So I picked up my stack of comics the other day. Here's what I thought about 'em:
Secret Avengers #20 & #21
The Warren Ellis series of one-shots on the book concludes with a bang! Since taking over the book back in issue #16, Ellis has told six stand-alone stories that have seen the team take on various threats such as killer trucks, otherworldly dangerous minerals and plain old monsters. The neat trick Ellis and his all-star collaborators (artists for the last two issues were Alex Maleev and Stuart Immonen, respectively) have pulled is that they've infused a great deal of action and heart into as compact a space as possible. There's no room for error for the Avengers black ops division nor the creators and they both succeed at it.
Best moment (#20): The Black Widow mourns the death of one of the allies she picks up along her time-displaced journey.
Best moment (#21): Steve Rogers turning away and letting his colleagues begin torturing the suspects.
Black Panther The Most Dangerous Man Alive #527 and #528
Three words: T'Challa is awesome.
Best moment (#527): Luke Cage and Falcon joining the fight.
Best moment (#528): "Check and mate. Now we take Shadowland and destroy Wilson Fisk."
Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #5
I love Miles Morales. Making Spider-Man a legacy hero was a great idea, and Miles is showing us why. Great book. Miles' best friend Ganke is the secret weapon of this comic. Every panel with him is gold. Solid writing and fantastic art make for a very good, very poignant read. What more could you ask for?
Best moment: "You're officially Spider-Man." Gets me every time.
Ultimate Comics Ultimates #5
This issue features almost no action whatsoever, which is a welcome change of pace from the blitz of violence and mayhem the first four issues gave us. However, the way we got to this point is a little strange because it feels like the Ultimate shouldn't be taking a break.
Best moment: Nick Fury finds Captain America and asks him to come back.
Uncanny X-Men #3
This book is the professional X-Men book. Not saying the others aren't of that standard, but Uncanny X-Men is the book you want to read for straight up X-Men taking on world-class threats action. The cover is a bit misleading though and the way it ends is too abrupt (especially since it isn't touched on much in the next issue) but I suspect rereading the entire three-part story will yield a much richer reading experience.
Best moment: "Welcome to the danger room."
Uncanny X-Men #4
Saw a review for this issue that was overflowing with praise. I don't necessarily disagree but I was hoping for more with this stand-alone tale. Had less screen time been devoted to the enemy and more of it given to the X-Men (their scenes, I found to be excellent), I think I would have liked this a whole lot more. Enjoyable read though, nevertheless.
Best moment: "I don't need the power, I want it."
Avengers #20
This issue was just alright. In the wake of Norman Osborn's accusations, the team splits up to look for him and as each team investigates a particular location, they don't find Osborn but they do find trouble. Mostly set-up here but at least the action is starting. The art's not that bad either.
Best moment: Captain America being visibly annoyed and troubled by the sudden turn of events as the media have turned on the Avengers.
New Avengers #20
You know what? I loved this issue of New Avengers. In fact, I think this might be one of my favorite issues of the series ever. It's certainly one of Brian Bendis' "fight" issues. To me, every quip was spot-on, the choreography was engaging and made sense, and the conclusion actually had me looking forward to the next issue.
Best moment (tie): The last page reveal that the fight isn't over yet. + Norman Osborn throwing Luke Cage into the ocean.
Daredevil #7
Honestly, after the brilliant first six issues (which I did not pick up initially), this issue was a bit of letdown. The high-octane adventure from the previous arc has taken a break and we have a stand-alone holiday tale. Bummer right? With what the creative team has accomplished with this series, a "letdown" is still pretty damn good. Crisp writing and stunning art are the norm for this book and that is still on fully display here. In the hands of the magnificent Mark Waid and the legendary Paolo Rivera, this issue is another worthy addition to what is being called one of the greatest Daredevil runs (if not all of comicdom) ever.
Best moment: Daredevil is saved by the kids.
Journey Into Mystery #633
This is a very cute, very scary book. Like a fiarytale but without the cuddly animals and more evil fear gods. I love it. Kid Loki is the best new character of 2011 and 2012 looks to be even better for our little god of mischief.
Best moment (tie): The recap page and the diner/milkshake scene.
Scarlet Spider #1
This is the emo-Spider-Man book and I have to say, it's just alright so far. I'll need to see Kaine in action as the Scarlet Spider first but I put this comic on my pull-list because I was hoping it would be starring Ben Reilly. Kaine's going to have to win me over.
Best moment: Kaine swinging through Houston for the first time.
Wolverine and The X-Men #3
This is as close to "family-friendly fun" as the X-men can get. That's the best way I can describe writer Jason Aaron and artist Chris Bachalo's opening arc. The school is attacked by evil kids, the adults prove helpless to stop it, the good kids strike back, they put an end to all the violence and no one dies. This is clearly not Uncanny X-Men. The Schism has really taken effect and its a good change of pace to the all gloom and doom, all the time period before the split.
Best moment: Everyone ignoring Quentin Quire.
Wolverine and The X-Men #4
Solid book by all involved. After the big opening arc, this issue brilliantly mixes character development and "downtime" effortlessly. The students and faculty all get a chance to shine in the context of just another day at school. The glimpse into the future, with the older versions of the student body was great too.
Best moment: Quentin Quire, Idie, Kid Gladiator and Broo as the future X-Men (along with Krakoa and Deathlok) with Genesis having become Apocalypse.
Amazing Spider-Man #676
A full issue dedicated to the Sinister Six? I went into this book thinking I'd hate it but after reading it, I have to say, I'm pleased to be wrong. In fact, this has convinced me that there needs to be a Sinister Six on-going or mini. Spider-Man's rogues gallery is as fun and complex as the hero they all hate and are worthy of our attention. Can't wait for The Ends of the Earth later this year that focuses on these guys again.
Best moment: Sandman and Wizard are about to join forces and go their own way when Doc Ock sends the latter into space.
Amazing Spider-Man #677
Part one of the crossover with Daredevil featuring Black Cat. Good start, but I'll be able to judge this better when I get part two.
Best moment: Spider-Man trying to be cool in front of Black Cat.
Annihilators: Earthfall #4
Space has been the staging ground for some of the best stories Marvel has put out over these past few years. With Annihilators: Earthfall, some of that action has spilled to earth, necessitating a team-up with Earth's Mightiest. This last issue of the mini was the best, but honestly, that's not saying much. Right from the get go, bringing in the Avengers, whom we know are having their own adventures essentially kills all the suspense, because you know nothing so huge is going to happen to upset their status quo. The art hasn't helped either. DnA have churned out better stories so I was expecting a lot more. I think one of the main reasons this mini didn't excite me in the first place was the choice of which space heroes would be interacting with the Avengers. The Annihilators haven't clicked with me outside of their first appearance in The Thanos Imperative. I think I would have been way more excited for this if the Guardians of the Galaxy involved in this, since the quirky group would be more interesting to juxtapose to the Avengers. Plus, that group was way more fun. The back-up Rocket Raccoon and Groot story had great art and a decent enough hook for me to enjoy it more than the main story.
Best moment: Quasar to Captain America: "I am the line."
Defenders #2
Loving this book. Loving the Dodsons' art, loving the cast, loving the writing. This is a very fun book. Can't wait for the next issue.
Best moment/scene: Everything inside the cage. Iron Fist being useless, irritable Namor, creepy Doctor Strange.
FF #13
You know, the art could be better but all in all, I like this book. The Future Foundation's kids are worthy of their own series. Also, Doom.
Best moment: "Because...I am Doom. Destroyer of worlds...What gods dare stand against me?" (So awesome.)
Fantastic Four #601
Johnny Storm is back and it feels like this book is firing on all cylinders. Turning the Human Torch into the Annihilation Wave's leader? Brilliant. Can't wait for the next issue.
Best moments: Johnny lighting the sky with the Fantastic Four signal once again, Ben telling the Kree sentries what time it is, Kal Blackbane referring to Johnny as their leader, "I have my own..." This book is pure awesome. (Jonathan Hickman is steadily becoming my favorite writer.)
Avengers Annual #1
Actually very disappointed with this one. For an annual, there was too little action and too many talking heads scenes (as is typical for Brian Michael Bendis' poorer efforts). I wish we knew what was up with Simon though.
Best moment: Wonderman seemingly disappearing from his energy bubble confinement cell.
Secret Avengers #20 & #21
The Warren Ellis series of one-shots on the book concludes with a bang! Since taking over the book back in issue #16, Ellis has told six stand-alone stories that have seen the team take on various threats such as killer trucks, otherworldly dangerous minerals and plain old monsters. The neat trick Ellis and his all-star collaborators (artists for the last two issues were Alex Maleev and Stuart Immonen, respectively) have pulled is that they've infused a great deal of action and heart into as compact a space as possible. There's no room for error for the Avengers black ops division nor the creators and they both succeed at it.
Best moment (#20): The Black Widow mourns the death of one of the allies she picks up along her time-displaced journey.
Best moment (#21): Steve Rogers turning away and letting his colleagues begin torturing the suspects.
Black Panther The Most Dangerous Man Alive #527 and #528
Three words: T'Challa is awesome.
Best moment (#527): Luke Cage and Falcon joining the fight.
Best moment (#528): "Check and mate. Now we take Shadowland and destroy Wilson Fisk."
Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #5
I love Miles Morales. Making Spider-Man a legacy hero was a great idea, and Miles is showing us why. Great book. Miles' best friend Ganke is the secret weapon of this comic. Every panel with him is gold. Solid writing and fantastic art make for a very good, very poignant read. What more could you ask for?
Best moment: "You're officially Spider-Man." Gets me every time.
Ultimate Comics Ultimates #5
This issue features almost no action whatsoever, which is a welcome change of pace from the blitz of violence and mayhem the first four issues gave us. However, the way we got to this point is a little strange because it feels like the Ultimate shouldn't be taking a break.
Best moment: Nick Fury finds Captain America and asks him to come back.
Uncanny X-Men #3
This book is the professional X-Men book. Not saying the others aren't of that standard, but Uncanny X-Men is the book you want to read for straight up X-Men taking on world-class threats action. The cover is a bit misleading though and the way it ends is too abrupt (especially since it isn't touched on much in the next issue) but I suspect rereading the entire three-part story will yield a much richer reading experience.
Best moment: "Welcome to the danger room."
Uncanny X-Men #4
Saw a review for this issue that was overflowing with praise. I don't necessarily disagree but I was hoping for more with this stand-alone tale. Had less screen time been devoted to the enemy and more of it given to the X-Men (their scenes, I found to be excellent), I think I would have liked this a whole lot more. Enjoyable read though, nevertheless.
Best moment: "I don't need the power, I want it."
Avengers #20
This issue was just alright. In the wake of Norman Osborn's accusations, the team splits up to look for him and as each team investigates a particular location, they don't find Osborn but they do find trouble. Mostly set-up here but at least the action is starting. The art's not that bad either.
Best moment: Captain America being visibly annoyed and troubled by the sudden turn of events as the media have turned on the Avengers.
New Avengers #20
You know what? I loved this issue of New Avengers. In fact, I think this might be one of my favorite issues of the series ever. It's certainly one of Brian Bendis' "fight" issues. To me, every quip was spot-on, the choreography was engaging and made sense, and the conclusion actually had me looking forward to the next issue.
Best moment (tie): The last page reveal that the fight isn't over yet. + Norman Osborn throwing Luke Cage into the ocean.
Daredevil #7
Honestly, after the brilliant first six issues (which I did not pick up initially), this issue was a bit of letdown. The high-octane adventure from the previous arc has taken a break and we have a stand-alone holiday tale. Bummer right? With what the creative team has accomplished with this series, a "letdown" is still pretty damn good. Crisp writing and stunning art are the norm for this book and that is still on fully display here. In the hands of the magnificent Mark Waid and the legendary Paolo Rivera, this issue is another worthy addition to what is being called one of the greatest Daredevil runs (if not all of comicdom) ever.
Best moment: Daredevil is saved by the kids.
Journey Into Mystery #633
This is a very cute, very scary book. Like a fiarytale but without the cuddly animals and more evil fear gods. I love it. Kid Loki is the best new character of 2011 and 2012 looks to be even better for our little god of mischief.
Best moment (tie): The recap page and the diner/milkshake scene.
Scarlet Spider #1
This is the emo-Spider-Man book and I have to say, it's just alright so far. I'll need to see Kaine in action as the Scarlet Spider first but I put this comic on my pull-list because I was hoping it would be starring Ben Reilly. Kaine's going to have to win me over.
Best moment: Kaine swinging through Houston for the first time.
Wolverine and The X-Men #3
This is as close to "family-friendly fun" as the X-men can get. That's the best way I can describe writer Jason Aaron and artist Chris Bachalo's opening arc. The school is attacked by evil kids, the adults prove helpless to stop it, the good kids strike back, they put an end to all the violence and no one dies. This is clearly not Uncanny X-Men. The Schism has really taken effect and its a good change of pace to the all gloom and doom, all the time period before the split.
Best moment: Everyone ignoring Quentin Quire.
Wolverine and The X-Men #4
Solid book by all involved. After the big opening arc, this issue brilliantly mixes character development and "downtime" effortlessly. The students and faculty all get a chance to shine in the context of just another day at school. The glimpse into the future, with the older versions of the student body was great too.
Best moment: Quentin Quire, Idie, Kid Gladiator and Broo as the future X-Men (along with Krakoa and Deathlok) with Genesis having become Apocalypse.
Amazing Spider-Man #676
A full issue dedicated to the Sinister Six? I went into this book thinking I'd hate it but after reading it, I have to say, I'm pleased to be wrong. In fact, this has convinced me that there needs to be a Sinister Six on-going or mini. Spider-Man's rogues gallery is as fun and complex as the hero they all hate and are worthy of our attention. Can't wait for The Ends of the Earth later this year that focuses on these guys again.
Best moment: Sandman and Wizard are about to join forces and go their own way when Doc Ock sends the latter into space.
Amazing Spider-Man #677
Part one of the crossover with Daredevil featuring Black Cat. Good start, but I'll be able to judge this better when I get part two.
Best moment: Spider-Man trying to be cool in front of Black Cat.
Annihilators: Earthfall #4
Space has been the staging ground for some of the best stories Marvel has put out over these past few years. With Annihilators: Earthfall, some of that action has spilled to earth, necessitating a team-up with Earth's Mightiest. This last issue of the mini was the best, but honestly, that's not saying much. Right from the get go, bringing in the Avengers, whom we know are having their own adventures essentially kills all the suspense, because you know nothing so huge is going to happen to upset their status quo. The art hasn't helped either. DnA have churned out better stories so I was expecting a lot more. I think one of the main reasons this mini didn't excite me in the first place was the choice of which space heroes would be interacting with the Avengers. The Annihilators haven't clicked with me outside of their first appearance in The Thanos Imperative. I think I would have been way more excited for this if the Guardians of the Galaxy involved in this, since the quirky group would be more interesting to juxtapose to the Avengers. Plus, that group was way more fun. The back-up Rocket Raccoon and Groot story had great art and a decent enough hook for me to enjoy it more than the main story.
Best moment: Quasar to Captain America: "I am the line."
Defenders #2
Loving this book. Loving the Dodsons' art, loving the cast, loving the writing. This is a very fun book. Can't wait for the next issue.
Best moment/scene: Everything inside the cage. Iron Fist being useless, irritable Namor, creepy Doctor Strange.
FF #13
You know, the art could be better but all in all, I like this book. The Future Foundation's kids are worthy of their own series. Also, Doom.
Best moment: "Because...I am Doom. Destroyer of worlds...What gods dare stand against me?" (So awesome.)
Fantastic Four #601
Johnny Storm is back and it feels like this book is firing on all cylinders. Turning the Human Torch into the Annihilation Wave's leader? Brilliant. Can't wait for the next issue.
Best moments: Johnny lighting the sky with the Fantastic Four signal once again, Ben telling the Kree sentries what time it is, Kal Blackbane referring to Johnny as their leader, "I have my own..." This book is pure awesome. (Jonathan Hickman is steadily becoming my favorite writer.)
Avengers Annual #1
Actually very disappointed with this one. For an annual, there was too little action and too many talking heads scenes (as is typical for Brian Michael Bendis' poorer efforts). I wish we knew what was up with Simon though.
Best moment: Wonderman seemingly disappearing from his energy bubble confinement cell.
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