades = 1 hardcover. I just am too poor plus ambivelant to get it. But I am taking stock of the positive reviews of the event itself.

 

[hippie_hunter]

It happens to everyone.

I agree, Romita Jr. is a great artist, especially on Hulk & Spider-Man.

Hmm, the reviews for the first issue have been pretty good, I just never read the PLANET HULK build-up nor really care enough to. It is good that Iron Man is attempting to be redeamed, and while I haven't read Pak in much, he hopefully isn't as crude about things as Millar was.

Besides the fact that I can barely stand another event right now, to me reading WWH without reading PLANET HULK is like seeing RETURN OF THE EMPIRE without having first seen STAR WARS. You won't get the references and nothing will matter. I don't care enough about Hulk to pluck $40 for the HC, even if the timing for it's release is a masterstroke of good Marvel scheduling. Watch, I sit this one out and it turns out to be better than HOM and CW.

Pick up World War Hulk. One issue in and I'm finding it more enjoyable than all of Marvel's and DC's summer events combined! It is THAT good.

 

[Dread]

Pick up World War Hulk. One issue in and I'm finding it more enjoyable than all of Marvel's and DC's summer events combined! It is THAT good.

But did you read PLANET HULK?

 

[PhotoJones]

Dread, I didn't read Planet Hulk, and I have no intention of doing so if the auctions for the issues on Ebay remain as high as they are.

You don't need to have read it. You remember how I likened Mighty Avengers to a big, dumb summer movie? WWH is the same thing, accept it's smarter, more accessible and it makes more sense.

I'd say pick it up. It's only five issues, and JRJR's art is more than worth the cover price.

 

[hippie_hunter]

But did you read PLANET HULK?

Welllllllll....yeah.

But you don't even need to read it. The Hulk will recap the important parts in the first issue.

It is sooooo freaking awesome. EVERYONE needs to buy this!

 

[Not Jake]

It happens to everyone.

I agree, Romita Jr. is a great artist, especially on Hulk & Spider-Man.

Hmm, the reviews for the first issue have been pretty good, I just never read the PLANET HULK build-up nor really care enough to. It is good that Iron Man is attempting to be redeamed, and while I haven't read Pak in much, he hopefully isn't as crude about things as Millar was.

Besides the fact that I can barely stand another event right now, to me reading WWH without reading PLANET HULK is like seeing RETURN OF THE EMPIRE without having first seen STAR WARS. You won't get the references and nothing will matter. I don't care enough about Hulk to pluck $40 for the HC, even if the timing for it's release is a masterstroke of good Marvel scheduling. Watch, I sit this one out and it turns out to be better than HOM and CW.

You're assuming way too much about missing out on Planet Hulk. Not that much happened, you won't miss any references. Seriously, the first couple issues and the last couple were good, but most of it was slow-moving. All you need to know is that Hulk got shipped off to a planet, was weakened, got thrown into a gladitorial role, beat up and then helped free a weakened Silver Surfer, made some buddies in the ring, overthrew the emperor, and then his ship somehow blew up, killing a lot of alien peeps, including his wife. Who had a totally rad *****! I'm assuming. Also, his baby in her sexy alien womb.

That's all that's referenced in the first issue. Her name was Caeira. Hulk remembers the explosion and gets mad. Buy this

Maybe pick up Hulk #107 or WWH Prologue. Either/Or. It'll familiarize you, if you really must have a little more backstory. Plus, it has Amadeus Cho, the coolest new character in years. Way cooler than any of your treasured Runaways

 

[Darthphere]

Blackbolt getting beat is ******ed. I don't care how angry Hulk is.

 

[Upset Spideyfan]

Blackbolt getting beat is ******ed. I don't care how angry Hulk is.

Yeah. Now if they had outsmarted him some how, say they used Hulk's ship/allies or threatened Attilan then maybe, but as it is I keep trying to picture Hulk charging Black Bolt and beating him but the image I keep ending up with instead is Black Bolt whispering repeatedly and blasting Hulk aside again.

Ah well, I'm not going to let it get me down. The rest of the comic was good.


New Avengers #31

Wow, Elektra was a Skrull.

I guess Bendis is tying into his Illuminati mini and if the big event in 2008 are the Skrulls. I can't really complain since I love the Skrulls.

The issue itself was largely ho-hum. Lots of splash pages with the New Avengers fighting ninjas. Strange being stabbed was quickly brushed aside as a complication. The end with Baby Cage turning out to be a Skrull was silly.

I guess Elektra being a Skrull happened recently. Probably after she took over the Hand (and became a figure of importance).

I'll have to see how this Skrull story develops but I guess this will be the main plot line of New Avengers from now on.

Countdown #46

Meh. This book sort of just comes out and I just kind of buy it. Its not really good and its not really bad. It sits there between sub-average and adequate.

 

[CaptainCanada]

Besides the fact that I can barely stand another event right now, to me reading WWH without reading PLANET HULK is like seeing RETURN OF THE EMPIRE without having first seen STAR WARS.

I'm reading WWH with having read Planet Hulk, and I get it fine (they lay out the basics within the issue, anyway).

And I watched Return of the Jedi first.

As to the Skrulls in NA, remember the prophecy referred to by the Emperor in NA: Illuminati #1: that the Skrulls will come to possess Earth?

 

[Nasty-B]

Punisher War Journal #8
While I agree with some that the Momento-style storytelling may not be necessary, I do think it helps add some spice to what would have otherwise been a non-eventful issue. Still, I think this story could have easily been told in 3 issues, rather than 5. Also, while I get Frank's reasoning for becoming Captain Punish-America, his new outfit isn't really that similar to Cap's that it would necessarily have the desired effect. It just kinda reaks of hamfisted editorial micromanaging. But, as always, Ollivetti's artwork is terrific. His charcters actually have different faces, and display varied emotions. By the way, is it just me, or did that Nazi in the police station look just like that one Nazi from Sin City, you know, the guy that gets shot the head with an arrow. Anyway, I hope this title can stay afloat. I know there's still some great stories to be told about the PUnisher in the Marvel Universe. There's no reason why Ennis should have a monopoly. Plus, part the character's appeal, for me at least, is to see such a gritty vigilante interact with the fantastic elements of the MU. I hope Stark's appearance here foreshadows an Iron-man confrontation, that could be interesting.

NA #31
YU's art is starting to look a little rushed. Bendis' dialogue is actually witty and doesn't take up half the panel. Why doesn't Hawkeye just use a bow and arrow while wearing the Ronin garb?- samurai use bows as wells. Dr. Strange's place on the team is starting to make sense. Cage and Jessica's skrull baby: okay, I want to know more.

Sub-Mariner #1
I'm really starting to warm to Namor as a character. I don't know if it's because he stopped wearing the green speedo or what, but he really has become a more interesting and important part of the post CW MU. I never thought that I could give a rat's ass about Atlanean politics, but apparently I do now. After all, the whole Osama/Saddam aspect of this story, what with the illusory link between Stamford and the Kansas bombing, adds a whole level of intrigue that makes the story really relevant in a way that doesn't smack of heavyhanded political posturing. One question though: how can they speak underwater? I thought they might be using telepathy, but how can Namor speak to Stark? And how do they walk underwater? (Okay, I guess that's a seperate question)

WWH
Finally, the big event. First of all, I want to say that I'm not a big fan of JRJR. Maybe it's just my background of coming of age during the Jim Lee- ultra detailed era, but his boxy style doesn't do it for me. I wish that Gary Frank was doing the main mini instead of the series. Still, after looking at the book a second time, I am learning to appreciate JR's knack for conveying movement. I'd certainly take his earnest artistic talents over a light-boxer like Greg Land any day. Realism be damned. As to the story: this is why I'm a Marvel fan- moral ambiguity. A lot of people complain that there are too many good-guy vs. good- guy plots permiating around in the MU these days but, frankly, I can't get enough. When I first heard about the story, I was sure that I'd be rooting for Hulk to smash Stark, but now that he actually has smashed him, I want to see Stark succeed in stopping the Hulk. And yet, when the Hulk was getting blasted by the jets and he flashes back to his lost love and lost life, I really felt for the guy and understood his motivation. See, that's good storytelling. Beats the hell out of "foil bad guy plot #243." See, it's not just about being dark and gritty, it's about getting emotionally invested in all the character, both protaganist and antagonist. Maybe even bluring the lines to where you can't tell which is which, like they have here in WWH. This seems like a natural progression and evolution of Marvel style. In fact, even though it now appears that the next big crossover will involve the Skrulls, I'll bet you anything that the Skrulls are portrayed in a sympathetic light due to their recent Annhilation. Anyway, can't wait to see what happens with the Sentry. I'm sure Hulk's rage will cancel out his calming effect, but it'll still be a helluva fight.

 

[Marcdachamp]

I've yet to read Planet Hulk and I had no problems understanding what was going on.

 

[Not Jake]

Hey

one question

was that Sentry's tower that got destroyed

or Stark's

I can't remember what that place is. Looks sort of like Sentry's if I recall? I dunno

 

[MaskedManJRK]

Hey

one question

was that Sentry's tower that got destroyed

or Stark's

I can't remember what that place is. Looks sort of like Sentry's if I recall? I dunno

I'm pretty sure it's Starks.

 

[Dan_Slott]

Hey

one question

was that Sentry's tower that got destroyed

or Stark's

I can't remember what that place is. Looks sort of like Sentry's if I recall? I dunno

Stark's.
But with a little bit of Sentry's on top.

I don't why... but it felt a little dirty typing that.

Seriously though? That's how it works. Stark Tower was there first, and then Sentry plopped his base down on top of it.

 

[Purple Man]

A mass Skrull invasion for the big spring event of 2008? Definitly see that happening. It would easily effect every book that Marvel publishes, especially Young Avengers and the Runaways who both have Skrull team members.

Now where is Morrison and Millars: Skrull Kill Crew?

 

[Doc Destruction]

Hey

one question

was that Sentry's tower that got destroyed

or Stark's

I can't remember what that place is. Looks sort of like Sentry's if I recall? I dunno

Both.

Stark Tower became the watchtower.

 

[venom62]

World War Hulk #1

The first and only thing I didn't like.

The fight with Black Bolt occurred off-screen. I know the book was longer than a typical comic already so I guess it was either that or cut out some of the later action, but I definitely felt like the reader missed something epic.

You're right. And the main bashing b/w tony and Hulk happened semi off screen as the building was falling. They duked it out a bit and then tony called in the jets, but they took out a whole building and we didn't see much of the action.

This felt like Sapranos.

Other than that I think this is going to be a fun x over. I can't imagine that the whole thing will be off screen fight.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I thought they merged in the Sentry's New Avengers arc. Granted, that arc confused me a lot.

Anyway, World War Hulk #1 ruled. I was just recently thinking that modern comics, under increased demand for thought-provoking, insightful character development, had forgotten the value of a good old-fashioned fight. WWH proved me wrong. Greg Pak, at least, understands that while character development is and always will be a cornerstone of comics, action has to be as well. Otherwise, all we're left with are 32-page soap operas with people in funny clothes. WWH #1 delivered on the action part of the equation in a way that no comic that I can remember has lately. JR Jr.'s pencils helped immensely with that. Nasty-B pointed out that Romita's style is more simplistic than a lot of the younger artists' ultra-detailed styles, but I think that simplicity served the story well here by emphasizing the energy and movement of the action. WWH #1 gave me that tingly feeling of excitement I get from knowing, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that a comic series is going to be fun. If Pak's careful attention to the fights and JR Jr.'s incredible visuals stay at the level they're at in WWH #1, I have no doubt I'll be proven right.

Countdown 46: So, upon seeing Forerunner, my first thought was "Oh, look: it's Harbinger, but X-TREEEEEEEEEM!" I hope there's something to her that proves that's not all she is, but it doesn't seem likely. The rest of the issue wasn't bad, though. Gray and Palmiotti are solid writers, and Saiz's art is always a treat. I've missed him on Checkmate, even though Joe Bennett is also really good. Anyway, the first half (or probably 2/3rds) of the issue devoted to Mary Marvel was mostly good. She's obviously not the caricature of wholesomeness she was in Formerly Known as the Justice League anymore, but I thought her willingness to kill the demon was a bit much. I guess some leeway must be afforded since it was a demon and, as such, generally considered to be sub-human, but I'm really tired of superheroes throwing around the possibility of lethal force so nonchalantly lately. Thankfully, Gibbons showed me it's not happening across the entire DC line, with Guy Gardner flat-out refusing to kill in Green Lantern Corps. Other than that little slip of the tongue, however, Mary's fight with stillborn-baby demon was good. I'm not sure what happened at the end; I think Mary called down the magic lightning by saying "sorry," but we don't see her in her civilian form afterwards and those cops don't seem to notice anyone other than the demon. The only other thing I can think of is that either Billy or Freddy intervened because they heard about Mary being back in the game, but I imagine a confrontation between those characters would require more emphasis and come later on. The back end of the issue was a little less interesting. I still hate Jason Todd, who just heaps hypocrisy upon hypocrisy and is so inconsistent he makes my head swim. Also, I started getting excited when Donna said they should look for other "anomalies" because I took that to mean Kyle, but then stupid Forerunner showed up and, again, this issue of Countdown was utterly Kyle-less. Seriously, this series needs some goddamn Kyle Rayner action.

Green Lantern Corps #13: I love Gibbons. He's pretty much the only guy involved in the GL titles who really knows how to write the Corps. I loved how, even under the influence of the Parallax/Sinestro/yellow whatever spores, Kilowog manages to admire his own handiwork by complimenting Sarn and Kol on lasting against him for so long. "I trained you well." Anyway, Gibbons reveals that the trouble on Mogo and the upcoming Sinestro Corps crossover have been tied together since the beginning. I honestly didn't suspect it one bit. I thought maybe Parallax had somehow crept into Mogo and was turning his helpful powers against the other Lanterns. Anyway, kudos to Gibbons again for making me care about a faceless planet so much that I actually felt genuinely sad when Mogo rams himself into a giant asteroid to destroy the main mass of spores infecting him. His once-perfect Lantern symbol-shaped forest configuration is now marred. Not as much as I expected it to be, but still. I'm looking forward to the Sinestro Corps crossover. I'm a bit apprehensive about reading Johns' GL title for it, but I figure if Gibbons had any input, it'll automatically be better than the crap Johns has been putting out so far. Reis' art will help, too.

New Avengers #31: Remember what I said earlier about being tired of heroes who are willing to kill? Bendis is definitely not helping on that front. Wolverine actually comes right out and commands the New Avengers to kill the Hand's ninjas, and nobody but Hawkeye disagrees. Spider-Woman actually agrees right off the bat, which is actually fine for me, since I hate that ho anyway. Kudos to Hawkeye, but what about Spider-Man, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist? Did they become cold-blooded murderers while my back was turned? I'm assuming Iron Fist, at least, still didn't kill because he still had plain escrima sticks to block the ninjas' swords, rather than grabbing swords from fallen ninjas like Echo did. It seems a little off for Spider-Man to not have spoken up at that, though. He's always taken an absolute no-killing policy, and he believes in it so strongly that he's come to blows with the Punisher and Wolverine himself over it several times in the past. It could be his angst in the wake of May's brush with death that kept him silent, but that's exactly what I was afraid of with Back in Black's promise of a darker, angrier Spider-Man. Spider-Man as a character just doesn't work for me if he's running around smashing people's heads open with no remorse. But enough about my apparently old-school hang-ups about superheroes who are actually heroic. This issue was probably the least eventful of New Avengers so far. The entire thing is just Wong reading Dr. Strange bedtime stories while the rest of the team fights wave after wave of boring ninjas and panicking when they all should be able to deal with ninjas handily. Oh yeah, Echo comes to her senses and kills Elektra, who turns out to be a Skrull, too. I don't know where the **** Bendis is going with this arc. That's basically all I can come up with in terms of a review for New Avengers' new direction: I have no ****ing clue what all of this is leading to. I'll keep reading just to see why the hell a Skrull's on Earth when their species is on the verge of extinction in the wake of the Annihilation War, but if Bendis doesn't get some kind of forward motion going on a cohesive plot, I'm ditching it. Not even Yu's art can make me stick around for many more 3-issue blocks of the same events rehashed from different perspectives.

Avengers Classic #1: I read the reprinted issue in a Marvel Masterworks not too long ago, but it was still fun reading it again. The real treats of this issue were the two back-up stories. The first one, by Dwayne McDuffie and Mike Oeming, was a hilarious look at how the Avengers elected their very first chairman. The whole alpha male conflict between Thor, Iron Man, and the Hulk was hilarious to watch, especially when you consider that it was actually part of the original Avengers comics, with the Hulk leaving in Avengers #2. I liked how McDuffie put a glimpse of the leader the Wasp would become into the ditzy Wasp of this time period. The next back-up is even better. Stan Lee breaks the fourth wall and basically becomes the whipping boy for the Avengers, acting as a sleazy agent or manager for the team. Maguire's pencils, as always, add immensely to the humor of the short story. His facial expressions are easily the best in the industry. I loved both of the back-ups, and I'm looking forward to what McDuffie and Oeming come up with for the rest of the series. I only hope the series lasts longer than Classic X-Men did.

I read some other stuff, but I've already typed way more than I thought I would and, frankly, I gotta get back to work.

 

[Nasty-B]

Did anyone else notice that Dan Slott was just in here?

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Yeah, he pops in occasionally. He gave us a heads-up about Squirrel Girl's appearance in the FF cartoon two days ago.