Ben Reilly: Scarlet Spider #8: Hornet and Ricochet represent one of the darker times for me in collecting comics, when you had to collect all four ongoing Spider-Man series to have any idea what the story was. I was only collecting "Amazing Spider-Man" at the time, so Wikipedia tells me I only have a quarter of the "Identity Crisis" cross-over story. In that story, Peter Parker -- for reasons I'll guess didn't make any more sense then than they do now -- had to adopt the identities of Hornet and Ricochet as well as two other characters. I was dimly aware other people later took up these identities at some point, though I have no idea how it happened. The good news is it doesn't really matter. Peter David works his magic, making these characters his own. Moreover, he does it in a setting I can't remember happening before: the ruins of a city destroyed in a cross-over event. The Hornet appears here because a rival casino owner claims Cassandra Nova is hoarding food for her guests; he hires the Hornet to intercept a shipment destined for her. Marvel has destroyed many cities in its day. Remember when the Winter Solider detonated a bomb in Philadelphia? Or when Kang killed everyone in Washington, DC? These developments are generally ignored after the event ends because those cities are generally ignored; presumably, if someone leveled New York, we'd have a problem. But, here, we're seeing a devastated Las Vegas through Ben's eyes. He still has to figure out a way to save Cassandra's daughter, but he also seems to have ample opportunities here, in a city full of desperate need, to win back some Soul Points (TM). When you add in Kaine, furious Ben got a second chance (and handsome face) he doesn't deserve, David has a lot of potential stories to cover. In that way, his soft reboot of this series last issue is already paying dividends, and I'd encourage anyone avoiding this series because of its lingering connection to "The Clone Conspiracy" to jump on board.
Generations: Miles Morales and Peter Parker #1: I didn't expect this issue to be good. Miles and Peter interact so frequently it was hard to see how Bendis had anything new to say about their relationship. But, he really nails it. Miles is sent to the day "Amazing Spider-Man" #33 happened, when Peter pushes the building off himself to save Aunt May. Bendis does a number of great things here. First, he gives us insight into Peter Lee and Ditko, because of the way comics were written then, didn't have a chance to convey. Peter confesses to Miles it was the first time he really thought he'd die, and Bendis infuses this emotion throughout the issue. Peter is jittery, not only because he's waiting to hear if the serum he swiped from Dr. Octopus cured Aunt May, but because he's barely had a moment to consider his brush with death. Second, Bendis really nails the Peter of this era: he's angry, overwhelmed, whiny. It's one of the things that really leaps off the page at you when you read the first few "Amazing Spider-Man" issues; Bendis perfectly captures that tone here. Finally, perhaps the best part is Miles' realization how personal Spider-Man is to Peter. He's seen how much Peter struggled in those early days to keep everything together, and he realizes how much he sacrificed to be where he is today. Bendis has seemed on track to have Miles decide not to be Spider-Man anymore. Before this issue, it felt artificial, like an editorial mandate. But, here, he really gives this movement the emotional heft it needed. I highly recommend it (and I can't believe I'm saying that).
Generations: Sam Wilson and Steve Rogers #1: Nick Spencer says his good-bye to Captain America here, and it's exactly what you'd hope it would be. Unlike everyone else, Sam lives a full life at the Vanishing Point, from serving alongside Steve as the "Man in the Air" during the War to becoming a pastor in North Carolina with a family of his own. Spencer essentially answers the question that has often plagued Sam during his costumed career, namely the path untaken. With that path lived, Sam stands as a new man, one ready, as he says, to forge his own legacy. "Generations" started rockily for me, with the lackluster Jean Grey entry, but it's really rebounded since then. This issue in particular works as a way for Sam to take stock of his life and focus on the legacy he wants to leave, the reason (to his mind) why Kobik sent them all to the Vanishing Point in the first place. Marvel seems to have its head in the game for this Legacy relaunch, and my fears that it's just going to lead to a whitewashing -- literally -- of the progress we've seen over the last few years have been more or less allayed.
Marvel Legacy #1: This issue isn't as bad as some of its analogues have been in previous years. That might sound like faint praise, but it's not. It's hard to pull off these sort of kitchen-sink issues: the author not only has to juggle multiple characters, but he has to do so in a way that hints at their future without really revealing anything. It's not a recipe for a satisfying read. But, Aaron does his best here, and he helps himself by keeping us focused on two major threats: the Final Host and an Infinity Gem. The A story involves a group of Paleolithic Avengers led by Odin beating down a Celestial; said Celestial is now awakening to call for the Final Host to scour Earth. It's a threat that's been looming over the Marvel Universe ever since I've started reading it, and I honestly can't quite believe we might see it come to fruition. The B story involves not only Logan's resurrection [yawn] but also his recovery of the Mind Gem. Speaking of resurrections, Marvel has been hinting on the margins about Jean Grey's return, and Phoenix's involvement in the Paleolithic Avengers certainly adds fuel to that fire. [Heh.] However, Aaron is obligated to throw in a lot more here, so we also have Starbrand fighting the new Ghost Rider and Cap, Ironheart, and Thor fighting the Frost Giants Loki sent to retrieve the Mind Gem. Overall, though, it's all about the Celestials, and we'll see if Marvel rushes that story or if it's going to loom over us for a good long while, like Hope Summers loomed over the X-Men after "Messiah Complex."
Spider-Gwen #24: Latour makes us wait (impatiently) for Gwenom to debut as the symbiote (logically) bonds with Logan first. But, when Logan activates the sonic-wave device he usually uses to prevent Kitty from phasing, everyone learns an important lesson about the symbiote's weakness. Gwen and Kitty work together to phase Logan from the symbiote, and Gwen is left as the only suitable host after Kitty high-tails it from the scene with Logan in tow. Of course, Matt Murdoch arrives just in time to show Gwen her comatose father, and the symbiote helps stoke her rage, leading her to attack the cops meant to guard George. I don't think it's going to be a smooth ride for Gwen for the next few issues.
Also Read: Batman Day Special Edition #1; Mighty Thor #23; Pathfinder: Runescars #5; Rebels: These Free and Independent States #7; X-Men: Blue #12
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