Tag Archives: Marvel Now!

Elektra #1 Review

Marvel Comics, , , ,

elektra1cover

To escape the memories of certain individuals in New York City, Elektra Natchios, or just simply Elektra, the beautiful but world’s most deadly ninja assassin, pays the matchmaker a visit and requests a contract.  The matchmaker gives her a job that no one else can come close to cashing in on, the capture of Cape Crow, an assassin that may prove to be Elektra’s biggest rival.  Not only does Elektra has to get to Cape Crow before other assassins, she also has to turn him in alive.

If you’re already familiar with this female assassin, then you know that she is no joke, and I’m more than sure that this All-New Marvel NOW! title won’t be one either.  I’ve read Elektra:  Assassin and a few issues of Marvel NOW! Thunderbolts, so I have high expectations for this new comic series.

W. Haden Blackman did a great job at setting up the story, and introducing Elektra to readers who may be unfamiliar with her.  Well-written script, especially Elektra’s sharp tone.

Unfortunately, I am not fond of the art.  I’m not saying that Michael Del Mundo (art, colors) and Marco D’Alfonso (colors) didn’t do a good job, because they did.  It’s just not for me.  It looks like a painting, and that’s not the style I was looking for in this type of comic.

Although I don’t like the art in this story, I still plan to finish the first arc.  I need to know what’s going to happen on Monster Island, and just who the heck Bloody Lips is.

Verdict (drum roll please)  
Elektra, the new comic series by Marvel, has a strong opening.  Just because I don’t like the style of art for this title doesn’t mean I’m not going to recommend it.  I recommend this title for the mature readers.  I give this issue 4/5 stars.

Thor: God of Thunder #11 Review

Marvel Comics, , ,

thor11

The long and fierce battle has finally come to an end. At the end of the last issue Gorr triggered the Godbomb. Using both his and future Thor’s Mjolnirs, present Thor faced the Godbomb head-on, but he was unable to stop it from exploding.

Gorr the God butcher dedicated his life to purposely kill off divinity. This wretched creature built a bomb that was capable of exploding and killing all Gods throughout time and space. Although the Godbomb was Gorr’s creation, he didn’t build it. The Gods that Gorr enslaved over the years built the bomb. Three of those Gods were the granddaughters of future King Thor (remember this story travels through time and space so the other two weren’t aware of their existence at first).

The explosion traveled at a rapid speed and immediately began to kill Gods across time, without warning. The sad part is, most of the Gods didn’t even know what was happening. Then for a moment all the Gods shared a vision of present Thor fighting the Godbomb with two hammers, and they all prayed to him. Thor heard and answered their prayers.

Jason Aaron is the writer. Great dialogue and Aaron does a superb job at scripting all three Thors. Their distinctive maturity levels is obvious. Past Thor is young, carefree and arrogant. He has not earned the hammer at this time. Present Thor has a touch of arrogance, but he’s more mature and has earned his hammer. He’s also an Avenger. Future King Thor is old and wise.

The art team consists of Esad Ribic (artist) and Ive Svorcina (colors). I have nothing but the highest of compliments for these visual storytellers. Emotion sparking scenes. I especially like the panel where King Odin prays to Thor, his son. And I LOVE the double spread of Thor the Avenger striking Gorr. The bright flashes of lightning coming from the hammers, the darkness of Thor engulfed by All-Black the necrosword and the loud, ground shaking roar of thunder, (thanks to VC’s Joe Sabino for the letters) is breathtaking.

The Asgardian God of Thunder has been one of my favorite superheroes for a long time, and I have been a loyal reader of this title since the Marvel NOW! launch. I definitely plan to continue reading this title. The next issue should serve as a good jump-on point, if you don’t want to read the back issues.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I highly recommend this title.

Deadpool Kills Deadpool #2 Review

Marvel Comics, , ,

deadpoolkill2

Can you imagine a Deadpool more psychotic than our own?  I couldn’t either until I started reading this mini series.  There are many universes with alternate versions of Deadpool.  I know this may be hard to imagine, but not all of them are manic and homicidal as the Deadpool we know, the Marvel Now! title I read every month.

WARNING TO PARENTS OF YOUNG CHILDREN:  Deadpool is extremely violent and caution should be taken while reading this comic around young children.

There is one insane Deadpool counterpart that believes he is nothing more than a fictional character, and he is on a Deadpool killing spree across the multiverse.  Whether it’s Earth-616 Deadpool or an alternate reality version, Deadpool is Deadpool.  That should tell you that there will be plenty of violence and bloodshed.

This issue is filled with lots of alternate reality Deadpools, some I know of, others I don’t.  The Deadpool Corps play a major part in the story, and there is Wolverinepool and a badass Pandapool.  The last page of this comic is unbelievable.  GALACTUSPOOL!

This funny, but violent story is written by Cullen Bunn.  Excellent dialogue and hilarious character interactions.  I especially like the Watcher.  He’s a fanboy and I like when he turns and talks to the reader.

Salva Espin is the artist, and Veronica Gandini is the colorist.  I like how the Watcher is sporting his Deadpool fanboy gear throughout the story.  I could do nothing but laugh before I even read the dialogue.  I also like the spread with Deadpool Corps battling their evil counterparts.  And of course I love that last page.  GALACTUSPOOL!  Gandini brings this comic to life, especially with the bright explosions.  But I’m no stranger to her work.  She is the colorist for one of my favorite Marvel NOW! titles, Fearless Defenders.

I definitely plan to continue reading this title.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I recommend this title for mature readers only.

Deadpool #13 Review

Marvel Comics, , ,

deadpool13

If you are attempting to read Deadpool without knowing anything about this character, then you ain’t nothing but a jive turkey.  That’s right, you’re dippin’ and dappin’ and don’t know what’s happenin’.  So let me tell you the real deal.  Deadpool is a mercenary.  He is also a psychopath who talks to a voice in his head.  He will walk up to you, tell you who placed the hit and then shoot you in the face.  He’s witty, talks A LOT and annoys almost everyone, which pretty much sums up why he’s also called the Merc With a Mouth.

This issue is a blast from the past, the good ole days of the afro (my oldest brother still wears a ‘fro).  Deadpool reads a Heroes for Hire ad in the newspaper, and decides to apply for the job in person.  If you know Deadpool, then you know there was some ruckus when he arrived at the office.  Actually it began BEFORE his arrival.  He literally walks through the office door of Luke Cage, aka Power Man and Danny Rand, aka Iron Fist.  They quickly become irritated and annoyed by Deadpool’s presence but the three of them team up to take down The White Man.  Well, Power Man and Iron Fist were hired for the job.  Deadpool pretty much hired himself.

WARNING TO PARENTS OF YOUNG CHILDREN:  Deadpool is mentally unstable, and he is extremely violent.  Please read with caution around your children.  If Deadpool is  involved, then so is violence.

I am still enjoying this Marvel NOW! title.  Gerry Duggan and Brian Posehn are the creative writers of this funny, but violent series.  I LOVE this throwback issue, especially Deadpimp.  Deadpool is so hilarious.  There were a few times where I said, “Will you shut up?”  or “You talk extremely too much and too crazy!”  This well written script is funny and is filled with page turners.  If you weren’t born until after the 70’s then you won’t be able to appreciate this story to its’ fullest.

The creative art team consists of Scott Koblish (artist) and Val Staples (colors).  These two did an amazing job.  I love how the coloring of the page borders, especially the edges, replicate those of an aged comic.  I like the afros, bell-bottoms, costumes and Deadpimp and The White Man’s pimp suits.  And I love that pick in Deadpool’s hair on the cover!

I couldn’t help but reminiscence about the good ole days while reading this story.  I was a child but I remember it well.  My oldest sister had a white t-shirt that read, “Jive Turkey” on the front.  I remember using the phrase, “I’m hip” (my brothers and I still use it occasionally) and my sister and I won dance contests (remember the dance called the “bump”).  There were street parties, no disrespecting our parents or any other adults, and we played outside from sun up til sun down.

But enough of my shuckin and jivin.  I’m getting ready to play some old school music.  Parliament, Rose Royce, Ohio Players, KC and the Sunshine Band, and the Sugarhill Gang.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I recommend this Marvel NOW! title to mature readers only.

Fearless Defenders #6 Review

Marvel Comics, , ,

feardef6

It turns out that Valkyrie used to be a Doom Maiden after all. The Maiden of Rage. And rage is what she was full of in this issue. She took down all the Shield Maidens, most of them with her bare hands. Keep in mind the Shield Maidens are the some of the strongest female superheroes in the Marvel universe, so that should tell you how strong and powerful she is.

But there was one Shield Maiden in particular that was strong in a different way. Knowing that Valkyrie was possessed by an unknown evil force, Annabelle Riggs stood against the Maiden of Rage to save Valkyrie. But at a hefty price. I won’t spoil what happens, but I will say that the sassy, but feisty Misty Knight sucker punched the heck out of Valkyrie for what happened to her friend, Dr. Annabelle Riggs.

And yes, Caroline Le fay is still in the picture. She fled the battlefield to develop more evil plans which includes choosing new Doom Maidens. So I don’t think she’s going anywhere for a while.

I am still enjoying this Marvel NOW! series and I list all my reasons in prior posts of this title. I am surprised at the outcome of Annabelle. I knew that Annabelle was going to play an important role in Valkyrie’s life, but I didn’t know for how long. And I was just beginning to really like her. But this series is set up for characters to come and go. Remember this is not a team. And I can only imagine what’s going to happen to the rest of the Shield Maidens. Who’s next to leave? Who’s next to join? I want them all to stay because from looking at the pictures of female villains on Caroline Le Fay’s monitor, it’s going to take the entire group of badass Shield Maidens (remember Misty Knight hired more than the required amount) to take them down.

Cullen Bunn is the creative and talented writer. Superb dialogue and the interactions among the diverse characters are breathtaking. Fast paced but not hard to follow. I like how the names appear next to the heroes. That’s especially good for readers that are either new to comics, or for those who may have forgotten a name or two (tapping foot, looking around whistling). I can’t wait to see what Bunn has in store for us in future issues. RED SHE-HULK WAS CANCELED SO I HOPE TO SEE HER MAKE AT LEAST ONE APPEARANCE IN THIS TITLE. (yes I was a reader of that title)

Excellent artwork by Will Sliney (art) and Veronica Gandini (colors). There are several images, since the first issue, that I would love to have either the original art or a print. The characters are so realistic and I especially love the fight scenes, brutal punches and choke slams. The lighting on those panels is intensifying. And I LOVE the cover art by Mark Brooks. This comic ALWAYS has great artwork and covers. A good scripts needs good visuals. This title has not disappointed me yet.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

This is a great series and if you haven’t read it yet, then you need to start because I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT.

Guardians of the Galaxy #3 Review

Marvel Comics, , , ,

guardgal3b

If anyone is looking for Iron Man, he is on the planet Spartax with the Guardians.  He took a vacation from Earth to venture out into the universe.  Earlier in the series the king of Spartax made a new galactic rule that no one is allowed on Earth.  Becoming suspicious of the king, who is also his father, Peter Quill a.k.a. Star-Lord and the Guardians head towards Earth.  They run into Iron Man who has intercepted the war ship of the Badoon, terrorist aliens.  They defeated the Badoon but were arrested by the Spartax Royal Guard for violating the rule.

The Guardians have been sentenced to the living prison.  All of their weapons were confiscated, even Tony Stark’s armor.  Meanwhile the meeting of the Galactic Council became heated when the king of Spartax accused the Badoon of ordering the attack on Earth.  After the king left the meeting the Council expressed their concerns and suspicions of the king.

The Royal Guard thought they arrested ALL the Guardians.  Let’s see here.  There’s Star-Lord, Gamora, Rocket Racoon, Drax the Destroyer, Iron Man.  That’s right they forgot GROOT!  That little twig sitting in a flower-pot was overlooked.  In case you don’t already know, Groot can regenerate from a twig.  I will just say that the Guardians were glad to see him.  After taking over the Spartax Battleship Star-Lord addressed the entire fleet of ships, warning them to be wary of his father, the king.

I am still enjoying this Marvel NOW! title.  And it’s not because I stare longer at the panels with Tony Stark and Star-Lord.  It is because the Guardians is a badass team.  Gamora, the green alien lady, is said to be the most dangerous woman in the universe.  There’s the raccoon that gets a kick out of shooting people.  Uh oh, did I just call Rocket a raccoon?  I hope he didn’t hear me.  Drax likes to smash things.  Things as in people.  And then there’s Groot.  I would run as soon as I see him.

Brian Michael Bendis is the writer.  Dialogue is sharp and witty.  The interactions among the Guardians is worthy of being envied.  It is obvious the group values loyalty and friendship, and they respect their leader, Star-Lord.

The art team consists of Steve McNiven, Sara Pichelli, John Dell and Justin Ponsor.  Lifelike characters, finely detailed.  Scary looking aliens.  Great visual storytellers.  I can’t name my favorite panels because that would be all of them.  I also like the cover.  Rocket Raccoon is definitely not one to be messed with.

I definitely plan to continue reading this series.  I said I didn’t like Gamora’s costume in my review of issue #1.  There was no need for the space suit in this story, so I’m curious as to what she will be wearing in future issues.  I like her attire in this issue, however.  Baring flesh, but still kicking butt.  I am also curious as to what the king of Spartax really has up his sleeve.

VERDICDT (drum roll please)

I highly recommend this title.