Review: New Avengers #1 (2013)

Jonathan Hickman is a genius--plain and simple. Never before have I read a comic book riddled with comic universe defying discontinuities that baffle me, but simultaneously entrance me. I always crave more at the end of a Hickman comic! -Like a drug fiend pleading for more, but eventually forgetting the “Why?” of it all- It is a truly curious affect that I attribute to quality writing. Like aforementioned, “plain and simple,” Hickman does it right. Pre-Marvel NOW! Hickman gave fans a remarkable Fantastic Four run, that inevitably spawned the equally spectacular series, Future Foundation. And, as much as I enjoyed these endeavors I always found something to be missing--as-if Hickman was merely scratching the surface of greatness, but never truly embracing it.

With the New Avengers, Hickman now has the opportunity. He is developing the most rich characters of the Marvel Universe with the same sort of reckless disregard for continuity that Grant Morrison does with Batman & Robin in Batman, Inc. They are both creating compelling tales on their terms and their respective companies allow them creative freedom because they sell comics.

New Avengers #1 sets the stage by breaking character a bit. It takes Doctor Strange, Iron Man, Mr. Fantastic, Namor, and Captain America into a dark place. Specifically, into a secret organization called the Illuminati. Their sole purpose being: to rule society in secret in the best way possible. This organization is of course self-appointed and perfectly ‘qualified’ to do so. At the onset, the Illuminati sought to recruit the Black Panther into their midst, but due to the self-evident flaws in a secret society ruling humanity, T’Challa refused.

Primarily Hickman’s first issue focuses on the Black Panther, which is something that I have long-looked forward to. T’challa’s status within the Marvel Universe has grown these past few years to include large-scale Marvel events. The New Avengers takes bold steps in a good, ‘new’ direction. It may change how we view certain characters (even at times defying them), but it does not do so idly. It all has a purpose--you just have to trust Hickman.

The New Avengers headlines the top tier of Marvel NOW!--five-out-of-five stars. While you're at it, checkout Hickman’s Fantastic Four graphic novels and complete Future Foundation collection at Merlyn’s Sci-fi and Fantasy Shop in downtown Spokane.

(SOURCE: Review: New Avengers #1 (2013))

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Review: Avengers vs. X-Men #6 of 12 (2012)

Avengers vs. X-Men has been a chaotic mess of inconsistencies, and a mish mash of Marvel Architects. Thus far, there have been few glimmers of hope, but overall Marvel has continually lowered the bar. However, after reading issue six of Avengers vs. X-Men, the glimmer seems to be sparkling a bit brighter now. Jonathan Hickman dives into the narrative with this issue, and manages to piece together the odd turn of events from last issue’s finale. He pushes the plot forward with a wonderful bit of finesse, while straddling the line between the old and the new. Also, this issue marks the passing of the art baton as Romita, Jr. hands it over to Olivier Coipel, resulting in some slick splash pages and magnificent panels.

Avengers vs. X-Men #5 concluded with the Phoenix Force being splintered and siphoned into five prominent X-Men characters due to a failed attempt to stop the Phoenix Force by Tony Stark’s wannabe Transformer. Hickmanpicks up from Fraction’s awkward ending and begins the issue by finally formerly introducing Xavier to the events of Marvel’s Avengers vs. X-Men. Hickman cleverly uses Magneto to bridge the gap between the story arc and the inclusion of Xavier.The rest of the issue unfolds in two parts like prior issues. One half showcases the Phoenix Five as they transform the world in their image. Some spectacular panels and splash pages penciled by Coipel detail the Phoenix possessed X-Men as they transverse the globe in a dash of reformation and peace. The other half depicts the Avengers and Iron Fist as they desperately try to piece together legend with prophecy in a last ditch effort to stop the Phoenix Five from world domination disguised as peace.

I found Jonathan Hickman’s writing to be in fine form here, and it was as-if I were reading one of his stellar Fantastic Four/Future Foundation arcs. The Iron Fist lore is incredibly appropriate and timely; I was glad to see a little more Iron Fist, especially in such a large-scale comic book event.

Olivier Coipel’s art is a welcome relief. Normally I applaud John Romita’s work, but I was disappointed with his pencilings in the first couple issues of the series. In particular, I loved Coipel’s Iron Fist pencilings. Coipelcaptured the essence of Iron Fist perfectly. Along with his excellent character models Coipel also created some brilliant splash pages for the issue—two pages specifically come to mind: one focusing on Magneto when he first greets Xavier, and another depicting Colossus standing atop a freefalling missile amongst dozens of other falling missiles. Olivier Coipel has definitely started off with a bang, and I am incredibly excited to see where he takes his artwork next.

I give Avengers vs. X-Men #6 four-and-a-half stars out of five. This has been the best issue by far, and I am incredibly hopeful that the rest of the run will finish off phenomenally. 

(SOURCE: Review: Avengers vs. X-Men #6 of 12 (2012))

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Review: Avengers vs. X-Men #4 of 12 (2012)

Avengers vs. X-Men #4 is very much a filler issue. It is nothing more than a transition comic from one major plot point to another. It does not stray too far in either direction plot-wise, so all-in-all the comic serves its purpose.

Starting off where the last issue left off (almost to the panel) Wolverine is depicted trudging through the snow with a newly adorned Polar Bear for warmth. All of a sudden he finds a can of beer protruding from the snowline, then another, and another, and so on and so forth. Eventually this trail of ‘Wolverine candy’ leads to an awaiting Hope Summers, who is interested in employing Wolverine’s aid in an effort to get to the Phoenix Force before the others. All of this is on the promise that if things go awry Wolverine has Hope’s permission to slay her like he always intended to do.

Personally, I thought the opening sequence was great!John Romita’s artwork really shone during the introduction, and the narrative was humorous, but still on point.

The issue then segues into the various skirmishes across the globe that are occurring between the X-Men and the Avengers. I loved the action sequences, and the battles presented really showcase Romita’s talent, but a lot of the material seems to have been recycled from the Avengers vs. X-Men companion series, Versus. I would rather have an extra four or so pages of battle sequences in the main series and Versus cut entirely, or have the panels that are already represented in the Versus run to be stricken from the core cannon and replaced with a little more exposition and narrative to iron out the inconsistencies in the plot.

Essentially, the issue splits into three (almost four) different narratives that all tie-in at the end in a finale that takes place on the moon. Several pages are devoted to following the Avengers and/or the X-Men, others follow Hope and Wolverine on their trek to the moon to receive the Phoenix Force, and the last plotline follows Thor and company as they try to thwart the Phoenix Force’spath towards Hope and subsequently Earth.

I do not want to divulge too many plot points, but I found Wolverine’s actions to be very contradictory to his prior rhetoric. A more thorough transition from one school of thought to another would have been much appreciated. I feel as if Wolverine backtracked a bit, and then dived further down the rabbit hole with his whole handling of the Hope situation and resulting journey to the moon.

Overall, the story was solid, but nothing momentous came to fruition. Jonathan Hickman’swriting is admirable, but very un-Hickman-like; it is as-if he were following a strict outline or guide, so very little of his style bled through in the final product.

The art was phenomenal at its high points, such as Romita’s introductory panels with Wolverinetrudging through the snow with a newly slain Polar Bear upon his back. But, for every high…there was an equal low. I thought Thor’s blood was incredibly fake-looking, and several pages in, there is a shot with Quicksilver running over the crest of the hill that is so horribly skewed it looks like he is a little person jogging. Jim Cheung’s cover was slick, and appropriately held the tone for the issue.

I rate Avengers vs. X-Men #4 a middle of the road three-and-a-half stars out of five.

(SOURCE: Review: Avengers vs. X-Men #4 of 12 (2012))

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Comic Book of the Week (3.14.2012)

Fantastic Four #604

Prior Comics of the Weeks

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The Human Torch returns in Fantastic Four #600!

Last Winter Marvel Comics killed off the Human Torch, aka Johnny Storm, and thus the Fantastic Four was no longer four.  Spring boarding from the death of Johnny Storm the Future Foundation was formed with the inclusion of Peter Parker (Spider-Man).  The remaining members of theFantastic Four extended a hand to Spider-Man at the behest of Johnny via his last will and testament.  So far the Future Foundation has had an amazing twelve issues and fans have been flocking to the new series for months now due to Jonathan Hickman’s exception writing.

A promotional piece for the Fantastic Four #600 began to circulate several months ago and hinted at the return of theHuman Torch (featured in the slideshow).  Many speculated that the preview art did not showcase Johnny Storm, but instead a new hero with similar powers; others, with a more traditional approach, speculated that Johnny Storm would somehow be miraculously rebirthed, within the Negative Zone, and return home.

Continue reading at Examiner.com....

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A great splash page depicting the death of Johnny Storm in his heroic endeavor to save humanity.   A truly great Fantastic Four run by Jonathan Hickman, and one of my favorite splash pages.

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