*** (three of five stars)
Favorite Quote: "Look straight down that way, you can see the theater district all lit up. Y'know, I hear they're finally closing 'The Fantastiks.'" -- Gabe to Kasey (theater humor!)
Summary
Announcing himself as "Travesty," Sgt. Estevez attacks Miguel, telling him that he became this "travesty" in order to kill Spider-Man in revenge for him ruining his life. Miguel avoids Travesty's blows and fires off some one-liners, but he's really wondering what he did to inspire Travesty to become the monster that he's become and if all the good that he's done as Spider-Man is going to be outdone by inspiring this "unspeakable, monstrous evil." Angela tries to get Travesty to focus on Headhunter and the Corporate Raiders, reminding Sgt. Estevez that Spider-Man has solid "anti-corp" cred and hypothesizing that he's at Nightshade because he heard about the hostile takeover and wants to help. Travesty rejects Angela's attempt to sway him, reminding her that he only allowed Nightshade to experiment on him to get revenge on Spidey. Meanwhile, Headhunter orders his Corporate Raiders to continue their attack and Miguel attacks him, barely avoiding his cane's plasma blast. Worrying that he's fighting on too many fronts, Miguel's life gets more difficult when the Corporate Raiders throw their briefcases at him and they become mini-planes shooting their own energy blasts. Miguel decides to go vertical to get some maneuvering room and the mini-planes and Travesty follow him.
Meanwhile, in New York, Gabe and Kasey are enjoying the lovely evening on a park bench when Gabe tries to broach the Spider-Man subject. Kasey asks him not to deny who he is, since she'd hate to think that he doesn't trust her. Gabe puts his head in his hands and Kasey posits that he's under a lot of stress. She tells him that she wants them to leave town for a while, without the costume, so that she can prove that she's attracted to him for being Gabe and not Spider-Man.
At Nightshade, its defenders try to repel Headhunter and the Corporate Raiders, but their guns' blasts bounce off them. Elsewhere, Miguel manages to lose the mini-planes by throwing off their heat sensors while hiding next to a warm generator, but Travesty finds him. Angela orders Xina and Miss Pivot to evacuate to the underground shelter and then activates a self-destruct sequence. Outside, Travesty destroys the mini-planes, thinking that Miguel had sent them after him, while Miguel tries to stop Headhunter and his cronies. Pondering how they're the most cold-blooded villains that he's ever faced, Miguel finds himself grabbed by two of them, only to be freed when Travesty attacks them, since Spider-Man is his prey. (At Travesty's arrival, the Corporate Raiders scatter.) Angela makes her way to the evacuation tunnel just as Headhunter blasts into it, announcing that Nightshade is now a division of Alchemax. Two of the Corporate Raiders make their way into the research and development facility, marveling at the sophistication of Nightshade's research. However, one of them realizes that Angela has activated the self-destruct system and they leave in a hurry.
Outside, Miguel manages to take down Travesty just as Headhunter and the Corporate Raiders flee past him. Miguel attacks Headhunter, who tells him that the facility is going to blow and take down the city (or, at least, most of it) with it. Miguel hears a scream and lets Headhunter go. Before Headhunter can shoot Miguel in the back, Travesty breaks his gun, laying claim to Spider-Man once again. Miguel finds Angela, but, before he can get them to safety, Travesty arrives. Miguel tells Travesty that he has to let him go or they'll all die, but Travesty refuses, since, even if they do, Miguel will know that Travesty killed him. Miguel points out the obvious problem with that statement while Miss Pivot and Xina hope that Angela is on her way. However, the facility then explodes.
In the back-up story, Miguel hears Xina's scream from the locker room and he hesitates worrying that it's a prank to get him to go into the girls' locker room and have everyone laugh at him again. In the locker room, Kron strips off Xina's towel and admires her. But, Miguel arrives, jumping on Kron's back and wrapping a towel around his eyes. The two fight and Miguel manages to block Kron's knife thrust with the towel. When Miguel tells him to be careful with the knife because he almost cut him, Kron tells Miguel that he still doesn't get it. Xina (now wearing a t-shirt) grabs Kron's arm, but Kron throws her into a locker, knocking her unconscious. Miguel tries to flee, but Kron follows, so he throws some sort of sports ball at him. He then unloads the entire basket full of balls, tripping Kron. However, Kron follows Miguel into the showers, telling Miguel that he's in a dead end and that he's going to hit the showers "piece by piece."
The Review
This issue is solid, giving us some more insight into Nightshade than we got last issue. Although I can't quite remember why Sgt. Estevez, now Travesty, is so mad at Miguel, he proves to be a great foil for Miguel, seriously complicating his efforts to save the day and raising some difficult questions about the unexpected consequences of Miguel's heroism.
The Good
1) I like Miguel's comment about babbling to fight his terror and buy some time. Peter Parker did the same thing and I always appreciates David's efforts to remind us of the similarities between them, since they are so different in other ways.
2) I thought Miguel pondering the repercussions of his actions was great, how all the good that he's done might be overshadowed by the bad that he inspired in the creation of Travesty. It's the sort of philosophical contemplation that most superheroes face at some point in their career and Miguel's facing it now actually reminds you how new he is to the superhero business.
3) I love the Laserbeak-esque briefcases! Seriously, profoundly awesome.
The Unknown
My guess is that David is having Gabe and Kasey leave town for a while so that he can focus on other plots. But, I still wonder where he's going with the two of them. As expected, Gabe doesn't seem to be directly lying to Kasey yet about being Spider-Man, but he's certainly misleading her by not correcting her and I think we can definitely expect some interesting repercussions to that.
The Bad
1) It might've been useful for David to recap why Sgt. Estevez wants Spider-Man dead. I searched my previous reviews and found that he was fired because he opened fire on Spider-Man for having assaulted his son (a fellow Private Eye officer), thereby provoking the wrath of Tyler Stone, who had ordered the Private Eye not to open fire. But, since most people aren't anal-retentively chronicling Miguel's adventures, it probably would've been useful to be reminded of that, since it happened 23 issues earlier.
2) Continuing on the Sgt. Estevez theme, Angela promised Sgt. Estevez that he could get revenge on Spider-Man with his new powers when she made the initial approach to him in issue #8. Now, I understand that she was trying to redirect Travesty to the more immediate threat, but her sudden declaration of Spidey's "anti-corp" cred was a little disingenuous. Travesty himself reminds her that getting revenge on Miguel was part of their deal. I think it would've made more sense to have her stress that he could get Miguel after he defeated the Corporate Raiders, rather than having her imply that Spidey was one of the good guys beyond reproach.
3) The back-up story had some weird art to it, in the sense that Boller used all sorts of comic devices that didn't fit the fact that it was an incredibly dark story. I'm surprised the editor let it pass. Using cartoonish eyes to depict Miguel fleeing from a knife-wielding Kron seemed to undermine where David was going with the story.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Spider-Man 2099 #27: "Deadly Nightshade"
** (two of five stars)
Favorite Quote: "Their gates are closed, sir." "Well, that's hardy surprising, Pembert. Kick 'em." -- Pembert and the Corporate Headhunter, as they approach Nightshade
Summary
Xina drives Miguel to Nightshade in an "antique" car without breaks, resulting in a terrifying ride that ends with her deploying parachutes to stop. Miguel complains about banging his head on the dashboard, but Xina reminds him that he found the "shoulder strap" too restrictive. Xina reveals a surprise -- Lyla has come with them, after Xina created a "patch-link" between the car and her data base. Lyla informs Miguel that he has a message from Gabe, which Miguel instructs her to delete. When Xina asks whether he wants to hear it, he responds that it probably has to do with their prior conversation, when he asked for Miguel to come over his place. In a flashback, Miguel recalls Gabe telling him that Kasey has returned and is being nice to him for reasons that Gabe doesn't quite understand. A still-depressed Miguel tells Gabe that he can't come and Gabe whispers whether it has to do with Spider-Man. Miguel responds that it doesn't, but that things change. Gabe reminds him that somethings don't change, like them being brothers: "Same parents, same gene pool." He starts to either offer to help Miguel or ask for Miguel's help despite his situation, but Miguel ends the call before he can finish his sentence. In the present, Lyla informs Xina that she's sent ahead the entry codes to Nightshade and the car makes its way into the complex.
At Alchemax's "Talent Search Division," a suited man arrives to convene a meeting of other suited men. He reviews Nightshade's assets (research on interdimensional breakthroughs and gene manipulation) and liabilities ("aggressive and well-armed"). Given its defenses, Tyler Stone has decided to send in the big guns, namely the guys at the table. One asks if they need more recruits, but the suit man, who calls himself the Corporate Headhunter, tells him that they -- the Corporate Raiders -- should suffice. They are then ordered to open suitcases and they morph into people with metallic skins.
At Nightshade, Angela greets Miguel and Xina, offering them a tour. However, she realizes that Miguel is still with Alchemax and, despite him swearing that he's not a fan of Alchemax, she kicks him off the tour since the town's rules say that someone from a rival can't see the research and development section. Elsewhere, the corporate raiders approach Nightshade (and have another hand of gin) while a recovered Kasey initiates sex with Gabe, confirming that she thinks that he's Spider-Man. In Nightshade, Miguel contemplates buying a robotic dog named Scooby when an alarm sounds, signaling that Nightshade is under attack. (In his cell, a shadowy Sgt. Estevez grunts, "Aaallll...chemax?") The Corporate Raiders are attacked by Nightshade's "laser-sighted plasma cannons" but blast through the closed gates. Miguel witnesses their invasion and changes into his costume on a rooftop, as, elsewhere, Sgt. Estevez breaks from his cell. Headhunter announces that he's initiating a hostile takeover and, when one of Nightshade's guards fires on him, he deflects the blast back, killing him. Spidey attacks Headhunter, but, before anything else happens, Sgt. Estevez's shadow appears over Miguel and he declares that he can't decide who to kill first.
In the back-up story, Miguel manages to maneuver a soccer ball around Kron, who pants him. Everyone (including Xina) laughs and, when Kron dares Miguel to do something about it, Miguel flees. The coach orders Kron to give him 50 push-ups, but Kron suggests that he gives him his father's private line instead. The coach sends Xina after Miguel while promising to have a chat with Kron. Xina finds Miguel and, when Miguel says that she hurt him by laughing, she apologizes. But, she tells him that he'll continue to invite Kron's bullying until he challenges him. Later that night, Kron enters the girl's locker room as Xina is exiting the shower. She demands that he leave and he pulls a knife, telling her that he thinks that she's plotting against him with Miguel and that he'll show her what he does with people who get in his way.
The Review
This issue is fine -- and an improvement over the last one -- but I will say that it went pretty quick, in part because five of the 17 pages of the main story are essentially splash pages. After David spent so much time building the mystery of Nightshade, it's weird to see so little of it now that we're actually there, particularly since we're thrown straight into the fight.
The Good
1) I'm glad that Miguel is no longer suicidal. Although it's somewhat weird that he's so quickly recovered when he was just, hours earlier, planning on killing himself, I'm just going to take the win and pretend that last issue didn't really happen.
2) Headhunter and the Corporate Raiders are pretty awesome. I'm not sure what their powers are yet, but Headhunter himself seems a worthy enemy for Miguel.
3) I failed to mention it last time, but I do love that we're returning to Sgt. Estevez's story. Peter David, man. Never leaving a plot dangling.
The Unknown
I wonder where David is going with Kasey thinking that Gabe is Spider-Man. I mean, Gabe hasn't lied yet, but he's definitely misleading Kasey by failing to correct her. At some point, he's going to have to decide to tell the truth (or, at least, deny that he's Spider-man) or he's going to be outted. Knowing Gabe, I'm guessing that he's going to be indecisive and let Kasey labor under the impression that he's Spider-Man without actually lying about it.
The Bad
Angela appears nothing like she was in previous versions. I get that it's a guest artist, but it's like he didn't even look at how Leonardi had portrayed her previously.
Favorite Quote: "Their gates are closed, sir." "Well, that's hardy surprising, Pembert. Kick 'em." -- Pembert and the Corporate Headhunter, as they approach Nightshade
Summary
Xina drives Miguel to Nightshade in an "antique" car without breaks, resulting in a terrifying ride that ends with her deploying parachutes to stop. Miguel complains about banging his head on the dashboard, but Xina reminds him that he found the "shoulder strap" too restrictive. Xina reveals a surprise -- Lyla has come with them, after Xina created a "patch-link" between the car and her data base. Lyla informs Miguel that he has a message from Gabe, which Miguel instructs her to delete. When Xina asks whether he wants to hear it, he responds that it probably has to do with their prior conversation, when he asked for Miguel to come over his place. In a flashback, Miguel recalls Gabe telling him that Kasey has returned and is being nice to him for reasons that Gabe doesn't quite understand. A still-depressed Miguel tells Gabe that he can't come and Gabe whispers whether it has to do with Spider-Man. Miguel responds that it doesn't, but that things change. Gabe reminds him that somethings don't change, like them being brothers: "Same parents, same gene pool." He starts to either offer to help Miguel or ask for Miguel's help despite his situation, but Miguel ends the call before he can finish his sentence. In the present, Lyla informs Xina that she's sent ahead the entry codes to Nightshade and the car makes its way into the complex.
At Alchemax's "Talent Search Division," a suited man arrives to convene a meeting of other suited men. He reviews Nightshade's assets (research on interdimensional breakthroughs and gene manipulation) and liabilities ("aggressive and well-armed"). Given its defenses, Tyler Stone has decided to send in the big guns, namely the guys at the table. One asks if they need more recruits, but the suit man, who calls himself the Corporate Headhunter, tells him that they -- the Corporate Raiders -- should suffice. They are then ordered to open suitcases and they morph into people with metallic skins.
At Nightshade, Angela greets Miguel and Xina, offering them a tour. However, she realizes that Miguel is still with Alchemax and, despite him swearing that he's not a fan of Alchemax, she kicks him off the tour since the town's rules say that someone from a rival can't see the research and development section. Elsewhere, the corporate raiders approach Nightshade (and have another hand of gin) while a recovered Kasey initiates sex with Gabe, confirming that she thinks that he's Spider-Man. In Nightshade, Miguel contemplates buying a robotic dog named Scooby when an alarm sounds, signaling that Nightshade is under attack. (In his cell, a shadowy Sgt. Estevez grunts, "Aaallll...chemax?") The Corporate Raiders are attacked by Nightshade's "laser-sighted plasma cannons" but blast through the closed gates. Miguel witnesses their invasion and changes into his costume on a rooftop, as, elsewhere, Sgt. Estevez breaks from his cell. Headhunter announces that he's initiating a hostile takeover and, when one of Nightshade's guards fires on him, he deflects the blast back, killing him. Spidey attacks Headhunter, but, before anything else happens, Sgt. Estevez's shadow appears over Miguel and he declares that he can't decide who to kill first.
In the back-up story, Miguel manages to maneuver a soccer ball around Kron, who pants him. Everyone (including Xina) laughs and, when Kron dares Miguel to do something about it, Miguel flees. The coach orders Kron to give him 50 push-ups, but Kron suggests that he gives him his father's private line instead. The coach sends Xina after Miguel while promising to have a chat with Kron. Xina finds Miguel and, when Miguel says that she hurt him by laughing, she apologizes. But, she tells him that he'll continue to invite Kron's bullying until he challenges him. Later that night, Kron enters the girl's locker room as Xina is exiting the shower. She demands that he leave and he pulls a knife, telling her that he thinks that she's plotting against him with Miguel and that he'll show her what he does with people who get in his way.
The Review
This issue is fine -- and an improvement over the last one -- but I will say that it went pretty quick, in part because five of the 17 pages of the main story are essentially splash pages. After David spent so much time building the mystery of Nightshade, it's weird to see so little of it now that we're actually there, particularly since we're thrown straight into the fight.
The Good
1) I'm glad that Miguel is no longer suicidal. Although it's somewhat weird that he's so quickly recovered when he was just, hours earlier, planning on killing himself, I'm just going to take the win and pretend that last issue didn't really happen.
2) Headhunter and the Corporate Raiders are pretty awesome. I'm not sure what their powers are yet, but Headhunter himself seems a worthy enemy for Miguel.
3) I failed to mention it last time, but I do love that we're returning to Sgt. Estevez's story. Peter David, man. Never leaving a plot dangling.
The Unknown
I wonder where David is going with Kasey thinking that Gabe is Spider-Man. I mean, Gabe hasn't lied yet, but he's definitely misleading Kasey by failing to correct her. At some point, he's going to have to decide to tell the truth (or, at least, deny that he's Spider-man) or he's going to be outted. Knowing Gabe, I'm guessing that he's going to be indecisive and let Kasey labor under the impression that he's Spider-Man without actually lying about it.
The Bad
Angela appears nothing like she was in previous versions. I get that it's a guest artist, but it's like he didn't even look at how Leonardi had portrayed her previously.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Spider-Man 2099 #26: "Hostile Takeover"
* (one of five stars)
Favorite Quote: "Your face has excessive moisture, indicative of tears. Has something caused you distress?" "Ohhh...yeah. I found out Tyler Stone is my father." "How nice. Shall I add him to your Christmas card list." -- Lyla and Miguel, showing why everyone, not just Miguel, is glad that Lyla is back
Summary
At Alchemax, a Public Eye officer informs Tyler Stone that Kasey's life signs have been stabilized and that she's ready for "trial and punishment." Instead, to the officer's surprise, Tyler orders him to remove her armor and to dump her at a specified address. Elsewhere, Miguel dreams of killing himself, still reeling from the revelation that Tyler is his father and that he didn't have to become Spider-Man. Meanwhile, at Nighthade, Angela receives word from her assistant, Miss Pivot, that Alchemax is aware of their research and that they have an "83% chance of corporate raiders attempting a hostile takeover." Angela expresses confidence that they can fend off the raiders, as they've done in the past, but Miss Pivot reminds her that the last effort cost them a lot. Angela asks about "subject 394" and Miss Pivot brings her to see Sgt. Estevez, who's apparently proving to be overly aggressive. Miss Pivot expresses concern over the possibility of letting him loose, but Angela notes that they may need him.
At Miguel's apartment, a crying Miguel realizes that Lyla has returned to him and attempts to hug her, falling through her image. Lyla asks why Miguel is crying and he informs her that he discovered that Tyler is his father. He then asks her to put through a scrambled call from Spider-Man to the CEO of Stark-Fujikawa. Elsewhere, Gabe wallows in misery over the fact that he let the Private Eye officers take Kasey while Conchata dusts, mysteriously asserting that, "It's going to work out." Suddenly, Gabe hears the flyboys, who drop off Kasey's body. At his apartment, Miguel asks the head of Stark-Fujikawa why Kasey was dragged into their fight and Hikaru-sama, for his part, asks whether Spider-Man is who he says he is. When Miguel expresses surprise that the CEO is the guy that he saved (in issue #19), Hikaru-sama realizes that Miguel is who he says that he is. He then informs Miguel that he powered up Kasey to balance the scales, after Miguel defeated the Specialist but saved him. He powered up Kasey, who he had reason to believe was important to Spider-Man, and then sent her into the field without any training, "certain that the results would be disastrous for her." He tells Miguel that the scales are balanced and, when Miguel exclaims that she was innocent and that he'll get even with him, Hikaru-sama warns that Miguel should not underestimate Stark-Fujikawa's resources. He reminds Miguel that they found Kasey, so they can find other people important to him. He says that he doesn't want to make Spidey a pariah, but that Spidey should not force his hand or call him again.
As Hikaru-sama ends the call, Dana arrives. Lyla stalls as Miguel changes from his costume, asking Dana if she's destroyed any relationships lately. When Dana asks who taught Lyla to say that, she responds that it just popped into her head. Miguel arrives in a robe, telling Dana that he didn't get a lot of sleep and that it's not the best time. Lyla continues to ask if Dana has destroyed any relationships, while Dana tells Miguel that she thinks that he's been keeping weird hours because he's been seeing Xina. Miguel says that she just fixed Lyla, something that Dana doesn't buy. Miguel stresses that it's a bad time and Dana continues, saying that he never trusted her. Miguel asks her to go and Dana screams at him, asking if or when their lives will return to normal. Miguel says that he doesn't know if that's possible, scaring Dana, who tells him that she loves him. Miguel tells her that he loves her, too, but again asks her to leave. She tells him that they can work out any problem, but Miguel flips, throwing something at her as he screams for her to leave. Devastated, Miguel collapses to his knees, thinking, "Lord in Heaven...please. Let me die." Later, Miguel gives Xina a gumball machine to thank her for fixing Lyla. He says that he gave it to her now in case they don't see each other again. Xina comments on how "Kevorkian" he sounds and then asks if he was planning "to hang around" the city that week. Miguel responds that he "planned to hang" and Xina tells him to come to Nightshade with her to visit Angela.
In the back-up story, Tyler tells George to apologize to Kron for harrassing him, but Conchata screams at Tyler, telling him that his son is a bully. To Kron's chagrin, Tyler backs off his demand that George apologize and, after the Stones leave, George screams at Conchata for possibly angering Stone. Conchata tells him that she was doing it to save him embarrassment and George gathers up the boys to leave. Miguel laments to Xina that he now has to live with Kron after his mother got him into trouble and Stone's wife approaches Conchata, telling her that she agreed with her and thought that she was brave. She says that she doesn't have the guts that Conchata has but that she'd like them to be friends. She also reveals that she knows when Conchata's affair with Tyler began and ended and "about Miguel." When Conchata asks why she'd want to be her friend after all that, Stone's wife comments that she's "loaded with class."
The Review
This issue is disappointing, particularly after the emotionally gripping last issue. David makes it clear how he wants the readers to feel as they're watching Miguel reel from the revelation that Tyler Stone is his father and that his "addiction" to rapture was staged, but I don't really feel like he sells it. Miguel just seems somewhat irrationally unhinged, something not helped by the fact that other characters around him.
The Unsure
I'm still not really sure why Stark-Fujikawa did what it did to Kasey. According to Hikaru-sama, powering up Kasey and sending her into battle unprepared somehow balanced the scales that were unbalanced after Miguel defeated the Specialist but also saved Hikaru-sama's life. According to him, one "did not fully balance out the other." OK, sure, but I'm not really sure if Miguel was ahead or behind in that unbalanced equation. Did powering up Kasey mean that Miguel was "behind" and needed something to put him ahead, but setting her up for failure meant that he didn't get too far ahead? Or, was he ahead, so they had to do something bad to him, but it couldn't be too bad, which is why they gave Kasey some powers at least for a time? It's confusing and not in an "intriguing Eastern ways" kind of way. Plus, it still doesn't explain how Tyler knew that Kasey was coming in issue #24. Does Hikaru-sama just not mention to Miguel that he tipped off Tyler? I'm OK with corporate intrigue and David not spelling out the exact nature of Alchemax and Stark-Fujikawa's relationship. But, I feel like the "inscrutable Eastern man" trope goes a little too far here, since it's clear that Hikaru-sama could've balanced the scales without empowering Kasey.
The Bad
1) My main problem with this issue is that Miguel seems to be seriously overreacting to the revelation that Tyler Stone is his biological father. I mean, I'm not saying that it doesn't suck. But, it seems odd that he's driven to the verge of suicide over it for two reasons. First, it wasn't like he liked the man that he thought was his biological father, George O'Hara. In fact, if it had been anyone else other than Tyler, I could imagine Miguel feeling relieved that George wasn't his biological father. But, second, I just have trouble seeing Tyler as that bad. After all, based on comments that other characters have made about Miguel before he got his powers, Miguel seems like he was a chip of the old block. OK, I'm being a bit extreme, since we definitely saw that Miguel had a stronger sense of morality than Tyler did when he refused to engage in human testing (causing the events that led to him becoming Spider-Man in the first place). Plus, Tyler did try to get him hooked to rapture (or, at least, seemed to have tried to do so). But, is Tyler any more scheming than any other corporate leader in the 2099 world? Would Miguel be this upset if he discovered that any other Alchemax big-shot was his father? To be fair to David, he's certainly hinting at Miguel having a long history with Tyler, as seen in the back-up stories, so I get that we may just not yet fully understand the situation. But, without already having a sense of this history, it still feels like something that would certainly upset Miguel but not really lead him to the verge of suicide. David seems to be implying that it's the revelation that he also didn't have to become Spider-Man that's making it worse, but I also feel like that's a little overblown. Sure, again, I'm not saying that it doesn't suck. But, does Miguel really want to return to being the Alchemax patsy? David has made it clear that Miguel doesn't quite have the same sense of responsibility that Peter Parker had, but does he really wish he had a "normal life?" It all seems really melodramatic, even for Miguel.
2) As I mentioned, it's not just Miguel acting weird here. David has made it clear that Dana might not be the brightest bulb, but her whole interaction with Miguel displayed a really low emotional intelligence. I mean, I actually think that she came to a pretty reasonable conclusion that Miguel's weird hours and strange behavior meant that he was having an affair with Xina, but the fact that she suddenly switches from railing at him for having an affair to pleading with him when he tells her that he needs some space was just odd. If she were that mad over Xina, why tell him that they can work out anything, as she does here? Moreover, even if he scares her into dropping her anger, why push him when he tells her that he doesn't want to be pushed? Plus, why does Xina suddenly decide that she doesn't hate Miguel? It seems pretty clear that David has her invite Miguel to Nightshade so that he can confront whatever beast Sgt. Estevez has become. But, David doesn't really do the legwork that would make me buy that she likes him enough to invite him on such a trip. I mean, even if she downgraded "hate" to "dislike," inviting him on a daytrip seems to be a little much. Finally, Tyler's wife wants to be friends with her husband's lover simply because she's "loaded with class?" WTF? I'm not even sure what that means. All in all, as I said, everyone, not just Miguel, seemed to be acting weird this issue.
Favorite Quote: "Your face has excessive moisture, indicative of tears. Has something caused you distress?" "Ohhh...yeah. I found out Tyler Stone is my father." "How nice. Shall I add him to your Christmas card list." -- Lyla and Miguel, showing why everyone, not just Miguel, is glad that Lyla is back
Summary
At Alchemax, a Public Eye officer informs Tyler Stone that Kasey's life signs have been stabilized and that she's ready for "trial and punishment." Instead, to the officer's surprise, Tyler orders him to remove her armor and to dump her at a specified address. Elsewhere, Miguel dreams of killing himself, still reeling from the revelation that Tyler is his father and that he didn't have to become Spider-Man. Meanwhile, at Nighthade, Angela receives word from her assistant, Miss Pivot, that Alchemax is aware of their research and that they have an "83% chance of corporate raiders attempting a hostile takeover." Angela expresses confidence that they can fend off the raiders, as they've done in the past, but Miss Pivot reminds her that the last effort cost them a lot. Angela asks about "subject 394" and Miss Pivot brings her to see Sgt. Estevez, who's apparently proving to be overly aggressive. Miss Pivot expresses concern over the possibility of letting him loose, but Angela notes that they may need him.
At Miguel's apartment, a crying Miguel realizes that Lyla has returned to him and attempts to hug her, falling through her image. Lyla asks why Miguel is crying and he informs her that he discovered that Tyler is his father. He then asks her to put through a scrambled call from Spider-Man to the CEO of Stark-Fujikawa. Elsewhere, Gabe wallows in misery over the fact that he let the Private Eye officers take Kasey while Conchata dusts, mysteriously asserting that, "It's going to work out." Suddenly, Gabe hears the flyboys, who drop off Kasey's body. At his apartment, Miguel asks the head of Stark-Fujikawa why Kasey was dragged into their fight and Hikaru-sama, for his part, asks whether Spider-Man is who he says he is. When Miguel expresses surprise that the CEO is the guy that he saved (in issue #19), Hikaru-sama realizes that Miguel is who he says that he is. He then informs Miguel that he powered up Kasey to balance the scales, after Miguel defeated the Specialist but saved him. He powered up Kasey, who he had reason to believe was important to Spider-Man, and then sent her into the field without any training, "certain that the results would be disastrous for her." He tells Miguel that the scales are balanced and, when Miguel exclaims that she was innocent and that he'll get even with him, Hikaru-sama warns that Miguel should not underestimate Stark-Fujikawa's resources. He reminds Miguel that they found Kasey, so they can find other people important to him. He says that he doesn't want to make Spidey a pariah, but that Spidey should not force his hand or call him again.
As Hikaru-sama ends the call, Dana arrives. Lyla stalls as Miguel changes from his costume, asking Dana if she's destroyed any relationships lately. When Dana asks who taught Lyla to say that, she responds that it just popped into her head. Miguel arrives in a robe, telling Dana that he didn't get a lot of sleep and that it's not the best time. Lyla continues to ask if Dana has destroyed any relationships, while Dana tells Miguel that she thinks that he's been keeping weird hours because he's been seeing Xina. Miguel says that she just fixed Lyla, something that Dana doesn't buy. Miguel stresses that it's a bad time and Dana continues, saying that he never trusted her. Miguel asks her to go and Dana screams at him, asking if or when their lives will return to normal. Miguel says that he doesn't know if that's possible, scaring Dana, who tells him that she loves him. Miguel tells her that he loves her, too, but again asks her to leave. She tells him that they can work out any problem, but Miguel flips, throwing something at her as he screams for her to leave. Devastated, Miguel collapses to his knees, thinking, "Lord in Heaven...please. Let me die." Later, Miguel gives Xina a gumball machine to thank her for fixing Lyla. He says that he gave it to her now in case they don't see each other again. Xina comments on how "Kevorkian" he sounds and then asks if he was planning "to hang around" the city that week. Miguel responds that he "planned to hang" and Xina tells him to come to Nightshade with her to visit Angela.
In the back-up story, Tyler tells George to apologize to Kron for harrassing him, but Conchata screams at Tyler, telling him that his son is a bully. To Kron's chagrin, Tyler backs off his demand that George apologize and, after the Stones leave, George screams at Conchata for possibly angering Stone. Conchata tells him that she was doing it to save him embarrassment and George gathers up the boys to leave. Miguel laments to Xina that he now has to live with Kron after his mother got him into trouble and Stone's wife approaches Conchata, telling her that she agreed with her and thought that she was brave. She says that she doesn't have the guts that Conchata has but that she'd like them to be friends. She also reveals that she knows when Conchata's affair with Tyler began and ended and "about Miguel." When Conchata asks why she'd want to be her friend after all that, Stone's wife comments that she's "loaded with class."
The Review
This issue is disappointing, particularly after the emotionally gripping last issue. David makes it clear how he wants the readers to feel as they're watching Miguel reel from the revelation that Tyler Stone is his father and that his "addiction" to rapture was staged, but I don't really feel like he sells it. Miguel just seems somewhat irrationally unhinged, something not helped by the fact that other characters around him.
The Unsure
I'm still not really sure why Stark-Fujikawa did what it did to Kasey. According to Hikaru-sama, powering up Kasey and sending her into battle unprepared somehow balanced the scales that were unbalanced after Miguel defeated the Specialist but also saved Hikaru-sama's life. According to him, one "did not fully balance out the other." OK, sure, but I'm not really sure if Miguel was ahead or behind in that unbalanced equation. Did powering up Kasey mean that Miguel was "behind" and needed something to put him ahead, but setting her up for failure meant that he didn't get too far ahead? Or, was he ahead, so they had to do something bad to him, but it couldn't be too bad, which is why they gave Kasey some powers at least for a time? It's confusing and not in an "intriguing Eastern ways" kind of way. Plus, it still doesn't explain how Tyler knew that Kasey was coming in issue #24. Does Hikaru-sama just not mention to Miguel that he tipped off Tyler? I'm OK with corporate intrigue and David not spelling out the exact nature of Alchemax and Stark-Fujikawa's relationship. But, I feel like the "inscrutable Eastern man" trope goes a little too far here, since it's clear that Hikaru-sama could've balanced the scales without empowering Kasey.
The Bad
1) My main problem with this issue is that Miguel seems to be seriously overreacting to the revelation that Tyler Stone is his biological father. I mean, I'm not saying that it doesn't suck. But, it seems odd that he's driven to the verge of suicide over it for two reasons. First, it wasn't like he liked the man that he thought was his biological father, George O'Hara. In fact, if it had been anyone else other than Tyler, I could imagine Miguel feeling relieved that George wasn't his biological father. But, second, I just have trouble seeing Tyler as that bad. After all, based on comments that other characters have made about Miguel before he got his powers, Miguel seems like he was a chip of the old block. OK, I'm being a bit extreme, since we definitely saw that Miguel had a stronger sense of morality than Tyler did when he refused to engage in human testing (causing the events that led to him becoming Spider-Man in the first place). Plus, Tyler did try to get him hooked to rapture (or, at least, seemed to have tried to do so). But, is Tyler any more scheming than any other corporate leader in the 2099 world? Would Miguel be this upset if he discovered that any other Alchemax big-shot was his father? To be fair to David, he's certainly hinting at Miguel having a long history with Tyler, as seen in the back-up stories, so I get that we may just not yet fully understand the situation. But, without already having a sense of this history, it still feels like something that would certainly upset Miguel but not really lead him to the verge of suicide. David seems to be implying that it's the revelation that he also didn't have to become Spider-Man that's making it worse, but I also feel like that's a little overblown. Sure, again, I'm not saying that it doesn't suck. But, does Miguel really want to return to being the Alchemax patsy? David has made it clear that Miguel doesn't quite have the same sense of responsibility that Peter Parker had, but does he really wish he had a "normal life?" It all seems really melodramatic, even for Miguel.
2) As I mentioned, it's not just Miguel acting weird here. David has made it clear that Dana might not be the brightest bulb, but her whole interaction with Miguel displayed a really low emotional intelligence. I mean, I actually think that she came to a pretty reasonable conclusion that Miguel's weird hours and strange behavior meant that he was having an affair with Xina, but the fact that she suddenly switches from railing at him for having an affair to pleading with him when he tells her that he needs some space was just odd. If she were that mad over Xina, why tell him that they can work out anything, as she does here? Moreover, even if he scares her into dropping her anger, why push him when he tells her that he doesn't want to be pushed? Plus, why does Xina suddenly decide that she doesn't hate Miguel? It seems pretty clear that David has her invite Miguel to Nightshade so that he can confront whatever beast Sgt. Estevez has become. But, David doesn't really do the legwork that would make me buy that she likes him enough to invite him on such a trip. I mean, even if she downgraded "hate" to "dislike," inviting him on a daytrip seems to be a little much. Finally, Tyler's wife wants to be friends with her husband's lover simply because she's "loaded with class?" WTF? I'm not even sure what that means. All in all, as I said, everyone, not just Miguel, seemed to be acting weird this issue.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Spider-Man 2099 #25: "Truth Hurts"
**** (four of five stars)
Summary
Gabe tells his mother about the events of last issue, explaining how the Public Eye officers beat him while Kasey was taken from the scene. He begs Conchata not to take him to the doctor and she agrees. Gabe muses what his life would be like without Alchemax, where he and Kasey could be alone, and Conchata tells him to get some rest. She tells herself that it's on her to make things right while, elsewhere, Miguel fights Venture. Venture notes how much more aggressive Spidey is since he was when last they met and Miguel keeps him seriously on the ropes for most of their fight. Venture tells him that he's making a mistake but Spidey responds that his only mistake was going easy on him the first time they fought. He tells Venture that he and the "corps" have been harrassing him since he first got his powers, but they'll have to think again about their assumption that he was weak. Proving his point, he maneauvers Venture onto a mag-lev track; Venture's metallic body is stuck to the track and he's hit by a mag-lev train. Miguel expresses shock that he just did what he did, but even more shock when Venture crawls from the track, virtually unscathed. He attacks, but Miguel uses Venture's own staff to overload his system. He thinks the fight is over, but Venture ejects his hands from his body and uses them to pin Miguel to the ground. Meanwhile, at Miguel's apartment, Xina has Lyla running again, but she's a little surprised when Dana appears.
Standing over Miguel, Venture explains that he had no intention of fighting Miguel, since he was "obliged" to him for defeating Risque. But, he explains that they're now enemies since Miguel came out swinging, telling Miguel, "You still got a lot to learn about power, son. When to use it...and when not to." Miguel leaves to the sounds of Venture using his staff to beat his still-paralyzed sister. Miguel heads to Alchemax where he hitches a ride on Tyler Stone's car, committed to ending Tyler's threat to his family once and for all. He reasons that Tyler is beyond feeling emotions except for fear, the same fear that Kasey felt when she was arrested, or Gabe felt when he was beaten, or Miguel himself felt when he was hooked on rapture. Miguel decides to attack Tyler in his house, where he'll feel as safe as possible, so that he'll know that he'll never be fully safe.
Prepared to kill him, Miguel begins to inflitrate the house, using his accelerated vision to get past the security systems, while, in the foyer, Tyler is greeted by Conchata. Tyler offers her a drink and they retire to the living room. Conchata tells Tyler that his "goons" beat up Gabriel, but Tyler counters that Gabe threatened them with a gun. Conchata retorts that he was trying to keep the Public Eye from taking Kasey and demands that she be released with a clean record and that they be left alone. She also informs him that she knows that he addicted Miguel to rapture, asking how much Tyler hates her for continually going after her family. Tyler stresses that it's business, with Conchata remarking that makes it even worse. She threatens to bring down Tyler if he doesn't do what she wants, saying that she'll let his ex-father-in-law know that he was involved in the death of his late wife. Tyler retorts that she has no proof, but Conchata insists that she does, though wonders if Tyelr wants to call her on the bluff that he's accusing her of making. Miguel arrives in time to see Tyler kiss Conchata, informing her that she was the only woman who was ever a match for him. Tyelr commits to release Kasey and informs her that he didn't really get Miguel addicted to rapture, expositing that it was a simulation; it was meant to last only three days, which is why he never asked how Miguel was dealing with his "addiction." Miguel reels from the revelation that he could've had a normal life and Tyler tells Conchata that she doesn't want to admit that he might have genuine affection for Miguel. Conchata tells Tyler that Miguel thinks that she hates him because she reminds him of her husband, but that the truth is that she only see Miguel's father, Tyler, when she looks at him. She then threatens to kill Tyler if he tells Miguel.
In the back-up story, the Net Prophet enters cyberspace (as a real person, not a computer archetype) and notices a woman to whom he's drawn. Before he can do anything, the woman's ex-boyfriend appears, trying to take her with him. The systems operator tries to stop him, but he attacks, revealing that he's made modifications that make him untouchable in cyberspace. The Net Prophet engages him and vaguely recognizes the sword and the shield that he's using. On the ropes, the ex-boyfriend threatens the woman with a program that would fry her brain in real life, but the Net Prophet cuts off his limbs with eyebeams, convincing him that he's also doing so in real life. In reality, he's put the ex-boyfriend in a "recursive loop" to keep him busy and kisses the woman. The kiss awakens memories in him, but they fade before he can identify them. The woman also disappears and the Net Prophet becomes convinced that she's the key to his past.
The Review
I actually knew the outcome of this issue, since this issue is the last one that I read the first time that I read this series. (The revelation that Tyler is Miguel's father is pretty memorable, even 19 years later.) So, everything after this point is new ground for me.
This issue somewhat clears the decks of the plots that have been the focus of this series over the last few issues or, at least, moves them to the back burner. David has recently spent time developing the world around Miguel, using him as our guide to the realities of the 2099 world. But, we now return to a more personal focus, with Miguel taking center stage again. You can tell that this issue is really going to define the next few issues (if not the rest of the series).
Along those lines, I think the key development here, besides the obvious, is actually the undercurrent of Miguel's fury running through this issue. Between his attempt to kill Venture and his inclination to kill Tyler, David is making it clear that Miguel has had enough. The revelation that Tyler is Miguel's father could either send him over the edge or somehow force him to come to some sort of peace with Alchemax's presence in his life. I'm guessing that it's going to be the former rather than the latter, but we'll see!
The Good
1) Once again, David shows enormous respect for his readers by addressing a past loose-end, namely Tyler never noticing that Miguel wasn't actually addicted to rapture anymore. Sure, he probably wondered why Miguel didn't berate him after realizing that he wasn't actually addicted to it, but, if Miguel didn't mention it, it makes sense that Tyler wouldn't broach the subject either. Plus, the psychological harm that this revelation is going to inflict on Miguel is obvious, given that he never had to become Spider-Man in the first place.
2) The idea that Tyler could have affection for anyone, particularly Miguel, is interesting, particularly given Miguel's seemingly accurate assessment that Tyler has shut off real human emotions in the interest of climbing the corporate ladder. We've seen hints of Tyler's secret compassion (such as his private moment of pain after he flushed his son's ashes down the toilet in issue #10), though whether it would really make any difference in the way he treats people (including Miguel) remains to be seen.
3) Speaking of affection, we really see Miguel as a caring older brother here. He's usually so tightly controlled with his emotions, but David makes it clear that a large part of his fury has to do with the Public Eye goons beating up Gabe and taking in Kasey. If Tyler Stone gets to have emotions, I'm glad that Miguel does as well.
The Unknown
1) The revelation that Conchata and Tyler had a relationship (and seemed to have been in love) raises the question about how a Downtown girl like Conchata got involved with an uptown guy like Tyler. I'm sure David is going to tell us this story and I can't wait to see it.
2) Along those lines, I wonder what "business" Tyler has in persecuting the O'Haras. Is it just that the boys keep running against Alchemax, forcing Tyler's hands, or does he mean something more specific? How would persecuting the O'Hara boys specifically help him? Is it related to whether or not he knows that Miguel is Spider-Man?
3) I wonder who Tyler's ex-father-in-law is? Is it Avatarr? It seems to be someone sufficiently powerful to be a threat to Tyler and not many people are on that list. If it is Avatarr, it begs the question if Tyler is where he is because of nepotism? It could explain why he's so ruthless, since he knows he doesn't deserve to be where he is.
4) Seriously, what the Hell happened between Risque and Venture that they hate one another so much? I wonder if David ever gets a chance to tell that story.
Summary
Gabe tells his mother about the events of last issue, explaining how the Public Eye officers beat him while Kasey was taken from the scene. He begs Conchata not to take him to the doctor and she agrees. Gabe muses what his life would be like without Alchemax, where he and Kasey could be alone, and Conchata tells him to get some rest. She tells herself that it's on her to make things right while, elsewhere, Miguel fights Venture. Venture notes how much more aggressive Spidey is since he was when last they met and Miguel keeps him seriously on the ropes for most of their fight. Venture tells him that he's making a mistake but Spidey responds that his only mistake was going easy on him the first time they fought. He tells Venture that he and the "corps" have been harrassing him since he first got his powers, but they'll have to think again about their assumption that he was weak. Proving his point, he maneauvers Venture onto a mag-lev track; Venture's metallic body is stuck to the track and he's hit by a mag-lev train. Miguel expresses shock that he just did what he did, but even more shock when Venture crawls from the track, virtually unscathed. He attacks, but Miguel uses Venture's own staff to overload his system. He thinks the fight is over, but Venture ejects his hands from his body and uses them to pin Miguel to the ground. Meanwhile, at Miguel's apartment, Xina has Lyla running again, but she's a little surprised when Dana appears.
Standing over Miguel, Venture explains that he had no intention of fighting Miguel, since he was "obliged" to him for defeating Risque. But, he explains that they're now enemies since Miguel came out swinging, telling Miguel, "You still got a lot to learn about power, son. When to use it...and when not to." Miguel leaves to the sounds of Venture using his staff to beat his still-paralyzed sister. Miguel heads to Alchemax where he hitches a ride on Tyler Stone's car, committed to ending Tyler's threat to his family once and for all. He reasons that Tyler is beyond feeling emotions except for fear, the same fear that Kasey felt when she was arrested, or Gabe felt when he was beaten, or Miguel himself felt when he was hooked on rapture. Miguel decides to attack Tyler in his house, where he'll feel as safe as possible, so that he'll know that he'll never be fully safe.
Prepared to kill him, Miguel begins to inflitrate the house, using his accelerated vision to get past the security systems, while, in the foyer, Tyler is greeted by Conchata. Tyler offers her a drink and they retire to the living room. Conchata tells Tyler that his "goons" beat up Gabriel, but Tyler counters that Gabe threatened them with a gun. Conchata retorts that he was trying to keep the Public Eye from taking Kasey and demands that she be released with a clean record and that they be left alone. She also informs him that she knows that he addicted Miguel to rapture, asking how much Tyler hates her for continually going after her family. Tyler stresses that it's business, with Conchata remarking that makes it even worse. She threatens to bring down Tyler if he doesn't do what she wants, saying that she'll let his ex-father-in-law know that he was involved in the death of his late wife. Tyler retorts that she has no proof, but Conchata insists that she does, though wonders if Tyelr wants to call her on the bluff that he's accusing her of making. Miguel arrives in time to see Tyler kiss Conchata, informing her that she was the only woman who was ever a match for him. Tyelr commits to release Kasey and informs her that he didn't really get Miguel addicted to rapture, expositing that it was a simulation; it was meant to last only three days, which is why he never asked how Miguel was dealing with his "addiction." Miguel reels from the revelation that he could've had a normal life and Tyler tells Conchata that she doesn't want to admit that he might have genuine affection for Miguel. Conchata tells Tyler that Miguel thinks that she hates him because she reminds him of her husband, but that the truth is that she only see Miguel's father, Tyler, when she looks at him. She then threatens to kill Tyler if he tells Miguel.
In the back-up story, the Net Prophet enters cyberspace (as a real person, not a computer archetype) and notices a woman to whom he's drawn. Before he can do anything, the woman's ex-boyfriend appears, trying to take her with him. The systems operator tries to stop him, but he attacks, revealing that he's made modifications that make him untouchable in cyberspace. The Net Prophet engages him and vaguely recognizes the sword and the shield that he's using. On the ropes, the ex-boyfriend threatens the woman with a program that would fry her brain in real life, but the Net Prophet cuts off his limbs with eyebeams, convincing him that he's also doing so in real life. In reality, he's put the ex-boyfriend in a "recursive loop" to keep him busy and kisses the woman. The kiss awakens memories in him, but they fade before he can identify them. The woman also disappears and the Net Prophet becomes convinced that she's the key to his past.
The Review
I actually knew the outcome of this issue, since this issue is the last one that I read the first time that I read this series. (The revelation that Tyler is Miguel's father is pretty memorable, even 19 years later.) So, everything after this point is new ground for me.
This issue somewhat clears the decks of the plots that have been the focus of this series over the last few issues or, at least, moves them to the back burner. David has recently spent time developing the world around Miguel, using him as our guide to the realities of the 2099 world. But, we now return to a more personal focus, with Miguel taking center stage again. You can tell that this issue is really going to define the next few issues (if not the rest of the series).
Along those lines, I think the key development here, besides the obvious, is actually the undercurrent of Miguel's fury running through this issue. Between his attempt to kill Venture and his inclination to kill Tyler, David is making it clear that Miguel has had enough. The revelation that Tyler is Miguel's father could either send him over the edge or somehow force him to come to some sort of peace with Alchemax's presence in his life. I'm guessing that it's going to be the former rather than the latter, but we'll see!
The Good
1) Once again, David shows enormous respect for his readers by addressing a past loose-end, namely Tyler never noticing that Miguel wasn't actually addicted to rapture anymore. Sure, he probably wondered why Miguel didn't berate him after realizing that he wasn't actually addicted to it, but, if Miguel didn't mention it, it makes sense that Tyler wouldn't broach the subject either. Plus, the psychological harm that this revelation is going to inflict on Miguel is obvious, given that he never had to become Spider-Man in the first place.
2) The idea that Tyler could have affection for anyone, particularly Miguel, is interesting, particularly given Miguel's seemingly accurate assessment that Tyler has shut off real human emotions in the interest of climbing the corporate ladder. We've seen hints of Tyler's secret compassion (such as his private moment of pain after he flushed his son's ashes down the toilet in issue #10), though whether it would really make any difference in the way he treats people (including Miguel) remains to be seen.
3) Speaking of affection, we really see Miguel as a caring older brother here. He's usually so tightly controlled with his emotions, but David makes it clear that a large part of his fury has to do with the Public Eye goons beating up Gabe and taking in Kasey. If Tyler Stone gets to have emotions, I'm glad that Miguel does as well.
The Unknown
1) The revelation that Conchata and Tyler had a relationship (and seemed to have been in love) raises the question about how a Downtown girl like Conchata got involved with an uptown guy like Tyler. I'm sure David is going to tell us this story and I can't wait to see it.
2) Along those lines, I wonder what "business" Tyler has in persecuting the O'Haras. Is it just that the boys keep running against Alchemax, forcing Tyler's hands, or does he mean something more specific? How would persecuting the O'Hara boys specifically help him? Is it related to whether or not he knows that Miguel is Spider-Man?
3) I wonder who Tyler's ex-father-in-law is? Is it Avatarr? It seems to be someone sufficiently powerful to be a threat to Tyler and not many people are on that list. If it is Avatarr, it begs the question if Tyler is where he is because of nepotism? It could explain why he's so ruthless, since he knows he doesn't deserve to be where he is.
4) Seriously, what the Hell happened between Risque and Venture that they hate one another so much? I wonder if David ever gets a chance to tell that story.
Ghost Rider 2099 #7: "Been Caught Stealing"
(I'm using my regular-review format for these one-off side issues since they're not really all that likely to play a role in Miguel's overall continuity, making the "Summary" section more or less unnecessary.)
First, I'm both impressed and surprised by the number of direct references and obvious allusions to William Gibson's Sprawl trilogy: Zero, ono-sendai, ice. It's almost like Marvel acquired the rights to Gibson's books and incorporated them into the 2099 world. It's also why I mentioned that I'm surprised, though, since it's such an appropriation of Gibson's work that I'm surprised that he didn't sue!
This issue is significantly better than Miguel's guest "appearance" in "Ravage 2099" #5, since Miguel is actually in it for more than two panels! Kaminski does a good job making the story accessible to someone who hasn't been reading "Ghost Rider." Ghost Rider, or Zero, is looking for a chemical that will help someone named Kylie. Although we're not necessarily told who she is, it's clear that she's important to him, motivating him to break into Alchemax to get the chemical. Of course, it just happens to be in Miguel's lab.
I thought Kaminski did a good job making this entire conflict between Zero and Miguel feel organic. Miguel goes after Zero not because he's trying to get back Alchemax's property (which would be weird), but because the chemical that Zero stole is highly toxic. Miguel worries that Zero will accidentally release it and, since Alchemax won't do anything to help people Downtown, realizes that he's the only one who can prevent that from happening. Plus, I liked how the story didn't end with the two heroes realizing that they're both fighting the same fight, shaking hands, and then teaming up together to take on Alchemax. Instead, Ghost Rider really doesn't care about Spider-Man or, really, the resident of Downtown; he just wants the chemicals. Miguel has to stop fighting him to save a bunch of squatters from a collapsing building caused by their fight and Ghost Rider is able to escape with the chemical. It was an end that I didn't see coming and thought really fit the story well.
Finally, I also enjoyed seeing New York through Zero's eyes. Complaining about everything being too neat and orderly makes me wonder what Transverse City is like!
I'm definitely intrigued by Zero and part of me wonders whether I should pick up this series now. But, I'm thinking that the Gibson homage might become a little more Gibson theft and get old quickly. As such, I'll just stay focused on the regularly scheduled Spider-Man 2099 project. But, I'd definitely recommend this issue to anyone wanting to read about Spider-Man 2099, since, unlike previous guest-appearances, he plays a really integral role to the story here.
First, I'm both impressed and surprised by the number of direct references and obvious allusions to William Gibson's Sprawl trilogy: Zero, ono-sendai, ice. It's almost like Marvel acquired the rights to Gibson's books and incorporated them into the 2099 world. It's also why I mentioned that I'm surprised, though, since it's such an appropriation of Gibson's work that I'm surprised that he didn't sue!
This issue is significantly better than Miguel's guest "appearance" in "Ravage 2099" #5, since Miguel is actually in it for more than two panels! Kaminski does a good job making the story accessible to someone who hasn't been reading "Ghost Rider." Ghost Rider, or Zero, is looking for a chemical that will help someone named Kylie. Although we're not necessarily told who she is, it's clear that she's important to him, motivating him to break into Alchemax to get the chemical. Of course, it just happens to be in Miguel's lab.
I thought Kaminski did a good job making this entire conflict between Zero and Miguel feel organic. Miguel goes after Zero not because he's trying to get back Alchemax's property (which would be weird), but because the chemical that Zero stole is highly toxic. Miguel worries that Zero will accidentally release it and, since Alchemax won't do anything to help people Downtown, realizes that he's the only one who can prevent that from happening. Plus, I liked how the story didn't end with the two heroes realizing that they're both fighting the same fight, shaking hands, and then teaming up together to take on Alchemax. Instead, Ghost Rider really doesn't care about Spider-Man or, really, the resident of Downtown; he just wants the chemicals. Miguel has to stop fighting him to save a bunch of squatters from a collapsing building caused by their fight and Ghost Rider is able to escape with the chemical. It was an end that I didn't see coming and thought really fit the story well.
Finally, I also enjoyed seeing New York through Zero's eyes. Complaining about everything being too neat and orderly makes me wonder what Transverse City is like!
I'm definitely intrigued by Zero and part of me wonders whether I should pick up this series now. But, I'm thinking that the Gibson homage might become a little more Gibson theft and get old quickly. As such, I'll just stay focused on the regularly scheduled Spider-Man 2099 project. But, I'd definitely recommend this issue to anyone wanting to read about Spider-Man 2099, since, unlike previous guest-appearances, he plays a really integral role to the story here.
Friday, May 10, 2013
Secret Avengers #4 (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
This series just keeps getting better and better. Spencer tells a pretty complex and brilliantly executed story here, full of double- and triple-crosses. I love that he brings it to the place where S.H.I.E.L.D. needed it to be, but from the completely opposite side of the actual events. (Instead of S.H.I.E.L.D. using the Hulk to eliminate the mind-controlled Iron Patriots before they bombed Tehran, as actually happened, they tell everyone they used the Iron Patriots to stop the mind-controlled Hulk from destroying Tehran. Different story, same result.) The way that the story unfolded felt totally organic and I legitimately had no idea (in a good way) where we were going to end. Great stuff.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Avenging Spider-Man #20 (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
This issue is awesome! Seriously! Awesome! It's possibly even better than the "Avengers" movie in terms of feeling like an action movie!
First, Yost continues to portray Otto (much more interestingly) as a guy with a significantly weaker commitment to being a hero than Slott portrays him. Otto manipulates his way onto the S.H.I.E.L.D. helicarrier for the express purpose of breaking out the Chameleon, part of his ongoing (yet still unclear) plan of assembling the Sinister Six in his secret base. However, a group of Russian terrorists attack the helicarrier at the same time as Otto puts his plan into action, seeking to take out the Chameleon before he can spill Russia's secrets. Otto does show some signs of being a hero here, since he feels guilt for the people that the Chameleon killed in his escape. (Yost at some point should probably make clear if it was just "Parker luck" that resulted in the Russians appearing at the same time as Otto shutting down S.H.I.E.L.D.'s systems or if they knew somehow that it was going to happen.) But, in typical Otto fashion, he decides that it was the Russians' fault that everything went haywire and engages them in combat.
Not only is it a pretty great plot, but Yost really builds the tension well, in part due to excellent characterization and great dialogue. It feels like a horror movie, where you watch the cast blunder into an unexpected trap. We begin with Otto crowing over his cleverness, as he sends out his spider-bots unnoticed to take over the helicarrier. Otto's interactions with the other characters are amazing, in part because Yost has such a clear sense of them. They're not just background pieces moved around a board, but equal participants reflecting back Otto's actions. Hawkeye's suspicious, Widow's concerned, Fury's confused, Coulson's annoyed: it all helps to show the sense of disequilibrium that Otto has injected into the system with his unexpected presence.
But, things get really fun when everything goes to Hell. Otto is totally rattled and it shows us why he's so bad at these plans, since he doesn't know what to do when something doesn't go exactly how he thought it was going to go. After all, did he really not plan for the fact that he might not be standing right in front of the Chameleon's cell when the energy field dissipated? Did he really not expect the Chameleon to kill someone, take their identity, and try to escape? The beauty is that these failings aren't Yost's; their Otto's, because you absolutely believe that Otto is in fact that arrogant not to anticipate those things. You can only imagine his shock when he's not only fighting the Russians but the Hulk suddenly appears at the end.
Seriously, this issue was a tone-perfect romp, from the excellent characterization of all the characters to the steady way that Yost built the tension. It's also a great issue to get if you know nothing about Spider-Man, but just want to enjoy a good time. In other words, it's highly recommended to everyone.
First, Yost continues to portray Otto (much more interestingly) as a guy with a significantly weaker commitment to being a hero than Slott portrays him. Otto manipulates his way onto the S.H.I.E.L.D. helicarrier for the express purpose of breaking out the Chameleon, part of his ongoing (yet still unclear) plan of assembling the Sinister Six in his secret base. However, a group of Russian terrorists attack the helicarrier at the same time as Otto puts his plan into action, seeking to take out the Chameleon before he can spill Russia's secrets. Otto does show some signs of being a hero here, since he feels guilt for the people that the Chameleon killed in his escape. (Yost at some point should probably make clear if it was just "Parker luck" that resulted in the Russians appearing at the same time as Otto shutting down S.H.I.E.L.D.'s systems or if they knew somehow that it was going to happen.) But, in typical Otto fashion, he decides that it was the Russians' fault that everything went haywire and engages them in combat.
Not only is it a pretty great plot, but Yost really builds the tension well, in part due to excellent characterization and great dialogue. It feels like a horror movie, where you watch the cast blunder into an unexpected trap. We begin with Otto crowing over his cleverness, as he sends out his spider-bots unnoticed to take over the helicarrier. Otto's interactions with the other characters are amazing, in part because Yost has such a clear sense of them. They're not just background pieces moved around a board, but equal participants reflecting back Otto's actions. Hawkeye's suspicious, Widow's concerned, Fury's confused, Coulson's annoyed: it all helps to show the sense of disequilibrium that Otto has injected into the system with his unexpected presence.
But, things get really fun when everything goes to Hell. Otto is totally rattled and it shows us why he's so bad at these plans, since he doesn't know what to do when something doesn't go exactly how he thought it was going to go. After all, did he really not plan for the fact that he might not be standing right in front of the Chameleon's cell when the energy field dissipated? Did he really not expect the Chameleon to kill someone, take their identity, and try to escape? The beauty is that these failings aren't Yost's; their Otto's, because you absolutely believe that Otto is in fact that arrogant not to anticipate those things. You can only imagine his shock when he's not only fighting the Russians but the Hulk suddenly appears at the end.
Seriously, this issue was a tone-perfect romp, from the excellent characterization of all the characters to the steady way that Yost built the tension. It's also a great issue to get if you know nothing about Spider-Man, but just want to enjoy a good time. In other words, it's highly recommended to everyone.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Avengers Assemble #15.AU (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
This issue is...odd.
First, it's slow. I mean, really slow. I was halfway through the issue and I felt like I should already be done with the story. I actually can't put my finger on why I felt that way, since Ewing actually does a decent job of working the exposition into the story as seamlessly as possible. But, it just felt like it was taking forever to get to the point.
Moreover, the point itself is also confusing. Carol rescues a guy who just sort of stands there when he's confronted by some Ultrons. We learn that he conveniently happens to be Computer Graham, a former child superhero who used to enter video games to prevent their villains from entering our world. He hasn't used his power since video games got too complex, but Captains Britain and Marvel recognize a chance when they see one. So, they go on a suicide mission, with Computer Graham managing to free part of London from Ultron's control. As Excalibur exposits at the end, it means that they should be able to call for help from Otherworld, since Brian deputized her Captain Britain before he left on the mission.
Did I mention that they were accompanied by a girl whose super-power is to kick goals? They were.
Anyway, something about this issue didn't click with me. Between Carol conveniently finding Graham and Ewing breezing past the fact that Ultron seems to be able to be stopped by magic, I felt like it was a little too manufactured to get to the end result. But, I do wonder at the larger impact that end result will have. It seems to be the first issue in this entire event where the good guys get something like a win. But, to make matters odder, I'm not really sure how it connects to the main title, since, in theory, the Ultron invasion didn't happen, since Wolverine killed Hank Pym before he could invent Ultron. It's just plain bizarre that it comes after "Age of Ultron" #6 and #7 and "Wolverine and the X-Men" #27 AU, where all these events transpire. I'm not sure if it's hinting at something or if it's just sloppy continuity. (With Marvel, you never know.)
Anyway, we have six issues left in this event and I feel like it's about five issues too many. This issue didn't really help matters much. It wasn't awful, but between its slow pacing and the fact that it seems months behind the events of the main title, it didn't do much to improve my impression of this event at this point.
First, it's slow. I mean, really slow. I was halfway through the issue and I felt like I should already be done with the story. I actually can't put my finger on why I felt that way, since Ewing actually does a decent job of working the exposition into the story as seamlessly as possible. But, it just felt like it was taking forever to get to the point.
Moreover, the point itself is also confusing. Carol rescues a guy who just sort of stands there when he's confronted by some Ultrons. We learn that he conveniently happens to be Computer Graham, a former child superhero who used to enter video games to prevent their villains from entering our world. He hasn't used his power since video games got too complex, but Captains Britain and Marvel recognize a chance when they see one. So, they go on a suicide mission, with Computer Graham managing to free part of London from Ultron's control. As Excalibur exposits at the end, it means that they should be able to call for help from Otherworld, since Brian deputized her Captain Britain before he left on the mission.
Did I mention that they were accompanied by a girl whose super-power is to kick goals? They were.
Anyway, something about this issue didn't click with me. Between Carol conveniently finding Graham and Ewing breezing past the fact that Ultron seems to be able to be stopped by magic, I felt like it was a little too manufactured to get to the end result. But, I do wonder at the larger impact that end result will have. It seems to be the first issue in this entire event where the good guys get something like a win. But, to make matters odder, I'm not really sure how it connects to the main title, since, in theory, the Ultron invasion didn't happen, since Wolverine killed Hank Pym before he could invent Ultron. It's just plain bizarre that it comes after "Age of Ultron" #6 and #7 and "Wolverine and the X-Men" #27 AU, where all these events transpire. I'm not sure if it's hinting at something or if it's just sloppy continuity. (With Marvel, you never know.)
Anyway, we have six issues left in this event and I feel like it's about five issues too many. This issue didn't really help matters much. It wasn't awful, but between its slow pacing and the fact that it seems months behind the events of the main title, it didn't do much to improve my impression of this event at this point.
Batman and Red Hood #20 (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
Oh, Jesus fucking Chris, can't Jason ever get a win?
This issue is perfect. It's a brilliant tour of Bruce and Jason's emotions, a portrait of Bruce's grief and Jason's suffering. Bruce is so insane right now that he's blind to the emotional impact that taking Jason to the spot where he died would have, hoping that the location will spark some memory of how Jason returned to life. Meanwhile, Jason is incredulous that he put himself in a situation to trust Bruce again only to have Bruce betray him in the worst possible way, conforming for him that he's never been the son that the other Robins have been for Bruce. It's horribly well done and it's so completely why Tomas is one of the best writers of emotion that I've ever read.
But...
...we were almost there. We were almost at the moment that Jason was going to be part of the Bat-family again and Bruce threw it into the gutter. My one consolation is that Jason is in good company, with the rest of the Bat-family not speaking to Bruce either. Plus, even if they start speaking to Bruce again, it's not like they're going to take Bruce's side on this one. I don't see Dick dismissing his actions here as justified given the harm that they do to Jason. So, maybe a better way of phrasing it would be to say that Jason's part of the Bat-family, but it doesn't matter because Bruce isn't. I'd actually love for Jason to appear in "Batgirl" or "Nightwing" and show us that the rest of the Bat-family cares about him. (In fact, Barbara would have to get off her high horse and admit that she's no less a killer now than Jason is, something that would be great to see.)
In other news, Carrie Kelly returns in a great sequence and Tomasi is making it clear that JT might be right: we might soon have enough Batgirls to have "Batgirl, Inc." At the very least, I'm glad that someone'll be keeping Titus company.
So, all in all, this issue is brilliant, truly brilliant. But, I'm extremely disappointed in Bruce as a result. I absolutely believe that he's so mad with grief that he'd do what he does here, but it doesn't mean I have to like it.
This issue is perfect. It's a brilliant tour of Bruce and Jason's emotions, a portrait of Bruce's grief and Jason's suffering. Bruce is so insane right now that he's blind to the emotional impact that taking Jason to the spot where he died would have, hoping that the location will spark some memory of how Jason returned to life. Meanwhile, Jason is incredulous that he put himself in a situation to trust Bruce again only to have Bruce betray him in the worst possible way, conforming for him that he's never been the son that the other Robins have been for Bruce. It's horribly well done and it's so completely why Tomas is one of the best writers of emotion that I've ever read.
But...
...we were almost there. We were almost at the moment that Jason was going to be part of the Bat-family again and Bruce threw it into the gutter. My one consolation is that Jason is in good company, with the rest of the Bat-family not speaking to Bruce either. Plus, even if they start speaking to Bruce again, it's not like they're going to take Bruce's side on this one. I don't see Dick dismissing his actions here as justified given the harm that they do to Jason. So, maybe a better way of phrasing it would be to say that Jason's part of the Bat-family, but it doesn't matter because Bruce isn't. I'd actually love for Jason to appear in "Batgirl" or "Nightwing" and show us that the rest of the Bat-family cares about him. (In fact, Barbara would have to get off her high horse and admit that she's no less a killer now than Jason is, something that would be great to see.)
In other news, Carrie Kelly returns in a great sequence and Tomasi is making it clear that JT might be right: we might soon have enough Batgirls to have "Batgirl, Inc." At the very least, I'm glad that someone'll be keeping Titus company.
So, all in all, this issue is brilliant, truly brilliant. But, I'm extremely disappointed in Bruce as a result. I absolutely believe that he's so mad with grief that he'd do what he does here, but it doesn't mean I have to like it.
Spider-Man 2099 #24: "Assault and Batteries"
**** (four of five stars)
Favorite Quote: "Ohhh yeah. The one who couldn't keep his gilfriend happy so she went and swiped my boyfrined. Not that I'm bitter, you understand." "Nice try, Xina. But you're not gonna get a rise out of me." "Your girlfriend have the same problem?" -- Xina and Gabe, going PG-13 in a pretty hilarious way that also reminds us how much Gabe has at stake in Kasey not falling in love with Miguel
Summary
Kasey, now outfitted and "cybernetically merged" with a suit of armor, tries out her new abilities. Deeming them "beautiful," she beelines for Alchemax for some "payback." In New York, Xina is working on repairing Lyla and expresses annoyance when Gabriel bursts into the apartment, telling Miguel that he has a problem. At Alchemax, Winston has returned to duty just in time for a Public Eye officer to inform Tyler Stone that Kasey is en route, something that he apparently anticipated. Outside Xina's apartment, Gabriel brings Miguel to speed, but Miguel isn't sure that he can help Kasey. Miguel tells Gabe not to underestimate Kasey's "personal resourcefulness"...when Kasey flies by them. Miguel recognizes her and Gabriel tells him to go after her, since she's in love with Spider-Man and will listen to him. Telling Miguel that she's trying to impress him (Spider-Man), Gabriel asks Miguel to stop her so that he doesn't lose a second girl to Miguel.
At Alchemax, Kasey makes pretty short work of the building's defenses and the Public Eye. However, when she uses towlines to yank out the officers' flybikes from underneath them, she suddenly finds herself unable to maintain her lift. Spider-Man arrives in time to help, cutting loose the towlines (since Kasey herself couldn't release them since they were too embedded in the bikes). Miguel has her take them to safety and he tells her that she's being idiotic when she tells him that she's taking the fight to Alchemax. (When she notes that he does it, he comments, "Yes, but I'm an idiot.") Spidey uses her name, which surprises her; he covers by saying that he heard someone use it. He tells her to stop with the "Payback" business, but she tells him that great power brings great responsibility. When he comments, "Oh, not that again," Kasey realizes that she knows Spider-Man. He tries to stall, but she places his voice, asking him if he's Gabriel (not Miguel). She's not entirely sure, believing that she's seen them together, but only in chaos.
Before they can address the issue, Risque appears, using her finger cannons to take out Kasey. Spidey manages to stop Kasey's fall, but Risque blasts the Web-Line and Kasey crashes to the ground. Gabe rushes to Kasey, but she's surrounded by Public Eye officers telling him to give them space. He pulls a gun on them only to have Tyler Stone appear and tell him to drop it if he doesn't want to get arrested. Gabe drops the gun and the Public Eye deliver him a sound beating. Meanwhile, Risque exposits that Stark-Fujikawa used Kasey to draw out Spider-Man. Miguel manages to pull off her cloak, revealing that she's a cyborg. Using Venture's staff, she chokes him and then tries to unmask him. He prevents her, but she kisses his exposed mouth, giving him the opportunity to use his fangs to poison her. While she's paralyzed, Miguel knocks her unconscious, only for Venture to appear behind him.
The Review
The last few issues, to be honest, have been a little slow. We've had the intrigue with Stark-Fujikawa and Kasey, the drama with Lyla, and the exploration of Miguel's past with Xina. They've been fine issues and David has done a great job of keeping all these plots interesting, but they haven't exactly been all that exciting. In fact, I can't remember the last time Miguel was actually Spider-Man. All that changes in this issue. While the Lyla and Xina sub-plots fade into the background, the Kasey one explodes to the foreground.
The Good
1) The action sequence is great here and, truthfully, sorely needed. Moreover, it was a pretty damn good fight. Risque proves more than a match for Kasey and she keeps Miguel on his toes. The revelation that she's a cyborg was well timed and, honestly, made her sexual advances to Miguel all the creepier. That said, I love how he poisoned her. David's always been great about Miguel using all the tools in his toolkit, particularly the ones that he doesn't have in common with Peter Parker. It was a great way for him to get the win. Now, Venture!
2) I loved Kasey figuring out Gabriel is Spider-Man by his voice! I mean, she's wrong (and I wonder if Gabe is going to take advantage of that fact to keep her), but it's still a great moment. As I've mentioned in many of the reviews that I've written for David-scribed comics, he really respects the reader enough to entertain the possibility that someone maybe, just maybe, would hear someone they know speak and recognize his voice. Honestly, he's probably the only writer in comics that would allow for such a thing, but it's what makes him the best there is at what he does.
The Unknown
It's still unclear (to me, at least) why Alchemax and Stark-Fujikawa are colluding on this one. When Stark-Fujikawa first appeared, Tyler Stone actually used the Specialist as similar bait for Spider-Man, expecting that his defeat at Miguel's hands would lead to Stark-Fujikawa getting drawn into a battle with Spider-Man to avenge the Specialist's honor (see issue #6, specifically). It was eventually revealed (in issue #7) that Alchemax was forced to go to Stark Fujikawa for the Specialist since Venture had been taken off-line. But, why did Stark-Fujikawa have to go to Alchemax? Did they similarly need Risque because they had no home-grown options? Moreover, doesn't Tyler want a piece of Spider-Man? Is he going to surrender him to Stark-Fujikawa so easily? I trust David to answer these questions, so I'm just putting them out there now.
The Bad
I liked the idea of Stark-Fujikawa manipulating Kasey to draw out Spider-Man. In fact, I originally put this comment in the "Good" category. But, at the end of the day, a lot doesn't make sense here. First, do they really need to draw out Spider-Man? It's not like they probably needed to wait all that long for him to appear to right some sort of wrong, given how many wrongs there are in 2099 New York to right. Second, why give Kasey so much power just to draw out Spider-Man? OK, sure, you want to draw out Spider-Man, but why equip a woman who's dedicated the better part of her life fighting you with an amazing suit of armor? Why not just have Risque kill a few people?
Favorite Quote: "Ohhh yeah. The one who couldn't keep his gilfriend happy so she went and swiped my boyfrined. Not that I'm bitter, you understand." "Nice try, Xina. But you're not gonna get a rise out of me." "Your girlfriend have the same problem?" -- Xina and Gabe, going PG-13 in a pretty hilarious way that also reminds us how much Gabe has at stake in Kasey not falling in love with Miguel
Summary
Kasey, now outfitted and "cybernetically merged" with a suit of armor, tries out her new abilities. Deeming them "beautiful," she beelines for Alchemax for some "payback." In New York, Xina is working on repairing Lyla and expresses annoyance when Gabriel bursts into the apartment, telling Miguel that he has a problem. At Alchemax, Winston has returned to duty just in time for a Public Eye officer to inform Tyler Stone that Kasey is en route, something that he apparently anticipated. Outside Xina's apartment, Gabriel brings Miguel to speed, but Miguel isn't sure that he can help Kasey. Miguel tells Gabe not to underestimate Kasey's "personal resourcefulness"...when Kasey flies by them. Miguel recognizes her and Gabriel tells him to go after her, since she's in love with Spider-Man and will listen to him. Telling Miguel that she's trying to impress him (Spider-Man), Gabriel asks Miguel to stop her so that he doesn't lose a second girl to Miguel.
At Alchemax, Kasey makes pretty short work of the building's defenses and the Public Eye. However, when she uses towlines to yank out the officers' flybikes from underneath them, she suddenly finds herself unable to maintain her lift. Spider-Man arrives in time to help, cutting loose the towlines (since Kasey herself couldn't release them since they were too embedded in the bikes). Miguel has her take them to safety and he tells her that she's being idiotic when she tells him that she's taking the fight to Alchemax. (When she notes that he does it, he comments, "Yes, but I'm an idiot.") Spidey uses her name, which surprises her; he covers by saying that he heard someone use it. He tells her to stop with the "Payback" business, but she tells him that great power brings great responsibility. When he comments, "Oh, not that again," Kasey realizes that she knows Spider-Man. He tries to stall, but she places his voice, asking him if he's Gabriel (not Miguel). She's not entirely sure, believing that she's seen them together, but only in chaos.
Before they can address the issue, Risque appears, using her finger cannons to take out Kasey. Spidey manages to stop Kasey's fall, but Risque blasts the Web-Line and Kasey crashes to the ground. Gabe rushes to Kasey, but she's surrounded by Public Eye officers telling him to give them space. He pulls a gun on them only to have Tyler Stone appear and tell him to drop it if he doesn't want to get arrested. Gabe drops the gun and the Public Eye deliver him a sound beating. Meanwhile, Risque exposits that Stark-Fujikawa used Kasey to draw out Spider-Man. Miguel manages to pull off her cloak, revealing that she's a cyborg. Using Venture's staff, she chokes him and then tries to unmask him. He prevents her, but she kisses his exposed mouth, giving him the opportunity to use his fangs to poison her. While she's paralyzed, Miguel knocks her unconscious, only for Venture to appear behind him.
The Review
The last few issues, to be honest, have been a little slow. We've had the intrigue with Stark-Fujikawa and Kasey, the drama with Lyla, and the exploration of Miguel's past with Xina. They've been fine issues and David has done a great job of keeping all these plots interesting, but they haven't exactly been all that exciting. In fact, I can't remember the last time Miguel was actually Spider-Man. All that changes in this issue. While the Lyla and Xina sub-plots fade into the background, the Kasey one explodes to the foreground.
The Good
1) The action sequence is great here and, truthfully, sorely needed. Moreover, it was a pretty damn good fight. Risque proves more than a match for Kasey and she keeps Miguel on his toes. The revelation that she's a cyborg was well timed and, honestly, made her sexual advances to Miguel all the creepier. That said, I love how he poisoned her. David's always been great about Miguel using all the tools in his toolkit, particularly the ones that he doesn't have in common with Peter Parker. It was a great way for him to get the win. Now, Venture!
2) I loved Kasey figuring out Gabriel is Spider-Man by his voice! I mean, she's wrong (and I wonder if Gabe is going to take advantage of that fact to keep her), but it's still a great moment. As I've mentioned in many of the reviews that I've written for David-scribed comics, he really respects the reader enough to entertain the possibility that someone maybe, just maybe, would hear someone they know speak and recognize his voice. Honestly, he's probably the only writer in comics that would allow for such a thing, but it's what makes him the best there is at what he does.
The Unknown
It's still unclear (to me, at least) why Alchemax and Stark-Fujikawa are colluding on this one. When Stark-Fujikawa first appeared, Tyler Stone actually used the Specialist as similar bait for Spider-Man, expecting that his defeat at Miguel's hands would lead to Stark-Fujikawa getting drawn into a battle with Spider-Man to avenge the Specialist's honor (see issue #6, specifically). It was eventually revealed (in issue #7) that Alchemax was forced to go to Stark Fujikawa for the Specialist since Venture had been taken off-line. But, why did Stark-Fujikawa have to go to Alchemax? Did they similarly need Risque because they had no home-grown options? Moreover, doesn't Tyler want a piece of Spider-Man? Is he going to surrender him to Stark-Fujikawa so easily? I trust David to answer these questions, so I'm just putting them out there now.
The Bad
I liked the idea of Stark-Fujikawa manipulating Kasey to draw out Spider-Man. In fact, I originally put this comment in the "Good" category. But, at the end of the day, a lot doesn't make sense here. First, do they really need to draw out Spider-Man? It's not like they probably needed to wait all that long for him to appear to right some sort of wrong, given how many wrongs there are in 2099 New York to right. Second, why give Kasey so much power just to draw out Spider-Man? OK, sure, you want to draw out Spider-Man, but why equip a woman who's dedicated the better part of her life fighting you with an amazing suit of armor? Why not just have Risque kill a few people?
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Hawkeye #10 (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
Huh. If Grills was going to die, I wanted it to be for a better reason than a crazy assassin confusing Clint's comments about loving Spider-Woman to be about Kate.
I'm not really sure where Fraction is going to go here. We're at the very least going to get Clint spiraling even further into depression over the guilt he feels about Grills. We're also probably going to get some guilt on Kate's part for leading the assassin inadvertently to Clint's place. It's also possible that it had less to do with the clown's association with Kate and more with him working for the bro-Mafia guys. I guess we'll see. Needless to say, it wasn't my favorite issue, but I'm willing to be patient.
I'm not really sure where Fraction is going to go here. We're at the very least going to get Clint spiraling even further into depression over the guilt he feels about Grills. We're also probably going to get some guilt on Kate's part for leading the assassin inadvertently to Clint's place. It's also possible that it had less to do with the clown's association with Kate and more with him working for the bro-Mafia guys. I guess we'll see. Needless to say, it wasn't my favorite issue, but I'm willing to be patient.
All-New X-Men #11 (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
About half way through this issue, I realized that I needed to breathe more.
If Bendis does one thing well, it's confusing, complicated fight scenes involving a lot of people. The near-riot that erupts in this issue when Warren announces that he's defecting to Cyclops' side is great, in part because it goes exactly how I'd imagine it would go. Jean tries to force Warren to stay with her telepathy, the Cuckoos stop her, Logan rushes to her defense, Magneto attacks Logan, and Storm tries to keep everyone calm. Seriously, it's exactly how it would go. But, beyond that, Bendis really builds an unbelievable amount of tension (hence why I forgot to breathe) as these events progress. They hit their apex when Logan threatens Emma, she refuses to yield so that Jean can learn a lesson, and older Scott is forced to get her to stop. Tense, man. Tense.
But, Bendis just doesn't let it rest there. I loved the banter between Hank, Kitty, Logan, and Storm after the fight, in part because they're really gelling (or, well, re-gelling) as a team. We really are getting back an old-school team of X-Men. I can't remember the last time someone really captured that sense of intimacy, given the casts of thousands that the X-books have had since everyone moved to San Francisco. But, I don't think that it's any accident that Storm has returned to the mohawk. Bendis is sending a clear signal that this book is about the X-Men as they used to be and will be and all I can say is that it's about time.
Also, Bendis surprisingly writes a believable 16-year-old girl. I thought that he did a spectacular job with Kitty's conversation with Jean, showing how scared (and young) Jean is and how worried (and strong) Kitty is. You can really feel the betrayal Jean feels at Warren leaving, given she really thought that they would all stay together based on her view of older Hank's memories. You can also feel the emotional importance of them staying together to her, since they're really the only people in the entire world that she knows and understands her.
Moreover, Bendis does a great job of having Kitty be a teacher. I loved Kitty quoting Spider-Man to get Jean to understand her responsibility to use her powers wisely and Wolverine to help her to find a way to channel her anger productively. The end result makes sense, with Jean focusing on the one threat that she's aware is out there: Mystique. But, they have to go through the Uncanny Avengers first. I wonder how Havok is going to react to seeing his younger older brother?
I can't believe that Bendis has kept this roll going this long, but I'm thrilled to be here!
If Bendis does one thing well, it's confusing, complicated fight scenes involving a lot of people. The near-riot that erupts in this issue when Warren announces that he's defecting to Cyclops' side is great, in part because it goes exactly how I'd imagine it would go. Jean tries to force Warren to stay with her telepathy, the Cuckoos stop her, Logan rushes to her defense, Magneto attacks Logan, and Storm tries to keep everyone calm. Seriously, it's exactly how it would go. But, beyond that, Bendis really builds an unbelievable amount of tension (hence why I forgot to breathe) as these events progress. They hit their apex when Logan threatens Emma, she refuses to yield so that Jean can learn a lesson, and older Scott is forced to get her to stop. Tense, man. Tense.
But, Bendis just doesn't let it rest there. I loved the banter between Hank, Kitty, Logan, and Storm after the fight, in part because they're really gelling (or, well, re-gelling) as a team. We really are getting back an old-school team of X-Men. I can't remember the last time someone really captured that sense of intimacy, given the casts of thousands that the X-books have had since everyone moved to San Francisco. But, I don't think that it's any accident that Storm has returned to the mohawk. Bendis is sending a clear signal that this book is about the X-Men as they used to be and will be and all I can say is that it's about time.
Also, Bendis surprisingly writes a believable 16-year-old girl. I thought that he did a spectacular job with Kitty's conversation with Jean, showing how scared (and young) Jean is and how worried (and strong) Kitty is. You can really feel the betrayal Jean feels at Warren leaving, given she really thought that they would all stay together based on her view of older Hank's memories. You can also feel the emotional importance of them staying together to her, since they're really the only people in the entire world that she knows and understands her.
Moreover, Bendis does a great job of having Kitty be a teacher. I loved Kitty quoting Spider-Man to get Jean to understand her responsibility to use her powers wisely and Wolverine to help her to find a way to channel her anger productively. The end result makes sense, with Jean focusing on the one threat that she's aware is out there: Mystique. But, they have to go through the Uncanny Avengers first. I wonder how Havok is going to react to seeing his younger older brother?
I can't believe that Bendis has kept this roll going this long, but I'm thrilled to be here!
Young Avengers #4 (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
OMG, how could this comic be even more awesome than it was last issue? "Come with me if you want to be awesome," indeed.
The problem with reviewing this series is that the best aspect of it -- the witty banter -- is almost impossible to describe. First, Gillen delivers it in a way that makes it feel totally organic. We're just watching a bunch of young friends having the time of their lives on a road trip. I mean, sure, they're on the road trip because they're actually escaping an interdimensional parasite and their car is a Kree spaceship. But, it's a road trip all the same. But, beyond just being organic, the banter is so amazing because it's based on the complicated interplay of the characters' personalities, both individually and collectively. You've got to understand Teddy, Kate, and Noh Varr to understand why their conversation -- "Your boyfriend is so cute!"/"He's totally faking it."/"My faking it is total." -- is hilarious. To try to dissect it seems to dishonor it, so I'm going to avoid doing it. Just trust me. The banter it is witty.
But, this issue is more than just witty banter. Loki is at his level best here, pointing out something that never dawned on me but completely devastated me: Billy, the gay human mutant, just happened to go the same school as Teddy, the gay Skrull prince. What are the chances? Pretty good, as Loki notes, when one of the people involved is a reality warper. Gillen suddenly throws BIlly and Teddy's relationship into question not in a soap-opera way, but in a way that totally gets to the core of this series. Maybe BIlly did summon up his "improbably dashing prince" because he doesn't have full control over his powers. Gillen isn't driving a wedge between them simply to add in some dramatic tension; he's really digging to the core of the characters. As scared as I am that something's going to happen to Billy and Teddy, Gillen handles this twist so brilliantly that I trust him completely, regardless of the outcome.
But, lest we think it's all teenage angst and drama, we also get some serious ass-kicking. The music-video battle scene this issue is spectacular and made me sad. Why did it make me sad? It made me sad because one day Gillen and McKelvie won't be working on this series together and just the thought of it is enough to make me want to eat Ben & Jerry's on the couch while listening to the Ronettes. The drums, the drums.
Next month is too far away.
The problem with reviewing this series is that the best aspect of it -- the witty banter -- is almost impossible to describe. First, Gillen delivers it in a way that makes it feel totally organic. We're just watching a bunch of young friends having the time of their lives on a road trip. I mean, sure, they're on the road trip because they're actually escaping an interdimensional parasite and their car is a Kree spaceship. But, it's a road trip all the same. But, beyond just being organic, the banter is so amazing because it's based on the complicated interplay of the characters' personalities, both individually and collectively. You've got to understand Teddy, Kate, and Noh Varr to understand why their conversation -- "Your boyfriend is so cute!"/"He's totally faking it."/"My faking it is total." -- is hilarious. To try to dissect it seems to dishonor it, so I'm going to avoid doing it. Just trust me. The banter it is witty.
But, this issue is more than just witty banter. Loki is at his level best here, pointing out something that never dawned on me but completely devastated me: Billy, the gay human mutant, just happened to go the same school as Teddy, the gay Skrull prince. What are the chances? Pretty good, as Loki notes, when one of the people involved is a reality warper. Gillen suddenly throws BIlly and Teddy's relationship into question not in a soap-opera way, but in a way that totally gets to the core of this series. Maybe BIlly did summon up his "improbably dashing prince" because he doesn't have full control over his powers. Gillen isn't driving a wedge between them simply to add in some dramatic tension; he's really digging to the core of the characters. As scared as I am that something's going to happen to Billy and Teddy, Gillen handles this twist so brilliantly that I trust him completely, regardless of the outcome.
But, lest we think it's all teenage angst and drama, we also get some serious ass-kicking. The music-video battle scene this issue is spectacular and made me sad. Why did it make me sad? It made me sad because one day Gillen and McKelvie won't be working on this series together and just the thought of it is enough to make me want to eat Ben & Jerry's on the couch while listening to the Ronettes. The drums, the drums.
Next month is too far away.
Monday, May 6, 2013
Earth 2 #12 (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
First, I was reminded about how excited I am generally about this series when I saw the ad for the upcoming annual and squealed. The new Batman! Cool!
Although it's not perfect, this issue is a return to the form. After the seemingly endless exposition of the last two issues, we finally get some action, with Dr. Fate bringing the fight to Wotan. We also get Flash and Green Lantern running interference, something that seemingly inspires Alan to start seeing them as a team, given his comments at the end of the issue. I thought the revelation that the "green energy" can compel Alan to do something against his will was interesting, though I wonder why it took Dr. Fate's vision to alert them to the presence of Steppenwolf in Dherain and not the green energy. Robinson is going to have to be careful, because I feel like it's the sort of plot device that can get maddening when used intermittently.
Speaking of "maddening," I will say that Robinson still has some moments of wooden dialogue here, such as Alan declaring, "It's maddening!" to Kendra as he's compelled to depart or Kendra basically exulting in Alan's lover's death because she loves a mystery. I think Robinson is generally focused on the world-building that he continues to do here in spectacular fashion, but a little more attention to making the dialogue seem more natural would be a great evolution.
But, overall, I really enjoyed this issue, particularly since it moves us closer and closer to the formation of the Justice Society. After the Tower of Fate interlude, it's nice to be returning to stories that continue to develop the characters and their relationships to one another.
Although it's not perfect, this issue is a return to the form. After the seemingly endless exposition of the last two issues, we finally get some action, with Dr. Fate bringing the fight to Wotan. We also get Flash and Green Lantern running interference, something that seemingly inspires Alan to start seeing them as a team, given his comments at the end of the issue. I thought the revelation that the "green energy" can compel Alan to do something against his will was interesting, though I wonder why it took Dr. Fate's vision to alert them to the presence of Steppenwolf in Dherain and not the green energy. Robinson is going to have to be careful, because I feel like it's the sort of plot device that can get maddening when used intermittently.
Speaking of "maddening," I will say that Robinson still has some moments of wooden dialogue here, such as Alan declaring, "It's maddening!" to Kendra as he's compelled to depart or Kendra basically exulting in Alan's lover's death because she loves a mystery. I think Robinson is generally focused on the world-building that he continues to do here in spectacular fashion, but a little more attention to making the dialogue seem more natural would be a great evolution.
But, overall, I really enjoyed this issue, particularly since it moves us closer and closer to the formation of the Justice Society. After the Tower of Fate interlude, it's nice to be returning to stories that continue to develop the characters and their relationships to one another.
Detective Comics #20 (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
This issue is exactly what I wanted it to be.
First, Layman firmly establishes Emperor Penguin as a permanent member of Batman's rogues' gallery, capping off an amazing origin arc. Oglivy proves that he's prepared for every eventuality, including (actually, particularly) his climatic fight with Batman. In fact, we learn that the whole point of his rise to power was specifically to fight Batman, to prove that he wasn't a nobody. As such, he has brought the full brunt of his attention to the task, using the Man-Bat serum to make him agile, Venom drug to make him strong, and Poison Ivy's chemicals to make him invulnerable. It all leads to Batman being genuinely surprised, something that we don't often see happen but feels totally organic. It's just so well executed, both in terms of the plan and the writing, that you believe that it's legitimately something Batman didn't predict. Both Layman and Oglivy really took their time getting us here and it shows.
Why Oglivy developed the plan in the first place is a brilliant touch of characterization on Layman's part, presenting him as Bruce Wayne through the glass, darkly. His father labored in obscurity as a low-level thug until he wound up getting killed (along with Oglivy's mother) as players higher up the food chain moved pieces around the board. Oglivy's father told him not to rock the boat after he erroneously got blamed (and lost two fingers) for betraying the boss, but Oglivy, in his own words, decided not only to rock the boat, but to own it. Now, he finds himself the "boss" in Blackgate Prison and you wonder if he hadn't been planning on exactly that all along.
Interesting enough, Penguin himself is essentially reduced to collateral damage. Although he plays an important role in springing Batman, he's pretty much a background figure for most of this issue, regaining control of his kingdom essentially because Oglivy didn't want it anymore (having already proved his point). But, Layman's decision to have the Penguin fade into the background was brilliant. He's playing off someone else's script here, having inherited an assertively public Penguin from Daniel, but he makes you feel like he had been planning this resolution since the first issue of the re-boot. After the events of the last few issues, it makes sense that Penguin decided that, in fact, he shouldn't rock the boat and instead return to the shadows.
All in all, it's a really masterful conclusion to this part of Emperor Penguin's story and, to my mind, establishes this series as the pre-eminent Batman comic of the moment.
First, Layman firmly establishes Emperor Penguin as a permanent member of Batman's rogues' gallery, capping off an amazing origin arc. Oglivy proves that he's prepared for every eventuality, including (actually, particularly) his climatic fight with Batman. In fact, we learn that the whole point of his rise to power was specifically to fight Batman, to prove that he wasn't a nobody. As such, he has brought the full brunt of his attention to the task, using the Man-Bat serum to make him agile, Venom drug to make him strong, and Poison Ivy's chemicals to make him invulnerable. It all leads to Batman being genuinely surprised, something that we don't often see happen but feels totally organic. It's just so well executed, both in terms of the plan and the writing, that you believe that it's legitimately something Batman didn't predict. Both Layman and Oglivy really took their time getting us here and it shows.
Why Oglivy developed the plan in the first place is a brilliant touch of characterization on Layman's part, presenting him as Bruce Wayne through the glass, darkly. His father labored in obscurity as a low-level thug until he wound up getting killed (along with Oglivy's mother) as players higher up the food chain moved pieces around the board. Oglivy's father told him not to rock the boat after he erroneously got blamed (and lost two fingers) for betraying the boss, but Oglivy, in his own words, decided not only to rock the boat, but to own it. Now, he finds himself the "boss" in Blackgate Prison and you wonder if he hadn't been planning on exactly that all along.
Interesting enough, Penguin himself is essentially reduced to collateral damage. Although he plays an important role in springing Batman, he's pretty much a background figure for most of this issue, regaining control of his kingdom essentially because Oglivy didn't want it anymore (having already proved his point). But, Layman's decision to have the Penguin fade into the background was brilliant. He's playing off someone else's script here, having inherited an assertively public Penguin from Daniel, but he makes you feel like he had been planning this resolution since the first issue of the re-boot. After the events of the last few issues, it makes sense that Penguin decided that, in fact, he shouldn't rock the boat and instead return to the shadows.
All in all, it's a really masterful conclusion to this part of Emperor Penguin's story and, to my mind, establishes this series as the pre-eminent Batman comic of the moment.
X-Factor #255 (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
I haven't been a real fan of this arc, but David at least sort of pulls it together here, setting up next issue's conclusion. I still have lots of questions, like what's Jezebel's real allegiance and what's Monet's mysterious illness. But, David gives us a more linear narrative than we've had over the last few issues, with Tier realizing that he has little choice but to kill Mephisto after Mephisto manages to defeat the other Hell Lords and take over the Earth. I guess we'll see how that goes next issue.
Winter Soldier #18 (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
In all honesty, I have trouble pinpointing what Latour does to make these issues nearly unreadable. But, unreadable they are, unfortunately.
Latour actually skirts around something interesting here, showing Tesla as a child prodigy who eventually becomes too talented for her Soviet handlers to control. But, it's still difficult to piece together her story. I'm still not really clear what we're supposed to believe about Van Owen in terms of his relationship with Father Hammer or why Tesla was chosen to work with Van Owen in the first place (particularly after she appeared to slaughter her classmates at that reception). It seems weird that Father Hammer engaged in decades of effort to get Tesla where he wants her, only for him to use her as a trainer for psychopathic children and not as the theoretical physicist that he appeared to be training her to be.
You'll notice I haven't mentioned Bucky yet. That's the other problem with this issue. After you realize that you're not entirely sure that you understand Tesla, you realize that it's even less clear how Tesla fits into the story that Latour has been telling since he took over this series. How does she fit into the story about the grey-haired guy? Was the whole point of this mission to find her or is she just an unexpected surprise? I really have no clue. Moreover, Tesla seems to get basic things wrong about Bucky, such as believing that his bionic arm is somehow a tribute to the Black Widow. I'm not sure if Latour is intentionally writing it so that Tesla is wrong or if he was actually trying to say something else here. But, the fact that I don't know shows how difficult this series is to read.
The point of this tour of the illogical moments of this issue is to show that I'm really trying here. But, Latour is giving me little. It's like a one-sided relationship where you just keep pouring in effort and the other person barely returns your texts. So, I think it's time for me to break off this relationship, unfortunately. Once Latour is off this title, I'll return, but, until then, Bucky is going to have to go back into suspended animation for me.
(Update: I just read a review that said Marvel has canceled "Winter Soldier" starting next issue. So, I guess I'll get that one and see how Latour wraps up Tesla's story. But, truthfully, I'm glad to hear it, since it hopefully means that he's going to appear somewhere like "Secret Avengers" and I won't be denied reading about him because I was going to skip this title.)
Latour actually skirts around something interesting here, showing Tesla as a child prodigy who eventually becomes too talented for her Soviet handlers to control. But, it's still difficult to piece together her story. I'm still not really clear what we're supposed to believe about Van Owen in terms of his relationship with Father Hammer or why Tesla was chosen to work with Van Owen in the first place (particularly after she appeared to slaughter her classmates at that reception). It seems weird that Father Hammer engaged in decades of effort to get Tesla where he wants her, only for him to use her as a trainer for psychopathic children and not as the theoretical physicist that he appeared to be training her to be.
You'll notice I haven't mentioned Bucky yet. That's the other problem with this issue. After you realize that you're not entirely sure that you understand Tesla, you realize that it's even less clear how Tesla fits into the story that Latour has been telling since he took over this series. How does she fit into the story about the grey-haired guy? Was the whole point of this mission to find her or is she just an unexpected surprise? I really have no clue. Moreover, Tesla seems to get basic things wrong about Bucky, such as believing that his bionic arm is somehow a tribute to the Black Widow. I'm not sure if Latour is intentionally writing it so that Tesla is wrong or if he was actually trying to say something else here. But, the fact that I don't know shows how difficult this series is to read.
The point of this tour of the illogical moments of this issue is to show that I'm really trying here. But, Latour is giving me little. It's like a one-sided relationship where you just keep pouring in effort and the other person barely returns your texts. So, I think it's time for me to break off this relationship, unfortunately. Once Latour is off this title, I'll return, but, until then, Bucky is going to have to go back into suspended animation for me.
(Update: I just read a review that said Marvel has canceled "Winter Soldier" starting next issue. So, I guess I'll get that one and see how Latour wraps up Tesla's story. But, truthfully, I'm glad to hear it, since it hopefully means that he's going to appear somewhere like "Secret Avengers" and I won't be denied reading about him because I was going to skip this title.)
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Thanos Rising #2 (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
Damn if Aaron isn't making Thanos into a sympathetic character.
In the first issue, Aaron downplayed the isolation that Thanos felt as a result of his mutation. I didn't quite catch the import of that decision at first, but, in this issue, it sets the stage for Thanos' murder spree, since it establishes that Titan is the type of place where everyone accepts everyone for who he is. Thus, in this sort of Utopia, someone like Thanos can be accepted for who he appears to be and, conversely, not really be suspected of who he actually is.
But, who is he? Aaron is leaving it to us to guess if Thanos' murder spree is a reflection of nature or nurture. Thanos seems to suspect that it's his nature, given that his obsession with vivisection comes from his desire to discover why he feels the way that he does when he murders someone. Is it an integral part of him or is it something born of his peculiar circumstances? He also hypothesizes that it's the lack of love in his life, a pretty plausible conclusion given that his mother immediately tried to kill him and his "girlfriend" rebuffs him constantly. But, his mother tried to kill him because she sensed evil in him and it's pretty clear that the "girlfriend's" obsession with him comes from a similar sense of something innately part of him. As such, we still lack a clear answer to whether it's nature or nurture.
But, Aaron also shows that it's increasingly mattering less and less. As Thanos comes to enjoy murder, you can see the point is coming when he's going to stop worrying about it. I'm still intrigued by the series of events that'll lead to Thanos becoming the psychopath that he'll eventually become, but we've definitely seen the roots of that psychosis laid here. All in all, this mini-series really does surprise by providing new insights into Thanos while not really undermining his established history. It's an impressive feat, needless to say.
In the first issue, Aaron downplayed the isolation that Thanos felt as a result of his mutation. I didn't quite catch the import of that decision at first, but, in this issue, it sets the stage for Thanos' murder spree, since it establishes that Titan is the type of place where everyone accepts everyone for who he is. Thus, in this sort of Utopia, someone like Thanos can be accepted for who he appears to be and, conversely, not really be suspected of who he actually is.
But, who is he? Aaron is leaving it to us to guess if Thanos' murder spree is a reflection of nature or nurture. Thanos seems to suspect that it's his nature, given that his obsession with vivisection comes from his desire to discover why he feels the way that he does when he murders someone. Is it an integral part of him or is it something born of his peculiar circumstances? He also hypothesizes that it's the lack of love in his life, a pretty plausible conclusion given that his mother immediately tried to kill him and his "girlfriend" rebuffs him constantly. But, his mother tried to kill him because she sensed evil in him and it's pretty clear that the "girlfriend's" obsession with him comes from a similar sense of something innately part of him. As such, we still lack a clear answer to whether it's nature or nurture.
But, Aaron also shows that it's increasingly mattering less and less. As Thanos comes to enjoy murder, you can see the point is coming when he's going to stop worrying about it. I'm still intrigued by the series of events that'll lead to Thanos becoming the psychopath that he'll eventually become, but we've definitely seen the roots of that psychosis laid here. All in all, this mini-series really does surprise by providing new insights into Thanos while not really undermining his established history. It's an impressive feat, needless to say.
Age of Ultron #7 (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
So, we traded Ultron for Tony. I have the sinking suspicion that this revelation is supposed to be more shocking than it actually is and Bendis doesn't really have anything else up his sleeve. If I had to guess, Logan and Sue are going to escape from the Defenders next issue, then rally them to their side in issue #9, and set back everything the way it was before Ultron invaded in issue #10. I'm actually so sure that something along these lines is going to happen that I'm wondering if it's even worth spending the $11.97 on these issues.
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Wolverine and the X-Men #28 (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
I think I'm done. It was one thing when this series was essentially the only game in town, the primary series dealing with Wolverine and his side after "X-Men: Schism." But, with "All-New X-Men" and "Uncanny X-Men" taking their place at the center of the X-verse, it's hard to justify getting a series whose stories are told this inartfully. I like Jason Aaron normally, but something about this series has reduced him to overwrought narrations and unrealistic characterizations. Plus, I'll be thrilled never to have to see the Kiddie Hellfire Club again. So, I'm done.
Guardians of the Galaxy #2 (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
Ooo, I enjoyed this issue thoroughly.
First, I love how Bendis keeps J'Son's motivations really unclear here. After all, he lays out the threat that Earth has posed to the galactic leaders that he's assembled -- the Asgardians, the Badoon, the Brood, the Kree, and the Shi'Aar -- but fails to mention that Earth has never really attacked Spartax. Sure, he makes the argument that once Earth develops space travel all bets are off the table, but you still have to wonder why he's so concerned about that threat now. It obviously leads you to wonder if it's all an attempt to manipulate Peter into returning to Spartax. If so, the plan worked pretty well. He gets Freya to put Earth under her protection, declares that it's off-limits to the assembled potentates, drops a hint to Peter that it's a sitting duck, gets Peter to go save it from the inevitable Badoon invasion, and, BAM, finds that Peter is dragged to Spartax in chains for violating the quarantine. Pretty clever.
But, as is required if this series is going to work, this issue isn't just about the possible manipulations of Peter's father. The Guardians themselves give us a rollicking good time and Bendis gives us a lot to love here. I loved Rocket declaring, "BLAM, murdered you" every time that he shot someone. I loved Peter and Tony's banter (and Tony dissing Captain Britain). I loved Drax and Gamora being Drax and Gamora. I loved that we have to wait for Groot to regrow himself. Along the way, Bendis peppers their conversation with enough nonsense words -- "What am I, a Figalleon farmer?" -- to keep up the campy space-opera theme that this series also needs to have to work. For good measure, Bendis also throws in enough Easter eggs -- from science-fiction references like Rigel-Seven to comic-book jokes like "Power Pack?" -- to make you wonder if Bendis has finally found the book where his corny sense of humor actually works.
First, I love how Bendis keeps J'Son's motivations really unclear here. After all, he lays out the threat that Earth has posed to the galactic leaders that he's assembled -- the Asgardians, the Badoon, the Brood, the Kree, and the Shi'Aar -- but fails to mention that Earth has never really attacked Spartax. Sure, he makes the argument that once Earth develops space travel all bets are off the table, but you still have to wonder why he's so concerned about that threat now. It obviously leads you to wonder if it's all an attempt to manipulate Peter into returning to Spartax. If so, the plan worked pretty well. He gets Freya to put Earth under her protection, declares that it's off-limits to the assembled potentates, drops a hint to Peter that it's a sitting duck, gets Peter to go save it from the inevitable Badoon invasion, and, BAM, finds that Peter is dragged to Spartax in chains for violating the quarantine. Pretty clever.
But, as is required if this series is going to work, this issue isn't just about the possible manipulations of Peter's father. The Guardians themselves give us a rollicking good time and Bendis gives us a lot to love here. I loved Rocket declaring, "BLAM, murdered you" every time that he shot someone. I loved Peter and Tony's banter (and Tony dissing Captain Britain). I loved Drax and Gamora being Drax and Gamora. I loved that we have to wait for Groot to regrow himself. Along the way, Bendis peppers their conversation with enough nonsense words -- "What am I, a Figalleon farmer?" -- to keep up the campy space-opera theme that this series also needs to have to work. For good measure, Bendis also throws in enough Easter eggs -- from science-fiction references like Rigel-Seven to comic-book jokes like "Power Pack?" -- to make you wonder if Bendis has finally found the book where his corny sense of humor actually works.
Uncanny X-Men #5 (HERE BE SPOILERS)
Honestly, I didn't really think that Bendis was capable of writing something as emotionally complex as this issue. But, much to my pleasant surprise, he recalls an Illyana that we haven't seen in a long, long time.
It's been pretty clear since this series started that Illyana's sudden strength was going to be revealed to be part of the same post-Phoenix phenomenon that broke Cyclops, Emma, and Magneto's powers. Bendis confirms that here, revealing that Illyana now exerts less control over Limbo than she previously did. Although Bendis doesn't give us the specifics, his reasoning for not doing so is sound: Illyana herself doesn't know. I thought this part of Bendis' exploration of Illyana was the most fascinating thing that Bendis has done in this series, revealing that she doesn't understand Limbo as well as she could and that this lack of knowledge makes her susceptible to the attack from Dormammu that we see here. It fits with the way that her character has been portrayed over the years, since you're left wondering why she's only now willing to approach Dr. Strange and learn more about her powers. The fact that her weakness now threatens the entire Brotherhood makes you wonder how many of the new recruits are going to be keen on the New Xavier School after they spend some time in Hell itself.
All in all, it's yet another solid issue. On some level, it makes me realize how desperate Scott is, since he's been forced to rely on Magik these last few weeks and now has to start paying the consequences of that here. I'm really intrigued by what Bendis is going to make those consequences be.
It's been pretty clear since this series started that Illyana's sudden strength was going to be revealed to be part of the same post-Phoenix phenomenon that broke Cyclops, Emma, and Magneto's powers. Bendis confirms that here, revealing that Illyana now exerts less control over Limbo than she previously did. Although Bendis doesn't give us the specifics, his reasoning for not doing so is sound: Illyana herself doesn't know. I thought this part of Bendis' exploration of Illyana was the most fascinating thing that Bendis has done in this series, revealing that she doesn't understand Limbo as well as she could and that this lack of knowledge makes her susceptible to the attack from Dormammu that we see here. It fits with the way that her character has been portrayed over the years, since you're left wondering why she's only now willing to approach Dr. Strange and learn more about her powers. The fact that her weakness now threatens the entire Brotherhood makes you wonder how many of the new recruits are going to be keen on the New Xavier School after they spend some time in Hell itself.
All in all, it's yet another solid issue. On some level, it makes me realize how desperate Scott is, since he's been forced to rely on Magik these last few weeks and now has to start paying the consequences of that here. I'm really intrigued by what Bendis is going to make those consequences be.
Uncanny Avengers #7 (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
Although I was initially a little surprised by the high level of vitriol that we see here amongst the Avengers, I have to say that I eventually came to realize that Remender is actually presenting a pretty damn realistic portrayal of how this group would interact with one another after the events of "Avengers vs. X-Men." Remender has made it clear that Rogue will no way forgive Wanda for her role in M-Day and I can totally buy that. Moreover, Wanda is trying to stay civil (even though she finally gives up doing so here when she refers to Rogue as a "floozy"), but you can just tell that she believes that she made amends (since she did help Hope restart the mutant race, after all). In other words, it all fits. Similarly, I totally buy that Jan would make comments about the X-Men not being "real Avengers" and then proceed to hit on Havok. (She does have a thing for blondes.) Even Logan defending Rogue fits with the idea that we're still Avengers and X-Men on this team, name to the contrary. I think the adjustment to this sort of profound in-fighting comes from the fact that Bendis made the Avengers into a shiny, happy family who never fought. But, constant bickering is a long cherished Avengers tradition and I'm actually enjoying watching Remender resurrect it.
Remender really does an amazing job of keeping all the balls in the air here and making you wonder where we're going next. Although the main focus of this issue is the arrival of the Apocalypse Twins, Remender reminds us that the Red Skull is still out there fomenting anti-mutant hysteria. He also sets up a future story with Havok dispatch Rogue after Magneto. Turning to the matter at hand, we learn that Kang didn't need Jarnbjorn to pierce Apocalypse's armor, as appeared to be the case last issue, but a Celestial's (assuming that Uriel killing him was actually part of Kang's plan). I would still love to know how it wound up falling into Baron Mordo's hands (as seen in the end of issue #6) or why Logan would know about Jarnbjorn (since it was his ancestor who was on hand for Thor's fight with Apocalypse). But, I feel like Remender will get us there, given how carefully he's handled such dangling plot threads so far.
Obviously, the big question now is why Uriel and Eimin have returned at this exact moment. Is it all part of Kang's plan or are they acting on their own? It seems like a good time for Kang to send them to the present, if the goal was to stop Genocide from gaining Apocalypse's powers. But, where do we go from here? I can't wait to get that answer!
Remender really does an amazing job of keeping all the balls in the air here and making you wonder where we're going next. Although the main focus of this issue is the arrival of the Apocalypse Twins, Remender reminds us that the Red Skull is still out there fomenting anti-mutant hysteria. He also sets up a future story with Havok dispatch Rogue after Magneto. Turning to the matter at hand, we learn that Kang didn't need Jarnbjorn to pierce Apocalypse's armor, as appeared to be the case last issue, but a Celestial's (assuming that Uriel killing him was actually part of Kang's plan). I would still love to know how it wound up falling into Baron Mordo's hands (as seen in the end of issue #6) or why Logan would know about Jarnbjorn (since it was his ancestor who was on hand for Thor's fight with Apocalypse). But, I feel like Remender will get us there, given how carefully he's handled such dangling plot threads so far.
Obviously, the big question now is why Uriel and Eimin have returned at this exact moment. Is it all part of Kang's plan or are they acting on their own? It seems like a good time for Kang to send them to the present, if the goal was to stop Genocide from gaining Apocalypse's powers. But, where do we go from here? I can't wait to get that answer!
Scarlet Spider #16 (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
Yay, we're finally back!
After the Other business, this issue is a comparatively light-hearted romp that accentuates what makes this series so great (when it is great), namely the characters. Yost displays such a strong command over their individual voices, like Kaine's impressive commitment to being a grumpy old man or Aracely's excited narrative of everything around her. But, he also really excels at portraying their relationships with each other, like Donald telling Kaine that he can resume being moody tomorrow or Wally asking Aracely how she can eat so much.
More than anything, though, I loved Yost's ham-fisted use of a drunk and heart-broken Armadillo as the vehicle for Kaine realizing that monsters can have happy endings, too. I mean, is it going to be a happy ending? No, of course not (particularly given the last page). But, it does help Kaine experience life more fully than he has so far, making it one more step in him becoming a real boy, if you will. This series is at its best when it plays to Kaine's inner hope that he can live a normal life (instead of wallowing in his nagging fear that he can't). This issue is a great example of that and I'm excited to see where Kaine's relationship with Annabelle brings us on that journey. I just hope that we keep on getting more like it.
But, of course, Yost doesn't let everything be all happy. When are the Kravens going to attack? Who's this "she" whose return Madame Web warns Kaine in a letter will result in everyone dying? Did Annabelle burn said letter because she wanted Kaine to stay or for more nefarious reasons? I mean, I want Kaine to be happy; I don't want him to be too happy.
(Whew.) Seriously, I was worried about this series there for a few issues, but I'm glad we found our footing again. Great stuff.
After the Other business, this issue is a comparatively light-hearted romp that accentuates what makes this series so great (when it is great), namely the characters. Yost displays such a strong command over their individual voices, like Kaine's impressive commitment to being a grumpy old man or Aracely's excited narrative of everything around her. But, he also really excels at portraying their relationships with each other, like Donald telling Kaine that he can resume being moody tomorrow or Wally asking Aracely how she can eat so much.
More than anything, though, I loved Yost's ham-fisted use of a drunk and heart-broken Armadillo as the vehicle for Kaine realizing that monsters can have happy endings, too. I mean, is it going to be a happy ending? No, of course not (particularly given the last page). But, it does help Kaine experience life more fully than he has so far, making it one more step in him becoming a real boy, if you will. This series is at its best when it plays to Kaine's inner hope that he can live a normal life (instead of wallowing in his nagging fear that he can't). This issue is a great example of that and I'm excited to see where Kaine's relationship with Annabelle brings us on that journey. I just hope that we keep on getting more like it.
But, of course, Yost doesn't let everything be all happy. When are the Kravens going to attack? Who's this "she" whose return Madame Web warns Kaine in a letter will result in everyone dying? Did Annabelle burn said letter because she wanted Kaine to stay or for more nefarious reasons? I mean, I want Kaine to be happy; I don't want him to be too happy.
(Whew.) Seriously, I was worried about this series there for a few issues, but I'm glad we found our footing again. Great stuff.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Superior Spider-Man #9 (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
Overall, I liked this issue. No, really. Stegman takes the ball that Slott hands him and really runs with it, reminding of me of the beautiful artwork that Marcos Martin delivered for our last tour of Peter's subconscious, in "Amazing Spider-Man" #655. I thought Stegman did an amazing job with the sequence that begins the tour, with Peter standing on a deserted street, misspelled landmarks of his life collapsing around him. It really sets the stage for where the rest of the issue goes.
Moreover, the fight between Peter and Otto is a real tour de force, with Slott really exploring how both characters see themselves and Spider-Man. Pete calls upon his family and friends as his representatives of his strength to fight back Otto, but Otto brilliantly hurls Peter's enemies at him as representatives of his failures. (That scene with snippets of Peter's enemies appearing in boxes was unbelievably cool.) But, it's the moment where they both peel back their "masks," revealing their costumes under their faces, that everything is suddenly on the line. Slott really conveys the sense that it's no longer a game, the two of them moving around chess pieces on a psychological board. It's the final moment.
However, I'm not really thrilled with how that moment happens.
Ultimately, my problem with that moment is that Slott again does two things that annoyed me about "Amazing Spider-Man" #700 in the first place. First, he sullies Peter by having him do something that he views as irreparably breaking his own moral code. In "Amazing Spider-Man" #700, Slott has Peter decide to kill Dr. Octopus, declaring that he would never again be able to be Spider-Man (even if he somehow survived) because he had crossed that line. Here, Slott has Peter admit that he was trying to prevent Otto from operating on the girl so that he wouldn't get his hands on the neurolitic scanner and discover Peter's presence. To be honest, in both situations, Peter faced a real existential threat and I think his actions can be morally justified by arguing that they were for the greater good. Killing a guy who just tried to destroy the world (and could use the good offices of Spider-Man to engage in even more outrageous acts of mass destruction) and delaying surgery for a girl in order to regain control over his own body are both steps that can make sense when you view how dangerous the alternative outcomes would be. Slott argues that Peter doesn't view them as justifiable and I get that. But, similar to a problem I actually had with issue #655, I think Spidey's authors often view him as way too adolescent in his moral approach. After having spent years of his life as Spider-Man, Peter knows that these sorts of decisions aren't as black-and-white as his authors occasionally portray him as seeing it. I'm not saying that Peter should go all Punisher and view the ends as always justifying the means, but I think Peter is capable of occasionally seeing the ends justifying the means in certain situations. By denying him that moral complexity, his authors often make him a much more one-dimensional character than he needs to be.
Second, this moral failing leaves Peter once again "dying" broken and alone. In fact, issue #700 at least had him die somewhat less depressingly, with Otto pledging to uphold Peter's memories by becoming a hero. But, with Peter entirely wiped from Otto's mind, it stands to reason that this pledge could be in jeopardy, something that Peter would know as he faded into oblivion. Moreover, Slott implies that Otto is actually right (and not delusional) that Peter no longer deserves to be Spider-Man, that somehow his attempt to prevent Otto from operating on the girl invalidated his previous lifetime of doing good. We're left with Peter questioning whether he's worthy as his life ends and, if we are really to believe that Peter is gone, it's an awful way for his story to end.
But, of course, he's not. The real question, now that this transition phase has come to an end, is where do we go from here. To be honest, Slott now confronts the same problem that the editors of the Clone Saga faced, namely Otto now has to operate as Peter without knowing anything about Peter. It's ultimately what kept the editors of the Clone Sage from allowing Ben Reilly to become Spider-Man (or, more to the point, Peter Parker), since it would be difficult to explain why he didn't have information about his "missing years." But, it also opens the back door, namely Carlie. On the face of it, it feels like Peter is now lost to us, but Slott wouldn't have introduced the Carlie sub-plot if that were true. With Otto more likely to act like Otto and less like Peter now that he's wiped Peter's memory, it stands to reason that Carlie is going to have an easier time convincing people that he's not really Peter.
At this stage, we've set the stage for the story I wanted from the start, Otto unrestricted. Although I'm not thrilled how we got here, I'm a lot more interested in where we go from here.
Moreover, the fight between Peter and Otto is a real tour de force, with Slott really exploring how both characters see themselves and Spider-Man. Pete calls upon his family and friends as his representatives of his strength to fight back Otto, but Otto brilliantly hurls Peter's enemies at him as representatives of his failures. (That scene with snippets of Peter's enemies appearing in boxes was unbelievably cool.) But, it's the moment where they both peel back their "masks," revealing their costumes under their faces, that everything is suddenly on the line. Slott really conveys the sense that it's no longer a game, the two of them moving around chess pieces on a psychological board. It's the final moment.
However, I'm not really thrilled with how that moment happens.
Ultimately, my problem with that moment is that Slott again does two things that annoyed me about "Amazing Spider-Man" #700 in the first place. First, he sullies Peter by having him do something that he views as irreparably breaking his own moral code. In "Amazing Spider-Man" #700, Slott has Peter decide to kill Dr. Octopus, declaring that he would never again be able to be Spider-Man (even if he somehow survived) because he had crossed that line. Here, Slott has Peter admit that he was trying to prevent Otto from operating on the girl so that he wouldn't get his hands on the neurolitic scanner and discover Peter's presence. To be honest, in both situations, Peter faced a real existential threat and I think his actions can be morally justified by arguing that they were for the greater good. Killing a guy who just tried to destroy the world (and could use the good offices of Spider-Man to engage in even more outrageous acts of mass destruction) and delaying surgery for a girl in order to regain control over his own body are both steps that can make sense when you view how dangerous the alternative outcomes would be. Slott argues that Peter doesn't view them as justifiable and I get that. But, similar to a problem I actually had with issue #655, I think Spidey's authors often view him as way too adolescent in his moral approach. After having spent years of his life as Spider-Man, Peter knows that these sorts of decisions aren't as black-and-white as his authors occasionally portray him as seeing it. I'm not saying that Peter should go all Punisher and view the ends as always justifying the means, but I think Peter is capable of occasionally seeing the ends justifying the means in certain situations. By denying him that moral complexity, his authors often make him a much more one-dimensional character than he needs to be.
Second, this moral failing leaves Peter once again "dying" broken and alone. In fact, issue #700 at least had him die somewhat less depressingly, with Otto pledging to uphold Peter's memories by becoming a hero. But, with Peter entirely wiped from Otto's mind, it stands to reason that this pledge could be in jeopardy, something that Peter would know as he faded into oblivion. Moreover, Slott implies that Otto is actually right (and not delusional) that Peter no longer deserves to be Spider-Man, that somehow his attempt to prevent Otto from operating on the girl invalidated his previous lifetime of doing good. We're left with Peter questioning whether he's worthy as his life ends and, if we are really to believe that Peter is gone, it's an awful way for his story to end.
But, of course, he's not. The real question, now that this transition phase has come to an end, is where do we go from here. To be honest, Slott now confronts the same problem that the editors of the Clone Saga faced, namely Otto now has to operate as Peter without knowing anything about Peter. It's ultimately what kept the editors of the Clone Sage from allowing Ben Reilly to become Spider-Man (or, more to the point, Peter Parker), since it would be difficult to explain why he didn't have information about his "missing years." But, it also opens the back door, namely Carlie. On the face of it, it feels like Peter is now lost to us, but Slott wouldn't have introduced the Carlie sub-plot if that were true. With Otto more likely to act like Otto and less like Peter now that he's wiped Peter's memory, it stands to reason that Carlie is going to have an easier time convincing people that he's not really Peter.
At this stage, we've set the stage for the story I wanted from the start, Otto unrestricted. Although I'm not thrilled how we got here, I'm a lot more interested in where we go from here.
New Avengers #5 (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
Honestly, I think I'm done here. Hickman tries to advance the story, but I'm still not really sure what he wants me to think. Some god was born and, as such, the multiverse started to die? Something like that? I honestly can't say I care all that much, so this one is gone, unfortunately.
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