The Strange Talent of Luther Strode #2

This is the first time I've reviewed multiple issues of a title. But I'm not going to get into a full-blown review here. If you want to know the backstory of Luther Strode, read my review of issue #1. No, the reason I'm reviewing #2 is because this book does such a great job of making you feel connected to the main character. Maybe better than any book has done in recent years (with the excepton of Scarlet). It harkens back to when Marvel first started in the '60's. You can instantly imagine yourself in the lead role. It's a quality that has been missing in so many comics today. Sure, we all want to read about things that could never happen, or we'd just look out our windows for entertainment. But if a book can entertain you while making you feel like you're a part of the story? That's special. I don't feel that way with Marvel titles anymore, and I never felt that way with DC. Sure, I love a lot of what they put out, but in a different way. Maybe Luther Strode (and a few other indy titles out there) make you feel connected because the stories are more personal since they are creator owned? Maybe it's because they have no corporate handcuffs to deal with? All I know is, there's nothing better than reading a book that makes you feel like waiting a month for the next issue is an eternity, and this book does just that.

Avengers Academy #22

This is an important issue for the sole fact that we finally get a long overdue confrontation between Magneto and Quicksilver. And it delivered all the fireworks you'd expect. The way some of the underlying hatred between the Avengers and the X-Men play out is exceptional. Christos Gage has always had a great way with dialog with this book, and it really shines here. From the aforementioned banter between Magneto and Quicksilver, to the students coming to the defense of their teachers, to the bickering between the teachers and their guests, all is played out in a believable fashion. These kids have been through a lot recently, so it's nice to see them come together when they feel their territory has been intruded upon.

Sadly, this is Sean Chen's last issue as artist. He's always been a favorite of mine, and his art on this series was top-notch. But every artist on this book has been a big name in the industry, so it's still in good hands. And Rodin Esquejo on covers is a big bonus for me since he's also the cover artist on my favorite book, Morning Glories. It's fun to see him play in Marvel's sandbox.

Avengers Academy has been one of the best books on the stands ever since it premiered. It's arguably the best Avengers title out there. The problem is, it gets overlooked because it doesn't have any of the "big guns" on the team. Plus, it's full of new characters, that while customers always scream for, they never support. When a book gives the consumer what they ask for, yet gets shunned by those said consumers, it's frustrating. So I'm hoping this review will open some eyes to a book that deserves more attention.



My first fan art!

My long-time friend Brian Webster has graced this site with it's very first piece of fan art. Brian used to do a weekly strip called Masters.com that centered around his life that most of the time was based on the shenanigans that happened in the comic shop I used to own. This is what my character looked like back then, in the days when I still had enough hair to put in a ponytail (like all the cool kids used to). Thanks, Brian!!

Avenging Spider-Man #1

This is a title I've been anxiously awaiting since the moment it was announced. Joe Madureira is my all-time favorite artist, and I get everything he's ever put his name on. The day he left comics was a very sad day for me. When he came back to draw the third volume of the Ultimates, I was excited, but not as much as if it had been on a main-universe Marvel title. Still, I enjoyed it, and wished there was more. And now there is. And it's on a main-Marvel book, about Marvel's main character. It's an exciting time!
Avenging Spider-Man is everything a Spidey book should be. Heck, it's everything a comic should be. It's fun, action-packed, and leaves you wanting more the second you finish the last page. Zeb Wells was one of the best writers on Amazing Spider-Man when the title was being written by the "braintrust." It's great to see him back telling the tales of ol' Spidey. And this time, he's brought all of Spidey's friends with him. Team-up books have always been hit-or-miss. Some are very well done, and each character is represented equally. Some have been basically a way to showcase a lesser-selling character with the help of a bigger-selling one. This book so far has taken all the best qualities of a team-up book and amped them up with the biggest names in Marvel's line. Seeing Zeb getting to play in that sandbox is going to be a ride like nothing else on the stands today.
Having Joe Mad along for that ride is the best icing any cake could hope for. His art is the most electric of any artist working today. He breathes life into his drawings that make them seem like they're jumping right off the page. Joe's style used to have more of a manga look to it when he first started out, but more recently it's definitely morphed into a style that mixes more "traditional" art with a manga essence. I still love every bit of it. The only flaw I can mention is the fact that Joe needs an inker on this title. The lack of one leaves a sort of unfinished look to some pages and panels. It's not totally distracting, but I feel ink would just be a better way to go. The coloring by Ferran Daniel, though, is a real win. It complements the art in a way that almost makes not having an inker forgivable.
The best part of the book (so far, at least), is the fact that you can jump right in to a Spider-Man title without needing to know anything about current storylines, or even years of back tales. As long as that lasts, I think this book will have a nice, healthy shelf life.

Penguin: Pain and Prejudice #1

This series has the honor of being the first DC book not part of the original 52 launch. I guess DC felt they'd rather have nothing but ongoing series introduced in the first month to grab everyone's attention, then slowly roll out lesser profile mini-series in the following months. It's not a bad strategy, but some of the minis are going to be overlooked by the public that have put their money into so many other titles already. I feel this book is a prime example of that. It's far superior to many of the first wave of 52.
We're introduced to the childhood origins of the Penguin, while at the same time we see how those origins have twisted the man into the vile villain he is today. It's a fascinating study of sadness and disgust you can have for one person. Gregg Hurwitz does an excellent job delving into the mind of both the young innocent Oswald Cobblepot, and the devious mature Penguin. The art by Szymon Kudranski portrays Cobblepot's life in both vivid sympathy and horrific violence that only helps to enhance the atmosphere of the book.
If you're a Bat-fan, you should not miss the opportunity to see inside the mind of one of Batman's greatest enemies. If you're not a fan of the Bat, you should still enjoy the psychological exploration of how an innocent child becomes a twisted genius.

Wolverine and the X-Men #1/Uncanny X-Men #1

I figured I'd give equal time to both sides of the X-Men schism with this set of reviews, even though I'm fully on Wolvie's side and think Cyke's a total douche.

First up is the new ongoing series Wolverine and the X-Men. This title was a lot of fun. I don't think anybody would've predicted Logan would be the one to take the stance of teaching over fighting after the events of Schism. But if you look back at Logan's history, it actualy makes sense. The way he took Kitty Pryde, Jubilee, and more recently, Armor, under his wing shows Wolverine has always had a nuturing side. So far, the book has that old school feeling of what the X-Men felt like way back when the original five were all we knew. From the introduction to the teachers, to the interaction with the students, we get to see what it's like to be a young mutant all over again.
The drawback to that is the fact that Wolverine's name is in the title, and with Wolverine, you expect a certain amount of action. While this is only the first issue, and there is plenty of time to get into that area, the threat at the end of the issue is not exactly what I would've hoped for in a book written by Jason Aaron. But there's plenty of time to turn that around. The mannerisms and dialogue of the characters is everything I could've hoped for, though.
Chris Bachalo's art is a little hard to follow at times. I've always been a big fan of his, but his style goes through so many changes, that it's never consistent. I like his stuff more when the characters are exaggerated, yet recognizable. With this series, he's more exaggerated, and less recognizable. Yes, we can tell who Wolverine, and Kitty Pryde, and all the major characters are, but it's the students that sometimes get confusing. Not the best way to introduce new readers to new characters in a new series.
All in all, a good starting point to the X-Men's new direction. Room for improvement, but like the students, we're all here to learn.

Uncanny X-Men gets a #1 for the very first time. If you remember, back in 1963, the grandfather of all X-books was entitled just "X-Men." So this issue has a lot to live up to. And it didn't disappoint. Kieron Gillen perfectly introduced all the players on Utopia. From Cyclops' main team, to the Gen Hopers, to San Francisco itself, all got equal time. Gillen's been on the series long enough that he has a good grasp on the nuances of the members, and that really shined through here. The fact that he could jump right into a first issue with introductions AND action was a great plus. The return of one of the X-Men's biggest adversaries was especially welcome.
Carlos Pacheco back on a monthly book is a real treat. His art might not be as detailed as it used to be, but it's still very dynamic. And if the lack of detail allows him to get a book out monthly, it's a fair trade-off, especially since the art is still fantastic.
I'm not a big fan of Cyclops' turn into more of a general than an ambassador for mutants, but this series still makes it an interesting ride. I can't help but feel there is still more to Cyke's change the past few years than what we've seen so far. I don't know if it's my ever-present hate/suspicion of Emma Frost, or the impending threat of next summer's return of the Phoenix, but I think something even more major is about to happen with Scott Summers. And it'll be sooner rather than later.

So whether you're on Wolverine's side or Cyclops' side, readers are in for a new Golden Age for the X-Books. And that's something that's been needed for far too long.

Fear Itself 7.1

It's amazing how one writer who perfectly writes one character can completely fix the mess another writer never should of had the opportunity to do. That's the case with this first epilogue to the worthless Fear Itself series. I said all along that I thought it was a travesty to not have Ed Brubaker write the death of Bucky, a character he's spent years turning into one of the most complex characters currently at Marvel. This book gives Bru not only the chance to address that, but to undo it. And he does it in a way that makes it seem like you're reading an issue of Captain America. Butch Guice's art makes you feel that way as well, since he has been a long time art partner of Brubaker's. The story nicely wraps up the final arc of the last volume of Captain America, which was something that felt forgotten thanks to the rush job that was Fear Itself. It also sets up Bru's new series focusing on the Winter Soldier. Bucky is dead, long live Bucky.