No Bought/Thought for 1/18/12? Well there is now...

[JewishHobbit]

Didn't get my comics until today, read them, and got on to share and there's no B/T!!! You're slipping people!

Besides my new titles I picked up two back issues. One was Wolverine & the X-Men: Alpha & Omega, which was just sorta okay. I'll skim the next issue to see if I want to continue it but with February being huge I might skip on it, at least for a few weeks.

The second one was one I was debating on but my love of the Clone Saga got the better of me and I bought Scarlet Spider. It was good and I'll likely get the next issue or two but we'll see how I feel in the long run.


Batman #5 - My one DC book this week and it was fantastic. The whole arc has been interesting, though I wasn't much on the art on the beginning, but it's growing on me. This issue, at first, I thought was wierd, then in hindsight I realized how clever it was. Basically, the Owls are screwing with Bruce's mind in this labrynth and doing a great job at it in the process.

At first I thought my book was messed up. Then I realized it was on purpose. Basically, the story starts normally and then for about 4 or 6 pages the art is sideways, which was fine and I didn't really think much of it. Then the last four pages are printed upside down, and then the last page was right side up again (focusing on Gordon and Robin worrying about Bruce). I realized after reading it and looking through it that the more drugged and confused Bruce was getting the more confused I was getting and the way the comic was laid out reflected that. So much so that, for some reason, I felt blind as I turned tothe final upside down page, and then it was shocking on the last panel when it was rightside up.

This was truly a brain trip... and the art, which has been growing on me, I suddenly appreciate so much more. He did a great job here.

Good issue, my favorite of the series so far.

New Mutants #36 - I can't say it with any confidence but this might be my last issue of this title regularly. I was giving it through the end of the Blink arc to change my mind and it really hasn't. Blink was awesome but the plot was dumb and Blink is apparently heading to Westchester and not staying in this book so I really have no reason to continue it. Likely it's becoming a spiratic buy for me.

And I'm liking what this is forming here. Who's on team Wolverine in Westchester area? Blink, Husk, Chamber, and M.... Generation X reunion anyone?

Generation Hope #15 - I'm glad this arc is over because I wasn't a big fan of it. I'm thinking this Asmus guy is no Gillen. I don't like that he's turning Zero into a likely villain, as he was a pretty awesome character before now. I thought the scene of Hope controling him was interesting. And Sebastian Shaw on the team just feels wierd. I'm just sorta hoping that the book ends after Avengers vs. X-Men. I like the team but young mutants are a dime a dozen and there's better ones out there.

Uncanny X-Men #5 - This issue was pretty good but I feel like the continuity is off. This apparently takes place a day after X-Force #14 (which was the same day until the end of the Saga I think) but it feels like there needed to be more time. Oh well, minor nitpick.

Basically, the town that was destroy in X-Force is returned to. Psylocke "discovers it" and takes the team there to search for survivors and all that. As shown in X-Force the town has evolved with life of its own and the X-Men study it. Turns out someone else is there and we find out next issue what this astronaut looking fellow is doing.

Alright issue that's hurt by Land's magazine pose art. Too early to tell if thie story is good or bad though, not much happens.

Uncanny X-Force #20 - Man, I feel like this series lost quality starting last issue. The plot was just so so and the art really hurts the story. In fact, I hate this art. I'd take Liefield over this art, or Bachelo on his messiest day. And I feel like Brian Braddock is acting very out of character. I'm hoping there's a reason for this because Remender is better than that.

AoA Nightcrawler could be an interesting addition here. I think he might get old in the longterm though. We'll see.

Avengers #21 - This issue was on par with last issue, which was on par with what most people around here think of Bendis' Avengers... really bad.

Honestly, I love New but if his end wasn't already coming I might consider dropping this title. It just isn't good. Nothing really happens in this issue other than some quick fights. Bendis should have let someone else have this book and focus on the street level title.

Venom #12 - Now this book was good. The symbiote gets the best of Flash and he goes on a psycho spree and attempts to kill the Toxin symbiote. Jack-o-Lantern stops it and is nearly killed in the process but escapes with Toxin. Flash breaks up with Betty for her well being and then sits beside a homeless guy and swigs some alcohol. Definately a good issue and as much as I hate it I'll likely stick around for the waste of money crossover next month. I hate that but if I skip on New Mutants and maybe push back an issue or two here and there I should be fine.


Best and Worst of the Week

Best: Batman #5 - Honestly, this was one of two books I liked this week and it beat out Venom by a mile. It was just a create and well done issue.

Worst: Avengers #21 - Just a bad issue. Worst of the week two issues in a row, and likely worst of the month.

 

[THANOSRULES]

Fed holiday this week

 

[WOLVERINE25TH]

Books still came out on Wednesday. They haven't come out on Thursday for a year now.

 

[WOLVERINE25TH]

Books still came out on Wednesday. They haven't come out on Thursday for a year now.

 

[Dread]

A short and sweet week, which I've since grown to appreciate. Only 4 books and none of them are bad. Spoilers are fresh, too!

DREAD'S BOUGHT/THOUGHT FOR 1/18/12:

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #678: After taking an issue off to allow Mark Waid to set up a crossover with DAREDEVIL, regular series writer Dan Slott and regular series artist Humberto Ramos unite once more to bring fans a two issue story - brief by today's standards. A cynic might wonder that since Slott is gearing to tell a major Sinister Six story later in the spring, stories which don't tie into that directly could be considered "filler". However, short arcs can still be entertaining even if all of them are not cogs in a giant machine. To this end, Slott utilizes Peter Parker's job at Horizon Labs once again to deliver an interesting plot for Spider-Man. Peter is forced to oversee a project by co-worker Grady Scraps, who has created a doorway which allows one to literally walk into the next day - 24 hours into the future. This naturally means whoever enters it was absent for a day; when Peter enters it, he finds out that missing out on the next day means New York City gets blown to bits. While Spidey and Scraps later unite behind a newspaper from the day ahead (much like "EARLY EDITION" only without a cat) to foil a lot of petty crimes, the real crisis involves a Symkarian pride parade organized by Mayor Jameson and Silver Sable, and an ULTIMATUM terrorist plot. Amazingly, a group that began as a C-List evil organization in CAPTAIN AMERICA have been featured in quite a few places in recent years, including the SPIDER-ISLAND: AVENGERS one-shot. In the end, not every story has to be part of a crossover event or a long term slog to be interesting and exciting; it merely has to be written and drawn well. As usual on ASM, Slott and Ramos accomplish this in spades.

As a nerd, I did enjoy the cute nod to FACADE, one of Spider-Man's lamest villains from Terry Kavanagh's run on WEB OF SPIDER-MAN in the early to mid 90's. FACADE was basically a joker in a color clashing suit of armor who infamously killed minor supporting character Lance Bannon and his identity remained a mystery afterward, forever to be unknown. The Clone Saga started shortly after and dominated the books.

The only blemish on the issue is an appearance by the new Madam Web, Julia Carpenter, with more of her vague portends of the future which are always more confusing than helpful. One would have imagined that after she botched a lot of SPIDER-ISLAND and her misinformed meddling made things worse than they could have been, Spidey would ignore her; he doesn't. At the very least, her daughter makes an appearance; is she still dating the Shroud, as she was as of MARVEL COMICS PRESENTS circa 2007-2008? All mysteries for another issue.

DAREDEVIL #8: Mark Waid continues to blow away expectations with his relaunch of the DAREDEVIL ongoing series and franchise. This is the second part of a two-issue crossover story with AMAZING SPIDER-MAN; the first part of the story shipped last week, which Waid also wrote. The artist Kano (not to be confused with the MORTAL KOMBAT fighter) fills in for regular artist Paolo Rivera in interior art; Rivera handles the cover. Javier Rodriguez at least continues on regular colors, to allow everything to still have the same palette between artists. The conclusion of "The Devil And The Details" gets underway with a lot of energy and Waid's trademark wit with Daredevil. Since this isn't his series, Spider-Man is whisked off panel roughly halfway through the issue, to better allow Daredevil and Black Cat to interact.

As a summary, this is a caper and a mystery story rolled into one. In AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #677, Black Cat has been framed for stealing new technology from a lab tach at Horizon Labs, where Peter Parker happens to be working for. She was arrested, but promptly escaped, while Peter seeks out Daredevil to help him unravel the mystery. The stolen tech allows for high-definition holograms to be transmitted over wireless signals, which is worth billions to legal companies and even more to black market cabals. In the middle of this is the fact that Spidey and Black Cat are former lovers and occasional "friends with benefits", which means poor Daredevil is stuck between their bickering as he tries to sort clues together. Despite this being a crossover with ASM, Waid wisely intertwines this story with his long reaching subplot revolving the "Omega-Drive" (which Waid summarizes for any readers of ASM who came aboard). Last obtained in issue six, Daredevil acquired a sliver of Fantastic Four tech transformed into a data drive with data on the world's biggest criminal organizations and their corporate fronts. The stolen Horizon Labs item is sought by these groups, and in the end, even Black Cat's role ties into this.

Kano's artwork meshes well with the tone of the series as well as with the prior artists Rivera and Marcos Martin (who has since left the book). There are some brief action scenes but the issue is mostly a caper scene in which Daredevil and Black Cat have to sneak into a state of the art facility while flirting with each other. In fairness, Felicia Hardy is the aggressor in the flirtation, but Murdock is often quick to get physical with aggressive women such as her (see: Elektra, Typhoid Mary, Black Widow). It will be interesting how far Waid takes a possible relationship between Murdock and Hardy, especially considering the deal offered to Hardy by Murdock's enemies at the end. Fans can expect this to come to a head in April when DAREDEVIL crosses over with AVENGING SPIDER-MAN and PUNISHER for one issue apiece to settle the score. Foggy Nelson, meanwhile, discovers something has happened to the cemetery soil where Matt's father is buried, which will probably lead into Daredevil's upcoming battle with Mole Man, according to the cover of the next issue (shown on the letter page).

In conclusion, DAREDEVIL #8 does what every issue of this relaunch has done. Mark Waid's crisp dialogue and clever plotting is combined with some of the most innovative artists at Marvel Comics to bring readers a run on DAREDEVIL that throws out the old rulebook cast down by Frank Miller in the 1980's. It almost seems every review of this series gets boring, but that is because it seems every issue of this series is that good. Don't get left behind, grab it now; not even a blind man would pass this series up.

THUNDERBOLTS #169: Jeff Parker and regular artist Kev Walker continue on their run on this already long running team title, and continue on their “time travel escapees” plot. The angle of the past half year is that most of the Thunderbolts capitalized on the chaos of FEAR ITSELF to escape from their wardens (Luke Cage, Songbird, and Mach-V) via a mixture of Fixer’s technology and Satanna’s magic. The problem is that they continue to travel backwards in time every time they fire up their machines; the initial jump brought them to 1940’s Europe and a team up with the Invaders. The second jump brought them to the Victorian era in the late 1800’s and a rehash of the Jack The Ripper plot. One would think that after these two problematic time jumps, the escaped T-Bolts would at least stay put for a bit and try to sort things out. However, Parker has a gimmick to push, so instead they go on a third jump. Surprise! They wind up even farther back in time, this time to the middle ages and the time of King Arthur, Merlin, and the original Black Knight. The additional wrinkle is that Cage, Songbird, and Mach-V teamed up with Valkyrie to figure a way to get Ghost – the only loyal Thunderbolt inmate who they had left – to travel back in time after the escapees to keep tabs on them and ultimately lead to their recapture.

The smart members of the escaped T-Bolts – Fixer, Centurius, Satanna, and Moonstone – once again attempt to figure out why their time jumps are going pear-shaped. Meanwhile, Troll/Gunna (an Asgardian child warrior raised by trolls) leaves to hunt and picks a fight with the Black Knight, who is ultimately defeated by Boomerang. When Boomerang decides to “borrow” the Knight’s enchanted Ebony Blade, he invites a battle with Merlin and the Knights Of The Round Court – a battle which hardly goes as planned. The finale reveals Merlin’s darker side, and whether it ties into material Alan Moore wrote about the enigmatic wizard in his CAPTAIN BRITAIN run is unknown. The fact that a new incarnation of Man-Thing (who can travel across dimensions via his connection to the Nexus Of Realities) is growing in the T-Bolts’ basement is a hint that he/it is the reason why their time travel is not going well.

The time travel jaunts at least give Kev Walker as well as inker Terry Pallot and colorist Frank Martin Jr. a chance to go to town. Every time adventure –which in fairness has usually only been about two or three issues each – allows the art team to draw new backgrounds, new creatures and new costume designs for the cast as they attempt to fit in. This is all window dressing, but it is at least very good looking window dressing. The banter between characters is often crisp, which is Jeff Parker’s strength as a writer. However, his weakness remains his reliance on “threat of the week” premises and how many ways he finds a way to dress up that monotony in his team books. While that sort of thing seemed to work with AGENTS OF ATLAS, it seems to be growing thin with Thunderbolts. There have been teases of something coming with Baron Zemo here and there throughout Parker’s over two year run on this series, but nothing which seems consistent or inevitable.

In conclusion, this issue does what Parker has done very often with this run. He has provided a perfectly efficient and well drawn comic book in which I forgot most of the details after I finished because it plays things safe and has a very set format. It isn’t a book that I hate, or adore, but is always just sort of there, at the edge of apathy. With Marvel intent on spamming many franchises in 2012, is this the best spot for a book to be in for a fan?

VENOM #12: It is worth a moment of appreciation that this spin-off series, which has hit the 12th issue threshold and is still selling far above Marvel's cancellation range. At times, such feats seem rare at the House Of Ideas. Next month, VENOM will have a five issue crossover with itself (via four "Point One" issues) with two already canceled relaunches, including the latest incarnation of GHOST RIDER. Rick Remender and artist Lan Medina, alongside inker Nelson Decastro and two colorists, continue with their "Road Trip" story. Picking up from the last exceptional issue, Venom/Flash Thompson is stuck between a rock and a hard place despite his best efforts to serve the military. In serving his country as "Agent Venom" as part of a new "Operation REBIRTH" branch, Thompson has become bonded with the alien symbiote which grants him great powers, as well as restores his legs to him. At the same time, he is being blackmailed into working for the nefarious Crime-Master on an errand, in order to maintain the safety of his family and the woman he loves, Betty Brant. Forced to go AWOL due to that blackmail and his addiction to the suit, Thompson is now on a trip to Vegas with Jack O'Lantern, the minion and adopted "son" of Crime-Master. This "errand" stands revealed as breaking into the Devil's Den casino and stealing a highly prized item they have under storage. It turns out to tie into the alien itself, which causes Venom to emerge in a frenzy. Medina thus gets a chance to draw some of the craziest images of Venom since VENOM: THE MADNESS in the mid 1990's.

The one quibble is one scene shows Flash entering the casino in shorts and bare legs; while one can easily imagine the alien "re-creating" his legs with ooze under pants or a costume, doing so with bare flesh risks stretching things a bit. Beyond that, this issue was another near flawless installment of what has become an exceptional series. Thompson is such an engaging lead character that it becomes a wonder why Marvel has never attempted it before. While this is a relaunch of the VENOM property, it has parallels with the "struggle with the monster within during horrendous ordeals" angle which used to excite fans of INCREDIBLE HULK. While whatever unites Venom next month with X-23 and the new (female) Ghost Rider may end up random, Red Hulk (or Gen. "Thunderbolt" Ross) has been ordered by Captain America to apprehend the AWOL soldier, so that subplot trudges onward. This series has some competition in 2012 with SCARLET SPIDER - another ASM spin off featuring a supporting character as the lead - but it seems to always forge it's own path to engaging reading. Considering that VENOM's 11th issue sold better than AVENGERS ACADEMY's 11th issue, and the latter will likely see a 30th, the odds are high that Remender will have quite a while to continue on this series.

 

[runawayboulder]

Didn't Slott say he was going to return to the FACADE plot? Was that it? I was hoping for more, even a return of Lance Bannon.

 

[Dread]

Didn't Slott say he was going to return to the FACADE plot? Was that it? I was hoping for more, even a return of Lance Bannon.

That was likely it. The storyline has since been remembered as a debacle. The writer/creator of FACADE himself refused to reveal his identity, either intending him to be the next Green Goblin (at least in his own mind), or because the Clone Saga just dominated after. Ironically, the lead suspect in that story was actually John Jameson, believe it or not - but it's highly unlikely Marvel editorial would approve that now. It would have simply added another identity to him, since John Jameson has already been Col. Jupiter, Man-Wolf, and Stargod. The gist of the story from 1994 was that a mysterious person stole yet another new pair of advanced color clashing armor which was being developed and Lance figured his identity, so FACADE killed him. The mystery involved both John and his father J.J. as well as a cast of expendable characters as suspects - including a butler, a timeless mystery cliche. The reviewers at Spider-Fan.org stated that John remained the best suspect at the end of that storyline, but it was still terrible and worth forgetting. Terry Kavanagh was responsible for a lot of awkward stiff on WEB OF SPIDER-MAN, such as Richard Fisk becoming Blood Rose (because simply being "the Rose" wouldn't do in the 90's, had to have Blood or Armor somewhere), Betty Brant becoming a machine gun toting femme fatale (although given everything she's been through, I'd argue if ANY lady from Spidey's cast is likely to snap, it's her), and the original Spider-Armor which is now famous for video game suits.

It could be a running joke to Marvel editorial; the intro page for the DARK REIGN FILES, which was written as Quasimodo exploring villain files for Norman Osborn, also teased FACADE's identity.

Ironically, Lance Bannon's legacy has been attached to adaptations of Eddie Brock in both the 90's Spider-Man cartoon and "SPIDER-MAN 3". In both, Brock was a rival photographer to Peter Parker, which was the role Lance filled in the comics. In the comics, naturally, Brock never had that role and started out as a deranged stalker type villain with a vendetta. Some have gone so far as to suggest that "Eddie Brock Jr." in "SM3" is basically Lance Bannon in all but name, since "Lance" is usually considered swishy sounding to some audiences.

 

[runawayboulder]

Lance was a great Peter Parker rival in his hey day but I guess those days are truly gone.......*sigh*.

 

[Themanofbat]

Lane Bannon was a very boring character and I'm glad he's dead...

 

[runawayboulder]

You're boring

 

[Dread]

Lance was a great Peter Parker rival in his hey day but I guess those days are truly gone.......*sigh*.

It is strange that given how competitive news photography is - especially freelance - Peter has had few rivals in that field before or since. Yes, he had an "advantage" in terms of Spidey pics, but he still can't be everywhere. And surely webbing a camera to a street lamp can't ALWAYS get perfect page 1 shots.

But, I imagine research was more of a chore for writers before the Internet made it easier. And sometimes even SINCE...

 

[Hound55]

Thoughts on Moon Knight 9, Dread?

 

[Phaedrus45]

Patricia Brigg's Alpha And Omega: Cry Wolf #4

I was on the verge of dropping this title; but, things started getting a little more interesting. I finally found the two main characters a bit more interesting; although, I'm still not hooked on the book. There are just too many other books like this. (In fact, Dynamite has one that's very similiar, already dealing with werewolves.) Anita Blake kind of set the standard; and, what's followed since hasn't been as well done.

A very, very mild

Amazing Spider-Man #678

I finally feel this book is back on target after all the Spider-Island nonsense. We just get a nice storyline involving the possible destruction of Manhattan; and, Peter Parker trying to stop it from happening. Slott hits all of marks, infusing the Parker humor with some good Spidey action and adventure.

Halo: Fall Of Reach - Invasion #1

The Fall Of Reach storyline continues, as Master Chief and crew make it back to Reach after a big conflict in the previous mini. What they don't realize is that they've now given the Covenant the location of Reach, and the invasion is soon to follow. (Hense, they whole reason this storyline is called "fall of Reach.")

This book is a mixed bag. Fans of Halo will enjoy the backstory to the video game; but, there isn't a whole lot of characterization that makes you care for any of the people involved. In fact, all the people fighting hand to hand combat all look like Master Chief; so, it's not like they are easily identified. Also, there isn't a lot of mystery, as I've mentioned the title to this book identifies what is going to eventually happen.

A mild . Reed does a good job with what he's been given; and, as comics based on video games go, this one interests me a lot more than others I've tried.

Generation Hope #15

I'm still enjoying this title, even though my favorite character, Indie, isn't with the group any longer. Asmus has done a fair job jumping in right where Gillen left off; and, I love how the Sebastian Shaw storyline is picking up where it was left off in another title. This book just has so much potential, and I never feel like I know what's going to happen next.

 

[runawayboulder]

I had no idea Gillen left Gen Hope.

 

[Phaedrus45]

Planet Of The Apes #10

While this book isn't new-reader friendly, I have been loving what Daryl Gregory has been doing. With each new issue, I'm more hooked on this book. I'm a huge Planet Of The Apes fan; and, am excited with how the franchise is expanding more and more with the minis being released. (I've always wanted to read Marvel's old 70's comic; but, they are quite pricey to try and get. How cool that Boom will soon be reprinting them.)

Moon Knight #9

One of my favorite books Bendis is putting out. It's definitely the type of character he's best writing for, and I love how Bendis is slowly developing the various relationships around the main character. With this issue, Moon Knight and Echo are clearly outmatched by Count Nefaria; but, Bendis makes everything that is happening seem possible, especially given the weapons of his various personas being available.

Some people criticized Bendis screwing with the Moon Knight character so much, even before the first issue came out. For those who are reading the book, I think they would agree that it's working. Clearly, what wasn't working before was the same, tired storylines; and, at least Bendis gives readers something different. Sure enough, this character needed that.

Avengers #21

Better than the previous awful issue; but, not a whole lot happens here. We get action sequence after action sequence; but, it's mainly what we saw before, which is the Avengers split up, getting their butts handed to them by Osborn's various team members. I don't think it's nearly as bad as JH makes it out to be; but, still, I've read much, much better this week.



Official Index To The Marvel Universe: Wolverine, Punisher, Ghost Rider #6

I thought they wouldn't have very much of Ghost Rider to talk about; but, the writers of this Cliff Notes Version of the main characters pull out some nice gems: The Champions, Ghost Rider/Blaze, the Blaze mini series, and a couple of one-shots. It sure was a nice surprise. Meanwhile, we get more good stuff from Punisher and Wolverine. (It would be nice if they could complete both characters, by featuring the other books they were in.)

Catwoman #5

This book started out pretty good, especially with Winick pushing the envelope with some soft core, Batman/Catwoman action. But, with Batman gone the past couple issues, things have gotten a bit dull. We get our usual action sequence, followed up by Selina on the run from bad guys and cops. I still want to see where everything is going; but, I long for the good old days when Brubaker was reinventing this character.

A mild .

Legion Of Super-heroes #5

It's official. I'm done!

It's kind of sad; because, I have almost every issue of Legion Of Super-heroes from when they got their own title to today. (I even have quite a few of the Superboy And The Legion Of Superheroes. About the only ones I'm missing are quite a few Legionnaires books.) I just can't take it any longer. Waid really set the standard, when he relaunched this title quite a few years ago; and, while his replacement wasn't bad, the stuff that Levitz has brought us has been pretty ... boring.

The book has two main faults. One, where as some of the New 52 decided to relaunch their title as a re-imagining of their character or teams origin, Levitz just continued on from what we saw before. Thus, it's not new-reader friendly. Second, he's working with WAAAYYY too many characters. The book jumps around from scene to scene, and none of the characters are being fleshed out beyond whatever storyline they are involved in. Levitz has been best when dealing with a few of the Legionnaires, like when he was reimagining the origins of the Legion Of Super-heroes in the pages of Adventure Comics a couple years back. (Also, in his recent Legion mini, that explains the origin of the Legion Of Superheroes.) In here, I can care less about any of them; and, the storyline is rather boring, too.

So, I'm done. I've had it. I'm officially taking this book off my pull list. (I have yet to decide on Legion Lost. I've got to read isssues 2-5, like I did with this title this week, before I decide it's fate.)

 

[JewishHobbit]

Moon Knight #9

One of my favorite books Bendis is putting out. It's definitely the type of character he's best writing for, and I love how Bendis is slowly developing the various relationships around the main character. With this issue, Moon Knight and Echo are clearly outmatched by Count Nefaria; but, Bendis makes everything that is happening seem possible, especially given the weapons of his various personas being available.

Some people criticized Bendis screwing with the Moon Knight character so much, even before the first issue came out. For those who are reading the book, I think they would agree that it's working. Clearly, what wasn't working before was the same, tired storylines; and, at least Bendis gives readers something different. Sure enough, this character needed that.

I enjoyed the first four or five issues before I had to make cuts. I sold what I had but now that it's officially ending with issue 12 I'm hoping to find them for cheap at Half Priced Books. I skimmed the newest issue of MK and was shocked by the ending, and Bendis said on Twitter that what happened really happened. Crazy.

Avengers #21

Better than the previous awful issue; but, not a whole lot happens here. We get action sequence after action sequence; but, it's mainly what we saw before, which is the Avengers split up, getting their butts handed to them by Osborn's various team members. I don't think it's nearly as bad as JH makes it out to be; but, still, I've read much, much better this week.

I read over it again and maybe it wasn't as bad but it certainly wasn't good. Stuff just sorta happened and I felt so bored while reading it. The only scene I somewhat liked was the Protector/Iron Man fight but even then... eh.

 

[WOLVERINE25TH]

I agree on Legion. I got into it with the Supergirl crossover and Shooter managed to keep it interesting, but Levitz just bogs it all down. I've been reading Legion for 5 years now and I STILL don't know most of the characters beyond the intro boxes, which thankfully they do every issue (gee, wonder why).

 

[Dread]

Thoughts on Moon Knight 9, Dread?

I don't have many thoughts on MOON KNIGHT #9 because I didn't read MOON KNIGHT #1-8 by Bendis & Maleev. I disliked the premise, and wasn't thrilled with the overly chatty preview of the debut issue. I decided that despite my fondness for Moon Knight, I wasn't going to let that cause me to break my "Bendis Comics Cause Ulcers" mantra. All I know is that Moon Knight is crazier than Two-Face, has hero envy since they're not even HIS identities, but those of other superheroes, and that Bendis continues his trend of reviving clearly dead minor villains without so much as a reason how. I am pleased not even His Bendisness couldn't get it to last past a year and hopefully whatever he's done to Moon Knight will be phased out the next time around.

If Marvel wanted to pave fresh ground, they'd expand his pulp origin akin to what Fraction & Brubaker did with the Iron Fist legacy; instead they just see Moonie as a lunatic Batman rip in a hood, and Bendis at least catered to that editorial fascination.

 

[Hound55]

I'm more worried that they might not have a following series, deciding that they threw the Holy Bendis at the problem, with a series that had mixed critical acclaim (which is pretty good for Bendis' Marvel stuff recently...) and it still didn't get the character to sell.

I'm kind of mixed on it myself, he's taken the character down a path I haven't liked where he's kind of crapped on everything that came before to make things easier for himself (whodthunkit...) but it hasn't really sucked. Like REALLY SUCKED. You know, Bendis level "Sucked". In fact, it's probably the best thing he's writing for Marvel... is definitely the best thing he's writing for Marvel that I've read recently.

 

[Phaedrus45]

Too many comics to review. Here are quick thoughts:

John Carter: World Of Mars #4

This prequel to the motion picture introduces readers to a few of the characters who live on Mars. John Carter isn't really seen here, except for a quick intro in the first issue. It wasn't bad, and was made a bit better as I read Marvel's other John Carter book. (It gave me a better insight into who these characters are in relation to John Carter.)

John Carter: A Princess Of Mars #5

This adaptation of (the first?) John Carter novel was a great introduction to the movie. I enjoyed the story, and find myself more interested in seeing the upcoming movie. I wouldn't mind if Marvel adapted another of the John Carter novels in the future; but, I highly doubt this book sold very well.

Supergirl #5

This book has held my interest well enough. I've been enjoying it more than Action Comics, at least. I guess I kind of hate that we're getting another retelling of Supergirls origin. It just feels that it's been done too much lately. I guess everything we've read before is effectively wiped away.

Wonder Woman #5

This book is probably my biggest disappointment to read. I had such great hopes when Azzarello took over the writing duties, and I even enjoyed that first issue quite a bit. Now, we feel bogged down with characters; and, I have almost zero interest in this plot.

Charismagic #4

I actually read issues 1-4 finally. I wasn't that impressed with the #0 issue they put out; but, for some reason kept getting the book. Now, I'm catching up on all this stuff, trying to find the stuff I should just stop ordering. I thought this might be one of them, but surprise, surprise! It's a pretty darn good story. Sure, it's all been seen before, where a few people are all that stands in the way of bad guys taking control of the Earth. But, it's fun and doesn't take itself too seriously.

Star Trek Ongoing #5

On the other hand, I finally read issues 2-5 of this series, and am going to drop it. Each 2-part story is kind of boring, and even though the premise was interesting (taking old stories and reimagining them with the new crew), the stories are dull and the characters are lifeless.

 

[Phaedrus45]

Even quicker reviews:

I'm still liking Ultimate Comics All-New Spider-Man. I was against a version that wasn't Peter Parker; but, Bendis does such a better job with comics featuring a single character than with team books. It works. I'm liking this new Spidey, and Bendis makes his personal life just as important as his Spidey adventures.

Caligula finally comes to a conclusion. The book was sure out-there! It's not for everyone ... heck, it's filled with so much violence and over-the-top sexuality, that I would be hardpressed to ever give it a full out recommendation. Still, I appreciated something a bit different.

Near Death #5 was still a decent book. It's very much like Criminal; but, even easier to enjoy. Many of the issues feature a stand-alone story; and, Faerber does a good job of keeping me interested. It's not the best of this genre; but, at least we get a nice price.

I'm very happy Ghost Rider is being cancelled. It's easily one of the worst series Marvel is putting out.

On the other hand, I've never been a fan of Venom like so many others are. I just couldn't get into Flash as Venom ... and, his military involvement was too much like Haunt. That said, I finally caught up on my reading, and finished issues 9-12. I have to say, I'm enjoying the book now. I love the new direction, getting Flash away from the military, and having him forced to team up with Jack O Lantern.

 

[Dread]

I'm more worried that they might not have a following series, deciding that they threw the Holy Bendis at the problem, with a series that had mixed critical acclaim (which is pretty good for Bendis' Marvel stuff recently...) and it still didn't get the character to sell.

I'm kind of mixed on it myself, he's taken the character down a path I haven't liked where he's kind of crapped on everything that came before to make things easier for himself (whodthunkit...) but it hasn't really sucked. Like REALLY SUCKED. You know, Bendis level "Sucked". In fact, it's probably the best thing he's writing for Marvel... is definitely the best thing he's writing for Marvel that I've read recently.

But that's sort of like a Jeph Loeb compliment. "Well, AVENGERS: X-SANCTION actually has a coherent plot, so it's better than some other Loeb work." Really? That's Marvel's A-Game talent? Where the bar is so low that mere coherence is enough for some of them? Where attaining mediocrity is akin to a gold medal? This is worth four ****ing dollars for twenty pages?

I'm not certain how Moon Knight was written in Ellis' SECRET AVENGERS issues, but if he didn't go nuts - pun intended - aping Bendis' take on the character, maybe subsequent writers won't. I continue to see just making Moon Knight more insane with every creator run as a dead end. It's akin to every run on Daredevil saw his life get bleak and hit rock bottom, again and again and again until Mark Waid. Usually what Bendis does to characters is INSTA-CANON, but it may not be iron clad.

It is a fair concern that this may be it for MK now that throwing Bendis at him didn't work. But think about it like this. Marvel have committed to a series for him in some shape or another for about six years, which is a long time for a B-List character like him. Many times when his series is axed, not enough time is left to mourn him. He was off the stage for years before the Huston/Finch series debuted. Four years in the ground did THOR wonders. If someone in Marvel's media division sees potential in MK in TV or film, his comic could return. If not, though, I can't say a rest may not be what the character needs. He needs a relaunch akin to Waid on DD or Brubaker & Fraction on Iron Fist, and to do that sometimes you need some time between volumes.

Gregg Hurwitz technically got one more issue of a Moon Knight series than Bendis did, if you consider that SHADOWLAND: MOON KNIGHT #1-3 was essentially VENGEANCE OF THE MOON KNIGHT #11-13 in all but title. That makes me feel happy somewhere, even if SL:MK was hardly Hurwitz's best.

 

[Hound55]

Bendis' run has been better than Hurwitz's.

Comfortably so. Not that that says very much.

I just wish Marvel would give it to someone who'd respect the character properly, like Kelly or Dan Slott.

 

[WOLVERINE25TH]

Ghost Rider isn't the WORST, but I feel the new GR didn't get any real development before being put to paper. She starts off one way, then turns into Blaze-light after the initial arc. Also, I get tired of Blaze yo-yoing from angst to loving the rush to angst again.