Captain America: Steve Rogers #18: Some tie-in issues provide important off-panel insights to the event unfolding in the main series; if I remember correctly, a lot of important stuff happened in the tie-in issues related to "Avengers vs. X-Men." However, the same isn't true of this issue. Steve gives an uncharacteristically unhinged speech to the rump United Nations meeting in Brussels (as a result of their New York colleagues being trapped in the Darkforce Dimension), threatening governments that don't embrace HYDRA cells in their own countries. T'Challa ruins the fun by hijacking the meeting via video link and daring Steve to come to Wakanda himself; it's not an idle threat, as he informs the meeting he's killed three previous groups Steve sent to infiltrate Wakanda. This revelation undermines Steve's "stop spying on us" demand he made at the top of the speech, and he leaves in a huff. Based on the cover, you'd be forgiven if you thought this issue was going to be about Namor (pet peeve #2), but Namor only sulks at the start and end of the issue. In fact, I'm not sure why Spencer included him at all, since T'Challa's entry into the fray is a much more interesting development. After all, we've already seen HYDRA defeat Namor in "Secret Empire" #5. It makes for a confused narrative and a pretty easily skipable issue if you were only coming here because it's connected to "Secret Empire."
Darth Vader #2: I've never been the biggest fan of Camuncoli's work (I know, I know), namely because his faces in "Amazing Spider-Man" always seemed...off to me. But, he's on fire here, capturing just how lethal Vader is, be it as a pilot or as a combatant. Soule is no slouch either. Vader invades an outpost cataloging Jedi effects to try to track down a living Jedi. The only one he finds is a warrior who took the "Barash vow," a sort of penance requiring isolation (meaning he survived implementation of Order 66). Soule reminds us this Vader isn't the Vader we know by allowing him to get winged by one of the Stormtroopers defending the outpost. I hope it means we'll see the internal emotional conflict I mentioned in my review of last issue. All told, we've got a good start here.
Iceman #2: Grace accomplishes what he intended to do here, using Kitty and her anger over learning from Fabio Bobby was gay to press him to actually connect with people. She makes a solid point, stressing his family and friends want more from him than just jokes at inopportune moments. Bobby defends himself accurately, noting he didn't have a say in his coming out: he only did so because his younger self is running around town with a model boyfriend. But, something feels rushed here, and I hope Grace slows down. Grace only alludes to the fact Bobby's alone in the world, but I think it's worth exploring it more. After all, Jean, Scott, and Warren (at least the Warren he knew) are all dead, and he's estranged from Hank. He really doesn't have anyone in his corner except an ex-girlfriend. Moreover, Kitty may raise Bobby's hopes too high here that his parents are going to be in his corner, though the preview of next issue's cover implies we'll find out one way or another. But, at some point, Bobby needs someone, and it's probably hinting at the fact he could use a supporting case unique to this series. Finally, the art has some decent moments here, though it's hard to tell what penciler/inker combination is responsible, given four sets of hands are at play here. You get the feeling Marvel is doing this one on the cheap given the unsteady art situation, and it makes me unfortunately wonder how long this series has.
Mighty Thor #20: It seems clear the War of the Realms is going to kick into high gear. After all, at this point, we have three different Thors. The story of Volstagg becoming War Thor is devastating, though I'll admit I don't exactly understand how he survived the Muspelhiem fire that killed the elven children he was trying to protect. (Apparently fire-goblin blood is immune to the fire. If I had to guess, those creatures that appeared with the maggot bombs were fire goblins, and Volstagg coated himself with their blood when he murdered them in a rage. But, Aaron doesn't really make that part entirely clear.) At any rate, Odinson is pissed at Jane for becoming Thor, Jane is dying so she might not be Thor that much longer (or she might stay Thor forever, giving up Jane), and Volstagg is ready to kill everyone. It seems like something is going to happen, given that confluence of events. But, it's the death of the children that gives this issue its emotional weight. We obviously don't see that in comics often, but Aaron makes sure it's not gratuitous. Volstagg is someone different than he's always been, and it ups the ante here, making you wonder what other unexpected developments are in store for us.
X-Men: Gold #6: OK, I'm not buying what Guggenheim is selling here when it comes to Rachel. I can think of any number of instances from the past where Rachel used power on the scale she uses here. I mean, she took on the Beyonder during "Secret Wars II," if I remember correctly. It's not like what we've seen with other characters, where they evolve over time, like Bobby eventually coming to realize his full potential or Spider-Man learning "Spider-Fu" when he temporarily lost his Spider-Sense. She suddenly just has a headache, talks to some folks in her mind, and then decides she's powerful enough to disable the A.I. Sentinel. It's not just overly convenient, but it doesn't do justice to a 36-year-old character. Guggenheim also includes smaller odd moments, like Ororo kissing Remy. All told, it makes for a bizarre ending to this once promising arc.
Also Read: Secret Empire: Underground #1; U.S.Avengers #7
No comments:
Post a Comment