Another week, another five picks by yours truly. This week I am recommending Mighty Avengers #12, Northlanders #5, Superman/Batman #47, Ultimate Spider-Man #121 and Wolverine First Class #2. The later two were more fun than anything else, but Mighty Avengers was the issue we were all waiting for as Nick Fury returns, sort of.
Brian Michael Bendis continues to masterfully weave his tale of the Skrull Invasion in this week's edition of the Mighty Avengers. This one is a must read for anyone interested in the Secret Invasion. Ever since we last saw Nick Fury in Secret War and later talking to Spider Woman in New Avengers the question on everyone's lips has been, where is Nick Fury? This week, that answer is revealed - a little bit.
Brian Wood dips into the past to reveal some of the origins of Sven the Viking in Northlanders #5. It is a poignant issue as we watch Sven as a child and the events that unfolded that put him in the position he is today. This has been an excellent series and with only five issues out should be easy for anyone to pick up on if they have not taken the jump yet.
The quest for kryptonite continues in Superman/Batman #47. However in this issue all is not as it seems and the end has a huge reveal worth the price of admission alone. Turns out, Bats and Supes were wrong in thinking they had pretty much gotten all the green rocks there was had to on Earth. Now it appears someone has been stockpiling it - right under Superman's nose in a diner in Kansas, and boy do they have a surprise.
And now for some fun, because comics should be fun, right? Bendis' second nod this week is from Ultimate Spider-Man #121. After just finishing the Firestarter arc, this one-shot shows us a day in the life of Peter Parker, ordinary high school student and employee at the Daily Bugle. But if we have learned one thing about Parker, life is nothing but ordinary when your alter ego is Spider-Man. If you have yet to take a chance on the Ultimate Universe, or are just looking for a fun issue to read, this is the one.
Finally, Wolverine First Class #2 rounds out the week. I have said this before, the world was a lot simpler in the early days of the new X-Men. This series revolves around Logan's relationship with Kitty Pryde. The First Class stories (X-Men being the other) are nice one-shots that make me yearn for the old Chris Claremont-John Byrne days, before everyone and their uncle became a mutant, and then lost their powers, and then found out they still had their powers, and then found out they might be a skrull, and then ...
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
Spectacular Spider-Man Review
Four episodes in, I found myself caught in the web of the latest animated offering of everyone's friendly neighborhood wallcrawler - The Spectacular Spider-Man.
In the 10th animated version of Spider-Man, Peter Parker returns to the small screen after a five-year absence (the last being MTV's Spider-Man: The Animated Series in 2003). This latest rendition follows Parker and best buds Harry Osborn and Gwen Stacy as they navigate the perils of high school. Also joining the fun is Aunt May, J. Jonah Jameson, Dr. Curt Connors, Eddie Brock (this time as a friend of Peter's) and a cast of others from Spider-Man lore. Noticeably absent however is one Mary Jane Watson, who was mentioned but not shown.
A catalyst for each creature of the week appears to be Connors' lab as the first few episode see accidents launch the career's of Electro and the Lizard. Brock by the way is Connors' lab assistant, so we can only assume that the creation of fan-favorite Venom is not far off.
The animation is excellent although it make take a little time to get used to the animator's choice of drawing everyone's pupils in a very BIG way. However you get used to it and it appears to works for this cartoon.
Parker is back in his element as the outcast, serving as the punching bag for Flash Thompson and his friends. His friendships with Stacy and Osborn are tested immediately as his alter-ego's lifestyle conflicts with multiple commitments, showing the formation of his isolation from his friends and loved ones. And while Uncle Ben is gone, he is referenced and his presence felt as Parker often makes choices that further alienate him in order to do the right thing - "with great power comes great responsibility" and all that jazz.
The Spectacular Spider-Man is definitely geared towards the kids, however adults will recognize the relationships and enjoy it just as much. If you like the recent wave of animated super-hero fare, this one should definitely have a spot in your Tivo lineup.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Five-by-Five
After a one-week absence, I am back with five more picks of the week. To be honest, last weeks offerings left me a little under whelmed and that is why no review, although Nova #12 was strong and my pick of the week. Now without any further ado, here are my top five for the week - Captain Marvel #5, Amazing Spider-Man #557 (second time in three weeks), Star Trek Year Four Enterprise Experiment #1, The Flash #239 and DC Wildstorm Dreamweaver.
Captain Marvel #5 - During a big event like Secret Invasion, a lot of mini-series end with more questions than they answer. This issues was the opposite, in fact it answers a lot of the questions on how and why Mah-vell came back (as long ago as the Civil War). But more importantly, it gives us an idea as to how the Skrulls are accomplishing what they are doing. If you have not been reading this mini-series, shame on you. The bad news is, its over. The good news, it was only five issues so it should be easy to catch up. I hope this is not the last we have seen of Mah-vell. Somehow I don't believe that is true.
Amazing Spider-Man #557 - Part three of Zeb Wells arc ends here and it is just as good as the previous two issues. Brand New Day has been difficult to read through, but Wells had a way of making you forget about it and focus on the reason we all read the book in the first place, Spider-Man. The only sad part is now we will have to wait another three months for Wells' next arc.
Star Trek Year Four Enterprise Experiment #1 - IDW's Star Trek re-launch has been good and this issue does not disappoint with the return of veteran Trek-scribe D.C. Fontana. This series is taken right off the screen from the Original Series episode when Kirk stole the Romulan cloaking device. If you ever wondered what happened after that episode, wonder no more.
The Flash #239 - This title has been enjoyable since Wally West's return. It is not stuck in the deep continuity of Countdown, it is pretty much self-contained. And while the focus on Wally's kids is not for everyone, I find their story very interesting. This issue also has a couple of guest stars in Jay Garrick and Red Arrow. It's been a good read and this month's edition leaves me wanting more as always. I know its not an original idea to have superhero looking for work to make money (Peter Parker anyone?), but it is new in the DC Universe.
Last but surprisingly not least, DC Wildstorm Dreamweaver - While I am not exactly sure what this book is about, the first issue had me hooked like a fun, summertime popcorn flick. On one side you have the characters of the Wildstorm Universe (Gen 13, Authority, Mr. Majestic, Welcome to Tranquilty) and on the other the DCU (JLA, Titans, Legion). I was intrigued as Titans Tower dropped down on the Wildstorm Universe, but whatever interest I had turned into pure, unadulterated fun when the Titans faced-off against Mr. Majestic - 'nuff said. I can't wait until issue number two.
Captain Marvel #5 - During a big event like Secret Invasion, a lot of mini-series end with more questions than they answer. This issues was the opposite, in fact it answers a lot of the questions on how and why Mah-vell came back (as long ago as the Civil War). But more importantly, it gives us an idea as to how the Skrulls are accomplishing what they are doing. If you have not been reading this mini-series, shame on you. The bad news is, its over. The good news, it was only five issues so it should be easy to catch up. I hope this is not the last we have seen of Mah-vell. Somehow I don't believe that is true.
Amazing Spider-Man #557 - Part three of Zeb Wells arc ends here and it is just as good as the previous two issues. Brand New Day has been difficult to read through, but Wells had a way of making you forget about it and focus on the reason we all read the book in the first place, Spider-Man. The only sad part is now we will have to wait another three months for Wells' next arc.
Star Trek Year Four Enterprise Experiment #1 - IDW's Star Trek re-launch has been good and this issue does not disappoint with the return of veteran Trek-scribe D.C. Fontana. This series is taken right off the screen from the Original Series episode when Kirk stole the Romulan cloaking device. If you ever wondered what happened after that episode, wonder no more.
The Flash #239 - This title has been enjoyable since Wally West's return. It is not stuck in the deep continuity of Countdown, it is pretty much self-contained. And while the focus on Wally's kids is not for everyone, I find their story very interesting. This issue also has a couple of guest stars in Jay Garrick and Red Arrow. It's been a good read and this month's edition leaves me wanting more as always. I know its not an original idea to have superhero looking for work to make money (Peter Parker anyone?), but it is new in the DC Universe.
Last but surprisingly not least, DC Wildstorm Dreamweaver - While I am not exactly sure what this book is about, the first issue had me hooked like a fun, summertime popcorn flick. On one side you have the characters of the Wildstorm Universe (Gen 13, Authority, Mr. Majestic, Welcome to Tranquilty) and on the other the DCU (JLA, Titans, Legion). I was intrigued as Titans Tower dropped down on the Wildstorm Universe, but whatever interest I had turned into pure, unadulterated fun when the Titans faced-off against Mr. Majestic - 'nuff said. I can't wait until issue number two.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Who's In Your Five?
I don’t know if T-Mobile would approve of my five this week, but I have selected Tony Stark, Buffy Summers, Peter Parker, Dave Lizewski and Kara Zor-El as my favorites. Of course with T-Mobile’s flexibility, these names could (and probably will) change next week. But let’s enjoy them for now, shall we?
Peter Parker – It looks real good that my “Pick of the Week” will be Amazing Spider-Man #555. Zeb Wells and Chris Bachalo have been able to do something that none of the other Brand New Day “teams” have been able to do thus far – make me forget the disaster that this book has become. This week’s Spidey felt like a normal, good-old fashion story about everyone’s friendly neighborhood web-head and it was complete with guest stars Wolverine and Dr. Strange. Perhaps even better for my money was the absence of a certain “cracked”-up super villain and Jackpot.
Tony Stark – I will say this for Secret Invasion #1, Brian Michael Bendis sure knows how to suck me into a story and leave me wanting more. Without giving too much away from the premiere issue of this eight-issue mini-series, does a Skrull ship that crashes into the Savage Land make a noise if no one is there to see it? How about if the Avengers and New Avengers see it? And wait until you see who gets off that ship – in the words of the immortal Keanu Reeves, “Whoa.” I am so counting the days until issue number two.
Dave Lizewski – Just as I did with issue number one, Kick-Ass #2 had me rooting for this guy. Here is an ordinary everyday teenager who decides he is going to become a super-hero. Of course, being an everyday teenager with no super abilities whatsoever (or even Batman-like training), he fails awfully bad in issue one. Issue two picks right up from the end of the premiere and hooked me back in once again – nice job Mark Millar.
Buffy Summers – The Season Eight launch of Buffy the Vampire Slayer has been a mainstay for me each week of its release, with issue #13 being no different. Drew Goddard’s second issue of the “Wolves at the Gate” arc actually poses more questions than gives answers about the mysterious Asian-vampire thieves who swiped Buffy’s magical scythe. But as strong as the issue is, it’s the last page that had me going, “damn.” ‘Nuff said (thanks Stan).
Kara Zor-El – I have been a big fan of the latest incarnation of Supergirl. However, she seemed to have peaked storywise with Jeph Loeb and Michael Turner’s introduction in Superman/Batman. It has just seemed to me that writers have not quite figured out what to do with her. Supergirl #28 is part three of its current arc which has Kara doing something that when I first read it made me annoyed, but now has me feeling intrigued – she has vowed to save a dying child of cancer. I think this is a daring storyline. There is just no way she can succeed in this quest. To just take on this topic is very brave. The latest issue was a fun one, but had me asking throughout, how are they going to pull this off? I am guess I am just going to have to stick it out.
Anyway, that’s my five for this week.
Peter Parker – It looks real good that my “Pick of the Week” will be Amazing Spider-Man #555. Zeb Wells and Chris Bachalo have been able to do something that none of the other Brand New Day “teams” have been able to do thus far – make me forget the disaster that this book has become. This week’s Spidey felt like a normal, good-old fashion story about everyone’s friendly neighborhood web-head and it was complete with guest stars Wolverine and Dr. Strange. Perhaps even better for my money was the absence of a certain “cracked”-up super villain and Jackpot.Tony Stark – I will say this for Secret Invasion #1, Brian Michael Bendis sure knows how to suck me into a story and leave me wanting more. Without giving too much away from the premiere issue of this eight-issue mini-series, does a Skrull ship that crashes into the Savage Land make a noise if no one is there to see it? How about if the Avengers and New Avengers see it? And wait until you see who gets off that ship – in the words of the immortal Keanu Reeves, “Whoa.” I am so counting the days until issue number two.
Dave Lizewski – Just as I did with issue number one, Kick-Ass #2 had me rooting for this guy. Here is an ordinary everyday teenager who decides he is going to become a super-hero. Of course, being an everyday teenager with no super abilities whatsoever (or even Batman-like training), he fails awfully bad in issue one. Issue two picks right up from the end of the premiere and hooked me back in once again – nice job Mark Millar.
Buffy Summers – The Season Eight launch of Buffy the Vampire Slayer has been a mainstay for me each week of its release, with issue #13 being no different. Drew Goddard’s second issue of the “Wolves at the Gate” arc actually poses more questions than gives answers about the mysterious Asian-vampire thieves who swiped Buffy’s magical scythe. But as strong as the issue is, it’s the last page that had me going, “damn.” ‘Nuff said (thanks Stan).
Kara Zor-El – I have been a big fan of the latest incarnation of Supergirl. However, she seemed to have peaked storywise with Jeph Loeb and Michael Turner’s introduction in Superman/Batman. It has just seemed to me that writers have not quite figured out what to do with her. Supergirl #28 is part three of its current arc which has Kara doing something that when I first read it made me annoyed, but now has me feeling intrigued – she has vowed to save a dying child of cancer. I think this is a daring storyline. There is just no way she can succeed in this quest. To just take on this topic is very brave. The latest issue was a fun one, but had me asking throughout, how are they going to pull this off? I am guess I am just going to have to stick it out.Anyway, that’s my five for this week.
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