Category Archives: Marvel
Hench-Sized Comic Book Reviews – 12/1/12
Two of Marvel’s new flagship titles – Uncanny Avengers and All-New X-Men – shipped their second issues this week, and one of them came out the clear winner. The other one needs to pick up the pace if it hopes to keep up and stay relevant. I wonder if the books are in any kind of direct competition. They seem to be telling the same story – how the world of superheroes reacts to the new anti-mutant hysteria – but they’re going about it in very different ways. Are some people buying one but not the other? Regardless, the one book people should be buying is the new Thor: God of Thunder! The second issue continues the awesomeness of the first, and rides a winged horse to a clear Comic Book of the Week!
That was not a euphemism
Comic Reviews: All-New X-Men #2, Aquaman #14, Batman: Incorporated #5, FF #1, Red Lanterns #14, Talon #2, Thor: God of Thunder #2, Uncanny Avengers #2.
Review: Ultimate Comics: All-New Spider-Man #17
I criticized the last issue for having a generic fight scene, one that I thought had little to do with the conflict as a whole, and with Miles Morales in particular. Brian Michael Bendis must have read my review, because not only does this new fight actually feel like it matters for Miles, but Bendis gives Miles’ mom and dad some real drama of their own. We also finally learn his mom’s name! But it just raises more questions, like why Miles’ mom and dad have different last names, and why Miles’ took his mom’s name. What’s up with that?
But that’s just me getting off on a tangent. The real story is in Miles going to war!
Comic rating: 4/5: Good!
For reals, this is Miles on the front lines of an epic superhero battle! They try to make it out to be a war, because mostly it involves armed soldiers, but this is definitely a superhero battle. An epic, bombastic superhero brawl! For the most part. I’m sure if I was reading the rest of ‘United We Stand’ it would seem even cooler, but I’m not. So instead, I’m just focused on how it effects Miles Morales and what it means for his story. I’m happy to say that it means a lot. There’s still a sense of Miles feeling in over his head, along with having the same sort of luck he usually has in fights. But there’s also a sense that he’s learning from this, growing from it. And the cliffhanger should prove to be excellent for Miles’ development going forward, which I’m always excited about.
And like I said before, there are some great developments for Miles’ parents. I don’ t think Bendis has explored these characters as much as he could or should. Miles’ parents still being alive (and not being a dithering old bitty like Aunt May) is a huge difference between Miles Morales and Peter Parker. But Bendis had Miles shipped off to a private boarding school rather than explore his parents. Perhaps some of the events in this issue will change things for the better.
Join me after the jump for a full synopsis and more review!
Hench-Sized Comic Book Reviews – 11/24/12
Holy mackerel, it’s a big week in comic books for me! I know I buy a lot of comics each week, but for some reason, a veritable ton of books were waiting for me in the comic shop. I’m lucky I managed to get through them all! I may have to start bleeding over some titles into the week after if I get anymore weeks like this. I’m only one man, after all. So what do we have in store for us this week? A nice smattering of DC and Marvel, with a few new Marvel NOW! starts, including The Indestructible Hulk, the title I was most looking forward to. Did it live up to the hype? Maybe. How about the big Amazing Spider-Man surprise? That definitely lived up to the hype.
But surprise, surprise, the Comic Book of the Week turned out to be Captain Marvel #7! I’m glad to see that title finally carrying its weight.
Captain Marvel fights the Iron Giant’s redneck cousin
Comic Reviews: Amazing Spider-Man #698, Batwoman #14, Captain America #1, Captain Marvel #7, Green Lantern: New Guardians #14, Hawkeye #4, Indestructible Hulk #1, Justice League #14, Nightwing #14, Red Hood and the Outlaws #14, Uncanny X-Force # 34, Wolverine and the X-Men #21, and Wonder Woman #14.
Literal Iron Man 3 Trailer
Tobuscus is at it again with a Literal Iron Man 3 trailer! His videos have become some of the favorite music parodies I’ve ever posted on my blog!
Is that man a genius or what? I don’t know how well his songs actually match up to the music in the trailers, but I have to assume it’s good. He’s a lyrical master. I wish he produced more of these more often, I’d post every single one. Plus, this somehow gets me even more excited for Iron Man 3! So that’s pretty neat.
Review: X-Factor #247
It’s Multiple Man versus the zombie of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. How can you not love comics? Where else in the world of fiction are you going to get the Highlander done with Abraham Lincoln impersonators? Or Multiple Man being this cool? The Breaking Points story may be over, but writer Peter David is still focused on character-centric issues, this time giving Jamie Madrox and his gal Layla a chance to shine – while moving his larger story forward at a snail’s pace.
X-Factor #247
Still, if you’re looking for an awesome Multiple Man hero story, there are worse places to look. It’s always fun to see my favorite superhero being this cool.
Comic rating: 4/5: Good!
This is a very fun comic that kind of spins off into a weird, yet entertaining, lunacy. It also has an unfortunate habit of trying to tie its tale of resurrected Confederate soldiers into the deaths/rebirths of superheroes, adding an unnecessary weight around its neck. We get it, superheroes tend to return from the dead a lot. Commenting on that fact does not count as a joke or even criticism, especially when X-Factor has done it twice now. Why couldn’t Confederate soldier zombies exist on their own terms? Why tie it to that annoying ‘nobody stays dead in comics’ issue? Really deflates the menace of Zombie Robert E. Lee.
But if you’re willing to look past that nit pick, this is an otherwise really fun issue. Jamie and Layla are a cool couple, with great timing between them. They have a really good chemistry, is what I’m trying to say, and it’s really on display in this issue. Likewise, Madrox in general is in fine form. He’s all superheroic and leading man, exactly how I like him. There’s also a nice bit of comedy sprinkled throughout, just like with every issue of X-Factor. It’s Multiple Man vs. Zombie Robert E. Lee, people! What more do I need to say?
Join me after the jump for more!
Henchman-4-Hire