Category Archives: Marvel
Review: Scarlet Spider #6
Unfortunately, a discombobulated story and an odd sketchiness to the art finally bring a halt to the so-far fantastic Scarlet Spider series. Not that they make for a bad issue, mind you. But the stellar quality has definitely taken a dip. The villain comes out of nowhere, the supporting characters are a little off and the ending is rather abrupt.
Scarlet Spider #6
Plus this comic has nearly as many epilogues as Return of the King.
Comic rating: 3/5: Alright.
Sadly, this is also artist Ryan Stegman’s last issue of Scarlet Spider! The guy has been fantastic, infusing a lot of energy and style into the book. Sometimes it looked a little cartoonish for the grittier tales that writer Christopher Yost was trying to tell, but the art was clean, detailed and very cool. Stegman had a flair for highly energetic and dynamic action sequences. His fight scenes were awesome.
But for some reason, the art in this issue is a little grainy. The fight is still cool, but there’s just something off about the art…not sure if it’s intentional or not. The same thing could be said for the writing – it’s a little grainy. I’d say this issue feels a little rushed all around. It’s not bad, but it’s definitely a bump in the road.
Long Lost Concept Art from Wolverine and the X-Men Season 2
Wolverine and the X-Men was a cartoon cancelled before it’s time. It was a straight forward, geektastic take on the X-Men, reveling in its comic book roots while sticking Wolverine front and center. It was the kind of cartoon that featured cameos by obscure characters like Blink, Fishboy and Marrow, while still telling a great X-Men story with the likes of Wolverine, Cyclops and Magneto. It ran for only one season on Nickelodeon in 2009 before getting the ax – likely due to the fact that Disney was buying Marvel Comics.
Deadpool, the Merc with the Mouth
What makes the cancellation even worse is that season 1 ended on a great Age of Apocalypse cliffhanger! And this uncovered production art from the planned season 2 reveals that they were actually going to do a huge Age of Apocalypse storyline. That would have been sweet! Season 2 also would have involved Deadpool, Cable, Archangel, Pyro and more, based on these pictures!
More after the jump!
Review: Ultimate Comics: All-New Spider-Man #11
Ultimate Spider-Man is firing on all cylinders, baby! Last issue was absolutely perfect in its tense dialogue and character study, and this issue is absolutely perfect with its fantastic action and excitement. If I haven’t declared it already, this is the issue where Miles Morales is cemented in my mind as a new and exciting Spider-Man. The pain of Peter Parker’s young, unnecessary death still hurts, but writer Brian Michael Bendis is at the top of his game telling a decidedly Spider-Man story with a new, fascinating protagonist.
Ultimate Spider-Man #11
Not that I’m saying Miles should replace Peter everywhere, but for a comic in the Ultimate Universe, this is an absolutely fantastic story.
Comic rating: 5/5: Great!
Everything works in this issue. The dialogue, the art, the action, the energy. This is Miles Morales finally getting into a fight that actually lasts more than a single punch. This is Miles being unable to come up with a good quip in the middle of a brawl. This is Miles actually getting smashed around – though he shrugs it all off fairly well. This kid seems untouchable so far. I suppose that’s one complaint I would have: Miles still hasn’t had any trouble being a superhero. I realize it would be horrible to put a kid so young into a good scrape, but not even his costume gets torn. Peter Parker was put through the ringer. Miles seems almost impervious.
And the teaser cliffhanger at the end is absolutely fantastic! Can’t wait for the next issue! Too bad the Ultimate Universe will be starting another stupid crossover soon. Poor Miles.
Review: X-Factor #237
This! This is what I’ve been talking about! X-Factor #237 is writer Peter David at his finest, writing his characters as people first and superheroes second. Forget the interdimensional super-villains, the Mojoverse and whatever other crazy plots PAD has in store for X-Factor. This is what I want from this comic. The issue starts with a few of his female characters going on a character-building road trip together, and ends with one of them having a huge personal break through. This issue is comic gold.
X-Factor #237
X-Factor doesn’t need costumes, super-villains or an Avengers vs. X-Men tie-in to make for an amazing comic book.
Comic rating: 5/5: Great!
I wish more of PAD’s issues were like this one. But instead he seems to sprinkle these character-based issues throughout his run. They have always been a highlight of X-Factor. And I suppose they’re made all the better because of how rare they are. Plus, having issues like this makes the action issues better, because we come to care more about the characters. Polaris has been a ghost in this series since she joined, so she desperately needed a story like this.
Unfortunately, this issue is far from the best character-based story that PAD has written for X-Factor. After nearly 100 issues writing this volume, his grip on the characters and their personalities is slipping. I chalk this up to having just too many characters and plots to contend with. Back at the beginning he had everything under control. But that’s not to say this issue isn’t great. The dialogue and humor are fun, the characters are written very well and the art is absolutely gorgeous.
And thank the heavens, Polaris has finally changed out of that stupid green costume Thank you for that, PAD!
Review: Avengers vs. X-Men #5
Talk about a game-changing cliffhanger! I’ve said it before about Avengers vs. X-Men, and I’ll say it again: I have no idea where this story is going, and that’s awesome! While most of these big Event Comics end with a giant fight (and somebody shouting “Avengers Assemble!”) we’ve already had half a dozen giant fights in this series. And while those fights haven’t been all that great, the story continues to move along at a fantastic and exciting pace. Which is why I’m going to give Avengers vs. X-Men #5 my highest rating for the series for far.
Avengers vs. X-Men #5
After that cliffhanger, Avengers vs. X-Men is definitely keeping us on our toes! I can’t wait to see what happens next.
Comic rating: 5/5: Great.
Now that’s not to say this is a perfect issue. That’s not how my rating system works. And granted, my rating system really only works in my head. The previous issues of Avengers vs. X-Men have only been “good” because they were solid stories that were told well with decent art, so worth a read, but not all that amazing. This issue continues that trend, but then delivers a fantastic, action-packed climax, and then that cliffhanger I can’t stop gushing over. I’ll spoil it in the synopsis after the jump. Just trust me that it definitely changes the series from here on out.
Though arguably not in a good way. I can’t help but feel that Marvel has definitely picked a side by the end of this issue, and it’s the side I’m against. I’ve definitely been on the side of Cyclops and the X-Men throughout the series, but Marvel may have tipped their hand.
I guess we’ll just have to wait and see. Join me after the jump for a full synopsis and more review!
