Category Archives: Spider-Man
Review: Ultimate Comics: All-New Spider-Man #18
Miles Morales doesn’t usually have a lot of inner narration, but this issue is chock full of it, and it definitely makes for a more engaging story. Not a lot happens plot-wise, and Miles being lost in the fields of Wisconsin is fixed rather easily, but it’s still a very fun and fulfilling story. It’s fun to read Miles working out his problems in his head. He’s a smart kid with a strong personality, and his inner commentary elevated a somewhat simple story. Throw in a few emotional moments with Spider-Woman and Miles’ parents and you’ve got a real winner.
Ultimate Spider-Man #18
When ‘Divided We Fall/United We Stand’ started, I didn’t think Brian Michael Bendis had any interest in crossing over. But now that the story is finally done, I’m happy with what Bendis did to help flesh out Miles and his family.
Comic rating: 5/5: Great.
Ultimate Spider-Woman has always been a very fascinating character, and I wish I was reading Ultimates so that I could see more of her in action. She’s a great foil for Miles Morales, and their scenes together in this issue – especially in light of her attitude last issue – were fantastic. We, the reader, know exactly why Jessica Drew is so awkward around Miles Morales, but he’s clueless, and it leads to a really nice scene between the two. Likewise, Miles’ parents get a standout scene as Jefferson fills us in on what happened with the HYDRA terrorists. I was definitely surprised by the reveal, and I’m excited to see what it does for his character. I’ve always felt Bendis has been a little lacking when it comes to Miles’ relationship with his parents and how they impact his life. I hope this is the start of some good stories.
And it’s Miles Morales himself who carries the comic, with a running internal commentary like Peter Parker used to do. Miles is definitely a different person than Peter, but he’s still got that desire to be heroic, and that’s always relatable. I also like that Miles isn’t quip-a-minute, but still kind of funny. And Bendis finds a lot of humor and cool action in Miles’ fight this issue – with artist David Marquez drawing the hell out of this issue! The art is absolutely perfect, making for an even better comic.
Join me after the jump for a full synopsis and more review.
The Startling Surprise Ending to Amazing Spider-Man #700!
Warning! There will be SPOILERS in this post! So read at your own peril!
The big, epic, glorious Amazing Spider-Man #700 came out this week, the one Marvel and writer Dan Slott have been hyping for months now. It’s the last issue of Amazing Spider-Man, leading into the brand new Superior Spider-Man next month! So what was the big dramatic change that Dan Slott was promising? Does he really have to hide in a bunker from all the fan anger?
Well, does he?
Is all of this history just wiped away?
Not as far as I’m concerned. He doesn’t even have to buy a big hat.
Short answer, I’m disappointed and disinterested.
I’m not angry or filled with a burning need for geeky revenge against Slott. He’s the writer of Spider-Man. He gets to come up with the stories and tell whatever tale he wants. I don’t think he’s ruined Spider-Man forever. But at the same time, I’m just not excited by what he’s done. I’m sure some people are violently angry and I’m sure some people are bristling with excitement. I am neither.
I’ll put the long answer after the jump. But Amazing Spider-Man #700 is a fantastic comic book. It’s got exciting, edge-of-your-seat action and more drama than you can shake a stick at. I’ll review it on Saturday with the rest of the week’s comics, but for right now, just know that it truly is an amazing issue.
It’s just that the big surprise ending does nothing for me. Though I bet my brother is going to love it.
SPOILERS AFTER THE JUMP! DON’T CLICK IF YOU DON’T WANT TO READ!
Review: Scarlet Spider #12
Sayonara, Minimum Carnage! And good riddance! You were a terrible story, you were terrible for the Scarlet Spider and you had an even worse ending! In fact, I’m not going to dwell on you for another second. Believe you me, folks, you do not care how Minimum Carnage ended. It was dumb, so very dumb. And hopefully we’ll never have to worry about it again. Because Christopher Yost comes roaring back to Scarlet Spider with what might be its best issue yet! I laughed! I giggled! I cheered! I’m very excited for the future of Scarlet Spider after this amazing issue.
Scarlet Spider #12
After the mismatched everything of that unfortunate crossover, Yost settles in for a simple, done-in-one story that re-establishes all the characters and sends Kaine towards his next adventure. Yost also, to nice comedic effect, uses alcohol to simply wash away the stain that was Minimum Carnage.
Comic rating: 5/5: Great.
I almost get the feeling that Yost is just as glad to be rid of Minimum Carnage as I am. Kaine dwells for a little bit on what happened, but Yost wisely uses the events of the crossover as a springboard into a rather comedic and entertaining attitude for our main character. And that’s the most you can ask for from a big crossover, that it provides some new fuel or motivation for the characters. In this case, it’s Kaine getting drunk off his ass and wanting to just quit everything and flee to Mexico, as he’d originally intended at the start of the series. Which then gives us an opportunity to see how each of his supporting characters impacts his life to talk him out of it, and how, in the end, he’s damn good at being a hero. I got a really strong sense of community with this issue, how Yost has somewhat successfully built up this supporting cast into a real group of people, and how Kaine is a part of that group. He also does some fantastic work with mystery girl Aracely, really bringing her into her own as a clever ‘kid sister’ type character.
The art is also spectacular. Not as good as original artist Ryan Stegman, but fill-in artist Reilly Brown does a great job with the characters and with the action scenes. He especially does some good work with the comedy, of which there is a healthy dose. I definitely like this artist, and I hope he sticks around.
And did I mention it’s a Christmas issue?
Join me after the jump for a full synopsis of this wonderful issue.
Hench-Sized Comic Book Reviews – 12/8/12
Not much out of DC Comics this week, but not to worry, Marvel has us more than covered with another seemingly weekly chapter of All-New X-Men and the brand new adjectiveless Avengers #1! Considering how popular Jonathan Hickman’s Fantastic Four run has become, I was actually kind of excited to see what he could do with the Avengers. Sadly, that excitement turned into a whole lot of apathy once I actually read the title. Similar to my reaction to his very popular S.H.I.E.L.D. series. Maybe I just don’t get Hickman. He’s got some wild ideas, but I’ve never been overly impressed. We also get the debut of the new Thunderbolts series and the final issue of Amazing Spider-Man before the big #700. And I still don’t know what’s going to happen?
All-New X-Men rises to the occasion to become Comic Book of the Week, but there are some nice moments in the new Avengers. Including one great one with Bruce Banner.
Indeed, now comes the punch and pie
Comic Reviews: All-New X-Men #3, Amazing Spider-Man #699, Avengers #1, Hawkeye #5 and Thunderbolts #1.
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!
Henchman-4-Hire 