All-New, All-Different Avengers #15: In all seriousness (really), the best part of this excellent issue may be the letters page! Roman's letter explaining No-Prize rules and Alanna's responses are LOL funny, and, as an oldster like Roman, it makes my FOM heart glad.
Captain America: Steve Rogers #6: The problem with this series at this point is that the shtick at its core -- Steve Rogers as a HYDRA agent -- is starting to get old. I'm not saying it isn't well executed. In fact, Spencer has probably given us the best "Civil War II" tie-in issues, showing how Steve is manipulating the civil war between the superheroes to advance his own agenda. But, at some point, we know this story is going to end. The only suspense is how it ends. Will Steve publicly be revealed as a HYDRA agent, destroying decades of credibility? It would fit with the post-"Civil War II" theme we saw in the "Champions" debut, of a world that has entirely lost faith in its "heroes." But, can Marvel really do that to the brand? It feels more likely Kobik will just will away the entire experience. It's that possibility that's starting to make this series feel tedious. Marvel seems to have grand plans for the Red Skull ever since he took Xavier's brain in "Uncanny Avengers." But, it's been over four years since that happened. Are we ever going to see a reckoning? Until then -- when presumably he'll lose control over Kobik and said wiping will occur-- we're just spinning our wheels here, waiting for the inevitable psychic plane battle between Johann and Steve that we already saw at the end of "Captain America: Reborn."
Champions #1: I don't have too much to say about this issue, since Waid hits most of the marks well. It's not the most exciting way to get the team together, but it works, so I'm not complaining. Waid's decision to separate the younger Avengers from the team feels right, disgusted as they are in the way the adults spend more time fighting each other than injustice. It's the sort of optimism the young can have despite all odds, so it makes sense that Kamala, Miles, and Sam hit the road. The challenge for Waid is going to be to test them, but not leave them completely disillusioned. "New Warriors" collapsed in part because everything was so grim all the time. Waid probably needs to have Kamala's promise of a better way -- where people with powers aren't just pounding people who don't have powers -- persist in despite of adversity. Otherwise, it's going to be just another team book, and these characters are too good for that.
Civil War II #6: I officially have no idea what's happening anymore. We've got a burning Triskellion that I don't remember ever being attacked. We've got the fact that I'm not really clear on which side most of the characters have taken, a confusion exacerbated when a number of them switch sides this issue. (When did Jean and Storm start worshiping Queen Carol? Why is T'Challa an asshole simply for disagreeing with Carol based on pretty sound evidence that Ulysses' predictions can be wrong?) We've got the false equivalency of Cap and Miles standing at the Capitol next issue proving Miles doesn't kill him, even though it only prove Miles doesn't kill him in that exact moment. We've got the junior Avengers praising someone named RiRi for her actions on the field, but I don't remember even seeing her last issue, let alone seeing her do anything. I could re-read issue #5 and then this issue and try to make sense of it all, but I don't really care enough to do so. If Marvel doesn't care enough to put out these issues on anything approaching a regular schedule, why should I put in the work trying to understand the story?
New Avengers #17: We learn three important things in this issue. First, the Maker is trying to reconstruct the original multiverse and make it stronger so we're ready for some sort of coming war. (Isn't there always some sort of coming war?) Second, 'Berto didn't lose his powers, but doesn't use them because it costs him several years of his life every time he does. Third, Dum Dum Dugan's prime body is alive. Taken together, it clears up some of the mystery hanging over this series. "Berto seems to be preparing to finish off A.I.M next issue and it seems like H.A.M.M.E.R is in his sights after that...if he survives the experience, as the cover to next issue implies.
Prowler #1: I was excited about this series, since Prowler has been one of my favorite B-Listers ever since I first encountered him in "Amazing Spider-Man" #304. These types of characters don't get a lot of chances to shine. For every surprisingly successful "Hawkeye" run, there's a dozen or so "Black Knight"s or "Red Wolf"s, where the creative team isn't able to convince anyone beyond long-time fans to return for issue #2. I'm worried Hobie is going to fall into that category. Marvel is giving a number of B-Listers and C-Listers their own series this month, and I've read a few of the first issues. The "Solo" debut was solid, giving new readers a good idea of his modus operandi but focusing enough on action to keep the casual reader engaged. Unfortunately, Ryan fails to do that here. He not only spends too much time narrating Hobie's past, but the casual reader has to be following all the twists and turns of the "Clone Conspiracy" event to have a hope of understanding what happens in this issue. It's that sort of in-universe focus in a first issue that can kill a series before it gets off the ground. My opinion is obviously colored by the fact that I'm not buying what Slott is selling in "Clone Conspiracy," but I feel like we don't even have a chance of Hobie getting to stand on his own two feet before the axe drops on this series.
Also Read: Extraordinary X-Men #15; Ms. Marvel #12; Poe Dameron #7; Star Wars #24
Showing posts with label New Avengers (2015). Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Avengers (2015). Show all posts
Monday, January 23, 2017
Saturday, July 30, 2016
Not-Very-Deep Thoughts: The July 13 Edition (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
All-New X-Men #11: From a character perspective, Hopeless does a great job here with Evan. He shows his anguish in a way that reminds us that he's a teenager: he's not thinking through the ramifications of his actions as he seeks to save En Sabah Nur from his future. When Hank is forced to return them home lest they do more damage, Evan is despondent, his chance at redemption lost. That said, from a plot perspective, Hopeless leaves so much on the table here that I have to assume we'll revisit this story one day. First, Hank trades a story of the future with the Mystic to get back the Mask of Horus, though we don't learn what story Hank tells him. Does Hank give the Mystic information that helps him mold En Sabah Nur into Apocalypse? Does he do it intentionally, given his belief he and Evan shouldn't change the past? Second, Hank tells Evan that the Mask showed him something on their journey to the present, but Evan refuses to hear what it is. It's presumably more important than the winning lottery numbers, so I'm assuming that we'll hear what it is one day. Finally, Hopeless more or less leaves us hanging when it comes to En Sabah Nur himself. His father pledges to basically brutalize him until he becomes a man. However, Hopeless did such a good job of showing us En Sabah Nur's decency that it's hard to believe that his father could ever be so successful. How does En Sabah Nur finally break? We really need another arc (or mini-series) to close this circle.
Civil War II #3: I don't have much to say except that I'm Team Tony all the way here. As Tony himself says to Carol, we're basically at the point where she could justify murdering everyone with powers, because Ulysses could, at some point, predict them going off the deep end. Bendis also makes Tony's position compatible with his position in the original "Civil War:" he believes that they need to be protecting people, but that also means protecting each other. Moreover, Bendis did a great job keeping the denouement of this issue a surprise. I was really expecting Carol to force Ulysses' vision of a rampaging Hulk to come true. When Hawkeye does what he did here, I was as confused as the characters, adding to the drama. I legitimately can't wait to see where we go from here.
Detective Comics #936: We get a surprising amount of answers here, given that I assumed we'd spend at least a year not knowing the identity of the organization hunting the team. Tynion gets right to it, though: it's called the Colony, Kate's dad is at least one of its leaders (if not the leader), and he's been training her explicitly for the purpose of joining him. He claims that it's an altruistic organization fighting global threats that Batman has ignored due to his singular focus on Gotham. They've got a target in Gotham, and they had to take down Batman since he'd likely try to stop them from eliminating it. That shadiness -- in addition to the years of lying -- leads Kate (and the reader) to conclude that they're probably not as altruistic as Kate's dad is pretending they are. Kate and the team escape, and we're really cruising for a bruising now. For me, the great part is that Tynion shows that he's playing for keeps here. The revelation that Kate's dad has betrayed her isn't something that a future author is just going to be able to ignore. Plus, Tynion digs into Kate herself; this story is about addressing her own self-doubts. He brilliantly uses Renée to reveal these doubts, as she notes that Kate seems all business to most people but the few people that know her well know that she needs direction. But, without Batman to lead, she's going to have to trust herself and her teammates. We're three issues into this relaunch, but it already feels like this team has been together for years. Team Belfry all the way, man.
New Avengers #13: You know, I'm really happy I hung in here. With the focus shifting to Bobby and Sam, I feel like we're getting the old band together again. They even have a secret "mutual friend" on the island! I was a little surprised when I learned that Sam is married with a kid, but a little Internet research reveals that it happened during the time period where the Avengers jumped eight months into the future. (If I'm not mistaken, we're now 16 months from that original point, since we're eight months after "Secret Wars." Maybe? Or is it the same eight months? Whatever.) Also, I'm starting to feel invested in the other characters, particularly Songbird. She really compliments Bobby, and I have to wonder, after all this time, if he hasn't met his match (other than Sam, obviously). When you add in there the Maker and a rogue S.H.I.E.L.D. agent as enemies, every issue is really a series of unpredictable events. It was a slow, uneven start, but Ewing is finding his footing here. Score one for an event keeping me engaged in a series (he says, shocked).
Nightwing: Rebirth #1: Seeley somehow manages to wrap up every loose end from "Grayson" in a coherent narrative that unfolds naturally. The frame of the story has Dick on the hunt for a device that can disable the bomb that the Court of Owl put in Damian's brain at the end of "Robin War." Although Tiger isn't able to help him, Midnighter is, providing him with such a device. To warm up an unaware Damian, Dick brings him to the arcade to play his favorite video game ("Cheese Vikings"). Seeing the two of them together made me long for the days when they were a team, since their banter is so naturally good. As always, Dick brings out the best in Damian as a character (moving him beyond his often one-dimensional portrayal): when Dick tells him about the bombs, Damian demands more ice cream and video games, acting almost as a normal kid. With the bomb eventually defused, Dick is now freed from the Court of Owls. However, we learn that he's actually beholden to the Parliament of Owls, a more global group. (I had no idea they were two different entities, and I can't tell if we're learning that for the first time here or if we've known about it for a while.) At any rate, Lincoln March is crowing over his success in securing Dick to the Parliament, but he's seemingly killed by a Talon, expositing that they really want more direct access to Nightwing. They're going to get it, too, because Dick takes up the Nightwing persona again at the end of this issue specifically to take down the Parliament. As thrilled as I am with Seeley tying up all these loose ends, it was really Dick's brotherly time with Damian that I enjoyed the most. I hope that we see him frequently in the coming series.
Also Read: Bloodshot Reborn #15; Dungeons & Dragons: Shadows of the Vampire #3
Civil War II #3: I don't have much to say except that I'm Team Tony all the way here. As Tony himself says to Carol, we're basically at the point where she could justify murdering everyone with powers, because Ulysses could, at some point, predict them going off the deep end. Bendis also makes Tony's position compatible with his position in the original "Civil War:" he believes that they need to be protecting people, but that also means protecting each other. Moreover, Bendis did a great job keeping the denouement of this issue a surprise. I was really expecting Carol to force Ulysses' vision of a rampaging Hulk to come true. When Hawkeye does what he did here, I was as confused as the characters, adding to the drama. I legitimately can't wait to see where we go from here.
Detective Comics #936: We get a surprising amount of answers here, given that I assumed we'd spend at least a year not knowing the identity of the organization hunting the team. Tynion gets right to it, though: it's called the Colony, Kate's dad is at least one of its leaders (if not the leader), and he's been training her explicitly for the purpose of joining him. He claims that it's an altruistic organization fighting global threats that Batman has ignored due to his singular focus on Gotham. They've got a target in Gotham, and they had to take down Batman since he'd likely try to stop them from eliminating it. That shadiness -- in addition to the years of lying -- leads Kate (and the reader) to conclude that they're probably not as altruistic as Kate's dad is pretending they are. Kate and the team escape, and we're really cruising for a bruising now. For me, the great part is that Tynion shows that he's playing for keeps here. The revelation that Kate's dad has betrayed her isn't something that a future author is just going to be able to ignore. Plus, Tynion digs into Kate herself; this story is about addressing her own self-doubts. He brilliantly uses Renée to reveal these doubts, as she notes that Kate seems all business to most people but the few people that know her well know that she needs direction. But, without Batman to lead, she's going to have to trust herself and her teammates. We're three issues into this relaunch, but it already feels like this team has been together for years. Team Belfry all the way, man.
New Avengers #13: You know, I'm really happy I hung in here. With the focus shifting to Bobby and Sam, I feel like we're getting the old band together again. They even have a secret "mutual friend" on the island! I was a little surprised when I learned that Sam is married with a kid, but a little Internet research reveals that it happened during the time period where the Avengers jumped eight months into the future. (If I'm not mistaken, we're now 16 months from that original point, since we're eight months after "Secret Wars." Maybe? Or is it the same eight months? Whatever.) Also, I'm starting to feel invested in the other characters, particularly Songbird. She really compliments Bobby, and I have to wonder, after all this time, if he hasn't met his match (other than Sam, obviously). When you add in there the Maker and a rogue S.H.I.E.L.D. agent as enemies, every issue is really a series of unpredictable events. It was a slow, uneven start, but Ewing is finding his footing here. Score one for an event keeping me engaged in a series (he says, shocked).
Nightwing: Rebirth #1: Seeley somehow manages to wrap up every loose end from "Grayson" in a coherent narrative that unfolds naturally. The frame of the story has Dick on the hunt for a device that can disable the bomb that the Court of Owl put in Damian's brain at the end of "Robin War." Although Tiger isn't able to help him, Midnighter is, providing him with such a device. To warm up an unaware Damian, Dick brings him to the arcade to play his favorite video game ("Cheese Vikings"). Seeing the two of them together made me long for the days when they were a team, since their banter is so naturally good. As always, Dick brings out the best in Damian as a character (moving him beyond his often one-dimensional portrayal): when Dick tells him about the bombs, Damian demands more ice cream and video games, acting almost as a normal kid. With the bomb eventually defused, Dick is now freed from the Court of Owls. However, we learn that he's actually beholden to the Parliament of Owls, a more global group. (I had no idea they were two different entities, and I can't tell if we're learning that for the first time here or if we've known about it for a while.) At any rate, Lincoln March is crowing over his success in securing Dick to the Parliament, but he's seemingly killed by a Talon, expositing that they really want more direct access to Nightwing. They're going to get it, too, because Dick takes up the Nightwing persona again at the end of this issue specifically to take down the Parliament. As thrilled as I am with Seeley tying up all these loose ends, it was really Dick's brotherly time with Damian that I enjoyed the most. I hope that we see him frequently in the coming series.
Also Read: Bloodshot Reborn #15; Dungeons & Dragons: Shadows of the Vampire #3
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
New Avengers #4 (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
Either I'm missing something or Ewing is being way too subtle when it comes to conclusions that we're supposed to be drawing here.
Last issue, M'Ryn the Magus -- the elder of the group of Kree/Skrull hybrids that selected Teddy as its king -- forbade his daughter, Mur-G'Nn and the group's champion, Lan-Zarr, from hunting down Teddy. As such, I was somewhat confused when they did exactly that. In this issue, Ewing makes it clear that M'Ryn did give those orders, but it wasn't him -- Moridun did, after he possess M'Ryn (as we also saw last issue). However, unless I missed a page last issue, we never actually saw a Moridun-possessed M'Ryn issue those orders; I'm merely inferring them from Mur-G'Nn's comments here. Needless to say, it feels like a fairly significant oversight, given how important that it is to the overall plot.
In terms of the rest of the developments, I can't say that they're necessarily any clearer. M'Ryn uses a moment of distraction to inject himself into Billy, who's unaware that he did so. However, his decision to rename himself Demiurge is supposed to show us that Moridun is already negatively affecting him. (Billy renamed himself because he was apparently offending the Wiccan community, according to one of his teammates.) Ewing weirdly chooses comedy to convey this (somewhat serious) situation, including an interaction between Teddy and Billy where Teddy says that he feels like he's being hit over the head by something obvious and Billy refers to an itch in the back of his brain.
To make matters odder, Lan-Zarr decides to allow Teddy to simply leave with Excelsior, the space version of Excalibur, even after all the trouble that he endured to recruit him. He basically wishes him well and hopes that he'll realize his destiny to lead his people one day. (Of course, we also learned in this issue that only seven of his people exist. Actually, three of them, including M'Ryn, appear to die, so I guess we've got only four of them now.) I get that Lan-Zarr can't exactly force Teddy to stay with him, but I'm not really sure what conclusions that we're supposed to draw about Teddy at this point. He simply abandons his people (even if it's just four of them) and his purported destiny to live on Earth? He doesn't even ask additional questions? Also, Lann-Zarr and the other three hybrids can't just move to Earth to be with their king? It just seems too easily resolved.
I've mentioned that I'm not really feeling this series, and I think I've had enough. I'm going to hang in here until "Avengers Standoff" concludes, but, if it doesn't improve, even Billy and Teddy can't save this title for me, unfortunately.
** (two of five stars)
Last issue, M'Ryn the Magus -- the elder of the group of Kree/Skrull hybrids that selected Teddy as its king -- forbade his daughter, Mur-G'Nn and the group's champion, Lan-Zarr, from hunting down Teddy. As such, I was somewhat confused when they did exactly that. In this issue, Ewing makes it clear that M'Ryn did give those orders, but it wasn't him -- Moridun did, after he possess M'Ryn (as we also saw last issue). However, unless I missed a page last issue, we never actually saw a Moridun-possessed M'Ryn issue those orders; I'm merely inferring them from Mur-G'Nn's comments here. Needless to say, it feels like a fairly significant oversight, given how important that it is to the overall plot.
In terms of the rest of the developments, I can't say that they're necessarily any clearer. M'Ryn uses a moment of distraction to inject himself into Billy, who's unaware that he did so. However, his decision to rename himself Demiurge is supposed to show us that Moridun is already negatively affecting him. (Billy renamed himself because he was apparently offending the Wiccan community, according to one of his teammates.) Ewing weirdly chooses comedy to convey this (somewhat serious) situation, including an interaction between Teddy and Billy where Teddy says that he feels like he's being hit over the head by something obvious and Billy refers to an itch in the back of his brain.
To make matters odder, Lan-Zarr decides to allow Teddy to simply leave with Excelsior, the space version of Excalibur, even after all the trouble that he endured to recruit him. He basically wishes him well and hopes that he'll realize his destiny to lead his people one day. (Of course, we also learned in this issue that only seven of his people exist. Actually, three of them, including M'Ryn, appear to die, so I guess we've got only four of them now.) I get that Lan-Zarr can't exactly force Teddy to stay with him, but I'm not really sure what conclusions that we're supposed to draw about Teddy at this point. He simply abandons his people (even if it's just four of them) and his purported destiny to live on Earth? He doesn't even ask additional questions? Also, Lann-Zarr and the other three hybrids can't just move to Earth to be with their king? It just seems too easily resolved.
I've mentioned that I'm not really feeling this series, and I think I've had enough. I'm going to hang in here until "Avengers Standoff" concludes, but, if it doesn't improve, even Billy and Teddy can't save this title for me, unfortunately.
** (two of five stars)
Saturday, February 20, 2016
New Avengers #3 (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
This issue is...better? I guess?
The "incident" with the Maker is apparently already forgotten as this issue begins: we start with a few parallel sequences showing us every-day life on the A.I.M. compound. Meanwhile, trouble is brewing in space. On some distant planet, two warriors from a race of Kree-Skrull hybrids try to convince their elder that his prophecy -- that a hybrid King will rise to take over both destroyed kingdoms -- has come to pass. However, he insists that it hasn't and sends them from him. We learn that he did so because he hasn't revealed the full extent of the prophecy to them: on the day that they find their king, he will die. Unfortunately for him, prophecies don't really work that way: you can't just keep them from happening by not telling people about them. (He should read some "Harry Potter.") Moridun -- the demon that the Maker summoned from the previous Universe in the last issue -- reveals the catch in the prophecy to us when he arrives and kills the elder.
On Earth, the various group-hangs are interrupted by the arrival of a Kree-Skrull spaceship. The two warriors have come for Teddy (apparently defying the elder's wishes) and teleport him and Wiccan to their home planet. There, Teddy pulls a sword from a beam of light, revealing that he is indeed King. Trouble, I assume, will ensue.
One of my challenges with this series is that Ewing hasn't really made it clear what tone he's using. On one hand, it's jokey-jokey: Teddy pulls the sword nonchalantly from the beam of light while one of the warriors is pontificating on why the ceremony is so important. On the other hand, it's intrigue-focused: Songbird informs 'Berto that she's found a transmitter on her, revealing that someone is spying on them. Of course, it's possible for an issue to be both amusing and suspenseful: that combination describes pretty much every issue of "Amazing Spider-Man" ever. But, something about it just doesn't work here. I'm happy that we're focused on Teddy and Wiccan, since I'm pretty much here for them. But, once Ewing tells that story, I'm not sure if I'm still going to want to keep hanging.
** (two of five stars)
The "incident" with the Maker is apparently already forgotten as this issue begins: we start with a few parallel sequences showing us every-day life on the A.I.M. compound. Meanwhile, trouble is brewing in space. On some distant planet, two warriors from a race of Kree-Skrull hybrids try to convince their elder that his prophecy -- that a hybrid King will rise to take over both destroyed kingdoms -- has come to pass. However, he insists that it hasn't and sends them from him. We learn that he did so because he hasn't revealed the full extent of the prophecy to them: on the day that they find their king, he will die. Unfortunately for him, prophecies don't really work that way: you can't just keep them from happening by not telling people about them. (He should read some "Harry Potter.") Moridun -- the demon that the Maker summoned from the previous Universe in the last issue -- reveals the catch in the prophecy to us when he arrives and kills the elder.
On Earth, the various group-hangs are interrupted by the arrival of a Kree-Skrull spaceship. The two warriors have come for Teddy (apparently defying the elder's wishes) and teleport him and Wiccan to their home planet. There, Teddy pulls a sword from a beam of light, revealing that he is indeed King. Trouble, I assume, will ensue.
One of my challenges with this series is that Ewing hasn't really made it clear what tone he's using. On one hand, it's jokey-jokey: Teddy pulls the sword nonchalantly from the beam of light while one of the warriors is pontificating on why the ceremony is so important. On the other hand, it's intrigue-focused: Songbird informs 'Berto that she's found a transmitter on her, revealing that someone is spying on them. Of course, it's possible for an issue to be both amusing and suspenseful: that combination describes pretty much every issue of "Amazing Spider-Man" ever. But, something about it just doesn't work here. I'm happy that we're focused on Teddy and Wiccan, since I'm pretty much here for them. But, once Ewing tells that story, I'm not sure if I'm still going to want to keep hanging.
** (two of five stars)
Thursday, December 31, 2015
New Avengers #2 (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
I love Al Ewing, but, seriously, I'm having a hard time seeing me sticking with this title past issue #3.
The good news is that Ewing does an impressive job of making the story that seemed impossible to understand last issue clear in this one. The Maker suspects that this Universe is a new one and is searching for proof that other Universes existed before this one. He's doing so by excavating old souls and somehow triangulating them to find older ones. His hope is that he'll be able to map the previous Universes in this way. Sure, we learn this through not one, but two, super-villain speeches. It's normally the sort of thing that bothers me, but, frankly, Ewing manages to sell it here, since the Maker seems exactly like the type of megalomaniacal lunatic given to such speeches. Moreover, it gives us a hint that seems to counter my sense that the inhabitants of this new Universe (heh) remembered the old one(s). If they do, they don't remember the events of "Secret Wars." That said, though, Maria Hill referred to incursions in "Captain America: Sam Wilson" #2, so I'm not sure how people think that the incursions resolved themselves. After all, at some point, someone has to realize that this Universe has two Reed Richards, don't they?
All that said, the bad news is that the Maker's plan raises all sorts of questions that Ewing doesn't answer. First, I didn't quite get why the Maker decided not only to map old souls, but to weaponize this process by turning present souls into crystals and replacing the bearer's head with them. (Again admirably, he somehow manages to sell the process itself, through a pretty great "SCIENCE!" sequence involving the A.I.M. scientists.) Second, we may know more about the Maker's goals, but we know virtually nothing about the Avengers'. Ewing implies that 'Berto might have nefarious goals, even if he manages to pass Dum Dum's inspection in this issue. Moreover, we don't know why the other team members actually joined the team. Why would two young gay guys decide to strand themselves from their family and friends off the coast of California? We have no idea.
Sure, I'll give credit where credit is due and say that Ewing pulls off three explanatory sequences without them seeming excessively expository. But, I would've preferred a simpler adventuring hook that didn't require such effort, freeing up the space to let us get to know the team a little better. I know it's only the second issue, but, with as many new comics as Marvel is throwing at us at this point, it's not exactly a seller's market, in terms of individual creative teams getting to keep readers for long. I'm hoping everyone has, like, dinner together or something next issue so we can start to get a sense of the feeling that Ewing has planned for this book.
** (two of five stars)
The good news is that Ewing does an impressive job of making the story that seemed impossible to understand last issue clear in this one. The Maker suspects that this Universe is a new one and is searching for proof that other Universes existed before this one. He's doing so by excavating old souls and somehow triangulating them to find older ones. His hope is that he'll be able to map the previous Universes in this way. Sure, we learn this through not one, but two, super-villain speeches. It's normally the sort of thing that bothers me, but, frankly, Ewing manages to sell it here, since the Maker seems exactly like the type of megalomaniacal lunatic given to such speeches. Moreover, it gives us a hint that seems to counter my sense that the inhabitants of this new Universe (heh) remembered the old one(s). If they do, they don't remember the events of "Secret Wars." That said, though, Maria Hill referred to incursions in "Captain America: Sam Wilson" #2, so I'm not sure how people think that the incursions resolved themselves. After all, at some point, someone has to realize that this Universe has two Reed Richards, don't they?
All that said, the bad news is that the Maker's plan raises all sorts of questions that Ewing doesn't answer. First, I didn't quite get why the Maker decided not only to map old souls, but to weaponize this process by turning present souls into crystals and replacing the bearer's head with them. (Again admirably, he somehow manages to sell the process itself, through a pretty great "SCIENCE!" sequence involving the A.I.M. scientists.) Second, we may know more about the Maker's goals, but we know virtually nothing about the Avengers'. Ewing implies that 'Berto might have nefarious goals, even if he manages to pass Dum Dum's inspection in this issue. Moreover, we don't know why the other team members actually joined the team. Why would two young gay guys decide to strand themselves from their family and friends off the coast of California? We have no idea.
Sure, I'll give credit where credit is due and say that Ewing pulls off three explanatory sequences without them seeming excessively expository. But, I would've preferred a simpler adventuring hook that didn't require such effort, freeing up the space to let us get to know the team a little better. I know it's only the second issue, but, with as many new comics as Marvel is throwing at us at this point, it's not exactly a seller's market, in terms of individual creative teams getting to keep readers for long. I'm hoping everyone has, like, dinner together or something next issue so we can start to get a sense of the feeling that Ewing has planned for this book.
** (two of five stars)
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
New Avengers #1 (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
This first issue is...rough.
Before I get into the details, though, let me just say that I'm committed. As I mentioned in my review of "Avengers" #0, I'm really thrilled to return to the Avengers' world, after Hickman drove me from it when he took over the line. I also love Al Ewing, after his amazing work on "Loki: Agent of Asgard." As such, I'm confident that he has a vision for where he's going.
That said, this issue doesn't really do much to add to that confidence. I get the general outline of the story, but the important details and larger arc are elusive. We learn that Sunspot has taken over A.I.M., renamed it "Avengers Ideas Mechanics," and set up shop on Avengers Island (now off the coast of California). We're not told how or why he's done so, though Ewing will presumably get there. Roberto has assembled an incredibly random group of heroes into his strike force. We've got Hulkling and Wiccan, Power Man and White Tiger, and Songbird and...Squirrel Girl. The first four make sense: it's like a merger of "Young Avengers" and "Mighty Avengers." Plus, they're all more or less the same age. But, then we've got Songbird, a villain that's been in the game for a long, long time, and...Squirrel Girl. Later in the issue, S.H.I.E.L.D. openly places Hawkeye on the team as a plant, and I actually like his presence here, since he'll lend a little experience to the team. In fact, it completes the idea of couples (not necessarily romantic ones) comprising the team, since he'd be a good match for Songbird. Of course, Squirrel Girl also considers herself a couple, with her...squirrel (Tippy-Toe), so I guess it still works. (You can see why I'm struggling here. The only good part about her presence is that the rest of the team seems as confused by her as I am. But, it gets close to pet peeve #3, where the author uses a character pointing out a plot flaw as an excuse for including said flaw in the first place.)
Anyway, someone has deployed an army of creatures in Paris: they look human, except for the fact that they have a glowing diamond for a head. (Seriously.) While the strike force tries to deal with them, Roberto has his scientific staff try to get to the bottom of the story. Meanwhile, he hosts a visit from Dum Dum Duggan (now openly known as a cyborg). Dum Dum says that S.H.I.E.L.D. is willing to trust 'Berto, since they still consider him a good guy, but they're putting Clint on the team as their spy. (Hilariously, 'Berto asks for the other Hawkeye, and, man, I'd love that.) In Paris, the team engages the...creatures, and Power Man uses his chi power to realize that the "crystals" are really the souls of the dead. 'Berto's scientists realize that the creatures are creating a pentagram pattern, and Power Man puts two and two together (somehow) to realize that they're creating a "telephone to the dead." Meanwhile, we're treated to more exposition, since we're shown W.H.I.S.P.E.R. headquarters, where the Maker is revealed to be the culprit. He's working on something called "Life-Minus." (He also refers to it as the "excavation," though the only way that make sense is if he's excavating souls.) The issue ends with him deploying souped-up versions of the creatures, calling them his Neohedron. (It took me a second read to realize that they're the members of the S.H.I.E.L.D. team that Duggan tells 'Berto went missing in Paris ten minutes earlier.)
As I said, it's not a terribly inspiring start. I'm happy to give Ewing time to develop the team dynamics and the addition of Hawkeye does offer promise. But, my skepticism comes from the fact that I don't think that the answers to the big mysteries hovering over this issue will be all that interesting. Once we find out why 'Berto took over A.I.M. and its connection to the Avengers, is it really going to be that interesting? How will it distinguish itself from the modus operandi of all the other Avengers teams? Will the Maker ever not sound like a Bond villain? If he does, will W.H.I.S.P.E.R. ever feel like it's not inspired by M.A.D. from "Inspector Gadget?" Will Squirrel Girl even not be annoying? I'm not super hopeful about the answers to these questions, but we'll see.
** (two of five stars)
Before I get into the details, though, let me just say that I'm committed. As I mentioned in my review of "Avengers" #0, I'm really thrilled to return to the Avengers' world, after Hickman drove me from it when he took over the line. I also love Al Ewing, after his amazing work on "Loki: Agent of Asgard." As such, I'm confident that he has a vision for where he's going.
That said, this issue doesn't really do much to add to that confidence. I get the general outline of the story, but the important details and larger arc are elusive. We learn that Sunspot has taken over A.I.M., renamed it "Avengers Ideas Mechanics," and set up shop on Avengers Island (now off the coast of California). We're not told how or why he's done so, though Ewing will presumably get there. Roberto has assembled an incredibly random group of heroes into his strike force. We've got Hulkling and Wiccan, Power Man and White Tiger, and Songbird and...Squirrel Girl. The first four make sense: it's like a merger of "Young Avengers" and "Mighty Avengers." Plus, they're all more or less the same age. But, then we've got Songbird, a villain that's been in the game for a long, long time, and...Squirrel Girl. Later in the issue, S.H.I.E.L.D. openly places Hawkeye on the team as a plant, and I actually like his presence here, since he'll lend a little experience to the team. In fact, it completes the idea of couples (not necessarily romantic ones) comprising the team, since he'd be a good match for Songbird. Of course, Squirrel Girl also considers herself a couple, with her...squirrel (Tippy-Toe), so I guess it still works. (You can see why I'm struggling here. The only good part about her presence is that the rest of the team seems as confused by her as I am. But, it gets close to pet peeve #3, where the author uses a character pointing out a plot flaw as an excuse for including said flaw in the first place.)
Anyway, someone has deployed an army of creatures in Paris: they look human, except for the fact that they have a glowing diamond for a head. (Seriously.) While the strike force tries to deal with them, Roberto has his scientific staff try to get to the bottom of the story. Meanwhile, he hosts a visit from Dum Dum Duggan (now openly known as a cyborg). Dum Dum says that S.H.I.E.L.D. is willing to trust 'Berto, since they still consider him a good guy, but they're putting Clint on the team as their spy. (Hilariously, 'Berto asks for the other Hawkeye, and, man, I'd love that.) In Paris, the team engages the...creatures, and Power Man uses his chi power to realize that the "crystals" are really the souls of the dead. 'Berto's scientists realize that the creatures are creating a pentagram pattern, and Power Man puts two and two together (somehow) to realize that they're creating a "telephone to the dead." Meanwhile, we're treated to more exposition, since we're shown W.H.I.S.P.E.R. headquarters, where the Maker is revealed to be the culprit. He's working on something called "Life-Minus." (He also refers to it as the "excavation," though the only way that make sense is if he's excavating souls.) The issue ends with him deploying souped-up versions of the creatures, calling them his Neohedron. (It took me a second read to realize that they're the members of the S.H.I.E.L.D. team that Duggan tells 'Berto went missing in Paris ten minutes earlier.)
As I said, it's not a terribly inspiring start. I'm happy to give Ewing time to develop the team dynamics and the addition of Hawkeye does offer promise. But, my skepticism comes from the fact that I don't think that the answers to the big mysteries hovering over this issue will be all that interesting. Once we find out why 'Berto took over A.I.M. and its connection to the Avengers, is it really going to be that interesting? How will it distinguish itself from the modus operandi of all the other Avengers teams? Will the Maker ever not sound like a Bond villain? If he does, will W.H.I.S.P.E.R. ever feel like it's not inspired by M.A.D. from "Inspector Gadget?" Will Squirrel Girl even not be annoying? I'm not super hopeful about the answers to these questions, but we'll see.
** (two of five stars)
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)