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Marvels: Eye of the Camera #1 [Review]

Just One Little Thing

Writer: Kurt Busiek
Artist: Jay Anacleto
Colors: Brian Haberlin
Letters: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Associate Editor: Jeanine Schaefer
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Cover: Jay Anacleto
Publisher: Marvel Comics

I’ve been looking forward to this series for years. I mean, we’re talking at least a decade. It’s been rumoured for many years, with apparently a couple of false-starts, and now after all this time, this series is here. Now what?

From the cover we immediately see this is different from the original. Different artist, different look…separate entity. No real attempt is made to have the cover evoke the feel of the original series–the “cover dress” with the black border/negative space over a full single image might have worked very well here, with the subtitle Eye of the Camera along the bottom.

The first page is an introduction by the main character, Phil Sheldon; and the issue’s creator credits somehow make me think of some “event” ticket, indicating who is involved for the night and all that. Not bad–I don’t think I’ve seen/held a ticket like that…well, ever–so it helps to indicate this story is not set during my lifetime.

The story follows Sheldon in the opening of the 1960s as he begins to realize that some of his “marvels” may be monsters, unlike the heroes during the war. He also considers that as a family man, perhaps he needs to lay down the freelance photography in pursuit of a steady/full job so that he knows he’s got provision for his family and isn’t still playing at his youth. Through this, we also see the arrival of the Fantastic Four on the scene and the “man on the street” reaction to the super-team’s unveiling.

The art is a very clear departure from that of painter Alex Ross from the original series. I’m not familiar with this artist at all offhand–ntohing comes to mind and I have nothing prior to compare the work to. In and of itself–and I’m sure credit must be given to the colorist in tandem here–has a look that while apparently not painted, has just the right feel to suggest painted, and very nicely captures the look of the characters I recall from the original. By itself, I’d deem this very good art; I honestly think the only thing that may keep it from that is the unfortunate fact that as a sequel, this has got to be compared to the original…and as such, the comparison to Ross must come up.

That said, I found this to be an excellent issue. It seems to be “sequel” in that it is a follow-up; though time-wise, it seems to be coming between the pages of the original story. As the first of six issues, I have no idea how the other issues will play out in that regard–are these meant to be taken as “between issues” stories from the original, between pages, or just another story from the same period, much as one could tell two independent stories that both follow the same life, the difference simply being the events chosen to focus on and unpack in each story.

Without Ross, I can think of no artist who would have done better than Mr. Anacleto; and I trust Busiek–who wrote the original series–with whatever he’s choosing to do here.

A very worthwhile issue…though with about a decade and a half of having the original story available in full under a single cover, I can’t help but wonder if this sequel will read better in the same way–as a whole, rather than split into six segments across half a year.

If the rest of the issues hold up to this one, this could be one of those rare sequels that at least matches its original.

Story: 8/10
Art: 9/10
Whole: 8.5/10

Secret Invasion #8 [Review]

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Penciller: Leinil Francis Yu
Inker: Mark Morales
Colorist: Laura Martin
Letterer: Chris Eliopoulos
Production: Irene Lee
Assoc. Editor: Jeanine Schaefer
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Cover: Gabrielle Dell’Otto
Publisher: Marvel Comics

That’s it?!?

This issue presumably picks up from where the last issue left off–but I’m not 100%, because I have only gotten certain beats of this story, being a reader who took ’em at their word that one would be able to just buy the main series and get a full story.

The Wasp apparently was turned into some sort of biological weapon (wha? when?), and rather than see the action moving forward, we’re treated to an opening sequence that seems to be more of a time-jump, going from a current in-your-face event to “well, now that we’re DONE, what exactly HAPPENED out there, Guys?!?” retrospective. Though The Wasp (insert arbitrary long-standing character here) died, the Skrulls were defeated, and now that the Skrull Plot has been brought to light, let’s see those who can take the fall do so, to shake things up for yet. another. “new.” “status quo.

The art on this issue isn’t horrible, but there’s something to it that doesn’t quite seem what I’d expect from Yu. While his style worked very well for me when he was on Wolverine a number of years ago, his style here isn’t really to my liking–many of the characters look odd to me…something much different from the “gritty” style I liked. Still, the art mostly shows what’s going on, and characters are recognizeable, so no huge fault there. (You can flip through the issue and determine if you like the visual style or not, as it maintains a consistent style throughout).

The story…

Well, I’m not satisfied. I bought the first issue of the series to check it out, and despite knowing better, I was hooked and bought the second issue. At that point, I’d bought a quarter of the series, so figured I’d grudgingly give it a shot for a few more issues, just to see if I could be proven wrong…and with this “8th” and “final” issue (I use quotes there because frankly, it is absurd to believe you can read a “core mini-series” for a Marvel event and not have to buy the umpteen specials, mini-series and tie-in issues as the event went on, and there are even epilogue/follow-up Secret Invasion issues BEFORE we even launch into the new “event” hot on the heels of this year-long monstrosity.

This issue was choppy, and tried to cram way too much in–we had at least three issues that did virtually nothing and now we have an issue with everything but the kitchen sink crammed in almost more to set up the next story than to truly provide an ending to this story. We hit a cliffhanger, then get a couple pages of resolution (tack those pages into the previous issue, and call this an epilogue/transition).

If you’ve been following the series, sure….pick this issue up. If you’re looking for surprises…well, avoid anything Marvel-related until you read this in one format or another. I’m not interested in where things are going, and maybe am not the target audience.

Story: 3/10
Art: 5/10
Whole: 4/10

Captain America #44 [Review]

Time’s Arrow – Part 2 of 3

Writer: Ed Brubaker
Penciler: Luke Ross
Inkers: Fabio Laguna & Rick Kagyar
Colors: Frank D’Armata
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Production Joe Sabino
Assoc. Editor: Jeanine Schaefer
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Cover: Steve Epting
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Bucky (Captain America, really) and Black Widow decide to split up to tackle their “problem” from two different angles–each taking the angle their strengths play to. While “Captain America” might get some results, Bucky is able to fall back on his reputation as the “Winter Soldier” to get answers, and eventually get his rematch with Batroc…and then face a figure from his past.

I’m not terribly familiar with Luke Ross–by name–in terms of prior work; but what we have in this issue, I really like. There’s a very realistic feel that lends something extra to the story. Though this plays in a world with super-spies and super-heroes, it feels like it takes place in a real world much moreso than a comic book world.

Brubaker continues to provide a strong story that goes beyond “simple” super-hero vs. bad guy, and exploring the world he’s crafted with Captain America now as a “legacy character.”

Despite this, I find myself checking out a bit. There was a certain excitement and interest locked up in the epic The Death of Captain America, and now that that story is behind and there’s no imminent sign of Steve Rogers returning, I feel like we have a new status quo that is interesting conceptually, but more well-suited for collected volumes. Barring learning something particularly engaging about the next story, I’ll likely finish out this arc, then let this title go for a bit, and possibly just wait for a collected volume of the next arc.

On the whole, definitely a solid issue of the title, and well worth getting if you’re interested in seeing the new Captain America in action, with the status quo left by the end of the aforementioned epic. This is, after all, the first “original” story OF the new Cap.

Especially if you can find the previous issue, this is well worth picking up–this is part 2 of just a 3-part story (a nice break from the 6-issue “acts” of an 18-issue epic).

Story: 8.5/10
Art: 9/10
Whole: 8.5/10

Wolverine: Origins #30 [Review]

Original Sin: Conclusion

Writer: Daniel Way
Artist: Mike Deodato
Colorist: Rain Beredo
Letterist: VC’s Cory Petit
Production: Tom Van Cise
Assistant Editor: Jody Leheup
Editor: John Barber
Group Editor: Axel Alonso
Cover: Mike Deodto & Richard Isanove
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Daken is preparing to kill Xavier…and Wolverine provokes Daken’s rage, luring it to himself. After a bloody rumble with a glimpse into Wolverine’s memories of Daken’s mother, and the revelation of how Xavier survived the “psy-bomb” that he tripped when probing Daken’s mind, we are left with a Wolverine determined to head down a certain road.

The art is–by far–the best thing this issue offers. I definitely like the look of Wolverine’s costume here as depicted by Deodato (and colored by Beredo). Some panels are a bit unclear, and certain visual angles seem a bit strange and hard on the eyes in terms of actual clarity as to what’s going on. On the whole, though, not much of a complaint with the visuals.

The story on the other hand does nothing for me. Xavier’s condition seems a little too “convenient.” The interaction between Wolverine and Xavier seems forced, as does the revelation of their apparent past that after all these years of comics has just come to light. I still don’t care at all about Daken, and just don’t “buy” the reason of the character’s existence. I also have zero interest in whatever/whoever this “Romulus” is (I recall the name from the dreadful arc in Wolverine by Loeb, of course). I’m a bit confused by the issue’s ending–I’m not entirely sure what it’s supposed to mean in terms of Wolverine’s status quo and interaction with the X-teams and New Avengers and such.

Ultimately, at the end of this issue I actually asked out loud “That’s it?!?” This issue is far from satisfying, and while I initially enjoyed the idea of an Xavier/Wolverine story, the execution and final result is quite a disappointment, and I feel like neither character was particularly advanced story-wise…and that they may actually have been regressed or spoiled a bit by this story if it holds as any sort of defining point for either character or their relationship.

Recommended really only for anyone who has already bought the first four chapters…you’ve come this far, might as well see the trainwreck itself. If you’ve not followed the arc, I see no reason to get this issue–you can find much better Wolverine and/or Xavier stories to read.

Story: 4/10
Art: 7.5/10
Whole: 5/10

X-Men: Legacy #218 [Review]

Original Sin part four

Writer: Mike Carey
Penciller: Scott Eaton
Inker: Andrew Hennessy
Colorists: Jason Keith with Brian Reber
Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit
Production: Joe Sabino
Assistant Editor: Daniel Ketchum
Editor: Nick Lowe
Cover: Mike Deodato
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Wolverine and Professor Xavier infiltrate the place Daken is being held, and a battle erupts between them and Sebastian Shaw with Miss Sinister…Daken caught in the middle.

The story is at once simple and somewhat boring. I don’t care about Daken, I knew nothing of the character prior to this Original Sin story. I do not like the way Marvel (in general) seems to be shoehorning so much crap into the past of their characters, casting a 180 on how they were viewed for the last three to four decades.

It’s fairly interesting seeing Wolverine and Xavier interact–I have long enjoyed their dynamic, as Wolverine struggles to be his own person, and almost grudgingly respects the professor–the man who helped him reclaim his humanity. This story suggests that a certain amount of Wolverine’s memory loss was actually caused by Xavier himself all those years ago–that Wolverine joined the X-Men intent upon killing Xavier, and I just don’t buy that. I have never found the Hellfire Club interesting, nor do I care one bit about their internal political maneuvering…I just don’t find it engaging at all.

The art of the issue is the best part–it’s pretty good, and I actually like the way Xavier and Wolverine are depicted. No real complaint visually…or at least, any visual complaint would have to do (Daken) with a story element I disagree with.

You could probably do much worse than this issue…but if you’re not interested in Daken-Son-of-Wolverine, and you’re not already following this Original Sin story, you’re just as well skipping this issue and coming back when X-Men Legacy is its own story again.

Story: 6/10
Art: 8/10
Whole: 7/10

Ender’s Game: Battle School #2 [Review]

Creative Director & Executive Director: Orson Scott Card
Script: Christopher Yost
Art: Pasqual Ferry
Color Art: Frank D’Armata
Lettering: VC’s Cory Petit
Story Consultant: Jake Black
Cover: Pasqual Ferry & Frank D’Armata
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Picking up where the previous issue left off, we see Ender’s trip to and arrival at Battle School. His teacher lays it on a bit hard, intentionally (and effectively) isolating Ender from his fellow students from the get-go…the hope being this will prevent Ender from getting comfortable, and force him to think outside the standard “system.” We see Ender’s craftiness as he quickly engages older students, proving himself worthy of their level…we also see Ender’s skill in the Battle Room, easily adapting to a zero-gravity situation other students have a harder time with.

The story seems quite true to the book as I recall reading. Whether this holds up under close/immediate comparison I’m not sure. I find it to be quite satisfactory, though. The concepts Card presents work well in present-day American culture where we’ve got a war going on a couple of fronts and non-traditional enemies abound…and military advances seem to be pushing the bounds of traditional practices. While obviously set in the future, the story has that charming relevance in present-day.

After the first issue, the visual style’s growing on me a bit–it’s still not what I initially imagined when I’d read Ender’s Game years ago…but it fits, and it’s not hard to let this visual take influence my memories. There’s a certain vibe to the art that I can’t quite put my finger on…sort of a manga influence while seeming like it’s trying to fit a live model for certain characters.

On the whole, not a bad issue. As an adaptation this holds my interest–a sort of re-reading of the familiar story, but with pictures replacing thousands of words.

I’m not entirely sure why I bought this issue…this is a 5-issue limited series, and I would be absolutely shocked if the collected-volume (aka “graphic novel”) isn’t available within a month or two of the final issue’s shipping. You’re probably better off waiting for that version, unless you’re absolutely chomping at the bit for a visual production of Ender’s Game.

Story: 7/10
Art: 7/10
Whole: 7/10

Captain America #43 [Review]

Time’s Arrow – Part 1 of 3

Writer: Ed Brubaker
Penciller: Luke Ross
Inker: Fabio Laguna
Colorist: Frank D’Armata
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Production: nthony Dial
Associate Editor: Jeanine Schaefer
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Cover: Steve Epting

This issue opens with a flashback to one of Bucky’s adventures with Steve/Cap in China in 1942. We’re then in the present, which is a month after the prior story (and apparently post-Secret Invasion as well), as James finds himself restless and so heads out to clear his head. In typical fashion, though, the hero can’t catch a break and he finds himself facing one of Steve’s old foes…rather unprepared. In the aftermath of the skirmish, we see both further difference in Bucky’s Cap compared to Steve, and learn that a an old foe who knows James as the Winter Soldier is preparing something…and is intrigued to realize that the man Batroc scrapped with is the man he knows as the Winter Soldier.

In a way, this reads like a first issue. Which is good–it IS a first issue, of an entirely new arc that presumably has nothing to do with the Red Skull, and is the first issue/first arc not part of the epic Death of Captain America saga. We see our hero in his down time, we get to see a bit of what drives him, what’s in his head–and that he does not operate in a vacuum, nor is he some “traditional” super-hero. His actions and motivations are much different than those of Steve Rogers, and that helps sell James/Bucky as his own character. The writing is strong, and totally fits the tone I’ve gotten used to on this series–this being my 19th issue since returning to it with the now-infamous “Death” issue #25.

The art is by a different artist–but I don’t think I even noticed that until I looked at the credits to do this review. The art is similar enough that there’s nothing particularly jarring to it from the previous issue–especially for being the start of a new arc and weeks having passed since I even read the previous issue. It maintains a rather realistic tone but keeps to the familiar looks of the characters from earlier issues. In looking back over it, perhaps it’s not quite up there with the prior team…but it works just as well in this issue, and I have no problem with it.

This is (as much as any) a good point to jump in if you’ve been holding off on reading the title. At the same time, as we’re now beyond the 18-issue saga begun with #25, this could also be a jumping off point. Steve is not (yet? if ever?) back, and this story is very much the new Captain America. I’ve been along for the ride for this long, and I plan to continue awhile yet.

Story: 8.5/10
Art: 7.5/10
Whole: 8/10

Ender’s Game: Battle School #1 [Review]

Creative Director & Executive Director: Orson Scott Card
Script: Christopher Yost
Art: Pasqual Ferry
Color Art: Frank D’Armata
Lettering: Cory Petit
Story Consultant: Jake Black
Production: Irene Lee
Assistant Editor: Jordan D. White
Consulting Editor: Nick Lowe
Senior Editor: Mark Paniccia
Cover: Pasqual Ferry & Frank D’Armata (variant by Emily Warren)
Publisher: Marvel Comics

It’s been a number of years since I last read Ender’s Game. Much as a movie based on a book rarely holds up to the source material, I’ve found that to be the case with most books-to-comics adaptations as well. Still, I decided to give this issue a try, given the source material, and wondering how it’d translate.

The issue opens with a young boy–Andrew “Ender” Wiggin having a monitor device removed from the back of his neck. Though the procedure doesn’t go as routinely as expected, the boy soon returns to class, where fellow students take note of the monitor having been removed. Lacking “status” granted by the device, Ender finds himself having to stand up–alone–to some bullies, and gets away with his fellow students looking at him thrugh much different eyes than earlier. As the issue progresses, we are introduced to the rest of Ender’s family, and the reason he had a monitoring device attached to him, as well as other elements that set up the story.

The art here works well, though it’s not entirely to my taste. The style has the feel of something trying to resemble CGI, or at the least of trying to mimic real life models or of being based on human actors, as a comic adaptation of a movie. That said, it’s quite interesting to put some actual visuals to characters I’ve only previously seen in my own imagination. This version doesn’t match what I’d imagined…but is in the unique position of providing me imagery going in, and as the story progresses, to continue to add to what I recall of the story.

The story is what I remember, though some subtle details I’d forgotten. Having words and pictures rather than just words to tell the story, many details obviously are sacrificed, even as others are enhanced by having visuals to SHOW what’s happening rather than just TELLING. A picture being worth a thousand words and all that, after all.

Overall, not a bad outing for something of this nature. This issue is billed as the first of 5…but from what I can remember of the novel (and that this is subtitled “Battle School”) I get the feeling that this mini-series-to-become-graphic-novel-collected-volume is just the first of multiple arcs that as a whole will give us (at least) a visual AND words adaptation of Card’s original novel.

I think that this might have been better suited for an original graphic novel format, as the story would probably work much better in a much larger chunk all at once instead of the little story segment we have here.

If you’re a particular fan of the novel and eager to read the story in a new format, this issue ought to be worth checking out. If this is a passing curiosity or otherwise…I think you’d be best suited to wait for a collected volume, and go from there.

Story: 7/10
Art: 6/10
Whole: 6.5/10

Captain America #42 [review]

The Death of Captain America Act 3 – The Man Who Bought America: Part Six

Writer: Ed Brubaker
Penciller: Steve Epting with Luke Ross
Inkers: Rick Magyar, Steve Epting & Fabio Laguna
Colors: Frank D’Armata
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Production: Jacob Chabot
Associate Editor: Jeanine Schaefer
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Editor in Chief: Joe Quesada
Publisher: Dan Buckley
Cover: Steve Epting

I’m not entirely sure how to start to talk about this issue. I suppose I’ll just wing it. This is the 18th chapter in the Death of Captain America saga, and the 6th/final chapter in the third/final “act”of the saga. Everything from at least issue 25 til now has built to this issue.

And yet…

And yet, there’s no sense of “hype” here, overall. No double-sized issue, no enhanced cover, no wild ‘n trippy cover blurbs.

I think that’s what makes this a good issue, though.

We open as Bucky–the new Captain America–interferes with plans to set the Red Skull’s man up to be a major hero in America’s eyes heading toward an election. While Bucky deals with this, Falcon and Black Widow are mixing it up at the Red Skull’s base trying to find/rescue Sharon Carter. Meanwhile, the Skull prepares another major step in his plan, though he couldn’t resist old habits, and that draws him some criticism from Zola, even as the 50s Cap struggles against his own bonds.

The writing here is dead-on, as usual for Brubaker. Not a thing seems amiss–characters and situations have been set up for a number of issues in this sprawling “epic,” causing events to unfold as they do at present, according to a plan much larger/longer than just a couple issues of “conspiracy” or such. Everything has mattered, from the start of this series to present…and I’m guessing one could argue that from the start of this series, everything has built to this issue, setting up the future of the character. I’ve enjoyed the story well enough as it’s gone on issue by issue, and certainly expect to enjoy it all the more once I sit down to read the entire thing in a much shorter go than 18+ moths.

The art–though multiple individuals are involved–leaves me suitably impressed. There’s a realistic element that makes the word balloons and narration almost look out of place–which works for me, because I do really enjoy the art in a way I don’t notice on the majority of the comics I read these days.

Art and story combine as one very good final product. There are a number of good character moments gotten across as much by story context as by the visuals. As the final chapter in such a long story, I don’t really recommend this as a good jumping-on point (though I suspect the next issue may be a decent starting point for newer readers). If you’ve been following this story, this is not an issue to skip.

Well recommended given that context.

Story: 8/10
Art: 9/10
Whole: 8.5/10

X-Men: Legacy #216 [review]

Walkthrough, Part 2 of 2

Writer: Mike Carey
Penciller: Phil Briones
Inker: Scott Hanna
Colorists: Brian Reber and Raul Trevino
Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit
Production: Joe Sabino
Assistant Editors: Will Panzo and Daniel Ketchum
Editor: Nick Lowe
Executive Editor: Axel Alonso
Editor in Chief: Joe Quesada
Publisher: Dan Buckley
Cover: Salvador Larroca

This issue yet again reminds me that it is possible to have a very enjoyable story that is steeped in continuity. We open with Emma Frost holding sway over Xavier–she’d lurked in Cyclops’ mind, and when Xavier interacted with Cyclops, he also got her. She proceeds to lead Xavier through a review of some of the key moments in which he has seemingly abused his power…while she seeks to determine if there’s any remnant of Mr. Sinister lurking within this mighty mutant mind.

Looks at recruiting Henry McCoy, responding to Rogue’s first coming to him, and Scott Summers reacting to the defeat at Krakoa are three of multiple power-abuses Xavier is confronted with–these times that he “played God” with other living people, means to the end being all the justification he’d required.

Carey’s writing here seems spot-on. Whatever history the characters have had, I find his Scott and Emma to be quite believable, and I greatly enjoy the way he has Xavier “re-discovering” all these fragments of his past–which we as readers are shown as flashbacks. Carey picks out moments key to what makes–or made–Xavier WHO he is (or was, or will be again). Through this, we see how past events are stil relevant in the present, and in general get to take this journey of self re-discovery WITH Xavier.

The art also works very well….I like the way the characters look. I’m not left in confusion as to what’s going on visually; the art works right alongside the writing. That I recognize several of the flashbacks is great: while perhaps from a different camera-angle than the original, there’s a consistency that I almost wouldn’t expect these days.

This is the second of a two-chapter story, and so in and of itself unlikely to be a good jump-on point unless one looks simply to jump into the deep end and flail like crazy to find one’s bearings. With some context of the last couple years of X-stories, one wouldn’t be too badly off pairing this issue with the previous s a single go. As a continuing reader, this is another strong issue in what has come to be my favorite–and only–X-title to read each month.

Story: 8/10
Art: 8/10
Whole: 8/10