Yearly Archives: 2013
Review: X-Factor #262
It is with a heavy but triumphant heart that I begin this review of the final issue of X-Factor. Though really, this is more than just a review, this is also a farewell, saying a final goodbye to my favorite comic book series of the past eight years, and goodbye to my favorite comic book character – Multiple Man – who is given a send-off in grand style by writer Peter David. Don’t worry, comic book friends, I will spoil that Jamie Madrox does not die at the end of his series. Nor does he go off into that sweet limbo stuck in demon form, as I had so feared. Instead, Peter David goes out with class, and sends Madrox off into the sunset. Fine show.
X-Factor #262
It’s my 30th birthday tomorrow, and I have yet to decide if the final issue of X-Factor coming out in the same week is simple coincidence or a harsh sign of growing up.
Comic Rating: 8/10 – Very Good.
I have been luke warm about these final issues so far. Some of them were good, like Wolfbane’s, providing a solid, touching goodbye for the character. Others, like Polaris’ and Monet’s aren’t really endings at all. Some of them have explored the character’s time with X-Factor in meaningful ways. Others were just spontaneous adventures. In the end, I suppose I liked them all, the same way I’ve always liked X-Factor, even when it wasn’t very good. My favorite chapter of The End of X-Factor arc would have to be this issue, saying goodbye to Madrox and his wife Layla Miller. PAD ties up a few loose ends and teases his next upcoming project, but he doesn’t do anything too drastic or crazy. We don’t find out the secret of Multiple Man’s powers, nor does Layla ‘know’ one final, insane thing.
Instead, PAD spends some time with Layla and the Demon Madrox, putting their situation into perspective and finding a fun, clever way to resolve it. There was at least one surprise in this issue that I did not see coming, and it made me smile. As did the ending. I liked this issue for its heart and its love of character. This isn’t a big, raucous goodbye or a massive superhero fight to the death. Instead, it’s a quiet, classy bow out, and I definitely approve.
Join me after the jump for a full synopsis and a glorious goodbye to X-Factor.
Make Fun of Iron Man Day
So for some reason, the universe really decided to stick it to Iron Man yesterday, with two completely independent comical films on Youtube. And me being the schmuck that I am, I’m sharing both at the same time!
First up is a pretty hilarious spoof of what it would be like if Mark Wahlberg replaced Robert Downey Jr. This is a spot-on Wahlberg impression by Dave Ebert.
That was made by the fine people at Official Comedy, and it is officially awesome!
Next up is the Honest Trailers take on Iron Man 3. As you know, I enjoyed Iron Man 3 a great deal, but the Screen Junkies definitely have a lot of fun picking it apart. I was fine with the whole Mandarin reveal until watching their video. Now I am kind of upset about the whole thing…
Iron Man took a beating yesterday, but I’m sure he’ll keep on ticking. Onward to Thor in November!
6 Comics DC Should Add to the New 52
DC Comics has a comic book problem. Anything that doesn’t have ‘Batman’ in the title isn’t selling, and DC has really been cracking down on comics that aren’t selling. Of the 52 comics that debuted at the start of the reboot in September 2011, more than 20 have since been cancelled in less than 2 years. DC immediately filled the gaps with new comics, but half a dozen of those have also been cancelled. DC’s pool of unique and different comics is dwindling rapidly. We no longer have series like The Savage Hawkman, Firestorm: The Nuclear Man, Blue Beetle, Static Shock, or comics for newer characters like Grifter and Voodoo. And while anyone can argue that Batman sells and Hawkman does not, I contend that there is no such thing as a bad character, only bad writers. And bad editors/publishers, as the case may be.
But for example, Hawkeye is probably the best comic book Marvel is publishing these days, and it stars Hawkeye! Are you telling me the same can’t be done for Hawkman?
How is this guy not more popular?
DC doesn’t seem willing to give their comics a chance to find their voice or improve, and so we’re losing some potentially interesting characters to the back issue bins. DC continue to try new ideas, like Sword of Sorcery or The Movement, but they’re not willing to give new comics more than a handful of issues to be successful. Nowadays, it’s like they’re just throwing ideas against a wall to see what sticks. They’ve also stopped announcing new comics in waves. Now we get random announcements for comics like Harley Quinn or Justice League of Canada. DC is in trouble…so here I come to save the day with six suggestions that I think might sell!
Or maybe they’re just comics I want to read…Join me after the jump!
Fashionably Late to the Rocket Raccoon Party
Last week, it was announced that Bradley Cooper had been cast as the voice of Rocket Raccoon in next year’s Guardians of the Galaxy. I should have done something then, but along came the holiday weekend, and some X-Boxing, so I just kind of blew it off. Well, today is a slow news day, so say hello to your Rocket Raccoon!
There’s a Hangover joke in here somewhere
I haven’t made up my mind yet whether or not I care for this casting. Cooper seems like an inspired choice, but then I’m having a hard time picturing his voice coming out of a CGI raccoon. Cooper has a calm, level voice, I think, very human. Not something you’d expect from an insane, gun-wielding space raccoon.
But maybe he’ll surprise us. Meanwhile, I’m totally behind Vin Diesel as Groot.
Review: Scarlet Spider #21
That cover is no fakeout, my friends. The classic Scarlet Spider appears in this issue! Who else is super excited? Granted, it’s not Ben Reilly come back from the dead. That would be too much to hope for. But somebody does wear the classic Scarlet Spider costume, and that’s cool enough for me. As I mentioned in last week’s List of Six, I’m a big fan of the Clone Saga, and an even bigger fan of Ben Reilly and the Scarlet Spider. Why do you think I’m reviewing this Scarlet Spider series in this larger review format? Because a fanboy’s gonna love what a fanboy’s gonna love.
Scarlet Spider #21
Scarlet Spider #21 is a set-up issue for the next big danger that Kaine must fight his way through. The fact that it features a call back to the original Scarlet Spider is the sweetest of icings on this cake.
Comic Rating: 7/10 – Good.
Say what you will about the sleeveless hoodie, the visible webshooters and the pouches around the ankles, but I love the Scarlet Spider costume. It’s possibly my favorite alternate Spider-Man costume ever. You better believe I unlock it as soon as possible whenever I’m playing a Spider-Man video game. I like the sleekness of the design, plus I loved the character. And I like the visible webshooters. They’re a neat alteration. I even like the ankle pouches. So sue me. The 90s were a time when pouches were in, and I started reading comics in the 90s. We all like what we all like.
So anyway, Scarlet Spider is still going strong, and Kaine is still on a downward spiral of self-loathing. The guy feels like crap, and that carries over into this issue. He’s dealing with a lot of baggage. Of course, that’s the perfect time to start a new storyline, and this issue delivers in spades. Heck, if I didn’t know any better, this could almost serve as a grand finale, but I’m pretty sure Kaine isn’t being cancelled. A villain with ties to Kaine’s past returns and starts picking apart Kaine’s life, taking down the friends he’s made in Houston. This seems to be leading up to a brawl to end them all, and I’m very much of looking forward to that. After everything Kaine has been through lately, I want to see him just use all of that anger and pain to really kick some ass!
Join me after the jump for a full synopsis and more review.
Henchman-4-Hire 