Wolverine and the X-Men #37

Writer: Jason Aaron
Penciler: Giuseppe Camuncoli
Inker: Andrew Currie
Colorists: Matt Milla and Israel Silva
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Price: $3.99
Release Date: October 23rd, 2013

"Battle of the Atom, Chapter 9"

We are coming into the ending of Battle of the Atom and there are still a lot of questions left to be answered. I am happy that Aaron finally approached some of them (why there are so many Ice Men, various identities of future X-Men) while left some of the main ones (why Xorn and Xavier are so damned evil) alone. I know that Dazzler gets nuked in the future, but is that the main reason they are the way that they are? If so, that seems like a bit of a weak plot point considering how much they have gone through. Would that really be the straw that broke the camel's back for the X-Men? I find it hard to believe.

The normal comedy that Aaron tries to tie into his books is present here (little snide remarks from Wolvie, Xavier crippled) and it luckily doesn't take away from the large fight. I am also interested in how the team is going to deal with the cliffhanger from the final page but have some idea and hope it isn't as lamely handled as I feel it may be.

Overall, I feel that this event has been lacking a little and I feel that the constant tease for more information got old around the fifth chapter. Storytelling doesn't have to be all about cliffhangers and weak foreshadowing, it can have real content. Regardless, there is a lot that needs to be covered in the final issue next week and I really do hope that it is handled well. If it isn't, I feel like this is a large missed opportunity and will be a major letdown for mutant fans.

Venom #42

Writer: Cullen Bunn
Penciler: Jorge Coelho
Inker: Jorge Coelho
Colorist: Lee Loughridge
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Price: $2.99
Release Date: October 23rd, 2013

"Mania: Conclusion"

Well, this is it. The final issue of Venom. Of course there are a lot of things left unanswered and there is always that wanting of more. I really don't know how I feel about the closing chapter of this book. I know Venom is to return in Superior Spider-Man in the next month or so for some kind of arc and I am pretty certain that Flash will not be in the costume much longer but none of that is explained here.

This issue is basically a "deal with the devil" issue. Flash knows how to reach Mephisto and he wants to get the mark removed from Andi and to just get the whole ordeal put behind him. Of course it isn't that easy and they are still being hunted by Crossbones so a fight breaks out. For some reason (Mephisto claims because he wanted to) Mephisto helps Flash and Andi handle Crossbones and his team and then explains how she is no the one that is marked. He also explains that it was never Flash that was marked but rather the Symbiote itself.

With those moments passing, we are left with Flash and Andi embracing one another in a caring manner while figuratively embracing for whatever is to come. I can't say that the ending was perfect or even great, but it was sufficient. There are new roads open for people to take these characters and an underlying story that can appear somewhere else in the Marvel Universe. I am sure Andi will appear again (if not with Venom in Superior Spider-Man) and we have to find out who is to replace Mephisto when he "retires". If not, I think there is something missed there.

I have had a love/hate relationship with Venom since Bunn and his team took the reigns but am happy I stuck it out. I hope that whatever direction they take the character in the future is good and just not some silly way to get Peter back in the flagship book. Now I will wait patiently till Superior Spider-Man #25 to see Flash again.

Uncanny Avengers #13

Writer: Rick Remender
Penciler: Daniel Acuna
Inker: Daniel Acuna
Colorist: Daniel Acuna
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Price: $3.99
Release Date: October 23rd, 2013

As Remender continues to spiral this team into darkness he keeps moments alive that are meant to force the reader to smile. After the confrontation in the last issue between Cap and Banshee, Cap is struggling with some hearing problems throughout the issue. This small moment really break up the darkness that is surrounding the team, specifically Wolverine. The struggle between he and his recently murdered (by him) son is just astounding and painful to watch. The whole deal with how Red Skull really takes over starts to come to light during these moments as well.

While everything else sinks into darkness there are also small moments of relationships growing. Janet and Alex obviously have something which Cap, rather loudly, points out. Wanda and Wonder Man are also getting a lot closer and with that showing that there may be some hope for the mutants after you have already signed her off as a traitor to her own team.

The intricate and dark story that is drawn by Remender is becoming more engrossing each issue. I am saddened to read my old reviews where I was getting ready to drop it. Re-reading those issues that I found no real merit to have shown me that I was wrong and that Remender (as always) had a grand master plan that could even be traced back as far as his run on Uncanny X-Force. Maybe this team can handle a dark story and maybe this could be one of the better stories told in Marvel as of late. Only time will tell and I think it is time that I accept that I am along for the ride.

One last thing to mention is that Acuna's style works very well in this type of story. I am sad to hear that he is leaving the book next month to be replaced by McNiven who I am not certain can replicate the same emotional imagery that Acuna has created in his short stint with the title. Farewell Acuna, your work will be missed.

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #28

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis

Penciler: David Marquez

Inker: David Marquez

Colorist: Justin Ponsor

Letterer: Cory Petit

Price: $3.99

Release Date: October 23rd, 2013

"Spider-Man No More: Part 6"

We last left our hero thwiping his way toward Roxxon Corp to take care of some business. This issue deals with Spidey, Cloak, Dagger, Bombshell and Spider-Woman handling their business with Roxxon. The company has touched every person of this group in a way that will never be repaired and they want to make sure that Roxxon is no longer a thing.

The smooth and quick battle in Donald Roxxon's office with the heroes and the Braintrust was fun and visually appealing. Marquez brings amazing life to the characters and emotions to even masked faces that make me smile. The conversation with Roxxon as he hangs out the window by webbing is brilliant writing from Bendis painting a picture of a tyrant who truly feels he is untouchable.

I am nervous as this comic approaches Cataclysm because it could easily be no more. We are getting a full cast of characters and an intriguing story that would almost be criminal to see vanish. I am sure that Marvel has some sort of idea what to do with this title if the Ultimate Universe does shatter but I will really miss this faucet of the world. So much to love, perhaps not too much time left. Bendis really has created a different Spider-Man that I can love. Here's hoping to continue to see Miles in the future. 

Superior Spider-Man Team-Up #5

Writer: Christopher Yost
Penciler: Marco Checchetto
Inker: Marco Checchetto
Colorist: Rachelle Rosenberg
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Price: $3.99
Release Date: October 23rd, 2013

"The Superior Six"

Yost has been slowly building toward this issue for a long while. I can't remember exactly when, but back in Avenging Spider-Man Spider-Man started to collect the old members to his Sinister Six. It was unclear as to what exactly he had planned but it definitely kept me hooked to this book. It was actually painful when Yost was off of the book for the past two issues with the Infinity tie-in.

Well, it seems that Spidey was collecting his old team so that he could control them the same way he does his spider-bots. He decides to take a test run to go after the Wrecking Crew and it proves that his plan was not quite ready. His control can be lost and if it happens, his old team will probably smash his face in. This "Superior Six" is bound to be a problem and introduced more and more in the future.

I did also find it interesting to see Miguel O'Hara in the Alchemax building during this issue. It gives me hope that we will see more of 2099 and that this book will continue to tie into the main story. I am really finding myself to enjoy Yost's work in this book and am surprised her is basically pushed off to a companion book. I feel like if I see his name on something in the future I may just have to give it a go.

Superior Carnage #4

Writer: Kevin Shinik
Pencilers: Stephen Segovia and Dan Mexia
Inkers: Dennis Crisostomo and Dan Mexia
Colorists: Jay David Ramos, Vero Gandini and Rachelle Rosenberg
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Price: $3.99
Release Date: October 23rd, 2013

I am not finding this book to be superior. All of the characters are coming across bland and similar and I am not feeling a connection at all. I get the purpose of The Wizard doing what he is doing but it all just feels rushed. The story telling itself feels choppy and Spider-Man seems to just be throwing his minions out like fodder. This doesn't feel like the hero that Slott is trying to make Otto seem to be (justifiably terrible instead of not caring), and this isn't Carnage.

The only real shining point of this book is the art. The cover is vicious and fitting for any comic that contains Carnage and frequently that feeling appears inside. The problem is sometimes you can flip from page to page and feel a lack of attention to detail and disproportions in a room. There is also a moment that seemed that Spider-Man teleported to a new area without any transition.

Luckily this title is only one more issue. It hasn't really grasped me and I keep hoping that Cletus is going to pop out of no where at the end to massacre everyone involved. I know it wont happen, but a guy can dream, right?

Sex Criminals #2

Writer: Matt Fraction
Artist: Chip Zdarsky
Color Flatting: Christopher Sebela
Price: $3.50
Release Date: October 23rd, 2013

"Come, World"

The fact that the cover of this book states that it is for mature audiences is definitely not a joke. On that, the first issue even seemed tame compared to what was presented in this issue. I think that may have something to do with the male perspective and that Fraction probably has a little more experience on the male end of sexual encounters. Now, I am not saying that the sexuality of this book makes it bad. I mean, the thing is called Sex Criminals, it is to be expected. While I was reading it last night, my wife shot me a lot of questioning looks as there were images of ejaculate and boobs on the pages, but then she read and chuckled. "The stuff you read is strange..." she mumbled as she rolled back over to continue to look at Pinterest.

As I said before, this issue was written more so in the perspective of Jon, even if we get small glimpses as to what Suzie is feeling. She refers to him throughout the issue as "This fucking guy" which I suppose could have many meanings. We learn a lot about who he is rather than just the guy with the glowing penis that Suzie met at a party. He delves into his past and discusses his first sexual experience and where he first encountered his version of "The Quiet" which he refers to as "Cumworld". His story is graphic, funny and has a Benny Hill reference which made me laugh a bit too hard. I really feel as if I am connecting with these two characters.

With my new found connection to the "heroes" to this book, I am intrigued as to what their time stopping heist is all about and who is chasing them. It seems they are not the only two with powers and there is a lot to explain. Now that the exposition is out of the way there seems to be a lot ahead. I sat down the book last night with a smile on my face and sadness knowing that I have to wait another month before I am able to find out what is going on. Matt Fraction is quickly working his way up in the ranks as one of my favorite writers right now. If he keeps writing different, emotionally attaching and exciting books I am bound to stay a long time fan.