Marvel Comics
Alpha Flight #2: Our favorite Canadian super team is helping it's own cause to keep the team around for an ongoing.
Vindicator has captured Guardian, and the real culprit behind Vindicator's change is shown. Guardian and Vindicator are also shown to have some trouble getting their daughter back, as the courts in Canada realize that a lot of superheroes die and come back. Not fit for a child indeed. Alpha Flight is shown how "happy" they could be if they just join with the Unity Party, the political party running Canada. They are living in fantasy worlds in their cells. Aurora is getting the worst of it though. Northstar breaks Guardian out of his cell, and Puck makes a return.
Unlike some series sporting the Fear Itself banner, Alpha Flight is kicking in the fear rather well. Pak and Van Lente show us the heroes fears, but mostly by showing what they want. It shows the reader what the characters are really afraid of. It's interesting to read, even if the whole mind control angle seems a tad lazy. The inclusion of Northstar's boyfriend in the hospital is also a nice touch, as it shows how the regular citizens are dealing with this terrible event. While it's all well and good, the book doesn't go out of it's way to be extraordinary. For a series that a lot of people (me included) would love to see turned into an ongoing, it's not trying very hard to get that done. An 8 issue miniseries is nothing to scoff at, but Pak and Van Lente could make a great ongoing with this team.
Dale Eagelsham pencils what is arguably his best issue ever. The faces are expressive, the action is fluid, and you can feel the fear in each of the characters faces. Especially on Guardian, where you can see the confusion and fear coming over him. Puck has a great smug look to him.
The series is slowly gaining it's footing and trying to be an ongoing. I have no doubt that the rest of the series will hold up to the first two issues.
Alpha Flight #2 gets 4/5.
Marvel Comics
Captain America #1: I was one who wanted things to stay the way they were in the Captain America book. I liked Bucky as Cap and Steve Rogers as Commander Rogers. It made sense and it was different. But after reading this issue, I remember why I loved the beginning of Brubaker's run on Cap.
Steve, Sharon, Nick Fury, and Dum-Dum are in Paris while burying Peggy Carter. After leaving, Steve saves Dum-Dum from a sniper. The man runs, who is faster than Steve. He think it's a man named Codename: Bravo. Cap hasn't seen this man since 1944. We flashback to 1944 to see Cap, Fury, Dum-Dum, Codename: Bravo, and Peggy Carter in Paris. They are planning to attack Baron Zemo's fortress. A kid named Jimmy Jankovicz is there as well, nicknamed Jimmy Jupiter. We also see Peggy choose Steve over Codename: Bravo. Back in the present day, Jimmy has just woken up from a coma. HYDRA agents attack Fury and Cap, and they fight them off. But Jimmy escapes. We also see who Codename: Bravo is associating with.
I want to call this formulaic Brubaker for Captain America, but that would make you assume it's a bad thing. It's classic Captain America, but a blast to read. It has it's roots in World War II, but is set in the present day. We have some new character associating with old characters. And Brubaker gives us a lot of threads to keep the reader interested in this arc. Plus, if you are picking this up after seeing the film, it's a great jumping on point. Usually I don't like relaunches for movies, but this years The Mighty Thor and this book are proving me wrong.
Steve McNiven brings is A game this book. It already has that look like it's a classic story arc to readers. It's energetic, flows like a dream, and everything is detailed. Even when McNiven experiments with panel layout, it's easy to read. When Cap throws his shield, it literally pops off the page. It's stunning.
Captain America #1 gets 5/5
Marvel Comics
Deadpool #40: This book started as a humor book, but has slowly turning into a serious book with slight humor. And as far as story goes, it's working great.
Deadpool has been sent to an insane asylum in England by Steve Rogers. Most of the issue deals with how he got the asylum, with She-Hulk trying to have him get the best treatment possible. A doctor at the asylum, named Dr. Whitby, has seem to take a specific interest in the Merc with a Mouth. She tries to calm him down, and does for the most part. She also seems to get to the core of what makes Deadpool get pissed off fast. One of the guards that Deadpool hurt is fixed up in the hospital, although he wants revenge now.
Daniel Way adds some slight humor, but mostly goes for the serious book. The humor uses the the thought boxes (something Way has toned down), and you get some chuckles. But the issue is really serious about what is really wrong with Wade Wilson. It would have been nice to see more of Deadpool, as he plays second fiddle for most of the issue. This will likely lead into something in the next few issues involving Deadpool and the doctor.
Carlos Barberi comes back to the book and it's great to see him back. He seems to have refined his art, as his characters look more natural and fluid. His past work somewhat looked like a boxy version of Paco Medina. Barberi's faces are more expressive than they were.
Deadpool #40 gets 4.5/5.
Marvel Comics
FF #5: A optimistic and explorative this series use to be, it is slowly becoming a very dark book. As a science nerd, I'm loving this.
One of the remaining Reeds has surfaced near Old Atlantis. Sue is naturally confused, and Spider-Man and Alex Power hold off Mole Man's minions. The group head bak to the Baxter building to get some answers. Ben Grimm goes to visit Alice and talk about what has been happening to them recently. One of the Reeds greets a new guest from the moon.
FF, and Fantastic Four before it, were all about grand science epics and fun of that. But the book has delved into a very dark tale as of late, with Ben steeped in depression, and Reed possibly destroying his marriage again. Reed exploration could also destroy his world. Not the first family of Marvel indeed. Hickman add the subtle darkness though, even with people like Spider-Man still being upbeat. I'm interested to see Black Bolt back, and how he was resurrected.
Barry Kitson is knocking this book out of the park. There are a few moment though that could have been better. Look at Alice, and when we see her at an angle. Her face changed completely. The action scenes look great and have a great kinetic energy. part of me wishes that he had stayed on Iron Man 2.0. That book could use some artistic help.
FF #5 gets 4/5.
Marvel Comics
Ghost Rider #1: I'll admit I'm not a big Ghost Rider fan. I didn't read his last ongoing, and the only reason I picked this up was that I loved the #0.1 issue a couple of months ago. This issue continues that greatness.
Johnny Blaze isn't the Ghost Rider anymore. Sin is tearing it up as one of the Worthy, when the new Ghost Rider, a woman, appears. She hit sin a few times, but is knocked down. Mephisto appears to Johnny Blaze though, telling him how much he as done wrong at the moment.
Most of this issue is set up for the book and what will keep readers coming back. Rob Williams puts a lot out on the table, and gives the reader a lot to wonder about upcoming issues. A lot of readers are going to find this off putting, but I like it. It wets my appetite for a character I have never liked. And I'm glad to see Johnny Blaze stick around, as Williams writes him so well. I'm a little confused as to how Sin got to Ohio though, as in Fear Itself #4 she was in NYC.
Matthew Clark pencils one hell of a comic. It's pure fun. The action is big and feels it. The Ghost Riders look great, although a Ghost Rider with breasts looks a tad weird. I'm sure the problems for that will work out though.
As a first issue, the book gives the reader plenty of reasons to stay around. The backup gives the reader a lot of different questions that will no doubt be answered. Ghost Rider has a new fan.
Ghost Rider #1 gets 5/5
DC Comics
Green Lantern #67: War of the Green Lanterns hasn't been the great event that many were expecting. It relied way to much on the other books to pull the story along. While there is a great ending, Green Lantern #67 is still a mediocre comic.
The Crops are ready to take on the Guardians, and it's a big fist fight. Hal breaks the other lanterns trapped in the Black Book, but their rings go to Krona instead of their wearer. Sinestro makes a big move and then ending is a big shocker. That isn't sarcasm either.
This issue really feels like it's setting up the dominos for September's relaunch. I'm fine with books doing that, as someone has too. But at least make it fun to read. This book is all fight, and not even an interesting fight at that. The ending is the real save, and I'm more interested in this book than I have been in a long time.
Now this event was very hyped, but I have to say it was a failure. Much like Second Coming, this book relies on the fact that you need to buy every Green Lantern book that DC puts out to understand what is going on. I did it with Second Coming, but I noticed that a reader could understand what was going on even if they didn't read every issue. Did it help? Of course it did. But with this event, a reader HAD to read the other books. I don't have that type of cash to be blowing on an event that didn't have me really interested in the first place. I'm glad it put us into a spot that will push Geoff Johns as a writer though.
Dough Mahnke is the only reason to read this book. He can make even the most boring of scripts look spectacular. The double page spread near the end is just beautiful. I have run out of adjectives to use towards Manhke's art.
Green Lantern #67 gets 2.5/5.
Marvel Comics
Journey Into Mystery #625: Fans of Thor are lucky people these days. The Mighty Thor and Journey Into Mystery are two of the best books that Marvel releases. And #625 is just as good.
The plot thickens as Loki turns Hela and Mephisto against each other. Loki is tricked by Leah, Hela's servent, and she runs to Hela. Loki and Tyr attack the Serpent's assistant, the Tongue, who is residing in Hel for now. Tyr kills him and Loki finds out why the Serpent wants Hel so badly. Loki convinces Hela and Mephisto to be allies for now. Loki gets a few of the Desir for his plan. The Desir attack Loki though and send him and Hel-Wolf to Limbo.
Kieron Gillen writes a drama filled book, but it has the morally questionable Loki, so it all feels whimsical. While The Mighty Thor is based in science fiction, Journey Into Mystery is all fantasy. But the book is brilliant strictly for Gillen. Every character has their own voice and feel like living breathing people. Mephisto is another that is fun to read and you can't help but laugh at every line. You can see the snark pouring out of his words when reading his dialogue. Next month can't come fast enough.
Hey Marvel's TV division, Journey Into Mystery tv show? I see potential.....
Doug Brithwaite's pencils are another big selling point of this book. The characters have the fantasy look that they need while not seeming ridiculous looking. There are panels that just look amazing. Look at the panel where Mephisto realizes he is in deep shit with Hela. I do wish Ulises Arreola's colors weren't as shiny though. And no that isn't a Firefly reference. It was fine in the beginning, but it's starting to take away from the comic.
Journey Into Mystery #625 gets 4.5/5
Marvel Comics
Ultimate Comics Avengers vs. New Ultimates #6: When this book started, I really thought we had something special on our hand. As the issues went along though, it looked more and more grim. And sadly #6 is just a flat out bad comic.
The new Hulked out heroes are attacking the super people in North Korea. Gregory Stark realizes his plans are starting to hit the fan, and tries to intervene. Tony gives them an opportunity, and Thor takes it. Nick Fury is reinstated as S.H.I.E.L.D leader as Carol Danvers steps down.
Much of the issue is about putting the pieces in place for the September relaunch. Which isn't all bad, but it's the execution of it. Mark Millar is fantastic writer, and I have no clue what happened here. Did he get bored with the material and decided to wing it? That doesn't seem like him. Either way, it's a very uninteresting read. When I read #1 of this series, I thought this is what Ultimates 3 should have been. It had some great espionage while involving lots of superheroes. But along the way it got lost. And it's not even that the book was tied into Death of Spider-Man. It's fleetingly mentioned by Fury and is suppose to carry emotional weight. Nope.
One of the best parts of this series has been Leinil Yu and Stephen Segovia on art. The scenes look great and very detailed. Is it possible to get rid of the dialogue and watch the pretty pictures? Oooooooooooo pretty.
Now that this is over, can Millar and Yu get back to Superior? That was an amazing book that I really miss.
Ultimate Comics Avengers vs. New Ultimates #6 gets 1.5/5
Marvel Comics
Wolverine #12: The first two issues of this arc were great reads. It cast Wolverine in a light we don't often see. This month's isn't as compelling as the past couple, but still good.
Wolverine is fighting two other no name villains while we hear the back story of another one of the members of the Red Right Hand. Roger's wife was killed in one of the many battles between the Hulk and Wolverine. She was pregnant at the time. Roger has spent a good chunk of his life being mad and a drunk. He dresses up homeless people like Wolverine and beats the living shit out of them. The Red Right Hand approaches him and he gladly accepts.
The angle of seeing innocent bystanders of Wolverine's actions is an interesting one. The past two issues gave the organization some real power behind their goal. Credit this to Jason Aaron being able to explain new characters in a very short amount of time. But this month's member doesn't click as well as the past few months. The other two had real problems with Wolverine, while Roger is just a guy who was at the wrong place at the wrong time. No doubt Wolverine was trying to stop the Hulk, and Roger and his wife would probably have been killed if not for him. Yes, the man lost his wife and unborn child, so he is has to use someone as a scapegoat. That doesn't make me care for him more as a reader. The battle scene is classic Wolverine and fun to read. I'd still like to see a little more Wolverine, considering this is only book. No, I don't count The Best There Is, or whatever it's called, as a real Wolverine book.
Renato Guedes art shines this month with less action. His characters look great and real. You can feel the despair and anger on Roger's face as he runs with his dead wife in his hands. The only problem with his art is Wolverine's claws look bone still. Small gripe really, nothing to take down the overall rating.
Wolverine #12 gets 4/5.
Marvel Comics
X-Men: Schism: Here we are. Another year, another X-event. And this one starts off on the right foot.
Wolverine and Cyclops are at a convention in Sweden, trying to talk other nations in disarming their Sentinels. Kid Omega shows up and turns the place into chaos. The countries around the world start up their Sentinels, while the X-Men regroup and decide what to do. A new enemy has entered the fray though, named Kade Kilgore. He is the son of Carlton Kilgore, an X-villain. Kade kills his father, and he is 12. Kade then takes over the Hellfire Club.
A good chunk of this issue is set up. We are given our reason, and this is what's going to happen to the X-Men. It does come out of left field and seem like a weak attempt at using one of Grant Morrison's creations again, but it's a comic book. The situation works. At the end of this book, everyone will remember what happened after this, not that Kid Omega showed up randomly. The strife between Cyclops and Wolverine seems to be coming naturally. Like Marvel has been so busy talking about, this isn't something out of left field. It seems like this event will be the catalyse to something that could have happened at any time.
Carlos Pacheo handles the pencils and his work is good. It's not his best work (Ultimate Comics Avengers), but it's still better than the average penciler. It's mostly talking heads for this book, where Pacheo is better at action. He would have been a better choice for another issue in this series, not the opener.
X-Men: Schism #1 gets 5/5.
That's it for the week. Even with the massive pull list, I somehow got into Y: The Last Man. Fantastic read and I suggest to any comic fan. I also just finished reading The Supergirls: Fashion, Feminism, Fantasy, and the History of Comic Book Heroines by Mike Madrid. Very interesting look into women in comics. Here is the link on Amazon if you are interested. http://www.amazon.com/Supergirls-Fashion-Feminism-Fantasy-Heroines/dp/1935259032/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1310868888&sr=8-4.
With that, see you next week folks!
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