Very well done, although 'real-time' comics aren't entirely original but this is the first time I'm aware that Marvel did it. It works quite well withVery well done, although 'real-time' comics aren't entirely original but this is the first time I'm aware that Marvel did it. It works quite well with the iconic character of Spider-Man, and gets a lot into the Cold War of all things. Spider-Man in the 60s during the Vietnam War as a source of conflict, and then it comes up again in the 80s... (On and there's also a subplot about Captain America during the anti-war era that is just an awesome idea, but it doesn't really have so much to do with Spidey)
What's most fun is seeing how each decade of Marvel history is incorporated into an aging Peter Parker. There's clones in the 70s, Secret War and the symbiote in the 80s, Civil War in the aughts, etc. Then there's the tragic deaths of guess who in which era, and it works as a lifestory of sorts how Peter marries Mary Jane and is a forty-something with memories of the death of Gwen Stacy, he feels like three-dimensional in this way. Even the background of Tony Stark and the aforementioned Cap feel like Civil War for example build up over years and years, instead of just a one-off crossover.
Then it ends with a Superior/Doc Ock reference, and the old hero passes the mantle to a young contemporary Miles Morales, which feels so right. One flaw with these kinds of stories, however, is that they often feel rushed and too short, as time passes incredibly quickly and they have to let the reader in on a lot of history in a limited number of pages. And, lest I forget, the great art by Mark Bagley. Who else would be so perfect to illustrate? Just make sure to recommend to long-term fans who will get the references and enjoy mulling over the plot choices, this is not for a novice who only saw some movies and cartoons....more
Mark Waid's Daredevil ends, on a rather successful note. Waid is one of the best superhero writers ever, and it was refreshing to read his take on DarMark Waid's Daredevil ends, on a rather successful note. Waid is one of the best superhero writers ever, and it was refreshing to read his take on Daredevil with a swashbuckling attitude instead of the usual brooding grim that has defined the character for so long.
The second half, with Matt Murdock in California and no secret identity, wasn't as good as the first but still had iconic art and surprisingly smart legal drama plotlines. So, Kingpin even shows up in the finale in what seems like a reference to the show, and after a no-Kingpin policy after such a long time it's interesting to read even if 3 chapters feels too much of a rush to wrap things up.
I for one would enjoy if Waid came back to Daredevil one day. ...more
Such a fun superhero comic, such high-quality writing from veteran author Mark Waid. Daredevil is a great character, but has often been presented as tSuch a fun superhero comic, such high-quality writing from veteran author Mark Waid. Daredevil is a great character, but has often been presented as too grim since the Frank Miller era. Waid does something different and showcases the joy of superhero adventurism.
It's also a decent legal drama, utilizing the continuity of Matt Murdock's secret identity having been compromised from the previous arc. There are clever ideas for villains and organized crime in this world--from the blind Daredevil fighting the sound-powered Klaw to evil Latverian shell corporations (where Dr. Doom is from). It shows how much can still be done with this comic.
Mark Waid, after all these years, has still got it. Matt Murdock also gets some if you know what I mean. Anyway, Waid with his star power in the industry has had free reign to write the biggest Marvel and DC blockbuster teams with end of the world stakes, but I'm glad he still chooses to tell stories like this about street-level crimefighters. Very recommended....more
I've always found Jeph Loeb a somewhat empty writer. Very few words per page, but many splashy two-page spreads by the artists
With the beginning of tI've always found Jeph Loeb a somewhat empty writer. Very few words per page, but many splashy two-page spreads by the artists
With the beginning of the Red Hulk intro, there's a mystery but this is no Batman Long Halloween. It's basically just Hulk and Red Hulk fighting and smashing, on a tour through the Marvel Universe with fun guest stars whether it makes sense for them to be there or not.
The art by Ed McGuinness is perfect for this. These stories are successful for what they intend to be, and it's frankly not that deep. If you want comics to just be entertaining, then that can be ok....more
Superheroes are hard to translate into prose. The genre works best in comics, secondly in animation. (and a distant third in film but most of which arSuperheroes are hard to translate into prose. The genre works best in comics, secondly in animation. (and a distant third in film but most of which are actually bad).
This Deadpool novel is a worthy effort, combining the humor of the character with his fourth-wall breaking narration to make something quite entertaining.--and that almost works as an audiobook too. So it does as well as it can, but ultimately I'd rather read a comic or even watch a movie.
Also, should have had more R rated humor. That's what we expect of the character these days. Still, the author is very clever and witty, a whole lot of references therein. All in all a worthy effort, if you're a big Deadpool fan then I guess worth a read....more
Al Ewing has become one of the best writers at Marvel, and his new Immortal Thor series is quickly catching up to the iconic level of Immortal Hulk.
HeAl Ewing has become one of the best writers at Marvel, and his new Immortal Thor series is quickly catching up to the iconic level of Immortal Hulk.
He's long used the Roxxon CEO Minotaur as a villainous critique of capitalism, and now goes even further with this awesomely douchey "Roxxon Presents: Thor" comic.
The premise is clever, brilliant really, and also hilarious. There's a magical spell to buy the rights of Thor comics, and therefore change Thor's personality by publishing terrible sellout comics. And then they actually published the comic, in real life!
The self-awareness gets better and better, as it's illustrated by noted tracer Greg Land. That's just so good.
Within this book, there's satire after satire about tech bros and Elon's cybertruck and sucky apps, and even fake ads get in on the fun. And yet, there's also a certain darkness in it, as the Minotaur breaks the fourth wall and outright tells the reader that when corporations admit their own parody, it actually shows their own power and how society and all of us can never escape.
So many levels. I am glad Marvel/Disney actually released this book. Al Ewing is subversive and amazing and perfect....more
Roger Stern was a solid writer in the 80s. Not reinventing the wheel, not deconstructing superheroes on a deep level, but fun and dependable at tellinRoger Stern was a solid writer in the 80s. Not reinventing the wheel, not deconstructing superheroes on a deep level, but fun and dependable at telling Spider-Man and Avengers stories some of which are minor classics in their own right.
This grand reprint of his first year on the Avengers has different levels of quality. Some of the crossovers with Fantastic Four and Dr. Strange are completely unnecessary. There's also the origin of Monica Rambeau as Captain Marvel from a Spidey annual. And one funny off-chapter about some characters going on the David Letterman show. But overall, it's called Absolute Vision because of a longer plot about Vision which was quite smart.
Some of it is really silly, with She-Hulk and Starfox for example, and the art is inconsistent. Still, as a broad overview of this era at Marvel this book is as good a sample as any of what was a pretty good time for Marvel. ...more
Roger Stern and John Romita Jr would a good team in 80s Spider-Man, but this collection is quite mid.
JR JR is still a great storyteller when it comes Roger Stern and John Romita Jr would a good team in 80s Spider-Man, but this collection is quite mid.
JR JR is still a great storyteller when it comes to panel layout and composition etc., even if not details, however in this era he was not in his stride yet. It's a bit of a fun graphic novel, it's just not great and doesn't particularly standout as worthy of a collection.
At least there's the first appearance of the Photon-Captain Marvel. ...more
Not a restart of Hulk as horror genre, following up some chaos of the previous run and trying to recreate the magic of Ewing's Immortal Hulk. Will takNot a restart of Hulk as horror genre, following up some chaos of the previous run and trying to recreate the magic of Ewing's Immortal Hulk. Will take some time to see if it's a success tho...more
Venom is not really my thing, but I've decided to start reading everything Al Ewing because he's so great (who co-wrote this book).
I'll continue to gVenom is not really my thing, but I've decided to start reading everything Al Ewing because he's so great (who co-wrote this book).
I'll continue to give the series a chance. Interestingly, so far the story is more about an earthbound conspiracy involving Eddie Brock's kid than it is space aliens. There is the horror element, and Bryan Hitch's art as always is great. ...more
I know I said there are too many all-new number # 1's coming from Marvel, but Immortal Thor really is that good. To put it another way, Immortal Thor I know I said there are too many all-new number # 1's coming from Marvel, but Immortal Thor really is that good. To put it another way, Immortal Thor is worthy.
Al Ewing is just such an excellent writer. Although not directly connected to Immortal Hulk, using that adjective works as a running theme of his and this will no doubt be seen as legendary as run as his Hulk.
Ewing seems to know exactly how to play with genre. With Immortal Hulk, it was fantasy. With this current Thor, it's high fantasy.
So, the status quo is that Thor is still the king of Asgard and is using his classic Silver Age look. It works. There is the introduction of 'Utgard-Thor' (look up the mythology of Utgard-Loki), who is truly feels like a serious villain with high stakes. Ewing also references his excellent take on Loki, Agent of Asqard--fabulously queer and now the god of stories.
Storm ruler of the planet Arakko/Mars also shows up, from his X-Men Red, and it's even valid to the story. In the end, there is a satisfying and creative conclusion in defeating this new threat to the earth.
Furthermore, the next storyline will be a capitalist satire about Roxxon Oil owning the "rights" to the Thor character--clearly mocking Disney. Everytime that Minotaur CEO shows up, I know there will be some clever and socially conscious storytelling.
I'm calling it now, Immortal Thor by Ewing will be remembered as the same caliber as Jason Aaron's Thor. ...more
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