Captain America: Sam Wilson #20: I repeatedly put off reading this issue because I knew something bad was coming. It's a sign of how compelling of a story Spencer is writing, but it doesn't mean that story is always pleasant. In the end, I was right to be concerned. It was one of the most moving issues I've ever read. Elvin is sent to Z Block, New York's version of the Raft. It was built by the lowest bidder, and it's insecure at best. Elvin knows what Sam refuses to accept: he's going to die there. And, he does. He's beaten to death by other super-powered prisoners, some of them villains he helped incarcerate; at the end of the issue, he's brain dead and on life support. I remember Rage's debut in the "Avengers" in 1990. I remember the shock of discovering he was around my age, and I remember his time with the "New Warriors" feeling like he got a second change at life. He died as he lived in this issue, fighting a system stacked against him. I feel sick over it, and Spencer uses that shock to drive home his point. If I feel this way over a fictional character, it's easy to see how emotionally damaging these events are in real life. It drives home the point Spencer has been making since this issue started. Spencer implies Sam gives up the shield next issue, and I honestly don't know how he couldn't. How could he still believe in a system that resulted in Rage dying this way? It seems too much to ask.
Mighty Thor #17: OK, I was initially annoyed the Asgard-Shi'ar War was distracting us from the War of the Realms, but Dauterman is so over-the-top amazing in presenting the grandeur of this war that I honestly don't mind right now. That super-nova scene? Spectacular. Plus, Aaron makes sure to show us it's meant to be distraction: Loki set this ball in motion to buy him and Malekith some time to plot and scheme. Will Cul actually find himself grudgingly admiring Thor after they kick Sharra and K'ythri's asses? We'll see.
Nightwing #17: Professor Pyg! I really was worried where Seeley was going with the arc, but I have to say I'm much relieved now. First, going to Fontevraud Abbey was one of the coolest trips I've ever made so it was amazing to watch Dick's fight with Deathwing happen there. Over the course of this battle, we come to learn Deathwing is a Dolltron after a Dolltron Robin appears and attacks him. We also learn Professor Pyg has come to admire -- in his way -- Shawn's art. That said, Seeley doesn't answer all our questions by the end of this issue. For example, it's unclear how the "blood" Deathwing administered to Dick caused him to see alternate versions of himself. Also, I'm not sure how Pyg came to know Dick so intimately that he knew to use Robin Hood themes to taunt him. Also, is he obsessed with Shawn, or is it more about Dick? But, Seeley has plenty of time to answer these questions. In the meantime, the visions Dick has here are helpful in digging around his consciousness. We learn he viewed his time as Batman as allowing him to be an idealized version of himself where he was in control of who left a situation hurt. (Notably, he's not proud of that.) Plus, it helps him realize Damian's anger is driven in part by his fear Dick is replacing him with his new life in Blüdhaven. This revelation comes after Dick telling Damian earlier in the issue that he thinks he (Damian) suffers the most from Bruce's distraction. Pulling these threads together, Damian sees Dick as his father, and it makes sense he's worried Dick is leaving him behind (particularly if he becomes a new father). In other words, Seeley is giving us a really insightful coda to Dick's time as Batman, something we didn't really get given the abrupt shift to the DCnU. If it means Dick resolves his issues with Damian and we see Damian more, I'm all for it.
Poe Dameron #12: The good news is this arc get a lot more interesting here. Oddy is revealed to be the traitor, but he did it because Terex captured his wife, using her not only as a slave but leverage to get Oddy to give over secrets. I have to admit it makes sense, and it's nice Oddy doesn't turn out being a two-faced liar. Meanwhile, Poe finds him trapped in a cave and loses BB-8 and C-3PO in short order as they sacrifice themselves (allegedly) to prevent Terex's advance to find him. He's left with the frankly hilarious Nunzix as Black Squadron makes its way to Poe's location. (I'm assuming Oddy gave them the information after the guy he was holding hostage told him Terex had departed the ship.) All in all, the story flows much better than it has, and Soule injects it with some actual excitement, as we all wait to see how Poe and Black Squadron -- now pursued by Terex's fleet -- are going to survive long enough to save each other.
Uncanny Avengers #21: Perhaps the most interesting part of this issue is what doesn't happen. Based on the cover (in a great example of pet peeve #1), Cable and the Red Skull should be fighting here. If you recall, Cable erased his consciousness in issue #19, asking Belle to implement the "Lifeboat Protocol." I assume it means his consciousness is somewhere else, and the cover to this issue implied he would be fighting the Skull on the astral plane. It doesn't happen, though. Instead, in a moment of brilliance, Deadpool slams Magneto's helmet on Rogue; he apparently found it in the ruins of the Westchester school, where he went to seek help from the X-Men. Freed from the Skull's influence, Rogue is able to defeat the Skull and takes his body to the Beast at New Attilan to perform brain surgery. (We appear to be pre-"IvX" here.) This story apparently concludes next issue, and I wonder if the Avengers are going to go find Nate in the astral plane after they (presumably) get back Xavier's brain next issue. I guess we'll see. Despite the cover problem, though, this issue is another bang-up one, with some really great characterization, particularly when it comes to Deadpool and Rogue. Duggan shows how Rogue has come to respect Wade and the sacrifices he's made to save the team, and I look forward to see how the team treats Wade after the story ends.
The Wild Storm #2: OMG, if you're not getting this series, get it now before it's too late! (Seriously!) This issue might as well have been titled, "The Hunt for Angela, or Revelations." We learn a lot about the current state of play in the Wildstorm universe as the various intelligence agencies scramble to get their hands on Angela. First, Miles huddles with his team at IO to review the situation. We learn Angela was a low-level researcher who shouldn't have had access to the technology she used to create her flight suit. IO only had that technology because they stole it from Skywatch, who didn't know they had it. But, now Skywatch does, so Miles thinks the only hope for maintaining their non-aggression pact is to get Angela, strip the technology from her, and return it to Skywatch. Meanwhile, Marlowe has tasked Cole Cash's son to take his C.A.T. team to find Angela, presumably to keep IO from getting her. (He refers to them as a "tumor that started out as an intelligence service" who's secretly running the world.) Cole, Jr.'s colleague Kenesha (who I don't recognize from the previous iteration of Wildstorm) tracks Angela to an abandoned IO base in Montauk around the same time an alarm from that installation alerts IO to her presence. Adrianna teleports Cole, Jr. and Kenesha to Montauk as Miles dispatches a team as well. Dun-dun-DUN! In other revelations, Cray tells his therapist he has an inoperable brain tumor, the Division is the investigative arm of Skywatch (run by Henry Bendix), and Zealot is tasked with finding Angela (though they don't know she's Angela). Basically, at this point, we're in an arms race. We don't know why Angela built the suit or why everyone is doing what they're doing, but I'm guessing we'll get more information when everyone fights each other next issue. Beyond the amazing script from Ellis, Davis-Hunt continues to be brilliant. The drama and tension that sings throughout this issue is because of his ability to keep the "camera" squarely on the characters; the silent sequence where Angela makes her way through the base in Montauk to her living quarters and cries after becoming human is spectacular. Seriously, people -- get this series.
Also Read: Batman #19; Ms. Marvel #16; Spider-Man #14; U.S.Avengers #4
Showing posts with label Poe Dameron (2016). Show all posts
Showing posts with label Poe Dameron (2016). Show all posts
Friday, March 24, 2017
Friday, February 17, 2017
Not-Very-Deep Thoughts: The January 11 Edition (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
All Star Batman #6: Some people love Scott Snyder, and I am happy for them. I am. Unfortunately, I'm just not one of those people. Snyder plays with too many techniques here, using two different omniscient narrators to tell his story of Batman's confrontation with Mr. Freeze in Alaska. It's moody, to be sure. But, unfortunately, all these narrators don't manage to explain the plot at all. I was left scratching my head at the revelation that Bruce had brought some sort of hot virus with him to combat Freeze's cold virus. The science, as presented, behind these viruses is...iffy at best. Moreover, there are times when Snyder seems to forget his own brilliant ret-con of Freeze's origin, as the casual reader would have no idea that Nora was never actually Fries' wife in the DCnU. It all supports my decision to drop this title. I'm glad other people are thrilled with this series, but I think I can find somewhere else to spend my money,
Detective Comics #948: Tynion and Bennett throw a lot at us here, and it's difficult to keep all the strands separate. First, we are introduced to someone calling herself Dr. Victoria October who appears to have been dead at some point. She comments how she knew Batman in her "pupal" phase and refers to her previous name as her "deadname." It implies she may be someone we know, but it's unclear how we know her or how she's still alive. Separately, we have the return of the Colony. They've stolen samples from one of the dead monsters (from "The Night of the Monster Men") presumably in the hopes of turning it into a biological weapon. (October reminds us that terrorist groups would spend a fortune to get their hands on the samples, given its raw destructive power.) But, it's unclear what the Colony would want to do with such a weapon. After all, I thought the Colony's mission was to defeat the League of Shadows. Why would they want the ability to transform people into monsters to do so? It's not like they're trying to invade Tokyo. Then, we have the introduction of Colony Prime, a one-man army sent to free Jacob. Tynion and Bennett don't tell us how the Colony learned Batman was keeping Jacob in the Belfry. I guess it's not all that difficult to figure, given the Colony already knew the Belfry existed. But, with all these various mysteries coming online simultaneously, it would've been nice to know at least that much. That said, both Tynion and Bennett are excellent writers, so I'm confident all these questions will be answered at some point. In fact, re-reading issues #939-#940 and #942, I'm impressed by the dedication to continuity. The authors are picking up loose threads from both the "Rise of the Batmen" and "Night of the Monster Men" here, and it's fun to watch them weave them into a new story.
IvX #2: Now that the fight has begun, this series improves considerably. With a focus on implementing the X-Men's plan, Lemire and Soule stay in a comfortable lane. In fact, the X-Men are so dominant in this outing that I'm almost worried it's all going to resolve itself too easily, because it's hard to imagine how the Inhumans are going to strike back successfully. I assume they will, however.
Occupy Avengers #3: Nightwing and his "sidekick," Deadly Nightshade, are solid additions to the team (if they are actually additions), though their debut in this issue is a little rocky. First, Nightwing is furious at Hawkeye based on a previous encounter, but it's unclear if this encounter happened in a different series or if we're eventually going to see it as a flashback. (This situation is why we used to have editors' notes, people!) Walker also relies heavily on flashbacks to set up the premise of this arc (that a L.M.D. army of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents is recruiting new members.) It leaves the reader (or, at least, me) feeling like he's missing a few issues, even though we're only on the third issue. This problem is compounded by the characters engaging in a lot of expository dialogue they wouldn't otherwise know, like when Red Wolf apparently knew what L.M.D.s are. That said, once we get into the action, everything runs more smoothly.
Poe Dameron #9: I'm pretty sure I'm canceling this series after this arc ends. I want to like it, but I just feel like Soule isn't finding a groove. At first, this series seemed to be about Black Squadron, but everything was so chaotic it was hard to get to know them. Now, it seems to be about Terex's beef with Poe. But, honestly, I still don't understand why Terex decided to leave the First Order now to become a criminal or why he even stopped being a criminal in the first place. So, it's hard to focus on said beef. I just feel like we've never gotten a clear sense of anyone's motivations and, when we come close to getting one, they don't even make sense.
Spider-Man #12: There's a moment when I read an issue like this one where I wonder how Bendis can write this series so well but "Avengers" was a fucking disaster. Here, he manages to script several involved conversations with the most natural-feeling flow of any comic book I've probably ever read. Moreover, he uses one of those conversations as a framing device for the entire arc, as Miles recounts the story to Ganke and Goldballs. But, since they're teenage boys, we start said story with Miles telling them about making out with Gwen Stacy rather than the fact he was in Gwen's dimension in the first place looking for his father who disappeared on a mission for Maria Hill. Honestly, though? I also care the most about the Gwen part, too. Color me excited!
Titans #7: Titans Together! I could say more, but I don't think I really have to do so. This issue pulls the team together into an actual team -- nervous lawyer, iconic HQ, and all. I couldn't be more excited.
Also Read: Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows #3; Dungeons & Dragons: Frost Giant's Fury #1; Mighty Thor #15; Ms. Marvel #14; Uncanny Avengers #19
Detective Comics #948: Tynion and Bennett throw a lot at us here, and it's difficult to keep all the strands separate. First, we are introduced to someone calling herself Dr. Victoria October who appears to have been dead at some point. She comments how she knew Batman in her "pupal" phase and refers to her previous name as her "deadname." It implies she may be someone we know, but it's unclear how we know her or how she's still alive. Separately, we have the return of the Colony. They've stolen samples from one of the dead monsters (from "The Night of the Monster Men") presumably in the hopes of turning it into a biological weapon. (October reminds us that terrorist groups would spend a fortune to get their hands on the samples, given its raw destructive power.) But, it's unclear what the Colony would want to do with such a weapon. After all, I thought the Colony's mission was to defeat the League of Shadows. Why would they want the ability to transform people into monsters to do so? It's not like they're trying to invade Tokyo. Then, we have the introduction of Colony Prime, a one-man army sent to free Jacob. Tynion and Bennett don't tell us how the Colony learned Batman was keeping Jacob in the Belfry. I guess it's not all that difficult to figure, given the Colony already knew the Belfry existed. But, with all these various mysteries coming online simultaneously, it would've been nice to know at least that much. That said, both Tynion and Bennett are excellent writers, so I'm confident all these questions will be answered at some point. In fact, re-reading issues #939-#940 and #942, I'm impressed by the dedication to continuity. The authors are picking up loose threads from both the "Rise of the Batmen" and "Night of the Monster Men" here, and it's fun to watch them weave them into a new story.
IvX #2: Now that the fight has begun, this series improves considerably. With a focus on implementing the X-Men's plan, Lemire and Soule stay in a comfortable lane. In fact, the X-Men are so dominant in this outing that I'm almost worried it's all going to resolve itself too easily, because it's hard to imagine how the Inhumans are going to strike back successfully. I assume they will, however.
Occupy Avengers #3: Nightwing and his "sidekick," Deadly Nightshade, are solid additions to the team (if they are actually additions), though their debut in this issue is a little rocky. First, Nightwing is furious at Hawkeye based on a previous encounter, but it's unclear if this encounter happened in a different series or if we're eventually going to see it as a flashback. (This situation is why we used to have editors' notes, people!) Walker also relies heavily on flashbacks to set up the premise of this arc (that a L.M.D. army of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents is recruiting new members.) It leaves the reader (or, at least, me) feeling like he's missing a few issues, even though we're only on the third issue. This problem is compounded by the characters engaging in a lot of expository dialogue they wouldn't otherwise know, like when Red Wolf apparently knew what L.M.D.s are. That said, once we get into the action, everything runs more smoothly.
Poe Dameron #9: I'm pretty sure I'm canceling this series after this arc ends. I want to like it, but I just feel like Soule isn't finding a groove. At first, this series seemed to be about Black Squadron, but everything was so chaotic it was hard to get to know them. Now, it seems to be about Terex's beef with Poe. But, honestly, I still don't understand why Terex decided to leave the First Order now to become a criminal or why he even stopped being a criminal in the first place. So, it's hard to focus on said beef. I just feel like we've never gotten a clear sense of anyone's motivations and, when we come close to getting one, they don't even make sense.
Spider-Man #12: There's a moment when I read an issue like this one where I wonder how Bendis can write this series so well but "Avengers" was a fucking disaster. Here, he manages to script several involved conversations with the most natural-feeling flow of any comic book I've probably ever read. Moreover, he uses one of those conversations as a framing device for the entire arc, as Miles recounts the story to Ganke and Goldballs. But, since they're teenage boys, we start said story with Miles telling them about making out with Gwen Stacy rather than the fact he was in Gwen's dimension in the first place looking for his father who disappeared on a mission for Maria Hill. Honestly, though? I also care the most about the Gwen part, too. Color me excited!
Titans #7: Titans Together! I could say more, but I don't think I really have to do so. This issue pulls the team together into an actual team -- nervous lawyer, iconic HQ, and all. I couldn't be more excited.
Also Read: Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows #3; Dungeons & Dragons: Frost Giant's Fury #1; Mighty Thor #15; Ms. Marvel #14; Uncanny Avengers #19
Friday, January 27, 2017
Not-Very-Deep Thoughts: The November 9 Edition (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows #1: I had high hopes
for this issue, but I'm not sure if Conway actually delivers. Part of the joy
of the first iteration of this series was the close relationships the
Parkers had with each other. However, those relationships seem frayed here. Peter and Mary Jane
spend most of the issue fighting with Annie as she's eager to use her
powers, he feels emasculated now that Mary Jane is helping
him fight crime (apparently using a suit based on Regent's
technology to do so), and Mary Jane might have an eating disorder she's hiding from her family. Conway makes it worse in trying to lighten the mood by pushing a gag where Peter tries to
remember his grocery list. (This list appears so often it boggles the
mind that Peter could ever forget it.) In other words, it's a rough start for a series many of us saw as correcting the original sin of the current "Amazing Spider-Man" run.
Captain America: Steve Rogers #7: As I think I said last issue, it's getting old watching Steve march to the inevitable conclusion of this story. We all know he's not going to be a HYDRA agent until the end of time, and I'm losing my patience waiting for that moment. But, the good news is that Spencer seems to be starting us down that road. Steve steps up his plans for HYDRA at the same time as the Red Skull has stepped up his own plans. The Skull invades Sokovia as a way to draw S.H.I.E.L.D.'s attention, planning to spring an as-yet-unrevealed trap on them. Meanwhile, Steve is going to use Baron Zemo in his as-yet-unrevealed plan to take down the Skull, with Spencer revealing they went to HYDRA Academy (or whatever we're calling it) together. It's all a little spy novel-y at this point, but at least it seems like we're making progress.
Clone Conspiracy #2: The only good part of this issue is the return of Kaine, though his return raises more questions than it answers. How is he alive? Is it through New U technology? How did he become a dimension-hopping superhero? Aren't there fewer dimensions now? How did he meet Spider-Gwen? Unfortunately, these questions don't distract from the fact this issue is dreadful. Slott reduces everyone to sounding like a Golden Age villain: Otto spends a full two-page splash page explaining how he's alive to Peter. I get Otto falls into the category of villains who psychologically need to explain their actions, but Otto doesn't even really brag about his superiority until the end of his spiel. I half expected him to refer Peter to certain issues. Then, Peter devolves into a similar stereotype, randomly threatening the Jackal with either clichés or uncharacteristic threats to rip off his head. In the hands of someone like Jason Aaron, we'd be seeing a script more emotionally connected to the plot. Peter would be close to a nervous breakdown, faced not only with resurrected allies and loved ones but with deceased villain he's previously defeated. Instead, he just seems mildly confused. Moreover, I mentioned in my previous review that Slott has a tendency to recycle his own plots. Well, here, Slott has decided to add the (already confusing) "Spider-Verse" to the (notoriously incoherent) "Clone Saga." This sort of event may have worked in the 1990s, but it doesn't work now, where people like Jason Aaron, Kieron Gillen, and Nick Spencer are telling very emotionally grounded stories. God, if only one of them could write Spider-Man...
Poe Dameron #8: This series hasn't reached the heights of "Star Wars" or "Darth Vader," but I've been happy to read it, since it gives us insights into the current state of play in that galaxy far, far away. However, I'm now worried it's actually starting to drop in quality precipitously. This issue focuses on Poe's attempt to find the spy in Black Squadron, and Soule does a good job of showing Poe's distress at just the thought of such a betrayal. But, he conveniently renders Poe unable to see that it's the tech, Oddy, that's the spy. It seems someone looking for a leak would've talked to the other members of the Squadron to see who they told about the plans to free Grakkus; Oddy would've obviously been on that list. Instead, Dameron not only considers Oddy beyond suspicion for no reason (he tells Threepio he's actually the only person he trusts), but he brings Oddy on a dangerous and sensitive mission with him. I get that he can't fully trust the other members of Black Squadron, but taking a newbie on the Resistance's most sensitive mission to a planet where scores of other agents have died is beyond reckless. It's all obviously meant to conveniently strand Poe without an ally when Oddy eventually reveals he's the mole, but it's just too convenient to believe.
Uncanny Avengers #16: This issue is as fun as you'd expect it to be, with the team fighting a zombie Hulk. But, it's worth the price of admission just for Deadpool's lament about Siri. I mean, totally, Wade. Totally.
Also Read: All Star Batman #4; All-New X-Men #14-#15; Avengers #1.1; Detective Comics #944; Solo #2
Captain America: Steve Rogers #7: As I think I said last issue, it's getting old watching Steve march to the inevitable conclusion of this story. We all know he's not going to be a HYDRA agent until the end of time, and I'm losing my patience waiting for that moment. But, the good news is that Spencer seems to be starting us down that road. Steve steps up his plans for HYDRA at the same time as the Red Skull has stepped up his own plans. The Skull invades Sokovia as a way to draw S.H.I.E.L.D.'s attention, planning to spring an as-yet-unrevealed trap on them. Meanwhile, Steve is going to use Baron Zemo in his as-yet-unrevealed plan to take down the Skull, with Spencer revealing they went to HYDRA Academy (or whatever we're calling it) together. It's all a little spy novel-y at this point, but at least it seems like we're making progress.
Clone Conspiracy #2: The only good part of this issue is the return of Kaine, though his return raises more questions than it answers. How is he alive? Is it through New U technology? How did he become a dimension-hopping superhero? Aren't there fewer dimensions now? How did he meet Spider-Gwen? Unfortunately, these questions don't distract from the fact this issue is dreadful. Slott reduces everyone to sounding like a Golden Age villain: Otto spends a full two-page splash page explaining how he's alive to Peter. I get Otto falls into the category of villains who psychologically need to explain their actions, but Otto doesn't even really brag about his superiority until the end of his spiel. I half expected him to refer Peter to certain issues. Then, Peter devolves into a similar stereotype, randomly threatening the Jackal with either clichés or uncharacteristic threats to rip off his head. In the hands of someone like Jason Aaron, we'd be seeing a script more emotionally connected to the plot. Peter would be close to a nervous breakdown, faced not only with resurrected allies and loved ones but with deceased villain he's previously defeated. Instead, he just seems mildly confused. Moreover, I mentioned in my previous review that Slott has a tendency to recycle his own plots. Well, here, Slott has decided to add the (already confusing) "Spider-Verse" to the (notoriously incoherent) "Clone Saga." This sort of event may have worked in the 1990s, but it doesn't work now, where people like Jason Aaron, Kieron Gillen, and Nick Spencer are telling very emotionally grounded stories. God, if only one of them could write Spider-Man...
Poe Dameron #8: This series hasn't reached the heights of "Star Wars" or "Darth Vader," but I've been happy to read it, since it gives us insights into the current state of play in that galaxy far, far away. However, I'm now worried it's actually starting to drop in quality precipitously. This issue focuses on Poe's attempt to find the spy in Black Squadron, and Soule does a good job of showing Poe's distress at just the thought of such a betrayal. But, he conveniently renders Poe unable to see that it's the tech, Oddy, that's the spy. It seems someone looking for a leak would've talked to the other members of the Squadron to see who they told about the plans to free Grakkus; Oddy would've obviously been on that list. Instead, Dameron not only considers Oddy beyond suspicion for no reason (he tells Threepio he's actually the only person he trusts), but he brings Oddy on a dangerous and sensitive mission with him. I get that he can't fully trust the other members of Black Squadron, but taking a newbie on the Resistance's most sensitive mission to a planet where scores of other agents have died is beyond reckless. It's all obviously meant to conveniently strand Poe without an ally when Oddy eventually reveals he's the mole, but it's just too convenient to believe.
Uncanny Avengers #16: This issue is as fun as you'd expect it to be, with the team fighting a zombie Hulk. But, it's worth the price of admission just for Deadpool's lament about Siri. I mean, totally, Wade. Totally.
Also Read: All Star Batman #4; All-New X-Men #14-#15; Avengers #1.1; Detective Comics #944; Solo #2
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Not-Very-Deep Thoughts: The July 6 Edition (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
Amazing Spider-Man #15: This issue is better than the last few installments, since Slott puts aside the ridiculous fight between Iron Man and Spider-Man and focuses on Regent. Mary Jane putting on the Iron Spider costume is a great moment, and it reminds me how much I miss MJ in these pages. Unfortunately, Slott doubles-down on the current hostility between her and Peter. Although they have a nice moment at one point during the battle, Peter doesn't invite MJ to the party that he throws for his family and friends to apologize for his absence over the previous few months. (He's inspired to throw said party after realizing how important family is from Regent. I'm not sure that's the lesson that I'd draw from Regent, but there you go.) Putting aside the MJ situation, I also have to say that I don't understand why we're pretending that Peter can somehow be Spider-Man, run Parker Industries, and have a personal life. He shouldn't "apologize" for his absence so much as accept that his status quo makes it difficult to spend time with his loved ones. If he did that, Slott would be telling a story that a lot of readers could find relatable. But, Slott seems to think that Peter should be trying to balance all those things, so I guess we're stuck with Peter's inevitable failure to do that. At any rate, Aunt May's mysterious cough from last issue has jumped to Jay, and he collapses here in dramatic fashion. I'm really trying to care, but I can't say that I do, to be honest.
Poe Dameron #4: Soule probably kept some people on the fence about this series on board for another issue or two with this issue. Using a post-mission celebration as the vehicle, he finally delves into the lives of Black Squadron. I think I mentioned in a previous review that I only realized that "Snap" is the teenage protagonist from "Aftermath" after reading a comment in the letters page, and I still find it a little jarring to see him as an adult here. That said, it's even more jarring to see him suddenly beginning a relationship with one of his colleagues, after he blurted out his love for her last issue. Soule really seems to be rushing the season here, and I wonder how many issues Marvel really has planned for this series. We also learn more about Jess as she talks to her tech about the new engines that they installed on her fighter. However, Soule also more or less immediately identifies the tech as the First Order mole that put the tracker on Poe's fighter, since we go from him asking Jess for more information about the next mission to Poe talking to BB-8 about said mole. It's these awkward moments -- Snap's sudden sexiness, the tech's obvious spying -- that weigh down this series. On the plus side, Soule injects some energy into the series by making it clear that we're in a "Raiders of the Lost Ark" kind of story, when Poe unexpectedly finds Terex at the next location on his hunt for Lor San Tekka. We still don't know why Terex wants to find Tekka (or how he found his way to the prison holding Grakkus), but it'll be fun to watch him toy with Poe over the next few issues.
Spider-Man 2099 #12: I've been waiting for this issue since Miguel came to the present, and it reminds us that no one can tell a long story like Peter David. First, if I'm following the clues correctly, the story is as follows in the next few sentences. As we know, Kweeg followed Miguel to the present after Miguel's first jaunt to the future brought him to a world that the Maestro ran. After Miguel and Captain America tried to stop Kweeg, Aisa managed to help him escape. In this issue, we learn that Aisa -- and thus the Fist -- is actually working for Tyler Stone, meaning that he has somehow arrived in the present. In the future where Miguel is now, Venture (as we know him) approaches the Sinister Six; under orders from Stone (in the present), he will bring them to the present. Once they arrive, the Fist will remove their memories of Stone, and they'll then work for him. It seems that they are the ones that destroy New York, creating the timeline that Miguel has encountered in these last few issues. In other words, we get a lot of answers in this issue.
But, we still have a lot of questions. First and foremost, we have the question of how, when, and why Stone came to the present. Although the former 2099 timeline is fuzzy (more on that in a minute), Stone still seemed to be in charge of Alchemax in the "new" Miguel timeline that David has been using in this run. (By "new," I mean the timeline that David introduced starting in issue #1 of series #2. I'll call that the "standard" timeline. The "former" timeline is the one that we saw in series #1.) As such, why would Tyler want to change the past to change the future when he was already in control? After all, the Sinister Six run Nueva York, not him. Do they report to Alchemax, which he still runs? We don't know. Second, if I'm connecting the dots correctly, it seems that Venture was never from the standard or former 2099 timeline: he's always been a displaced person from the Maestro timeline (as a result of him following Miguel into our present). It would be nice, though not necessary, for David to confirm that.
Returning to the timeline issue, we do get more clarity on how the standard timeline differs from the former one. Here, we learn that Father Jennifer, and not Gabe, was likely the Green Goblin in the standard timeline. Based on my previous guess, we could be in issue #43 of series #1, with some notable deviations (like Tyler Stone not being confined to a wheelchair, as he was once he was shot in issue #34). But, we definitely can't be past issue #44, because Gabe reveals that he's the Green Goblin in issue #45. Beyond this continuity issue, I'd be interested in exploring why Father Jennifer took up the Goblin persona, something David doesn't clarify here. Given that Dr. Octopus kills her in the end of this issue, it seems unlikely that we're going to get that answer until Miguel returns to the future. But, David seems to have put us on the road to some answers. Although I've enjoyed the road getting us to this point, I'm excited that the end might be in sight.
Tokyo Ghost #8: Remender has created such a compelling and fascinating world in "Tokyo Ghost" that it's hard to appreciate all of it at the same time. He brilliantly predicts where our ambivalent approach to environmental degradation and Internet addiction will get us as a society. But, at the end of the day, he's also telling a relationship story, and it's this story that takes center stage here. He's done an amazing job of getting us to care about Debbie and Teddy as individuals and as a couple. But, it's in this issue where this affection that we feel for them makes us realize that maybe they really are too codependent. Instead of their love helping them defeat the enemy, it prevents them from doing so here. They're too tied into each other to see straight. Teddy doesn't get to free himself from his addiction, because he has to rely on Debbie to inspire him to do so. Debbie can't fully be the Tokyo Ghost and avenge Tokyo, because she becomes distracted by Teddy's self-imposed plight. You begin to realize that this series should end with them departing separately to fight their demons and become the people that they're meant to be. It's a sad realization, but the obvious one. It's particularly remarkable, because it's rare in comics for love not to save the day. But, it's that fact that makes this series so special.
Also Read: Civil War: X-Men #2; Han Solo #2; Justice League: Rebirth #1; Spidey #8
Sunday, July 17, 2016
Not-Very-Deep Thoughts: The June 8 Edition (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
Civil War II: Amazing Spider-Man #1: Gage really uses the premise of this mini-series to the fullest, as Spider-Man takes around Ulysses to try to get his measure. Once Spidey decides that he can trust him, Gage uses that bond to explore other implication of Ulysses' premonitions. For example, Pete realizes that Ulysses could guide Parker Industries' research into more fruitful areas, allowing them to abandon dead ends more quickly. It makes you realize how valuable Ulysses could be and why people (and not just superheroes) would fight over him. After all, Pete would use him in Parker Industries' medical and security divisions to save lives, but other people might not be so scrupulous. However, Ulysses complicates matters when he predicts that Clayton Cole will once again become Clash and fight Spidey. It reminds us just of how much of a chaos agent Ulysses is. I could see the fight becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy and Peter realizing that Tony is right, that acting on Ulysses' premonitions is a bad idea. As interesting as that story is, though, it pales in comparison to the issue's main highlight: Peter in his boxers accidentally getting into bed with a naked Johnny Storm. Excuse me as I go re-read that page again...
Detective Comics #934: For most of the "New 52!," "Detective Comics" has focused on more traditional Batman stories, the type of stories that you'd see collected in "Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told," Volume 9. While Scott Snyder was telling marquee stories in "Batman," Layman and then Buccalleto and Manapul told stories that rightly focused on Bruce's work as a detective. I frequently enjoyed them much more than I did Snyder's work on "Batman." For me, they have been one of the high points of the "New 52!," focusing on characters rather than concepts. That said, I'm excited by the new direction that Tynion starts here. He essentially creates a formal Bat-family, as Bruce and Batwoman prepare to train the next generation. Although he pushes the boundaries of this conceit at times, it never actually feels forced. Someone is monitoring the vigilantes of Gotham through drones with technology ten years beyond what the military has, and Batman asks Batwoman to take the younger heroes of Gotham -- Orphan, Red Robin, and Spoiler -- under her wing to make sure that they're ready for the coming conflict. It promises all sort of fun moments between Bruce and Kate, since Tynion makes it clear that she might be the only person capable of not taking his bullshit. Oddly, Clayface is thrown into the mix, though Tynion doesn't explain why the mysterious threat would have identified him as a vigilante or why Bruce suddenly decides that he's redeemable. I feel like I missed a mini-series or something. But, it's a fairly minor complaint, given how strong the rest of the book is. I highly recommend this one, if not for this issue itself, but for where we seem to be going.
Poe Dameron #3: The good news is that Soule continues to do a great job showing Poe as someone who would be a great date. Like, you probably wouldn't take him home to meet Mom, but you'd wake up the next morning hungover with him next to you and not be all that upset about it. His charm is real, people. The bad news is that I still have no idea what happens here. The egg that we've seen in previous issue hatches, revealing a cross between Dr. Manhattan and Mothra. It turns hostile, threatening to kill the Crèche members...until a less blue version of it appears and fights it. I think that this other Mothra was also in the egg with blue Mothra, but Noto doesn't really make that clear. Anyway, they have a fight while the First Order agent just talks and talks and talks. Really. He's barely phased by the blue Mothra versus other Mothra battle; even the roof collapsing onto everyone doesn't stop his exposition. In future issues, I think Soule would be better served focusing on Poe and less time on other characters. After all, this series isn't entitled "Annoying First Order Assholes and the Black Squadron Heroes Who Fight Them, with Special Guest Appearances by Poe Dameron." (Maybe it should be, though.) After all, I read Chuck Wendig's "Aftermath" novel, and I didn't even realize that "Snap" is the teenager from that story until Soule mentioned it in the letters page. We just don't really have the space to focus on all these characters, given that we expect our time spent on Poe. Give us what we want, Marvel!
Detective Comics #934: For most of the "New 52!," "Detective Comics" has focused on more traditional Batman stories, the type of stories that you'd see collected in "Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told," Volume 9. While Scott Snyder was telling marquee stories in "Batman," Layman and then Buccalleto and Manapul told stories that rightly focused on Bruce's work as a detective. I frequently enjoyed them much more than I did Snyder's work on "Batman." For me, they have been one of the high points of the "New 52!," focusing on characters rather than concepts. That said, I'm excited by the new direction that Tynion starts here. He essentially creates a formal Bat-family, as Bruce and Batwoman prepare to train the next generation. Although he pushes the boundaries of this conceit at times, it never actually feels forced. Someone is monitoring the vigilantes of Gotham through drones with technology ten years beyond what the military has, and Batman asks Batwoman to take the younger heroes of Gotham -- Orphan, Red Robin, and Spoiler -- under her wing to make sure that they're ready for the coming conflict. It promises all sort of fun moments between Bruce and Kate, since Tynion makes it clear that she might be the only person capable of not taking his bullshit. Oddly, Clayface is thrown into the mix, though Tynion doesn't explain why the mysterious threat would have identified him as a vigilante or why Bruce suddenly decides that he's redeemable. I feel like I missed a mini-series or something. But, it's a fairly minor complaint, given how strong the rest of the book is. I highly recommend this one, if not for this issue itself, but for where we seem to be going.
Poe Dameron #3: The good news is that Soule continues to do a great job showing Poe as someone who would be a great date. Like, you probably wouldn't take him home to meet Mom, but you'd wake up the next morning hungover with him next to you and not be all that upset about it. His charm is real, people. The bad news is that I still have no idea what happens here. The egg that we've seen in previous issue hatches, revealing a cross between Dr. Manhattan and Mothra. It turns hostile, threatening to kill the Crèche members...until a less blue version of it appears and fights it. I think that this other Mothra was also in the egg with blue Mothra, but Noto doesn't really make that clear. Anyway, they have a fight while the First Order agent just talks and talks and talks. Really. He's barely phased by the blue Mothra versus other Mothra battle; even the roof collapsing onto everyone doesn't stop his exposition. In future issues, I think Soule would be better served focusing on Poe and less time on other characters. After all, this series isn't entitled "Annoying First Order Assholes and the Black Squadron Heroes Who Fight Them, with Special Guest Appearances by Poe Dameron." (Maybe it should be, though.) After all, I read Chuck Wendig's "Aftermath" novel, and I didn't even realize that "Snap" is the teenager from that story until Soule mentioned it in the letters page. We just don't really have the space to focus on all these characters, given that we expect our time spent on Poe. Give us what we want, Marvel!
Also Read: All-New X-Men #10; Darth Vader #21; New Avengers #12
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