A decently moderate week, but not too heavy. Ironically, I decided to drop WIZARD after about 7-8 years to save money, as it literally costs a penny more than 2 books, and yet I spent almost the same amount because I got two books I hadn't planned on. With most of the relevent stuff being reposted online anyway, and with me buying more books than ever, WIZARD had to go. Unlike a comic, I can't resell them in theory so they just collect space, getting outdated.
A solid week. Mostly good, with some stumbles. Good way to kick off Thanksgiving.
As always, unleaded spoilers.
DREAD'S BOUGHT/THOUGHT for 11/22/06:
52 WEEK #29: I usually don't keep as much track of Marvel's recent advert problems the last few weeks, but I really noticed the lack of as many ads in 52 this week. Much as the cover suggests, it spends most of it's time dealing with the old timer JSA members, who getting misty about their losses this year, how empty a Thanksgiving it'll be, and finally on the burst of Luthor-created metahumans who "lack heart" for their roles. The old guys are forced to confront Infinity Inc. when Obsidion materializes from nowhere and attacks a new member for "usurping" the name of his sister, Jade. For people who think the eye patch makes Sentinal look like "Nick Fury as a Green Lantern", I agree with you. Seeing a domino mask OVER the eyepatch is just so cheesy that it's awesome, though, and only DC has the cajones to still do that. I'm sure Johns wrote most of this issue as the JSA were his babies and it's all quite good, the clash of generations with Luthor's presence at the core. Meanwhile, Steel's allies are gathering together a former metagene to start to build a case against Luthor, as Mr. Irons suddenly loses his steel skin and discovers that all the meta-powers have an expiration date. Just a rivetting issue, better than some of the past ones. Oh, and crazed Thanksgiving hyjinks at Mad Doctor Island when Dr. Morrow is taken off his meds to get "creative" again. Egg Fu is also rather cheesy, but not awesome. More like the lame Mojo kind. But the JSA stuff was the real kicker here.
BLUE BEETLE #9: I decided that since I'll likely still buy USM despite it's own decompression & repetitive plot issues, it'd be unfair to give up on BB yet since I actually do like the book. It's sales have slipped considerably, though, but DC is less trigger happy with poor selling books so I suspect it'll see an 18th issue, easy. Rouleau returns for guest art and it's still not terribly hot, but not terrible. After spending, I dunno, the last 6 or so issues trying to chase down his origin, Jaimie, Peacemaker and the gang return home to take stock and resettle. Jaimie's buddy organizes some tech-heads to create an online "network" for the Beetle and plan to be his unofficial tech support for superhero stuff. Peacemaker reveals part of his connections and naturally re-confirms that the Beetle is alien-tech, but it helps build his character a little and now I actually like him. The stuff with La Dama also takes a twist as Checkmate is checking up on her, and Jaimie's gal-pal seems to accidentally activate a Motherbox. See, the title's slowly moving to a new plotline and I feel it's better for it. It's nothing spectacular but is a solid little superhero book with some enjoyable characters and dialogue, so I'll buy it. The cover seems random, though.
FRONTLINE #8: My first thought was how cool a cover it was, seeing all those surly Atlantian warriors all Klingon there. And the great thing about Frontline is that while the main title can often have it's key surprises ruined, this book is allowed some cover so Jenkin's mysteries remain just that. Whatta concept. Anyway, this title has some more journalistic action as Urich uses a date with Sally Floyd to bait an inside cop into telling him what he knows about the "explosion" from last issue (recap: Wonder Man, drafted by the feds, finds an Atlantian stronghold but it's bombed by Green Goblin, who is dealing with a manipulative insider who takes him off his nanobot leashes). Naturally, the cop and Urich narrow down that Goblin caused the explosion, and theorized that someone from within the SHRA side unleashed him on purpose, possibly for "war profiteering". Minor problem? WOLVERINE just spent the last 3 or so issues on this angle, so there is a fear of repeating trends here. WOLVERINE, recall, had Logan find out that Nitro was able to cause Stamford because he was on MGH, which he got via Damage Control's new corrupt policy of aiding in supervillian attacks to get them more repair business; to that end he busted up their stuff and iced their currupt new CEO all Wrestlemania style. Of course, the rub is that Stark's company isn't seeing all the proceeds and some $80 million has moved hands, to either Stark himself, or someone on the inside. Do I see yet another superhero becoming an irredeemable bastard, like Quicksilver last year? Meanwhile, Sally chases down a lead with an old man who turns out to be Capt. America in a trick that should have been obvious but actually wasn't, which was good. If only CIVIL WAR could be more like this sometimes. In "The Accused", Speedball survives his shooting (his hitman was someone whose kid died in Stamford, of course), but has shrapnel lodged in his body that could cause any surgery to cripple or kill him; plus his powers are evolving due to all the stress. Maria Hill questions She-Hulk (unlike Millar, Jenkins understands that while she cooperates, she's not all gung-ho for the registration and has some integrity) and Baldwin's cellmate "Hickey" has vanished and is a spy at SHIELD. She naturally will fudge some of the facts so the President can spin it properly, while Mr. Fantastic does show concern for Baldwin's well being...and all but juices himself about his "evolving powers". In the final chapter, Jenkins captures some "man on the street" POV with two mounted NYPD cops not liking how heroes from other nations don't have to register. Everyone is believing that the Atlantians are working up an invasion again, especially since the cousin of their monarch was slain in Stamford, but the blue-men insist that their "rogue" group were merely studying humanity and not working up arms (a dubious explaination in itself) when an out-of-control Osborn appears and shoots one of them, claiming he's "not well" and didn't do it. The plot thickens. I didn't bother with the last few pages as usual. They're just a waste and I'd rather those pages used to add another page to each of the 3 better stories here. We have a conspiracy web here and it's very rivetting stuff, even if the mastermind may end up disappointing fans in the future (or pleasing them, who knows). Apparently someone in the background wants to profit on the war and is willing to use Osborn to incite Atlantis to do it. It also ties into PUNISHER WAR JOURNAL a little.
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #536: Marvel and JMS have got to stop doing this. They have got to stop putting out tie-ins via ASM or FF that take place AFTER a CW event they are referencing that has not been seen. Maybe a 3rd of the way inside, the editor's note claims this takes place "after CIVIL WAR #5 and #6" and tells us to read 'em...which we can't as CW #6 won't ship for another few weeks. Couldn't this have waited a little longer? For god's sakes, the entire event was delayed because Marvel felt it was worth waiting for McNiven for the sake of "quality", yet they don't even care about ruining spoilers or cliffhangers from that book. I suppose someone could go, "but it was obvious that Spider-Man was going to live and join the Secret Avengers anyway", but that is beside the point. This is the second time this has happened with ASM & FF and it makes otherwise decent stories more annoying to read. So, basically, whatever big melodramatic moment Millar was going to use to have Spider-Man join the team in CW #6 is pretty much moot, but we'll have to read pages of exposition for an outcome WE ALREADY KNOW IS HAPPENING and we're supposed to swallow it with a spoon. But, oh, ASM has been selling like gangbusters so we should sell it as often as possible. And all this is a shame because the story really isn't bad, and had they waited (gosh, even shipped ASM twice in a month after CW #6, imagine how that'd sold) it would simply be better. Apparently, in-between CW #5, Iron Man uses a tech-word to immobilize the suit, which is a "no, duh, finally!" kind of moment, but Spidey redeems himself by having it overridden. But, as he switches to the old suit at the end anyway, it simply seems pointless that he didn't just take off the armor in the first place. Anyway, he returns to MJ & May who are at the old gym where he beat Crusher Hogan years ago, and they agree to go underground and on the lam while he fights another Secret War. In a leap for integrity, he states his intentions and why the act is bad on live TV, to make up for his previous statements. I could easily see a little of Cap in Spider-Man here and I can see him as more of a rallying figure in some ways than Cap. As Millar likes to say, many may see him as "an old man afraid of the future". But Spidey's not an old timer. Hell, Cyclops is probably older. And after months of seeing him be Stark's gimp, it's especially sweet to read. Especially since neither MJ or May have died yet.
So, my issue isn't the story, but why Marvel couldn't have made the timing better. This event is supposed to be so important to them and the sales are confirming that fans like it, so why can't they make it gel the best they can?
PUNISHER: WAR JOURNAL #1: I'm not a big fan of Punisher (despite enjoying the 2004 movie and having a T-shirt), but I have nothing against him as a character (like I do for, say, Cable, Bishop, Gambit, X-23, etc). And I really didn't need to buy yet another CW tie in. But the cover was cool, the art sketches looked good and the premise interested me, especially since I wholeheartedly relate to the Punisher's stance here (villians should never be given badges, especially killers, and a system that does it can't be defended). So I picked this up and Fraction just scores with it. I've never heard of the guy before but he really seems to nail down the Punisher, without the sort of crude over-the-top hyjinks that Ennis uses for his MAX book (which may as well be an alternate reality sometimes). He also could teach half the Marvel writers lessons in pacing; in one issue he has enough plot development that a lot of writers would take maybe 2-3 issues getting to. The issue basically leads into why Punisher gets involved in CW as he is in issue #5 of the main CW book. Out to stalk & kill a kiddie porn peddler, he's interupted by the new Stilt-Man, who fancies himself a hero and wants to take the guy into custody. Despite being low on supplies, Punisher ices both, as G.W. Bridge is brought out of limbo by SHIELD to lead their "anti-Punisher" task force. Bridge comments on how the media both condemns and supports Punisher's lawless actions (and notes how many on the force have always seen him as doing what they would but can't). Fraction isn't afraid of showing some of Punisher's warts; although Castle claims he's "never killed a cop" or someone who didn't deserve it, he has no qualms about putting SHIELD cape-killers into the hospital with mangled faces. There is a little bit of an "oh, come ON!" moment when the Tinkerer just so happened to "have a kid who was killed in Stamford", which I bet will be the "excuse du jour" for a few folks in comics in the near future, but I could get on with it, as Mason just spills on the real mastermind behind the new villian upgrades, Stuart Clarke, a.k.a. a Stark-lite as "Rampage". He believes Stark is behind everything and gives Punisher a tracer that tracks his nanobot tech, which he uses to naturally come up on the scene in CW #5 where he saves Spider-Man from Jester & Jack O'Lantern. I thought he shot both of them in the head in CW, but whatever. G.W. Bridge officially retires from SHIELD so he can fight Castle with equal "lawlessness", as Punisher naturally delivers a battered Spidey to Cap. I say it's about time Punisher started fighting enemies who weren't just mobsters or goons of mobsters, and Faction's first issue surprised me. Punisher got overexposed during the 90's thanks in part to 3 ongoings and endless guest appearences, but I may stay on this one a bit. And the art is spectacular.
RUNAWAYS #22: Vaughan starts his final arc of this, probably Marvel's best new series in years, of this franchise that he launched and this issue confirms that his act will be a tough one to follow, and this story may be a toughie to follow, to boot. And another lovely cover. The gang have a little fight with some goofy werewolves, where Chase proves he's far better with O.L. than Gert was, and how his brash attitude is really brushing with Nico's leadership. The story also directly places itself after CW: YA/RUNAWAYS as solicted as Victor is still "repairing himself" from that series, something BKV makes hay of for an awkward moment between he and Nico. There are some strong character moments, almost as if Vaughan wants to wrap up key points before he leaves. Why does Xavin "not stay a girl all the time"? Because he changes genders like one swaps clothes and it is "something new and different" like being a mutie. And apparently Nico is critical of her own "****" like ways as she has a dream where her parents all but condemn her actions. But Chase naturally motivates the story. He meets with the Gibborum again and the terms are specified; they will return Gert to life as she was, but only if they get a pure soul...within 12 hours, or they'll cease to exist in Limbo. Chase is skirting that fine line between heroism and villiany; willing to murder someone to bring back his lover. So finally comes the cliffhanger...he's captured Nico, because he thinks she's "the most innocent person he knows". Definately a creepy sequence. I doubt that Vaughan will eliminate Chase from the team considering how much Whedon seems to like him, but it's still his book for two issues so one can't really be sure. And naturally Alphona leaps into it like he never left.
There is one minor quibble; when I first grabbed the book, it felt heavy, and then I added up the advert pages; 24. That is 2 more pages of ads than story. Ridiculous. You only see 2 pages uninterupted within the entire book maybe twice. I love how Marvel preaches on about "maintaining quality" when they have to justify why a book is late once again, but can't seem to be able to control ad-overkill towards the end of the year, and all but brush off the problem by claiming, literally, "but we make up for it by not having ads in the Handbooks or Marvel Spotlight", the latter which itself is a $3 advertisement. A great book that sells this poorly really doesn't need to be made unreadable. Aside for this, though, another awesome issue and I am still psyched for the rest. 4 weeks seems like an eternity, just as it should be.
WOLVERINE #48: Part of the "Casualities of CW" tie-in, Guggenheim & Ramos set up an epilogue to their loopy yet macho CW tie-in, seeking to explain why Wolverine surives like he does. The short answer? It's never fun, Logan's soul loses a bit from itself every time he dies and cannot meet peace, and apparently he's been fighting this mystical swordsman he killed named "Lazaer" who he has to beat in order to live some more. Very hokey. Not as bad as turning MJ into a Sasquatch, and to be fair, Logan's had his share of mystical stuff before. SOULTAKER ring a bell? So he waxes philosophical about the trajedy of his life before shagging at Atlantian broad; man, you thought WOMEN were supposed to be stereotypically talky in bed, yeesh. All in all, not a bad story and Guggenheim understands Logan, but the mystical-sword guy thing just reeked of more convelution Logan doesn't need. Would "because the wishes of a half million unshaved fanboys wish me back every time like F'ing Tinkerbell" not have worked? It's been an okay ride, won't mind wishing the book farewell now.
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