Tag Archives: Marvel Now!

Red She-Hulk Review

Marvel Comics, , ,

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Red She-Hulk is a Marvel NOW! title by Marvel Comics.  Taking over from a previous Hulk series, Red She-Hulk starts at issue #58.  I would have preferred if this series would have started at issue #1 to keep confusion at a minimum.

On a side note, Elizabeth “Betty” Ross, aka Red She-Hulk is the ex-wife of Bruce Banner (Incredible Hulk) and the daughter of General Thaddeus Ross (Red Hulk) for those who don’t already know.

Red She-Hulk is attempting to destroy Project Echelon, the military’s secret Super-Soldier Program.  Android X-51 (Aaron Stack) was requested to track her, but after learning her motive for wanting to put an end to Echelon, he decided to help Red She-Hulk instead of turning her in.

So far I am enjoying the story.  There is action on nearly every page.  I have to admit, the girl is bad.  But she’s a hulk so that’s a given.  I especially like the fact that she remains pretty and feminine while she’s in hulk form.  When I first learned she would have her own series, I immediately pictured a big red monster like her father.  I noticed that Red She-Hulk displays emotions while in hulk form.  She is compassionate.  There was an incident where she destroyed a bridge, but stuck around (on the down low) to make sure no one was injured.  There was also another incident where she unintentionally killed a participant in the Echelon Super-Soldier Program.  This caused her to become enraged, thus hulking out.

Well-written script with great character interactions.  Jeff Parker did a great job setting up the story.  He even included a backdrop on Betty Ross.  It will help readers with little or no knowledge of Ross learn and understand her character.

The art team did a fantastic job as well.  Well defined details and amazing action scenes.  Carlo Pagulayan and Wellinton Alves are the pencilers, and Val Staples is the colorist.

I’m going to read a few more issues of Red She-Hulk to see where the story leads and take it from there.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I recommend this Marvel NOW! title, especially if you’re a hulk fan.

Age of Ultron #1 Review

Marvel Comics, ,

ultron1

Ultron has arrived in the Marvel NOW! Universe.  If you don’t believe me, take a look at the nice Age of Ultron #1 foil cover.  Written by Brian Michael Bendis, Age of Ultron #1 is the first of a 10-issue limited series.

For those who may not know, Ultron is one of the baddest super-villains in the Marvel Universe.  Dr. Hank Pym created this criminally minded artificial intelligence.  Ultron’s goal has always been to destroy humanity.

The story begins with the destruction of humanity already taken place.  The Marvel Universe has been destroyed by Ultron.  New York City, where this issue takes place, is covered under what appears to be a blue dome-shaped structure.  It’s obvious that survival and trust are themes in this series.  After Hawkeye rescued Spider-Man, they received a cold welcome by some of the surviving superheroes.  The cold welcome stems from Hawkeye being told not to return if he left to search for surviving heroes.  The way Hawkeye and Spider-Man were rough-housed by Luke Cage and She-Hulk, I’d say the policy is strictly enforced.

This is one Marvel NOW! title that I’m sure I’ll enjoy throughout the entire series.  It’s gripping and eye-popping from page one.  The dialogue is well written.  The interactions among the characters are realistic.  Bendis did a great job with the set-up for this story.  He dived right in and started after Ultron’s destruction of humanity.  I laughed at a couple of panels at the beginning, but I cried on the last page.

The artwork is great.  Bryan Hitch (penciler), Paul Neary (inker) and Paul Mounts (colors).  Well detailed.  There’s a few earth-shaking panels.  Literally.  You can actually see it in the panels.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen that before.  I really like that technique.  The colors are outstanding, thanks to Mounts.  I especially like the explosive panels.  One of the blasts is so bright, I felt as if I was in that panel!  The art team did a superb job with visual storytelling.

I enjoyed the first issue and I definitely plan to read the entire series, especially with Bendis being the writer.  I want to know who’s going to survive this apocalypse.  Iron Man?  Wolverine?  Emma Frost?  WHO is going to survive?  And HOW?

VERDICT

If you like action then you will definitely want to read Age of Ultron.  I have a feeling the creative team will not let us down.

Guardians of the Galaxy #0.1 Review

Marvel Comics, , , ,

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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

Marvel Comics, , , , , ,

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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.

NOVA #1 Review

Marvel Comics, , , , ,

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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.

FEARLESS DEFENDERS #1 REVIEW

Marvel Comics, , , , , , ,

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The Fearless Defenders #1, a new Marvel NOW! title, was released yesterday. Although the team, I mean non-team, will grow as the series progresses, this issue introduced its’ leaders, Valkyrie and Misty Knight.

VALKYRIE

  • Shieldmaiden
  • Defender of Asgardia

MISTY KNIGHT

  • Former police officer, turned private investigator
  • Bionic arm (right arm) built by Stark Industries
  • Feisty, street smart

Misty and Valkyrie were brought together by chance while taking on dead Vikings. Misty swiped an ancient Asgardian artifact and turned it over to Dr. Annabelle Riggs. The artifact turned out to be an Asgardian messenger spirit. Somehow the messenger was activated and began to sing.

The spirit awakened the dead Vikings from the Viking grave; the survey site of Dr. Riggs and her crew.

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As Misty began to fight the dead Vikings, Valkrye arrived and joined forces with Misty. The story ended with Valkyrie, Misty and Dr. Riggs preparing to go on a dangerous journey. Valkyrie warned that the messenger said the Doommaidens were rising and that it was Valkyrie’s fault.

lacracha 016I AM PROUD TO SEE A BLACK KICK-ASS FEMALE SUPERHERO IN THE FOREFRONT. This is rare. Storm is the only black leading female superhero that I’m aware of within the Marvel Universe.

We already know there’s a lack of black comic writers, male and female, in the comic industry. But to take a strong, black B-list female and put her in the front is definitely worth praising Marvel a thousand times. Well, more than a thousand I should say. I give Marvel my utmost respect at this time.

Misty’s style and appearance is what I’ve been looking for in comics for years. In a leading black female superhero, that is. Sharp, attention-grabbing costume, nice shape and beautiful looks. Not to mention a sassy attitude. Come on now, this girl don’t play. She takes shit off no one.

As a black female, I can fully appreciate this extraordinary woman being selected as a leader of a powerful team (I know, I know…non-team). For as long as I can remember, I’ve watched the comic industry to see if a black female superhero, besides Storm, would be given a chance. And now it has happened.

feardefend3Not only did Cullen Bunn bring two badasses together, he also brought two badass girls from two different worlds. He did a superb job at pulling that off.

Strong dialogue. Great pacing.

The only thing I didn’t like in the story is the kissing scene. The panel where Dr. Riggs kissed Valkyrie. That scene shouldn’t have made the cut. It didn’t fit into the story. See my More Storytelling and Less Politics Please blog.

Come on now. She met Valkyrie. She should have ran back inside that tent and grabbed her camera. The camera she used to record the messenger spirit. She should have held a photo session, autograph session or something of that nature. The background glow made the scene even worse.

Along with a great story comes great art. Excellent cover page by Mark Brooks.

Will Sliney and Veronica Gandini did an excellent job on the interior pages. I found each panel to be finely detailed. Great costumes. I especially like Misty Knight’s appearance. Her facial features, especially her eyes, appear lifelike.

I did a little research about Valkyrie and Misty Knight before the title was released, so I knew in advance the Fearless Defenders was going to be led by two strong, kick-ass women. I plan to read further about these two. Whenever I read a good story with characters I know little or nothing about, I always try to read upon and study their backgrounds to learn more about their histories.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

If you can’t tell by now that I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this series, then you need to read this review again from the beginning. Especially the parts about the well written story and the excellent artwork.