AvX: Consequences has been cleaning up as the best comic of the week in all the initial Hench-Sized Comic Book Reviews, but DC Comics isn’t about to give up just yet. They launched an onslaught of Batman titles this week (at least 2), playing into their revitalized Joker. Was I impressed? Maybe. Has it changed my opinion at all about the Joker? Well you’ll just have to read on to see. Suffice to say, Batman #14 earns the title of Comic Book of the Week! But don’t count Marvel out completely. They launch new X-Men and Thor comics, possibly for the better. And believe you me, the new Thor may be the best Marvel NOW! has to offer so far!

Yes, yes, we all fondly remember The Dark Knight Returns

Comic Reviews: All-New X-Men #1, Amazing Spider-Man #697, Batman #14, Batman and Robin #14, Thor: God of Thunder #1 and Wolverine and the X-Men #20.

All-New X-Men #1

All-New X-Men #1
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Stuart Immonen

If next year’s Uncanny X-Men is the pro-Cyclops comic (and I hope it is), then All-New X-Men is the anti-Cyclops comic. And as you all know from reading my blog over the past few months, I am very much pro-Cyclops. I have been wary of this new series from the moment it was announced. The idea of the original five X-Men bring brought to the present day and freaking out about it does not at all sound appealing to me. Especially as an ongoing series, and especially as Bendis’ big debut on the X-Men. And after reading this first issue, I can definitely say I was completely right. This is just going to be an uncomfortable comic.

Cyclops, Magneto, Emma Frost and Magik are traveling the world saving new mutants from dangerous situations. A girl named Eva in Australia can freeze time and space, and she’s about to be arrested by the military. Cyclops and his team fight off the army and save the girl. Christopher, in Michigan, can heal the sick, but the police have him in custody on accusations of being a mutant, as if that’s a crime. Cyclops frees Christopher. He says he’s on a quest for redemption, and promises all mutants that he will help them out from under the boot of humanity.

Meanwhile, the teachers at the Jean Grey School are royally pissed at Cyclops. They see him as an out of control radical, whose just going to make things worse for mutants and their school by actively attacking humans. Iceman, Kitty Pryde, Storm and Beast (who believes a new mutation is going to kill him) aren’t sure what to do about Cyclops, until Beast decides the only answer is to travel back in time to recruit the young, original X-Men to talk some sense into Cyclops.

Comic rating: 3/5: Alright.

I’m glad Bendis’ established that Beast is dying and is very tired, because otherwise how else could he have come up with such a ridiculous plan? Really? That’s the big reason for the original X-Men coming to the present? It’s even worse than I thought. And it makes for a silly premise. Rather than have the actual characters deal with this problem (not that I see it as a problem), Bendis is relying on a gimmick to sell his comic. I would rather see the modern day X-Men deal with Cyclops than mess around with the young X-Men. Bendis has a good handle on the modern team, even if he has them viewing Cyclops as some kind of radical. I want to read a comic starring the dueling ideologies between Cyclops and the other X-Men. At least Cyclops isn’t being written as a villain…though some bits are questionable. And the art by Immonen is as amazing as usual.

Amazing Spider-Man #697

Amazing Spider-Man #697
Writers: Dan Slott & Christos Gage
Artist: Giuseppe Camuncoli

Alas, Phil Urich, I knew you well. As much as I’ve enjoyed seeing one of my all-time favorite comic book characters appear on a regular basis, it’s always sad when the once noble hero is turned into an unrepentant monster. Such is the case with Phil Urich, the new Hobgoblin, who loses all strands of possible nice guy hood in the latest issue of Amazing Spider-Man, which also signifies the end of the Hobgoblin War. At least he’s still alive in the end, and still the Hobgoblin. So at least I’ll still get to see Phil making regular appearances in the future. It’s times like these that I really hope I’m hired by Marvel Comics someday, then I can pitch to them the Great Phil Urich Redemption Comic!

Peter Parker and his boss, Max Modell, are on the run from both the new Hobgoblin and the classic Hobgoblin, Roderick Kingsley. The two “geeks” have a key to one of Norman Osborn’s secret Green Goblin stashes, which the Kingpin was very interested in. The two goblins try to kill the two heroes, while simultaneously battling each other. Peter and Max randomly find Norman’s secret stash without even looking (how fortunate!) and use the goblin gear inside to fight back. It’s also fortunate that Norman Osborn just happened to have a few Spider-Man costumes on hand, which he was using for target practice. So Peter suits up and battles the Hobgoblins, while Max saves reporter Norah Winters from Kingsley’s bomb (while Phil, her obsessive boyfriend, doesn’t seem to give half a care what happens to Norah). In the end, Roderick has grown to like Phil and allows him to stay on as Hobgoblin, but now Phil works for the criminal empire that Roderick is setting up.

Comic rating: 4/5: Good.

The issue was entertaining, if less than stellar. I especially liked the Hobgoblin fight, because it was colorful and unique. Usually we just see Spider-Man fighting his bad guys, but anything that shakes up that old dynamic is always fun. Especially since I’m such a big fan of Phil. I’m glad he survived and will continue being a bad guy in the end, despite my reservations at his total lack of any empathy, even when his girlfriend is being threatened. The rest of the story relied on too many coincidences. Peter and Max just happen to run across Osborn’s secret stash. There just happens to be an extra, perfect Spider-Man costume inside. And I think it was an artistic error that Peter somehow got access to the Spider-Glider he made while hiding in Osborn’s stash. And considering how badly Kingpin wanted to find the stash, there isn’t anything special about it. Seems to be just another of Norman Osborn’s secret lairs, and none of the previous lairs required a special key to access. So there were more than a few plot holes, but still an overall entertaining Spidey comic.

Batman #14

Batman #14
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Greg Capullo

I’m sad to say that my reaction is going to be incredibly biased to Scott Snyder’s awesome new Joker story. I’ve written about it on this site before, but I just don’t particularly care for the Joker. There are times where I don’t even like him. And then on the other hand, I absolutely love Batman’s extended superhero family, and all of his supporting characters. I think Batman has the greatest supporting cast in comics, with Robin, Alfred, Commissioner Gordon and the rest. So the promise that Joker is likely going to kill one or more of Batman’s cast in this ‘Death of the Family’ story just fills me with dread and depression, and not the good kind. I can think of nothing more annoying or frustrating in comics than killing a great character just to make a villain look more badass. I mean, honestly, if we all expect Joker to kill somebody close to Batman, does it still hold any power to it?

So the Joker has returned, and he’s more evil and diabolical than ever. He launched a direct assault on the Gotham Police, brutally killing several officers and scaring Commissioner Gordon down to his bones. Joker also seems to be recreating some of his most famous crimes, only with sinister, diabolical twists. And most heinous of all, in last issue’s cliffhanger, he showed up at Wayne Manor and kidnapped Alfred. Batman returns home from a confrontation with Harley Quinn to discover Alfred missing and a video tape left behind, with a chilling message from Joker that he’s planning some kind of celebration and he needs someone to serve the food – Alfred being the best choice. Batman speaks with Gordon, only to discover that the Commish has been poisoned. Batman gets him to the hospital on time.

Batman tells all his allies to be on high alert, then meets in person with Dick Grayson, Nightwing. He only tells Dick about Alfred being kidnapped so that the others don’t lose their cool at the news. Batman and his first Boy Wonder have a great conversation about what Alfred’s kidnapping means to them, before they head out to face Joker, since Batman knows where he’ll be, recreating his original crime of poisoning the Gotham City reservoir. Batman sends Nightwing to the reservoir, only for him to be caught in an explosion planted by the Joker. Meanwhile, Batman faces off with the Joker on a bridge, where Joker reveals that he knows all of their secret identities, then threatens to unveil a secret between Batman and himself that nobody else knows about. The issue ends with Joker using Batman’s own communicator to threaten all of Batman’s friends and allies.

In a backup feature, the Joker meets with the Penguin and invites him to this celebration.

Comic rating: 5/5: Great.

Scott Snyder is doing an amazing job on Batman. The opening issue of this new arc was phenomenally scary, and Joker has been very menacing. The feeling of dread and powerlessness continues in this issue, but like I said, I’m bothered by the Joker himself. I loved Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight as much as anybody, but since then, Joker has risen to a mythical level of evil. He’s a force of nature now. Unbeatable, unstoppable, able to seemingly be in a million different places at once with unlimited resources, and every single hero (whether superheroes or cop) is unable to lay a finger on him. There’s a sense that Batman is just along for the ride, honestly. Joker is going to get away with whatever he wants as this story progresses, until Snyder finally gets to the point where Batman wins. And beware, all allies of Batman, the Joker and this story are far more important than you, so death is a possibility.

Again, this is just me being biased against the Joker. I don’t like when he’s this unstoppable killing machine who threatens some of my favorite characters, just for the sake of the Joker coming off as more evil and badass. Take the scene on the bridge. I kept thinking to myself that all Batman has to do is shoot Joker with a Taser and the day would be saved. Joker may be holding Alfred hostage, but Batman could figure out where he’s being held. But the bomb that hits Nightwing, the threats against the other Bat-family members, and everything else the Joker will do could have been stopped by Batman just running him over with his motorcycle. But that’s not going to happen. Because the story dictates that Joker will win until the time comes when he doesn’t.

Sorry, I did it again. I’m trying to say that this story is awesome. I loved Snyder’s Court of the Owls and this Joker story is even better. There is real menace and evil coming off these pages, with Batman at the end of his rope. There is real, meaningful emotion felt between Batman and the Commissioner or Batman and Nightwing, not to mention Batman and the Joker. Seriously, this is some of the best Batman has ever been in comics. If you love Batman, you should be reading Scott Snyder.

Batman and Robin #1

Batman and Robin #14
Writer: Peter J. Tomasi
Artists: Pat Gleason and Tomas Giorello

I can honestly say, and I’m a little shocked by this, but for the first time ever, it actually felt like Damian Wayne was Robin. I’ve never liked Damian very much, but I’ve warmed to him over the past year. Yet even then, I’ve only ever seen him as Damian. Robin just happens to be the costume he’s wearing. Being Batman’s son Damian is more crucial to his character than being Robin. And being such a huge Robin fan, that was always disappointing to me. But like I said, for once, it feels like Damian is really Robin…at least for a tiny little bit of this issue. The rest is more Damian junk.

Batman and Robin are battling some zombie-like people who want to feast on human flesh. But while Batman is dealing with them from one end, he ordered Damian to remain in the Batcave. Damian didn’t listen, of course, and now he’s allowed himself to be kidnapped in order to save a young woman. Damian and the woman are carried to an underground lair, where they encounter the masked cult leader. Damian then springs his trap and saves a bunch of people from the cult, with Batman swooping in to lend a hand – though Bruce is more than a little angry that Damian disobeyed his orders. They save the day in the end, only for Batman to reveal that Joker was behind all of this (for no explicable reason). Bruce chews out his son for being reckless, but in the end they share a heart-warming hug.

Comic rating: 4/5: Good.

There’s the Joker again. Why would the Joker go through all of this trouble to set up this cult and these zombies? Were they really that desperate to tie this issue into Death of the Family? Still, the Robin action was fun as he rises up to be a hero. And like I said, I finally saw Damian as Robin. Though that feeling didn’t last. And the ending was a little too sappy. This is why I don’t like the idea that Robin is literally Batman’s son. It leads to a weird sort of headspace for Batman. But that’s just personal taste speaking out again. This is still an otherwise entertaining issue, with some solid Robin action.

Thor #1

Thor: God of Thunder #1
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Esad Ribic

Much like Iron Man, I’ve never particularly cared for Thor or read his comic. I really liked the JMS run a few years ago, but that ended abruptly, like most of his work. So I picked up Thor: God of Thunder on a whim, to better round out this new weekly review article – and boy am I glad I did! Thor: God of Thunder #1 is the best Marvel NOW! book I’ve read so far! The story seems exciting and new, the characterization of Thor has that great mix of royal badass and the art is nicely epic. This issue reminds me of that Thor: Ages of Thunder mini series a few years ago, and that is high praise considering how much I loved Ages of Thunder.

In 893 AD, in the age of the Norse men, Thor is hailed a hero for slaying an evil frost giant. But a night of celebration is interrupted when the body of a Native American god washes ashore in pieces. Thor is disturbed by the look of pure terror in the god’s eyes, unsure of what could have done this to an immortal. In the present day, Thor answers the prayers of an alien planet, giving them rain and rivers. He’s surprised to learn that this is a world without gods, but when he goes to investigate tales of ancient gods long ago, he’s shocked to find their entire pantheon butchered. When Thor is attacked by a monster, he realizes that Gorr the God Butcher has returned. And many millennia in the future, Thor is the last living god in Asgard, with Gorr’s forces outside his gate. Sick of the solitude, Thor raises Mjolnir and goes to war against this evil army.

Comic rating: 5/5: Great.

The choice of writing Thor in three different time periods is kind of weird, but Aaron nails it. The young Thor definitely reminds me of Ages of Thunder, and there is stark difference with the modern Thor and the future Thor. So it creates a broader, more interesting look at the main character. And it actually makes modern Thor, with his heroism, seem much cooler. And the story itself sounds really exciting. Gorr the God Butcher? Sign me up! I didn’t like the new Iron Man precisely because its story was just a retread of old Extremis stories. This Gorr story is new and unpredictable, and I’m legitimately excited to see what happens next.

Wolverine and the X-Men #20

Wolverine and the X-Men #20
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Steve Sanders

Last issue was all about setting up the new school year, and in this issue, we kind of get off on the wrong foot. Jason Aaron focuses this issue on the revamped Angel and his attempts to recruit a new mutant, Shark Girl, while being opposed by Mystique and the new Silver Samurai (there’s a new Silver Samurai?). Of all the various story threads that Aaron has set up in this series, I don’t think Angel is his strongest. The character is kind of flighty (pun intended), but I guess it’s good to see him getting used, considering his importance to the X-franchise as a whole. And the potential for new mutant is a lot of fun…it’s just the random appearance of Mystique and the Samurai makes little sense.

So Iara dos Santos of Brazil is one of the new mutants empowered in the wake of Avengers vs. X-Men. She’s a wereshark, capable of turning into a shark monster and scaring the locals. The angelic Angel (no longer Warren Worthington) arrives to recruit her to the school, but has to fight off a rival recruitment from Mystique and a surprisingly perverted new Silver Samurai. Nothing is revealed about who they work for, but Angel fights them off and successfully recruits Shark Girl for the school. Warren also learns that his new powers are slowly killing him, but he doesn’t care. He’s going to use what time he has left to help new mutants. Good for him.

However, we also see that Kade Kilgore (whom I can’t stand) is also out trying to recruit mutants into his own team. He appeals to the liberal-hating tendencies of a redneck family to get their lobster-mutated son to join his freak show. Kilgore’s team appears to be an odd assortment of random characters, from a female Mojo to Sauron to a Wendigo and more.

Comic rating: 3/5: Alright.

I’m just not particularly interested in the new, revamped Angel. I liked Warren Worthington, and this new post-death form just isn’t as interesting. So a whole issue of him fighting Mystique isn’t all that thrilling. Especially since almost the entire issue takes place outside the school, which is a very fun and unique setting. More stories should take place at the school. Shark Girl seems pretty basic, as far as new mutants go, but maybe we’ll see more from her in the future. At least I hope the X-writers take this ‘new mutants’ thing more seriously and don’t just create a bunch of throwaway mutants with no staying power. That would be a real waste.

And again, I can’t stand Kade Kilgore, and the idea that he has some stupid team of knock-off evil mutants just makes my eyes roll.

The comics I review in my Hench-Sized reviews are just the usual comics I pick up from my local shop any given week, along with a few impulse buys I might try on a whim. So if there are any comics or series you’d like me to review each week, let me know in the comments!