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Mosaic is an Alright Guy, But Marvel Might Not Know How His Powers Work
I want to get one thing straight right off the bat: I kid because I love. I love Marvel Comics. I love the X-Men. And from Schism to Secret Wars, I absolutely loved what Marvel was doing with Cyclops. They made him the most fascinating character in their universe, with more shades of gray than a steamy, fan fiction romance novel.
Which is why I’m so disappointed that Marvel is completely futzing up Cyclops’ story in the current Inhumans vs. X-Men crossover. All the nuance and complexity is gone as they forcefully paint Cyclops and the X-Men as monsters — until the new issue this week, which might just prove that Marvel knows what they’re doing after all. And it all hinges on that most interesting of new characters, Mosaic.
Words to live by
For those of you who don’t know, Mosaic is a new Inhuman with the power to jump into your mind and control you like a puppet. He’s also the star of his own brand new ongoing solo series, which is very rare for Marvel these days. They don’t just go around handing ongoing solo comics to brand new characters.
I’ve been reading Mosaic and it’s alright. Personally, I think it’s wasting time on surface level stuff instead of diving into the real drama that’s simmering in the background, but maybe that’s just me. Regardless, Mosaic is a pretty interesting dude, and he plays a pivotal role in this week’s issue of Inhumans vs. X-Men.
How pivotal? Join me after the jump to find out! Also, between all of his appearances in this event, I don’t think the memo is going around about how Mosaic’s body-control powers work.
SPOILERS for Inhumans vs. X-Men #4, as well as the Mosaic ongoing series.
Hench-Sized Comic Book Reviews – 1/21/17
In my efforts to avoid the dark days that have befallen America, I’d like to focus on comic books today! It’s what I do every Saturday, but we could really, really use some heroic superheroes right now. Fortunately for us, we’ve got a nice smattering of comics.
Some are really good, like Nightwing, U.S. Avengers and more, while others are just OK, like Harley Quinn, Iron Man and a new Captain Marvel debut. And some are just a ton of fun, like this week’s Comic Book of the Week, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #11!
Check out the Power Rangers trapped in an alternate, dark reality!
Black Ranger means business
Meanwhile, The Clone Conspiracy finally gets good as writer Dan Slott delivers some actually, worthwhile character-based drama. Any Spider-Man story can instantly be made better by focusing on Otto and Anna Maria. Though this is also the issue where Ben Reilly goes full villain, so there’s that, too.
Comic Reviews: Harley Quinn #12, Invincible Iron Man #3, Mighty Captain Marvel #1, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #11, Mosaic #4, Nightwing #13 and U.S. Avengers #2.
Hench-Sized Comic Book Reviews – Dec. 17, 2016
Sometimes I complain that comics don’t feature holiday stories anymore, but then I never read the specific holiday-themed one shots that both Marvel and DC tend to release. I want to see Batman do Christmas stuff in the actual pages of Batman! Holiday-themed comic book specials are about as entertaining to read as holiday-themed TV specials.
Fortunately, we still have good comics to read otherwise. Detective Comics and Power Man and Iron Fist continue to be great, while Mosaic and Jessica Jones continue to disappoint. But this week also saw the release of the new Hawkeye series, and it wins Comic Book of the Week for a really fun vibe for a first issue.
Side waist holes are the new exposed midriff
Also, wha’td everybody think of the new Star Wars movie? I thought it was pretty spectacular. Working on my full review still.
Comic Reviews: Detective Comics #946, Hawkeye #1, Jessica Jones #3, Mosaic #3 and Power Man and Iron Fist #11.
Hench-Sized Comic Book Reviews – 11/12/16
The biggest takeaway I’m going to have from this election is that I need to ramp up making awesome diverse comics. I’m a storyteller, and these are the stories I’m going to tell in whatever Hell soon awaits us. If you haven’t read Gamer Girl & Vixen yet, visit our website or hit me up for a free digital copy of the first issue! Our graphic novel will be out soon!
For now, regular comics will still sustain me. Lots of good comics this week, with some mediocre attempts thrown into the mix. Detective Comics is still a hoot, but Marvel isn’t really wowing me with new titles like Mosaic or Invincible Iron Man.
Fortunately, Power Man and Iron Fist starts a new story this week, and already it’s off to a great start! Comic Book of the Week!
What’s with that lobster guy?
I also read the second issue of Clone Conspiracy in Dan Slott’s Spider-Man, but decided not to do a review. It’s a fine story so far, though I feel like Slott could be doing a lot more. So far, it’s pretty much just exposition with a bit of action thrown in. He hasn’t convinced me that this clone storyline is anything more than Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
But at least this issue saw the return of Kaine as the Scarlet Spider. Been missing that guy since Spider-Verse. Leave it to Slott to kill Prowler but resurrect Kaine in the same storyline. My fanboy heart can’t take it.
Comic Reviews: Detective Comics #944, Gotham Academy/Lumberjanes #6, Invincible Iron Man #1, Mosaic #2 and Power Man and Iron Fist #10.
Hench-Sized Comic Book Reviews – 10/15/16
I need to stop convincing myself that I’m in good enough shape to go to Comic-Con. Maybe once upon a time I could handle it, but oh boy, last weekend in New York was misery! I had a lot of fun hanging out with my friends, but I was so winded and worn out that I didn’t actually see anything at Comic-Con. The most I can say is that I made it into the building and found a couple of nice chairs.
A two-hour line to get in will do that to you…
Anyway, the experience has not soured me on comics in general, and we’ve got some nice ones this week. Great Lakes Avengers and Mosaic kick off at Marvel, and I’ve decided to try Superwoman again. But the Comic of the Week goes to the final issue of Darth Vader for being its usual badass self!
None can stand in his wa
On the chopping block is the new Supergirl series. After two issues, I just don’t think it’s for me and I won’t be reviewing it going forward. I’m sure Supergirl fans will be happy with it, but I find it kind of mundane.
Comic Reviews: Darth Vader #25, Great Lakes Avengers #1,Lumberjanes/Gotham Academy #5, Mosaic #1, Power Man & Iron Fist #9 and Superwoman #3.
Henchman-4-Hire 