Bought/Thought July 6th, 2010 *spoilers*

[Dread]

JewishHobbit: I agree with you that while the last NEW WARRIORS series wasn't the best thing ever (I thought Kevin Grevioux, the writer, was better on his ADAM: LEGEND OF THE BLUE MARVEL mini that came after), I thought Jubilee was the best part of it. There was potential there in her being a hero even without mutant powers, but still having her X-Men experience. But, the X-Editorial office has been very possessive with their characters for a long, long time. They'd rather lock a character in limbo than let another franchise have a try. I imagine it is only because Ed Brubaker is now an A-Lister that he got Beast for SECRET AVENGERS. I've been thinking that Colossus, a cool X-Man who has been wallowing in a funk for 15 years, may only be redeemed if he got to grow in another franchise. I was greatly annoyed when Joe Casey talked up Colossus' appearance in THE LAST DEFENDERS only for him to be gone very quickly.

VENGEANCE OF THE MOON KNIGHT #10 was the last issue of that series, but the character and writer will return in SHADOWLAND: MOON KNIGHT. After that, I think Moon Knight at best will get a relaunch, as his last series was selling under 20k an issue, which is usually when Marvel considers either a relaunch or cancellation. I suppose you do have a point that it was nice to see how the SA saw Moon Knight since Brubaker pretty much had the team assembled automatically.

 

[kguillou]

Finally got around to getting my comics this week and overall it was decent to mediocre. Quite a few new issues along with two that I've missed over the weeks (Batgirl 11 and Hulk 23) both of which I liked. But since they're old I won't talk about them. On to the new stuff....

Shadowland 1 - The issue I was most looking forward to this week, or this month really, and I have to say I wasn't blown away by it. I've really liked Daredevil since Bendis's run and I like Diggle's approach... but I think this issue pushed the Daredevil further than he should have too quickly. Not that I don't think he should have gone as far as to kill Bullseye, but just that it was too quick to get to this point and in this issue he showed no hesitation. I feel like there should have been at least some leading up to the deed. Also, I just don't like the way Bullseye was written. He was just too eager and pointlessly driven and suddenly was crying when he realized Daredevil was willing to kill him? He's been such an awesome strong character over the past year but he was just a bit of a stooge here. And honestly, how many freaking renditions of the Elektra death scene do we really need? Before I even turned the last page I was like "He's gonna be speared through the chest or stomach and held up in the air" and low and behold! Also, didn't like Tan's art in this issue. He's kinda hit and miss for me and I think this was definately a miss.

I will say though that I love the new costume and I love that Iron Fist and Luke Cage are key figures. I'm eager for Moon Knight to show up as well.

The issue wasn't bad, just less than I expected and far too predictable. Marvel spoiled the entire issue with their previews and teasers. That also took away most of the enjoyment of the issue for me.

I agree fully with this. I'm surprised no one's talking about this on the boards here. But anyway, i feel like this has to be a red herring. This was just too quick to be the final battle between DD and Bullseye. There was no build up and no tension, it was very cut and dry. Plus marvel literally SHOWED US the last page of this book a month ago. There has to be a catch.

I read one theory on some other message board claiming that DD plans on using the Hand to resurrect Bullseye and make him his follower. THAT would be an interesting twist, and i'd be very impressed if this is where Diggle's goin with this. But there HAS to be a reason why marvel so blatantly revealed the big "twist" so far in advance.

 

[JewishHobbit]

I agree fully with this. I'm surprised no one's talking about this on the boards here. But anyway, i feel like this has to be a red herring. This was just too quick to be the final battle between DD and Bullseye. There was no build up and no tension, it was very cut and dry. Plus marvel literally SHOWED US the last page of this book a month ago. There has to be a catch.

I read one theory on some other message board claiming that DD plans on using the Hand to resurrect Bullseye and make him his follower. THAT would be an interesting twist, and i'd be very impressed if this is where Diggle's goin with this. But there HAS to be a reason why marvel so blatantly revealed the big "twist" so far in advance.

Actually this idea came to me suddenly as I was reading your first paragraph. I was like "OH!" and then I read your second paragraph and I was like "oh, okay, yeah". If this is what they do then I'm actually totally cool with the way the scene played out. We obviously wouldn't want to read his thoughts if it's to be a surprise and his trying to "reform" Bullseye or at least control him through the Hand is actually something the "New" Daredevil would do and still not exactly cross a line. It obviously won't stick if it happens but it's definately got storyline potential.

 

[JewishHobbit]

JewishHobbit: I agree with you that while the last NEW WARRIORS series wasn't the best thing ever (I thought Kevin Grevioux, the writer, was better on his ADAM: LEGEND OF THE BLUE MARVEL mini that came after), I thought Jubilee was the best part of it. There was potential there in her being a hero even without mutant powers, but still having her X-Men experience. But, the X-Editorial office has been very possessive with their characters for a long, long time. They'd rather lock a character in limbo than let another franchise have a try. I imagine it is only because Ed Brubaker is now an A-Lister that he got Beast for SECRET AVENGERS. I've been thinking that Colossus, a cool X-Man who has been wallowing in a funk for 15 years, may only be redeemed if he got to grow in another franchise. I was greatly annoyed when Joe Casey talked up Colossus' appearance in THE LAST DEFENDERS only for him to be gone very quickly.

Oh, I know and this kills me. Despite his recent hardcore approach I've always wanted to see Cyclops do time as an Avengers. Up until M-Day he was a perfect candidate for them and has never even been approached. Heck of a lot better than Wolverine anyhow. Colossus is another one that could do some good somewhere else. I know it's a dead team but I think he'd make a pretty cool replacement for Darkhawk in the Loners/Excelsior.

VENGEANCE OF THE MOON KNIGHT #10 was the last issue of that series, but the character and writer will return in SHADOWLAND: MOON KNIGHT. After that, I think Moon Knight at best will get a relaunch, as his last series was selling under 20k an issue, which is usually when Marvel considers either a relaunch or cancellation. I suppose you do have a point that it was nice to see how the SA saw Moon Knight since Brubaker pretty much had the team assembled automatically.

Yeah, I read that it was the last issue just now in your review, which kinda sucks but oh well. I'm debating on the Moon Knight mini because I'm determined to not buy tons of Shadowland tie-ins. I'm already buying Power-Man and maybe a couple oneshots. Plus I haven't actually read Moon Knight prior to this issue so I'm not exactly invested. I did read the first few issues of the last run with Finch but I don't remember any of it.

One of my first storylines I ever read was Spider-Man's Round Robin: The Sidekick's Revenge which co-stared Moon Knight and he won me over there. But the little corner store I used to buy comics at didn't sell his book and I just never got back to it enough to really dig in. Maybe I'll look into some stuff when I can.

 

[Dread]

Oh, I know and this kills me. Despite his recent hardcore approach I've always wanted to see Cyclops do time as an Avengers. Up until M-Day he was a perfect candidate for them and has never even been approached. Heck of a lot better than Wolverine anyhow. Colossus is another one that could do some good somewhere else. I know it's a dead team but I think he'd make a pretty cool replacement for Darkhawk in the Loners/Excelsior.

Cyclops is a leader, I'm not sure he would have worked with the Avengers. Colossus, though, maybe could.

Yeah, I read that it was the last issue just now in your review, which kinda sucks but oh well. I'm debating on the Moon Knight mini because I'm determined to not buy tons of Shadowland tie-ins. I'm already buying Power-Man and maybe a couple oneshots. Plus I haven't actually read Moon Knight prior to this issue so I'm not exactly invested. I did read the first few issues of the last run with Finch but I don't remember any of it.

One of my first storylines I ever read was Spider-Man's Round Robin: The Sidekick's Revenge which co-stared Moon Knight and he won me over there. But the little corner store I used to buy comics at didn't sell his book and I just never got back to it enough to really dig in. Maybe I'll look into some stuff when I can.

The Gregg Hurwitz volume of Moon Knight has been very good. It's gotten the character back from the extreme darkness of the prior volume you read and back to a happy medium. It's basically about a hero with mental issues trying to redeem himself and be a better man, despite the god that empowered him encouraging him to be worse. The end of the volume sort of did a lot of standard adventure stories, but if you like that sort of thing it's fine. I'll treat the Hurwitz SHADOWLAND mini as just additional issues of Moon Knight, at a jacked price.

 

[JewishHobbit]

Cyclops is a leader, I'm not sure he would have worked with the Avengers. Colossus, though, maybe could.

He's a leader but he doesn't necessarilly have to be, at least he didn't used to. I always thought it'd be cool if Captain America saw his leadership skills as potential and took him in as an Avenger to help further him.

I'll treat the Hurwitz SHADOWLAND mini as just additional issues of Moon Knight, at a jacked price.

Yeah, Marvel likes to screw us like that. First there was Immortal Weapons, then Ghost Rider (insert mini name here) and now, Shadowland: Moon Knight!

 

[Dread]

He's a leader but he doesn't necessarilly have to be, at least he didn't used to. I always thought it'd be cool if Captain America saw his leadership skills as potential and took him in as an Avenger to help further him.

Fair enough. But now he's busy protecting the species. I'd say give Colossus a shot elsewhere. He's a good level tanker who is immune to suffocation in metal form, and even is resistant to magic. He's sensitive and isn't an egotist about teamwork. That's got to be useful somewhere.

Yeah, Marvel likes to screw us like that. First there was Immortal Weapons, then Ghost Rider (insert mini name here) and now, Shadowland: Moon Knight!

Indeed. Marvel often acts as if there is no recession, every retailer can afford to pay more in wholesale cost and ever reader is eager to drop more on comics than they do on gas.

Ghost Rider will also get a SHADOWLAND mini, but it isn't by Jason Aason, so I'm partisan about getting it.

 

[JewishHobbit]

My Plans:

Picking Up
Shadow Land Mini
Daredevil Tie-Ins
Power Man Mini

Potentially Picking Up
Ghost Rider One Shot
Bullseye One Shot
Thunderbolts Tie-Ins (as I'm debating on even continuing with the series)

Likely Not Picking Up
Blood on the Streets Mini
Daughters of the Shadow Mini
Moon Knight Mini
Elektra One-Shot

I'd like to buy more of them but not for $4 per issue. The only reason I'm buying Power Man is because it's a close tie to Iron Fist and they say future plans for the character can be seen coming out of the Power Man mini, so I'm opting to give it a shot. If I'm not impressed by issue 2 it'll be dropped as well. Moon Knight could have been a potential or even definate for $3 but not likely for $4. Same with Blood on the Streets, as I like Paladin and Misty Knight. Now, if it's a slow week I could be persuaded to buy some of the oneshots (Ghost Rider, Elektra) but a mini, no shot.

 

[CaptainCanada]

I'd like to take a moment to note that Pete Wisdom has become so much more successful as a character since he left the X-Men universe entirely, and he was hardly the most popular character back during his issues of X-FORCE or EXCALIBUR back in the 90's.

That's not true. Excalibur remains by far the most successful property he's ever been in.

 

[Union Jack]

how come the punisher looks normal on the cover...?
is he gonna be rehumanised again soon?
i hope so..i hope he kills daken for good and becomes frank castle again.

 

[JewishHobbit]

That's not true. Excalibur remains by far the most successful property he's ever been in.

Yeah I wouldn't call him more successful due to breaking out of the X-Titles, as he's only been in his mini and MI:13, neither of which were huge sellers. The original Excalibur run he was in most probably was the biggest thing for him, and then maybe MI:13, then New Excalibur, then X-Force. I'm just going off of my own opinions though.

 

[StreetWarrior]

how come the punisher looks normal on the cover...?
is he gonna be rehumanised again soon?
i hope so..i hope he kills daken for good and becomes frank castle again.

I was wondering that too. It'd be great to see him kill Daken (a 2nd useless "clone" of Wolverine) but Marvel would never let that happen. As for FrankenCastle, this may be the end of the road and good riddance.

Also, FYI, Frank appeared normal in one panel inside the issue as well.

 

[StreetWarrior]

Oh, maybe FrankenCastle isn't in continuity *crosses fingers and hopes*

 

[Phaedrus45]

Amazing Spider-Man (Grim Hunt Part 3)

It surprises me that there isn't anyone else reading and reviewing this story on here. I mean, hands down, it's the best Spidey story I've read in .... forever! Anyone who has loved Brubaker's Captain America or Daredevil would appreciate this story SOOOO much. And, while it might be a bit more grim (oops, that was unintentional), it all works very well within the framework of all these classic characters.

What made Brubaker's Daredevil a step above what Bendis had previously done was the obvious love for the character's vast history. He brought back some of the people we hadn't seen in ages, like Turk. (Gotta love Turk!) Grim Hunt does the same thing, with Madame Web, the various Spider-women, and Kaine. (And, Kaine's death serves an enourmous purpose. It's not done just to kill him off. Without Kaine's death, we do not have the rebirth of Kraven The Hunter.)

This issue mainly focuses on Kraven's rebirth and his feelings about that directly after it happens. It's an intense issue, and (naturally) it's revealed in the end that Peter was not the one who was murdered in order to bring him back. That also brings the question of whether his rebirth has been tainted by the blood of a clone.

Fantastic stuff! For me, this is the best story since BND began, and who knows how long before even that. t:

Vengeance Of Moon Knight #10

Another Moon Knight series comes to an end, and I'm still waiting for a great writer to come along and make this character interesting. The issue itself wasn't bad, as we get to see plenty of action with him and the Secret Avengers; but, it's also quickly forgotten and does nothing to get a reader interested in the character. It's a promotional piece for Secret Avengers, and nothing else.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I didn't realize Electro had gotten his costume redesigned, so I was completely clueless about who the dude in Young Allies was until the narration or one of the characters (I forget which) actually mentioned it was Electro. When did he get the new costume? It's amazingly somehow even worse than his classic costume.

 

[Tron Bonne]

I didn't realize Electro had gotten his costume redesigned, so I was completely clueless about who the dude in Young Allies was until the narration or one of the characters (I forget which) actually mentioned it was Electro. When did he get the new costume? It's amazingly somehow even worse than his classic costume.

I think it was during the whole Gauntlet storyline in ASM. Several of the older villains from Spidey's gallery popped up, and I think they might have done some costume redesigning and such

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Wacky. I can't believe someone thought removing the mask and adding black was actually a good idea for redesigning Electro's classic costume. It just looks busier, not better. And don't even get me started on that awkward, scalloped jester collar.

 

[WOLVERINE25TH]

And howabout that Byrne reboot basic black and blue costume? Think probably Ultimate had the right idea; basic outfit and electrified skin.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Yeah, Electro's never really had a good costume. The classic looks goofy, the new one looks worse, the Byrne one was just weird, and the Ultimate costume is really boring. You'd think it'd be easier to come up with a cool-looking costume for a guy whose power is to shoot lightning.

 

[Dread]

That's not true. Excalibur remains by far the most successful property he's ever been in.

Yeah I wouldn't call him more successful due to breaking out of the X-Titles, as he's only been in his mini and MI:13, neither of which were huge sellers. The original Excalibur run he was in most probably was the biggest thing for him, and then maybe MI:13, then New Excalibur, then X-Force. I'm just going off of my own opinions though.

I'll concede that Wisdom joining Excalibur was what led to things like MI-13 or his own Max mini, WISDOM, that was a prequel for it. Still, though, one could argue that Excalibur itself, while connected to the X-Men universe, was hardly attached at the hip to it for many years. They were more of a British superhero team than simply another mutant school. While half their rosters tended to be of former X-Men (or X-Force) members, they tended to deal with many typical threats like magic or aliens that many super teams face, and less attached to the mutant stuff. So I think the point stands that many X-characters could be improved if they were allowed to step off the reservation a bit and dip a toe elsewhere.

I didn't realize Electro had gotten his costume redesigned, so I was completely clueless about who the dude in Young Allies was until the narration or one of the characters (I forget which) actually mentioned it was Electro. When did he get the new costume? It's amazingly somehow even worse than his classic costume.

I'd seen hints of the costume change before, but this was the first comic I'd bought and seen Electro in it. As I said in my review, I think it makes him look sillier because he's trying to avoid being silly. I also agree that it is too busy. It's a case where the comic creators are trying to outsmart their audience. Really, no one cares about Electro's mask. The ones that do are the same types who whine about the Hulk's pants never ripping, who can't be sated anyway.

 

[runawayboulder]

I read Avengers The Children's Crusade, at first I didn't know what it was going to be about but after seeing it was going to involve Wanda and her potential kids, I jumped in. I've been dying for SW to comeback.

What I don't get is why the mini? Why not use this as a mini crossover between the 4 Avengers books as a vehicle to bring back Wanda? Is this exclusive to Heinberg and Cheung? The same guys that seem to never get Young Avengers stuff out according to posters of this board? I never read YA stuff so I'm curious....

 

[CantThinkOfAName]

I think it was during the whole Gauntlet storyline in ASM. Several of the older villains from Spidey's gallery popped up, and I think they might have done some costume redesigning and such

Electro was the only one that got a costume change, although Vulture and Rhino were replaced by new people. But yeah, that new look isn't that great.

 

[CantThinkOfAName]

I'd seen hints of the costume change before, but this was the first comic I'd bought and seen Electro in it. As I said in my review, I think it makes him look sillier because he's trying to avoid being silly. I also agree that it is too busy. It's a case where the comic creators are trying to outsmart their audience. Really, no one cares about Electro's mask. The ones that do are the same types who whine about the Hulk's pants never ripping, who can't be sated anyway.

There are some sights I know that can sate them

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I read Avengers The Children's Crusade, at first I didn't know what it was going to be about but after seeing it was going to involve Wanda and her potential kids, I jumped in. I've been dying for SW to comeback.

What I don't get is why the mini? Why not use this as a mini crossover between the 4 Avengers books as a vehicle to bring back Wanda? Is this exclusive to Heinberg and Cheung? The same guys that seem to never get Young Avengers stuff out according to posters of this board? I never read YA stuff so I'm curious....

Probably because we just had Siege. They'd have to delay Children's Crusade so they wouldn't get bombarded with the usual "too many crossovers!" complaints, which might actually be warranted if they went directly from Siege into another Avengers-centric crossover literally a month later. Plus, really, it fits pretty well as the Young Avengers' reintroduction during this big surge in Avengers popularity and importance within the universe. Why hold it back to serve as another Avengers crossover when it's not really necessary--Wanda's return really should count most to the Young Avengers, who have her kids and whatever's left of her ex-husband on their roster--and it fits so well with the current Avengers push?

 

[Dread]

I read Avengers The Children's Crusade, at first I didn't know what it was going to be about but after seeing it was going to involve Wanda and her potential kids, I jumped in. I've been dying for SW to comeback.

What I don't get is why the mini? Why not use this as a mini crossover between the 4 Avengers books as a vehicle to bring back Wanda? Is this exclusive to Heinberg and Cheung? The same guys that seem to never get Young Avengers stuff out according to posters of this board? I never read YA stuff so I'm curious....

It is exclusive to Heinberg and Cheung. Marvel seemed to promise another "season" of YOUNG AVENGERS to them after issue #12 wrapped in 2005-2006. That meant that it left the main crux of that run - finding Scarlet Witch and trying to get her to resolve M-Day - as a vital plot point that other writers in other books, such as the X-Men titles and even various Avengers titles that could not be resolved. Not even Brian Bendis was allowed to do so (although it if unknown if he ever wanted to; if he truly desired it, and threatened to call Dan DiDio if he didn't get his way, which he could totally do to threaten an editor, I doubt Marvel would have refused). For a while it seemed even Kang was off limits to other writers, but he's shown up in recent issues of GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY last year and AVENGERS this year, so I guess that changed.

In hindsight, Marvel surely would have been better off assigning another writer and even artist to YOUNG AVENGERS back when the iron was hot. But the Joe Q era of Marvel is one in which they literally tell people in interviews that "they don't have the time to dwell on mistakes", which means they never learn from them.

While it isn't a crossover, it is telling that Marvel has no faith in the YOUNG AVENGERS selling their own title; this is AVENGERS: THE CHILDREN'S CRUSADE, and while the YA are front and center, that cover makes sure to show the adult Avengers as well (even Wolverine and Spider-Man, who are not even in the interior pages). Marvel also claims that the costumes are off because Cheung had begun the artwork "many months ago", but as the trio of Avengers seem to be Cap (Rogers), Iron Man and Ms. Marvel, that suggests that, at best, work on this began before CIVIL WAR. Cheung is so slow an artist that asking him to redraw pencils he'd done in 2006 was considered too drastic a thing to ask, if they ever wanted this mini to be published before Miley Cyrus turned 40.

As a comic it isn't bad, but as a symbol of all that is wrong with the Joe Q era, it stands as stark evidence of how incompetent his administration can be. And think; Marvel has been THIS successful as a company since 2000, and they're run from within by idiot savants. Imagine if they were run by people with genuine competence, an ability to learn, and a connection to reality. Maybe they'd BE Disney instead of vice versa.

Electro was the only one that got a costume change, although Vulture and Rhino were replaced by new people. But yeah, that new look isn't that great.

There are some sights I know that can sate them

I imagine so.

At any rate, Diamond released their list of their Top 100 selling comics for June 2010 (http://diamondcomics.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=3&s=5&ai=97186), and while it doesn't offer hard numbers, it does offer some interesting data. WONDER WOMAN #600, which got so much attention from fans and the media, sold at #24 of the Top 25; usually WW sells at or below the Top 50, so that is quite a jump and I imagine DC is happy with it. On the other hand, it failed to match BATMAN #700 or SUPERMAN #700, and was even outsold by, of all things, GREEN ARROW #1 and NEW MUTANTS #14. The question will be how WW #601 sells. SECRET AVENGERS #2 saw a drop in sales from the first issue, but still is a Top 10 seller, and many leagues ahead of where CAPTAIN AMERICA sells, so that's good for Brubaker fans.

THOR is still a Top 20 seller (albeit at #20). THOR outsells INVINCIBLE IRON MAN, CAPTAIN AMERICA, even occasional issues of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN and is leagues above WOLVERINE's books. That's a healthy sign.

If "Second Coming" has done anything, it does seem to have boosted some sales for X-Books, and allowed UNCANNY X-MEN to be a Top 10 seller again. There were a few years when it wasn't.

AVENGERS ACADEMY #1 had a decent debut, selling at #33 of the Top 35. AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE started higher, but that also launched in 2007, which was many moons ago in terms of the economy in general. It'll likely last a year if not more.

The sales gap between Loeb's HULK and Pak's INCREDIBLE HULK continues to shrink. The time to move Loeb upstairs and away from monthly comics may have been wise.

In bad news, YOUNG ALLIES #1 just barely sold in the Top 100, at #97. The only good news is that it got a reprint, so that will boost sales for the debut issue. But at #97, even with the reprint it is hard to imagine that this series saw a sales debut of more than 22k. And that's the DEBUT, as in the peak. Fans of this series, like me, sadly, should brace themselves for the notion that this could end about as soon as SWORD or DOCTOR VOODOO did. It was always going to be a tough sell, but it's worth mentioning that it was released the same week as AVENGERS ACADEMY #1, which solid a lot better. One wonders if keeping them apart would have helped. Enjoy it while you can. It probably will be a dead book walking pretty soon.

HAWKEYE & MOCKINGBIRD #1 debuted at #73, which isn't that great either, but better than YOUNG ALLIES. It could possibly last 10-12 issues.

Hard numbers will probably be available in a few weeks when Diamond sends it to ICV2.