Category Archives: X-Men
Hench-Sized Comic Book Reviews – 10/13/18
Holy guacamole, people! It’s another week where all of my favorite comics come out at once, delivering another 8 comics in need of review! And that’s if I willingly cut down on some, like finally dropping Superman, and taking a pause on Amazing Spider-Man.
But that just means I can take more time to enjoy the likes of Ms. Marvel, Iceman, Captain America, Power Rangers, Domino and more! Seriously, there are so many more! Comic Book of the Week goes to a hilarious Unbeatable Squirrel Girl for the laugh-out-loud funny funeral. You heard me right.
Meanwhile, the next big comic book event story that I’m skipping is Spider-Geddon. I liked Spider-Verse well enough, but I definitely don’t have any interest in an identical sequel. I realize Spider-Man is hot right now, what with that new video game, and the upcoming animated movie, but this was not the way to capitalize on that. Comic blogs were really hyped this week for what random alternate reality Spider-Men die in the first issue, but oh my god, who the hell cares?!
Comic Reviews: Captain America #4, Catwoman #4, Domino #7, Go Go Power Rangers #13, Iceman #2, Ms. Marvel #35, Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #37 and X-23 #5.
X-Men: Dark Phoenix Appears to be a Remake of X-Men: The Last Stand
So we’ve got Jean Grey going crazy with her flaming Phoenix powers, and she turns to Magneto for help…
I think this trailer is just as afraid as I am to show that the Phoenix comes from outer space, and that the Shi’ar are going to show up and fight to control it. I’ve never cared for the X-Men in outer space. But I will admit this trailer looked cool, especially if X-Men: Dark Phoenix indeed the swan song of the X-Men movie franchise as we know it.
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A Personal Reminder That Some of My Favorite Obscure X-Men Are Alive and Being Treated Well
I’ve been in a sour comic-reading mood for a couple weeks now because I’m pretty sure the Mimic is going to die. He’s one of my all-time favorite comic book characters and I don’t want him to die. The very minor hope that maybe, when he’s alive, he’ll show up in the background somewhere and have a nice scene or two is a strong hope.
Right now, he’s showing up in Extermination, which continues to tease his potentially imminent demise.

Likewise, my all-time favorite comic book character — Multiple Man — is in some weird revival limbo, and might end up being some kind of villain in the new Uncanny X-Men? That is also up in the air, enhancing my sour feelings.
I’m sure we’ve all been there, that we all have a favorite obscure X-character or two. Characters like Wolverine, Storm and Nightcrawler are great, but we all love us a Mimic or Multiple Man or two.
Fortunately, another comic this week had a short story that let me know that some of my other favorite obscure X-Men are alive and well, and if they’re not well, at least they’re getting solid character treatment.
That issue is Domino Annual #1, written by Gail Simone and a bunch of others in an anthology of short stories. One of the stories, written by Leah Williams, with art by Michael Shelfer, features Nightcrawler and Domino starting up a support group for odd-looking mutants. That is a wonderful idea, and I hope Gail Simone keeps the idea going in the regular series.
Among the dozen or so obscure X-characters featured in the support group, we find out that Maggott is not only alive again, but he’s been turned into a hipster.

I love Maggott! He’s great! Maggott is a perfect example that your mutant isn’t always going to be something as wonderful as a healing factor or all-powerful telepathy. Sometimes your digestive system is turned into a pair of slugs that can eat anything, then transfer the power to you.
It’s good to know Maggott is currently alive in continuity.
We also get a great scene featuring Stacy X, another favorite of mine. She still doesn’t have her powers following M-Day (even though most mutants have gotten their powers back), and that is really torturing Stacy.
It sucks that she’s feeling suicidal, but that is still some great character growth. And Gail Simone, if you want me to start really loving your Domino comic, which I already kind of enjoy? Feature more Stacy X struggling with depression, caused by the loss of her powers! And maybe give her her powers back? Beak is featured in this issue too, and he lost his powers the same way as Stacy X, but he has them back.
Basically, what I’m saying is: bring back Stacy X!
And don’t kill the Mimic!
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Hench-Sized Comic Book Reviews – 9/22/18
Is anybody reading all the weird stuff that’s going on with Venom these days? I understand it’s some noteworthy stuff, and it’s getting a lot of buzz on these here internets, but I can’t bring myself to care — and the movie is only two weeks away! Would anybody mind letting me know in the comments if it’s been worthwhile or not? Thanks!
I’ve mostly been sticking with comics I already love and adore, which is great for my general well being! Tom King on both Mister Miracle and Batman? Yes, please! Kelly Thompson on both Mr. and Mrs. X and West Coast Avengers? You’re damn right!
Mister Miracle wins Comic Book of the Week as we dive headfirst into the climax of one of the biggest, craziest comics of the year!
Meanwhile, I am completely ignoring the Return of Wolverine and the Infinity Warps stuff. Part of me knows they’re probably OK, and I’m sure the creative teams are great, but I have had my fill of Marvel’s attempts to either force Big Event comics to tie into recent movies, or deluge us with bringing Wolverine back, even though they made sure he wasn’t really gone anyway. There’s already been, like, several dozen different comics about Wolverine’s return. Just bring him back already, jeez louise! I can’t imagine there is anybody out there who is chomping at the bit to have regular Wolverine back so badly.
Speaking of which, I passed on the new issue of Thor because of its Wolverine indulgence. Hopefully I get caught back up on Thor soon…
Comic Reviews: Batman #55, Mister Miracle #11, Mr. & Mrs. X #3, Multiple Man #4 and West Coast Avengers #2.
Hench-Sized Comic Book Reviews – 9/15/18
In-freaking-sane! That’s the only way to describe this week in comics! Apparently Marvel heard how light things had been the past two weeks, so they released eight comics on my read pile this week! And that’s not even counting the couple of DC Comics this week that I’m reading! Oy vey!
Thankfully, there were a ton of great comics this week, from Runaways to Squirrel Girl to Ms. Marvel to Domino! A real standout is the returned Iceman comic by Sina Grace, but I’m afraid the new issue of Fantastic Four is just a touch better, and Fantastic Four wins Comic Book of the Week!
But Iceman was still really good. I’m very excited to have that comic back! Though hopefully Marvel doesn’t drop so many of my favorite comics in the same week anymore.
Comic Reviews: Amazing Spider-Man #5, Catwoman #3, Domino #6, Fantastic Four #2, Iceman #1, Ms. Marvel #34, Runaways #13, Superman #3, Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #36 and X-23 #4.




