Category Archives: Marvel Comics

Ultron #1AU Review

Marvel Comics, , , , ,

ultron1au

Ultron has destroyed humankind. There are only a few survivors scattered around the world. This Marvel NOW! Age of Ultron tie-in depicts how Victor Mancha deals with the catastrophe. In case you don’t already know, Victor is a cyborg created by his father, ULTRON. Yes, Ultron. One of the baddest super villains in the Marvel Universe. Victor was also a member of Runaways, a team of teenage super heroes.

The story takes place in Los Angeles where Victor scours the city looking for survivors. He has already led a few juveniles to safety and provides them with shelter. Everyone he has ever loved has been killed by Ultron, including his mother and the Runaways.

Afraid that the children won’t trust him if they knew he was a cyborg, Victor keeps that part of him a secret. However just as his secret is discovered, all hell breaks loose.

It had been prophesied that Victor would take part in Ultron’s plan. To be a part of the end. Does the prophecy become true in this Age of Ultron tie-in? Grab a copy at your local comic shop and find out!

Because this is a one-shot, I’m not going to say much about the story. But I will say that I enjoyed this title. I like how Victor is handling the destruction of humankind by Ultron. I also like the fact that despite the prophecy of Victor being a part of Ultron’s plan, he dedicates his life trying to NOT becoming like his father.

Written by Kathryn Immonen, the script is detailed and fast paced, yet easy to follow. The story is brought to life by Amilcar Pinna. Great visual storyteller. Not much dialogue is needed to see where the story is going.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

If you are reading Age of Ultron, then you should be reading ALL the tie-ins as well. Ultron #1AU, by Marvel Comics, is one of those tie-ins. I highly recommend this title.

The Fearless Defenders #3 Review

Marvel Comics, , ,

feardefend3

The badass girls of Marvel Comics are back.

Up until now we know that Valkyrie, the demigoddess of Asgardia has failed to select a new group of Shieldmaidens.  Misty Knight was ticked to learn that Valkyrie claimed she couldn’t find any female superheros on Earth worthy to serve on the team.  Now the consequences has to be faced.  The Doom Maidens are rising and Dani Moonstar is being held captive by Caroline LeFay, a villainess who confessed to Dani that she wants to be a Valkyrie.  Carolyn also raised the Doom Maidens.  There is a lot going on in The Fearless Defenders right now, so you need to grab the first two issues, in addition to the current one, if you haven’t already.

My review of issue #1 details why I’m liking this series, and each issue just keeps getting better.

Hela, Queen of the Dead, is aware of the Doom Maidens rising.  Warning the All-Mother, rulers of Asgardia, not to send Valkyrie to confront the Doom Maidens, Hela has resurrected Warrior Woman, aka Hippolyta to take on the Doom Maidens and rescue Dani Moonstar.

Not willing to let Hippolyta fight alone, the All-Mother sent Valkyrie and her two Shieldmaidens to accompany Hippolyta.  Misty Knight and Annabelle Riggs.  YES.  DR. ANNABELLE RIGGS IS NOW A SHIELDMAIDEN! 

Cullen Bunn, writer, is having fun with this series.  Superb dialogue.  Fast paced.  Character interactions can’t get any better than this.  The different character backgrounds and personalities make this series fun and addicting.

We all know Misty Knight,  the Foxy Brown of comics, has a mouth on her.  Sassy, gun-toting, don’t take sh-t from anyone.  She will  beat you down just for looking at her the wrong way.

Annabelle Riggs.  I didn’t like her in the first issue, but now I’m starting to grow on her.  She’s funny plus I want to see how she fares as a Shieldmaiden.

Valkyrie.  The reason they’re all in this mess. By not assembling a new team, the Doom Maidens may have a right to fill the Valkyrior void.  She also has a mouth on her.  She just needed someone to bring it out of her.  And that someone is Hippolyta.

Warrior Woman aka Hippolyta.  A total badass like Valkyrie and Misty Knight.  Arrogant and full of gloat.  Boastful about her days of fighting.  She even talked about the Asgardian armor.  I’m pretty sure she and Valkyrie will be going at it soon after their quest is completed.

I love the artwork.  Will Sliney is the artist.  Veronica Gandini is the colorist.  I especially like the cover page by Mark Brooks.  The cover pages of this title are always nice.  Kind of on the wild side.  It is one of the major selling points for me.

The Fearless Defenders is one of my favorite Marvel NOW! titles.  And I definitely plan to continue reading this awesome series.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

There is no doubt that I highly recommend this title.

Thanos Rising #1 Review

Marvel Comics, , ,

thanos1

Super villain.  Titan gone mad.  The destroyer.  Fascinated with death.  Thanos Rising, a Marvel NOW! title, is a mini-series about the origin of Thanos.

Written by Jason Aaron, the debut issue chronicles the life of Thanos from childbirth to school-age.  Thanos’ mother, the beautiful Sui-San, sensed danger as soon as she saw his eyes.  The story goes on to show a young Thanos being taunted at school.  But he always maintained a positive attitude, explaining his genetic mutation.  Thanos was very smart and friendly.   A group of kids even befriended him.  But things begin to change for the worse by the end of the story.

I am liking the story so far.  I just wish the “good Thanos” would have lasted at least until the next issue.  Let his anger and frustration build a little more.  But I won’t complain too much, because until now, I had no idea how Thanos became a villain.  I didn’t know if he was born evil, or if a life changing event caused him to turn bad.  I began to feel sorry for Thanos after reading this story.  An academically gifted child with a positive attitude, who didn’t let his mutation bring him down.

The artwork is great.  I have no complaints in that area.  Simone Bianchi, artist.  Simone Peruzzi, colorist.

Thanos Rising is a 5 issue mini-series.  By the end of the series, I want to know if Thanos was actually destined for evil.  I want to know if his mother was right.

I definitely plan to read the entire mini-series.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I recommend this Marvel NOW! title Especially to readers who is familiar with Thanos and/or love super villains.

Guardians of the Galaxy #1 Review

Marvel Comics, , , ,

guardgalaxy1

If there is anyone worthy of being on the cover of Guardians of the Galaxy, it’s the team that’s already pictured on it.  It can’t get any better than this.  The Guardians include:

  • Starlord of Spartax
  • Drax the Destroyer
  • Groot – Did you know he can regenerate from a twig? 
  • Gamora – The most dangerous female in the universe.
  • Rocket Raccoon – Please make sure you don’t call him a raccoon, because it will definitely be your last.

Starlord receives an unexpected visit from his dad, the King of Spartax.  He tells Starlord that Earth is off-limits to all extraterrestrials.  He also wants Starlord to drop his “broken” friends and take his rightful place as the firstborn of Spartax.

Can Starlord trust his dad?  Is the King of Spartax really looking out for the best interest of his son?  Exactly why did the Galactic Council ban ALL extraterrestrial interactions on Earth?

We learned the events leading up to how Peter Quill became Starlord in the debut issue.  Guardians of the Galaxy #1 is a powerful story featuring a kick ass team.  Especially with Rocket Raccoon and Gamora on board.

This action packed series with sharp dialogue and compelling, yet complex characters is written by Brian Michael Bendis.

I am really liking this Marvel NOW! series so far.  The Guardians is an awesome team that values friendship and loyalty.  They can be funny and serious at the same time.  Bendis is doing a superb job with this story. 

The art team includes  Steve McNiven (pencils), John Dell (inker), and Justin Ponsor (colors).  These guys are excellent at visual storytelling. 

The only complaint I have with the art is Gamora’s costume.  She is completely covered and you can barely see her face.  She’s one of the main reasons I’m reading Guardians of the Galaxy, but her costume has taken a lot of that excitement away.  There’s one panel where I couldn’t even tell that she’s green.  I was expecting her to look as she did in Nova.  Instead she looks like an ordinary girl.

Being a female myself, I want female characters in comics to look feminine.  Bare a little flesh.  Let the hair down.  I am not drawn to a story by its’ script alone.  The artwork pulls me in as well.  Believe me when I say I can sit and stare at Starlord and Tony Stark for hours.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

There is no doubt that I highly recommend Guardians of the Galaxy.

Superior Spider-Man #6AU Review

Marvel Comics, , ,

ssm6au

Ultron has destroyed the world.  Unless the handful of surviving superheroes can come up with a plan to destroy Ultron and his drones, all hope will be lost.

Superior Spider-Man 6AU, a Marvel NOW! title, is a tie-in to Age of Ultron.  Spider-Man blames himself for the destruction of humankind.  When Tony Stark (Iron Man) tells him of a plan that could send Ultron to another dimension, Spidey agrees to help.  Especially since the plan involves him going to Horizon Labs.  Once inside the lab, Spider-Man begins to devise his own plan for Ultron.

Doc Ock  (we all should know by now that Otto Octavius is now Spider-Man) boasted of his accomplishments.  Successes that Peter Parker failed to achieve.  He even shows off his skills of controlling machines mentally when the drones arrived.

This comic is a one-shot and I’m taking extra precaution as to not spoil anything.  But I will say that I liked the story, especially when Superior Spider-Man fought the drones.

Christos Gage is the writer.  Well written dialogue.  Excellent timing.

Great artwork by Dexter Soy.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I recommend this Marvel NOW! title if you’re a reader of Age of Ultron and Superior Spider-Man.

Avenging Spider-Man #18 Review

Marvel Comics, , , , ,

avenspidey18

In the Avenging Spider-Man series, by Marvel Comics, Superior Spider-Man teams up with a character or team in every issue.  In this issue he teams up with The Mighty Thor, God of Thunder, in a battle against Electro.

Electro has found a way to return to Earth, after being shot into space by Thor.  Superior Spider-Man warns Thor of Electro’s return, and that he may be returning to seek vengeance against Thor.  An arrogant Thor laughs and takes the warning lightheartedly.

An angered Spider-Man sought out Electro and learned of his plans to destroy Thor.  He tried to warn Thor a second time, but Thor brushed him off again.  But not for long.  Electro appears and the battle begins.

I started reading this series at issue #16 because of the debut of Superior Spider-Man.  And he is no different from the way he is in the  Superior Spider-Man series.  His true identity (Otto Octavius) is not known.  There is a panel where Superior Spider-Man told Thor to remove his hand from his shoulder, and Thor was astonished.

Avenging Spider-Man is written by Christopher Yost.  Well-written script and I especially like the interactions between Superior Spider-Man and Thor.  They’re both funny, but Spider-Man is funny AND serious at the same time.

I like the artwork.  Marco Checchetto is the artist, and Rachelle Rosenberg is the colorist.  I really like the colors in the fight scenes.  There’s a panel where the lighting is so bright, I almost had to squint to look at it.  I especially like that one!

So far I am liking what I’m reading so I plan to continue to read this Marvel title.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I recommend this series.  If you’re a reader of Superior Spider-Man, hopefully you are already reading Avenging Spider-Man.