Bought/Thought for June 9th, 2010 *SPOILERS*

[Phaedrus45]

Captain America #606

I've been avoiding reading all the rants that have been going on over this comic until I had a chance to read it....and, I must say I completely disagree with Corp. I LOVED this issue! I love that Baron Zemo is back in a big way; and, I really don't think you can say that Brubaker is messing with the past ten years that much, when most of the time with Thunderbolts, you could never really figure what side of the law Zemo was working with. Plus, it's very significant that he might flip a bit by hearing the Bucky was back. (Oh, and you never really know WHICH Zemo is behind a mask, right? As The Ghost even states at the beginning, "You never know who it is behind masks anymore." For some reason, that really stuck out to me.)

This comic just looks good, too. I especially loved the page where Bucky is dreaming and the Cap skull is all open-mouthed. Plus, great to see that Brubaker is going to use Sin again. Just as Brubaker's first 50 or so issues kind of all dealt with the Red Skull in some way, I'm hoping this marks a huge storyline with Baron Zemo. I love when it all feels so epic.

Also, while I might not have liked it as much as Young Allies, I did enjoy the Nomad backup feature. It's cool to see Nomad not having a place to live, trying to rely on her own...and, a nice touch not having just fight a supervillian, but more someone who would be a real terror in our world.

Avengers Academy #1

Yeah, I hate all the various Avengers books; but, at least the majority of them have been pretty darn good. This is no exception, as Gage does a great job introducing the new team and even having the little twist at the end. (Of course, I seriously don't perceive them as much of a threat as it states in their files. I think there are more dangerous superpowered people who might be on the cusp of being good or bad.) This looks like it's a nice replacement for Avengers Initiative; and, I even didn't mind the bios in the last part of the book. (BTW, the bios at the end of Young Allies were some of the best I've seen. They really did a great job of reintroducing those members and what they've done before.)

Uncanny X-Men #525 ... or Second Coming Chapter 10

This issue felt like filler. I think everything that's discussed and mentioned in these pages have been talked about in the issues before; the only exception being the scene with Cable and X-Force visiting the future (which I did find kind of cheesy and a rip-off of Days Of Future Present). In fact, I had an overall problem with how easily last chapter and this chapter with how easily the Nimrod-type villains are defeated. It took everything for the X-Men to defeat 1 Nimrod...yet, we're to believe they can take down 5 of them with very little problem. Meh! The art looked good, at least.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Booster Gold was decent. It started out with what seemed to be some promise of exploring just what made Max Lord go from a genuinely decent guy when he sponsored the Justice League to the murderous bastard he became by The OMAC Project, which hasn't been done as far as I'm aware. Unfortunately, it doesn't actually go anywhere; Booster just tells himself that he misjudged Max all along and moves on. Kind of a letdown.

But the issue is still chuckle-worthy now and then, and it was great to see the Martian Manhunter and Ted again. I would so love to see J'onn do something more worthwhile than wallow in angst again. The detective story that's being set up in Brightest Day is all right, but I'd really love it if he could be part of Generation Lost's cast and join the others to hunt Max down. I want to see J'onn reclaim his position as one of the best and most respected superheroes in the DC universe, as he was even back in his JLI days while surrounded by a bunch of seeming screw-ups and misfits.

Anyway, ranting about J'onn aside, I'm really into Booster Gold again. Jurgens' run bored me enough that I dropped the series, but Giffen and DeMatteis are doing a great job so far. I'm looking forward to what happens with Rani, too. I doubt they brought her in just to have a kid awkwardly hanging around Rip's headquarters.

 

[squeekness]

Uncanny X-Men #525 ... or Second Coming Chapter 10

This issue felt like filler. I think everything that's discussed and mentioned in these pages have been talked about in the issues before; the only exception being the scene with Cable and X-Force visiting the future (which I did find kind of cheesy and a rip-off of Days Of Future Present). In fact, I had an overall problem with how easily last chapter and this chapter with how easily the Nimrod-type villains are defeated. It took everything for the X-Men to defeat 1 Nimrod...yet, we're to believe they can take down 5 of them with very little problem. Meh! The art looked good, at least.

I think this whole storyline is beginning to bore me. Maybe these arcs are just too darn long and with too much going on. I read this and I was like... and? It's just not as exciting as other things I've read in the past.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

SHIELD was interesting. And by "interesting" I mean confusing. Leonardo Da Vinci is apparently the chief architect of all things SHIELD-related and a super-scientist on a level that puts Reed Richards to shame. Not really a fan of that idea. Nathaniel Richards touches the core of this "Dark Man" guy and splits into a bunch of alternate versions of himself before vanishing. Kind of wondernig if that's gonna retcon Kang--who was supposedly just a descendent of the Richards and Doom lines who was named for Reed's dad Nathaniel--into actually being some version of Reed's dad Nathaniel himself. In any event, I imagine that's the start of the original Nathaniel Richards' time/dimension traveling. But I don't know for sure. I don't know anything for sure, really, because these first two issues have been so incredibly vague about everything besides the fact that SHIELD has existed in some form since ancient Egypt that it's starting to bug me now. I may just drop this series and stick to SHIELD's original Cold War origin in my head, 'cause this secret society thing, besides being confusing, is kind of lame. Art's good, though.

 

[Brainiac 8]

So far Second Coming has been pretty awesome for me.

Of course I came into it expecting the worst. I only have one gripe about it so far.

RIP Kurt.

 

[Phaedrus45]

I've enjoyed Second Coming, too; but, that last issue just felt like the writers were stretching it all out a bit much with not much new material really provided.

Deadpool: Wade Wilson's War #1

It's getting hard to separate the utter disdain for Deadpool (with all the various comics and appearances he makes) with trying to come into a new comic starring him with an open mind. This first issue wasn't bad; it's just the hogging-the-spotlight Deadpool takes away from some of the more interesting aspects of what I read. I loved the few pages with Domino; and, it was even great to see Silver Sable again. It's just Deadpool that tends to sap the fun out of a comic.

This comic sees Wade in front of a congressional-type hearing, where he admits (and tells a tale of) a secret division within the government, called X. This covert team consists of Deadpool ('natch), Domino, Silver Sable, and Bullseye. The story that Deadpool tells of one of their first missions is pretty generic stuff. It's the beginning and end of the issue that sparked my interest, as we see Domino being interogated by some pretty bad people.

Not sure what to really grade this book. Just because it's Wade, I'm leaning toward ; but, if I didn't have to read about him so often, I can easily see this comic getting a

Invincible Iron Man #27

Blah, blah, blah...little bit of action...blah, blah, blah.

That pretty much defines Fraction's Iron Man to me lately, and this issue really fits the bill. Some of the "blah,blahs" are interesting; but, for the most part it all goes on a bit too long and makes me feel as if the writer is just stretching out the material he has. Thinking back on the last year of this title, I don't think there has ever been so little action in any superhero book for that amount of time. Heck, Wade Wilson gets more action (wink, wink, nudge, nudge) than Tony Stark nowadays! Plus, while I like the art, it kind of bugs me a bit that Tony Stark is obviously being modeled after Josh Holloway. (I'm trying to figure out who the artist is using to draw Pepper Potts...sometimes I think she looks like Nicole Kidman, when she was a bit younger.)

OH, I did like seeing the return of Mrs. Arbogast! Now, that's a blast from the past!

X-Men Forever 2 #1

What I find amusing about this new chapter in Claremont's Forever book is that there are so many plot lines that are left open from the first volume. I guess it's just an attempt to get some new readers; but, they'd just be a bit confused by some of the stuff going on.

This was a good first issue in the relaunch, as we get that classic X-Men team from the early 90's facing off against the early 90's Avengers. As usual for early 90's, both teams fight since one refuses to talk things over...and, in the end the X-Men get away with the help of Jean using a telepathic illusion on the Avengers. I found most interesting a cut-away scene where a young child named Nate is at a state orphanage, and he opens his closet where a mysterious figure is waiting for him. (That figure is obviously Mr. Sinister.) Of course, this just adds another dangling plot point of many that Claremont currently has with this title.

I know the other readers on here who were picking up the book decided to drop it; but, I still am enjoying the ride. Heck, I got more action with the X-Men/Avengers fight than I've gotten in the past six months of Iron Man!

Daredevil #507

This is the issue which leads into Shadowland, and it's been one of my favorites from Diggle. I did wonder why that was, when I haven't been his biggest fan. Maybe it's because he shared writing duties with Antony Johnston? I would love to find out what each contributed to the issue. My most favorite part of the comic, though, was the art. Checchetto does a great job with these characters, especially Daredevil's battle in the snow with the white ninjas. It looked beautiful.

My only question is what the "Shadowland" is. Did I miss something in a previous issue that explained this, as the three old guys said that White Tiger has planted the seed of it in Matt's mind.

Good issue!

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Invincible Iron Man #27

Blah, blah, blah...little bit of action...blah, blah, blah.

That pretty much defines Fraction's Iron Man to me lately, and this issue really fits the bill. Some of the "blah,blahs" are interesting; but, for the most part it all goes on a bit too long and makes me feel as if the writer is just stretching out the material he has. Thinking back on the last year of this title, I don't think there has ever been so little action in any superhero book for that amount of time. Heck, Wade Wilson gets more action (wink, wink, nudge, nudge) than Tony Stark nowadays! Plus, while I like the art, it kind of bugs me a bit that Tony Stark is obviously being modeled after Josh Holloway. (I'm trying to figure out who the artist is using to draw Pepper Potts...sometimes I think she looks like Nicole Kidman, when she was a bit younger.)

OH, I did like seeing the return of Mrs. Arbogast! Now, that's a blast from the past!

And that is exactly why I hate artists "casting" their comics. You recognize a few features and then start wondering whose face this or that character was modeled off of. Unless it's really, really well done, like Gary Frank's rendition of Christopher Reeve as Superman (and I still don't really like that in principle), it pulls you right out of the story.

 

[Dread]

It seems I am not the only one gradually losing interest in INVINCIBLE IRON MAN.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I already am and I just started buying it regularly with #25.

 

[Brainiac 8]

Land does the best art, it's really easy to know where he gets his 'inspiration.'

 

[Themanofbat]

I lost it after issue #7...

 

[WOLVERINE25TH]

My real problem with X-Men Forever was Claremont touted it as his X-Men if he never left. However, I sincerely DOUBT this was what he had planned at the time. As a What If? story, it left me a little cold. Some things are interesting, like there being two Storms, but this whole mutant burnout thing was just...meh. It's just not what I was expecting.

As for the casting issue, I actually kinda like seeing Supes modeled after Chris Reeve. For many, he IS Superman. And hey, it's a hell of a lot better than him having that ******ed (yes, I said it...suck it, Palin!) Superman Returns costume like they quietly tried to do during One Year Later.

 

[runawayboulder]

Second Coming has really slowed down since Nightcrawler died a few chapters ago. I'm confident it'll get it's second wind in part 11.

As has Invincible IM since the relaunch. It's getting lost in the mix with all of the new Avengers titles being launched.

PunisherMax just continues to kick serious ass. This month's ish was awesome! The 2 Punisher books are right up there along side of Secret Avengers as my faves month to month.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

As for the casting issue, I actually kinda like seeing Supes modeled after Chris Reeve. For many, he IS Superman. And hey, it's a hell of a lot better than him having that ******ed (yes, I said it...suck it, Palin!) Superman Returns costume like they quietly tried to do during One Year Later.

You're right, for many people Reeve is Superman. But you know what? He's not for me, and those people already have 4 Superman films.

 

[kguillou]

What I like more actually about Gary Frank's Superman is that he doesn't draw Supes as this massively over-buffed guy like every other artist draws him. Frank gives him a more realistic, slimmer build which I like.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Eh, what's realistic for an alien powered by the sun is a bit nebulous at best, I think. I prefer something more like Quitely's Superman. Big but not overly muscular.

 

[kguillou]

True, I like Quietly's too. I like how both Quietly and Frank actually make it look like Superman's wearing a costume. Alot of artists tend to draw superheroes with their costumes is grafted to their skin, there are no creases or anything to indicate that they're actually wearing some sort of fabric. I dunno, to me its a nice subtle touch.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

It goes back to the Classical appreciation for the nude form. Easiest way to make someone look superhuman is to make them look like the peak physical specimen, and the easiest way to do that is to make them as naked as possible so you can see all their sexy muscles.

 

[squeekness]

Nemisis #2. I normally like Millar, but this is so over the top it's really making it hard for me like this. I'm a good sport, I can suspend a certain amount of disbelief, but no amount of money is going to make a guy as untouchable as this. If he was a mutant maybe, some sort of Fantomex rip off, but this is still just an ordinary guy, you know? I don't how much more of this I will keep reading. It is a shame because the art is beyond wonderful...

 

[Darthphere]

SHIELD was interesting. And by "interesting" I mean confusing. Leonardo Da Vinci is apparently the chief architect of all things SHIELD-related and a super-scientist on a level that puts Reed Richards to shame. Not really a fan of that idea. Nathaniel Richards touches the core of this "Dark Man" guy and splits into a bunch of alternate versions of himself before vanishing. Kind of wondernig if that's gonna retcon Kang--who was supposedly just a descendent of the Richards and Doom lines who was named for Reed's dad Nathaniel--into actually being some version of Reed's dad Nathaniel himself. In any event, I imagine that's the start of the original Nathaniel Richards' time/dimension traveling. But I don't know for sure. I don't know anything for sure, really, because these first two issues have been so incredibly vague about everything besides the fact that SHIELD has existed in some form since ancient Egypt that it's starting to bug me now. I may just drop this series and stick to SHIELD's original Cold War origin in my head, 'cause this secret society thing, besides being confusing, is kind of lame. Art's good, though.

Yeah, I thought I was the only one reading this comic. Totally agree. I mean, it's good, real good. But I just think this would have been better as a separate entity and not some weird SHIELD origin type thing. Da Vinci being a super genius is a bit of a stretch. There's a reason most of that **** he thought up just ended up being a sketch in his spiraled notebook.

 

[Phaedrus45]

I don't have the comics in front of me; so no issue numbers.

Gen 13

I have dropped Authority and Wildcats; but, I guess I didn't take this title off my list yet. Maybe that's because I own almost every issue that Gen 13 has been in...although, the same can be said for Authority. I guess I won't drop it quite yet, as this latest issue was much better than the previous three or four. I still don't like that half of the original team is in space with The Authority, and the other half of this team is Gen14 members...but, they are kind of growing on me, and the first part of this story wasn't as dreadfully dull as what Wildstorm has been doing with their other titles. (Seriously, by having Armageddon happen in all their titles, Wildstorm has seriously killed my interest in these line of books. At least it looks like Gail Simone's upcoming Welcome To Tranquility won't be hampered by those events.)

The Unwritten (#14, I think)

Still like this title very much; but, issue #12 with the rabbit has been my favorite so far. Not a lot of advancement past what we read last issue, as various parties are all going to come together for the 14th Tommy Taylor novel release party. (Hopefully that's next issue.) I guess I'm just getting grumpy this week about various comics that just seem to tread water between issues. (See this week's Second Coming, Fraction's Iron Man and most every issue of DMZ.) This comic doesn't really do that as much as the others; yet, the one part of this issue that did present a new plot line I didn't really understad. Not sure what's up with the main gal in this story. Now, THIS comic I'd really like a Director's Commentary with.

Daytrippers (#7, I'm sure)

Who else read this issue this week? I'd really like to know if they were as disappointed with it as I was. I like the main character, and I have liked his friend very much. It's just the ending was so bizarre, and I just didn't feel it like I have with all the other issues. It felt forced, I guess. It didn't have the beauty of the others in displaying the various ways the main character has died. Still, for me, this one bad apple doesn't spoil the rest. While I give this one a , the series still rates a t:

 

[WOLVERINE25TH]

What I hate is Nemesis looks like the de-colorized version of one of my primary superheroes (around some 20 years now, at least in concept). But hopefully the look is generic enough not to encourage lawsuits if I ever manage to get mine in print (which I'm working on).

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Yeah, I thought I was the only one reading this comic. Totally agree. I mean, it's good, real good. But I just think this would have been better as a separate entity and not some weird SHIELD origin type thing. Da Vinci being a super genius is a bit of a stretch. There's a reason most of that **** he thought up just ended up being a sketch in his spiraled notebook.

I agree. I was worried from the moment this was announced that it would just be a retcon frenzy, especially considering Hickman's big Secret Warriors revelation that SHIELD was just an arm of HYDRA all these years. It's certainly retconned a lot in just these two issues so far and I'm willing to give it the benefit of a full arc to see where the story is actually going, but so far I can't say I like too many of the retcons. The Illuminati-esque feel of SHIELD's ruling body, the revelation that Da Vinci is smarter than Reed Richards, Howard Stark as a SHIELD agent, etc.--it's all a bit much. I think, really, the only retcons I've liked so far are the origin of the name with Imhotep and Nathaniel Richards' involvement with all of it. Those feel like they make sense and not like Hickman is trying to force pieces into a puzzle in an order that only he sees as sensible.

 

[JewishHobbit]

Okay, so I finally got my books this week. Since everyone else has did their reviews already I'll just give my opinions instead of covering the plot.

Batman 700 - I liked it but it wasn't worth the price. I debated putting it back a few times but finally just bought it. I liked the entire art cast and I liked the story overall with the one thread connecting the three generations of Batman. Having read it though and knowing the story, if I could do it again, I'd have left it on the shelf. It wasn't worth the $5 pricetag.

Daredevil 507 - This was a good issue. Diggle's run hasn't been as good as Bendis or Brubaker's, but it's still been enjoyable. As I said before though, I think whatever happens with Shadowland will be the defining aspect of his run, so hopefully it succeeds. I know I'm excited for it though, so here's hoping it ends up being awesome.

Uncanny X-Men 525 - I didn't even realize this was a "Quarter" issue until I justed typed that. Remember when writers treated each 25, 50, and 75th issue like it was something special? Anyhow, I didn't much care for this issue. I felt the writing was bad and the Nimrods are going down WAY too easily, unbelievably so. It takes away from the enjoyment of the comic when these threats which should be able to take on teams of X-Men without any problem are being defeated by Psylocke Psi-daggers and a single bolt of lightening. It's just stupid. Honestly, I was excited about this idea of sending Nimrods into a dome to kill them. The idea was frightening and awesome, but it's being treated like they're just some random members of Hydra or something It's completely killed motivation for this event for me.

Hellbound 2 - This Second Coming tie-in was just kinda bleh for me. Now that these people have detered from the main story they feel unimportant. The only portion of it I'm interested in is Gambit's turn to Death. Other than that I just don't care. It just overall feels unimportant and useless.

Avengers Academy 1 - I've been going back and forth on whether or not to buy this and after skimming it I really thought about just not worrying about it. It didn't really call to me, but knowing my love of student books of any type I thougth it'd be worth at least giving the first issue a try. Honestly, I wasn't all that impressed, but I liked it enough to probably get at least the next issue or two on a "testing" mentality. I don't really feel anything for the characters or most of the staff. I like Justice, and typically I like Speedball, but for some reason I think i've outgrown him. I liked him as Penance, but this return to Speedball is doing nothing for me. And I'm a little disappointed in the ending of the book because Gage said in an interview that he was hoping for a reaction like the ending of Initiative or Thunderbolts, when it was talk of the town, but no, this was just kinda "so what?". I figure I'll give the book maybe 2-5 more issues and if nothing's changed for me then I'll cut it.



Justice League: Rise and Fall Special and Green Arrow 31-32 - I know these aren't new but I just bought them... so. Anyhow, I read Cry for Justice and it was okay, but I really do like Green Arrow's character. I keep coming back to him and then leaving again, and this preview for the new Green Arrow title in several of the DC books of late has me curious again. I read the first twenty or so issues from when he returned from the dead, then the first 15 or so issues of this series, and now I'm curious again.

I have to say I really did enjoy these. I don't think Green Arrow's books will ever be my favorite, but I just find that I really enjoy the character. I'm glad I bought these and I think I'll continue on the ongoing, as I'm real curious about the Robin Hood thing they have going on. I'm curious about the Arsenal mini as well, but I only had so much money.


And so... best and worst.

Best of the Week - Daredevil 507 - Honestly, this isn't saying all that much. I did enjoy this book but I don't think it really deserves this ranking, it's just that it had very little competition. Batman might have made this spot if not for the price.

Worst of the Week - Uncanny X-Men 525 - Boring, stretching, bad dialogue, not the best of art, and all around just bleh issue. This event started well but this last deal with the Nimrods now is just killing it for me.

 

[Phaedrus45]

PunisherMax #8

I enjoy FrankenCastle well enough; but, my real Punisher enjoyment comes from this Max title. If I had to choose, Remender's comic would be dropped in a heartbeat!

Very good issue, and probably my favorite of the Bullseye storyline. I loved how the comic kept going back and forth between three characters (Bullseye, Frank, and Kingpin), and how each ended in a somewhat similiar fashion. It's just great storytelling, even though much of it might not be too original. I know people were thinking about dropping the book when Ennis left it; but, Aaron is doing a beautiful job. Heck, I might be enjoying the comic even more! I like the classic villians showing up and seeing Aaron's take on them.

BTW, on a side topic, I have always hated the new look Bullseye. The carved bullseye on his forehead looks completely ridiculous, and I wish they'd just do away with that.

This issue gets a t:.

Second Coming: Revelations - Hellbound #2

This issue stunk! Definitely the worst of the Second Coming bunch. How bad was it? While reading it in bed last night, it took all my effort not to fall asleep before getting to the last page. It's even hard to remember much of what happened; because, I found myself not caring a bit about the characters (how lame Pixie has become since they tried to have her join the X-Men a couple years ago). I do like Magik...but, she's really not seen in this issue, except for a quick blurb showing her drop back into Limbo. As for Gambit, I don't care any longer. His character has been wasted for many, many years; and, this new version has not inflicted any new interest on my behalf.

Titans #24

With all the members of the Titans joining other groups, I wondered where this title was going to go a few months ago. Now we know. It's a villians group; and, while I really enjoyed the one-shot that saw this new group form and kill off the All-New Atom, this issue sucked eggs! It jumped around too much, and the writing was pretty sophmoric. I believe I dropped Teen Titans, and think it might be best to drop this one, too. (I really do hate how DC keeps duping me into continuing with these titles, promising a new direction. I just want good writing.)

The Warlord #15

I'd drop this title too; but, I think it gets cancelled after the next issue. That's good, because Mike Grell has pretty much trashed this book, especially with killing off the original Warlord and having his son take his place. I hate that, especially since I'm a Mike Grell fan. (That's waning, too, as when I met him the first time, he seemed pretty dang grumpy...and, the second time I was to meet him, he cancelled at the last minute from attending a local comic show. Why are these old artists and writers so moody whenever I see them?)

Outsiders #30

I dropped this title from my pull list when I bought my comics this week. It comes down to Marvel charging too much money for over half their comics, and the other companies having to suffer from it. That's ok, because I'm only dropping the books the have failed to live up to their potential for years and years. And, those comics all tend to come from DC. (There are some exceptions. I also dropped Conan, too.)

This issue actually wasn't too bad, and had a slight tie-in with War Of The Supermen. But, I'm holding my ground! I will not keep getting suckered into the Outsider Vortex of bad storytelling!!! I will not be conned with another new direction for this title!!!! (Is there a comic out there that has gone through so many changes in such a little time? Why did they even bring Batman into the book again??) This issue gets a slight for peaking my interest...but, overall, this comic has been dreadfully boring.



It's too bad. DC was showing a real spark with Brightest Day. I like the Titans Villians one-shot and liked the Justice League Of America first Brightest Day issue. But, the next ones were awful. It's hard for me to have faith in this company.