BOUGHT/THOUGHT June 6, 2007

[PhotoJones]

I didn't want to take up tons of space quoting your whole review.

I pretty much agree on all points. Larroca's art was better than I've seen it in a while. The plot does seem to be pretty standard right now, but hopefully Brubaker has a few twists in store. Remember, his Captain America run started off with Cap running SHIELD missions and the Red Skull plotting against him; not exactly the groundbreaking stuff of its later issues.

The team is kind of hit-and-miss for me. I love Nightcrawler, and I was hoping he'd be the leader now that Havok is gone, but it looks like Storm will get that position instead. I don't really mind Storm's presence here, although I was also a bit confused about why she never even mentioned Wakanda. All she says is that she's going to have to call the Baxter Building and tell them she won't be in. Being a superhero on two teams really takes precedence over leading an entire nation for her?

Anyway, Warpath has gotten pretty interesting. I find him pretty likeable, even though he's clearly Bru's 1:1 replacement for Wolverine on the team. At least he's not as obnoxiously overt and cocky about being a badass as Wolverine is. Hepzibah raises a big "wtf?" but I guess since Brubaker killed her man in the last arc, he feels the need to deal with the aftermath through her. Frankly, I would've much preferred Havok to come back to Earth and have him deal with the aftermath of Corsair's death with Scott. Let them redevelop a bit of the brotherly love. They've both been on X-Men teams for the last few years, but I can't think of a single time where they've even spoken to each other lately.

Also, if the box on the cover is to be believed, Caliban will recover and join the X-Men. I'm not sure how I feel about that. My guess is that Chuck'll use him to succeed where Cerebra can't and find Magneto, which is practical but kind of boring. Caliban's always been kind of a non-entity to me. Nothing interesting has ever really been done with him, though lord knows they've tried just about everything on him. I really wish it were Leech joining the team instead of Caliban, to be honest.

Like I mentioned before, it's nice to see Leech but I wish I was seeing him play with Artie and Franklin Richards. Speaking of which, why aren't the Fantastic Four caring for Artie and Leech? Franklin was their best friend for a long time and I'm sure he'd have mentioned them to Reed or Sue. But I guess that's Reed for you...letting filthy mutant children rot in the sewers instead of placing them in a stable home. And where is Artie, anyway?

You mentioned the "character box" including Caliban's head, which I missed. Assuming that he joins the team, even for this one mission, it makes it that much worse. There are so many mutants that no one's doing anything with. I would have rather seen Cecilia Reyes, Marrow, Angel, Psylocke (I know she's not really available), Bishop, Gambit or any number of guys currently stuck in limbo. Instead we get Hepzibah and Warpath.

So far, I'm not really impressed. It's going to take a lot for Brubaker to make me care about this team and quite frankly, I doubt it's going to happen.

I want me some Lobdell, Pacheco, Kubert and Joe Mad. These new kids just aren't X-Men material...

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Yeah, I would've much rather seen Gambit or Bishop get back on an X-Men team than Caliban or Hepzibah. Marrow and Angel are being used in X-Factor and WWH, respectively, so at least they still have some presence.

As for the FF, they're Marvel's consummately nuclear family. They don't give a **** about anyone else. Artie and Leech are just some freaks Reed and Sue's kid used to play with, as far as they're concerned. I can also pretty much guarantee that not even Franklin will be seen or heard from regarding Julie Power's recent brush with death, and the only way Reed'll probably interact with her is if he catches her using her powers illegally and boots her off to Camp Hammond. I'm telling you, man: they're "Marvel's First Family"... of *****ebags.

 

[Darthphere]

Yeah, I would've much rather seen Gambit or Bishop get back on an X-Men team than Caliban or Hepzibah. Marrow and Angel are being used in X-Factor and WWH, respectively, so at least they still have some presence.

As for the FF, they're Marvel's consummately nuclear family. They don't give a **** about anyone else. Artie and Leech are just some freaks Reed and Sue's kid used to play with, as far as they're concerned. I can also pretty much guarantee that not even Franklin will be seen or heard from regarding Julie Power's recent brush with death, and the only way Reed'll probably interact with her is if he catches her using her powers illegally and boots her off to Camp Hammond. I'm telling you, man: they're "Marvel's First Family"... of *****ebags.

****ing science.

 

[PhotoJones]

And the whole thing actually makes me despise Joss Whedon. He gets full reign of the best X-Men characters for a title that comes out sporadically. Mind you when it does come out, it's gold. But it makes no sense to take away Cyclops, Colossus, Beast, Kitty and Wolverine out of the X-Universe for about 2 years, while Whedon and Cassaday can have their fun.

Ugh...there aren't any decent mutants left to fill three rosters of X-Men teams. It really is overkill, isn't it?

 

[Anubis]

Not really.

 

[PhotoJones]

Not really.

When Marvel's spreading the X-Teams so thin, they've got to include Sabretooth, Mystique, Caliban, Warpath, Hepzibah and Cable, I'd say it's time to consolidate.

 

[Anubis]

They didn't have to, the writers had a story to tell with those characters so they told it. Simple. If they wanted to use somebody else, they would have.

 

[Darthphere]

Also, it's not like when Whedon's run on AXM ends there will be some free for all Thunderdome situation where every writer fights to death over Kitty Pryde.

 

[PhotoJones]

They didn't have to, the writers had a story to tell with those characters so they told it. Simple. If they wanted to use somebody else, they would have.

Eh...Partly so. All the "good" characters are already spoken for, though. Not being able to choose Wolverine, Cyclops, Beast, Storm (up until now), Kitty, Colossus or Emma can put a damper on who it is you actually can make a team out of.

I don't know. I just find the Uncanny X-Men and X-Men teams to be completely underwhelming.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Also, it's not like when Whedon's run on AXM ends there will be some free for all Thunderdome situation where every writer fights to death over Kitty Pryde.

But there should be. That would be sweet.

 

[Darthphere]

But there should be. That would be sweet.

Mike Carey vs Brubaker vs PAD.

 

[Anubis]

Bru would win. He used to be a hitman for the Mafia.

 

[PhotoJones]

Drafted $.99 Preview - I also picked this up and was both impressed and unimpressed at the same time. The artwork...well, it sucks to be blunt. It literally looks like someone colored over old sketches I did in high school. What's weird is the character designs in the back of the book are by the same artist, and they're much, much better.

The story on the other hand is not bad. It doesn't try to reinvent the wheel, and comes off as a hybrid of Independence Day and the recent War of the Worlds. I did find it more than a little silly that the U.S. president is Preston Walker. Preston being the name of Bush Sr.'s dad, and Walker being Sr.'s middle name. And he acts like Dubya, with the "I wish we could just nuke 'em all" approach to handling things. Not very thinly veiled, and if you're going to go that route, at least have the balls to use the real president's name and likeness.

Depending on what the first issue looks like, I might give this series a shot. Hopefully the art improves by then.

 

[Zoken]

Okay, for a group of people who like to review, review this idea.

My cousins and uncle are into super-heroes and are in general geeks, HOWEVER they have not local comic book supplier, and Trades are expensive. I'm visiting them soon and brining a sampling of comic-y goodness.

10 year old girl: Dan Slott's Spider-Man Human Torch.
16 year old boy: Runaways~ True Belivers
18 year old boy: Dynamo 5, Invincible TPB Vol. 1
the dad: Marvel Zombies TPB

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Give the 18-year-old Preacher or The Walking Dead. They're both awesome, but they contain a lot more violence and gore, which market analysts say males in that demographic enjoy immensely.

Bru would win. He used to be a hitman for the Mafia.

That's why all the assassinations he's shown in Captain America look so convincing...

 

[Not Jake]

Bring the first Astonishing X-Men trade

 

[Nasty-B]

Mike Carey vs Brubaker vs PAD.

You should throw in Joss Whedon and Jeph Loeb as Master-Blaster duo. I don't which one would be the midget and which would be the gimp though.

 

[Phaedrus45]

Thoughts:

Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe - Mystic Arcana: Another great handbook, and maybe a bit more interesting than others. For me, I love to read about the lesser known characters that haven't been seen for a while, and this issue is full of them. Many I haven't heard of, can hardly remember, or simply forgot. Too cool. 9/10

Uncanny X-Men #487: Looks like another good storyarc is starting. I don't like incorporating Storm into this story. If she's involved with Black Panther and the Fantastic Four, I think it's over-stepping her numerous roles currently in the MU. But, it's great to have Magneto, the Morlocks, and Leech back in the comics. Plus, I do like this X-Men team. 8/10

The Punisher #48: Damn, I'm lovin' this story. I really like the way Ennis doesn't just focus his stories on The Punisher's point of view, but involves the villians and various people around the particular story, such as the cops that are involved. This is one of those stories I'll want to read again in about a year, and the last page of this issue was absolutely kick ass. I wish the next issue was coiming out tomorrow. 10/10

Daredevil - Battlin' Jack Murdock #1: I wasn't particularily interested in this title. We've heard Jack's story before; but, surprisingly, this tale takes it back years earlier at the time of Matt's birth. A four part series, and it seems like each of the four parts will be a round in the big fight that Jack Murdock is suppose to throw in the fourth round. Within this fight, he is looking back to what brought him to where he currently is. This was a pleasant surprise. 8/10

Hulk/Power Pack #4: Nothing to see here. Probably one of the worst of the Power Pack tie-ins. Plus, Chris Giarrusso's "Mini Marvels" comic-style strips at the end really aren't that funny. The Franklin Richard stories are much, much better. 3/10

 

[Dread]

I finished and naturally enjoyed the MYSTIC ARCANA HANDBOOK as well, but at the same time I became curious as to how exactly Joe Q & Co. feel like adding "rules" to the magic genre considering that "magic" is very varied. Sure, there are mages, but also mystic artifact users, demons, demon-empowered, vampires, zombies, voodoo cultists, even alien mages or mages/demons/whatever from alternate dimensions and planets. They all have rules and limitations and they all have members who defy those rules (Dracula has pretty much overcome every limitation a vampire could seemingly have and can never be destroyed, wereas other vampires are dusted after a mere stake).

Part of this is not helped by the fact that when asked, Joe Q used a terrible analogy, which is to mention WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT which made it very clear what could kill a 'toon. It was bad because all mystic beings are not created equal. DR. STRANGE: OATH defined quite well what Dr. Strange's limitations are. He is an incredible mage, but he can be caught off guard, he can be hurt, and he can be killed by wounds just as any normal near middle aged man could be.

Still, ANNIHILATION showed that a "mini event" happening on the curb while a major Marvel one took most of the attention was actually more solid and satisfying. So I have some faith. I just wonder why the heck Black Knight abandoned his new sword & shield after H4H ended. They were nifty.

 

[CaptainCanada]

But Storm's introduction just seemed weird. Where'd she come from? Why is she there? I mean, I know why she's there in a story/plot sense but...hasn't she got her hands full enough with the FF and being a Queen, that randomly stopping by the X-Mansion just seems to much of a lazy way for Brubaker to write her into the story.

She's there because Xavier summoned her because of the Morlock situation.

As for the plot, it seems Masque is looking for Magneto so he and Mags can lead mutants to rule the world. Hasn't that been done before? In fact isn't that what X-Men plots are? Mutants stopping other mutants from ruling the world?

It's similar, but the really important thing to note here is that it's within the context of the Decimation; thus, if there's still a chance for mutants to rule the world, the implication is that it involves the return of mutantkind.

I love Nightcrawler, and I was hoping he'd be the leader now that Havok is gone, but it looks like Storm will get that position instead.

Nightcrawler was the leader while Havok was on the team (yeah, I know that's hard to believe).

Being a superhero on two teams really takes precedence over leading an entire nation for her?

She's a consort, not a monarch; she doesn't have any actual role in government.

Ugh...there aren't any decent mutants left to fill three rosters of X-Men teams.

Sure there are; you rattled off a half-a-dozen that you would rather have seen. Brubaker just chose different ones.

 

[Anubis]

Actually, she does.

But anyway, has it been written down that she will lead when this event is over? Cuz Crawler could still be running things for the Uncanny team when all is said and done. Assuming he doesn't die, that is.

 

[CaptainCanada]

Brubaker has said that, as far as he knows, she's on the book for the forseeable future (whatever that means).

 

[PhotoJones]

Brubaker has said that, as far as he knows, she's on the book for the forseeable future (whatever that means).

Well, the book needs some fire and star power, that's for sure. That said, I think Marvel's pushing the limits with this one. It's taken a while but I think most of us have gotten used to the fact that Wolverine will always be everywhere at the same time. Doing the same thing with Storm might be too much for us to handle.

 

[Anubis]

Meh, I don't really give a s**t. I can only read one book at a time. Plus, it's good for storm to get some Wolverine type exsposure. Shows how far she's come as a character, or whatever.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I just wonder why the heck Black Knight abandoned his new sword & shield after H4H ended. They were nifty.

The Black Knight involved in Mystic Arcana is not Dane Whitman. It's the original Black Knight, Sir Percy of Scandia. As such, he never had nifty H4H weapons--just the Ebony Blade. It's crazy how the perception that the Black Knight must obviously be Dane has spread so much. I had to change his entry on Wikipedia because someone posted that Dane was in Mystic Arcana on there, too.

Nightcrawler was the leader while Havok was on the team (yeah, I know that's hard to believe).

Not really that hard to believe, actually. Nightcrawler led Excalibur after Captain Britain went wherever he went, and he proved a much more stable leader than Havok did with X-Factor, I thought. I mean, Kurt never flirted with actually becoming a mutant extremist while undercover, for one thing.