Category Archives: Comics
Review: Ultimate Comics: All-New Spider-Man #13
The dreaded crossover has come to Ultimate Spider-Man, and the issue is worse off for it. Fortunately, writer Brian Michael Bendis does his best to shrug through this inane ‘Divided We Fall’ storyline so that he can keep telling the Miles Morales story he wants to tell. Seriously though, Bendis has had to deal with so much editorial bunk on this title. They force him to kill off Ultimate Peter Parker, and now barely a year into his new series, they force him to play along with the craziness of the rest of the Ultimate Universe. It’s a sad shame.
Ultimate Spider-Man #13
But like I said, Bendis mostly just offers a little lip service to Divided We Fall. He focuses much more on Miles than on the larger universe stuff, though a few odd story choices keep this issue from being too stellar.
And the random Batroc the Leaper cameo doesn’t help – though it also doesn’t hurt.
Comic rating: 4/5: Good.
Quite honestly, the Divided We Fall storyline is completely at odds with the Ultimate Spider-Man storyline. So much so that there is at least one scene where the characters literally point out the silliness of trying to tell this serious Spider-Man story alongside the larger Ultimate Universe crossover. The two just clash, and awkwardly at that. So it makes for a stunted issue of Ultimate Spider-Man. When we focus on the non-Divided We Fall stuff, the story is OK. Miles is once again going through all manner of inner crisis as he once again balances being Spider-Man with living his life, and that always makes for good storytelling.
Unfortunately, the best stuff, a meeting between Miles and Aunt May, appears to be being saved for next issue. Instead, Bendis pads out this tale with yet another fight with a silly super-villain. Batroc is the same as Omega Red and the Ringer, just a silly bad guy for Spidey to pummel and take up page space. It’s kind of odd that Bendis has gone back to this well so often…
Anyway, join me after the jump for a full synopsis and more review!
Review: X-Factor #241
The action in X-Factor is knocked up a notch with this issue, which kicks off the new Breaking Points storyline. Marvel Comics is rocketing towards their new Marvel NOW! relaunch this fall, and even though X-Factor is going to be relatively untouched, writer Peter David appears to want to use this as a chance to streamline his title. I’m grateful for that. I’ve long complained about too many cast members. David has also had several long running storylines that he’s going to wrap up as well. Basically it seems like Breaking Points is going to be a big wrap up of the past year or so of stories.
X-Factor #241
So it’s a good thing that the first part of the story is an entertaining comic, with some great moments and some fun characterization. All those filler stories are in the past, now we’re back to the good stuff!
Comic rating: 4/5: Good!
I’d complained in some of the most recent reviews that PAD seemed to have lost his touch when it came to his usually clever and fun characters. I think the problem was that he really was just spinning his wheels until he could get to this storyline. I had no idea what he has planned for Marvel NOW!, but this is the story that’s going to get us there. And like I said, it’s a good read. PAD expertly juggles his extended cast, mixing both superhero fun and down-to-Earth normal interactions, which I love. When the cast shrinks in the fall, hopefully he’ll have it even easier.
The true appeal of X-Factor has always been that these characters are people first and superheroes second. Sure they’ll fight the bad guys and save the day, but they’ll also get on each others nerves, bicker, bust chops and basically act like human beings. We get a really good taste of that in this issue.
So join me after the jump for a full synopsis and more review!
Review: Avengers vs. X-Men #9
Avengers vs. X-Men slows down to once again get inside its characters’ heads, and I am grateful for that. The series is also much better for it. We get a good look into the mindsets of all the remaining PhoeniX-Men, and it’s definitely not as frustrating as last issue. They actually come out and acknowledge that the dark influence of the Phoenix is effecting their minds, instead of just everybody assuming that they’re bad guys despite all the good they’re doing. We also get some quality character moments for some of the supporting characters, like Storm and Spider-Man.
Avengers vs. X-Men #9
Because all the best Marvel stories come down to Spider-Man. Though I will say that he feels totally out of place in a story like this.
Comic rating: 4/5: Good!
If you remember my review of last issue, I was apoplectic about Avengers vs. X-Men. The story has been frustrating the hell out of me, with the X-Men being painted as monsters when the comic has done little to actually show them being monsters. The PhoeniX-Men have been ending hunger, stopping earthquakes, halting war and all other manner of great things. But everybody reacts to them as demonic evil that needs to be killed. It annoyed me to no end. So with this issue, the series finally underlines the idea that the Phoenix Force is influencing them to be evil. Not straight up evil, and they’re all kind of aware that it’s happening, but at least it nicely, finally defines the PhoeniX-Men as proper antagonists. I understand them now.
And I really like it. I’ll reveal more in the full review after the jump, but this issue really nails down exactly what the conflict has become and where it might be going. The PhoeniX-Men make another evolution, one I am eager to read. The Avengers are a little stale this issue, but at least they’re not the hosebags they’ve been for the past couple issues.
Join me after the jump as I reveal how Avengers vs. X-Men is back in my good graces!
6 Best and 6 Worst Superhero Costume Changes
What would superheroes be without their iconic costumes? The bright colors, the capes, the logos, the masks; it’s all part of the grand spectacle of the superhero. And what’s not to love? You wouldn’t expect athletes to play basketball in jeans and t-shirts, would you? Superheroes need their uniforms too.
And all the best superheroes have more than one – some good, some bad.
That’s a lot of Iron Mans
There are a lot of reasons for a superhero to change his or her costume. Maybe somebody new has taken up the mantle, or maybe it’s simply a change in the season, or a change in technology. Take Iron Man for example. He started with that big, bulky metal thing, but once he got his hands on his own equipment, he designed the sleek red and gold battlesuit. Or maybe the hero is getting a new comic series, and they need a new look.
Whatever the reasons, superheroes change their costumes all the time. And I’ve put together my list of the 6 best and the 6 worst superhero costume changes. I’d love to hear your thoughts and your choices in the comments!
Henchman-4-Hire