OK, here we go, the "everything not Spider-related" Marvel edition of November 15 reviews!
All-New Guardians of the Galaxy #147: One of the challenges for new readers here is we’re clearly picking up a story Duggan's been telling for a while. For example, Peter tells Rich he believes the spies within the Nova Corps are part of a “militaristic splinter faction of the Shi’ar Empire” that isn’t happy the Nova Corps has returned. Moreover, that group seems to be the Raptors, one of whom is inexplicably armed with Mar-Vell’s Nega-Bands. All that clearly didn’t happen last issue. But, Duggan is at least keeping us moving with the story at hand. As part of their effort to root out spies within the Nova Corps, Peter and Rich arrive at an outpost Commander Adsit worried had gone rogue. However, they learn the outpost went silent after they discovered a traitor alerting the Shi’ar they have an Infinity Stone. Dun-dun-DUN! My only real complaint here is Duggan gives short shrift to Peter and Rich’s reunion. OK, it’s funny Peter punches Rich because he’s mad he wasn’t Rich’s first call. But, really? No one told Peter? It's totally unbelievable Peter didn’t know because, as Rich tells Peter, even Gamora knew. After all, Gamora and Peter had a knock-down, drag-out fight about Peter’s complicity in Rich getting stuck in the Cancerverse during “Original Sin." But, she failed to mention he’d been saved? I want some bro-hugs and man tears, stat!
Hawkeye #12: The best part of this issue isn't just the amazing banter -- and, man, it is amazing -- but the implication Kate and Laura have hung out together many times. I'm pretty sure they've never canonically met, but Thompson makes it clear they have a warm relationship. To be honest, it's not hard to believe they get along well. It just sort of makes sense. Also, Thompson does a great job of scripting a pretty normal conversation; Laura talks about how Gabby changed her life, and Kate admits she has problems asking for help. It's pretty rare to see an extended conversation that has nothing to do with advancing a specific plot. As I mentioned in another review, Thompson's holistic focus on Kate and her life is this series' greatest strength, and it's on full display here. I can't wait to see what she does with Clint. (Also, Lucky and Jonathan, Gabby's pet wolverine, playing together is adorable.)
X-Men: Blue #15: I guess this cross-over event was fun. I know it was supposed to be some meta-ode to the X-Men's history, as Mojo sent the X-Men against their greatest villains. But, somewhere along the way, I think I lost the plot (literally). He was supposedly using the "mental energy from everyone who watches his programming" to terraform New York into another corner of the Mojoverse, but I'm not entirely sure why (let alone how) he was doing that. But, the X-Men (actually, Magneto and Polaris) foil Mojo's plans, somehow severing his link to the Mojoverse and stranding him and his flunkies in New York. Apparently, a secondary objective was setting up the Mojo news network on Earth, so that should be fun. Separately, can everyone stop ranting about the fact Magneto is supposed to be dead? He's been dead a hot minute. It's not like when Jean Grey returns; I get why someone would be surprised by that. Also, he's been on the X-Men's side ever since Scott set up Utopia. I don't get why Kitty is still treating him as an archenemy, particularly given, as Colossus reminds her, he saved her life. Pet peeve #3 means you don't get credit for using a character to point out a plot inconsistency. I'm trying to be open-minded to this reboot, but, honestly, I still find moments like this one happening way too often. It was nice to see Longshot, though.
All-New Guardians of the Galaxy #147: One of the challenges for new readers here is we’re clearly picking up a story Duggan's been telling for a while. For example, Peter tells Rich he believes the spies within the Nova Corps are part of a “militaristic splinter faction of the Shi’ar Empire” that isn’t happy the Nova Corps has returned. Moreover, that group seems to be the Raptors, one of whom is inexplicably armed with Mar-Vell’s Nega-Bands. All that clearly didn’t happen last issue. But, Duggan is at least keeping us moving with the story at hand. As part of their effort to root out spies within the Nova Corps, Peter and Rich arrive at an outpost Commander Adsit worried had gone rogue. However, they learn the outpost went silent after they discovered a traitor alerting the Shi’ar they have an Infinity Stone. Dun-dun-DUN! My only real complaint here is Duggan gives short shrift to Peter and Rich’s reunion. OK, it’s funny Peter punches Rich because he’s mad he wasn’t Rich’s first call. But, really? No one told Peter? It's totally unbelievable Peter didn’t know because, as Rich tells Peter, even Gamora knew. After all, Gamora and Peter had a knock-down, drag-out fight about Peter’s complicity in Rich getting stuck in the Cancerverse during “Original Sin." But, she failed to mention he’d been saved? I want some bro-hugs and man tears, stat!
Hawkeye #12: The best part of this issue isn't just the amazing banter -- and, man, it is amazing -- but the implication Kate and Laura have hung out together many times. I'm pretty sure they've never canonically met, but Thompson makes it clear they have a warm relationship. To be honest, it's not hard to believe they get along well. It just sort of makes sense. Also, Thompson does a great job of scripting a pretty normal conversation; Laura talks about how Gabby changed her life, and Kate admits she has problems asking for help. It's pretty rare to see an extended conversation that has nothing to do with advancing a specific plot. As I mentioned in another review, Thompson's holistic focus on Kate and her life is this series' greatest strength, and it's on full display here. I can't wait to see what she does with Clint. (Also, Lucky and Jonathan, Gabby's pet wolverine, playing together is adorable.)
X-Men: Blue #15: I guess this cross-over event was fun. I know it was supposed to be some meta-ode to the X-Men's history, as Mojo sent the X-Men against their greatest villains. But, somewhere along the way, I think I lost the plot (literally). He was supposedly using the "mental energy from everyone who watches his programming" to terraform New York into another corner of the Mojoverse, but I'm not entirely sure why (let alone how) he was doing that. But, the X-Men (actually, Magneto and Polaris) foil Mojo's plans, somehow severing his link to the Mojoverse and stranding him and his flunkies in New York. Apparently, a secondary objective was setting up the Mojo news network on Earth, so that should be fun. Separately, can everyone stop ranting about the fact Magneto is supposed to be dead? He's been dead a hot minute. It's not like when Jean Grey returns; I get why someone would be surprised by that. Also, he's been on the X-Men's side ever since Scott set up Utopia. I don't get why Kitty is still treating him as an archenemy, particularly given, as Colossus reminds her, he saved her life. Pet peeve #3 means you don't get credit for using a character to point out a plot inconsistency. I'm trying to be open-minded to this reboot, but, honestly, I still find moments like this one happening way too often. It was nice to see Longshot, though.
Also Read: Champions #14; Darth Vader #8; Mighty Thor #701; Star Wars: Doctor Aphra #14
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