First Thoughts:
Marvel Previews #46: Just some thoughts that came to mind after flipping through this thing. 1) Man, it seems like there were a lot less comics from Marvel coming out a year ago. I need to grab the Marvel Previews out of my comic box and check this out. This issue has 87 books I'm going to be buying from Marvel in August. Damn!!! 2) I laughed out loud when in the description for Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #23 it says, "It's the end of an era as Peter David and Todd Nauck wrap up their run." End of an era??!!?? When did writing about 24 issues warrant calling it an era, and what an era of extreme crap it was, then. 3) Civil War Chronicles - This title still pisses me off. Civil War was so recent, that with all of the reprints, you would think it wouldn't be that hard to get back issues of this event. This just stinks of Marvel's greed. 4) Blade's last issue. Hooray!!! 5) Shanna the She-Devil - I was just thinking the other day how much I enjoyed the first mini and was surprised they weren't having another...then, I see this. The only problem is Frank Cho isn't back to do it. Oh well, Shanna's boobs are bigger than ever, it seems. 6) Terror Inc is back! I have to go back and read the original series again. I loved when he appeared in MTU last year. He's perfect for the Max line. 7) Two great Essentials coming out: Daredevil Vol. 4 and Dazzler Vol. 1. Most won't be too excited about Dazzler...but, she has so many fantastic guest stars that it's worth picking up. I'm real excited with the Daredevil, though. While I've read many of the old issues of comics like Spidey and Fantastic Four, these early DD's weren't collected like the more popular Marvel A-listers of the past.
Anita Blake Handbook: First, a big "Thank You" to Marvel for the warning on the inside cover. It reads, "A quick spoiler alert! For those who have not finished the novel, please be warned this handbook does mention the ending to Guilty Pleasures." This way, I'll skim the book, but won't really read much of it yet. From what I've seen, if you are a fan of the comic, this gives just a ton of information on the various characters, places, and related topics generated from Guilty Pleasures. (I only wish I could get further into this book; but, I don't want to ruin my pleasure of this comic.) There are times I'm confused about a character or name reference, and this issue would be invaluable as a glossary to quicky catch up on something I missed. It's extensive and possibly one of the best Handbooks that I've seen, especially if a reader wants to delve deeper into these characters pasts without picking up the novels that proceeded Guilty Pleasures. If you're not reading this great Dabel Bros. comic, then this ranking would be much lower for you. But, as I am, I'm giving it a 9/10. I might have given it a 10 out of 10; but, as it would have been better served after all was said and done, I couldn't read the entire thing due to the spoilers.
Silver Surfer - Requiem #1: Reminiscent of Spider-Man: Reign, this tells of the possible final adventure of the Silver Surfer. Realizing that he may be close to death, the Silver Surfer comes to Reed and Sue, seeing if they can discover what is afflicting him and if there might be a cure. Beautifully told and written, Straczynski seems to really get the feel for the introspective Norrin Radd. He brings newer readers up to date on a bit of the Surfer's past history and prepares the rest of us for the (possible) final journey. If I had any complaints, it would be that in depicting the F4, it doesn't appear to be that far into the future, and events from Annihilation don't seem to be part of this story. Also, this title and the Spider-Man: Reign has the feel of a "The End" type story; but, Marvel doesn't include them into that for whatever reason. Still, very nicely written first issue. 10/10
Punisher Presents Barracuda #4: Don't get me wrong, I loved the character of Barracuda when I first read him in Punisher's Max comic. But, this limited series is simply offensive in its blatant stereotypes. Barracuda is the Blacksploitation verison of a black man and the various other characters in this book are simply stereotypical representations of the characters they represent, like the pedophialic priest or X-Rated transexual. After reading this book, a average person would feel the need to take a very hot shower to wash off the grime they feel covering their body. I can't wait for the next issue, just to be finished with this trash. 2/10
Wolverine #54: I finally realize what pisses me off about this title and Wolverine: Origins. You'd think with all of Wolverine's adventures with various other members of the Marvel Universe that one of them would have brought up the fact that they could fill in some of the holes in Logan's memories or shown the least bit of recognition when facing or meeting him in past comics. And, not only are they f'in with Logan's history, but other established characters, like Captain America and Wildchild. Basically, while the other books done by Marvel seem to be following a plan (or an initiative), this book seems to be off on its own. And, in another issue, we have Wolverine battling Sabretooth. Am I the only one extremely bored with this match-up? It seems like the writer's, Jeph Loeb, main purpose in life it to test the readers patience, and I was ready to have this fight wrapped up two issues ago. The only positive is that it appears a part of Liefeld history is put to death by the end of this issue. Now, if only this story would meet with the same conclusion. 3/10
X-23 - Target X #6: The X-23/Wolverine match up in this issue is so much better than the crappy Wolverine/Sabretooth match ups in the previous title. This and the previous X-23 limited series really made the character of X-23 much more interesting than the current X-Men related titles have. It brings out the deadliness and innocence of her character, and the art is absolutely beautiful to look at. The appearances by Wolverine, Daredevil, and Captain America aslo worked well and didn't stray away from their true characterizations. 9/10
Spider-Man Fairy Tales #1: I know most of the people on here don't pick up comics that they expect to be bad. I was expecting, like with X-Men Fairy Tales, to absolutely hate this title. But, funny thing happened...against my will, I ended up really liking this first issue. The quirky art really worked well in presenting the writer's tale, it had a few twists on the Spidey theme I wasn't expecting, and was very cute. This issue melded Spidey with the tale of Little Red Riding Hood (everyone can guess who Little Red Riding Hood was), and while the reader can figure out some things that the writer would drum up, I'm sure they wouldn't expect a few things that are lacking (to not give too much away) from the story. (Lacking does not mean bad, btw...you'd have to read it to understand, I guess. But, for the off-chance someone is going to read the story, I don't want to blow the ending.) Maybe it would be too high of a score for others; but, my shock at enjoying this single issue ranks it higher than others might give. 8/10 (I'm still surprised. I'm interested to go back through this thread and see if anyone else picked up this issue and came away with the same reaction.)
Silent War #5: Funny thing about the title...Marvel (over?)hyped Civil War to the point of exhaustion, and this subtle tie-in has been silently impressing those of us who have read it from issue #1. This title just does a beautiful job of relaying its story to the reader from the little bits of humor, like Ares saying "Ha! Was it so few?!" after being shown "the blood of all those (he had) slain in combat," to the extreme battle sequences, like the results of Black Bolt whispering. (I loved the picture of Black Widow on her back looking extremely shocked.) With one more issue, it's hard to believe they're going to wrap this up so quickly. Between what's happening with the war between the Inhumans to the upcoming war at home involving Medusa and Maximus, I'm hoping this is just the beginning of something more coming down the road. 10/10
(Before I wrap up my first set of reviews, I have to vent about one thing. I got the new issue of Wizard, and I'm so tired of seeing that one picture of Bendis everytime there is an article about him. I'm sure those of you who pick up Wizard know which one I'm talking about...it's the only one they use. He has that bald head, one eyebrow doing WWE's Rock imperination, and that stupid smirk...It's that DAMN STUPID SMIRK that bugs me to all get-out!!!!!!! He doesn't even have a friggin' top lip in the picture. Please, please, please get a different picture, WIZARD!)
