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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.

Squirrel Funeral 01

Just a small taste of awesome eulogies

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. 

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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.

Mimic Extermination 03

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.

Maggott Alive 01

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.

Stacy X Alive 01

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 – 9/15/18

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!

FF Reed Sue Happy 01

Why couldn’t you all let them be happy?

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. 

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Hench-Sized Comic Book Reviews – 8/11/18

Have you heard the good news? Kelly Thompson is going to be a major creative player in the X-Men! That’s darn good news! Let’s celebrate by reading Spider-Man, Catwoman, Superman and Domino comics!

Comic Book of the Week goes to the first issue of the newly relaunched Fantastic Four! I’ve never been much of a Fantastic Four fan, but Dan Slott has been on fire since coming off Amazing Spider-Man!

FF is Back 01

Pun intended

Meanwhile, I skipped reviewing Unbeatable Squirrel Girl for the second time in a row because it continues off the trial issue, with which I had several problems. The new issue is all about Squirrel Girl deciding that Kraven the Hunter should be completely absolved of all crimes because she thinks he’s a good person who is dedicated to bettering himself. Forget all previous criminal incidents, and ignore the perfectly legal trial by jury that just took place, if Squirrel Girl thinks you’re a good person, you should totally get off scot free.

Really bad call by the normally level-headed Squirrel Girl.

Comic Reviews: Amazing Spider-Man #3, Catwoman #2, Domino #5, Fantastic Four #1 and Superman #2.

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Hench-Sized Comic Book Reviews – 7/14/18

Comic-Con season was pretty good for me this year. I did a couple of local conventions, nothing too huge. Some new people bought — and hopefully enjoyed — Gamer Girl & Vixen. If you’ve never read my comic before, the graphic novel is still available to order! And I think I’m going to try really hard to have some new comics to show off for next convention season.

Speaking of comics, it’s a pretty big week. We’ve got the first issues of Amazing Spider-Man and Superman, kicking off those new creative teams. We’ve also got the debut of the new X-23 series, which wins Comic Book of the Week for the best, cleanest and most entertaining series debut this week.

X23 Big Moment 01

Honey Badger rules!

Meanwhile, I would like to point out  that there are not one, but TWO courtroom scenes in this week’s comics that don’t understand how the criminal justice system works. Due to my day job, this is one of those things that really grinds my gears. There should be no excuse for not knowing that you don’t immediately launch into a jury trial the same day you’re arrested. That stuff takes time! A long time!

I could go on, but I’ll spare you for now. You can go back and read a full article I wrote on all the nitpicks I had. I must sadly decline from reviewing Unbeatable Squirrel Girl this week. It’s still a fun comic, but it’s complete disregard for how a courtroom actually works just pressed all of my buttons.

Comic Reviews: Amazing Spider-Man #1, Domino #4, Ms. Marvel #32, Superman #1 and X-23 #1. 

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