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Hench-Sized Comic Book Reviews – 1/23/16

This was an exciting week for comics! We’ve got new issues of some of my favorites, like Astonishing Ant-Man and Ms. Marvel, as well as the excellent return of the new Patsy Walker series. Heck, even DC delivered, with another big Batman issue, and the first issue of the new Poison Ivy mini-series. This week was packed to the gills!

But two of the best issues were new #1s! I’m talking, of course, about the relaunched Captain Marvel and Silver Surfer comics! One has a new creative team and a new direction, while the other doubles down on what made the previous volume so good — which is exactly why the new Silver Surfer #1 wins Comic Book of the Week!

You’re live to the whole world!

But it’s good to have both series back! Marvel is finally shaking off all the Secret Wars malaise (even though I did enjoy Secret Wars).

Comic Reviews: Astonishing Ant-Man #4, Batman #48, Captain Marvel #1, Ms. Marvel #3, Poison Ivy #1, Patsy Walker a.k.a. Hellcat #2 and Silver Surfer #1.

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Captain Marvel, A-Force, and the Totally Awesome Hulk are Just a Few More New Marvel Comics

Marvel keeps rolling out their new comics at a near snail’s pace, and seeing as how I’m a busy, important man with a busy, important job, I haven’t been able to jump on every announcement. Or maybe I’m just lazy. One of those two.

Anyway, it’s Friday, and I’ve decided to do a quick summation of a few more of the announced comics! Most of them look pretty great so far. I’m getting a little worried for my wallet.


A-Force

Writer G. Willow Wilson is going to return to the Marvel Universe with her all-female Avengers team following Secret Wars. She’s a great writer, and the first issue of A-Force was full of character and energy. But the context of Battleworld hampered the execution, something that I hope a transplant to the regular Marvel Universe will fix. Based on Wilson alone, this is a must-see sort of book. Not much else is known, though.


Avengers

The Avengers are the flagship of Marvel these days, so of course they’re back, and under the pen of the extraordinary Mark Waid. He is a legend in the industry, deservedly so, and I bet he has a lot of great ideas for the Avengers. Marvel is once again doubling down on their popular characters with this series, putting Captain America, Iron Man, Thor and Spider-Man on the team — just not the ones we’d expect. Tony Stark is still around, but Cap is still Sam Wilson, Thor is still Jane Foster, and Spider-Man is now Miles Morales for good. I’m a little iffy on how well Miles is going to fit in the Marvel Universe, and I think it’s way too soon for Kamala Khan to join the Avengers, but I’m going to try to have a little faith on this one.


Captain Marvel

I’m sad that Kelly Sue DeConnick is leaving the title she turned into a smash hit, but I have to have hope that Carol has staying power of her own. The writers of the Agent Carter TV show, Tara Butters and Michele Fazekas, are taking over, and I’m excited to see what they bring. Apparently the story is going to be about Carol running a planetary defense force, which is kind of a big deal. Hopefully Butters and Fazekas can bring solid character work to Carol’s outer space adventures, which I never felt DeConnick managed to do.


Totally Awesome Hulk

They’re keeping the identity of the new Hulk a secret for now, but Bleeding Cool is convinced that it’s going to be Amadeus Cho. And considering that tuft of hair, the youthful title and the return of writer Greg Pak, I’m going to have to agree with them. Should be a fun change up to the Hulk, and Pak will probably have the right amount of fun with the series. With a name like that, I should darn well hope so.


Squadron Supreme

I didn’t care for their Secret Wars tie-in, and I’m not sure if I’ll bother with Squadron Supreme. I’ve never cared about the characters, and Marvel’s decision to mix and match different Squadron characters from across the Multiverse does not have me interested either. Still, more power to everyone involved.


Spider-Gwen

Spider-Gwen is getting a new #1 issue, just to fit alongside the rest of the line. It’s not changing anything from its brief beginning pre-Secret Wars, which is fine. I keep meaning to get caught up with Spider-Gwen, but I haven’t found the time. It seems like it’ll be fun. Maybe now I should read all those back issues I have piling up and get on board for the new #1.

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Hench-Sized Comic Book Reviews – 5/16/15

If you haven’t seen the news yet, the Gamer Girl & Vixen Kickstarter has officially launched! This is my first self-published comic and my first Kickstarter, so you better believe I’m going to be on pins and needles for the next month! Click on over and check out the Kickstarter, my comic reviews will wait.

Back? Alright, on with the reviews! This was a pretty great week for me, seeing as how we got new issues of both Captain Marvel and Ms. Marvel, and both were really good. We also got new issues of Thor, Darth Vader and Silk, three more of my favorite comics. But only one can win Comic Book of the Week, and that would be Captain Marvel #15 as writer Kelly Sue DeConnick signs off ahead of Secret Wars. It’s a very touching, enjoyable issue.

Those faces!

Of course, it’s just my luck that Carol finally returns to Earth just in time to go on hiatus for Secret Wars. But I’m pretty sure the issue where she finally meets Kamala Khan is coming up! Somebody remind me to track that down.

Over at Word of the Nerd, you can read my continuing coverage of Secret Wars. It’s still pretty good so far. And much like Convergence at DC Comics, I really don’t think I’m going to be touching many of the tie-in comics. So honestly, I’m not sure what I’m going to even review for the next few months…so maybe indie comic bonanza!

Comic Reviews: Captain Marvel #15, Darth Vader #5, Ms. Marvel #15, Silk #4 and Thor #8.

Hey, speaking of indie comics, did you hear that I’m running a Kickstarter?

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Hench-Sized Comic Book Reviews – 2/14/15

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone! Or at the very least, I hope your Friday the 13th yesterday wasn’t so bad. We’re all about love here at Henchman-4-Hire, especially a love for all things comics.

So it’s really kind of terrible that a comic I once loved, Secret Six, is now breaking my heart. I know other reviewers are enjoying the new Secret Six, but I am awash with horror. It’s like seeing the ex you still have feelings for turn into a meth addict. So it’s a good thing I’ve got Darth Vader, Boba Fett and an evil wookiee to keep me happy!

The sensational character find of 2015!

His name is Black Krrsantan and he’s now in the running for my favorite New Expanded Universe Star Wars character. I just keep falling more and more in love with him. And Darth Vader #1 has a lot more than just an evil wookiee to make it Comic Book of the Week.

You can also check out my review of Thor #5 over at Word of the Nerd!

Comic Reviews: Amazing Spider-Man #14, Batman Eternal #45, Captain Marvel #12, Darth Vader #1, Divinity #1 and Secret Six #2.

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Hench-Sized Comic Book Reviews – 1/17/15

Something is definitely wrong with me these days, henchies. I am definitely not living up to the ‘hench-sized’ decree in the title of this column! From last week to this one, it seems like I have a whole heck of a lot to talk about with comic books! I try to keep these reviews short and easily digestible, but sometimes when I get going, I really get going!

It helps that this week sees the debut of Star Wars #1. There’s definitely a lot to talk about with that comic! I was a little hesitant about diving in, but Marvel does not let me down. This is quality comics! Star Wars #1 captures Comic Book of the Week because it could be a pretty historic book.

If it was up to me, though, Captain Marvel would win because the newest issue is just that damn good! Captain Marvel #11 gets the first perfect score of the new year! Check the review to find out why! We’ve also got new issues of Batgirl and SHIELD, both of which deserve a lot of attention. And Batman Eternal finally brings us an issue focused on Red Robin and Harper Row, the only thing I still like about that comic.

Over at Word of the Nerd, you can check out my take on Amazing X-Men #15. Why does a comic like that still get published in the very crowded X-franchise? Find out in my review!

Comic Reviews: Batgirl #38, Batman Eternal #41, Captain Marvel #11, SHIELD #2, Silver Surfer #8 and Star Wars #1.

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