This issue is...odd.
First, it's slow. I mean, really slow. I was halfway through the issue and I felt like I should already be done with the story. I actually can't put my finger on why I felt that way, since Ewing actually does a decent job of working the exposition into the story as seamlessly as possible. But, it just felt like it was taking forever to get to the point.
Moreover, the point itself is also confusing. Carol rescues a guy who just sort of stands there when he's confronted by some Ultrons. We learn that he conveniently happens to be Computer Graham, a former child superhero who used to enter video games to prevent their villains from entering our world. He hasn't used his power since video games got too complex, but Captains Britain and Marvel recognize a chance when they see one. So, they go on a suicide mission, with Computer Graham managing to free part of London from Ultron's control. As Excalibur exposits at the end, it means that they should be able to call for help from Otherworld, since Brian deputized her Captain Britain before he left on the mission.
Did I mention that they were accompanied by a girl whose super-power is to kick goals? They were.
Anyway, something about this issue didn't click with me. Between Carol conveniently finding Graham and Ewing breezing past the fact that Ultron seems to be able to be stopped by magic, I felt like it was a little too manufactured to get to the end result. But, I do wonder at the larger impact that end result will have. It seems to be the first issue in this entire event where the good guys get something like a win. But, to make matters odder, I'm not really sure how it connects to the main title, since, in theory, the Ultron invasion didn't happen, since Wolverine killed Hank Pym before he could invent Ultron. It's just plain bizarre that it comes after "Age of Ultron" #6 and #7 and "Wolverine and the X-Men" #27 AU, where all these events transpire. I'm not sure if it's hinting at something or if it's just sloppy continuity. (With Marvel, you never know.)
Anyway, we have six issues left in this event and I feel like it's about five issues too many. This issue didn't really help matters much. It wasn't awful, but between its slow pacing and the fact that it seems months behind the events of the main title, it didn't do much to improve my impression of this event at this point.
UGH!! I picked this comic up on a whim at the comic shop and ended up regretting it SO MUCH!! I hated it! Not disliked, but hated! "Computer Graham"!? Random girl with "magic soccer powers"?!?! I'll say it again, UGH!!
ReplyDeletePlus, Carol deciding not to fly, in the face of the world basically ending, was just bizarre! Her thought process was so weird here! Millions(billions?) have already been killed by Ultron, wouldn't you want to use your full complement of powers NOW? I don't think her illness is deadly(although I could be remembering things wrong...), I thought she'd lose her memories or something. Regardless, if Ultron was running amok, I'd kind of expect Carol to do everything and everything in her powers to help. Including fly!! Sorry, had to rant on that one...
Seriously weird, right? I think a Captains Britain and Marvel versus Ultron story could've rocked, but this whole issue was a mess.
ReplyDeleteI totally missed the Carol bit, but you're totally right. Even if her illness were deadly, it's not like she's got a lot to lose!
Totally agreed. Ultron facing two powerhouses like Brian and Carol writes itself! The two of them, basically as the only two heroes left in England, taking on Ultron? The emotions, not knowing what was happening back in the States, all of that stuff seems like an interesting story to me. Instead, we get this...
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