Ultimate Comics: All-New Spider-Man #5
Now this is more like it! We get some awesome Spider-Man action as Miles Morales finally, officially becomes the new Spider-Man. He’s got to pass through Spider-Woman, Nick Fury and Electro to do it, but Miles kicks ass with flying colors. And he’s funny, too! That’s almost a prerequisite for both Spider-Man and writer Brian Michael Bendis, but here it’s delightful. Miles isn’t Peter Parker, but it’s great to see that Spider-Man will still be witty.
Ultimate Spider-Man #5
If only the Ultimate Universe wasn’t such a crappy place these days.
Comic rating: 4/5: Good!
If Marvel sticks with the tradition of having 6-issue story arcs, then this was the penultimate chapter of Miles Morales’ origin story. Which means we’ve got one more issue to go to wrap this thing up in a bow. I wonder what’s going to happen. Is Miles going to get his own super-villain? Maybe we’ll finally see his parents again. Or maybe he’ll hang out with Aunt May for some reason. Either way, this was a good issue, it’s good to see Miles in his own costume and I’m definitely ready to see this young man spread his webs and fly.
Though I’d probably still make the better Spider-Man. Spoilers after the jump.
The Most Adorable Web Comic Ever!
Prepare to have your heartstrings tugged and re-tugged in what has to be the most adorable, heart-warming web comic ever captured in the medium. At least if you’re into video games like I am. It’s also Christmas-themed, so that works out perfectly this week. It’s from VGCats, which I don’t read regularly, but is still a well-regarded web comic. You’re going to have to click to enlarge this one, but it’s definitely worth it. It’s called ‘The Perfect Gift’.
Click to enlarge
Or if that comic is not to your liking, here it is in animated form. Though like most things, the original is better.
So maybe you’ll be willing to give VGCats a try this Christmas.
Or she's gonna pound you, I guess
This Skyrim Christmas Lights Display Officially Wins Christmas
Whoever this person is, they have officially won Christmas. It’s the Skyrim theme song illustrated with the most elaborate Christmas lights display ever!
According to the Youtube page, the guy is 19 and lives in Minnesota. He makes elaborate Christmas light displays as a hobby. I’ve heard of worse hobbies. Hats off to this person, fellow geeks. He is the champion this day.
Review: X-Factor #229
The story of the ‘dead’ Jamie Madrox picks back up this issue, and it’s a doozy! We’re into a full-on science fiction story, as Madrox seems to be on some strange, interdimensional adventure. A far cry from the noir roots of this series, but I’ll gladly read any tale starring my favorite superhero. He’s not quite dead just yet, and learning his final fate as this story progresses has got me on the edge of my seat. Writer Peter David is promising new revelations about the nature of Madrox’s duplication powers. And while I’m lukewarm to that idea, I’m excited for a good story.
X-Factor #229
And this one is pretty damn good one so far.
Comic rating: 4/5: Good!
What we have here is an alternate reality tale to introduce us to the idea of Madrox’s interdimensional adventure. Familiar characters appear, but everything is just so slightly different because it’s an alternate reality. Madrox is lost and confused, but he’s adapting and figuring it out. One great thing about this issue is that writer Peter David is able to focus on just one character, and the narrative really benefits. There are a lot of questions raised, and a lot of strangeness. Somehow Layla might even be involved. Nothing is spelled out clearly quite yet. But I’m confident we’re going to get answers in this story. It’s just going to be a nail-biter going from issue to issue until the end.
I hope Madrox is still alive by the end, and that he hasn’t been changed into an unrecognizable character. Is it so wrong for me to want to keep my favorite comic book character around?
Spoilers after the jump.
Free Batman: Arkham City Skin!
A lot of Batman: Arkham City players have been visiting my blog lately, so I thought I’d do a public service announcement and let everyone know that the game-makers, Rocksteady, are offering a free Batman skin for the holidays! It’s a big ‘Thank You’ to all their loyal players. I downloaded it earlier, it’s pretty cool. It comes from the recent Batman Inc. series by Grant Morrison.
Here’s a picture:
I love free stuff, especially if it involves Batman
There are several more skins, but you have to pay for them. I have to wonder how much work actually goes into these skins. One would think it wouldn’t be too hard to make new ones of every single Batman variation of all time. It sucks that they charge for them. Remember back in the day when alternate costumes were unlocked with a code?
Those were the good times.
Check out this article at GamesRadar for more information and a special code for more costumes.
