Brave New Worlds

Avengers Children Crusade #3 (of 9)

Allan Heinberg (w) Jim Cheung, Mark Morales (a)

Simply the Best Hands down I really feel this is the best running title at Marvel right now. I cannot put my finger on exactly why, I just feel it in my bones (how’s that for a description?). Heinberg’s story coupled with Cheung’s pencils just makes for the perfect storm in storytelling. From the fast-paced story to the cliffhanger reveals, it makes me almost forget that this title comes out just once every two months. Sadness.

The Search Continues How many years has it been since Wanda Maximoff disappeared after the events of House of M? It’s been awhile hasn’t it? Now her kids are looking for her, along with Uncle Pietro, Grandpop Magneto and all of the crazy gang (that would be the Avengers and Young Avengers). Issue three picks up with Mags and Pietro discussing the fine art of deception and what to do next while the children try to respect their elders.

Forever What seemed like one of the longest diatribes to open an issue, ever, was actually really well down and quick to the point as Magneto gives newbies a quick history lesson on Victor Von Doom and a recap to what’s been happening while he and Quicksilver wax poetic about the potential of Doom’s involvement in all of this.

Meanwhile … While the Young Avengers and the Maximoff’s have their fun, we also get to see how the Avengers are attempting to handle things since Wiccan took off and left them holding Cap’s shield. It’s interesting to see how these events play out.

Only Negative Well, the worst part about this book is that it’s going to take a year for the final six issues to come out. At least we know each issue will leave us wanting more if the story continues to unfold at its current pace.

Amazing Spider-Man #648

Dan Slott (w) Humberto Ramos, Carlos Cuevos (a)

Brand New Day It is a brand new day in Amazing Spider-Man, but not “the” Brand New Day. Actually, it’s “Big Time” and this issue is the one that I was hoping for the past couple of years when Quesada decided to make the change to this book. It’s a perfect jumping on point for new readers, as well as a perfect jumping back-in point for disenchanted readers. I think this book will benefit creatively from the single voice of Slott, who has writing both characters (Spidey and Peter Parker) down to a “T.”

Conan Eat Your Heart Out While Conan O’Brien had his who’s who of guests on his first show on TBS, Slott packed in the stars as well as the book opens with the Avengers, plus appearances by the Fantastic Four, MJ, Aunt May, J. Jonah Jameson, Robbie Robertson, The Daily Bugle, the Sinister Six, Doc Ock plus he somehow found time to throw in a new character as well. Whew, I am tired just typing it all out.

Bringing the Fun Back We all know Slott knows the funny and it’s a good thing to because while Spider-Man has always been about real-life issues, the best stories were able to balance real life with the fun.  I don’t know about you, but the last couple years have been a little depressing. I guess that is what happens when you make a deal with the devil (Mephisto) that never actually took place (thanks for the retcon Quesada).

Honorable Mention It was hard not gushing completely over these books as well, but I still want to give them their due. I think I am finally becoming a disciple of Grant Morrison. I think his Batman: Return of Bruce Wayne was a work of genius, and really should have been titled Final Crisis Aftermath: Return of Bruce Wayne. It really closes the door on that entire story. The final issue is a little confusing at first, but if you stay with it, really pays off. Also, I am still loving Ultimate Comics Thor. Issue two this week dug deeper into the character mythos while juggling three different storylines. It’s been a really fun and strange trip reading this title.