The Ongoing Bought/Thought! 2013

[JewishHobbit]

I'm glad you liked Mighty Avengers #3. I kept going back and forth on getting it, so hearing some praise for it might increase my chances of picking it up.

 

[Ipodman]

Amazing X-Men #1 - Good. (This is the first comic I've bought in a long time so I don't know what the big fuss is about X-Men sucking now, heh.) Definitely sticking with this series...

 

[runawayboulder]

Amazing X-Men #1 - Good. (This is the first comic I've bought in a long time so I don't know what the big fuss is about X-Men sucking now, heh.) Definitely sticking with this series...

Because it dealt with the daily life at the school and not time hopping X-Men.

 

[JewishHobbit]

It was probably the best issue of Aaron's X-Men since the Beast vs. Sabretooth in space issue of Wolverine & the X-Men (which took place shortly before AvX). I'm hoping that this is a step forward for Aaron.

 

[squeekness]

Amazing X-Men #1 - Good. (This is the first comic I've bought in a long time so I don't know what the big fuss is about X-Men sucking now, heh.) Definitely sticking with this series...

Same here. It was a great opener.

Because it dealt with the daily life at the school and not time hopping X-Men.

The first part of this I agree with. I think they don't give us enough of when the Xs have downtime. Some of the best issues I've read never had a single fight in them.

 

[JewishHobbit]

Only four comics this week. I also picked up the new Walking Dead trade. I purposely dodge info on the new issues since I trade wait, so I don't know anything about what's been going on. I can't wait to read it.

Batman 25 - It's officially official... I'm bored of Zero Year. I have been for a while, but I very nearly didn't even finish this issue. I keep waiting for it all to wrap up but it just keeps going on and on, and it sounds like February is the end of the SECOND part of the story with a THIRD yet to come. UGH! I'm debating on dropping the title for a while until Zero Year wraps up, but I'd hate dropping the book since it's typically one of my favorites. I likely won't, but this story can't wrap up soon enough.

Nightwing 25 - This issue was solicited at $5 which made me cautious on trying it. But again, I hated the idea of skipping a title that I typically really enjoy. Well, I got to the shop and it was priced at $4, so I decided to go ahead and pick it up. I ended up really liking it. It wasn't anything spectacular or anything, but it was just a good read into the young life of Dick Grayson.

Forever Evil: Arkham War 2 - I'm loving this story so far. I was eager to see the Talons enter the scene as the cover depicts, but they're only discussed. Maybe next issue. We get a heavy dosage of Bane, Man-Bat, and Penguin in this issue with a sizable sampling of Scarecrow, Brute, and Commissioner Gordon. The story is simple yet enjoyable. I wish it was longer than 6 issues. I would personally love to see an ongoing Arkham War detailing all the various angles of the war.

All New X-Men 18 - So the O5 and Kitty Pryde swing over to team Cyclops and this title follows that. Gone is Wolverine and the Jean Grey Academy. For the foreseeable future, Brian Michael Bendis will be handling the Cyclops side of the coin with Uncanny and All New while Jason Aarons handles Wolverine's side with W&tXM and Amazing. This issue has some shakiness primarily because there is no real good reason for Kitty or the O5 to have gone with Cyclops. With that taint, the issue is hard to swallow. Add that to the fact that I'm starting to get a little bored with the 05 story line and I think the issue fell a little flat. It wasn't bad, but I was just bored. Now to move on from Battle of the Atom into better territory. Also, the cover makes no sense with the actual events of the story.


Best and Worst of the Week

Best: Arkham War - Just a fun read. I'm eager for the next issue.

Worst: Batman - It's a shame. I don't mind the idea of Zero Year, it's just overlong and boring. I wish this could have been reigned in a good 4 or so issues. I think I'd have enjoyed it more.

 

[squeekness]

Hey, I just realized that Gambit is on the cover of the X-men Gold. I had skipped it. Did he actually appear in that book at all?

 

[runawayboulder]

I don't think so. It's just a bunch of stories from former X-Men writers anyway.

 

[squeekness]

That's why I had skipped it. Claremont is not a fave of mine. Most times I've been tricked with a Gambit pic on a cover before only to find out he was only in one panel. Six bucks isn't worth it for that.

 

[Dread]

Small week, in part because my local shop didn't get something I wanted for some reason. Spoilers ahoy.

DREAD'S BOUGHT/THOUGHT FOR 11/13/13:

ARCHER & ARMSTRONG #15: To be honest, the top book of the week likely would have been Dark Horse's "Bloodhound: Crowbar Medicine #2", but my local shop didn't get it for some reason, so this week's haul was slightly lighter than planned. At any rate, Fred Van Lente continues to work his narrative magic with Valiant Entertainment's mythical buddy comedy/adventure in "Archer & Armstrong", which embarks on the second chapter of its' "Sect War" arc. The result is a stronger and far funnier issues than the previous installment, in which Van Lente demonstrates his often unsung ability to switch from comedy to tenderness within the same script on a single beat and have it all flow seamlessly.

The finale of the previous arc in the time spanning realm of "Faraway" resulted in the split up of the titular duo over a major transgression - Armstrong sleeping with the woman Archer loved (but never dated). The last issue followed up on how Archer was doing alone, and this one follows up with Armstrong. Turns out his genius (and equally immortal) brother Ivar figured out another way out of "Faraway" and have decided to use its portals to go on a time spanning drinking binge with the brother he's barely known. The result is an often hilarious take through history which seeks to reunite Armstrong with his usual partner. It is greatly appreciated that this "duo no more" story hasn't been needlessly drug out, although the two aren't nearly as friendly with each other as they once were, and Archer is merely using him for his own ends. A "beer meter" makes for a hilarious visual aid for Armstrong's binge as well as offers a look as the various stages at which he tries to deal with losing his new friend, and his attempts to replace him.

Khari Evans is the "artist of the arc" and flanked by longtime colorist David Baron, continues to do a solid job in matching the tone of the previous artists of the series as well as having his own flare. This story causes him to have to change his background settings from ancient Egypt to 1920's Prohibition era America and he manages to accomplish this superbly. Overall, while this may be a slow issue in terms of the overall arc about the war within factions of the ancient "Sect", it serves as a hilarious character piece to reunite the titular heroes once more. As always, execution is everything, and this latest issue of "Archer & Armstrong" accomplishes this in spades.

FEARLESS DEFENDERS #11: As the solemn letter column for this issue notes, this is the penultimate issue of this plucky super-heroine series which became a darling of Tumblr and many "fangirl" websites and blogs online, but failed to capture the hearts of general readers. Under normal circumstances this series may have been axed sooner (much like "Morbius the Living Vampire" was), but Marvel's bean counters chose to raise the price in order to cover losses in keeping the book around a full year. At any rate, writer Cullen Bunn, regular artist Will Sliney and regular colorist Veronica Gandini once again seek to tell a done-in-one story which connects to the overall subplot with the exploits of Caroline LeFay. The recently resurrected Hippolyta (who was killed off in "Incredible Hercules" several years ago) reveals that one of the conditions of her resurrection and empowerment was performing tasks for the "gods of death" which revived her, and Pluto's task to her was to rebuild the Amazons for the modern day. To this end Hippolyta invites the remaining Amazon tribes as well as her Defenders comrades for a massive island beach party which soon is interrupted by monsters and minions of LeFay's. Dr. Annabelle Riggs get closer to new member Ren, as Magma guest stars for what is essentially a girl-friendly monster mash. Sliney's improved as an artist over the course of this run and this story format suits Bunn better; perhaps if the first six issues had run as smoothly as the following six, the series may have caught on and lasted longer.

SUPERIOR FOES OF SPIDER-MAN #5: If it seems like it has been a while between issues of this cult favorite "Superior Spider-Man" spin off, that's only because it has been. October had five Wednesdays, and thus it has been six weeks between issues. Much like with "Daredevil", the lead writer and artist (Nick Spencer and Steve Lieber) are now collectively credited as "storytellers", while colorist Rachelle Rosenberg is credited alone. Boomerang continues to lead what is left of the "Sinister Six" in a raid of one of the Owl's criminal bases chasing after a MacGuffin, in this case the head of the cyborg mobster Silvermane. Since Boomerang seemingly killed Shocker last issue, they're now down to four, with Beetle seeking to make up for Boomerang's short sights and Speed-Demon nursing an injured leg. In the end, as usual, Boomerang has fooled everyone to try to benefit himself, while Shocker's demise was greatly exaggerated. As always with this series, it is the dialogue and the artistic flair which make this an enjoyable romp, and this issue does not disappoint. Lieber has an amazing touch with visual comedy as the crew face down no end of horrors in Owl's hangout (from goons to giant scorpions to werewolves) as Boomerang simply takes a hidden elevator. Considering how low this series is selling - and that online "fangirls" haven't embraced it on Tumblr like they have "Fearless Defenders" - this series won't be long for this world, and likely will be axed at the ninth or tenth issue. Thus, enjoy it while it lasts as an entertaining and risky lark from the Spider-Man library.

SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN #21: Picking up from where things were left off on Halloween, writer Dan Slott, artist Giuseppe Camuncoli, inker John Dell and colorist Antonio Fabela manage to tell the first comic book story featuring Stunner in sixteen years - right down to the month. Created by J.M. DeMatteis and Mark Bagley in "Amazing Spider-Man #397" back in 1995, Stunner was the solid hologram body utilized by the Angela Brancale, who ultimately fell in love with Dr. Octopus and helped revive him back in the late 90's. Considering that, now is the perfect time to see her return now that Dr. Octopus has once again cheated death, this time by possessing Spider-Man's body and making the life of "Peter Parker" his own. Stunner goes on a rampage to avenge her fallen lover, who is believed dead to the world, which makes things interesting as Ock seeks to secure his doctorate in his stolen life. Unlike too many previous issues, this arc has seen Spidey-Ock struggle to hold up an increasingly collapsing facade, and when he seems to patch up one hole, another seems to form. Many readers may pay more attention to the Carlie Cooper subplot, as she becomes the first person to figure out the entire "superior" ruse - only for it all to fall to the hands of Spider-Man's deadliest enemy. Frankly, the fact that Mary Jane at least didn't figure out something was drastically wrong with Spidey is an insult to her character, even if its become obvious that Marvel's editors have been pushing Carlie heavily since 2008. Minor character Lamaze's friendship with Dr. Octopus, who when buried was considered a global terrorist, remains an all too convenient plot point. At any rate, the artwork is terrific and the long term subplot of this relaunched Spider-Man series finally seems to be going somewhere, which couldn't happen soon enough.

 

[JewishHobbit]

So after skimming it, I decided to finally leave Daredevil behind. I might pick it up another day, but it's just not worth the $3 for me. Then I ended up picking up a comic I had zero plan on buying and another that I was debating on.


Batwoman #25 - This was the one I was debating on. I didn't have any real emotional connection to Williams III save for his amazing art, but I hate how DC just cut their plot. I know it's going to eventually be wrapped by by new writer Andreyko in an annual, but DC's handling of this transition just completely took me out of the book. Still, I wouldn't mind seeing another voice on Batwoman, but this issue just looked and sounded so much like filler... and it was.

It was a very mediocre, boring comic that obviously served the purpose of just filling in while Andreyko get his direction together. If DC needed that time, they should have released the original issue 25 written by Williams III (which was already finished) and let them finish up issue 26, which was the final to their run anyway. Besides the fact that we never got the awesome original cover of Bones and Batwoman, the story just pales compared to the plot Williams III was wrapping up.

As far as being a Zero Year title, it added nothing to that nor to Kate's past. She comes home for Phillip's funeral, goes out on patrol and beats up a few thugs. And that's the extent of the issue. Wow. Very disappointing. I know this was probably thrown together in a hurry, but I really hope this isn't a sign of what to expect from Andreyko's run. I'm still a little bitter toward DC's handling of this book, and until the previous plot is wrapped up, I'm going to continue being bitter. This is going to be an uphill battle with me, and I'm not even sure if I'll stick with it. I want to make some room for Batman Eternal and I might cut this to make some of that room.

Red Hood & the Outlaws #25 - This was the issue I didn't plan on getting at all. Then on a skim I realized that we might be getting our first Joker appearance post-vat of chemicals... and that's precisely what we got. Jason is in a bad situation with his druggy mom and gets pulled into the Red Hood Gang (sorta) and runs into Talia. This leads to some interesting things, but most interesting is that he doesn't even realize that he's drawn the eye of Joker... the original Red Hood One. Seeing Joker post-vat was very interesting and it really sucked me into this story. I loved it. I don't plan on continuing with the series, but I might go back and get the 0 issue since I know it had something to do with Joker as well.

Batman and Two-Face #25 - I picked up issue #24 two weeks ago on a whim since I missed Tomasi and Gleason's book and loved it. This issue was just as good, so I'm going to call myself officially back on this title. I miss Damian something fierce, and this title suffers without him, but it's starting to look a little more interesting. Though it doesn't really feel any different from any other Batman title now.

Still, it was a good issue with great art and wonderful storytelling. I'm liking thi story so far.

Trinity of Sin: Pandora #5 - I thought this was a decent issue... about on par with the rest of the series so far. I'm only sticking with it because of it's crossing over with Justice League Dark and Phantom Stranger over the next few months, and since I already had issues 1-3, I might as well pick up 4 and 5 to fill in the gap. The story itself was interesting and explained how Pandora didn't actually release sin into the world but that she released entities who feed on the sin that's already in our world... making them more human-like. So I suppose they came from Earth-3 as well... which would make sense.

I liked all that, the stuff with the Outsider, and the quick seen with Marcus (her tech guy who I think is kinda cool), but the scenes after that kinda confuse me. Where was she when the tendril things were showing her flashbacks, and how exactly did she get into her own past? Why? That part lost me, but the ending was pretty awesome. Constantine summons her as he had also summoned Phantom Stranger and the Question, and I liked the little touch of them appearing chained like they were during their origin.

It was a decent issue, nothing amazing, but decent. Still, everything is now set up for Blight... and THAT'S what I'm looking forward to. Bring on the next issue of Justice League Dark!

X-Men 7 - So it's pretty cool seeing Monet back with the X-Men again (no matter how unofficial this one feels), and I LOVED the subtle Generation X reference between Monet and Jubilee. We learn that Bling and Mercury were fighting in issue 1 because Bling asked Mercury out and Mercury freaked out and punched her. I think that's weird being that they're mutants, which is an analogy to those who are different... such as homosexuals. Plus, it paints Mercury in a bad light. I hate that. But now it seems that Bling is crushing on Jubilee.

As for the main story, Lady Deathstrike tries to steal the Omega Sentinel tech from the Jean Grey Academy but fails. However, she then discovers the Arkea tech and wants that. And she has Typhoid Mary with her (who is a mutant... right?). That part was pretty good, and seeing Monet and Karima fighting together was pretty awesome too. I like when second and third tier characters get some spotlight. I was debating on dropping this book before Battle of the Atom hit but stayed with it for that crossover. I think I'll keep going for now and see what happens. This was probably the best issue for me since the series began. I liked it.

Uncanny X-Men 14 - I actually loved this issue. Bendis introduced a bunch of nobody students, and we've all complained about them. But slowly, he's giving them some depth. First with Eva and then Goldballs. Now we are given some focus on Benjamin Deeds. I won't pretend to fully comprehend the new extention of his powers that we're shown, but it was pretty cool to see. I liked how Cyclops and Emma utilized him to reach Dugan and gave him some confidence as a potential future X-Man. Bachelo's art wasn't that bad in this issue (though Emma, Magik, and the Cuckoos are still indecipherable).

I think this issue, Amazing X-Men, and X-Men have helped clean the distaste I got from Battle of the Atom. New X-Men didn't do that because it's still dealing with the crappy plot of Kitty turning on Wolverine for Cyclops for no reason that makes sense. But still, one bleh title out of 4 is pretty good. And Wolverine & the X-Men hasn't even come out yet.

Young Avengers 12 - The penultimate issue of this long running Mother arc was decent. It wasn't anything spectacular (which is a good way to describe this series overall), but it wasn't bad either. Next issue wraps that up and then there's a 2 issue final before the series ends. I can't really say I'd miss the book, as it's been sub-par at best, but I will miss the characters if the title isn't relaunched under a new writer. And I'll REALLY miss McKelvie's artwork. It has been the title's saving grace. I hope he goes somewhere that I read after this. His stuff is great.


Best and Worst of the Week

Best: Red Hood and the Outlaws - There was just something about this issue that blew me away. Maybe it's the fact that I had zero interest in buying it, but the end result just felt so great. I loved it.

Worst: Batwoman - Even if you remove the crappy handling of Williams III's departure, the issue was still crap. It was pointless, boring, and added nothing to the title, Zero Year, or any of the characters. It was absolutely pointless and a waste of $4 (yeah, including that extra $1 tagged on for the pointlessness of the book).

 

[runawayboulder]

This week's issue of Uncanny has been getting some rave reviews....

but I've been fooled before...

 

[JewishHobbit]

But was Bendis' run that bad for you prior to Battle of the Atom? Uncanny's not been quite on par with All New, but both had been good to great prior to Battle of the Atom. One month post-BotA and it's already a great improvement.

 

[Specter313]

Yes, Typhoid Mary is a mutant. Remember back when she turned out to be Mutant Zero in Avengers: The Initiative, and I think just about everyone was underwhelmed?

 

[Mad Ones]

Wow Uncanny X-men 14 was fantastic. This was a huge improvement and probably the best issue so far. It actually told a story in a satisfactory way from beginning to end. I just complained that I could care less about the new students (especially Goldballs) but I really liked Benjamin this issue.

Bendis writing Emma feels a lot more natural now. Though Cyclops was too much of a bro this issue.

 

[chamber-music]

I don't know what is worst Cyclops making his students climb a mountain without powers or Wolverine making his kids survive in the savage lands.

I'm liking Cyclops students more and more. Gold Balls is a legend

 

[JewishHobbit]

Yes, Typhoid Mary is a mutant. Remember back when she turned out to be Mutant Zero in Avengers: The Initiative, and I think just about everyone was underwhelmed?

Heh, I forgot that happened.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Avengers AI #6: Finally! It took 6 issues to get here, but Avengers AI is finally good! Last issue, Alexis finally got interesting. This issue, Dimitrios gets something to finally make him more than just a cut-rate Ultron, the Vision takes on a weird Professor-X-to-AIs role that somehow works really well for him, Hank finds something to stop him moping (I guess that's insensitive to bipolar people, but I still find Hank being bipolar sort of weird anyway), and Hank and the Vision's relationship finally feels more like a familial one instead of Hank being in charge and barking orders at the Vision, who then barks orders in the field to the rest of the team. Valerio Schiti's artwork is way, way better than Araujo's, too. I really hope the series continues like this for a while because this is great; it's got just enough ties to the Avengers to warrant the title, but it's definitely got its own unique feel and purpose for being.

 

[Dread]

Damn, forgot about AVENGERS A.I. #6. I guess that could be a sign of disinterest. We'll see if it's there next week. Anyway, onto the books I actually did get. Spoilers, of course.

DREAD'S BOUGHT/THOUGHT FOR 11/20/13:

BATMAN BEYOND UNIVERSE #4: DC Comics' anthology reprint of their digital first "Beyond" comic book series continues with two action packed tales featuring the "Justice League Unlimited" and the titular "Batman Beyond". The "JLU" story is written by Christos Gage and drawn by Ban Coello and wraps up a yarn focused on the older Superman being tricked into venturing into the Phantom Zone by his old enemy, Jox-Ur. While his plans have saved his team from being blown up by robot, in this installment the rest of the team back up the temporarily powerless "man of steel" as he is attacked en masse by Jox-Ur and his gang of Kryptonian criminals. The finale introduces a new Superboy for 2041, and is overall an exciting and action packed finish to Gage's first major arc on this series. Meanwhile, Kyle Higgins and artist Thony Silas wraps up his own first arc on "Batman Beyond" which introduces a new villain in "Rewire" who holds all of Gotham City in a grip of terror after organizing an Arkham breakout and killing their new mayor - his own father. Terry McGinnis not only has to confront one of the deadliest enemies he's ever faced, he also has to confront the possibility that his devotion to being Batman will wind up alienating everyone around him as it has for the original, Bruce Wayne. The installment flows very much like an animated episode might of, even if it does seem to end in a convenient manner for the all too powerful villain. Higgins has quickly made a series Adam Beechen ruled for years into his own without skipping a beat, and it's easy to eagerly anticipate further installments. Overall, DC Comics' digital first line have often been holdouts for quality in the "New 52" era, and this series is no exception.

DAREDEVIL #33: All good things come to an end, and it is with much sad fanfare that word of the end of the Mark Waid run of "Daredevil" was revealed in the letter column of the previous issue for February 2014. While Waid will produce an additional arc for this series via Marvel Comics' digital first "Infinity" line which will inevitably be reprinted next year, this means that an Eisner winning run on a franchise which celebrates its 50th anniversary next year is winding down before readers, which makes each remaining issue seem extra special, because they're suddenly rare. At any rate, this issue sees Jason Copland fill in for Chris Samnee (who is still a "storyteller" of the issue alongside Waid) on art chores as this Halloween themed yarn comes to a close a week before Thanksgiving.

In investigating the insidious organization called "the Sons of the Serpent" which has infiltrated the New York judicial system, Daredevil has wound up in Stone Hills, Kentucky chasing a lead involving the occult. In attempting to defend some of Marvel's famous "monster" characters from a lynch mod, the "man without fear" wound up shot and now finds himself at the mercy of the beings. Soon Daredevil is knee deep in dark magic from the infamous "Darkhold" tome and is coming face to face with centuries of prejudice and horror on a metaphysical level. It is a tale where Waid has done a magnificent job of fleshing out the "Sons of the Serpent" group as beyond being snake themes racists and into being a truly dangerous and horrible organization whose roots reach back into the ugly underbelly of American history. Readers also get to meet a collection of Marvel's best known "monster characters", from Jack Russell (Werewolf-By-Night) to Satana the She-Witch or the Frankenstein Monster (now dubbed "Frank"). Copeland does a good job in replicating Samnee's style, with Javier Rodriguez handling colors nobly as always. Some panels appear rushed but on the whole this is good work as Samnee likely gets lead in time for the final stretch of this run.

From an insightful look at a blind man's dreams to a test against the core of intolerance with plenty of monsters in-between, this issue of Daredevil provides more of what the previous issues in this run have produced. Having Daredevil team up with some monsters and dive face first into a black magic story may seem out of his depth, but it seems oddly fitting considering that he does literally dress in devil-horns. It will be a shame to see this run end, but that simply means that it has become a run which will be remembered for years to come.

INDESTRUCTIBLE HULK #15: The double dose of mighty Marvel Mark Waid stories commences with the finale to the "Agent of T.I.M.E." story which used fallout from the "Age of Ultron" crossover event to do a time travel story with the Hulk. While Waid has captured the voice of Bruce Banner as well as he traditionally does for most characters he writes, in the end this is an overly complicated and often confusing time travel gambit which manages to be foiled by the Hulk smashing something. One gets the impression that the complications are seeking to mask how simplistic the solution is, especially now that the gimmick of seeing the Hulk in different lands and eras has passed. The artwork by Kim Jacinto (flanked by not one but two colorists) is quite good and a scene where Banner gets to yell at General Ross as he's always wanted to is quite delicious, this has been an arc which hasn't quite been the sum of its parts. Waid is still doing wonders for the Hulk after various writers have driven him in some far out directions since the end of Greg Pak's tenure on the franchise, but it's nowhere near as nuanced or unique as his "Daredevil" run. Still, a good writing having to compete with himself is hardly the worst dilemma to have in comics.

SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL #1: An easy indicator that Marvel Comics publishes a lot of spare material is when the official solicitation for an annual such as this has to literally feature the words, "this one counts". Considering that this annual is written by Christos Gage, who is a sporadic writer or co-writer for "Amazing Spider-Man" during the long term run by Dan Slott, such an indicator may at least be an honest one. Usual "Daredevil" colorist Javier Rodriguez handles both the colors and arc for this 31 page adventure which pits the new "superior Spider-Man" - Dr. Octopus possessing Spider-Man's body - against one of Ghost Rider's old enemies, the demonic serial killer Blackout. Gage can sometimes bog a story down when he seeks to preach a moral, but this annual sees none of it, and is instead a taut thriller pitting a ruthless villain against an even more ruthless villain posing as a hero. When a low level mobster puts Blackout on the scent of Peter Parker, who was revealed to the public as Spider-Man's armorer some time ago, Blackout seeks to kill the web-slinger to improve his own underworld status. To this end he kidnaps May Parker to attempt to blackmail Parker, and winds up unleashing the very worst of Ock's warped sense of justice. Gage captures the voice and obnoxiousness of "superior" Spidey well and tells a solid done-in-one story flanked by some lovely artwork. This is a story which truly paints an interesting narrative under the current set-up and while the claims of it "counting" may be dubious, it is nevertheless a solid tale.

YOUNG AVENGERS #12: Another series which has saddened fans online with the announcement of its finality, Kieron Gillen, artist Jamie McKelvie, three inks and Matthew Wilson as colorist continue along the final act of their fifteen issue saga. As usual with this series, many individual moments, characters, and the general tone of the work seem to stand out more than the plot, which involves weirdness from other realities. The team have united with virtually every young hero not busy with "Avengers Arena" or a major "X-Men" series against a horde amassed by the monstrous Mother, an eternal dimensional parasite. The metaphor of the young versus their elders has become more metaphysical and literal here, and the art and flair of the series is infectious in a positive way. Readers seeking more traditional young superhero fare may hopefully be pleased by the "New Warriors" relaunch coming near year.

 

[THANOSRULES]

Damn, forgot about AVENGERS A.I. #6. I guess that could be a sign of disinterest. We'll see if it's there next week. Anyway, onto the books I actually did get. Spoilers, of course.

DREAD'S BOUGHT/THOUGHT FOR 11/20/13:

BATMAN BEYOND UNIVERSE #4: DC Comics' anthology reprint of their digital first "Beyond" comic book series continues with two action packed tales featuring the "Justice League Unlimited" and the titular "Batman Beyond". The "JLU" story is written by Christos Gage and drawn by Ban Coello and wraps up a yarn focused on the older Superman being tricked into venturing into the Phantom Zone by his old enemy, Jox-Ur. While his plans have saved his team from being blown up by robot, in this installment the rest of the team back up the temporarily powerless "man of steel" as he is attacked en masse by Jox-Ur and his gang of Kryptonian criminals. The finale introduces a new Superboy for 2041, and is overall an exciting and action packed finish to Gage's first major arc on this series. Meanwhile, Kyle Higgins and artist Thony Silas wraps up his own first arc on "Batman Beyond" which introduces a new villain in "Rewire" who holds all of Gotham City in a grip of terror after organizing an Arkham breakout and killing their new mayor - his own father. Terry McGinnis not only has to confront one of the deadliest enemies he's ever faced, he also has to confront the possibility that his devotion to being Batman will wind up alienating everyone around him as it has for the original, Bruce Wayne. The installment flows very much like an animated episode might of, even if it does seem to end in a convenient manner for the all too powerful villain. Higgins has quickly made a series Adam Beechen ruled for years into his own without skipping a beat, and it's easy to eagerly anticipate further installments. Overall, DC Comics' digital first line have often been holdouts for quality in the "New 52" era, and this series is no exception.

DAREDEVIL #33: All good things come to an end, and it is with much sad fanfare that word of the end of the Mark Waid run of "Daredevil" was revealed in the letter column of the previous issue for February 2014. While Waid will produce an additional arc for this series via Marvel Comics' digital first "Infinity" line which will inevitably be reprinted next year, this means that an Eisner winning run on a franchise which celebrates its 50th anniversary next year is winding down before readers, which makes each remaining issue seem extra special, because they're suddenly rare. At any rate, this issue sees Jason Copland fill in for Chris Samnee (who is still a "storyteller" of the issue alongside Waid) on art chores as this Halloween themed yarn comes to a close a week before Thanksgiving.

In investigating the insidious organization called "the Sons of the Serpent" which has infiltrated the New York judicial system, Daredevil has wound up in Stone Hills, Kentucky chasing a lead involving the occult. In attempting to defend some of Marvel's famous "monster" characters from a lynch mod, the "man without fear" wound up shot and now finds himself at the mercy of the beings. Soon Daredevil is knee deep in dark magic from the infamous "Darkhold" tome and is coming face to face with centuries of prejudice and horror on a metaphysical level. It is a tale where Waid has done a magnificent job of fleshing out the "Sons of the Serpent" group as beyond being snake themes racists and into being a truly dangerous and horrible organization whose roots reach back into the ugly underbelly of American history. Readers also get to meet a collection of Marvel's best known "monster characters", from Jack Russell (Werewolf-By-Night) to Satana the She-Witch or the Frankenstein Monster (now dubbed "Frank"). Copeland does a good job in replicating Samnee's style, with Javier Rodriguez handling colors nobly as always. Some panels appear rushed but on the whole this is good work as Samnee likely gets lead in time for the final stretch of this run.

From an insightful look at a blind man's dreams to a test against the core of intolerance with plenty of monsters in-between, this issue of Daredevil provides more of what the previous issues in this run have produced. Having Daredevil team up with some monsters and dive face first into a black magic story may seem out of his depth, but it seems oddly fitting considering that he does literally dress in devil-horns. It will be a shame to see this run end, but that simply means that it has become a run which will be remembered for years to come.

INDESTRUCTIBLE HULK #15: The double dose of mighty Marvel Mark Waid stories commences with the finale to the "Agent of T.I.M.E." story which used fallout from the "Age of Ultron" crossover event to do a time travel story with the Hulk. While Waid has captured the voice of Bruce Banner as well as he traditionally does for most characters he writes, in the end this is an overly complicated and often confusing time travel gambit which manages to be foiled by the Hulk smashing something. One gets the impression that the complications are seeking to mask how simplistic the solution is, especially now that the gimmick of seeing the Hulk in different lands and eras has passed. The artwork by Kim Jacinto (flanked by not one but two colorists) is quite good and a scene where Banner gets to yell at General Ross as he's always wanted to is quite delicious, this has been an arc which hasn't quite been the sum of its parts. Waid is still doing wonders for the Hulk after various writers have driven him in some far out directions since the end of Greg Pak's tenure on the franchise, but it's nowhere near as nuanced or unique as his "Daredevil" run. Still, a good writing having to compete with himself is hardly the worst dilemma to have in comics.

SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL #1: An easy indicator that Marvel Comics publishes a lot of spare material is when the official solicitation for an annual such as this has to literally feature the words, "this one counts". Considering that this annual is written by Christos Gage, who is a sporadic writer or co-writer for "Amazing Spider-Man" during the long term run by Dan Slott, such an indicator may at least be an honest one. Usual "Daredevil" colorist Javier Rodriguez handles both the colors and arc for this 31 page adventure which pits the new "superior Spider-Man" - Dr. Octopus possessing Spider-Man's body - against one of Ghost Rider's old enemies, the demonic serial killer Blackout. Gage can sometimes bog a story down when he seeks to preach a moral, but this annual sees none of it, and is instead a taut thriller pitting a ruthless villain against an even more ruthless villain posing as a hero. When a low level mobster puts Blackout on the scent of Peter Parker, who was revealed to the public as Spider-Man's armorer some time ago, Blackout seeks to kill the web-slinger to improve his own underworld status. To this end he kidnaps May Parker to attempt to blackmail Parker, and winds up unleashing the very worst of Ock's warped sense of justice. Gage captures the voice and obnoxiousness of "superior" Spidey well and tells a solid done-in-one story flanked by some lovely artwork. This is a story which truly paints an interesting narrative under the current set-up and while the claims of it "counting" may be dubious, it is nevertheless a solid tale.

YOUNG AVENGERS #12: Another series which has saddened fans online with the announcement of its finality, Kieron Gillen, artist Jamie McKelvie, three inks and Matthew Wilson as colorist continue along the final act of their fifteen issue saga. As usual with this series, many individual moments, characters, and the general tone of the work seem to stand out more than the plot, which involves weirdness from other realities. The team have united with virtually every young hero not busy with "Avengers Arena" or a major "X-Men" series against a horde amassed by the monstrous Mother, an eternal dimensional parasite. The metaphor of the young versus their elders has become more metaphysical and literal here, and the art and flair of the series is infectious in a positive way. Readers seeking more traditional young superhero fare may hopefully be pleased by the "New Warriors" relaunch coming near year.

I'm surprised you liked this..it was not my cup of tea, first I thought it was too soon to reinvent the concept and direction of YA...second the pacing was horrible, I mean 12 issues to essentially wrap the first arc?, doesnt help that its a no name antagonist. That didnt help Fraction's Defenders series either.

I like KG as a writer, and he seems pretty level headed about this books failure, i just wish we got more along the lines of a consistant YA concept instead of hijacking the property before it really needed to be so mixed up.

This was the Age old recipe for numerous marvel teams (including NW) failures.

 

[Dread]

I'm surprised you liked this..it was not my cup of tea, first I thought it was too soon to reinvent the concept and direction of YA...second the pacing was horrible, I mean 12 issues to essentially wrap the first arc?, doesnt help that its a no name antagonist. That didnt help Fraction's Defenders series either.

I like KG as a writer, and he seems pretty level headed about this books failure, i just wish we got more along the lines of a consistant YA concept instead of hijacking the property before it really needed to be so mixed up.

This was the Age old recipe for numerous marvel teams (including NW) failures.

Young hero team books are tough things to pull off. The biggest problem is young heroes can never advance and evolve past a certain point. They can never replace or become equal to the big heroes because the big heroes never go away permanently and never share the stage. It doesn't matter how many teenage mutants the X-Men train, they will never be the X-Men the same way Wolverine, Cyclops, Beast, Rogue, Iceman, or most of the other X-Men from the 60's, 70's, and even 80's are. It doesn't matter how many spider-people train, Spider-Man (whether possessed of a soul or not) will always be there. It doesn't matter how many Young Avengers there are, they will never replace or be equal to Iron Man, or Cap, or Thor, or Carol Danvers, or even Hercules. Thus once they evolve past the novice phase, they hit a bump.

Typical teen team hero books have them fight crime, develop either their own rogues or having rogues from other heroes fight them, and that works for a while. The old NEW WARRIORS had that, even if you knew Justice or Night-Thrasher would never move past Iron Man or Thor in the universe.

This run of YOUNG JUSTICE I sometimes consider as having all flash and little substance. That can be a problem but the flash alone is enough to sustain me. It's not like other teen team hero books (like YOUNG ALLIES, which died after 7 issues) and that's a novelty which at least distracts from its flaws. Much like a teenager, it cares more about being hip than anything else. Admittedly, Mother isn't a huge named threat, but the story's not really about her. It's a drug induced metaphor for kids vs. adults. It's not a run which I would want to see duplicated in all teen team books, but it's a run which I don't mind running its course for 15 issues. As I said, I imagine the upcoming NEW WARRIORS relaunch will be more traditional. It also won't last much longer, either. Nothing lasts beyond 15-25 issues anymore without a relaunch. Nothing. Not even the big, successful books.

 

[StreetWarrior]

Avengers was great as usual but the art was a lot weaker here than in past issues. I feel like the ending of double-shipping on the title next year will help in this regard. Anyway, Infinity will be done next week and it would take quite a disaster in the last issue to prevent this event from being the absolute best Marvel has produced in a decade.

Thunderbolts was bad. Not Daniel Way levels of bad but still pretty lackluster. With Infinity wrapping up, I dropping the title. The Punisher, Agent Venom, and Ghost Rider are some of my favorite characters but, unless a writer like Hickman, Remender, Aaron, or Ellis takes over and the art DRASTICALLY improves, I'm done with this failed relaunch. Never thought I'd miss the never-ending time travel adventures with D - list villains but, as with the Iron Man relaunch, the grass is always greener...

 

[JewishHobbit]

I've always been curious about the Flash, but I have just never gave it a shot. Well, today I found issues 0, 2-23, and Annuals 1-2 at Half Priced Books for $1.49 each, so I got them. Now I'm only missing issues 1, 24, and I think 25.

Also, I grabbed Red Hood and the Outlaws 0 and Teen Titans 0 for $1.49 each for their origins.

 

[StreetWarrior]

Infinity #6 - This final issue of Infinity provides a satisfying conclusion to what should be regarded as one of Marvel's best events of the last 20 years. Those worried that this event would end with an anti-climax can breathe a sigh of relief - Infinity goes out with a bang. Beautiful art, great writing, and an actual conclusion that isn't a cop-out previewing the next event make this issue one of the year's best. Final score: 4.5/5 . t:

 

[runawayboulder]

Thor kicked some ass in this event so that is another reason to celebrate it.