Tim’s reviews:
Magog #3
This was the make-or-break issue of Magog for me, and Giffen’s new series makes the cut, but barely. Magog’s odd personality is starting to grow on me. He’s a confident, aggressive hero that recognizes his limitations even as he blusters and powers through every interaction. Giffen spends a lot of time with the new villain Miasma this issue, and his background is so generic and uninteresting that our narrator Magog tunes out, so the reader doesn’t have to suffer through all the rationalizations of a madman. It’s a fun trick I don’t think I’ve ever seen used before. I’m still not sold on the arms-dealer aspect of the story, I’m just not interested in it yet. But Miasma is a more approachable villain with clearer goals, so seeing Magog go up against him is pretty entertaining. I’d say this is the best issue yet.
Howard Porter’s portrays Magog as a hulking ape-man. His square nose and golden armor gives him a definite gladiator look, and I’m liking that Magog ditched the shoulder pad this issue too.
Grade: B-
Captain America: Reborn #4
This type of story should really have been told in an Avengers comic. Oh well. Ed Brubaker is finally bringing his Dead Cap epic to a close, and he’s got an eye on Cap’s history while he does it. Cap continues shifting throughout his history, and it seems to be wearing on him. Cap mentions that he “can’t feel fatigue” which is an interesting (and useful) take on his super-soldier serum, but Cap’s starting to get worn down emotionally. He’s lucky that the Red Skull’s plan is coming to fruition.
Hank Pym, Vision, and Reed Richards are trying to nail down exactly what the Skull and Arnim Zola are trying to do, but while they can only theorize, Sharon Carter is living it. Sharon is indeed the “anchor” for Cap, with his blood somehow tagged to hers. With surprisingly little fanfare, Zola and Dr. Doom yank Cap out of the past back to the present, but with an important change. The Red Skull is now in Cap’s body. This really is excellent plotting; when Cap was killed, the Skull was still sharing a body with Alexander Lukin, so naturally his plan at the time was to take over Steve Rogers’ body. When that failed, the Skull went about discrediting Cap using the 50′s Cap, so he still followed much of his original plan, just using a proxy. Even better, it has long been established that the Skull is envious of the perfect specimen that is Captain America (heck, he lived in a Cap-clone body for awhile in the 90s’). This is a great convergence of plot and continuity, I’m really pleased Brubaker is pulling it off.
Bryan Hitch spent more time on this issue. Most of the characters look like he drew them with his hands this time, allowing Butch Guice to tighten the pencils with his scratchy inks. The final page is a little in your face, but I love how strongly it gets across its point; Cap’s back, but that’s not a good thing.
Grade: B+
Secret Six #15
Sometimes you can go home again. John Ostrander returns to Deadshot for a nice little character piece, and he picks up right where he left off. Father Craemer even plays an important role in trying to help Deadshot deal with his current obsession with killing. Deadshot never minds killing, but now it is all he can think about. Deadshot and Craemer take a nice little walk down memory lane, hitting on Deadshot’s past, both personal and “professional.” I never knew that Deadshot made a brief (and fake) attempt at being a popular hero, but I always like seeing the contrast of Deadshot and Batman. Having Deadshot’s current crisis of conscience relate to Batman’s death is an interesting take on the situation. The best part is how Deadshot deals with it; he likes Craemer’s analysis, and that’s good enough for him, case closed. Craemer naturally wants to continue their counseling and get DS real help, but we all know that’s not what Floyd Lawton wants.
Jim Caliafore’s pencils are decent. There are some weird proportions at times, most obviously during Batman’s big appearance; he has tiny arms. But he gets the point across.
Grade: B-
Sean’s review:
Astonishing X-Men #32
On the plus side, the blurring of the action shots has been drastically reduced from last issue. I’m hoping that someone got spanked for that, and that there are pictures available. But, damn, that’s some faint praise.
I wish I could say why this issue didn’t thrill me. There was a sentinel (the latest meat-bot incarnation), Brood (oddly silent and not all that menacing, Beast making up sweet nothings for Abigail (none as edgy as last year’s “xenomorphic sex companion”), the Blackbird, Wolverine taking a spaz… it’s all there and none of it moved me a bit. Maybe it’s because Warren Ellis is so understated in his storytelling here. Usually, I expect a strafe of f-bombs followed by some lewd comment about someone’s face looking like the Devil’s anus ending with said someone passing out in a drunken stupor. I could see the X-Men doing this. Hell, they weren’t too far off from it when my man GMo ran with the mutants. However, this is just another issue of another story of another X-title and is certainly one unworthy of Warren Ellis.
Grade: C
Brett’s Reviews:
The Marvelous Land of Oz #1
The first book of this series was an adaptation of the classic book (and probably more classic film these days) by L. Frank Baum. But it looks like collaborators Eric Shanower and Skottie Young are rolling right along and adapting the whole series of Oz novels. Works for me since I loved the first volume.
This second book picks up without any of the recognizable characters from the first book and introduces us to some of other denizens of Oz. It’s a fantastic read as the story has this sense of familiarity and yet is a breath of fresh air in the comics-world. Young’s art has been a favorite of mine for some time now, but if ever there was a project that married his style this is it. Every line has both a lightheartedness and a sense of grim, almost foreboding, to it. Given that the story that straddles the line between humor and darkness is less than coincidental, I’m sure. Not having read the original series of Oz books (and knowing almost nothing of what follows the “Wizard” novel) I can’t comment on Shanower’s adaptive skills, but it’s a stirring read regardless. There’s a definite “for all ages” vibe where the book reads for literally all ages.
There’s a reason the collected edition of the first run has been on the NY Time’s bestseller list for seven weeks straight now. If you missed the first one, grab the beautiful hardcover edition (one I’m going to buy despite having the floppies) and then get in o this series. Go. Now. Now!
Grade: A
Ultimate Spider-Man #4
Jump back to the Weekly Buzz a few days ago and you’ll see that I tried to drop Ultimate Spider-Man when it relaunched. Reading a friend’s copies just to stay up to date dragged me back into the book because the new status quo was working so well and I was loving the slow introduction of Mysterio.
This issue is the worst since the relaunch and a large part of this is my fear that we’re being shown the Ultimate Hood. I’ve remarked on liking the Hood appearing in Dark Reign and how it was a great idea to resurrect him for the story. That doesn’t mean we need an Ultimate version of him (or her as this book disguises gender). But do we need an Ultimate version? If it isn’t the Hood then I’ll gladly shove my Nike into my mouth, but it’s still a dreary introduction.
That said, I’m still enjoying the drama aspect of the book. Adding Johnny is interesting and it was good to see MJ finally let out what she’s been holding in for a while. MJ, in her various iterations, has rarely been the typical damsel in distress in either action or emotions. It’s refreshing to see her as human and cracking under the craziness that comes with Peter Parker. She is a teenager, after all. Hell, if I were in her position I’d have been crying in a fetal position long before now.
Grade: C+
Amazing Spider-Man #610
And back to the real world (sort of), we continue the story of Kaine’s return. The only word I can think of to describe this story is cacophony. There is so much noise being bandied about this arc that it makes it impossible to sit and listen to the music. Kaine coming back, Reilly’s absence and yet flashback, Raptor, Screwball. I’m all for multi=plot stories, but they’ve got to be steered a little better to work.
We also haven’t really been given a reason to care about Raptor or even Kaine at this point. Come to think of it, hasn’t Kaine been deteriorating because of his cloned DNA for some years now? It’s been over a decade in real time so it’s certainly been a few years in continuity. If there are people clamoring for a follow-up to the Clone Saga the they can read the Spider-Man: Clone Saga limited series. I fear this story is an example of playing to the wrong hardcore audience.
Grade: C -
Doctor Voodoo: Avenger of the Supernatural #2
Speaking of the hardcore audience, here’s a book most passers-by won’t be picking up. And depending on your tastes that might be a shame. I’ll say it up front, this book is not for everyone. If you don’t like the mystical side of storytelling then stay away. This book is so steeped in the occult you’d think it was a chapter from the Grimorum Arcanorum. (And ten cool points to anyone who knows what that’s from.) And to double up on the hardcore angle – Hellstorm! Daimon Hellstrom, more widely known as either Hellstorm or Son of Satan, is one of those C-list characters that most people don’t even know and yet I love. He’s a great anti-hero who straddles just about any line he walks. He’s got a pretty badass visual to boot. I mean, come on, he’s the actual of Satan!
After the first issue’s whirlwind tour of the Marvel mystical world, this book narrows in on a firmer plot and we get the main villain of the piece. There also seems to be a lot of groundwork being laid for a bigger storyline. There has been a magic event in the works for some time and I’m thinking that removing Strange from the mantle of Sorceror Supreme and moving Voodoo to the forefront is a big part of setting that up. I’m also hoping this is a reinvention of the magic line like Nova and Guardians of the Galaxy are for the space books.
Grade: B+
(As a Hellstorm fan, A+!)
Captain America: Reborn #4 (of 5)
Am I the only one a little surprised that Brubaker can write Silver Age comic books so well? A glance at his work leaves little room to believe he does noir and realism better than just about anyone (the last two years of Captain America or Criminal, for example), but I’d always assumed he wouldn’t be great at the big picture, action-adventure books like Avengers of JLA. Well, I was wrong and I hate Brubaker all the more now because apparently he’s just good at everything.
There is a lot going on in this limited series even if it didn’t start out that way, but it’s all clear to understand and if the last page twist doesn’t have you salivating for the next issue then you have no soul. Soulless, I declare! I should be able to say that the art is of similar quality. Hitch and Guice are both top notch artists, but there is something that changes with the pencils and inks of the respective gentlemen. I dig Hitch’s stuff, of course, but I think Guice would have been better suited to double team the art solo for this book. Of course, the worst these two give us is better than most line work committed to paper so I’m not complaining too loudly.
Oh, and I fear the Red Skull again. He’s back to being a top-tier villain if anyone was unaware of his last two years of machinations. Now there is no denying it.
Grade: A -
Immortal Weapons #4 (of 5)
I’m of two minds about this penultimate issue of the IW series. On the one hand it’s sad to see a great set of character pieces come to an end, but on the other it brings us back to full-time Iron Fist. Maybe the IW will stick around for a while as cast members when Iron Fist proper comes back to publication.
This issues sees the origin of Tiger’s Beautiful Daughter. I’m guessing the allusion to Wonder Woman is not a coincidence, even if it is an inversion of her classic origin. It would make sense to homage Diana in a book like this, her own origin is iconic to say the least. There is a great sense of the women overcoming their forced docile lifestyles and the fury they unleash is evident in the artwork. The few panels of blood to actually show themselves push just the right buttons to give it a visceral feel without falling into gratuitousness. Plus, that one panel with a fan to the skull – yikes.
Next issue is the Prince of Orphans, easily the most enigmatic (and creepy) of the Immortal Weapons during their appearance in Immortal Iron Fist. I’ll definitely miss David Aja’s gorgeous covers for this series. They may be portraits but damn if they aren’t some amazing pieces of art.
Grade: A
X-Men Vs. Agents of Atlas #2 (of 2)
These superheroes and their misunderstandings. Of course, it makes more sense given that the Atlas Empire is posing as a world renowned criminal cartel and broke into the X-Men’s Utopia to steal Cerebra. Of course, this issue could just be a series of pin-ups focusing on M-11′s short-lived modeling career and I’d buy it if it helps supports the Agents. Luckily, this short story is a fun ride filled with some action, some funky mind-control, Namor scowling (go figure) and the start of what looks to be a great new story starting up (more on that coming up in the next review – read on!).
The story is an odd mixture of the tried-and-true “heroes meet, then fight, then reconcile” story, a holdover from a canceled series and the beginning of a multi-book crossover that hasn’t properly began yet. Normally this math leads to one horrific read that gets jumbled and mismanaged trying to serve too many masters. Hooray for Jeff Parker because he makes this work! The Atlas folks are an odd mix themselves and they tend to fit into situations other characters would be incredibly awkward in. I don’t know if this is due to their off-kilter place in the status quo, their rag-tag selection of characters or Parker’s writing skill but whatever the answer is I’m glad it’s in place.
My one gripe is that the last chapter should be read BEFORE the next review or else the other makes no sense at all. Since both books were released this week and there was no mention in the solicits as to which book to read first, I of course chose the wrong path and read this book second. Jump down to find out just why I was confused and what the Agents of Atlas will be up to for the next few months.
Grade: B
Assualt on New Olympus #1
This one-shot is an intro to the story that will involve the Agents of Atlas, Hercules and Spider-Man coming up in December. If you’re following me from above, let’s jump into the mat of the story. Hera’s pissed that Mikaboshi trounced the Olympians back in the Ares limited series a few years ago. She’s assembled her new Pantheon to take back their places in the world and of course Herc is getting involved. The Agents of Atlas join the fray because Aphrodite is pissed that Venus has been usurping her good name as seductress/goddess. Spider-Man is … well, Spider-Man is here by happenstance, the old Parker luck and a desire to attract readers by slapping him on the cover. I’m sorry, but it’s true.
So why was I confused reading this book before X-Men Vs. Agents of Atlas? In this issue Venus leads the AoA against Bill Nighy from Pirates of the Caribbean. Certainly not out of place for an AoA adventure, I suppose, but the dialogue points to this sea creature being Venus’s “old boss” and some connection between the two from years ago. There is nothing but a few blips of exposition detailing a rivalry between Venus and Aphrodite but nothing as to its origin … because it was revealed in the X-Men mini series! Venus is not from another planet but actually a freed Siren, like the one Odysseus survived in his own epic. This also explains just how Aphrodite knows of the AoA and why she wants them defeated since they rescued Venus from her clutches in the epilogue to X-Men Vs. Agents of Atlas #2. I’m all for interconnectedness in books, but couldn’t Assault on New Olympus have shipped next week?
Schedule aside, I’m psyched for this Herc-centric mini-event. I’m all for the Greek pantheon in the Marvel universe and if gets the Agents of Atlas involved all the better! Next time find a less vlunky way of bringing in Spider-Man, Wolverine and Spider-Woman, though. Deus ex machina only works in comics when it’s a Wildstorm book by Bryan K. Vaughn.
Grade: B +
