Captain America#7

“Captain of Nothing Part One“

Writer:  Ta-Nehisi Coates

Artist:  Adam Kubert

Cover Art:  Alex Ross

A new story arc begins for the Captain America title.  Thunderbolt Ross is dead.  Killed.  Murdered.  And it seemed as if the murder blow came from a “disk-like object”.

A shield?

Steve Rogers is the leading suspect in the murder of General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, a longtime Marvel Comics character who had once been the Red Hulk.  However, something intriguing is going on, but Steve Rogers turns himself in.

The feel of the story is dark.  I have a feeling we will be diving deep into the character of Steve Rogers and his trouble with the U.S. Government.  He makes a reference that this trouble goes all the way back to the Registration Act, which was from Civil War.  I hope this arc really examines the history of Cap over these last few years, from Civil War to the Hydra Supreme Commander.

I would love a mystery of who killed Thaddeus Ross too.  Issue six gave us some hints, but that does not mean that we have an answer.

This feels like a turning point for Captain America and the hope that he will be able to reclaim that spot he has lost in the eyes of the people of the Marvel Universe.

Age of X-Man Alpha #1

“Welcome to a Perfect World“

Writers:  Zac Thompson & Lonnie Nadler

Artist:  Ramon Rosanas

Cover Art:  Phil Noto

How do I feel about this series?  I’m just not sure.  It feels like the X-Men meets Pleasantville.

Full disclosure, I lost interest in the ten issue weekly X-Men event that was just completed that led up to this new reality so I am a bit uncertain exactly what is going on here.  As I read this, I wondered if this was a reality like the Age of Apocalypse from 1995-96 where everything was new and characters were completely rebooted.  Or was this a new land where the X-Men remembered their past and just have moved into the new realm.

I am still not 100% sure.

While reading through this, I got the impression that the past was remembered, I am not sure if the pat was totally remembered as it had been.  The whole stuff with Bishop and Jean Grey was weird and then, even stranger, was the reaction to that (which apparently will lead into another X-series called Prisoner X). They make references to Cyclops,  Logan, Professor X, and they seem to be implying that their fates were very much like the normal Marvel Universe.  Yet, that might not be the case.

My personal interest in the X-Men has been slipping dramatically over the last few years.  Every time I think I might get back into it, I wind up disinterested once again and unread issues just pile up.  I will admit that this issue intrigued me somewhat because I just did not know what was going on.  I also would say that I have never been a fan of alternate realities or dimensional series like this (for example, I disliked the recent Champions storyline in Weirdworld).  This feels as if it is some kind of hybrid between both of them.

Of course, this leads to 6 separate five-issue series involving these characters and I am not sure how I feel about it.  After five issues, does all of this just end?  Does that make it worth my time?

I am torn by the idea, but the issue was good.  I liked the art, which had a new feel to it.  A clean feel.

If you liked the Age of Apocalypse, I think this is most likely your cup of tea.  I’m still uncertain about the whole event, but I would say to give this book a try.

Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #2

“Mother of Exiles, Part Two”

Writer:  Tom Taylor

Artist:  Juann Cabal

Cover Art: Andrew C. Robinson

I usually only do one “Comic This Week” post, but I had already done Crypt of Shadows#1 and I really enjoyed reading Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man#2, so I figured I could do a second one.

This was a great Spider-Man story.  Spidey has been stuck with a couple of red skinned children and he needs to try and find their missing mother (as asked by a neighbor in Peter’s building).  So, he had to get started.  That meant he called Johnny Storm to babysit.

This was a very quick read and was filled with great humor and witty banter that is necessary for an effective Spider-Man title.  The story is mysterious and we have no idea where it is going.  There is a twist at the end of the story that was unexpected and pretty neat.

Truly a lot of fun and I am excited to see where this series takes me.  I must say that I was a little uneasy when I discovered that this series was replacing Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man, but so far, things look to be moving along well.

Crypt of Shadows#1

“Cynophobia”

“Grave Error!”

“A Moment of Madness!“

Writer:  Al Ewing

Artist:  Garry Brown (Cynophobia), Stephen Green (Grave Errors!), Djibril Morissette-Phan (A Moment of Madness!)

Cover Art:  Kyle Hotz & Dan Brown

Marvel’s 80th Anniversary has begun and they are putting out many special issues to celebrate.  The first this week is a story in a comic called Crypt of Shadows #1, honoring the horror comics in the publisher’s past,  and it has three parts inside the single issue, featuring the unfortunate tale of a man with the fear of dogs.

The story is self-contained and entertaining.  The art, featuring different artists in the three different sections, creates a very creepy mood and helps to tell the story effectively.

I have to say that I had something different in my head for what was going on in the story and the twist at the end was a welcome surprise. I did not see it coming and that is excellent.

Marvel also released the war comics special War is Hell #1, which I have not gotten around to reading yet, but I am looking forward to it.  There looks to be a monster book, a romance book, a western and a funny animals book in the future celebrating Marvel’s 80th year.  Al Ewing did well here and, if you like horror, this book should entertain you.  If you are not a fan of horror, you may want to look elsewhere.

Invaders #1

“War Ghosts”

Writer:  Chip Zdarsky

Artist:  Carlos Magno with Butch Guice

Cover Art:  Butch Guise & Romulo Fajardo Jr.

Captain Amercia.  Namor.  Bucky/Winter Soldier.  Jim Hammond the Human Torch.

The Invaders.  Marvel’s premiere World War II super hero team is back, facing a huge problem within the Marvel Universe.  Namor is preparing his forces of Atlantis to launch an assault on the surface world and Cap and Jim hope that the can find the way to bring him back to the side of the heroes.

I enjoyed this issue quite a bit.  It was told in a couple of different manners, including flashbacks back to the war that showed a connection with Namor that we may not have known or understood.  It also followed Jim Hammond, the android who was once the Human Torch, trying to write a book about the days of the Invaders and uncovering some mysterious truths of Namor and his years of wandering the earth.  And how does Charles Xavier fit into the story?

I am compelled to see what will happen.  These characters have literal centuries of interactions and development to mine from and that means this series can go in many possible directions.  Captain America is conflicted.  It certainly wasn’t that long ago when he was the public enemy #1, so he may understand Namor.  But Namor appears to have taken a turn toward the insane.

I have to say that I do not love the art.  It is fine, but it does not blow my socks off.  I would say that the art is the only current part that is even slightly negative with the new Invaders series.

Captain Marvel #1

“Re-Entry”

Writer:  Kelly Thompson

Artist:  Carmen Carnero

Cover Art:  Amanda Conner & Paul Mounts

I’m not sure how many Captain Marvel #1s there has been over the last five years, but the new version, written by Kelly Thompson, is really good.

Marvel Comics has had multiple Carol Danvers books over the last several years and, of course, the big Marvel Studios movie is coming out in a few months so the time is right for Marvel’s biggest female hero to really take off.  And if she is going to do it, this is a fantastic way to do it.

I loved the banter and the dialogue throughout this book, between Carol and all the other heroes in her life.  It was awesome to see her catch up with Jessica Drew, Tony Stark, and James Rhodes, in particular.  Carol’s return to the Avengers was a big deal and her short interaction with Captain America was also a lot of fun.

I truly loved the dialogue of this book.  It was so fun and witty.  I could read a whole book with Captain Marvel and Spider-Woman as buddy super heroes.

Captain Marvel showed how powerful she is, especially against this Kraken-thing at the beginning.  It was cool to see Carol back in New York and not patrolling space in Alpha Flight any longer.

However, I have some nervousness about the final couple of pages and I hope this does not go the way I think it might.  This feels like something that we have seen many times before (any number of X-books, Dimension Z and Cap, etc) and I hope that this creative team can provide us with something new and not just a retread of other dimensional stories.

If this book can be as fun as the first 3/4 of the comic, then this will be a great lead in to the Captain Marvel movie.

Conan the Barbarian #1

“The Life & Death of Conan, Part One:  The Weird of the Crimson With”

Writer:  Jason Aaron

Artist:  Mahmud Asrar

Cover Ar5t:  Esad Ribic

Marvel Comics have regained the rights to Conan the Barbarian and have jumped at the chance to once again publish the adventures of everyone’s favorite sword swinging barbarian (not named Groo).

Conan the Barbarian #1 attracted my attention for one major reason.  I was never a huge fan of Conan.  I know him, saw the movies, but I did not collect his previous comics, whether or not they were with Marvel.  But the difference this time was the fact that one name was attached to this series:  Jason Aaron.

I have found myself to be a fan of Jason Aaron from his days on the Thor series and when I heard he was coming to try his hand at Conan, I decide that I would give it a read.

I really enjoyed the issue.  It is just the first in a story arc, but I found it engaging and interesting.  I loved the story and the characterization Aaron brought to Conan.  It has a feel of the days when we were getting different ages of Thor and I am excited to see where this takes the creation of Robert E. Howard.

I will also add that I found the artist style of Mahmud Asrar to fit this book perfectly.  There is a savageness to the pages, a feel of grunginess to the panels that works remarkably well and creates a beautiful image for the violence on the page.  It really works for Conan.

I am going to continue to pick up the Conan the Barbarian series and I will tentatively check out the upcoming Savage Sword of Conan (which is not written by Jason Aaron) book as well.

Fantastic Four#5

Writer: Dan Slott

Cover Art:  Esad Ribic

“4 Minute Warning”

Artist:  Aaron Kuder

“Change Partners”

Artist:  Michael Allred

“Guys’ Night Out”

Artist: Adam Hughes

The wedding of Benjamin J. Grimm and Alicia Masters.  After literally decades of a relationship, The Thing finally ties the knot with the love of his life, Alicia.  No Skrulls.  No super heroes.  No super hero shenanigans.

The issue has a distinct special feel to it as there are three sections by different artists, all written by Dan Slott.  The oversized issue would represent the 650th issue of Fantastic Four, if we counted things like Marvel does.

This was a really fun issue with a ton of reminders of who these characters are and why we loved them for so many years.  We get Mr. Fantastic focused on a project, ignoring everything else.  Susan being the strong center of the Four that she is.  Johnny Storm feeling some anxiety about his own lack of successful relationships.  Franklin feeling his teenage angst by changing his hair color.  Spider-man wanting t come to the wedding and give a speech.

Poor Spidey.  He was told no capes by Ben because super heroes and weddings lead to shenanigans.  Ben said it was small…family only.  Spidey certainly should be considered family.  I guess he was always closer to Johnny, but still…

Fantastic Four#5 is a great trip down memory lane and gives us a wedding long overdue.

Congrats to Ben and Alicia.

Old Man Hawkeye #12

“Justice is Blind”

Writer:  Ethan Sacks

Artist:  Francesco Mobili

Cover Art:  Marco Checchetto

The finale of the twelve-issue maxi series featuring Clint Barton on his path to the place he was in at the beginning of Old Man Logan.

Fact is that Old Man Hawkeye has been one of the best comics of the year and this conclusion, which sees a blind Hawkeye facing off with Bullseye, is just awesome.  This series never let down from the beginning and has just brought it each and every issue.

The tale of Clint Barton on his vengeance quest worked so well and the future iterations of the Marvel Universe characters was always fascinating.

What is even better, the final page of Old Man Hawkeye #12 hints that there is yet another year before Barton meets up with Old Man Logan and maybe we can get another Old Man Hawkeye series.  I loved the final page of this book and the shock of the mystery cameo (which I will not spoil) was spot on.  It would be a wonderful story to tell.  So Marvel Comics… get on that as soon as you can.

Until then, Old Man Hawkeye is a series that you must search out, if you have not been reading it yet, and see it from issue one.

Miles Morales: Spider-Man#1

Writer:  Saladin Ahmed

Artist:  Javier Garron

Cover Art:  Brian Stelfreeze

With the release of Spider-man: Into the Spider-verse this weekend, Marvel Comics took the opportunity to release the first ever Brian Michael Bendis written Miles Morales series.  Miles Morales: Spider-Man#1 is that series.

Miles Morales has become quite a big deal in the Marvel Universe and this series looks to be a great re-start for the character.

The story is pulled out of today’s headlines and has Miles in an unexpected team-up with someone you would not expect.  I found it fascinating and I am excited to see where they take it from here.

Of course, lots of people online may not be a fan of Miles and the comic having a polticial tinge, but I think this story will be very important.

Killmonger#1

“By Any Means“

Writer:  Bryan Hill

Artist:  Juan Ferreyra

Cover Art:  Juan Ferreyra

Because Marvel Studio’s Black Panther was a huge billion dollar hit, we now have a mini series based on the villain played by Michael B. Jordan in that film.  Killmonger#1 came out this week detailing a story of Killmonger’s past, nearly an origin story.

Now, Michael B. Jordan’s portrayal of Killmonger in Black Panther was amazing, but this comic version was not quite to the same level.

While I thought the art was solid, I had a difficult time engaging myself with the story. I thought the Killmonger character certainly did not pop as much on the page as he did on the screen.

This actually highlights to me one of Marvel Comics biggest flaws.  Once something is popular, they drive it into the ground.  How many X-Men books were there?  How about Deadpool?  Wolverine?  Spider-man (although Spidey is my favorite character so he needs all those books).

Right now Marvel has had a couple of Black Panther books, a book featuring the Dora Milaje with Spider-man, the X-men etc, a book with Shuri, The World of Wakanda, and now Killmonger.  Where is that book featuring Everett Ross?

I mean, The Immortal Hulk has become one of their biggest, hottest comics, so look for a renewed number of Hulk books coming soon to try and grab onto the momentum.

Marvel does not seem to understand that the glut of books of these characters hurts the character in the long run.  Just write good stories with your characters and don’t try to overexpose EVERYTHING and you may have a chance at success, because you have great characters.

Killmonger feels like it is too much and the story is unneeded.

“Apeirophobia”

The Death of Daredevil Conclusion

Writer:  Charles Soule

Artist:  Phil Noto

Cover Art:  Phil Noto

I have been enjoying the recent run of Daredevil very much.  I have been engaged in the story and every twist that has happened.

And because of that, Daredevil #612 is both one of the best and one of the worst Daredevil stories I have read.

I’m not sure the term “bait and switch” does this justice.

The first two-thirds of this issue was fantastic.  It was a joyous end to the saga of Wilson Fisk, NYC Mayor.  It had an awesome takedown of Kingpin at the hands of not only Daredevil, but a huge cast list of guest stars.

Then, it all changed.

I am not sure how I feel about the end of this comic.  Fact is that it feels like a cop out.  I am not sure if I can describe this without spoiling, but I will try.

The end negated a huge chunk of this story and took some of what I had really connected with and wiped it away.  I must say that I did enjoy the very end of the issue, leading into the new Daredevil series from Chris Zdarsky, titled “Know Fear,” but the way it got to the last scene felt like a cheat.

So, while I would recommend the book, it does have a chance to make you very angry.

Of course, if it makes you angry, perhaps that is a good thing.

The Immortal Hulk #9

“The Sinners”

Writer:  Al Ewing

Artist:  Martin Simmonds and Joe Bennett

Cover Art:  Alex Ross

The Immortal Hulk has really been hitting its stride over the last several months at Marvel Comics.  It has taken a brand new take on Bruce Banner’s uglier half.  The Hulk comes out at night and it does not matter whether or not Bruce Banner has survived the day… the Immortal Hulk will come out to play.

This title, helmed by writer Al Ewing, has taken the series in an original direction.  It is a horror/Monster story and the psychological aspects of the character of the Hulk as well as the other side characters are fascinating.

This month we get a fantastic appearance form Carl “Crusher” Creel, the Absorbing Man and we get a look at this long time character in a manner that we have never seen before.  The story was told in a disjointed narrative style that worked extremely well.

And we get closer to discovering the answer to the internal torment that has been torturing the Hulk recently.

If you have not been reading this book, you need to go back, pick up the book and catch up.  It is most likely a book that would be tough to jump onto, but catching up is well worth the time and effort.

Uncanny X-Men#1

“Disassembled Part 1”

Writers:  Ed Brisson, Matthew Rosenberg & Kelly Thompson

Artist:  Mahmud Asrar

Cover Art:  Rachelle Rosenberg

The new X-Men title has debuted this week, returning to the original “Uncanny” label after a series of colors (Red, Blue, Black, Gold).

However, I found little to be overly X-cited about here.

The team of X-Men now include Nightcrawler, Storm, Jean Grey, Kitty Pryde, Bishop, Psylocke,X-23, Jubilee, Beast and Cannonball (with guest star Northstar).  The roster of X-Men changes more than any team (even the Avengers) and I am not sure why they even bother trying to make an X-clusive line up.  They should just call it Uncanny X-Men and whomever is in the book that week is in the book.

The X-Men themselves have slipped down my list, barely noticing that they are out.  I have not been intrigued much by the color titles and I have not been too into the X-Men books since they burned me out with the original X-Men from the past book.  I liked that at first, but the idea go old quickly.

Uncanny X-Men#1 (2019) was unremarkable to me.  It was fine, but it felt like I had seen this before.  It seemed like the same scenes that they have in every new X-book.  It was X-hausting.

That is…until the final few pages of the first story.  That was a strong end to a overall disappointing issue.  That is the type of final page that can bring back a reader who may not have been too impressed.

Of course, then they slapped on some back up stories which I admit freely to only skimming.  They did not interest me.

I will probably grab Uncanny X-Men#2 to see if the final page can build some momentum, but I am afraid it will just wind up to be that series that I buy but never get around to reading.

Marvel Knights 20th #1

Writer:  Donny Cates

Artist:  Travel Foreman

Cover Art:  Geoff Shaw & Rain Beredo

This issue was fascinating.

The first part of a six issue mini-series that tells a story of Matt Murdock who apparently has forgotten everything about himself, including that of his alter ego, Daredevil.  However, Frank Castle helps “wake him up” and tells him that he was Daredevil.

Frank Castle, however, does not seem to be the Punisher we remember either.  He is working with Bruce Banner to see these heroes regain their memories. How did this happen?  It seems as if there are more than just Matt Murdock who do not remember what is going on as we see The Fantastic Four, Jennifer Walters, and Bullseye all with memory problems.

The series sets up an interesting mystery here, and I look forward to seeing more about what has happened here.  I will say that the Matt Murdock part of the book came to a sudden end and I was not ready for it to be done.  It did not feel complete enough of an issue to end it where it did, even with the shocking last few scenes.

There is also a few pages of Wilson Fisk meeting up with three surprise guests in a solid final panel of the book.

I am looking forward to reading the rest of the story.  I was under the impression that each book would tell its own stand alone story, but it seems obvious that the books will have several through lines and tie together.

The art from Travel Foreman is beautiful and original without being childish.  I really liked the look of these characters and I do like the mystery that Marvel Knights 20th #1 is trying to tell.  I have been enjoying Daredevil quite a bit lately so I was jazzed at this issue’s use of the Man Without Fear.  The story looks to be ready to include several other major Marvel characters. I hope they return to Matt Murdock with enough time to sufficiently explain how this happened to him.