Writer: Christos Gage
Penciler: David Baldeon
Inker: Jordi Tarragona
Colorist: Brian Reber
Letterer: VC's Cory Petit
Publisher: Marvel Comics (Dan Buckley)
Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 25th, 2012
Team ups! Rogue and Ms. Marvel? BOOYA! Okay, getting ahead of myself. At the end of Legacy #269 we left Ms. Marvel falling into Magik's prison for capture Avengers which isn't exactly something that people would be happy to see. It is further explained at the beginning of this issue that each Avenger has their own small prison that forces them to suffer through a mental torture of the worst possible thing for them.
Rogue is definitely not happy to see this and after promising Ms. Marvel that she would stop the Phoenix Five if they ever let the power go to their head, decides it is time to step in no matter what the consequences. She struggles with demons, fights to Ms. Marvel and even gets to team with her briefly.
Sadly, Rogue is now going to experience her own torture...in the next issue of Legacy. Every single issue of this comic has brought a smile to my face since I started reading it and I can't help but be excited for the coming issues. It is sad to know that this is one of the titles that is going away with Marvel NOW....I hope it is replaced with something amazing.
I give X-Men Legacy a 9/10 this week.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Wolverine and the X-Men #14
Writer: Jason Aaron
Penciler: Jorge Molina
Inker: Norman Lee
Colorist: Morry Hollowell
Letterer: Chris Eliopoulos
Publisher: Marvel Comics (Dan Buckley)
Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 25th, 2012
This cover embarrassed me. "Kitty's Hot Date" with Colossus handing Kitty Pride a bunch of flowers while obviously on fire from the Phoenix Five power...barf. Luckily, the cover did not reflect the story that was contained within the glossy pages.
Yes, we see a bit of a "date" between Colossus and Kitty but it is not the main focus. Coming away from this I really started feeling the issues of people having the Phoenix Force power. Power is definitely going to all of the Five's head including Colossus. Kitty even calls him out as to what is going on with him claiming that she doesn't even recognize him.
I would readily say that this issue is a turning point in the story where it is quickly going away from "Avengers vs X-men" to "Avengers and the X-Men vs The Phoenix Five". I am so excited to see the direction this series is going and can't wait to see how it plays out.
I give this issue a 9/10...gotta love good comics!
Penciler: Jorge Molina
Inker: Norman Lee
Colorist: Morry Hollowell
Letterer: Chris Eliopoulos
Publisher: Marvel Comics (Dan Buckley)
Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 25th, 2012
This cover embarrassed me. "Kitty's Hot Date" with Colossus handing Kitty Pride a bunch of flowers while obviously on fire from the Phoenix Five power...barf. Luckily, the cover did not reflect the story that was contained within the glossy pages.
Yes, we see a bit of a "date" between Colossus and Kitty but it is not the main focus. Coming away from this I really started feeling the issues of people having the Phoenix Force power. Power is definitely going to all of the Five's head including Colossus. Kitty even calls him out as to what is going on with him claiming that she doesn't even recognize him.
I would readily say that this issue is a turning point in the story where it is quickly going away from "Avengers vs X-men" to "Avengers and the X-Men vs The Phoenix Five". I am so excited to see the direction this series is going and can't wait to see how it plays out.
I give this issue a 9/10...gotta love good comics!
The Avengers #28
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Pencils: Walter Simonson
Inks: Scott Hanna
Colors: Jason Keith
Letterer: VC's Cory Petit
Publisher: Marvel Comics (Dan Buckley)
Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 25th, 2012
Bendis really makes me smile. It is funny, when I started reading comics again people warned me that Bendis' writing had become weak...I haven't seen it yet. This issue is a prime example of how strong his story telling skills are today and I am definitely gaining a soft spot in my heart for Red Hulk.
This issue deals with Red Hulk attempting a mission that he knows Captain America will never call for but all of the Avengers know needs to happen: The assassination of Scott Summers. Red Hulk plans for this so well and I really want to see Summers go down and go down hard.
The story was sprawled mostly on the first few page spreads running down the right hand side of the right page. The rest of the comic is simplistic in writing but still tells an amazing story through the art. I don't want to spoil it but Scott is definitely calling out The Avengers and Red Hulk is ready to respond in kind.
I give this issue a 9/10.
Pencils: Walter Simonson
Inks: Scott Hanna
Colors: Jason Keith
Letterer: VC's Cory Petit
Publisher: Marvel Comics (Dan Buckley)
Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 25th, 2012
Bendis really makes me smile. It is funny, when I started reading comics again people warned me that Bendis' writing had become weak...I haven't seen it yet. This issue is a prime example of how strong his story telling skills are today and I am definitely gaining a soft spot in my heart for Red Hulk.
This issue deals with Red Hulk attempting a mission that he knows Captain America will never call for but all of the Avengers know needs to happen: The assassination of Scott Summers. Red Hulk plans for this so well and I really want to see Summers go down and go down hard.
The story was sprawled mostly on the first few page spreads running down the right hand side of the right page. The rest of the comic is simplistic in writing but still tells an amazing story through the art. I don't want to spoil it but Scott is definitely calling out The Avengers and Red Hulk is ready to respond in kind.
I give this issue a 9/10.
Secret Avengers #29
Story: Rick Remender
Art: Matteo Scalera
Colors: Matthew Wilson
Letterer: VC's Clayton Cowles
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 25th, 2012
I want to start by saying that I totally intended to drop this title after this issue. I wasn't too impressed by the AvX tie-in that dealt with fighting the Phoenix Force in space and since the tie-ins were done, I was ready to tap out on this. Then, Remender throws Venom in as a main character, decides to add some darkness and to top it off a little Taskmaster and I was hooked again.
I have to admit that I love Venom as an Avenger and I love that he has no issue being aggressive to be successful with his missions. He is the ideal hero to deal with Taskmaster and to delve into the depths of the underworld to do what he needs to get done.
I just got ahead of myself. This issue is surrounding the Shadow Council and how big it has gotten. With Max Fury at the helm, villains have gathered and are ready to be pure evil. A lot of the members of the Shadow Council and Masters of Evil are evil versions of heroes that we love and are sure to be problems for the Secret Avegers.
I am VERY excited for this arc. Remender is one of my favorite Sci-Fi element comic writer. His run with Venom has been great and this is proving to be quite interesting as well. I no longer want to quit this title...this issue is an easy 8.5/10.
Art: Matteo Scalera
Colors: Matthew Wilson
Letterer: VC's Clayton Cowles
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 25th, 2012
I want to start by saying that I totally intended to drop this title after this issue. I wasn't too impressed by the AvX tie-in that dealt with fighting the Phoenix Force in space and since the tie-ins were done, I was ready to tap out on this. Then, Remender throws Venom in as a main character, decides to add some darkness and to top it off a little Taskmaster and I was hooked again.
I have to admit that I love Venom as an Avenger and I love that he has no issue being aggressive to be successful with his missions. He is the ideal hero to deal with Taskmaster and to delve into the depths of the underworld to do what he needs to get done.
I just got ahead of myself. This issue is surrounding the Shadow Council and how big it has gotten. With Max Fury at the helm, villains have gathered and are ready to be pure evil. A lot of the members of the Shadow Council and Masters of Evil are evil versions of heroes that we love and are sure to be problems for the Secret Avegers.
I am VERY excited for this arc. Remender is one of my favorite Sci-Fi element comic writer. His run with Venom has been great and this is proving to be quite interesting as well. I no longer want to quit this title...this issue is an easy 8.5/10.
The Amazing Spider-Man #690
Story: Dan Slott
Art: Giuseppe Camuncoli, Klaus Janson, Daniel Green
Colors: Frank D'Armata
Letterer: Chris Eliopoulos
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 25th, 2012
Part 3 of the "No Turning Back" story that Slott has been trickling out dealing with The Lizard and Dr. Morbius. I think that the best part about this series is how much Dr. Connors has changed, mentally, since being stuck as The Lizard. Years ago one could argue that Dr. Connors was trapped in a lizard body...Slott has shown The Lizard trapped in a human body.
At least in this issue Spider-Man is finally realizing that Connors is up to something...I do feel a little bad for Dr. Morbius though. I know he made some bad choices to cure The Lizard but he is so misunderstood at this point. All he wants to do is find a cure for himself and was able to cure Connors...oh well, he does make terrible choices...
Lastly...Madame Web. I just don't like the fact that she is SO vague about everything. I get it, she is not going to give us any serious spoilers but COME ON! Maybe she is hinting at events that are leading to Marvel Now....I don't know...she sort of ruins the flow of the comic for me.
Regardless, I enjoyed this issue because of the angst that Connors is going through while trying to decide if he even wants to be The Lizard anymore...I give the issue a 7/10...good, not great.
Art: Giuseppe Camuncoli, Klaus Janson, Daniel Green
Colors: Frank D'Armata
Letterer: Chris Eliopoulos
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 25th, 2012
Part 3 of the "No Turning Back" story that Slott has been trickling out dealing with The Lizard and Dr. Morbius. I think that the best part about this series is how much Dr. Connors has changed, mentally, since being stuck as The Lizard. Years ago one could argue that Dr. Connors was trapped in a lizard body...Slott has shown The Lizard trapped in a human body.
At least in this issue Spider-Man is finally realizing that Connors is up to something...I do feel a little bad for Dr. Morbius though. I know he made some bad choices to cure The Lizard but he is so misunderstood at this point. All he wants to do is find a cure for himself and was able to cure Connors...oh well, he does make terrible choices...
Lastly...Madame Web. I just don't like the fact that she is SO vague about everything. I get it, she is not going to give us any serious spoilers but COME ON! Maybe she is hinting at events that are leading to Marvel Now....I don't know...she sort of ruins the flow of the comic for me.
Regardless, I enjoyed this issue because of the angst that Connors is going through while trying to decide if he even wants to be The Lizard anymore...I give the issue a 7/10...good, not great.
Venom #21
Story: Cullen Bun and Rick Remender
Art: Lan Medina
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 25th, 2012
I need to start out by just talking about Flash Thompson as Venom. I LOVE the direction with this character and I feel that Remender has had an amazing run with this series. I like that Flash is a hero...but not one that is afraid to kill someone. He, much like Kaine as the Scarlet Spider, gives a look into how Peter Parker could have played his role as Spider-Man but chose to be a good guy.
I don't want to waste a ton of time catching up with the story of Venom thus far but there has been a major focus on Crime Master and Jack-o-Lantern. The past three issues lead up to Part 4 with the Savage Six which is issue #21...all I can say is if you can get your hands on the first 20 issues, try to...it is good stuff.
Anyhow, the appearance of Toxin as part of the Savage Six and the reveal of who Crime Master really is becomes the main focus for this issue...oh that and Flash trying to get Betty back to the real world in one piece.
The comic is well written and although I have been hearing a lot of complaints as to how Lan Medina is portraying Toxin I have to disagree. Toxin is a savage symbiote that doesn't have a set form so it makes sense that he takes up a ton of space and doesn't always maintain the same shape as in previous pages.
Anyhow, this is not completely the conclusion...Jack-O-Lantern still needs to be dealt with in issue #22 so I am quite excited to see how it plays out. Venom has been enjoyable to read and this issue was no different. I am sad to hear Remender is leaving but am hopeful that Bun will keep up the pace.
I give Venom #21 a 8.5/10. Give it a read!
Art: Lan Medina
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 25th, 2012
I need to start out by just talking about Flash Thompson as Venom. I LOVE the direction with this character and I feel that Remender has had an amazing run with this series. I like that Flash is a hero...but not one that is afraid to kill someone. He, much like Kaine as the Scarlet Spider, gives a look into how Peter Parker could have played his role as Spider-Man but chose to be a good guy.
I don't want to waste a ton of time catching up with the story of Venom thus far but there has been a major focus on Crime Master and Jack-o-Lantern. The past three issues lead up to Part 4 with the Savage Six which is issue #21...all I can say is if you can get your hands on the first 20 issues, try to...it is good stuff.
Anyhow, the appearance of Toxin as part of the Savage Six and the reveal of who Crime Master really is becomes the main focus for this issue...oh that and Flash trying to get Betty back to the real world in one piece.
The comic is well written and although I have been hearing a lot of complaints as to how Lan Medina is portraying Toxin I have to disagree. Toxin is a savage symbiote that doesn't have a set form so it makes sense that he takes up a ton of space and doesn't always maintain the same shape as in previous pages.
Anyhow, this is not completely the conclusion...Jack-O-Lantern still needs to be dealt with in issue #22 so I am quite excited to see how it plays out. Venom has been enjoyable to read and this issue was no different. I am sad to hear Remender is leaving but am hopeful that Bun will keep up the pace.
I give Venom #21 a 8.5/10. Give it a read!
Thursday, July 26, 2012
PODCAST!
I just realized that I have not posted the link to The Panel Scanners podcast yet. NOW you have it and you can listen to Jonny, Darren and myself nerd out over our favorite (and least favorite) comics of current age.
There are also wonderful Retro-Comic reviews toward the end of each episode. This week (which will be episode 3) that we are filming tonight, I will discuss the wonderful series House Of M which is insanely relevant to current comics and was written back in 2005 (if you can believe it was that long ago...)
So, give it a listen! Let me know what you think about it. If you notice something that we could make better or if you plain like what we are doing, let me know! Remember, we are just starting, things will get smoother and we are open for criticism. Please, give it a listen and enjoy.
There are also wonderful Retro-Comic reviews toward the end of each episode. This week (which will be episode 3) that we are filming tonight, I will discuss the wonderful series House Of M which is insanely relevant to current comics and was written back in 2005 (if you can believe it was that long ago...)
So, give it a listen! Let me know what you think about it. If you notice something that we could make better or if you plain like what we are doing, let me know! Remember, we are just starting, things will get smoother and we are open for criticism. Please, give it a listen and enjoy.
Weekly Pulls 07/25 and thoughts on Marvel Now
What a great week for my comic pulls! I have noticed that the amount is beginning to grow. I told my self initially that once AvX ends there will be a significant amount less comics each month...I am learning that I will be lucky if that is the case. I am very excited for so many of the aftermath issues and even the Avengers titles I discussed dropping are starting to get interesting.
I do want to note that Marvel Now will be starting soon after AvX so MAYBE enough of my titles will be dropped that I will have less monthly comics. If you are not away of Marvel Now it is a sort of "refresher" for the Marvel Universe that is to start the new beginnings for most characters that we have grown to care about. I do want to note that this is NOT a restart....this is a continuation! So no freaking out about wasting your time learning stories or thinking that we have to re-learn everything, we won't. This event could be very good for Marvel to bring in new readers and HOPEFULLY keep all of us old readers attached. If you want to read a pretty good article on all of this stuff check this out.
Regardless, I digress from my original writing...I pick up too many comics but I am not mad about it! My pulls for release date of 07/25/2012 are great:
The Amazing Spider-Man #690
Avengers #28
Secret Avengers #29
Venom #21 (this series ROCKS)
Wolverine and the X-Men #14
X-Men Legacy #270
Reviews will follow in the next day or two...I would definitely write tonight but we are filming episode three of our podcast! So...keep open eyes and I will post reviews AND an updated AvX reading order by Saturday!
I do want to note that Marvel Now will be starting soon after AvX so MAYBE enough of my titles will be dropped that I will have less monthly comics. If you are not away of Marvel Now it is a sort of "refresher" for the Marvel Universe that is to start the new beginnings for most characters that we have grown to care about. I do want to note that this is NOT a restart....this is a continuation! So no freaking out about wasting your time learning stories or thinking that we have to re-learn everything, we won't. This event could be very good for Marvel to bring in new readers and HOPEFULLY keep all of us old readers attached. If you want to read a pretty good article on all of this stuff check this out.
Regardless, I digress from my original writing...I pick up too many comics but I am not mad about it! My pulls for release date of 07/25/2012 are great:
The Amazing Spider-Man #690
Avengers #28
Secret Avengers #29
Venom #21 (this series ROCKS)
Wolverine and the X-Men #14
X-Men Legacy #270
Reviews will follow in the next day or two...I would definitely write tonight but we are filming episode three of our podcast! So...keep open eyes and I will post reviews AND an updated AvX reading order by Saturday!
Friday, July 20, 2012
Avengers vs X-Men Round 8
Writer: Jason Aaron, Brian Michael Bendis, Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction and Jonathan Hickman
Pencils: Adam Kubert
Inks: John Dell
Colors: Laura Martin with Larry Molinar
Letters: Chris Eliopoulos
Publisher: Marvel Comics (Dan Buckley)
Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 18th, 2012
From the moment I opened this comic to the first page spread with Namor flooding Wakanda, I was hooked. This comic is very action packed showing the Avengers finally fighting a member of the Phoenix Five to K.O. as well as finally showing us Hope getting to K'Un Lun to begin her training.
I have to say, this was one of the first times I have really liked watching Namor fight. I have found his "Imperius Rex" to be annoying and really threw me off of him...but man, this guy can throw down. Anyone who can do that to Red Hulk...well you'd have to read the issue to know.
Also...I am SO happy to see Xavier finally make some sort of appearance that shows where he stands in this whole battle to the death that is going on:
"How dare you, Scott Summer?!"....
Avengers vs X-Men is flushing out to be quite the series. I am waiting relatively impatiently to see how it all plays out. I am starting to get a feeling that perhaps Scott Summers will not survive this whole fiasco...
I give this issue a solid 9/10...It isn't perfection but it is knocking on the door.
Pencils: Adam Kubert
Inks: John Dell
Colors: Laura Martin with Larry Molinar
Letters: Chris Eliopoulos
Publisher: Marvel Comics (Dan Buckley)
Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 18th, 2012
From the moment I opened this comic to the first page spread with Namor flooding Wakanda, I was hooked. This comic is very action packed showing the Avengers finally fighting a member of the Phoenix Five to K.O. as well as finally showing us Hope getting to K'Un Lun to begin her training.
I have to say, this was one of the first times I have really liked watching Namor fight. I have found his "Imperius Rex" to be annoying and really threw me off of him...but man, this guy can throw down. Anyone who can do that to Red Hulk...well you'd have to read the issue to know.
Also...I am SO happy to see Xavier finally make some sort of appearance that shows where he stands in this whole battle to the death that is going on:
"How dare you, Scott Summer?!"....
Avengers vs X-Men is flushing out to be quite the series. I am waiting relatively impatiently to see how it all plays out. I am starting to get a feeling that perhaps Scott Summers will not survive this whole fiasco...
I give this issue a solid 9/10...It isn't perfection but it is knocking on the door.
Uncanny X-Men #16
Writer: Kieron Gillen
Artist: Daniel Acuna
Letterer: VC's Joe Caramagna
Publisher: Marvel Comics (Dan Buckley)
Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 18th, 2012
Clones used as military weapons?!?! OH NO!
Mr. Sinister is still at it, fighting with the X-Men, namely the Phoenix Five, to stop them from completely wiping out Mr. Sinister and his Sinister Spawn by destorying Sinister London (quite sinister hmmm?).
Artistically I enjoyed this book. There are amazing spreads with lots of explosions and plenty of action but I feel like there is a slip in conistency between all of the comics as to how powerful the Phoenix Five really are. I find it difficult to think that Mr. Sinister can take on ALL FIVE of the Phoenix Five and stand a chance while it takes basically all of the most powerful Avengers to take out ONE of them...
I digress...if you look at this comic as its own thing where the X-Men are fighting Mr. Sinister, it isn't terrible. I like that it has set up for the next issue to focus on Magneto, Storm, Psylocke and Danger instead of the Phoenix Five which has dominated most of the X-Men titles over the past couple months.
All in all I am having problems getting excited for this X-Men title. It is my least favorite of the group but it still isn't terrible. It is a shame too, I was excited initially to see the return of Sinister.
I give Uncanny X-Men #16 a 7/10.
Artist: Daniel Acuna
Letterer: VC's Joe Caramagna
Publisher: Marvel Comics (Dan Buckley)
Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 18th, 2012
Clones used as military weapons?!?! OH NO!
Mr. Sinister is still at it, fighting with the X-Men, namely the Phoenix Five, to stop them from completely wiping out Mr. Sinister and his Sinister Spawn by destorying Sinister London (quite sinister hmmm?).
Artistically I enjoyed this book. There are amazing spreads with lots of explosions and plenty of action but I feel like there is a slip in conistency between all of the comics as to how powerful the Phoenix Five really are. I find it difficult to think that Mr. Sinister can take on ALL FIVE of the Phoenix Five and stand a chance while it takes basically all of the most powerful Avengers to take out ONE of them...
I digress...if you look at this comic as its own thing where the X-Men are fighting Mr. Sinister, it isn't terrible. I like that it has set up for the next issue to focus on Magneto, Storm, Psylocke and Danger instead of the Phoenix Five which has dominated most of the X-Men titles over the past couple months.
All in all I am having problems getting excited for this X-Men title. It is my least favorite of the group but it still isn't terrible. It is a shame too, I was excited initially to see the return of Sinister.
I give Uncanny X-Men #16 a 7/10.
Avengers Academy #33
Writer: Christos Gage
Penciler: Timothy Green II
Inker: Jeff Huet
Colorist: Chris Sotomayor
Letterer: VC's Joe Caramagna
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 18th, 2012
This is the third part and conclusion of the "What the Heart Wants" arc in Avengers Academy and the last actual AvX tie-in for this title. My understanding is the next arc in this series will be an aftermath thing dealing with the school being disbanded....or whatever.
ANYHOW, the comic is the continuation of Emma Frost coming after Juston's Sentinel with the desire of completely wiping it off of the face of the Earth. The fight isn't anything too epic but there is an emotional page with tear rolling down Juston's face as Emma attacks his robot friend.
I am slowly growing fond of this title and am interested to see what will follow all of this AvX stuff. I am going to give it the next arc to truly capture my attention and I hope that it has something to show me.
I give Avengers Academy #33 7/10. It is worth the read but if you miss it...you really aren't missing much...
Penciler: Timothy Green II
Inker: Jeff Huet
Colorist: Chris Sotomayor
Letterer: VC's Joe Caramagna
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 18th, 2012
This is the third part and conclusion of the "What the Heart Wants" arc in Avengers Academy and the last actual AvX tie-in for this title. My understanding is the next arc in this series will be an aftermath thing dealing with the school being disbanded....or whatever.
ANYHOW, the comic is the continuation of Emma Frost coming after Juston's Sentinel with the desire of completely wiping it off of the face of the Earth. The fight isn't anything too epic but there is an emotional page with tear rolling down Juston's face as Emma attacks his robot friend.
I am slowly growing fond of this title and am interested to see what will follow all of this AvX stuff. I am going to give it the next arc to truly capture my attention and I hope that it has something to show me.
I give Avengers Academy #33 7/10. It is worth the read but if you miss it...you really aren't missing much...
Scarlet Spider (1-7)
I have to begin by saying that this is not your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. For everyone who has grown to love Peter Parker and his good deeds and thinks he is perfection when it comes to web-slinging, this is your chance to see something different.
Kaine Parker, The Jackel's orignal clone from waaaaaay back when he was trying to get back at Peter Parker even before the Clone Wars, has been newly healed after the events in Spider Island and is trying to get as far away from New York as physically possible. He has hitched rides, hidden himself from everyone who is trying to hunt him down and made his way toward Mexico.
When Kaine finally reaches Houston, he decides he will need some funds to survive when across the border and decides to steal some money from some thugs. Bad decision number one for someone who is trying to get the hell out of dodge....
The money belonged to a slave trade operation for a shipping crate full of people...people who had died in the heat and humidity of Houston. Kaine quickly learns this and saves the one girl that is still alive, Aracely, and takes her to the hospital. Things continue to spin out of control and he is ultimately trapped in Houston for the long haul. He is even (begrudgingly) given the name "Scarlet Spider" by the inhabitant of Houston.
I really don't want to give up too much else about this series. It is still SUPER early in its run and if it keeps staying this consistently interesting it would be criminal for it to be cancelled. Also, in October there is going to be a series connected with the new Venom comic (which I intend to read soon) called Minimun Carnage....how could you not be excited for that?
Kaine Parker, The Jackel's orignal clone from waaaaaay back when he was trying to get back at Peter Parker even before the Clone Wars, has been newly healed after the events in Spider Island and is trying to get as far away from New York as physically possible. He has hitched rides, hidden himself from everyone who is trying to hunt him down and made his way toward Mexico.
When Kaine finally reaches Houston, he decides he will need some funds to survive when across the border and decides to steal some money from some thugs. Bad decision number one for someone who is trying to get the hell out of dodge....
The money belonged to a slave trade operation for a shipping crate full of people...people who had died in the heat and humidity of Houston. Kaine quickly learns this and saves the one girl that is still alive, Aracely, and takes her to the hospital. Things continue to spin out of control and he is ultimately trapped in Houston for the long haul. He is even (begrudgingly) given the name "Scarlet Spider" by the inhabitant of Houston.
I really don't want to give up too much else about this series. It is still SUPER early in its run and if it keeps staying this consistently interesting it would be criminal for it to be cancelled. Also, in October there is going to be a series connected with the new Venom comic (which I intend to read soon) called Minimun Carnage....how could you not be excited for that?
Weekly Pull for 7/18
Hey all! I must say that this week had some amazing comics attached to it...that is one of the reasons it took so long to write this week! I have been super busy and there were a ton of things.
To start with, I started reading Scarlet Spider which is probably the best comic I have picked up in the past year. It has consistently given solid books each month and it even has a smaller cover price! Crazy stuff right? So, if you have any love for Spidey, give it a shot. I will have a review for the first seven issues...because...well...I read all seven in one sitting because it had to happen.
So, the pulls for this week were (officially):
Avengers Academy #33
Uncanny X-Men #16
Avengers vs. X-Men round 8
Scarlet Spider #7
The reviews for these books will follow...and they were good.....
To start with, I started reading Scarlet Spider which is probably the best comic I have picked up in the past year. It has consistently given solid books each month and it even has a smaller cover price! Crazy stuff right? So, if you have any love for Spidey, give it a shot. I will have a review for the first seven issues...because...well...I read all seven in one sitting because it had to happen.
So, the pulls for this week were (officially):
Avengers Academy #33
Uncanny X-Men #16
Avengers vs. X-Men round 8
Scarlet Spider #7
The reviews for these books will follow...and they were good.....
Thursday, July 12, 2012
AvX Versus #4
Part 1: Daredevil vs. Psylocke
Writer: Rick Remender
Artist: Brandon Peterson
Letterer: VC's Joe Caramagna
Part 2: The Mighty Thor vs. Emma Frost
Writer/Artist: Kaare Andrews
Letterer: VC's Joe Caramagna
Both
Publisher: Marvel Comics (VC's Joe Caramagna)
Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 11th, 2012
Every month this book is SO much fun to read. The first fight between Daredevil and Psylocke was amazing. Two basically ninjas going at it in detail. It is incredible seeing how evenly matched these two are. I am fairly certain there isn't a page that both of them don't get off at least one hit. I also have to note that the art is so dark in the right places and vivid in others that it is hard to not stare at the page spreads. I did find it interesting that Remender added more internal thoughts to the characters, almost *gasp* adding to the plot and drive of these characters. I thought that what this book was trying to NOT do...but no one is mad about comic characters being humanized.
The second fight, Thor vs. Emma Frost is a lot brighter and angry. A god versus a phoenix was amazing to watch. A lot of lightning, a lot of red and a lot of smack talk on the end of Emma Frost. My personal favorite line spoken by Emma:
"I should have guessed a boy who takes such girlish effort with his long locks would hit like one. Tell me, have you ever wished a woman to put you on all fours and grab hold of that mane? It's all right, I can keep a secret. Even a god of thunder could use a little whipping now and then. I have such pretty things to dress you in--"
This little comment leads into the last few blows of the fight. It is amazing to see that kind of power go at it so angrily. The Phoenix Five are really starting to show their power...how else could they stand toe-to-toe with a god?
As always, I don't want to ruin who wins any fights so I'll leave them at that. This book actually ties for my favorite of this week with The New Avengers #28. I give it a 10/10. If you aren't reading this stuff yet, you should start.
Writer: Rick Remender
Artist: Brandon Peterson
Letterer: VC's Joe Caramagna
Part 2: The Mighty Thor vs. Emma Frost
Writer/Artist: Kaare Andrews
Letterer: VC's Joe Caramagna
Both
Publisher: Marvel Comics (VC's Joe Caramagna)
Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 11th, 2012
Every month this book is SO much fun to read. The first fight between Daredevil and Psylocke was amazing. Two basically ninjas going at it in detail. It is incredible seeing how evenly matched these two are. I am fairly certain there isn't a page that both of them don't get off at least one hit. I also have to note that the art is so dark in the right places and vivid in others that it is hard to not stare at the page spreads. I did find it interesting that Remender added more internal thoughts to the characters, almost *gasp* adding to the plot and drive of these characters. I thought that what this book was trying to NOT do...but no one is mad about comic characters being humanized.
The second fight, Thor vs. Emma Frost is a lot brighter and angry. A god versus a phoenix was amazing to watch. A lot of lightning, a lot of red and a lot of smack talk on the end of Emma Frost. My personal favorite line spoken by Emma:
"I should have guessed a boy who takes such girlish effort with his long locks would hit like one. Tell me, have you ever wished a woman to put you on all fours and grab hold of that mane? It's all right, I can keep a secret. Even a god of thunder could use a little whipping now and then. I have such pretty things to dress you in--"
This little comment leads into the last few blows of the fight. It is amazing to see that kind of power go at it so angrily. The Phoenix Five are really starting to show their power...how else could they stand toe-to-toe with a god?
As always, I don't want to ruin who wins any fights so I'll leave them at that. This book actually ties for my favorite of this week with The New Avengers #28. I give it a 10/10. If you aren't reading this stuff yet, you should start.
Wolverine and the X-Men # 13
Writer: Jason Aaron
Penciler: Nick Bradshaw
Inkers: Walden Wong, Cam Smith and Nick Bradshaw
Colorist: Guru EFX
Letterer: Chris Eliopoulos
Publisher: Marvel Comics (Dan Buckley)
Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 11th, 2012
Uh oh, the Shi'ar Empire is here and they are PISSED! It is crazy to see people who got along really well in the past (The Shi'ar and the X-Men) beat the crap out of each other. That is the basis of this issue, that and we get Ava'Dara Naganandini, Warbird's, back story.
As always, the storytelling in Wolverine and the X-Men is so well paced that it is impossible to put the issue down. The art is clean and colorful and draws your eyes to the important details on each page. I do want to note that there are a lot of frames of people's heads swinging to the side splashing blood by being punched WAY too hard.
Regardless, it is nice to see what makes Warbird who she is. Why she seems a little bit different from other Warbirds and that she is dedicated to her job, to take care of Kid Gladiator. Heck, we even find out why her job is to protect Kid Gladiator.
As I said on my pull post...this week was amazing. I give this issue 9/10...don't miss it.
Penciler: Nick Bradshaw
Inkers: Walden Wong, Cam Smith and Nick Bradshaw
Colorist: Guru EFX
Letterer: Chris Eliopoulos
Publisher: Marvel Comics (Dan Buckley)
Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 11th, 2012
Uh oh, the Shi'ar Empire is here and they are PISSED! It is crazy to see people who got along really well in the past (The Shi'ar and the X-Men) beat the crap out of each other. That is the basis of this issue, that and we get Ava'Dara Naganandini, Warbird's, back story.
As always, the storytelling in Wolverine and the X-Men is so well paced that it is impossible to put the issue down. The art is clean and colorful and draws your eyes to the important details on each page. I do want to note that there are a lot of frames of people's heads swinging to the side splashing blood by being punched WAY too hard.
Regardless, it is nice to see what makes Warbird who she is. Why she seems a little bit different from other Warbirds and that she is dedicated to her job, to take care of Kid Gladiator. Heck, we even find out why her job is to protect Kid Gladiator.
As I said on my pull post...this week was amazing. I give this issue 9/10...don't miss it.
The New Avengers #28
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Mike Deodato
Color Art: Rain Beredo
Letterer: VC's Joe Caramagna
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 11th, 2012
The New Avengers never lets me down. Every time I get a new issue, something interesting happens and I am actually excited to see what is coming next. This issue focused on Hawkeye, Spider-Woman and Luke Cage (with hair!). This is our first insight to what the X-Men are actually doing to their prisoners held for tribunal. The issue is beautiful. Every page shows simplistic, dark and yet gripping artwork that makes the reader analyze the pages.
The three earlier mentioned Avengers are trying to escape from their prison and run into a lot of obstacles along the way. I definitely do not want to spoil this issue so all I can say is if you are reading this series at all or even if you aren't, you can enjoy what happens here. A clear picture is really starting to be painted as to what the Phoenix Five are turning into...
Pick this issue up! That is all I can say.... 10/10.
Artist: Mike Deodato
Color Art: Rain Beredo
Letterer: VC's Joe Caramagna
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 11th, 2012
The New Avengers never lets me down. Every time I get a new issue, something interesting happens and I am actually excited to see what is coming next. This issue focused on Hawkeye, Spider-Woman and Luke Cage (with hair!). This is our first insight to what the X-Men are actually doing to their prisoners held for tribunal. The issue is beautiful. Every page shows simplistic, dark and yet gripping artwork that makes the reader analyze the pages.
The three earlier mentioned Avengers are trying to escape from their prison and run into a lot of obstacles along the way. I definitely do not want to spoil this issue so all I can say is if you are reading this series at all or even if you aren't, you can enjoy what happens here. A clear picture is really starting to be painted as to what the Phoenix Five are turning into...
Pick this issue up! That is all I can say.... 10/10.
Avenging Spider-Man #9
Writer: Kelly Sue DeConnick
Pencils: Terry Dodson
Inker: Rachel Dodson
Colors: Edgar Delgado
Letterer: VC's Joe Caramagna
Publisher: Marvel Comics (Dan Buckley)
Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 11th, 2012
This time our web-swinging buddy teams up with Captain Marvel, Carol Danvers, to...well...fly in a plane? It set up for some witty banter between the two heroes and the opportunity for the appearance of a girl who doesn't even know what her hero name should be. Spider-Man and this "hero" go back and forth with names while they are being shot at by a subcontractor hired by the National Federal Bank because this girl is a bank robber.
Yeah...not a great book. They do settle on a name though...
Spider-Man: Fine, Like Robin Hood, I get it.
Robyn: Robyn Hood -- With a "Y" for freedom.
Spider-Man: Robyn -- there is no "Y" in freedom.
Robyn: And don't you forget it.
The battle continues and FINALLY starts to build a little in the end but it stops there. Nothing great...To Be Continued and I am not even that excited about the continuation...
I give Avenging Spider-Man #9 a 5/10...
Pencils: Terry Dodson
Inker: Rachel Dodson
Colors: Edgar Delgado
Letterer: VC's Joe Caramagna
Publisher: Marvel Comics (Dan Buckley)
Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 11th, 2012
This time our web-swinging buddy teams up with Captain Marvel, Carol Danvers, to...well...fly in a plane? It set up for some witty banter between the two heroes and the opportunity for the appearance of a girl who doesn't even know what her hero name should be. Spider-Man and this "hero" go back and forth with names while they are being shot at by a subcontractor hired by the National Federal Bank because this girl is a bank robber.
Yeah...not a great book. They do settle on a name though...
Spider-Man: Fine, Like Robin Hood, I get it.
Robyn: Robyn Hood -- With a "Y" for freedom.
Spider-Man: Robyn -- there is no "Y" in freedom.
Robyn: And don't you forget it.
The battle continues and FINALLY starts to build a little in the end but it stops there. Nothing great...To Be Continued and I am not even that excited about the continuation...
I give Avenging Spider-Man #9 a 5/10...
Weekly Pulls for 07/11
Hey all! I trust everyone has had a nice week, hopefully full of comic reading and fun. I have to tell you, after last week's mediocre pulls I was a tad downtrodden for what was to come this week. I trudged to the comic shop and looked around for a while before even looking at my pull list. My eyes caught a copy of the chrome covered "The Walking Dead" #100 and stared at it for a good five minutes, debating over the $10 cover price, wondering if I should buy it considering I don't own physical copies of any of the other issues. I finally set it back on the shelf, knowing I would later feel regret at the decision (I sort of do today...but I think I made the right choice).
This was a moment or realization for me. I don't buy comics because of the potential worth. I wont sell my old issues even though I have some worth a lot of money (X-Men #14 the first appearance of the sentinels) and I refuse to pick up ANOTHER title, even if it is as phenomenal as "The Walking Dead." So, sorry for that. I just had to vent a little of what was going on in my nerdy brain.
So I finally look at the comics that I pulled this week. During the time I was staring at "The Walking Dead", the owner of my shop, JC, handed my small stack to me:
The New Avengers #28
Wolverine and the X-Men #13
The Avengers VS The X-Men: Daredevil vs. Psylocke, Thor vs. Emma Frost
Avenging Spider-Man #9
After grabbing a few backs and bags so I could start protecting my new collection I took the comics home and read them last night hungrily. All I can say is that if your comics have a sort of slow week always look to the future...this week was phenomenal.
This was a moment or realization for me. I don't buy comics because of the potential worth. I wont sell my old issues even though I have some worth a lot of money (X-Men #14 the first appearance of the sentinels) and I refuse to pick up ANOTHER title, even if it is as phenomenal as "The Walking Dead." So, sorry for that. I just had to vent a little of what was going on in my nerdy brain.
So I finally look at the comics that I pulled this week. During the time I was staring at "The Walking Dead", the owner of my shop, JC, handed my small stack to me:
The New Avengers #28
Wolverine and the X-Men #13
The Avengers VS The X-Men: Daredevil vs. Psylocke, Thor vs. Emma Frost
Avenging Spider-Man #9
After grabbing a few backs and bags so I could start protecting my new collection I took the comics home and read them last night hungrily. All I can say is that if your comics have a sort of slow week always look to the future...this week was phenomenal.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
AvsX Round 7
Story: Jason Aaron, Brian Michael Bendis, Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction and Jonathan Hickman
Pencils: Olivier Coipel
Inks: Mark Morales
Colors: Laura Martin
Letterer: Chris Eliopoulos
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 04th, 2012
"No more Avengers," Cyclops closed the last issue off by making such a serious statement. So far the X-Men seem to be doing a pretty solid job of doing this. Now, this isn't like "No more Mutants" like The Scarlet Witch said at the end of House of M, the Avengers are purely being put in holding cells so that they can no longer rebel against the X-Men and their idea for a Utopia.
The issue itself felt a little clustered. There is A LOT going on. Fights all over the place, The Scarlet Witch fighting on the front lines and everyone preparing for the worst. There is definitely some issues going on within the Phoenix Five which had started to show in the tie-ins over the past month and it is coming to head, mostly between Namor and Cyclops.
I think the most difficult thing with reading this series is the order. A ton of stuff is happening in the tie-ins but the tie-ins are not coming out in chronological order (see updated reading list). If at all possible, and you are not already knee-deep in this series like I am and have more patience than me, I would recommend waiting to read it until it is all over at the end of September. If you don't have patience, it is still a good read, but be prepared for things to seem a little unexplained until everything is out.
This was my least favorite AvsX so far...I give it a 7/10.
Also, note that the reading order for AvX is updated for the two issues that came out this week!
Pencils: Olivier Coipel
Inks: Mark Morales
Colors: Laura Martin
Letterer: Chris Eliopoulos
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 04th, 2012
"No more Avengers," Cyclops closed the last issue off by making such a serious statement. So far the X-Men seem to be doing a pretty solid job of doing this. Now, this isn't like "No more Mutants" like The Scarlet Witch said at the end of House of M, the Avengers are purely being put in holding cells so that they can no longer rebel against the X-Men and their idea for a Utopia.
The issue itself felt a little clustered. There is A LOT going on. Fights all over the place, The Scarlet Witch fighting on the front lines and everyone preparing for the worst. There is definitely some issues going on within the Phoenix Five which had started to show in the tie-ins over the past month and it is coming to head, mostly between Namor and Cyclops.
I think the most difficult thing with reading this series is the order. A ton of stuff is happening in the tie-ins but the tie-ins are not coming out in chronological order (see updated reading list). If at all possible, and you are not already knee-deep in this series like I am and have more patience than me, I would recommend waiting to read it until it is all over at the end of September. If you don't have patience, it is still a good read, but be prepared for things to seem a little unexplained until everything is out.
This was my least favorite AvsX so far...I give it a 7/10.
Also, note that the reading order for AvX is updated for the two issues that came out this week!
Uncanny X-Men #15
Writer: Kieron Gillen
Artist: Daniel Acna
Letterer: VC's Joe Caramagna
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 04th, 2012
As stated in the last issue, there is a focus on Mr. Sinister for a short while. Emma Frost informs Cyclops early in the issue that Sinister is to blame for Hope knowing about the Phoenix so Cyclops feels that the best idea is to finally get rid of him. Once they locate Sinister, Cyclops feels it should be fairly easy to eliminate him and his people.
Sinister, however, has an army and is not afraid to lose soldiers to wear down the Phoenix Five. Sinister knew this day was coming, and he definitely seems to be prepared and maybe even enjoying the show that is to come.
This issue doesn't really do much to progress the story other than allowing the X-Men to find Sinister and begin their attack. I know that it is important to set up story, but I felt as if this issue was a little dry (other than the small bit about Colossus talking to Cyttorak at the beginning.)
So far, not super impressed with this weeks' pull...
I give Uncanny X-Men #15 a 6/10.
Artist: Daniel Acna
Letterer: VC's Joe Caramagna
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 04th, 2012
As stated in the last issue, there is a focus on Mr. Sinister for a short while. Emma Frost informs Cyclops early in the issue that Sinister is to blame for Hope knowing about the Phoenix so Cyclops feels that the best idea is to finally get rid of him. Once they locate Sinister, Cyclops feels it should be fairly easy to eliminate him and his people.
Sinister, however, has an army and is not afraid to lose soldiers to wear down the Phoenix Five. Sinister knew this day was coming, and he definitely seems to be prepared and maybe even enjoying the show that is to come.
This issue doesn't really do much to progress the story other than allowing the X-Men to find Sinister and begin their attack. I know that it is important to set up story, but I felt as if this issue was a little dry (other than the small bit about Colossus talking to Cyttorak at the beginning.)
So far, not super impressed with this weeks' pull...
I give Uncanny X-Men #15 a 6/10.
The Amazing Spider-Man #689
Writer: Dan Slott
Pencils: Giuseppe Camuncoli
Inks: Klaus Janson
Colors: Frank D'Armata
Letterer: VC's Joe Caramagna
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 04th, 2012
Have to love how hard comics ride their movie counterparts. It is no doubt that Slott decided that having a Lizard story-arc coincide with the release of "The Amazing Spider-Man" would bring in readers. The thing that sticks though is that it is a growth series for Doc Connors rather than a rehash origin story like the movie.
I think it is always cool to see the internal monologue of characters in comics and Doctor Connors may have the most disturbed one there is. He is plainly up to no good and is trying to push all blame and focus onto Dr. Morbius, The Living Vampire, which he does fairly successfully.
Doctor Connors is spending this issue trying to find a way to turn BACK into the Lizard for he has no real desire to be a human anymore. Spider-Man is too busy chasing the bait that is Dr. Morbius to see what is happening.
I am intrigued to see where this story leads but it definitely lost a little something this week. It may have something to do with two issues coming out in back-to-back weeks.
Regardless, I have Amazing Spider-Man #689 a 7/10...
Pencils: Giuseppe Camuncoli
Inks: Klaus Janson
Colors: Frank D'Armata
Letterer: VC's Joe Caramagna
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 04th, 2012
Have to love how hard comics ride their movie counterparts. It is no doubt that Slott decided that having a Lizard story-arc coincide with the release of "The Amazing Spider-Man" would bring in readers. The thing that sticks though is that it is a growth series for Doc Connors rather than a rehash origin story like the movie.
I think it is always cool to see the internal monologue of characters in comics and Doctor Connors may have the most disturbed one there is. He is plainly up to no good and is trying to push all blame and focus onto Dr. Morbius, The Living Vampire, which he does fairly successfully.
Doctor Connors is spending this issue trying to find a way to turn BACK into the Lizard for he has no real desire to be a human anymore. Spider-Man is too busy chasing the bait that is Dr. Morbius to see what is happening.
I am intrigued to see where this story leads but it definitely lost a little something this week. It may have something to do with two issues coming out in back-to-back weeks.
Regardless, I have Amazing Spider-Man #689 a 7/10...
Weekly Pulls for 7/04
This week I had very few comics come out. It really isn't a bad thing though, I was starting to feel quite overwhelmed while trying to still catch up on back issues of...well everything (notably Marvel Civil War at the moment.) So on that note, I have three titles this week:
The Amazing Spider-Man #689
Uncanny X-Men #15
AvsX Round 7
All have been read, reviews to follow.
The Amazing Spider-Man #689
Uncanny X-Men #15
AvsX Round 7
All have been read, reviews to follow.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)