written by Nick Spencer
penciled by Ryan Ottley
inked by Cliff Rathburn
colored by Laura Martin
As grimly established last issue, the freak experiment that has split Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man into two people has resulted in a Peter without power and a Spidey without responsibility, both of which are frightening prospects, but things take a turn for the worse this issue when not only does Spider-Man's irresponsible lifestyle level significant chunks of New York real estate, but apparently, as Peter learns, he and his red-and-blue clad alter-ego may not survive for much longer without each other. In the background, an old, vengeful Spidey bad guy prepares to strike.
It's genuinely amusing how far Nick Spencer has gotten with a story that asks a simple question: what would Peter be like without power, and Spidey be like without responsibility? It's a somewhat silly premise that doesn't hold up terribly well to scrutiny, but apart from that the story makes its point in quite effective and humorous fashion. Nick Spencer, whose HYDRA-Cap story proved to be one of the most polarizing sagas of recent memory and whose personal politics have put him in the crosshairs of more conservative fan groups, tells an interesting, if relatively light-hearted story about conscience and morality through a more "traditional" lens than he's used in the past, and I have to say, it works. Again, I find myself hard-pressed to remember a story quite like it, though the possibility has been there since the very beginning. The "Clone Saga" which is less about duality and more about identity, isn't quite the same thing. As his first arc as a Spider-Man writer nears its conclusion, Spencer really shows why he was the right guy to replace Dan Slott.
Ryan Ottley continues to turn in consistently good, if not particularly splashy work this time around. While I've been satisfied with his run so far, I have to say it mystifies me that he has to take a whole five issues off to recharge his batteries (at least) to make way for Humberto Ramos. I mean, we're not exactly talking about Art Adams' rendering or something like that. Now, unlike a lot of other fans I don't actually mind Ramos' work that much, but I do think this book has needed a fresh approach for awhile and Ottley has definitely brought that to the table, something which continues here, and I would preferred for Ottley to have an equally fresh artist as his reliever.
I look forward to the conclusion of this arc and to what else Spencer has in store.
8/10
Monday, August 27, 2018
Saturday, August 25, 2018
Super-sized: A Review of The Avengers #6 (Spoilers)
written by Jason Aaron
penciled by Ed McGuinness and Paco Medina
inked by Mark Morales and Juan Vlasco
colored by David Curiel
After stumbling awkwardly through what was supposed to be the triumphant return of "the big three" to the ranks of Earth's Mightiest Heroes, Jason Aaron and his tag-team of artists finishes his first six-issue story arc by swapping out the strange but somewhat entertaining Deus Ex Machina he whipped out last issue out for a somewhat more generic one here.
I've made no secret of how I feel about this series in my reviews of the last several issues; what was supposed to be the superstar-creator-driven comic book meant to benefit from the huge boost in awareness generated by the blockbuster Infinity War film feels a lot more like the comic-book version of the decidedly less-than-stellar Justice League film in terms of storytelling quality. Yes, that's how weak I find this story to be.
Aaron, McGuinness and Medina give us some fun moments with the giant-sized Avengers consisting of a magically-embiggened Thor and She-Hulk, a Celestial-wearing Ghost Rider, and a tall-as-a-skyscraper-armor-wearing Iron Man going into battle against the Dark Celestials, but when the battle doesn't quite go the way they hope, they need yet another miracle to beat this potentially world-ending threat, and while Aaron planted the seed for this miracle in the penultimate issue, it feels distinctly forced and somewhat out-of-character. Specifically, it's a super power unique to the Eternals, who have apparently been killed in this series (a bunch of deaths I seriously doubt will stick). Ikaris has apparently bestowed the power of the "uni-mind" on Tony Stark, and using it, he unites the Avengers to ultimately defeat the Dark Celestials. Sure, there's this bit about Black Panther, whom Aaron has almost completely neglected up until this point, figuring something out about the murderous swarm of insects known as the Horde and the human race being some sort of anti-pathogen, but really, it's all about the Uni-Mind. Whoopee.
Here's the thing; over in The Amazing Spider-Man, which I will review next, brand new series writer Nick Spencer is crafting turning in stellar work, giving some of the most entertaining single-issue Spidey stories I've seen in a while. I've also been following, with some diligence, the ongoing series of Ms. Marvel and Spider-Gwen, albeit in collected edition form. I review Daredevil regularly on this site. All of the creators working on those titles, on the whole, produce consistently good stories, stories that effectively plumb the depths of their characters and drop them into interesting situations in which they must use their courage and wits as much as their super powers to win the day. In short, even at a time when Marvel's publishing arm is having a hard time selling books, they still have quite a few gems.
The Avengers, so far, is not one of those gems, and it's extremely disappointing to point this out. I dearly hope things improve with the next story arc. I am grateful, however, that this arc ended quite conclusively, and that I didn't have to endure yet another non-ending. Thank heaven for small mercies.
6/10
penciled by Ed McGuinness and Paco Medina
inked by Mark Morales and Juan Vlasco
colored by David Curiel
After stumbling awkwardly through what was supposed to be the triumphant return of "the big three" to the ranks of Earth's Mightiest Heroes, Jason Aaron and his tag-team of artists finishes his first six-issue story arc by swapping out the strange but somewhat entertaining Deus Ex Machina he whipped out last issue out for a somewhat more generic one here.
I've made no secret of how I feel about this series in my reviews of the last several issues; what was supposed to be the superstar-creator-driven comic book meant to benefit from the huge boost in awareness generated by the blockbuster Infinity War film feels a lot more like the comic-book version of the decidedly less-than-stellar Justice League film in terms of storytelling quality. Yes, that's how weak I find this story to be.
Aaron, McGuinness and Medina give us some fun moments with the giant-sized Avengers consisting of a magically-embiggened Thor and She-Hulk, a Celestial-wearing Ghost Rider, and a tall-as-a-skyscraper-armor-wearing Iron Man going into battle against the Dark Celestials, but when the battle doesn't quite go the way they hope, they need yet another miracle to beat this potentially world-ending threat, and while Aaron planted the seed for this miracle in the penultimate issue, it feels distinctly forced and somewhat out-of-character. Specifically, it's a super power unique to the Eternals, who have apparently been killed in this series (a bunch of deaths I seriously doubt will stick). Ikaris has apparently bestowed the power of the "uni-mind" on Tony Stark, and using it, he unites the Avengers to ultimately defeat the Dark Celestials. Sure, there's this bit about Black Panther, whom Aaron has almost completely neglected up until this point, figuring something out about the murderous swarm of insects known as the Horde and the human race being some sort of anti-pathogen, but really, it's all about the Uni-Mind. Whoopee.
Here's the thing; over in The Amazing Spider-Man, which I will review next, brand new series writer Nick Spencer is crafting turning in stellar work, giving some of the most entertaining single-issue Spidey stories I've seen in a while. I've also been following, with some diligence, the ongoing series of Ms. Marvel and Spider-Gwen, albeit in collected edition form. I review Daredevil regularly on this site. All of the creators working on those titles, on the whole, produce consistently good stories, stories that effectively plumb the depths of their characters and drop them into interesting situations in which they must use their courage and wits as much as their super powers to win the day. In short, even at a time when Marvel's publishing arm is having a hard time selling books, they still have quite a few gems.
The Avengers, so far, is not one of those gems, and it's extremely disappointing to point this out. I dearly hope things improve with the next story arc. I am grateful, however, that this arc ended quite conclusively, and that I didn't have to endure yet another non-ending. Thank heaven for small mercies.
6/10
Thursday, August 9, 2018
My Kind of Spidey: A Review of The Amazing Spider-Man #3
written by Nick Spencer
penciled by Ryan Ottley
inked by Cliff Rathburn
colored by Laura Martin
The twist from the end of last issue (which features on the cover of this issue) has been explained. The very machine that irradiated the spider that bit Peter Parker and gave him his powers has actually split Peter Parker and Spider-Man into two different people! Now, not only does Peter have the chance to live without superheroing, and the havoc it wrought on his personal life, but he's actually forced to do so as the process has left him without superpowers. It seems, at first, like the perfect way out of his life as Spider-Man, with his now separate alter ego seemingly relishing the split as well, taking on the newly-returned threat, the Tri-Sentinel with unbridled enthusiasm. Even as Peter contemplates the many possibilities that this new development offers, like an uninterrupted life with Mary Jane, a job from which he'll never again have to absent himself, and even the chance to legitimately complete his doctorate, he cannot shake the feeling that something is wrong, and as Doctor Curt Connors shows Peter how the machine is being tested on a mouse the way it was accidentally tested on him, Peter understands exactly what the problem is.
Nick Spencer continues to knock this book out of the park; I'd only ever heard about this guy before this book, especially what he did to Cap, but now that I've finally started reading his work I'm so very glad this book is on my pull list. Having read this particular title for over thirty years, I find it somewhat surprising that no one's ever thought of this particular twist before considering we've already seen clones and alternate universe versions, and even though the "science" behind the surprise development is just as goofy as one could expect, the strength of Spencer's story lies in how he explores the implications of the split, with generous helpings of humor at first, and then ending the issue with the somewhat more serious consequences. This guy continues to deliver solidly entertaining stuff, and three issues in, not a single page of story has been wasted on meandering. Ta Nehisi Coates should read this book, if he isn't already doing so.
Three issues in, and Ryan Ottley's art continues to grow on me. He'll never be as good as Stuart Immonen in my opinion, but he's definitely well clear of the likes of Humberto Ramos and Giuseppe Camuncoli. I'd even go as far as to say he's approaching the level of consistent quality that Spidey luminary John Romita, Jr. regularly turned in back when he was working on this book with J. Michael Straczynski in the book's pre-"One More Day" glory days. It also helps that superstar colorist Laura Martin is basically at the top of her game; the images seriously pop. Such quality, though does apparently come at a cost, as Ottley will be taking a break after this story, and Ramos will be taking over for a few issues. Clearly, therefore, Ottley isn't quite in JR, Jr.'s league, either, given that the latter drew some 30-odd consecutive issues of the book without any reliever whatsoever (but then, the guy is an industry legend, albeit one whose best days, in my opinion, are behind him).
I have the complete JMS/Romita Jr. run of Spider-Man issues, but following the "One More Day" fiasco, my collecting habits have been much more sporadic, even factoring in Marvel's propensity for relaunches. I just haven't felt the need to follow this title as religiously as I did with, say, Mark Waid and Chris Samnee's run on Daredevil. Following Dan Slott's final few issues with Stuart Immonen was easy as I knew there was an end in sight, but with this book, Spencer's just getting started, and yet, I can see myself sticking around for as long as Spencer does, for as long as he and Ottley can maintain this level of quality. This is the first time in a long time that I have actually been excited to see what happens next in a Spider-Man book every single month.
9/10
penciled by Ryan Ottley
inked by Cliff Rathburn
colored by Laura Martin
The twist from the end of last issue (which features on the cover of this issue) has been explained. The very machine that irradiated the spider that bit Peter Parker and gave him his powers has actually split Peter Parker and Spider-Man into two different people! Now, not only does Peter have the chance to live without superheroing, and the havoc it wrought on his personal life, but he's actually forced to do so as the process has left him without superpowers. It seems, at first, like the perfect way out of his life as Spider-Man, with his now separate alter ego seemingly relishing the split as well, taking on the newly-returned threat, the Tri-Sentinel with unbridled enthusiasm. Even as Peter contemplates the many possibilities that this new development offers, like an uninterrupted life with Mary Jane, a job from which he'll never again have to absent himself, and even the chance to legitimately complete his doctorate, he cannot shake the feeling that something is wrong, and as Doctor Curt Connors shows Peter how the machine is being tested on a mouse the way it was accidentally tested on him, Peter understands exactly what the problem is.
Nick Spencer continues to knock this book out of the park; I'd only ever heard about this guy before this book, especially what he did to Cap, but now that I've finally started reading his work I'm so very glad this book is on my pull list. Having read this particular title for over thirty years, I find it somewhat surprising that no one's ever thought of this particular twist before considering we've already seen clones and alternate universe versions, and even though the "science" behind the surprise development is just as goofy as one could expect, the strength of Spencer's story lies in how he explores the implications of the split, with generous helpings of humor at first, and then ending the issue with the somewhat more serious consequences. This guy continues to deliver solidly entertaining stuff, and three issues in, not a single page of story has been wasted on meandering. Ta Nehisi Coates should read this book, if he isn't already doing so.
Three issues in, and Ryan Ottley's art continues to grow on me. He'll never be as good as Stuart Immonen in my opinion, but he's definitely well clear of the likes of Humberto Ramos and Giuseppe Camuncoli. I'd even go as far as to say he's approaching the level of consistent quality that Spidey luminary John Romita, Jr. regularly turned in back when he was working on this book with J. Michael Straczynski in the book's pre-"One More Day" glory days. It also helps that superstar colorist Laura Martin is basically at the top of her game; the images seriously pop. Such quality, though does apparently come at a cost, as Ottley will be taking a break after this story, and Ramos will be taking over for a few issues. Clearly, therefore, Ottley isn't quite in JR, Jr.'s league, either, given that the latter drew some 30-odd consecutive issues of the book without any reliever whatsoever (but then, the guy is an industry legend, albeit one whose best days, in my opinion, are behind him).
I have the complete JMS/Romita Jr. run of Spider-Man issues, but following the "One More Day" fiasco, my collecting habits have been much more sporadic, even factoring in Marvel's propensity for relaunches. I just haven't felt the need to follow this title as religiously as I did with, say, Mark Waid and Chris Samnee's run on Daredevil. Following Dan Slott's final few issues with Stuart Immonen was easy as I knew there was an end in sight, but with this book, Spencer's just getting started, and yet, I can see myself sticking around for as long as Spencer does, for as long as he and Ottley can maintain this level of quality. This is the first time in a long time that I have actually been excited to see what happens next in a Spider-Man book every single month.
9/10
Well That Didn't Take Very Long: A (Late) Review of Captain America #2
written by Ta Nehisi Coates
penciled by Leinil Francis Yu
inked by Yu and Gerry Alanguilan
colored by Sonny Gho
The mysterious force unleashing clones of the deadly cyborg Nuke on the United States continues its rampage, and as Cap fights a seemingly never-ending army of them, all out to commit murder and mayhem, the weight of his having been the face of HYDRA continues to weigh heavily on him, especially considering that he may not have been quite as innocent as even those closest to him may believe. Thunderbolt Ross tells Steve to stand down, but Cap's never been one for following orders he doesn't believe in. Meanwhile, Sharon Carter is about to go deep underground for a mission.
To be honest, while I enjoyed a lot about the first issue of this new relaunch, one of the highlights was definitely the fight between Cap and the Nuke clones. Clearly, writer Ta Nehisi Coates thought so, too, because he basically reproduced it in the first several pages of the book. I literally thought at one point that I was looking at some sort of flashback, especially since Coates opened with yet another "skinny Steve" montage, the last of which we readers saw in these pages as recently as Mark Waid's Captain America #695 less than a year ago.
Coates did a solid, if not quite spectacular job at setting up his larger narrative last issue, and would have done the story a power of good by pushing things along even further, but in this issue neither Selene nor her mysterious Russian benefactor is anywhere to be found. Having Steve struggle with his conscience, and introducing the element of him having asked for his youth, vitality and strength back at a time when he had become the old man that he is does not quite break the distinctly repetitive feeling that bogs down this issue.
Fortunately, though, Yu, Alanguilan and Gho continue to deliver on the art front, which is basically this issue's saving grace. Still, as much as I enjoy the art, I can't imagine myself enjoying four or five issues of Yu et al drawing Cap fighting a Nuke army. Coates has got to push the story along a little more briskly than this or at the very, very least, avoid repeating himself as he has so clearly done here.
6/10
penciled by Leinil Francis Yu
inked by Yu and Gerry Alanguilan
colored by Sonny Gho
The mysterious force unleashing clones of the deadly cyborg Nuke on the United States continues its rampage, and as Cap fights a seemingly never-ending army of them, all out to commit murder and mayhem, the weight of his having been the face of HYDRA continues to weigh heavily on him, especially considering that he may not have been quite as innocent as even those closest to him may believe. Thunderbolt Ross tells Steve to stand down, but Cap's never been one for following orders he doesn't believe in. Meanwhile, Sharon Carter is about to go deep underground for a mission.
To be honest, while I enjoyed a lot about the first issue of this new relaunch, one of the highlights was definitely the fight between Cap and the Nuke clones. Clearly, writer Ta Nehisi Coates thought so, too, because he basically reproduced it in the first several pages of the book. I literally thought at one point that I was looking at some sort of flashback, especially since Coates opened with yet another "skinny Steve" montage, the last of which we readers saw in these pages as recently as Mark Waid's Captain America #695 less than a year ago.
Coates did a solid, if not quite spectacular job at setting up his larger narrative last issue, and would have done the story a power of good by pushing things along even further, but in this issue neither Selene nor her mysterious Russian benefactor is anywhere to be found. Having Steve struggle with his conscience, and introducing the element of him having asked for his youth, vitality and strength back at a time when he had become the old man that he is does not quite break the distinctly repetitive feeling that bogs down this issue.
Fortunately, though, Yu, Alanguilan and Gho continue to deliver on the art front, which is basically this issue's saving grace. Still, as much as I enjoy the art, I can't imagine myself enjoying four or five issues of Yu et al drawing Cap fighting a Nuke army. Coates has got to push the story along a little more briskly than this or at the very, very least, avoid repeating himself as he has so clearly done here.
6/10
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