The EPIC 2015 Bought/Thought (wait what? Marvel overdid/killed the "Epic"fad? Sonofa)

[Will Nolte]

Thought this needed a new thread for the new year...

Anyway, who has been reading SHIELD? I am kind of enjoying this fully realized Cullison with all the Marvel universe at his disposal. They are really able to let loose and show just how much he studies everything before situations arise by having the ability to bring in all aspects of the Marvel U. I really am pretty interested in seeing on where this book is going...

 

[squeekness]

Not me. I've cut my reading way back since the cost of comics jumped up so sharply. I mostly read a couple of X-men books, Guardians of the galaxy and this new Wolverines book. I'm totally bummed X-Factor is ending. I really liked that book. Now where is Gambit going to go?

 

[Will Nolte]

All New Ultimates 12

Looks like this was the final issue. Good. This book was the Ultimate Universe version of the last volume of Young Avengers...with horrible art. Why was Jessica Drew running around in the black costume with the white spider and poofy red jacket while the Spider-Verse "Scarlet Spiders" tie in has her in the Black Widow-esque black with red hourglass and red leather looking jacket? Can Marvel not keep things straight in a universe where the only two characters that even matter are Miles and Jessica?

3 out of 10 and I am being generous here.

Miles Morales - Ultimate Spider-Man 9

I am pretty indifferent on this book mainly because the Ultimate Universe is so irreverent and is about to not exist anyway. So I guess Miles' dad was almost a SHIELD Agent but Fury never mentioned this to Miles...eh. The whole story was boring and seemed like filler.

3 of 10.

Spider-Verse 2


"It's Showtime" Capcom Spidey dies. Eh, ok.
"Anansi: A Spider in Sheep's Clothing" Interesting look at the Spider-God. Wasn't too bad.
"The Anarchic Spider-Man" Interesting look at a world with Norman Osborn as President. [blackout]Hobie Brown[/blackout] as Punk Spider-Man...eh.
"The Spirit of the Streets" Interesting costume. Would have rather they did the <> and "translated from" route then have two different versions of the story...
"It's the Little Things" Cool look at some of the other Spidey's. Ben Scarlet Spider in the background in a couple panels. I hope they use the "Real Clone Saga" mini series version of him at one point in this crossover (Y'know, the blonde version that rode off on the motorcycle in the end of the story and never put on the Spider-Man costume...). Nice touch having the one wearing the wedding band wearing the classic costume, considering the whole point of Peter not wearing the black costume is the whole MJ and Venom thing that happened in the first Venom story. Spider-Doppelganger fighting alongside the Spiders didn't make much sense, though...

7 of 10. Some stuff could have been better, but the good stuff kept the score up.

 

[Colossal Spoons]

This Guardians/ANXM "Black Vortex" crossover event is shaping up to be really fun. Highly recommend

 

[Will Nolte]

Oh I forgot to review

SHIELD 2
Was cool to see Jemma in a leading role. The "All New" Ms. Marvel kinda killed the issue for me...just like her appearance in ASM.

6 of 10.

 

[Brainiac 8]

What's wrong with Ms. Marvel? She's been one of the best ideas from Marvel in a while.

 

[Will Nolte]

I find her annoying and a stereotypical teenager.

 

[squeekness]

So I was reading The Wolverines #4 where an assortment of Wolverine baddies and some guys that were experimented on have joined to chase down Sinister who had stolen Wolverine's remains. Why did Sinister take those remains? Because.....

Spoiler

... He wants to bring Logan back to life. Seriously? I mean I figured he wouldn't stay dead for long but I wasn't expecting this. Of course Sinister hasn't done it yet so Marvel could backpedal out of it, but this just seemed weak to me.

 

[Colossal Spoons]

The second Sinister showed up and took Daken's arm, I knew that's how Wolverine would come back. I like it though.

 

[CaptainWagner]

Antman #1 A great start for the new series. It was nice to see Beetle, Prodigy, and Victor Mancha again. I can't wait to see what Scott does in Miami. One question, though, how exactly did Cassie come back from being dead. I missed that, wherever it happened.

The Amazing Spiderman #12 and 13 This arc has gone downhill fast. It started out strong, but numerous plots (Otto finding out he loses) get dropped and the seemingly main villain is killed off in an incredibly anti-climatic way. At least there's only one more issue of this malarkey.

Justice League 3000#13 Not as much of Booster and Ted this time, but still a pretty funny story.

 

[THANOSRULES]

All New Ultimates 12

Looks like this was the final issue. Good. This book was the Ultimate Universe version of the last volume of Young Avengers...with horrible art. Why was Jessica Drew running around in the black costume with the white spider and poofy red jacket while the Spider-Verse "Scarlet Spiders" tie in has her in the Black Widow-esque black with red hourglass and red leather looking jacket? Can Marvel not keep things straight in a universe where the only two characters that even matter are Miles and Jessica?

3 out of 10 and I am being generous here.

Miles Morales - Ultimate Spider-Man 9

I am pretty indifferent on this book mainly because the Ultimate Universe is so irreverent and is about to not exist anyway. So I guess Miles' dad was almost a SHIELD Agent but Fury never mentioned this to Miles...eh. The whole story was boring and seemed like filler.

3 of 10.

Spider-Verse 2


"It's Showtime" Capcom Spidey dies. Eh, ok.
"Anansi: A Spider in Sheep's Clothing" Interesting look at the Spider-God. Wasn't too bad.
"The Anarchic Spider-Man" Interesting look at a world with Norman Osborn as President. [blackout]Hobie Brown[/blackout] as Punk Spider-Man...eh.
"The Spirit of the Streets" Interesting costume. Would have rather they did the <> and "translated from" route then have two different versions of the story...
"It's the Little Things" Cool look at some of the other Spidey's. Ben Scarlet Spider in the background in a couple panels. I hope they use the "Real Clone Saga" mini series version of him at one point in this crossover (Y'know, the blonde version that rode off on the motorcycle in the end of the story and never put on the Spider-Man costume...). Nice touch having the one wearing the wedding band wearing the classic costume, considering the whole point of Peter not wearing the black costume is the whole MJ and Venom thing that happened in the first Venom story. Spider-Doppelganger fighting alongside the Spiders didn't make much sense, though...

7 of 10. Some stuff could have been better, but the good stuff kept the score up.

thats really dumb about

Spoiler

hobie brown...what happened to prowler id?

 

[Will Nolte]

In that world, that id doesn't exist, I guess...

 

[chamber-music]

Ant-Man 2

I can see long term fans of Scott Lang a little annoyed by how Lang is being written.

Lang's electrical engineering qualification and former company Electrolang, Inc got ignored in favour of him being portrayed as more of a life longer slacker looking to take the easy route.

I personally like this portrayal of Lang as more a everyman rather trying to make him into another genius type like some writers have tried to do with him in the past (FF books).

Anyway another fun issue. Grizzly tracking down Lang thinking he was O'Grady Ant-Man was funny. Looking forward to the odd couple action of the two of them teaming up.

Nazi gold making robot with a new one.

 

[Colossal Spoons]

Amazing X-Men 17 - This'll teach me to get too excited for a story arc. What is even going on? Why's Cain Marko able to inflict damage to Colossus without his Juggernaut powers? And having The Living Monolith get the gem? Zzzzzzz

 

[Spider-Jay420]

Haven't done one of these in a while...

February 25th

BATMAN #39 - I'm torn because I'm loving this book but not loving this seemingly immortal Joker. Can't wait for Bruce to solve this mystery. For the Joker to swim up into the cave, and do what he did to Alfred? Especially after "Death of the Family" when Bruce explained the was no way possible the Joker could have EVER gotten into the cave... I don't know, man. Say what you will about Snyder, he's kept me entertained for 39 issues so far. Can't wait to see how this ends.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #15 - Great epilogue to Spider Verse. I love Ben Parker's new family. Superior's actions were classic and makes me wanna go reread that time travel arc. Was kinda bummed about the Master Weaver/ Karn reveal. I thought for sure they'd be some version of Peter. Oh well. One of the biggest, craziest Spidey stories I've ever read and I enjoyed every issue of it!

DARTH VADER #2 - only two issues in and I love this series. It's great to see Vader as the focus of the book. On the outs with the Emperor, we see his dealings and plans. I love the way he disposed of his babysitter this issue. Great stuff, man. Liking this better than the main Star Wars book. Also picked up a variant cover for #1.

And from last week
JUSTICE LEAGUE #39 - Lex Luthor in the League is making me crazy. I can't believe they haven't figured out how to get rid of him. Now that this Amazo Virus is done, hopefully this will be it. It was cool to see that Patient Zero Jeepers Kreepers looking monster pull it together and end up looking like the Amazo I recognize. And I loved seeing Hal Jordan return to mentor the new GL. I wish she would just go away and Hal just return to the league proper, but we'll see. Decent.

LEGENDARY STAR-LORD #9 - Eh, not feeling the Black Vortex. I already bailed on the tie in issues. Guess I'll just patiently wait for the series to get back on track. I like Quill cruising the galaxy looking for adventure and trying to be Han Solo. That's what I tuned in for. And this romance with Kitty is annoying. 1. It's never gonna work and 2. He should be banging alien chick's with 3 boobs and pink skin!

 

[squeekness]

I've read worse crossovers than Black Vortex, though this is obviously a ploy to get us to buy books we wouldn't have otherwise. I do agree that the romance between Quill and Kitty is unrealistic and shouldn't last.

 

[Spider-Jay420]

Yeah, and it's not that BV is bad. I'm just not interested.

 

[CaptainWagner]

I am getting really behind on my reading. I completely forgot their was a second Spiderman issue out this month. Sometime soon I need to get around to actually making a pull-list at the local shop, because my memory is not cut out for this. Anyway, here's what I have so far:

Amazin Spiderman #14: Well, I have mixed feelings about this. I liked a lot of things about Spiderverse, but find myself glad that it's over. Hopefully the epilogue can wrap up all of these various plot lines in a satisfactory way.

All New Captain America #3 and 4 I'm really liking this debut arc for Sam. Issue 3 was a bit... odd. (Has the whole "Snap Wilson" thing been used before?) But Issue 4 picked the pace back up, I loved what they did with Armadillo, but Misty Knight is just.... there.

Spoiler

And I'm assuming that Ian and Sin aren't really dead, because those would be awful ways to kill them off

 

[Spider-Jay420]

Get a pull list, Captain. It's worth it. You'll be glad you did.

The only day that's also a command,...MARCH FOuRTH !!

GUARDIANS TEAM UP #1 was dreadful. I felt like I was reading an all ages baby comic. Lame, tired, overly simplistic and completely unoriginal. And Art's art was bad too. Sloppy, rushed, and he needs a new inker. Shoulda stuck with my gut on that one.

AVENGERS #42 - I love that Krutacking Raccoon!

 

[squeekness]

I have found that most Team Up books are sucky so I knew to pass -- though they'll get me on the #3 because of the stoopid crossover.

As for the krutacking raccoon, Rocket's solo book has been fantastic.

 

[Spider-Jay420]

I was hoping they could bring back the glory days of Marvel Team Up but I guess not. Just milking the Guardians cash cow, I guess. Too bad.

I heard Rocket was good, but between Guardians and Star-Lord, I'm getting my Rocket Raccoon fill. I don't wanna over expose myself, ya know? It looses it's charm.

His little cameo in Avengers was perfect. Emperor Gladiator about to destroy the Earth was such a downer and Hickman's Avengers just depresses me. Then Rocket calls Reed Richards and the collective Avengers idiots was hilarious. I lol'ed! Just what that issue needed!

 

[Will Nolte]

What I liked about Guardians Team-Up: Rocket pointing out the arrows on Spider-Woman's costume.

What didn't make sense: Spider-Woman freaking out about a "Talking raccoon" and how that was where she drew the line...even though she just went through an event that not only featured Many versions of Spider-Men and Spider-Women, but one of those versions of her was married to one of the bad guys. Oh and one of those Spider-Men was a TALKING PIG for crying out loud. She didn't have a problem then, why suddenly now?

 

[Spider-Jay420]

The only way her reaction makes sense is if she just had enough! Not that she couldn't believe there was a talking Raccoon checking her out, but after all the Spider-Verse stuff (which caused her to resign from the Avengers) and now this raccoon, she's like, ugh, enough. I need a break!

Which is dumb, but whatever. I don't know why Marvel is so intent on pushing her off the stage, though.

 

[Will Nolte]

It could have something to do with Gwen and Mayday taking up the Spider-Woman mantle and how they could all be in the same universe now...I dunno...

Also on a side note, Earth 1610 (Ultimate Universe) Jessica Drew (aka the female clone of Peter Parker) abandoned her Spider-Woman codename and took up the use of Black Widow...

 

[Spider-Jay420]

I didn't think k about Gwen and Mayday. Good point!

Amazing Spider-Man #16 - was good. Great to see Peter refocus on work. I can almost see Sajani finding out about Peter's secret and her becoming a villain! Black Cat's new direction and situation is pretty cool too. Liz Allen sucks but it was cool to see the Molten Man again, then totally not reformed. Next issue vs the Ghost should be cool too. Good stuff!