Anyway back to now. This week had a few winners and losers . . . and I'm just going to get to it.
Age of Ultron #10
Right let's deal with this 'thing' first.
The final issue of Bendis's time traveling limited series was pegged as unguessable but instead became the final hope for all of us who honestly felt dupped for paying $40 dollors (or more if you got the tie-ins) for the last couple of months.
The final issue of Bendis's time traveling limited series was pegged as unguessable but instead became the final hope for all of us who honestly felt dupped for paying $40 dollors (or more if you got the tie-ins) for the last couple of months.
Realistically it doesn't matter if this was a knock-out masterpiece, it comes too late after the lack luster 9 before. This isn't a masterpiece, it is a big improvement in terms of pacing and has intrigue coming out of it's ears but the heroes' solution to Ultron is a stiff step for step execution of a plan so obvious that it causes you're eyes to roll all the way back and fall down you're throat. Plus this solution was spelt out 2/3 issues ago!! Annoying!!
To it's credit the finale does let readers know how and where this event took place and it ties in surprisingly smoothly!
To it's credit the finale does let readers know how and where this event took place and it ties in surprisingly smoothly!
The introduction which focuses on Hank Pym is fun and much more convincing than anything else to do with this series's initial premise. After his solo page time things go down hill and everything is tedium from there i.e boring predictable solution to threat etc.
Then readers get to page 20 and things change (literally), and interest levels rise considerably. But everything after page 20 is like an epilogue showing different scenes where the aftermath of the AoU showdown has been felt. This is interesting, it is fun but the following 15 pages are essentially sneak peaks of other events and titles that are going to come our way in the near future. This isn't surprising, Marvel have used events to launch spin-offs for yonks, but this time, AoU, was so 'in you're face' about it that one can't help but feel cheated. This is the main problem with this issue and the series as a whole; In the end the series' premise was a shallow face job for Bendis and co to shift the direction of Marvel onto tracks that they have devised for the future of the universe. This shift would be fine but they did it at the expense of a story.
The art was good but there was alot of pencillers. 10 in total! on a 34 page book! Too much. The highlight was Quesada's contribution at the end.
Okay enough on this.
Score 4/10
Okay enough on this.
Score 4/10
Avengers #14
The 14th installment of Hickman's Avengers title is a prelude to the fast approaching 'Infinity'; Marvel's blockbuster summer event.
In this issue all of the title's large cast of Earth's mightiest are on call and the seeds (pun intended!) planted by Hickman back in the first issue begin to flower, readers get to see the first pieces come together of what will hopefully be the first crescendo of this new volume.
Dropping all character focus for a fast paced and fluid issue, this book is clearly kicking things up a gear or two. Thankfully smart dialogue doesn't allow the characters to become secondary to the curious sci-fi shinannigans and instead the foundation of previous issues allows the frighteningly large group to flourish in the chaos. And there is chaos aplenty in these pages but its all fun and so well managed by Caselli who has some seriously nice pencil work (I think he also did the inks), his Captain Marvel is awesome. Also Frank Martin continues to imbue a cool mix of colors that really add to each page.
Plenty of interesting things going on all riding on the writers trademark use of giving answers that reate more questions. And the cliffhanger ending! Entertaining start to finish. Not perfect; One knows Hickman can do better, falling planes and satellites is a bit too clíche.
Score 8/10
Slott does the plott for #12 but Cage is on Script. Interesting? Cage does the job well delivering some nice bits of bubble talk from not only Otto but also some of the support especially Norah Winters who gets a Star Wars quote in and Jameson makes a daring move that could spell disaster for himself but also has a little talk with Spider-Man that is very interesting. Why was there a Spider-Bot there watching the conversation? I guess the future well let us know, hopefully.
Meanwhile Smythe puts down his trump card; his newly refurbished Vulture, Scorpion and Boomerang! These reinforcements are more than a bit trite but matched with the increasingly chaotic occurrences happening elsewhere on the raft they make a thrilling tale.
The pencil work by Camuncoli is really well done. For the most part the panels are kept to a minimal but it works, allowing the images more space to show off the great action scenes and the gorgeous depictions of Spider-Man being Spider-Man (Camuncoli does a great web slinger). The color art by Antonio Fabela suits the pencils and his choice of background colors are ace but more credit to the inkers John Dell and Terry Pallot and solidity to figures and making them pop that bit more.
Score 8/10
In this issue all of the title's large cast of Earth's mightiest are on call and the seeds (pun intended!) planted by Hickman back in the first issue begin to flower, readers get to see the first pieces come together of what will hopefully be the first crescendo of this new volume.
Dropping all character focus for a fast paced and fluid issue, this book is clearly kicking things up a gear or two. Thankfully smart dialogue doesn't allow the characters to become secondary to the curious sci-fi shinannigans and instead the foundation of previous issues allows the frighteningly large group to flourish in the chaos. And there is chaos aplenty in these pages but its all fun and so well managed by Caselli who has some seriously nice pencil work (I think he also did the inks), his Captain Marvel is awesome. Also Frank Martin continues to imbue a cool mix of colors that really add to each page.
Plenty of interesting things going on all riding on the writers trademark use of giving answers that reate more questions. And the cliffhanger ending! Entertaining start to finish. Not perfect; One knows Hickman can do better, falling planes and satellites is a bit too clíche.
Score 8/10
New Avengers #7
Let me just start by saying that this cover is so cool. Great work by Deadato plus it's Namor and Black Panther. So cool.
In contrast to the adjective-less Avengers this title's latest is a much more subdued book (one could argue that most of the series has been . . . I know).
This issue is an insight into what happens when there isn't a universe threatening incursion just hours away and it mostly isn't good. Without the imminent threat to bind them the Illuminati get embroiled in more personal matters.
Wakanda advances it's war effort against Atlantis and Namor and T'Challa have words. Doctor Doom summons Reed to discuss what the ruler of Latveria saw last issue (very enjoyable conversation). Blackbolt is up to something mysterious on Attilan involving a certain mad brother of his and Beast is teaching The Black Swan latin.
All very well written but a bit of a quiet one, this book is a chance for Hickman to flesh out the group dynamics and also highlight some of the personalities involved.
Smart and convincing, the book brings pathos and adds new elements besides the repetitive danger of the incursions.
A great bonus is Hickman's cute explanation of how the Illuminati's members, like Ironman, can be in this title and also be a galaxy away in another. It's a nice touch that isn't over done but may trivialize the situation surrounding other titles.
Deadato's art is so nice to read through. His line work is spot on for the title, even more so than any of the other Avengers books. Again Frank Martin is on colors and again it's well done start to finish especially with the chunks of white and black which make a nice contrast on the pages.
Score 8/10
Uncanny Avengers #9
It's an avengers week this week! This 3rd Avenger title returns readers to Remender's 'Unity' team after last issue saw them being hit by an enormous explosion courtesy of the Apocalypse Twins after they blew up Akkaba Metropolis!
Now back at the mansion the team are facing a dire threat in the latest form of celestial gardeners and worst is they don't know how to start dealing with them.
Wolverine's past is at the core of the trouble and the intro depicts the former X-Force leader dealing or not dealing with past actions and horrors.
The rest of the team are also buckling under the pressure but more problematic is how they all constantly argue.
Cap is finally rescued from South Sudan but not before a fateful encounter with a holo recording. What he learns could be the key to victory or the final straw that breaks the team.
All the while the Twins move effortlessly onward with their plan. They have collected enough death seeds and are ready to make some Horsemen!!
This month's issue is a joy to read and moves very well between different scenes and parallel view points.
The dialogue is top notch especially with the twins who are fast developing into finely tuned antagonists adding another page to the mythos of Apocalypse.
The Unity teams dynamics are well set as a cornerstone of the book and the uneasiness of the mutant and non-mutant pairing is a compelling element of both the mutant world and overall Marvel world.
The blow-out argument in this issue feels a bit like Remender is going back over what he wrote Alex saying he didn't want to be called a mutant (see issue #5) and it's a bit heavy on the speech bubbles.
The art by Acuña is, as always, so full of energy and great panel layouts that flicking through the pages is as far from boring as can be. No page is lazy and the boldness of the colors is a great aid in making everything stand out.
And the ending! I can't wait for next month's issue. Whopper!
Score 8/10
Smythe has avoided execution but Spider-Man is only a step behind him. The spider and the slayer are now trying to outwit each other as both pull out plenty of tricks to gain the upper hand.Now back at the mansion the team are facing a dire threat in the latest form of celestial gardeners and worst is they don't know how to start dealing with them.
Wolverine's past is at the core of the trouble and the intro depicts the former X-Force leader dealing or not dealing with past actions and horrors.
The rest of the team are also buckling under the pressure but more problematic is how they all constantly argue.
Cap is finally rescued from South Sudan but not before a fateful encounter with a holo recording. What he learns could be the key to victory or the final straw that breaks the team.
All the while the Twins move effortlessly onward with their plan. They have collected enough death seeds and are ready to make some Horsemen!!
This month's issue is a joy to read and moves very well between different scenes and parallel view points.
The dialogue is top notch especially with the twins who are fast developing into finely tuned antagonists adding another page to the mythos of Apocalypse.
The Unity teams dynamics are well set as a cornerstone of the book and the uneasiness of the mutant and non-mutant pairing is a compelling element of both the mutant world and overall Marvel world.
The blow-out argument in this issue feels a bit like Remender is going back over what he wrote Alex saying he didn't want to be called a mutant (see issue #5) and it's a bit heavy on the speech bubbles.
The art by Acuña is, as always, so full of energy and great panel layouts that flicking through the pages is as far from boring as can be. No page is lazy and the boldness of the colors is a great aid in making everything stand out.
And the ending! I can't wait for next month's issue. Whopper!
Score 8/10
The Superior Spider-Man #12
Slott does the plott for #12 but Cage is on Script. Interesting? Cage does the job well delivering some nice bits of bubble talk from not only Otto but also some of the support especially Norah Winters who gets a Star Wars quote in and Jameson makes a daring move that could spell disaster for himself but also has a little talk with Spider-Man that is very interesting. Why was there a Spider-Bot there watching the conversation? I guess the future well let us know, hopefully.
Meanwhile Smythe puts down his trump card; his newly refurbished Vulture, Scorpion and Boomerang! These reinforcements are more than a bit trite but matched with the increasingly chaotic occurrences happening elsewhere on the raft they make a thrilling tale.
The pencil work by Camuncoli is really well done. For the most part the panels are kept to a minimal but it works, allowing the images more space to show off the great action scenes and the gorgeous depictions of Spider-Man being Spider-Man (Camuncoli does a great web slinger). The color art by Antonio Fabela suits the pencils and his choice of background colors are ace but more credit to the inkers John Dell and Terry Pallot and solidity to figures and making them pop that bit more.
Score 8/10
Ultimate Comics: All New Spider-Man #24
A much much better example of Bendis' skill as a writer.
This issue is not really about Spider-Man, he's more like a guest star in the book. Instead this is Ultimate Comics: Cloak & Dagger #1. Yes the whole book is dedicated to the back story of the Ultimate universes latest re-imagining of ol' 616 staples. This isn't a bad thing, it is interesting and is very well written with plenty of classic romance and tragedy inside to please any hero fan. Plus a further look inside the world of Roxxon Foundation and it's mysterious and equally infamous brain trust builds plenty excitement for the future.
And Miles just sort of runs away.
Straight forward and simple but no complaints cause it was all good and had really good dialogue which felt natural and believable.
The pencils and inks by Marquez is soooo good. His panels are smart and always clearly laid out and he plays around with it but more amazing than that is his linework which is always crisp.
The colors by ponsor are also really sharp and always add depth to every scene.
Great stuff but more Spidey please.
Score 8/10
Indestructible Hulk #9
The start of a new ark #9 sees Hulk team up with his not-so-secretive legal backer as S.H.I.E.L.D drops the green behemoth on top of an arms dealing sea cruiser which has all to casually appeared in the middle of the hudson river.
The Man without fear tries to help but things don't go to plan. Shocker! and a chase ensues.
Straight forward and simple but well written funny and entertaining. This issue isn't going to blow you away but does what it's supposed to; tell a story and entertain. Also the last page reveal is an eyebrow raiser.
The books newest artist Matteo Scalera fits in well with Waid's writing and his edgy linework and proportioning add something to the panels with the Hulk causing a storm round him. The amount of black didn't do it for me and on a more critical note it detracted from Scalera's linework and gave little room for color. Who is to blame; Colorist or Inker, I don't know.
This book was fun but not blazing any trails. I don't think I need to jump back on board.
Score 7/10
Batman and Batgirl #21
The latest issue from Tomasi has the Dark Knight paired with Barbara after last month's starring the Red Hood.
Unfortunately #21 doesn't stack up to the previous few issues that had all been so strong since Damian's death.
Instead this issue is boring in it's premise and the dialogue, though studded with odd poignant gems, is mostly naff and inorganic being often heavy handed with the emotional overflow caused by the Boy Wonders demise. It's a shocker considering how well the previous issues handled it.
The story follows Batgirl who is following Batman who is continuing to pummel thugs to vent his now-curdling grief. Batman has been doing this for a while now and Batgirl's presence offers nothing near as powerful as Tim or Jason's crossings with Bruce.
The unmemorable situ of beating thugs to support what was meant to be a powerful moment between the two Gotham vigilantes is unfair to readers especially when there is little power to be had.
There are moments; Batman comes out with some great balloons now and then and really comes down on Barbara for thinking she can reel him in.
The penciller is Cliff Richards who has to follow up after the brilliant work of regular artist; Pat Gleason. He falls short. LIke the script his linwork shines in some panels but more often seems flat and static but his panel arrangements make up for it a good bit. One can see in this issue the significant role Gleason has on the title. The success of the story may actually be majorly due to his unique visualization of the scripts.
A medicore stumble for what has been a strong title thus far.
Score 5/10
Green Lantern; New Guardians #21
I guess this is really where things change direction for Kyle and the Guardians. The ol' crew of differing spectrum ring bearers have been dropped in favor of the more title appropriate crew of . . . New Guardians; the new batch of blew fellas who replaced the ones that tried to wipe out all life.
Kyle, the white lantern, has been charged and convinced by Hal to act as a tour guide for the little blue people. Their first stop is to the edge of the universe to study something known only as 'the anomaly'!
It's a good idea having a GL book focus on the Guardians and Kyle is the most plausible bridge also this anomaly has some interesting notions surrounding it and the cliff-hanger at the end is superb.
But this issue isn't perfect; the pacing is, at times, absurd, thankfully it sorts itself out at the crucial final third of the book which was by miles the only genuinely engaging part of the whole issue.
The dialogue wavers from page to page with pathos being supplanted by meaningless philosophical rambling (less is more and all that).
Brad Walker's compositions and layouts help make the story more fluid to move through and the kinetic energy is non stop page to page but his character poses sometimes look squashed and also anatomically weird.
Wil Quintana does the colors and add another layer of energy to really make the action hit home.
Fun but the book stumbles as much as it succeeds.
Score 7/10
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