The Final Bought/Thought of 2010 - SPOILERS (Dec. 29)

[squeekness]

X-23 #4 - I like the character and I miss a decent Gambit so I thought I'd pick it up. Though it wasn't spectacular I did enjoy the comic. Gamibt's written well here and Miss Sinister shows up in the end (looking relatively hot for a comic book character. I figure I'll probably stick with this arc to give it a chance and I may drop it after that if I'm not more impressed. I really like the art though.

I'm glad someone else likes this. Maybe it just boils down to whether or not you're a Gambit fan. Since I am I was really happy with this. Can't wait to see wha they do with Lady Sinister.

Ultimate Comics Avengers 3 #5

Well, one thing you can say about this title is that it comes out at a reasonable time. I still don't know WHEN we'll see the next issue of Ult. Comics X. That said...let me just say I have NO IDEA where Millar is going with this mini. Are all these characters going to be vampires when all is said and done? Or, will some miraculous cure revert them all back to normal? (Can't see how that would ever happen.) The mystery keeps me interested; but, having this issue's main focus be on a knock-off version of Thor didn't. (But, maybe it wasn't suppose to. He does get offed rather easily by issue's end.)

Odd book. On one hand, I want to rip it for just being so out-there; but, on the other, I find myself strangely interested in what happens next. The artist does not fit with this book; but, five issue's in, I'm used to it. Yep, a mixed review! So, a mild .

This book would be so much better if Dillon wasn't drawing it. It's making it hard for me to read.

Astonishing Spider-Man & Wolverine #4

I'm real interested in what others will think about this book, now that the main villians have been revealed. It left me shaking my head at the end. What started out so wonderfully is getting a bit corny now. Having Spidey and Logan traveling through time because two gangsta-looking hoods are beating them over the head with a time-traveling stick...all on the request of Mojo....OH BOY! Just typing that out makes me shake my head. At least Kubert's art looks fantastic, and elevates the book to a higher degree.

A mild ...but, you couldn't tell it in what I've said above. I'm still interested; but, GOD, do I hate Mojo.

I hate Mojo with a passion so the big reveal at the end just kinda deflated this whole mess for me. And the book was going so well....

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I finally got ahold of Thunderstrike #2. So worth the wait. I've missed DeFalco's retro writing style. That's not to say that it's overly simplistic or goofy; the characters are all engaging, from Bobby as the staunch defender of all things Eric Masterson (quite the turnaround from Eric's days as Thor and Thunderstrike, to say the least) to Kevin as a full-on jerk because of his damaged childhood to Gruenhilde as the hardened ancient warrior who's quickly becoming very disappointed in this kid who's taking up such an honored mantle. Lots of stuff going on and, best of all, very little decompression. Every page is packed with stuff and, as much as I liked his work on Spider-Girl, Frenz's style definitely fits Thor/Thunderstrike's world a lot better.

Since Thor has drifted into a more heavily fantasy/sci fi dichotomy since the '80s, I think I like this Thunderstrike mini so much because it's bringing a bit of Thor's legacy back to the mainstream, big city superheroics when Thor stood very much alongside the other New York superheroes rather than somewhat apart, as he does now. The fight with high-tech villains in this issue was very reminiscent of Thor fighting the Credit Card Soldiers during Simonson's run to me--villains so aggressively ridiculous and beneath the protagonist's level that they become unexpectedly fun and broaden the character's world a bit.

Can't wait for the next issue and more of Gruenhilde and Kevin's relationship. She won me over with her second "Mort."

 

[Phaedrus45]

Before I head off for work, figure I should try and pop out some final reviews on here before a new batch comes out this week.

Thor: First Thunder #4

I really enjoyed the first issue of this series; but, each additional book hasn't been that great. Blame it on too many Thor titles currently coming out...or, that there are better ones out there; but, everything from the art to the story leaves much to be desired. With the new movie soon to be released, this comic retells Thor's early days, with this issue focusing on a battle between Thor and Radioactive Man. In the end, Loki tricks Thor into trying to anger Odin, all in an effort to get back to Asgard.

Chaos War: X-Men #1

Not a bad issue, and this team-up of dead X-Men works well together. (Although, I don't see how dead dupes of Jamie Maddrox can come back to life.) What stinks is that this all feels like something we've seen before (namely, Necrosha X and Blackest Night); but, the tie-ins that bring back dead heroes have all been pretty good reads. It's the other ones, like God Squad and Thor, that have kind of stunk.

What If? 200

I don't think too many people are going to think this issue is worth the high, $4.99 price tag, especially if you are like me and already own the reprint in the back of the book. The main Siege story isn't bad, "What If Norman Osborn Won The Seige Of Asgard;" but, in the end, Sentry/Void kills everyone on Earth, and appears to be an indestructable force that will eventually kill Atua, The Watcher. (The different name must be because it's an alternate reality Watcher.)

The gem of this issue is the next bit of material. I love Stan Lee's, "What If I, The Watcher, Killed Galactus?," and Eaglesham's art goes well with the old school feel. Also enjoyable was the interview with Roy Thomas about the origins of What If?, and finally a two page story about what the favorite What If? comic is for some of Marvel's current writers and artists. It's capped off with What If? #35 (Vol. 1), "What If Elektra Had Lived?"...which if you don't already own is neat, just for the fact that Frank Miller wrote and drew the story.

This was definitely the best What If? of the bunch this year; but, it's kind of sad that the main story pales in comparison to the rest of the issue.

Loki #2

Fantastic issue! Loki's treachery and tricking of an old Asgardian in killing Balder really displayed the lengths he'll go in his hatred for his own brothers. This comic makes the reader more in touch with who Loki is...and, while you can't say you're necessarily more sympathetic to him, you come away with an understanding of how he became this villian. This just might be my favorite comic of the week. t:

Hulk #28

Following his team-up with Namor, Rulk is matched up with A-Bomb, as another Scorched Earth program is set to destroy and kill various cities across the world. Parker does a great job, again, as the two are fighting monsters on some strange island. I especially loved the end of the book, seeing Thunderbolt Ross depowered and just being human.

What a difference a year makes!

Green Arrow #7

I really don't know why I'm sticking with this book. The story goes nowhere, as this one is just some sentimental journey back into Ollie's past with his parents. The book needs some direction, but I feel more like everything's being stretched out until the end of Brightest Day.

Deadpool Team-Up #886

While last year I might have been cherishing the idea of this book coming to an end, now with the end in sight, I'm sorry that it will be going. Finally, they are teaming Deadpool up with some talent...not characters you've hardly ever heard of. This one, with Iron Fist, was pretty funny. The writer mixed their two personalities well with this story, and showed readers how good this book can be.

Echo #27

This is the book more people should be reading. After (FINALLY) dropping the Cain storyline, this book gets back on track...even though very little happens in this issue. It's more about the characters, and how they are handling this situation emotionally. The two main characters, Ivy and Julie, are the central focus, and this issue focuses on how they are both coping with their bodies changing in such a dramatic way. Fantastic Issue! My biggest complaint is that it's over way too quickly.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I finally got around to reading Action Comics. Oh my dear lord, I want this Jimmy Olsen strip to go on forever! (The first story was also pretty good.) But seriously, this Jimmy Olsen strip is amazing. I love it so much!

 

[Dread]

I finally got ahold of Thunderstrike #2. So worth the wait. I've missed DeFalco's retro writing style. That's not to say that it's overly simplistic or goofy; the characters are all engaging, from Bobby as the staunch defender of all things Eric Masterson (quite the turnaround from Eric's days as Thor and Thunderstrike, to say the least) to Kevin as a full-on jerk because of his damaged childhood to Gruenhilde as the hardened ancient warrior who's quickly becoming very disappointed in this kid who's taking up such an honored mantle. Lots of stuff going on and, best of all, very little decompression. Every page is packed with stuff and, as much as I liked his work on Spider-Girl, Frenz's style definitely fits Thor/Thunderstrike's world a lot better.

Since Thor has drifted into a more heavily fantasy/sci fi dichotomy since the '80s, I think I like this Thunderstrike mini so much because it's bringing a bit of Thor's legacy back to the mainstream, big city superheroics when Thor stood very much alongside the other New York superheroes rather than somewhat apart, as he does now. The fight with high-tech villains in this issue was very reminiscent of Thor fighting the Credit Card Soldiers during Simonson's run to me--villains so aggressively ridiculous and beneath the protagonist's level that they become unexpectedly fun and broaden the character's world a bit.

Can't wait for the next issue and more of Gruenhilde and Kevin's relationship. She won me over with her second "Mort."

I am glad you liked THUNDERSTRIKE. It's really turning into a solid mini and a great return to 616 from Tom DeFalco. Sales wise, a Thor spin off coming out at the same time as 9 other Thor titles was going to get lost in the wash, so part of me doubts Kevin will pop up much after this. But, still, it's taking characters to conclusions as well as doing solid, old school (but not bad school) comics.

 

[JewishHobbit]

Echo #27

This is the book more people should be reading. After (FINALLY) dropping the Cain storyline, this book gets back on track...even though very little happens in this issue. It's more about the characters, and how they are handling this situation emotionally. The two main characters, Ivy and Julie, are the central focus, and this issue focuses on how they are both coping with their bodies changing in such a dramatic way. Fantastic Issue! My biggest complaint is that it's over way too quickly.

Hey! Since when do YOU get Echo before ME!!!!

I feel robbed!

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I am glad you liked THUNDERSTRIKE. It's really turning into a solid mini and a great return to 616 from Tom DeFalco. Sales wise, a Thor spin off coming out at the same time as 9 other Thor titles was going to get lost in the wash, so part of me doubts Kevin will pop up much after this. But, still, it's taking characters to conclusions as well as doing solid, old school (but not bad school) comics.

Who knows? DeFalco's got some clout due to his long, long history at Marvel. They might just start up a Thunderstrike ongoing so they have somewhere to stick him until he finally decides to retire, much like Chris Claremont with X-Men Forever. Everyone knows nobody reads that s***, but Marvel's content to pat Claremont on the back and let him spend his days feeling useful with it.

 

[Dread]

Who knows? DeFalco's got some clout due to his long, long history at Marvel. They might just start up a Thunderstrike ongoing so they have somewhere to stick him until he finally decides to retire, much like Chris Claremont with X-Men Forever. Everyone knows nobody reads that s***, but Marvel's content to pat Claremont on the back and let him spend his days feeling useful with it.

I heard a rumor that under Chris Claremont's contract with Marvel, they HAVE to give him some sort of work per year, or they might have to simply pay via salary (akin to Stan Lee's contract; whether he writes ANYTHING for Marvel, they do pay him). This rumor has not been confirmed, but give how vital Claremont was to Marvel from 1975 until about the mid 90's (and even to a degree beyond), it wouldn't be too impossible and it would explain why he's always allowed to have some mini or ongoing series that is allowed to tank.

Tom DeFalco, another longtime franchise writer as well as former EIC, could very well have a similar contract. At the very least, he wrote a few issues of ARCHIE about when SPIDER-GIRL was ending, so he seems to be more willing to expand horizons than Claremont, who has mostly stuck to Marvel/X-Men related stuff for the past decade. My point is that if this is so, it could be possible that sales for THUNDERSTRIKE are either mostly irrelevant, or expectations are lower, as they are for MARVEL ADVENTURES comics or for X-MEN FOREVER, at least for a while. I mean, the second volume of XMF will finish with 16 issues; bi-weekly or not, the last new launch from Marvel that lasted that long, if memory serves, was CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI-13. If sales of the mini don't matter as much, then THUNDERSTRIKE material could be where DeFalco and Company park now that Marvel have decided eating losses on SPIDER-GIRL wasn't worth it anymore (perhaps sales of her digests slowed).

Ideally, Kevin Masterson's place once he settles into being Thunderstrike is either with Avengers Academy, OR, if he's feeling more rebellious, with the Young Allies. It isn't like Steve Rogers would object too much to Kevin hanging around Rikkie Barnes/Baines. Heck, he could even start to hang around Thor more, but that's unlikely. It is a shame how Thor has become such an island unto himself, sometimes all but literally, over the years. It would be cool if Tarene met up with him.

Some speculation; if FEAR ITSELF is supposed to involve both Cap (likely Rogers) and Thor as the core stars, it is possible that THUNDERSTRIKE may see a sequel mini that is part of FEAR ITSELF. It is hardly unheard of. Marvel used SHADOWLAND to launch, basically, the first arc of a new POWER MAN & IRON FIST series. They used CIVIL WAR and THE INITIATIVE to launch HEROES FOR HIRE, and even SECRET INVASION to launch CB&MI13. The last three issues of VENGEANCE OF THE MOON KNIGHT were basically retitled and sold as SHADOWLAND: MOON KNIGHT. I'd say the odds of DeFalco and Company getting at least a FEAR ITSELF one shot to write another Thunderstrike tale in are at least 50/50.

Right now, in fact, the only major demerit I'd give the series was how Frenz & Buscema drew the Rhino in issue one. He looked particularly crappy. Still, at least he didn't simply get demolished by the newbie, as when he faced Gravity in the second issue of HIS mini. I am glad I decided to bite on the mini, though. And, as noted, the cover to issue two was a bit embarrassing, but to be fair, "Grunny" has more realistic proportions than a lot of "hot women" in comics. Which, again, is a testament to the skill of Ron Frenz and Sal Buscema.

The irony is there have been, and are, some GREAT comics being written about "newer blood" Marvel characters, especially teenagers, who aren't connected to the latest X-Kids/New Mutants imitation class. The problem is they struggle to sell, at least with a $3.99 priced debut issue.

 

[runawayboulder]

Dread, if what you say is true about DeFalco and Frenz contract status, then I would like to see them get another (in-canon) Spider-Man ongoing. Years back when they were f-ed over by the Shooter regime, Jim Owsley aka Christopher Priest was going to give them a book that was more or less what Spider-Man Unlimited ended up being, as a way to make up for taking them off ASM. Other than the Rhino mishap, they eased back into the 616 rather smoothly.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Meh, I wouldn't read their Spider-Man comic.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Oh yeah, I forgot to pick up Widowmaker at my shop, so I went to another one and got it yesterday. But I felt kind of lame just buying one comic at this place, so I grabbed Avengers: The Children's Crusade's first 3 issues along with it. Man, this series is all over the place. Magneto shows up randomly, which I guess I'm cool with. Then it turns out Dr. Doom is randomly holding Wanda. Then it turns out Wanda's got amnesia and is marrying Doom. Then Wolverine is acting like this cartoonish psychopath that, really, any idiot would lock up and forget about rather than actively involving him in a search for a woman that he's repeatedly professed to wanting to murder in cold blood. With children, some of whom he's also professed to wanting to murder in cold blood, no less. Oh, and of course the wonkiness of the New Avengers still being the main team, with Steve as Cap, Thor nowhere to be seen, and Ms. Marvel pinch-hitting as the third major voice on the team besides Steve and Tony doesn't help matters. The whole thing comes off vaguely absurd.

But beyond that, I am liking some of the characterizations. Magneto seems a bit of a pushover, but I guess I can chalk that up to his not really feeling like the kids are serious threats. He can play along and outsmart all of them easily to get what he wants, as shown with Patriot. Quicksilver has really been a lot of fun so far. Billy's dialogue is usually chuckle-worthy, and I appreciate his idealism given that every single one of the Avengers has faced mind control and powers that overwhelm their bearer through no fault of their own before. Wonder Man's inclusion is much appreciated, especially in light of how Bendis turned him into an Avengers-hating moron. At the very least, I can now see some avenues to where he'd logically wind up at that endpoint, depending on how this thing with Wanda and the Avengers goes.

 

[Phaedrus45]

I finally caught up on Hawkeye and Mockingbird and Widowmaker. I was SOOO enjoying those books, until...Widowmaker #2. They changed writers!!! And, the book has a completely different feel to it now. How disappointing.