The Ongoing Bought/Thought! 2013

[JewishHobbit]

They relaunch everything. Maybe there's a chance for a Gambit relaunch by Liu?

 

[squeekness]

That would be awesome! But probably not...

 

[BoredGuy]

I wanna see an Iceman solo
He's been so badass lately, he totally deserves it
Let Aaron write it with Bachalo on art, it's a perfect fit for his crazy art style

 

[runawayboulder]

Gambit was such a great book, I'm so happy I bought it from the start. That's why I almost always buy a #1 in a situation like that - sometimes you can catch lightning in a bottle.

 

[Dread]

Somewhat larger week for the middle week of July. Onward with non-JL related spoilers!

DREAD'S BOUGHT/THOUGHT FOR 7/10/13:

QUANTUM & WOODY #1: Having seen great success in terms of quality as well as sales (at least for a "third party" publisher) with previous relaunches of 90's franchises, the reborn Valiant Entertainment continues to bring back old properties from the dust bin with the rise of summer. This time it is another "buddy action/comedy" series like "Archer & Armstrong", although it was one which came at the end of the original Valiant Comics era. Originally created by Christopher Priest, "Quantum & Woody" ran from mid 1997 until the start of 2000, during the period when the Valiant library had been purchased by Acclaim. A sign of the inevitable came when Valiant Entertainment began to release back issues of the series as digital comics in ComiXology, and now it becomes the latest series to have fresh life breathed into it. Writer James Asmus ("Gambit", "Generation Hope", "Thief of Thieves"), artist Tom Fowler ("Green Arrow", "Grendel", "MAD Magazine") and colorist Jordie Bellaire make their mark with a new take on the cult franchise.

Much like with the rest of these Valiant relaunches, it uses the previous incarnation as a foundation but allows the new creative team to make their own "ultimate" version that works best for them. To this end, "Quantum & Woody" begins as the story of a very non-traditional family; Dr. Derek Henderson is a widower works in the science division for a traditional "secretly evil corporation" and is trying to raise his biological son Eric and his adopted foster son Woody. Of opposite race and attitude, the two usually get along like oil and water, and their youth was often plagued with incidents of juvenile delinquency. As adults, Eric has become a decorated soldier while Woody remains a ne'er do well and petty con artist. The death (and ultimately murder) of their father brings the two together, where their dysfunctional relationship presumes. In no time at all the two are throwing verbal as well as physical blows, wind up as suspects of their dad's murder and in the middle of a superhero origin sequence involving a freak science accident.

The premise of "Quantum & Woody" was always a simple one - a send up of superhero stories with two characters who can't stand each other forced to unite due to sharing super-powers. As the cover indicates, at some point a pet goat became involved. Asmus rekindles this spirit with dialogue which is always hilarious to read, while Fowler captures all of the physical comedy as well as the straight action sequences with near flawless energy and skill. Throw in the aggressive detective Cejudo who adds some "feminine" touch to the cast of the first issue, and it is nothing short of a hilarious and fast paced success. Valiant Entertainment, much like IDW Comics, has cracked the code to offering relaunches of fan favorite franchises which are crowd pleasing and fun, while still offering new takes and new ideas. "Quantum & Woody" is a better known franchise than "Archer & Armstrong", but it is worthy to stand alongside it as another exceptional relaunch by a publisher many thought dead as the century turned. If it proves anything, it is that quality often finds its way.

CHRONOS COMMANDOS #1: U.S. army soldiers, Nazis, and dinosaurs are three things that many comic book readers, and no doubt mainstream audiences in general are used to seeing in fiction. War stories are as old as time, Nazis are the ultimate villains and dinosaurs often fascinate people from a young age. Given these "facts", it makes sense to begin mingling these elements together for genre fiction. To this end, Titans Comics (the comic division of U.K. based Titan Publishing) has released "Chronos Commandos #1: Dawn Patrol" by Stuart Jennet. Jennet is a near one-man comic production machine as he created, wrote, and drew this issue, with Donna Jennet offering assists on lettering and the logo design. For the record, it is quite a spiffy logo.

In this series, the race against the Nazis in WWII for supremacy in military technology extended past the nuclear bomb to time-travel machines. Setting off from 1944 with Albert Einstein as an official military ally, the mysterious Sarge leads another small squad of soldiers into the lush jungles of the Cretaceous period. Flanked by Murphy, Grease, and rookie Giggs, the Sarge's mission is to survive the pre-historic jungle beasts and rough terrain and find where the Nazis have recently time-traveled to once again attempt to win the war with time foolery. As one would expect, not everyone survives to see through the dangerous mission, and things don't seem to get any easier for the Sarge back in his native time.

As a first issue of a new series, it executed what it has to do with efficiency. It introduces the main protagonist, the premise, and the style of the series within 23 pages. As one would expect, a T-Rex does make a nasty mess of one soldier and the violence is graphic when it happens, although not to any vulgar or extreme degree. The soldiers are called by their nicknames or last names and as seemed the norm in WWII based stories, there is some reliance on stereotypes. Sarge is carved from the same gritty stone as "Sgt. Rock" or many other countless squad leaders who smoke stogies. "Grease", it may not shock anyone to know, is a soldier of color. Murphy is the Irishman who wears a cross around his neck, and so on. At least one Nazi soldier screams "Gott im himmel!" and army's time machine itself has some buxom beauty painted on it as many rigs of the time did. It is the artwork and the flair which sets this comic apart and makes it entertaining to read. It may not be reinventing the wheel in terms of characterization, but it gives the reader what they expect from the premise.

To keep things simple, "Chronos Commandos #1" is fun. It has a near premise and while it doesn't offer too many surprises once the premise is known, it delivers on the expected material with gusto. The dialogue is entertaining and it does get hard to tire of soldiers fighting Nazis among dinosaurs, or even the sight of Albert Einstein with a rifle. The artwork is quite good, capturing both the beauty and horror of the pre-historic jungle as well as all of the related characters, and naturally dinosaur. While not a comedy, it doesn't take itself seriously enough that it seems as bleak and dire as a typical DC Comic lately. "Sgt. Rock meets Jurassic Park" is the apt comparison to make, and to that end anyone who is interested in seeing a WWII action movie play out with time travel elements should be pleased.

DAREDEVIL #28: The second issue of Mark Waid's seminal run on "the man without fear" within a fortnight, this installment kicks off a new arc and sees colorist Javier Rodriguez branch out into pencilling for the first time on this run to give Chris Samnee a break. His work is joined by Alvaro Lopez on inks, and the result is artwork which is beautiful to behold and matches the style and flair evoked by Marcos Martin, Paolo Rivera and Samnee. As Foggy Nelson continues to fight for his life against a very real and formidable foe - cancer - Murdock has little time to enjoy his victory over Bullseye as he is running both a law firm and a superhero career at once. His latest client turns out to be Nate Hackett, his childhood bully and nemesis who literally gave Murdock his nick name of "daredevil" in the past. Despite being a ne'er do well who Murdock still loathes, he agrees to aid him to beat a bum rap involving the "Sons of the Serpent" organization. Most of the issue embellishes Murdock's origin and childhood as well as plays Hackett for comedy, the twist comes at the end as it often does. Having wrapped up his long term story arc last month, the onus is on Waid to continue the high standard of quality that his "Daredevil" won an Eisner for, and on the whole he succeeds. Rodriguez's rise from colorist to penciler is the bigger surprise, but an equally pleasant one. Without any stunts or line wide crossovers as boosts, "Daredevil" is holding steady and has become a "rock" of a series, offering brilliance on a monthly basis

FEARLESS DEFENDERS #6: Marvel's first "all female superhero team" book before the recent relaunch of "X-Men" by Cullen Bunn and Will Sliney (with Veronica Gandini on colors) completes its first arc and attains a bit of controversy online. The tale of the "Doom maidens" concludes with Valkyrie being possessed by her original personality which Odin had suppressed, which was an embodiment of Asgardian rage. A small army of heroines, even She-Hulk, prove unable to stop her, which forces the archaeologist Annabelle Riggs to make a final stand to appeal to Valkyrie's true self. Things don't go so well for her, and some across the internet (or at least BLEEDING COOL and DC WOMEN KICKING ASS) feel that this evoked a "TV Trope" called "Bury Your Gays" since Annabelle was one of few openly lesbian characters in Marvel. The true tragedy is that regardless of orientation, Annabelle was a fun new character and the worth of enjoyable supporting characters can often be unappreciated - even by their own creators. Aside for the controversy, the issue is essentially a long action sequence with Sliney's artwork capturing the action well but still seeming to be stuck a bit on ensuring that all the girls look pretty first and foremost, even as they get pummeled or crash against boulders. Considering sales for this series are so low that a price hike is seen as a way to starve off the cancellation ax for a few months, a controversy could actually turn out to be a boost to the bottom line. Regardless, Bunn's stab at a Defenders book is entertaining but not too deep.

INDESTRUCTIBLE HULK #10: The secondary Mark Waid title at Marvel also shipped this week, completing a very short but sweet team-up between the titular behemoth and Daredevil, his "primary" hero. The revelation that Murdock is Banner's attorney and a fall-back ally against being betrayed by Maria Hill and SHIELD takes a back seat to discovering a weapons cache of HYDRA in Hell's Kitchen run by Baron Zemo. Artist Matteo Scalera, who collaborated with Waid for the "Omega Effect" crossover, and colorist Val Staples produce a lot of action packed art which has a lot of smashing and energy beams. Much like its title hero, Waid writes this book as more blunt and simple than "Daredevil", and while that doesn't make it as good, it still makes this an exciting and unique Hulk comic. In the end this is essentially a tag team action story with a plot wedged in around it, but that doesn't stop it from being a fun yarn - especially as Waid is wise enough not to drag it out.

SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN #13: Dan Slott and sporadic co-writer Christos Gage complete the three part "No Escape" arc which wraps up a subplot began back in November 2010 when Slott first began his "Big Time" run on "Amazing Spider-Man". Giuseppe Camuncoli completes his latest turn as rotating regular artist with two inkers and colorist Antonio Fabela, where he once again gets to draw the Lizard for the first time since last summer. Dr. Octopus is still in sole possession of Spider-Man's body where he uses all of his ruthless tactics and scientific know how to prevent the Spider-Slayer from escaping the Raft prison and killing all the guards and media (and mayor J.J.); the caveat being that the latter is more by accident. Ock's real objective is gaining the Raft island as his new "Spider-Island" base, to which end he blackmails J.J. and turns his own righteous rage to avenge his wife against him. The outcome would have been more shocking had a previous arc not established that Ock is willing to kill in cold blood as Spidey (see: Massacre), and it quietly pushes Boomerang off to star in his own spin off. While the nuts and bolts of the story are exciting even if some occasional details don't quite work and Spidey-Ock becomes more unsavory the longer he wears Peter Parker's body. His brag to Spider-Slayer that he'd successfully possessed his nemesis and cheated death could come back to haunt him, but remains a strange way to celebrate the hero's 51st year. It will be an odd time as Marvel redoubles efforts to sell Spider-Man comics to new and younger audiences when the character has essentially been body-jacked by his arch-nemesis who kills in his name and fantasizes about date-raping some of his female cast. The overall premise remains interesting and many of the developments to villains and supporting cast members are fascinating - such as Lizard's new deal - although as time marches on "Superior Spider-Man" risks rehashing an attempt to make the hero "darker and edgier" while missing the point at his core.

YOUNG AVENGERS #7: After being replaced by a capable fill-in artist a fortnight ago, artist Jamie McKelvie once again collaborates with writer Kieron Gillen (and colorist Matthew Wilson) to continue the latest arc on this perennially hip and trendy take on teenage superheroes. The new squad (Wiccan, Hulkling, Kate Bishop/Hawkeye, Noh-Varr, Miss America Chavez and "Kid" Loki) continue to be forced to adventure together away from their parents due to the efforts of an alternate reality parasite in the opening arc. They take down a band of Skrulls who turn out not to be Skrulls, but instead alien gamers, and stumble upon the mystery of Speed's disappearance last issue. They unite with Prodigy and Chavez reveals more about her powers as they chase a new threat across dimensions who seems to have taken the guise of another old ally, Patriot. Gillen seems to be running with the gimmick of far out adventures across realities with this team rather than standard crime or super-villains, which is at least a unique angle to take. After all, stabs at more standard hero fare didn't work well for "Young Allies" in the recent past. This series often sacrifices substance for style and snappy dialogue, but it is often so effective at such things that it becomes hard to care. It is good to see another X-Men character mingle with Avengers characters in a (somewhat) organic way, and Gillen's artwork continues to be some of the best in the biz.

 

[Dread]

I think marvel has problems with what your saying..but not sure I realy agree with the hopelessness of it all..

As for New Mutants..Cannonball and Sunspot are Avengers...Many other old new mutants like Magick, Cabal and although not a New Mutant, Deadpool certainly factors. Even characters like Domino, shatterstar, and Warlock have got plenty of shots. So I'm not sure I'm tracking on your point about New Mutants.

Even though your grieving for the Academy characters like Mettle...even they were the product of abandoning many of the A:TI characters...in a sense Mettle's creation was just as much a part of the problem as it was for others.

Marvel DOES need more outlets for these lesser used characters and not scholck killsfests, even if they are well written...and they need to look at using older characters instead of just get wild with creating new ones.

I noted that the NEW MUTANTS cast have gotten as high up as any "new, young teenage heroes" have usually gotten within their franchise and/or Marvel in general. Canonball was on the regular X-Men squad more than once and is now an Avenger (but aside for Iceman and Razorback, who hasn't been). But aside for them and, say, Cable or Deadpool, most newer characters tend to fade or get axed off.

I see it as a vicious cycle which sadly is unlikely to change with corporate demands being to keep cycling in the old stalwarts.

 

[JewishHobbit]

Small week, but I'm okay with that.

All New X-Men 14 - As expected, the Phoenix ending last issue was a fake out (thankfully). As unexpected, it was not Lady Mastermind who created the illusion but rather Jean... who put the image into everyone's minds. She meant to put it in just the villains but it ended up being seen by all. My only problem with that is that Wolverine's mind is very difficult to get into. A novice like Jean shouldn't be able to get in like that.

But that's a minor thing. Other than that it was a fun issue. The team takes down Mystique, Sabretooth, Lady Mastermind, and the Silver Samaraii (capturing two of the four, though one of them was only temporary). Immonen's art was great as always (though I'm growing to not like how he draws young Iceman). I'm eager to get to the upcoming event, but I'm glad we're still getting good issues along the way.

Uncanny X-Force 8 - Hmm... this series just keeps getting weirder and weirder. Trying to keep up with the Psylocke/Fantomex square is odd, but I'm hanging on. Also, Psylocke is now bi-sexual... kinda. But really, I don't remember much after that first scene with her and Cluster. I'm trying to be professional about it, but it kind of sticks with you. I'm not sure if I'll be sticking with this title long-term, but I'm at least curious enough to see how this story plays out. Good issue, good art. Way better than when it first started.

Batwoman 22 - This title's been consistently good since moving past the Medusa arc and this issue is no exception. Batwoman spends the issue getting in-tell on so that she can take down Batman. I like that she actually hunted down and beat Bane just to ask him how he beat Batman. Between her training and toughness and Batman's training and toughness, I'd like to actually see that throw down to its conclusion, but I doubt we will. Still, it's been a joy to read and I'm eager for the next part of her story.

While Batwoman is getting in-tell, Jacob Kane is training his niece Bette in the same manor he trained Batwoman. I'm very interested in this aspect of the story and am curious what plan they have schemed up against the DOA. It was a bit of a bridge issue, but still enjoyable.

Justice League of America 6 - While I really liked the story here, the art was very disappointing. I don't know if it was the colorist, inker, or Doug Mahnke himself, but this is the ugliest I've ever seen Mahnke's art. His Green Lantern was beautiful, but this felt very amateurish in places.

The story, though, was very entertaining. The Justice League fight comes to a quick close when Superman demands that they arrest him before he somehow hurts someone else. Batman, Cyborg, and Martian Manhunter come to the conclusion that Dr. Light's ability to absorb energy (but his inability to control it) pulled Superman's eye beams out... thus, Superman was not actually at fault. Wonder Woman is determined, however, that this was not the case and that Pandora and her box had something to do with it. She goes to the person she THINKS made the box and then makes her way to the Justice League Dark, which brings them into the story, but we have no answers yet. We're left wondering in the end, but it's an interesting start to that plot.

I'm also very intrigued by the Question's entrance into the story. He has a different feel here than he did in Phantom Stranger. He seemed very sinister in PS, but in this he comes across as just a guy trying to find the answers. Still, it was cool seeing him and I' eager to see where his story goes... in Trinity War and after.

Good issue, mediocre art. Oh well.


Best and Worst of the Week

Best: Batwoman - It was a simple issue but I found I really enjoyed it. The art was solid, the story intriguing, and it made me excited for the next story. That means it wins.

Worst: All New X-Men - While good, I don't think it was quite as good or interesting as the other 3 comics. It wasn't bad by any means, but still, definitely fourth on the list.

 

[JewishHobbit]

Also, I saw Iron Fist on the cover of Deadpool... so I skimmed it. It wasn't the type of Iron Fist story to make me want to buy it, but that was a great sex scene

 

[Specter313]

I should have known PAD would have come up with a wacky and wonky answer to the age old question of what the relationship is between Longshot and Shatterstar.

 

[runawayboulder]

I should have known PAD would have come up with a wacky and wonky answer to the age old question of what the relationship is between Longshot and Shatterstar.

I gotta hear this! Spill the beans....

 

[Specter313]

I gotta hear this! Spill the beans....

Spoiler

When Rictor was zapped by Mephisto, he ended up on Mojoworld, fighting in an arena, when he's forced to fight Shatterstar, until he's rescued by Longshot who doesn't recognize him. They go back to Arize's hideout, who goes on to admit that he cloned Longshot from Shatterstar, essentially making Star into Longshot's father. And when Star finally wakes, he tells Ric that they've been transported back in time, hence why Longshot doesn't recognize them.

BUT WAIT, there's more...

When Star finally gets his teleportation power working, he moves them forward in time, but not back to the present, and Ric discovers a very pregnant Dazzler, about to give birth Longshot's child. They help her birth the baby who turns out to be, dun dun DUNNNNNN, Shatterstar. Star then reveals that in order to keep things turning out how they're supposed to be, they'll have to take the baby to the people who raised him, and erase Daz and Shot's memories of her pregnancy, which explains the long hanging plot thread of her being pregnant, but nothing coming of it after she returned from story limbo back in the day and not remembering the pregnancy.

So basically Longshot and Shatterstar are both each other's father and son at the same time.

 

[runawayboulder]

Loooool.....okaaaaaaaaaay.

 

[JewishHobbit]

Yeah, I skimmed that and found it very disappointing. Sometimes, there's just no reason to over-complicate an already complicated story. David just made it worse.

 

[chamber-music]

Its still better than the third summers brother thing though

 

[BoredGuy]

That is hilariously over-complicated
the next time I have to give an example of awesomely convoluted comic stories, I'm pullin that one out

 

[JewishHobbit]

Its still better than the third summers brother thing though

No, I have to disagree on that one. Anytime [blackout]one person ends up being the father and the son of the other[/blackout]... it wins.

There are Jesus Christ analogies here somewhere.

 

[JTStarkiller]

Read Supergirl last night. There were a couple of strange lines in it in the middle, but overall it continues to be the best non-Batman Inc book DC is putting out. I was bummed to learn that Asrar is off the book (sounds like he's doing more Marvel stuff now), but I've been pleasantly surprised by Neves' and Deering's art. It matched Asrar's style extremely well, so the transition was nice.

The current arc continues with the Solaris-like story, and I also really like the way this book is handling Cyborg Superman. The drama that he's bringing into the book works for me. And that ending page is terrific.

 

[random_havoc]

I rarely post my comments on this thread but just wanted to jump in to say that Avengers AI is garbage imo. It's not just one thing, it's an accumulation of things. For one, it shouldn't have Avengers in the title. I can think of at least 7 books with "Avengers" in the title right now (maybe you guys can name even more) and that ticks me off. Marvel apparently won't be happy until Avengers no longer holds any real meaning and readers are disgusted by the word (I'm about there already myself).
For another, talk about beating a dead horse. Hank Pym has to redeem himself? REALLY?! WOW! Not only has that already been done multiple times but Slott did a great job of bringing Pym past that in his Mighty Avengers run. Slott brought him to not seeing himself as being inferior to other great minds and not seeing himself as needing to redeem himself, and frankly it was a heckuva a lot more interesting.
Lastly, I couldn't give a flying crap about most of the cast. And since I'd rather see Vision, the only one I really care about, on an actual Avengers team it makes me dislike this book even more.

 

[random_havoc]

here's the list of books with Avengers in the title that I could think of btw:

Avengers
New Avengers
Uncanny Avengers
Secret Avengers
Avengers Arena
Dark Avengers
Avengers AI

 

[JewishHobbit]

Young Avengers


And Dark Avengers is now canceled, so you can mark that one off the list.

 

[random_havoc]

good call. gracias

 

[chamber-music]

Is Avengers Arena an ongoing?

I agree the whole Hank Pym redeeming himself thing is played out. Move the character on or kill him off. Lots of other superheroes mess up but writers don't constantly make out that those characters need redeeming.

Marvel has been milking the Avengers brand for all its worth and possibly the bubble will burst one day but I don't think they care.

The idea at Marvel right now seems to be slap Avengers onto a bunch of books and it will sell.

 

[JewishHobbit]

It worked with X-Men.

And yes, Avengers Arena is ongoing.

 

[Hush]

I read a lot of good books today but Nova #6 was just awesome, that book is firing on all cylinders right now. Oh and Trinity War looks to be shaping up to be the best event in a while.

 

[random_havoc]

Injustice is the comic that I'm enjoying most these days, by quite a bit. First book I read every time.