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    This Week’s Seven Best! (December 1, 2004)
     
      Posted on Dec 08, 2004 - 10:59 AM by Admin  
     
     
      This Week's 10 Best



    A smaller than normal Comic Book Wednesday results in a smaller than normal edition of This Week’s 10 Best! The Exiles go medieval! Superman and Batman go to war with Wonder Woman and the Freedom Fighters! It’s "Father/Daughter Day" in Spider-Girl! The Ultimates return! And the New Avengers begin to assemble! These big stories and more are all part of This Week’s Seven Best!




    1. Exiles #55 (Marvel) -





    The Fan Man’s Rave:


    It’s no secret that I love alternate reality tales. And, if you have been reading Marvel’s Exiles, then it should come as no surprise to you that some of the best alternate reality tales in the history of comics show up in this book each and every month. This issue? This one just may be my favorite of all, simply because of an alternate reality version of my all time favorite character - Ghost Rider! That’s right, friends and neighbors! The flame-headed, vengeance seeking anti-hero has returned…albeit in a very surprising and different form!





    I am one of the world’s biggest Ghost Rider fans, and haven’t rested well since Marvel pulled the plug on the last ongoing Ghost Rider series…without even printing the final issue! An appearance in the old Spider-Man series and the Marvel Knights miniseries weren’t enough to satisfy this Flame-Head Fan, and to be honest…until Marvel gives me a new ongoing Ghost Rider series, I won’t be satisfied. But this Ghost Rider appearance in Exiles will do…for the time being!





    Now, this story doesn’t succeed on Ghost Rider alone, although he was the winning factor for me! Writer Tony Bedard delivers an exciting tale of a world gone horribly wrong, and the Exiles have been sent in to right the wrongs. There’s just one big problem - when the Exiles appeared in this medieval world, they forgot who they were and why they were there! Now, it falls to the one person who remembers the truth to gather an army to defeat the spirit that was Ghost Rider, Zarathos!





    Bedard delivers an action-packed tale filled with plenty of twists and turns, including a stunning ending. And if you are a fan of Marvel’s horror themed characters, you can’t afford to miss this issue! Within these pages you will find alternate reality versions of Morbius, his "pet" Wendigo, Werewolf By Night and, of course, Ghost Rider!





    One of my all time favorite artists makes this issue a complete package: Jim Calafiore! Often tagged as the "permanent guest penciler" on this title, Calafiore is the artist I would rather see on this book on an every issue basis! I absolutely love Calafiore’s sharp, crisp style, which is perfectly suited for any and all superheroes and villains! And when it comes to monsters like Wendigo, Morbius and Zarathos, Calafiore is second to none! Heck, this artist even manages to make Beak look like a serious character!





    *************************************





    The Fan Man’s Rant:


    Maybe a little too violent for the youngest of readers, this is an otherwise rant free issue. I’m already counting down the days until the continuation of this story…and still holding out hope that Marvel will someday soon bring back an ongoing Ghost Rider series…





    *************************************





    The Play By Play:


    As this issue opens, the Exiles find themselves in a medieval city ruled by monsters and fear! The city? New York! The monsters? Creatures like Morbius, his "pet" Wendigo and Werewolf By Night, Jack Russell! And the Exiles - along with everyone else in New York - think this is a normal way of life! The only person who knows the truth of the matter is the superhero known as Spider-Man!





    Spider-Man approaches the Exiles and relates a strange tale. It seems that Kulan Gath transformed the city into a medieval place and left Spider-Man as the only person who knew the truth for punishment. However, Kulan Gath’s plans went awry when he tried to recruit a man named Johnny Blaze, only to unleash the demon within the man known as Zarathos! Once free of Blaze, Zarathos snatched an amulet off the neck of Kulan Gath and became the new master!





    Although they find Spider-Man’s story hard to swallow, the Exiles have to admit that it makes some sense, since they can’t recall where they were weeks ago or how they came to be together. So Spider-Man leads the befuddled team through the sewers to meet up with his partner…a most unexpected ally!


    _____________________________________





    2. Y: The Last Man #29 (DC/Vertigo) -





    The Fan Man’s Rave:


    I’m still surprised by just how much I love this series. I’m even more surprised by just how much better it gets with each new issue! And that’s saying a lot, considering this series has been sheer excellence since the very first issue! And aside from Image’s The Walking Dead, there is no other comic book that I look forward to as much each month as Y: The Last Man.





    Writer Brian K. Vaughan has created one of the most compelling page turners in the history of comics with Y: The Last Man. More than just an apocalyptic thriller, Y: The Last Man is about the survival after the "apocalypse" and the quest for answers. And it looks like at long last Vaughan is ready to reveal the answers to some of our questions!





    Yorick Brown and his traveling companions have arrived in San Francisco, where Dr. Mann’s lab should provide her the means to discover what caused the plague that wiped out every male on the planet except for Yorick. However, before answers can be found, Yorick and Agent 355 run into members of the Setauket Ring, who steal an engagement ring from around Yorick’s neck. Soon after, Yorick collapses, apparently a delayed victim of the plague!





    In this issue, Vaughan reveals what has happened to Yorick. Trust me, this one is a shocker. One of those genuine slap-your-forehead moments. You know? A Homer Simpson "D’oh!" Meanwhile, Yorick’s sister Hero catches up with Agent 355, just in time to see the "real" 355 in action! And in the midst of all of this, what has Dr. Mann discovered?!





    It is an incredible testament to a writer’s ability to make the reader care so deeply for purely fictional characters, and Vaughan has done that better than any other writer with his work on this series. Vaughan keeps the reader nervous, because no one’s fate is guaranteed in this book! With Yorick’s recent surprising illness, it looked like the title character was about to bite the dust! And I’m not afraid that I was more than a little nervous about the fate of The Last Man!





    If the characters don’t bring you running back to the comic book store each month for the latest Y: The Last Man, the mystery of what caused the plague will! And it appears that THIS is the storyline that may at long last answer that burning question!





    Complimenting Vaughan’s pulse-pounding story is the art of Pia Guerra. Guerra brings a realism to these characters, making the reader care for them all the more. Guerra’s art isn’t flashy or splashy. Just a clean style that tells a great story. And when it comes to Y: The Last Man, Guerra’s art tells as much of the story as does Vaughan’s writing. One of the best collaborations in Comicdom!





    *************************************





    The Fan Man’s Rant:


    This book earns its "Suggested For Mature Readers" label because of language, violence and nudity. No rants here. I was pleasantly surprised that Vaughan didn’t drag out the cause of Yorick’s illness until the end of this story arc…so there is no telling what this writer has in store for us next!





    *************************************





    The Play By Play:


    As Dr. Mann investigates a possible intruder in her lab, Agent 355 is caught between agents of the Setauket Ring and Yorick Brown’s sister, Hero! And it appears that Hero is going to side with the Setauket Ring gals!





    355 discovers that the Setauket Ring gals have killed a fellow agent. This prompts the Setauket Ring to open fire on both Hero and 355! When the bullets stop flying, someone isn’t walking away from this one!





    Back at the lab, Yorick fights his way through fevered dreams, while Dr. Mann makes a shocking discovery about what has caused his recent plague-like illness! And that’s not the only important discovery that Dr. Mann makes!


    _____________________________________





    3. New Avengers #1 (Marvel) -





    The Fan Man’s Rave:


    Love it or hate it, this is what "Avengers Disassembled" was building up to. Writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist David Finch deliver the much anticipated New Avengers #1. Does this debut live up to the hype and anticipation? Surprisingly, it does…just not for the reasons I would have expected.





    For those of you expecting to pick up this book and find a new Avengers team already assembled and raring to go, that’s not what you’re going to find here. In fact, two of the characters on the cover of this issue don’t even appear in this book! Bendis is laying the foundation for the formation of a new Avengers team, and this issue is just the first chapter in what looks to be a much larger story.





    It appears that the new Avengers will be formed as a result of several characters being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Matt Murdock, Foggy Nelson and Matt’s "bodyguard" Luke Cage have traveled to the super villain prison known as The Raft to visit one of Reed Richards’ old friends. Escorting the trio is their very own super-powered S.H.I.E.L.D. chaperone, Jessica Drew - the original Spider-Woman!





    Safe and secure with plenty of S.H.I.E.L.D. protection, our heroes are shocked when the lights go out…and a huge explosion rattles The Raft! As chaos - no…not THAT kind of chaos from the previous Avengers storyline - ensues, Captain America and the tagging-along Spider-Man are drawn into the fray! And our heroes’ only hope may very well lie with a prisoner inside The Raft!





    If the whole "Avengers Disassembled" left you with a sour taste in your mouth, I hope that you will still give this book a shot. For us longtime Avengers fans, make no mistake about it - this isn’t our Avengers. This is - as the cover proudly displays - the NEW Avengers. And where Bendis left a lot of Avengers fans flat in the original series, he excels here.





    In this issue, Bendis is writing characters that he knows better than any other writer in the industry. With characters like Matt Murdock, Foggy Nelson, Luke Cage and Jessica Drew, it’s like a Daredevil/Alias reunion! Bendis also handles the Marvel Universe Spider-Man just as superbly as he chronicles the adventures of his Ultimate counterpart. And just from this issue alone, I can tell adding Spider-Man to the cast will be even more dynamic than I always thought it would be!





    Mark my words, David Finch is this industry’s next superstar artist. And this is the book that will make Finch a star! Finch excels on so many levels when it comes to illustrating characters - human, super-human and super villain! And Finch has this subtle way of conveying an amazing amount of emotion just through a character’s eyes or facial expressions. I’m already chomping at the bit to see Finch illustrate Spider-Woman in full costume!





    *************************************





    The Fan Man’s Rant:


    Due to mild language, this is not an all ages read. And this is a little confusing to me. With the addition of Spider-Man and Wolverine - two of Marvel’s most popular characters - it would seem that Marvel is targeting a younger audience. We all know this book wasn’t made with the older Avengers fans in mind. Heck, many of us are still fuming over the deaths of Vision and Hawkeye and the fact that the Scarlet Witch is now a psychopathic super villain! And I’m sorry…Captain America telling Spider-Man, "We don’t have time for smart@$$…" - totally out of character, even for the Ultimate Cap.





    *************************************





    The Play By Play:


    This issue opens six months after the Avengers "disassembled." While a super villain is being hired to take part in a top secret plan, Matt Murdock, Foggy Nelson and Luke Cage have traveled to the super villain prison known as The Raft to visit one of Reed Richards’ old friends.





    Matt and his pals are greeted by their very own super powered S.H.I.E.L.D. chaperone, Jessica Drew - the original Spider-Woman. Despite Foggy’s worries of being in a prison filled with dozens of dangerous super villains, Jessica assures them that they are perfectly safe…until the lights go out…and an explosion rocks the prison!





    Seeing the trouble from his apartment window, Spider-Man swings into action, hitching a ride via webline on a helicopter heading for The Raft…a chopper conveniently containing Captain America. As lightning strikes the chopper, Cap saves the pilot, while Spider-Man ends up in the drink.





    Inside The Raft, the prisoners have been released by the hired villain…with Matt, Foggy, Luke and Jessica trapped below! Our heroes’ only hope? One of The Raft’s prisoners!


    _____________________________________





    4. Superman/Batman #15 (DC) -





    The Fan Man’s Rave:


    It’s books like this one that make my job almost too easy! With a book like this, I get to shelve my analytical mind and let the childlike fanboy run free! Writer Jeph Loeb has taken two of the greatest icons in all of Comicdom, placed them in an alternate reality gone awry and all bets are off!





    Yep. It’s another one of those alternate reality tales that I love so much. And this one is so far one of the finest! Due to a little time traveling and tampering at the hands of Legionnaires now known as Lightning Lord, Saturn Queen and Cosmic King, Superman and Batman’s origins were drastically altered. Raised by these futuristic “parents”, Superman and Batman grew up much differently…and ending up ruling the DC Universe!





    Instead of becoming heroes, Superman and Batman have become dictators, “lovingly” referred to by the now-late Green Arrow as the “Hitler Twins.” And Superman and Batman have stamped out vigilantism, as they rule with iron fists! However, there is an uprising forming to dethrone the World’s Finest tyrants!





    In this issue, Wonder Woman begins to assemble an army consisting of the Freedom Fighters. This is another reason why this new storyline has bowled me over. Although their series had a short run, the Freedom Fighters was one of my favorite teams as a very young Comic Fanatic. Seeing them back in action in this issue makes me long for a new Freedom Fighters series!





    Fanboys, fangirls and Comic Fanatics of all ages, take note. Loeb offers up a Comic Fanatic’s dream match up in this issue. Who would win if Wonder Woman took on Superman or Batman?! The answer will leave you picking your jaw up off the floor! I’ll tell you this much - and it’s one of the reasons why I love alternate reality tales so much - NO ONE is safe from dying! Not even one of this book’s title characters! You’ve got to see the ending of this one to believe it!





    Artist Carlos Pacheco illustrates an incredible issue! Pacheco illustrates a Superman and Batman who look like tyrant rulers! Plus, Pacheco illustrates stunning versions of Phantom Lady and Wonder Woman, especially in her battle costume! And the fight scenes involving Wonder Woman, Superman and Batman are just breathtaking! Few artists can pack this much power into a comic book page!





    *************************************





    The Fan Man’s Rant:


    Due to mild language and violence, this is not an all ages read. No rants here. Superman/Batman continues to be one of my favorite monthly series, delivering one blockbuster story after another. And with this book getting back on schedule, I find myself in the rare position of having no complaints at all!





    *************************************





    The Play By Play:


    As this issue opens, Wonder Woman and her new ally Uncle Sam visit the hidden wreckage of a spaceship that crashed on Earth and was apparently covered up by Superman and Batman. Inside the wreckage, Wonder Woman and Uncle Sam discover the corpse of Green Lantern Abin Sur. Removing the ring from the skeleton’s finger, Uncle Sam becomes the new Green Lantern!





    As Superman and Batman deal with Deadman, Wonder Woman and Uncle Sam round up recruits for their cause. Once Wonder Woman’s army of Freedom Fighters is complete, and attack is launched on Liberty Island…and the soldiers Superman and Batman’s “parents” brought from the 31st century!





    Just as the Freedom Fighters gain the upper hand, Superman and Batman return to quell the uprising, killing several Freedom Fighters in the process. However, Wonder Woman is able to get close enough to one of the tyrants…and she delivers a killing blow! As the last remaining Freedom Fighters rush for a nearby time machine, the remaining tyrant seeks his revenge on Wonder Woman!


    _____________________________________





    5. Spider-Girl #81 (Marvel) -





    The Fan Man’s Rave:


    Maybe this book just hit me at the right time. Sure, Spider-Girl is consistently one of the best comic books on the shelves month in and month out. Sure, this is the book that gives me my old school Spider-fix each month. But this time around? This issue had just a little something extra special.





    Writer Tom DeFalco keeps this lifelong Spider-fan coming back each month because this book is written the way Spider-Man comics used to be written. As much as I enjoy Spider-Man comics these days, I will always hold a special fondness for the Spider-Man books of years gone by. But this book isn’t merely a retrospective of the good ole days.





    One thing I have always enjoyed about Spider-Girl is the fact that it is kind of a window into another possibility for Peter Parker. Here we see how a superheroine maintains that lifestyle with the support of both parents who know her secret. The outcome is a lot different than that of Peter, who grew up without parents and an uncle. And while Peter played the hero out of a sense of responsibility, May Parker plays the role of Spider-Girl almost as a sense of honor to what her father did before her, which we see more than ever in this issue.





    Even if you have never read an issue of Spider-Girl and you are a fan of Spider-Man, this is the book for you. Spider-Man steals the show in this issue, showing - along with the help of Electro, of all people - how deep a father’s love runs. Pretty sappy, huh?! Well, if you’re not a sentimentalist like me, there’s still plenty of old school fun and a blast from Marvel’s 90s!





    A new villainess wearing a version of Spider-Man’s classic foe Electro’s costume has begun a life of crime by robbing an armored car…that just happens to be empty! Calling herself Aftershock, this new villainess manages to escape from Spider-Girl, but that’s not the last our heroine will see of her.





    Spider-Girl’s Avengers pals surprise her by requesting her presence to meet with a unique visitor - Electro! And Electro wants to speak to Spider-Girl’s father! Is Electro looking for one last brawl for old time’s sake? Nope. Electro wants Spider-Man’s help to keep his daughter from becoming the criminal he was, before it’s too late!





    What follows is a tale that showcases the depth of a father’s love for his daughter - not just between Spider-Man and Spider-Girl, but also between Electro and Aftershock. This coupled with DeFalco’s last page dedication to “families who never give up” made this issue an instant hit with me…and hit me square in the heart! Oh, and it helped the 90s fanboy in me to see the A-Next team and J-2 from the old M2 line of books!





    Another draw for me when it comes to Spider-Girl is the snappy dialogue. DeFalco is an old pro when it comes to easy flowing, snappy and often humorous dialogue, and Spider-Girl is always filled to the brim with it. For instance, in this issue when Electro comes face to face with Spider-Man, the villain asks, “You feel as ridiculous as I do in the old outfit?” Spider-Man calmly replies, “A little bit.” And Electro follows up with, “I met your kid. She has your eyes.” Classic!





    Adding to the old school flavor of this book is the amazing art of Ron Frenz and Sal Buscema, two of my all time favorite artists! There have been many a Spider-Man comic over the years that I have marveled at which featured the art of these two legendary artists. It’s great to be able to pick up such an all ages friendly comic each month, see these guys still producing stunning work and being able to share that art with my young son. And, if anything, Frenz and Buscema have only gotten better over time!





    *************************************





    The Fan Man’s Rant:


    This a great all ages superhero comic, and this issue is one of those perfect jumping on points for new readers. No rants here at all!





    *************************************





    The Play By Play:


    As this issue opens, Spider-Girl happens upon an armored car heist. The criminal? A female Electro who goes by the name Aftershock! Surprised to find the armored car empty, Aftershock manages to get away from Spider-Girl by nearly electrocuting a guard.





    The next day, after a tense run in with her dad, May Parker is summoned to Avengers Mansion as Spider-Girl. Upon arrival, Spider-Girl discovers her father’s old foe, Electro. And Electro wants to meet up with daddy dearest…not for a fight, but in the hopes that Spider-Man will help him stop his daughter from becoming a criminal.





    After Spider-Man concocts a plan to prevent Electro and his daughter from killing each other by touch, Spider-Girl and the Avengers head out in search of the villainess. As luck would have it, Spider-Girl locates Aftershock on her own! Will the Avengers arrive in time to save our heroine from a permanent Don King hairdo?! And will Spider-Man’s plan work to reunite a broken family?!


    _____________________________________





    6. Gravedigger: The Scavengers #1 (Rorschach Entertainment) -





    The Fan Man’s Rave:


    Here is this week’s surprise entrant, a little independent gem from the folks at Rorschach Entertainment. In fact, for those of you who have seen and bought this book, you probably found this beauty a week ago. However, this book just landed on my desk the day my new comic shipment arrived, making it eligible for This Week’s SEVEN Best.





    I knew something was special about this book from the moment I saw that cover. Just look at that gorgeous gal illustrated by Rick Burchett! I just couldn’t take my eyes off of those two…large…round…eyes! Simply hypnotizing, I tell you! The good news? This book is much, much more than mere eye candy…although Burchett provides plenty of that, too!





    Gravedigger is crime pulp at its finest, and I’m actually surprised that I liked this book so much. Aside from Brian Michael Bendis’ Powers and various Batman-related books, I’m not a big fan of crime comics. However, this tale by writer Christopher Mills is no mere crime comic! This is a summer Hollywood blockbuster put to paper! At times, I could swear that Mills was channeling the essence of Bruce Willis as he wrote this character known as Gravedigger!





    Gravedigger is a man named “Digger” McCrae, a ruthless professional thief with two weaknesses - cold cash and hot women. In the best heist movie tradition, McCrae is placed into a situation where both of his weaknesses are readily available…if he can avoid a double…or triple cross!





    In what is supposed to be his last heist, McCrae has been brought in to fine tune the plan. Complicating the plan is Red’s wife Angel, who is by no means an angel! Angel soon wins McCrae over and proposes her own plan to him. Keep your eyes open and hold onto your hearts! This one has more twists and turns than a bag of pretzels! And you will NOT see the ending coming!





    Calling McCrae a loveable character would be one of the biggest oxymorons of all time. There is nothing redeeming about this character, aside from the fact McCrae is determined…and no one screws him over! Still, there is something about McCrae that I just couldn’t help but like. Maybe it was his no nonsense, cocky attitude. You know, that previously mentioned channeled Bruce Willis! Or maybe it was because McCrae was the lesser of the evils considering the crowd he is running with! Whatever the case, I’m already hoping that this wasn’t McCrae’s last job! This is a character that deserves to have his own ongoing series…and soon!





    Bringing this tale to life and adding to the noir feeling is the amazing art of Burchett. I did mention that breathtaking cover, didn’t I?! Well, the black and white art on the inside of this book is equally breathtaking. I have been a fan of Burchett’s DC work, especially his Batman/Huntress miniseries, but nothing compares to what this artist brings to the table here! And with this book laid out in the landscape format, you will get more of that motion picture feel - widescreen style!





    *************************************





    The Fan Man’s Rant:


    Due to language, adult situations, partial nudity and violence, this is a mature readers only book. No rants here. I love it when a book comes out of nowhere and sweeps me off my feet. Gravedigger: The Scavengers did just that! Expect to see big things from this character soon!





    *************************************





    The Play By Play:


    This issue opens with “Digger” McCrae reflecting back on the events that have led him to his current situation. Fresh out of jail, McCrae had decided against his better judgment to pull one last job to fix him up for life. Joining the mastermind Red, the muscle Bunny, the shooter B.T., the specialist Goodis and Red’s hot wife Angel, McCrae stands to make a nice chunk of change for just fine tuning the plan.





    Before long, McCrae ends up with Red’s wife, and is stunned to find that Angel has a plan for him to take out her husband and split the money between the two of them. Deciding that Red deserves what’s coming to him…and “the bait” isn’t half bad, McCrae agrees to go along with Angel.





    Crashing an arms deal, Red and his gang leave no witnesses and no survivors. As B.T., Goodis and Bunny get away in a plane filled with guns, McCrae, Angel and Red are set to drive away with all the cash…until the FIRST double cross goes down. Notice I said FIRST! Even with Red out of the way, the twists and turns for “Digger” McCrae are just beginning!


    _____________________________________





    7. Ultimates 2 #1 (Marvel) -





    The Fan Man’s Rave:


    One of the most anticipated books of the year has arrived! Writer Mark Millar and artist Bryan Hitch return for the second “season” of the Ultimates! Worth the wait? You betcha! Just not for the reasons you are expecting!





    One of the big draws of the original Ultimates series was this book’s over the top, Hollywood blockbuster-like action. The original Ultimates featured some of the biggest action in all of Comicdom. But if you are picking up this book expecting to find that same pulse pounding action, you’re going to be in for a shock! This book is a great read for an altogether different reason…and there’s very little action to be found here at all!





    This new Ultimates series takes place one year after the original. After saving the world from alien invaders, the Ultimates are the biggest celebrities the world has ever known. As such, the Ultimates now have to find ways to deal with their newfound fame. Tony Stark has little trouble with the fame, appearing on Larry King’s talk show swilling martinis. Meanwhile, Steve Rogers discovers that fame is making it impossible for him to have a social life with Janet Van Dyne, a still married woman! And if you wondered about Thor’s sanity before…after this issue, you may never wonder again!





    Millar pulls a huge swerve on Comic Fanatics and goes for what is essentially a character piece spotlighting the individual Ultimates and how they have evolved over the past year. The only action in this book involves Captain America, and that segment ends up revealing more about Cap the man than any other part of this book. This is a brilliantly written book, and certainly not what I was expecting.





    Very few artists in the industry compliment a writer as much as Hitch adds to Millar’s story. Hitch’s realistic style makes the reader believe that Captain America is this incredible icon who is able to disarm angry terrorists with just a look and nary a punch thrown. Meanwhile, Hitch manages to make Bruce Banner look Hannibal Lecter creepy. In fact, Hitch manages to make each character in this book come to life. And surprisingly, only three of these characters appear in their superhero costumes!





    *************************************





    The Fan Man’s Rant:


    Due to mild language, this is not an all ages read. No rants here. I picked up this book expecting that traditional Ultimates ultimate action, and instead found an excellent character driven book. Here’s hoping that the following issues of this book will live up to this one, maybe include some of that action…and not fall behind like the latter issues of the original series.





    *************************************





    The Play By Play:


    This issue opens one year after the previous Ultimates series, as Captain America has been dropped into Northern Iraq all alone in the hopes of freeing nine aid workers. With the Ultimates and Nick Fury standing by and watching the situation, Cap storms his way to the hostages and manages to free them from their captors, forcing the terrorists to drop their weapons simply by reminding them of who he is!





    Back in the United States, Tony Stark makes the media rounds, while Steve Rogers tries to enjoy a day at the movies with his new girlfriend, the still married Janet Van Dyne. However, the superhero couple’s afternoon is spoiled by an attempted mugging by thugs who clearly don’t know who they are dealing with.





    As Hank Pym shows Bruce Banner his plan to return to superhero life, Thor meets up with his old friend Volstagg in a restaurant. However, all is not as it seems for the Thunder God. Meanwhile, the Ultimates’ greatest secret has just been leaked to the media!
     
     
     
     
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    Most read story in This Week's 10 Best:
    This Week's 10 Best! (December 3, 2003)