Brave New Worlds

Back in 2007, the brain trust at Marvel Comics had a terrific idea, after the debacle that was the Spider-Man movies they decided to have a new comic series ready to go for Iron Man for new fans from the movies.  The result was Invincible Iron Man by Matt Fraction and two years of tremendous, Eisner-award winning storytelling.

With the second Iron Man feature just weeks away, Marvel launched two new titles this week in anticipation of new fan demand – Iron Man Legacy and Black Widow.  Both books are excellent jumping on points for all readers.

Iron Man Legacy #1 was written by Fred Van Lente with art by Steve Kurth, Allen Martinez and Victor Olazaba. The nice part about this initial story is that it is not too heavy in the Marvel continuity, which allows new readers a chance to get to know the character without being overwhelmed by the Universe.  However, there are some nice moments that show the bigger Universe in the book, including a surprise ending which will excite regular readers.

Black Widow #1 by Marjorie Liu and Daniel Acuna is also looking to capitalize on Iron Man 2’s inclusion of one Natasha Romanov – the Black Widow (one of the variant covers is from the film itself, spotlighting Scarlett Johansson’s portrayal).

Once again, this issue served as an excellent jumping on point for new fans, as well as regular readers.  Black Widow has been working with the Avengers of late, specifically Bucky’s Cap, and he is in this issue.  So none of what readers have been enjoying has been thrown out, if anything, this issue builds upon what has come before while also making the material vert approachable.

I can not stress how great a job Marvel has done with making new ongoing titles available for what could be new fans. If this trend continues, I look forward to what potential new titles could be down the line for Captain America and Thor in the next couple of years.

The year was 1980 and it was the glory days of the Uncanny X-Men as Chris Claremont and John Byrne were collaborating like McCartney and Lennon when it came to everyone’s favorite band of mutants.  And while just as with the Beatles, all good things would have to end (after I think a year), the duo produced some of the most memorable comics issues ever.

This week’s story, Uncanny X-Men #132, takes place smack dab in the middle of the classic Dark Phoenix saga as Mastermind’s plot to control Jean Grey comes to a head by issue’s end.  This was a plot point that was being nurtured over several issues before its payoff in 132.

Even more exciting was the Hellfire Club’s role in the issue and subsequent role they played in unleashing the Dark Phoenix.  And the X-Men would never be the same again.

Byrne, along with inker Terry Austin, was at the top of his game.  Byrne’s pencils always seemed a little more spectacular when Austin was finishing and the duo was just as hot as the Claremont-Byrne writing pairing was.

Awesome moments included Jean and Scott sharing what would be their final intimate moment on top of a bluff in Colorado; Jean’s transformation into the Black Queen (if evil looks like this than I don’t want to ever be good); the Hellfire’s smackdown of the X-Men and their toasting to their new queen; and last but not least, Wolverine emerging from the sewer waters, claws extended, vowing for his turn at paybacks.

There is not much more to say except, great issue.  Excuse me while I read it again …

Let’s dive into the stack of comics that come out tomorrow and see what I’m pretty sure I will end up reading first.

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Jeph Loeb’s writing has taken a bit of a hit in the past few years, but it appears he may have turned a corner this past week with Ultimate Comics X #2.  This story reminded me of his previous Marvel color tales (Spider-Man Blue) because it had a lot of heart.

If you have not given Ultimate Comics X a chance yet, you do not need to read issue #1 to appreciate this month’s story.  Loeb, teaming with none other than Arthur Adams on this bi-monthly book, pens a tale of sorrow and loss in a very eloquent way.

I love his story narrative in both issues of the run, narrating the tale from one character’s point of view, and not necessarily the main character’s.  I don’t want to give to much away, but Ultimate Comics X #2 builds upon the premiere issue in introducing us to the new mutant players in the Marvel Ultimate Universe.

If you liked Loeb’s class color titles, you will appreciate the story he writes here.

Now for a completely different Geoff, Johns that is, who has been a busy beaver for DC with some stories dealing with Green Lantern and Flash.  How he finds time to write so many titles, and at such a high quality, is beyond me.  He must me drinking the same stuff Brian Michael Bendis is consuming at Marvel.

Anyway, I wanted to point out the awesomeness that is Superman Secret Origins (#5 shipped this week).  Along with Gary Frank, Johns is sharing his take on the updated Superman origin.  I know a lot of readers are bypassing this tale because of all the retcon craziness and that is a shame because this has been a fun ride.

Frank is drawing Superman exactly like Christopher Reeves and there is something nice and sweet about that.  My co-worker believes I liked the book in the beginning because it reads like and episode of Smallville, and maybe that is true.  But to say that would sell Johns’ effort short.

Issue five introduces General Lane into the equation and how he wants to deal with the alien threat that is the Man of Steel.  Of course, Luthor is there manipulating all the pieces as best he can while Clark continues to build his alter ego’s clumsiness in light of Lois’ suspicions.  It’s a really fun new take on the beginning of Superman’s story in the DC Universe that really has not been covered to death.

Spectre #16 (V4); June 2002

J.M. DeMatteis (w), Norm Breyfogle (p), Jim Royal and Joe Rubinstein (f)

Spectre in Space Part 2 “Sacrifice”

Hal Jordan for most readers will always be a Green Lantern, or even “the” Green Lantern.  His adventures while protecting sector 2814 are legendary, the first time around and second after his “rebirth.” (Have you read Blackest Night?)

But before Geoff Johns returned Jordan to his iconic green and black uniform, he wore another green and black outfit as The Spectre.

The fourth and last (so far) series with The Spectre was the Hal Jordan version and lasted just 27 issues.  DeMatteis wrote the entire run and had an unenviable task – to give readers a new look at two longtime DC Characters – Jordan and The Spectre (personally I prefer the Gary Cole version from the animated feature on the latest DC straight-to-dvd effort).

Issue 16 has a couple of different story threads occurring.  Since I never read this book, it was a little confusing at first figuring out what was going on.  The main story appears to be Jordan’s guilt from the previous issue for his part in destroying an entire world.  However, an entity drops by (just like a wacky neighbor or Guy Gardner) to give Hal a lesson in the ways of the universe.

With this in mind, I had high hopes for this issue, only unfortunately to be let down.  Jordan is having problems assimilating in his new role as a spectre, insisting on remaining in a physical human form.  The entity is trying to broaden Jordan’s mind to the limitless possibilities that his new abilities provide him.  However, it does not seem to work.  The story feels predictable, and maybe I am just being harsh because I had high expectations at what the story could have accomplished.

There are also two other story threads that include Abin Sur (I am assuming this has nothing to do with Jordan’s current plight) and his niece Helen (which sets up the next issue).

Breyfogle’s pencils are serviceable and do not detract from the story (how’s that for vote of confidence?).  If you are a Green Lantern or Green Lantern Corp fan, this issue may be for you, especially when it was written since the Corp appear along with Sinestro courtesy of the entity.  Hal even dons the old uniform as well – a true walk or flight down memory lane.

Final Verdict Pass, unless you are a Hal Jordan or Spectre fanatic.

This week I’m going with an old fave and a new series that Rob and I have been anticipating for a while now. Check ’em out in this weeks 2 Comics I Wanna Read Tomorrow. (one book is not Spider-Man Fever…though that one does look really sweet)

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Jonathan Hickman’s Fantastic Four era continues to excel in my opinion.  After what seemed like a let down with the Mark Millar-Bryan Hitch run (although it probably was not), Hickman’s story arcs have really breathed some fresh air into the FF franchise.

Issue #577 this week takes the fabulous four to the moon and gives us a peak into the inner workings of the Inhumans, which is always a treat.  It’s like a day in the life at Mos Eisley spaceport.  You think it would be cool to spend some time there, and the Inhumans are no different.

However, while revisiting some classic FF friends, Hickman takes established lore and builds to it, giving us a new group of beings to think, wonder and perhaps even worry about over.  I also love how Hickman has been ending each issue lately with the last page of the book a “homepad” file which looks to come from Herbie, with information such as the population of the Inhumans city, the light brigade (?) and how many human prisoners are being held (wtf?).

I am also really enjoying Dale Eaglesham’s artwork on the issue.  I was not overly impressed with his run on JSA (probably just being to critical), but whatever he is doing now seems to work for this book.  Eaglesham draws the FF subtly it seems, and it really goes well with Hickman’s storytelling.

If you have not yet picked up Hickman’s FF run, what are you waiting for?  Volume 1 is available in hardcover (only) and is an excellent investment.

Now of course, it is time for some mutants baby as Hope has finally come home after spending the last year and a half hopping all over time with Cable.  It should be first noted before I delve into X-Men Second Coming by the wonder twins Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost, that Duane Swierczynski did an awesome job setting up this story and I was a little disappointed that he did not get the call to write this one-shot that will continue through the X-books for the for seeable future.

As usual, the issue finds Hope and Cable on the run once again after they return to find life is not how Cable left it after the events of Messiah Complex.  Cyclops is at his best in this issue, moving his chess pieces all over the board, positioning his team to best assist Cable’s return with the “hope” of mutantkind.

With the decimation of their numbers, courtesy of the Scarlet Witch, the M.O. has changed for all mutants in the Marvel Universe, none more than Cyclops, and it is interesting to see how he leads by his new-found beliefs in the future of all mutants.

David Finch supplies the pencils as Matt Banning finishes.  They do a terrific job with taking the narrative to exciting places.  There are some major OMG moments in this issue, that will have serious repercussions for major characters.  I know these mutant events have gotten a little old after awhile, but I feel it in my bones like this is a good one, just like when Luke could feel Vader was on Endor.  Granted, I am not guided by the force, or am I?

Once again my comic-reading fate was placed in the hands of one of our regular customers, who this week pulled out Amazing Spider-Man Annual #22 from the summer of 1988.  There are two notable facts about this Evolutionary War tie-in, first and most exciting (no sarcasm there), it is the first appearance of Speedball.  And second, it is also one of Mark Bagley’s first full issues drawn at Marvel.  Yes, the guy has been around the block for a little bit.

Bagley actually was the winner of a 1983 Marvel contest, Marvel Try-Out book, which Jim Shooter used to draw new talent into the industry.  Bagley was the winner of the contest, and the rest is (spider) history.

The annual itself was a decent tale by Tom DeFalco with some help by David Michelinie.  It teamed up Spidey with Daredevil and saw J. Jonah Jameson happy as ever as he thought he finally caught his favorite punching bag on the wrong end of a crime, with drug dealers that he caught ending up dead.

But of course Spidey did not commit the crime.  Daredevil, and funny enough the Kingpin came to his rescue.  Meanwhile, the Evolutionary War story was weaved through the tale and their efforts were thwarted, for this issue.

Superheroes. These 2 books are all about superheroes. So if you don’t enjoy a good yarn heavily focused on years of spandex based continuity (and for some reason i never really pictured them in spandex more of sweatpants or something i dunno) then you may also have these 2 books on your to read stack…

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Uncanny X-Men #522

It is fitting that the week’s lone selection for What I Liked would be the return of Kitty Pryde to the Marvel Universe. She deserves as much. Matt Fraction’s latest mutated effort does a nice job of bringing back a character who last we saw was stuck to a “magic” bullet crossing the cosmos.

In fact, Fraction manages to ask more questions in this issue than answer them – the answer being just how she returns. The new questions are what is to become of Kitty now that she has returned in the state she appeared (refer to X-Men Mutant Massacre filed under done this before, my only true disappointment with the issue) and why did Magneto do this?

I have always contended that Kitty is the heart of the X-Men and this was on display in this issue as Scott Summers and slowly the rest of the group realized she was coming back to them.

I also liked the part where even though Scott tried to hide the fact from the entire planet, Reed Richards still knew what was up. It’s always nice when the writers reference the larger Marvel Universe the characters exist in. Back in the day, yes I am talking about the 1970s and 1980s, the writers seemed to be more in tuned with his notion. Today, the writers want the characters to live in these little bubbles. But I digress …

Whilce Portacio contributed the pictures and was a definite break from what is becoming the blandness of both Terry Dodson and Greg Land. Is it me, or does everyone look the same?

Enjoy …