The Actionest Bought/Thought since 1938 *spoilers*

[Dread]

Part III (whew):

SPIDER-GIRL #6: This is a dead book walking; it has been canceled with issue eight and its sales were ugly from the start (especially compared with the latest ASM spin off, VENOM). This is Paul Tobin's second series to get the axe in it's 8th issue (THOR: THE MIGHTY AVENGER was the last), and the first set in mainstream continuity. Clayton Henry returns to draw this issue, albeit with some help from "Cariello, Height & Wong". They inkers, co-pencilers, or what? Chris Sotomayor continues the regular color work. As the cover implies, Spider-Girl takes on the Hobgoblin, who is one of those villains Marvel passes around like herpes to several titles within a short period of time; he's popped up in HERC too. Just as Nightmare, Griffen, Mr. Hyde, Rhino, and/or the Wrecking Crew seem to make the rounds every few months in several titles at once.

In a way, this issue perhaps showcases the awkwardness of this relaunch that has confused retailers and readers. This is said to be an ASM spin off, yet via retcon, Sofia now has more to do with the Fantastic Four, who continue to appear in side stories (Sue especially). Yet she was also trained by Ms. Marvel, who is finally acknowledged in this issue. Spider-Girl does an interview for Frontline and it is implied that she's "never" had powers - even though she has her spider-totem powers for most of her existence until recently. To this date, no two writers/editors seem to agree at what point she lost her Arana powers, as it seemed to literally happen off panel due to some gaffe. Despite all these drags, though, Tobin writes a compelling heroine, and can deliver on solid thrills and action every issue. Phil Urich happens to be the camera man for the interview, and psychotically decides to "win" Norah Winters' heart by killing Spider-Girl, who impresses her. Before the tussle, Sofia has another tense meeting with Thunderbolt Ross, a.k.a. Red Hulk, as they compare notes about RAVEN, the newest random secret organization that are behind the death of her father. Maybe RAVEN and the Shadow Council meet for ping pong tournaments until they earn enough cred to be invited to the annual HYDRA/AIM Christmas Mixer.

Spider-Man has an obligatory guest appearance; his first in this series, actually (if you discount the "prelude" strip to this in the BIG TIME debut in ASM). He gets in the middle of Spider-Girl's battle with Hobgoblin, although she reveals that despite being powerless, she is resourceful and skilled enough to hold her own. I like the angle of Screwball, a very low power antagonist who is close in skill level to Sofia, seeing herself as her arch nemesis.

Why didn't fans respond to this series, besides Paul Tobin and Clayton Henry not being big names? It's effectively a relaunch of ARANA: HEART OF THE SPIDER, only it bares nothing whatsoever to do with it besides the civilian identity of its heroine. It bares the title SPIDER-GIRL, and was released not long after the MC2 version was finally canceled (again). It was promoted as a spin off to ASM, but acts very much like a spin off to the FF, and has the Red Hulk as a major character. It comes off as a series promoted without a clue as to what it wants to be, and that usually doesn't encourage buyers. Were Marvel run by people who actually sold something in their lives, instead of writers or artists who cosplay as businessmen, they would likely know that. The result is we have another perfectly acceptable young hero series that was spat out, bounced off the wall and will die a swift death. Hopefully Tobin will wrap up his run here cleaner than Brubaker did from SECRET AVENGERS.

THUNDERSTRIKE #5: In a very heavy week for Marvel, this conclusion to an often overlooked spin off mini series managed to break through over a pile of offerings. This has been a jam by former editor-in-chief Tom Defalco, and legendary artists Ron Frenz and Sal Buscema, along with Bruno Hang and John Kalisz on colors. This is very much the same creative team that were producing SPIDER-GIRL series under various launches and titles for the past decade, as well as old hands on Spider-Man comics of the 80's and 90's too. This is a title that reintroduces a character who was part of Thor's extended supporting cast for years of time in past era's in a method and manner that makes him ripe for future stories in such titles as AVENGERS ACADEMY or FEAR ITSELF: YOUTH IN REVOLT. On the other hand, it might be seen as the spin off of a spin off - of THUNDERSTRIKE from the 1990's, which was then a spin off of THOR. Sales figures have not been receptive towards another five issue mini series; the debut issue sold over 15,600 copies, but the last issue only sold over 9,800 issues. At this point Marvel is still seeing a profit from the series, but just barely. This is a shame, as DeFalco has proven that despite being a decade removed from mainstream Marvel continuity, he can handle it better than the current writer of AVENGERS. Despite the oppressive cover price of $3.99 an issue, more is accomplished in five issues than in at least seven or ten issues of a comic written by Matt Fraction (THOR, INVINCIBLE IRON MAN). While Marvel has been "Thoring" themselves out with extra Odinson comics in the build-up to the film next week, this was one mini that was lost in the shuffle. Marvel has far fewer "legacy heroes" than DC, but this is a case in which they have created one effectively. Kevin Masterson is forced to take on the mantle of Thunderstrike from his deceased father, Eric - who was once himself a stand-in for Thor.

Picking up from last issue's conclusion, the story reaches it's finale after last issue's turn. While Adam Mann had been built up as the major nemesis, the true enemy stands revealed as Mangog, an ancient monster and one of Thor's deadliest enemies. Much of this issue is an all out battle between Mangog, Kevin (as the new Thunderstrike), young valkyrie Gruenhilda, and the Avengers. This givesFrenz and Buscema a chance to show that they still can handle an all out action sequence better than some younger artists in the industry. Kevin proves what he is made of in the middle of a crisis that not even Thor or Iron Man can quickly end, and the series is brought to a satisfying conclusion without havingKevin drastically shift who he is. While noble at heart, he is still a bit of a fast talking jerk, and while he has some more respect for heroes, he hasn't forgiven them for their abandonment of his father and he over the years. While that was due to changes in writers and editors since DeFalco's day more than something deliberate, DeFalco has exploited that to help given Kevin a voice and a conflict with the elder heroes beyond the simple arrogance of youth. Gruenhilda has also proven to be one of the most memorable valkyrie characters in years, if not since the original Brunnhilde started showing up in DEFENDERS quests. Less memorable are Kevin's school chums, who seem to be tacked on due to obligation - every teenage hero has to have a supporting cast who need a hall pass. The new Thunderstrike's costume design isn't as simple as the design that Frenz came up with for MC2 material, but is still simple enough that other artists should be able to handle it.

All in all, this mini series has been effectively handled by an old school creative team. Aside for the colors, which are more advanced than in the 90's, this reads very much like a series that would have been at home in the mid 1990's from art style to narrative style. For some this may seem like a demerit, but for others, this is a badge of honor. Even the covers all invoke the style of a former era, from the 60's to 70's to the 90's and so on, only without holograms and foils. If you are someone who enjoys seeing younger super heroes emerge from the Marvel pantheon, as well as seeing a super hero legacy take shape, this is definitely a series worth tracking down, or buying in trade. Despite low sales, DeFalco, much like another old talent, Chris Claremont, always seems to get work from Marvel. Thus, a sequel series isn't completely out of the question.

VENOM #2: After hitting the March sales charts by storm at its debut (a Top 20 debut and a reprint), the second issue runs a few weeks late and barely manages to ship in April. Rick Remender continues with his flair for crazy stories that he implied from the previous issue, with Tony Moore aboard for pencils with John Rauch's colors and Crimelab! Studios on inks. Apparently, Moore's struggles with the deadline may be a factor here, as he'll have at least a fill in artist come in by next issue or the one after. This issue carries a subplot from the last issue, but is very much it's own story.

Venom/Flash Thompson is once again dropped in the middle of a mission. This time, it is in the Savage Land to blow up an Antarctic Vibranium factory. Unfortunately, he's found himself the prey of Kraven the Hunter, who is hopped up on strange jungle herbs and his own natural crazy Spider-fetish. This results in Flash being bonded to the symbiote too long (as usual) and a notable sequence in a cave of giant bats where the alien is removed entirely. Meanwhile, Betty meets with Peter to discuss Flash being MIA from "real life".

It is a simple story, but an effective one. Remender has a good voice for Flash as a character and while it isn't a story that reinvents he wheel, it doesn't have to. The artwork is great and it will be interesting to see who this "mystery" villain is. Parnival Plunder? The Foreigner? Or someone new? Given that VENOM #1 had a better debut than AVENGERS ACADEMY in terms of sales, it should have a year to get to wherever Remender is going.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I read Action Comics #899 and 900 last night. Good stuff. I wouldn't really call #900 the greatest centennial issue ever or anything, but it was definitely good. It was fitting to have Superman and Lex square off and confront Lex's personal failings. The Doomsday subplot with all the other Super-family members was pretty boring, but it was nice to see all of them together; that seems to be rarer with the Super-family than any other family of characters for some reason. Superman barely even acknowledged Superboy's existence for most of the latter's early years. The backup stories ranged from beautiful and poignant to okayish, but most were pretty good. As for the art, well, it's always a nice idea to have tons of major artists contribute to a big milestone issue in theory, but in practice I've been finding it more jarring than endearing. I wish Pete Woods--or, better yet, Gary Frank--had done the whole main story himself and the other artists were saved for the backup stories and/or the Doomsday/Super-family B-plot. Some kind of logical division, at the very least, so I wouldn't flip the page and go from Frank's hyper-detailed Lex on one side to Woods' glossier, less realistic version on the next. But overall, that's a pretty minor complaint because, while the volume of artists was a little irritating, they were at least all really good artists. So yeah, satisfying conclusion to Cornell's big Lex love-fest and a milestone issue DC can be proud of. Looking forward to what Cornell does with Supes himself from now on.

Finished up Brightest Day last night as well. Good lord, what a bore. There was exactly one subplot in this roiling mass of conclusions that was actually interesting, and--surprise, surprise--it was the same subplot that was constantly interesting throughout the rest of the series: Boston Brand's. The story of a guy so used to being dead having to rediscover what it means to live was great from start to finish, and the ending was pretty moving. As for the rest, well, I honestly couldn't care less about Vertigo characters coming back into the DC universe. They're all right and everything, but I doubt we're gonna see any Vertigo-caliber stories with them in the mainstream DC stuff, so what's the point, really? Not only that, but the fact that this was a big fanfare for the return of Vertigo characters to the DC universe was concealed until the penultimate issue, leaving me feeling like the whole Brightest Day story was pretty anticlimactic as well. Turns out the characters we were following and getting invested in all along were really just means to an end. So, speaking of their ends, how were they? Firestorm's made me curse out loud, it annoyed me so much. After the Firestorm matrix being damaged or changed or counting down to destruction over and over again for the past few years, what do we get to end Firestorm's story in here? Oh, look at that, the Firestorm matrix is damaged and/or changed, resulting in a countdown to its destruction. How novel. The Martian Manhunter's story had easily the best ending, with him and Professor Erdel's daughter (or granddaughter? I can't remember) reconnecting and J'onn finally--finally--seemingly at peace with leaving Mars behind to embrace life on Earth. Aquaman's ending was all rightish; the Xebel dudes used Atlantean weaponry, apparently. Dun dun DUNNNN!!! Good enough as a lead-in to his inevitable ongoing series, but not particularly satisfying as an ending to his story in BD. Hawkman's story ends with him angry and screaming as he breaks s***--so, you know, it's like every other page of every other comic featuring Hawkman for the past few years, basically. Hawk apparently has something odd about him that allowed him to fail his task set forth by the White Lantern without any consequences, apparently. I don't know what that actually means because that's literally all the White Lantern says about it here. I kind of wonder if it might have something to do with Hawk's time as Extant, but who knows? I honestly don't care enough about Hawk to worry about it too much. But anyway, the story ends with Swamp Thing killing the s*** out of some corporate bigwigs who are f***ing up the environment and John Constantine investigating that. Um... yeah. So hopefully Aquaman's series will be fun and maybe the Martian Manhunter and Alivem--er, Deadagainman will get series too. That's basically what I'm taking away from this series that I followed so diligently.

Justice League: Generation Lost, on the other hand, had a fantastic conclusion because it concerned itself with characters first. Booster and Max Lord duking it out with old-fashioned fisticuffs may not have the scale of Alec Holland-Swamp Thing fighting Nekron-Swamp Thing, but it has so much more emotional resonance that the scope doesn't matter. That's why I actually sat up in bed and gave a when Booster threw his first punch and why I gave a passive "huh" when I saw the Swamp Things' pages. Captain Atom's coercion of Max toward the end was also pretty awesome. I hope he's back soon--his struggle between embracing his powers and trying to hold onto his humanity is nothing new, but it was presented with a newfound desperation in this series that made it more compelling than usual. And seriously, who here with any love at all for the JLI did not feel the urge to give a fistpump and shout "F*** YEAH!" on that last page with Batman's, "What do you think?" Awesome. Sauce. I'm gonna be all over that series.

 

[JewishHobbit]

So now that I'm back from my vacation... I finished reading my weekly comics only 2 days prior to the new ones coming out.

Avengers #12.1 - I actually thought this was a stellular issue and probably the best .1 issue so far. It actually does a good job in making me excited for what's coming. I was debating on dropping Avengers and not bothering with the Fear Itself tie-ins and then the Avengers line after that due to lack in funds but this issue alone made me change my mind on that, and even has me considering picking up Secret Avengers again. I've not made the choice to do that, since I'll have t change my buying habits to afford it in someway, but I'd say this issue was very successful to get me to the point of even considering it.

As for the ignoring Slott and Gage's take on Ultron... no biggie here. Ultron's uploaded his mind into various places before... it can work no problem. And I actually liked this rendition of his return MUCH better than Slott's, as it was a better direct connection to Annihilation Conquest.

Also, for those complaining about Bendis's ignoring other writers, he references DnA's Annihilation Conquest and Gillen's S.W.O.R.D. as well as his own work in Spider-Woman. He tied all that together to make a good oneshot story here and I think he did an amazing job at it

Amazing Spider-Man #659 - Okay, I'm really growing to hate this title. I love Spider-Man but Slott writes him like a 9 year old boy and it's getting really annoying. He's a grown man who quips... Slott writes him FAR too immaturely. And for the third issue now the FF stuff is boring me and I thought this issue was the end of it but no, it's continuing again. At least the Sinister Six are in the next issue so that's a bonus. I still don't like Doc Ock's look but I look forward to reading Rhino, Electro, and Chameleon. And is Sandman a villain again? I don't even remember these days.

I'm curious how the Goblin tatoo thing plays out because I'm hoping Slott's got something more than what's on the page here. This was a rediculous idea that goes against comman sense. Even drunk, it goes against Carlie's character and past history to get a Goblin tatoo. I'm guessing that Slott is using this as an excuse for her to get one and then will use that to have her infiltrate in one way or another but still.... dumb. By this point I was thinking it may be dropping time.

The Jackal two-pager has me holding on though, as I loved the Clone Saga and Jackal coming back has me interested. Kitson drawing him in his old Clone Saga trench coat also made me smile.

The Ghost Rider story is just alright. I don't mind it as a backup but I wouldn't pay money for it as a solo book. I like the art though

Honestly though... while Slott did decently well with his first arc or two, then he did amazing with the two parter that followed... his next 3 have probably been some of the worst comics I've read all year. Despite what everyone else says, I don't think Slott has a good handle on Spider-Man at all. He simply tells interesting stories around his bad depiction of the character and the past three issues have failed in even that.

FF #2 - I'm unsure about this book simply because I feel like Doom's been around too much lately, but also because I do feel like I'm coming in mid-plot (which I am). With so much Doom I feel the main plot was just kinda another Doom story, no biggie. As a fan of the 90's Fantastic Four run I enjoyed seeing Kristoff but hated his ignoring the Spider-Man/Fantastic Four mini. I also have grown to love Dragon Man in the short time I've been n this title. I want to stick with the book to see where it goes but with how many twice-a-month comics they're releasing this summer I have to drop crap and this might end up being one. Heck, next week alone has me spending $17 extra on twice-a-month comics above my alotted monthly spending.

I will say this though, Epting's work is fantastic. I wish he'd get regular work on something I buy regularly like X-Men or Avengers. I'd love to see him on an Iron Fist ongoing.

Venom #2 - Now this comic I really enjoyed. Remender doesn't bother with an issue of lead up and dives right into it. It was done so well that I had to check the cover to make sure I didn't miss an issue. I'm so used to decompressed writing that I was jarred by how quickly this jumps into it and I really enjoyed the issue for that. It reminded me of Torment for some reason, maybe the drugs and mention of drums (heart beat I believe) but it was good. I'm surprised that poison darts and spears can pierce the costume though.

All in all, good issue. This is an issue that's on my cutting list but with issues like this it's not going anywhere.

Power Man and Iron Fist #4 - This issue was decent but I've grown bored of this title. I've enjoyed it but I'm glad it isn't an ongoing and ends next issue. The Poker Face guy is just kinda dumb (though I like his defeat here ). I do like the Circus characters though and the idea of their masks taking over new bodies with the original wearers minds. It should make a good ending but I'm okay with the book ending after that. I'm curious where Iron Fist and Power Man's stories go after this but this mini itself has kinda hit the wall for me. I'd like to see an ongoing with Iron Fist and Power Man tagging along as a sidekick, but sadly, I'd hope to see a different writer handle it. Unfortunately, sales aren't going to allow an ongoing anyhow.

Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #9 - War of the Green Lanterns part 6. I think I've decided what bugs me about this event. It's much too dragged out. I think the first 3 issues dealing with the corruption of the rings and the Earth Lanterns fighting each other could easily have been condensed to 1 1/2 issues. The next 3 issues of the Earth Lanterns taking new rings and going to Oa could have been 1 1/2 to 2 issues in length. So we're 6 issues into this plot and it could have been done just as well in 3 to 3 1/2 issues. If the last 3 or 4 issues of this plot follows suit then it reads as a basic 6 issue story (a 2 month crossover) that could have been enjoyable. Instead, we get 3 to 4 issues of dragged out plot that diminishes the overall story. That's my opinion anyway.

Also... The snake guy and Sodom Yat were supposed to be a big part of this story and have done squat so far. I don't even think they've showed up have they? Is that story going to be ignored and come back to once WotGL is over?

Anyhow, as for this issue itself it was decent, better than the previous two parts. The art is good and the plot moves forward. I'm curious to see how the four Earth Lanterns do against the Entity possessed Guardians.


X-Titles to come....

 

[JewishHobbit]

Uncanny X-Men #536 - I thought this issue was good but the "things to come" preview in the .1 issue ruined a lot of it, as I saw it all coming. But with the ruined plot out of the way I'm curious what happens next.

I thought the story with Colossus and Kitty among the Breakworld people was solid. Magneto was kinda dumb in giving the metal to Kruun but whatever. He gets the Cure as a result and I'm curious what becomes of that.

Flaws and ruined plot aside, this is still a solid issue and a great upswing from Fraction's run.

X-23 #9 - Collision part 3. Despite Gambit's awesome showing in part 2, he takes a backseat here to X-23 and Daken, the two main characters of the story. Daken and Malcolm Colcord talk about Laura's history and the Trigger scent, which Colcord has recreated (and I'm getting bored of that plot). X-23 eventually excapes with Daken's help and they go to see what Colcord is up to and are attacked by some genetic mutations.

It was an okay issue but I've found I enjoy the Daken segments better than the X-23 ones. Maybe it's the art or that there's been more action in the Daken issues than the X-23's, which have been heavier dialogue. Either way I'm enjoying this story and am curious how it ends. I'm looking forward to Vampire Jubilee's story continuing in the next arc of X-23... and I'm still debating on if I'm going to continue Daken or not. I figure I"ll pick up Williams's .1 issue to see what he has in store.

X-Men #10 - This storyline has sucked but this final was decent. I hated the plot until Dark Beast came in, and I love him, so that helped a lot. He was a cool character here but ultimately this story was forgetable. The Lizard isn't appealing anymore and the X-Men becoming Lizards was a bleh plot for me. It's always nice to see Spidey and the X-Men team up though.

Age of X: Universe #2 - The story was fine but hurt by the fact that it didn't happen. Legion created this world so this history really isn't anything more than something in Rogue's memory and likely never really happened anyhow. That really hurts this mini and made it not worth the $8 I spent on it. The only good portion was last issue's backup with Peter and MJ.

New Mutants #24 - The final to the storyline (not including the upcoming aftermath issue) and I'm glad it's over. I did enjoy the story but when the ending ruined in solicits it took away from the story and thus, the issue itself didn't have much impact. The good thing here, as apposed to War of the Green Lanterns, is that they didn't stretch this out to be a big event. It's 6 issues, maybe an issue two long, but that's not so bad. It was a good plot and an interesting take on the X-Men. I enjoyed it but am glad it's over.



Oops, missed a non-X-Book:

Batman Incorporated #5 - I'm so bored. The first 2 issues were great. The next 3 were boring. I enjoyed having Batwoman in it but the rest just bored me to tears. Maybe I need to go back and read them together to like it better. Honestly, I don't eve recall what the story was about or even who became the Batman in the end.


Best and Worst of the Week:

Best - Avengers 12.1: I think I detailed this enough above. It was between this and Venom but I think this one takes it hands down. It was the best Bendis issue in a long time.

Worst - Amazing Spider-Man: This was a toss up between this and Batman Inc but I felt that forgetable writing is better than bad writing. At least Morrison captured the character of Batman and Batwoman. Slott can't even handle that (imo). As for plot, ASM's was very weak and boring. I'm hoping that the next issue picks up because I won't be holding onto a comic I dislike this much at $4 an issue twice a month. It isn't worth it.

 

[Dread]

So now that I'm back from my vacation... I finished reading my weekly comics only 2 days prior to the new ones coming out.

Avengers #12.1 - I actually thought this was a stellular issue and probably the best .1 issue so far. It actually does a good job in making me excited for what's coming. I was debating on dropping Avengers and not bothering with the Fear Itself tie-ins and then the Avengers line after that due to lack in funds but this issue alone made me change my mind on that, and even has me considering picking up Secret Avengers again. I've not made the choice to do that, since I'll have t change my buying habits to afford it in someway, but I'd say this issue was very successful to get me to the point of even considering it.

As for the ignoring Slott and Gage's take on Ultron... no biggie here. Ultron's uploaded his mind into various places before... it can work no problem. And I actually liked this rendition of his return MUCH better than Slott's, as it was a better direct connection to Annihilation Conquest.

Also, for those complaining about Bendis's ignoring other writers, he references DnA's Annihilation Conquest and Gillen's S.W.O.R.D. as well as his own work in Spider-Woman. He tied all that together to make a good oneshot story here and I think he did an amazing job at it

Amazing Spider-Man #659 - Okay, I'm really growing to hate this title. I love Spider-Man but Slott writes him like a 9 year old boy and it's getting really annoying. He's a grown man who quips... Slott writes him FAR too immaturely. And for the third issue now the FF stuff is boring me and I thought this issue was the end of it but no, it's continuing again. At least the Sinister Six are in the next issue so that's a bonus. I still don't like Doc Ock's look but I look forward to reading Rhino, Electro, and Chameleon. And is Sandman a villain again? I don't even remember these days.

I'm curious how the Goblin tatoo thing plays out because I'm hoping Slott's got something more than what's on the page here. This was a rediculous idea that goes against comman sense. Even drunk, it goes against Carlie's character and past history to get a Goblin tatoo. I'm guessing that Slott is using this as an excuse for her to get one and then will use that to have her infiltrate in one way or another but still.... dumb. By this point I was thinking it may be dropping time.

The Jackal two-pager has me holding on though, as I loved the Clone Saga and Jackal coming back has me interested. Kitson drawing him in his old Clone Saga trench coat also made me smile.

The Ghost Rider story is just alright. I don't mind it as a backup but I wouldn't pay money for it as a solo book. I like the art though

Honestly though... while Slott did decently well with his first arc or two, then he did amazing with the two parter that followed... his next 3 have probably been some of the worst comics I've read all year. Despite what everyone else says, I don't think Slott has a good handle on Spider-Man at all. He simply tells interesting stories around his bad depiction of the character and the past three issues have failed in even that.

FF #2 - I'm unsure about this book simply because I feel like Doom's been around too much lately, but also because I do feel like I'm coming in mid-plot (which I am). With so much Doom I feel the main plot was just kinda another Doom story, no biggie. As a fan of the 90's Fantastic Four run I enjoyed seeing Kristoff but hated his ignoring the Spider-Man/Fantastic Four mini. I also have grown to love Dragon Man in the short time I've been n this title. I want to stick with the book to see where it goes but with how many twice-a-month comics they're releasing this summer I have to drop crap and this might end up being one. Heck, next week alone has me spending $17 extra on twice-a-month comics above my alotted monthly spending.

I will say this though, Epting's work is fantastic. I wish he'd get regular work on something I buy regularly like X-Men or Avengers. I'd love to see him on an Iron Fist ongoing.

Venom #2 - Now this comic I really enjoyed. Remender doesn't bother with an issue of lead up and dives right into it. It was done so well that I had to check the cover to make sure I didn't miss an issue. I'm so used to decompressed writing that I was jarred by how quickly this jumps into it and I really enjoyed the issue for that. It reminded me of Torment for some reason, maybe the drugs and mention of drums (heart beat I believe) but it was good. I'm surprised that poison darts and spears can pierce the costume though.

All in all, good issue. This is an issue that's on my cutting list but with issues like this it's not going anywhere.

Power Man and Iron Fist #4 - This issue was decent but I've grown bored of this title. I've enjoyed it but I'm glad it isn't an ongoing and ends next issue. The Poker Face guy is just kinda dumb (though I like his defeat here ). I do like the Circus characters though and the idea of their masks taking over new bodies with the original wearers minds. It should make a good ending but I'm okay with the book ending after that. I'm curious where Iron Fist and Power Man's stories go after this but this mini itself has kinda hit the wall for me. I'd like to see an ongoing with Iron Fist and Power Man tagging along as a sidekick, but sadly, I'd hope to see a different writer handle it. Unfortunately, sales aren't going to allow an ongoing anyhow.

I love how you're listing off continuity examples for AVENGERS #12.1 and make sure to list Bendis' own SPIDER-WOMAN. Dude, his own stuff is ALWAYS a priority. To be fair, every writer usually follows their own continuity of prior work. Still, I wonder what an editor had on him to make him acknowledge the work of someone else. Maybe he learned from the flack he got from his last Ultron story at the start of MIGHTY AVENGERS? It takes some stars years for their light to reach our world...maybe criticism is like that with Bendis. At any rate, even when I was aboard a Bendis book, he was always capable of that 1-2 awesome issue a year mark. That issue that goes, "Man, when he's on he's awesome, let me stick around to see if it becomes a trend." And then the next 9-10 issues that year will be mediocre, or garbage, or not be the sum of their parts. I mean... Bendis' final issue of MIGHTY AVENGERS (Janet's funeral) was actually pretty good. I didn't regret him leaving, though. And, hell, SIEGE was at least better than SECRET INVASION and HOUSE OF M. Going from a D to a C isn't much of an accomplishment for the most overrated writer in comics, but, an improvement's an improvement. I've learned my lesson from USM and the first 40+ issues of NA, though. I think that's enough of a "try".

For the record, not that it matters too much, this was one of those issues of ASM that was co-written by Fred Van Lente. He did the script and Slott did the plot. That has happened more often since the first couple of arcs. Usually Van Lente is solid too, but that could explain a "shift" in your experience. It is amusing to hear that Spider-Man is written like a 9 year old, yet Val Richards tends to sound more like an adult than her own mother. That's weird. Especially since Val is really only supposed to be about 2-3 years old, yet all artists make her look about 5-6 these days. Which wouldn't bother me except for Franklin Richards barely being 12 after over 40 years of existence. As for Carlie, more of that "debate" is in the ASM topic. It doesn't make her look good, but she was basically drunk and manipulated, and I'm waiting to see where the subplot goes before calling for fire and brimstone. For heaven's sakes, comic readers accepted BARON ZEMO becoming a hero; being unforgiving about a 2 page scene seems hypocritical.

I am glad someone else was irritated that Hickman ignored SPIDER-MAN AND THE FANTASTIC FOUR. Kristoff' 180 is really an editorial debacle, a sign all they do is proof-read a script (and sometimes poorly at that). Regardless of Val knowing Doom is supposed to be vital due to "Future Frank", she hasn't told that to anyone and you would think repowering Doom would be seen as a no-brainer to future problems. Spider-Man, the "everyman", should have at least let in an, "You KNOW this is insane, right?" Instead he went along with it. Every time Spidey has a key moment to say something that captures the "common man" when his fellow heroes are doing something recklessly stupid that is bound to backfire, he always goes silent. That gets irritating.

I've liked Van Lente's POWER MAN AND IRON FIST overall, but I do agree this issue was a bit blah, almost there to set up the finale and little more.

FYI, while it may have taken a second read, VENOM #2 did continue a subplot from issue one, besides the final 2 pages. Thompson went to the Savage Land to destroy the factory making the Anti-Metal Vibranium bullets that were invented by the scientists he and Jack O'Lantern were fighting over in issue one. Basically, he took out the supplier, and then had to take out the distribution center. Of course, that is subtle enough that you could miss that detail and really not feel left out. I do wonder if the secret mastermind is Ka-Zar's brother, Parnival Plunder (not to be confused with Looten Plunder, from CAPTAIN PLANET AND THE PLANETEERS, which was also once a Marvel licensed comic). In a way, VENOM to me is sort of becoming my next HAUNT. It isn't a book I am absolutely in love with but it entertains me for the cover price. Rick Remender does assume all his readers have read the ASM .1 issue and are up to speed on the origin, but sales for the debut show that he is probably right - Marvel, at the very least, seems to have gotten nearly every regular reader of ASM to try out VENOM #1. The riddle will be how many return for this issue.

Best and Worst of the Week:

Best - Avengers 12.1: I think I detailed this enough above. It was between this and Venom but I think this one takes it hands down. It was the best Bendis issue in a long time.

Worst - Amazing Spider-Man: This was a toss up between this and Batman Inc but I felt that forgetable writing is better than bad writing. At least Morrison captured the character of Batman and Batwoman. Slott can't even handle that (imo). As for plot, ASM's was very weak and boring. I'm hoping that the next issue picks up because I won't be holding onto a comic I dislike this much at $4 an issue twice a month. It isn't worth it.

Christos Gage may be taking over an issue or two, or at least co-writing, ASM #661 & 662 for a guest appearance by the AVENGERS ACADEMY, in case you want to stick around for something different.

I wouldn't say the FF arc on ASM has been the best of the run, but I've at least enjoyed it. I thought this issue was better than the last, in a way. Or at least more fun. Spidey always wanted to go on far out science adventures as a member of the Four, so I take his "giddiness" as enthusiasm for finally being on the roster. I suppose it doesn't mesh with the somber tone of the death of Johnny Storm and "replacing" him, but we get the somber stuff in FF, at least. That said, I'm more interested in INFESTED and the other subplots in ASM. I will not be surprised if Jackal turns out to be Horizon's "mystery brain" that nobody has met.

A while back, you criticized AVENGERS ACADEMY for never fighting high profile opponents - they're due to fight the Sinister Six in issue #14 I think of their regular title. Given that they'll also appear in ASM, I am curious how the issues will link up. I'd have argued using a higher seller like ASM to promote AA is something Marvel should not have waited over a year to do, but better late than never.

 

[JewishHobbit]

I love how you're listing off continuity examples for AVENGERS #12.1 and make sure to list Bendis' own SPIDER-WOMAN. Dude, his own stuff is ALWAYS a priority.

It's funny. I was thinking while I typed that, "Dread's going to say something about me listing Spider-Woman here."

And I'm not as worried about his utilizing Spider-Man as much as using that, combining it with Annihilation Conquest, and then even referencing S.W.O.R.D. and putting it all together to launch a new storyline. I thought it was superbly done.

For the record, not that it matters too much, this was one of those issues of ASM that was co-written by Fred Van Lente. He did the script and Slott did the plot. That has happened more often since the first couple of arcs. Usually Van Lente is solid too, but that could explain a "shift" in your experience.

I've not read much by Van Lente to decide if I like his style yet or not, but if he's had a hand in the past 3 issues of Amazing then that could be telling for me. If it's just been this issue then I still blame Slott.

It is amusing to hear that Spider-Man is written like a 9 year old, yet Val Richards tends to sound more like an adult than her own mother.

I don't much care for Val, but her story makes it understandable. Spider-Man's behavior is just annoying to read.

As for Carlie, more of that "debate" is in the ASM topic. It doesn't make her look good, but she was basically drunk and manipulated, and I'm waiting to see where the subplot goes before calling for fire and brimstone. For heaven's sakes, comic readers accepted BARON ZEMO becoming a hero; being unforgiving about a 2 page scene seems hypocritical.

I've not given a lick about Zemo in the history of his character, so no dice there (for me). Thing is... would the friend of someone killed on 9/11 get drunk and get a tatoo of Osama Bin Laden to annoy a friend? Heck no! I don't care HOW drunk you are, that just isn't happening. To even pretend that being drunk is an understandable reason for her to get a Goblin tatoo is just rediculous.

FYI, while it may have taken a second read, VENOM #2 did continue a subplot from issue one, besides the final 2 pages. Thompson went to the Savage Land to destroy the factory making the Anti-Metal Vibranium bullets that were invented by the scientists he and Jack O'Lantern were fighting over in issue one. Basically, he took out the supplier, and then had to take out the distribution center. Of course, that is subtle enough that you could miss that detail and really not feel left out.

I completely missed that. Thanks for pointing it out. I kinda suck remember details of comics from one issue to the next.

In a way, VENOM to me is sort of becoming my next HAUNT. It isn't a book I am absolutely in love with but it entertains me for the cover price. Rick Remender does assume all his readers have read the ASM .1 issue and are up to speed on the origin, but sales for the debut show that he is probably right - Marvel, at the very least, seems to have gotten nearly every regular reader of ASM to try out VENOM #1. The riddle will be how many return for this issue.

I'm hoping sales continue to remain steady or go up. I said from the day the book was announced that there was great potential and that I could see the book actually doing well for a 20 or so issue run (you called me out on that if I remember correctly... as no new ongoing, especially launching out of Spider-Man, does well). Honestly, I saw the potential but never expected to see it turn out good... so I'm still pleasantly surprised. I thought Slott's .1 issue was decent but Remender's 2 issues have been fantastic. I'm eager to see where the plot goes.

Christos Gage may be taking over an issue or two, or at least co-writing, ASM #661 & 662 for a guest appearance by the AVENGERS ACADEMY, in case you want to stick around for something different.

A while back, you criticized AVENGERS ACADEMY for never fighting high profile opponents - they're due to fight the Sinister Six in issue #14 I think of their regular title. Given that they'll also appear in ASM, I am curious how the issues will link up. I'd have argued using a higher seller like ASM to promote AA is something Marvel should not have waited over a year to do, but better late than never.

Nah. I like the idea of them taking on the Sinister Six and think it'd be good for the title but I've dropped it and can't keep coming back to titles I've dropped. I'm still looking for more titles to drop to make up for these twice a month releases. I hope the books pick up readers, but sadly, I likely won't be one of them.

 

[Phaedrus45]

Captain America #617

Sure, this story has been done before. (Super Hero goes to jail, only to find himself having to face off against many of the criminals he's fought against in the past.) Heck, it's been done recently enough by Brubaker in the pages of Daredevil. Luckily, it's a storyline that's generally entertaining enough, and this proves no exception. I had grown bored with Cap's main title; but, I feel things are back on track.

Tomb Of Dracula Presents: Throne Of Blood One-Shot

A very good one-shot, spinning out of Curse Of The Mutants. It's all about the vampires, and thankfully not about any mutants. We get a story from the past, set in Japan in the year 1585. Two brothers set out to kill an enemy who has been slaughtering those in his path, not realizing he's a vampire (or, even what a vampire is). This lack of knowledge leads to the other brother returning to his village, unaware that his brother has been tainted by the vampire's bite that will doom all those around him.

The price is a bit steep ($3.99), but I found the story worth it.

Osborn #5

This was a decent mini; although, the art left much to be desired. In the end, Osborn goes from one jail to another; but, not before using his wits to get what he wants. (He even gains his freedom for a while, before turning himself in to authorities.) It does seem an important event for the eventual release of this character, and I loved that Norman was behind the explosion of the previous prison.

 

[Dread]

It's funny. I was thinking while I typed that, "Dread's going to say something about me listing Spider-Woman here."

And I'm not as worried about his utilizing Spider-Man as much as using that, combining it with Annihilation Conquest, and then even referencing S.W.O.R.D. and putting it all together to launch a new storyline. I thought it was superbly done.

He'll disappoint eventually. He's Bendis the Horrendous. He's like clockwork. He starts a plot he can't execute, he'll write himself into a corner or he'll just repeat one of his flaws and believe it's genius. I've wasted enough time and cash on his comics that I couldn't stand; I'm not going back.

I've not read much by Van Lente to decide if I like his style yet or not, but if he's had a hand in the past 3 issues of Amazing then that could be telling for me. If it's just been this issue then I still blame Slott.

I would have to go back and look, but I believe Van Lente has co-written about one or two of the last 4-6 issues, not counting this week's issue. He isn't credited on the cover, but on the interior page. Slott probably meshes better with Gage, since the two of them tag-teamed on comics for a longer period of time.

I don't much care for Val, but her story makes it understandable. Spider-Man's behavior is just annoying to read.

He's basically a kid at a candy store being a member of the Four. They're people he's basically grown up with. He isn't hassling them for a paycheck like he did when they first met when he was a teenager. He gets to have far out adventures with science. More importantly, he likely is using it to avoid having to think about his drama with Carlie, Horizon, or Hobgoblin lately. I haven't minded it. Spider-Man almost always acts like a kid when he's on a team. His schtick on a team is to basically annoy everyone. I mean, he's on two Avengers teams and does Bendis EVER write him as being more than the funny sidekick? He's like Robin on SUPERFRIENDS there. But that's nothing new; in most of his old team up's, the other hero was usually always having to tell him to focus or shut up or act serious or something.

I will say that it probably seems awkward coming off Johnny's death (Peter showing up in his blue 4 suit last issue was a "what were you thinking!?" moment for me) and it doesn't match Hickman's more low key tone on FF. But given that FF isn't perfect for me either...

I've not given a lick about Zemo in the history of his character, so no dice there (for me). Thing is... would the friend of someone killed on 9/11 get drunk and get a tatoo of Osama Bin Laden to annoy a friend? Heck no! I don't care HOW drunk you are, that just isn't happening. To even pretend that being drunk is an understandable reason for her to get a Goblin tatoo is just rediculous.

But is Osborn REALLY the level of Bin Laden? That's the dilemma here. During DARK REIGN, he was a BELOVED figure. Not a single unmasked person in the Marvel Universe seemed to hold it against him that he was unmasked, tried, and convicted as the Green Goblin, who was a murderer, a domestic terrorist, and an organizer of other super-villains (and occasional mob boss). Osborn made no attempt to claim none of those past crimes never happened (even when he easily could have blamed it on a Skrull like Quicksilver did for his crimes). All that mattered was that he shot Veranke in the face on TV and he wasn't Tony Stark, who was disgraced. Where were all the people seeing the Goblin symbol as something to hate back then, when he was staffing the Dark Avengers with psychopaths? To be fair, Osborn was the Iron Patriot then and sought to keep his Goblin appearance on the down low, but it was still public record. But after SIEGE, all of a sudden he's back to be more infamous than the Joker and John Wayne Gacy combined. It makes no bloody sense.

Osama Bin Laden, on the other hand, is a universally despised figure in America and most of the civilized world. It didn't matter who was President or which political party controlled Congress, that was universal. You can't say the same of Osborn.

Of course, when you look into the fact that Carlie was retconned as a childhood friend of Gwen Stacy (who Osborn murdered), and the fact that Vin and her father have a "12 degrees of separation" thing going with the Goblin, that doesn't look good. But, she was still wasted. Comic fans have forgiven far more horrendous acts of sober characters depending on where the story goes. I want to at least see how Carlie reacts to it sober and deals with her mistake, if she sees it as one, before writing her off.

As for Baron Zemo, I didn't read his "redemption" but I am told it happened over the years on THUNDERBOLTS. This was a guy who took over the mantle of his Nazi father and tried to take over the world dozens of times over the decades with one nasty plot after the next. His most infamous act was occupying the Avengers mansion, organizing the brutal, near fatal beatings of Jarvis and Hercules, and destroying the only picture Captain America had left of his mother (an act so cruel that it caused Rogers to weep, albeit after Zemo was beaten and the crisis was over). If anything should make Zemo "an irredeemable ***** character" (as someone called Carlie), it should be an act like that. Yet on THUNDERBOLTS, a team organized under one of Zemo's ploys to have his Masters Of Evil pretend to be heroes until making their moves, he was somehow able to redeem himself. He played being a good guy, he somehow replaced that picture of Rogers' mommy, they shook hands and had a milk shake or whatever the hell happened. Suddenly it was as if Zemo was ****ing Nightwing. Or at least this was the griping I heard when Brubaker had Zemo basically come back and sent up James Barnes' downfall.

The very same readers writing off Carlie for a mere two page scene are, well, hypocrites. As comic fans we seem to always give characters more rope to hang with if they have a mask, I guess. If Zemo can go from top Cap bad guy to anti-hero, I'm not going to declare Carlie is hopeless after just 2 pages.

The irony is I don't even like Carlie enough to be "angry" with her, I was just surprised at the harsh reaction. Her act there overshadowed the rest of the issue to some fans. For a "bland" character, that's amazing.

I completely missed that. Thanks for pointing it out. I kinda suck remember details of comics from one issue to the next.

Yeah, it is very subtle, and more implied from how Flash's narration boxes go. But why else would he be destroying an anti-vibranium factory if it wasn't connected to the bullets made of the same stuff from issue one? Especially since Jack O'Lantern and the "mastermind" were still observing from afar?

I'm hoping sales continue to remain steady or go up. I said from the day the book was announced that there was great potential and that I could see the book actually doing well for a 20 or so issue run (you called me out on that if I remember correctly... as no new ongoing, especially launching out of Spider-Man, does well). Honestly, I saw the potential but never expected to see it turn out good... so I'm still pleasantly surprised. I thought Slott's .1 issue was decent but Remender's 2 issues have been fantastic. I'm eager to see where the plot goes.

I "called you out" because expecting any new launch to last 20 issues is, at best, optimistic in today's market. The angle of Venom being a government/army agent was really only done towards the very end of his comics in the 90's.

The debut was good... but CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI-13 had a similar debut (and that lasted 15 issues and an annual). What kind of legs VENOM has to stand on long term will depend on how large or small the sales drop for issue two is and how sales remain stable, or not, after. A 20% drop from issue #1 to #2 is common, which would be about 45k. If the drops after that could get stable around the 30k or better mark, it could have staying power. As it is, the plot as it is has a finite time length. Thompson is only supposed to have 20 missions as Venom before he is dismissed; this was, if memory serves, his 4th mission (since he had 2 in ASM .1). So if Remender wanted to do a mission an issue he could still steer the book towards issue 18 before needing to shift things, and an 18 issue run is already longer than a slew of new launches I could mention. Hell, it's a longer run than CHAMPIONS had in the 70's.

Nah. I like the idea of them taking on the Sinister Six and think it'd be good for the title but I've dropped it and can't keep coming back to titles I've dropped. I'm still looking for more titles to drop to make up for these twice a month releases. I hope the books pick up readers, but sadly, I likely won't be one of them.

The sales drops have gotten lower but it is still in that 24k sales zone, which is usually when "cancellation watch" happens for worried fans. Marvel usually pulls the plug when sales start to go south of about 20-19k an issue with no end in sight, least for Marvel Universe titles. DC's threshold is usually lower, about 17-15k. However, Marvel are likely hoping sales boost for the 5 issue FEAR ITSELF tie in. They've reprinted issue one in UNCANNY X-MEN and, again, having them show up in ASM, which sells more than double what ACADEMY does. It is good to see Marvel get tenacious about a series that isn't BLACK PANTHER (whose latest series could fall to selling 55 copies and STILL get a relaunch 6 months or less later).

My only reservation about it is having the Sinister Six lose to children makes them look like bumblers - not as bad as Thanos losing to talking animals, but still a blemish on the rep. To a degree that may happen in ASM right now, but the Foundation have the excuse of being super-genius children (and Franklin, who can alter reality and do other wonky psychic things). But, I thought the Korvac story was well handled and made sense, so I have faith in Gage to not make the Sinister Six look like the 3 stooges. The highest profile villain the Academy faced off against was Absorbing Man, and Hank Pym was the one who defeated him.

 

[runawayboulder]

Has anybody been reading the Escape from the Negative Zone story running through the Uncanny X-Men and Steve Rogers annuals? It's been really good so far. I recommend it to anyone if they collect it in trade form down the road.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I got the Steve Rogers annual, but I must've missed the X-Men one. Maybe my shop still has a couple copies left... I'll check tomorrow.

 

[runawayboulder]

It came out at the end of March.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Dang. Well, I'll still check. HeavyInk's still got it, if all else fails.

 

[moraldeficiency]

Some quick thoughts....

Osborn and Venom were gold. Venom more so cause I do not like the art on Osborn, but since I'm more a story guy anyway and it was a damn good story it goes in the category. Venom was fast, fun and to the point in a way I really enjoyed. Osborn was just delightfully zany in a way only ellis has captured correctly (although a bit crazier) before.

Action was pretty good. The Lex/Superman stuff was solid but it didn't feel like the conclusion it should have been because of the doomsday stuff, more of a to be continued type of thing but in an obvious way. As for these big issues it wasn't as good as Thor 600 but better than ASM 600. Say what you will for back up stories but the meat is in the main story, that's why you're buying the issue and that's how you judge it. Thor was epic, Action had that feel but it's been diminishing the more I think about it, Spider-Man I got in excited about (even broke my boycott rule for) and it was just like an ok story that didn't have the feel of a major story, like it could have just been any two parter or something.

FF was bad. Just bad. Say what you will about loki being brought back but doom for hell's sake? Doom? This was the smart move? Really? For all the supposedly smart people there why are Ben and Sue the only ones that act smart? Also not a fan of Peter being so flippant in this, it irks me how he's been in this book considering one of his best friends died so he could take his place, I thought we'd get some progression from Peter being upset and slowly becoming more of his typical jokester style not this. One more issue then I'm done.


And Zemo's progression to becoming a hero was very well done. I could see how if you never read any of it it could seem silly, hey he's become a good nazi! But the idea of learning from your and your ancestor's past mistakes and wanting to be better is pretty great. Also if anyone read the Zemo mini other than me it would just be zemo's current villain stuff that's out of place.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Born Better? I read that.

 

[moraldeficiency]

Hey someone else, good stuff that. The idea of someone realizing the stupidity of things and becoming better from that was well shown there.

 

[JewishHobbit]

He's basically a kid at a candy store being a member of the Four. They're people he's basically grown up with. He isn't hassling them for a paycheck like he did when they first met when he was a teenager. He gets to have far out adventures with science. More importantly, he likely is using it to avoid having to think about his drama with Carlie, Horizon, or Hobgoblin lately. I haven't minded it. Spider-Man almost always acts like a kid when he's on a team. His schtick on a team is to basically annoy everyone. I mean, he's on two Avengers teams and does Bendis EVER write him as being more than the funny sidekick? He's like Robin on SUPERFRIENDS there. But that's nothing new; in most of his old team up's, the other hero was usually always having to tell him to focus or shut up or act serious or something.

He's worse right now but he's been a bit too immature since Big Time started in my opinion.

But is Osborn REALLY the level of Bin Laden? That's the dilemma here.

Of course, when you look into the fact that Carlie was retconned as a childhood friend of Gwen Stacy (who Osborn murdered), and the fact that Vin and her father have a "12 degrees of separation" thing going with the Goblin, that doesn't look good. But, she was still wasted.

In the eyes of someone like Carlie, who's friend was murdered by him, yes... Osborn is just as bad as Bin Laden. Do you think ANY person would get a tatoo f someone who flat out murdered a friend of theirs? Even if drunk?

You can make excuses all you want but unless something pretty amazing happens as a result, or if she backs out of it, then I'm calling it exactly what it is... horrible writing/plotting on Slott and/or Van Lente's part.

The very same readers writing off Carlie for a mere two page scene are, well, hypocrites. As comic fans we seem to always give characters more rope to hang with if they have a mask, I guess. If Zemo can go from top Cap bad guy to anti-hero, I'm not going to declare Carlie is hopeless after just 2 pages.

I don't like Carlie because she isn't Mary Jane... as simple minded and unfair as that is. But my dislike of Carlie has nothing to do with the tatoo storyline. I try to keep my "Carlie isn't MJ" thoughts to myself since I know it isn't fair to the comic, but I'll call out bad writing for the character herself when I see it anyday.

The irony is I don't even like Carlie enough to be "angry" with her, I was just surprised at the harsh reaction. Her act there overshadowed the rest of the issue to some fans. For a "bland" character, that's amazing.

Maybe because it's the only interesting thing that happened in the issue

I "called you out" because expecting any new launch to last 20 issues is, at best, optimistic in today's market.

Oh, I agree with you but I do see the potential in the Venom idea they have. Now whether or not they can make it happen... we'll see.

Has anybody been reading the Escape from the Negative Zone story running through the Uncanny X-Men and Steve Rogers annuals? It's been really good so far. I recommend it to anyone if they collect it in trade form down the road.

Yes, and I think it's been very good actually. I'm pretty excited to get ahold of the Namor Annual to finish it up.

 

[Phaedrus45]

Guess I better chug out these final reviews before the new comics come out tomorrow.

Emerald Warriors #9

Where as I was starting to feel better about this mini-event, I felt worse after reading this issue. First...I cannot stand the idea that a planet is a Green Lantern. The concept of Mogo just seems ridiculous, and every time it comes into a storyline, I just kind of zone out. Second, the two teams finally get together only to split apart this issue. Finally, it just didn't feel like a whole lot happened this issue. We got lots of talk, lots of fleeing, but very little development. It's really feeling like a half-hearted attempt by Johns and crew.

Justice League: Generation Lost #24

This issue only reinforces the idea that the first half of this comic was much better than the second half. In the first half, Max Lord gets the Justice League International back together...and, he takes control of Checkmate. Everything after doesn't really matter, because this maxi-series ending only is significant in those two facts. Max's other goal, the death of Wonder Woman, naturally fails; and, making Omac Prime...well, let's just say I was hoping never to see another Omac for as long as I live. But, someone at DC just can't get enough. (Oh, I did a HUGE groan when I read "Omac Prime.")

This wasn't a bad series; but, when you look at what it accomplished, you just know it didn't need to take 24 issues to do so. Plus, the fun of this group and the witty dialogue has been missing for a good 12 issues. I almost feel as if the characters dialogue was being written by another person. (Maybe the fact is that more time was spent with the writing of this book at the beginning, and the end was a bit more rushed to meet the deadlines of a twice-a-month title.)

A mild for this issue. Very mild.

Orson Scott Card Speaker For The Dead #4

Not my favorite Ender's Game issue. It's nice that Marvel seems devoted to continuing this low selling series; but, it's not new reader friendly. Also, I'd recommend those first few mini-series over the newer stuff. A lot of my interest has waned with Ender being so dang old now. Another mild .

Avengers #12.1

Another pretty good .1 issue. I was so hesitant about this marketing ploy by Marvel; but, I consider it a great success. (Reading-wise, that is. Not sure if they are boosting their sales any.) We get a good intro to a future storyline..but, it seems like we'll have to wait until Fear Itself is over, I'm guessing. My only complaint is that it seems we've had more than enough Ultron storylines lately. He pops up every couple years; and, I'm doubting I'll enjoy it as much as the last huge one, from before Bendis decimated the Avengers.

FF #2

I guess I can understand some people's hesitation about enjoying this new storyline; but, I'm diggin' it. That probably has more to do with Valeria, who is probably the most interesting member of this series. (Boy, has Franklin been put on the back-burner!) I'm excited to see what happens next, and I'm also glad we've gotten away from the previous writing style Hickman was using for this book, where various storylines were introduced with each new issue, as if they were going somewhere...and, they just never seemed to do that.

Star Wars: Darth Vader And The Lost Command #4

This mini is alright. It's just I can take it or leave it. It's a quick read, and now I'm just waiting to see if Darth Vader will kill Tarkin's son or end up rescuing him.

Another mild .

 

[Dread]

FF was bad. Just bad. Say what you will about loki being brought back but doom for hell's sake? Doom? This was the smart move? Really? For all the supposedly smart people there why are Ben and Sue the only ones that act smart? Also not a fan of Peter being so flippant in this, it irks me how he's been in this book considering one of his best friends died so he could take his place, I thought we'd get some progression from Peter being upset and slowly becoming more of his typical jokester style not this. One more issue then I'm done.


And Zemo's progression to becoming a hero was very well done. I could see how if you never read any of it it could seem silly, hey he's become a good nazi! But the idea of learning from your and your ancestor's past mistakes and wanting to be better is pretty great. Also if anyone read the Zemo mini other than me it would just be zemo's current villain stuff that's out of place.

I agree with you about FF #2. I can see Reed managing to be convinced to repower Doom, if only because he always seems to make those sorts of "dumb super genius" decisions. I liked that neither Ben or Sue were having much of it. But I was surprised that Spider-Man, the "everyman" hero, didn't once utter an "everyman" opinion like, "I don't know what your time-displaced deadbeat father or creepy super genius toddler daughter told you, but restoring Dr. Doom is CRAZY. He's a VILLAIN. He ALWAYS looks after himself and taking over the world. Even if he helps us this once, he'll be back to the usual tricks immediately after and then what? We're the Future Foundation - shouldn't the Future be finding new ways to solve problems besides trusting yesterday's maniacs?" Instead, he was making jokes and winning over people with his ability to speak similar techno-babble. And, again, Kristoff's character was a total 180 from his last appearance in Christos Gage's story that was just last winter. I do agree that this was worse than Thor bringing back Loki; as stupid as THAT was, Thor had that nice childhood with Loki, and as a god, he is literally unable to change much. Reed and Doom were just college roomies, and Doom was an a-hole back then, too.

I didn't read Zemo's redemption, so it seems silly. If Zemo can do it, so can anyone. Let's ask Cletus Cassidy if he feels sorry about axing people.

He's worse right now but he's been a bit too immature since Big Time started in my opinion.

He's likely feeling a bit king of the world since the Horizon job. He was feeling low after Marla Jameson and Johnny Storm died. I just think he sees the FF stuff as escapism and underestimates the challenge it is.

In the eyes of someone like Carlie, who's friend was murdered by him, yes... Osborn is just as bad as Bin Laden. Do you think ANY person would get a tatoo f someone who flat out murdered a friend of theirs? Even if drunk?

You can make excuses all you want but unless something pretty amazing happens as a result, or if she backs out of it, then I'm calling it exactly what it is... horrible writing/plotting on Slott and/or Van Lente's part.

That's just it; we don't know what is coming as a result yet, so I am reserving judgment.

At this point, I believe there was nothing - absolutely nothing - that could get fandom to embrace Carlie. There is no event, story, quirk, detail or writer who could crack that walnut. There are still fans divided by OMD, and OMIT was a recent picking of those wounds. Any new heroine is in competition with characters who are literally older than the parents of many readers, so that is an uphill climb. If said character is perfect, they're boring. If they do something that reveals a flaw or error, well, that's "horrible writing/plotting". As such, maybe the Goblin tattoo is the narrative version of saying "**** it" and doing something wild just to DO SOMETHING and get people talking about her. Lord knows nothing else would work.

And I say this because I smell my own; I usually find Carlie boring. Even after I wasn't invested enough in her to be angered. If not for the reaction here, I'd have barely registered the event.

I don't like Carlie because she isn't Mary Jane... as simple minded and unfair as that is. But my dislike of Carlie has nothing to do with the tatoo storyline. I try to keep my "Carlie isn't MJ" thoughts to myself since I know it isn't fair to the comic, but I'll call out bad writing for the character herself when I see it anyday.

At least you're honest. It is hard for some of us to get past MJ. In the other topic I described the "perfect" girlfriend for Peter, unconsciously covering territory MJ did. I couldn't help it; they got married when I was in kindergarten. It's all I know before now, beyond "after the fact" reprints. Even ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN attached Peter by the hip to MJ, and I was about 19-20 when I started reading that in trade.

For me, as someone who started reading for BIG TIME, Carlie's just the Designated Girlfriend. I don't hate or adore her, even after this issue. She's just there because Peter has to date someone. The romantic subplot is the subplot I care the least about for BT, because it has the least potential.

Maybe because it's the only interesting thing that happened in the issue

I disagree. We had zombie pirates! A subplot from FANTASTIC FOUR #5 handled near seamlessly! The Sinister Six emerging! Until I came onto Hype after reading that issue, those were the things I paid the most attention to.

Oh, I agree with you but I do see the potential in the Venom idea they have. Now whether or not they can make it happen... we'll see.

VENOM certainly has a chance. Again, Marvel seem to have gotten every ASM reader to try the first issue. It had a better debut than AVENGERS ACADEMY, and Marvel has invested in that book until issue #20. So if things continue to look good, VENOM could have lasting power. The concept is certainly interesting. I just wonder how Remender or anyone will get past the 20 mission limit, with 16 missions left, beyond just dragging them out. Would they seriously swap Thompson for A.N. Other? Or have him bond properly? [/QUOTE]

FF #2

I guess I can understand some people's hesitation about enjoying this new storyline; but, I'm diggin' it. That probably has more to do with Valeria, who is probably the most interesting member of this series. (Boy, has Franklin been put on the back-burner!) I'm excited to see what happens next, and I'm also glad we've gotten away from the previous writing style Hickman was using for this book, where various storylines were introduced with each new issue, as if they were going somewhere...and, they just never seemed to do that.

There had to be someone not picking this apart. I agree that Franklin has hit a back-burner, although Hickman has done more with him that the previous writer, Mark Millar, did. To be honest, he should seriously feel betrayed by Val's support of Doom - he was literally sent to Hell by Doom. Instead he's been omitted.

While I am indifferent about Carlie Cooper, Val Richards has become a smug, know-it-all brat who I feel little sympathy for. She's making Layla Miller during HOUSE OF M look like Gertrude Yorkes in terms of character quality. Given that she's only supposed to be about 2-3 years old, she talks like she's Galactus already. She has a serious super villain streak - she is more of a threat than the entire cast of AVENGERS ACADEMY combined. Finesse, Hazmat, Striker...none of them are as dangerous as this brat, who has already formed alliances with Dr. Doom. I can sort of understand Reed Richards overlooking this, as he often misses the forest for the trees; Sue really has to get on the ball here.

 

[moraldeficiency]

I agree with you about FF #2. I can see Reed managing to be convinced to repower Doom, if only because he always seems to make those sorts of "dumb super genius" decisions. I liked that neither Ben or Sue were having much of it. But I was surprised that Spider-Man, the "everyman" hero, didn't once utter an "everyman" opinion like, "I don't know what your time-displaced deadbeat father or creepy super genius toddler daughter told you, but restoring Dr. Doom is CRAZY. He's a VILLAIN. He ALWAYS looks after himself and taking over the world. Even if he helps us this once, he'll be back to the usual tricks immediately after and then what? We're the Future Foundation - shouldn't the Future be finding new ways to solve problems besides trusting yesterday's maniacs?" Instead, he was making jokes and winning over people with his ability to speak similar techno-babble. And, again, Kristoff's character was a total 180 from his last appearance in Christos Gage's story that was just last winter. I do agree that this was worse than Thor bringing back Loki; as stupid as THAT was, Thor had that nice childhood with Loki, and as a god, he is literally unable to change much. Reed and Doom were just college roomies, and Doom was an a-hole back then, too.

I didn't read Zemo's redemption, so it seems silly. If Zemo can do it, so can anyone. Let's ask Cletus Cassidy if he feels sorry about axing people.

I just don't see reed making that decision so easily and without anything nearly like a safeguard. Galactus makes more sense as he's a force of the universe. Killing him would be like killing death, good idea in theory bad in practice. Doom was the opposite of this.

Zemo was born into a supremacist family of nazi bigwigs. So yeah he can change especially given that's he's never had the other option. There's a big difference between things you chose to believe and things you've just never even considered. If you decide that say black people are inferior well then that's hard to change. But if all you ever heard is this, then all you really need is the chance to see the stupidity of your previous thoughts. The earth is flat until you find out otherwise, it was the same for zemo. Someone like him can change if given a chance cause they've never had anything told to them but the one thing. Someone like say doom or luthor chose to be that way after having real options so they're not going back.