A weekly column in which Jake gives
short blurbs about the comics he’s
picked up that week. Reviewed in the order read, which varies but generally by
increasing anticipation. Disclaimer: he
knows very little about art, at least not enough to considerably honor such
tremendous undertakings, so…yeh,
there’s that.
Spider-man 2099 #12
Writer: Peter David
Art: Will Sliney
Color Artist: Antonio Fabela and
Andres Mossa
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Marvel Comics
Having been turned into the monstrous
Spider-Wasp by the mysterious injection that was supposed to cure her cancer,
Tempest is out for blood and only one kind of blood will suffice: the blood of
Spider-man. Fortunately, he’s not around, so Miguel O’Hara, the Spider-man of 2099,
steps up to the plate, which is convenient as he’s the one who gave her the injection. Unfortunately, however, this is the last
issue of Spider-man 2099, and as such, it’s a bit of a downer.
David does his best to provide some emotional conclusions for Miguel,
but with so many plot threads left dangling, it’s hard not to feel unfulfilled at the end of the issue. Such is the nature of comics sometimes. Sliney is in fine form here, conveying the
script’s emotion through
posture and body language as Miguel is masked throughout the entire issue. The final page makes it seem like Miguel will
have some part to play in Secret Wars and creative team will be heading their
own Secret Wars tie-in set in the 2099 universe, so perhaps some of the threads
of this series will be picked up there.
Spider-man 2099 was a fun side-story series that managed to pack a great
amount of action and heart in a short amount of time.
Silk #4
Writer: Robbie Thompson
Artist: Annapaola Martello
Color Artist: Ian Herring
Letterer: VC’s Travis Lanham
Marvel Comics
In an homage to the classic Spidey
tales of yore, Silk has her first team-up with the Fantastic Four. Well, more specifically Johnny Storm who she
goes on a crime-fighting date with, but other three members of Marvel’s First Family do guest star,
with Ben Grimm working in some humorous lines while Sue Storm and husband Reed
Richards observe Silk’s
training. In particular, Reed diagnoses
Cindy with anxiety as an explanation for her feelings of being “off” that’s
been occurring throughout the series.
Honestly, the diagnosis completely feels natural for a character that’s been in isolation in a bunker
for ten years only to be thrust into the chaotic world of superheroics. The exchange itself is written in such a
brilliant and sincere way that it’s
probably the most human Reed Richards has been portrayed in years. As someone who’s dealt with mental issues in the past, it’s incredibly refreshing to see
a disorder not treated as something to be exploited or demonized, but rather as
something common and manageable. In her
first outing for Marvel, Martello’s
art is stunning. Her choreography and
atmospheres (backed up by series color artist, Ian Herring) are fantastic. The
only minor quibble is that many of the character look about ten years younger
than they should. That aside, the issue
is a fun one, in spite of the fairly serious aforementioned conversation, as
Silk looks to ramp up her conflict with Black Cat next issue.
Captain America and the Mighty
Avengers #8
Writer: Al Ewing
Artist: Luke Ross
Color Artist: Rachelle Rosenburg
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Marvel Comics
The first book I’ve read that ties directly into the last days of the Marvel
Universe, CAMA is a bit of a mixed bag.
Ewing does a good job catching up readers who might not be familiar with
how the events leading up to Secret Wars went down. Unfortunately, that’s all this book ends up feeling like: a catch-up book. Ewing tries to make the book into something
more by using the civilian interviews that are a staple of the book to give the
common man’s reaction to
armageddon that Secret Wars was lacking and also giving us a good emotional
beat as White Tiger tries to reconnect with her family during the waning
days. And while these are effective in
their own right, they can’t
shake the summary feeling of the book.
The vague talk about Monica’s
plan (which is likely to come to fruition next issue) doesn’t help matters, although it
does provide for some great moments from the ever-snarky Kaluu. Ross and Rosenburg work well throughout,
particularly selling Ava’s
confrontation with her family with accompanying Tiger God motif. CAMA as a series has been largely
hit-or-miss. The lead-off arc tying so
strongly into the less-than-laudable AXIS event was a bit of a downer, but the
following issues allowed the book to come into its own. Hopefully this issue is a scale version of
that trend, with the final issue being something better than that which
preceded it.
Storm #11
Writer: Greg Pak
Artists: Victor Ibañez with Neil Edwards
Colorist: Ruth Redmond
Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit
Marvel Comics
Storm’s fight with the nihilistic Zero continues to rage across
the globe as the title draws to a close.
This final issue is a satisfying one as it utilizes Storm’s experiences throughout the
series to tell a worthwhile conclusion.
While the past issues have felt less than cohesive when looked at
together, Pak, as predicted, comes through and manages to make this finale the
culmination of all those adventures.
Thanks to stellar work by the art team, the final battle is as
action-packed and clear as it is emotional.
While Storm’s
legendary powers are epically depicted, it is Kenji’s army of bio-organic monstrosities that steal the show as
they threaten Storm’s
friends and threaten to consume her.
Storm 11 is a finale done right and an incredible send-off for such a
quality series.
Darth Vader #5
Writer: Kieron Gillen
Artist: Salvador Larocca
Colorist: Edgar Delgado
Letterers: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Marvel Comics
The results of Vader’s planning come to bear as he
launches his attack on his still-unknown rivals with a droid platoon at his
back. While Vader has been a
straightforward, though entertaining, book the reveal of the rival promises to
add a new dimension to the series.
Gillen’s writing is
in good form as always, with Vader’s
curt words carrying appropriate weight and even the villainous monologue at the
issues climax does not seem inane or overwrought. As the cover would suggest, we get our first
taste of a lightsaber clash, and Larocca performs admirably, with the
choreography and skill on point as one would expect from such a battle. With a simple conflict presented from the
onset, the new dynamic promises to be an exciting turn for the Dark Lord’s current apprentice.
Copperhead #7
Writer: Jay Faerber
Artist: Scott Godlewski
Colorist: Ron Riley
Letters: Thomas Mauer
Image Comics
It’s another action-packed issue of Copperhead as Nestor’s brother, Zolo (unconfirmed if
first name is Roronoa, but he does look comparably badass) comes to bust him
out of jail and seek revenge on Sheriff Bronson, who happens to be in the
middle of a date. Faerber’s script is tightly plotted and
well executed by collaborators Godlewski and Riley. Clara remains blunt and bold while newcomer
Zolo comes off equal parts crafty and menacing.
Two issues into is second arc, Copperhead remains a strong, exciting
book.
Angela: Asgard’s Assassin #6
Writer: Kieron Gillen w/ Marguerite
Bennett
Penciler: Phil Jimenez w/ Stephanie
Hans
Inkers: Le Beau Underwood w/Scott
Hanna
Color Artist: Romulo Fajardo
Letter: VC’s Clayton Cowles
Marvel Comics
The book’s first and perhaps only arc comes to an explosive
conclusion as Angela deals with the consequences of THROWING A BABY INTO HEVEN’S FURNACE! Obviously, infanticide is not something that
heroes do wantonly, but the wayward Angel’s plan is still a roller coaster. Gillen’s narration only adds to the drama by continuing to give it
a mythic feel. Even after the kidnapping
plot is finally resolved, the issue doesn’t let up as the tale of Sera still must be told. It’s
amazing I’ve any digits
left with which to type, so knuckle-biting is the sub-story told by Gillen and
Bennett through Hans’ art. The main art team continues to give Hans a
run for her money, particularly in the closing moments of the issue. The last page in particular is so jam-packed
with raw emotion that it makes what could’ve been a cornball moment into something incredible. Angela gets a colonial makeover due to Secret
Wars next issue. However, as the same
team is staying on for 1602: Witch Hunter Angela, you can bet the quality of
this title will remain.
Thor #7
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Russel Dauterman
Color Artist: Matthew Wilson
Letterer: VC’s Joe Sabino
Marvel Comics
Thor’s identity is finally revealed as the women of the Marvel U
combat the Destroyer. Aaron does a great
job giving every participant a moment to shine during the fight, though after
the battle it’s all about
the Thors. Aaron’s script has the Odinson finally express himself and his
need for the truth in a moment of heartfelt sincerity that ends spectacularly.
The fight with the Destroyer, illustrated by Dauterman and Wilson, is a
spectacle of light and impacts that radiates off the page. With the onset of Secret Wars tie-ins, the
reveal of Thor’s identity
seems a bit hurry-up. However as the
letter page notes, this is not the end of her story. Rather, this was just prologue. It’s
unlikely that it such a facet will come into play during the Secret Wars series
Thors, but with Aaron scripting, it’s
a possibility. Speaking of Thors, the
series is described as “a
gritty cop series. Only with Hammers instead of guns. Lots and lots of Hammers. And also Frog Thor.” so you know I’ll
be checking that out. In closing, this
Thor series was a great one, managing to maintain a mystery while showing off
able characterization and plotting, all combining for a satisfying read.
Magneto #18
Writer: Cullen Bunn
Artist: Paul Davidson
Colorist: Paul Mounts
Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit
Marvel Comics
The end of the Marvel U is upon us, but
Magneto’s not going down
without a fight. After months of
preparation, Magneto is ready to turn back the Incursion by utilizing both
planets’ gravitational
field to obliterate the other Earth…which,
if you read my Pull List from last week or Secret Wars #1, cannot succeed. Still, the fact that he’s trying and willing to
sacrifice it all to save 616 Earth speaks volumes about the Master of
Magnetism. Where the other villains were
content to revel as the Earth crumbled around them, Magneto stands firm against
the apocalypse, with daughter Polaris at his side. Bunn script utilizes flashbacks to Magneto’s interactions with Namor (one
of the Illuminati who for months had been stopping Incursions by killing other
worlds) not only to show how Magneto came to learn of the end times, but also
to show the confidence Namor and Magneto have in his power to stop it. Davidson and Mounts work is suitably chaotic
for the end of the world, with crowds of panicked people milling about while Polaris
and her father work to save them. Mags
looks a bit too jacked for his age, but, given the explanation that he needed
to be stronger than he’s
ever been, it’s
understandable. With only one issue
remaining and the end of the world set in stone, all that remains for Magneto
is to rage against the dying of the light.
Magneto does not go gentle, which will make for a fantastic finale to
this much-loved series.
Ms. Marvel #15
Writer: G. Willow Wilson
Art: Takeshi Miyazawa
Color Art: Ian Herring
Lettering: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Marvel Comics
On a somewhat lighter note, Ms. Marvel
faces down the cadre of the Inhuman Lineage as he attempts a coup in New
Attilan. Having been kidnapped last
issue by someone she thought she could trust, Kamala flight and fight puts her
through the wringer, physically and emotionally. The issue still manages to keep things light,
particularly with Bruno’s
methods and attempts to save his trapped friend. Wilson’s plot and dialogue continue to thrill as Kamala’s wit really shines in this
issue. Miyazawa’s pencils are expertly done, providing a more than suitable
fill-in for regular series artist Adrian Alphona. Herring’s colors keep the art consistent with the other issues and
allows for some nice contrast with Kamran and Kaboom’s powers and the setting of New Attilan. As the Eisner-nominated book approaches the
Last Days, the only bad thing about the book is that it’s ending all too soon.
Secret Wars #2
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Esad Ribic
Color Artist: Iva Svorcina
Letterer: Chris Eliopoulos
Marvel Comics
Battleworld is Doom’s world; we’re all just living in it. Yes, as it turns out, the spooky creepy thing
Doom was doing in the opening and closing pages of last issue allowed him to
create the new reality of Battleworld and its many kingdoms over all of which
Doom reigns supreme. We’re not told how this came to
be, however, as Hickman shows us the politics of Battleworld through the eyes a
newly christened Thor, newest member of the Thor Corps (yes I know their just
called Thors, but, c’mon,
Thor Corps). Through his first day on
the job, we get a glimpse into the overarching government of Battleworld. The first day turns out to be an eventful one
as the closing moments spell trouble for Doom’s “utopia.”
Hickman presents a master-class in world-building, establishing
and familiarizing the reader in just a few short pages. He also gets personal points for giving me
snapshots of personal favorites, Beta Ray Bill and Moon Knight. Personal fanboy-ing aside, Ribic and Svorcina
are incredible here. The world Doom has
created provides excellent material of Ribic to flex his creative muscles. Notable examples include the trial by combat
and the sentence of the Shield, the latter in which Svorcina in particular
shines with his use of light and darkness.
Secret Wars is shaping up to be a fantastic read, if only for the sheer
joy that comes with frolicking on a new playground.
So what did you pick up this week?
Agree or disagree with anything said here? Let us know in the comments.
Labels: Angela, captain america, Copperhead, dark horse comics, Darth Vader, Image Comics, Magneto, Marvel Comics, Ms. Marvel, Secret Wars, Silk, Spider-Man 2099, Storm, the avengers, Thor
