Category Archives: Marvel Comics

Guardians of the Galaxy #0.1 Review

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I don’t know what made me want to read Guardians of the Galaxy the most; Gamora and Rocket Raccoon or Star-Lord and Tony Stark.  But I do know that I enjoyed reading the debut issue.  I was in tears by page 7.  However, by the end of the story I was ready to jump into the comic book and commit to being a part of the team.

The story detailed how Peter Quill became Star-Lord.  Peter was a typical school-aged kid, being raised by a single parent.  Living a life of normalcy.  That is, until life changing events took place.

I was sparked with emotions from page one.  Definite page turners.  Every page is gripping and eye-popping.  The superb dialogue is written by Brian Michael Bendis.  Peter’s character is so realistic.  He’s good kid with his share of rebellion against his mother.  I like that.  There’s a panel where I laughed out loud.  Peter lashed out at his mother and his face had the most annoyed look on it.  For a moment I thought my tween son was in a comic!

Bendis did a superb job with this one.  The set-up for the story is perfect, and the scenes are not rushed.

I love the artwork.  Steve McNiven, John Dell and Justin Ponsor did a great job.  Finely detailed.  The colors are great (Ponsor).  I especially like the scenes in front of the fireplace.  SO ROMANTIC.

I have a feeling this Marvel NOW! title will be around for a very long time.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I highly recommend Guardians of the Galaxy.

Young Avengers #2 Review

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I didn’t like Young Avengers #1 at all, so I didn’t make any plans to read this issue.  I gave in and read it on the 2nd day of its’ release.  I have to admit that I like it better than the debut issue.

Wiccan cast a spell and summoned Hulkling’s mother from another dimension, but strange things start to happen shortly after her arrival.  Wiccan, Hulkling and Loki appear to be the only ones that can see things are not right.

Again, I liked this issue much better than the first.  Just as with issue #1, this issue also focused mainly on Wiccan and Hulkling.  Hawkeye, Miss America Chavez and Noh-Varr are not in this issue.

The dialogue is well written and has great pacing.  I would like the interactions between the characters even more if Kieron Gillen make the Young Avengers more like typical teenagers.  Rebellious.  Attitude.  There’s too much happy-go-lucky talking going on in the story.  Throw in some smart aleck or snide comments here and there.  I think Kid Loki is funny.  He makes the perfect mischiveous tween.

Jamie McKelvie, Mike Norton and Mattew Wilson did a great job with the artwork.  I like the detailed facial expressions, especially those of Hulking’s mother.  And I love that big and scary picture of (I won’t spoil it) on the last page.

Young Avengers is reader friendly for all ages.  Although I don’t know for sure how long I’ll be reading this Marvel NOW! title, I can definitely say I will finish the story arc.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I recommend Young Avengers if you like teen and young adult comics.  Or if you’re looking for a story that’s reader friendly for all ages.

Deadpool Killustrated #2 Review

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There is still no bars hold in Deadpool Killustrated #2 as he continues to butcher his way though the Ideaverse to find and kill the creators of fictional characters.  If you recall from my blog on Deadpool Killustrated #1, after realizing he’s a fictional character, Deadpool travels through fictional worlds of classic literature to try to find its creators.  He believes that he can set all fictional characters (heroes and villains) free if he destroys their creators.

Deadpool also believes that killing all the characters from classic literature will eventually lead him to their creators.  From Count Dracula to Little Women, Deadpool has no plans on stopping until his mission is complete.

Deadpool is definitely himself in this issue.  Sociopathic, witty and violent.  Speaking of violence, there is a PARENTAL ADVISORY WARNING on the front cover.  For those of you that don’t already know, if Deadpool is involved, violence will be a definite.  I am talking about butcher, slaughter, slice and dice with no remorse.  I am still loving this story and can’t wait until the next issue is released.

The story is well scripted with sharp dialogue.  I especially love the Headless Horseman panels.  That was so funny!  But this story is also VERY GORY.  But that is how it’s supposed to be.  Why?  Because it’s Deadpool.  Cullen Bunn did superb a job with this issue.

Matteo Lolli, Sean Parsons and Veronic Gandini did a fine job with the artwork.  The panels on page 2 gave me the chills.  But it’s Deadpool.  And I love the Merc with a mouth!

VERDICT

If you would like to see our beloved classic stories get butchered, then Deadpool Killusrated is definitely for you.

NOVA #1 Review

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“Hey isn’t that the kid from the Ultimate Spider-Man Cartoon?” I asked when I learned Nova was getting his own Marvel NOW! title. Guess what? I was right.

I don’t know much about the history of Nova, Nova Corps or Richard Ryder. But I do watch Ultimate Spider-Man on television, therefore I know about Sam Alexander. So I was more than anxious to get my hands on Nova #1.

Sam Alexander is your typical teenager. Problems at home and school. Bad attitude.

The debut issue is filled with detailed events leading up to Sam becoming a member of the Nova Corps. But it’s obvious from the beginning that Sam has ties with the Corps.

I definitely plan to continue reading Nova, to see where it’s heading. My decision was heavily influenced by the last page of the comic. The look on Sam’s face when Gamora and Rocket Raccoon appeared in front of him is priceless. Besides, I want to know what they’re about to tell Sam. Did Jesse, Sam’s dad, get killed? Was he captured? All I really want to know is why is Gamora holding a helmet?

I think Jeph Loeb did a great job setting up the story. The dialogue and pacing of the story makes it reader friendly for all ages.

Loeb also did a great job with Sam’s character development. The attitude, victim of bullying at school, and home life stresses are so realistic. As a parent of a tween son (with an attitude like Sam’s at times), I have to give Mr. Loeb a big shout out on this one.

The creative art team of Ed McGuinness, Dexter Vines and Marte Gracia deserve a round of applause. Great artwork. I especially like the detailed facial expressions and the cover page.

I’m thinking this Marvel NOW! series will go far.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

If you like and want to read a good story that isn’t rushed and has great artwork, then NOVA is a title you should definitely jump on.

Superior Spider-Man #4 Review

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Otto Octavius appears to enjoy being Superior Spider-Man. He also appears to enjoy bragging about it. He constantly compares himself to Peter Parker, talking down about Peter in every way possible. This may be due to Otto realizing Peter never made plans. He just went out and did his thing without thinking twice about it.

Not only does Otto brags about capturing more criminals than Peter, he also says he does a better job at tying up loose ends. A specific point in reference is when Otto captured the underage minions of the Vulture and turned them over to Child Protective Services.

SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN. I can go on about it, but my husband told me to stop putting spoilers in my reviews! So I decided I’ll just get to the point and tell why I’m still loving this series.

Otto Octavius vowed to be a better, stronger and smarter Spider-Man. He said he was going to be Superior Spider-Man. After only four issues, you can see the differences between Peter Parker and Otto Octavius. Otto stated Peter never made schemes or plans. That he was a man of limited vision. Well that is not Otto Octavius. Otto is an evil genius. With a plan. With a scheme. How is he able to capture more criminals than Peter? With the spider bots that he placed all over the city. He takes a lot of the calls from the bots, others he directs the bots to contact the appropriate authorities, such as the police or fire department. Now that’s a plan.

Although Otto likes being Superior Spider-Man I can’t help but notice his anger and frustration with Peter for not living up to his full potential. After showing a groundbreaking walking device for Aunt May to the head of Horizon Labs and demanding to be recognized as Doctor Peter Parker, Otto becomes enraged when learning Peter never received his Doctorates. So what does Otto do? He re-enrolls in college to earn that last credit and work on a thesis! That’s right. Peter Parker was just a credit and thesis away from a Doctoral degree. Peter was so busy web slinging that he never took take the time to fullfil his other obligations.

The story gets even better as Marcus Lyman escapes from an asylum, committing several murders on his way out. Marcus, aka Massacre is a mass murderer. He lost all empathy for humanity after he was brain damaged in a car bombing that killed his wife. Spider-Man gave his word to the mayor that he will end Massacre.

The story ended with the two escaped minions of the Vulture running into a long-time enemy of Spider-Man, who said he would keep them safe from Spider-Man. He’s also one of my favorite villains. Who is it? Another reason for you to start reading Superior Spider-Man!

The series is progressing rapidly. I still don’t know how Dan Slott can pack so much information within a few pages. The dialogue is strong. It’s both funny and serious. Compelling characters. I like the fact that Peter Parker’s ghost is still around, and that he can’t be heard by anyone. It’s good for the story.

What I’m liking the most from this story is Otto Octavius. I don’t know ALL about Spider-Man and his enemies, but I know enough to know Otto is showing a side the world hasn’t seen before. I’ve always liked villains but I’m drawn more to Otto right now. He is still that evil genius with the plans and schemes. And although he’s showing a dark side of Spider-Man through his recent handling of the bad guys, there is a soft spot in his heart. By the way, Doctor Octopus has always been my favorite Spidey villain.

Ryan Stegman is not the artist on this issue (I’ve come to know and love his work on SSM) but the artwork is still great. Giuseppe Camuncoli did a great job and I like Edgar Delgado on the colors.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

You know what to do. So hurry up and start reading if you haven’t already.

SECRET AVENGERS #1 REVIEW

Marvel Comics,

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Maria Hill, Agent Phil Coulson, Black Widow, Hawkeye and Nick Fury, Jr.  When I learned that this bad ass team was going to debut in the first issue of Marvel NOW! Secret Avengers AND Nick Spencer was going to be the writer, I knew I wouldn’t be disappointed.

The comic is new reader friendly and if you’ve seen the Avengers movie, you’ll feel even more comfortable.  There is a strong resemblance between agent Coulson and Clark Gregg from the movie.  Black Widow sort of resembles Scarlet Johansson.  Not only does Nick Fury, Jr. looks like Samuel Jackson, he also sports Jackson’s coolness.

I like that Agent Coulson is in the series.  There’s something about the interaction between a man in a suit and heroes.  Usually something comical happens.

The members of the team have their minds wiped at the end of a mission.  I didn’t know what was going on at first, but by the end of the issue I can pretty much tell where the story is heading.

I’m familiar with, and love, Nick Spencer’s style of writing.  He’s good at plotting, timing, and dialogue.  Spencer also likes to revisit scenes in his comics.  That helps for a better understanding of the story.  I love when he does that and hopes he brings that technique over into Secret Avengers.

Luke Ross did a great job on the art.  Matthew Wilson adds a noir feel to it with the colors.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

Secret Avengers is yet another stellar title of Marvel Now.