Category Archives: Comics
Review: X-Men: Schism #4
Finally, the confrontation between Cyclops and Wolverine comes to the breaking point. Or is that the slashing/eye-blasting point? Not only is the rift between them clearly laid out and understandable, but the two heroes actually do come to blows at the climax of this issue. And it’s an awesome fight. X-Men: Schism #4 is an exciting and tense issue, one that thankfully is not bogged down by the ridiculousness of the Hellfire Club Kids. It’s just Cyclops and Wolverine laying it all on the line.
X-Men: Schism #4
And I am completely on Cyclops’ side.
Wolverine comes off like a fool! I understand his reasoning, and I suppose it fits with the character, but in the context of everything we know about the X-Men and in the context of what we’re reading here, Wolverine is a blind, stubborn fool. Fortunately, it doesn’t seem like we’re made to root for Wolverine anymore. Both sides are pretty clear and neither one comes off as completely favored over the other. The reader can choose for themselves who is right, and also see that both Cyclops and Wolverine are being more than a little selfish. That’s a plus and definitely helps to better define the titular Schism of the X-Men.
Spoilers after the jump.
Mutant Healing or Adamantium Claws?
Hilarious web video by Greg and Lou. They get to have a mutant power, and they both want to be Wolverine…but they can only afford one of his powers. Decisions, decisions…
The Defenders are Back, for Some Reason!
Spinning out of Fear Itself will apparently be a new Defenders series from Marvel Comics. The Defenders has always been one of their B-list superhero teams. Always sort of around but never able to maintain a monthly book. They get relaunched every few years or so. I can’t really remember the last time there was a Defenders book. But whenever it was, Marvel is bringing it back! They’re giving the keys to Matt Fraction (the writer of Fear Itself) and Terry Dodson (lover of drawing boobies)!
I am modestly curious. I think this was announced months ago, but here is some cover art.
Silver Surfer is a good way to start a team!
-Spinning out of the stunning end of FEAR ITSELF! The final Worthy on a global rampage!
-Matt Fraction (FEAR ITSELF, THE MIGHTY THOR, INVINCIBLE IRON MAN) reteams with TERRY DODSON (UNCANNY X-MEN, SENSATIONAL SPIDER-MAN)!
-Everyone’s favorite Marvel characters banding together to solve a mysterious conspiracy deep at the heart of the Marvel Universe!
-The last line of defense against the forces of the unknown!
The lineup looks pretty spiffy. You’ve got Dr. Strange, Namor and the Silver Surfer from the original Defenders lineup, or at least the famous Defenders lineup. Replacing the Incredible Hulk is Red She-Hulk. I remain luke warm on the idea of Red She-Hulk. I don’t like the idea of multiple Hulk characters in the first place. Give me Bruce Banner as a lone figure, thank you very much. And what’s wrong with regular She-Hulk? My guess is familiarity. Everybody knows Jennifer Walters and what she’s like. Red She-Hulk is still an unknown commodity. She’ll add new style and character to a series. Plus it looks like she’s keeping her Mighty weapon. Cool.
Iron Fist and giant purple monster man are just OK.
This is the sort of book I might pick up on a whim. We’ll see how broke I am when it hits the stands. I just wanted to let people know it’s coming. That’s the kind of helpful comic book geek I am.
New Writer Already on Green Arrow – Possibly My Fault
Update: J.T. Krul posts on his Facebook
The DC comic book solicitations for December have come out, and it looks like writers Keith Giffen and Dan Jurgens have replaced J.T. Krul, who wrote issue #1. Giffen and Jurgens will be taking over as of issue #4, which is solicited for December. Comic news website Newsarama has confirmed that Krul has been totally replaced by the new creative team.
Perhaps Krul wanted to write a lot of swearing and boobies
And it’s not the first writer to be leaving one of the new series. John Rozum, the guy writing Static Shock, left that title too. But he said it was his own decision and had nothing to do with Static or DC. What’s with all these writers leaving so early into this rejiggering? Hey DC! I won’t leave you! Hire me!
Anyway, I blame myself for Krul’s departure after my scathing review of Green Arrow #1. Perhaps either he just couldn’t take it, or DC had a light bulb moment after reading my blog entry. Not that I have any reason to believe that either J.T. Krul or DC Comics reads my blog.
In fact they probably don’t…
J.T. Krul had this to say on his facebook about leaving the book:
Hey everyone! Effective as of issue #4, I will no longer be writing Green Arrow. As many of you know, Oliver Queen is one of my favorite characters in the DC Universe, so this decision was not easy to make. Getting the chance to do the fall of Green Arrow and my run during Brightest Day was a dream come true, and I was excited to bring a new yet familiar take on Green Arrow in the new 52. But, I’ve been writing him for a few years now and an opportunity came up that I really wanted to tackle. I had to make a choice. In a way, my decision to leave is more a testament to how incredibly thrilled I am about Captain Atom. I don’t think I’ve been more excited about a project. Working with Freddie Williams is amazing and I really think it’s among my best work at DC to date. It was a tough call – like picking a favorite child.
I can’t talk about my new project just yet, but it perfectly exemplifies what DC is all about with the New 52 – taking the best characters in comics and presenting them in new and exciting ways. The ability to think outside the box, take chances, and tell different kinds of stories is why it’s a great time to be writing for DC Comics.
For sure, I’ll miss Oliver Queen – and working with the likes of Dan Jurgens, George Perez, David Baron, and Dave Wilkins – but I’m sure the Emerald Archer will be in good hands for more globe-trotting, James Bond, high adventures.
And, at the very least, I got to include my version of the boxing-glove arrow.
Review: Fear Itself #6
I bet if I was reading this story all in one sitting it would be a lot more awesome. Instead, the same disjointed feel is evident everywhere. The penultimate chapter of Fear Itself is written like a big, bombastic movie epic starring my favorite superheroes…it just doesn’t read like one. A lot has happened in both my life and in the world of comics since Fear Itself #5. So, frankly, Fear Itself #6 has a lot to contend with in the battle for my attention. That it falls just short is not its fault. I bet it will read great in collected form.
Fear Itself #6
Shame I won’t be buying it in collected form. Single issues for me.
Everything is still top notch in Fear Itself. The art by Stuart Immonen is clear and beautiful, and the writing by Matt Fraction is well-paced and exciting. The heroes of the Marvel Universe are facing a diabolical threat that’s cutting the world asunder. New York City is in ruins. The heroes are tired and feeling blue. And the villain, The Serpent, is ready to declare his victory. He has but to attack the Norse World Tree with his army of empowered super-villains and the entirety of existence will fall in his name! Only a battle weary but seriously pissed off Captain America stands in his way.
Fortunately for Cap, the cavalry is just around the corner. Thor and Iron Man are gearing up for the last stand.
I like the issue, but as I said, it felt disjointed. There isn’t a feel of where all of the characters are in relation to one another. We know where they are, but it just doesn’t feel connected. The problem, to me, is that everything sounds much more awesome as an idea than what’s actually on the page. The events look like they’re supposed to be epic, they just don’t feel epic. As if the pitch was a lot stronger than the finished product. I think all of it probably sounds really awesome in Matt Fraction’s mind as he’s writing it, and I know he’s having a blast, I’m just not feeling it.
Again, it would probably be better read all in one sitting. Maybe I’ll have to try that some day.
Henchman-4-Hire 