Impact Comics - July, 1991 - $1.00 - 22pgs. - Color

Writer: Mark Waid - Artist: Tom Lyle - Cover: Tom Lyle

“First Flight”

Synopsis:

Rob Connors, a college student from Evergreen, Washington, just wanted to play baseball. However, his life changed during a strange occurrence at his parents Alaskan research outpost. Finding the facility abandoned and seemingly long-empty, Rob tries to radio for help. When he realizes that the antenna is malfunctioning, he attempts to climb the radio tower to attempt a repair. However, in the few short hours since he had left that morning, the tower suffered what appeared to be long-term weather corrosion. Finding himself trapped under a wrecked antenna, Rob’s desperation manifests in the form of super powers. Flying away from the wreckage, he learns that he also has the ability to shoot heat beams from his hands. Rob works with his girlfriend Victoria to develop his superhero identity and costume, establishing himself as a vigilante crime fighter. Coincidentally, a new criminal threat has emerged. Thought by many to be a myth, the murderer Applejack has already struck several times and is targeting Victoria next!

Review:

For a comic put out in 1991, The Comet seems too average and a bit too old-fashioned. The simple origin story seems like a throwback to the classics, but I don’t think it hits the mark. The flamboyant pink trails and the Comet’s costume choices don’t help either, but I won’t go there. Wherever the story seems like it might be getting interesting, the plot jerks away without going into any particular detail, like a child in need of Ritalin. If only there were more time spent lingering on such topics as what happened to Rob’s parents, or why it seems like so much time passed in only a few hours, The Comet would be a much more interesting book. Instead, the plot is merely average and lacking in any uniqueness or substance. Applejack, with his dreadlocks, notes written in blood on human skin (!), and ability to strike fear in anyone within his range, is definitely an interesting villain, which I must give the comic proper credit for. Overall, I think that The Comet is a decent, not great comic, whose hero doesn’t try to break the mold.

Scores:

Art: 7.5 – Applejack is bad-ass, everything else is average, and The Comet is… just pink and blue

Story: 5.0 – Seriously lacking in detail, even if things are meant to be answered later. Some witty dialog.

Applejack is creepy, in an awesome way…

                                      Regular Alex Ross Cover                              Tony Daniel Variant

DC Comics - August, 2008 - $2.99 - 32pg. - Color

Writer: Grant Morrison - Artist: Tony Daniel - Cover: Alex Ross

“Batman: RIP Part 3, Zur En Arrh

The last issue of Batman left the caped crusader in quite a pickle.  He begins to have doubts of what’s he’s done for most of his life now, has a complete mental breakdown, has his mansion attacked and his butler beaten, his special casebook missing, and Nightwing is nowhere to be found.  The third issue of this storyline acts as a transition phase as we move on to the final half of the storyline.  Sadly enough, the end product feels slightly mellow dramatic and very, very weird.  Especially for those not steeped in DC universe history like myself. 

The story begins with Robin (Tim Drake) reading up on Batman’s early days, referring to things Morrison has already established such as Batman’s days in isolation to understand the insane mind.  Robin is soon disrupted by members of the new Club of Villains and escapes on his motorbike.  With no transition, we then find a hobo finding Bruce Wayne doped up in the garbage.  The hobo is introduced as Honor Jackson.  Bruce then needs help to stand and has strange flashbacks to when Doctor Hurt storms the batcave, injecting him with heroin and crystal meth. 

Suddenly, once again, we find Nightwing facing off in an abandoned train yard fighting other members of the Club of Villains.  Robin soon contacts him and wants to meet him at one of their checkpoints.  Before they can say anything else, both Robin and Nightwing have more villains to fight off and break communication.  Back with Hero and Bruce, journeying across the city, and run into some thugs.  Bruce fights them off and the two run away before anything else goes down.  Afterwards, Honor gives Bruce his most prized possessions and tells him they need to move on through the city.  Honor then tells Bruce where to go once his head is clear and takes him to the port for a view of the city.  Before anything else happens, Honor disappears from right beside Bruce.  Bruce then decides to follow Honor’s advice and soon learns that Honor really died the day before.  Before anything else makes sense, he realizes where he is:  Park Row, Crime Alley. 

We then find Robin waiting for Nightwing at their checkpoint, but Nightwing never shows.  In Arkham, two doctors are discussing their newest arrival: One of the Club of Villains’ members, as he starts foaming at the mouth in his cell.  Two more things to note before the end of the issue: Doctor Hurt steals one of the costumes on display in the batcave, making it his own costume and Bruce Wayne makes himself a costume based on the Batman of Zur En Arrh, an old alternate universe from WAY back if I’ve been informed correctly. 

In classic Grant Morrison fashion, the story has quickly become very convoluted in many ways, while some parts feel like they’ve been added for no particular reason.  This IS a tranistion from the begining to the climax, but this issue feels like a bit of a letdown compared to the first two issues.  However, Tony Daniel’s art redeems this issue’s wackiness in a few ways.  Many of his images are fun to look at despite the craziness of it all(The last page in particular) while Alex Ross turns in another solid cover.

Story: 6 - Writing: 7 - Art: 8.5 - Cover: 7.5

Overall: 7.3

Marvel Comics - September, 2008 - $2.99 - 32pgs. - Color

Writer: Peter David - Artist: Larry Stroman - Cover: Boo Cook

“He Loves You, Part 1: The Darwin Awards”

After their encounter with Arcade and the subsequent burning of Mutant Town, X-Factor has relocated to Detroit and renamed their business XF Investigations. They did so in part to get out from under the O*N*E* although this plan failed as Valerie Cooper tracked them down and made Jamie an offer he couldn’t refuse so to speak. No one else but Strong Guy knows of this, least of all Siryn who is now 5 months pregnant with Jamie’s baby as we have flashed forward a bit.

Darwin, the Evolving Boy, also happens to be in Detroit with Longshot looking for Professor Xavier, whom Longshot wants to help more than anything, as he always has. Longshot promises he can help, though his luck powers have been off a bit lately. To test them, he picks a fight with some thugs who instead turn on Darwin. The thug tried to drown Darwin in a gushing fire hydrant, though he develops gills to survive. He also tries to cut his neck, but it turns to rubber. He also develops speed to escape the situation.

Back at the newly named XF Investigations, Darwin’s father (who used to be a drunk and was driven away by Darwin’s mother, since she claimed it was his fault he was a mutant) has tracked his son to Detroit, but needs some “special” help finding him, something he has found X-Factor can be quite good at. Valerie Cooper has the place bugged and listens to their business. Monet recognizes the name as belonging to Darwin so the mutants can’t help but take the case for one of their own.

After Darwin escapes, the thugs turn on Longshot. They dogpile him but are then surprised to find he was not there when they landed. He retreats to an alley, reverting to his true form: that of a Skrull. During all of this, Jazinda (a good Skrull, and She-Hulk’s current partner) has been tracking this fake Longhost. Seeing his transformation, she realizes her suspicion was correct. She is spotted later by the fake Longshot and makes a run for it, though she is tripped up by Darwin who still thinks Longshot is the real deal. Jazinda fights back but is quickly taken down by Monet who has shown up. This doesn’t bold well for her, as another newcomer is at the scene… the savage She-Hulk!

I liked this issue, but it was very confusing. I don’t get why this Skrull led Darwin to Detroit in the first place. Was he tracking X-Factor and needed to use Darwin, or was it something else? How did Jazinda and She-Hulk find out about the Skrull and why are they tracking it? A lot of questions to be answered and it looks like I’m going to have to get the next issue of She-Hulk to find out… I was also a bit taken back by the art. After a while I got used to it, but Stroman’s long necks and bird-like mouths are a bit much at first. The writing is still fantastic though. Peter David really knows these characters and really makes them work together. Excellent stuff.

Writing: 8.5 - Story: 6.5 - Art: 6.5 - Cover: 8.0

Overall: 7.4

Normal Yu cover; 1:19 Steve McNiven Variant; 1:50 Yu Variant; 1:75 McNiven Sketch Variant; Dynamic Forces Esclusive Mel Rubi variant.

Marvel Comics - September, 2008 - $3.99 - 32pgs - Color

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis - Artist: Leinil Francise Yu

On what appears to be one of the Skrull armada ships, Mr. Fantastic has been stretched across an entire conference hall to be studied by various machines. Agent Brand is still floating around in space inside her gel life-support. The Sentry has breacher outer space, running from what he thinks is the Void, but is just a Skrull trick to take him out of the fight. Ms. Marvel, heading back to NYC on Iron Man’s orders, is immediately attacked, landing smack in the middle of the giant fight from the end of #3 between the Skrulls and Earth’s heroes, with Nick Fury and his Secret Warriors having just arrived.

The new Druid seems to have a good grasp of his magical abilities. Yo Yo runs fallen heroes out of harm’s way. Phobos (Ares’ son) and Hellfire (the original Ghost Rider’s grandson) banter while taking down Skrulls. The previously unnamed bald guy has been dubed Stonewall by Daisy, a name he isn’t too happy about. Diasy herself has received the codename Quake. Nick Fury barks orders and once the Secret Warriors have taken out a large amount of the Skrulls, decides to pull out. Before doing so, he uses the giant gun he was carrying to blast Ms. Marvel, assuming she is a Skrull. After they leave, she is overrun by the real Skrulls, a shrunken Hank Pym Skrull the last thing she sees (with her blue eyes, not green) before blacking out.

Back in the Savage Land, the Skrull Queen (in the form of Spider-Woman) continues to tell Iron Man he is a sleeper agent of the Skrull Empire. Black Widow listens in around a corner (her eyes have always been green) when she is approached by Phoenix and Beast. Without saying anything, she shoots them both a number of times. They die and revert to Skrull form. The Skrull Queen hears the shots and disappears before Natasha can kill her. Tony is convinced by now that he truly is a Skrull, but Natasha disagrees. She convinced him at the very least that he wants to kill the Skrulls, despite whichever side he may supposed to be on. Just then, Wolverine shows up and Natasha continues her “shoot first” philosophy until he says their code word, “carrot sticks.” She apologizes while his body begins to heal. Tony then states that they need to find Reed Richards.

Back with Agent Brand, she has now floated inside a Skrull ship, seeing all the mayhem the Skrull invasion is causing. She begins to cry, but is interrupted by a number of Skrulls. Back with Maria Hill on the crashed (and now floating) S.H.I.E.L.D. hellicarrier, she refuses to surrender, but soon finds that all her agents were actually Skrulls, leaving her completely alone. In Brooklyn, the Hood is watching the carnage on television with some other villains. He decides that being a villain won’t do any good if they world is destroyed, so he decides to round up the villains and go to work. Back at the NYC fight, Thor has shown up as a Captain America watches from afar… but which one?

When I first read this issue, I felt like nothing happened. Explaining it now for others, I see it was actually pretty packed with content. I liked the Secret Warriors working together, but I am disappointed that Stonewall’s power is just hitting people, especially since Bendis made him a bit of a mystery when he was first introduced. Maybe there will be more revealed about him during the new ongoing series they are planning for that group. I liked the confirmation that this Beast was fake (they hinted that he may be real in the “Who Do You Trust?” one-shot). I LOVE that the villains will be getting involved, especially since the Hood will be leading them and he is a very cool character. I now see why Bendis threw in that last arc about him right before the Invasion tie-ins began. I can’t wait to see which Cap this is though. If it is the one from the Savage Land, how did he get there so quickly and he is for real? If it is Bucky, all the better. Not a huge Thor fan and I feel like this was just like the Civil War “omg Thor” moment, but at least this time he should be the real deal.

Writing: 9.0 - Story: 9.0 - Art: 9.5 - Cover (A): 10

Overall: 9.4

Marvel Comics - September, 2008 - $2.99 - 32pg. - Color

Writer: Brian Reed - Artist:  Marco Castiello - Cover: Juan Doe

“The End of the World”

Paul Jenkins’ two Front Line series were both difficult to start with.  Although the end of both his Civil War and World War Hulk mini-series were excellent in portraying the events from the perspective of the Average Joe, both had trouble getting past a rough start.  This time, Brian Reed tries his hand by giving us three perspectives of three very different people instead of one or two similar ones.  This change translates into what is easily the best start to a Front Line series to date.

The story starts with series regular reporter, Ben Urich, interviewing a cab driver named Jonathan Bryant in the middle of the Skrull Invasion of Earth.  Jon hasn’t had a good day, as he explains how he found his wife cheating on him and how Spider-Man and Menace trashed his cab the night before.  The perspective then changes to a few hours before the Invasion, where Ben interviews an ER doctor named Molly about gang violence in the city(It isn’t looking too pretty).  Meanwhile, a girl named Melanie strolls into Stark Tower: where her father works.  She interrupts her father in a meeting and begins arguing with him.  Things haven’t been going too well for them, as Melanie’s parents are going through a divorce and she is having trouble coping with it.

Just when every one’s lives can’t seem to get much worse, the Skrull Invasion begins.  Everyone is interrupted by a Skrull ship looming over New York, and then flees as the ship opens fire on the city.  Melanie and her father are then sealed inside Stark Tower, Molly and Urich are having trouble coping with a barge of injured civilians inside the hospital, and Jon panics, driving like a madman and knocking over a couple of Super Skrulls.The last few moments of the book show an injured civilian inside Molly’s hospital waiting patiently, with glowing green eyes.

This first issue effectively gives us three people(maybe four) who each live considerably different lives and view the world in different ways:  A down on his luck cab driver, An ER doctor trying to help people all she can, and a corporate honcho struggling at home with his wife and daughter.  The perspectives are all unique and interesting in their own right, which gives the series a good platform to work on.  Castiello’s art also gives this book a unique look; His pencils seem almost cartoon-like, but not quite.  Trying to explain with words is too difficult, but he definitely delivers well.  Overall, this series is off to a good start with some promise that it won’t just be people running around New York panicking.

Writing:  8 - Story: 8 - Art: 8 - Cover: 7

Overall:  7.8

Normal McNiven Cover, 1:50 Michael Turner Cover, 1:100 Sketch Cover, Dynamic Forces Herb Trimpe Cover

My apologies that I could not find a Turner variant with the logos.

Marvel Comics - August, 2008 - $2.99 - 32pg - Color

Writer: Mark Millar - Artist: Steve McNiven - Cover: Steve McNiven

“Old Man Logan, Part 1″

For some reason Marvel has been hyping this story for a while now. Obviously, since they threw a bunch of variant covers at it. I didn’t understand the point. Why tell a story set in the future inside the main series? Shouldn’t this be for current events? I would have even preferred a Secret Invasion tie-in to this. But, being my second favorite character and never having missed an issue of this series, I got it anyway.

The heroes have been defeated and the major villains split up the world. The man previously known as Wolverine has not popped his claws in ages, instead settling down with a wife and two kids on what used to be a farm, now just a desolate plot of cracked earth. They haven’t made any money in a while and the rent it due soon to their landlords: Bruce Banner’s grandchildren, the Hulk gang. They come calling the following day in the Fanasticar, “Dead and 4-Gotten” written on the side. Logan envisions himself losing control and gutting one of the Banners, but instead stands still as the two brothers beat him in front of his family.  They demand double rent the following month and leave.

In bed that night healing, he is visited by Hawkeye, now old and blind. He says they have a job delivering a package to the east coast. After a tearful goodbye with his family the next morning, they set off in a souped up version of the Spider-Mobile, ready to trek across what is now known as “Hulkland,” “The Kingdom of the Kigpin, ” “Doom’s Lair,” and “The President’s Quarter” for a city called New Babylon.

It’s hard to go wrong with Millar and McNiven, and despite not caring about this story, I at least found myself enjoying it. Millar paints a very vivid idea of what the world is like now (complete with a map of the U.S.) and McNiven’s art is always easy on the eyes. I still can’t see much point spending eight months on a story that will technically never happen (being a future story and all), but at least it should be a good read.

Story: 8.0 - Writing: 8.5 - Art: 9.0 - Cover: 8.0

Overall: 8.4

(Note: cover score only on the McNiven normal cover. That Trimpe cover is one of the worst things I’ve seen in a while and really would have killed the score if I judged it.)

Normal Cover by Phil Jimenez and Wizard World Philadelphia Sketch Variant.

Marvel Comics - August, 2008 - $3.99 - 48pg - Color

This is a series of five short stories focusing on various characters that appear to be somewhat outlying in the overall scheme of the Marvel Universe, but perhaps their roles in the Secret Invasion (good or bad) will turn out to be quite the big deal later on in the event.

“Farewell” - Writer: Brian Reed, Artist: Lee Weeks

This is basically a prelude to the very short sequence in Secret Invasion #1 when Captain Marvel attacks Thunderbolts Mountain. Despite what he had apparently decided upon in the recent mini-series, Captain Marvel meets with some Skrulls and tell them he will aid their invasion. If you missed that mini-series, it was discovered that he is a Skrull agent, but the programing went wrong, wiping out the Skrull and leaving the identity of Mar-Vell instead. He is conflicted if he should be the Skrull agent he truly is, or the hero that Mar-Vell was. It ends with him standing outside T-Bolts Mountain, ready to attack.

Considering this issue came out after SI #1, I didn’t see much point in this story. We know he attacks T-Bolts Mountain and I assume it will be explained better when we find out what he and Norman Osborn talked about.

“In Plain Sight” - Writer: Mike Carey, Artist: Timothy Green III

This story focuses on Agent Brand directly after the Dum Dum Dugan Skrull blows up her S.W.O.R.D. headquarters in space. She is in the protective plasma or whatever, floating in space, thinking about how she got to this point. She remembers an encounter with the Skrull ambassador shortly after getting promoted withint S.W.O.R.D. and some of the things he said that should have tipped her off to the invasion. They have a division that monitors body language and despite her assistant being certain the ambassador was sending code within his tapping, she instinctually writes it off. Turns out he was tapping on a book: The Illiad, with a picture of the Trojan Horse on the front. She then apparently gets mooned by a Skrull within one of the passing armada ships, which does not make her happy.

I liked this one. I enjoyed the panels where she says, “this reminds me what my father used to say” and then cuts to her hiding under a table with a large roar and a blood splatter. It was recently revealed in Astonishing X-Men that she is an alien and her father was a big blue furry guy just like Beast (whom she is in love with).

“Seems Like Old Times” - Writer: Chritos Gage, Artist: Mike Perkins

During the dino attack in Secret Invasion #2, what we believe to be the true Wonder Man and the fake Beast fall down a hole, neither believing the other to be the real deal. They don’t have time to discuss it as they are attacked by giant bugs, however. They quickly fall into what appears to be their old routine of beating up monsters and cracking jokes mid-fight. It feel real to Wonder Man, though he is clearly skeptical. Upon escaping the cavern, Beast kicks Wonder Man back into the hole, declaring “If you could be a Skrull and not know it, I can’t take any chances.” Once again, one of the people from the ship believe themselves to be an original hero that was snatched many years ago.

Pretty good story, but they’ve been over the whole “some people on the ship are real and some aren’t” thing already with Mockingbird/Hawkeye in SI #2. I’d hate to see this be the real Beast, I love his cat-like look and his more serious but still witty humor. I could care less if both Wonder Mans (Wonder Men?) were fake or died though. Awful character.

“Master of the Cube” - Writer: Zeb Wells, Artist: Steve Kurth

The Cube is the capital city of the Kree empire and Marvel Boy is currently the overseer of it. He muses that his way of running things (though calm, rather than fear) will cultivate these prisoners into trusting and serving him. Soon a prisoner breaks programming and attacks Marvel Boy, a guard shooting the prisoner and the entire place devolving into chaos. Marvel Boy leaves the scene to find a Skrull in his office. The Skrull tells him his army is now ruined, so Marvel Boy decides he must handle it himself.

I have to be honest, I didn’t understand this story, but that’s what happened. I know nothing about Marvel Boy other than he is a Kree. I don’t Krees hates Skrulls, but they also hate Humans. So, is he just going to fight everyone?

“The Resistance” - Writer: Jeff Parker, Artist: Leonard Kirk

Namora is captured by some Skrull agents after having slain an Alpha Flight hybird Skrull. Two men approach as the Skrulls sedate the population with some sort of gas. They transform into Gorilla Man and the robot M-11 of the Agents of Atlas. They break Namora out of containment, capture a Skrull and high-tail it out of there. Their scientist Bob Grayson removes its head to let it watch them dissect its body.  As the Skrulls counter-attack, Venus (a former Siren) uses her voice to attract the Skrulls into the ocean, but she stops when she feels they are not evil. Grayson confirms, reading the brainwaves to show their ultimate goal of a world free of war. However, James Woo (a former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent) decides it best that they not be allowed to live, ordering M-11 to use his Death Ray and destroy them all.

Here’s another group I know nothing about. I understand these are some of the C/D-list Marvel heroes, but they’re bordering on irrelevant and I don’t see how they can be used in the main SI storyline. Interesting story, but overall not really all that enjoyable.

Overall, I was highly disappointed with this. I liked the Agent Brand portion and the Wonder Man/Beast team-up was cool, but the stories don’t feel like they could really be relevant to the main SI storyline.

Stories: 5.0 - Writing: 6.5 - Art: 7.0 - Cover: 7.5

Overall: 6.5

Issue 559                                   Issue 560                                         Issue 561

First off, I want to say a few things.  There is nothing I want to say about the controversy behind One More Day and Brand New Day that hasn’t been said before.  If someone seriously wants to know, e-mail me or look it up in just about every other comics site there is.    I also wanted to try something different with these usual two or three issue arcs releasing in a matter of weeks.  So feedback on this idea would be nice. (To the two or three people who regularly read these reviews anyway)

Marvel Comics - July/August, 2008 - 32pg.(Each) - $2.99(Each) - Color

Writer: Dan Slott - Artist: Marcos Martin - Issue 559 Cover: Ed McGuinness - Issue 560 & 561 Covers: Marcos Martin

“Peter Parker: Paparazzi”

Anyway, Dan Slott along with the entire BND crew’s goal with this series is to create a series that hearkens back to the Spider-Man from the late 70’s and early 80’s.  These issues should so be graded based on how they try to replicate this classic feel.  So, if you disagree, it’s not the end of the world as we know it; I just like to keep these reviews and everything else un-biased.

The arc starts in issue 559 where Spidey is in full pursuit of an Internet themed villain named Speedball, whose apparent real goal is to get hits on videos of her committing crimes posted on the web.  I don’t know if it’s for money or popularity.  Our hero can’t quite catch up with her though, so he “marks” Screwball with one of his spider-tracers.  Mistaking it as a death mark, Screwball immediatly turns herself in thinking she’s Spider-Mans’s next murder victim(It’s been a reaccuring theme in the series for a while)

Things don’t turn out to well for Peter Parker either, as Dexter Bennett, the new Editor in Chief of the DB, scorns him for taking pictures of something posted all over the world wide web.  Instead of getting more Spidey photos, Bennett sends Parker to get pictures of a famous movie actor coming to NY.  That’s right, he’s now a paparazzi.  The rest of the issue can be summed up in Parker taking discriminating photos of the actor smacking a waitress, Peter losing his friends and family because of his new job, and the introduction of a very creepy paper themed villain with an obsession over David Carr (Our movie actor)

The second issue starts with our “scarred” waitress from before on a TV special, revealing that’s she’s suing Carr for his outburst.  She’s soon snuffed out by our creepy paper villain(Unofficially named Paper Doll) literally flattening her.  Then Carr is once again enraged by a paparazzi, and shoves the camera right into the photographer’s face.  Unlucky for him, Peter is right across the street to catch the entire scene on film, and the paparazzi threatens to sue.

Back in Harry Osborn’s coffee shop, Harry calms down an enraged JJJ trying to drown his sorrows with caffeine.  Harry eventually kicks Peter out of the shop, still angry about his choice in careers.  We then find Betty Brant conducting her own investigation on Paper Doll’s victim from earlier, who was literally flat-lined.  Back at the DB, Bennett rewards Peter for more impressive photos and Peter finds Robertson and Brant looking in on the murder, thinking themselves partly responsible for her death.  It doesn’t take long for Peter to realize that the paparazzi from earlier is probably next.

After a quick stake-out, Spidey finds Paper Doll about to take her next victim.  An entertaining and quirky battle ensues between Spider-Man and Paper Doll.  Spider-Man realizes that he can’t protect the photographer for much longer and forces the guy to promise not to sue Carr.  Paper Doll then disappears before the two realize what just happened.  Trying to learn more, Peter asks one of her new BND friends, Carlie Cooper, about the flattened girl from before.  The only logical cause of death we’re told is suffocation because of the sudden change in surface area and mass.  Paper Doll then kills Carr’s agent for leaking information on Carr’s new “mystery girlfriend.  In the last page, we’re introduced to this mystery girl:  Mary Jane Watson former Parker.

The third issue starts with a rather cheap method of explaining Paper Doll’s origins and her obsession over David Carr.  Apparently, her father got her messed up in some sort of dimensional decompressor that apparently turns things to paper.  We then find Spidey trying to catch photos of Carr and MJ together for another big scoop(He’s really there to protect Carr and the mystery girl from Paper Doll)  Paper Doll soon crashes the party between MJ and Carr, and MJ heads for the panic room just before our hero comes to save the day(C’mon)  Another fight breaks out where MJ and Spider-Man have some comedic and slightly teasing conversation through the speakers in the house.  Trying to suffocate Paper Doll, Spidey shoves her into the pool outside while getting his arm crushed in the process.  Then, in a fun play on one of Carr’s other movies, Carr knocks Paper Doll’s lights out.

Soon, all is right in the world.  Bennett fires Parker for destroying footage of Carr’s mystery girl without even looking at it, Peter moves into his new apartment, his friends and family have forgiven him, and MJ leaves for who knows how long.  *coughcough* August *coughcough*

Again, this is being graded based on what this book is trying to accomplish –  A classic take on a character that’s had a rough time adjusting in comics.  Based on that, this arc works surprisingly well despite a slightly corny story.  The twist on Spider-Man never actually meeting MJ is just one gigantic tease no one can ignore.  However, Dan Slott makes each panel fresh and fun to read while Martin’s pencils also create a great classic feel.  I especially enjoy when he creates one small splash page on a single page, and places a few panels inside the page to let the story flow from the panels to the splash page itself.  I recommend buying this book if you’re looking for a fun and innocent Spider-Man story, but One More Day/Brand New Day naysayers will find nothing new in this.

Story: 7.5 - Writing: 8.5, Art: 8.5 - Issue 559 Cover:  8.5 - Issue 560 Cover: 7 - Issue 561 Cover: 9

Overall: 8.2

Jim Cheung 50/50 Covers

Edwards Cover

Marvel Comics - July, 2008 - $3.99 - 40 pg. - Color

Wtiter: Mark Millar - Artist: Tommy Lee Edwards - Cover(s): Jim Cheung, Tommy Lee Edwards

“Haunted”

Most older comic fans look back at the year 1985 as a golden year.  Comics were well on their way to their peak in popularity and many iconic characters such as Spider-Man and Iron Man were just as most former comic fans remember them.   I wasn’t even born at the time, but it’s hard not to feel good about a comic series that ventures back to these golden days.

This premier issue starts with a brief recap of Secret Wars(One of the very first “event” titles in comic history) and we soon see the main character Toby in his element –A comic book shop.  Through various blunt comic references.  Toby leaves the shop and goes into an inner monologue talking about himself and how he got into comics.  After another forceful reference, we’re introduced to Toby’s father and step-father.  Toby’s father then takes him through the woods to see an old abandoned house that had recently been sold.  The two run into the new owner, who tries passing on whole box-fulls of rare and valuable comic books onto them.  Toby doesn’t pay too much attention as he sees what appears to be the Red Skull standing beside a window in the old house. 

After talking with his friends and mother, Toby catches a glimpse of what appears to be a crazed man in a bird suit on TV.  Toby instantly recognizes him as the Vulture.  Toby then decides that the two sightings can’t be just a coincidence and goes out to investigate the old house.  He then catches the new owner from before (The Mole-man) and Doctor Doom arguing about their plan of action.  Doom then trashes the furniture left outside and sends the mole-men after Toby after Toby blurts something out.  Trying to run away, Toby is confused and doesn’t even realize he ran right into a certain Green Goliath.

Standard first issue stuff with a lot of promise.  The writing and story are near flawless, if not for those forced 1980’s references and a really awkward scene inside the comic shop.  The art is also excellent, with a perfect blend between a gritty and cartoonish style.  Perfect considering the time the story is set in and the time this story is being made in. 

The Verdict: An excellent first issue that makes people hearken back to the good ol’ days.

Story: 9 - Writing: 9 - Art: 9 - Cheung 50/50 Covers: 9.5, Edwards Cover: 8.5

Overall:  9.1 (Overall Score uses the Cheung Covers score)

Normal Dell’Otto cover; 1:19 Steve McNiven cover; 1:50 Yu cover; 1:75 McNiven Sketch cover; Dynamic Forces Exclusive Mel Rubi cover.

Marvel Comics - August, 2008 - $3.99 - 40pg - Color

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis - Artist: Leinil Francis Yu - Cover: Gabrielle Dell’Otto

This issue kicks off on the S.H.I.E.L.D. hellicarrier that has fallen from the sky and is now floating in the ocean. Maria Hill orders her troops to the deck where the Jarvis Skrull is waiting and asks for their full and total surrender. At Thunderbolts mountain, Captain Marvel (a revealed Skrull who seemingly has denied his race’s plan) stands ready to kill Swordsman, but Norman Osborn interrupts saying that he knows he can’t do it and he’d like to discuss the situation. At Camp Hammond, the Initiative faculty is heading out to fight the Skrull armada that has landed in NYC, their recruits insisting they are allowed to help. The Skrull Yellowjacket shows up and gives them permission.

In NYC, the Young Avengers do their best to fight off the Skrull armada and protect civilians, but it appears they are going to lose this battle. Hulkling attempts to talk to the Skrulls, figuring since he is half-Skrull they might listen. He was wrong and gets attacked by four Skrulls at once while Wiccan receives a clobbering at the hands of a skyscrapers-sized Skrull. Just then, the whole of the Initiative show up, Gauntlet punching a hole into the skyscraper-Skrull’s head.

Back in the Savage Land, the Spider-Woman Skrull (the Skrull Queen, in fact) faces off against Echo and knocks her into a tree, leaving her behind, unconscious. She then finds Iron Man at the Mutate compound, telling him that he has done his job wonderfully. She says they had to keep his role secret (even to him), but the Civil War and everything he had done has served the Skrulls perfectly. She kisses him and calls him Kr’Ali, but the entire time he denies what she is saying. A close-up of his eyes reveal a perfect hue of blue. Every other Skrull has seemingly had their eyes turn green.

Back in NYC, a different skyscraper-Skrull (at least I’m assuming it’s different since he has no hole in his head and no chipped teeth from Gauntlet’s punch) throws Stature across the city. That same Skrull then appears on a large screen and says something, causing all the Skrull warriors to raise their fists and repeat after him. They then unleash a large purple beam attack on every hero in the vacinity, so severe that it causes Young Avenger Vision’s head to explode. A Skrull also gets more personal, grabbing Initiative cadet Proton and snapping his neck. Suddenly, the ground begins to rumble and one of the Skrull’s hearts explode…. Nick Fury and his Commandos have arrived!

I was afraid this series would lag a bit in the middle like Civil War did, but Bendis is doing a fantastic job. Tons of action, deaths, reveals… great story-telling. I think we could have done without Proton’s neck being snapped, but I guess it was dramatic and showed the Skrull’s lethality and commitment to wiping out Earth. I really think the Skrull Queen is just messing with Tony. It would be too big of a cop-out for him to be a Skrull, but since everyone is saying that, Bendis might just do it to shock everyone into saying “wow, he really made Iron Man a Skrull…”

I liked the new Commandos (though I hope they leave off the “Howling” part, as that is stupid) and it should be interesting to see how their powers hold up in battle. Obviously Daisy can hold her own with the earthquakes, but will Alexander’s fear power work on the Skrulls? What power does the big, bald dude even have? I hope his is seriously cool since Bendis chose to keep it secret. All in all a great issue and this series continues to be a fun, enjoyable read.

Writing: 9.0 - Story: 10.0 - Art: 8.5 - Cover: 9.0

Overall: 9.1