Full review posted to cxPulp.com.
Story: 3.5/5
Art: 3.5/5
Overall: 3.5/5
Filed under: Avengers vs. X-Men, Avengers vs. X-Men (event), cxPulp.com, MARVEL, Marvel Universe | Tagged: Allen Martinez, Avengers vs. X-Men, Avx, AvX Consequences, Clayton Cowles, Comic Reviews, Consequences, cxPulp, Cyclops, Jason Keith, Jim Charalampidis, Jordan D. White, Kieron Gillen, MARVEL, Marvel Comics, Nick Lowe, Ron Garney, Steve Kurth, Wolverine | Leave a comment »
Full review posted to cxPulp.com.
Story: 3.5/5
Art: 3/5
Overall: 2.5/5
Filed under: Avengers vs. X-Men, Avengers vs. X-Men (event), cxPulp.com, MARVEL, Marvel Universe | Tagged: avengers, Avx, Clayton Cowles, Comic Reviews, Consequences, cxPulp, Dommo Sanchez Aymara, Jim Charalampidis, Jordan D. White, Kieron Gillen, MARVEL, Marvel Comics, Nick Lowe, Patrick Zircher, Tom Raney, x-men | Leave a comment »
Writer: Peter David
Artists: Andrea DiVito, Jon Buran, Nigel Raynor, Mike Bowden, Walden Wong
Color Artist: Wil Quintana
Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles
Cover Art: Adi Granov
Assistant Editor: Jake Thomas
Associate Editor: Lauren Sankovitch
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Published by: Marvel Comics
When I heard that Avengers Season One was going to be included with the Walmart edition of the DVD/Bluray, I was pretty much “sold” on the spot. By the time this came out, though, I’d resigned myself to some sort of DVD-case-digest-size book, probably on crummy paperstock and not at all reasonably worth the added cost (though if it was one of these sets priced the same as the non-set package, it’d totally be worth it!)
The package felt suitably heavy, though, when I finally bought it the morning the thing was available. When I opened the package, seeing the pages-out, I was ready to be incensed at the actual packaging…until I slid out a full-size TPB volume that would easily command a $14.99+ cover price if it were being sold by itself. Even at some “bargain” $9.99 price, in and of itself the book makes the added cost worthwhile if you’re interested in the book itself.
The physical package is your average Marvel paperback. The cover stock and pages, and dimensions are as any other Marvel volume that this would be indistinguishable as an ‘exclusive’ if it wasn’t for the notice on the cover where the pricing would be “Custom Edition Not For Resale.” (That, and that this is a paperback where I believe thus far the other Season One books have been only in hardback).
The writing is solid–and I’d expect no less of David‘s work. He knows these characters and it shows–though in a way it reminds me that I myself do not know these characters particularly well in their pre-1990s iterations. While the writing is solid–it manages to capture these characters in a suitably generic sort of way–they’re recognizable without being placed entirely in the silver age nor the modern age. The relationships seem familiar to what I know of them in the comics, while bordering on adapting the movie versions.
Visually, much of the book is the same way. There are multiple artists (depicting different scenes/settings) which works fairly well as it differentiates what each character is seeing/doing through the story. Though it works, I got a distinct sense that I’m supposed to associate these comics with the characters from the movies, that this story is supposed to fit either the comics or the movie universe according to primary experience.
Sure, that works well enough–it is a tie-in product, after all. But the fact it evoked the movie characters as much as it did took me out of the story and left me unsure where the story’s supposed to be set, and I probably didn’t enjoy it as much as I would have if it felt like it was more based in the traditional comics story. I suspect I was also soured a bit by a one-shot I read earlier this year that was set in the movie universe that itself felt like a waste of time.
If this was a $15 paperback or $20+ hardcover being sold by itself, I’d be pretty disappointed despite the creative talent involved and wondering if there’d be some way to get a refund. Standing solely on its own this–to me–is not something worth seeking out specifically.
But as a bonus included with a blu-ray I was already planning to buy, this gets points as a decent read, with art that never felt bad or out of place. And though it’s the size of 4-5ish single issues, I don’t think I paid more for this package than the cost of two standard Marvel comics in addition to the actual blu-ray pack.
All that said–you get a complete story in this volume. There’s no cliffhanger directing you into some other volume or series of volumes; this is not a prologue to a crossover/event nor some epilogue/continuation of a crossover/event. You have the characters, you see their adventure, the threat(s) they face, and you have resolution.
If you’ve seen the movie, the characters don’t particularly contradict the film. Or if you read this and then watch the film, stuff works overall.
And really, on the whole, I’m glad I went with the Walmart purchase for this book. If you can still find the blu-ray/DVD package with this graphic novel at your local Walmart, and want the Avengers film anyway, this is definitely a worthwhile purchase.
Filed under: Avengers: Season One, MARVEL, Marvel Universe, Season One | Tagged: Adi Granov, Andrea Divito, avengers, Avengers Season One, Blu-Ray, Captain America, Clayton Cowles, hulk, Iron Man, Jake Thomas, Jon Buran, Lauren Sankovitch, MARVEL, Marvel Comics, Marvel's Avengers, Mike Bowden, Nigel Raynor, Peter David, Season One, thor, Tom Brevoort, Walden Wong, walmart, Wil Quintana | Leave a comment »
Full review posted to cxPulp.com.
Story: 3/5
Art: 4/5
Overall: 3.5/5
Filed under: Avengers vs. X-Men, Avengers vs. X-Men (event), cxPulp.com, MARVEL, Marvel Universe | Tagged: Adam Kubert, avengers, Avengers vs. X-Men, Avx, Brian Michael Bendis, Chris Eliopoulos, Comic Reviews, cxPulp, Cyclops, Dark Phoenix, Ed Brubaker, Hope, Jake Thomas, Jason Aaron, John Dell, jonathan hickman, Justin Ponsor, Laura Martin, Lauren Sankovitch, Mark Morales, MARVEL, Marvel Comics, Matt Fraction, Nick Lowe, Phoenix, Tom Brevoort, x-men | Leave a comment »
Full review posted to cxPulp.com.
Story: 2.5/5
Art: 4/5
Overall: 3/5
Filed under: Avengers vs. X-Men, Avengers vs. X-Men (event), cxPulp.com, MARVEL, Marvel Universe | Tagged: avengers, Avx, Brian Michael Bendis, Chris Eliopoulos, Comic Reviews, cxPulp, Cyclops, Ed Brubaker, Jake Thomas, Jason Aaron, Jim Cheung, jonathan hickman, Justin Ponsor, Laura Martin, Lauren Sankovitch, Mark Morales, MARVEL, Marvel Comics, Matt Fraction, Nick Lowe, Olivier Coipel, Phoenix, Tom Brevoort, x-men | Leave a comment »
The Rest of the Stack is my general mini-review coverage of new comics for any given week. It’s in addition to (or in place of) full-size individual reviews. It’s far less formal, and more off-the-top-of-my head thoughts on the given comics than it is detailed reviews.
It’s been a few weeks since I’ve posted much, so this is part of my “catching up” on the past month and a half or so.
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES COLOR CLASSICS #3
I’d forgotten this issue’s story. I guess it had to be somewhere, but my memories of these early issues jump from the turtles meeting April and dealing with Stockman and the Mousers right into what is probably going to be in #4. Yet, we get some pretty important stuff going on here as the turtles find Splinter missing (possibly killed by the Mousers), and actually turn to April for help. We also get the obvious inspiration for “the Turtle Van” (but less commercial). And the issue ends with the introduction of characters that inspired one of the primary characters in the classic cartoon series. The story itself is pretty basic…nothing all that deep, but still enjoyable enough in itself. I really like the art here as it’s just “classic” for me (biased though I must admit I am). The color added blends very well with the original black and white, such that it’s hard to believe this wasn’t a color series to begin with. (7/10)
RAPHAEL #1
Beyond the first issue of the TMNT Color Classics, I wasn’t sure how IDW was going to go about reprinting these issues, and sorta feared the Micro-Series issues would be merged in with the numbering, resulting in TMNT Color Classics being its own numbering that wouldn’t correspond with the issue being reprinted. However, this issue simply reprints the Raphael issue as itself, and I love that. The issue’s story is pretty basic and cliche, lacking much of the depth that we eventually get with the characters. Casey’s introduction here doesn’t work so well for me, but every character has to start somewhere. There’s also some clunky dialogue with Raph that just doesn’t seem to fit ANY version of the character I think of. The art’s classic Eastman & Laird (duh) and looks quite good in this new colored format. (7/10)
AVX #8
This issue is largely focused on Namor, as he lays waste to Wakanda, and the Avengers dogpile him, ultimately learning some useful information about the Phoenix Force and its interaction with multiple hosts. Storywise, this was one of my least-favorite issues–but then, that’s largely because Namor’s one of my least-favorite of the Phoenix Five (coming in just behind Illyana). It’s also increasingly difficult to take the scope of this story serious in the face of ongoing stories in other books seeming to have nothing to do with what’s unfolding in AvX, and that even some of the actual tie-in books are barely pulling a “red skies” level of involvement. The art’s a mixed bag for me, with some of the pages looking good and others just looking horrendous to me. (4/10)
AVX #9
Nine issues in and there’s just enough of a “completist” in me to grin ‘n bear it: I started following this series, and now I want to finish it, just on principle of finishing it–though I dropped all the tie-ins cold-turkey due to frustration at Marvel continuing its cycle of not even letting one event finish before announcing the next, and the spoiling of the end of this series, and Marvel Now… This issue’s another beat-down issue, with the Avengers piling on Colossonaut and Magik, with Spider-Man taking the worst beating of the bunch this time. The art continues to be mixed, with some panels looking excellent while others look generic and a bit rushed by comparison. This is the three-quarters mark of the series, and I’m quite ready to get to the end. (5/10)
AVX #10
Cyclops has shown up to take Hope away from the Avengers, though she makes it clear she does not wish to go with him. Fighting breaks out, and Hope even gets to ride a dragon, before turning her powers on Cyclops with an unintended effect. After the previous issue, the Phoenix Force is all the more concentrated in Cyclops, which makes Hope’s effect all the more meaningful. With the ending of this issue actually pulling me back into stuff and looking forward with interest to seeing how this story’s going to conclude. (6.5/10)
Filed under: Avengers vs. X-Men, Avengers vs. X-Men (event), IDW Publishing, MARVEL, Marvel Universe, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (IDW) | Tagged: avengers, Avengers vs. X-Men, Avx, Classics, color classics, colossus, Comic Reviews, Cyclops, Hope, IDW, IDW Publishing, Magik, MARVEL, Marvel Comics, Micro Series, Namor, Ninja Turtles, One Issue Micro-Series, Phoenix Five, Raphael, TMNT, TMNT 3, x-men | Leave a comment »
The Rest of the Stack is my general mini-review coverage of new comics for any given week. It’s in addition to (or in place of) full-size individual reviews. It’s far less formal, and more off-the-top-of-my head thoughts on the given comics than it is detailed reviews.
It’s been a few weeks since I’ve posted much, so this is part of my “catching up” on the past month and a half or so.
GAMBIT #1
I picked this up because it was a new #1, a new start on a new Gambit series. I loved the original ongoing from ’99-’01 by Nicieza, and figured I’d check in on the character here. The issue itself is pretty good–we see Gambit in full thief mode, having fun with what he does, and while I can’t quite place all of his apparent motivations as being “fitting,” they work here, and I once again can totally “buy” Gambit as a solo act without needing the other X-Men. The art’s solid, though there’s something just a little bit “off” for me. Unfortunately, with other problems I’m having with Marvel lately–particularly the pending Marvel Now renumbering/relaunching of so many books; even if this stays at $2.99, it’s not enough and too late for me to truly care to “invest” in a long-form limited series right now. I’ll catch up in collected volumes or bargain bins if anything much pans out for this book. (8/10)
X-O MANOWAR #3
Normally I’m not a fan of decompression, especially lately…certainly not in a $3.99 book. But I’m loving this new X-O Manowar series. The story’s still seeming very familiar, keeping the basics of the character (as I recall ’em, anyway) pretty close to the classic version, just updated quite a bit to present-day comic sensibilities. The art’s a bit rough, but somehow fits the tone of the comic and the character in a way that works. I’m not all that familiar with characters’ individual names and such yet, but the issue works well for me just enjoying the story in and of itself. (7.5/10)
WALKING DEAD #101
Perhaps I’m over-simplifying a bit, but this (like its predecessor, the over-hyped #100) is a strong “next chapter” of the ongoing Walking Dead story. The art’s solid as always, maintaining the usual consistency–it looks and feels like an issue of The Walking Dead. The story moves forward, as the various characters react to what happened last issue, and begin to figure out what to do next. And of course, “to be continued.” I don’t know how much longer I’m going to stay on the “singles” bandwagon this time–I’m trying to tell myself to go back to the trades after this arc…but we’ll see. (7/10)
ANTI #1
I was surprised when the LCS owner mentioned this title to me when I recently revised my pull-list, as I had completely forgotten about it. I mean…it didn’t even ring any bells at all. So when I got it, I realized where it had come from: I must’ve requested it based on the Free Comic Day issue back in May. And for $1, figured I’d give it a shot. The art’s not bad, though it has that certain luminescent effect, a lightness even to the dark images, that so often makes me think “adaptation of something from TV” or some such, and the story (while it pulled me through the issue) is ultimately kinda forgettable, and I kept thinking as I read how this really seemed like something intended more for TV but relegated to comic book form. It’s also kinda telling that the selling point (which is what caught ME) is that it’s got Gale Anne Hurd‘s involvement, somehow…and that none of the actual creators who worked on story or art are even listed on the cover. I haven’t 100% decided either way on this title…I’ll probably give it another issue or two to really wow me, but at the moment I don’t see staying with this long. (6/10)
Filed under: Anti (12 Gauge/Valhalla Entertainment), Gambit, Image, INDEPENDENT/SMALL-PRESS PUBLISHERS, MARVEL, Marvel Universe, Valiant, Walking Dead, X-O Manowar | Tagged: 12 Gauge, Anti, Comic Reviews, Gale Anne Hurd, Gambit, Image, Kirkman, MARVEL, Valhalla Entertainment, Valiant, Walking Dead, X-O Manowar | Leave a comment »
The Rest of the Stack is my general mini-review coverage of new comics for any given week. It’s in addition to (or in place of) full-size individual reviews. It’s far less formal, and more off-the-top-of-my head thoughts on the given comics than it is detailed reviews.
X-MEN: LEGACY #269
Taking on Iceman’s powers. Rogue does her part to help the Phoenix Five fix the world. Unfortunately, she walks into an ambush by Ms. Marvel, and the two have a slugfest and a bit of a heart to heart amidst the punching and such. By issue’s end, Ms. Marvel’s planted a seed of doubt in Rogue that might just cause some issues with the Phoenix Five. Now, it’s been a couple weeks since this came out (oops…slacking a bit in my reviewing) but this didn’t seem like a bad issue, though it didn’t really do much for me. I’ve yet to read the original stuff of Rogue vs. Ms. Marvel, and I can appreciate (and like) the fact of it being brought up again, but I’m growing tired of the fights, and I’ve never much cared for Ms. Marvel, nor am I quite sure what’s up with the character given the pending Captain Marvel series coming up. Still, I’m liking the focus on Rogue, and this continues to pique my interest toward the original Rogue stories as well as stuff from the last few years. I’ll be curious to see if this title (or its numbering) exists with the Marvel Now stuff coming up post-AvX…but for now I’m on board if only for the fact of this being an AvX tie-in. (7/10)
WOLVERINE AND THE X-MEN #12
I’m really beginning to lose track of what’s happened where in what tie-in or official chapter of AvX. This issue gets into the detail of the Avengers invading to “capture” Hope for her own good, as we see how much of that unfolded, and Rachel Grey’s part in it all. We also have more on the Gladiator/Kid Gladiator stuff. I continue to not really care for Bachalo‘s art…there’s just something to the style that I don’t like, and I really think that’s my #1 turn-off to this title at this point (other than the $3.99 price). Otherwise this is a decent issue with conflict for a goal rather than just the characters beating on each other. But another issue snagged for the AvX banner rather than the title or content itself. Nearly two weeks after reading and it’s virtually forgettable. (7/10)
G.I.JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO #180
While this issue has the usual volley of variant covers such that there’s actually a “checklist” of all the covers (this is one of my primary gripes with IDW and their $3.99 pricing)…the main “gimmick” of this issue is that the Joes go to Comic Con. As in…their mission actually sends them to the San Diego Comic Con, where they spray-paint the tip of Snake Eyes’ uzi orange and the group then fits in perfectly with all the other cosplayers. Overall, the story is fairly forgettable in a general sense…but it’s rather amusing and makes for quite a fun issue just seeing the Joes in a comic convention. There’s even a page where Snake Eyes is separated from the group, and you can actually do a “Where’s Waldo?” searching out the missing ninja on the page (yeah, he’s in there!). It’s been quite awhile since I’ve checked in with this title, and I’m not sure I’m going on to the next issue…but for a single-issue purchase, I quite enjoyed this, and found it surprisingly accessible on the whole. The story worked and the art’s good…and the issue on the whole is fun, and met expectations. (8.5/10)
AVENGERS VS. X-MEN #7
The X-Men do their best to make good on Cyclops’ deadly three words: “No More Avengers.” Of course, the way they go about accomplishing this isn’t the best, and is met with varying degrees of commitment. The Avengers learn what–or who–the Phoenix Five fear and make use of that, though ultimately, things continue to spiral quickly outta control. We’re into the second half of things, and the story remains fairly solid, though my overall interest is waning. I really like Coipel‘s art in this issue, though it looks better in some parts than others. All in all, not a bad issue, but having followed all the tie-ins so far, I find myself wondering how well this will read when all is said and done, and without the tie-ins as things unfold. At this point, I doubt anything I say about this core series or any of the tie-ins will bring you into the story…though this issue would not send me into dropping the series at this point, either. (7.5/10)
UNCANNY X-MEN #15
The Phoenix Five decide it’s time to deal with Sinister, so they begin to seek the villain. Of course, Sinister has his own plans in the matter–such as making things difficult–but the X-Men prevail and the battle is assured. While this is officially a tie-in to AvX, this is really more of an “in the midst of AvX while we have this particular status quo to play with…” story. This isn’t the X-Men (or even the Phoenix Five) dealing with stuff with the Avengers…this is them dealing with a classic X-Men villain with a new status quo, but under their own new status quo AS the Phoenix Five. So this isn’t a bad issue if you want to jump into a story during AvX without it having much tie to the crossover–just that the characters are presently in their Phoenix Five mode rather than standard. I still loathe (as always) the $3.99 price point, and the renumbering of this series…yet if it continues beyond Marvel Now, given my investment and the series’ “age” I may track down back issues or at least collected volumes, and possibly even continue beyond AvX. (8/10)
LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #5
2012 has really been the year that “sold” me on digital–for books as well as comics. I have no idea if LotDK is going to get print editions (the way the Batman Beyond, and Smallville Season 11 do). But I’m quite enjoying this weekly digital comic. The way the panels are all separated out for the “Guided View” in Comixology on my iPhone, I don’t even know the approximate pagecount I’m getting for my $.99…but the price is right, at $.99 I don’t mind buying the next chapter each week (for now). The first three “issues” were standalone stories, but this is part 2 of a 3-parter. I’m not sure if this is set in any particular continuity, but given recent hype over stuff with the Batman titles in the New 52, this seems closer to the “old” DCU or at least to be outside the New 52…which makes it that much more enjoyable for me. I’m not a huge fan of the art for this story, and would surely balk at it in a print edition. But given the nature of this series, I’m accepting it with this story and just enjoying a weekly Batman comic again. I keep forgetting to look for the new issue, but wind up thinking to over the weekend, which also adds to this series’ appeal: I’ve already bought my “regular” weekly comics and generally have already read those–so this is something new to get at the midpoint before the next Wednesday’s new releases. If not the 3-parter, I’d highly recommend checking out the first “issue” at least! (9/10)
Filed under: Avengers vs. X-Men, Avengers vs. X-Men (event), DC, DC Misc., G.I.Joe: A Real American Hero (IDW), IDW Publishing, Legends of the Dark Knight (2012), MARVEL, Marvel Universe, Uncanny X-Men, Wolverine and the X-Men, X-Men: Legacy | Tagged: avengers, Avengers vs. X-Men, Avx, Batman, DC, DC Comics, GI Joe: A Real American Hero, Legends of the Dark Knight, MARVEL, Marvel Comics, Uncanny X-Men 15, Wolverine, Wolverine and the X-Men 12, x-men, X-Men Legacy 269 | Leave a comment »
The Rest of the Stack is my general mini-review coverage of new comics for any given week. It’s in addition to (or in place of) full-size individual reviews. It’s far less formal, and more off-the-top-of-my head thoughts on the given comics than it is detailed reviews.
TMNT MICRO-SERIES #5: SPLINTER
In a way, the numbering on this series is funky. Instead of “just” a bunch of one-shots, this is being treated as a series of its own, just with a different character focus in each issue. It’s a nitpicky detail, but one that I’ve noticed. Still…quite enjoying the extra dose of story and the look at stuff from each character’s perspective. This Splinter issue delves a lot more into the new origin of these characters, shedding light on his past as Hamato Yoshi, and his relationship with Oroku Saki. This issue takes place within the current TMNT arc, where Splinter is being forced to fight for his life–as he contemplates what it all means, his past lends strength to his choice. This may not be the greatest jumping-in point for a new reader, but if you’re already enjoying the TMNT stuff from IDW, this is well worth snagging. I’m a little uneasy with the emphasis on elements of the new origin, but I’m curious to see where it goes, and it works much more for me than what was talked of for a certain live-action film. The art worked for the issue…nothing overly special, but nothing bad, either. (8/10).
WALKING DEAD #99
There’s not much to say about this issue. It’s another chapter. It’s the last chapter before the huge #100 issue. Though I’ve gone back and forth between singles and trades, I remember when the series was barely hitting #50…I’ve actually been reading since just after the 5th collected volume came out, around the time #32 or 33 would’ve been just out. So I’ve been “into” this for almost 70% of its run. The art’s the usual; nothing new there. Story-wise, it’s interesting seeing the various character interactions, and I love the consistency of tone to everything as a whole. In some ways it’s kind of amazing to see where things have come, especially looking at the tv series now. This arc’s covers remind me a bit of the “No One is Safe” arc in the mid-40s, and makes me wonder if this’ll be the next big shakeup. Not really a good jumping-on issue, but definitely a good continuing issue…though as always, stuff like this seems to read best in bigger chunks. (8/10)
AVENGERS VS. X-MEN #6
Finally at the half-way point of this series. Originally I was gonna avoid it, then I was gonna check it out. Then I decided what the hey–I’ll go all-in. Something about it made it seem different to me, from all the other recent events. But with this issue, we’ve hit what I’ve been somewhat afraid of: the world itself has been altered…and yet, it’s only reflected in a handful of titles. Wolverine’s own book doesn’t seem affected, not all the X-books seem to be affected, basically the bulk of the Marvel Universe is continuing as if something of this scale wasn’t going on. The build-up stuff, sure…that works, as characters are always in conflict. But the world’s been radically changed as of this issue…but it’s such a self-contained world that it seems hardly believable, and thus weakens the event and lessens the impact for me as a whole. I’m digging the Phoenix Five’s costumes, and I love the concept coming out of this story…it just doesn’t seem to be set in the main Marvel Universe anymore, somehow. Looking forward to what’s coming up, though, to see what happens, and see what this whole “No More Avengers” really means. Story in itself is good; art’s not bad. (7/10)
UNCANNY X-MEN #14
Now, I learned a lot from this issue. The last I recall seeing of Sinister, we had Ms. Sinister or whatever. Finding a whole society of Sinisters, with their own Victorian cityscape was quite a bit to take…and yet it seems to fit right into the “big concept” tone of the relaunched X-Men stuff (This title and Wolverine and the X-Men). While this is set within the overall AvX stuff, this issue is quite a stand-alone side-story…if you’re a fan of Mr. Sinister, and/or apparent recent stuff with Sinister, this is definitely an issue worth getting. At the same time, if you’re unfamiliar with recent stuff…this may be a good point to jump in and learn of the new status quo. The primary point of view character raises some interesting points, and the end was disturbing yet fitting. The last page in particular leaves me eager to see where this plot is going, whatever AvX has…and while I still detest the renumbering, I begin to much more seriously consider investing in checking out recent X-Stuff, at least back to the start of the relaunch. I enjoyed the art and the story here, and while it hardly seems to justify the AvX banner…I’m mostly glad it had the banner as that’s what I’m looking for in my increasingly foolish quest for the full AvX experience. (9/10)
SECRET AVENGERS #28
This issue seems to be one of the more “important” issues of the tie-ins, at least in that I can see where this is prologue for other stuff…particularly the upcoming Carol Danvers as Captain Marvel Captain Marvel series. In that way this arc has somewhat been like a “backdoor pilot.” I have just enough background knowledge of things that I greatly appreciated the bit with Binary, and the visual was sufficiently reminiscent of something I’ve read with her in the past. I was also not at all shocked at Captain Marvel himself, except the very end which was a little creepy and disturbing while also being slightly hopeful, at least symbolically. Still not a huge fan of the art for this series/arc in general, but I think it worked better for me in this issue than the last several. (8/10)
AVENGERS ACADEMY #32
I didn’t care quite as much for the art in this issue as the last several…but it was still quite good. That, added to a solid story and reasonable cover price, and I have to say this will be a title I stick with beyond AvX if I stick wtih any. I haven’t read all of the Sentinel stuff, but I love the reintroduction to that concept this issue is for me, especially after making the connection last issue or the one before. While some may argue with my analogy, I found myself easily able to identify with Juston by likening the sentinel to a pet, such as a cat–the way I often find that it seems many don’t quite “get” or understand what (a cat) can be to someone though the cat is not human. Before I ramble much longer: very good issue that makes great use of the status quo created by the event without being just “the next chapter” or such. This is the first of a two-issue arc, so if you know the characters or just want to check things out, this is like a mini jumping-on point within the larger context. Highly recommended. (9.5/10)
NEW AVENGERS #27
This issue finally brings the arc full circle, showing what may have happened with the old Iron Fist that last encountered the Phoenix, as well as putting some stuff out to Hope. The involvement of Spider-Man seemed sorta strange, and yet I loved his interaction with Hope. The last several issues definitely gave deeper context, but in some ways it felt like this issue stood alone a bit more and so long as one knows THAT there’s much more detail if desired, you could probably get away with enjoying this issue without anything else. While it may just be the Spider-Man factor, the Spidey/Hope scene toward the end was maybe the most interested in Hope I’ve been in awhile. It’s nice to see an arc that’s not 6 issues long…and yet the danger with concluding a tie-in arc at this point is that it would be relatively easy enough to consider this month the wrap-up point of this exercise in completism and bail on at least some of the tie-ins. (8.5/10)
Filed under: Avengers Academy, Avengers vs. X-Men, Avengers vs. X-Men (event), IDW Publishing, Image, MARVEL, Marvel Universe, New Avengers, Secret Avengers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (IDW), Uncanny X-Men, Walking Dead | Tagged: avengers, Avengers Academy 32, Avengers vs. X-Men, Avengers vs. X-Men 6, Avx, Captain Marvel, Comic Reviews, Hamato Yoshi, IDW, Image Comics, MARVEL, Marvel Comics, Micro Series, Mr. Sinister, New Avengers 27, Ninja Turtles, Secret Avengers 28, Sentinel, splinter, TMNT, Uncanny X-Men 14, Walking Dead 99, x-men | Leave a comment »
The Rest of the Stack is my general mini-review coverage of new comics for any given week. It’s in addition to (or in place of) full-size individual reviews. It’s far less formal, and more off-the-top-of-my head thoughts on the given comics than it is detailed reviews.
AVX: VERSUS #3
Well, this concept has worn totally thin on me. Yeah, yeah…nothing-but-the-fight, no plot, blah blah blah. I don’t mind just a fight, but darnit, put some intelligence to it! And really…”AR” here? I should NOT have to bust out the smartphone (note to writers, editors, publishers: *I* might have a smartphone to have the app, but not everyone will!) just to be able to read half the dialogue! The Colossus/Thing battle’s nothing but punching, basically…big hairy deal who wins. The Black Widow/Magik fight…basically the same. And why would the Widow–in battle with a Russian girl–keep arbitrarily switch between Russian and English? I don’t care if there’s low to no plot…but geez, have some consistency other than “hey, look what we can do if you use an app!” Ugh…this might make me break from the completist mentality and see if I can drop the rest of this series. Absolutely NOT even BEGINNING to approach anything worth $4…this should be one of those supplemental freebies Marvel sends to the comic shops to GIVE out. “Hey, look at this fight! Look at the sweet art! If you want art AND story, pick up the series this is based on!” (4/10)
AVENGERS #27
I don’t know what it was about this issue, but nothing to it really struck me as all that good. And I feel like I’ve missed something outright…I mean, aren’t these characters also involved with the Captain Marvel “resurrection” stuff, too? I don’t mind the art on this issue…there’s one panel in particular that I really like of Thor. But this stuff with Protector or whatever his name is…I just don’t feel at all invested, and so I don’t care about the character (or maybe it’s the other way around). Given this arc ties in with the main series, it also seems rather odd that a week after #5 of AvX ships, we have an issue concluding a story that takes place before #4. BUT…at least we have some notes now to place stuff in the overall timeline. I guess part of what’s soured my mood is thinking about the price of these issues. Yeah, there’s that download code thing, but I don’t have an iPad or a physically roughly-the-size-of-a-comic screened tablet, and if I’m paying to get the physical comic, I’m probably gonna read that, not a digital copy. Shame it’s not a case of buy a physical $3.99 issue, get a free digital copy of “any” new issue. I’d be all for that. Looks like a new story arc with the next issue…maybe that’ll work better? (6/10)
X-MEN: LEGACY #268
Ok…so this is basically a one-shot spotlighting Frenzy. Who until a few days ago I didn’t give a crap about. But having recognized the name, it seems this character actually dates back to the X-Men “relaunch” of 1991 or so…or at least the Fatal Attractions crossover of 1993…unless it’s coincidence that one of the Acoyltes was named Frenzy? Anyway…not a bad issue here, and it’s kinda nice getting a done-in-one story on a character within the context of the overall AvX thing. Story’s good–we get some insight into Frenzy as a character, what she’s been through and come from as well as seeing her making at least the overall attempt to be a better person and all that. The art’s not bad, either. Definitely the best of this week’s AvX issues! (8/10)
UNCANNY X-FORCE #26
I dropped this title a few weeks back, but had to finish out what the LCS had already ordered for me. And now with AvX and half hoping this title would tie in, I find myself still snagging it off the shelf. On the one hand, I don’t care for this idea of Omega Red’s powers being split amongst a group of assassins, but something about this title makes it work. And while I don’t know how long this title will last, even when I want to ignore it or give it up due to the $4 price and not always following the subtleties…it’s one of the better, creative titles I’ve found, and so help me, it keeps me curious over what happens next. Some of that helps from seeing that “Kid Apocalypse” (Genesis) was a development being used in the greater X-universe and not just this title…which lends more to this title actually mattering. I guess I’m taking it a month at a time until I miss an issue and don’t miss the read and simply don’t bother to pick it up…and leaving it off my pull list will be the extent–for now–of my official protest of the price of this title? (7.5/10)
TMNT COLOR CLASSICS #2
I absolutely love these color reprints of the classic TMNT material. I’m not sure if the “micro series” one-shots will be tossed into this series’ numbering or be their own things…I sorta hope this keeps in line with the original series’ numbering, though, to keep stuff straight. Whatever the case…this issue reprints the original TMNT #2 which introduced April O’Neil, the mousers, Baxter Stockman, and showed that the turtles weren’t just themselves a one-shot thing. I like the combination of the original art with the new colors…it’s the best of both worlds. The writing/story is a bit rough, but it was what it was, and picks up by the time we get to one of my favorite arcs in the Leonardo one-shot and issues 10-11. Whether new fan interested in older stories without springing for those huge hardcovers or an old fan looking to pick up single issues at a relative bargain, or whatever…you can’t really go wrong with this series, at least this second issue in. (9/10)
EXTERMINATION #1
Boom‘s got one thing right–the price point. Their recent launch of new titles have wound up in my hands due to a standing order with my LCS for $1.00 and under issues. For $1 (or $.50 or $.25) I’m willing to give stuff a look where even $2 or definitely $3 or $4 would be more than I care to gamble. This takes a Batman-esque character and has him teamed up with one of his old villains as the two try to survive in a post-apocalyptic/alien-invasion world. I have a lot of questions, and it took me about half the issue to make the distinction visually between “present day” and “flashbacks,” but overally I found this issue quite worth the $1…even though it took me an extra week to get around to reading it. I’m curious about where it’ll go…but I’m very hesitant to plan to continue due to the $4 cover price. It’s also a bit of a principle thing for me with the price and the “variant covers are standard issue no matter the issue number” thing, and since it’s not TMNT it does not fall into my conscious exceptions category. If my attention’s grabbed by one of the covers for #2 and it’s a small week, I might give it a continuation to really draw me in for the story. The art’s good, so if $2.99 and pinups-instead-of-variants was standard fare, I’d be far more likely to dive in. (8/10)
Filed under: Avengers, Avengers vs. X-Men (event), AvX: Vs., Extermination (Boom! Studios), IDW Publishing, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (IDW), Uncanny X-Force, X-Men: Legacy | Tagged: avengers, avengers versus x-men, Avx, Boom!, Boom! Studios, Comic Reviews, extermination, IDW, MARVEL, Marvel Comics, Ninja Turtles, TMNT, Uncanny X-Force, versus, x-men, X-Men: Legacy | Leave a comment »
Comic Reviews by Walt 