Marvel Overload

Wow, I read lots of comics. My Marvel pile from a few weeks back is 20 comics deep. 20 comics for a couple weeks of backlog is a lot.

Marvel Adventures: Hulk #7: Silver Surfer vs. Terrax. Bruce banner wants to help, but can't get Rick Jones to hit him to provoke a Hulk-out. Monkey saves the day. One of the funniest things I have seen in comics since Babe the Blue Ox in Jack of the Fables. Great issue.

Marvel Adventures: Iron Man #8: Tony Stark is attacked by Jolt, who I thought was a regular old hero in normal Marvel continuity. She made a decent villain for him in this one. The Amish/"The Village" town was frustrating, and a little stupid. Steam-tech Iron Man was cool, though.

Marvel Adventures: Fantastic Four #31: Made of awesome. Shopping trip gone wrong, with Sue and Johnny saving the day. Loved the hero worshiping security guys, and Reed commenting on how he is usually seen as the smart one. Best part was anything related to the Thing in this issue.

Marvel Adventures: The Avengers #19: So-so story with one of my favorite villains. Super-Adaptoid is such a fun idea, and this was a great variation on the theme. I like that they didn't try to shoe-horn every character in. They used who they needed to, and left the rest out of it. Once again, proof that the all-ages comics can often be better than the regular stuff.

The Mighty Avengers #6 & #7: Beautiful work by Cho, as usual. Thought bubbles are still annoying. Shame this was delayed so much, since it interfered with the follow-up. We already know what happens with the symbiote plague. We already know about Spider-Woman leaving the other Avengers team for this one. All-in-all, would have been much better if it all would have been on time. Also, what was up with the art in #7. Bagley's stuff is usually great, but it was off in this. I am assuming it had something to do with poor inking, as it still looked mostly like his usual quality. Just a bit off, somehow.

Thunderbolts #118: This was not too bad. In general, I have not really been liking this series much. I like the initial premise of the Thunderbolts, but not the revamp making them more of a Suicide Squad. This issue, however, was fun. Just enough interesting plot advancement to make me want to see the next issue.

The Order #6: I love the background bits we get on the members of the team. Fun to see some insight into why they are the way they are. I felt bad for the mutant lizard things. I know I shouldn't, but I do. The Namor plotline that was randomly introduced here seems out of place to me. Hopefully, now that the news of the series' cancellation is out, there will be enough time and space to wrap it all up in a non-annoying way.

Nova #10: A bit of a let-down, but still good. I was really looking forward to seeing the Phalanx homeworld. This diversion was good for the character development between Nova and Gamora. Sort of explains how they got to where they are in terms of each other. It was a good issue to have, but not what I was looking forward to reading. Next issue, though. I hope...

Avengers: The Initiative #8: Ant-Man vs. Stature vs. Yellowjacket. What a great idea, and well played. I am surprised nobody has done this before. The original Ant-Man, the daughter of the last An-Man, and the guy trying to become the new Ant-Man. When you see it all laid out like that, the story is obvious. Taskmaster as the trainer for the new recruits is pretty sweet too, and just sort of makes sense. The MVP clone thing is really turning ugly, and I like to see that play out. Also, Geldoff. Wonder how Bendis feels seeing his creation making its way into regular Marvel continuity.

Captain America #33: Like we all didn't see that coming. Winter Soldier is hardcore, even with only one arm. The more I think on it, the more i realize that they new costume, while not popular (and reasonably so), makes sense for who is wearing it. Not much to say about this one, as the next issue is the one to watch.

Immortal Iron Fist #11: Davos is pretty badass, isn't he? The fight didn't last long at all, which is kind of a shame. I wanted to see more of that. But, still, using your chi to replace a severed hand is pretty sweet. Enough so that I can forgive the fight ending that fast. I also loved the whole "Hydra Guy. Hydra Guy. Old Woman. Hydra Guy." panel. Cracked me up.

Annihilation; Conquest #3: The shit is really hitting the fan here. Adam Warlock is going to be so much more awesome than he used to be, and it is nice to see Him come back. High Evolutionary's return is nice too, though don't know how much that is worth what with teh whole explosion of his ship thing. Starlord's team is still pretty fun, and the ending of this issue was a nice non-cliffhanger. So glad I am reading this as it happens, instead of in trade format. Much better episodic, I think.

Terror Inc. #4: By far one of the most disgusting comics I have ever read. Which is why I love it. Nothing else need be said.

Foolkiller #3: I would read this as an ongoing. I don't read the Punisher. That in and of itself should say something.

Ultimate Power #9: This deserves a post for itself. Some time that is not now.

Ultimate X-Men #89: A one-shot issue before the Apocalypse stuff happens. Introduction of the Shadow King. Handled pretty well. Really only important for the fact that it lets Storm split from Wolverine and get back to Beast.

Ultimate Fantastic Four #49: This was fun. I like how the Ultimate Red Ghost was not who I was expecting. I also like how her powers were much more strange, and interesting, than the 616 version. I think this will be a fun recurring villain, if they ever decide to bring her back.

Ultimate Spider-Man #117: Father vs. Son in the ultimate Goblin beatdown. Peter handled himself pretty well in this one, and it served as a pretty good end for the Green Goblin. The end was very touching. I think this story was handled well. Can't wait for the next arc. I loved that show.

Ultimate Human #1: Ugh. A 4-issue minseries made just to tie in with the upcoming movies. I am never a fan of that happening. From a marketing standpoint, I get it. I still don't like it. I also don't see why it had to be an Ultimate title. Mainstream America doesn't care about the ultimate stuff, and won't know to look for it. If this was going to happen, it should have been 616 Marvel to suffer. I will admit, the introduction of Ultimate Leader was kind of cool to see, even if it was also the introduction of Ellis's pet mutant Pete Wisdom as well. Still gonna buy the rest of this, since I will buy anything Ultimate. I am a sheep.

I Can't Believe I Read It All

So, here's more of my really late reviews. All that is left is the huge stack of Marvel titles (somewhere around 20 I think). After I get these out of the way, I can read the purchases I made Sunday.

Countdown the Mystery #4: The Eclipso stuff doesn't do much for me. The Doctor Fate bits are fun, though. Also loving the art on the Doctor Fate stuff.

Countdown to Adventure #5: I know why I started reading this. I don't know why I still do. I loved 52 and figured anything the reminded me of it would be good. The stars of this series are the three that were lost in space for that series. This ties in with what they did and what happened to them, but not enough for me to care. Just a lot of blah for me. No longer buying, I think.

The Search for Ray Palmer: Red Son: I love alternate reality tales. I like Jason Todd. I loved Red Son. This, wasn't too bad. It was better than some of the other issues in this, but not as good as others. I do like how it loosely tied in with the actual events of the originating story. Fun read.

Crime Bible: Five Lessons of Blood #5: This has been one of the better 52 aftermath series. Though, really, to be fair this isn't really even 52 aftermath anymore. That one ended so long ago that the current weekly is almost done. I will let that pass, as this is a great story. I really love how each issue deals with a specific teaching of the Crime Bible, and ties in well. The greed aspect was all over this one.

Teen Titans Lost Annual: So good, it will get a separate post. When I get around to doing one.

Teen Titans Year One #1: Beautiful art + Funny script = Awesome comic. 'Nuff Said.

Suicide Squad #5: General Eiling is pretty badass, what with the plotting behind Waller's back. Not that it will do any good, because you just know she is totally planning for him to betray the team. I mean, really. It's Amanda Waller. She plans ahead better than goddamned batman.

Shadowpact #20: I'm a little undewhelmed by this issue. What started as a great miniseries turned into a good series, and is now losing my interest. I want more Blue Devil. I want more Detective Chimp. I want more of the team working together, instead of spread out over too many storylines. Bring the team back together, and bring on more Doctor Gotham!

Infinity Inc. #5: Um...yeah...I'm done. This is another one that I am just intrigued enough to read, but not enough to buy. I did like Kid Empty, though.

The Flash #235: Hmm. I am sort of at a loss here. On the one hand, I have enjoyed this story and the return of Wally West and all of that. On the other hand, I was only reading any Flash comic because of Bart. I have only kept on this long because I never remember to drop stuff. I already bought the next issue in this one, so I will read it and review later. If I like it, and the next issue sounds interesting enough, i will keep this one going. Otherwise...

Teen Titans #54: I loved the original Titans of Tomorrow story. It was what got be to buy and read this series to begin with. THis follow up was less than inspiring, but still fun. The only thing about this story that is not so good is that it seems no matter what the Titans do now, they appear to be destined to become assholes.

Simon Dark #4: I don't even know where to begin with the cool in this series. Steve Niles is working magic to make me care about this character, who hardly even shows up. Mix in the creepy factor of that villain who seems to have a connection to Simon and the mystery over who Simon really is, and you have one of my new favorites. Oh yeah, and the art is beautiful.

Future Imperfect

So, I just heard about Mark Millar's upcoming run on Wolverine.

At first, I liked it. Mad Max meets the Marvel Universe. Could be fun.

Then I read more of his ideas on it.

...

This pretty much sums up my feelings on that.

As usual...

I'm really late on these. Just haven't had the desire to read my comics for a while. Back to it, though. Here's the issues from my last comic run that actually have been read today.

Dark Sector Zero: While I can admire the fact that Seinkiewicz is a good artist, and has a very unique style that is refreshing in comics, I just am not a huge fan. In some comics and stories, it may work. This one, not so much. I also have to say that this is the second free comic I have seen used to promote a game, and the second to pretty much suck. The idea behind the game is awesome (gleaned from reading the interview at the end). The story they chose to tell in this comic to sell people on the game, not in the least bit exciting or interesting. A shame.

Crawl Space: Xxxombies #2: Pretty good follow-up to the first issue. The pornstar who did the zombie becomes one. The 'roid enhanced guy who punched through a zombie's head likewise becomes one. Nobody seems to know what is going on, which I kind of like as a change of pace. Jenny's dad is totally badass. I do think that his demeanor, and the fact that she ran away to become a pornstar likely means he is less than a good guy. I would not be all that surprised to see him being the final antagonist in this story.

Umbrella Academy #4: As always, a great read. A lot of arguing between the siblings. 005 explains his thought process a bit, and apparently has managed to catch teh eye of some tough looking dudes. I am guessing a temporal cop sort of thing. Vanya's power finally manifests, years too late to prevent some seruious issues. Next couple of these will rock.

The Exterminators #25: The story of how AJ managed to come back from the dead. A mildly interesting story, but it pointed out something I had not realized. While I like reading this series, I don't really like it enough to spend money on it. It just isn't quite as clever as it used to be, or doesn't feel that way to me anymore. Between the last issue with teh cruise ship catering to the most depraved of desires, and this one showing King Tut trying to sodomise AJ's dead soul-body...it just feels more crude than interesting. I suppose this means either reading at the comic shop, borrowing from a firend (if I have any that read this), or downloading a torrent. Bah.

Crossing Midnight #14: The current story arc is very interesting. One lie turning everyon against the only person who knows the truth. I will be interested to see how this one ends, and how the series will continue on after the current arc.

Jack of Fables #18: MORE BABE! I love the Babe the Bull interludes. This one was particularly clever, and funny. The Americana story is continuing the tradition of fantastic storuys in this series. I am very intrigued by the whole plot. Jack does his thing, not realizing that the bigger story keeps moving on, and involving him. A nice sort or irony. He wants to be the center of it all, and he is without realizing it. To think, i used to consider this series secondary to the original Fables.

Teen Titans Go! #50: THis particular issue wasn't great, but it wasn't bad either. It was a decent idea. Showing the growth of a villain that mirrors the growth of Robin. What makes it good, though, is that Robin's growth is very subtle. There's also the new opportunity for new characters, now. Would have liked a bit less continuity to this. I feel like i am missing something.

Justice League Unlimited #41: I liked that the Joker is feeling jealous over losing Batman's attention. I like how he and Harley are able to stall the four Leaguers who are around to stop them. I like Zatana, especially her "nrocpop." Somehow, though, I do not like this story.

So, that's all I read today. More as I read more.

I never would have thought it....

Which Power Ring would come to you?

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Inhumans

So, first post of the new year. Not a lot to day. Caught up on my backlog of comics reading. May end up reviewing what I read later. Currently working my way through the Inhumans trade. It is the collection of the Marvel Knights mini. Read the first two issues. So far, it's not bad.