Secret Empire #7: This issue is possibly the single best issue of an event -- possibly any comic -- ever. I was holding my breath as we moved step by step to the end. (I know I said that last issue, but who knew Spencer would top himself so quickly!)
Let's start at the beginning. First, I would really love Spencer to write "Captain Marvel," because he gets her better than anyone since Kelly Sue. Her monologue begging Quasar to awaken so she can redeem herself was a brilliant piece of characterization, as Carol realizes "Civil War II" put them on the path to this moment. She realizes she's exactly like Tony, desperately seeking for someone to tell her she's the hero she hopes she is. (It's clearly a bitter pill to swallow, and it really matches nicely what A.I. Tony said to Steve in issue #6). Spencer's gift here is making everything seem like it's the logical conclusion of past events: Carol's guilt from "Civil War II," Miles' destiny to kill Captain America from "IvX," Hank merging with Ultron in "Avengers: Rage of Ultron." They're important components of the tension Spencer builds throughout the issue. In fact, Spencer has made it clear from the start the events of this series are not only grounded in the past but are unlikely to be simply ret-conned at the end. It's really what has made it so enjoyable, to my mind.
Spencer also addresses the generational issues at hand as well. Natasha locks up Miles so he can't realize his destiny to kill Captain America: it's like she's saying she wants one more chance for her generation to clean up the mess it's made before the innocent get blood on their hands. But, she can't. Punisher stops her before she can pull the trigger, giving Miles time to escape. She defeats Frank (of course she does), and Sorrentino does an amazing job showing her panicked dash to the scene of the battle between Miles and Steve. He's equally adept at showing her death, as she leaps between them and Steve's shield shatters her skull. Natasha Romanova has always, always deserved to be the hero, and she gets to be here, at the cost of her life. (Sure, she's probably going to return. But, in the moment, I believed the story Spencer was telling here, unlike most times a character dies.) An enraged Miles attacks Steve with new vigor, but, picking up the theme of generation change, Wasp gets to him before he strikes the final blow. She tells him he's not a killer, and she begs him to respect Natasha's sacrifice: she died because she knew he wasn't a killer. Miles agrees, and the kids are arrested by HYDRA's security forces.
Later, Steve has his troops bring him to Sharon, where he laments the losses surrounding him. He whines it wasn't supposed to go this way; he was going to save everyone, not send Bucky, Rick, Elisa, and now Natasha to their deaths. Sharon then tries to kill him, and I cheered. Sharon fucking Carter, man. She never doesn't come to play. But, he stops her, and it's the last straw: totally alone, he promises war. The remaining members of the Underground are broken as they watch Natasha die, and Giant Man asks if it's over. A voice says it's not, and I teared up a bit as I saw Sam Wilson stand in that last panel wearing his Captain America costume and holding the shield. White nationalists paraded through Charlottesville the day before I wrote this review, and damn if I didn't feel better seeing Sam Wilson tell me to believe in America still.
Captain America: Steve Rogers #19 and Captain America: Sam Wilson #24: I'm reviewing these issues jointly because they're flipsides of the same coin, with Steve finally putting on his HYDRA Supreme Leader gear and Sam putting on the Captain America uniform (as seen at the end of "Secret Empire" #7). Steve's issue doesn't have that much emotional impact; Spencer is really just drawing a line under the sense at the end of "Secret Empire" #7 that Steve is putting away childish things. He's lost everyone -- Tony, Bucky, Rick, Elisa, Natasha, and Sharon -- and he seems to finally accept he doesn't get to be the hero anymore. I'd recommend reading that issue first, because Sam's issue is much more inspiring. Misty tries to convince him to put on his uniform, revealing she defied his request to return it to Steve. (She's right about how she made the right call.) In a fit of anger, Sam tells Misty he doesn't believe America deserves Captain America anymore, and it's Patriot who convinces him otherwise. He asks if you really just give up a war because you're outgunned and outnumbered, reminding Sam that giving up the uniform just gave his enemies what they wanted and left the vulnerable without a champion. It's hard work, Sam, but someone has to do it.
Also Read: Occupy Avengers #9
Showing posts with label Captain America: Steve Rogers (2016). Show all posts
Showing posts with label Captain America: Steve Rogers (2016). Show all posts
Friday, October 6, 2017
Friday, August 4, 2017
Not-Very-Deep Thoughts: The June 21 Rest of Marvel Edition (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
Captain America: Steve Rogers #18: Some tie-in issues provide important off-panel insights to the event unfolding in the main series; if I remember correctly, a lot of important stuff happened in the tie-in issues related to "Avengers vs. X-Men." However, the same isn't true of this issue. Steve gives an uncharacteristically unhinged speech to the rump United Nations meeting in Brussels (as a result of their New York colleagues being trapped in the Darkforce Dimension), threatening governments that don't embrace HYDRA cells in their own countries. T'Challa ruins the fun by hijacking the meeting via video link and daring Steve to come to Wakanda himself; it's not an idle threat, as he informs the meeting he's killed three previous groups Steve sent to infiltrate Wakanda. This revelation undermines Steve's "stop spying on us" demand he made at the top of the speech, and he leaves in a huff. Based on the cover, you'd be forgiven if you thought this issue was going to be about Namor (pet peeve #2), but Namor only sulks at the start and end of the issue. In fact, I'm not sure why Spencer included him at all, since T'Challa's entry into the fray is a much more interesting development. After all, we've already seen HYDRA defeat Namor in "Secret Empire" #5. It makes for a confused narrative and a pretty easily skipable issue if you were only coming here because it's connected to "Secret Empire."
Darth Vader #2: I've never been the biggest fan of Camuncoli's work (I know, I know), namely because his faces in "Amazing Spider-Man" always seemed...off to me. But, he's on fire here, capturing just how lethal Vader is, be it as a pilot or as a combatant. Soule is no slouch either. Vader invades an outpost cataloging Jedi effects to try to track down a living Jedi. The only one he finds is a warrior who took the "Barash vow," a sort of penance requiring isolation (meaning he survived implementation of Order 66). Soule reminds us this Vader isn't the Vader we know by allowing him to get winged by one of the Stormtroopers defending the outpost. I hope it means we'll see the internal emotional conflict I mentioned in my review of last issue. All told, we've got a good start here.
Iceman #2: Grace accomplishes what he intended to do here, using Kitty and her anger over learning from Fabio Bobby was gay to press him to actually connect with people. She makes a solid point, stressing his family and friends want more from him than just jokes at inopportune moments. Bobby defends himself accurately, noting he didn't have a say in his coming out: he only did so because his younger self is running around town with a model boyfriend. But, something feels rushed here, and I hope Grace slows down. Grace only alludes to the fact Bobby's alone in the world, but I think it's worth exploring it more. After all, Jean, Scott, and Warren (at least the Warren he knew) are all dead, and he's estranged from Hank. He really doesn't have anyone in his corner except an ex-girlfriend. Moreover, Kitty may raise Bobby's hopes too high here that his parents are going to be in his corner, though the preview of next issue's cover implies we'll find out one way or another. But, at some point, Bobby needs someone, and it's probably hinting at the fact he could use a supporting case unique to this series. Finally, the art has some decent moments here, though it's hard to tell what penciler/inker combination is responsible, given four sets of hands are at play here. You get the feeling Marvel is doing this one on the cheap given the unsteady art situation, and it makes me unfortunately wonder how long this series has.
Mighty Thor #20: It seems clear the War of the Realms is going to kick into high gear. After all, at this point, we have three different Thors. The story of Volstagg becoming War Thor is devastating, though I'll admit I don't exactly understand how he survived the Muspelhiem fire that killed the elven children he was trying to protect. (Apparently fire-goblin blood is immune to the fire. If I had to guess, those creatures that appeared with the maggot bombs were fire goblins, and Volstagg coated himself with their blood when he murdered them in a rage. But, Aaron doesn't really make that part entirely clear.) At any rate, Odinson is pissed at Jane for becoming Thor, Jane is dying so she might not be Thor that much longer (or she might stay Thor forever, giving up Jane), and Volstagg is ready to kill everyone. It seems like something is going to happen, given that confluence of events. But, it's the death of the children that gives this issue its emotional weight. We obviously don't see that in comics often, but Aaron makes sure it's not gratuitous. Volstagg is someone different than he's always been, and it ups the ante here, making you wonder what other unexpected developments are in store for us.
X-Men: Gold #6: OK, I'm not buying what Guggenheim is selling here when it comes to Rachel. I can think of any number of instances from the past where Rachel used power on the scale she uses here. I mean, she took on the Beyonder during "Secret Wars II," if I remember correctly. It's not like what we've seen with other characters, where they evolve over time, like Bobby eventually coming to realize his full potential or Spider-Man learning "Spider-Fu" when he temporarily lost his Spider-Sense. She suddenly just has a headache, talks to some folks in her mind, and then decides she's powerful enough to disable the A.I. Sentinel. It's not just overly convenient, but it doesn't do justice to a 36-year-old character. Guggenheim also includes smaller odd moments, like Ororo kissing Remy. All told, it makes for a bizarre ending to this once promising arc.
Also Read: Secret Empire: Underground #1; U.S.Avengers #7
Darth Vader #2: I've never been the biggest fan of Camuncoli's work (I know, I know), namely because his faces in "Amazing Spider-Man" always seemed...off to me. But, he's on fire here, capturing just how lethal Vader is, be it as a pilot or as a combatant. Soule is no slouch either. Vader invades an outpost cataloging Jedi effects to try to track down a living Jedi. The only one he finds is a warrior who took the "Barash vow," a sort of penance requiring isolation (meaning he survived implementation of Order 66). Soule reminds us this Vader isn't the Vader we know by allowing him to get winged by one of the Stormtroopers defending the outpost. I hope it means we'll see the internal emotional conflict I mentioned in my review of last issue. All told, we've got a good start here.
Iceman #2: Grace accomplishes what he intended to do here, using Kitty and her anger over learning from Fabio Bobby was gay to press him to actually connect with people. She makes a solid point, stressing his family and friends want more from him than just jokes at inopportune moments. Bobby defends himself accurately, noting he didn't have a say in his coming out: he only did so because his younger self is running around town with a model boyfriend. But, something feels rushed here, and I hope Grace slows down. Grace only alludes to the fact Bobby's alone in the world, but I think it's worth exploring it more. After all, Jean, Scott, and Warren (at least the Warren he knew) are all dead, and he's estranged from Hank. He really doesn't have anyone in his corner except an ex-girlfriend. Moreover, Kitty may raise Bobby's hopes too high here that his parents are going to be in his corner, though the preview of next issue's cover implies we'll find out one way or another. But, at some point, Bobby needs someone, and it's probably hinting at the fact he could use a supporting case unique to this series. Finally, the art has some decent moments here, though it's hard to tell what penciler/inker combination is responsible, given four sets of hands are at play here. You get the feeling Marvel is doing this one on the cheap given the unsteady art situation, and it makes me unfortunately wonder how long this series has.
Mighty Thor #20: It seems clear the War of the Realms is going to kick into high gear. After all, at this point, we have three different Thors. The story of Volstagg becoming War Thor is devastating, though I'll admit I don't exactly understand how he survived the Muspelhiem fire that killed the elven children he was trying to protect. (Apparently fire-goblin blood is immune to the fire. If I had to guess, those creatures that appeared with the maggot bombs were fire goblins, and Volstagg coated himself with their blood when he murdered them in a rage. But, Aaron doesn't really make that part entirely clear.) At any rate, Odinson is pissed at Jane for becoming Thor, Jane is dying so she might not be Thor that much longer (or she might stay Thor forever, giving up Jane), and Volstagg is ready to kill everyone. It seems like something is going to happen, given that confluence of events. But, it's the death of the children that gives this issue its emotional weight. We obviously don't see that in comics often, but Aaron makes sure it's not gratuitous. Volstagg is someone different than he's always been, and it ups the ante here, making you wonder what other unexpected developments are in store for us.
X-Men: Gold #6: OK, I'm not buying what Guggenheim is selling here when it comes to Rachel. I can think of any number of instances from the past where Rachel used power on the scale she uses here. I mean, she took on the Beyonder during "Secret Wars II," if I remember correctly. It's not like what we've seen with other characters, where they evolve over time, like Bobby eventually coming to realize his full potential or Spider-Man learning "Spider-Fu" when he temporarily lost his Spider-Sense. She suddenly just has a headache, talks to some folks in her mind, and then decides she's powerful enough to disable the A.I. Sentinel. It's not just overly convenient, but it doesn't do justice to a 36-year-old character. Guggenheim also includes smaller odd moments, like Ororo kissing Remy. All told, it makes for a bizarre ending to this once promising arc.
Also Read: Secret Empire: Underground #1; U.S.Avengers #7
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
Not-Very-Deep Thoughts: The May 24 Edition (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
Batgirl #11: Unfortunately, I'm officially done with this title now. I love Babs, but she's had a rough run lately in terms of creators. This tale eventually just spun completely beyond Larson's control, as she makes no attempt to explain how Ethan's data mining led to him being able to control people's thoughts over WiFi via something he calls "murmurations." Instead, she explains how "murmurations" are also what you call flocks of starlings and the Danish word for starling is "black sun." Coincidence! Except it's...not. It's fiction so I'm not really sure why Larson wants us to be impressed by these connections. I'd rather she explain how exactly Ethan's power works. But, things go from bad to worse as Babs lectures Ethan rather than helping him as his suit overloads. Larson can't pretend Babs doesn't realize it's happening, as she herself says she's not going to let him "fry." But, she does exactly that, and he suffers burns over 90 percent of his body. Barbara Gordon as the Punisher isn't really my bag of tea. I'm outtie.
Ben Reilly: Scarlet Spider #2: Given how proud Ben is that he doesn't rip off Cassandra Mercury's arm when she opens fire on him, David seems to be implying the main struggle of these first few issues is going to be Ben learning how to overcome his baser instincts. It's still unclear why Ben has said instincts, though I'm guessing we're going to blame all of his questionable behavior on the torture he suffered at the Jackal's hands and leave it at that. In the meantime, the parameters of this series are starting to take shape. When Mercury's daughter miraculously awakens after Ben touches her, Mercury is convinced he cured her and agrees to bankroll his research into her daughter's disease. Ben knows he didn't do anything, but he's happy to take the cash. With Kaine hot on Ben's trail, David seems to be taking inspiration from the '70s "Incredible Hulk" TV show: Ben is going to solve someone's problems, probably for money, as Kaine tries to bring him to justice. If that is David's plan, I'm down with it. The only real question from this issue is how Ben managed to crush Mercury's gun without touching it. He lies to her at one point in this issue, telling her he used telepathy to awaken her daughter. But, maybe he at least has some form of telekinesis now? (It was my first thought when he crushed the gun and thus I was surprised when he denied he had telepathy.) I guess we'll see.
Ben Reilly: Scarlet Spider #2: Given how proud Ben is that he doesn't rip off Cassandra Mercury's arm when she opens fire on him, David seems to be implying the main struggle of these first few issues is going to be Ben learning how to overcome his baser instincts. It's still unclear why Ben has said instincts, though I'm guessing we're going to blame all of his questionable behavior on the torture he suffered at the Jackal's hands and leave it at that. In the meantime, the parameters of this series are starting to take shape. When Mercury's daughter miraculously awakens after Ben touches her, Mercury is convinced he cured her and agrees to bankroll his research into her daughter's disease. Ben knows he didn't do anything, but he's happy to take the cash. With Kaine hot on Ben's trail, David seems to be taking inspiration from the '70s "Incredible Hulk" TV show: Ben is going to solve someone's problems, probably for money, as Kaine tries to bring him to justice. If that is David's plan, I'm down with it. The only real question from this issue is how Ben managed to crush Mercury's gun without touching it. He lies to her at one point in this issue, telling her he used telepathy to awaken her daughter. But, maybe he at least has some form of telekinesis now? (It was my first thought when he crushed the gun and thus I was surprised when he denied he had telepathy.) I guess we'll see.
Captain America: Steve Rogers #17: This issue has some bright moments even though it largely covers ground we're already trod. Spencer uses a journalist interviewing Steve on live TV to review the realities of HYDRA's America, from the concentration camps for Inhumans to the mutant nation on its border. The only new information we get in this issue is insight into Steve's secret deal with the mutants. As expected, he offered Magneto his own nation to get the mutants off the map, since he couldn't handle taking over America and fighting the mutants. (Publicly, as agreed with Magneto, Steve claims the mutants illegally seized the land.) We're not clear on why Steve insisted on making Xi'an the head of the country, but I'm pretty sure "Secret Empire: United" will fill in those details. Otherwise, the issue mostly involves Steve justifying his action by delivering far-right talking points about bringing economic and physical security to people who craved it. He's admirably good at delivering said points. The only problem is when the journalist mentions Las Vegas, something Dr. Faustus explicitly forbade her to do. The TV feed is cut, and she's thrown into a prison cell for "endangering national security;" you get the sense she's lucky to be a prisoner and not dead. Overall, Spencer uses this issue to remind us that a certain percentage of Americans -- a parallel to Donald Trump's oft-mentioned 38 percent -- will find a way to dismiss the destruction of Las Vegas as either a conspiracy theory or a justifiable act. The closer these justifications come to real-life ones, the more depressing it gets.
Also Read: Deathstroke #19; Detective Comics #957; Pathfinder: Runescars #1; Rebels: These Free and Independent States #3; X-Men: Blue #4
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
Not-Very-Deep Thoughts: The April 19 "Secret Empire" Marvel Edition (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
OK, here we go. If you've been reading my posts as we built to this event, you know that I'm not as vehemently opposed to Captain Nazi as some other fans are. I think it's mostly because Spencer isn't out there swearing to God that Steve will be Captain Nazi forever, as Steve Wacker and Dan Slott did when they subjected us to Spider-Ock. Spencer is telling a story that feels limited in its ambition; after 75+ years, it was probably time for Cap to have his heel turn. If you come to the issue that way (and I totally understand why you wouldn't), then Spencer has to be judged by whether it's actually a good story. A lot of cross-over events have started as great ideas only for the execution to rob it of all greatness. ("Age of Ultron" is probably the best example to me of a cross-over event with an awesome premise that rapidly devolved.) As such, let's see how Spencer does.
Secret Empire #0: I inadvertently read this issue first, even though it eventually became clear I should've read "Captain America: Steve Rogers," "Thunderbolts," and "U.S.Avengers" first. Oh, well.
As widely discussed in the media at this point, Spencer implies the "true" story is the one we've seen unfold over the course of the last few issues: a mystically powered Elisa Sinclair identified Steve as the agent of change HYDRA needed to take over the world. In this issue, starting in 1945, Kraken has revealed himself to be alive as Steve arrives at the "source of all HYDRA's powers" in Japan. It's the remains of Ashomia, "a lost city of the wicked and the abandoned." Steve is introduced to a mysterious figure, and Kraken informs us he's the man who "birthed HYDRA from the spear" and made him Kraken. Let's call him Father HYDRA. Father HYDRA tells Steve that the Allies' Cosmic Cube will allow them to re-write history so they win the war; in other words, the history we used to think was the "true" story. As the Cube begins to do exactly that, Father HYDRA has Steve enter a pool so his memories are preserved; we see him fade into the block of ice where the Avengers will find him in the now "fake" story. As he escorts Steve into the pool, Father HYDRA warns Steve the Cube will eventually become Kobik and the Skull (called the "usurper" here) will use Kobik to rekindle Steve's memory of the "true" story. This part answers one of my main questions, namely why no one else remembers the now "true" history. Spencer has sent conflicting messages on this front, but at least he comes down firmly here on one side (some evidence in previous issues to the contrary).
In the present, we are at a moment of crisis as three separate events happen at once: the Chitauri horde arrives; Baron Zemo is leading the villains imprisoned at Pleasant Hill on a rampage o' revenge in New York city; and the Crescent, the Helicarrier Sharon sent to Sokovia in "Captain America: Steve Rogers" #15, has gone missing. In terms of the Chitauri invasion, a HYDRA suicide bomber has apparently blown up the Shield. Ironheart (a.k.a. Riri Williams) and Iron Man (who's apparently alive again) are frantically trying to fix the Shield as Alpha Flight, Quasar, and the Ultimates hold off the Chitauri. In New York, Luke Cage leads an expanded Defenders line-up to protect civilians; meanwhile, Sharon and Steve are heading to Sokovia on the Iliad to try to find out what happened to the Crescent. Spencer makes it immediately clear Steve has orchestrated these events so the President will put into action the S.H.I.E.L.D. Act. With Steve now able to rule the United States by fiat, he activates his plan. Ironheart realizes the Shield is somehow not as damaged as she thought it was; they're able to activate it, and the world watches as the Chitauri are unable to cross it. Eventually, Ironheart and Iron Man discover the damage to the Shield's hardware was superficial; it was lowered not because of the bomb but because someone at command used the software to do so. Meanwhile, Sharon and Steve come upon the Crescent, which rams into the Iliad. As mind-controlled S.H.I.E.L.D. agents rush aboard. Steve reveals himself to Sharon; Dr. Faustus' voice is broadcast throughout the Iliad, bringing more S.H.I.E.L.D. agents fully under Steve's control. Steve then tells Carol he's locking her outside the planet (with the Chitauri horde). Finally, Baron Zemo uses Blackout to plunge New York into the Darkforce Dimension, taking all New York's heroes off the board. Steve then heads to Washington to complete his coup.
All in all, it's not terrible. Again, if you go into it assuming Cap won't be evil forever, then it's easier to enjoy the story. After all, it's clearly Spencer has carefully constructed this story; the only weakness I can identify is some ambiguity in previous issues about why people didn't remember the new "true" history. At this stage, I think the question for me is how far we really go here. As I mention below, "U.S.Avengers" #5 shows us where I hope we won't go, with Steve being reduced to a mentally unstable cliché of a super-villain. This event will be scarier if Steve is just as calculating and strategic as we know he can be. If he is, then it could even be great.
Thunderbolts #12: Reading this issue after "Secret Empire" #0, it feels like Zub had to rush the ending so he could make sure the Masters of Evil (with Atlas) could be in place for Baron Zemo's attack on New York. Events move more quickly than they probably should have as Zub is forced to get from Point A to Point B as quickly as possible. For example, I was surprised the main drama in this issue is Kobik apparently throwing such a temper tantrum that she threatened reality. I get she's upset about Bucky not believing in HYDRA, but it feels like she's gone a little too far here, even for a child. It would've helped to see more of Erik trying to calm her, since it would've established why she's so upset. But, we move almost immediately to Fixer developing a device to strip Kobik of her personality (I think); instead, it shatters her into many pieces. Zemo recruits Moonstone (easily) and Fixer to help him track down the pieces. He also convinces Atlas to join them, a wink to Zub's characterization of Atlas as a follow at his core. In the aftermath, Jolt is unconscious after Kobik's explosion (inexplicably) drained off her energy, and the Ghost swipes her. (For some reason, she's also miniaturized by the blast, allowing Ghost to drop her into his pocket.) After the team's now-abandoned headquarters collapses on them, Melissa emerges from the rubble, but Mach-X is missing. Melissa trudges into the snow, and the series concludes behind her. I have a feeling Marvel will revisit the team after "Secret Empire" concludes. They had grown on me, and they deserve a better ending than they get here.
U.S.Avengers #5: In terms of plot, this issue is solid. Cap visit Roberto to remind him that he works for him, making sure Roberto is willing to follow orders he initially finds questionable. Meanwhile, a HYDRA agent within A.I.M. convinces Red Hulk to allow him to override his safety protocol after he express frustration when he de-Hulks during a fight; Steve clearly plans to use a berserk Hulk at some point. The most important development, though, seems to be Steve learning that Roberto has trained A.I.M. agents in Xavier's techniques to block telepathic incursions, meaning Dr. Faustus' mind-control techniques won't work on them. (I know why that's important after reading "Secret Empire" #0.) But, it's the characterization that leaves you scratching your head. Steve acts like a cut-rate villain here, adopting various personas during his talk with Roberto. First he's obsessed with people getting him coffee then he's berating Roberto for being elitist. He seems totally insane; if his goal was not tipping off Roberto that something was wrong with him, it seems unlikely it worked.
Captain America: Steve Rogers #16: This issue completes setting up "Secret Empire" #0 in a number of ways. First, the Masters of Evil (unexpectedly, to me) complete the search for the last fragment of Kobik. I had initially thought their search for the Cube was going to occur throughout "Secret Empire;" after all, its reunification would clearly set up someone using it to rewrite history. However, Spencer cleverly finds a way to delay this moment and take a major player off the board. Dr. Selvig is disturbed by Zemo's insistence on reassembling the Cube and not letting Kobik pull herself together. (Zemo wisely would rather a non-sentient Cube since it's easier to control.) As such, Selvig sends the fragments to an unidentified place before killing himself. Steve is furious when Zemo eventually tells him, since his plan was not only to conquer the world for HYDRA but use the Cube to "right" history. However, Zemo is now free to lead the Masters of Evil on the assault of New York in "Secret Empire" #0. Meanwhile, Maria Hill breaks into Taskmaster's computer and discovers the video of Steve saying "Hail HYDRA." She tells Rick Jones Steve is an agent of HYDRA just before HYDRA captures her, but Cap calls Rick just in time, after Taskmaster alerted him to Maria's actions. He tells Rick that Maria is off the reservation; in his story, she's going to use the override codes for the Shield as leverage to get back her old job. Rick believes him and sends Steve the codes to the Shield. Black Ant than knocks him unconscious, and we see the HYDRA suicide bomber seemingly blow up the Shield. (However, we know from "Secret Empire" #0 that Steve uses the codes to take down the Shield; the damage to the Shield was purposefully superficial.) Finally, Steve laments the loss of Xavier's brain to Elisa, but she reminds him of Dr. Faustus' powers; he takes control of the Cresent here. The other big development is Steve allowing Zemo seemingly to kill Bucky in the same way his father died. It seems unlikely Bucky is dead, but it's yet another player off the board for a while. At this stage, the only people who know of Cap's treachery are Carol, who's stranded outside Earth, and Maria, Rick (to a certain extent), and Sharon, all of whom are in Steve's custody.
At this stage, Spencer has set up two main storylines. We're going to have the struggle against Steve as he tries to impose his will on the United States. But, I also imagine we're going to have the quest for the Cube, as both sides try to "right" history. It feels like the story I thought we were going to get in "Age of Ultron," and I'll be a happy camper if Spencer accomplishes that.
Secret Empire #0: I inadvertently read this issue first, even though it eventually became clear I should've read "Captain America: Steve Rogers," "Thunderbolts," and "U.S.Avengers" first. Oh, well.
As widely discussed in the media at this point, Spencer implies the "true" story is the one we've seen unfold over the course of the last few issues: a mystically powered Elisa Sinclair identified Steve as the agent of change HYDRA needed to take over the world. In this issue, starting in 1945, Kraken has revealed himself to be alive as Steve arrives at the "source of all HYDRA's powers" in Japan. It's the remains of Ashomia, "a lost city of the wicked and the abandoned." Steve is introduced to a mysterious figure, and Kraken informs us he's the man who "birthed HYDRA from the spear" and made him Kraken. Let's call him Father HYDRA. Father HYDRA tells Steve that the Allies' Cosmic Cube will allow them to re-write history so they win the war; in other words, the history we used to think was the "true" story. As the Cube begins to do exactly that, Father HYDRA has Steve enter a pool so his memories are preserved; we see him fade into the block of ice where the Avengers will find him in the now "fake" story. As he escorts Steve into the pool, Father HYDRA warns Steve the Cube will eventually become Kobik and the Skull (called the "usurper" here) will use Kobik to rekindle Steve's memory of the "true" story. This part answers one of my main questions, namely why no one else remembers the now "true" history. Spencer has sent conflicting messages on this front, but at least he comes down firmly here on one side (some evidence in previous issues to the contrary).
In the present, we are at a moment of crisis as three separate events happen at once: the Chitauri horde arrives; Baron Zemo is leading the villains imprisoned at Pleasant Hill on a rampage o' revenge in New York city; and the Crescent, the Helicarrier Sharon sent to Sokovia in "Captain America: Steve Rogers" #15, has gone missing. In terms of the Chitauri invasion, a HYDRA suicide bomber has apparently blown up the Shield. Ironheart (a.k.a. Riri Williams) and Iron Man (who's apparently alive again) are frantically trying to fix the Shield as Alpha Flight, Quasar, and the Ultimates hold off the Chitauri. In New York, Luke Cage leads an expanded Defenders line-up to protect civilians; meanwhile, Sharon and Steve are heading to Sokovia on the Iliad to try to find out what happened to the Crescent. Spencer makes it immediately clear Steve has orchestrated these events so the President will put into action the S.H.I.E.L.D. Act. With Steve now able to rule the United States by fiat, he activates his plan. Ironheart realizes the Shield is somehow not as damaged as she thought it was; they're able to activate it, and the world watches as the Chitauri are unable to cross it. Eventually, Ironheart and Iron Man discover the damage to the Shield's hardware was superficial; it was lowered not because of the bomb but because someone at command used the software to do so. Meanwhile, Sharon and Steve come upon the Crescent, which rams into the Iliad. As mind-controlled S.H.I.E.L.D. agents rush aboard. Steve reveals himself to Sharon; Dr. Faustus' voice is broadcast throughout the Iliad, bringing more S.H.I.E.L.D. agents fully under Steve's control. Steve then tells Carol he's locking her outside the planet (with the Chitauri horde). Finally, Baron Zemo uses Blackout to plunge New York into the Darkforce Dimension, taking all New York's heroes off the board. Steve then heads to Washington to complete his coup.
All in all, it's not terrible. Again, if you go into it assuming Cap won't be evil forever, then it's easier to enjoy the story. After all, it's clearly Spencer has carefully constructed this story; the only weakness I can identify is some ambiguity in previous issues about why people didn't remember the new "true" history. At this stage, I think the question for me is how far we really go here. As I mention below, "U.S.Avengers" #5 shows us where I hope we won't go, with Steve being reduced to a mentally unstable cliché of a super-villain. This event will be scarier if Steve is just as calculating and strategic as we know he can be. If he is, then it could even be great.
Thunderbolts #12: Reading this issue after "Secret Empire" #0, it feels like Zub had to rush the ending so he could make sure the Masters of Evil (with Atlas) could be in place for Baron Zemo's attack on New York. Events move more quickly than they probably should have as Zub is forced to get from Point A to Point B as quickly as possible. For example, I was surprised the main drama in this issue is Kobik apparently throwing such a temper tantrum that she threatened reality. I get she's upset about Bucky not believing in HYDRA, but it feels like she's gone a little too far here, even for a child. It would've helped to see more of Erik trying to calm her, since it would've established why she's so upset. But, we move almost immediately to Fixer developing a device to strip Kobik of her personality (I think); instead, it shatters her into many pieces. Zemo recruits Moonstone (easily) and Fixer to help him track down the pieces. He also convinces Atlas to join them, a wink to Zub's characterization of Atlas as a follow at his core. In the aftermath, Jolt is unconscious after Kobik's explosion (inexplicably) drained off her energy, and the Ghost swipes her. (For some reason, she's also miniaturized by the blast, allowing Ghost to drop her into his pocket.) After the team's now-abandoned headquarters collapses on them, Melissa emerges from the rubble, but Mach-X is missing. Melissa trudges into the snow, and the series concludes behind her. I have a feeling Marvel will revisit the team after "Secret Empire" concludes. They had grown on me, and they deserve a better ending than they get here.
U.S.Avengers #5: In terms of plot, this issue is solid. Cap visit Roberto to remind him that he works for him, making sure Roberto is willing to follow orders he initially finds questionable. Meanwhile, a HYDRA agent within A.I.M. convinces Red Hulk to allow him to override his safety protocol after he express frustration when he de-Hulks during a fight; Steve clearly plans to use a berserk Hulk at some point. The most important development, though, seems to be Steve learning that Roberto has trained A.I.M. agents in Xavier's techniques to block telepathic incursions, meaning Dr. Faustus' mind-control techniques won't work on them. (I know why that's important after reading "Secret Empire" #0.) But, it's the characterization that leaves you scratching your head. Steve acts like a cut-rate villain here, adopting various personas during his talk with Roberto. First he's obsessed with people getting him coffee then he's berating Roberto for being elitist. He seems totally insane; if his goal was not tipping off Roberto that something was wrong with him, it seems unlikely it worked.
Captain America: Steve Rogers #16: This issue completes setting up "Secret Empire" #0 in a number of ways. First, the Masters of Evil (unexpectedly, to me) complete the search for the last fragment of Kobik. I had initially thought their search for the Cube was going to occur throughout "Secret Empire;" after all, its reunification would clearly set up someone using it to rewrite history. However, Spencer cleverly finds a way to delay this moment and take a major player off the board. Dr. Selvig is disturbed by Zemo's insistence on reassembling the Cube and not letting Kobik pull herself together. (Zemo wisely would rather a non-sentient Cube since it's easier to control.) As such, Selvig sends the fragments to an unidentified place before killing himself. Steve is furious when Zemo eventually tells him, since his plan was not only to conquer the world for HYDRA but use the Cube to "right" history. However, Zemo is now free to lead the Masters of Evil on the assault of New York in "Secret Empire" #0. Meanwhile, Maria Hill breaks into Taskmaster's computer and discovers the video of Steve saying "Hail HYDRA." She tells Rick Jones Steve is an agent of HYDRA just before HYDRA captures her, but Cap calls Rick just in time, after Taskmaster alerted him to Maria's actions. He tells Rick that Maria is off the reservation; in his story, she's going to use the override codes for the Shield as leverage to get back her old job. Rick believes him and sends Steve the codes to the Shield. Black Ant than knocks him unconscious, and we see the HYDRA suicide bomber seemingly blow up the Shield. (However, we know from "Secret Empire" #0 that Steve uses the codes to take down the Shield; the damage to the Shield was purposefully superficial.) Finally, Steve laments the loss of Xavier's brain to Elisa, but she reminds him of Dr. Faustus' powers; he takes control of the Cresent here. The other big development is Steve allowing Zemo seemingly to kill Bucky in the same way his father died. It seems unlikely Bucky is dead, but it's yet another player off the board for a while. At this stage, the only people who know of Cap's treachery are Carol, who's stranded outside Earth, and Maria, Rick (to a certain extent), and Sharon, all of whom are in Steve's custody.
At this stage, Spencer has set up two main storylines. We're going to have the struggle against Steve as he tries to impose his will on the United States. But, I also imagine we're going to have the quest for the Cube, as both sides try to "right" history. It feels like the story I thought we were going to get in "Age of Ultron," and I'll be a happy camper if Spencer accomplishes that.
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
Not-Very-Deep Thoughts: The April 5 Marvel Edition (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
Uncanny Avengers #22: Whoa. Duggan throws a lot at us in this issue. To start, Beast successfully removes Xavier's brain from the Skull and, in so doing, brings the team's crusade to an end. Before Captain Nazi can get his mitts on the brain, Rogue has Johnny follow her above New York City and incinerate it. Larraz has been on fire throughout this series, and he hits nova at several points in this issue. But, his best panel so far comes here: Johnny gives Rogue a moment to herself, and she contemplates this final nail in Charles' coffin while looking at the clouds above New York City. It's really a touching moment. Marvel has dragged out Charles' death, from the Red Skull stealing his brain in this series to his appearance in heaven in the opening arc of "Extraordinary X-Men." But, Duggan gives us as close to a sense of finality as a comic-book death can have; it's hard not to feel like he's gone (at least for a while). With their mission accomplished, the Avengers assemble for a "team breakup" party, where Deadpool opens up a bottle of whiskey he was saving for when Logan returned. (Heh.) However, Duggan takes us to an unexpected place as Wade sneaks from the party and Rogue follows him. She asks if he hates her for breaking him (he's still walking with a cane), and Wade casually tells her that he's used to being hurt. Rogue grabs him and flies above New York City again, kissing him and absorbing his "hurt." Similar to Larraz, Duggan has been at the height of his game in this series when it comes to injecting humor at unexpected moments, and he did a great job doing so throughout this issue, like when Johnny told Synapse he was the Ringo of the Fantastic Four. But, he saves the best moment for Wade: when Rogue tells Wade his mind is like a palate cleanser after the Red Skull, he tells her it's the most romantic thing anyone has ever said to him. However, we go to an even more unexpected place: instead of Cable returning in this issue, it's Simon! Somehow, absorbing Wade's powers and psyche has brought out Simon but left Rogue comatose. (By the way, I had no idea Wade was hot.) Man, I hope this series doesn't end. Duggan has really been the only person in recent memory to write a superhero comic that genuinely surprises me, and I'd love for him to keep this team together. After all, someone's going to have to take down Captain Nazi.
Captain America: Steve Rogers #15: Speaking of the Devil, the Skull's loss of Xavier's brain has a very immediate impact here, as Steve is now able to confront the Skull directly without fear of him seeing through his facade. The most interesting part of this action-packed issue is that Spencer strongly implies Steve is aware of the Skull's meddling in his past. As Steve beats on him -- with the tacit support of Crossbones and Sin, who fail to intervene -- the Skull shouts out the truth. Steve remains undeterred, saying he's only ever been loyal to the dream as he throws the Skull's broken body on the rocks below, killing him. Throughout the confrontation, Steve refers to HYDRA as a mythic organization that prizes strength (something the Skull undermined during his tenure as leader), and Steve seems to view HYDRA as a way to make America stronger. In the past, Steve is disillusioned as the Skull completes his take-over: Baron Zemo père is dead, and Kraken is missing. (We get confirmation Skull set up Zemo père, but I admit I don't totally remember that part being clear. Did the Skull tip off the Allies to Zemo père's location in whatever issue it was where Bucky sent him to his death?) Moreover, Spencer doesn't just play with Steve's history. In this new history, HYDRA threw in its lot with the Nazis only because it saw them as a way to seize power. But, it miscalculated, and Elisa's disapproval of the selection of the Nazis as partner appears to be why she was seen as a traitor to HYDRA. But, Elisa approaches Steve after the Skull's coup d'état to tell him HYDRA still needs him, as the Americans are working on a weapon of mass destruction, the Cosmic Cube. At this point, it's getting difficult to keep straight the ever-changing past. Elisa is presumably a creation of Kobik, but she's sending Steve to get his hands on the Cosmic Cube (i.e., Kobik) before it's created. Does Elisa use the Cube to create herself? Talk about a paradox. Moreover, if Baron Zemo père is the one who died on the experimental rocket, then how did Bucky lose his arm and become the Winter Soldier? The longer Spencer draws out the story, the more questions like these we have. It still seems like this new past is just affecting Steve (assuming Baron Zemo is lying about "remembering" their shared past), but I'm not sure how that's possible. Anyway, in the present, Elisa's new High Council arrives to meet with Steve as he's now the undisputed head of HYDRA. Meanwhile, in Steve's absence, Sharon defies the World Security Council's orders as she has S.H.I.E.L.D. strike against a HYDRA-controlled Sokovia. (Sokovia fell to the Skull's forces in this issue, and he threatened the Council with a nuclear weapon if it didn't recognize his sovereignty.) Spencer is really bringing everything to a head, even though it's hard to tell exactly what the denouement will be. I guess we'll see.
Avengers #6: I love Mark Waid most of the time, and I was thrilled when he launched "Avengers." We were finally getting an old-school team again. But, I've understood virtually nothing of this arc. In the end, it seems the Avengers simply stole Kang's future using the same deus ex machina from last issue, the Sacniaa time-eating machine. The only consequence of this arc appears to be the displacement of Avenger X's tomb from where we saw it in issue #5.1 to a sub-basement of Parker Industries, even though we're not told why anything we saw happen here would cause that to happen. In other words, I'm done. I'm thrilled other people are totally digging this run, but I'm not one of them.
Nova (2017) #5: Wow. At first, I thought we were going to lose Rich briefly. He returned, and the Cancerverse returned with him. He realized he had been selfish when it threatened Sam's family, and he returned to the Cancerverse, closing the portal behind him. I figured Sam and maybe the Guardians would go after him to save him, since Sam would now be able to locate the portal to the Cancerverse. But, it gets even crazier. It seems the Worldmind has become the Cancerverse in Rich's absence. I don't understand either, but you bet your ass I'm coming back next issue to see what happens!
Spider-Man #15: This issue isn't as emotional as you'd expect it to be, given Miles' mother learns both his and Jefferson's secrets. But, Bendis make it clear Rio doesn't know how to process her fury right now and we'll return to it at a later point. In the meantime, Bendis doesn't let off Miles easy. A mysterious figure is furious after Miles stopped "Frogboy" from robbing a woman. (He did so with a off-handed shot of Web-Line from the rooftop where he was talking to his dad.) "Frogboy" apparently had more ambitious plans for the night to pay off said figure, and the figure decides he has to think about how he wants to handle the plethora of superheroes (and Spider-Men) that plague New York. Separately, Bendis may be laying the groundwork for Miles' identity to be revealed: Ganke says hi to the girl who runs the YouTube channel that supports Spider-Man, and Jefferson is concerned Rio is going to tell her mother Miles' secret. Given what we've seen of Miles' grandmother, she's not going to keep that quiet. Poor Miles. He's already trying to make it work with an inter-dimensional love interest and now his grandmother is going to ruin his life and probably get herself killed in the process.
Star Wars #30: I've tried really hard with this arc, re-reading previous issues with each new issue to understand the complicated story Aaron has been telling. But, I admit he loses me here. In the present, Luke learns Garro lives alone on the world Yoda visited all those years ago. In the past, Yoda ended the feud between the Muckwhackers and Rockhawkers by resurrecting the giants they thought they had lost. With giants and humans now peacefully co-existing, Yoda departs, thinking he saved the day. But, Garro reveals the children of this world eventually left it, as Yoda's arrival showed them the galaxy had more to offer. All these developments make sense to me. But, the problem is Aaron pretty much stops explaining there. Garro claims the departure of the children robbed the world of Stonepower, so the giants were eventually reduced to much smaller versions of themselves. Garro wants to use Luke's connection with the Force to destroy them once and for all, though he doesn't really explain why he feels this way. Why fear them if they're so small? Why destroy them if they pose no threat? Then, he suddenly has a change of heart (seemingly inspired by Yoda's teachings, but we're not told why) and merges with the stone. The "giants" hustle Luke to the heart of the mountain to get it pumping again, but I don't understand why it would do any good. How long can Garro's powers really sustain this world? Even if him merging with the stone somehow gave the stone enough power for its heart to beat again, how will it sustain itself if the children are a key part of maintaining this energy? After all, it stopped beating because the children left. Seriously, for all the work I put into this arc, it's frustrating it could've ended two or three issues ago -- when Yoda first awakened the heart of the mountain -- with the same outcome. It's a disappointment, to say the least.
X-Men: Gold #1: As I may have previously mentioned, Marvel is doing with the X-Men what I always dreamed of them doing. I've always wanted a series that returned to the characters and dynamics that I remember fondly from the 1980s, and this team is exactly that. (Moreover, "X-Men Blue" and its focus on the time-displaced original team is even analogous to the original "X-Factor" concept, another hallmark of the 1980s.) Guggenheim hits us over the head with the refresh by naming this first arc "Back to Basics," and Marvel even throws in a multiple-page timeline summarizing the X-Men's history to boot. The message is clear: the basics, they are back. Thankfully, it's not just high concept; Guggenheim does a great job of implementing this vision as well. We've got the perpetually troubled Kitty/Peter romance, Logan as a cranky and seemingly forced participant, softball, a new anti-mutant organization, money troubles, a rookie leader talking to Xavier in her head, the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants: it all feels very familiar, in a good way. In a conversation with Nightcrawler, Storm allows that Kitty's focus on the basics has helped her find hope again. She sees them not just as the outcasts they've been ever since Scott took them to Utopia, but the heroes Kitty imagines them being. To underline the point, Kitty places them in the middle of Central Park. (We'll see if they can afford to stay!) It's been eight years since Scott pulled the X-Men to Utopia, and Marvel is making it clear this era is over. It's going to take work to keep the X-Men more grounded than they've been, but Guggenheim makes it clear he's committed to doing so in this issue, with all these winks and nods he gives us. The ten-year-old in me is very excited.
Also Read: Champions #7; Hawkeye #5
Captain America: Steve Rogers #15: Speaking of the Devil, the Skull's loss of Xavier's brain has a very immediate impact here, as Steve is now able to confront the Skull directly without fear of him seeing through his facade. The most interesting part of this action-packed issue is that Spencer strongly implies Steve is aware of the Skull's meddling in his past. As Steve beats on him -- with the tacit support of Crossbones and Sin, who fail to intervene -- the Skull shouts out the truth. Steve remains undeterred, saying he's only ever been loyal to the dream as he throws the Skull's broken body on the rocks below, killing him. Throughout the confrontation, Steve refers to HYDRA as a mythic organization that prizes strength (something the Skull undermined during his tenure as leader), and Steve seems to view HYDRA as a way to make America stronger. In the past, Steve is disillusioned as the Skull completes his take-over: Baron Zemo père is dead, and Kraken is missing. (We get confirmation Skull set up Zemo père, but I admit I don't totally remember that part being clear. Did the Skull tip off the Allies to Zemo père's location in whatever issue it was where Bucky sent him to his death?) Moreover, Spencer doesn't just play with Steve's history. In this new history, HYDRA threw in its lot with the Nazis only because it saw them as a way to seize power. But, it miscalculated, and Elisa's disapproval of the selection of the Nazis as partner appears to be why she was seen as a traitor to HYDRA. But, Elisa approaches Steve after the Skull's coup d'état to tell him HYDRA still needs him, as the Americans are working on a weapon of mass destruction, the Cosmic Cube. At this point, it's getting difficult to keep straight the ever-changing past. Elisa is presumably a creation of Kobik, but she's sending Steve to get his hands on the Cosmic Cube (i.e., Kobik) before it's created. Does Elisa use the Cube to create herself? Talk about a paradox. Moreover, if Baron Zemo père is the one who died on the experimental rocket, then how did Bucky lose his arm and become the Winter Soldier? The longer Spencer draws out the story, the more questions like these we have. It still seems like this new past is just affecting Steve (assuming Baron Zemo is lying about "remembering" their shared past), but I'm not sure how that's possible. Anyway, in the present, Elisa's new High Council arrives to meet with Steve as he's now the undisputed head of HYDRA. Meanwhile, in Steve's absence, Sharon defies the World Security Council's orders as she has S.H.I.E.L.D. strike against a HYDRA-controlled Sokovia. (Sokovia fell to the Skull's forces in this issue, and he threatened the Council with a nuclear weapon if it didn't recognize his sovereignty.) Spencer is really bringing everything to a head, even though it's hard to tell exactly what the denouement will be. I guess we'll see.
Avengers #6: I love Mark Waid most of the time, and I was thrilled when he launched "Avengers." We were finally getting an old-school team again. But, I've understood virtually nothing of this arc. In the end, it seems the Avengers simply stole Kang's future using the same deus ex machina from last issue, the Sacniaa time-eating machine. The only consequence of this arc appears to be the displacement of Avenger X's tomb from where we saw it in issue #5.1 to a sub-basement of Parker Industries, even though we're not told why anything we saw happen here would cause that to happen. In other words, I'm done. I'm thrilled other people are totally digging this run, but I'm not one of them.
Nova (2017) #5: Wow. At first, I thought we were going to lose Rich briefly. He returned, and the Cancerverse returned with him. He realized he had been selfish when it threatened Sam's family, and he returned to the Cancerverse, closing the portal behind him. I figured Sam and maybe the Guardians would go after him to save him, since Sam would now be able to locate the portal to the Cancerverse. But, it gets even crazier. It seems the Worldmind has become the Cancerverse in Rich's absence. I don't understand either, but you bet your ass I'm coming back next issue to see what happens!
Spider-Man #15: This issue isn't as emotional as you'd expect it to be, given Miles' mother learns both his and Jefferson's secrets. But, Bendis make it clear Rio doesn't know how to process her fury right now and we'll return to it at a later point. In the meantime, Bendis doesn't let off Miles easy. A mysterious figure is furious after Miles stopped "Frogboy" from robbing a woman. (He did so with a off-handed shot of Web-Line from the rooftop where he was talking to his dad.) "Frogboy" apparently had more ambitious plans for the night to pay off said figure, and the figure decides he has to think about how he wants to handle the plethora of superheroes (and Spider-Men) that plague New York. Separately, Bendis may be laying the groundwork for Miles' identity to be revealed: Ganke says hi to the girl who runs the YouTube channel that supports Spider-Man, and Jefferson is concerned Rio is going to tell her mother Miles' secret. Given what we've seen of Miles' grandmother, she's not going to keep that quiet. Poor Miles. He's already trying to make it work with an inter-dimensional love interest and now his grandmother is going to ruin his life and probably get herself killed in the process.
Star Wars #30: I've tried really hard with this arc, re-reading previous issues with each new issue to understand the complicated story Aaron has been telling. But, I admit he loses me here. In the present, Luke learns Garro lives alone on the world Yoda visited all those years ago. In the past, Yoda ended the feud between the Muckwhackers and Rockhawkers by resurrecting the giants they thought they had lost. With giants and humans now peacefully co-existing, Yoda departs, thinking he saved the day. But, Garro reveals the children of this world eventually left it, as Yoda's arrival showed them the galaxy had more to offer. All these developments make sense to me. But, the problem is Aaron pretty much stops explaining there. Garro claims the departure of the children robbed the world of Stonepower, so the giants were eventually reduced to much smaller versions of themselves. Garro wants to use Luke's connection with the Force to destroy them once and for all, though he doesn't really explain why he feels this way. Why fear them if they're so small? Why destroy them if they pose no threat? Then, he suddenly has a change of heart (seemingly inspired by Yoda's teachings, but we're not told why) and merges with the stone. The "giants" hustle Luke to the heart of the mountain to get it pumping again, but I don't understand why it would do any good. How long can Garro's powers really sustain this world? Even if him merging with the stone somehow gave the stone enough power for its heart to beat again, how will it sustain itself if the children are a key part of maintaining this energy? After all, it stopped beating because the children left. Seriously, for all the work I put into this arc, it's frustrating it could've ended two or three issues ago -- when Yoda first awakened the heart of the mountain -- with the same outcome. It's a disappointment, to say the least.
X-Men: Gold #1: As I may have previously mentioned, Marvel is doing with the X-Men what I always dreamed of them doing. I've always wanted a series that returned to the characters and dynamics that I remember fondly from the 1980s, and this team is exactly that. (Moreover, "X-Men Blue" and its focus on the time-displaced original team is even analogous to the original "X-Factor" concept, another hallmark of the 1980s.) Guggenheim hits us over the head with the refresh by naming this first arc "Back to Basics," and Marvel even throws in a multiple-page timeline summarizing the X-Men's history to boot. The message is clear: the basics, they are back. Thankfully, it's not just high concept; Guggenheim does a great job of implementing this vision as well. We've got the perpetually troubled Kitty/Peter romance, Logan as a cranky and seemingly forced participant, softball, a new anti-mutant organization, money troubles, a rookie leader talking to Xavier in her head, the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants: it all feels very familiar, in a good way. In a conversation with Nightcrawler, Storm allows that Kitty's focus on the basics has helped her find hope again. She sees them not just as the outcasts they've been ever since Scott took them to Utopia, but the heroes Kitty imagines them being. To underline the point, Kitty places them in the middle of Central Park. (We'll see if they can afford to stay!) It's been eight years since Scott pulled the X-Men to Utopia, and Marvel is making it clear this era is over. It's going to take work to keep the X-Men more grounded than they've been, but Guggenheim makes it clear he's committed to doing so in this issue, with all these winks and nods he gives us. The ten-year-old in me is very excited.
Also Read: Champions #7; Hawkeye #5
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Not-Very-Deep Thoughts: The March 22 Edition (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
Black Panther #12: T'Challa makes the only decision he could here to keep Wakanda together: he will turn it into a constitutional democracy. This decision comes after Changamire leads a Council attempting to reconcile the positions of T'Challa and Shuri on one side and the Midnight Angels on the other one. But, T'Challa isn't the only one forced to make concessions. Changamire chides Aneka for her continued use of the term "Orphan King" to describe T'Challa. He does so partly because his wife is an orphan, but also because he believes Wakandans' prejudice against orphans is a relic of their Golden Age, where few existed. Changamire observes Wakanda is now full of orphans in the wake of its recent battles and exhorts Aneka to consider how isolated T'Challa has been throughout his life. When T'Challa calls Aneka to offer the deal (one that essentially ends his isolation), she's in a place to hear it. Freed from the burdens of absolute power, T'Challa can now do two things: pursue the enemies of Wakanda (such as the escaped Zenzi) and, apparently, Storm. Coates engaged in a successful high-wire act in bringing this story to a close, particularly given T'Challa's previously heavy-handed attempts to resolve the conflict. Coates does the rare thing in showing his character learn a lesson consistent with his characterization: his decision to turn over power to his people feels right. Some of his people's criticism of T'Challa has been that he was more hero than king, and this decision essentially allows him to be exactly that: the Black Panther. Someone else will have to deal with grain yields and mining challenges. Coates has Shuri play her cards closer to her chest. When the woman the Midnight Angels saved asks whether T'Challa would've preferred she and her daughter were raped and killed by the marauders, Shuri shocks the room by saying, yes, she should've done exactly that. To Shuri, their lives exist solely to advance Wakanda, and sacrifice is thus necessary. It's a hard-line position to be sure, and it's unclear where she goes from here as a character. Although she's understanding of T'Challa's decision, it seems unlikely she truly accepts it. She feels like someone who really believes in the divine right of the kings (and queens), and it's hard to see her moderating that stance. Of the many problems T'Challa's decision may create, Shuri could be one of the more significant ones.
Bloodshot Reborn #0: As I mentioned at the end of last issue, I was nervous about continuing Ray's story, because Lemire left him in such a great place. But, it felt like punishing Lemire for creating a character about whom I cared so much, so I decided to stay the course. I'm glad I did. In fact, Lemire makes the ending even happier, as we learn Magic is pregnant. Both Magic and Ray have concerns, but they decide that, in Bloodshot's words, "if it's gonna be a monster, at least it'll be [their] monster." In fact, everyone gets a happy ending here. G.A.T.E. is able to upgrade the nanites in the rest of the Bloodshot Gang, allowing them to pass as human and resume regular lives. Festival tells Kate she's done with the F.B.I., and they leave G.A.T.E. together. Even PRS gets its happy ending, as it morphs into Project Omen. (I'm sure long-time Bloodshot readers recognize the guy with the scar who convenes the remaining PRS members just as I'm sure the rest of us are going to learn more about him soon.) The issue ends with the cover for next issue, showing Bloodshot standing hand-in-hand with his red-eyed child. I'm eager to see that story unfold. Onwards and upwards!
Captain America: Steve Rogers #14: Curiouser and curiouser. In the present, Elisa assembles a new HYDRA High Council from the usual suspects: Dr. Faustus, Gorgon, Viper, Dr. Zola, etc. The most interesting addition is the mysterious new Kraken: all we know of him is Steve believes him to be dead and he's "family," according to Elisa. I have to assume he's the missing Ian Rogers, since he fits those bills nicely. (Elisa also mentions the previous Kraken "meant a great deal" to her, though I don't think we've seen that connection yet.) Meanwhile, Carol's Shield performs better than expected, as even Quasar can't break it. Steve again tries to convince Carol not to build it, though we're not privy to his argument, which Carol dismisses as "idealistic." (I have no idea what it could be. Freedom? Freedom to what? Fly into space? No idea.) In the past, Elisa displays her powers for the first time as Steve arrives to assassinate her, showing herself to be some sort of dark-arts sorceress. She tells Steve it was the Red Skull who betrayed the Zemos (not her), though, at this stage, we're not told why he (allegedly) did so. Elisa has been in the background ever since Steve left for HYDRAwarts but Spencer makes it clear she's going to resume her place at the center of this story.
Detective Comics #953: Shiva lowers the boom here as her League of Shadows takes out the remaining members of the team, Batwoman and Clayface. (I'm not entirely sure how they took out Clayface with swords, but presumably we'll learn that at some point.) Shiva also shows her sadistic side in making sure Batwoman is stabbed right in front of her father. But, it's Cass who suffers the most at Shiva's hands, distraught over the fact someone as brutal as Shiva is her mother. Shiva compounds this hurt by being as cold as you'd expect. She promises Cass answers only if she fights to kill her, but Cass can't bring herself to do it. Shiva beats her into unconsciousness and leaves. As if matters couldn't get worse for Bruce, R'as al Ghul appears in the Cave at the end of the issue. It seems likely he'll propose an alliance, though I'm not entirely sure. After all, wouldn't he love the idea of Gotham burning? But, his hatred of Shiva probably trumps that, so I'm assuming we'll get a team-up. All in all, Tynion is doing a solid job of showing everything going to hell organically. Gordon is allowed to return to Gotham (though I'm not entirely sure why the Deputy Mayor no longer thinks he's a target), and Bruce and Kate explain in the helicopter that the chaos is just a distraction from Shiva's actual (unknown) goal. Gordon is suitably awed by the fact the chaos he's seeing -- people rioting, Joker gas, buildings burning -- is a "distraction." It gets across the scope of the events of the last few issues without having to take us on a deep dive into the chaos itself. It allows us to maintain our focus on the now dwindling team and how serious of a threat Shiva seems. It's still unclear what her motivation is or why Batman defeating the Colony's attempt to strike in Gotham set her plan in motion, but I'm assuming we'll get there soon.
Extraordinary X-Men #20: In all honesty, I don't have much to say here; the X-Men find Cerebra after she sacrificed herself in the fight with Emma at the end of "IvX" and finish transporting everyone in X-Haven back to Earth now that it's safe for mutants. The team then enjoys a softball game before they close down shop in Limbo and end this chapter. I have to say, I'm excited about where we go from here. I've always dreamed Marvel would give us an X-Men team formed of the second-wave X-Men, and they do exactly that with the upcoming "X-Men Gold" series. If Rachel is the sixth member of the team on the teaser cover, as I think she is, it's basically everyone still alive from the second wave except Havok and Polaris. As a requiem, I've always liked this title, as it captured some of the fun and energy of the Australia period in the 1980s. The X-Men really needed that, given the tumultuous (though still enjoyable) Marvel NOW! period. I'm hoping that energy carries into this next era, which feels similar to the "Revolution" relaunch in the 2000s. We'll see.
Reborn #5: I'm intrigued that Lord Golgotha is the Minneapolis shooter, particularly since it means we still don't know where Bonnie's mother is. In the meantime, Millar seems to glide past Bonnie's devastation at learning her husband has remarried, given she's willing to go on a suicide mission to save him. On the other hand, he could really just be setting up the meaning of title of this series: will Bonnie truly be "reborn?" Will she embrace who she is here as opposed to who she was? Millar seems to be reminding us how new she is to this world, whose physics we still don't fully understand. But, hopefully, we'll get more answers next issue.
Unworthy Thor #5: We learn what Nick Fury whispered to Thor in this issue, and I have to admit it's pretty solid. It isn't that he isn't really Odin's son or that he has some previously unknown older brother originally meant to hold the hammer. It's simply that the God Butcher was right: no god is worthy. Odinson believes him, because he's seen the damage gods inflict on mortals. It's as simple and profound as that. Odinson essentially doesn't believe in gods anymore, despite being one. This embrace of sincerity isn't just limited to his inability to lift Mjolnir: it extends to Ultimate Thor's hammer as well. It's not his hammer, and he leaves it be. Instead, he rescues Asgard from the Collector and calls it a day. I can't think of a nobler ending. Moreover, as Beta Ray Bill says, it reminds us Odinson doesn't need a hammer to be worthy; he's that on his own. In wrapping up this mini-series this way, Aaron makes it clear he has no intention of rushing the hammer from Jane's hand, and I'm glad for that. As the editor says, it's hard to find new things to do with a 55-year-old character. Given that history, though, it's also clear that you don't have to tell a story quickly. Odinson has plenty of time to be Odinson and find the truths he's missing. Meanwhile, the larger story continues to unfurl here. A mysterious figure emerges to take up Ultimate Thor's hammer because s/he, like the hammer, believes it's time for a "War Thor" to be born. It seems clear it's not the Ultimate Thor (R.I.P.); in fact, Aaron hints we already know the person. Apparently we'll learn who it is in "Mighty Thor" #20. I honestly can't wait. My only hope is that Odinson isn't a stranger. After all, a triumvirate of Thors? Malekith better watch his back. (P.S. More goats.)
Also Read: Batgirl #9; Rebels: These Free & Independent States #1; Spider-Gwen #18
Bloodshot Reborn #0: As I mentioned at the end of last issue, I was nervous about continuing Ray's story, because Lemire left him in such a great place. But, it felt like punishing Lemire for creating a character about whom I cared so much, so I decided to stay the course. I'm glad I did. In fact, Lemire makes the ending even happier, as we learn Magic is pregnant. Both Magic and Ray have concerns, but they decide that, in Bloodshot's words, "if it's gonna be a monster, at least it'll be [their] monster." In fact, everyone gets a happy ending here. G.A.T.E. is able to upgrade the nanites in the rest of the Bloodshot Gang, allowing them to pass as human and resume regular lives. Festival tells Kate she's done with the F.B.I., and they leave G.A.T.E. together. Even PRS gets its happy ending, as it morphs into Project Omen. (I'm sure long-time Bloodshot readers recognize the guy with the scar who convenes the remaining PRS members just as I'm sure the rest of us are going to learn more about him soon.) The issue ends with the cover for next issue, showing Bloodshot standing hand-in-hand with his red-eyed child. I'm eager to see that story unfold. Onwards and upwards!
Captain America: Steve Rogers #14: Curiouser and curiouser. In the present, Elisa assembles a new HYDRA High Council from the usual suspects: Dr. Faustus, Gorgon, Viper, Dr. Zola, etc. The most interesting addition is the mysterious new Kraken: all we know of him is Steve believes him to be dead and he's "family," according to Elisa. I have to assume he's the missing Ian Rogers, since he fits those bills nicely. (Elisa also mentions the previous Kraken "meant a great deal" to her, though I don't think we've seen that connection yet.) Meanwhile, Carol's Shield performs better than expected, as even Quasar can't break it. Steve again tries to convince Carol not to build it, though we're not privy to his argument, which Carol dismisses as "idealistic." (I have no idea what it could be. Freedom? Freedom to what? Fly into space? No idea.) In the past, Elisa displays her powers for the first time as Steve arrives to assassinate her, showing herself to be some sort of dark-arts sorceress. She tells Steve it was the Red Skull who betrayed the Zemos (not her), though, at this stage, we're not told why he (allegedly) did so. Elisa has been in the background ever since Steve left for HYDRAwarts but Spencer makes it clear she's going to resume her place at the center of this story.
Detective Comics #953: Shiva lowers the boom here as her League of Shadows takes out the remaining members of the team, Batwoman and Clayface. (I'm not entirely sure how they took out Clayface with swords, but presumably we'll learn that at some point.) Shiva also shows her sadistic side in making sure Batwoman is stabbed right in front of her father. But, it's Cass who suffers the most at Shiva's hands, distraught over the fact someone as brutal as Shiva is her mother. Shiva compounds this hurt by being as cold as you'd expect. She promises Cass answers only if she fights to kill her, but Cass can't bring herself to do it. Shiva beats her into unconsciousness and leaves. As if matters couldn't get worse for Bruce, R'as al Ghul appears in the Cave at the end of the issue. It seems likely he'll propose an alliance, though I'm not entirely sure. After all, wouldn't he love the idea of Gotham burning? But, his hatred of Shiva probably trumps that, so I'm assuming we'll get a team-up. All in all, Tynion is doing a solid job of showing everything going to hell organically. Gordon is allowed to return to Gotham (though I'm not entirely sure why the Deputy Mayor no longer thinks he's a target), and Bruce and Kate explain in the helicopter that the chaos is just a distraction from Shiva's actual (unknown) goal. Gordon is suitably awed by the fact the chaos he's seeing -- people rioting, Joker gas, buildings burning -- is a "distraction." It gets across the scope of the events of the last few issues without having to take us on a deep dive into the chaos itself. It allows us to maintain our focus on the now dwindling team and how serious of a threat Shiva seems. It's still unclear what her motivation is or why Batman defeating the Colony's attempt to strike in Gotham set her plan in motion, but I'm assuming we'll get there soon.
Extraordinary X-Men #20: In all honesty, I don't have much to say here; the X-Men find Cerebra after she sacrificed herself in the fight with Emma at the end of "IvX" and finish transporting everyone in X-Haven back to Earth now that it's safe for mutants. The team then enjoys a softball game before they close down shop in Limbo and end this chapter. I have to say, I'm excited about where we go from here. I've always dreamed Marvel would give us an X-Men team formed of the second-wave X-Men, and they do exactly that with the upcoming "X-Men Gold" series. If Rachel is the sixth member of the team on the teaser cover, as I think she is, it's basically everyone still alive from the second wave except Havok and Polaris. As a requiem, I've always liked this title, as it captured some of the fun and energy of the Australia period in the 1980s. The X-Men really needed that, given the tumultuous (though still enjoyable) Marvel NOW! period. I'm hoping that energy carries into this next era, which feels similar to the "Revolution" relaunch in the 2000s. We'll see.
Reborn #5: I'm intrigued that Lord Golgotha is the Minneapolis shooter, particularly since it means we still don't know where Bonnie's mother is. In the meantime, Millar seems to glide past Bonnie's devastation at learning her husband has remarried, given she's willing to go on a suicide mission to save him. On the other hand, he could really just be setting up the meaning of title of this series: will Bonnie truly be "reborn?" Will she embrace who she is here as opposed to who she was? Millar seems to be reminding us how new she is to this world, whose physics we still don't fully understand. But, hopefully, we'll get more answers next issue.
Unworthy Thor #5: We learn what Nick Fury whispered to Thor in this issue, and I have to admit it's pretty solid. It isn't that he isn't really Odin's son or that he has some previously unknown older brother originally meant to hold the hammer. It's simply that the God Butcher was right: no god is worthy. Odinson believes him, because he's seen the damage gods inflict on mortals. It's as simple and profound as that. Odinson essentially doesn't believe in gods anymore, despite being one. This embrace of sincerity isn't just limited to his inability to lift Mjolnir: it extends to Ultimate Thor's hammer as well. It's not his hammer, and he leaves it be. Instead, he rescues Asgard from the Collector and calls it a day. I can't think of a nobler ending. Moreover, as Beta Ray Bill says, it reminds us Odinson doesn't need a hammer to be worthy; he's that on his own. In wrapping up this mini-series this way, Aaron makes it clear he has no intention of rushing the hammer from Jane's hand, and I'm glad for that. As the editor says, it's hard to find new things to do with a 55-year-old character. Given that history, though, it's also clear that you don't have to tell a story quickly. Odinson has plenty of time to be Odinson and find the truths he's missing. Meanwhile, the larger story continues to unfurl here. A mysterious figure emerges to take up Ultimate Thor's hammer because s/he, like the hammer, believes it's time for a "War Thor" to be born. It seems clear it's not the Ultimate Thor (R.I.P.); in fact, Aaron hints we already know the person. Apparently we'll learn who it is in "Mighty Thor" #20. I honestly can't wait. My only hope is that Odinson isn't a stranger. After all, a triumvirate of Thors? Malekith better watch his back. (P.S. More goats.)
Also Read: Batgirl #9; Rebels: These Free & Independent States #1; Spider-Gwen #18
Monday, March 13, 2017
Not-Very-Deep Thoughts: The February 22 Non-Spider Edition (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
Black Panther #11: I'm not sure if Coates meant it this way, but we wind up getting a pretty solid lesson in the advantages that come with enjoying entrenched power. T'Challa is able to summon the ghosts of past leaders of Wakanda and uses them as an army, overwhelming Tetu. He also used his technological superiority to broadcast Changamire's appeal to the rebels to put aside their hate, winnowing down Tetu's army significantly. In the end, regardless of the nobility of his cause, T'Challa wins because he has all the tools a King needs to win, an advantage Tetu can't overcome. T'Challa needs to realize this truth; if he and Shuri are given this opportunity to put aside the mistakes of their past and heal Wakanda, they'll only succeed if they acknowledge how their power is the problem and solution at the same time.
Captain America: Steve Rogers #12: Slowly but surely, Spencer is really starting to sell me on this story. He's built it layer by layer, and it might be the most exciting one on the shelves because it's so difficult to predict where it's going. At first, it seems like Taskmaster's video is going to get broadcast publicly after he offers it to Maria Hill as a way for her to get back her old job. (Brilliant.). But, then, Madame Hydra captures them and reveals herself to be Elisa Sinclair! (Brilliant-er!) In the past, Helmut reveals to Cap that Elisa is a traitor to HYDRA, though it seems unlikely she's betraying HYDRA to the Americans; she seems more like the type trying to keep the organization pure and running afoul of the leadership in so doing. Moreover, Dr. Selvig is surprised by Helmut embracing Steve's story about their past friendship, and he starts to realize Kobik could be involved in this "secret history." In other words, several of the wheels seem to be coming off the bus at the same time, and it's an open question if Steve is going to manage to get where he wants to be before it's too late.
Detective Comics #951: Tynion adds evidence to Snyder's argument that Batman is actually a fucking moron as it appears Colonel Kane was right: the League of Shadows not only exists, but Shiva appears to runs it. Shiva comes to Gotham after capturing a Colony team sent to eliminate her three months earlier. The head of the team tells her Batman (or, more accurately, Tim) prevented their attempt to eliminate the League in Gotham and they're now unable to return there. She informs an underling that this information changes "everything," though we're not show why it did so in this issue. In Gotham, she goes directly after Batman, framing him for the assassination of Mayor Hady. (!) Then, as they're reporting that story, two news anchors are killed by Joker gas, though Shiva's hand is pretty obvious behind this event. Batman and the team deploy to Adams Square, where Jokerized citizens are attacking each other. However, the citizens go from Jokerized to Shadowized almost immediately. Again, it's unclear why Shiva is acting now and what her aim is, but we'll obviously learn both those things soon enough. In the meantime, Bruce is probably going to have to admit his insistence (repeated again this issue) the League of Shadows doesn't exist is getting more and more difficult to believe.
IvX #5: As expected, the NuHumans open the door to the X-Men's salvation, as Moon Girl helps Forge miniaturize his invention. They head to Ennilux, apparently an Inhuman city, where they expect Black Bolt's son (who apparently rules there) to provide them with the materials necessary to build the new machine. (I don't know why he'd help them destroy the last remaining Terrigen cloud, but I don't really care at this point.) Separately, Mosaic possesses Emma during the X-Men's attempt to stop the NuHumans, so it seems likely everyone will learn the truth about "Scott's" role in the destruction of the first cloud. That said, the X-Men are now trying to do what "Scott" was trying to do then, so I'm not sure why the truth would matter. It's hard to see how some sort of deus ex machina isn't going to resolve this event, with only one issue left, but I feel like we all knew we'd be here, didn't we?
Occupy Avengers #4: This issue is OK. I don't really understand why Walker repeated the same parts of Nightshade's monologue throughout it; he clearly had a specific impact in mind, but the only one I felt was tedium. I also still don't understand why Nighthawk hates Clint; I'm left to assume it's due to an altercation that occurred in his series. (Really, Alanna? No editor's note?) But, it's fun to watch Hawkeye try to explain to Nick Fury why Ronald Reagan isn't President, so I guess that part is a plus. Also, I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised to discover Nick Fury, Jr. is even alive, for how little we've seen of him over the last few months. I like this series, but I keep expecting there to be more to the stories. For example, it seemed like we were setting up the Fireheart brothers spending some time on the road with Clint and Red Wolf, but instead they just stayed in New Mexico. We also seemed ready to learn all about Nighthawk's beef with Clint, but then Clint just takes his sidekick and leaves. In other words, both arcs of this series so far felt like they should've been three or four issues each, not two issues each. I'm not sure what Walker's rush is, but I'm OK with us slowing down a bit so we can fully explore the pretty great concepts he's putting out here.
Thunderbolts #10: Damn it, Marvel. Stop making me like this series. I'm only reading it because of its connection to "Captain America: Steve Rogers" and because Atlas is adorable. (Wait, did I say that aloud?)
Uncanny Avengers #20: The story Duggan is telling here really reminds me of Remender's original run on this title. His sprawling (in the best sense of the term) Kang story was truly epic, involving a lot of supporting characters from across the Marvel Universe without forcing us to buy separate mini-series or tie-in issues. (I'm looking at you, Dan Slott.) In the latest installment of Duggan's epic, Wade goes to war with the Skull, as his immunity to telepathy makes him the only person capable of getting past Professor X's power. It's the culmination of this entire series, as Remender's "Red Shadow" arc opened this title. As Deadpool and his bros fight their way to the Skull, we get some stellar moments from Spider-Man, from a number of great quips to his legitimate panic at the Skull's threat to harm Johnny Storm. (He's too pretty to hurt, the way Larraz draws him. I swear the colorist invented a new shade of blond for his hair.) But, Duggan also gives Wade some honest-to-goodness emotions here, as he gets increasingly nervous as events spiral into chaos. I don't know where we're going, but I legitimately can't wait. If not you're reading this one, pick up the last few issues and get ready for a roller-coaster ride.
Also Read: Avengers #4.1; Batgirl #8; Champions #1.MU; Extraordinary X-Men #19; Mighty Captain Marvel #2; Pathfinder: Worldscape #5
Captain America: Steve Rogers #12: Slowly but surely, Spencer is really starting to sell me on this story. He's built it layer by layer, and it might be the most exciting one on the shelves because it's so difficult to predict where it's going. At first, it seems like Taskmaster's video is going to get broadcast publicly after he offers it to Maria Hill as a way for her to get back her old job. (Brilliant.). But, then, Madame Hydra captures them and reveals herself to be Elisa Sinclair! (Brilliant-er!) In the past, Helmut reveals to Cap that Elisa is a traitor to HYDRA, though it seems unlikely she's betraying HYDRA to the Americans; she seems more like the type trying to keep the organization pure and running afoul of the leadership in so doing. Moreover, Dr. Selvig is surprised by Helmut embracing Steve's story about their past friendship, and he starts to realize Kobik could be involved in this "secret history." In other words, several of the wheels seem to be coming off the bus at the same time, and it's an open question if Steve is going to manage to get where he wants to be before it's too late.
Detective Comics #951: Tynion adds evidence to Snyder's argument that Batman is actually a fucking moron as it appears Colonel Kane was right: the League of Shadows not only exists, but Shiva appears to runs it. Shiva comes to Gotham after capturing a Colony team sent to eliminate her three months earlier. The head of the team tells her Batman (or, more accurately, Tim) prevented their attempt to eliminate the League in Gotham and they're now unable to return there. She informs an underling that this information changes "everything," though we're not show why it did so in this issue. In Gotham, she goes directly after Batman, framing him for the assassination of Mayor Hady. (!) Then, as they're reporting that story, two news anchors are killed by Joker gas, though Shiva's hand is pretty obvious behind this event. Batman and the team deploy to Adams Square, where Jokerized citizens are attacking each other. However, the citizens go from Jokerized to Shadowized almost immediately. Again, it's unclear why Shiva is acting now and what her aim is, but we'll obviously learn both those things soon enough. In the meantime, Bruce is probably going to have to admit his insistence (repeated again this issue) the League of Shadows doesn't exist is getting more and more difficult to believe.
IvX #5: As expected, the NuHumans open the door to the X-Men's salvation, as Moon Girl helps Forge miniaturize his invention. They head to Ennilux, apparently an Inhuman city, where they expect Black Bolt's son (who apparently rules there) to provide them with the materials necessary to build the new machine. (I don't know why he'd help them destroy the last remaining Terrigen cloud, but I don't really care at this point.) Separately, Mosaic possesses Emma during the X-Men's attempt to stop the NuHumans, so it seems likely everyone will learn the truth about "Scott's" role in the destruction of the first cloud. That said, the X-Men are now trying to do what "Scott" was trying to do then, so I'm not sure why the truth would matter. It's hard to see how some sort of deus ex machina isn't going to resolve this event, with only one issue left, but I feel like we all knew we'd be here, didn't we?
Occupy Avengers #4: This issue is OK. I don't really understand why Walker repeated the same parts of Nightshade's monologue throughout it; he clearly had a specific impact in mind, but the only one I felt was tedium. I also still don't understand why Nighthawk hates Clint; I'm left to assume it's due to an altercation that occurred in his series. (Really, Alanna? No editor's note?) But, it's fun to watch Hawkeye try to explain to Nick Fury why Ronald Reagan isn't President, so I guess that part is a plus. Also, I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised to discover Nick Fury, Jr. is even alive, for how little we've seen of him over the last few months. I like this series, but I keep expecting there to be more to the stories. For example, it seemed like we were setting up the Fireheart brothers spending some time on the road with Clint and Red Wolf, but instead they just stayed in New Mexico. We also seemed ready to learn all about Nighthawk's beef with Clint, but then Clint just takes his sidekick and leaves. In other words, both arcs of this series so far felt like they should've been three or four issues each, not two issues each. I'm not sure what Walker's rush is, but I'm OK with us slowing down a bit so we can fully explore the pretty great concepts he's putting out here.
Thunderbolts #10: Damn it, Marvel. Stop making me like this series. I'm only reading it because of its connection to "Captain America: Steve Rogers" and because Atlas is adorable. (Wait, did I say that aloud?)
Uncanny Avengers #20: The story Duggan is telling here really reminds me of Remender's original run on this title. His sprawling (in the best sense of the term) Kang story was truly epic, involving a lot of supporting characters from across the Marvel Universe without forcing us to buy separate mini-series or tie-in issues. (I'm looking at you, Dan Slott.) In the latest installment of Duggan's epic, Wade goes to war with the Skull, as his immunity to telepathy makes him the only person capable of getting past Professor X's power. It's the culmination of this entire series, as Remender's "Red Shadow" arc opened this title. As Deadpool and his bros fight their way to the Skull, we get some stellar moments from Spider-Man, from a number of great quips to his legitimate panic at the Skull's threat to harm Johnny Storm. (He's too pretty to hurt, the way Larraz draws him. I swear the colorist invented a new shade of blond for his hair.) But, Duggan also gives Wade some honest-to-goodness emotions here, as he gets increasingly nervous as events spiral into chaos. I don't know where we're going, but I legitimately can't wait. If not you're reading this one, pick up the last few issues and get ready for a roller-coaster ride.
Also Read: Avengers #4.1; Batgirl #8; Champions #1.MU; Extraordinary X-Men #19; Mighty Captain Marvel #2; Pathfinder: Worldscape #5
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