Full review posted to cxPulp.com.
Story: 3/5
Art: 3.5/5
Overall: 3/5
Filed under: cxPulp.com, MARVEL, Marvel Universe, Uncanny X-Force | Tagged: Comic Reviews, Cory Petit, cxPulp, Dark Angel Saga, Dean White, Esad Ribic, Jared K. Fletcher, Jerome Opena, Jody Leheup, MARVEL, Marvel Comics, Nick Lowe, Rick Remender, Uncanny X-Force, x-force | Leave a comment »
Death of Spider-Man: Part 5 of 5
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Penciler: Mark Bagley
Inker: Andy Lanning with Andrew Hennessy
Colorist: Justin Ponsor
Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit
Cover Art: Bagley & Ponsor
Assistant Editor: Sana Amant
Senior Editor: Mark Paniccia
Published by: Marvel Comics
So, this issue is mostly one big fight scene. Seems the Green Goblin’s been busy, and it’s all come back down to Norman Osborn vs. Peter Parker. But unlike that first time the Goblin came back–when it was Mary Jane who was thrown off a bridge, playing on readers’ knowledge of what happened to Gwen in the regular Marvel Universe–this time, it just feels like little more than a ripoff of a two-decades-old Superman story. Yet, it works.
The villain apparently rose…many have fallen, and it’s down to the titular hero to save those around him from said villain.
Face it…the title of the story, the branding of the last few issues of this title and the Ultimate Avengers thing–it gives it all away. Much like knowing weeks before the story even began that Doomsday! was a tale that would end with the death of Superman. It was the journey to get there, watching the hero gradually take more and more of a beating, attempting to dish it back, and ultimately making a final sacrifice to save those he loves from a monster’s rampage.
The story itself–pretty simplistic. I haven’t read the first four chapters of it in this title, and bought (but wound up only skimming) the issue where Peter takes the bullet for Cap….yet, the recap page at the beginning of this issue sum things up pretty succinctly–I don’t need those chapters to “get” this.
The art–maybe not fantastic, but after recently reading the first tpb of the post-Ultimatum Ultimate Comics Spider-Man…Bagley‘s art–which I’ve always enjoyed and associated with Ultimate Spider-Man–is SUCH a thing of beauty. The characters actually look like I’d expect, as I got used to. The way they looked over the course of all those practically biweekly issues in college and all those TPBs after that when I went back to the series last year and caught up on over 60 issues of story.
As a whole…not truly worth the $3.99 cover price. Not even with that black plastic bag with the hero’s logo in red on it. But y’know? I missed out on Ultimate Spider-Man #1; I wasn’t able to acquire any issues til #4 or so, and was only able to get back to #3. But by and large (I got the first hardcover with those first 13 fantastic issues) I got in at the beginning. So I couldn’t bring myself to entirely “pass” on this ending.
If you’re already buying this title, sticking with the singles after the Ultimatum stuff and the renumbering and the re-renumbering, the changes in art and all that…if you read the earlier chapters of this story…again, face it: you were already going to or have bought this issue already. If you’ve sat things out, wondering at simply waiting for the collected volume: keep to that route. You’ll get a full story. If you’ve avoided this story on principle…hold to it.
This isn’t going to be for everyone. In many ways, I should be appalled at this. To see the character I so enjoyed reading about–and the supporting cast–put in this (albeit fictitious) situation, to see things come to this…it’s horrible. Heart-wrenching. But when you come down to it…this issue makes this version of Peter Parker, Spider-Man, much more real, at least in the moment. We saw his origin. His beginnings. His career. And now, his end.
If you can find this issue, without being taken for a marked-up price…I recommend it. If you’re a lapsed fan of the series, it might be worth getting to be there for the end. If nothing else–consider the collected volume.
Story: 4/10
Art: 9/10
Overall: 7/10
Filed under: MARVEL, Spider-Man, Ultimate Comics | Tagged: Andrew Hennessy, Andy Lanning, Brian Michael Bendis, Comic Reviews, Cory Petit, Death of Spider-Man, Green Goblin, Justin Ponsor, Mark Bagley, Mark Paniccia, MARVEL, Marvel Comics, Sana Amant, Spider-Man, Ultimate Comics, ultimate comics spider-man, ultimate spider-man | 3 Comments »
Full review posted to cxPulp.com.
Story: 3.5/5
Art: 4/5
Overall: 3.5/5
Filed under: cxPulp.com, MARVEL, Marvel Universe, X-Men: Legacy | Tagged: Age of X, Age of X Aftermath, Brian Reber, Claremont, Comic Reviews, Cory Petit, cxPulp.com, Daniel Ketchum, Flashback, Glynis, Into the Abyss, Jay Leisten, Khoi Pham, Legacy, Lost Legions, Marte Gracia, MARVEL, Marvel Comics, Mico Suayan, Mike Carey, New Mutants, Orz, Sebastian Girner, Sienkiewicz, Steve Kurth, Tom Palmer, x-men, X-Men: Legacy | Leave a comment »
Full review posted to cxPulp.com.
Story: 4/5
Art: 4/5
Overall: 4.5/5
Filed under: cxPulp.com, MARVEL, Marvel Universe, Uncanny X-Force | Tagged: Age of Apocalypse, Andrew Currie, Angel, apocalypse, Archangel, Comic Reviews, Cory Petit, Dark Angel, Dark Angel Saga, Dark Beast, Deadpool, Dean White, Esad Ribic, Fantomex, Jared K. Fletcher, Jody Leheup, Mark Brooks, MARVEL, Marvel Comics, Nick Lowe, Psylocke, Rick Remender, Uncanny X-Force, Wolverine, x-force | Leave a comment »
Full review posted to cxPulp.com.
Story: 4/5
Art: 3.5/5
Overall: 4/5
Filed under: Age of X (event), cxPulp.com, MARVEL, Marvel Universe, X-Men: Legacy | Tagged: Aftermath, Age of X, Comic Reviews, Cory Petit, cxPulp, Daniel Ketchum, Frenzy, Gambit, Legacy, magneto, Marte Gracia, MARVEL, Marvel Comics, Matthew Wilson, Mico Suayan, Mike Carey, Nick Lowe, Rafa Sandoval, Rogue, Sebastian Girner, VC, x-men, X-Men: Legacy | Leave a comment »
Quick Rating: Good
Title: Star Power
Summary: The fate of Rictor, Madrox confronts his dupe, Layla makes herself useful, and things progress on their course…
Writer: Peter David
Pencils: Ryan Sook & Dennis Callero
Inks: Wade Von Grawbadger & Dennis Callero
Colors: Jose Villarrubia
Letters: VC’s Cory Petit
Production: Brad Johansen
Asst. Editors: Molly Lazer & Aubrey Sitterson
Editor: Andy Schmidt
Cover Art: Ryan Sook
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Marvel‘s recap page works particularly well here, as it not only recaps the previous issue, but shows (I think full-sized) the central point of the final page of # 1…and though we cut immediately to a "meanwhile," it brings the reader back in enough to have that bit of tension necessary for when we get to the fate of Rictor, who was unceremoniously shoved off the edge of a building by one of Jamie’s dupes in the previous issue.
Layla Miller integrates herself into the team, proving some immediate usefulness, though her explanation for knowing things seems to get on Guido’s nerves. We get a glimpse at the "bad guys" orchestrating some behind-the-scenes events, and a mysterious figure that I’m not even going to try guessing at the identity.
Overall, this issue picks up the threads of the previous issue, and advances the story a bit–resolving a key point of that issue, as well as introducing new elements to the main story, and setting things up for future issues. If the issue seems a bit choppy, it’s from juggling Rictor’s fate, X-Factor HQ, Jamie and confronting his dupe, and other elements of the story in the confines of a single, regular-sized comic. Despite that, fans of these characters–and present writer Peter David–will likely find little complaint other than the next issue not being out yet.
The art works well with the story, keeping a visual/stylistic difference from "standard fare" X-stuff, as well as the noir tone the story carries.
A brief exchange between a couple characters provides an interesting meta-textual commentary on the tile of the "Decimation" event this title is a part of, both addressing reader concerns of no thought going to it as well as providing a jab at the media.
On the whole, this is another fine issue of a fairly distinctive title. If you don’t care about any of the characters or the writer (or the art team), then don’t expect to like it. However, if you enjoy PAD‘s writing, and/or the characters, or even just the art on these particular characters, you will very likely enjoy the issue.
If you’re just curious about things, this is just the second issue–shouldn’t be too hard to locate a copy of the first issue (in whatever print edition) and jump on the ride. Recommended.
Story: 3.5/5
Art: 3.5/5
Overall: 3.5/5
Filed under: Classic Reviews, MARVEL, Marvel Universe, X-Factor | Tagged: Andy Schmidt, Aubrey Sitterson, Brad Johansen, Comic Reviews, Cory Petit, Dennis Callero, Jose Villarrubia, Layla Miller, Madrox, MARVEL, Marvel Comics, Molly Lazer, Peter David, Rictor, Ryan Sook, Wade Von Grawbadger, X-Factor | Leave a comment »
Full review posted to cxPulp.com.
Story: 2/5
Art: 3.5/5
Overall: 3/5
Filed under: Comic Reviews 2010, MARVEL, Marvel Universe, Wolverine (2010 series) | Tagged: Comic Reviews, Cory Petit, cxPulp, Jae Lee, Jason Aaron, Jason Latour, Jeanine Schaefer Axel Alonso, Jody Leheup, Jose WIlson Magalhaes, June Chung, MARVEL, Marvel Comics, matt wilson, Renato Guedes, Rico Renzi, Wolverine, Wolverine Goes to Hell | Leave a comment »
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
Pasqual Ferry & Frank D’Armata:
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Beginning this issue, I feel like I’ve missed something. I’m not sure if I simply missed an issue…or if there was a story jump that’s alluded to in the opening text, or what–but I found myself wishing there was a bit of a recap page for this issue. I’ve read the novel this is based on, so know what’s happened…just no memory of seeing everything in this visual format.
We pick up with Ender having been transferred out of Bonzo’s army and into another army, which opens up different dynamics between Ender and the other kids. We move through the incident of the younger kids getting away from the larger bullies in the battle room, and finally to where Ender–in the computer simulation game–throws the snake through the mirror and is set upon by many smaller snakes.
On the whole, the art continues to be good and fairly stylistic. The visuals are different than what I have in my head for these events, but I can let that slide with no real trouble.
The story holds up as well–though again, I’ve read the novel and so can fill in any gaps that I’d otherwise find myself missing. This definitely continues to feel–both visually and the story–like an adaptation. Yost and Ferry do a good job of holding to the spirit of the source material, though, which is indeed a plus in that department.
For the point of the story we’re at 4 issues in out of 5, I can only assume that we are indeed going to hve a series of mini-series adapting the entirety of Ender’s Game. However, I wonder at the same time if we might get a longer series combining both Ender and Bean for the next segment, as it seems likely that this mini will end not long after the two are introduced.
If you’re not already familiar with Ender’s Game or interested in beginning with something that is an “adaptation of” the work, this probably isn’t for you–especially for the price. Otherwise, this isn’t bad, and one could do much worse than revisit the story in this format.
Story: 7/10
Art: 7/10
Whole: 7/10
Filed under: Comic Reviews 2009, Ender's Game: Battle School, MARVEL | Tagged: Christopher Yost, Comic Reviews, Cory Petit, Ender, Ender's Game, Enderverse, Frank D'Armata, Jake Black, MARVEL, Marvel Comics, Orson Scott Card, Pasqual Ferry | Leave a comment »
Creative Director & Executive Director: Orson Scott Card
Script: Mike Carey
Art: Sebastian Fiumara
Color Art: Giulia Brusco
Lettering: Cory Petit
Story Consultant: Jake Black
Cover: Timothy Green II
Publisher: Marvel Comics
This issue picks up at and follows Bean through his time with Sister Carlotta as he learns from her and eventually seeks to learn more about where he himself came from. By issue’s end, we see Bean about to leave for Battle School to face his future.
Where with the previous issue I had not read the novel and thus had no pre-conceived notions or expectations, I have since read the novel this is based on, and had very high expectations for this issue.
The story seems quite accurate, though obviously a good deal is lost for lack of thought balloons and internal narration. Some of the art provides a bit of nearly cinematic symbolism as we follow Bean, which gives us an idea of what he’s thinking.
The art itself is good, though doesn’t quite fit the visuals I formed as I read the novel (and the first issue’s art did not insinuate itself into my mind enough to hold as I read the novel). There is a nice consistency in style, and does not seem bad; it is just what it is.
All in all, a solid issue, though two issues in and not even to Battle School, I wonder how rushed the rest of this story is going to feel.
Worth getting if you’re a fan of the Ender-verse stuff; having now read the novel (inspired BY the first issue to pick that up in the first place), I think this is a strong adaptation…it just suffers as any adaptation does by not BEING the source material.
Story: 7/10
Art: 7/10
Whole: 7/10
Filed under: Comic Reviews 2009, Ender's Shadow, MARVEL, Misc. | Tagged: Battle School, Battleschool, Comic Reviews 2008, Cory Petit, Ender's Game, Ender's Shadow, Ender's Shadow: Battleschool, Giulia Brusco, Jake Black, MARVEL, Marvel Comics, Mike Carey, Orson Scot Card, OSC, Sebastian Fiumara, Timothy Green II | Leave a comment »
Creative Director & Executive Director: Orson Scott Card
Script: Mike Carey
Art: Sebastian Fiumara
Color Art: Giulia Brusco
Lettering: Cory Petit
Story Consultant: Jake Black
Cover: Jim Cheung & Morry Hollowell (variants by Timothy Green and Emily Warren)
Publisher: Marvel Comics
I almost missed this book. I’ve picked up the first two issues of Ender’s Game, and the trade dress for this is virtually identical, including the title’s logo font.
This story focuses on Bean rather than Ender. We open with Bean as a street kid trying to get in with a crew of other kids in order to survive. He presents a plan that hadn’t been done before, and while parts of what he suggests is followed–the crew gets a bully on their side–the other kids fail to see things through, which results in the bad stuff Bean knew would happen for a half-done job. The results of this helps propel him toward Battle School.
While I’d read the novel Ender’s Game a couple times and so was affected reading the comics adaptation of that, I’ve come into Ender’s Shadow cold–I’ve not read any of the later “Enderverse” novels, including the novel Ender’s Shadow. It’s cool reading about this character and seeing how Bean gets his name and winds up going to Battle School–I’m not sure how much credit to give to Card on the original work versus Carey on this adaptation. Suffice that whatever Carey does with the original, I’m having no trouble following along–and am enjoying this, knowing only that Bean was a character in Ender’s Game and that he’s the focal point of this run-through of that story.
The art has an interesting look to it. It’s almost sketchy in a way, simplistic, and yet it conveys so much at the same time. I have no problem with that–it seems to accentuate the story itself, and for a story I’m new to, I don’t think I really have much in the way of preconcieved notions as to what the look should be. I don’t have my Ender’s Game issues onhand to compare this to, but I’m pretty sure the visual styles are quite different…yet it works just fine, and I have no problem with it whatever.
On the whole, this is an enjoyable issue, even going in knowing it’s the first of a five issue mini. I enjoyed it more than the first issue of Ender’s Game, and am actually quite interested now in reading the novel of this title, just to learn more of Bean and everything only hinted at in this first issue’s segment of story.
While my usual hesitations at mini-series apply, if you’re particularly interested in seeing the property adapted visually, this is well worthwhile. For the more casual reader, I’d suggest waiting for the collected volume for a fuller experience instead of just getting a single issue’s content at a time.
Story: 8/10
Art: 8/10
Whole: 8/10
Filed under: Comic Reviews 2008, Ender's Shadow, MARVEL, Misc. | Tagged: Battle School, Cory Petit, Emily Warren, Ender's Game, Ender's Shadow, Ender's Shadow: Battle School, Giulia Brusco, Jake Black, Jim Cheung, MARVEL, Marvel Comics, Mike Carey, Morry Hollowell, Orson Scott Card, OSC, Sebastian Fiumara, Timothy Green | Leave a comment »
Comic Reviews by Walt 