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Posted on Feb 18, 2005 - 03:07 AM by Admin |
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February 9, 2005 was a HUGE Comic Book Wednesday filled with tons of great new releases! Another The Walking Dead shocker! The JSA time travels to save the JSA! Two more shocking deaths in Ed Brubaker’s new Captain America! Spider-Man faces the Sinister 12! The trial of the Ultimate Hulk! And the debut of the Young Avengers! These big events and more are all part of This Week’s 10 Best!
1. New Thunderbolts #5 (Marvel) -
The Fan Man’s Rave:
Five issues in and New Thunderbolts has not only lived up to my expectations…it has exceeded them! Writer Fabian Nicieza has brought back the feel of the original Thunderbolts series - not the “Marvel Fight Club” - and combines it with a healthy dose of super-villain, old school goodness to make this one of my favorite books on the shelves today!
I will admit that after the “Fight Club” Thunderbolts and after discovering that some of my favorite T-Bolts wouldn’t be a part of this new team, I had my doubts about this new series. However, Nicieza quickly laid those fears to rest. Using a team consisting of a few former T-Bolts, a few castoff super-villains and one big name superhero, Nicieza has managed to capture lightning in a bottle again!
One of the main reasons why I have always enjoyed the Thunderbolts is the darker, super-villain angle. I have a dark side that usually enjoys the super-villain centric comics more than those centered around superheroes. Even when the original T-Bolts proved themselves as heroes, you always knew that deep down these characters were still villains, and could return to that life in a heartbeat. As such, this team has always come across as a non-team filled with members who didn’t trust each other, creating some incredible dynamics and even more incredible reading!
In this issue, Nicieza drives home the fact that this team - possibly more than the original T-Bolts - do not trust each other…and they have plenty of reasons not to! Fathom 5 returns to attack New York! With the Avengers “disassembled”, it falls to the Thunderbolts to save the day. There’s just one problem…the T-Bolts are pretty much disassembled themselves! Songbird is laid up in a hospital with Atlas at her side, Abe Jenkins’ Mach IV armor is out of commission and three T-Bolts are hanging out at a strip club!
Proving that he has a hero’s heart, Abe lends a helping hand as a mere civilian when Warbird tries to battle Fathom 5 on her own! As Atlas makes his way to the scene, the three strip club hopping T-Bolts debate whether they should help or not…totally unaware that one member is sneaking off, aiding Warbird and making the others look bad! Meanwhile, the team’s newest member - Radioactive Man - can’t get to the scene…because he can’t catch a cab!
In true Thunderbolts tradition, Nicieza throws in a few surprises. One of those surprises is spoiled by this issue’s cover! When Warbird falls in battle, she gives Abe Jenkins the access code to retrieve his Beetle armor! However, the biggest surprise is that the Fathom 5 attack is nothing more than a diversion for an even bigger attack! And wait until you see who is behind it all!
Artist Tom Grummett is perhaps THE superhero artist, and this talented artist shows off his impressive skills in this series more than anywhere else! From that stunning cover heralding the return of the Beetle to Warbird’s awesome battle with Fathom 5, this is how a comic book should look! In fact, Grummett illustrates such an impressive Beetle, I’m hoping that the Mach IV armor is never fixed! Grummett has just made a perfect looking comic look even better!
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The Fan Man’s Rant:
Due to mild language, a little violence, a pretty tame strip club scene and that awful “Truth” ad, this is not an all ages read. Only one rant here and that involves the spoiler on the cover. Since the beginning of this series, Marvel has shot themselves in the foot by giving away many of the surprises in each issue, on the cover or on the recap page. Much of the fun of the original series was finding a surprise or two in each issue. If Marvel is giving away the surprises upfront, half the fun of this new series is already spent.
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The Play By Play:
As this issue opens, Fathom 5 has attacked New York again! However, this time the Thunderbolts aren’t there to stave off the attack! Songbird is in the hospital with Atlas by her side, three T-Bolts are at a strip club and Abe Jenkins’ Mach IV armor is out of commission! But that doesn’t stop Abe from doing his best to help out New York’s only defender, Warbird!
As Warbird tries to hold off Fathom 5, Abe is unable to contact his team thanks to a wet cell phone! However, most of the Thunderbolts are aware of what is going one…but only a select few want to do anything about it! Atlas makes Songbird stay in her hospital bed, while he rushes to the scene. Meanwhile, Blizzard, Speed Demon and Joystick watch the events play out on a TV in a strip club! However, Speed Demon is secretly sneaking away to help, making his two “friends” look bad!
When Fathom 5 get the best of her, Warbird gives Abe the code needed to retrieve his Beetle armor. With Atlas on the scene and Abe’s former super-villain armor at his disposal, it looks like the two T-bolts might turn the tide…if the attack wasn’t just a diversion for an even larger attack led by a surprising foe!
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2. Dead@17: Revolution #3 (Viper Comics) -
The Fan Man’s Rave:
I really can’t remember the last time a character and a comic book have swept me away as much as Nara Kilday and Josh Howard’s Dead@17. This is truly one character and one comic that I can’t get enough of. And this latest miniseries may be Howard’s crowning achievement…so far!
Howard strikes me as a creator who is always striving to do something better. It seems that this creator isn’t content to rest on what he has already created, even as good as it is. Instead, Howard makes each new Dead@17 project and each new comic book better than the previous one. And when those previous issues were as close to comic book perfection as you will find, you have an all too rare creator who is able to perfect perfection!
In this miniseries, Nara finds herself faced with some shocking revelations, more questions and politics at their absolute worst! Bolabogg has taken on human form as a politician named Senator Alcasan. An assassination attempt of Alcasan’s life proved unsuccessful, and now Nara is apparently fighting alongside these would be assassins known as Heaven’s Militia and their leader, Joan.
Believing there is more to Joan than meets the eye, Nara’s trusted friend Noel Raddemer has gone in search of the only two people who may be able to get through to her: Hazy and Elijah. However, Hazy and Elijah have a more pressing problem on their hands after a shocking discovery in the last issue! Will Raddemer be able to convince Hazy and Elijah to help him before Nara does the unthinkable? Or will Nara truly be Dead@17?!
I have heard disturbing rumors that this might be the final Dead@17 miniseries, which I hope with all the fiber of my being isn’t true! However, you cannot deny a real sense of finality that Howard brings through in his writing in this issue, especially as this issue comes to an end! Howard has taken Comic Fanatics on a heckuva run so far, and this is one Comic Fanatic who hopes that this run is just getting started! Bring us an ongoing Dead@17 series already!
As impressive as Howard’s writing is, his art equally defines this indy sensation! A little quirky and a little cartoony, Howard’s style brings this tale to life in so many amazing ways. The heroes look heroic, the evil forces look evil and Nara and Hazy are hardcore cuties! I enjoy Howard’s art so much, I make each issue of Dead@17 a two-thru read - once thru for the actual reading, and another trip thru to fully appreciate the amazing art!
If you need another reason to pick up this issue, check out the preview of Nicc Balce’s Random Encounter at the end of this issue! This hilarious, slightly mysterious tale filled with lots of pop culture fun promises to be the next in a long line of Viper Comics hits!
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The Fan Man’s Rant:
Due to mild language, this is not an all ages read. No rants here. This issue is another in a string of Howard’s near perfect comics! How can you NOT love a comic that includes a well known “Seinfeld” reference! Now, Elijah and George Costanza have something in common: they both couldn’t work for Vandelay Industries!
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The Play By Play:
As this issue opens, Joan and her Heaven’s Militia watch news reports showing the assassinated Senator Alcasan making a miraculous recovery and returning to the Presidential campaign trail! Joan’s bad day gets worse when she discovers one of her men has gotten rid of Noel Raddemer!
Elsewhere, Elijah is fired from his job, just when he and Hazy need the money the most. Elijah and Hazy’s bad day gets worse when Raddemer shows up, looking for their help in getting through to Nara Kilday before it is too late!
As Raddemer works to convince Hazy and Elijah to help him help Nara, Heaven’s Militia goes ahead with their plans to take down Alcasan again. And Nara has decided to join the fight…with her own shocking plan that may leave her truly Dead@17!
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3. Fantastic Four: Foes #2 (Marvel) -
The Fan Man’s Rave:
While I think that the Fantastic Four may becoming a little overexposed long before their movie is released, I couldn’t pass up this miniseries for one simple reason: writer Robert Kirkman. I have been a fan of Kirkman’s writing in the pages of Image’s The Walking Dead and Invincible, and it was that latter book that had me longing to see this writer tackle some of Marvel’s well-known superheroes. Well. Kirkman has surpassed my expectations in the pages of Captain America and Marvel Team-Up. Now, Kirkman tackles Comicdom’s first family!
When it comes to superheroes, Kirkman writing has a somewhat retro feel. A comic from the good ole days, if you will. However, Kirkman adds just enough modern flair to keep his superhero titles from being retro flashbacks. Kirkman writes as if he were a dyed in the wool Comic Fanatic, often serving up characters, villains and scenarios that other Comic Fanatics want to see. And this issue is no exception!
This issue finds Reed Richards dealing with some disturbing news: based on his calculations, Reed and his family will be dead in two years thanks to their many foes! With certain Marvel Universe super-villain prisons out of commission, there is simply no place to keep the bad guys locked up. So, when Susan Richards suggests that Reed build a better prison, it’s a suggestion that Mr. Fantastic takes to heart!
Sure, the idea is a little retro in a Superman/Phantom Zone-type way, but Reed comes up with a plan to lock up the bad guys in a prison that he plans to build in the Negative Zone! While the plan holds unlimited possibilities for future storylines throughout the Marvel Universe, there is just one snag in the plan: Reed hasn’t cleared his construction plans with Annihilus…and the villain’s stunning partner!
Kirkman really gets this team and in the process, hooks me! The classic feel of those old Fantastic Four comics of my childhood is captured here! The classic interaction between teammates is here. And the dashes of classic FF humor permeate this issue! Combine that with Kirkman’s handling of superheroes and one of my all time favorite FF villains, and this issue was a huge hit with me…and left me not only counting down the days until the next issue, but also left me wanting to see Kirkman writing this team on a permanent basis!
As for that modern flair, Kirkman keeps this team firmly in character and in continuity, without making a big deal out of it. Comments about the recent events in New Avengers and She-Hulk show the reader that Kirkman has a respect for the rest of the Marvel Universe. Ironically, it’s this in-continuity writing that brings back fond memories of the Fantastic Four comics of days gone by!
This issue takes on an even more classic feel thanks to the art of Cliff Rathburn. Rathburn’s art reminds me a little of Scot Kolins mixed with Ryan Ottley, and the results make for a good looking comic book! I especially love Rathburn’s take on the Human Torch and Susan Richards, and in this issue Rathburn impresses me even more with his illustrations of She-Hulk and Annihilus!
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The Fan Man’s Rant:
Aside from one of those horrible “Truth” ads, there is no reason why this couldn’t be an all ages read. Kirkman captures much of the magic that made this ole Comic Fanatic fall in love with comics all those years ago when I stumbled across one of my very first comics…an issue of the Fantastic Four!
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The Play By Play:
As this issue opens, the Fantastic Four have nabbed another super-villain, which should be reason for celebration. However, with certain Marvel Universe super-villain prisons out of commission and his own holding cells full, Reed Richards worries that villains on the loose will make his prediction of the death of his team come true.
After She-Hulk drops off their kids, the Fantastic Four resume their discussions on what to do with their super-villain problem. When Susan Richards suggests that Reed build a better prison, she does so almost in jest. However, Reed takes her seriously!
After consulting with Andrew Lewis - the man who created the Vault - Reed leads his team into the Negative Zone to make plans to construct the ultimate super-villain prison. However, Reed hasn’t cleared his construction plans with Annihilus…or Annihilus’ surprising partner! Meanwhile, Andrew has his own problems when he returns home…
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4. JSA #70 (DC) -
The Fan Man’s Rave:
Superhero writer extraordinaire Geoff Johns has been wowing me on this title for a long time now, but this current storyline may be his shining masterpiece…thus far! Giving Comic Fanatics the best of both worlds, Johns has taken the JSA of the present and sent them on a time traveling adventure to save the original JSA before they disband and change history forever!
Thanks to the time traveling despot known as Degaton, the JSA are faced with an incredible mission. To prevent deaths that have already occurred in the present (namely Stargirl’s entire family) and to prevent the JSA from disbanding in 1951, certain members have to travel back in time to save the day. The result? Some intriguing and unexpected meetings and team ups!
Stargirl, who has more vested in this venture than anyone at the moment, meets the original Starman, but ends up locked in an insane asylum when she tries to free him from the same facility! Meanwhile, the original Mr. Terrific makes a stunning discovery that sends him unknowingly running away from the JSA’s present-day Mr. Terrific! Elsewhere, Atom Smasher discovers that he has more in common with the original Atom than anyone ever expected! And time is running out while Sand, Dr. Mid-Nite and Jakeem Thunderbolt try to convince their predecessors that they are indeed from the future!
In the midst of a fun, time-traveling adventure of the finest form, Johns serves up a few surprises that may have impacts on future DC Universe storylines. This issue opens with Black Adam talking to five shadowy, villainous characters - one of which is clearly Deathstroke, while another may be Wonder Woman’s Dr. Psycho! And a mysterious character frees Stargirl from her padded room in the past…
Johns’ exciting and surprising tale is brought to amazing life by the super talented artist Don Kramer! I honestly believe that Kramer is one of the most underrated and talented artists in the industry today, and this book just wouldn’t be the same without his art. Kramer has a smooth style that reminds me at times of Barry Kitson, especially when it comes to his fine illustrations of the female characters in this book!
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The Fan Man’s Rant:
Due to mild violence, this is not an all ages read. No rants here. JSA is consistently one of the best team books on the shelves today, and it’s often the one team book that others can only aspire to be!
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The Play By Play:
As Black Adam is made an offer he doesn’t want to refuse by a group of mysterious characters, the JSA of the present have traveled to the past to prevent the JSA from disbanding. Mr. Terrific tries in vain to keep up with the original Mr. Terrific, while Terry Sloan makes a shocking discovery that will change his outlook on his brother and the villainess Roulette forever!
Elsewhere, Jakeem tries to convince the original Johnny Thunderbolt that he is from the future. When he is unable to do so, Jakeem finds himself in dire straits without the aid of the Thunderbolt! And when Johnny comes to the rescue, he also finds himself without the aid of his Thunderbolt!
As Atom Smasher and Sand look in on their predecessors, Dr. Mid-Nite comes to an agreement with the original Mid-Nite. Elsewhere, a mysterious figure frees Stargirl, while Degaton makes another surprising move! And while chasing Terry Sloan, Mr. Terrific runs into an all new world of trouble!
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5. Captain America #3 (Marvel) -
The Fan Man’s Rave:
I have followed much of writer Ed Brubaker’s comic book writing career over the years, and have found myself enjoying most of it, especially his crime centric tales. However, nothing that Brubaker has done has impressed me as much as what this writer is doing in the pages of this new Captain America series. Brubaker has taken one of my all time favorite characters and breathed exciting new life into him!
I’ll be honest. After writer Robert Kirkman’s short stint on Captain America, I didn’t have high hopes for this title. I really believed that Kirkman’s stint was the last of the great superhero/super-villain tales, and that Comic Fanatics were in for another return to a “real world” Cap…something that never thrilled me. I couldn’t have been more wrong! Somehow, Brubaker has found a way to strike a very fine balance between the superhero/super-villain comics that I love and the “real world”. And the results are spectacular and simply shocking! The first thing that I have learned about Brubaker’s Captain America is that nothing is guaranteed!
Brubaker began his tenure with a bang by killing off Cap’s longtime nemesis, the Red Skull! While many Comic Fanatics have been wondering if this was really the Red Skull, Brubaker serves up the shocking answer in this issue! But that’s not the most shocking part of this issue!
As Cap, Sharon Carter and the rest of S.H.I.E.L.D. search for the men who are trying to carry out the Skull’s final plan, they discover someone has their hands on a Cosmic Cube! Meanwhile, three faces from Cap’s past resurface in this issue - a villain and two allies! And only one of those three make it out of this issue alive! Trust me! You will not believe what Brubaker does at the end of this issue, nor will you believe who he does it to!
In addition to an exciting and stunning story set in the present day, Brubaker has Comic Fanatics scratching their heads with flashbacks to Cap’s past…a past that isn’t too familiar to the reader or Cap! Brubaker has readers wondering if Cap may have had his memory altered or maybe there is something much more serious and sinister in the works! And nothing can be ruled out at this point, because so far the only sure thing about Brubaker’s Captain America is that nothing is set in stone!
Brubaker receives a huge assist with two of the most talented artists in the industry: Steve Epting and Michael Lark. I became a fan of Epting’s work back in the 90s with his art in the Avengers, and this artist has only gotten better over the years! Cap and his supporting cast have never looked better! Meanwhile, Lark provides the illustrations for Cap’s flashback scenes, giving these old memories a real movie-reel type feel.
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The Fan Man’s Rant:
Due to mild language and violence, this is not an all ages read. No rants here. As a lifelong Cap fan, I find myself enjoying this character’s book more than I have in years! With Brubaker, Epting and Lark aboard, this may be the single best superhero comic on the shelves today!
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The Play By Play:
As one of the Red Skull’s old allies refuses to accept the news of his apparent death, Captain America and S.H.I.E.L.D. continue to track down the Skull’s men. However, Cap is not at the top of his game and it shows. When Sharon Carter orders him to get some rest, Cap washes up and flashes back on a scene from his past…that - as far as he knew - never happened!
S.H.I.E.L.D. is contacted by Union Jack from London to inform them that members of the Skull’s team - including one of his well known allies - have all been murdered! Realizing that a mystery villain now has the Skull’s weapons of mass destruction plus a Cosmic Cube, Cap and Sharon leap into action! However, Cap and Sharon end up with nothing more than an appearance on the evening news.
As Cap and Sharon spend some downtime in France, an old friend of Cap’s watches his exploits play out on the evening news back in Pennsylvania. Regarded as a drunk by everyone in the bar, no one believes this man’s tales of when he worked with Cap. However, someone in the parking lot knows this man for who he is…someone who shoots this man in the chest and throws his dead body into the trunk of a car!
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6. The Walking Dead #15 (Image) -
The Fan Man’s Rave:
Loving a comic book as much as I love this one should be illegal. In fact, it should be illegal for a comic book to be THIS good. Writer Robert Kirkman and artist Charlie Adlard continue to buck the odds with this black and white/non-superhero comic and make this series an unprecedented hit! And this one just gets better with each new issue!
When it comes to The Walking Dead, Kirkman has been the king of the cliffhangers and lord of the shockers. The difference between Kirkman and many other writers is that he doesn’t deliver these cliffhangers and shockers simply for the shock factor alone…although that factor does factor in heavily here! Every time Kirkman leaves readers stunned and slack-jawed, it plays into the overall survival epic.
Unlike many other writers, Kirkman doesn’t seem to have a specific place in any given comic designated for a shocking or horrific moment. This unpredictability truly makes The Walking Dead read like the greatest zombie/survival flick that you’ve never seen! And in this issue, the horror and surprises come fast and furious! Hold on to your heart before diving into this one!
If you haven’t read The Walking Dead #14 yet, be aware that this review will spoil the end of that issue.
Kirkman left Comic Fanatics speechless at the end of The Walking Dead #14 – twice! Tyreese’s daughter and her boyfriend decided to engage in a suicide pact, but only Tyreese’s daughter ended up dead! But then…she came back as one of the flesh-hungry walking dead!
In this issue, Kirkman leaves Comic Fanatics speechless once again…or in my case, only able to utter Joe Dirt’s famous “Dang!” Kirkman begins things with a bang – literally – with Tyreese dealing with his daughter’s resurrection and her would-be partner in the afterlife. And the shocks don’t end there!
After a surprising decision by Rick and a puzzling reaction from Tyreese, Rick suddenly and mysteriously decides it’s time to take care of some unfinished business from several issues ago. As Rick leaves his angry wife and fellow survivors, Tyreese all-too-quickly acts as if everything is normal, as he recruits Glenn and a few others to help him clean out the prison’s gym of roaming, hungry zombies. It’s then that Tyreese’s demeanor begins to make a little sense…but too late for anyone to do anything about it!
Hope you can handle one more major shocker, because if you thought the last issue ended with a bang…you ain’t seen nothing yet! The ending of this issue will leave Comic Fanatics floored…and counting down the days until the next issue!
Kirkman succeeds on so many levels here. While the heart and soul of this series has always been the characters and their quest for survival, every now and then Kirkman ups the ante by delivering an issue overflowing with horror and shocks! And this issue ranks right up there with the now-classic The Walking Dead #5 and The Walking Dead #9!
Allow me to heap a little more praise Kirkman’s way by saying that it is amazing just how much this writer packs into this single issue. All the shocks, the horror and the character development…there’s enough here to fill an entire storyline! If some writers attempted to pack this much into one issue, it would end up a jumbled, confusing mess. However, Kirkman delivers another easy flowing, nerve-wracking, goosebump-inducing chapter in this fantastic survival epic!
Artist Charlie Adlard truly shines in this issue, capturing the shock and fright of Kirkman’s story perfectly and conveying those feelings and more to the reader! In fact, this may be Adlard’s best issue to date. From the many believable facial expressions to some of the goriest zombies to ever hit the printed page, Adlard is setting new standards for black and white art here! With this amazing art combined with Kirkman’s thrilling story, The Walking Dead may very well be the perfect comic book!
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The Fan Man’s Rant:
Due to strong language, gore, violence and adult situations, this is a mature readers only book. No rants at all here. The Walking Dead is without a doubt my favorite ongoing series on the shelves today, and the only way this book could get better would be if it was published biweekly!
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The Play By Play:
As this issue opens, Tyreese’s world has been turned upside down after his daughter killed herself as part of a suicide pact with her boyfriend. Tyreese is even more shocked to discover that Julie has now returned to life…as a member of the walking dead! As Tyreese pleads with Rick not to shoot her, Julie’s boyfriend pulls the trigger…triggering an unbelievable rage in Tyreese with some stunning results!
The next day, Rick is surprised to find Tyreese at work cleaning up around the prison and acting as if nothing happened. Although he is hesitant to do so, Rick informs his wife that he is leaving for awhile to take care of some secret, unfinished business. Meanwhile, a new room is discovered in the prison – a barbershop!
As Rick backtracks over the survivors’ journey to take care of his business, Tyreese rounds up Glenn and a few others to clean out the prison gym. Once in the gym, the survivors maintain a safe distance and pick off the zombies one by one…until Tyreese does the unthinkable! Meanwhile, a grisly discovery is waiting for our survivors in the newly discovered barbershop!
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7. Marvel Knights 4 #15 (Marvel) -
The Fan Man’s Rave:
Out of all of the Fantastic Four series and miniseries on the shelves today, this is the one that best showcases why this team has always been a hit with so many Comic Fanatics: the fact that this team is a family. Writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa gets that, possibly better than any other writer…and it shows no better than in this issue.
This book earned a spot on This Week’s 10 Best for two reasons - 1. For what this book delivers and 2. For what this book promises to deliver in this storyline. Oh, and maybe one more thing: a little bit of Fantastic Four history from my childhood returns in the form of…H.E.R.B.I.E.! Yep, the robot who briefly replaced the Human Torch returns to the Marvel Universe in this issue…with legs even!
The first part of this issue focuses on a simple baseball game involving Franklin Richards. This is where Aguirre-Sacasa truly shines, showing just how much of a family this team is. From Susan Richards’ motherly encouragement and Reed’s analytical studying of the best way for Franklin to get a hit to Johnny Storm’s heartfelt pep talk, this is truly one magical comic book family moment.
There is much more to this issue than a simple family day at a baseball game, although you do get the feeling that the game and Franklin have a part in what’s to come! Mr. Mobius from the Time Variance Authority contacts Reed to find out why time is unraveling in the Marvel Universe! Eight minutes have simply disappeared and now chaos is erupting! Dinosaurs roam the Great Plains, Tennessee has yet to discover electricity and people are teleporting as a means of transportation in New York and Hollywood!
Believing the problem is a quick fix, Reed promises his son that he will return in a minute. However, something goes wrong with Reed’s Time Platform! Someone does return to the Baxter Building…but he’s not a member of the Fantastic Four! As for the FF, only three of them reach their destination…wherever and whenever that might be!
Aguirre-Sacasa’s thrilling and touching tale is beautifully illustrated by artist Jim Muniz. When Muniz first came aboard, I couldn’t help but think that this guy was no Steve McNiven, the previous artist. However, over the course of the last few issues, Muniz has really hit his stride and made this book his own. McNiven may be one of Marvel’s “Young Guns”, but Muniz is a star in the making!
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The Fan Man’s Rant:
Aside from one of those awful “Truth” ads, there is no real reason why this couldn’t be an all ages read. No real rants here, aside from the fact the H.E.R.B.I.E. now has legs. I prefer the old school H.E.R.B.I.E. This one makes C-3PO look macho!
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The Play By Play:
This issue opens at a baseball game between the Fantastic Falcons and the Stark Sharks. It’s the bottom of the ninth inning, and with two outs and the bases loaded, it falls to Franklin Richards to win the game. With some loud encouragement from his mom, a little analytical studying from his dad and a pep talk from his Uncle Johnny, Franklin manages to win the game.
The Fantastic Four plan to celebrate when they return to the Baxter Building, but their old robot pal H.E.R.B.I.E. informs Reed that he has an important message. Reed discovers that Mr. Mobius of the Time Variance Authority is holding for him, wanting to know why time is unraveling in the Marvel Universe! It seems that 8 minutes have disappeared and now time has gone crazy! Dinosaurs roam the plains, Tennessee hasn’t discovered electricity and people are teleporting in New York and Hollywood!
Believing the mission will be a quick fix, Reed promises his son that they will return in no time. However, once the Time Platform is activated, something goes wrong! The Time Platform fractures, throwing three of the Fantastic Four back in time and leaving a fourth member lost in time! Meanwhile, someone returns to the Baxter Building…but it’s not a member of the Fantastic Four!
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8. Young Avengers #1 (Marvel) -
The Fan Man’s Rave:
I’ll be the first to admit that I had almost zero expectations when it came to this new series. If anything, I expected to totally hate this series, based simply on the ridiculous names of some of the characters. Maybe those low expectations combined with an amazing story and some stunning art set me up for one of Marvel’s most pleasant surprises in decades!
It should go without saying that I am a team book junkie, and I have always had an affinity for the upstart, younger teams like Marvel’s New Warriors or DC’s Teen Titans. After so much was made about writer Brian Michael Bendis “JLAing” the Avengers, it only came natural that I expected this new series to read like Marvel’s version of the Teen Titans. Again, those expectations were foiled by writer Allan Heinberg.
Many Comic Fanatics were excited to see Heinberg’s name attached to this new series, because he was one of the writers and producers on the FOX drama “The O.C.” However, I have never watched a single episode of the show, so I wasn’t about to be impressed until I could see for myself what this writer could do with a cast of unknown characters. Well, consider me impressed…and then some!
In the wake of “Avengers Disassembled”, a new team of teen heroes appears in New York. At first, people assume these heroes are either sidekicks or fanboys pretending to be superheroes. Soon, it becomes clear that these four teens have super powers, and they are nicknamed by The Daily Bugle’s Kat Farrell as the “Young Avengers.” This attracts the attention of Captain America and Iron Man, who want to stop any teen heroes - super powered or otherwise - from following in their footsteps. However, when Cap and Iron Man finally confront these would-be heroes, they learn the shocking truth about these Young Avengers…a truth guaranteed to bring readers back for more!
It doesn’t happen much in this day and age, but a writer has honestly and pleasantly surprised me. I had already exhausted all routes in trying to guess the hook to these Young Avengers…well, all but one. Heinberg delivered a twist that I should have seen coming, but didn’t! And it’s this twist that ties this book into Avengers lore and makes this lifelong Avengers fan want to read more of this new series.
Another shining gem of this debut issue is the inclusion of fan favorite Jessica Jones. For the first time, we get to see how another writer besides Bendis handles Jessica. Not only does Heinberg not disappoint, he excels! In fact, Heinberg does such an excellent job with Jessica, I’m already hoping that she will be a mainstay in this series, just to see what else Heinberg can do with her! And if you look close enough, Heinberg reveals a previously unknown chapter in Jessica’s superhero history between her time as Jewel and a private investigator!
One thing about this series that didn’t catch me off guard was the art. As a long time fan of Jim Cheung, I’ve come to expect artistic excellence…and Cheung doesn’t disappoint! This is one of the best looking comics Marvel has released in ages! In addition to illustrating some of the cutest women to ever grace a comic page, Cheung’s Young Avengers look amazing, especially Patriot! With Cheung’s stunning art and Heinberg’s great story, it looks like Marvel has Comicdom’s first major hit series of 2005!
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The Fan Man’s Rant:
This is a great all ages read. Yeah, you read that right! A Marvel #1 issue that is not a Marvel Age and it’s perfect for all ages! Only one small rant - the Young Avengers’ names. I can live with Patriot and Asgardian, but Iron Lad?! And even worse, Hulkling?! I just kept telling myself that at least these names were no more corny than some of those superheroes in DC’s Legion Of Super-Heroes. And after the end of this issue, that comparison strikes a little closer than I expected it to…
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The Play By Play:
As this issue opens, J. Jonah Jameson has called a meeting at The Daily Bugle with reporters Kat Farrell and Jessica Jones. The topic of discussion is a news article Kat reported on featuring a new team of teen heroes she dubbed the “Young Avengers.” Wanting to know more about these mysterious newbies, Jonah suggests that the former superheroine known as Jewel try to talk to these teens.
Against her better wishes, Jessica agrees to look for the Young Avengers, however she instead runs into Captain America and Iron Man. Cap and Iron Man have heard about the Young Avengers and they reveal that they have nothing to do with the Avengers. Wanting to stop these young heroes before they get hurt, Cap asks Jessica to keep her eyes open.
That night a hostage situation breaks out at a wedding. While Jessica and Kat are outside covering the incident, the Young Avengers - Patriot, Iron Lad, Asgardian and Hulkling - arrive to save the day…only to come close to making things a lot worse.
After a little blowup, the Young Avengers go their separate ways. However, Iron Lad is being watched by Captain America, Iron Man and Jessica Jones. Once the adult heroes confront the mysterious teen and win his trust, Iron Lad removes his mask to reveal a most startling identity!
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9. The Ultimates #3 (Marvel) -
The Fan Man’s Rave:
I’m not sure what it has been about this new volume of The Ultimates, but it just hasn’t been the same as the original. Maybe it’s because the original series seemed to move at a breakneck pace from issue to issue with tons of over-the-top, Hollywood blockbuster moments put to paper. This time around, it seems that writer Mark Millar is moving the story forward at a slower pace, which seems to give him ample opportunity to further develop these characters.
As a lifelong Hulk fan, this issue just really hit the spot. I’m not sure if it’s because it has been so long since I read a really good Hulk story, or maybe the fact that I have been wanting to see the Ultimate Hulk play a bigger role in the Ultimate Universe. Whatever the case, this is one of the best Hulk tales I’ve read in ages. And the surprising thing? The Hulk never makes a single appearance, aside from the cover!
Millar really should petition Marvel to write the Marvel Universe Hulk series or establish an Ultimate Hulk series! If this writer can impress this Hulk fan with a tale that doesn’t even technically feature the Hulk, imagine what Millar could do if he really unleashed the Incredible…or the Ultimate Hulk!
This issue finds Bruce Banner on trial for his life after someone leaked information to the press that he and the Hulk are one and the same. Now, Banner is faced with the death penalty for the Hulk’s rampage, which left hundreds dead. Even though Banner has hired the best – attorney Matt Murdock – the odds are stacked against him. So, it comes as a great surprise when Nick Fury shows up at Bruce’s cell with champagne to celebrate the fact that the judge threw out the case! And that’s where the fun begins!
Millar delivers one of the finer twists I’ve read in awhile - a twist that would’ve fit well into the classic Incredible Hulk TV series! Millar forgoes the over-the-top, Hollywood blockbusters and the breakneck pacing this time around and just delivers a powerful story with two incredible swerves and an ending that you won’t see coming! As a Hulk fan, Millar truly took me on an emotional roller coaster ride from shock to angry and sadness, then finally relief and anticipation!
What can you say about artist Bryan Hitch that hasn’t already been said? Hitch is one of the most talented artists in the industry today and doesn’t get half the credit he so richly deserves. Everything about this book looks amazing, from the characters – both in costume and civilian guise – to the incredible emotional impact that Hitch drives home in the scenes involving Betty Ross and Bruce Banner. This is quite possibly the most powerful issue of The Ultimates to date, and much of that credit must be given to Hitch’s stunning art!
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The Fan Man’s Rant:
Due to mild language and one of those awful “Truth” ads, this is not an all ages read. No rants here. While this new volume of The Ultimates may differ from the original, I’m beginning to think that I prefer the slower pace and deeper character development that Millar brings to this volume. One thing that hasn’t changed…like the original series, this new volume of The Ultimates is a must read! However, there is one thing that does bother me about this issue, as compared to the original: why is this one priced at $2.99 per issue, while the original was only $2.25?! What am I getting here that I didn’t get then?! Is Marvel charging us extra because - so far - this book has been released on schedule?!
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The Play By Play:
As this issue opens, Bruce Banner is on trial for his life with his attorney Matt Murdock trying to convince the jury that his rampage as the Hulk was nothing more than a military accident gone awry. As the Ultimates look on via TV, Matt tries to convince the jury that Banner just wants to live, so he can devote the rest of his life to making up for all the death and destruction his alter ego caused.
As the trial continues, Bruce is paid a tearful visit by Betty Ross, but it is the visit by Nick Fury that means the most to Bruce. Toting a bottle of champagne, Fury informs Bruce that the judge threw out the entire trial, and Bruce is now a free man! However, the celebratory drink is packed with more than champagne! It appears that Fury has lied! But why?! And what part must the Ultimates play in this ruse?!
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10. Marvel Knights Spider-Man #11 (Marvel) -
The Fan Man’s Rave:
Here’s that Mark Millar chap again! This time around, Millar thrills Comic Fanatics with many of those over-the-top, blockbuster moments I mentioned earlier, in one of the finest superhero comic books on the shelves today. If you have been longing for a healthy dose of superheroes vs. super-villains, Marvel Knights Spider-Man will more than feed your need!
Millar’s ambitious, nearly-year-long storyline is finally drawing to a close, and the action is coming fast and furious! After learning his Aunt May had been kidnapped by the Scorpion under the direction of Norman Osborn, Peter Parker’s life takes an even more dramatic turn when it is revealed how he can save her: by breaking Norman out of prison!
Against his wife’s wishes, Peter joins the Black Cat and together they break Norman out of prison. Holding true to form, Norman pulls a double cross. Instead of finding Aunt May alive and well, Peter finds the only thing worse than the Sinister Six - the Sinister 12! Many of Spider-Man’s greatest foes have come together with the purpose of doing away with Spidey once and for all! And one of these - the Scorpion - has gained an unprecedented upper hand by becoming the new host for the Venom symbiote!
In this issue, Spider-Man and the Black Cat find themselves at the mercy of some of Spidey’s greatest foes like the Green Goblin, the Lizard, Electro, Shocker, the Vulture, Sandman, Hydro-Man and the Scorpion-Venom! Just when it appears that Spider-Man has slung his last web, Mary Jane - against Peter’s wishes - makes a call that changes the tide of the battle drastically and most unexpectedly! However, that phone call allows the Green Goblin to exact his true plan!
Nothing too complicated here. Millar just delivers a good ole fashioned superhero/super-villain slugfest, with an exciting twist at the end that should thrill…and worry longtime Spider-Man fans! I will admit that this Spider-Man fan is really worried, because I have this feeling that when Millar wraps up this immense storyline in the next issue there is going to be a big payoff…and maybe a death!
The artistic team of Terry and Rachel Dodson once again amaze me with another outstanding issue! The Black Cat is simply stunning, and I just could not get enough of the fight scenes. And wait until you see the Dodsons’ take on Spider-Man’s surprise backup! However - and I still find it shocking that I like this so much - I was most impressed by the Dodsons’ take on the Scorpion-Venom! This new look, new Venom may be just what it takes to make this character big again!
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The Fan Man’s Rant:
Due to mild language and another annoying “Truth” ad, this is not an all ages read. No rants here. This is one of the strongest chapters in this storyline, and I can’t wait to see how Millar wraps it all up!
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The Play By Play:
As this issue opens, Spider-Man and the Black Cat find themselves facing the Green Goblin and his team of super-villains - the Sinister 12! And this new gathering of villains has an even greater upper hand because the Scorpion is the new host of the Venom symbiote!
Spider-Man and the Black Cat soon find themselves overwhelmed by the dozen bad guys. Just as it appears the good guys have lost, a surprise assist arrives thanks to a phone call by Mary Jane! However, that phone call has opened the door for the Green Goblin to exact his true plan!
Once Spider-Man realizes the Goblin’s true target, he leaves the battle…with the Scorpion-Venom in tow! Spider-Man soon discovers that this new Venom is more powerful than the original…and much more creative in his destruction! Meanwhile, the Green Goblin is waiting in an all too familiar place…just in case Spider-Man survives to fight in the main event!
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