Avengers: No Road Home #3 (of 10)

Writers: Al Ewing, Jim Zub & Mark Waid

Artist: Paco Medina

Cover Art:  Yasmine Putri

I have simply decided that I will be reviewing each issue of the 10 issue series of Avengers: No Road Home as one of Comic Issues of the Week. Why, you say?  Well, because this has been a top of the line series and the quality is higher than weekly series that we have gotten so far.

I have stated that one of the best parts of the series has been the interactions between characters and this issue is no exception.  The Hulk was on fire this week as we definitely get the feels of the new version of the Immortal Hulk here.  His interactions with both Hawkeye and Rocket are almost chilling at time.  This version of the Hulk feels less likely to snap to murder everyone and more likely to plan it out.  I get a clear serial killer vibe from the green Goliath.  He is a bit disturbing, and I like it.

We also get Hercules, still in mourning over the loss of his family from Mount Olympus and acting out like only Herc can do.  This leads to a shocking conclusion that I will not spoil but one that has me anxious to see the book next week.

The creative team has been of a high quality so far as they continue to expand this story across the universe and into dimensions.  The arrival and subsequent situation for Nightmare was a cool inclusion.

Avengers: No Road Home is a must read.  It has been fantastic so far and I cannot wait to see where it goes from here.

Invaders #2

“War Ghosts Part II”

Writer:  Chip Zdarsky

Artists:  Carlos Magno with Butch Guice

Cover Art:  Butch Guice & Dan Brown

The second issue of the Invaders series continues its excellent run with a dual story of flashbacks to World War II and a current day conflict between former Invaders Namor and Captain America.  All the while, there is a mystery brewing about the past of Namor and how he is connected to Charles Xavier.

This has been just excellent so far.  The confrontation between Cap and Namor is just wonderful, as we see the connection that these two men had in the past and how it influences how they are carrying themselves today.

Honestly, though, I am just enthralled with the mystery of what Namor is hiding and how it will impact the Atlantean King.

This smaller story that involves Namor with a human family known as the Petersons goes in direct contrast with the King Namor who is in apparent preparation to start a war with the surface world including some weaponry that you may not expect.

I love the contradictions within the character of Namor.  Is he a hero who fought beside the surface world against the vileness of the Nazis or is he a power mad despot who wants to take his anger out on the humans for their treatment of the seas?  It seemed that his connections to Steve Rogers, to Nay Peterson, to Bucky, may be what stands between the all out war.  And how does Charles Xavier fit in, and is it a secret that Namor is willing to kill people he cares about to protect?

Invaders #2 is a great story and I am completely entertained by it.  Come to the series to see how these long time allies deal with a changing world.

Avengers: No Road Home#2 (of 10)

Writers: Al Ewing, Jim Zub & Mark Waid

Artist: Paco Medina

Cover Art:  Yasmine Putri

I do not usually repeat series here, especially not consecutive issues, but Avengers: No Road Home is an exception.  This is one of the best Avengers stories in quite a while and that is saying something.

I have been fully engaged so far after only two issues.  I love the grouping of Avengers involved in this series.  I have always been a fan of Hercules and I am happy to see him standing front and center.  Clint Barton and the Hulk and their history brings an uncertainty, especially with the new Immortal Hulk who brings a darker side to the Green Goliath.  Rocket Raccoon in a whole new group away from the Guardians of the Galaxy.  Vision, Scarlet Witch, Spectrum and Voyager finishing off the roster for the series.

And this Nyx is bad ass.  Although it feels a little Thor:Ragnarok in story (Nyx hidden away cause she is too powerful- just like Hela), I find it very well written with some definite wit to it.  The combination of Al Ewing, Jim Zub and Mark Waid make a wonderful trio of writers here.  I would be curious to know how their process went here and who did what.

This episode had lots of great action and a focus in the mindset of Clint Barton aka Hawkeye.  And it leads to a great final page.

This has been a great start to this weekly series and I am excited about the next installment.

Black Widow #2 (of 5)

Writers:  Jen & Sylvia Soska

Artist:  Flaviano

Cover Art: Clayton Crain

The new Black Widow limited series is at issue number two and it continues the top notch work from issue number one.  I must say though, since Natasha has returned from the dead, she has really stepped up her brutality.  There is some really hardcore violence here as Natasha is searching in Madripoor for an organization called No Restraints Play, a site where players can bid/watch/partake in live torture.  Natasha has dedicated herself to the complete decimation of this organization.

And she does not care what she does to accomplish that goal.

I will say that a couple of the scenes made me a bit uncomfortable.  I know Natasha was a spy and, because of her background in Russia, has done such things before, but I have always been one of the “my heroes don’t kill” type of fan.  Still, I am interested in the story as a character study on Natasha and what she is willing to do to bring down this horrible group.

Natasha has also assumed an identity of Lady Patch, much like Logan did in his old days in Madripoor.  There were a group of villains who made cameos in this issue that might just raise the stakes.

I enjoyed the issue even though I am unsure about the way they have taken Black Widow.  I am definitely in for the rest of the series.

Savage Sword of Conan #1

The Cult of Koga Thun:  Part One: Shipwrecked

Writer:  Gerry Duggan

Artist:  Ron Garvey

Cover Art:  Alex Ross

I was surprised how much I enjoyed Jason Aaron’s version of Conan the Barbarian.  It has been a really enjoyable read so far.  I was never a huge Conan fan, but the series was strong.  Despite this, I did not anticipate collecting the new upcoming Savage Sword of Conan series.

And then I read it.

I might have liked this number one issue better than the Jason Aaron book.  This issue was so great.  I have been amazed that this current run of Conan has been so entertaining, especially since I have not been a huge fan of the Barbarian.

I liked the art in this issue too, but it is in a different manner.  The art was dark and full of shadows and it seemed to really fit the story being told.

It looks like Savage Sword of Conan is going to be added to the comics to read.  Marvel has done a top notch job so far and I am excited for it.

Avengers: No Road Home #1 (of 10)

Writer:  Mark Waid, Al Ewing, & Jim Zub

Artist:  Paco Medina

Cover Art:  Yasmine Putri

The new weekly limited series featuring the Avengers dropped this week and I enjoyed it a great deal.  This first issue was basically setting up the story and assembling the crew.

And this group of Avengers looks to be an awesome combination.  The group is brought together by Voyager, the “Avenger” who was involved in the big No Surrender story arc.  The group included Hercules, Rocket Raccoon, Clint Barton (Hawkeye), Scarlet Witch, Vision, Hulk, and Spectrum.  This group has a lot of intriguing interactions between this group of Avengers and I enjoyed the characters.

I have always liked Hercules and the way Marvel has portrayed him.  This story, though, has also showed a different side of Herc.

The final page of this issue looked so awesome.

The art of Paco Medina is top notch here and the combination of writers on this book (Waid, Ewing & Zub) are wonderful.

I am compelled by the beginning of this. The weekly arcs that they have done at Marvel have been inconsistent so far, but this Avengers arc is off to a great start.

Man and Superman#1

Writer: Marv Wolfman

Artist:  Claudio Castellini

Cover Art:  Claudio Castellini and Alex Sinclair

Now, you are immediately wondering why I am using this DC Comic as my comic of the week.  You know that I am a Marvel die hard and only collect from the Marvel Universe.  However, Ben, my friendly neighborhood comic shop owner recommended the Man and Superman #1 that came out this week, as a one-shot, 100-page spectacular, written by EYG Hall of Famer Marv Wolfman.  He told me that it was originally a four-issue mini series from Wolfman that, when first written, did not fit into the DC Comics continuity (apparently it was around the New 52 era).  Ben told me that it re-imagined the first days of Clark Kent in Metropolis and the arrival of the hero eventually to be dubbed Superman.

To be honest, I am not a huge Superman fan.  His power is too great and that makes him difficult to relate to.  Yet, I did very much enjoy the Max Landis take on the Superman mythos called Superman: American Alien.  When I was assured that this was not the start of a new series and just a one-issue story, I decided to give it a try.

I liked it.

Wolfman presented Clark Kent in a different manner than I have seen him before.  He had this unimaginable power, but his confidence was anything but super.  Ma and Pa Kent were there supporting him, but alone in the big city, the small town boy struggled to take that big step into legend.

I caught a definite Peter Parker-type vibe about this version of Clark Kent.  Perhaps that is the way that Wolfman was trying to overcome the problem with relatability of Superman.  That did help for me.  I also liked the introduction of Lois Lane into the story, how she was always the one to believe in The Flying Man, despite much of the public initially reacting negatively to him.  That was another connection I made wit this version of Superman with Spider-man, as he is always getting the bum rush from the people or the news while all he wanted to do was help people.

I have always liked the roster of DC characters, but preferred the manner in which the stories are written/presented by Marvel.  Still, it goes to show that a talented writer telling a good story can hook anyone into a book.  I’m certainly not going to start buying up all the DC books, but I am glad that I took the recommendation for Man and Superman#1.

West Coast Avengers#7

Writer: Kelly Thompson

Artist:  Daniele DiNicuolo

Cover Art:  Eduard Petrovich

This series has been spotty so far.  However, I have stuck with it because there is an interesting group of characters in this variation of the West Coast Avengers.  Clint Barton, our original Hawkeye, is here, but not the leader.  That goes to Kate Bishop, the female Hawkeye.  Quentin Quire has been one of my favorites for many years, dating back to the X-Men days.  Gwenpool, America, and Fuse are characters that I have yet to see the best out of, but who are, at least, different than the typical hero at Marvel.

And this issue has the return of Noh-Varr, aka Marvel Boy.

The villains in the series are a collection of oddballs too including M.O.D.O.K., Graviton, Madame Masque, Satana, The Eel(?), and Lady Bullseye. This is a motley crew for certain, but they fit in with the general tone of the book.

And Marvel Boy indicated that he was there to investigate a cult made up of Skrulls.  Now that sounds pretty cool.

West Coast Avengers is not the first comic I grab once it comes out, but I think it has potential to be something different and fun.

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.